Chester is a picturesque town on the river Dee in Cheshire, in the North West of England, not too far from Liverpool. Chester has a wide range of activities available to visitors, from simply walking round the compact city centre and shopping to visiting the very visible Roman ruins which are dotted through the town. Particularly impressive is the Roman amphitheatre next to Grosvenor Park, and you can also see a reconstructed hypocaust (Roman underfloor heating, more interesting than it sounds) in the Roman Gardens - and another one in the basement of a Spud U Like restaurant! Chester Racecourse is nearby for the family's gamblers and horse fans, and the more active-minded can try their hand at boating on the River Dee. Chester Cathedral is also well worth a visit, as is Chester Zoo (which might be more to the tastes of the younger members of the family). There are also many brilliant restaurants in Chester, but also a large number of traditional English pubs, many of which serve reasonably priced hot food for meals out.

The recent trend for staycation holidays means that British people are increasingly rediscovering the natural beauty that lies on their doorstep and North Wales is a ruggedly good example of this. Snowdonia is a region of great natural beauty that is dominated by mountain ranges including the Snowdon mountain from which the region takes its name. The gigantic Snowdonia national park offers visitors hill-walking, mountain climbing, and wildlife watching. Or, if you fancy a change of scenery, you can come down from the mountains to the 200+ miles of coast. There, you’ll find secluded coves and world class beaches such as the five mile long Tywyn beach.

Sometimes it’s good to take the weight off your feet and the Snowdon Mountain Railway offers a unique opportunity to ride a steam train up to the top of a 3,560 foot mountain, enjoying stunning views along the way. The line has been in operation for over a hundred years and children under the age of 4 go free, making it perfect for families whose kids have a Thomas the Tank Engine fixation!

One of the great attractions Wales offers tourists is its wealth of historic castles and Caernarfon Castle stands as one of the most imposing relics of a distant time. Built in 1283 by the English King Edward the First, its initial role was to help subdue any thoughts of Welsh rebellion but it now helps Welsh coffers by attracting countless visitors.

The Isle of Anglesey is an island situated off the north-west Welsh coast but connected to the mainland by two bridges across the Menai Strait. It’s yet another area of great natural beauty and is worth a visit during your North Wales sojourn. As an island, it offers lots for water lovers including sailing, kayaking, surfing, kite surfing, diving, and fishing. Or you can just dip your toes as you enjoy one of Anglesey’s great beaches.

With kids in mind, make sure you schedule a visit to the Anglesey Sea Zoo. It’s the biggest aquarium in Wales and will bring you face to face with a huge variety of marine species including conger eels, octopus, lobsters, and sharks!

New York welcomes huge numbers of visitors every year who are attracted to this iconic American city for its shopping, Broadway musicals, cuisine and breadth of visitor attractions. Long Island is situated to the south east of the city and includes the well known metropolitan boroughs of Queens and Brookyln. However, it also contains the more rural counties of Suffolk and Nassau which offer stunning beaches and an insight into the lives of the super rich.

Greenport is a little harbour village in Suffolk County and exudes charm with its bustling marina, tall ships, and 1920s carousel. Kids will love checking out all the boats at Mitchell Park, as well as taking a spin on the historic carousel, and you can also hop onto a ferry for a quick trip across to Shelter Island, which is a safe haven for wildlife due to its large wetlands.

Back in Greenport, make sure you check out the Railroad and Maritime museums which give an insight into the region’s historic past as a centre of whaling and ship building. Suffolk County is also famed for its wineries and there are several within close proximity to Greenport that offer wine tasting and tours. You can also sample the county’s fine wines in one of the local eateries which will be a perfect way to end the day as the sun sets over the harbour.

The area known as The Hamptons is one of the most wealthy in the United States and is comprised of a series of picturesque seaside villages. It’s renowned for its popularity with A-list celebrities and the attraction of the area will become apparent when you see those blue skies and golden beaches and consider its convenient proximity to the Big Apple. If sunbathing and other beach-related activities are your thing, then you’ll be in paradise and, as you’d expect, there’s plenty of great restaurants and drinking establishments to choose from.

Across in Nassau County you’ll find the spacious and hugely impressive Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, which covers over 400 acres and features a stunning collection of greenhouses, gardens, and offers guaranteed colour and pleasant walks.

Also within the boundaries of Nassau you’ll also find Sagamore Hill, which was the home of Theodore Roosevelt the 26th President of the United States. Built in 1884, it’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and tours are open to the public. Included within the premises is the Theodore Roosevelt Museum.