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Mykonos is not your average Greek island. This sophisticated retreat in the heart of the Cyclades has been considered a special place for thousands of years, long before the rich and famous created the need for celebrity playgrounds. Mykonos is 30 square miles of barren land in the Aegean Sea – with its white sugar cube structures, boutique shops and idyllic harbours. Mention Mykonos and many will refer to its glittering nightlife and gay scene. It is possibly the most gay friendly island I have visited, but the real appeal of Mykonos is the variety of entertainment for everyone. Also its close proximity to the other islands makes it an ideal base for anyone keen to backpack around the Greek islands during the summer. The temperature is typically Mediterannean with glorious sun from April through to September.

Mykonos town is the core of the island’s action. It’s a white-washed warren of narrow cobbled streets designed to confuse pirates in days gone by but now equally capable of baffling the tourist. But the myriad winding streets also mean you find yourself stumbling upon the island’s iconic windmills, local celebrity pelicans and no small number of decadent jewellery stores. Little Venice, an area named after the wooden seafront buildings overhanging the water, provides numerous stop-off points. You can watch the people stream by at the classy, but rather expensive Sea Satin restaurant – or try more affordable Greek fare in the attractive setting of the waterfront area. Meals will set you back from €20 with wine provided you stick to the cheaper options. Or you can sip on your drink of choice to the sound of the water lapping against the balcony edge at cocktail venues such as Rhapsodies.

Hiring a moped is a great way to explore the island but be prepared for wind-swept hair due to the powerful winds that swipe at the island from the north. Mykonos has some of the best beaches of the Cyclades, and as long as you are prepared to share them, the sheltered bays of the southern coastline are by far the most popular. Agios Yannis is one of the most famous as it was the location for the movie ‘Shirley Valentine’. There is no shortage of sun loungers and umbrellas, as you recuperate after the night before and relax in preparation for the night ahead. For those wanting a more remote sun whorshipping experience the tranquil Agios Sostis and the private Super Paradise are only accessible by boat.

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Not all the beaches in Mykonos are just places where you sunbathe and swim. Towards the latter part of the afternoon, bars such as Tropicana on Paradise beach, are where the party gets started. On the party beaches the cocktails flow freely, and the whole beach swings to the rhythm of an MTV beach party. Popular nightspot Cavo Paradiso, complete with pool, perches on the rocks above Paradise beach while the rather ironically named Space is the superclub in the centre of Mykonos town.

Despite its arid beauty, Mykonos is not a mecca for the culture vulture. There are a few small mildly interesting museums but the main sightseeing of significance is the unihabited island of Delos. Today the island is effectively a big open-air museum where you can visit the Great Temple of Apollo, built in 476 BC. You can visit all the treasures in a couple of hours. The ruins are one of the most important architectural showcases in the region, having become the centre of pilgrimages for the followers of Apollo, around the temple of whom a whole city sprang.

Where to stay in Mykonos is a delightful decision, if you can afford to splash the cash. There are incredible boutique hotels, with the Kivotos being one of the most desirable. Just 10 minutes from Mykonos town, this resort has 40 rooms eah individually deocarted by famous artists. Its pool area will beg you to stay around all day with its incredible sea views and a cocktail bar. There is also a private beach with water sports. A close match in comfort and style is the Tharroe Mykonos Hotel which has an onsite spa and panoramic views of the Aegean sea. For those with tighter budgets there are self-catering apartments to be found right across the island with the Paolas Town apartments being a particularly charming option.

To book a holiday in Mykonos email and contact details to bookings@unraveltravel.eu

I was older than most Disney fans when I fulfilled my lifelong dream of visiting Orlando. 22 years old and I was excited as a giddy child when my time came to walk through the enchanting golden gates. It did not disappoint. Bigger, better and with more rides than I had anticipated, I vowed I would be back again for the theme park entertainment that I craved in my childhood. True to my word I have returned several times, but I tend to spend less time in Orlando on each visit. Without belittling the achievements of Disney World, it is easy to enjoy a holiday in any part of Florida. The state has an incredibly high return rate of visitors and when they come back they often want to try something different, more adventurous. Whether you are planning your first trip or your umpteenth visit to Florida there are attractions well worth discovering outside of Mickey Mouse territory.

My most recent holiday focused on Floida’s Space Coast, just a 45-minute drive east of Orlando. Swapping Toytown for some of the most advanced technology in the world, this region is not just for astronaut-crazed kids. Flanked by 76 miles of Atlantic coastline there are glorious stretches of beach which beg visitors to kick back and relax in the sun. The Space Coast has been a popular tourist destination since the 1950’s when Americans raced to the moon and locals raced to keep up with the growth of tourism, building resorts, restaurants and bars as quick as sandcastles. It wasn’t long before the area had gained a reputation as space-age party town.

Kennedy Space Centre is a must-visit in most Florida travel guides and while it is educational, in essence it has pilfered ideas on presentation from Disney. Driving up the long, straight road towards the NASA headquarters is spectacular in itself. Inside the park the simulator station allows visitors to walk on the moon, or you can pay for the privilege of eating lunch with an astronaut or experience what a shuttle launch would feel like. After a whistle stop tour we skipped the freeze-dried space food and opted instead for delicious Florida flounder on nearby Cocoa Beach.

Cocoa Beach is as appealing as its name suggests, luring hoards of trendy teenagers and cool surfers all year round. Families also comfortably make use of the well known beach with the excellent amenities on offer. Cocoa Beach Pier is a famous landmark, endearingly shabby with quirky bars and restaurants. It also has a brilliant vantage point for NASA launches. Hundreds of America’s astronauts have rocketed into space from here. Cocoa is also famous for surfing; with icon Kelly Slater originating from here. On any given day in Cocoa Beach you are sure to find a hoard of surfers showing off their stunts on the huge waves or preparing for the next big surfing festival or competition.

On any holiday I seek adventure, and Florida boasted endless possibilities. Given the perfect coastline coupled with year round weather, the Space Coast is all about the great outdoors. After attempting surfing with the renowned Ron Jon’s Surf School on Cocoa Beach, I was up for my next challenge. I was somehow convinced into trying a sky dive in Titusville (www.skydivespacecenter.com). The promise of getting the best view of the Indian River and Kennedy Space Centre was enough to lure me to jump from 18,000ft high. While the freefall was an exhilarating minute and twenty seconds, it was only when my parachute shot open, that I could really appreciate the incredible view below. I had six minutes to soak up the view as I glided down to the ground like an ecstatic bird. For those not interested in such heart-pumping adventure, there is paragliding and other more serene activities.

Adventure aside, the nicest surprise was finding out that Space Coast is not just about Starbucks, McDonalds and big brand stores. Of course they are all there but there is also more enticing dining and shopping options in the charming tree lined towns along the coast like Melbourne, Titusville and Cocoa Village. Food is excellent in Florida and cheap, with a family of four dining well for less than $50. Seafood is a speciality but for a real sample of local fare order a fried gator for dinner followed by a key lime pie for dessert. The atmosphere in restaurants is almost always casual. For young families Florida’s reputation for early bird specials is of particular interest as they offer reduced rates for early seating.

Next time I visit Florida my plan is to combine a road trip with a short cruise to the Bahamas, having seen how easy it is to take one from Miami or Port Canaveral. The latter is the second biggest port in the world – bustling with marinas, parks, a fishing pier and inviting waterside restaurants and bars. There are mega-sized cruise ships that leave this port several times a week with Disney and Royal Caribbean being two of the most popular. Once I have the Florida/cruise break ticked off my list, I will return to the Sunshine State yet again to experience the party hotspots of Miami, roam through the lush Everglades, before kicking back and watching the sun go down in Key West.

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Best known for Mozart, Vienna has much more to offer the tourist than just wonderful music writes Karen Creed

Vienna has what estate agents would call: location, location, location. The Austrian capital sits at the centre of Europe with the dramatic backdrop of the Alpine Mountains. First time visitors need to come armed with a to-do list as there is so much to see and experience, including my favourites – the Giant Ferris Wheel and the world famous Vienna Schnitzel. The more cultural tourist won’t be twiddling their thumbs either as there are numerous museums, theatres and historical sights to marvel at all around the city. Despite being a capital, Vienna is a very green city and there are plenty of parks where you can find recreation or just relaxation. Incredibly Vienna has the highest percentage of green space of all major cities in Europe and around half of the area is green land. It is also the world’s only metropolitan city that has its own national park, the Donau Auenn National Park on the Danube. Another healthy feature is Vienna’s excellent drinking water – the crystal clear water comes directly from Apline mountain springs.

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The Museum Quarter is one of the success stories of contemporary Vienna. It’s a trendy mix of old and new with up to 30,000 visitors during summer. What used to be the imperial stables is now an oasis of culture and relaxation with its vast courtyard, museums, open air restaurants and bars. The most striking feature is the unusual but very comfortable free seating that is painted a different bright colour every year. Within walking distance of the Museumsquarter are a range of contemporary galleries, Viennese cafes, the restaurant and bar scene and the Spittelberg quarter. This is one of the coolest parts of Vienna, and one of few areas that has managed to preserve their original 18th- or 19th-century appearance. Its baroque style buidings were carefully restored and many of the streets pedestrianised. The district makes for a charming walk, particularly on Saturdays when a little craft market is held in the streets. It is particularly enticing in winter when it plays host to the Christmas market. Spittelberg also boasts one of the city’s densest concentrations of bars, cafes and restaurants.

Hunderhassen house is Vienna’s second biggest tourist attraction and reflects the city’s colourful side. Designed by artist Hunderwasser, he wanted to prove that with a house in the city you could still live in harmony with nature. At a glance, “The Hundertwasser House looks like something out of an animated movie. Its playful character is inescapable. The entrance has a massive water fountain and vibrant colors like yellows, oranges, and blues that give the house a dazzling exterior. Huge onion shaped gold colored towers rest on the top of the building, extending a dreamy appearance to it. The house defies all the norms of academic architecture. The walls are made of only brick and the unique dwelling has more than 200 trees, plants, and bushes growing amidst the concrete. Even more fascinating is that inside it is an apartment complex housing local residents. The people who live here have become used to the fact that it is a major tourist attraction and almost always surrounded by groups of tourists eager to catch a glimpse of a house that truly signifies the back to nature theme.

Of all the landmarks in the city, the Giant Ferris Wheel is possibly the most striking and fun. It’s over a hundred years old and as charming an attraction as the day it opened in 1897. For movie fans, the giant ferris wheel is a star, thanks to its role in Carol Reed’s 1949 classic film “The Third Man”, in which Orson Wells and Joseph Cotten shared a quite dramatic ride in one of its large cars.  Even if you are not a movie star you can feel you are on cloud nine on this giant ferris wheel and enjoy the view from art nouveau luxury carriages furnished like an old Viennese coffeehouse. The Ferris Wheel is in Prater Park – an amusement park with over 200 attractions for all ages including some designed for only the bravest. There are also many cafes, restaurants, snack bars, and beer gardens to relax in between the rides. The park is open all summer long and while it is dated in parts, there are always new exciting rides to keep visitors coming back for more.

While it’s unlikely you would visit Vienna solely for its shopping, the boutique scene make is an attractive retail destination, even for those used to shopping in Europe’s world capitals. Vienna’s most trendy shopping mile is the Mariahilfer Strasse which is located between the centre of the city and Westbahnhof. Here, hundreds of shops offer fashion, jewellery and accessories. Young fashion designers and offbeat stores can be found in many side streets in the area – and with a bit of luck you can pick up a unique piece at a good price. Vienna’s most exclusive shopping district is found right in the historic city centre. The most sought-after Austrian and international designers are found along the pedestrian area from the State Opera to St Stephen’s Square and the Imperial Hofburg Palace. Here you can combine sightseeing with a unique shopping experience.One of the most familiar Austrian brands is of course Svarkovski. The perk of shopping here is the excellent selection at a great price. There are huge sales in Svarkovski several times a year so if you time your visit right, you could do what I did and stock up on lots of Christmas and birthday presents.

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Although a quick coffee is offered on almost every street corner, Vienna retains an active coffee house tradition. Café Lantmann is always busy because of its great atmosphere and excellent selection of coffees. As a richly traditional café restaurant Café Lantmann puts great value on its beer and wine selection as well as its coffees. Food is also served and there are lots of tantalising cakes and pastries that would tempt any sweet toothed customer. The sheer size of the café and its prime setting next to the parliament results in a high end clientele with many politicians lunching here or holding important meetings over coffee. Celebrities have also been known to pop in for a taste of traditional Viennese life. Of all the sweet treats in Vienna, the Sacher Tort is one of the most desirable. Its recipe remains top secret but this chocolate slice can be enjoyed in many chocolate confectioners and one of the tastiest is at Café Demel. Sahertorte is a chocolate cake invented by Franz Saher and is only made in Vienna and Salzburg. It is made up of chocolate, nuts, butter, eggs, sugar and apricot and it is as decadent as its ingredients suggests. It is the perfect gift to bring home as it is nicely packaged and stays fresh for several weeks. It also comes in several sizes for you to choose from, depending how generous you are feeling.

There are many things to get addicted to in Vienna, including the Vienna Schnitzel. The dish is traditionally eaten on a Sunday but at Figmuller you can eat it every day of the week. The history of Vienna’s most famous schnitzel began in the year 1905 when Johannes Figmuller opened a small wine tavern. The secret of the success of Figmullers schnitzel is first using the best cut of pork. To make sure the speciality lands on the plate thin and crisp, each schnitzel is given a good beating with a mallet. Then it is time for the easy part – seasoning the pork with flour, dipping it in egg, and then covering it in breadcrumbs. When its time to fry it – it is carried out with great tenderness and expertise, in fact three different pans are required to fry up the perfect schnitzel. All that is left is to enjoy it, accompanied by a traditional lemon wedge and salad and washed down with a nice dry Austrian white.

If you love rambling through markets of fresh fruit and spices there are plenty of places to do so. The best though is the Naschmarket which is full of places to shop and eat.Naschmarket is a Viennese institution dating back to the 16th century. The location itself is spectacular: Wienfluss, Vienna’s second river, was roofed over during the 19th century and some dealers put up their stalls on top of this roof. And there you have it, the birth of Maschmarkt. Today, Naschmarkt is a unique mixture of Austrian traditions and oriental influences. Expect Viennese shrewdness with bazaar mentality. It is a great place to shop for goodies and to have lunch at one of the many stalls, coffee shops and restaurants. When you are finished at the food market, you could move on to the adjoining market selling all types of gizmos and gadgets. Flea markets are alive and thriving in Vienna and a great place to find used goods at a reasonable price. This one opens almost every Sunday as well as striking a bargain; it’s a chance to mingle with the locals. It has become something of a tourist attraction and a Mecca for collectors of curios tidbits and souvenirs. Here you can find anything you might need for your house, be it a lavish gold clock, a jug from the 1950’s or a selection of vases. There is also lots of clothes, shoes, sunglasses, bags and other quirky items for sale. Beautiful flower stalls all over the market add a burst of colour and a wonderful scent as you walk about.

Going to Vienna and not experiencing its music is like visiting Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. Opera is integral to Viennese life and the Opera House is definitely worth visiting or if you are there in winter the Opera Ball is a wonderful option. Vienna enjoys a reputation as the world capital of music and its 150 museums and 70 theatres make it something of a total work of art.

Like many other European cities, availing of a Vienna Card can mean a saving as it allows free access to all transport and to some museums and other attractions. Vienna’s cycle lanes mean hopping on a bike is an easy way to get around or visit the sights. City Bike Vienna hire out bikes for free for the first hour and €1 per hour thereafter. Before renting one you have to sign up at www.citybikewien.at There are over 100 cycle stations from which you can rent the bikes and deliver them back. Even without a map I found it easy to explore the city because of its ring road system. And after all that exercise, you definitely deserve to tuck into Viennese delicacies.

For more information on Vienna visit www.wien.info

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The exhibition space, curated by Pamela Golbin and designed by Gainsbury and Bennett, is spread over two floors, each dedicated to the creators. The first floor, devoted to Louis Vuitton, explains how, under the Second Empire, he was able to develop his packing company in a rapidly growing district. The industrial revolution brought about new technical possibilities, while giving rise to affluent customers: an increasingly high number of aristocrats, bourgeois and rich tourists were beginning to travel more frequently, yet the expanding number of garments required made transportation more difficult.

The second floor explains how, since 1997, in a world of fashion that has expanded on an international level, Marc Jacobs has adopted the Louis Vuitton cultural codes and added his own personal touch. And so, quite naturally Marc Jacobs, who perfectly embodies today’s contemporary creator, called upon artists like Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince associations between art and fashion that have become textbook examples for the industry.

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