Looking for your next holiday destination? We'll tell you where you can go, what there is to do and the cheapest time to go.
Are you all set for your next adventure? We've just picked the winner of our Echo Dot competition and the prize goes to.... *Drumroll*
*****Joanne Swain*****
Congratulations Joanne! Please PM us to claim your prize!
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Where's your next destination? Let us inspire you with our daily travel Alexa skill. If you haven't already got a smart speaker, we're giving one away. It's super simple to enter, you can enter more than once to increase your chances AND you've still got another week to get on it :)
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Once a small fishing village, Pattaya in Thailand become a huge tourist destination after American troops stationed nearby during the Vietnam War spread the word about its large beach and tropical climate. As a result the town is bustling with hotels, bars, restaurants and shops ready to welcome visitors. It's a great place to get your bearings before exploring other parts of Thailand.
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With direct flights available from London and Madrid, Lima is now easily accessible from Europe. The capital of Peru has been inhabited for almost 2000 years and is now one of the hippest cities in South America.
Picture by al3xitox100pre on Pixabay
West of Senegal in the Atlantic Ocean hides one of Africa's best kept secrets; the ten volcanic islands that make up the tiny nation of Cabo Verde. First inhabited by Portuguese traders in the 15th century, the islands gained independence in 1975. Cabo Verde's mountainous landscape has few natural resources, instead locals have focused on developing a strong tourism-based economy that sustains and shares their stunning islands.
The most westerly island, Santo Antão, is perhaps the most beautiful. Arriving on the island by ferry brings you face to face with barren cliff faces that lead up to the crater of Pico da Cruz. Transit straight through the docks at Porto Novo to the island's northern side, which is full of lush forests, coffee plantations and some of the most spectacular day hiking routes in all of West Africa. Finish off your day enjoying some traditional food and local music in one of the seafront restaurants; the morna style of music was developed in Cabo Verde and its distinct rhythm can be heard everywhere.
Once you've explored Santo Antão, jump onboard an island-hopping cruise. Choose from a luxury trip on a crewed schooner, or help man the sails on a smaller yacht. With many comparing Cabo Verde to the Caribbean, it's a fantastic spot to get your fix of life on the ocean wave without the tourist hoards that can spoil more well-known destinations.
Image by WikiImages at Pixabay
Standing at 5896m, with its snowcapped peak the highest point in Africa, the climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is a once in a lifetime journey. A dormant volcano, Kilimanjaro is also notable for being the largest freestanding mountain in the world, with the flat plains surrounding it making its height even more impressive.
The climb begins in the lush jungle on the lower slopes. You can spot elephants, leopards, and plenty of monkeys in the forest here, and there are also opportunities for cultural exchanges with the Maasai and Chagga tribes. This part of the trek is accessible to most people and is a great way to experience Mount Kilimanjaro if you don't want to climb all the way to the summit. Next you'll walk through alpine moorland, with stunning views of the peaks and the surrounding landscape. Finally, you'll walk past glaciers and up to the snowline before hitting the summit. From here you can even see the curvature of the Earth. Most guides will schedule the walk so you arrive at the summit just before sunrise. Eating a picnic breakfast while watching the sun climb above Africa is a truly unforgettable moment.
Despite being a formidably large mountain, it's possible to walk all the way to the summit with no previous climbing experience. However, the altitude and thin air on the upper slopes of Kilimanjaro makes even walking on the flat very challenging, and as such the Tanzanian government requires all hikers to travel with a guide. It's also recommended to book a guide that uses porters and cooks. As well as providing employment for locals, the knowledge that your tent will be set up and a hot meal cooked for you means you can concentrate your energy on getting to the summit.
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WIN AN AMAZON ECHO DOT
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To celebrate our new website (check it out with the link in our bio!) we're giving away an Amazon Echo Dot!
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We've been working really hard on updating all our travel briefings so you can get incredible travel inspiration direct from Alexa each day. Not to mention all her other tricks; play music, ask for train times or connect the Dot to your Hive, Hue or other smart home system to control your whole house just by speaking.
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Entering is really simple and you can complete multiple tasks to get multiple entries to increase your chance of winning.
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1) Like this post = 1 entry
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3) Comment and tag a friend = 1 entry
4) Post your most inspiring travel photo, tagging us and using = 5 entries
5) Follow us on Twitter = 1 entry
6) Follow us on Instagram = 1 entry
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Entries open today and close at 23.59 GMT on Wednesday 31st October. The winner will be picked at random. It's a UK spec electrical product so unfortunately we can only send the device to a UK address.
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This giveaway is run by Inspire Flyer, and is in no way associated or linked to Facebook.
High in the Andean mountains is Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America. Stretching over 118 miles across and 50 miles wide, most of the lake is in Bolivia, but the western end crosses over the border into Peru. The original inhabitants of the lake shores and its islands believed Lake Titicaca was the birthplace of the sun and the remoteness of this region means many ancient traditions still persist here.
One of the strangest parts of Lake Titicaca is the Uros islands. Made out of totora reeds, these woven platforms actually float on the water. Some of the larger islands can be the size of a football pitch, but most are much smaller. Generally islands have three or four houses for an extended family, with more developed islands even including watchtowers, schools and playgrounds. The reeds immersed in the lake are constantly rotting and having to be topped up with new reeds; the islands shift slightly as you walk on them so watch your step!
Another fascinating island in Lake Titicaca is Taquile. Like many islands in the lake, there are Pre-Inca ruins to explore and peaks overlooking the lake across to the snow-capped Andes. There are no cars and only basic facilities; most houses are lit by candlelight with only a few having solar panels to provide large amounts of electricity. Taquile is notable for its thriving indigenous culture, particularly in the field of textiles, with the island's knitting and weaving traditions being awarded World Heritage status.
Photo by Persnickety Prints on Unsplash
Head to Cairns on Australia's North East coast to learn more about Aborigine culture, explore the rainforest or dive on the Great Barrier Reef. More at
With the Barrier Reef and tropical rainforests within easy reach of Cairns, it's the perfect base to explore Australia's natural wonders.
Finland's capital Helsinki is cool both literally and metaphorically. Find more at
Stretched over the islands and bays of the Baltic Sea, Finland's capital Helsinki is a serious contender for coolest city.
Tokyo is one of the biggest cities on Earth, with a curious mix of the ultra-futuristic and deeply traditional side by side. Coupled with incredible food, crazy Harajuku fashion and a superlative cultural scene, all linked by a hyper-efficient transport system, Tokyo is perhaps the ultimate city destination.
Find more on our website
From the dazzling neon lights of the Akihabara to the beautiful gardens of the the Imperial Palace, Tokyo is a city unlike any other.
In the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar has a unique environment home to some of the most endangered species on Earth. Find out more at
The 4th biggest island in the world and home to some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet, Madagascar is a must see for nature lovers.
Delhi, India 🇮🇳️ is today's travel inspiration 🗺️
There are ancient markets where time has barely moved for hundreds of years, imposing colonial-era buildings and boulevards, and corporate headquarters in slick skyscrapers.
There’s so much to explore you could spend years in Delhi and still barely scratch the surface. Read more in our latest post below. 👇
Delhi, the capital of India, sometimes feels like several cities in one. Explore ancient markets, colonial momuments and soaring skyscrapers.
Madrid, the capital of Spain, has superlative art galleries, shopping and plenty of historic buildings to explore.
Madrid may not have the instantly recognisable landmarks of other Spanish cities, but the capital has more intangible delights to discover.
Lace up your hiking boots and come with us on a trip to Patagonia in south America. At the very tip of the continent, straddling Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is home to glaciers, fjords, towering mountain peaks and pristine lakes.
Patagonia is the southernmost region of Latin America. Covering Argentina and Chile it's best known for its spectacular mountain scenery.
Today's daily is Ghana in west Africa. Dive in to bustling markets, a thriving cultural scene and crystal blue waters.
One of Africa's hidden gems, Ghana has stunning beaches, delicious food, fascinating history and safari parks teeming with wildlife.
Today we're checking out Jamaica; often voted one of the most beautiful islands in the world. With lush jungle treks, stunning beaches and a world-class music scene, what are you waiting for? (link: https://buff.ly/2OCSOHS) buff.ly/2OCSOHS
Jamaica is perhaps the ultimate Caribbean destination, with idyllic beaches, jungle hikes to hidden waterfalls & a world-famous music scene.
Today's travel highlight is the Bavarian capital, Munich. Whether going to the annual beer and oompah bonanza that is Oktoberfest or relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of the Englischer Garten, there's lots to discover all year round.
Find out more in our new post
The capital of Bavaria in south Germany, Munich has traditional alpine fare on offer all year round as well as the annual Oktoberfest.
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a modern city home to dizzying skyscrapers, high tech start ups and super-efficient transport systems. Find out more https://buff.ly/2nvY4RX
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is a modern city home to dizzying skyscrapers, high tech start ups and super-efficient transport systems.
Today we visit Stockholm, Sweden 🇸🇪
Find out more about what is on offer in the Swedish capital. Already visited? Tell us what you'd recommend - any hidden gems or tips to share?
Visit Stockholm VisitSweden
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden is spread over 14 islands where Lake Maleren meets the Baltic Sea. As well as being the largest city in Scandinavia it is also one of the greenest cities in the world - a huge stretch of land to the east of the city is designated as a National Park.
Our final stop on family week is what many would consider the ultimate family destination; Disney World in Florida, USA. With four different parks, two water parks, dozens of rides, parades and nightly fireworks there's enough to keep everyone entertained for several days.
The classic attraction is the Magic Kingdom, home of the iconic Sleeping Beauty castle. You'll also find Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World, the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain in this park. The Magic Kingdom is based on the original Disneyland theme park designed by Walt Disney himself. With a focus on fairy tales, the Magic Kingdom is good clean fun for all ages.
Animal Kingdom is a safari-themed park, with highlights including the Finding Nemo show and the nightly River of Light parade. EPCOT is an idealised look to the future and is extra fun for those with a travel itch; the World Showcase features pavilions dedicated to 11 different countries giving a taste of their style, culture, food and ambiance. Finally head over to Hollywood Studios to ride the Tower of Terror and join the Jedi Training Academy.
Kids will also love the two water parks. Teens will enjoy the crazy slides of Blizzard Beach, while younger swimmers will enjoy the more chilled Typhoon Lagoon. Float around the lazy river before snorkelling over an artificial reef complete with sharks.
Find more travel ideas and inspiration at inspireflyer.com
Photo by Kenrick Mills on Unsplash
Saly in Senegal has long been a popular beach destination for French travelers and has plenty to offer families looking for a more adventurous break. The country has been independent since the 1960s and is one of the safest and most peaceful countries in West Africa. As well as the wildlife, beaches and colonial history found throughout West Africa, Senegal is also notable for its thriving arts and music scene.
There are plenty of large resorts and hotels in Saly, so there's no need to rough it. There are also a growing number of eco-lodges for those wishing to get closer to nature on their trip. Saly's star attraction is the beach and the Atlantic ocean. Consistent small waves make this coastline ideal for learning to surf and other watersports such as sailing or deep-sea fishing.
The other big attraction in this area is the Siné-Saloum delta, a huge network of mangrove lagoons, salt flats and shallow waterways that is a haven for wildlife. Marvel at the strange baobab trees, supposedly turned upside down by the devil, or kayak through the still lagoons spotting monkeys, pelicans, flamingoes, manatees and even dolphins.
Find more at inspireflyer.com
Image by 12019 at Pixabay
If the summer holidays simply start the countdown for Christmas for you, then it's time to book a trip to Lapland to meet Santa. Lapland is situated in the far north of Finland, with thick snow cover for several months of the year. The area is also covered with thick conifer forests, giving it a fairytale-like backdrop.
Several tour operators run trips to see Father Christmas in his workshop, with styles varying from super cheesy to very traditional. Small children will love searching for Santa on sleds pulled by reindeer and huskies, and many tours include "elves" that keep kids entertained with snowball fights and tobogganing while they wait their turn to meet the elusive Father Christmas.
There's plenty to keep older children and parents happy too. Try snowmobiling or combine your visit to Santa with a trip to the ski trails around Saariselka. The trails are generally easy going and ideal for beginners, although they are also great for anyone wishing to try their hand at cross-country skiing. Make the most of the long nights by heading out to look for the Northern Lights; an ideal shot for the Instagram obsessed teen.
Find more tips and at inspireflyer.com
Photo by Saad Chaudhry on Unsplash
The Lord of The Rings series of books has found a new generation of fans after the release of the films, much of which was filmed in New Zealand. For families that love Tolkien's work, North Island has several iconic locations to visit.
The most recognizable location is Hobbiton, a set built on a dairy farm near Matamata. It was originally planned to demolish the Hobbit holes after filming, but they are now preserved as a tourist attraction. Book on to a tour to see the houses up close, complete with thatched roofs, a water mill and bridges over the lake.
A great activity for fans of the films as well as outdoor enthusiasts is the Tongariro Crossing. The eerie volcanic landscape was used as Mordor in the films, with Mt Ngauruhoe becoming Mt Doom with some CGI help. However even those that haven't seen the Lord of The Rings will enjoy the hike through this spectacular and unique landscape.
Finally, movie fans should stop off at Weta Workshop in Wellington, the special effects company that built many of the props, sets and models for the Lord of The Rings and Hobbit films as well as several other family favourites such as Thunderbirds. Book a tour of the studio or stop by the shop to pick up a unique movie souvenir.
Find more travel inspiration at inspireflyer.com
Photo by Jeff Finley on Unsplash
Small but perfectly formed, Belize is a great choice for families looking for a bit of everything in one holiday. This hidden Central American gem has a fantastic Caribbean coastline as well as jungles full of wildlife and mysterious Mayan ruins. With culture, adventure and relaxation all covered, even the pickiest families will have a ball.
Belize is very safe and easy to visit, with English being the main language. There are over 200 islands (known as cayes) off the coast of Belize so whether you prefer a high-end resort or a simple coastal guesthouse you can find accommodation to suit your taste. Older children will love the watersports and activities on offer in the warm seas, but even little ones will enjoy splashing in the waves. Snorkelling is an easy way to check out the underwater world, but serious divers should head to the Blue Hole. This enormous ecosystem was made famous by Jacques Cousteau and continues to amaze visitors today with spectacular geological formation as well as an incredible variety of sea life.
Inland, wildlife lovers have plenty to explore. The Belize Zoo is unique in allowing wild animals into the park, while the animals in the enclosures are mainly rescued or orphans who would struggle to survive in the wild. Other great places to spot wildlife include reserves for howler monkeys and wild cats such as jaguars.
Find more travel inspiration at inspireflyer.com
Photo by Maher El Aridi on Unsplash
Today's family friendly destination is Brittany in France. This area of North West France sticks out into the Atlantic, and has a very distinctive feel to the rest of France. Expect miles of stunning coastline, fresh seafood and glorious forests to explore.
With over 2800km of coastline, every seaside activity is catered for. Build sandcastles and paddle on the traditional beaches around Dinard while more adventurous types can search the rockpools and caves of Baie des Trepasses. There's also the opportunity to learn surfing, sailing or sand buggying at several watersports centres around the coastline.
One of Brittany's most interesting sights is Fort La Latte. Perched on the cliffs at Cap Fréhal, the waves crash around the castle walls, giving it an impressively dramatic atmosphere. Another option for those of a historical bent is a boat trip to Chateau de Taurea, a former prison fortress on an island just off the north coast. As well as exploring the restored castle, spot seals and seabirds in the waters surrounding the island.
Brittany also has bad weather covered. Head to the Telecommunication museum near Lannion to learn more about the history of computing through great interactive displays or the Oceanopolis aquarium in Brest. Check out the smaller villages on market days for fabulous fresh food, with honey, cider and oysters being local specialties.
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It's the school holidays so we've picked a selection of destinations that are perfect for families if you are still struggling for a last minute getaway. We're starting the week in Sri Lanka, the teardrop-shaped island just off the coast of India.
The capital Colombo doesn't have much to offer families with younger children, as many of the attractions are historical buildings and museums, but everyone is sure to enjoy a visit to Galle Face Green, a public promenade alongside the seafront. Paddle in the sea, or watch kite flying and buskers. Grab a snack from the many street food stalls to round off your visit.
Outside of the cities, the star attraction in Sri Lanka is undoubtedly the elephant herds. Udawalawe National Park is a prime location for wildlife spotting, with an elephant encounter almost guaranteed. Keep an eye out for crocodiles, sloth bears and jackals as well as exotic birdlife.
Another hit with younger visitors are the inland tea plantations. Older children will enjoy the cooler weather and exploring the hills to find some spectacular views such as the one from Little Adam's Peak. Younger children will love the trains and watching the huge tea processing machinery in action.
Find more ideas and inspiration at inspireflyer.com
Image by Poswiecie on Pixabay
Amsterdam is in many ways the ultimate city break. You'll find culture, history, great food and nightlife crammed into an atmospheric city with superb transport connections. Whether your idea of fun is taking in some Renaissance painting, discovering the city's turbulent history or relaxing over drinks in a traditional bar then Amsterdam has you covered.
With over 60 museums, there's bound to be something to catch your eye. Undoubtedly the most famous is the Rijksmuseum which houses over 7500 pieces. As well as paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, check out the incredibly detailed dolls' houses. The house designed by Petronella Oortman cost as much as a real house; she insisted that items such as crockery, silverware, artworks and baskets were made using the same materials and processes as the full-size objects. Art lovers will also enjoy the Van Gogh and Rembrandt museums.
The city is easily explored on foot but a canal cruise is a great way to get your bearings quickly. Several companies offer tours of the canals, often with informative commentary in multiple languages. Another option is to hire your own craft. Those looking to check out the sights while getting in a work-out can even hire a peddle-powered boat.
Find more travel tips and inspiration at inspireflyer.com
Image from travelcoffeebook.com
One of the biggest cities in the world, Jakarta in Indonesia is home to over 30 million people. It's also a melting pot of Asian cultures, with people from all over the region coming together. You can see colonial buildings next to brand new skyscrapers, taste delicious fusion food and find something to entertain you 24 hours a day in this global city.
To discover more about the culture and history of Indonesia, head to the National Museum. This superb collection of artifacts covers every aspect of Indonesia, from traditional puppets to a display about the "hobbit" of Flores island, thought to be an early species of human. If you don't have much time, book on a tour so you don't miss the highlights.
To get a glimpse of colonial Indonesia, when Jakarta was known as Batavia, go to the Kota district. The cobbled central square, named Taman Fatahillah, is the centre of the action. Many tours of the area start here, and there are some great restaurants and cafes to keep you refreshed.
Find more travel ideas and inspiration at inspireflyer.com
Photo by Yulia Agnis on Unsplash
Have you ever had culture shock? We got a big dose when we visited Japan - everything is so different to the UK. However that's one of the things we love most at Inspire Flyer; finding somewhere totally unlike anything you've experienced before. Although it can be tough to get out of your comfort zone, it's always worth it.
Our flight finder tools include a random search from your local airport, allowing you to find great deals to destinations you'd never considered.
Head over to inspireflyer.com to get going, or leave a comment with your best culture shock stories.
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