London is a vast metropolis. It has a population of over 12 million people with many different cultural backgrounds, languages and histories. Once the capital of a vast empire, the grand scale of its old palaces and government buildings is still astounding. It is also full of history, both its own and that of other peoples’ and places like the British Museum draw a huge crowd each year. However, London is also a vibrant, modern city with an amazing energy and a multitude of different cultural scenes.

Many people come to London to watch theatre performances or listen to classical music whilst others come to go shopping, clubbing and to enjoy the colourful nightlife. Other highlights are the Tate Modern, viewing the city from the top of the London Eye, seeing history at the Tower of London, watching the world go by in Greenwich or shopping at the Portobello Road Market or at Covent Garden.

Considering the sheer size of London and the importance of tourism for the city it is no wonder that accommodation in London is easy to find, albeit not often cheap. It is advised to book places in advance especially during the main holiday season. However, you could also book accommodation in London without charge once you are here at the British Hotel Reservation Centre at Victoria train station. But which place to choose for accommodation in London? What follows are some limited highlights.

If you are on a budget and you don’t mind hostel-type accommodation then The Generator at Russell Square tube station is a lively and fun place to stay. It is an independent hostel with beds in large and small dorm rooms as well as singles and twins. Its futuristic décor will remind you that innovative London is all around you and its location in central London means you can access many of the trendy clubs easily. It also has a pool, internet access, a bar that stays open till 2am and friendly staff. Enjoy being right in the middle of alternative, vibrant and multicultural London.

How about a more old-fashioned feel with a slightly eccentric touch? The Inverness Court Hotel is a mid-range hotel with 183 rooms, some of which are overlooking Hyde Park. The building was originally the home of the actress Lillie Langtry and was given to her by her royal ‘friend’ Edward VII. The once private theatre now functions as a bar and all the original features have been retained in the public areas of the hotel such as stained glass windows, wood panelled walls and open fireplaces. The rooms themselves are modern and offer all the expected conveniences. This is accommodation in London with a Gothic feel.

You can find the height of modern cool at St Martin’s Lane close to Leicester Square tube station. This thoroughly stylish hotel has been designed by the French designer Philippe Starck and is one of the hotels owned by the international hotelier Ian Schrager. Here are you can meet all that is beautiful, from the rooms themselves with floor-to-ceiling windows to the views out over London’s West End or the young and trendy clientele frequenting the public rooms.

A list of the top accommodation in London is of course not complete without mentioning The Ritz. It is certainly London’s best known and most glitzy hotel. Despite its long and famous history The Ritz has managed to keep its grandeur and tradition alive and it is now as much as ever a place for the wealthy to see and be seen. The rooms are as pricey as they are opulent. A stay at The Ritz might not be affordable to many of us for very long, but could offer an extra sparkle to your experience of London.

On the theme of famous and expensive accommodation in London, if you would rather opt for Art Deco than opulence Claridges must be your choice. It is close to Bond Street tube station and as the latter suggests the coolest place to drink your martini. The restaurant is run by a celebrated chef whilst the styling of the bar and public areas is thoroughly Art Deco and will remind you of films from the 1920s.

Still on the rather pricey side is Flemings Mayfair, a small boutique hotel in the very fashionable area of Mayfair. It has a range of rooms on offer from normal rooms called ‘classical’ to the Aria Suite, designed by Michaela Auert. Prices and services are as you would expect in a five star hotel in central London. Additionally, Flemings also offers 10 fully serviced apartments Mayfair, with their own private entrance. The penthouse apartment also includes a roof top terrace.

Another trendy area in central London with a big name is Soho. The Dean Street Townhouse is a slightly cheaper boutique hotel with 39 rooms. The décor is old-fashioned, but restrained English making for a homely as well as modern feel. Some of the rooms have free-standing baths and the restaurant still has features of an old English pub. The building itself is from the Georgian period and once housed the Gargoyle Club.

England is of course famous for its B&Bs or bed and breakfast accommodation. These are often small and rather not so stylish places, but they are welcoming and offer a relaxed home from home to many travellers. One of these in central London is the Edward Lear Hotel a quintessential English place close to Oxford Street. The staff are friendly, prices are affordable and you don’t have to worry about being out of place even if you are not dressed for the opera. This is real and practical English hospitality including a fully cooked English breakfast.

For truly different accommodation in London you could also opt to stay at St Katherine’s Dock in central London. This site is located close to Tower Bridge right in the heart of London and has been a shipping dock since medieval times. Today St Katherine’s Dock has been fully regenerated. What could be more appealing than a stay on a traditional English narrow boat at St Katherine’s Docks? Berths can be booked via the marina website and you will find toilets, showers and laundry facilities in the harbour. Only drawback, you must bring your own (or chartered) narrow boat.

So that is my selection of the best ten places for accommodation in London. Why only 9 you say? There are so many more top places in London to stay it was impossible to decide!

Winter in the UK is not an enviable place to be. Snow, rain, ice, rain, grey skies, rain, cold, rain, the miserable weather gives little or no respite. So why not get away on one of the many cheap holidays on offer? It’s the perfect way to reinvigorate, put a spring back into your step and shake off those winter blues. Now more than ever getting away is an affordable option. And at this time of year there are many discounted holidays on offer. Look online and you’ll find a multitude of cheap holidays available, if anything it can be quite daunting to know which one to pick.

Most websites offer a flight only, a hotel only and a hotel and flight option providing the traveller with a range of choices. Package deals are rarely outdone on price and some include the cost of airport transfers. For the green tourist there are further travel options such as rail and ferry. Some holiday websites provide insurance but take a look around and make sure you buy the insurance appropriate for your cheap holiday. To get the cheapest holiday deal choose off peak dates, when doing a search for your holiday take a look at the days either side of your original choice you might be surprised by how much you can save.

Your main concern should be what kind of cheap holidays are on offer and what you are looking for. Beach holiday with a book, skiing holiday or a cultural city break or a combination you can find a holiday to suit your budget. Being flexible with dates and open minded to trying new destinations are key to finding the real bumper deals.

Spending a winter break in a sunny climate is a great way to get some respite from the gloomy weather and soak up some much needed vitamin D. Sunny and cheap holidays in Greece, Spain, Portugal to name but a few are some of the locations to choose from but don’t be afraid to spread the net out, you might find some more novel destinations that provide equally good holidays but are simply just less well known.

Skiing and snowboarding are much more popular since they became part of the cheap holidays available. Budget airlines are increasing flights to skiing destinations so the prices are coming down. Inexperienced skiers needn’t spend a fortune on equipment as most of it can be hired. Not to mention that a skiing holiday can be a fun way to kick start shifting those extra Christmas pounds.

Cheap holidays need not exclude the more environmentally conscious traveller. Methods of travel such as rail and ferry can be extremely cost effective not to mention more romantic and adventurous than a flight. Eco-accommodation has become more widely available in popular tourist destinations, including in major cities, though rural B&Bs and small farms still provide some of the more unusual alternatives. Many of the latter choices include fun outdoor activities while some act as retreats for budding artists or simply as a break from the everyday grind.

Cheap holidays such as city breaks are an easy and convenient getaway. Choosing centrally located accommodation eliminates commute like journeys. Whether for a cultural jaunt, a shopping spree or relaxing in a luxurious hotel a city break can be a great compromise if travelling as a couple. A week in New York exploring the city’s landmarks, Fifth Avenue, Broadway, or browsing the malls or enjoying any one of many restaurants and bars provides chances for any couple to find things to enjoy together.

Once you’ve made up your mind and found the deal for you the only thing to do is pack and relax.

Artists and writers have drawn inspiration from Tuscany for centuries. In paintings, poems and novels and more recently in films Tuscany is held up in all its glory for the world to admire. It is no surprise then that the destination has become such a popular tourist choice. The famous poppy littered meadows, the rolling hills, the vineyards and of course the stunning cities which are equally rich in history as they are culture draw thousands of travellers to this region of Italy every year. Tuscany is located on the east coast of Italy or just above Italy’s knee if you use the famous female leg image as your geographical reference.

The area offers a wide variety of hotels right across the region: a quiet getaway in the country or an historical city centre you can find just the thing for your holiday in Tuscany. Tuscany hotels are as diverse as the region; expect some gems hidden in unusual locations. Siena is a beautiful medieval town which featured in the Bond film Quantum of Solace and is renowned for its festival which takes place twice over the summer. The Aia Mattonata Relais is an incredibly popular Tuscany hotel located just 3km from the centre. This renovated Tuscany farmhouse offers panoramic views of the town in a serene location. If you are after a more central location check out another one of Tuscany hotels finest offerings the Grand Hotel Continental Siena. It’s the only five star hotel located so centrally and the decor alone will take your breath away. Tuscany hotels can offer a diverse range of experiences so when planning your holiday make sure you choose the hotel that’s right for you.

Holidays in Tuscany inspire exploration, let yourself be tempted out of the cities and you’ll be rewarded. The village of San Gimignano was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site twenty years ago. The walled medieval village is known for its towers that provide enchanting views of the surrounding countryside. Casa dei Potenti is situated in the centre of this novel village and is just one of the hotels in the area with a reasonable price tag. Holidays in Tuscany can be luxurious without excluding travellers on a smaller budget. Hotels in Tuscany that offer a location in keeping with its surroundings can provide the traveller with a deeper sense of their environment.

For wine lovers, holidays in Tuscany wouldn’t be complete without a stay in Chianti. The unique and captivating landscape is a perfect backdrop to any holiday and most of the vineyards have regular wine tasting tours. The region itself expands beyond Siena and Florence but there is much to explore in quieter parts of the area. Hotels in Tuscany give travellers a chance to soak up the nature so revered by the artists who love this area. Villa il Poggiale is a Renaissance villa situated in beautiful countryside, it boasts a large delightful garden and pool. But no trip to Tuscany would be complete without a stay in the region’s capital Florence.

The city has numerous historical landmarks including the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. The visitor to Florence is often at pains to find enough time to fit in all the sights. Hotel Cosimo de’ Medici is a family run hotel located close to the central Station. But the location is not its only appeal, the hotel has a reputation for being friendly, clean and cost effective. Holiday makers have a wide choice of Tuscan hotels to choose from in Florence so customise your holiday to your heart’s desire.

A new report by Ethical Traveller has revealed the top ten ethical destinations for 2011 – just in time for the post-Christmas holiday booking rush. The countries tipped as the leaders for the coming year are (in alphabetical order):

1. Argentina
2. Barbados
3. Chile
4. Costa Rica
5. Dominica
6. Latvia
7. Lithuania
8. Palau
9. Poland
10. Uruguay

The not for profit alliance produces this list every year, with the aim of inspiring travellers and helping them to pick destinations that will not only provide a memorable experience, but where visiting can also have a positive impact on the destination itself.

To come up with the list, the organisation undertakes a study of developing nations, to help identify the “best” holiday locations. Researchers look at three key areas: human rights, environmental protection and social welfare and compare not only current data, but past information, to see how a country’s record has improved over time.

Latin America scored particularly well on environmental protection, with Costa Rica one of only four nations globally to score between 100-85 points in the Environmental Policy Index. Costa Rica also received commendation for improving its human rights record by taking firm measures to address human trafficking problems.

Notably, no African or Asian destinations appear in the list. The World Cup apparently had an impact in South Africa – the tournament was linked to an increase in sex trafficking in the country and the report also mentions that several families were forced to re-locate to make way for development projects, without being offered suitable housing alternatives.

Asian countries did not make the list because of what the report authors call a “poor human rights record and lack of strong environmental policy.” Issues such as whaling and dolphin hunting in Japan have attracted negative attention from the alliance over the past year and continue to cause concern.

The island of Barbados scored particular praise for organising the Caribbean Green Economic Conference for 2011 and was the destination which scored highest overall in the Envioronmental Protection Index.

Ethical Traveller point out that no destination is perfect and that there are always improvements to be made. They hope however that the list will help travellers choose wisely and that this list will inspire countries worldwide to strive to improve their environmental, social and human rights record.

A new study undertaken by travel company Sabre, has revealed what consumers think about green travel in 2010. The report which was published this week shows ten key findings:

1. Consumers Becoming More Eco-Conscious. The study found that consumers in general are becoming more eco-conscious and paying greater attention to environmental concerns overall. Examples of activities respondents claimed to be doing on a regular basis, include recycling rubbish and shopping locally.

2. Price an Issue for Green Travel. Over 60% of respondents said they did not pay extra to stay in a green hotel in the past twelve months, suggesting consumers are unwilling to pay a premium for environmentally-friendly options.

3. Travel Industry: Could Do Better. According to the survey respondents, the travel industry could do more to improve its environmental record and become more sustainable. Survey respondents said too many companies pay lip service to being eco-friendly and that green-washing is a big problem in the industry.

4. Lack of Green Brands. Travellers said the only destination which has managed to establish itself in the mind of consumers as a true “Green Brand” is Costa Rica. No other destination comes close in terms of its brand association with sustainable tourism, the survey found.

5. Certification Needed. As consumers have become aware of green-washing practices in the travel industry, over 40% say they look for external certification of an establishment’s eco credentials before they book.

6. Business Travel on the Up – Bad News for Green Travel? Respondents said that they travelled more on business in 2010 than in 2009 and the vast majority of business travellers work for companies with no environmental policy.

7. Rise of Voluntourism. Environmental and humanitarian disasters have further fuelled demand for volunteering holidays, a niche within the travel industry which is expected to continue to grow.

8. Social Media Key. Social media such as social networks and travel review websites are far more important to consumers than advertising when deciding where to take a holiday, the survey found.

9. Events Go Green. A key finding of the study is that consumers expect conference and event organisers to do more to improve their environmental record. Could green conferences and business events be a trend for 2011?

10. Travel Agents Still Important. A third of respondents said they had used a travel agent in the past twelve months and over 50% said they would like to use the services of a travel agent which specialised in certified, sustainable travel choices.

If you are thinking of taking a green holiday then you might not immediately think of a driving holiday but in some ways these can be better for the environment than hopping on a plane for a weekend away. Many people are taking advantage of the Channel Tunnel and ferries to take their cars onto the European continent for a driving holiday which can be better for the environment as going away by plane can produce more CO2 than using your car for a week.

So if you are going to go on a driving holiday what are some of the more unusual sights you can look out for while you are away? A bridge might not be your first thought for a sightseeing tour but some people find the architecture and engineering feat to be well worth a visit. Bridges like the Oresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden are amongst the most impressive feats of civil engineering ever undertaken. The painstaking design and construction of these structures makes them spectacular not only to look at, but to drive across too. Here’s a look at four amazing bridges from around the world, including the Oresund, with some information about how and when they were constructed.

Oresund Bridge, Denmark/Sweden

Celebrating its 10^th birthday in 2010, the Oresund connects Denmark to Sweden via 82,000 tonnes of cable-stayed steel and concrete. The bridge is said to have cost as much as $3.8 billion, and has a toll of $53 for a single car to cross. Comprised of twin rail and dual carriageway crossings, the bridge-tunnel is the longest road and rail bridge in Europe. Its total length spans 7,845 metres and was designed by architectural practice Dissing+Weitling. Construction, starting in 1995, took five years, and was set back the discovery of 16 unexploded bombs from the Second World War lying on the sea floor.

Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul

It may not be as long as the Oresund, but where Denmark’s famous bridge merely crosses to another country, the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul allows you to drive from one continent to another. The Bosphorus is one of two continent-bridging structures in Turkey, and connects Europe to Asia. It is a gravity-anchored suspension bridge and was completed in 1973. It was the fourth-longest suspension bridge in the world when it was constructed, though today it is the 16^th longest.

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge (Pearl Bridge), Japan

Japan’s Akashi-Kaikyo suspension bridge, completed in 1998, has the broadest central span of any suspension bridge in the world. Because of its locale, the bridge has been built to withstand earthquakes up to 8.5 on the Richter scale. On average, the structure (also known as the Pearl Bridge) is crossed by 23,000 vehicles a day, connecting the city of Kobe to the Awaji Island.

The Millau Viaduct, Millau (Southern France)

Crossing the River Tarn, the Millau Viaduct is the tallest road bridge in the world – with one of its colossal pillars reaching 343 metres. The cable-stayed viaduct was opened in 2004, following a three-year construction period, and cost upwards of €394 million.

Though there are countless other amazing bridge-drives to be found around the world, the Oresund, Bosphorus, Pearl and Millau bridges offer some of the highest, longest and most structurally impressive bridge-drives ever conceived. Spanning county-to-country and from one continent to another, you’d be wise to check your fully comprehensive car insurance covers you for travel abroad before setting off on these amazing feats of human creation, before you enjoy their breath-taking vistas and mind-boggling physics.

If the recent cold snap has left you aching for a go on some crisper, whiter snow, you might be thinking of booking a skiing holiday round about now. But few people see at first hand the environmental impact of climate change more than skiiers – many resorts which years ago would have been guaranteed powder throughout the season now have to pump artificial snow onto the slopes, as rising temperatures caused by climate change have started to take effect.

If you want to book a winter sports holiday without a guilty conscience, here are some ways to minimise the environmental impact of your trip:

Choose a Green Resort

The Ski Club of Great Britain has published a Green Ski Resort Guide, which gives an overview of the environmental performance of ski resorts around the world. Resorts are rated on factors including recycling, renewable energy useage, traffic reduction methods, sewage management, climate policy and green building policy.

Choosing a resort which has maximum ratings in all areas will help reward communities which are working hard to minimise the effect of tourism on the environment and should spur those which are not to take some action. Examples of resorts which have been given a top green rating by the Ski Club of Great Britain include Auron and Avoriaz in France and Beaver Creek in the US.

The countries which fare best in terms of environmental performance in the chart are Switzerland and the US, while of the European resorts Bulgaria and Italy do not fare particularly well.

Take the Train

Flying has long been associated with rising carbon emissions, so anyone wanting a truly green skiing holiday should avoid the plane and take the train. Luckily for travellers within Europe this is fairly easy, as Eurostar run direct services from London St Pancras through to resorts in the French Alps.

Alternatively, skiers can take the train to Aviemore in Scotland for skiing in the Caingorms national park – there are connections several times daily from Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as ten direct services a day from London and the South East.

Ski Responsibly

While off-piste skiing can be a lot of fun, skiing in fenced-off areas can damage wildlife beneath the snow. Stick to the pistes and don’t ski on bare slopes. During your stay in the resort, act just as you would do at home – so that means sorting your waste for recycling and turning off heating and lights in your chalet when not in use.

Stay at home!

With all the snow around in the UK at the moment why not have a day off and go skiing or sledging with the kids and make the most of the British weather instead of complaining when you can’t get to work!