However, despite the availability of these new destinations, which are gaining a bigger slice of the ski market, France still remains the most popular location to ski for the Brits and it’s not hard to see why.

France offers arguably the best skiing in Europe, with dozens of huge resorts in the Alps, not to mention the lesser known range of the Pyrenees. It also has one of the best cuisines in the world and due to having the highest mountains in Europe, (with resorts like Val Thorens), you can be fairly certain that you’ll actually have real snow to ski on, even in this age of global warming which is threatening the survival of ski areas situated at lower altitudes. And on top of all this, France’s close proximity to the UK and the huge number of cheap flights now available means that skiers can be on the slopes in just a few hours.

Resorts like Brides Les Bains, Tignes Val Claret, Morzine, La Clusaz, Chamonix, Thollon and Les Arcs are all close to major airports, and with ever more airlines offering low prices on flights to Lyon and Geneva, getting to these resorts is quick and easy and won’t break the bank.

France also offers skiing in the lesser known ranges of the Massif Central and the Pyrenees, mountains that are completely separate from the Alps. Although not as famous or fashionable as the better known French resorts, these areas can offer cheaper and often quieter alternatives to the old favourites.

So, although some skiing and snowboarding adventurists are seeking snow further a field, France’s close proximity to the UK, its ease of access and the low cost of travelling there, are likely to keep it at the number one spot as the Brit’s favourite ski playground.

5 Top Romantic Islands for Weddings in the Continental U.S. and Canada

1. Catalina Island – California

Located 26 miles from the coast of Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island is and always will be “the island of romance.” Although Catalina Island was hit by a wildfire in 2007, the city of Avalon was untouched and is still one of the most romantic spots in Southern California to have your wedding, just the two of you or with friends and family.

Catalina Island abounds with great spots to hold your wedding. If you wish a larger ceremony, you might want to choose some of the more formal venues like the Descanso Beach Club or the Catalina Country Club. If you wish a small, intimate ceremony, you can hire an officiant to perform a wedding at such places as Buena Vista Point on Mt. Ada overlooking the ocean, the beach, or the Wrigley Botanical Gardens. Of course, you will have to get a permit for the public areas.

2. Sanibel Island – Florida

Located off the coast of Southwest Florida and about 30 minutes from Fort Myers, Sanibel Island is world renowned for its white sand shelling beaches, which provides visitors with an abundance of seashells from the Gulf of Mexico. Sanibel Island is a place to get away from the high-rises of other beach tourist communities and just relax.

If you’d like a beach wedding, check out Casa Ybel Resort’s Thistle Lodge, which has been hosting weddings for more than 100 years. You can choose to have your wedding in one of the many resort locations such as a secluded white-sand beach, the lakeside gazebo, or the grand Thistle Lodge. Call them at 866-748-8958 for more information.

3. Mount Desert Island – Maine

What’s so special about Mount Desert Island in Maine? The beaches, the vistas, and Acadia National Park are just a few of the reasons why you should consider Mount Desert Island. Another reason is the number of “Best of” lists which Mount Desert Island finds itself on year after year.

Bar Harbor is the most popular town on the island, with Frenchman Bay being a sought-after spot for many weddings. If you want to get away from the crowds of Bar Harbor, you might want to consider the town of Southwest Harbor, on the island and 20 minutes from Bar Harbor.

You can even have your wedding at Acadia National Park, which also tops many “Best of” lists. You will have to pay a permit application fee of $50, and there are certain restrictions. For more information you can visit the National Park Service site at http://nps.gov and find information for Acadia National Park.

4. Cape Breton – Nova Scotia

If you’re located outside Canada or the Northeastern United States, you might not be familiar with Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. But, apparently enough people have visited this beautiful destination to have voted it one of the “Top North American Islands” in the 2006 Reader’s Choice Awards for Conde’ Naste Traveler magazine. In 2006 Travel + Leisure ranked Cape Breton Island as the #1 island in the Continental U.S. and Canada.

If the two of you are into outdoor activities, Cape Breton Island is the place for your wedding and honeymoon. There you will find the world-famous Cabot Trail, considered by some as one of the most beautiful scenic destinations in the world.

For a small wedding of just yourselves or up to 18 guests, check out Castle Moffett, which overlooks the Bras d’Or Lakes. Castle Moffett has earned both Canada select’s Five Star and AAA Four Diamond ratings. Call them toll-free at 888-756-9070 for more information.

5. Vancouver Island – Vancouver

Vancouver Island has also made the Travel + Leisure and Conde’ Naste Traveler’s lists for 2006. Known as “Canada’s Paradise on the Pacific,” Vancouver Island is known for its beauty – year-round blooming gardens, lush rainforests, beaches, rocky shorelines – as well as the “quintessentially-British” city of Victoria, with its high teas, double-decker buses and horse-drawn carriages. A wedding here will certainly give couples a wide range of experiences.

As for your wedding venue, you have many outstanding choices on Vancouver Island, from public parks to elegant hotels. Do check out the Sooke Harbour House on Whiffen Spit Beach, which offers weddings on the beach and in gardens with 180 degree Pacific Ocean views. Sooke Harbour House has the distinction of winning the Wine Spectator Grand Award for 2006, offering one of Canada’s five best wine lists. Call them at 250-642-3421 for more information.

The island was named as “hot for 2007″ by the Association of British Travel Agents’ (ABTA) members, and this year alone, bookings have increased by nine per cent for the destination.

ABTA’s Frances Tuke said: “The all-inclusive packages in particular have been a massive hit for families who know they have to stick to a budget as everything is paid for upfront, but the destination also offers so much more for the British holidaymaker.

“Not only are there fantastic beaches and watersports on offer, but if you want to get away from the crowds, there is breathtaking scenery in the form of rainforests, mountains and waterfalls. The cities also offer a vibrant culture that has a Spanish colonial past.”

The Dominican Republic is the second largest island in the Caribbean. It has the highest point in the West Indies, the Pick Duarte standing tall at 10,414ft, and also the lowest point in the West Indies, Lake Enriquillo which is 148 ft below sea level.

Christopher Columbus first stepped ashore the island, which he called Hispaniola, in 1492. Consequently, the south side of the island boasts the oldest city of the New World, including the first hospital, first sugar mill, and first cathedral.

The capital city, Santo Domingo has Columbus’ Palace, the Alcazar de Colon, the 22-room home of Don Diego Columbus and his family. It was built in 1510, and then underwent restoration in 1955, a wonderful mix of Gothic and Moorish architecture.

The capital also has a buzzing street life, which is quite unique. The streets are awash with colour and music, the finest example of which occurs during the Domincan Carnival that takes place between February and March.

The second largest city on the island is found on the cliffs above the Yaque River, called Santiago de los Caballeros or simply Santiago, but it is the island’s next largest city, Puerto Plata, located on the north shore of the island which has become the most popular tourist destination. Nearby Sosua, La Romana and Punta Cana to the east of the island also have a growing resort population.

The Dominican Republic also has some stunning landscapes, with much of the island covered in mountainous terrain. There is plenty for nature lovers to explore, from semi-desert plains to green valleys and tropical rain forests.

There is also the Cordillera Septentrional mountain range, which runs between the Atlantic coast and the Cibao valley. It was here that Spaniards used to search for gold. The Cibao Valley is also famous for growing, harvesting and marketing tobacco, and its cigars are an important income for the island. It is easy to arrange trips to soak up this nature from most of the island’s tourist centres.

But for many, the number one thing to do on holiday is hit the beach, top up the tan and relax. You will have no problem doing that in the Dominican Republic. With its characteristic laid-back Caribbean style, the island has approximately 400km of beaches to enjoy.

With first class All Inclusive hotels such as the Bahia Principe and the Riu Bachata it’s the ideal place for an All Inclusive holiday.

Package deals can be found for most of the white sandy beaches along the country’s northern shores, with the between Puerto Plata and Cabarete proving to long-standing popular places with sunseekers.

Unsurprisingly, the watersports are excellent as well. Snorkelling, sailing and scuba-diving can be enjoyed in the unspoilt water along the coast, or you could indulge in deep-sea fishing or championship golf along the north coast of Playa Grande.

Following as some of the major islands that form Canary Island and can be chosen for your Canary vacation:

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is known for its amazing tourist resorts, shiny and sunny climate as well as amazing tourist attractions. When holidaying in Canary Islands, Gran Canaria can offer you attractions like Sioux City, lots of amusement and Water Parks for a lovely family enjoyment, such as Aqualand Aquasur, Parque de los Cocodrilos, holiday world and many more. Tourists and visitors find Gran Canaria as an attractive option for their holiday in Canary Island because of its beaches, nightlife and all the family fun spots. This third major island accordance to its size has amazing scenery and picturesque views to offer along with pine forest, desert sand dunes, volcanic landscapes and vivid beaches.

Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest and major island of Canary island and is surely a great way to unwind, when on a holiday in Canary Islands. When holidaying in Canary Islands you must not forget to check this holiday destination, which is also the highest and utmost point in the whole Spain. Tenerife is loaded with remarkable tourist attractions like theme parks, museums, water sports like scuba diving, other sports activities, night clubs, great restaurants, cafes and hotels serving wonderful delicacies and sightseeing areas like botanical and aqua gardens. All these make Tenerife a memorable holiday destination for that right Canary vacation.

Fuerteventura

From volcanic sites and mountains to sandy dunes, this canary island is lot calmer and peaceful and has some pretty tourist attractions, for those holidaying in Canary Islands. Some of these are Bentancuria, Oasis Park, El Museo de La Alcogida, MuseumsArqueol?o & Ethnogr?co, Casa Santa Mar? La Lajita Zoo, Islote de Lobos Nature Reserve and etc. These and many such other striking tourist attractions makes this island a marvelous stop when holidaying in Canary Islands.

La Palmas

La Palmas is one of the most quiet, peaceful and unspoiled Canary Island with lots and lots of water, cultural richness and excellent cuisine to offer for those on a holiday in Canary Islands. This canary island is not popular as a holiday destination, but can still be visited for that natural and untouched beauty, for experiencing the farming skills and banana production on this island. Capital city of La Palmas is Santa Cruz de La Palmas.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is another major Canary Island with lot to offer, for a spectacular holiday in Canary Island or a memorable Canary vacation. The south of Lanzarote is surrounded with superlative volcanic view; a result of eruptions that goes back to 18th century. Lanzarote is a package of volcanoes, superb resorts, museums filled with stunning artifacts, lively nightlife, thrilling water activities, breathtaking caves and natural sights. Some mind-blowing tourist attractions that make this canary island a great holiday destination include Wine museum El Grifo, Jameos Del Agua, The Cactus Garden, Timanfaya, Fundaci??r Manrique and Aquapark, Costa Teguise.

La Gomera

La Gomera is known for Tranquility, dense greenery, picturesque beauty, stunning beaches and its freshness. The island also has national park. San Sebastian, El Cedro Forest, Garajonay national park, Vallehermeso and Valle Gran Rey are some of the places you can enjoy in this island.

El Hierro

El Hierro is one of the small Canary Islands and comes with steep cliffs and some not so big, and really beautiful beaches. Some of the tourist attractions you can enjoy in El Hierro when holidaying in Canary Island includes Iglesia de la Candelaria, La Restinga, Iglesia de la Concepcion and Sanctuary of the Holy Mother.

Best time to visit or holiday in Canary Islands

The weather changes or varies from island to island and while you may find sunny weather in one, you can also end up enjoying wet season or snow in another. So the best time to visit Canary Island depends upon, which canary island you plan to make your holiday destination.

Such summer holiday with many sun lights in the whole days will be totally pleasing and memorable when it is enjoyed in a beach area. So you should plan a vacation to a beach area where you can enjoy the sun lights as much as you want and also kinds of beach activities such as diving, snorkeling, boat fishing, swimming, golfing and many more. The whole activities will certainly enable you to get much sun light on your skin and then get tan color after the summer holiday ends.

Key West is a beach area that can be a great option of tourism destination to enjoy next summer. It is a beautiful and unique area that enables you to enjoy the beauty of the beach as well as the uniqueness of old town as the heritages on Key West. This area is very popular in the world of tourism and one of the most favorite tourism destinations for the lovers of traveling. Besides the well maintain beach with white sands and clean area facing Atlantic Ocean; you can also find kinds of amenities including La Mer Key West; one of the best hotels you can choose for the most wonderful staying as long as in Key West.

La Mer is located in the end of the well know Duval Street where kinds of amenities and entertainment centers are located there. For the cornered location; it is quieter and will be a very pleasing staying as an oceanfront hotel. Besides, as a professional hotel, it has well designed room sets and also kinds of facilities that will spoil you while staying there. You will fully enjoy your days; enjoying the sun bathing, delicious cuisines, perfect view of tropic beach and many more.

La Mer can be a perfect choice for you to have best staying with great service, clean area and also complete facilities that are all packed in a hotel with awesome views surround it. Just visit the official site; Happydayskeywest.com to see more about the hotel and all you can get there.