If the gloomy weather has left you dreaming of sunnier climes, then you're not alone.

According to travel site Dealchecker, a huge number of holidaymakers have been looking into the possibility of a sunshine break in Spain.

In the first quarter of 2012, there was a massive 66 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of searches for Spanish destination.

The cosmopolitan city of Barcelona proved particular popular, with a 119 per cent surge in interest.

Mark Attwell, managing director of Dealchecker, attributed this largely to financial reasons.

"Anywhere in the eurozone will offer value at the moment but Spain's package holidays boast a rich variety of destinations to suit any budget, from the cultural buzz of Barcelona to the famous beaches of Alicante and the nightlife of the Balearics and Tenerife," he said.

In particular, there are a range of all-inclusive deals, where travellers can pay a single price for their flights, food and accommodation.

This reduces your chance of going over your budget and means you have one less thing to think about and get on with enjoying the sunshine.

Posted by Huw Jenkins

Property investors who are looking to put down roots overseas have been advised to look to the Gulf's growing tourism industry.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman were among those recommended for investment.

Jonathan Worsley, a board member at STR Global, said that each of these destinations has something to offer property buyers.

"Dubai is setting the standard in hotel occupancy rates and sustainability; Saudi Arabia is sagaciously tapping its oil funds to lead the way in religious tourism and prudently diversifying its contribution to GDP away from hydrocarbon revenues; and Oman – the often mentioned 'dark horse' at the conference – presents a landscape fertile for hospitality development," he said.

He went on to note that Oman in particular is keen to establish itself as a tourism hotspot and is likely to do so, thanks to its natural beauty and serene beaches.

Fellow property expert Kurt Ritter, chief executive and president of the Rezidor Hotel Group, also said that the "time is ripe" to invest in these key areas.

Posted by Huw Jenkins

A gap year abroad could be one of the most exciting things a young person undertakes.

There are many choices available when it comes to picking a pursuit, from simply globetrotting to volunteering.

It is advised that gappers do something worthwhile with their time, which will add to their CV, providing another reason why voluntary work is popular.

According to Michaela Scarr, a spokesperson at The Leap, a myriad of different projects can be worked on to ensure enjoyment and variety.

"We offer placements with a mixture of different projects, so our volunteers will take part in conservation, community and eco tourism projects whilst they're on a placement with us," she noted.

Gap years are not just the preserve of those who have just finished school.

"Quite a few graduates as well take some time out after they have finished university and then we get a few people who are just taking a career break," Ms Scarr added.

Posted by Huw Jenkins

The opening credits of the Italian job are awe-inspiring – featuring a gorgeous Lamborghini Miura with Matt Munro's On Days Like These providing the soundtrack.

If these scenes do not provide the stimulation for driving through Europe, then nothing will.

Particularly suiting those with a sports car where you can put the top down, you can drive from the UK, crossing The Channel and making your way through France.

There are plenty of places of interest to explore on the way, and the scenic countryside routes are often more interesting than taking the motorway.

Entering Italy at the south-eastern point of France will bring you to Turin and Milan, while you can continue across to the east by passing through Verona and Venice.

Moving over to the west coast of the country will allow you to drive through Bologna, Florence, Rome and then Naples, while Sicily and Palermo are worth a visit if you have time.

Posted by Emmanuel Addy

In the UK, we all love a good feed and have embraced cuisine from all over the world.

While these sometimes get diluted because of Americanisation or a lack of genuine ingredients, if you want a true taste of the planet then you need to get your travelling shoes on.

There are many countries which are famed for their foods, from India and its red-hot curries to Mexico and its spicy burritos and re-fried beans.

Thailand and Japan will give you first-hand experience of stir-fries and all things Oriental, while France is famed for delicacies like frog legs and snails.

A trip to Italy will let you try authentic pizza, pasta and ice cream, while a Frankfurter sausage should be enjoyed while in Germany.

Spanish tapas and paella can be enjoyed in the Barcelona sun, and Greece is home to delicious salads and dishes like lamb kleftiko.

If all else fails and you are feeling hungry, the US will never fail to disappoint with its massive beef burgers.

Posted by Emmanuel Addy

There is much to be envious of when it comes to the F1 lifestyle.

Drivers are paid big money to drive fast cars and are often surrounded by a bevy of beautiful women in some of the world's most stunning surroundings.

While we can't promise you all of that, you can get a slice of the action by joining the thousands of spectators who enjoy race weekend.

The championship moved into Europe last weekend (May 13th) with Spain playing host, and there are a number of other races coming up on the continent.

The glamour of Monaco will be on show when the principality welcomes Sebastien Vettel and co on May 27th, while the European Grand Prix will be held in Valencia on June 24th.

After the British race, Germany, Hungary, Belgium and Italy will all take their turn, before the drivers jet off around the world for the final stages in Asia and the Americas.

Posted by Emmanuel Addy

Travellers planning a city break this summer should look no further than Berlin.

The German capital is currently enjoying a record number of visitors – in February alone, there were more than 660,000 guests who spent more than 1,400,000 nights there.

What makes Berlin such a great destination for a holiday is that it is equally suited to a short city adventure as it is to a longer, more leisurely stay.

History buffs in particular will be spoilt for choice here: from the Checkpoint Charlie Museum to the Brandenburg Gate, there is no shortage of landmarks to marvel at.

For all its memorials of the past, Berlin is also a fiercely modern city, from its lively nightlife to its jungle of skyscrapers.

You can visit TV Tower for the best 360 degree views of the city and indulge in some retail therapy along the Kurfürstendamm shopping strip before relaxing with a cocktail in one of the city's many excellent bars.

For a more relaxing day, take a leisurely stroll around the Sunday flea market at Mauerpark or pack a picnic to while away the hours in the sprawling park of Grunewald.

Posted by Huw Jenkins

Spending a year abroad can give you transferable skills that will come in handy on your return.

Immersing yourself in an unfamiliar culture and working towards a goal will improve your communication and team building skills, and you'll build up your confidence and global understanding.

Plus, experts believe that you can give your CV a real boost with the right activities on your year abroad.

Nick Adie, communications manager for Latitude Global Volunteering, said: "Providing that the gap year is a productive one and it is a long-term volunteering project, then there are a whole host of transferable skills that can be delivered and that graduate employers are looking for."

To make sure that your year overseas improves your employment prospects, it's important to research the gap year organisations thoroughly before you pick one.

Ask friends and family if they've had a similar experience, and request that the companies you research put you in touch with former customers who can give you a real insight into what the projects involve.

Posted by Emmanuel Addy

When it comes to tying the knot, there are a number of advantages to planning a wedding overseas.

According to wedding writer Jane Anderson, there has been a steady increase in the number of Brits getting married abroad over the last ten years or so, largely for economic reasons.

"It's about a third of the price of the average white wedding at home," she said.

Another major factor, of course, is the climate. It's much easier to guarantee warm sunshine abroad than risk the infamous British summer.

It's becoming much easier to visit certain destinations too, both long-haul and short-haul, and in some ways it is actually simpler to get married abroad than at home.

Ms Anderson also noted that there many couples are opting to take advantage of being overseas when it comes to planning their honeymoon.

For example, it's popular to get married in Sri Lanka and then honeymoon in the Maldives, or tie the knot in Africa and then holiday in Mauritius.

There's also been an increase in "buddymoons", where couples take their friends and family out for their wedding and then have them stay on for part of the honeymoon as a celebration.

Posted by Emmanuel Addy

Gap years are an excellent way to combine adventurous travel with charitable work.

Not only do you get to immerse yourself in a new country and its culture, you are also able to provide a number of benefits for the communities where you are placed.

According to Nick Adie, communications manager for Latitude Global Volunteering, it is during longer placements that you can really see the positive effect you're having, whether that means contributing to a conservation project or working on the curriculum of a local school.

Of course, it's not always possible to measure the positive impact of a gap year project. As Mr Adie said: "Obviously, if you are doing things like education and teaching and community work, those sorts of quantifiable measures are a lot more difficult to find.

"That is why it is really important for organisations to ensure that placements are monitored to ensure that the volunteers are contributing and not just being there for the sake of being there," he added.

For this reason, it is important to find a gap year firm that matches you with a placement where you can truly make a difference.

Posted by Emmanuel Addy