I is for insurance never, ever travel without it. Shop around before you buy. If you are planning several holidays over the next 12 months, check out multi- holiday cover as a sensible and cheaper option.

However, read all the small print first. Insurance companies class windsurfing, paragilding and other intense sports as 'hazardous pursuits' and you will pay more for your cover. Remember, you are not covered if you don't declare them and hospital treatment abroad is viciously expensive.

Keep your insurance company telephone and policy number in a safe place in case you need to claim while you are on holiday and contact them immediate if you are ill or have an accident. Make sure relatives have those details at home.

Ireland - go anywhere for excellent food, friendly people and stunning city, country and beach locations, and there are also increased flights and ferry services.

North West Ireland - home to pop stars Westlife - is set to boom. The Inishowen Peninsula is spectacular. Contact: Tourism Ireland on: 0800-0339-7000.or visit the website: www.tourismireland.com .

Don't forget the Isle of Man, which is now a popular location for filmmakers. Step back in time with old-fashioned steam trains, electric and horse-drawn tram cars and unspoiled, uncrowded beaches. It also has the most delicious homemade ice cream sold in our isles.

J is for jabs, an absolute must. Check with your doctor, local health centre or tour operator for an up-to-date list of what injections you will need. Make sure you get them well in advance of your actual journey. Don't forget in some cases you may need to continue your medication when you return home.

Jet lag: Can wreck your break. Call Glovers Homeopathic Pharmacy in Edinburgh, which offers a reviving cure in tablet form by post. 0131-225-3161 - it really has kept me on my feet over the years! Click on: www.glovers-health.co.uk .

Destination to watch: Jersey is more than a blooming flower off the French coast for many Brits. It offers the best of both worlds - good grub and quiet roads.

K is for Kids - yes, remember it's their holiday too! However much they protest, for your peace of mind and their well-being, ensure they are covered with a dollop of the correct high factor sun protection cream in strong sunlight.

And to kill time at airports have enough paper, crayons and pencils to amuse themselves. Forget those battery-driven computer games - they could be seen as a security threat.

L is for London, one of the world's most exciting capitals. Check out prices of the big hotel groups on their websites: last minute bookers can make big savings but remember some discounts or special offers do not apply if you book online.

Destinations to watch: Las Vegas: On May 15, it celebrates its 100th birthday, which is being tagged 'the party of the century in the first city of the century.' The largest number of events and spectaculars take place between May and July with 100 couples tying the knot in a mass Once Upon 100 Weddings on June 9.

Even if you are not getting hitched, US operator Bon Voyage is offering five-night breaks for May and June departure from £599 per person, twin share, accommodation only. Call: 0800-316-0194.

Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008, is one of the best UK city breaks now. Did you know the clock faces on the famous riverside Liver buildings are larger than Big Ben?

Packed with history, art and home of The Beatles, the elegant premier Crowne Plaza Hotel and Holiday Inn City Centre Lime Street have some tempting half-board offers. Call them on: 0151-243-8000 and 0151-709-7090 respectively.

Lisbon is totally underrated - but a rising destination. Take in some excellent hospitality at one of the 'nighteries' where singers entertain, folklore-style, with haunting fado tunes. Great, and inexpensive underground rail system, and bright yellow trams make getting around very easy.

M is for moaning. Yes, we all do it, but if you plan to complain, keep a detailed diary. If you are whinging about noisy, unhygienic, unsafe hotels and self-catering accommodation, make a video or tape recording and take photographs of the problems. Inform your holiday rep of your concerns immediately. Don't wait until you get back home.

Destination to watch: Madeira. This beautiful island is ideal for lovers of flowers and good food. Online operator Voyana has seven-night breaks in a five-star country house hotel from £565 a head, twin share, with breakfast and return flights. Call: 0871-271-5207 or visit: www.voyana.com/madeira .

N is for Norfolk. Expect huge numbers visiting Admiral Nelson's birthplace to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Watch out for huge nationwide celebrations - and abroad - throughout the year too.

Sit on Horatio's wooden settle in his local - named after him - at Burnham Thorpe where he dreamed of winning battles. Try a nip of Nelson's Blood, a specially blended spirit. It's guaranteed to make you believe you are all sea!

O is for Orient-Express, which offers the classiest and most romantic rail journeys on earth. As a taster, try an affordable lunch, dinner or land cruise trips on the Northern Belle or the British Pullman. Shunt onto its website: www.orient-express.com .

Oslo - a cool, chic city with the most amazing piece of nautical history: the Viking Boat Museum. Perfectly preserved from the ninth century, these long boats will capture your hearts and minds in the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo. Click on: www.khm.uio.no Destination to watch: Orlando. With the dollar falling, the US will be huge again this year. This family-familiar resort just keeps on reinventing itself.

P is for passport. Always keep it with you somewhere safe. As a precaution, photocopy the first couple of pages and keep them in a different safe place just in case you lose, or have your original, stolen. Make sure someone has photocopies at home too, so they can fax them to you if required.

Pisa, the home of Italy's famous leaning tower, is the gateway to sublime breaks and wine trails. With the train station almost at the end of the runway, you can hit lively Florence and other key destinations in a couple of hours.

Destinations to watch: Palma in Majorca, and Prague.

Palma is home of the superstars, including Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. To get away from the showbiz glitz, head down Palma's side streets and dinky squares for good shopping, eating and historic sights.

Or stay at the island's best-kept secret, the luxury Hotel BonSol, Illetas, a short bus ride away from the centre, with its own private beach and award-winning cuisine. Visit its website: www.fehm.es/pmi/bonsol or call (0034)-971-40-21-11.

Prague: Just about the best of the great cities emerging in the 'new' EU, it has unblemished historical buildings, music - from solo musical saws to full-throttle dance - great grub and beer. CSA, the Czech national airline, has increased its flights from UK regional airports, and is the only scheduled carrier flying from all three London airports too. Information call: 0870-4443-747.

Q is for quiet. Head off to the wonderful Lake Vwyny Hotel in North Wales or the country's only four-star De Vere St David's Park Hotel at Ewloe, near Chester.

Destination to watch: Quebec: Dwarfed by the rest of Canada, this fascinating city, home of the French language, is a pure delight.