One of Spain's favourite holiday islands - Menorca - has built her reputation as a holiday island on the island's strengths - peace and tranquility. But they have welcomed the fastest cars and the drivers in the world of Grand Prix...

Military law and the overthrow of democracy in an attempted army coup was thwarted by Spain's King Juan Carlos in its early post Franco days in the 1980's, and Spain blossomed as it became acceptable to take a holiday there. But the royal families aren’t as popular as they once were - could Juan Carlos be the last Spanish monarch?

Casino Square, Monte Carlo

Private banks, sophistication and the glamour of Monte Carlo is known the world over, with some of the best hotels, the casino, Grand Prix and celebrities tripping over each other. But as Prince Albert of Monaco turns 50, he is becoming increasingly known more for his stand on the environment than as a celebrity royal.

Much admired Queen Elizabeth II has just celebrated sixty years of marriage to Prince Philip, and in that time has filled more newspaper and magazine column inches than anyone else. While she might not be a celebrity in today's conventional sense, she is the most photographed woman on the planet.

Andorra skiing is on the up for 2008...

Ski travel organizers are still being criticized after being taken by surprise during the 2006/7 ski season as visitor numbers dropped for the first time in a decade, but Andorra has invested heavily for the 2007/8 season. Happily the snow arrived early this year, but Andorra has decided not to take any more chances with her ski slopes.

New York's Dow Jones and the FTSE in London are both jittery, but even with the economic slowdown financial institutions in European tax havens are attracting money at record levels despite outside pressure to open their books. But while the money flows in there's little chance of countries like Monaco and Andorra turning away new money.

New low cost airlines with low price flights have enabled millions more families to take a holiday in an overseas destination, and many European coastal resorts have developed to cater for the increase in tourists. The cost of a flight is almost certain to rise in 2008 as governments view the airlines as an unpaid tax raiser.

Greece, Malta, Italy, Spain and the French holiday resorts battle it out each summer for the British holidaymaker's week or two abroad. This year the Spanish island of Majorca has attracted the most, with a combination of low costs, quality accommodation and the weather winning out. 2008 bookings have already started and the brochures are out...