If you’re looking for information on the benefits of self catering holidays then, hopefully the following details will point you in the right direction.
Unlike all inclusive or half board holiday packages offered by the main tour operators a self catering holiday gives you more freedom and flexibility for you and your family. You don’t have to be tied down to meal time slots or have a limited menu each day and evening to choose from, as you can come and go as you please.
There are usually two ways to go about self catering depending on your budget requirements. You can make a terrific saving for you and your family by bringing or buying your own food and cooking it yourself or you can sample some of the local eateries and restaurants and sample a wide and varied selection of meals on offer unlike all inclusive package holidays.
What are the main benefits with self catering holidays?
- They are much less expensive than all inclusive holidays.
- There are a huge selection of self catering holidays in the UK and across Europe to choose from.
- You can come and go as you please, as you’re in control of the times you want to eat.
- You are not fixed to any schedules and available eating time slots.
- You can choose to buy and cook your own food to suit you and your family’s eating requirements.
- You can decide when and where you want to eat and have access to a better range of meal choices.
We all have different needs and everyone has their own individual preferences especially when it comes to camping holidays and making the necessary savings. In today’s economic climate is important to look at ways in which you can save money, but still have a good time and not compromise on quality or entertainment value and a self catering holiday will certainly offer that for you and your family.
The majority of self catering camping locations have great facilities and nearby supermarkets and restaurants to choose from, so there’s never any shortage of choice on food and drink. It is a great way to give you and the family control and flexibility of what you want to eat and at what time you want to eat, something that you certainly don’t get if you book a half board or an all inclusive package holiday.
Sparkling waters, magnificent glaciers and an abundance of wildlife are just a few of the magical things that await travellers to Alaska. Whilst it can seem fun and exciting to travel to the exotic areas of the Caribbean, Alaska offers majestic scenery and will give you a memorable holiday that the whole family will enjoy. When you step outside your cabin, you may catch a glimpse of a brown bear fishing for salmon or you may marvel at the enormous size of a glacier, which is when you will see that Alaska is truly an outstanding place to find magic and majesty. Here are a few of our recommendations for cruising to Alaska.
What is there to do in Alaska?
On the Ship: There are usually two different itineraries for cruises to Alaska; the Gulf of Alaska and the Inside Passage. Both options will give you the chance to view some of the most picturesque spots of Alaska, whilst cruising past glaciers and visiting exciting ports of call. Although there are things to do on land, a large portion of your time will be spent on-board the ship, which will still leave you with plenty of things to do. Depending on which cruise line you chose, there may be live shows, entertainment, clubs, spas and boutiques for exploring whilst on the ship. If you select a balcony cabin, you can simply sit and view the spectacular scenery, and you may catch a glimpse of seals or whales swimming through the water.
On Land: When you reach a port of call, there are plenty of options for sight-seeing and hiking. In Juneau, you can ride the tramway above the city, which will give you a breath-taking view of the area. In Sitka, you can explore historical sites or visit the Alaska Raptor Centre, which is home to birds of prey that are being nursed back to health. The adventurous can fly over glaciers in Juneau or hike through the wilderness in various areas of the region. There are also opportunities for fishing in Ketchikan or Skagway.
What should you pack?
Although Alaska is known for its icy glaciers and cold temperatures, the weather conditions do fluctuate often. The sun’s UV rays are also intense, so it is important to pack sunscreen. I suggest packing a fair amount of clothing that can be layered, which includes both lightweight clothing and warmer fleece clothing. I also recommend taking a camera to capture the remarkable scenery and binoculars, so you can easily spot wildlife during the cruise.
What type of ship should you choose?
Both large and small ships travel to Alaska, so it may seem difficult selecting the best one. Larger ships usually stick to major cities and ports of call, which include ships from Princess Cruise Line and Holland America. Smaller ships will be able to navigate to the hidden areas of Alaska that will give you a better chance at catching a glimpse of wildlife. Silversea Cruise Line is a perfect choice for those who want to go on a luxury cruise, as they have fewer passengers on-board, which mean more personal service and fewer crowds whilst standing on the deck.
Last year, when planning our annual vacation, my husband suggested a self catering holiday which combined walking and camping in France. I have to admit that initially, I wasn’t overly enthusiastic about the idea having been on several self catering holidays before. The thought of long, hard marches, carrying a heavy rucksack full of kit on my back, definitely did not appeal. However after giving the idea some more thought, my hubby and I came up with an ideal solution. Instead of walking long distances from one camp-site to the next, we’d choose a single location as our base, and do shorter hikes in the vicinity.
When our holiday finally arrived, we took a flight to Perpignan airport in the Languedoc region of France. We then used a local taxi service to take us to the camping site, where we’d booked a comfortable cabin for the duration of our stay. Normally my husband would drive us over to France from the UK for our holidays or hire a car, but as I don’t have a licence this can be fairly tiring for him, so we decided this time we’d focus on exploring the area we were staying in, on foot.
We’d selected a camping site in Argeles, as this would give us ample opportunities to take interesting walks, in the mountainous countryside and on the attractive coastline, as well as in the historic villages of the area. Our first day was spent settling down and deciding on an itinerary of walks, then on day two, it was time to lace up our hiking boots, pack a picnic, camera and maps and get walking.
Although I am not what you’d describe as a “gym-bunny” I do stay reasonably active in my daily life, as does my husband, who plays football with his mates at weekends. We didn’t want to over-do it by choosing walks beyond our ability so we decided to follow the well marked routes listed on a topographical map of the area. Available at Argeles-sur-mer tourist information office, the map lists 9 walking trails, of varying difficulty and lengths. This allowed us to choose which walk to take depending on how energetic we were feeling and what the weather forecast was showing.
Over the course of our two week walking and camping holiday, we completed all of the walks featured on the map, discovering the local fauna and flora, as well as testing the typical cuisine of the area in restaurants and bars we found along the way. We found that in comparison to our usual holidays, staying in a hotel or bed and breakfast, our camping holiday gave us a greater sensation of freedom, and helped us to see an authentic side to France which we had not seen elsewhere.
For anyone considering a walking and camping holiday in France, we’d highly recommend giving it a try. My best tip is to spend a little extra on your accommodation – there is nothing quite as nice as being able to relax under a hot shower after walking all day, and being able to stretch out on a sofa was a real bonus that you definitely wouldn’t get in a tent.
Moving home is always a bit of a hassle, and I say that as someone who has done it a good number of times and with mixed results.
My worst ever move was when I had to transport all of my stuff from South London to the North of the city and decided to do it by Tube. That was a terrible idea which involved spending all weekend going back and forward on the Northern and Piccadilly Lines and bashing a few of my prized possessions along the way.
The idea of moving house can be stressful enough to put us off the idea of the switch before we even get started. The potential for problems is well known and is why it has been one of the staples of sit coms ever since Frank Spencer fell out of his removals van.
Of course, the most fragile household objects are the ones we most need to protect, and among those we definitely need to count the mirrors. This isn’t just because it is believed to be bad luck to break one, but because they can also be pretty expensive items. Anyway, the bad luck idea is a bit more interesting than the cost issue, so let’s take a look at it.
7 Years or not?
Actually, the original version of this superstition is that if you break a mirror then part of your soul will be destroyed. This is because it was believed that mirrors captured part of people’s souls. So it’s all bad news then? Well, the relatively good part is that the belief was that our soul gets renewed every 7 years. This means that unless you are really unlucky and break the mirror just after having your soul renewed then you only need to wait less than 7 years to get a new one. Hey, does it sound as though I am starting to believe this stuff?
Is Your Soul Really in the Mirror?
You may well ask how your soul can be trapped in the bathroom mirror cabinet if your reflection isn’t in it at the time, and you would be quite right to ask this. The superstition actually says that you need to be reflected in the mirror at the time it breaks in order for the bad luck to happen. So if the mirror is in a badly packed removals van and you are having a nervous breakdown in the kitchen trying to pack your dishes then there is no curse. I am hoping that this also covers me for the mirror I broke in my backpack while carrying it up the stairs at Turnpike Lane station.
So Where Does This Leave Us?
Well, it seems that packing a mirror badly is unlikely to ruin the next 7 years of your life after all. That takes us back to the point about the cost and inconvenience of replacing it then. It might not be as exciting as the thought of having a piece of your soul destroyed but it would certainly be a blooming nuisance, wouldn’t it?
As both a huge gadgets fan and a keen traveller I had done a fair bit of travelling with my two laptops and a number of other gadgets.
I often arrive tired, unshaven and, frankly, frazzled. However, to date my gadgets have always arrived safe and sound, a fact I put down to following a few simple rules.
Take What You Most Need
Much as I would like to take all of my gadgets with me everywhere I go I realise that this isn’t always practical or necessary. If I am going on a holiday to the beach then I probably just want something to let me listen to music and maybe read an e-Book. On the other hand, if I am going on a work trip I will need my laptop and my phone if nothing else. After working out which of my gadgets will be earning air miles I then just need to decide which ones will go in my hand luggage for the trip and which ones will travel round the luggage carousel several times before I finally recognise my bag.
Use a Good Bag
This is a bit embarrassing actually, but I once went on a long trip carrying my mp3 player in a plastic bag. I was backpacking at the time and the device was a cheap one, but it shows how not to do things. A nicely padded bag which is just the right size will save you a lot of hassle. Good laptop bags usually have a variety of pockets for storing other gadgets and accessories in.
Don’t Forget the Accessories
Getting to your destination and finding that you don’t have the right batteries or cables isn’t the end of the world but it can be a pain. Depending upon where you are it might or might not be easy to get hold of the accessory you need. However, the simplest thing to do is make sure that you are travelling with everything you might want to use. If you are taking a battery operated gadget then make sure that any ones you are taking with you are full of juice before you head off. Airports and bigger bus and train stations are usually good places to pick up odds and ends if you realise that you have forgotten anything and don’t want to risk having to look for it in a city you don’t know well.
Back Up Information Before You Travel
No matter how many precautions you take there is no doubt that travelling with gadgets is a riskier business than just leaving them at home. If that plastic bag I mentioned earlier had burst and I had lost my mp3 then my entire collection of UB40 and Bob Marley songs would have gone with it. That might not have been a bad thing actually, as listening to nothing but reggae for six months does weird things to your head. Anyway, the point is that you are likely to be carrying about some information which you really don’t want to lose. If you are away from home when you upload the data then you could just pop into an internet café and make sure that you put a second version of it somewhere safe.
Signing up for Dubai Holidays aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise was a surprising decision for me. I used to prefer European holidays but this time, felt an insatiable pull to go to the Middle East and witness modern day Arabian Nights with its mystery and excitement.
I chose the 16-night tour over the 11-night Arabian Explorer Tour and the 7-night Dubai Cruise Tour because I wanted to see a bit of India, aside from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates.
I could hardly wait to sail away and sample delicious food onboard, spoil myself in the spa and enjoy the “nightlife”.
Beyond Rest and Relaxation
When you take a cruise to beautiful, full of contradictions Dubai aboard the Brilliance of the Seas or a ship of similar specifications, you enter a different world shrouded in mystery. Dubai and the Emirates are stunning with architecture that rivals the best in the U.S. For those who expect sand dunes and other images, add a few more stunning views like the coral-rich blue waters of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the lush oasis and the state-of-the-art Mall of the Emirates. Just imagine – 200 shops under one roof and an indoor ski slope! Dubai even has man-made islands. As far as architecture is concerned, Dubai has pulled the stops.
As you see more of what the Gulf has to offer, the incredible images of the souks or Arabian markets with its gold, textiles, food and spices bring you back to a past era. You see dunes, forests, mountains, canyons and scenic beaches when you simply expected wide spans of sandy dessert. I was surprised the contradictions blended seamlessly – the cities looked modern yet one could feel its old soul.
The shopping is amazing with its wide array of high quality goods and incredible bargains. Choose to be extravagant or choose the more frugal path – either way, the shopping will please you.
Dubai the Gem
Dubai is fast becoming a destination for many reasons. For adventure and culture buffs who seek the ultimate, this Royal Caribbean Cruise is hard to pass up. It has wonderful weather year-long making it easy for you to book your trip anytime of the year. If you are avoiding harsh winters, Dubai is the place to be. You can also book early and get superb discounts. You can extend your holiday with hotel stays or complement your cruise with land tours.
I wanted a fantastic, stress-free holiday where I could enjoy value for money. Royal Caribbean Cruises offered more than that. My Dubai Holiday was the eye-opener to “a whole new world”.
We all need to say sorry at some point in our lives, and some of us need to do so an awful lot more than once. There is nothing wrong with recognising that you have done something wrong and then wanting to do something about it.
There are plenty of ways of doing this and we will look at some of the best ones here.
Take Them Away Somewhere Special
Somewhere like Lake Garda, Venice or Rome would be a fantastic setting for you to patch things up, and a terrific way to say you are sorry. Getting away from the usual places and the same old routine is highly recommended, and where better to go than somewhere romantic like Italy. Lake Garda holidays are especially good for spending time alone with a special person and letting them know that you have realised the error of your ways.
Choose a Local Restaurant
If you don’t eat out together all that often then making an evening of it can be a nice touch. To avoid any doubts, we aren’t taking about a burger and chips here. If you want to say that you are truly sorry then choose a quality eatery and do it in style. You don’t need to hire a violinist or a mariachi band; just let them know that you have thought things over and regret what you did or said.
Spend Some Time Alone
A cottage in the Lake District, a caravan in north Wales or a boat off the Scottish islands are all valid options for finding the time and space you need to rebuild the trust in your relationship. These are all great places but the most important thing is that you get the chance to spend some time together without any interruptions. This means leaving your laptop and your phone at home and just concentrating on being together and working things through. Even a day or two can be enough to get your point across.
Buy Them Something Nice
If you don’t have the time to head off somewhere exciting then maybe you could just buy them something they will appreciate. This has to be something which shows a bit of thought, so a book store voucher is unlikely to do the trick. Think about their tastes and how you could show them how much they mean to you. Jewellery is a classic choice here but it is far from the only one. Try and find the perfect gift and accompany it with a romantic card.
Write the Truth in a Letter
This is perhaps the bravest option of all but it could turn out to be a good move. If you have reflected on the matter and realised your mistake then you could write your partner a letter explaining how much they mean to you and how sorry you are. Of course, you could easily combine this with any of the other ideas if you really, really want them to know how sorry you are.
Deciding which travel insurance deal can often be time consuming especially as there are several different types available. Most companies offer a wide variety of packages which can often be tailored to suit individual needs.
Two of the most popular types of travel insurance on the market are single trip cover and annual cover. But what are the differences between these policies and what is included in them?
Single trip insurance
As the name suggests, single trip travel insurance gives you insurance cover for one trip only. The length of that trip should normally be between 3 and 365 days in order to qualify, but different policies do vary and so it’s definitely worth making sure how long you’ll be covered for when you buy it. You’ll normally be asked to submit your dates of travel when you buy your holiday insurance, and will then be insured for that period.
Basic single trip insurance tends to cover things such as your baggage and money, so if they are lost or stolen while you’re away, you’ll be able to claim on your policy. It will normally also cover medical care, so if you’re ill or injured while you’re away you’ll be able to pay for any arising medical costs. The only exception to this is if you have a pre-existing medical condition; you should always tell your insurance provider about this as some conditions can be covered while others can’t. It will also cover you if your holiday is delayed or cancelled for a range of reasons beyond your control.
Single trip travel insurance also covers a range of sports, but if you’ll be taking part in any ‘riskier’ sports (such as winter or water sports), you might need to get specific insurance for these to make sure you’re covered. When you take out single trip insurance, you should always make sure you get a breakdown of your cover so you know exactly what you’re protected for.
Annual insurance
In contrast to single trip insurance, annual multi-trip travel insurance gives you cover for a whole year and is good for regular travellers. You can take an unlimited number of trips during that year, and trips will normally need to be for 90 days or less.
As well as all of the benefits of single trip insurance, annual travel insurance normally gives you some added extras. These can include cover for adventure sports and winter sports for a specific period of tie, depending on which policy you go for. You’ll also be able to add other cover to your policy, meaning you can tailor it to the trips you are planning to take over the course of the year.
If you’re planning on getting away for a long weekend, there’s no need to put yourself through the stresses of airport check-in queues, passport control and disappointing hotels. Right here in Britain, there is no shortage of stunning scenery just waiting to be explored. And you don’t have to worry about finding accommodation – keep it simple by camping out. So why not take a walking holiday in the UK this summer and make the most of the beauty in your own backyard?
Ivybridge in the Dartmoor national park is a perfect base for camping and exploring the surrounding Devon countryside. Wild camping isn’t against the law in Devon, so you can setup your tent pretty much wherever you like. You’ll find ancient stone circles, craggy peaks and Bronze Age forts in this untamed but accessible landscape.
The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is a 186 mile national trail located in southwest Wales, running from Poppit Sands in the north to Amroth in the south. Because of the scale of the path, taking it all in in a single weekend is a big ask, but you can still have a great trip. One option is to begin in Newport and wend your way to Pwll Deri, stopping off in the historic town of Fishguard on the way. You can camp at Fishguard Bay for £10.50 a night.
If you fancy heading further north, Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales is a famous beauty spot admired by everyone from William Wordsworth to Harry Potter. The cove itself is a sizeable, curving limestone cliff at one end of a valley. At the top, there is a fine area of limestone pavement. For a breath-taking camping spot, pitch your tent at Gordale Scar – a magnificent limestone ravine, formed by melting glaciers, where you’ll find two waterfalls and overhanging cliffs standing more than 100 metres tall.
These are just a few suggestions for great walking holidays in the UK where you’ll need little more than a tent, a good pair of shoes and a sense of adventure. Be sure to check out this reliable outdoor gear supplier before you set off.
Venice
Venezia, La Serenissima, Queen of the Adriatic, the Most Serene Republic of Venice is the city of canals, churches and palaces that captures the hearts and minds of all who visit. Venice is home to wonderful tourist destinations famous the world over – St Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs – but the true joy of Venice is found just wandering around and finding architectural and artistic wonders around every corner.
Transport:getting there and getting away
Venice is served by two airport, Marco Polo and Trevino. Transport into the city is by bus or from the latter by water bus.
Trains terminate and depart from Santa Lucia train station on the west side of Venice. The station fronts the Grand Canal where water buses (vaporetti) or water taxis are available.
Cars and coaches arrive on the far western edge of Venice at Piazzale Roma. There are no roads in Venice so from here on it’s by boat or on foot. Venice is the World’s only truly pedestrian city and walking is a serendipitous adventure of discovering vistas in the magnificent urban landscape.
Ships arrive at the Stazione Marittima.
Water buses are best for longer trips and for visiting the islands. There are also the more expensive water taxis. Gondolas are really just for short romantic hops and having your photograph taken.
Climate
Summer is hot in Venice. Temperatures average 27C but high humidity results in a close, uncomfortable atmosphere. Sometimes, hot sirocco winds sweep in from the south. January and February are the coldest months with temperatures ranging from 0-7 C. Snow is rare owing to the city’s lagoon location. Spring is fresh and clear though rainfall can be heavy. Mists are common in late autumn.
Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Venice hotels
Events:what’s on and what’s hot
Venice has the character of a stage set so its many festivals are spectacular.
* The first event of the year is the Regata delle Befana held on 6 January.
* The next month sees the major event in the Venetian calendar namely Carnevale,
which is a masked and costumed extravaganza.
* May sees the Festa della Sensa (Feast of the Ascension) which celebrates the Sposalizio del Mar (Wedding with the Sea).
* The arts fest is held every odd-numbered year in June in the Giardini Pubblici.
* Festa del Redentore in July features a regatta and fireworks festival.
* The Venice International Film Festival is held from late August into September
Turin
Turin has been called the European capital of Baroque due to the style of many of its palaces and churches. In many ways Turin differs from the typical Italian city. It exudes a strong French influence with its broad boulevards with white buildings. With the Po River flowing through the city, and the Italian Alps standing in the distance, it’s a place of great charm.
Transport:getting there and getting away
By plane
Caselle Airport lies north of the city and is connected to the city by bus and taxi. Turin is also easily reached from Malpensa airport.
Turin has two main railway stations, Porta Nuova and Porta Susa. The former is for long and mid-range trips the latter mainly for local trains.
Turin has an efficient public transport system of buses and trams and an underground line was opened for the 2006 Winter Olympics.
The City of Turin has recently established a network of bicycle paths throughout the city.
Climate:
Turin is gloomy with rain and fog in the winter temperatures tending to remain single digit. The summer months between May and September are milder though rain is still common.
Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Turin hotels
Events:what’s on and what’s hot
* April sees the Festival Internazionale di Film con Tematiche Omosessuali is a five-day international gay and lesbian film festival.
*Cioccolat in early March is a two-week celebration of cocoa. Turin see cocoa tastings, sculpture competitions and stalls around the city centre.
*Salone Internazionale del Gusto is a five-day festival of food and wine held biannually. The event is international in flavour with traditional producers from around the world showcasing and selling their wares in a giant street market.
Rome
Steeped in history and rich with monuments famous the world over – the Vatican, the Colosseum – Rome stands as a captivating symbol of history and culture.
Transport:getting there and getting away
Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) airport is 16 miles southwest of the city with the Stazione Termini direct train running hourly into the city. The main bus station is located outside the Stazione Termini. Buses run from 6:00 a.m to midnight with some all-night services. The Rome Metro service has two lines, both of which go through Termini. It runs from 5:30 a.m to 11.30 p.m. and 0:30 on Saturdays.
Climate:
The climate is mild with sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. However July and August can be oppressively hot, November is often rainy, and December to February can be chill.
Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in Rome.
Events:what’s on and what’s hot
*Holy Week (Easter) is time when Catholics from all over the world arrive on pilgrimages to visit the city’s churches and to hear the Pope at the Vatican. On Good Friday a procession of the Cross goes from the Colosseum to Capitoline Hill.
*The Estate Romana (Roman Summer), is at the heart of Roman social life from June to September. It’s a time when the city reverberates to free concerts, street theatre and outdoor cinema.
*In September museums, galleries and shops stay open all night from 20:00-08:00 on the occasion called Notte Bianca (white night). It’s also a time of free concerts and other happenings all over the city.