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May 29th, 2008 admin
1 – Practice in the garden – Although you might feel stupid doing it, practicing pitching your tent and getting used to your equipment (either in your back garden or a local park) is well worth your time. Better to know the ins and outs before you go than be struggling with it on a wet and windy evening in a caravan holiday park
2 - Protect your tent – Look after your tent and your tent will look after you. Tents can be high priced so be sure to protect it with plastic sheets underneath to prevent ripping or damage. Also once you get it home remove any dirt with water (not soap) and make sure the tent is dry before packing it away otherwise the mildew can produce mould and other unwanted pests.
3 - Use a Checklist – Imagine you are at a campsite and about to take a shower or brush your teeth only to find out that you don’t have a toothbrush or shower gel! This is where a checklist can obviously be helpful. Before you pack make sure to make a note of what you need and tick them off whilst packing. Do the same when leaving the campsite to make sure you don’t leave anything important behind.
4 - Carry spares – Most specialist outdoor retailers sell tent fabric and tent repair kits for whenever you are in a spot of bother and need to make repairs. Spare tent pegs and duck tape is also very useful to have in emergency or for small quick repairs.
5 - Close but not too close – It’s always useful to be close to local facilities at a campsite such as toilets, showers and water supplies. Early in the mornings and late at night time however can be a different story as other campers can make a lot of noise not to mention the odors from the bathrooms!
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May 28th, 2008 admin
There are around 11,000 campsites scattered across France, ranging from minimal facility farm campsites through to luxury holiday parks. Most campsites are graded by stars, one to four in much the same way as hotels.
One-star campsites are fairly basic and becoming increasingly rare. Two-star sites (the most numerous) generally provide a reasonable level of comfort. Three and four stars usually mean a degree of luxury, often extending to first-class restaurants and beautifully landscaped swimming pools.
The main tourist areas cater well for campers and you can usually find a good choice of campsites or mobile homes in France. Inland sites generally have more space available, and if you do find it impossible to find a pitch along the coast just turn inland and you’re sure to find one. It probably won’t be that far from a beach either.
Even though France has some magnificent mountain scenery in the Alps and Pyrenees, plus some beautiful rivers like the Loire and Dordogne, most campers head for the coast. And there’s a lot of it in France, particularly in the west. Within easy reach of it all there are many hundreds of superb campsites at which to stay.
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May 28th, 2008 admin
1. Great Bay – St Martin’s – Isles of Scilly – Voted as one of the top 10 beaches in England, Great bay obviously has some excellent pedigree. The Scilly Isles do have many fine beaches and choosing is difficult but the beautiful turquoise sea and glistening white sands are enough to put this top.
2. Harlyn Beach – Padstow – Cornwall – Complemented with great rock pools and superb surf. The Harlyn Beach has plenty of wide open spaces particularly during low tide for beach fun.
3. Preston Beach – Torbay – Devon – This red sand beach is a particularly family favourite. The beach has a European Blue Flag which is an award given to beaches that have impeccable environmental standards as well as 1st class health and safety facilities.
4. Porthmeor - St Ives – Cornwall – A well known surf and sand beach the Portmeor is based near the great beach café and Porthmeor studios. The Tate St Ives is based nearby so can be very handy if you wanted to surf in the morning and view some art later on!
5. Porthminster - St Ives – Cornwall – Based very close to the Porthmeor beach the Porthminster is a classic sandy beach and the longest in St Ives. Close by is the world renowned Porthminster café specializing in Asian and Mediterranean cuisine.
6. Kynance Cove – Lizard – Cornwall - Popular with sightseers since Victorian times this National Trust beach can get very busy on a hot day. The beach has numerous caves to explore but be careful!
7. Lantic Bay – Fowey – Cornwall – A quiet but gorgeous beach with white sands. The remoteness of the beach makes it’s quite hard to find meaning it is often empty. If you can make it there it is definitely worth seeing.
8. Polridmouth - Nr Fowey, - Cornwall – Another secluded and quiet beach the Polridmouth beach appeals to people looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
9. Helford Passage - Nr Falmouth – Cornwall – A safe sandy beach with a little shop and a popular family pub. Boats can be hired to explore the river and creeks.
10. Perran Sands – Perranporth – Cornwall – Is set within an area of outstanding beauty along side over 3 miles of sandy beach a well loved surfer’s beach with a great bar.
This year there is an expected increase in people taking holidays within the UK and not going abroad. If you plan to do similar and need a Cornwall Cottage or looking for a Cottage to Rent in Cornwall then there are many places you can find one.
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May 23rd, 2008 admin
The Isle of Wight Festival is well known around the U.K and the world. The music festival is run annually and originated in 1968 with such bands as T-rex and Jefferson Airplane. The event was widely seen as the first great UK rock festival and a massive success. The 1970 festival was when the festival really kicked on and looking back at the lineup you can understand why it was deemed a classic. Bands and artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan and The Who playing over five days for an attendance that surpassed Woodstock!
However the unexpected success of the event (and high attendance levels) resulted in Parliament passing the “Isle of Wight Act” meaning that gatherings with more than 5,000 people on the Island would be made illegal. However hard they tried the local authorities and organizers couldn’t guarantee the safety for all the general public.
Fast forward 32 years and the festival has been revived led by ex Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant. Him and his band play alongside other popular acts like The Coral, Ash and The Charlatans. Although it isn’t as big as the 1970 event the general public are glad to see the festival back where it belongs. Between 2003-2007 there have been many classic bands come and play here amongst them Iggy Pop, David Bowie, REM, The Rolling Stones and Muse. There is a real buzz of anticipation about this years festival as bands old and new are playing in the Isle of Wight. After last years “Best Major UK Festival” award the headliners have got a lot to live up to although I’m sure your agree there are some good bands playing like The Sex Pistols, N.E.R.D., Kaiser Chiefs, The Police, The Kooks and many more.
The Isle of Wight Festival 2008 takes place on 13th, 14th and 15th of June and with an
estimated attendance of 65,000. With that in mind Isle of Wight Accommodation or Isle of Wight Hotels could be hard to find. To avoid disappointment I’d make sure to book early.
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May 22nd, 2008 admin
Britain’s best kept secret. A sub tropical paradise based less than 30 miles from Lands End! The Isles of Scilly is a magnificent destination for a day trip, short break or longer holiday. If you are looking for a getaway and a quality of life tricky to find in the hustle and bustle of most towns and cities then the Isles of Scilly is the place for you. The scenery is beautiful with gorgeous white beaches, exotic plants, an unmatched peace and tranquility combined with a sub tropical climate. Why go anywhere else?
There are 5 islands populated by 2,000 friendly islanders, set amongst hundreds of smaller islands to choose from for your holiday they are as follows:
- St Marys - The largest of the islands, at two and a half miles by one and three-quarter miles. The island also is home to a large variety of wildlife.
- Tresco - The second largest island offers an astonishing variety of scenery,
- Bryher - The smallest community of the Islands, Bryher offers beauty and contrast.
- St Martins - An island of white sands and clear waters, St. Martin’s boasts some of the best beaches in the British Isles.
- St Agnes - The most south-westerly of the Islands, St Agnes is enchanting and tranquil.
Heated by the Gulf Stream and improving the Isles of Scilly’s climate, the islands are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and are warmed by the North Atlantic drift. To travel to the Scilly Isles you will rely on sea and air links to and from the mainland. This will always make it a world apart and whilst populations increase I can only see the Isles of Scilly’s popularity rising. Whether you choose to travel across via sea or Fly to the Isles of Scilly you will be sure to enjoy the treasures of the Islands whatever the season.
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May 16th, 2008 admin
Scotland is well known as the home as golf and with over 500 golf courses it’s easy to see why! If you are a golf fanatic then you would have always wanted to play Scotland’s world renowned courses or even its hidden gems. It’s currently an interesting time for golf in Scotland and considering the value for money, range of golf courses and most importantly the quality of the courses Scotland should be your first choice for a golfing holiday. As a keen golfer I have played on many courses all over the world but particularly in Scotland and one golf resort in particular.
The Westin Turnberry Resort enjoys a spectacular coastal setting with breathtaking views and beautiful scenery. Based above the Ayrshire coastline the resort is world class and based in a gorgeous 800 acre estate. With the lighthouse in the distance and the sea next to you whilst you play, if you are looking for a better course in the world this one takes some beating.
You can play on a choice of two championship courses, an excellent nine hole course or at the Colin Montgomerie links golf academy. The Aisla Championship course will also be the venue for the Open Championship in 2009 so you know that the course has some pedigree. But it’s not just left to the world’s best. Every year, thousands of golfers ranging from pro to novice enjoy the thrill of playing on a championship course. The Kintyre Championship course is well known around the world for it’s links golf. The Arran is a challenging course which has been designed to pass on information and tips about links golf and how Colin Montgomerie plays. There is also a 12 hole pitch and putt course available for people who may not be confident enough to play on the other courses.
After a long day out at a golf resort you will be looking for a place to stay and relax before taking on the rest of the courses the next day. There are many places to stay maybe a the Turnberry Hotel or a Caravan Site Scotland.
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May 12th, 2008 admin
There are many attractions in the New forest that offer allsorts of various activities. The obvious and main reason that people visit the New forest is to see the beautiful scenery and wildlife. However there is a lot more to the New forest than meets the eye and once you find this out you might end up staying for a bit longer than you originally planned!
If you are looking for a relaxing break then why not visit the many manors and castles in the area. The Hurst castle proving popular with tourists. If not that then perhaps a quiet stroll along the gorgeous south coast. People looking to discover the history and heritage of the forest may want to visit the many local galleries, gardens and museums
The New Forest is a genuine walkers dream with many linear and circular routes. Along the way you will find many picnic sites all of which give the visitors an easy and safe access to a variety of landscapes. There are specially guided tours all year round where the local experts will tell you of the history, wildlife and myths all around you.
For people looking for something a bit daring and adventurous the adventure parks are always an interesting option. The New Forest is a fantastic place for cycling with miles and miles of traffic free tracks leading you right into the heart of the forest with few hills to worry about. If you are looking for a self catering apartment or room there are many different places to find a New Forest hotel.
Visitors to the New Forest will tell you that it is a lively, gorgeous landscape with many secrets to discover. The only way to reveal the hidden gems of the New Forest is to get out there and explore. Try to escape from the confines of the car and head out on foot, horseback to get a more intimate feel of the forest, its coast and villages.
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May 12th, 2008 admin
Oxford, “The City of Dreaming Spires”, is famous the world over for its University and place in history. For over 800 years, it has been a home to royalty and scholars. Since the 9th century Oxford has been an established town. Oxford has many faces. From the exquisiteness of Oxford’s town architecture, to the buzzing party life that is Cowley Road. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure you will find a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments and self-catering accommodation. With its mix of ancient and modern, there is plenty for both the resident and tourist to do including:
Arts & Culture - Oxford boasts a wealth of cultural attractions including as theatres, cinemas, museums and architecture. The ancient buildings of Oxford’s famous university create a wonderful atmosphere throughout this beautiful city.
Outdoor Life - There are many parks for picnics, walks or a place to relax in the riverside city of Oxford. One minute you can be walking within the bustle of the town, and before you know it you are in the quiet country. There are a number of sports centres around the city which offer sports such as basketball, swimming, badminton and volleyball.
Shopping - The main shopping centres in Oxford are the Clarendon and Westgate Shopping Centres in the centre of town. You can find all the usual UK high street stores here. For something a little different, head down to The Golden Cross Arcade. A picturesque arcade of cafes and shops which leads to the famous Covered Market where you can find lots of independent cafes, fashion and food shops.
Nightlife - Oxford has many excellent cafes and restaurants. If you are looking for a real ale and friendly welcome there are a selection of quiet country pubs and traditional inns, as well as more lively late night bars in and around Oxford. You can also catch musicals, opera, live music and stand-up comedy at the New Theatre or a film at the Odeon, Phoenix, Picture Palace or VUE cinema.
Obviously if you like Oxford you might even look to stay in the area. There are many places to rent property in Oxford in or around this famous city.
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