The Grand Canyon located in the western United States is fairly accessible as a destination; although if you want to hike down into it the heart of it, you do need to be in shape or willing to ride a mule and vigilantly refuel on sugar and water to avoid collapsing in the heat of the rock’s core.

The Great Barrier Reef off the eastern coast of Australia is another natural wonder that is an easy tourist destination that pretty much anyone can enjoy in one form or another from snorkeling to semi-submersible boat and scuba diving. On the list of the easier to visit natural wonders are also the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Paricutin Volcano, and Victoria Falls.

The other two natural wonders are not so easy to visit. The main one that is quite a challenge is Mount Everest. It is doable to at least see Mount Everest without reaching the top of it, but even getting to see it can be quite a challenge in itself. Nepal, Tibet, and even Darjeeling in India have viewing places where you can see the mountain from a distance, but some may not say that counts as visiting the natural wonder. There are tours that hike the mountain without you actually going to the top that you can do and legitimately say you hiked on Mount Everest though.

The other difficult one to visit one is the Aurora. The Aurora are the Southern or Northern Lights, which can be viewed when it is dark and usually within the Arctic or Antarctic Circles, although sometimes they can be viewed at lower latitudes. The Southern Lights are pretty rare and the hardest to experience. The Northern Lights on the other hand are rather common, especially in the winter months when the Arctic Circle gets 24 hours of darkness. It is not that visiting places within the Arctic Circle is hard, but rather that you cannot guarantee that you will see them during your visit that makes this a harder natural wonder to experience.

Even if you cannot experience all the Natural Wonders of the World taking in just one can be an amazing experience. As these destinations are somewhat removed from the traditional holiday destination list, it is important to get some decent travel insurance sorted before you travel. Try a reputable company like AA Travel for a quote.

What could be more romantic than a little wine tasting in the Oregon Wine Country followed by a cozy stay at the upscale and charming Stephanie Inn on Cannon Beach, about 70 miles west of Portland. Each guest room and suite is spacious, elegantly furnished with a gas fireplace and Jacuzzi. Children must be over 12 and there are no pets allowed, unlike neighboring properties. It really is a romantic place for a holiday.

The Dining Room serves a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning in a quaint, country setting and offers a four-course dinner twice each night at two different sittings. The chef greets each diner in the intimate dining room and introduces the menu, followed by personal visits to each table. He does amazing things with fresh, northwest ingredients. Even if you thought you didn’t like a particular food, you’ll love it after you taste his treatment of it.

Moving north to Washington State, you might want to stay at Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, Washington, just 30 miles from Seattle. There you will experience a romantic mountain retreat where you can hear the roar of Snoqualmie Falls while you eat your morning “Snoqualmie Falls Pancakes.” You can purchase a box or two of pancake mix to take home, which will remind you of the whitewater tumbling over the granite cliffs 300 feet above the river canyon below, your hiking adventures on the tree-lined trail during the day, or the crackling of your own wood-burning fireplace at night.
Don’t overlook British Columbia when you’re planning your Pacific Northwest romantic getaway. Sooke Harbour House, nestled in the corner of scenic Sooke Harbour, overlooking the Olympic Mountains across the Strait of Juan de Fuca is the Sooke Harbour House. Each room features ocean views, a balcony, private bath tub and shower, wet bar and sitting area in front of a wood-burning fireplace. You can also book an in-room spa treatment. Live beachfront entertainment features sunbathing seals, frolicking otters and visiting whales.

Try lastminute.com for a variety of hotels and other accommodation options in many of the places described above.

As a surfer the world really is your oyster, with most coasts giving the potential of some sort of surf, and fantastic waves available somewhere in almost every country which touches the sea. America has Miami as its flagship surf destination, France has Biarritz and the UK has Devon, Cornwall and Wales. Each has their merits and drawbacks and with the increase in cheap holiday deals from travel sites like lastminute.com who offer cheap hotels, flights and restaurants, there are some great destinations worth checking out.

First up, the USA. Surfing is big here and California offers something for the beginner in Malibu or Manhattan Beach to the professional with waves like Mavericks outside San Francisco. The ability to drive up the coastal highway to check the surf is a real advantage and with surfing culture and history so deep rooted in California it’s a must see for all who are serious about surfing.

France’s west coast is widely regarded as the second best surfing destination in the world behind California and the regions of Biarritz, Hossegor and Seignosse Le Penon offer waves of quality and perfection all year round. These areas, like California, are often hot enough to not need a wetsuit in summer, or sometimes only a half wetsuit, and with the plus point of not having to worry about sharks you can surf here at ease.

California and Biarritz stand as unparalleled surf destinations, the best in the world for different reasons. Whilst the waves sort themselves out, and never fail to please, it’s the culture that sets them apart; California has a fantastic mix of fashion and trend whilst Biarritz is renowned for its cultured chic and excellent eateries. In order to enjoy the best they have to offer it’s important to take care, as surfing, like all adventure sports, carries a degree of risk. It’s recommended that you get travel insurance with a reputable company like AA Travel before you go away, and never surf alone, even on lifeguarded beaches, as it’s always safer to have a surf buddy’s eyes on you when possible.

One of the newest upscale and romantic properties on the coast just 28 miles south of San Francisco is the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay. In addition to the fabulous views, romantic setting, and upscale amenities such as a world-class spa, there are also wine classes, a golf course, and delectable dining. Some rooms even have their own patio with fire pit overlooking the ocean.

If a Nantucket-style beach house is more your style, you might try the Beach House, also in Half Moon Bay. Upon arrival, you will be greeted in the cozy lobby by a large wood burning fireplace. You may then check into one of the 54 spacious loft suites providing the perfect romantic getaway. A complimentary continental breakfast is included, as well as complimentary wine and cheese reception on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Moving further south to Monterey, the Spindrift Inn situated on Cannery Row and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, beckons. It’s one of the most luxurious hotels on the California coastline, offering an atmosphere of elegance and gracious hospitality. There’s nothing more romantic than that.

But if you’re headed north of San Francisco and would like something more rustic, Timber Cove Inn is unforgettable. Located about two hours north of San Francisco, you’ll think you’ve left the state. Tucked into the side of a cliff overlooking the wild Sonoma Coast, Timber Cove Inn is a romantic oceanfront getaway with fine dining to boot. Relaxed and casual, the Inn’s check-in desk is at the hotel bar overlooking the restaurant. Morning coffee is available here by the enormous fireplace—just walk down from one of the fireplace spa loft suites, pour a couple of cups of coffee, and head back to your private balcony overlooking the ocean.

And if the idea of being rustic and eco-friendly appeals to you, you may want to head just a bit further north to the Sea Ranch Lodge. Resting gently on the pristine bluffs of the Sonoma-Mendocino coast, the Sea Ranch Lodge offers guests a true definition of serenity and understated comfort. Surrounded by a dramatic landscape of redwood groves and grassy bluffs where wildlife abounds, stress just falls away with the setting sun.

As their web site states, “The Sea Ranch, one of the first eco-communities, began in the late 60’s and early 70’s with an alliance of architecture and nature that has left decades of visitors with the feeling that there is no place in the world quite like this.” The Sea Ranch Lodge offers cozy ocean-view accommodations, innovative regional dining, and a romantic setting for two.

Whenever taking a holiday it is important to get some decent travel insurance to protect yourself against mishaps that may happen on your trip. Try a reputable provider like AA Travel for a competitive quote.

A stay at many of the hotels listed above can be booked on lastminute.com.

Most fall foliage tours begin in Boston and move north to Maine’s rocky, culminating in Portland. There are a variety of experiences—from Bar Harbor to picturesque Acadia National Park, and a feast at a traditional Maine lobster bake. Inland stops in New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut cannot be overlooked. Autumn’s crisp chill and vibrant colors provide the perfect backdrop for a visit to New England. Fall Foliage Season is New England’s busiest travel season so booking your tour early is important.

There are many types of tours that you can book, from Value Tours, to Deluxe Tours to First class Tours. There are also rail tours and fall foliage cruise tours; one-way or round-trip. There are tours that cover New England only and there are tours that peek into Canada. If you’re more of the active type, there are also Fall Foliage Bicycle Tours in Vermont.

But if you’d like to let somebody else do all of the work, a fall cruise to New England or Canada may be for you. New England and Canada have an unmistakable charm, history and natural beauty, and while every season has something special, there’s no better time to visit than the fall. The foliage is brilliant, in every imaginable color, the scenery is amazing, and there’s always incredible shopping at the charming ports. Many cruises include the ports of Boston, Portland, Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick. It’s the perfect way to experience nature’s changing of the seasons.

But whichever way you prefer to see the fall foliage of New England and Canada, here are ten reasons to book a tour:

1. Enjoy the scenery while someone else drives.
2. The escorted traveling companies know the best spots for viewing foliage.
3. A knowledgeable tour director is with you every step of the way.
4. Experience not only pretty scenery, but urban centers too.
5. Meet like-minded travelers.
6. Try local foods.
7. The weather is typically gorgeous.
8. Lots of shopping options.
9. Sightseeing visits are hassle free.
10. Know the price of your vacation up front.

To book accommodation such as hotels and apartments in New England try lastminute.com, where you can book a stay at the 3* Best Western New England Inn (located 25 minutes from Bradley airport) for only £55 per night. It is also important to sort out some travel insurance before you leave, try a company like AA Travel for a quote.