We've compiled a list of our top spots for diving and snorkelling in our favourite destinations.

Any of these can be incorporated as part of a tailor-made holiday, or we can arrange a dedicated trip for the hardcore divers amongst you.

We've just spotted this blog article on the Just Eat website - some light entertainment for a Friday afternoon!

If you have been enjoying BBC 2’s current three part series on the Great Barrier Reef, with the final episode being screened on Sunday (Jan 15th), we thought you might like to discover various ways that you could experience this wonder of the world first hand.

Amusing piece from the Virgin Atlantic blog.

A new study has today revealed the literary works of Lord Alan Sugar, Paul Gascoigne and Katie Price were the most readily discarded reads at 35,000 feet.

Continue reading for the full list....

If you, like us, watched the recent Frozen Planet series in amazement and now want to see it for yourself, may we suggest you take a look at our new Canadian Arctic programme.

Journey to the very edge of the Arctic ice floe, where wildlife congregates in abundance. It’s home to pods of exotic narwhal, their misty breath sparkling in the 24 hour sun, polar bears, seals, walrus as big as cars, an incredible variety of sea birds (including thick billed Murre, Kittiwake, Guillemot and Ivory Gull )and the rare Bowhead and Beluga whales. In early summer, with the sun shining throughout the day and most of the night (constantly in May and June), the temperatures are warmer than you might expect (averaging from -5°C to +10°C).

If you want to avoid the crowds and more importantly the cold over the Christmas and New Year period then at Bridge and Wickers we’ve got some great suggestions to help. While it is a bit late for this year it is never too soon to start planning for 2012-13 and small intimate resorts/private houses by their nature book up a long way in advance. Of course they can all be enjoyed throughout our winter and it’s not too late to book for this coming January and February if you feel the need to escape.

We were winners at last night's Sunday Times Travel Magazine Reader Awards. "Bridge & Wickers 'can do attitude' pushes them to second place and makes them your favourite tour operator to Australia and New Zealand".

Thanks to everyone who voted for us.

The prestigious Relais & Châteaux association has long provided the discerning traveller with the best private hotels and fine restaurants worldwide. This year they have added a further 3 of Bridge & Wickers favourite luxuruy properties to is current 45 member collection, including Qualia on Hamilton Island, Saffire Freycinet on Tasmania's east coast and Huka Lodge in Taupo, New Zealand.

One of our long-standing clients recently returned from a trip to the USA and sent in a couple of stunning photos taken from his hotel.

I think we can definitely say it was a room with a view!

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is today reminding British travellers of the role of its global network of Embassies, High Comissions and Consulates as staff continue to be approaced for weather forecasts and ticket bookings. Some of the more bizarre requests are detailed in their press release.

We think it makes for an amusing read.....can you believe some of these requests??!

We are delighted to hear that Virgin Atlantic will be flying to Vancouver from the 24th May 2012.

UK author and film producer, Peter Crawford, will be guest lecturer on board the Aranui 3’s two-week voyage to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, departing from Tahiti on 4 February 2012.

Lonely Planet's new coffee table book - Great Journeys - highlights two of NZ's spectacular journeys amongst its pages, as well as featuring Queenstown & Southern Lakes as a 'Must See' region in its BEST IN TRAVEL 2012 collection.

Australia's "Queen of the Rails", the Indian Pacific is hosting a spectacular 24-hour Mardi Gras themed journey across the Outback from Adelaide to Sydney. Crammed with sparkle and celebration, this rail journey will provide travelling 'queens' with a unique way of making their entrance into one of Sydney's largest and most famous street parties.

Since most airlines put up their prices on (or around) December 13th, you can often make considerable savings on airfares by taking off before the seasonal peak. Our consultants can tailor any holiday to your requirements but here are some examples of savings.