Winter sunshine and warmth are a real tonic during the long cold winter months and where better to experience this than on Anna Maria Island, just south of Tampa bay in Florida. Seven miles of white sand beach, some of Florida's best restaurants, friendly and welcoming people and easy access to the mainland make Anna Maria Island a great place to chill out, make new friends, spend time with the family and enjoy the best vacations. amisland.comSun and sand, great food and wine, plus the coldest beer this side of heaven.

If you are heading for Europe this summer then there a couple of places to put on the agenda. The first is Torquay in the county of Devon torquay.uk.com and second is Camarthenshire in Wales. Both are in the western part of the United Kingdom and are not to be missed. www.walesholidaycottages.com