The beaches of the Las Islas Cies - an uninhabited island situated a short boat ride from Galicia, one of Spain's islands - have been named as some of the world's most beautiful.

According to the Guardian, the island - which is now a national park - opens to the public during the summer and used to be a pirates' haunt.

The price of ski and snowboarding holidays is falling, according to one sector commentator, which should come as good news to winter sports enthusiasts.

Writing on the online pages of the Times, Tony Dawe said that many resorts were inundated with bookings following Christmas from people keen to see in the new year on the slopes.

British winter sports enthusiasts are being quick to snap up ski and snowboarding holidays as Europe enjoys its best start to the season in more than 20 years, one sector commentator has claimed.

Writing on the online pages of the Times, Ashling O'Connor claimed that winter on the slopes had got off to a flying start following record snowfalls in conjunction with an oversupply of accommodation which had resulted in holidaymakers rushing to grab themselves some bargain getaways.

One Guardian reader has told of her experience cycling from Caen in Normandy all the way to the Mediterranean, which may offer inspiration to people hoping to have a European holiday with a difference in 2009.

Frances Philcher spent three days cycling through the rural countryside and managed to put in some 50 miles a day to reach her destination.

Over the Christmas and new year break, many people can feel divided over what they wish to do and often they head abroad in search of a spot of winter sun, one sector commentator has claimed.

Frances Tuke, spokesperson for The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), explained that one of the closest popular getaway spots to guarantee a little heat during the cold UK winter months was Tenerife.

According to one TV comedian, his biggest question as he prepared to jet off and hit the slopes for a winter sports holiday was whether to take his kids skiing or snowboarding.

Writing on the online pages of the Independent, Dom Joly of Channel 4's Trigger Happy TV explained that he and his wife had always favoured skiing as snowboarding seemed "common".

Britons who are planning to jet off for a little winter shopping excursion in Italy have been reminded that if the shops get too much they can always escape to the beach for a spot of relaxation.

Guardian reader Sissi writes that situated just 30 to 40 minutes outside of Rome is the Ostia beach where holidaymakers are offered the chance to wind down with a frosty beverage and an ice-cream and soak up a little sun.

Three million people are preparing to jet off and enjoy a little sun or winter sports this Christmas, it has been revealed.

According to research by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), skiers and snowboarders are heading to the peaks, while those looking for a little festive sun are off to destinations including Tenerife to enjoy a seasonal break with a twist.

One sector commentator claims that there are a number of steps holidaymakers can take to ensure they have an adventure-packed getaway on the ski slopes, without seeing their finances melt away.

Jennifer Openshaw, president and co-founder of WeSeed, explained that ski holidays were a great family experience which created more enjoyable memories than a lot of the rest of the festive period offered.

Although the Greek island of Rhodes has in the past been seen as a traditional mass-market holiday destination, according to one sector commentator it is now due for a five-star makeover.

A writer for the online pages of the Observer explained that several luxury five-star rated hotels are due to open next year, which may see the island re-branding itself as a top-end of the market choice.

Holidaymakers looking for an Italian getaway with a spooky twist may enjoy a tour with a difference around Rome when they visit the city.

In a post on the Guardian Travel website, Sissi explains that tourists may wish to go on a night-time ghosts and mystery walk around the famous capital.

The ski season has seen its best start in ten years, thanks to the heaps of snow that have fallen over recent weeks.

Writing for the Guardian, travel reporter Tom Robbins noted that this year there are "vast quantities" of snow.

Britons preparing to jet off and enjoy a Christmas skiing or snowboarding down some of the best slopes the world has to offer may be interested to know that there are simple steps they can take to make their winter sports getaway greener.

Trey Granger, writing on the online pages of Earth 911, explains that holidaymakers should avoid simply binning their old snow sporting equipment when they upgrade it.

Britons hoping to plan a Christmas with a difference this year may be interested to know that there are a whole host of seasonal festivals taking place in Spain over the winter break.

According to Intrepid Travel, the festive season kicks off with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which highlights the beginning of the holiday for Spanish locals.

Britons are keen to look for value for money when it comes to planning their main annual holiday and this may have an effect on the destinations they choose to visit.

Nigel Pocklington, the managing director for Hotels.com, advised that Britons shop around to find the destinations where either the pound has held on to its value or where there has been a sharp drop in rates.

People in the UK feel a real need to get away from it all and leave their stresses behind by jetting off on a summer holiday.

Ian Bradley, public relations officer at the Association of Independent Tour Operators, claimed that this was because Britons continued to view their annual break as a necessity rather than a luxury and that such a trip is likely to count as many people's biggest expenditure after a house and a car.

Many Britons are planning to spend this Christmas celebrating at the homes of their parents or in-laws this winter so that they can save money to put towards the perfect summer getaway next year, it has been noted.

According to online resource Travel Mole the research by Expedia found 79 per cent of Britons are looking for ways to cut the costs of the Christmas festivities this year and the majority admitted that they would much prefer to be in a sunny destination or hitting the slopes overseas.

With early snowfalls across the globe and a host of great deals to be had, now may be the perfect time to grab the skis and book a winter getaway.

Writing on the travel pages of the Daily Mail, Pete Hardy explains that on a recent visit to Val d'Isere, there was such a covering of fresh snow he found it hard to believe it was still December and not mid-February.

Spain is a popular holiday choice for travellers because it is a tried and tested destination, it has been noted.

According to online resource La Manga, Victor Sague, sales and marketing director for Taylor Woodrow de Espana, said that the sunny European country was continuing to be a draw, despite the increasing popularity of getaways to the Far East.

Britons regard their holidays as an essential rather than a luxury, according to one sector commentator - and this is due in part to the access the UK has to "very good deals from airlines".

A spokesperson for the Association of British Travel Agents said that the number of people going on holiday this winter had actually risen by one per cent this year.

Lucky Britons who are considering jetting off to Spain to celebrate Christmas this year may wish to leave their stockings at home.

This is because according to The Etownian, Spanish children fill their shoes with straw or barley to feed the camels who have been carrying their weary passengers on a long journey.

Parents planning to whisk their children off for a Christmas with a difference this year by taking them on a dream ski holiday have been advised by one sector commentator to consider a smaller resort.

Speaking to online resource OnTheSnow.com, Mike Harrelson of Travel Montana said that families should consider winter sports destinations that are off the beaten track so that holidaymakers are not forced to contend with large groups of tourists and long queues for the lifts.

Families planning to hit the slopes for some ski and snowboarding fun this winter should take care to pre-plan all aspects of the trip before they set off in order to reduce potential stress, it has been noted.

Shannon Luthy, the family editor of OnTheSnow.com, said that one tip may be by booking transportation to and from the airport which could leave mums and dads time to relax and spend with their kids.

Paris still has a bohemian soul as portrayed in the hit musical Moulin Rouge, according to one sector commentator; the key is knowing where to find it.

Writing on the online pages of the Times, Vincent Crump acknowledges that the Eiffel Tower is "riveting" to look at, but there are still many hidden gems located within the French capital that Britons may wish to explore.

People looking to get away from it all by jetting off to Spain in the coming months may be interested to hear that one British-run resort has been awarded the title of Best Place to Stay in Europe by the Times.

Writing on the online pages of the news resource, Toby Sawday explains that Finca La Herradura in Orgiva is run by Jeanette and Russell Welham, who also farm olives from the site.

Employees of small and medium-sized businesses are set to travel as part of their job at least as much in 2009 as they have been this year, new research has found.

According to online resource TravelMole, the Star Alliance poll revealed that 52 per cent said they would be commuting just as frequently over the next 12 months, with 34 per cent claiming they will be flying more than they did in 2008.

Many Britons may now be looking forward to their 2009 annual holiday and may already have begun planning their trip.

In light of this, the Telegraph has outlined a few tips that people may wish to follow to ensure that they get the best possible deal on their trip.