Holidays in 2012 – where to visit throughout the year

From Winter to Summer, Autumn or Spring, from the snow in the mountains to clear waters and sunny beaches, David has it all planned in advance for this year. As usual another amazing destination list :)

Deciding where to go on holiday can be tricky. You’ll often have a month in mind for when you’d like to go away but choosing your holiday destination isn’t always easy. To help you out with your decision, TravelSupermarket has identified 12 great holiday destinations to visit – one for every month of the year!

If you’re currently thinking about booking a last minute holiday, January is the ideal time of the year to visit the Caribbean. At this time of year there is a chance of rainfall but with temperatures throughout the month being at least 22 degrees, it is certainly a lot hotter than the UK. The Caribbean also starts its carnivals in January, giving you the chance to experience island life.


With choices from Antigua, Bahamas and Barbados and many others, you will be able to find miles of long sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes, as well as experiencing the laid-back charm of local towns and villages.

If you fancy a skiing break, then Geneva has over 200 resorts in traveling distance of the city and is an ideal destination for February. The city itself is also culture-rich and offers visitors the chance to wander down the streets of this green city and experience some of the finer things of Swiss life.


March is an ideal time to visit Marrakech, as the weather is warm without being too hot! The people of Marrakech are very friendly and the city itself is bustling with colour, sights and smells. It is easy to move from the narrow streets of the old city to the modern district, allowing you to experience what the city has to offer.


Crete is a popular European destination for some early sun in April, as well as for some excellent deals. The largest island in Greece, it offers beautiful coastline that is great for water sports as well as relaxing. The island has also lots to see, from natural features such as its gorges, to ruins from ancient civilizations.


Japan in May is very lush and the temperatures have yet to reach their hottest. The country offers the traditional Japanese lifestyle coupled with modern cities, having something for all types of visitors.


June is an ideal month for going on safari, with South Africa coming into its own at this time of year. The weather can be hot during the day, but it has cooler nights. Zambia has a number of National Parks, as well as spectacular landscapes that include Victoria Falls. The country offers a huge choice of safari activities, including horseback or elephant-back safaris as well as canoe or open vehicle safaris.


The fine weather in July is great for exploring Iceland. The country has such a varied landscape, including glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and geysers. The days are long as the sun rarely sets and the land is green. There are plenty of activities, such as glacier skiing or even the opportunity to whale watch.


The jewel of the Balearics, Menorca, offers hot weather in August and the chance to relax on one of the many beaches that it has on offer. There are plenty of activities on offer for the whole family, including water sports, water parks, cycling and riding.


Menorca also offers a variety of other activities, including a number of golf courses. There is a variety of historical sites worth visiting on the island, as well as its National Park, the S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park.

There are still plenty of warm destinations in the USA in September. Although the weather can sometimes be unstable at this time of year, Miami offers some fantastic beaches with daily temperatures of above 22 degrees.


There is also the chance to visit the Everglades National Park, which as the subtropical wilderness of the USA, is home to a variety of species. There is also the Biscayne National park that offers the chance to dive around its coral reefs.

Visiting Dubai in October gives the chance for you to experience this truly unique city. Not only does it have many record-breaking landmarks and achievements, it also has many miles of beaches that are ideal for water sports. The city also offers traditional activities, such as camel racing and falconry.


November is an ideal time to take a trip halfway around the world to New Zealand. Both North Island and South Island have beautiful landscapes that include plenty of beaches, lots of wildlife, outdoor activities and the opportunity to experience the unique Maori culture. There is still plenty of sun at this time of year and it is an ideal time to explore.


Cancun in Mexico offers dry weather in December, with average temperatures of around 24 degrees. There are plenty of water sports on offer, including diving. As well as its many beaches, there is plenty to see and do. It has bustling towns and gives visitors the opportunity to explore the ancient world of the Mayans.


Whatever time of year you plan to go on holiday this year, this top picks are just a few destinations that will help you to follow the sun throughout the year.

Top 5 Cruise Locations

And lets give a warm welcome to Sarah who is for the first time participating with a guest post. Also the usual thanks to Wikimedia and to Open Galleries for the nice photos and off go to Sarah's fantastic Top 5 Cruise Locations!

Whether you are a fan of adventure or prefer relaxing under sun-drenched skies, the number of holiday cruises available means that there is always something for everyone. Simply check out what is on offer and choose the destination that has everything you are looking for. To give you some ideas here are five of the best, beginning with one or two action-packed adventure cruises.


Traditionally one of the most popular of all cruise destinations, the Bahamas has everything the fun-seeker needs. Aside from the glorious stop-off beaches, fantastic weather and beautiful locations, the Bahamas offers the chance to partake in a variety of water-related activities. Take a guided scuba-diving day out and swim with the dolphins. Alternatively, stay above water on a thrilling speedboat or hop aboard a sailing vessel and become a temporary member of an actual sailing team.

While there is no doubting that Hawaii is surrounded by some of the most stunning scenic views on the planet, it is also a place sure to satisfy even the hungriest of thrill seekers. Among the many highlights you can enjoy at this location is the famous North Shore of Oahu, regarded by many as the best surfing experience there is. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay on solid ground, take the hike across the lava fields leading to real live and active volcanoes. Here, you can take in all the fire pits and lava tubes, saving the best till last -- an 11-mile crater rim.


For those who prefer the quieter life, then the options here are no less abundant. Among the most popular, however, is a cruise that will take you through all the stunning glory of the Fjords of Norway. Cruise through numerous colossal, slender fjords that appear to rise to the heavens. The experience is sure to leave you breathless and humbled in the presence of these glorious natural wonders. Just bear in mind that the best time to take this cruise is during the months of June through to August.

If the Fjords of Norway sound a bit chilly to you then you may well prefer to take the cruise that takes you through the glories of the South Pacific. While some may find the long distances covered going from island to island leaves them with too much idle time on their hands, for others this will prove the perfect antidote to the stresses of everyday life. In addition, the extensive traveling rarely ends in disappointment, the highlights including the tropical paradises of the Fiji and the Polynesian Islands.


Finally, we have what, for a great number of people, is the absolute number one cruise destination - the Caribbean. Comprising a thread of tiny islands peppering the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean offers river falls in Jamaica, whitewater rafting in the rainforests of Costa Rica, snorkeling with stingrays or horse riding along the region's unrivaled beaches.

Suffice to say the planet is truly blessed with an unlimited number of outstanding destinations for adventure seekers and leisure fans alike. Simply decide what it is you are looking for, check out what is available in the way of cheap cruise holidays, make your choice and book.

The world’s top 10 most beautiful beaches

A guest post brought to you by David from the team at travelsupermarket.com, a price comparison site which compares prices on hotels, flights, holidays and car hire.



Oludeniz Beach, Turkey



The beautiful Oludeniz Beach is undoubtedly one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean and it’s clear to see why. Known as the Turquoise Coast due to the stunning blue and aquamarine shades of water, the crystal clear sea is perfect for swimming in. Many water sports activities take place on the beach including scuba diving, water skiing, canoeing and banana boating. The most popular activity however is paragliding with many visitors taking to the skies to take in the spectacular views from 2,000 metres above the sea and beach.







Whitehaven Beach, Australia



There were plenty of Australian beaches that were candidates to make this list but due to its sheer beauty it’s Whitehaven Beach that has to be included. This picture-postcard beach is very special and not just for obvious reasons like the gorgeous fine, white sand which is 98% pure silica giving it its bright white colour or the warm, clear, azure waters which are perfect for swimming in. What really makes this beach stand out is the surrounding tropical forest and various islands dotted around in the distance.







Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles



Anse Source d’Argent in the Seychelles is without a doubt one of the most stunning beaches in the world. The perfect exotic beach is the ideal tropical escape and the beautiful coastline is a series of soft pink sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and colourful corals. Other stand out features of the beach are the rounded granite boulders and palm trees which make the beach feel even more tropical. The water is invitingly warm and makes the Anse Source d’Argent a popular destination with couples and families alike.







Fernando De Noronha, Brazil



Some 200 miles plus off Natal on Brazil’s north-eastern coast is Fernando De Noronha, an archipelago of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the fact that Fernando De Noronha isn’t a single beach, it had to be included on the list because of its natural beauty and stunning surroundings. What makes this area so special is that there are so few tourists on these islands,

meaning that those that do visit Fernando De Noronha are often left alone in paradise. The clarity and warmth of the water and the abundant underwater life means that these islands are also popular with divers and snorkelers. As well as fish, dolphins, sea turtles and sharks there is a Brazilian warship, which sank in 1987 and is lying in pristine condition at around 60 metres deep.







Matira Beach, Bora Bora



Widely recognised as the most beautiful lagoon in the world, Matira Beach is one of the few accessible beaches in Bora Bora. Perfect for activities like swimming and snorkelling, the water is warm, crystal clear and extremely calm. The beach is free from large groups of tourists but should anyone be looking for even more peace there are even more isolated beaches nearby. From the white sand beach you’ll likely see dolphins out in the ocean which is a spectacular sight.







Maroma Beach, Mexico



A beautifully romantic beach which is situated on the Yucatan Peninsula coastline in Mexico, Maroma beach is blissfully peaceful despite being only 30 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. The pristine white sands, crystal-clear waters and warm tropical breezes have helped establish Maroma Beach’s reputation as somewhat of a paradise. Regularly nominated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world, the amazing landscape, vast expanse of uninterrupted pure white sandy beaches and the attractive green tropical foliage has helped Maroma Beach establish itself as one of the finest beaches on the planet. On top off all this there’s the Cozumel reef which is the world’s second largest barrier. Located just off the Maroma beach, it is a famous deep sea diving spot which also allows visitors to swim with dolphins.







Pink Sands, Harbour Island, Bahamas



Pink Sands Beach ticks all the boxes required to be considered a fantastic beach. It certainly has the beautiful soft sand, the warm clear water and the fantastic weather. There’s another unique feature however which helps this beach stand out from the crowd. The clue as to what this might be is in the name of the beach. Pinks Sands beach is known as such because it has, as you’ve probably guessed, pink sand! Attracting tourists from all over the world, the colour of Pink Sands Beach comes

from the reddish shells of microscopic coral insects called Foraminifera. When these insects die, they leave behind their shells which are then crushed by the waves and brought to the shore to mix in with the sand. The result of this is the pink sand which covers the Pink Sands Beach.







Kondoi Beach, Japan



Taketomi Island is an island just off the coast of Ishigaki Island and is home to one of the world’s best beaches. With its emerald green water, white sand and warm water that is ideal for swimming in, Kondoi beach is undoubtedly one of the finest beaches in not just Asia but the world. Nearby are grassy, shaded picnic areas which are great if you want to get out of the sun for a bit.







Sinclair’s Bay, Scotland



When you think of beautiful beaches you probably don’t think of Scotland. However, when the sun comes out on Sinclair’s Bay it has the look of a Caribbean beach with a very Scottish twist! At either end of the four mile arc of white sand are the ruins of 16th Century castles. Home to a spectacular array of wildlife including plovers, dunlins, porpoises and orca, there’s plenty to take in when you visit and the best way to see all of the beach is on horseback.







Lanikai Beach, Hawaii



Like Australia, there were plenty of candidates from Hawaii but Lanikai Beach is probably the best of the Hawaiian contenders. The name Lanikai means ‘heavenly sea’ in the Hawaiian language and it’s certainly a fitting name for this beach. With warm clear water and a fine white sand beach, the beach is popular with locals and tourists alike. Located on Oahu's Windward coast, anyone in the area should be sure to check out this stunning beach and its beautiful surrounding areas.







Once more a big thank you David and hope to have you writing here again soon!