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Florence holds a sumptuous medieval fireworks festival, the 'explosion of the cart', in piazza del Duomo on Easter Sunday. Almost all museums are open (except on Monday when they tend to close anyway), and there's some of the best open-air sightseeing in Europe, with the piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio and piazzale Michelangelo to visit. Most bars and restaurants have terraces or put tables out (many have canopies in case of rain too!).
It's usually warm to very warm spring weather. You can fly direct to Florence from Gatwick with Meridiana or to Pisa (one hour train ride) from Bristol with Easyjet. Both flights are around two hours.
Every new year, Valpo is home to the biggest and best fireworks display in South America.
Over a million people from Chile and abroad descend on the city for one huge party. Hotels need to be booked by October at the latest (prices 3-5 times normal) and reconfirmed at least 3-4 times in December to ensure they're honoured.
The fireworks used to be only in Valparaiso but now stretch 20-30km all the way along the cost to Con Con. The display lasts almost half an hour.
The best place to watch them is on Cerro Concepcion and Alegre where the police are out in force making it the safest area to be.
youtube.com/watch?v=jZnkUdb5Q34
All over Valpo
Nit in Vela is Valencia's answer to the White Nights that have taken pace in other European cities, such as Rome, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona in recent years.
On the 31st of March, from 8pm, for over eight hours several of the major thoroughfares and plazas, and particularly the Rio Turia, Valencia's wonderful Park, will see over thirty spectaculars. From theatre to music to dance to acrobatics and fireworks. It's all to celebrate the beginning of the America's Cup, which takes place from April to July in the port.
The historic centre of Valencia, For much more information on the event and all things Valencia. www.thisisvalencia.com/newinvalencia.html
Up to 2 million visitors in Fallas to watch some of the most incredible firework displays, both day and night.
Yes, daytime fireworks, or Máscletas, a display of noise and smoke mainly, so loud you are advised to keep your mouth open to avoid bursting your eardrums!
To see examples of a Mascletà, click the link, if you are not at work, turn the volume up to experience them properly!
Well worth timing a summer visit to be there when the North Show is on which includes the Battle of the Flowers and a fab firework display.
Christmas Eve in the small town of Remedios, is when the town's two neighbourhoods compete with fireworks and floats. The party goes on all night, and Cubans come from miles around, to drink rum, dance and set off hundreds of fireworks at each other!
It's a brilliant night, for meeting Cubans and enjoying the real fiesta experience. Everything is in Cuban pesos too, so it's mind-bogglingly cheap.
Staying in Remedios is a bit tricky - as everyone has their families over for the festival, but being Cuba they'll squeeze you in somewhere. There is also a small hotel in the main square - Hotel Mascotte.
Rent a car on Christmas Day, and drive along the stunning causeway out to Caya Santa Maria and spend Christmas on the beach!
But remember your passports, immigration control is heavy on the causeway to the islands.
Santa Clara is the nearest big town to Remedios - just get a local bus, or taxi, although getting back out on Christmas Day is difficult - far easier to go to the beach, and wait for Boxing Day.
We travelled from Trinidad, where we stayed at Casa Alicia y Miguel, Frank Pais street.
We finished our two week trip in the Hotel Santa Isabel, Plaza Armas, Havana - after so many casas, it was pure indulgence to spend one night in a nice hotel and well worth the vast expense!
Remedios is around 15 miles from Santa Clara.
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