But choosing the right destination is child's play with our top long-haul holiday picks.

Caribbean - With a wide range of islands to choose from, you'll be spoilt for choice. Bargain hunters should opt for Cuba, Dominican Republic or Jamaica which have dedicated charter services from the UK. They all offer great value for money.

Alternatively, pick ever popular classics, such as Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia. Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago all have flights direct from the UK, as do the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and Puerto Rico. And new services are now operating to St Kitts and Nevis.

Mexico - Cancun, Riviera Maya and Playacar are just some of the great resorts accessible on charter and scheduled flights from the UK. They all offer great value for money for long-haul holidays, and Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast is now accessible from the UK on non-stop flights too.

Thailand - The charms of the Far East are evident throughout Thailand's beach resorts. Phuket to Krabi, Pattaya to Hua Hin, Koh Samui to Khao Lok - they all offer a range of faraway holiday deals in picture perfect settings. New charter flights for 2014 to Phuket make the island easier to reach.

Indian Ocean - Some of the best value holidays can be found in Goa, the Indian resort area on the West Coast, or in Sri Lanka, further south. The Maldives offer an excellent long-haul destination for those seeking peace and quiet, although expect to pay more here than many other destinations due to their remoteness. Don't forget Mauritius, the Seychelles and the Indian Ocean resorts along the Kenyan coast.

The Middle East - Dubai is already well known for great value shopping and beach breaks, and it's a firm favourite, with direct flights from six UK airports and high quality hotels. Abu Dhabi and Oman are rapidly catching up as other great destinations for a long-haul holiday in the region.

Cape Verde - This is an up and coming long-haul destination, offering Caribbean style climate off the West African coast and great value beach breaks to its islands. Non-stop charter flights have made this destination more and more accessible.

South Africa - Fly to Cape Town for the beaches of the south west or into Durban for Indian Ocean breakers, and couple either area up with wineries, safaris and world-class entertainment, restaurants and hotels.

Florida - With mile after mile of beaches, the sunshine state is packed with places to go. Atlantic breakers pound the east coast resorts of Daytona, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, the Florida Keys string out south of the state becoming ever more Caribbean the further south you go, and the warm waters of the ocean make beaches on the western coast a must-stop location. Think Clearwater, St Petersburg and Naples.

These are some of the most popular destinations for British travellers.

The USA - New York is the most popular. This east coast city packs a punch and its 24-hour life will have you busy at all times of the day and night. Boston makes a quieter alternative, with its historic links to the Kennedys and the original settlers from Europe. Philadelphia offers the Liberty Bell and your chance to imitate Rocky on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Washington, the nation's capital, is packed with museums and sightseeing, Miami rocks its cool art deco South Beach, and New Orleans packs a punch with its musical heritage and diverse cultural make up. Or, head west to Los Angeles and San Francisco for a laidback west coast vibe.

Canada - Toronto has a big city feel, with the impressive CN Tower and views over the lake. Montreal and Quebec offer French charm, and Vancouver, out west, is a melting pot of pan pacific food, culture and people in one of the best settings of any city. It sits beside the ocean and in the foothills of the mountains of British Columbia.

The Middle East - Cairo gives you ancient history, the Pyramids and Sphinx, as well as the fantastic main museum with its Tutankhamen exhibits. Dubai works not just as a beach holiday, but also for a city break, with fantastic shopping, entertainment and even an indoor ski slope to practice your winter sports skills.

South Africa - Cape Town might be a 12-hour flight away, but it has pretty much no jet lag and so works well for short breaks as well as longer holidays. Table Mountain soars above the city centre, but you can also head out of town to the wine areas of the Cape and to see the penguins at Boulders.

The Far East - Bangkok is our most popular destination, with its palaces, markets and frenetic pace making it a real mix of ancient and modern. Hong Kong still packs a punch with its dramatic harbour setting, and Singapore offers a great place to spend a week exploring the shops, theme parks and nightlife.

So where would you like to go on your cruise holiday? 

The Caribbean is an excellent starting place for anyone looking for a long-haul cruise holiday. Cruise from the Florida ports of Miami and Fort Lauderdale or pick up your ship in San Juan or Barbados.

Alaskan cruises get you into the beautiful surroundings of the most northerly of the US states, with stunning glaciers and wildlife. Many ships now ply their trade in the Middle East, taking in the highlights of the Gulf States, or head east to destinations such as China, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia where itineraries become ever more creative each year.

South American and Panama Canal trips will get your Latin rhythms shaking and you can even circumnavigate the Cape Horn, passing from the south Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Cruising the Pacific and the islands of Australia and New Zealand is a perfect introduction to this huge area, without the need to constantly pack and fly in between destinations.

Finally, if you have around three months to spare, you can sail off on a journey around the world. Each year in early January, several ships set off from the UK to sail around the globe. And with trips starting from around £10,000 per person, they can be a bargain way of seeing the world.