Madrid is the financial and cultural hub for Spain, and much of Southern Europe. There is a huge amount to see and do there, as well as excellent nightlife in terms of bars, restaurants, clubs and entertainment. As the area has been inhabited since Roman times, there are also plenty of historical sites to explore and enjoy. At the other extreme, you can also visit the Bernabéu stadium, home of Spanish football giant Real Madrid. This is usually popular with the younger members of the family, and many of the older ones! For art lovers you are torn between the Prado Museum, with works from the 12th to 19th Centuries including Goya, Velasquez and Rubens, or you can go to the Reina Sofia Museum for art from the 20th Century and beyond. The Reina Sofia houses Picasso's most famous painting Guernica, as well as key works by artists such as Salvador Dali - it gets incredibly busy but is a crucial place to visit!

While Madrid is a huge city, and it is easily possible to spend a whole holiday exploring, there is also a lot to see outside the city itself. Suggested excursions include Toledo, former capital of the country and a medieval city full of charm, and Segovia with its extraordinary castle which was used as inspiration for Walt Disney's iconic castle logo.

With Florida dominating the south eastern coastline of the United States, it would be easy to overlook the potential of a beach holiday in Alabama. After all, when we think of Alabama we tend to think more of its inland waterways and alligators rather than crystal clear seas. However, Alabama does have its own stretch of coastline and Gulf Shores is one of its premier beach resorts.

Gulf Shores is situated on the Gulf of Mexico which means you can look forward to warm waters that are a pleasure to swim in. The beaches are soft and welcoming and this combination means it is perfect for a family beach holiday. As well as sunbathing, swimming, and making sandcastles, you may also wish to hire a boogie board from one of the surf shops for some fun amongst the breakers, or perhaps you might decide to try some kite flying. The list of activities that can be indulged includes surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and banana boat rides. Another popular Gulf Shores attraction is sea angling. Opportunities exist to land a big haul either from shore or boat and there are plenty of charter trips for those wanting to try out some deep sea fishing.

Alabama is a fascinating state, full of history and charisma, and it’s well worth prying yourself away from its pristine beaches to check out some of its other attractions. One place that will appeal especially to families with small kids is a visit to Alligator Alley. Based in Summerdale, Alligator Alley is home to lots of rescued alligators and allows you to get close to these wonderful natives of Alabama and observe them being fed!

Another recommended attraction is the Baldwin County Heritage Museum. Alabama has a rich history from the early Native American years to periods of French, Spanish, and British rule and then through to the story of the American Civil War. The Baldwin County Heritage Museum provides a window into the past lives of Alabama’s residents and makes for fascinating viewing.