African Paradise - Selous, Tanzania

A wild and remote paradise for nature lovers...

Location: Southern Tanzania, Africa

Good for: Wildlife flora and Fauna, luxury lakeside tented safari with game drives and boat safari.

When to go: There are spectacular viewing opportunities here, year round, However this camp is closed in April and May at the height of the rains.

Bear Necessities - Great Bear Rainforest - Canada BC

A truly magical and humbling experience

Location: Western Canada, British Columbia

Good for: Astounding scenery, Grizzly Bears, Spirit Bears, Black Bears, Whales,  Orca, Wolves and more.

When to go: Given the location, I would suggest that spring, summer and autumn are the best times to visit as many areas would become impossible in the harsh winter, if you can even arrange it! Spring and summer is good for bear viewing with cubs, whereas Autumn, is a great time to see the Salmon run and watch the bears fishing and eating on the riverbanks.

SA Adventure - Garonga

Stunning African safari set in a private reserve

Location: South Africa. A 22,000 hectare area in the greater Makalali Conservancy - west of the Kruger National Park.

Good for: The traditional big 5, among other wildlife flora and Fauna. Luxury riverside tented accommodation or bungalow lodges with game drives and walking safaris.

When to go: This camp is open all year, but going in the dry season (UK Summer) is often more rewarding as the game congregates around the watering holes and can be easier to find and see. That said, I can't imagine there is a bad time to visit here.

Ras Kutani - the perfect balance

The view over the lagoon and sea from your huge, super super king size bed!

I have been to many beach resorts, lay on many a sunbed and, in fairness, loved most of them. It wasn't until I went to Ras Kutani that I realised the just what I had been missing.

Location: Southern Tanzania, Africa

Good for: Relaxation, wildlife and luxury waterside lodges, providing a stunning view over a freshwater lagoon and the crashing waves of a spectacular coast.

When to go: It's cooler here May - through to August and then warms up as you progress into the rainy season.  

African paradise - Ruaha, Tanzania

A wild and remote paradise for nature lovers...

Location: Southern Tanzania, Africa

Good for: Wildlife, flora and Fauna, an intimate safari in luxury surroundings.

When to go: This tented camp is closed in April and May at the height of the rain cycle. Anytime of year has its benefits here as Jongomero camp is located on the banks of the Ruaha River which provides plenty of viewing opportunities whether it is in full flow or not.

Snowlife - La Clusaz

Location: The French Alps, close to Annecy -Aravis Region

Good for: Great skiing with a picturesque village atmosphere

When to go: We went in January, which is a nice quite time, but I can't imagine that any time in ski season would be bad - plus as they are now opening the chalet we stayed in for summer rental, I think it would be a great choice for a summer break too.

Madagascar – Mandrare river camp

Simply the best camping experience you can have...

Verreaux's Sifaka in the nearby Spiny Forest

location: South Madagascar

Good for: Tribal culture, Varied wildlife; Lemurs, Chameleons, birds, Baobabs and of course the amazing Spiny Forest.

When to go: Honestly, I think any time of year would be good here! There are only 2 seasons: Hot, rainy season is November to April, Cooler dry season, May to October. Although the camp is closed from January through to the end of March, when it can be really rainy.

Messing about on the river

What better way to spend an English summer (or at least a small part of it...) than messing about on the glorious river/canal networks that we are lucky enough to have in this country? We decided to explore the beautiful Basingstoke canal network for a weekend of camping on the water - yes you guessed it Narrowboat living.

Myconian bliss

One of the famous Mykonos windmills

Location: Greece

Famous for: windmills, pelicans, beautiful sandy beaches, trendy bars, gay nightlife and a constant sea breeze.

When to go: The Island opens in May and closes in October, and you will find it quiter at either nd of the season, whilst still glorious weather-wise (just take a light sweater for the evening at these times). Any other part of the season is very warm and gets increasingly busy as the months progress.

Prague City break

Astronomical Clock – The Old Town Square

Location: Czech Republic

Famous for: Beautiful Architecture, Jewish Heritage, fences full of padlocks (to name but a few things).

When to go: Anytime, but Winter is picture postcard stuff. I think November to February is best if you want to try to experience snow on the ground.

Devon - avoiding the crowds

Location: North Devon UK.
Famous for:  Surfing, the moors and a beautiful coastline.

When to go: Summer is always busy, but still the best time to go.

Devon is a gorgeous location, no doubt abut it, but it can often be busy on the roads and when you get there it can be busy in the towns and on the beaches as well - so I decided to help you out by sharing a couple of tips on how to enjoy Devon, in relative privacy.

Manatus Lodge, tortuguero,

Large Male, green iguana basking on the riverside

Location: Manatus Lodge, Tortuguero, Costa Rica,

Famous for: Toucans, iguanas, Caiman and manatees among other fabulous wildlife.

Bosque De Paz, Costa Rica

Steely vented hummingbird

Location: Bosque De Paz, Valle del Rio Toro, (Cloud forest) Costa Rica

Famous for: The Respendent Quetzal, rainforest birds and spectacular orchids

El Remanso, Costa Rica

A lucky sighting of a rare, breeding, gliding tree frog.

Location: El Remanso, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Famous for: Toucans, sloth, red eyed tree frogs and an abundance of other rainforest wildlife, including the elusive Puma.

Escape to a simpler life

Corfe Mullen, Dorset, UK: What do you do if you want a break in the UK that isn't going to cost the earth and gives you peace and relaxation away from the daily grind - I'll tell you what you do, dip a toe in the world of Glamping that's what. Take for example this wonderfully romantic shepherds hut, set in a secluded 27 acre plot with only a couple of yurts and one other shepherds hut for company - this is escapism at its best...

Riverside Escape

The lake District - Broadoaks Country House

The lake District - Toutbeck, UK: A short drive from junction 36 of the M6, UK.

Area famous for: Romantic escapes, walking, fishing, lush green landscapes and of course the lakes themselves.

Broadoaks Country House: Circa 1830, A stunning stone built country house, steeped in history and set in the most stunning of countryside.

Madagascar – The Litchi Tree, Joffreyville

Picture: The smallest chameleon in the world...leaf chameleon

Madagascar, location: Indian ocean, approx. 250 miles from East Africa. (Worlds 4th largest Island).

Joffreyville location: Found at the Northern tip of Madagascar, close to Amber Mountain rainforest reserve.

Famous for: Lemurs, Chameleons, Mongoose and Tenrecs, as well as a range of other endemic flora and fauna).

Tsara Komba – Nosy Komba, Madagsacar

Picture: A female black lemur (the males are black - honest)    

Nosy Komba, location:
Small island off the North West coast of Madagascar

Famous for:  Black lemurs, chameleons, sea life and complete relaxation.

When to go: It really depends on what you would like to see. There are two distinct seasons in Madagascar, wet (November – April) and dry (May – October).

Glamping in Poole

Or Corfe Mullen to be exact...

Willow Farm Yurts, Location:
Near Poole, Dorset, UK.

Famous for:
Sandbanks (a gorgeous and very long stretch of pristine beach) and Studland Beach and nature reserve.

The Maldives

Maldives, Location: Situated off Sri Lanka, the worlds smallest Asian country and and the lowest, made up of 1190 coral islands.

Famous for: White sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.

When to go: The temperature is pretty consistent throughout the year, but there are two distinct seasons here, the dry season (January  – March) and the rainy season (May – November) Having traveled in both seasons, I would have to say that the rainy season is probably my favourite, but to be honest the temperature is so good year round that it makes little difference.