Honeymoons

If you've never been to a country like Sri Lanka, it can be hard to know exactly what to pack for your holiday!

The most practical clothing in Sri Lanka's often hot and humid climate is made up of loose fitting, light cotton. Do bear in mind that the Hill Country can feel a bit like England in spring time, with cooler temperatures dropping yet further in the night. If you are planning to visit the mountains, you should probably pack a warm jumper for the evenings and a light cardigan or sweater will easily suffice for during the day.

On the whole you can wear casual, comfy clothes, and bikinis / trunks on the beach are absolutely fine, however be aware of cultural sensitivities when out and about. Whist remaining casual, it's appreciated when you wear knee length shorts, skirts or dresses.

There are a few strictures when visiting religious sites such as shrines and temples. Whilst short sleeved tops and vest tops are fine elsewhere, for women it's important that shoulders and legs are covered to an extent, so pack a shawl or sarong to cover up when required. Men too are asked to wear long-ish shorts or trousers and t-shirts or shirts rather than a vest top for example.

Wearing sandals or flip-flops is recommended for trips to temples etc. as you are often asked to remove them before you enter, however if you're planning to go for hikes or treks through the jungle etc. it's a good idea to pack decent socks and trainers.

Of course, when you're visiting a hot country, it's important to pack sun protection - suncream, glasses, hats or caps. Plug adaptors, insect repellent and a day bag / backpack will all also come in useful.

You may not know it, but there's a little more to the Maldives than just beach relaxation and snorkelling. Here are some of the lesser-known draws to this stunning archipelago.

Meander the Maldivian capital: Malé

If you want a bit of a buzzing contrast to the peace and relaxation of the resorts, then come here. The capital of the Maldives offers a great introduction to the national culture and history, adding a layer of understanding of local life to your Maldives holiday. Malé is a lively, friendly city and holds many of the important Maldivian landmarks such as the Hukuru Miskiiy or Old Friday Mosque, the National Museum and the buzzing markets. Enjoy watching the comings and goings at the harbour and sample a classic black tea at a bustling local café.

Discover local life

On the whole, holiday-makers flock to the Maldives for the beautiful resorts, but there is a fascinating side to the islands that can only be discovered by staying on a local residential island. Enjoy the best of both worlds by having a holiday that combines time spent in a luxury resort with time on a residential island, where you can discover the local culture, sample the cuisine, and relax on Bikini Beach (which is reserved solely for tourists - the rest of the Maldives being strictly Muslim). Whilst there, you can also enjoy snorkelling, diving and sand bank trips at a fraction of the cost you would spend at a luxury resort.

By staying on a local island, not only will you get an authentic feel for this stunning destination, but you will also be assisting the local economy to a far greater extent as the businesses that provide for travellers on these islands are locally owned (rather than owned by big resort businesses). Speak to our partner company about which island would be right for you - some are more set up for tourism, whilst others are more remote, secluded and authentic.

Maldivian music

The most widely performed of the various traditional Maldivian dances is the Bodu Beru, which translates as 'Big Drum.' Beginning slowly, the drummers perform an intense rhythm, building up the tempo and the intensity as dancers join the drummers. The dancers improvise their movements and become almost hypnotised or entranced by the beat. A performance of Bodu Beru is typical of Maldivian festivities and if you get the chance to see one, don't miss it.

Harness the wind

The many islands of the Maldives all have different draws - some are smaller and perfect for people who want to arrive and just flop by a gently lapping seashore, while others are bigger and invite exploration. And despite the balmy, peaceful shores, some are actually great for windsports! Between May and October there are southwesterly winds that can provide great, if gentle conditions for learning a windsport. If you're a rookie sailor, or kite or windsurfer, then speak to our local experts who will know the islands with the best, biggest unobstructed lagoons, perfect for harnessing the sea breeze.

You may think you know rather a lot about Italy, but did you know any of these interesting facts?

1. Each household in Italy gets through an average of 37kg of coffee every year, which is impressive enough, but when you consider that most coffee is drunk at the bar - 14 billion shots of the stuff in an average year - it seems clear the nation runs on caffeine!

2. There are only three active volcanoes in Europe, all in Italy. Etna dominates much of the east of Sicily and shows intermittent activity and eruptions of ash fairly constantly. Stromboli, on an island north of Sicily, is even more active, emitting sparks and ash more or less constantly. Vesuvius, near Naples, last erupted in 1944.

3. As a single nation, Italy is young in European terms, only becoming a single nation in 1861. Before that it was a collection of city states.

4. Italy's enviable lifestyle, prolific fresh produce and healthy cuisine all contribute to the fact that it has one of Europe's longest life expectancies. It also has Europe's oldest population.

5. Estimates vary as to the number of dialects spoken in Italy, but there are least 30 recognisable regional tongues, many so different that for example a Sardinian dialect speaker and a Venetian dialect speaker would not be able to understand much if they tried to communicate purely in dialect.