Our Oz - Newquay, Cornwall

How far? Two hours from Bristol. Ryanair now offer flights from London Stanstead.
Types: Surfers, new age, locals and clubbers.
Accommodation: Camp for next to nothing or book into one of the many B&B's or hotels.
Good for: Sand, surf, and sex.
Look out for: Surfing festivals, British Masters Championships, the fantastic VW Run to the Sun,
Day trips: St Ives: Tate gallery, winding streets, cream teas, art, art, art and lovely beaches. Boho air and culture galore.
Perranporth: Three miles of sandy beach and dunes, beginner's surf, the Wateringhole pub on the beach with live music most nights.

Island hopping - Isles of Scilly

How far? South of Cornwall, get a helicopter or ferry from Penzance.
Accommodation: Beach-side camping, B&B, hotels and self-catering cottages.
Types: Jude Law, girl guides, young families, student summer reunions.
Good for: Chilling out, mild climate, watersports, ambling, picnics, and cosy pubs.
Look out for: Seals, dolphins, beach parties.
Clubs: None, however there are often beach gatherings and there are plenty of pubs.
Day trip: Tresco, St Martins, Bryher, St Agnes.
You can get to all of these by boat from St Mary's, take a picnic. Sunbathe on St Martin's Par beach, the pick of the bunch.

Our Paris - Blackpool (it's got the tower, after all)

How far? 3 1/2 hours from London by train, or 1 1/4 hours from Manchester.
Accommodation: There are plenty of options from caravans to hotels, most of which are incredibly cheap.
Types: Families and clubbers.
Good for: Slapstick fun.
Look out for: Piers, donkeys, kiss-me quick caps, trams, the pleasure beach, and the illuminations (August-November).
Clubs: So many including the infamous Funny Girls.
Day trip: There's so much to do in Blackpool you don't need to leave. Go to the tower, the zoo, the waxworks, the Sealife centre, the beach and the pleasure beach.

Our Lake Garda, Italy - Lake District, Cumbria

How far? Two hours from Manchester.
Accommodation: B&B to cottages.
Types: Fitness fanatics, one man and his dog, slushy couples.
Good for: Sleeping, detox, shagfests.
Look out for: Lakes, horse-riding, cycling, climbing, windsurfing, sailing, hiking and walking or simply admiring the scenery from a comfy cottage, plotting that novel you always wanted to write.
Clubs: Ha, ha, ha...country pubs are the best you'll get.

Our Goa - Holy Island (aka Lindisfarne)

How Far? North east of Newcastle.
Types: Lost souls and locals.
Accommodation: B&Bs and guest houses.
Good for: A hippy trip.
Look out for: The ruins of the 6th century monastry, responsible for the spiritual pull on the island, plus the vanishing causeway. Views of mainland castles.
Clubs: None, however the Crown and Anchor pub is the place to be (tel 01289 389215).
Day trips: Take a boat trip out past the 30 or so rugged Farne Islands close by for spotting puffins and seals.

Our Ayia Napia/Ibiza - Brighton, East Sussex

How far? 1 hour south of London.
Types: City workers, fatboyslims, Guardian columnists, retro cool.
Accommodation: Bargain B&Bs to blowout hotel boudoirs.
Good for: Romantic seaside jaunts, good mates.
Look out for: the pier, candyfloss, rock, arcades, pebbles, fish and chips, deck chairs, cool clubs and bars, Zoe Ball.
Clubs: To keep up with what's going on in Brighton, try Whatson Brighton, which has listings for theatre, clubs, pubs, restaurants and cinemas.
Day trip: Central London, if you're not from there already - sightseeing, shopping, galleries, museums, shows etc.
Gay Brighton: Brighton is Britain's number one gay seaside resort.

Updated: 07/09/2012