Gareth Johnson

Australian living in London - obsessed with water polo

I'm not emotionally ready to sign up with a new personal trainer, so I've been checking out apps, technology, and other forms of professional support that might help get me motivated and keep my gym regime on track.

Dr Sabine Donnai

Chief Executive, Viavi Limited

Indeed, extreme holidays such as climbing Kilimanjaro, walking the Inca trail have become the holiday type of choice for those seeking something new. Of course the pleasures of trekking in the world's highest mountain ranges cannot be overstated. Neither can the dangers.

Black Tomato

Cutting edge travel experts

The sun drenched islands are renowned for their colourful harbours, beautiful sandstone architecture, rich culture and history, Italian and Arabic influenced cuisine and of course their friendly residents that give the islands much of their character.

Joanne Shurvell

Founder and Director of PayneShurvell gallery and a travel and arts writer

The first long weekend in May was the ideal time to visit one of our favourite English towns as it was the launch of four festivals which run throughout the month until early June - the Brighton arts Festivals.

Roisin Curran

Student journalist at the University of Limerick, Part time beauty columnist, currently on Erasmus in Malta

Whether you come for the culture, the shopping, the parties or even just the weather, you won't return home unsatisfied.The surprising aspects of Maltese life will have you in their hooks from the word go, just give the unique Island a chance - before everyone else discovers what its capable of.

Trivago.co.uk

Hotel search website with over 600,000 hotels

These hotels envisage where the rich and beautiful would holiday this summer, boasting locations in Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Cape Cod and surrounding areas. Many of these hotels are housed within historic mansions operating in the Roaring Twenties.

Rebecca Root

Journalism student at Glasgow Caledonian University and traveler

The campus itself was regal, pretty and pristine. Every intricate archway and stone step possessed years of American history. As a typical geek, Harvard fascinated me with its traditions, rituals and stories.

Rosie Robbins

Barcelona resident and comms manager at holiday rentals site Only-apartments.com

One of my favourite bits of insider knowledge that I've picked up since moving to Spain was getting to know about the "secret" beaches. Ask any local and they'll be able to tell you about at least one unspoilt cove - often just minutes from even the busiest towns -

Thomas Woodham Smith

Creative Director of Masterpiece London

You know you are in a foreign country when you bite down and enjoy your first rooster testicle soup. Okay the rest of the rooster is in the soup too....

HomeAway.co.uk

The UK's number one holiday rentals site

Wellies at the ready: it's nearly festival season. Whether you fancy a hip happening the Highlands, a DJ set in Wales or niche nighttime fun in Northampton, here are just eight of my favourite lesser-known festivals; and I think some of them may surprise you.

Rich Major

Entertainment and lifestyle expert, grumblinggourmet.com

In a city where authenticity and taste reign supreme, it's not unusual to see a Porsche or a new Maserati parked up outside an anonymous hole-in-the-wall diner known for serving the best Mao Shi Hong Shao Rou (Chairman Mao's favourite braised pork dish) in town.

Paul Drury

Action at the intersection of art and advertising

With this year's Cannes film festival now in full swing, thought it was worth sharing a Cannes travel story with a difference. In 2012, we dared to dream the impossible dream. From a wet and windy West Yorkshire all the way to the world's most glamorous film festival.

Sarah Tetteh

Showbiz and entertainment contributor and editor, plus new mum!

Clinging on for dear life to the side of the carnival catamaran in the middle of the Caribbean ocean, my rollercoaster that was the St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival was off to a rip-roaring start.

David Robertson

Whisky expert and investor, has worked at major distillers including The Macallan, The Dalmore and Highland Park

I helped sell a 64-year-old Trinitas from The Dalmore in 2010 for £100,000 and in 2011 The Dalmore Sinclair was bought in Singapore Changi Airport for a cool £135,000. I'm told that the buyer went on to drink it there and then.

Stephanie Holland

Marketing strategist, writer, aromatherapist and traveller writing a book on the road

"If you find yourself near Pike and Broadway before I see you, you need to try the fries at Pike St. Fish Fry," emailed my friend Erik, 46, from the Madison Park neighbourhood after I announced a long weekend in Seattle. Kind of a little weird that the only thing he mentioned was fries.

Stephen M. Baker

Digital marketing consultant, commentator for partially-sighted Brighton fans in spare time

There's no doubt about it having beautiful imagery and inspiring photos on the walls is a sure way to brighten up a room, make these images personal of your own travels, experiences, and loved ones and you're sure to create a more uplifting home.