Holiday Bits

Portugal

The ever welcoming Portugal offers its visitors an absolute wealth of holiday experiences, whilst its Mediterranean climate helps ensure you enjoy these treats in gorgeous weather. Flights to Portugal will see you touch down in south-western Europe, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Spain, the country making the most of its enviable location with a healthy mix of tourism and agricultural developments.

If quality beaches are your holiday priority, then the country’s coastline has more than a few surprises in store for you. You’ll find the golden beaches of the Algarve region complimented by strong tourism amenities, whilst those further from built-up areas offering a more secluded sunning session. With Portugal flights becoming increasingly available you could find yourself working on that tan much sooner than you’d think.

With much of the country’s border being Atlantic coastline it’s no surprise that water-based pursuits are incredibly popular. Whether it’s the high-octane excitement of water-skiing, the awe-inspiring sights of scuba-diving or a laid-back sailing excursion, the shores of Portugal’s coastline are almost as alive with activity as their land-based counterparts.

Easily one of the most popular of these activities is Sea Safari trips, seeing you take in all that the local sea-life has to offer. Dolphins prove a big draw for those setting sail on these trips, but thanks to clear waters you’ll find much more under the sea vying for your attention and even get the chance to swim the warm waters if you so desire.

With tourism being such a strong part of the country’s economy, you’ll find an abundance of diverse attractions across Portugal. From water parks and quad bikes to medieval artefacts and wine tasting, you’ll find almost all tastes catered to. Indeed, at the right time of year it’s possible to sunbath your morning away and then ski through the afternoon on the slopes of Serra Da Estrela National Park.

If the idea of a jetting off to a chilled out island paradise appeals to you, the Portuguese island of Madeira (also known as The Pearl of The Atlantic) could be just what you’re looking for. After a short domestic flight from the mainland you’ll be enjoying the many spoils of this gorgeous island retreat, with a short stay here being the perfect holiday within a holiday.

The country’s climate makes for an impressive agricultural output, with the range of products grown in Portugal broad enough that you could spend your entire stay feasting on her produce. With many restaurants also making use of the local fishing industry, you’re sure to experience the genuine flavour of Portugal on your holiday. Flights to Portugal are now cheaper than ever, making it so much easier to book your holiday of a lifetime.

Ferries to Europe: What You Need To Do

An alternative form of transport to commercial flights and high-speed trains, ferries provide people with access to a number of locations. Whilst people may commonly associate ferries with travel to UK islands, such as the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, they actually service a number of other locations across Europe. Ferry travel can therefore offer holidaymakers or businessmen and women alternative forms of transport – but what do passengers need to do before embarking?

In many ways, ferry travel is more convenient and regular than other services. The boarding procedure is usually quicker and the service will be provided at regular intervals throughout the day. The journey itself will be fairly quick and passengers will also have the added benefit of being able to take their own vehicle onboard with them, giving them increased accessibility and more freedom once at their destination.

As with any form of travel, customers will need to make certain preparations beforehand. The need for you to bring your passport or other travel documentation will be the same as with other forms of transport to areas outside of mainland UK.

Alongside this, customers will also need to invest in specific products which are tailored to the specific needs of their trip. With ferry travel, this means that passengers will need to consider purchasing European car breakdown cover.

This is a policy which will offer you roadside assistance and help should you be unfortunate enough to breakdown whilst off the UK mainland but within Europe. These policies will therefore cover European destinations such as France and Spain with the option to get a ferry to Holland also being available. UK provinces and islands such as Jersey, the Isle of Wight and St Malo, are also serviced be ferries.

This form of cover will typically be offered in similar forms to other types of travel insurance or cover. This means that the policy can be purchased for a single trip or for an annual cover – which will cover unlimited trips within a twelve month period.

There will usually be a couple of restrictions which are applied to these policies, one of which specifies that the journeys must begin and end in the UK in order to be covered. The maximum length which trips to be may also be limited – in most cases to 31 days. This means that this type of product is extremely versatile and could prevent individuals from facing difficult negotiations or expensive repairs on their vehicle whilst away from home.

The cover that is offered for a single trip will offer people cover for different lengths of time. This means that individuals can ensure that they only pay for the length of cover that is necessary with 1 day, 5 day and even 18 day options being available. This is a service which will not be offered by all providers of this service, meaning that customers should always compare what is on offer before selecting a product.

A Guide to Organising Group Holidays

Group holidays are a great way to spread costs for travel and accommodation but most importantly they are loads of fun!  The trouble is they can be awkward to organise as you have to please everybody and make sure everybody pays up – so it can be useful to study the best ways to approach arranging your group holiday.

Group holidays between friends are much different to group holidays between families and it is important to establish early the type of people who will be vacationing, before committing to a holiday package that may turn out to be unsuitable.

Equally, it is vital to recognise the type of holiday everybody wants.  Some groups may choose to have a wild, action packed holiday whereas others will choose to escape to a quiet haven far from their everyday life.  It’s also important to think of any children coming along and this is where facilities need to be taken into consideration.

Facilities

If your group includes a variety of age groups then you need to ensure the holiday park or complex caters for all of these ages.  Quality family complexes will have entertainment for children before the bar side entertainment for the adults.  They usually have playground areas too which are great for the daytime.

Check out the pool facilities before splashing out on a suitcase full of swimwear.  The beauty of going away with a group is you can all get involved in team water sports and therefore need a big enough pool to jump around in!

If your group consists of adults or you have some people who would prefer to take some time out and relax, confirm that the location has some quieter areas, perhaps even a spa facility or hot tub!

Accommodation

If your group holiday consists of only adult friends and you are looking forward to staying up late and joining in group activities, you need to check if your complex provides excellent group accommodation and is near to a beach, restaurants or anything else you and your group may be interested in.

Groups of singles or work colleagues may not be too bothered with finding luxurious digs but couples are more likely to want some privacy.  Group accommodation ensures each couple has their own room and the group still saves money by sharing the living space and kitchen.

Expenses

Many groups choose to split all expenses equally when holidaying together but sometimes it makes more sense to just pay for the group accommodation as a collective and pay for everything else individually.  This is because some persons in the group may have children and some may not – causing an awkward dynamic (depending on the relationship between parties) when purchasing toys and merchandise for the young ones, if all costs are split equally.

Ultimately, a group holiday should be organised around the people involved.  Get together with all members of the group and discuss the plan as a community – see it as a way of starting your group holiday early!

Vietnam – the varied landscape offering something different

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When people come back from Vietnam they are likely to gush about what a beautiful country it is, and with good reason. It is the varied landscape offering something different to everyone who visits which is making Vietnam an increasingly popular tourist destination; from its beautiful coastline and countryside to its historic and picturesque cities. Choose from a number of Vietnam holidays to make the most out of your trip if you only have a few weeks to spare.

The Old Quarter of the capital city of Hanoi is a great place to explore. The 36 streets, dating back to the eleventh century and each specialising in a particular trade, are still full of merchants and artisans selling products ranging from silk and jewellery to roasted fish. Watch out for the motorbikes weaving in and out of the crowds! The architecture of the city provides constant reminders of the French occupation in 1888; the Grand Opera House, Presidential Palace and Saint Joseph Cathedral are just a few examples of the French colonial style.

In the middle of the famous Ba ?ình Square where the Marxist President Ho Chi Minh read the Proclamation of Independence, stands his former residence and granite mausoleum. In 1958 Ho Chi Minh shunned the ostentatious Presidential Palace to live here in a wooden house on stilts in the same complex. You can see this house as well as the Palace and wander around the gardens; it is definitely worth hiring a guide to talk you through the site’s significance. In the mausoleum Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved in a glass case and protected by a guard, despite the fact that he actually wished to be cremated. It is usually very busy and you will be moved around the room quickly; hands in pockets or crossed arms are not permitted as a sign of respect.

Finish off your visit to Hanoi with a trip to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. Water puppetry has been a Vietnamese tradition since the eleventh century when it was performed for entertainment in the villages of the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam when the rice fields were flooded. The wooden puppets perform folk tales on a pool stage with a traditional Vietnamese orchestral accompaniment.

Approximately halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) is the beautiful city of Hoi An. Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its status as an exceptionally well-preserved trading port from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century. Hoi An was made very rich by its inhabitants’ control of the spice trade, and was later settled by the Chinese, Japanese, Indians and Dutch. Consequently, like many other areas of the country, the (predominantly wooden) architecture reflects all the different influences of the people who made this city their home, giving it a really unique feel. Take a stroll down the riverfront and sit in a restaurant all lit up with handmade lanterns, something which will stay with you long after you have left.

Katherine Conlon likes to a get a feel for the history of the places she visits, and seeks out the bits which reveal something about the culture in different areas of the globe. She has travelled in four different continents and is looking forward to exploring the rest.

Ski insurance – Not just for broken limbs

With the winter season almost upon us, memories of long, sunny days start to be replaced by the thoughts of longer, colder nights.  For the seasoned holiday maker, that can often be a good thing, it’s the start of the European ski season.  With the World Snowboarding Championships held in Switzerland in March and the World Cup FIS Skiing in Bankso in February, many of the more hardcore winter sports fans will be making the trip abroad to watch the action, taking in a bit of fun on the slopes themselves and generally enjoying the cold outdoors.

Whilst most people enjoying the ski slopes will arrive back safe and sound, for some, their trip will end in pain and discomfort. The number of fatalities on the ski slopes has rapidly decreased since the 1970’s with the wider use of ski safety equipment and most importantly a helmet, the number of skiers and snowboarders injured on and off the slopes is still a concern.   The cost of mountain rescue services is not something most people consider when planning a winter sports holiday.

Taking out ski insurance to pay for medical treatment in the event of an accident is really important; hospital treatment in some clinics is extremely expensive and the cost of a cheap travel insurance policy far outweighs the risk of paying thousands for treatment to a broken limb.  It is not just a good idea to take out a ski insurance policy to cover accidents and medical emergencies, many ski insurance policies will also cover the cost of stolen ski equipment and the cost of ski passes if the weather turns really nasty.  The chances are the travel insurance policy will not be needed, the skiing holiday will pass off without incident and the policy document will end up in the shredder but it is a big risk and with the cost of travel insurance remaining relatively cheap, it’s not really a risk worth taking.

Don’t forget your waterproofs for that big outdoor adventure

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Big adventures require a little planning. Part of that planning should always include making sure the equipment you take suits the activities you have planned.

If your adventure involves trekking, hiking, camping or cycling one thing you’re going to need for sure is waterproof clothing, including waterproof jackets and waterproof trousers.

Staying dry is important and for many trips and adventures all you really need to ensure that are in your group’s backpacks are waterproof jackets. These don’t necessarily need to be top of the range clothing, just enough to keep you dry. Prices for waterproofs vary greatly, for example men’s waterproof jackets can cost as little as £20 or as much as £200.

The kind of waterproof gear you need really depends on what you’re planning to do and how regularly you intend to take part in outdoor adventures.

As well as your jackets and trousers you’ll be needing good walking shoes or hiking boots, and plenty of comfortable socks.

To make certain that you have everything you need for a great outdoor experience put together a checklist and tick things off before you leave.

If you’re planning on camping, here’s an example of the kind of things you’ll need to add to your list (please note this is not a conclusive list, it is just a guide):

Shelter

*Tent
*Ground cloth/tarp
*Extra stakes
*Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes
*Axe or hammer
*Mat for tent entrance
*Dust pan/brush

Bedding

*Sleeping bag
*Sheets/blankets
*Pillow
*Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
*Air pump
*Repair kit for air mattress
*Utility bags for storage

Cooking

*Large water jug & water bucket
*Coolers/ice
*Thermos
*Stove with fuel/propane
*Matches/lighter
*Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner
*Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven/etc
*Campfire grill/BBQ grill
*Fire starters/newspaper
*Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips
*Plates & bowls/paper plates & bowls
*Silverware/plastic silverware
*Measuring cups
*Heavy-duty aluminium foil
*Paper towels
*Trash bags
*Dish soap
*Clothes pins
*Cooking oil
*Containers for food
*Potholders/oven mitts
*Pots and frying pans with lids
*Soap for outside of pots and pans
*Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
*Tongs
*Skewers/grill forks
*Can opener/bottle opener
*Folding table
*Dutch oven
*Pie irons
*Mugs/paper cups
*Mixing bowl
*Cutting board
*Ziplock bags
*Napkins
*Dish pan
*Dish rags/towels
*Scrub pad/brillo
*Seasonings/sugar/condiments
*Potato peeler

Clothes

*Shoes/boots
*Shorts
*T-shirts
*Socks/extra socks
*Hat
*Bandana
*Sweatshirt/jacket
*Underwear
*Sleep clothes
*Waterproof clothing
*Laundry bag

Personal

*Shower shoes/flip flops
*Towels/washcloth
*Soap in plastic case/shampoo
*Tooth brush/tooth paste
*Deodorant
*Comb/brush
*Razor
*Feminine products
*Toilet paper

Family Holidays in Majorca

The largest island in the Balearic archipelago group, Majorca lies just off the east coast of Spain. It’s been a popular holiday destination since the mid 20th century and has plenty of excellent resort areas which are ideal for family holidays.

Taking a family holiday in Majorca will offer you plenty of sunshine and the beaches all around the island offer plenty of opportunities besides sunbathing such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and glass bottom boat trips. Water sports are very popular here, and jet skiing, and wind surfing are available in many places. The beaches themselves offer white sands and are spacious and well kept and many such as those at Palma Bay and Alcudia are particularly sheltered and suitable for families.

Majorcan food can be quite varied. Pork tends to feature on many menus with Spbrassada (a spicy pork sausage) being commonly found and very popular with kids. Other dishes your family may like to try include things like Coca de Trampo, a pizza like dish, and Ensaimada which is a spiral shaped sweet flaky pastry desert. In many resorts however, a good range of English food is on offer for anyone who doesn’t find the local dishes appealing.

There is plenty on offer around the island to entertain you and your family when you visit. The island is fairly steeped in history and so there are lots of castles, museums and monuments to explore. The Pirate show near to Alcudia is a very popular place to visit, and offers dancing, fighting, comedy, action and more all rolled into one to create a very popular show. Do make sure if you visit with the family though, that you opt for the early evening showing as the later one is more bawdy and suitable for adults only.

Staying in the resorts around the island will offer you not just the chance to enjoy the beaches and sea, but also plenty of amenities offered within the resort. Many include spas, saunas, swimming pools and children’s play centres or kids clubs. There are golf courses and other sporting activities available at some of them too.

Overall, Majorca makes a great place to visit as a family with all you could want in terms of sun, sea and sand plus plenty more besides and at an affordable price too.

Top Five Family Holiday Destinations

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Picking the right destination can really make or break a family holiday. Get it right and you’ll be in the running for parents of the year. Get it wrong and the kids will be reminding you about it for years to come. Looking for flight deals and affordable accommodation will seem easy after you’ve agonised over choosing the perfect place to go.

Here are five top family holiday suggestions, with old classics mixed with some adventurous new ideas.

1. Spain

A long-time favourite for UK holidaymakers, Spain is perhaps the classic family holiday destination. Its islands and costas have some of Europe’s best beaches, and everyone knows how much kids love the beach. Try Northern Spain to find fewer tourists, beaches that are less busy, beautiful rolling countryside and some cultural treats.

As well as sea and sand, Spain also offers great walking and cycling holidays. Cities like Seville and Granada have enough cultural treasures to keep most kids enthralled. And of course, Spain is the home of the classic villa holiday; lie in the sun and relax while the kids play for hours in the pool.

2. France

The other classic holiday destination. And it’s easy to see why France’s natural beauty will always attract holidaymakers.

One of its major advantages is that it’s close. Load up the car, take the tunnel and you could be at your holiday destination in just a few hours. The northern areas of Normandy and Brittany are ideal for kids as they’ve great camping opportunities.

For those willing to go a bit further, the Vendée on the Atlantic coast has miles of quiet and unspoilt beaches. And what could be more idyllic than a family canoe adventure down the Loire?

3. Croatia

Perhaps not an obvious choice, but the unspoilt coastline of Croatia is a perfect place for a family holiday. Enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the coastal resorts or marvel at the stunning historic cities of Dubrovnik and Split.

Croatia’s thousands of small islands are the perfect place for a cycling holiday, with many small enough to explore in a single day. Ride along and discover your own private cove for a refreshing swim.

4. Turkey

Although not as cheap as it once was, Turkey still offers an affordable family holiday. Its thousands of miles of Aegean coastline are perfect for beach holidays. Or try Istanbul for an exotic and fascinating urban adventure.

Explore the coastline on a boat cruise or have some more extreme fun with the many adventure sport activities on offer.

5. The USA

The US is the holy grail of family holidays in the eyes of most kids. It really does have it all. With the world’s best theme parks, most iconic cities and famous beaches, you’ll never be short of entertainment that’s for sure!

On a budget? Rent a car and take the family on a road trip adventure of a lifetime. Or simply enjoy the bustle and beauty that California is famous for.

Getting the best golf holiday for your money

Whether your budget is limited or elastic, it’s daft to spend more than necessary on any aspect of your holiday. The briefest research & a couple of phone-calls can knock £100s off a package holiday. There are less obvious ways to save money, too, from buying  lake balls to take with you (instead of forking out £5 a ball at the resort) to using home-exchange programmes to get free luxury accommodation.

Saving money on golf package holidays:

Never assume that a package will be the cheapest option. Although many use attractively luxurious accommodation with food included, they often tie you to one or two specific golf courses, which can be frustrating if you’re staying somewhere like Belek, in Turkey, which is crammed full of world class courses. What’s more, the package may only include two rounds – any more will cost extra.

Factor in resort surcharges & you’ll often find that it works out cheaper to book your own flights & hotel separately, then select your fairways at leisure. This also lets you book a hotel with more general all-inclusive activities, like water sports & yoga, if you’re holidaying with non-golfers.

That said, golf packages often offer fat discounts to groups of 9 or more. Package holiday operators book out entire flights, so grow more desperate to sell holidays as the departure date looms. If you’re flexible – more likely if you’ve no family to consider & your business can handle a last-minute absence – 60 minutes spent calling tour operators can easily get you a hefty discount. This is more effective than buying last-minute online; you can’t negotiate with a website, nor can a website change its mind about the price when you say “oh well, I’d better look elsewhere”.

Travel agents also have a certain flexibility when you book well in advance. Although the discount probably won’t be as much as going last-minute, they do like to get deposits in the bank & turnover ensured. Research online first, then speak to real people to get the discount.

Home exchange – luxury accommodation for free:

Although it sounds daunting at first, this is a booming area, with several agencies catering to golfers. You will of course need a home to offer in exchange. This can be your first home or your holiday property, but it must be tidy, comfortable & close to a decent golf course or two. You can arrange exchanges with a golfers & golfing families from across the globe. The range of homes on offer is very tempting indeed, with luxury or at least very comfortable places available everywhere from St Andrews to Chile, with Hamburg, Reykjavik, New South Wales, California & Cape Town in between.

If you hate the idea of other people staying in your house this might not be for you, but remember that you’ll be staying in theirs as well. You can always remove valuable items to a safe place. The rule is that swappers leave your home the way they found it, if not cleaner, & participants seem consistently satisfied with the experience. You may even establish a mutually beneficial relationship that will furnish you with a home-from-home for years to come.

Sun, Sea and Sand in Florida

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Florida, ‘The Sunshine State’, is located in the southeast of the United States, flanked by the Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Take advantage of cheap car hire and you’ll soon discover that the best way to experience many of the amazing attractions Florida has to offer, is by driving. Here is a little about each of the places that are well worth a stop on your road trip around Florida.

Key West, and the surrounding Florida Keys, offers many options for those holidaying here. Popular destinations include the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, the Harry S. Truman Little White House Museum, and Mallory Square. The latter is host to some spectacular sunsets, and the street entertainment is remarkable. Not to be missed is the notorious ‘Catman’ show!

If theme parks are your thing, then head to Orlando. Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and of course Walt Disney World are among the favourites. Discovery Cove is also highly recommended and a very relaxing resort – the kids will love swimming with the dolphins too! If all this rushing around the parks takes its toll, then head to Bob’s Balloons and experience Orlando from a different perspective, hundreds of feet up in the air.

Miami really has it all. The beaches are incredible, the Everglade National Park is famous the world over, and downtown Miami is a metropolis of trendy bars, clubs and restaurants. Here art deco architecture and golden sands lie side by side. Health and fitness is also incredibly popular; Tropical Park has over 10 kilometres of paved running tracks and Eden Roc Resort sports a monstrous indoor climbing wall, with routes suitable for all skill levels.

Fort Lauderdale is another popular tourist destination and has many canals or ‘scenic inland waterways’, which give it the feeling of Venice in America. Yachting is a trendy pastime here, but more accessible to the visitor is deep-sea fishing. Great fun for all ages and, whether or not you’ve spun a line before, you’ll soon be landing tuna and sailfish by the dozen! Take the catch back to shore and enjoy freshly barbecued fish on the beach that very evening, watching the stunning sunsets that Florida does so well.

Daytona Beach is famous for speed, originating back to when motor races took place down on the wide long beaches. Nowadays it is still possible to drive on some areas of the beach, however a speed limit is firmly in place so don’t get carried away! To satisfy the craving for speed, instead head to Daytona International Speedway to witness NASCAR and motorbike races year round. Daytona also has a credible range of golf courses including The Club at Pelican Bay. This fast course used to be private but is now open to the public and will suit golfers of a moderate standard.

Well, that’s more than enough for any driving holiday around Florida, all that’s left to do is decide the dates, and choose the car.