Mark Hodson

Christmas may be a lot of things, but it’s rarely the most romantic time of the year.

Annabelle Thorpe of 101 Holidays shares some ideas on where to head to.

Stressed-out family get-togethers, enforced charades and the compulsory wearing of naff Christmas sweaters are hardly the stuff couples dream of. Instead, why not get away and celebrate the festive season how you want to, whether it’s a snow-draped city-break, an escape to the sun, or a cosy cottage with a roaring fire and a sofa just fo...

Travelling solo has never been more popular. Google searches for “solo travel” and “travel alone” were the highest ever at the start of this year, while one in nine people took a solo holiday in the previous year, according to ABTA’s Holiday Habits report 2017.
And with another survey by solo travel website 101 Singles Holidays finding that the numbers booking solo trips rose 14% last year, the trend shows no sign of stopping. That goes double if you’re a women, with female solo travellers ta...

Mark Frary of 101 Family Holidays shares his pick of late-summer family getaways, from kayaking and adventure trips to luxury hotel stays in the former palaces. Read on and book now to make your summer last longer.
The summer holidays are in full swing but it’s not too late to book a last-minute trip before the kids go back to school. Many companies have some great deals with discounts of hundreds and even thousands of pounds too. Here is our selection of 20 of the best last-minute offers out...

Multi-generational holidays are the new thing; this week Mark Frary looks at splashing the cash.
In the second part of Mark Frary's article on multi-generational holidays, this week the Editor of 101 Family Holidays talks about splashing the cash and checking into hotels and more.
HOTELS
Check in to a hotel and you can all relax knowing there’s someone else to make the beds, prepare breakfast, pour the drinks and even entertain the kids from time to time.
All-inclusive is the perfect choice f...

A trip to a museum is an essential part of a holiday for many families, particularly if there is an educational element that can tie in with the kids’ education. Here, Mark Frary of 101 Holidays looks at the best museums for families in the UK, Europe and around the world, and where to stay when visiting.

Best travel deals for December, from Sri Lanka to Peru
Christmas seems to get earlier every year, and sometimes you need a break from the ceaseless cheer. Escape somewhere hot and tropical, or snuggle up somewhere wintery and embrace the cold. And if you’re planning ahead for March, these ideas might inspire you.
Go now
December brings the dry season to the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, which is perfect timing for a lazy week on the beach. Avani Kalutara Resort is on a little peninsula on ...

The string of islands that stretch away east of Java are perhaps best known as home to the world’s biggest lizard, the deadly Komodo Dragon. This vicious creature, which grows to 3 metres in length and has been known to attack and kill humans unprovoked, may be the closest thing on Earth to a living dinosaur. Perfect, then, as the centrepiece of a new tour of Indonesia targeted at teenagers.
The tour operator, Explore, has a reputation for ramping up the excitement levels on its family advent...

Heli-skiing is the ultimate indulgence for the adventurous skier. It's potentially dangerous, it can be hard work and it's expensive: £300 per person for a single drop. It's also banned in most European countries. Switzerland is an exception....

How would you feel about taking a holiday in West Africa right now? Given the news coverage of the Ebola outbreak over the past few months, most people would say "No thanks". But having just returned from The Gambia with my wife and daughter, I'd heartily recommend it....

Apart from the high-tech ski clothing draped over the backs of the wooden chairs, it's a timeless scene. There is no traffic noise and not a modern building in sight, only the schuss of passing skiers, twitching their noses at the glorious smells wafting out from the kitchen....