We’re going to explore Canada, state by state, and find some of the highlights of each over the next few weeks.

First stop, New Brunswick. Canada’s only French-English bilingual province, one-third of the population speaks French as their first language and live mainly in the north, whilst the remaining two-thirds who speak English as their first language live mainly in the south. The province is on the Atlantic coast and is densely covered in forest, in which reside native species like moose and bears.

It is one of Canada’s smaller provinces, and is equivalent in size to Ireland, though only 750,000 people reside there.

New Brunswick offers friendly locals, spectacular scenery and warm beaches (well, warm for Canada) and plenty more. The best way to see New Brunswick is to hire a car and take a road trip.

On such a trip, be sure to stop at the most famous natural attraction – the Bay of Fundy, in the Fundy National Park. It has the highest tides on the planet and you can see them best from Hopewell Rocks or along the coast road in a town called Alma. Nearby is Cape Enrage, which can be visited by walking along the stone-covered beach at low tide.

To get a feel for the overall culture, particularly in the French north, visit Acadie, which is where the French first settled back in 1775. It’s a great place to learn about Acadian culture and history, as you’ll be talked through it by guides (who can speak English) in period costume. To explore the British history, visit Kings Landing, which is on the St John’s River in the west of New Brunswick. This is a living history museum so expect plenty of costumes and re-enactments.

If you’re interested in the local wildlife and natural surroundings, visit the Irving Eco-Centre: La Dune de Bouctouche, which studies, preserves and restores the Bouctouche sand dunes, which are nearly seven miles in length and house several species of bird and animals.

There is plenty for the whole family to enjoy in New Brunswick!

Located between India and Tibet, Nepal is clearly influenced by both in its architecture, heritage and culture. It used to be divided into different miniature kingdoms, each vying for supremacy.

Obviously, a major lure to the region is the great walking, hiking and mountaineering opportunities that its location in the Himalayas provides. Sherpas are on hand for hire for those who want guided tours into the higher regions of the mountains, whilst the less adventurous can still get a really good walk on their own along any of the many well-defined trails. Just being able to see Mount Everest is a thrill for many people, even if they never intend to climb it!

Plenty of visitors are simply happy to admire the town itself, filled as it is with temples and ancient architecture, and see the natural local wildlife, flora and fauna and birds,but there are other attractions for those seeking an adrenalin-filled holiday in the form of white-water sports and mountain biking. Or why not take a safari on the back of an elephant around the Royal Chitwan National Park?

The best time to visit, weather-wise, is probably September to November (when it is cool and dry), or March to May (when it is warm but rainy from time-to-time). Avoid June to August, which is monsoon season (hot, wet, and full of leeches), and December to February when it’s cold and often foggy(and the mountains are covered in snow, making trekking very hard).

Most people in Nepal can understand some English, though of course it is always appreciated if you learn a little of the local language. You’ll need a visa to travel there, and you should plan to stay for as long as you can – it really is a region that you need time to explore and enjoy.

A short trawl through the usual travel sites online will show you pretty quickly how little information there is available on travelling in Papua New Guinea, and the country does not strive to gain tourist income, so infrastructure for travellers is pretty poor. But if you’re adventurous and want to try something different then it is well worth the effort in getting there.

The wildlife in the country is staggering. If you think Australia has a diverse wildlife population, then consider that New Guinea as a whole (Papua New Guinea forms the Eastern part of the island) is a fraction of the size of Australia yet is home to a similar number of species of mammals, and has even more species of frogs and birds. Unlike Australia, Papua New Guinea is mountainous and is a wet country with plenty of greenery in their rainforest.

Papua New Guinea is one of the last remote parts of the world, and many of its inhabitants live in tribes with fascinating cultures and histories.

Check out Tari to see how the tribal cultures function. Or head out to Milne Bay Province to see fabulous coral reefs.

Climb the mountains to see amazing, unique species of flowers and plant life, or stick to the jungles at the base of the mountains to see cassowaries (a man-size bird) and marsupials that descend from those now inhabiting (or extinct in) Australia.

If you have any time left after viewing all the natural beauty of the island, check out local markets (for food, local crafts and bead works, brilliant for souvenirs), or partake in watersports like diving, snorkelling and surfing in any of the local bays

Be careful where you travel in this country, as in Port Moresby, Mount Hagen and Lae within the urban areas there are many pockets of pretty serious crime. There is also the constant problem of violence between tribes in the Southern, Western and Eastern Highlands. Check travel advice before booking.

With Endsleigh you are able to put together a custom gap year insurance policy that is appropriate to the kind of gap year you intend taking. Certainly your insurance will include medical cover and associated expenses in the event that you became ill; something that is not at all unusual on a typical gap year. The insurance lasts for a maximum of one year though you can insure for shorter periods.

As well as providing medical insurance, you will also be covered for loss of your possessions as a result of theft or loss, and the loss of your cash is also covered.

The three most popular forms of gap year insurance are adventure gap year insurance, work abroad gap year insurance, and volunteering.

With adventure gap year insurance you will be insured for visiting as many countries as you wish and for all of your activities whilst you are there, no matter how dangerous they might be. You would be insured should you decide to spend some time picking oranges or making some cash by taking a paid job. Just as you would should you decide to go on a safari. The basic policy includes a list of 100 possible activities that you would be automatically covered for; though you can add others should you wish.

Some students decide to spend their gap year working abroad. This can be very exciting and can can make a good impression on your CV, however it is important that you are properly insured for the duration. Work abroad gap year insurance provides full insurance for 12 months whatever kind of job you decide to take whether it is a paid job or volunteering.

2. France or Italy: the Alps
Get there before the snow melts for some great skiing at discount prices and warmer weather.

3. Amsterdam
Tiptoe through the tulips… enjoy the café culture and wander along the canals or take a lazy bike ride in the flat landscape.

4. New York
Any time is good to visit New York but Spring brings the opportunity for picnics in Central Park, warm weather for strolling among the shops, and the Tribeca film festival.

5. India
Visit the Himalayas when the flowers are all in bloom for a sight that will take your breath away.

6. Japan
Visit this amazing country when the cherry blossom is in bloom.

7. Caribbean
It can be quite pricey to visit the Caribbean in the winter months (because so many people choose to go there to escape our winter) but it becomes much more affordable in Spring; though take care to go before the hurricane season begins.

8. African Safaris
It’s the rainy season in Africa during our springtime, so prices are low. Of course, you won’t be able to spend much time sunbathing or lazing on the beaches, but you get to see Victoria Falls at its best, and take advantage of some pretty spectacular river safaris as well as the desert safaris.

9. Indian Ocean Islands
Visit the Maldives, the Seychelles and Mauritius for lovely weather and cheaper prices than you could be charged in summer.

10. Portugal
The best time to visit Portugal for a cycling holiday is in spring, when the temperatures are cool enough to be comfortable and you get to see gorgeous fishing villages and limestone caves (at Lagos) in the lovely light of spring.

London is a hot favourite with the city hosting this year’s Summer Olympics. The city has done all that is necessary to make this sporting event a memorable one. Special arrangements have been made from the 200-hectare Olympic Park facility to different traveller friendly measures to ensure that visitors have a great time during their stay in the city.

Venice is a lovely city unique with its water canals as its mode of transport. People flock to this place to enjoy the arts and museums as well as have a taste of the local cuisine. Art lovers can check out the collections at museums including the Basilica di San Marco, Palaxxo Ducale and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. The last includes big names such as Picasso, Pollack, Giacometti and Duchamp.

Paris is the hot favourite, especially of the romantics. This lively city draws newcomers and sightseers to its Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre Dame. People fall in love with the pace of life here where there is no rush and all enjoy life at a leisurely pace. Art lovers can visit the museums and galleries while those interested in sightseeing can check out the monuments, memorials and other shops in the city.

Madrid is famous for its astonishing art galleries, live music scene, nightlife as well as for its gourmet restaurants and tapas bars. It is considered to be the most Spanish of Spain’s cities and visitors can get a real idea of Spain on visiting the city. The top highlights of the city are the Plaza Mayor where visitors can watch the passing parade or head to the El Rastro Market which is Europe’s most famous flea market or visit Museo del Prado and check out the work of Goya and Velazquez.

Those on the lookout for exotic locations can visit Maui which is one of the most visited islands in the Hawaiian chain. This island offers all kinds of activities to holidaymakers including windsurfing, diving, sailing snorkelling, cycling and even whale-watching.

Who could blame all those people who decide to head off to hotter climates at this time of year for a holiday or even to stay for a few weeks or months (for those lucky individuals who are retired)? It’s been shown that UV light restricts the spread of the chickenpox virus and more research is underway to see if that applies to other viruses too, because it makes sense, doesn’t it? Who gets colds when they’re somewhere sunny?

So if you want a relaxing, warm way of fighting a cold this season, or just fancy getting away from the dreary months ahead, where should you go? Here are some of our picks of the best destinations for winter sun.

1. Cuba.
A fantastic destination if you want to combine beautiful, white sandy beaches with a bit of culture and interest. Spanish architecture from colonial times, music that can’t fail to move you and very, very cheap food and drink. Avoid the resorts, since they don’t offer much to write home about, and choose a renovated mansion in Havana, rent a car and explore.

2. Dubai
For a combination of sunny, pristine beaches and shopping to die for, Dubai is the place to be. There are more than 40 shopping malls, hard-to-beat nightlife and fine dining. The temperatures are around 25-29C, with lots of sun and very few showers. You can even ski here if you want (yes, in Dubai, in the desert…) at the Mall of the Emirates which has its own ski-slope with real snow.

3. Anguilla.
This is one of the most understated, hidden gems of the Caribbean islands, offering miles of white, sandy beaches which are generally very quiet. There are lots of places to enjoy gourmet food and plenty of up-market places to stay too. If you want to relax on the beach, eat well, drink well and maybe enjoy a bit of snorkelling, then Anguilla is for you.

4. Miami
If you’re after some fun with your sun, or nightlife after the sun has gone down then head to South Beach, Miami for art deco hotels, and bars and nightclubs to be seen in. Despite the name, don’t bother with the beach, since there are better places in the world to go if you want a decent laze on the sand, but do enjoy the café culture and take in as much street theatre, and as many concerts and live music events as you can.
5. Egypt
Warm, but not too warm at this time of year, and utterly fascinating to visit, Egypt is a must if you want to get away from it all this Winter. Visit Tutenkhamun’s tomb (one of the few actual mummies in situe in a pyramid – the rest are in the museum at Cairo), and don’t miss the Valley of the Kings at Luxor. If you want to chill out, take a trip down the Nile, or head to the Red Sea for some snorkelling or diving.

More next week!

1. Greece

Nafplio is a quiet town on the mainland, and is where the Greeks go on holiday. It’s relaxing, peaceful, full of local culture and food, and there’s a beautiful harbour where you can swim, or sit in a cafe overlooking the sea.

2. Grenada.

The island has plenty to offer: national parks, forts and waterfalls, or you can educate yourself by visiting spice estates and rum distilleries. Beautiful beaches, azure waters, hidden coves, lobster on the menu – what more do you need?

3. Maldives

For a truly magical romantic getaway, with thatched wooden huts dotted along white, sandy beaches, you can’t go wrong with the Maldives. Honeymoon destination of choice for many couples it is the epitome of a romantic holiday right down to the coconut-shell cocktails and palm trees. Snorkelling is very popular in the crystal-clear waters, too, or just laze by the beach and soak up the sun.

Once you decide on the destination, think about the other factors that will make your holiday special. A week isn’t really long enough to unwind before you have to pack and return to the real world, so make sure you book at least a fortnight, preferably three weeks for a honeymoon. You need time to unwind from the wedding, and get used to the idea that you have made a life-long commitment to your partner, and enjoy the fact that you have both found each other.

Decide whether you want to travel independently (when you book the flights and accommodation yourselves, rather than through a travel agent) or whether you want a package deal.

Many couples enjoy planning their honeymoon down to the last detail. Others enjoy the excitement of an adventure by booking the flight out to one part of the country and the flight home from another part of the country back home, and booking the accommodation as they go, allowing them to stay longer in the places they like and move on from the places they’re not keen on. Doing that ensures that you have freedom of choice and movement (there’s nothing worse than being stuck somewhere you don’t like) but means that you can feel pressured to be on the move without really settling, particularly if the place you’re due to fly home from is a considerable distance from your arrival point.

Others choose to book through a tour operator but arrange their own excursions rather than stick with the tour guide and other British tourists.

Decide whether you want to go self-catering, half-board or full-board. If you’re travelling independently then obviously you’ll be self-catering, but that can mean meals out or barbecues on the beach rather than slaving over a stove!

Once you’ve made these decisions, enjoy the trip of a lifetime!

But where in the world to start? Here is our pick of the world’s most romantic destinations (part 1 – more next week!).

1. India
This might not be the first place you think of when you think of honeymoons, especially if you conjure up images of sweaty, bustling Bombay. But there are other areas of India that are prefect for a romantic getaway, like Leti. Leti is in the Himalayas, remote and snowy, great for a cosy, private break away from it all. The journey’s pretty romantic too, with an overnight train from Delhi. Great for couples who want to be together, reading, lazing by an open fire, taking romantic walks in beautiful surroundings.

2. Andalusia, Spain.
If you want a rustic Spanish experience, find a small villa to rent somewhere in the heart of Spain, like at La Hacienda de San Rafael, for a private pool, authentic Spanish food and entertainment and as many olives as you can manage.

3. Tanzania.
Opt for a Maasi mud hut if you want to do the eco-tourism thing, or choose a more luxurious hotel with all the amenities including spas, and spend your days exploring the local natural beauty and perhaps even going on a safari, a real adventure to begin the biggest adventure of your lives (we mean, marriage…).

4. Thailand
Arguably the best place in the world for white, sandy beaches and remote, isolated coves. Take a ride on an elephant together, or snuggle up in a tent at the Golden Triangle.

5. Peru
Experience a city break with a difference. Admire the mixed architecture of the city, the wild mountains and ancient Inca remains (and perhaps take the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu and ride the train back down).

More next week!

However, the slump in the economy has actually been good for Panama, since many of the criticisms of the area, for having too many casinos and glass towers, have died away. The gated communities and glossy appearances of the tourist-areas have been rather neglected for some time now as the money dried up, and instead the true Panama is re-emerging, authenticity in tact.

Travellers can once again enjoy local festivals, treks through the jungle and green landscapes a-plenty. There will shortly be a BioMuseo, a space designed by Frank Gehry to celebrate ‘ecological diversity’.

Panama is a wonderful destination to choose if you like beaches and gorgeous lush green scenery, with mountains to climb and tropical rainforests to explore. There are still cities to shop in, and museums to visit, and night-life and restaurants to enjoy.

Panama is also a rather rare place: a South American country that isn’t beset by natural disasters like hurricanes or earthquakes. The crime rate is also low, with a peaceful and moderate population and stable political situation. The temperature in Panama is warm throughout the year, but is cooler in the mountains.

Tourists are well catered-for, and activities like diving, kayaking and rafting abound, as do organised tours into the rainforests and up the mountains. For birdwatchers, there are nearly 1,000 recorded species of bird in the country. English is spoken as a second language in Panama and the infrastructure is brilliant. The currency is the US dollar.

Make Panama your destination of choice for your next holiday and see what it has to offer for you.