Wintry conditions such as low sun, heavy rainfall, frozen roads, fog and snow severely reduce visibility and stopping distances and this gives cause for careful driving. Peoples’ fear of winter driving is not without reason. Of the 154,414 road accidents that occurred during 2010, 10,928 fatalities occurred on snowy or icy roads, and 38,844 fatalities occurred during wet or flooded road conditions. Driving safely at all times is imperative, but it’s good practice to take extra care during winter. So, without further ado, here are some top tips from the MD of Economy Car Hire, Rory Sexton, to increase your confidence in your winter driving:

• Make sure that before you set off, you’re fully de-misted, de-iced and good to go. Don’t just clear a small hole in your windshield and drive off – you want to have clear visibility at all times. Use your heaters, de-icer and an ice scraper, and wake up 15 minutes earlier so you have time to fully defrost your car.
• Make sure your mobile is fully charged before setting off on a long journey, and if the weather has been very poor recently, make sure you only make unavoidable journeys.
• If you’re living in an area where some roads may not have been gritted, try to plan your route so you will be driving on busier roads that may have been cleared.
• If you find your route blocked by heavy snowfall or fallen trees, try to let your local traffic         radio station know so others can avoid the route until it’s cleared.
• If you want to get traffic alerts on your Twitter account, you should follow @BBCTravelAlert and @UK_Traffic_News, or check out the Highways Agency site for localised feeds.
• Make sure your car insurance is up to date and you’re registered with a reputable breakdown company. In case you do break down and you’re stuck on the side of the road for hours in the cold, make sure you’ve got blankets, bottled water and some snacks in the car to tide you over.
• If you do find yourself stranded and you have to sleep in the car, make sure you slightly open one of your windows to ensure air flow.
• Manoeuvre gently in icy conditions; stopping distances are up to ten times longer when driving on snow and ice. If you do find yourself skidding, try to avoid braking sharply. Instead, try and drive into the direction of the skid so you can gradually gain control of the car.
• Automatic drivers should drive in ‘2’, as opposed to ‘D’. This means that you’ll rely less upon your brakes less, and also limits the gear changes that your car will make.

Finally, if you do get stuck in snow, don’t panic, rev your engine and lodge your wheels even deeper. Just clear your wheels, and straighten up your steering. Place cat mats or rugs under the front of your wheels to give you some grip. Once you start moving again, don’t stop until you’re on less snowy ground

Perhaps the most common form of holiday transport from the UK is flying. According to some reports, air is the preferred method with 43 million people opting for this selection compared to just 9.7 million for sea travel and 5.6 million for the Channel Tunnel.

The popularity of flying to holiday destinations has perhaps been caused by the easy accessibility and convenience of this mode of transport. Flying to destinations is often considered to be the fastest and most direct form of travel and has therefore become the preferred option.

Of course, flying isn’t for everyone and the other options are equally as successful at getting you to your chosen destination. When you are deciding on how to reach those beautiful villas in Majorca or Florida for your holiday always consider the following factors:

Time

Nobody wants to spend most of their holiday travelling so investigate how long different methods of transport will take. Make sure you include any travel time needed to get to and from airports/harbours or other departure sports and include any waiting or ‘checking-in’ time that might be included.

Evaluate which method of transport gives you the quickest possible travel time and then select accordingly. This is a great way to make sure you chose the right form of travel and have as much time as possible to enjoy your Florida holiday.

Experience

Another important consideration should be over the experience that you get whilst travelling. This is an important part of the holiday process and should not be overlooked. Flying can be a great and exciting experience for younger travellers and is therefore a popular option.

For those interested in a slower-paced method, travelling via sea can give a unique experience for all passengers involved giving visitors a great experience before they set foot in their holiday destination. It is important to remember that this form of travel can take longer and will be affected by weather conditions and the activity of the sea.

Cost

The final consideration to make is over the cost of the transport method. These will vary depending on the provider or the service and the time of year of travel but reasonable prices can often be found. A number of holiday providers will offer “package deals” which give holidaymakers a combined bill for both their holiday accommodation and travel.

It is therefore important that when looking at Florida villas individuals consider the package holiday options which are available to them. Purchasing the holiday in this way could help them to save money whilst still using their preferred method of transport.

Nowadays, with budget airlines offering heavily reduced prices on a regular basis, the difference between the costs of transport methods are not as pronounced. This means that you can have ultimate freedom of choice over how to start their holiday.

Madrid´s culinary offerings rarely fail to impress any visitor. Whether you are looking for traditional or contemporary food, budget or luxury, Madrid offers it all. Excellent Vegetarian options are also available, which may surprise those who know Spain for its cured ham, chorizo, sausages, and seafood paella.  If you are travelling to Madrid for a culinary experience you will be pleased to know that most restaurants are easily accessible from many of the luxury and cheap hotels in Madrid which are centrally located to the city centre. Here are some recommendations of restaurants in central Madrid:

Best for Contemporary

Spanish Tapas

The designer tapas chain Lateral specializes in pinchos, which are bite-sized tapas often served on a small slice of baguette. Whilst the décor is contemporary at its best, traditional Spanish ingredients like Iberian ham and codfish are combined into creative and modern pinchos, like Iberian ham with apple preserves and foie gras, sirloin with caramelized onion, and rolled salmon stuffed with ham, apple preserves, and cheese. The house sangria is also excellent and one to try. There are now six sleek and stylishly decorated locations conveniently spread around central Madrid.

For a contemporary sit-down meal, Restaurante Ginger may be the best bang for your buck in the city. Menu highlights include the codfish with eggplant mousse and crispy leeks as well as unusual salads like the goat cheese salad with crispy maize and apple. All meat, poultry, seafood and vegetarian options are equally enticing, all presented beautifully. La Finca de Susana, Bazar, La Gloria de Montera, and Public are also owned by the same restaurateur and feature similar menu items and surprisingly reasonable prices.

Best for Traditional

Madrid´s most famous traditional Spanish restaurant is undoubtedly Restaurante Botín. Cited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World´s oldest continually running restaurant, Botín features a traditional wood-fired oven just as you enter the restaurant where chefs prepare made-to-order roast suckling pig and baby lamb. The menu also offers a wide variety of traditional Spanish dishes and the 25-page wine list is impressive.

Hidden in a picturesque alley behind a church, Cafetería San Ginés is a local legend. Since it supposedly never closes, locals and visitors alike enjoy the traditional thick hot chocolate with sweet salty churros at any time of day. There is practically always a line, but for good reason. Even in the early hours of the morning, patrons line-up as the bar hopping crowd stops by for a midnight snack or an early breakfast. Turn-of-the-century tables and mirrors give the restaurant an old-fashioned feel.

Botin Restaurant, Madrid

Photo credit: Mobilephotosheindenstrom

Best for Vegetarian

Vegaviana is located in Chueca, Madrid´s trendy gay-friendly district full of bars, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. The high-quality vegetarian food at Vegaviana is very reasonably priced.  On the menu you will find canelones with spinach, zucchini and cheese burritos, eggplant parmesan, and the leek, squash and spinach pie can´t be beaten. The decorations are simple and functional, yet the restaurant has a cozy touch. While it may not have swanky décor, if what you´re looking for is excellent food at a good price Vegaviana is the perfect choice.

La Isla del Tesoro is a more upscale vegetarian restaurant, though an affordable multi-course fixed price menu is offered at midday. All dishes are made with whole grains and organic ingredients. House specialties include tofu and stir-fried vegetable loaf, yellow-curry soy noodles with vegetables and pasta stuffed with apple, walnuts. The hippie sheik décor complement the beautifully presented vegetarian dishes.

Family holidays in Devon are always great value for money, especially if you head up to north Devon, which also has a fantastic range of family friendly accommodation offering a vast range of activities and facilities. If you want beaches with great waves for body boarding and plenty of space for beach games then head to Woolacombe or Saunton Sands, while Barricane, Combesgate, Rockham and Grunta are the best destinations for delving into rock pools. There are also plenty of other attractions to keep children and adults occupied including glass blowing at Dartington Crystal and a trip on the beautiful Lynton and Barnstaple railway.

South Wales has some of the best beaches in the world and as yet remains relatively undiscovered and largely unspoilt, with plenty of space for you and your family to spread out and run wild. A week’s holiday in this part of the UK and you could visit a different beach each day and still have plenty more to visit on your next holiday. Budding extreme sports fans will love this coastline, with landsailing on Cefn Sidan and paragliding and surfing at Rhossili. Secluded Barafundle Bay in West Wales is great for youngsters who love to head off on a beach combing exploration and the sea in midsummer is really quite pleasant (if you are used to British sea temperatures).

Norfolk is famous for its long pale beaches backed by sand dunes and its traditional British beach holiday with Victorian piers, fish and chips, buckets and spades, ice cream dribbling down your chin, seaside cafés, and colourful windbreaks topped off with good old fashioned family fun! Beaches at Cromer, Wells-next-the-Sea, Hunstanton and Sheringham all come top of the list for families. The Pleasure Beach in Great Yarmouth offers full-throttle white knuckle rides, water attractions and fun rides to keep the children (and adults) happy for hours, and its free.

Situated in the south of the UK the New Forest National Park is a haven for adventurous families. There are plenty of activities on offer such as archery, bike hire, canoeing, combat games, kayaking, cycling and sea kayaking. Treasure Trails and guided walks take place all over the area taking in ancient historical sites and wildlife spotting. Drawing on the resources of The New Forest, the Countryside Education Trust organises courses and activities for children and adults to learn about, understand and care for the countryside. Car and movie lovers should head to the Beaulieu National Motor Museum, which includes a James Bond exhibition and animal lovers will have a great day out at Marwell Wildlife Park.

The Cotswolds are full of English charm with some of the country’s most beautiful rolling countryside, sleepy villages, forests and rivers, excellent food, adventure and animal parks galore and a wide range of quality family accommodation and activities. Families will be spoilt for choice with great days out such as the Cotswold Water Park where you can have a go at stand-up paddle boarding or water zorbing (walking on water in a giant bubble!) or the quaint Dragonfly Maze at Bourton-on-the-Water with a secret surprise at its centre.

Toronto is a great place for Chinese food!

Toronto is full of different cultures and there is plenty of food on offer. The city has an enormous Chinese population, and it actually has some of the best Chinese food in North America. You can head to dingy China Town restaurants like New Sky for tasty seafood and perfectly steamed vegetables. Alternatively you can check out more high class dim sum offerings like Dynasty in posh Yorkville which serves some of the best dumplings around.

Toronto has a soccer football team

Toronto is a city dominated by hockey and, to a lesser extent basketball (The Toronto Raptors) and baseball (The Blue Jays), yet it also has a soccer team. For tourists this can be a great experience as the stadium is lively and the crowd is vociferous in their support of Toronto FC. Other sports events tend to be tamer affairs so this can be a really fun tourist experience.

Toronto has the best chicken wings in the world

Most people will expect the best chicken wings to come from Buffalo, after all they’re called Buffalo wings. But Toronto can probably lay claim to the best wings in the world thanks to the Bistro on Avenue. This dingy spot serves up fantastic, spicy, mouth-watering wings that can’t be beat. It’s located in North Toronto well away from where most tourists stay, but it’s worth trekking up to Avenue and Lawrence to sample these fantastic wings.

Toronto has a beach

Toronto is by no means a beach resort, yet if you head down to the Beaches, a neighbourhood in the south-east corner of the city, you might find a surprise. There is a stunning long beach here which is great for relaxing on or playing beach volleyball. You can even go swimming in Lake Ontario, which has recently become much cleaner.  After you’ve had your fun at the beach you should pop to the nearby Burger Priest on Queen Street which serves incredible food – try the portabella mushroom burgers!

Toronto has the largest concentration of nightclubs in North America

Toronto is more a place for pub-goers than clubbers, yet it has a huge amount of clubs in the downtown area. Between Queen Street and King Street you will find one of the largest concentrations of nightclubs in the world – this makes it a great place to do some dancing in the wee hours.

The failure to seek out travel medical insurance may be in part due to the fact that many Brits do not think they need it.  Some travellers think that possessing a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides enough coverage for trips to countries on the continent.  Some 17 per cent of the survey’s respondents held this view, but in fact it only gives access to basic state medical care. Furthermore, this insurance does not cover repatriation costs if a tourist needs to be flown back to the UK.

Daredevil Brits who book a trip without a second thought for travel insurance could find themselves severely out of pocket in an emergency. If the situation is serious enough for the patient to need to return to the UK, without the appropriate travel insurance, it could cost thousands.

Repatriation is not only required in emergency situations, but in less severe, more common cases. For example, airlines may not be able to accommodate passengers with a broken leg, meaning they have to pay for the extra room required. Other services often covered by insurers but not the EHIC include telling you where the nearest health facility is, translator services and English doctors for a telephone consultation.

Lynda St Cooke from the Foreign Office’s Know Before You Go campaign explained the government will not necessarily pay for British citizens in an emergency.

“If British travellers get into difficulties overseas, there are things the nearest British Embassy or Consulate can do, including contacting friends and family for them, and giving them information on how to safely transfer money from the UK,” she said.

“But consular staff cannot pay hospital bills for British travellers, nor fly them home if they run out of holiday money.”

ABTA’s head of financial protection advised that holidaymakers purchase a policy alongside the rest of their holiday. They should go for one that includes cancellation cover for redundancy as well as any potential illness prior to the trip.

Greek Islands

Thousands of islands surround the country with over 200 inhabited by people. These islands dot the Aegean and Ionian Seas. When you take a holiday in Greece, be sure to make a special trip to the Island of Crete. The island has a number of archaeological sites, including the Minoan and Knossos ruins, that may interest you.

Another Greek island you may wish to visit is Alonissos. This island is part of the Sporades island chain in the Aegean Sea. Most consider the island’s beaches to be highlights of the Greek region. They may captivate you with their pristine waters that are ideal for snorkeling, swimming and pursuing water sports.

You may choose to island hop to see the best sites. Finding tour guides will not be hard to do. Many specialize in holiday packages designed to thrill and excite Greece’s traveling guests. You can enjoy three to five night excursions, or packages that include daily trips to see several islands at a time.   Whichever island you choose, you will be left having experienced some authentic Greek culture in a laid back and tranquil setting, which is why Greek Island holidays are such a popular option for many.

Athens

Erechtheion Temple Athens

Athens has the honor of being Greece’s capital and one of the oldest cities in the known world. It is also well-known for its many annual festivals like the Athens Photo and Biennale Festivals, which are always great special events to explore. You may also enjoy dining or shopping in Plaka, a destination that goes back to the 19th century. Plaka’s small cafes, shops and restaurants may keep your attention for awhile.

During your exploration of Athens, visit Ancient Agora. Although this historic place was once the center of Athens, you can still admire the various ancient ruins in this great location. See the Temple of Hephaestus and Athena; Byzantine monuments and many other sites of great interest on your trip to the capital. Do not forget to bring your camera and take photos of the Acropolis of Athens. The Parthenon, Doric columns and Acropolis Museum are favorite sites at the Acropolis monument.

Famous Sites of Interest

You can discover ancient Greece through its many famous sites. Olympia is your destination for a look at Greece’s Olympic stadium ruins, and the temple of the god Zeus. The very first Olympic Games and events played here as well. Find this monumental site just southeast of Kronos Hill, a place known for its mythological significance.

Place the archaeological site Mycenae on your itinerary of things to do. Located less than an hour away from Athens’ center, the Mycenae monument is worthy of a day trip. Although time weathered the stones, the site is a reminder of Greek’s history and mythology.

Consider making Greece, its islands and great historical relics your holiday destination soon. The country has much to offer any time of the year and can be an excellent place to make numerous life-long memories.

Sumosan

For understated elegance, award-winning Sumosan crafts contemporary Japanese cuisine. In the sleek dining room, floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the chic surrounding Mayfair area. The trendy basement plays host to Sumosan’s intimate in-house bar, Jbar, serving sophisticated cocktails and sumptuous snacking sushi.

Ukai

In lively Soho, UKAI blends traditional Japanese sushi and a cosmopolitan setting. A sweeping under-lit bar serves jazzy cocktails and delicate flowering teas, and an expanse of black-lacquered furnishings makes for a sleek space. Elegantly crafted options include loaded sharing platters of sushi made with fresh, responsibly sourced fish.

Soseki

Overlooking London’s iconic Gherkin building, Soseki keeps to time-honoured Japanese customs. The talented Soseki chefs use improvisational cooking methods, with a selection of cuisine dictated by the best ingredients the season has to offer. Natural, exotic décor features intricate Japanese artwork and antiques imported from Tokyo, whilst the Soseki Lounge Bar boasts a spectacular open kitchen.

Umu

Calm and tranquil, Umu serves innovative Japenese cuisine in London’s glamorous Mayfair. The Michelin-starred Head Chef crafts a beautiful display of artistically presented cuisine. The elegant dining room showcases expanses of earthy wood and tropical flowers, as well as a sleek bar for more casual dining.

Kyashii

In a stunning avant-garde setting, Kyashii serves a diverse array of sumptuous tasting dishes, sushi and tempura. In London’s vibrant Theatreland, Kyashii is spread over 2 floors and boasts 3 eclectic dining rooms. Stretching tanks filled with tropical fish, floor to ceiling mirrors and under-lit surfaces make for truly luxurious dining at Kyashii restaurant.

Foregrounding tranquility and luxury, these Japanese restaurants in London blend time-honoured recipes and culinary flair with a trendy edge. Sublime ingredients, nutritious recipes and eclectic interior design make for fashionable yet authentic Oriental dining in London.

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Church of the Immaculate Conception

The Costa del Sol is one of Spain’s most visited regions and attracts millions of visitors each year.  Literally translating as the sunshine coast you will find a large number of beaches in which you can enjoy a relaxing family holiday by under the sun.  However there is much to see and do along the Costa del Sol lying in wait for you to discover.

The Andalucian region in Spain is expansive, so one of the best ways to make the most of a stay here is by hiring a car or a 4×4 and visiting one of the many popular or hidden beaches around the coast.  The whole of the Costa del Sol is accessible by car, and there are some interesting, historical and stunning places to see which aren’t easily accessible without driving.

There are plenty of sandy coves, intimidating mountains and beautiful scenic views around the Costa del Sol – great if you want to drive out and relax, whilst taking in the stunning coastline.

Alternatively, if you prefer to stay away from the holiday parks and want a little faster pace then you can drive into the old town of Marbella – a modern and vibrant city where the rich and famous holiday.

There’s a famous golf course there too and the elegant and glamorous Puerto Banus, a port where yachts and spectacular boats can be seen floating on the glistening blue water.

For the family or the animal lover, there’s the Selwo Animal Park – a huge place where you can see elephants, bears, tigers and more. Once you have educated the family on natural habitats of almost 2,000 animals, you can drop in at Nerja caves for a cost effective way to spend a few hours.

Frigiliana is a wonderfully white washed little village about 10 minutes from the coast in Nerja. It’s impeccably kept and a great way to experience an unspoilt part of Spain. It has ancient buildings and quaint walkways through the houses and, situated next to the mountains, visiting the village is a fantastic way to slow your pace and stretch your legs for an hour or two.

Nerja Beach, looking north

If you want a more fast paced way to spend family time, Tivoli World in Benalmadena is a fairly inexpensive theme park compared to the ones we have in the UK, it’s one of the largest theme parks in the Costa Del Sol. It has lots of fairground rides that are perfect for youngsters along with themed attractions and restaurants. As the theme park is mainly aimed at youngsters, older children may perhaps enjoy some of the live shows, and being let loose for a few hours!

So whatever you aim to do in your hire car, there are lots of destinations to consider; the beautiful beaches, the active theme parks and the slower paced villages offer something for every holiday maker.

What you get

With the all inclusive options, everything is paid for in advance: flight, hotel, activities and even includes your drinks and food! Fancy that, sitting by the pool or on the beach sipping cocktail after cocktail without having to worry about money? That’s one way to really relax on holidays. The all inclusive option gives you even more value for money when you have kids with you. Some are even aimed at families with kids. Keep them entertained with special activities for them, watched over with even the ice cream taken care of. No more kid running around causing havoc or feeling bored throughout.

Where to
All inclusive holidays are best chosen for destinations in tourist resorts. If you are thinking of trekking in the Andes or exploring the wilderness ofCanada, you probably won’t find anything! Here are a few popular countries where you will find a wide choice of packaged holiday deals.

Spain

Spain is the number one destination for holidays for the British. They all flock to sunny resorts in the south such as the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca. Towns such asMalaga,MarbellaandAlicanteare not popular without reason. Wait, that’s not all. Tired of mainland Spain? Been there already? How about heading to the Balearic Islands such as Majorca and Menorca? How about the Canary Islands: Tenerife, Lanzarote orLa Palma? Plenty of sun and beaches to keep the kids frolicking in the waves.

Mauritius

Would you prefer something more exotic perhaps? Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean some 10-12 hours away fromEuropeby plane. Once you get there, you can forget resorts overcrowded with British or German tourists but you’ll still find plenty of sun, sand and sea to keep you and the kids happy. Despite being far away and having fewer tourists, there are still plenty of all inclusive holidays to choose from. These can also make your life easy if you don’t know the local area very well and don’t know the best place to stay.

If you don’t like flying for so long, there are other top resorts closer to Europe. Turkey is a hugely popular destination for sun-seekers, especially when the Euro gets too strong. TryAntalyato get a bargain deal.Greeceand its islands are full of surprises. Rhodes, Corfu or Crete, which one will you pick? Don’t let their crumbling economy dampen your holiday spirit. The sun always shines there. Have you tried the most popular resort of Egypt yet:  Sharm el Sheikh?

If you don’t venture off the beaten track and enjoy spending your holidays in popular tourist hotspot, then an all-inclusive holiday can help ease your financial worry as you pay everything upfront and don’t need to count your money once there. Well, shopping is a story for another time.