Articles by: Amy

For the first time in four years the amount of holiday makers from the UK increased in 2011 when compared to previous years. Since the emergence of the credit crunch the ever popular ‘staycation’ had become a feature for most British families and the number of holiday makers heading to popular overseas destinations had been in steady decline.

Figures from the office of National Statistics seem to suggest that all that has changed, beginning last summer, when overseas bookings rose by 0.8 per cent. This trend looks set to continue in 2012 as over 100,000 more people jetted off in February 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, with over 3 million Brits heading to the continent looking to escape the cold snap. It is good to see that the British holiday market has shown a bit of resilience and in the face of shaky consumer confidence on the high street and ever present economic gloom the industry was able to grow.

These latest figures show that rather than giving up on over seas holidays completely, many Brits are looking towards the greater financial security offered by tour operators and package holidays that are a little closer to home – but just not in Britain! Something that has seen an increase in popularity is shorter breaks and quick getaways. While the big ‘two weeker’ in the summer is still the mainstay of many overseas holiday makers from the UK, many people (particularly couples) are looking to take advantage of last minute deals on short breaks. On average the British household spends around £3,900 on overseas holidays.

This post was written by Andrew from www.majorcanholidays.co.uk – a great resource for reviews of resorts and hotels in Majorca for anybody looking to travel there.

With a sense of enthusiasm and expectation developing in the UK, some appealing events to be held later this year are adding to the excitement. The City of London will yet again come under the microscope and with a flood of visitors from foreign shores and UK residents wishing to take advantage of the planned activities, hotel rooms will be difficult to find and expensive to book for holidays and extended breaks. With a lack of suitably priced accommodation, apartments available for rent could represent an alternative choice. When considering holiday rentals, London is the place to be to fully enjoy some historic events and with serviced apartments in the city of London, you can’t go wrong.

Expectation is being driven by occasions such as the London Olympics (27 July -12 August), the Paralympics (29 August until 9 September) and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations to commemorate 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.

Activities for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee have been arranged to celebrate this historic occasion and will centre around the long weekend of 2-5 June.

A special bank holiday has been agreed for the 5 June to ensure people across the UK can take part in the celebrations. Community activities will be encouraged to ensure that for those not able to visit the main events in London, an event of their own can be organised to add a local flavour to the celebrations.

The events taking place in London are expected to attract huge numbers of people from all over the world. Hotels will be operating at almost full capacity and prices will increase significantly during this period. For groups of friends or family thinking about booking cheap serviced apartments, London has a number of options to meet even the most demanding of requests.

Events taking place in May and June include the Parade and Muster at Windsor on 19 May. Some 2500 troops from the armed forces will parade through this most royal of towns and they will be joined by a fly past of historical and current forces aircraft. This moving tribute will give onlookers a rare opportunity to witness an inspiring parade of the UK’s highly regarded soldiers, sailors and pilots and for military enthusiasts this unique event is not to be missed. Windsor is easily accessible and with a large number of properties available as holiday rentals in London, these will provide an ideal base to enjoy the show.

The Epsom Derby is another historic event that the Queen will attend on 2 June. Famed for her love of horses, jockeys will race for the honour of winning a Derby that will form the opening event of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Although many of these events will be broadcast around the world, being there and soaking up the atmosphere will be hard to beat. With the hassle taken out of finding a place to stay with a range of holiday rentals London will create memories that will stay with you forever.

This summer will see the Olympic and Paralympic Games come to London after a long and drawn out six year wait. The official start date of the Olympics is the 27th July, but the torch relay actually begins its journey on the 19th May. Starting in Land’s End, the torch will be carried by 8,000 torchbearers the length and breadth of Britain in a relay lasting 70 days.

The Olympic torch route will pass through some wonderfully characteristic places in the UK, giving the country a chance to show off some of the best tourist spots and let the rest of Britain get involved in the Olympic Games. The torch will travel through cities and some of the more picturesque spots in the UK, so where is the best place the view the torch from? If you haven’t managed to get tickets for any of the events then viewing the torch on it’s route around the British Isles is a great way to get involved

Here we have gathered together few suggestions on where you can not only see the Olympic torch but would be a great place to spend a week if you’re planning a good old British summer holiday this year.

Inverness
One of Scotland’s most popular destinations, Inverness is set to have the torch pass through its streets on the 9th June. This northern city is close to Loch Ness and perfectly situated for visits to many great sites in the Scottish Highlands, such as the Cairngorms National Park, so seeing the Olympic torch will just add to the whole experience for you and your family.

Hexham
The Olympic torch will reach the quaint Northumbrian market town of Hexham on Saturday 16th June, on day 29 of its journey. Residents of Northumberland will be treated to plenty of chances to see the torch, but visitors will particularly enjoy a trip to Hexham because of its setting and character. It is only about 25 miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Whitby
Day 31 on the torch journey will see it pass through one of Yorkshire’s finest coastal towns. Whitby is a historic fishing town that  was known more for the whaling in the past few centuries, but the abbey is promenantly featured in Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel which has turned it into somewhat of a cult Gothic town. There are lots of holiday cottages around the Whitby area which would be a good way to spend a week while catching sight of the Olympic torch, as the torch is only around Whitby for two hours.

Bowness
Bowness is famously one of the most aesthetically pleasing and welcoming places in the whole of the Lake District. The torch will reach the pier at about 18.45pm on the 21st June, so get your camera to the ready and prepare to make your time in the Lake District even more culturally significant.

Buxton
Day 42 of the journey will see the torch reach Buxton at about 5pm. The Derbyshire market town is also known as the ‘gateway to the Peak District’, much like Kendal is the ‘gateway to the Lake District’, so it is perfectly located for a true British holiday. The fact that the Olympic torch will pass through there is an added bonus.

There is plenty to do through out the UK during the Olympic period it’s not all about London. There are some fantastic places to stay throughout the UK and Regional Cottages has put together a list of holiday cottages avaliable to watch the Olympic torch relay from.

The torch’s journey will end at the Olympic Park on 27th July, ready to light the torch to end the six year journey and kick the Games off in style – then the celebrations will really begin!

Saving money and being environmentally friendly often go hand in hand: people cut down on their energy use to save on fuel bills, people eat less meat to save money and some decide to go on certain types of holiday breaks. The West Country is perhaps the best place to enjoy a green holiday, and in Cornwall, camping is the ideal eco-friendly activity.

Image courtesy of PitchUp.com

While looking for campsites in Devon and Cornwall, it’s important to bear a number of things in mind. Nearby amenities such as shops, pubs and on-site facilities are worth looking for, especially toilets, showers and, if necessary, Wi-Fi hotspots. You also need to think about equipment needed: taking cooking equipment could be a lot cheaper and less time-consuming than trying to find the nearest shop, especially if you’re camping somewhere off the beaten track.

Devon and Cornwall are packed with campsites, each of them offering fantastic views, plentiful local activities and attractions and fresh air. You could go walking along the jagged coastline of North Devon, explore the many wonders of Dartmoor, go kayaking or surfing just off the Cornish coast or, if you fancy something to do on a warm summer’s evening, go on a pub crawl in some of the local villages or towns.

Image courtesy of PitchUp.com

Camping holidays in the West Country, as well as the rest of the UK, are much more environmentally friendly than other types of holiday. When camping, you’re not constantly using electricity to keep you warm or bathed in sunlight, you rely on nature for light, you don’t drive everywhere like you would if staying at a hotel or B&B, and get to do more outdoor activities. Camping is also a lot cheaper, as you don’t have to fork out hundreds of pounds for hotel fees or thousands for a caravan.

For further information about Devon or Cornwall camping you can visit PitchUp.com

I don’t know about you but every time I travel, I find myself being held up more an more in security checks at airports. I’m more than happy for these checks to happen and realise it is part and parcel of the current climate that we are all travelling under these days. In all my years of using airports and going through security I can honestly say that I’ve never actually seen anyone who was arrested for smuggling something but I’m usually too tired or busy with my own bags to notice, maybe I’ll pay more attention next time!?

Online voucher code specialist Netvouchercodes.co.uk have put together an interesting infographic showing some of the most bizzare “collars” that custom officials have made. Must remember to put my Chameleon under my hat next time instead of on top of it!!

Source: NetVoucherCodes.co.uk

Golfers of all ages regularly travel the world to enjoy a round or two in all manner of places. More and more golfers, though, are becoming aware of the impact global golf travel has on the environment and are searching for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, one of which is to shun trips abroad in favour of UK golf breaks.

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Read on for general advice for golfers who like to venture near and far to play the sport about how they can become more ethical.

Stay a little close to home

If money is no issue, then some players indulge in luxury golf in far-flung destinations such as Dubai and Japan. Even golf holidays Europe tend to involve getting on a plane and that obviously will have environmental consequences. Instead, try and play in the UK as much as possible. Many golfers are guilty of ignoring the golf facilities pretty much right on their doorsteps, but UK golf breaks can be just as rewarding as a trip to, say, Spain, even if the weather is unlikely to be as good. A guide to the UK’s best courses can be found on this website.

Catch a ferry

If you have to travel to mainland Europe then catch a ferry and try and use public transport as much as possible. There’s an excellent rail network in countries such as France and Spain and this means you don’t have to catch a plane. No matter how you intend to travel, leave your bag of clubs at home and rent instead.

Carbon offsetting

Think about carbon offsetting as there are plenty of schemes available that mean you donate money to an organisation doing things like planting trees. Walk once you get out and about on the course. Not only is it a great source of exercise, but some golf carts do produce harmful emissions.

An estimated 30 million tourists visit the UK annually to see the sites and sample the British culture and general way of life. Part of the lure for many people is the variety of choice of things to do at night.

For anybody planning a trip to the UK any time soon, here are a few suggestions on how to enjoy a typical British night out:

Bingo

Brits of all ages love playing bingo, be it down at their local bingo hall or online bingo. It’s a cheap and cheerful night out and is great way to meet a diverse range of people as well as possibly win a bumper cash prize. Fear not, though, if you’ve never played before or even never heard of bingo because the rules of the game are simple to pick up and you’ll learn all about the famous bingo calls in no time.

Cinema

With at least one cinema complex in most major UK towns and cities, film fans can get their fix of the latest movies and watch either the newest Hollywood blockbusters or smaller independent films. The British film industry is also booming at present and that is having a knock-on effect in terms of the amount of people heading to the pictures.

Gig

There’s a really vibrant live music scene in the UK, especially in major cities such as Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and, of course, the capital London. The biggest names in the entertainment industry regularly play in venues of all sizes up and down Britain, while smaller acts that are just starting out can be found in pubs and bars every night of the week in most towns and cities.

Greyhounds

A night down the dogs is a unique experience. Like bingo, it’s a bit of fun and best enjoyed with a group of friends or family. It’s a more down-to-earth version of going to watch horse racing live and there are always great deals to be had on cheap tickets, meaning you don’t have to spend a fortune in the pursuit of a good time. And, don’t forget, you could also win a few pounds if Lady Luck is smiling on you. If live sport is your thing, attending other sporting events like a football or rugby match is also highly advisable.

Pub crawl

A quintessential activity that the Brits enjoy is a good, old-fashioned pub crawl with a few pals to celebrate a special birthday or occasion. In London, for example, there’s the Monopoly Pub Crawl, which is a route that includes 26 of the spaces of a Monopoly board. In Leeds, the Otley Run is the stuff of legends, while you can embark on the Transpennine Real Ale Trail on eight train stations between Leeds and Manchester. No matter where you are in the UK, there’s bound to be a pub crawl you can participate in, but remember to act and drink responsibly.

Travelling from one city, country or continent to the next is not only harmful to the environment, it’s also pretty expensive.

With that in mind, the following tips are designed to help you keep the cost of travel to a minimum and have a positive impact on your carbon footprint.

Opt to visit to ‘green’ cities

Picking where to go in the world can be difficult due to the array of choice, so do a bit of ‘green’ research to help to sway your decisions. Take Brighton, for example. With clean beaches and plenty of large open spaces, it has been dubbed the green capital of Britain. For anybody keen on the idea of spending a little time in this charming English seaside resort, companies like Eurobookings offer plenty of affordable hotels in Brighton. Other ‘green’ cities in Europe include Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Stockholm, Nantes and Oslo.

Avoid flying

The convenience of air travel is offset by the damaging impact it has on the environment, meaning it’s important to think carefully about what mode of transport you take. Hop on a bus, ferry, train or car share with friends and family. If you can’t lift share with friends and family then there are car sharing websites that experienced travellers use to organise lifts. There are also always discount deals to be had online for cheaper travel tickets. Walk or hire a bike to get around once you arrive at a particular destination.

Go easy on the luggage

Travel light because what you take with you in terms of luggage can impact on the fuel consumption of the transport you take. One way to reduce the amount of luggage you may need is to pack travel wash. This enables you to wash items of clothing while away, which ultimately means you won’t need to pack as much. Recycle and reuse pretty much anything and everything as much as possible.

Act responsibly in your hotel/hostel room

There are several things you can do in your hotel or hostel room to be eco-friendly. Turn off the central heating or air conditioning units if possible or at least turn them down by a few degrees to save energy. Reuse towels and the bed sheets as many times as possible before getting them replaced and switch off all electrical items when you’re not in the room. Never, ever, leave things like the TV on standby and take quick showers to reduce water consumption.

Shop responsibly

Keeping hydrated is obviously important, especially if you’re heading off to some far-flung destinations, so reuse water bottles if possible. Buy local products or locally sourced products to help the local economy to prosper and avoid purchasing items that have travelled from all four corners of the world at great expense to the planet.

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Choosing your next surf holiday destination can be tricky sometimes.

There are so many amazing breaks around the world that what you need is

some good advice. So we’ve picked our 5 favourite surf destinations in the

beautifully sunny country of Portugal to get you inspired.  It has some of

the best surf in Europe, its cuisine is delicious, and it has some of the

most affordable shopping in Western Europe. So get ready to pack your

board-bags and experience surfing holidays in Portugal.

1. Lagos

Head to Amado beach in the Lagos region for some of the warmest water

temperatures around Portugal.  The region is blessed with 8 months a year

of 20+ sunshine, and has miles upon miles of beaches to choose from.

Lagos itself is enchanting, what will cobblestone streets and superb

restaurants and bars that will be a perfect way to end the day after your

surf session.

2. Peniche

If there was one surf spot in Portugal that people will have

heard of, it will be Peniche.  Rip Curl first visited this beautiful town

three years ago when it brought it’s ‘The Search’ contest.  The

event proved so popular that they have since set up a permanent contest here on the

world championship surf tour.  The pro surfers have made Supertubos their home,

however for us mere mortals Cantinho da Baia, Beleal is the perfect spot

to learn to surf.

3. Ericeira

This beautiful Portuguese fishing village has excellent surf all

year round, and is a only 40 minutes from Lisbon.  So when the waves are

great head to Foz do Lizandro if you are a beginner surfer, or for more of

a challenge take a look at Ribas D’Ilhas.  This beach is where the ASP’s

world qualifying series takes place for the Quiksilver Pro Portugal each

year.

4. Cascais

Along Cascais protected shores lies countless surf breaks.  At

only a short 30km train ride away from Lisbon, Cascais is an ideal surf holiday

destination for people who want to get away from busy city life,

but still want to do a spot of shopping in Portugal’s capital. When you’re

not making the most of the promenade or visiting the stunning old town,

head to the beach break Guincho that’s perfect to learn to surf in.

5, Azores Islands- If you fancy something completely different to main land

Europe, plan a trip to the Portuguese Azores islands.  Lying 1500km west

from Lisbon, these Atlantic islands are often overlooked as a prime surf

destination.  Each year Billabong hold a highly rated contest as part of

the world tour on the main island of Sao Miguel.  The contest takes place

towards the end of September, so if you can, coincide your trip with the

contest for some great surf.

Marbella, the capital of the Costa del Sol, is one of the most sought after destinations in the World.

Known since the early 1950s as playground for the rich and famous, even since Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe came to Marbella with a view to purchase some land next to Marbella’s spectacular coastline. The year was 1947 to be exact.

The 18 hectare farm that the Prince and his family bought – Finca Santa Margarita – eventually gained International fame and was converted into the Marbella Club Hotel. The rich and famous flocked from all over the World to be there. Marbella has never looked back since.

The Capital of the Costa del Sol offers visitors a wide range of leisure and cultural opportunities throughout the year.

In the old quarter of Marbella, the picturesque, typically Andalusian narrow streets and squares are home to plenty of quiet, attractive places for a drink or bite to eat, particularly around the Plaza de los Naranjos. The trendiest and most lively part of town is Puerto Banus, which caters to all ages and tastes.

Marbella means beautiful sea in Spanish “Mar Bella” and as can expected the beaches are second to none. With 24kms of pristine coastline, all the beaches are sand or fine shingle. The water has won awards for its cleanliness.

If looking for a unforgettable beach holiday you can’t go wrong. The holiday villas in Marbella are second to none and will ensure the whole family experiences the holiday of a lifetime.