The Greek island of Skopelos in the Western Aegean has long been a favourite of ours.  Since our first visit in 1997 we've been drawn back many times, even holding our wedding there a few years ago.  Obviously we weren't the only ones to think it would be the perfect setting for a wedding.  Last year Hollywood film-makers chose it as Mamma Mia's island.

We were there in September last year whilst the filming was taking place so it was great to share in the anticipation in June this year when everyone crowded into the tiny open-air cinema to watch the Greek premiere. 

The scenery needs no enhancement for the big screen.  The locals proudly tell visitors that in 1997 the Biopolitics International Organisation awarded Skopelos the title "Green and Blue Island."

 

After the initial excitement the islanders took the Hollywood stars in their stride and were soon referring to them like old friends. "Meryl" had eaten at this or that taverna, and "Pierce" had been seen buying jewellery and local honey for his wife.

There was Meryl now up on the screen, driving like a Greek, weaving chaotically around hairpin bends on an unmade road that was little more than a goat-track. 

There was great excitement as familiar landmarks appeared. There was Kastani, the beautiful secluded beach the film crew made their own, not quite so secluded or quiet with Julie Walters, Colin Firth and the rest, dancing and belting out Abba songs for all they were worth.  Feet started tapping and each number was greeted with a round of applause, in spite of the general agreement that Pierce Brosnan was no Bjorn when it came to singing!

 

Skopelos has an abundance of gorgeous white sand and shingle beaches.  You might have to walk a bit but it's worth it when you pitch your umbrella in your own remote corner.  You can cool off after your trek with a swim in bright turquoise sea so clear you'll see your shadow below as you swim.

And there was the tiny white monastery of Agios Ioannis perched high on the rock where the film wedding was to take place.  The director was turned down, firmly but good-naturedly, when he asked the local volunteer extras to sprint up the steep mountain road.  In this heat?  In these shoes?

At 11.30 pm, when the film had ended and we'd all mopped our tears of laughter at the antics of the stars at the end - I won't spoil it for you if you haven't yet seen it but don't leave as soon as the credits come up, you'll be missing a treat - everyone headed out to eat.

There are lots of great restaurants and tavernas to choose from.  You can eat and drink Shirley Valentine style - remember that?  Try Pablo's at Agnondas - your table will be set right at the edge of the sea.  It's a great vantage point to watch the sunset and the fried calamari is to die for. 

Or try Perivoli in town where Reginos conjures a wonderful array of dishes.  Here your table is in his garden where he grows all his own vegetables.  The ceiling is made of vines and if you visit when the grapes are harvested you will be given a bunch to accompany dessert - I can highly recommend his almond cake.  I think Meryl can too, I saw her sampling some!

New York

New York is one of the most amazing cities in the world, and is (in my mind) the best holiday destination in the United States. The city is probably the most metropolitan in the world, but it has so much to do that it is truly fantastic. If your thing is restaurants, there is no restaurant better than the Jekyll and Hyde restaurant. Not only is the food great, the atmosphere is excellent and you do get the odd scare there too. If you're more into sight-seeing, there's so much to see. The Empire State Building, Ground Zero, Central Park, Statue of Liberty and so much more.

California

Opposed to New York, California actually has a lot more to do. Probably because it is a full state, while NYC is just a city (though that is often forgotten by foreign tourists). If your thing is cinema, heading to Los Angeles and Hollywood is a must, where you can see the glitz and the glamour of the movie industry. If you're into history and a laid back city, San Francisco is the place to go. San Jose is also worth visiting if you can find the time.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas truly is a gambler's paradise, but that isn't all it is. Sure, Vegas is heaven to most gamblers, but it also has a lot to offer the everyday tourist. While they might get dragged into the casinos, there is a lot more to do. There are dozens of golf courses littered around the city, and the fact that such a thriving city could be built in the middle of a desert is a testament to human ingenuity. But, if you're just looking for gambling, this is the place to go.

Boston

I remember travelling to Boston about 6 or 7 years ago. I was going to visit a friend, and when I arrived, I was astounded. It was my first time in the US, and the buildings were the first thing to amaze me. The sheer height, we didn't have anything like that back home in Ireland. There is a lot to do in Boston though besides staring at tall buildings and drinking lemonade, such as visiting the Prudential Centre or the Institute of Contemporary Art. Something else which I enjoyed was the DUCK tour, which gave me an amazing insight into the city.

Chicago

Home of the Cubs, deep dish pizza and the Sears Tower, Chicago is the place to be. Well, visit. Chicago is just a great place to be. Like New York and Boston, Chicago has real seasons, so it is also great for snow in the winter if you're from an area where it doesn't snow (cough, Ireland, cough). Chicago also has a great theatre district, so it's perfect for theatre buffs too.

Before I came I wondered, guessed and even fantasised about Los Angeles, Hollywood and surounding areas and I thought you might like to know a thing or two; that's all it will be a thing or two.

Now why should I know so much about LA - as we got to call it -and why should I be setting myself up as some kind of expert? Well I'm not an expert but I still see things here like a child as I am relatively new to the place and I've been here long enough to know it very well.

Los Angeles has more theatres per capita than anywhere I know, more book shops, coffee shops and is the capital of world cinema.

Because it is the cinema capital - not counting Bollywood of course - there are many great movie houses with the latest screens and sound systems; you usually see movies here before anyone else on earth.

My favourite cinemas are the ArcLight on Sunset Boulevard at Vine and Laemmle's Sunset 5 which is an "art house" - you will see British movies like "Layer Cake" and "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" there and the latest blockbusters at the aforementiioned ArcLight.

Weekend conversations and news bulletins report the movie box office like the football results would be reported in Britain and there are many programmes on the radio about money; the stock market, insurance and "nine eleven" - but that's only on National Public Radio which is the equivalent to the BBC - except it's not run by licence fees; they have fund drives twice a year and if you are ever subject to a fund drive you would beg for the BBC and the licence system.

On the TV News nearly every day in Los Angeles they mention some murder - most of them are gang related so the best thing you can do is not go to South Central LA or even East LA; stay on the west side; it's safer.

But there are lots of guns here so don't be too complacent.

Apart from the police, who carry holstered pistols and some security guards at stores who sometimes carry guns, I have seen one gun in 13 years; that was shown to me by a fellow immigrant in the privacy of a house - oh yes there was that time when I was driving up Fairfax Avenue and I saw someone lying in the gutter with a policeman standing over him with a rifle - but I'd nearly forgotten about that!

I compare gun incidents to roads accidents in the UK; they are on the news, in the newspapers and you hear about them all the time but most of them are over by the time you arrive.

Los Angeles is full of crazy people - crazy in the nicest possible way; there is the guy who runs backwards everywhere: one day it rained so he called his run off but instead of going home forwards to get out of the rain quicker he ran backwards; now that's dedication; there are people who like their coffee half caffeine and half decaff with a dash of mocha and a dash of vanilla - coffee is important to them and is a way of life.

I go to the Farmer's Market most days; the wonderful Farmer's Market on the corner of Third and Fairfax for my large decaff and a doughnut from Bob's - right next to Patsy's Pizza where James Dean took his last bite before heading off to become a legend on September 30th 1955; there are loads of places like that where something famous and infamous happened years ago. I live around the corner from the hotel where Janis Joplin died from an overdose, I viewed an apartment where Devine died - Devine from the John Waters films - in fact you will see mock hearses driving the tourists around showing them where so and so died.

Of course because I have that doughnut most days I have to go to the gym and there are plenty of those - only here you are not allowed to use mobile (cell) phones in the changing rooms; with so many celebrities around you never know who is in there getting changed and what part of their anatomy might be getting photographed or filmed and ending up on YouTube.

You can decide yourself the type of theme vacation you want.

For example, suppose you're an entrepreneur and you like to travel but you also like to keep in touch with business innovations and business ideas.

You can include a business themed vacations. Include visits to local businesses in the area that might also have an interest for people visiting that area. If you have a certain type of business, like a toy store, for example, or a candy store, then you can visit toy stores and candy stores on your vacation. You can also include trade shows in your vacation itinerary.

You can have children-friendly themed vacation, where you include in your itinerary places of interest to children--restaurants with children-friendly menus, toy stores, toy factories, candy factories, museums for children, children's bookstore, zoos and circuses.

Maybe you have a hobby like collecting art jewelry. Then you include visits to galleries and stores that sell art jewelry.

Maybe you have an interest in architecture. Include the great architectural cities.

Maybe you're an art enthusiast. What are the cities for artists and for art collectors?

Maybe you're a gourmet or a gourmand? What are the great cities for foods? What are the great restaurants in those cities? The best of the best? Watching the Food Channel can give you many ideas for cities with great foods.

Maybe it's a lovers vacations? What are the great cities for lovers?

Maybe you like fashion? What are the fashion capitals of the world?

Maybe you just like to shop? What cities have the finest and greatest shops? Gift shopping? Collectibles shopping?

Maybe you're a pilgrim? What are the great spiritual cities for pilgrimages?

Maybe you like to gamble--but responsibly? The great gambling cities.

Maybe you like sports? What are the great cities for sports enthusiasts?

Maybe you have your own sports hobby? Biking? Fishing? What are the great vacations for your sports hobby?

There are many ideas for themed vacations. Think of what you like and what you like doing? If it's group travel, think of the others in your group. Maybe others have similar hobbies and similar interests and you can do group-friendly travel with business people, art enthusiasts, literature enthusiasts, responsible gambling enthusiasts, sports enthusiasts.

These are themed vacations.

Talk to your travel agent about helping you to design or custom-designed a themed vacation. Perhaps your travel agent also has discounts or maps or guidebooks focussed on themed vacations.