ONCE IN A lifetime

Always dreamed of cruising down Route 66 or seeing the Northern Lights? Plan that trip of a lifetime and make some unforgettable memories

Escape to paradise

Treat yourself to a well-deserved break and spend a relaxing holiday in the Maldives. Located in the Indian Ocean, the 26 atolls that make up the Maldives are home to white sandy beaches, crystal-clear blue seas and a year-round sunny climate.

An idyllic water bungalow is the perfect spot to soak up the beauty of these islands but, for somewhere a little more affordable, there are plenty of comfortable hotels on the main island, then all you have to do is island hop!

If you love water sports there’s more than enough to keep you occupied – from surfing to snorkelling, paddle boarding to scuba diving and you’re bound to spot a whole host of sea

Ice to see you…

Iceland is one of the best places on the planet to see the phenomenal Northern Lights. With winter the peak time to spot them, a stay in a cosy transparent igloo is the best way to keep toasty warm while enjoying a private show of the aurora borealis. Another winter attraction is Iceland’s frozen landscape where you can try ice-caving and glacier walking.

If you love wildlife and nature, Iceland is also one of the best places in Europe for whale watching! Spend a day out at sea experiencing the beauty of whales in their natural habitat. If you’re keen on getting in the water, head to Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon where you’ll be able to relax in the geothermal seawater/freshwater pool. After spending a day in the warm mineral-filled waters, you’re bound to feel rejuvenated and revitalised.

■ Prices start from £442pp including flights and accommodation. Call 0208 974 7200 or visit www.travelrepublic.co.uk

New York, New York

From the bright lights of Broadway to fabulous Art Deco buildings, New York City is a must-see place and there’s something here for everyone. With so much going on in the city, you can visit at any time of year and find plenty to do. In winter, ice-skate at the Rockefeller Centre and do a spot of Christmas shopping on Fifth Avenue. In the summer you can watch an outdoor film in Central Park, go to music festivals and simply cool off in the city’s swimming pools. Be sure your tick list includes the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and a Broadway show. If you’re a film fanatic, squeeze in a movie-location tour around the city where you’ll get to see the likes of Katz’s Delicatessen from When Harry Met Sally, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from Saturday Night Fever and Tiffany & Co from the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. ■ Prices start from £417pp including flights and accommodation.

Call 0114 306 5117 or visit www.teletextholidays.co.uk

Splash your holiday cash making memories that will last a lifetime

The land of Oz

If the long-haul flight doesn’t faze you, a trip to Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you won’t regret. A beach, adventure and city holiday all in one, you’ll need a few weeks in Australia to explore what it has to offer.

To soak up the sun, slap on the sunscreen and head to one of the country’s world-class beaches such as Whitehaven, regarded as one of the most beautiful in Australia.

No trip to Oz would be complete without a visit to an animal sanctuary to meet native creatures such as wallabies, platypus and koala bears. And spend a special evening watching the sunset on a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise. Explore the incredible landscape on a trip to Uluru (better known to us as Ayers Rock) and enjoy a traditional Aussie barbecue. ■ Prices start from £1,003pp including flights and accommodation. Call 0344 493 0787 or visit www.britishairways.com

An American adventure

Take a trip down Route 66 from Chicago. Over its 2,448 miles you’ll cross Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, and you’ll get a real taste of American life, with traditional diners and motels to stop at as you traverse the vast deserts and plains of this huge country.

If you feel like an adventure, take a detour to explore some of the famous and intriguing sites en route, such as a field of grafitti-covered Cadillacs; Graceland, the former home of Elvis in Memphis; or stop at the Route 66 Drive-In Theatre in Carthage, Missouri. This Forties drive-in is beautifully restored and shows movies seasonally at weekends. End your trip at Santa Monica Pier in California where you can stretch your legs with a stroll along the boardwalk to admire the ocean with a well-earned icecream or doughnut in hand!

■ Prices from £220pp for flights to Chicago. Call 0330 828 0854 or visit www.norwegian. com/uk

While you’re on the other side of the world, why not fit in a visit to New Zealand or Tasmania?