With its favourable year-round climate, holidays to Barbados have become a popular choice for those looking for a winter getaway. The country has two distinct seasons. One is the rainy season where, from the months of June to November, a vast amount of the annual rainfall hits the ground. From December until May however is when the dry season occurs. These months experience the least amount of rainfall and produce great sunbathing temperatures. Year round temperatures average from 21C to 31C (70 to 88 °F) making holidays in Barbados ideal any time.

The island has numerous towns scattered about. Some of the better-known towns include Speghtstown, Saint James, Oistins, Stain Peter and Holetown. The capital city of the island is Bridgtown and is most likely where you will land.

It’s the erosion of the limestone rock that has adorned the island with so many caves and gullys. One of the most famous of these caves, and a tourist hot-spot, is Harrison’s Cave and a renowned gully worth a visit is Welchman Hall Gully.

If you’ve decided to holiday in Barbados you will not have any trouble finding accommodations. Barbados has many internationally known hotels as well as private villas, time-shares and smaller, local hotels. Due to the popularity of the islands, it is a good idea to book well in advance.

Different areas of the island conjure up different scenery. While the west and south coasts of Barbados are best for their calm waters and spectacular beaches, it’s the east coast surfers head to for the tumbling waves.

Shoppers will no doubt already be aware that Barbados is a duty-free area. This little money-saving bonus has made the island a shopper’s delight. Aside from shopping, the island offers visitors attractions such as the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, unforgettable scuba diving, cave exploration tours and a festive night life.

Nestled along the Mosel River in Germany’s romantic wine region, Zell is a village appearing to have originated in a storybook. It is the perfect place to spend a weekend getaway and quite easy to find. Zell is 38 km to the northwest of Frankfurt-Hahn Airport.

The picturesque train ride from Frankfurt to Zell takes you through many quaint wine-producing villages set against the Hunsrück Mountains before you arrive in Zell. Upon your arrival, you will notice the steep, vine-laden hills rising dramatically over the town and at some point during your stay you may find yourself climbing the great hills for a rewarding panoramic view of the river and town below. First, however, there are wines to taste!

Zell is a wine-lover’s bliss, with many different wines to sample and the noteworthy Riesling wine originating from the region. A wine tour is a perfect way to spend an afternoon learning about the history of the vines, the town, and the people who proudly produce the wine. 

Another excellent source of information on the area can be attained by visiting any of the local ‘Straußwirtschafen’ (wine taverns) or ‘Gutsschänken’ (wine bistros). Here you will find friendly local residents who are knowledgeable about the ‘Zeller Schwarze Katz’ (‘Zell Black Cat’), the collective vineyard site covering an area of 627 hectares and incorporating 16 total vineyards. Thus, ‘Zeller Land’ embodies the German wine culture with charming atmosphere and a rich history of creating some of the finest wines in the world.

If you are thinking about visiting Croatia, the weather is warmest and the tourists are fewest in May and September. In June, July and August, the temperatures are high, but so are the tourist numbers. Fortunately, no matter when you go, you will always find something interesting to see and do, so let us take a quick look at a year in Croatia.

January and February are very cold, but you could begin your visit by celebrating New Year’s Eve in Dubrovnik, when the city turns into one big street party. If you enjoy skiing, there are ski slopes just outside Zagreb and there are great spots for hiking on the Ucka Mountain, between Istria and Kvarner. You could go cycling in the National parks, but most bikers prefer the rolling hills of Istria.

In March, when the winter snows begin to melt, tourists head for the waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes and Krka National Park. By April you will be able to sunbathe on the coast and visit Zagreb to see the trees in full bloom. From June to September the beaches are crowded and you will probably be hard pressed to find accommodation without booking well in advance.
 
In October the climate is still mild, but at this time of year most people prefer the cultural festivals in Zagreb and Dubrovnik. During September and October prices everywhere for hotels, car rental and accommodation are cheaper. By November, people have settled into the routine of visiting cafes, concerts and art exhibitions. If you are in Croatia in December, you can start the Christmas season with St Nicholas Day on 6th December, culminating with midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Even though there is an official tourist season, Croatia is a pleasant and interesting place to visit all year round. You could start planning your holiday by talking to seasoned visitors on travellers’ forums or by checking out the off-season rates offered by hotels and tour operators.

Die-hard surfers will take on challenging waves no matter where in the world they are, so if you are searching for a great holiday to a new destination, consider Baja, Mexico. This area of the country, which is Todos Santos, has been revamped and now features modern hotels and hip art galleries.  

Situated a mere 50 miles northwest of the popular hangout of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos has seen a surge in surfers in recent years. This is mostly due to the new establishments that cater exclusively to the international surfing community. Everything from surf hotels to surf shops and teaching pros has the international surfing community heading to Todos Santos.  

Apart from the wide range of accommodation, the surf is a big draw for everyone. Novice surfers can take on some great rolling waves, while the experts will also find more challenging conditions.  

While the area enjoys a great year round climate, March can be a particularly good time to visit, due to the migrating Grey Whales which can often be spotted, even from the beach. If you are interested in heading south for your next holiday, check out Rancho Pescadero. This tiny eco-oasis is popular with lovers of the great outdoors. There are free bikes and surfboards and nearby sand dunes to explore.

This gem of a village is situated right on the ocean and has its own organic garden, which is used in preparing meals for guests. Hotel staff can arrange surfing lessons and at night, guests are encouraged to head to the beach to enjoy the nightly ritual of margaritas and bonfires.