Best places to go

Holiday parks such as Centre Parks in the New Forest and Oasis in the Lake District as all-weather havens although you may have a contend with a long waiting list for your favoured week.

The only dampener on a "Cool Britannia" holiday is the fact that it can be cold except for a few short weeks in July & August. "UK destinations are great for half term as you can have an activity-filled week in either Spring or Autumn as long as you wrap up warm" advises Archana.

Paris, Amsterdam and Spanish & Italian cities are the most popular destinations. Paris is increasingly a very desirable short-break destination as it offers accommodation for every budget and there is simply so much to see and do in the city. Paris has something to suit everyone.

Spanish (Balearics & Canaries) Islands are also popular when spring and autumn beckon, with travellers swapping the cold and grey of the UK for sunnier climbs. The islands are as diverse as they are plentiful. From the Balearics of Ibiza, Menorca, Mallorca and Formentera, east of the mainland, to the canaries of Lanzarote, Tenerife, Feurteventura and Gran Canaria further north, all holiday tastes are catered for.

The Balearics, in particular cater for all tastes with the young "clubbing" crowd making their home on Ibiza, whilst Menorca retains a more peaceful ambience for those seeking a restful break. Palma in Mallorca is a very popular city break destination as it enjoys easy access from most parts of the UK.

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Here, there and everywhere

Multi-centres City breaks also gaining popularity. Centre combinations include classic Italian cities, central European capitals and Switzerland by rail.

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Catch a show

Apart from the hectic round of sight seeing, shopping, eating and general merriment you can also squeeze in an opera, musical or show. The Opera and Theatre ticket service runs in conjunction with many city breaks, although London undoubtedly had a vast selection. The added advantage is that most of the shows will be in English. Opera buffs, however, will say there is nothing to match the joy of hearing an opera at La Scala!

For major cultural events this service is offered to the following destinations: Italian cities, including Verona, Milan, Venice, Rome, Florence, Siena and Naples plus other cities such as Prague, Vienna, Salzburg and New York (see long haul section).

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Late Sunshine

For sunshine breaks - from the South of France to the deserts of Dubai or the islands of Madeira, Cyprus and Malta - operators offer these breaks on flexible scheduled travel.

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Long haul

Dubai is excellent for the duty free shoppers and Archana is kept busy taking an increasing number of bookings for this desert location. Best time of the year to visit Dubai is from October to April in terms of weather. It offers a range of good quality hotels and activities ideally suited for a short break.

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Introduction  Short Breaks  Eurostar  Factors to consider  
Best Places to Go   Multi-Centre Breaks   Theatre Breaks
Late Sunshine  Specialist Tour Operators
Useful Links  Facts about Short Breaks

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