When booking a holiday, one of the most important aspects is the accommodation. The right accommodation can make a holiday absolutely perfect, while the wrong type of accommodation can ruin a holiday.

Finding the right type of accommodation may seem daunting at first but there are a few handy hints to make the task a lot easier. The first aspect to look at when considering accommodation is the location. There is no point in paying low prices for accommodation in the middle of nowhere with no available transport. The easiest way to check the location is to locate the property on a map, paying attention to nearby transport options such as buses and subways. If the accommodation is not located near the centre of a city or town then make sure that the transport runs frequently and late at night or if there is parking available for hire cars. Also, is the accommodation is located within the city, the safety and noise level of the area should be taken into consideration.

Another important consideration for finding the right place to stay is to assess what type of accommodation is needed. For families; hotels, guesthouses and holiday camps offer secure accommodation with handy services. Large groups of individuals, particularly stag and hen parties are more suited to large apartments which can be shared. Smaller groups and individual travellers will find hotels suitable as well as hostels which provide basic accommodation. Special consideration must be taken for sporting holidays such as ski trips or surfing holidays, as storage for equipment and location are important.

This accommodation can vary in quality and one way to avoid booking poor quality accommodation is to be aware of previous customer`s reviews which can often be found on independent travel websites. For hotels, the star rating is a good indication of quality while other types of accommodation may be awarded local tourist commendations as well as international awards for service. Another aspect to be aware of is that some accommodation offers unique features such as art hotels which are available in a number of cities.

Of course all these different types of accommodation vary in price with the cheapest typically being hostels and the most expensive being luxury hotels. However, cheap accommodation of all types can be found simply by shopping around and taking advantage of special offers. A number of websites offer special deals on accommodation particularly for last minute bookings but the accommodation will also usually offer special prices and discounts.

By following these handy hints, there`s no reason why booking accommodation can`t be simple and stress free. With so many great examples of accommodation across Europe such as Barcelona secret rooms and hidden rooms in Paris, there are lots of great places to enjoy your stay.

Everyone needs a little sunshine in their lives and during the darkest depths of winter it can really chase the blues away if you fly off to a winter sun destination. There are lots of easily accessible places to spend a few relaxing days or weeks.

India is a truly diverse country with many different landscapes, regional variations of language and culture and ethnicity. For the beach-based break, head to the tropical destination of Goa, which offers palm fringed, soft white sand beaches and the fantastic local cuisine is world famous. Many thousands flock here during the winter months and it is easy to see what the attraction is.

Head to the United States of America and go south to the state of Florida, which offers the holidaymaker a wide variety of options. Treat the kids and the adults to a trip to Disneyland or venture even further south to the Florida Keys and follow in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway by taking in some deep-water fishing.

To really experience the opposite seasons travel to the other side of the world and visit New Zealand. This beautiful country has truly spectacular scenery with vast mountains, rivers and lakes. There are natural springs to bathe in and at the top of the North Island, you can witness the coming together of two oceans, a sight once seen will never be forgotten.

Barbados offers a tropical paradise holiday with an edge of excitement. This island is surrounded by the beautiful, calm Caribbean Sea and enjoys a year round pleasant climate. The people are extremely hospitable and there is a very relaxed atmosphere to life here. There are lots of shopping opportunities, great nightlife locations, golf courses and lovely beaches, with associated water sports, to enjoy. This place is also known as the `little England of the Caribbean`.

Venture to Morocco and you will be rewarded with the opportunity to immerse yourself in a rich and interesting local culture. The souks in Marrakech are definitely not to be missed and there are many great and ancient buildings to visit in Fez, the capital city or, possibly the most famous city of Casablanca. For a beach break, visit Tetouan.

Whatever else you have planned for the long dark nights this winter, make sure you take advantage of London deals and don`t miss out on the chance to top up your Vitamin D.