The clocks have only just gone back and many of us will already be dreaming of our next holiday abroad. But why wait until summer? A holiday can provide a much-needed respite from the winter blues and whether it's snow or sand you're after, a break could just help you through the long winter months.

Top holiday searches:

1. Lapland
2. Canada
3. Cheap winter holidays in the sun
4. Europe
5. Goa
6. Winter holiday destinations
7. Gran Canaria
8. Morocco
9. Cyprus
10. Tenerife

From the Swiss Alps to the Canadian Rockies, a trip to the slopes teams good old-fashioned fresh air and exercise, with the essential warmth and restoration of après-ski. While celebrity-packed Aspen might prove beyond the means of many, the Canadian Rockies offer the same great slopes without the price. But if you're after slightly warmer climes, try St. Moritz in Switzerland, which boasts 300 days of sunshine each year.

If you've got the kids in tow, indulge their (and possibly your own) Christmas fantasy with a trip to Lapland. It's a veritable fairytale winter landscape and the husky safaris and snowmobile touring will keep the adults happy while the kids enjoy the ultimate Santa's grotto.

But if it's the Christmas shopping that is getting you down, how about a winter city break. Many European cities will be hosting gorgeous Christmas markets and are perfect for that hard to find or simply irresistible gift, so head to Prague or Bruges for a trip that's closer to home.

And if you're desperate to try and avoid the cold altogether, a spot of winter sun is the answer. For the ultimate way to forget about the British winter weather, fly out to the island paradise of the Maldives. The white sand, clear blue water and hotel rooms on stilts will have you forgetting the long dark evenings quicker than you can say Seasonal Affective Disorder.

If you've already experienced the perfect winter getaway, why not share it with us?

Written by guest blogger Freya Koepping

We're in the middle of those wonderfully lazy few weeks of summer, when you're either on holiday yourself, or you're at work, but since everyone who can make any decisions is away, you get to browse through our amusing Hot Searches pages for as long as possible. And search for stuff (which is what we want you to do – some of us have to work you know...)

You might be looking for ways of mitigating the shock of the return to serious business in the autumn. Perhaps the best remedy is a little city break – and city breaks don't come much more fun than the Oktoberfest in Munich.
Check out our top Oktoberfest searches:

1. Oktoberfest tickets
2. Oktoberfest travel
3. German beer mugs
4. Munich weather
5. Currency exchange rates
6. Oktoberfest hotels
7. Lederhosen costume
8. Cheap flights London to Munich
9. Oktoberfest party
10. Cheap flights from Manchester to Munich

The Oktoberfest has a long tradition, having first been celebrated as a horse race to commemorate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in 1810. Today, it has evolved into a vast fairground containing a wide variety of rides and food stalls – children get a discount on the rides until 6pm every Tuesday. The ground is located on the 'Theresienwiese', within easy reach of the city centre by public transport.

The main attraction for the over-18s however is the succession of enormous beer halls, which generally involve several thousand locals and tourists noisily enjoying freshly brewed beer, a range of food that doesn't usually get more creative than roast chicken and chips, and of course the cheesy German music.

Each of the beer halls, or 'Festzelte', has different beers and a different reputation. 'Schottenhammel' is the most traditional, as that is where the Oktoberfest is officially opened. The 'Hofbräu' is probably the most famous, and as a result attracts a high proportion of our Antipodean and American friends. Those looking for a classy experience should perhaps head for the 'Hippodrom', or the smaller 'Käfer', which last year featured the likes of Claudia Schiffer. A personal favourite is the 'Schützenfestzelt', with a good mix of locals and tourists – although after some time spent there you might have trouble pronouncing it!

A particularly amusing aspect of the festival for tourists is the traditional Bavarian outfits, with women sporting a 'Dirndl' – dresses with rather plunging necklines and an apron at the front. The way the lady ties the apron holds a range of useful clues for those gentleman with a romantic interest. According to tradition, single ladies tie the apron on their left, while widows tie it at the back, and married women tie it on their right. Men have the privilege of squeezing into rather less attractive short leather dungarees, the so-called 'Lederhosen'.

Although other nations, and the Germans in particular, are constantly accusing us Brits of eccentricities, the Oktoberfest actually takes place mainly in September. This year, the dates are from 10th September – 5th October, so get booking!

Top travel accessory searches:

1. iPod accessories
2. Luggage straps
3. Digital luggage scale
4. Travel insurance
5. Computer accessories
6. Wheeled luggage
7. Waist money belt
8. Noise reduction headset
9. Travel eye masks
10. Discount luggage

Travelling is stressful. Knowing what to pack, sitting on crowded, boring long-haul flights, worrying about keeping your belongings safe - it can't be avoided but it can be made more bearable. Many travel accessories have been invented with the aim of removing some of the hassle from holidaying. So here are a few of the most searched-for travel gadgets that will make travelling infintely more enjoyable.

Ear plugs
Planes, trains and indeed automobiles can be very noisy places. If you want to get some shut-eye without being disturbed by babies crying, people snoring and noisy engines, get some ear plugs. You can buy foam plugs cheaply - about £3-4 for a pack of 10 - and these are pretty effective. Alternatively you could invest in some noise reduction headphones so you can listen to music or a laptop with really clear sound while blocking out all external noise.

Money belt
Travelling abroad means handling fistfuls of foreign currency and there's nothing more tempting to a would-be robber than seeing a fresh-faced traveller with pockets full of notes. Keep your money safe in a money belt that sits against your skin. It might not be very comfortable, or cool, but if someone starts fishing around under your clothes to get at it, you'll know all about it.

Laptop
Nowadays you can find laptops outside of business class. There are such small ones available (10"screens) with lots of memory and storage on them that it makes sense for anyone to bring one along in your carry-on luggage. You can watch films on it, listen to your music library, upload and store your holiday photos, get online with WiFi and play games.

Neck pillow
This is something I always remember - when I'm sitting on the plane and suffering from neck ache! These handy pillows that wrap around your neck and support your head are perfect for when you want to sleep but the seats next to you are all taken.

Electronic book
Can't decide which paperback to read on the beach? Can't afford to have all those books weighing down your luggage? Buy an electronic reader like the Amazon Kindle. It can store up to 200 books: just a few more than you could fit in your carry-on luggage.

Travel adaptor
A universal travel adaptor is essential for people taking gadgets to foreign countries. Even if you are only taking a hairdryer - when you get to Spain, your 3-prong British plug won't be any use with their 2-prong plug holes!

What do you think are indispensible travel accessories? Leave a comment and share your ideas.

Top overseas property searches:

1. French property
2. Morocco properties
3. Villas abroad
4. Buying property abroad
5. Overseas mortgages
6. Cyprus property
7. Moving abroad
8. Overseas property
9. Property investors
10. Apartments abroad

How many times have you dreamt of winning the lottery and moving to a hotter country? Buying a house abroad doesn't have to involve millions of pounds and it can be a great investment - whether you use the house to rent out for extra income and as your holiday home, or if you intend to retire there.

When deciding on your perfect location, have a good think about what you prefer - towns, countryside, beaches, mountains. Check out where the nearest shops and attractions are - especially if it will be a rental property. How convenient is it to reach from the airport, what's the electricity supply like? You'll have to visit the area to get a good idea of it. The most important thing about buying property abroad is to a lot of detective work. If you were buying a hous in the UK you would want to find out as much as you can before doing so. The same applies even more so for a foreign investment. Speak to estate agents and property developers, check out online forums for advice.

It is possible to buy an overseas property with a mortgage of up to 75-80 percent of the property's value. You can do this through a UK mortgage broker or with a bank in the country that your house is located in. If you plan to rent the property and would be paid rent in another currency it might be best to take out the mortgage in the same currency - this can also be useful if the exchange rates are favourable. When planning your finances to buy an overseas property, bear in mind there are other fees you'll have to pay: notaries, estate agents, solicitors and taxes. Do your homework before making any offers!

There's a lot of legal work involved with buying abroad, and foreign laws can be confusing and frustrating so make sure you seek appropriate advice. For example, if you buy in Spain and decide to live there for more than six months, you'll need to apply for a 'residencia' to become a resident. Doing this can be advantageous as you'll pay lower taxes. Make sure when the contracts are drawn up you read them carefully - and that you can understand the language!

If owning a home abroad is your dream, remember that it's not a simple process but it is definitely achievable. Do you own a foreign property or are you planning to buy one? Leave a comment and tell us what you think.

Top travel searches:

1. Cheap flights
2. Holiday rentals
3. Package holidays
4. Cheap travel insurance
5. Currency exchange rates
6. Cruise deals
7. Travel agents
8. Travel sites
9. Cheap hotels
10. Late holiday deals

It's the time of year when many people head off to warmer climates to bask in the sun, frolic in the sea, relax and unwind. If you want your summer holiday to be as carefree as possible, make sure you plan in advance all the little chores you have to complete before you go away - things that if you forget could turn your dream holiday into a nightmare.

If you're going somewhere exotic, check if you need to have vaccinations before you go. Some vaccinations such as for Hepatitis and Tuberculosis need to be received several months before you go, so go and visit your GP as soon as you've decided to travel.

Another thing you may want to consider before you go away is travel insurance. Depending on where you're going and what you're doing, insurance can be a good idea. If you're going somewhere that's potentially a bit dodgy and has a good chance of you being hoodwinked, robbed or mugged (why would you want to go there?) or if you're doing some kind of sport like skiing or skydiving that involves an element of danger, being covered in case the worst happens is not such a bad idea. A great place to search for money advice is and where to find the best deals is moneysavingexpert.com.

One thing that you could leave until the last minute is booking the actual holiday. Often you can find brilliant value deals on package holidays and cheap flights from budget airlines if you aren't too picky about where you're going.

Our final piece of advice is to get your currency exchanged before you go. Don't buy your currency at the airport - that's the most expensive place of all! But you can pre-order your money to be collected at the airport, this way you'll get a better deal. Companies such as Travelex and the Post Office usually offer good rates but it's better to order online. Do be very careful when using credit and debit cards abroad - you can have all sorts of fees and extortionate exchange rates piled onto them.

Have you ever had holiday headaches from leaving things to the last minute? Share your experiences here by leaving a comment.