From foam parties in the Balearics to beer goggles Down Under, SARA SMITH has toured clubland to compile this definitive list of the top 10 international destinations for banging beats and stomping feet.

IBIZA: For the clubbing experience of a lifetime, look no further than the Spanish island of Ibiza.

Famous for crowds of party-goers and miles upon miles of golden sandy beaches, it's not branded The Summer Party Capital of the World' for nothing!

Ibiza has more clubs, pre-bars and after-parties than there are pebbles on Brighton beach, and even the most determined clubber would be hard-pushed to see them all.

Its seven main venues Space, Privilege, Amnesia, Eden, Pacha, El Divino and Es Paradis boast the biggest and best-named DJs. As for music, there's funky house, dirty house, hard house, jackin house, techno and trance. If you can rave to it, it's there!

Don't expect it to be cheap; you can get a week's B+B from a reasonable £300, but the extras add up very quickly. Most club nights will cost from 30-60 euros at the door and then drinks can be anything up to 10 euros.

* www.ibiza-spotlight.com has all you need to know about holidaying in Ibiza

UK - LONDON: The capital of the UK and the original capital of clubland. With thousands of clubs, pubs and bars, in London the party never stops.

It might not have golden sandy beaches, but who cares when it offers so much else! No matter what your taste in music or financial limitations, London guarantees something for everyone.

And the best thing about it? It's right on the doorstep! If you want to go all out, try club Egg or the Ministry of Sound from Saturday night until 7am on Sunday, followed by Wrong at Masque till 6pm on Sunday night, finishing up at Retox at Sosho till the early hours of Monday.

Then, if you still want more, you can go to The Whipping House open right up until Monday afternoon!

* Check out www.dontstayin.com for the best place to plan London nights out

CYPRUS - AYIA NAPA: Want something a little less hardcore than the hedonism of Ibiza? Then Ayia Napa might be right up your street.

This up-and-coming resort in East Cyprus has established itself as a serious rival to Ibiza.

Music here is mainly for the Garage and R 'n' B crowd, but 19 clubs within a one-mile radius cater for most tastes. Castle Club, The Abyss and Kool Club are not to be missed, and if you're looking for something a bit different, then head to Ice Ku which holds regular foam and popcorn parties.

Clubs are generally open until 4am but after parties, such as Insomnia, are open till 10am.

Expect to pay about £8-14 for pounds club entrance and £1.50-£5 for a drink. A seven-night B+B package holiday costs from £300.

* www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/ travel/miniguides/ayia_napa has a great guide to the club scene

HOLLAND - AMSTERDAM: Renowned for its laissez-faire attitudes, Amsterdam in Holland offers a different kind of clubbing experience. The gay scene is huge it has been said that no other city in Europe is as gay friendly.

Nightlife mainly rotates around two main squares Leidseplein, with cafes, bars and clubs; and Rembrandtplein, home to a trendier crowd and most of the gay venues.

Clubs such as iT, Exit and De Trut all offer gay-only nights, but be warned many uphold strict no-lesbian policies. Don't be disheartened, however, as club C.O.C holds lesbian only nights on Saturdays.

Music policies vary; you'll find anything from Acid Jazz to Techno, Trance to Hardcore, and with a tolerant reputation towards drugs, sex and booze, nights in Amsterdam are like no other in Europe.

So close by, a weekend break in Amsterdam can come from as little as £150.

* www.seethru.co.uk/zine/guides/- amsterdam/clubs.htm will point you in the right direction

BRAZIL - RIO DE JANEIRO: Hailed The Marvellous City', Rio in Brazil is a place that knows how to party!

If you want to get the most out of it, then be there for the annual street carnival. Held over four days and nights, it's one of the biggest street parties in the world.

With hundreds of bands, floats, drag acts and dancers, all careering madly down streets in a flurry of colour, this is a party you won't forget.

What's more it's free!

If you can't make the carnival then don't worry, Rio has plenty more to offer. The diverse club scene is evolving, and local newspapers list events each Friday.

That said, Rio is a place of spontaneity, so you'll need to keep your ears and eyes open to find out about last-minute street parties.

Package holidays to Rio start at £900 for 12 nights B+B in mid-July.

* www.explore-rio.com is an excellent resource if you want to know more

MEXICO - CANCUN: With everything Cancun in Mexico has to offer, it's no surprise that it's the number one spring break destination for young Americans.

With its heady mix of luxury, class and exotic surroundings, as well as top American DJs travelling down from Miami and California, it's party heaven.

Music varies, but the majority of clubs sport different rooms with wide selections of Techno, Hip-Hop, Rock, Salsa and Dance.

Most also offer an open bar' option; this means paying US$25-50 to cover entrance and all drinks.

Top venues include LaBoom, G Spot, The City and Dady O, but the one that everyone returns to is Coco Bongos. With its array of floor shows, acrobats and dancers, it's not just a club it's an experience!

Prices for a week's self-catering start from about £700.

* www.escapades.co.uk/cancun-guide is the place to check out for information on Cancun

GRAN CANARIA - PLAYA DEL INGLES: For an exhilarating mix of sand, sea and hardcore clubbing, Gran Canaria won't disappoint. This glorious resort boasts sunshine 340 days a year and has so many clubs you'll have to come back if you want to visit them all.

Most bars, not including the super clubs, are free to get in, and happy hour lasts the majority of the day.

The Kasbah and Plaza are where you'll find the best clubs; look out for Zig Zag, Nellies, Scandic and Harley Rock playing a mix of R 'n' B, Funky House and Dance.

Ladies don't miss the Hippodrome on a Wednesday, with its muscle-bound male strippers doing their thing.

A week self-catering in July starts from £330.

* www.club18-30.com has plenty to say about Gran Caneria's nightlife

AUSTRALIA - SYDNEY: With more than 70 miles of coastline, Sydney is by far Australia's largest city and undisputed clubbing capital.

Whether you visit Kings Cross, boasting of cheap pubs, off-the-wall clubs and its very own red light district, or upmarket Darling Harbour, the waterside wonderland', you won't be disappointed.

For the ultimate clubbing venue you have to visit Cockle Bay, residence to the legendary Home nightclub. Opening in 1998, Home was Australia's first purpose-built super club. Playing music that includes Trance, House, Breaks, Drum and Bass and Hip Hop, and spread over five levels of futuristic architecture, it makes for an awesome experience.

Shopping around is key to getting a good deal. Flights start from £700 and basic accommodation ranges from £8-30 a night.

* www.thefunkyway.com gives you loads of info on the best places to hit in Sydney

ASIA - SINGAPORE: Singapore might not be the first place you'd think of for clubbing destinations, but recent years have seen it morph into a clubbing hotspot.

This 24-hour city offers a wealth of venues and, whilst they are not quite as hedonistic as many, they still provide for fantastic nights out. Most clubs are open until 3am, but 24-hour coffee bars will serve you until sunrise.

You'll never have time to fit all the clubs into one holiday, but be sure to take a visit to Attika,Thumper, Indochine Wisma and, most definitely, Zouk.

Zouk is a legendary club and haunt of some of the world's most famous DJs, including Paul Oakenfold, Sasha and Seb Fontaine. Frequented by a diverse crowd from all walks of life, the club's motto One World, One Music, One Tribe, One Dance' sums it up perfectly.

A week in Singapore during mid-July will set you back about £1,200 but, once there, it is relatively inexpensive; a bottle of beer costs 90p and a three-course meal as little as £9.

* www.singaporeexpats.com for all you need to know about Singapore

WALES - CARDIFF: Sporting a huge university and a population of more than 280,000, the Welsh capital's nightlife packs one hell of a punch.

The club scene is innovative and seriously upbeat, and the general atmosphere is second to none. There are plenty of clubs to choose from Vision, Creation, Evolution and Emporium being high up on the list, as well as a wealth of bars and pre-clubs.

Pick the right night and you'll find regular guest appearances from DJs Lisa Lashes, Anne Savage and Judge Jules.

Most clubs stay open until 4am, 6am if you're lucky. Plus Cardiff locals are a welcoming bunch and it's rare to find any trouble. You might want to avoid rugby days however, as things can get a bit heated!

* www.mycardiff.net is a great site for all bar and club listings in Cardiff.