We may not always have the best weather (ok, almost always we don’t) and we may spend a large part of our day, dreaming about escaping to exotic shores and adventures over the other side of the world, but sometimes I think we don’t realise how lucky we actually are here in Britain.

With some of the most grand and well preserved history in the world, beautiful landscapes able to rival any other you’ll find on the European continent and cosmopolitan cities, full of examples of the very cultural phenomenon’s that help our tiny island lead the way in terms of inspirational arts, music, dance, food, theatre, and architecture.

During this weeks High Five I’m taking a while to stop, reflect, and consider all the amazing places to visit and the fantastic experiences we have right here under our very noses – places that you can often get to during a free weekend.

The Roman Baths, Bath.

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This week, we have a curious and very valid question on the best way to spend two months travelling around glorious Asia…

My boyfriend and I have booked flights to Hong Kong, where we plan on being based whilst we travel around Asia for two months. We have a budget of about £6000 pounds between the two of us – where can you recommend going, and how exactly should we to do it? Jennifer

We get asked a LOT of questions like this, so we know the Expert advice on offer will fall on many keen ears…

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It’s F F F F Friiiiiiday! And that can only mean one thing… Ask the Experts time!

Every week, our biggest travel brains tackle questions thrown their way by readers of this very blog. If you’re keen to get answers to a travel question that’s been pickling your brain, all you need to do is email it to us and sit back while our Experts come up with the goods. This weeks question comes from Emma in Essex…

My boyfriend and I are heading to Italy for a week at the end of May for a wedding in Orta San Giulio and need some ideas on how to fill our time before the wedding. We’re flying into Milan and spending 2 nights there, and then have 3 days before we need to get to Orta San Giulio. Any ideas on where to go, and how to get around? Emma, Essex

Ciao Experts! What advice can you rustle up for Emma?

Lake Como is home to the rich and famous and completely beautiful.

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What is the one thing you need to know if you’re booking a round the world trip? How do you get a job after gaining a TEFL qualification? What’s they best way to travel across America? How long do you need to take part in a volunteering project?

When it comes to planning your own big trip, whatever that may be, there’s one thing that you’ll have in common with everyone else planning theirs – questions. And lots of them.

This month and next, our STA Travel stores will be open late to host our ‘Your Big Trip’ travel talks. A series of nights aimed at sharing advice, tips, important information and inspiring ideas you haven’t even considered, straight from the mouths of our own Travel Experts but also from some very knowledgeable and experienced special guests.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, you could win one of a whole heap of prizes, from bus passes to hotel nights, just for turning up! (Oh, and there’ll probably be a free beer or two too, as if you needed any more convincing).

If you’re planning on heading off on your own trip of a lifetime anytime soon, you can’t afford to miss it, and best of all – they’re totally free! Just make sure you reserve your place as soon as possible because places are filling up fast.

So, that’s the ‘why’s’ taken care of, here’s all the info on the ‘when’ and ‘where’s’.

Thousands of excited would be travellers take inspiration from out travel talks every year.

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The dust has finally settled from the party month of December; the presents are open, your jeans are a little tighter and the hangovers are (almost) a distant memory.

So what else is there to do in the notoriously dull month of January, except day dream of your next big travel adventure as you hit the gym, or comfort eat and watch Eastenders, during the cold, winter evenings?

Well, you could stop day dreaming and start doing, that’s what. The best thing about January? The sales of course!

Right now is the perfect opportunity to book that trip that you have been dreaming about for ages. Savings like the one’s we have this month, don’t come around very often – so there really is no better time to put your plans into action.

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