So here is a list of the TOP FIVE SHOWS to see in London this Winter…

1. Celebrate Christmas in style with The Rat Pack!
They’re back! Frank, Sammy and Dean – from Vegas to the West End – kick off a winter tour with their famed Christmas Special: Christmas with the Rat Pack before carrying their incredible all-singing party into the New Year with The Rat Pack – Live from Vegas… both shows playing at the Wyndhams Theatre on Charing Cross Road.

The Rat Pack celebrates Christmas in style. Celebrate the Christmas season with Rat Pack renditions of songs from the era and traditional tunes in a line-up that includes Baby It’s Cold Outside, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Let It Snow Let It Snow, White Christmas and Auld Lang Syne. A 15-piece orchestra accompanies the cast.

2. “Wart a show! A beasty baddie and stonking songs – Roald Dahl’s Matilda has it all” FIVE STARS (Daily Mail)

“It is the best new British musical since Billy Elliot…hilarious, moving and magical”(Daily Telegraph)

“Matilda The Musical … covers itself in chocolate glory, and I’d happily have a second helping” (OfficialLondonTheatre)

Following a sensational sell-out season at The Courtyard Theatre, the RSC’s production of MATILDA THE MUSICAL has finally transferred to the Cambridge Theatre on Seven Dials.

Roald Dahl’s much-loved story bursts into life on stage in this brand new musical version by Dennis Kelly and award-winning musician and comedian Tim Minchin. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Her parents think she is a nuisance and she thinks, quite rightly, they are only interested in watching telly. Life is not much better at school, where the monstrous headmistress Miss Trunchbull terrifies both students and teachers ALIKE. Then one day Matilda discovers she has a very special power and decides it’s time the grown-ups were taught a lesson. Be warned, the children are revolting…

3. Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into The London Palladium on Argyll Street, the capital’s home of the family musical.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting adaptation of the all time classic, totally reconceived for theatre breaks by the award-winning creative team that delighted audiences of all ages with their recent London Palladium revival of The Sound of Music.

Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay this new production contains all the much-loved songs from the Oscar winning movie score, all the favourite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

So click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, in the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their heart’s desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical theatre break for all the family.

4. Ogres and Donkeys and Princesses… Is it a Pantomime?
No it’s Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Wellington Street.

Shrek (Nigel Lindsay), our unlikely hero, and his loyal steed Donkey (Richard Blackwood) as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona (Kimberley Walsh) from her tower, guarded by a fire breathing love-sick dragon. Add the diminutive Lord Farquaad (Nigel Harman), a gang of fairytale misfits, and a biscuit with attitude, and you’ve got this year’s must see new musical comedy – Shrek The Musical

Featuring all new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem – I’m a Believer, Shrek The Musical brings the well loved characters to life in a hilarious and spectacular new production based on the story and characters from the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animation film.

The world of fairytales is turned upside down in an all singing, all dancing, irresistible mix of adventure, laughter and romance.

5. Sprinkle some fairytale magic this Christmas with Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! at the O2 Arena, London Docklands

One of the most popular dance productions ever staged in the UK, Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! returns to Sadler’s Wells this Christmas to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a limited seven week run.

“A nutcracker that’s truly, truly scrumptious” INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

This delicious theatrical feast has family-sized helpings of Matthew Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy. Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from a hilariously bleak Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland.

Tchaikovsky’s glorious score performed by a live orchestra and Anthony Ward’s unforgettable sets and costumes combine with sizzling choreography to create a fresh and charmingly irreverent interpretation of the traditional Christmas favourite.

EasyJet made travel to Barcelona from UK easy for visitors and the reason that tourism is soaring in Barcelona is also due to the affordable flights that are being offered nowadays. Many budget airlines in Scandinavia, Germany, UK and Eastern Europe offer flights to Barcelona. Ryanair also has frequent flights coming into the Girona-Costa Brava airport and Reus from countries, such as Ireland and UK. These flights take just about two hours to reach Barcelona. The United States also has direct flights on Delta that operate from New York as well as other states.

Look for great deals on rentals for apartments that you can hire short-term. Check out the areas where you choose to take up an apartment as many of these are recently renovated and can house about ten people. Make sure that you rent one in a good neighborhood.

Hotel Arts is one of the award winning hotels though the area may not be entirely suitable if you want to enjoy the activities in the heart of Barcelona. You can try the Hotel Majestic which is not far from Placa Catalunya, where you can access the various sights. Hotels such as La Pedrera and Casa Batllo are close by and have great restaurants with rooftop pools.

The other good hotels in Barcelona are the Le Meridien, which is just off Ramblas and Hotel Colon and is located opposite the cathedrals. Enjoy a walk down the Ramblas to feel the pulse of the area. You can grab a beer or enjoy coffee in any of the cafes and bars that are scattered along the area.

Make sure you take a look at the architecture of the Sagrada Familia cathedra, which was started by Gaudi but remains unfinished for over a century. From there, you can head to Casa Batllo and La Pedrera, which is on Passeig de Gracia. Parc Guell is another unfinished project by Gaudi though it is worth admiring the architectural design. You can also visit the museum which has been dedicated to the works and life of Gaudi.

Accommodation may be your priority when deciding on making short breaks to Barcelona. You can look for hotels that are not as luxurious as these if you wish to enjoy city breaks.

If you’re a budding photographer looking to capture the UK in all its glory, there are a vast range of destinations to consider. They range from world-famous locations through to smaller, less well known gems. It is worth speaking to other photographers to find out which sights inspire them. From city skyscrapers to local waterfalls or hidden beauty spots, inspiration strikes in the most unlikely places.

1. For endless city-scapes, world-class architecture and tourist attractions, London of course tops the list. Obvious photo opportunities include Big Ben, the Royal Palace, Kew Gardens, Trafalgar Square, Greenwich Park, the Tate Modern and the Tower of London. Of course, it’s likely that you’ll be doing battle with thousands of other tourists in attempting to get the perfect shot. However, the bustling atmosphere is conducive to good photography. Why not go on the London Eye to get a birds’ eye view of the city? The Thames is also atmospheric, lined with hardy snappers at dawn, when the light and mists are at their most evocative.

2. If city-scapes enthral you, there are plenty of towns and cities from which to choose. Oxford has numerous famous colleges to capture; Birmingham and Manchester have engaging and often contrasting urban sceneries to capture, together with historical markers of the great industrial period.

3. For faded seaside grandeur and a sense of England’s great holiday-making heritage, head to the famous coastal resorts for photographic inspiration. Blackpool is ideal for night shots, particularly in the colder months with its illuminations. Scarborough is an outstanding example of Victorian beachfront grandeur and the newer resorts of Bournemouth and Weymouth are ideal for documenting summer holidays in full swing.

4. Britain has a rich naval and merchant seafaring history. Head to the great ports of Liverpool, Portsmouth, Hull and Southampton for shots of commerce in action against a mixture of contemporary and classical backdrops. Liverpool and Hull also boast some superb architecture including a number of bridges to include in your compositions.

5. Finally of course, the British countryside offers a wealth of inspiration and beauty for photographers. The Lake District, for example, is packed with glorious hills, rivers, rock formations and sweeping vistas. Try the Peak District for still more rolling hills and the New Forest for roaming ponies and heathlands.

The Cotswolds are ideal for capturing picture-perfect houses and biscuit tin villages. In contrast, the North East displays fantastically craggy coastlines and raw landscapes, as do the Scottish Highlands and the vast sweeping forests of New Galloway.

Take advantage of the beauty on your doorstep and go and explore what the country has to offer. There are a huge number of holiday homes to rent for your trip, including those on offer at Sykes Cottages. Many of these cottages are located in areas of natural outstanding beauty, providing plenty of inspiration. They are also ideal bases from which to explore local churches, castle ruins and ancient pagan sites, any of which may prove to be the perfect material for creative photography.

Athens
The Acropolis Hill Hotel has one of the most photogenic views in the city and puts other Greece hotels to shame. Nestled right underneath the sacred rock of the Acropolis and with verdant green gardens below, it’s also perfectly placed for holidaymakers who want to take a photography walking tour. The tour takes in a number of Athens’ major archaeological sites. As well as giving you the chance to view the city from a local’s perspective, you’ll learn all about lighting, composition and everything else that’s needed in order to create memorable photographs. The walking excursion follows in the footsteps of Hadrian and you can see where he attended the inauguration of the Temple of the Olympian Zeus. You’ll stroll past ancient temples, mosques and 3,000-year-old theatres where Sophocles premiered his plays and which still host events to date.

Santorini
One of the most photographed scenes in Greece is the blue-domed churches on the island of Santorini. But how do you make sure that your photographs stand out from the rest? Shotztour run a two hour photography tour around Santorini, pointing out the best vantage points and teaching you when you should and should not use your flash. If you’d like to learn how to take better night shots then the evening tour is a must – this should bring an end to those over-exposed party shots and instead give your night time snaps a magical, ethereal quality. The two hour tour takes in the areas of Oia, Fira, Pyrgos and Emborio, but you can also opt for a longer tour where your knowledgeable guide will drive you to scenic hotspots further afield.

Corfu
Corfu is so picturesque that many photographers choose to make the island their home. Hazel Dean is a photographer who finds her inspiration in photographing the island’s flora and fauna, whilst Janet Reidman moved to the island from London in order to capture scenes of everyday life. You don’t have to live in Corfu to be inspired by the natural surroundings – and it goes without saying that you’ll want to take quality photos during your stay. There are plenty of Corfu hotels located away from the tourist hot-spots where you can stay and photograph the natural views that the island is so famous for. Try the Aloha Hotel in Agios Gordos for scenic sunsets on the veranda or the Mitsis Roda Beach Resort for tranquil views out over Roda Bay.

Balmy London nights provide some of the best photo opportunities to any traveling photographer, with an endless array of vibrant city lights and attractions, but this city is equally as visually stimulating during the day. The only thing that will stop you taking pictures is the battery on your camera.

Here are some suggestions as to where you can get the best shots in this great city:

Tower Bridge
Day or night, this is one of the best photography locations in the whole city. It is steeped in English history, currently sporting a red, white and blue paintjob in commemoration of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee of 1977. The year 2012 marks Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, so the bridge could well be subject to another makeover. The craftsmanship put into this remarkable structure make it one of the most pleasing sights on the eye and, therefore, the camera. It might not sound exciting, but bridges are always fun to capture through a lens.

The Houses of Parliament (and surrounding areas)
This area of Westminster is best experienced at night with a camera. The Houses of Parliament are simply grandiose, Big Ben is overwhelmingly picturesque and the London Eye is dizzyingly photogenic. Long-exposure shots of the surrounding busy roads are complemented by the striking architectural backdrops you’ll see in every direction.

London Underground
Whether it’s in a station crammed with human traffic or whistling with an eerily empty wind, the London Underground is full of photo-worthy moments. If you can spare the time, hang around down there with your camera at the ready before jumping on the Tube – you’ll be rewarded by the sheer diversity of people that flood the platforms. Sometimes the best shots only have one subject, which is rare sight in the central stations, so pick the right time and the right stop to boost your portfolio.

Trafalgar Square
In the middle of Trafalgar Square, one of the most famous public squares in the world, stands Nelson’s Column – a monument to the great British war hero Admiral Horatio Nelson. The base of this column is flanked by four bronze lions, upon which both tourists and locals climb to become the subject of many a photograph, intentional or unintentional. While it may have become a clichéd tourist photograph, you can still get some great life-shots of your fellow human beings on and around these statues.

Camden Market
Sticking to the life-shot theme, Camden Market is the perfect place to capture London at its characteristic best. It features all sorts of weird and wonderful stalls with (sometimes) the wackiest people manning them. You can either ask for a portrait picture of these men and women at work or snap away at the unaware as part of the crowd.

Perhaps the most popular Welsh destination is the capital city of Cardiff. Voted the sixth-best shopping city in the UK over such destinations as Leeds, Edinburgh, Bristol and Newcastle, it’s the place to go for a truly metropolitan Welsh experience. Home to St David’s Centre – one of the largest shopping centres in the UK – and a lively commercial area in the north of the city, shoppers are spoilt for choice. In the northern quarter is situated Castle Quarter, which is home to Cardiff’s popular Victorian and Edwardian arcades: High Street Arcade, Castle Arcade and Duke Street Arcade. As well as these quaint arcades, which in themselves are a sight to behold, this area is also home to Cardiff’s principal shopping streets: Mary Street, High Street, Castle Street and Duke Street.

For those holidaymakers looking for something a little more thrilling than a shopping expedition, there’s plenty to do in the surrounding area. With over 50 per of the coast between Cardiff and St Davids designated as heritage coastline, South Wales has far more heritage coastline per mile than other regions in the UK, making it a draw for walkers, hill walkers, rock climbers, hang gliders, mountain bikers, fishermen, surfers and scuba divers. In fact, any sport or outdoors activity you can think of, you can do it on a holiday to Cardiff if you venture out of the city for a couple of days.

A popular destination with tourists, Cowbridge is just seven miles west of Cardiff and is jam-packed with boutique restaurants and fashionable bazaars alongside the usual consignment of quaint shops and pubs. Just 25 minutes from the coast and surrounded by undulating hills and woodland, Cowbridge also provides an excellent base for those visitors who enjoy a bit of the outdoors. Hillwalking, horse riding and cycling are all made easy with coastal, country and bridal paths that take you safely to striking coastlines and cliffs, while watersports are available at Sker, Ogmore, Southerndown and Rest Bay.

Llantwit Major, just half an hour southwest of the capital, doubles as a pretty little seaside town and an intriguing historical site, having been inhabited for over 3000 years by Bronze Age, Iron Age, and modern day people. Located on the Bristol Channel coast and making up part of the Heritage Coast, Llantwit Major is a convenient distance from the country’s centre and the region’s beauty spots and the beautiful, action-packed coastline. Llantwit Major’s pebbly beaches are also a goldmine for geologists and cavers, with an abundance of fossils to be uncovered along the shoreline. A word of warning, though – cliff faces have been known to excrete rocks to the beach below, so be aware, especially in more extreme weather conditions.

Apart from Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, though, the other regions of Wales – Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Gower, the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia – are home to several magnificent national parks, 45 Blue Flag beaches, countless ancient historical sites and historic market towns crammed with art, music and culture.

If you’re planning a trip to Italy with your camera, make sure you insure your precious snapper before taking it onto the plane or the train. DSLR cameras, with all their lenses and add-ons, are by no means cheap so rather than risking damage in transit use tools like travel insurance compare by moneysupermarket.com to find cover that will guard you against accidents.

A great place to begin your Italian photo tour is Milan in the north. Flights into Milan are very cheap from most large European cities, with budget airlines shipping thousands of tourists to the historic northern city each year. Being the self-proclaimed fashion capital of Europe, Milan prides itself on looking good and there are few places from which it looks better than atop the city’s Gothic cathedral, the Duomo. The roof itself is a spectacular sight and from it you can look out across the city, right the way over to the Alps on the horizon.

Staying in the north of Italy but getting out of the city, you will want to take your wide angle lens with you as you head to the Dolomites mountain range in the eastern Alps. These Limestone Alps protrude out of an area of lush green fields and deep forests, creating a wonderful contrast for your photographs, particularly when set against a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds.

While you’re in the north of Italy, try and pay a visit to Lake Como in Lombardy. Known as a retreat for the wealthy, the lake itself provides views for the likes of George Clooney, Madonna and Richard Branson, so you can imagine the standard of scenery on show. Just mind you don’t get caught zooming in on a celebrity’s house!

Travelling south through Italy, there are a few regions where you camera won’t forgive you if you don’t stop and admire the views. In central Italy, the region of Tuscany is itself something of a work of art. Its inhabitants take such pride in the beauty of the Tuscan landscapes, architecture and local artwork that every corner you turn presents a new photo opportunity. Just make sure any pictures you do take in Tuscany are good enough to uphold the legacy of the Renaissance artists who called it home!

Travel further south still and you will reach Rome, Italy’s capital and home to its most famous landmarks. You will only have to follow the crowds of tourists to find the many spectacular ancient buildings that are dotted around the city but it is worth waiting until the hoards have dispersed to get the very best shots of Rome. The Colosseum at night is a wonderful challenge for any photographer, with the lights shimmering in the lower arches of this colossal monument, while the skies darken above. The Castel and Ponte Sant’Angelo is another beautiful subject to photograph on a balmy, warm Rome evening.

The list of Italian photograph locations can go on and on, with places like Venice, Florence and the island of Sicily offering much, much more than can be mentioned here. The best piece of advice you can receive is to simply go there for yourself and take a good hard look at this beautiful country. It will reward you with some sensational photographs.

The ghost hunt of York:
York has its fair share of ghost stories, which may have you questioning some of the York hotels, however the best way to hear where exactly is haunted is with The Ghost Hunt of York tour. The tour lasts around 75 minutes and involves an evening walking tour of all of York’s haunted locations. The tour begins at 7:30pm, where you’ll be greeted by the Victorian guides’ death bell. The tour itself never gets cancelled, no matter what the weather and if you’re the only ghost hunter, it’ll still run as advertise. The Ghost Hunt offers fun and energetic entertainment, with captivating, intelligent stories and is even illustrated with illusions and props, cleverly adding humour and horror to the experience.

JORVIK Viking Festival:
Started back in 1985, the JORVIK Viking Festival is the longest established festival that features in York. Every year the festival brings hundreds of people to the city willing to demonstrate Viking training routines and battle drills. The festival also brings to the city many public events, including full scale battle re-enactments, encampments and river events. The festival usually takes place in February every year, with tickets to the main events costing £10 per adult, £7.50 per concession, £30 for a family of four or £35 for a family of five. During the day you’ll get to see duels within combat arenas, firework display, full scale battle, delicious meals and even a long ship, which will be prepared ready for a fallen warrior.

York minster:
York is home to one of the greatest cathedrals in the world, the York Minster. And no matter what your culture or faith, you’re welcome to come and see what the life of a Christian entails. The Minster itself took around 250 years to build and attracts all kinds of people from around the world with its astonishing architecture and rich history.
The Mister has a Crypt, Under-croft and a Treasury full of jewels and the remains of the Normans, Romans and the Vikings. Within the tower, there are 275 steps that will guarantee you superb panoramic views of the city.

Castle museum:
Today York is a fantastic city to shop and is perfect for a weekend break, but was York always such a great place to visit and live? Well York’s Castle Museum is the perfect place to see what York use to be like. It’s one of Britain’s leading museums, and is best known for its recreations on the Victorians, the 1960’s and the building’s past two prisons.

The Victorian setting is based on a typical street, Kirkgate. Here you can enjoy an immersive Victorian atmosphere with light and sound effects, while you explore what their day to day life would have involved.

The museum also plays host to two prison buildings, here you can see some ex-prisoners, such as the horse stealing Dick Turpin. The Sixties gallery is the perfect place for you to explore the everyday life, including the music and the fashion of the grooviest decade.

York dungeon:
The York Dungeon is considered among York’s greatest landmarks, so much so that it even stars on the official Monopoly York board, and after one visit, you’ll be able to see why. The York Dungeon brings some of York’s most horrible history to life with its 11 live shows from Guy Fawkes to Witches Burned Alive.

Tickets can be bought at the door or you can wait for some Last minute deals online; it is worth noting that the best savings can be made by booking online. And if you have a Merlin Annual Pass, you’ll be able to visit for free.

Air museum:
Situated in a former World War 2 RAF bomber command centre, the Yorkshire Air Museum is considered the largest air museum in Great Britain which is run independently. The 20 acre base in Evington (near the city of York) is the biggest and the most original World War 2 station that is publicly open.

There are over 15 exhibitions available, around 50 historic aircraft, range of military vehicles and a large restaurant in the style of a NAAFI. Many of the 50 historic aircraft are still in full working order, and are even used at some air shows across the country. Even though the station is on the outskirts of York itself, the Yorkshire Air Museum is an incredible display of history and is worth venturing out to.

The Scott Monument, Ediburgh
With 287 steps and several viewing decks, Edinburgh’s delightfully gothic Scott Monument reaches high into the Scottish capital’s skyline to give photographers a dazzling array of panoramas. Photographing the monument itself, with its soot-stained carvings and sweeping archways, is in istelf an opportunity to be relished, but the real wonders of this multi-dimensional city can be captured once you begin to climb the monument. The bustling parade of shops and markets along Princes Street, Edinburgh Castle and Arthurs Seat are all well within sight from the tower. In addition to these city landmarks, however, the distant countryside is also visible from the monument, where visitors can rent one of the many beautiful holiday cottages in Scotland for their Scottish photographic adventures

Devon and Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
With cliff sides comprised of rocks that date back to over 250 million years ago, it’s not hard to picture dinosaurs and cavemen living along the lush, vibrant Jurassic Coast of Dorset and East Devon. Take a walk with your camera from the village of Beer on Devon’s south coast over to the village of Branscombe and enjoy snapping landscapes that would not have looked out of place in Jurassic Park!

The Gower Peninsula
Britain has more than its fair share of golden, sandy beaches, but few can compare or compete with those of the Gower Peninsula in Wales. In spring and summer, temperatures soar, and there are opportunities to snap dolphins, seals and even turtles at locations like Rhossili and Oxwhich Bay. The Gower is equally picturesque during the autumn and winter months, when wildlife photographers can hole themselves up in cosy Welsh cottages and spot rabbits, foxes, hawks and kestrels amid the windswept and often snowy landscapes.

The Howgill Fells
As you travel north through England and pass from Yorkshire into Cumbria, you’re surrounded on all sides by the bulging Howgill Fells. These whale-like hills roll and stretch their way up towards the Lake District, with the glacial markings in the hills creating some bizarre shadow effects that make the hills look almost alive. Not to be missed.

Why go to April Fair? This event sums up what the city is all about. April Fair takes place over a week and it usually starts two weeks after Easter. I have been to April Fair twice and I would really recommend going because it will give you a great insight into Andalusian culture. If like me you love Spain, this is also the perfect chance to put on your flamenco dress and start playing your castanets.

The event is officially opened at midnight on the Monday two weeks post Easter and it ends on the following Sunday. The Guadalquivir River is one of the key points for the celebrations as it is lined with casetas, small tent houses, which symbolise the event and are used by families, political parties etc. There are also street parties near the river and fairgrounds and you can join in dancing sevillanas or flamenco, and drink sherry and sample tapas. Need any more convincing to go to the April Fair?

So there you go….March or April is the best time to visit Seville because of the events and the pleasant weather – this is my opinion of course…..but I think you will agree that it is a good opportunity to experience the culture and sightsee at the same time. The only problem is that finding cheap flights to Seville is not so easy at this time of the year. So make sure you book in advance in order to get the best deals….and you should also keep an eye out for last minute offers.