We want her wardrobe AND her face: The Duchess of Cambridge's nose is the most requested plastic surgery procedure in UK

All we want for Christmas is to look like Kate, apparently, as the Duchess of Cambridge’s delicate nose tops the list of the most requested celebrity face parts by plastic surgery patients this year.
If you thought she was lucky for finding love, marrying a prince and now expecting a baby, it seems her natural beauty can now be added on to the list of things to envy Kate for.
Over the past year requests to plastic surgeons to look like Kate Middleton have trebled, new figures reveal.

The Duchess of Cambridge has the most desired nose of plastic surgery patients, with requests trebling in 2012

Natural beauty: Cheryl Cole's dimpled cheeks (left) and Myleene Klass's chin and jaw line (right) are some of the most requested body parts by plastic surgery patients

And the duchess is not the only celebrity we are willing to go under the knife to imitate.
Cheryl Cole’s dimpled cheeks and Myleene Klass’s chin were other highly requested body parts by patients.

 

While the bedroom eyes of Rosie Huntington-Whitley and the sexy full pout of X factor judge Nicole Scherzinger are also must-haves for women wanting to change their looks.

Sultry and sexy: We want Rosie Huntington-Whitley's come hither eyes (left) and Nicole's perfect pout (right)

And it's not just women who are turning to celebrities for inspiration when undergoing plastic surgery.
There has been a jump in men citing star’s body parts as their ideal when going under the knife.
Top of men’s wish lists is a jaw like heart throb Robert Pattinson, Ashton Kutcher’s chiseled cheeks and Zac Effron’s luscious locks and smouldering eyes.

Heart throb:Voted the sexiest man alive by Glamour and People magazines, Twilight actor Robert Pattinson has the jaw and chin most requested by men

Smoking hot: It seems men want Zac Efron's eyes and hair, while Jude Law has the most popular nose

Clearly hoping to fake their way to heart throb status, men also want the lips of Ryan Gosling and the nose of notoriously cheeky ladies’ man Jude Law.
The figures have been released by the Transform Cosmetic Surgery Group who offer cosmetic procedures such as breast enlargement, face lifts, botox and liposuction and have seen a huge rise in people requesting specific celebrity body parts.
A spokesman from the company said: ‘People are choosing celebrities who are sophisticated and naturally beautiful.’

Today I'm Wearing: Presenter Laura Whitmore shares her December wardrobe diary for new fashion blogging website

Showing the world what you’re wearing on a daily basis would intimidate many of us, but I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here Now! presenter, Laura Whitmore, has no such fears.
The 27-year-old fashionista has been sharing her outfits on fashion-sharing website,winning praise for her feminine, yet edgy style.
'People seem to really be responding to the concept of using social media to display a day-to-day wardrobe. One of the main questions I used to get from my Twitter followers was about where my clothes were from - so tweeting and sharing my daily diary with Today I’m Wearing proved to be a great hit!'
Take a look at some of Laura’s December Looks, below.

Dress: Sunny Girl (left)  and Jeans: J Brand, Shoes: Aldo, Blazer: Zara, Top: Topshop, Bracelet: Daisy jewellery (right)

Jeans: J Brand, Jumper: Camden market, Gloves: Spitalfields market, Hat: H&M (left) and dress: Shakuhachi, Boots: Senso, Belt: Vintage, Ring: Daisy jewellery (right)

From mini-dresses, when jungle-side (Laura recently finished presenting ITV2’s I’m A Celeb catch-up show where she said it was so hot and humid that the make-up literally slid off her face) to jeans and cosy knits, when she returned to the somewhat drearier weather of England – sartorially Laura hasn’t had an off day.

 

But she says: 'When I got back to London, I wanted to wear my duvet everyday! Sometimes I really didn’t feel like having my picture taken and just wanted to hide in trackies. I soon realised, when I got back, that the important thing is… a really good coat!'

Shirt: Sandro, Clutch: Witchery, Boots: Aldo, Trousers: Witchery, Necklace: Lenee Renee (left) and Midi skirt: Helmut Lang, Sandals: Melissa and Bracelet: Maria Piana (right)

Boots: River Island, Bag: Mulberry, Dress: Disaya (left) and dress: Topshop, Jewellery: Daisy and Topshop (right)

Dress: Cameo, Necklace: Forever New, Pumps: Miss Selfridge (left) and faux fur coat from A wear, Jeans: J Brand, Boots: Missguided, Satchel: Nisa (right)

As happy in a pair of skinny jeans and ankle boots as she is in a glam frock, Laura embraces every aspect of fashion - much to the delight of her fellow TIW users.
Favourite pieces for Laura this season are from an equal mix of both high-street and designer fashion, including sleeveless polo-neck crop-tops from Topshop, J Brand skinny jeans, Aldo and River Island ankle bootsand dresses from Shakuhachi, Topshop and Cameo.
Laura's top accessories include alphabet stacking rings and Chakra bracelets from Daisy jewellery and handbags from Kate Spade and Mulberry (she recently DJ’d for Mulberry in exchange for a fuschia pink Bayswater bag), as well as pieces from emerging designers such as Yang Du and Witchery. 
If you enjoyed Laura’s fashion-sharing, don’t despair, as she promises she’s not abandoning the concept anytime soon.
'I love checking out other people’s fashion choices. I’ve seen some great fashion combinations on TIW and it’s actually inspired my with mixing up my style choices. It’s the lazy person’s form of people watching!'

Dress: The Pretty Dress Company, Shoes: Kurt Geiger, Ring: Daisy jewellery (left) and Jumper: Zara, Necklace: Rock and Rose, Leather shorts: Warehouse, Ankle boots: River Island, Bracelet; Daisy Knight (right)

Dress: Izabel London, Bracelet: Newbridge silverwear, Pumps: Office, Ring: Swarovski (left) and Dress: Yang Du, Sandals: Billionaire (right)

Attachment parenting mom who posed on TIME cover reveals son, now four, has finally stopped breastfeeding

Attachment parenting mom who posed on TIME cover reveals son, now four, has finally stopped breastfeeding


The mother who appeared on the cover of TIMEearlier this year,breastfeeding her three-and-half-year-old son, has revealed that he has finally ceased the habit.
Jamie Lynne Grumet, 26, an advocate of attachment parenting, toldToday.comthat Aram, now four, is 'done' with breastfeeding.
The mother-of-two, from Los Angeles, California,who ignited a huge debate with her bold cover pose, had previously said that she would breastfeed the youngster until he is five.

Moving on: Jamie Lynne Grumet, pictured with son Aram on the Today show in May, said yesterday that the now four-year-old has finally stopped breastfeeding

Indeed, Mrs Grumet revealed in the TIME article that she was also still breastfeeding her then five-year-old son Samuel (now six), who was adopted from Ethiopia in 2010.
Now it seems both boys have 'self-weaned' in the seven months since the height of the controversy.

 

Mrs Grumet, who is married to police officer Brian, sparked a storm of criticism in May after she was pictured on the cover of TIME magazinebreastfeeding Aram who stood on a small chair to reach her.
The image, which was accompanied by the headline: 'Are You Mom Enough?' inspired many to question the correct age for a mother to stop breastfeeding.

Controversial: Mrs Grumet sparked huge debate with her TIME magazine cover earlier this year

While the World Health Organization recommends that mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first six months, then continue until the age of two, advocates of the attachment parenting method will continue until the child them self is ready to stop.
One commenter branded Mrs Grumet's decision to let her son breastfeed into his toddler years 'child abuse', and another called her 'disgusting'.
These, in turn, inspired equally impassioned responses from mothers who themselves had embraced extended breastfeeding, and attribute their children's good health to the practice.
In response to the backlash,Mrs Grumet, who herself was breastfed until the age of six,wrote on herblog: 'When critics are making very uneducated analyses of these issues (with absolutely no persona experience), it actually hurts the mothers trying to care for their children.
'Find me a child that was breastfed past two that said they wished they hadn't been.'
She continued: 'Motherhood is hard enough then to hear constantly how you are caring for your child is "weird" or makes people "uncomfortable" is almost too much to handle.'
In the Today.com interview, published yesterday, Mrs Grumet also revealed that she had turned down 12 offers to appear on reality shows, as well as several offers of book deals and product endorsement.

Happy family: Mrs Grumet and her police officer husband Brian are also parents to Samuel, six, who they adopted from Ethiopia in 2010

'It was so ridiculous. You just don’t make money off of being an advocate or activist,' she said.
'That would be really, really wrong and hurtful to what we were trying to do. A reality show? That would have been exploitative, for sure.'

How we would have done it: The Grumets posed for Pathways to Family Wellness magazine after expressing that they weren't happy with the image selected for the TIME cover

In the months since TIME's article was published, Mrs Grumet also slammed the magazine for its portrayal of her, and attachment parenting.
She claims that the cover image chosen was an 'outtake' from the shoot, and looked 'confrontational and detached'.
She toldABC News: 'My intentions were to help relieve the stigma attached to breast feeding past infancy, but the photo I saw wasn't the one that we were trying to pose for. It made me really, really sad.'
In an effort to make her point clear, Mrs Grumet posed for the cover of Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, this time with her husband and both sons.
She told Today.com:'It was important for us to pose and say, "Hey, if we had creative control [with the TIME piece] we would have done it like this."'
Mrs Grumet is not the only high-profile supporter of attachment parenting, a child-rearing technique developed byU.S. pediatrician Dr William Sears.
The Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik has written a book about how she breastfeeds her three-year-old son and allows her six-year-old to sleep on a mattress on the floor in her bedroom.
Dr Bialik, who has a PhD in neuroscience, toldNewsok.com: 'When we treat our children kindly and expect love and give love, we hopefully are raising children that then expect that and give that to the world around them.'
Singer Alanis Morissette, who is mother to Ever, two, has also defended the method, asking critics: 'What part of it is gross?'

Murderers and drug dealer to get IVF in prison and you'll be paying! Criminals using European Human Rights laws to start families at taxpayers' expense

Murderers and drug dealer to get IVF in prison and you'll be paying! Criminals using European Human Rights laws to start families at taxpayers' expense


Four murderers and a drug dealer are in line for taxpayer-funded fertility treatment so that they can father a child from behind bars.
The killers are demanding to be allowed to take part in IVF treatment despite serving life sentences. Ministers may be powerless to refuse because of a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights concerning the right to a private and family life. 
Turning down the prisoners’ demands could lead to court action and compensation claims running into tens of thousands of pounds.

Killers are demanding to be allowed to take part in IVF treatment despite serving life sentences

Ministers may be powerless to refuse because of a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights concerning the right to a private and family life

The cases will provoke outrage at the rights afforded to individuals who have committed shocking crimes, and spur demands for action against the power of European human rights judges, who are also demanding an end to the ban on prisoners voting.

 

Last year the Daily Mail revealed that a prisoner had been given access to artificial insemination treatment on the NHS at a cost of around £2,000.
Since then, 13 applications have been made by inmates in England and Wales. Eight have been rejected but five remain in ministers’ in-trays.
The names and details of the inmates are protected by privacy laws, but three were convicted of murder, one of murder and aggravated burglary and the fifth of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.

Last year the Daily Mail revealed that a prisoner had been given access to artificial insemination treatment on the NHS at a cost of around £2,000

Last night Justice Secretary Chris Grayling, who has said he wants to ‘curtail’ the powers of the Strasbourg court, said: ‘There can be no clearer example of why we need changes to the human rights framework.
‘The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has extended its remit into areas which have little to do with real human rights issues and I intend to bring forward proposals about how we change that.’
Andrew Percy, Tory MP for Brigg and Goole, said: ‘When you commit a crime such as murder you should lose your rights and liberties.’
The doors were opened to a flood of new applications by a 2007 Strasbourg ruling in the case of a convicted killer, Kirk Dickson.
Dickson and a friend kicked to death a 41-year-old man in 1995 and he was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years.
He met his wife Lorraine through a prison pen pal scheme while she was serving 12 months for a £20,000 benefit fraud. 
They married in 2000 after her release but while he was still behind bars.
In 2001 David Blunkett rejected the couple’s application to authorise her access to  sperm donation from him for IVF treatment.
With at least £20,000 in legal aid, they took the case to the High Court and the Court of Appeal but were rejected at every turn.

In 2007 the case went to Strasbourg, when Dickson was 35 and his wife 49.
Ministers fought the case, arguing that losing the opportunity to have children was an inevitable result of being jailed.
But the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Dicksons’ rights had been breached and handed them £18,000 in damages.

A thorny issue: Lonely Planet's travel forum closed due to 'uncomfortable themes'

A thorny issue: Lonely Planet's travel forum closed due to 'uncomfortable themes'

A popular travel forum operated by BBC-owned Lonely Planet has been 'temporarily' closed due to users reportedly discussing 'uncomfortable themes'.
The Thorn Tree travel forum was suspended on Saturday evening after it 'discovered instances of inappropriate language and themes'. 
BBC Worldwide spokesman Philip Fleming told TravelMail 'offensive swear words' and 'bad language' had been detected, forcing them to 'reassess' how they carried out the moderation of their user comments.

Resource: Lonelyplanet.com's audience are mainly young, falling between the ages of 18 and 34

A message on the website reads simply: 'Dear Thorn Tree user, we're sorry to let you know we've found it necessary to temporarily close the Thorn Tree section of Lonelyplanet.com as it has come to our attention that a number of posts do not conform to the standards of the Lonely Planet website.
'As soon as we have completed the necessary editorial and technical updates we will let you know but in the meantime we are very grateful for your understanding and patience.'
Mr Fleming explained to TravelMail: 'Lonely Planetreactivelymoderates any content posted on Thorn Tree 24 hours a day and any posts breaking our guidelines are removed immediately.
'Moderation is carried out via a mix of moderation of new messages, keyword alerts, and response to reporting by users.'
It is understood that the suspension of the site relates to a post from the last 12 months and one dating back to 2007.

Posting: Users visiting the Thorn Tree forum within Lonelyplanet.com were greeted by this page

Mr Fleming added:'We're trying to determine how such inappropriate language and themes came to be posted. Until we are confident that all rogue posts can be identified and appropriate action taken, we feel we have no option but to temporarily close the site as a precautionary measure.'
Reports suggest the site will be shut for 'at least' a week but users could be given an update 'in the next few days.'
According to its advertising information pages, Lonelyplanet.com receives more than 12 million unique visitors each month.
Reputedly the web's oldest travel forum, Thorn Tree apparently has some two million Facebook fans and subscribers, and is popular with younger travellers.
The commercial arm of the corporation, BBC Worldwide paid a total of £130.2 million in two deals to acquire Lonely Planet, in 2007 and 2011.
The brand - which has sold more than 100 million guide books - was started in 1973 by founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler.

Pack your trunk! From Brazil to Sri Lanka, the destinations you will be visiting in 2013

Pack your trunk! From Brazil to Sri Lanka, the destinations you will be visiting in 2013

As the Roman god Janus - who looked both backwards and forwards - could probably have told you, sometimes a clue to the future is hidden in the past.

And so, as TravelMail peers mistily into 2013 to present its annual travel trends forecast, it is against the backdrop of 2012 that the experts are making their predictions for the coming year.

Trunks a lot: An elephant gives tourists a squirt in Sri Lanka, tipped to be popular next year

That people will travel is undisputed. A total of one billion tourists explored the globe this year despite a shaky world economy, marking a record for international tourism.

According to ABTA, The Travel Association, 'savvy consumers' will still be searching for value when it comes to booking a break next year. So no change from 2012, then.

All-inclusive breaks will still prove popular, according to ABTA - while TravelSupermarket's Bob Atkinson throws self-catering into the mix.

'Britons continue to find their disposable incomes squeezed and, as a result, the money spent on the annual family holiday has been having to work harder,' he says.

Alongside this, the travel industry is chattering about a raft of different destinations.

Fun in the sun: With a lack of sunshine on our shores last summer, families are expected to look abroad

Burma is increasingly intriguing to the inquisitive traveller, while Sri Lanka is being tipped for holiday stardom. Old European favourites, such as Spain and Portugal, are also likely to be popular..

What is also clear is that British holidaymakers - cheated of another summer of sunshine - will want guaranteed good weather next year, which will mean jetting away.

 

So where might you be travelling?

Misty in Myanmar: Since the release of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2010, Burma, as it is also known, has opened up

Asia

Burmalooks set to pique even more interest next year - and 2013 might well be the year to go before the crowds arrive. Fifty new hotels are being built as Myanmar (as Burma is now officially known) prepares to host the sporting festival of the 27th South-East Asian Games in December. Equally, holiday operator itineraries appear to be coming in thick and fast.

Elsewhere, Thomson and First Choice will be offering direct flights to the island ofPhuket, Thailand, from November 2013, with passengers travelling on the swish new 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The holiday company claims to be the only tour group with a direct connection to this sun-kissed resort - which means holidaymakers will not have to make the traditional stop in the Thai capital Bangkok.

Beach boom: Sri Lanka's tropical coastline offers a slice of paradise

British Airways will be launching a new route to Colombo,Sri Lanka, in April - which could herald fresh interest in this Indian Ocean island.

TravelMail has noted a number of companies advertising holidays to Sri Lanka's east coast next year. For example, new boutique resort The Beach House opens in this part of the country in February - an area that was distinctly out-of-bounds while the Sri Lankan civil war (which finished in 2009) was raging. With the country edging into a newly peaceful era, this stretch of shoreline, which offers white sands and myriad opportunities for snorkelling, is unlikely to be undersubscribed for much longer.

More of a travel wild card, Seoul danced onto the world stage this year largely thanks to 'Gangnam Style', the ludicrously catchy tune by local pop star PSY (which was accompanied by an equally addictive dance routine). This vibrant city has been mooted as one of next year's hot destinations. British Airways opened its new route to the city earlier this month, and the Post Office has reported a 34 per cent increase in sales of the Korean won - which suggests an appetite for exploration.

De-light: Could Seoul be one of next year's must-see destinations?

Daily Mail Deputy Travel Editor Jenny Coad says: 'Seoul is big business, and with BA's new flight, it will attract tourists who are seeking something a bit different.

'This medium-rise city is best visited in spring, when it froths and blooms - or autumn, when the thick summer air has cleared. You can party here, shop (stuff is pretty cheap), sample strange flavours and positively weird textures, and get out and about in a country that offers beaches at one end and a Cold War experience at the other - along the border with North Korea.

'There aren't many other places in the world where you can stand on such an antagonistic border safely. This is somewhere you will feel justified in buying the T-shirt.'Read more fromJenny on Seoul here.

South America

The most searched-for travel destination for Britons on Google in 2012 wasRio de Janiero, with‘Brazil’dancing into third place. TravelMail tipped the Samba State as a popular choice this year, and we expect 2013 to bring more of the same, as excitement builds in the run up to two major football tournaments - next year’s FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup.

Then, of course, comes the big one - the 2016 Olympics.

MeanwhileEcuadorhas been trending in 2012. In 2013, its capital Quito is due to open a new airport - and the nation's railways have been given a makeover, too. This, of course, is the country that stands as the gateway to the Galapagos Islands - so reasons to go are many.

Colourful city: Famous for its annual carnival, Rio will be a big hit with sports fans in the next few years

Europe

'In times of economic uncertainty many people put their faith in where they know best.'
So says ABTA, and early booking figures for summer 2013 suggest that traditional holiday hotspots will be popular destinations again next year.
Despite its economic woes,Greeceis putting in the legwork to draw tourists to its sun-blessed shores - andTurkeyis expected to be popular.Spain, the number one holiday destination for Britons this year according to more than one monitor, looks set to be high on the holiday wishlist in 2013 too, along with France, another favourite for UK holidaymakers. Keep an eye out for theFrench port cityofMarseille(which boastsnew hotels, art galleries and culinary hotspots) -one of two European capitals of culture in 2013 (alongside theSlovakiancity ofKosice).
Finally,Croatia- already a popular choice - will join the European Union next year, putting it in the spotlight. Sales of the country'skuna currency have doubled over the last five years, according to the Post Office.

Over the hump? Could Tunisia be about to regain its holiday crown?

North Africa

The Thomas Cook holiday monitor has predictedTunisiato be the growth destination of 2013 due to its 'year-round sunshine and low cost of living in resort'.
The North African country has traditionally been a popular destination for Britons - but the 2011 'Jasmine Revolution' had a considerable impact on visitor numbers. Next year, these are expected to increase again, thanks to the country's solid value, golden beaches and ancient history.
The after-shocks of the Arab Spring have largely subsided. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises that 'Tunisia is no longer experiencing the widespread unrest that occurred during the events of January 2011, and public order is maintained in most areas.'
However, it also warns that 'all travellers should be aware that spontaneous and unpredictable events such as political and industrial protests...still occur regularly throughout the country.'
Egypthas also been making a concerted effort to lure tourists put off by recent civil unrest, reopening various antiquities - although the FCO still advises against all but essential travel to some parts of the country. However,the River Nile has now been opened up to allow cruises to operate the whole 600-mile distance from Cairo to Aswan, after a closure of 15 years.

Build up: Londonderry is the only completely walled city in the British Isles

UK

After such a bumper 2012 forBritain, with the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics, 2013 might be hard to top for attention on a world scale. Aside from the patter of tiny royal feet, of course.

January 2013 marks the 200th anniversary ofJane Austen'snovel Pride And Prejudice - cue trails taking in everywhere from Hampshire and Bath to Oxford and Derbyshire.

There has also been increased interest inLondonderry. Northern Ireland's second largest city will enjoy centre-stage next year as the UK's inaugural City of Culture - twelve months of events to tempt visitors inside (and beyond) its historic walls.

Fanastical: It's easy to see why New Zealand was chosen as the backdrop to The Lord of the Rings movies

New Zealand

New Zealandreceived a blowto its tourism industry with the earthquake that struck Christchurch in 2011. But tourism officials are hoping thatnew movieThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journeywill give it a similar injection of interest to that whichThe Lord of the Ringsfilm trilogy provided. Under the spotlight will be New Zealand's inspiring natural scenery and reputation for adventure breaks.

The US

Ah America, always popular with Britons. The USA will hit the headlines in 2013 thanks to a slew of films and anniversaries.The Great Gatsby, starring Leonard DiCaprio, will put the Roaring Twenties in the frame, along with destinations such as New York and Long Island, where the novel was set (although much of the movie was shot in Sydney and wider New South Wales).

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, will commemorate150 years since the famous Civil War battle with events throughout the year.
Dallas is also planning a ceremony to mark 50 years since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, at the exact time and place where shots rang out on 22 November 1963. And if you already needed an excuse to go toNew York, Grand Central Terminal marks 100 years on February 1.
Finally,Floridais marking the state's 500th anniversary of European discovery and exploration. If that is not enough to tempt you, the state's theme parks have plenty of new attractions in store for 2013, from a 3-D ride based on theTransformersmovies at Universal's theme park in Orlando to Disney World'sPrincess Fairytale Hall, where guests can - you guessed it - meet Disney princesses.

And the wild card... Space

Looking up at the stars: This might just be the closest to space most of us get to in 2013

Next year will seespace tourismtake one giant leap for man, when Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic blasts its first passengers into orbit. While tickets cost around £120,000, some 500 people have already signed up to head for (or, at least, towards) the stars. In a report in the British Medical Journal, GPs were also warned that, one day, patients may ask for cosmic travel health advice.
Blast off!

Cruising

The popularity of cruising seems to be unstoppable, and 2013 looks set to be no different.
As finding value for money will still be important to holidaymakers, cruising - where many voyages are all-inclusive - is an ideal option for cost-conscious travellers.
The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) is predicting a growth of more than two per cent in the number of cruises taken by UK passengers next year – pushing the figure to a record 1.76 million. 

Cruising into 2013: Norwegian Breakaway is one of the eagerly awaited new ships of 2013

And the hassle-free option of boarding a cruise ship in a UK port is increasing in popularity, along with river cruising.
Says the PSA's Penny Guy: 'The popularity of cruise holidays comes from the sheer diversity of cruise itineraries, the ships themselves, the style of cruising and the unrivalled value for money.' 
There will be a number of new ship launches next year. You can read more about thesehere- but many eyes will certainly be directed towards theNorwegian Breakaway.
Adam Coulter, the UK editor,of specialist website CruiseCritic.co.uk says:
'Will it break the mould? Possibly. The designers have ripped up the rule book when it comes to cruise ship design - installing three floors of outward-facing entertainment for the first time. Traditionally, ships look onwards. So this is definitely one to watch.'
In terms of destinations,Coulter addsthat while the Mediterranean, northern Europe and the Caribbean remain top hotspots, West Africa and the Azores will become increasingly popular, with more itineraries launched to these less-seen lands.
He adds: 'Australia is booming, and has a vast and relatively unknown coastline [for British travellers]; and I think we will see more adventure cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic. Plus, Croatia is proving increasingly popular, particularly it's less-known islands.'

MY VIEW: BY FRANK BARRETT, THE MAIL ON SUNDAY TRAVEL EDITOR

Predicting the travel future: Frank Barrett

Remember the song which goes: 'I get knocked down but I get up again, you're never going to keep me down…'?**

This could be the national anthem of the travel industry - which, during 2012, was repeatedly knocked down and then had to drag itself to its feet again and again.

If it had been a boxing match, by December, when the Chancellor delivered another haymaker - this time a fresh hike in airport departure duty- it would have been humane for the referee to have stopped the match.

Yet now, as we approach the start of a new year, the holiday business is standing in its corner, battered and bruised, but confident that when the bell sounds for the new round, it will come out fighting with hopes that the contest can still be won.

There is no reason to think, however, that the industry can expect an easier ride in 2013.

National economies are still suffering and consumer confidence is low. Yet, remarkably, people are still keen to get away from it all.

In 2013, therefore, expect value-for-money to predominate. Incredibly good value holidays like self-drive self-catering holidays in France – where you can fill the car with food from home – are great options.

Cruising continues to offer outstanding value. Cruises out of the UK, which mean you don't have to run the gauntlet of UK airport security, will also become more and more popular.

If the pound continues to hold its own against the US dollar, I expect that Florida will do well.And if Egypt manages to resolve its political crisis, it can expect the bonus of a big tourist boom.

Anyway, here comes the bell: ding, ding, seconds out… Round 2013!

**Chumbawamba's 1997 hit Tubthumping. They were the band that tipped a bucket of iced water over John Prescott at the 1998 Brit Awards. Don't remember? Never mind...

Snowsports

Neil English, ski correspondent for The Mail On Sunday, writes:

Early snow has fallen in nearly unprecedented amounts over a large swathe of the Alps. Not only that, most of the storms came during sustained cold-temperature phases - meaning that resorts at all altitudes have been able to build up the snow base that is essential for a good start to the season.

Snow hope: Why not discover a less-known ski destination in France or Italy during 2013?

This is great news, as skiers and snowboarders do not have to aim solely for high altitude resorts, which generally come at a higher cost. Val d'Isere and Val Thorens in France, along with Zermatt and Verbier in Switzerland and St Anton or Ischgl in Austria, offer high altitude but also high prices.
The discerning skier will shop around in 2013. There are excellent deals out there in an economically suppressed market place. Instead of France's expensive Trois Vallees, why not explore the wonders of thePortes Du Soleil, a similar-sized ski area linking authentic (ie not purpose-built) resort villages in France and Switzerland?
Look out for small villages like Les Crosets, Champery, Torgon or Morgins - or pay a little more in better known Les Gets, Chatel or Morzine. Wherever you stay in this underrated portion of the Alps, rarely will you pay the tariffs commanded in Meribel or Courchevel.
Or why not try the 'Italian Three Valleys'. This area offers a superb range of pistes for the intermediate and strong skier, inter-linking the lesser known resorts ofChampoluc,GressoneyandAlagna. Italy offers the best value for money of all the four mainstream Alpine ski countries.
The smaller resorts at lower altitudes deserve to come into their own this winter. Take a little time to seek out the right deal and you just might find a slice of Alpine culture that has eluded you thus far.

Retailers facing an even tougher year as the squeeze on consumers continues

Retailers facing an even tougher year as the squeeze on consumers continues


Britain's battered retailers are bracing themselves for even worse trading conditions in 2013 despite glimmers of light during the winter sales.

High street chains will be hit by a triple whammy of gloom as austerity measures drag down consumer confidence and squeeze real incomes further, a report has warned.

An undersupply of retail property could also curb plans for larger store expansions, research from accountant KPMG and Ipsos shows, heaping further pressure on retailers to develop innovative schemes to drive sales and survive.

Anti-climax: Despite impressive Boxing Day sales, the high street is bracing itself for more gloom.

The current year has been one of the worst ever seen for store chains as established household names disappeared.

Electrical group Comet bit the dust after falling into the clutches of private equity. JJB Sports announced plans for a pre-packed administration, while Clinton Cards collapsed and 160-year-old Aquascutum, which had dressed Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother, failed.

The focus is now on music chain HMV, which is in intensive care having warned it is likely to breach key loan agreements with its banks next month.

The market for music and video is set to be one of the biggest losers next year shrinking by 6.3 per cent.

The internet is expected to account for 80.1 per cent of all music and video sales in 2013 as more people opt for cheaper prices online and digital streaming grows in popularity, says research firm Verdict.

 

HMV’s future will be decided by the owners of its debt, rather than its suppliers, which include American vulture fund Apollo Global Management which snapped up 10pc of HMV’s loans and plans to own more.

Verdict shows that UK retail  is set to grow by 1.8 per cent in 2013 with total spending hitting £300.7billion.
This is nowhere near pre-recession growth levels, but it is the highest rate since the downturn began.

But the research firm says  this is largely due to rising prices.Online retailers will also need to target shoppers over the age of 55 who have more to spend than hard-up twenty-somethings.

As the rate of empty shops in town centres has reached a new high of 11.3 per cent, the British Retail Consortium is also asking MPs to prioritise listening to local businesses to help halt High Street decline.
BRC director general Helen Dickinson said: ‘The Autumn statement did not include a pledge to freeze business rates next year, but there is still time for the Government top do the right thing.

‘Another steep rise would pose a serious threat to vulnerable town centres and mean fewer jobs, especially for young people.’