Like most people I sang in front of the mirror with a hairbrush as a microphone and always harboured that dream of being a popstar. And, like most people, I couldn't, and still can't sing a note. My singing is reserved for the shower nowadays and I believed there it would stay. That was, however, until I heard about singing holidays.

Singing vacations give holidaymakers the chance to tune up their voice while enjoying a break, usually at a luxurious country house (with no neighbours to hear your attempts at Whitney or Mariah).

The break features tuition from top singing teachers and you can choose exactly what type of singing you want to perfect.

Try a jazz singing holiday for instance. You can usually bring your own favourite songs and with the help of the experts turn them into a show-stopping performance.

Or go for a musical break where you will learn how to put on your very own stage show and perform the masterpiece at the end of your stay.

Most singing holiday providers also feature seasonal breaks. A Christmas music break gives guests the opportunity to carol sing like a professional and learn different vocal arrangements to some classic Christmas songs.

Singing holidays are also great social occasions. After learning to sing together and performing as a group you get the chance to relax with a meal and a few drinks and get to know your fellow budding singers.

A singing holiday is ideal for amateur singers who want to brush up on their skills and enjoy a spot of luxury while they're at it. Now I'm off to get my hairbrush out and book my trip…

When you're off on holiday, you don't really pay attention to the transport. The plane, ship, or train is just a means to get you to where you want to go. But that's not the case at the Aurora-Express hotel in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Aurora-Express consists of seven Railroad cars converted into a luxury hotel. The Cars have views of the Tenana River, the Alaskan Mountain Range and the City of Fairbanks.

The hotel has a large outdoor deck for where guests can enjoy barbecues or relax in the warm summer evenings and a Diner car where breakfast is served at 8am daily.

The Railroad cars have been decorated elegantly and many of the rooms have their own theme. The National Domain car has been renovated into four suites featuring queen-sized beds and private baths and entrances.

The CanCan room has a 10-foot ceiling, crystal chandeliers, and antiques. It is decorated with costumes, paintings, fabrics, colours and fixtures reminiscent of the period in which the CanCan was first performed.

The Arlene car is a private 85–foot car with two bedrooms including a queen size bed and two twin beds. This car also features a private bath, kitchen and living room with a T.V.

Fairbanks is the second largest city in the state of Alaska. It is 45 minutes from Anchorage by air and three hours from Seattle.

A stay at the Aurora Express hotel and you'll never look at transport in the same way again!