Monthly Archives: August 2008

Cumbria Holidays more popular than ever before!

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A tourism company in Cumbria has recently announced that lake district holiday bookings over the summer months are up by 40% in comparison to 2007. The figures for coming months are set to maintain this excellent rise. They also mentioned that hotels and caravan parks were particularly busy and availability is said to be in short supply.

Popular towns like Windermere and Keswick have been jam packed with tourists from the UK and abroad. Keswick in particular have been attracting many holidaymakers with approximately 2,000 people visiting each day.

Lorna Egan the team leader for Keswick Tourist Information Centre believes that the credit crunch has been keeping British residents at home for their holidays this year, with a Cumbria holiday proving a real hit. “We had one lady who came in and said she usually went to Scotland, but could not afford the extra fuel cost and had decided to come to the Lake District.”

The Keswick TIC are also trying to get people to become green, become more aware of their carbon footprint by using public transport instead of their own cars. This is another thing that has been noted by Mrs Egan “Virtually every other request we get is for a time table and pensioners wanting to know if they can travel free on our buses.”

Tom Milburn the owner of Seacote caravan park in St Bees has also seen a massive boom in business but he believes that this isn’t all down to the credit crunch. The Lake District is world renowned for its stunning views, gorgeous landscapes and its this that Mr Milburn believes has interested holidaymakers instead of just saving a few pounds.

50% of UK Residents taking a British Holiday.

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According to an online survey, 50% of UK residents are choosing to take a British holiday. Nearly 2,000 people took the survey and it shows that people are genuinely concerned with the strength of the pound in comparison to the euro, their carbon footprint and the current economic climate.

This month one of Britain’s largest holiday operator released a statement saying that their bookings are up 10% in comparison to 2007. Whilst travel company Lastminute.com have confirmed that bookings in the UK is up by 16%.

The survey also asked them where their favourite UK holiday resort was and the list was unsurprising with Newquay, St Ives, Bournemouth and Weymouth proving most popular. Nearly 70% of these people stated that being able to book their British holiday at the last minute without the need for passports, jabs or booking flights was also a benefit. The fact that the most popular towns were seaside resorts that people went to as children was also seen as a reason for people to return.

Lastminute.com has also noticed that people booking a Newquay summer break with have nearly doubled in comparison to 2007. With its famous beaches and great attractions like the Eden Project, Blue Reef Aquarium, Newquay Zoo and Waterworld its understandable why people are travelling down to Cornwall for their summer holidays.

Bored Children? Bring them to Snowdonia!

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A recent poll taken by children around the UK has returned with the surprising news that nearly a third of them think that a holiday is boring! Unfortunately it seems that wherever parents decide to go, its proving a difficult job to keep the nations kids busy.

Maybe a nice trip to a summer camp will keep them happy? At least parents will be able to lay back and relax, no complaining and no theatrics. (at least not from the children…) If sending them away doesn’t work then perhaps try a few of my ideas below:

If thrill seeking is what your children are after then take them to Itry a specialist outdoor activity company in Snowdonia, Wales. There are loads of different activities which are bound to keep them busy and tire them out by the end of the day. The list includes Canoeing, Climbing, Coasteering, Skiing, Rope Climbing, Adventure days and much much more. Equipment is all provided for by Itry, although it is advised that you bring a change of clothes and a towel as its pretty likely that you’ll be getting wet at some point! For any climbing activity comfortable, warm clothing as well as a rainproof coat is a must.

This sort of activity is suitable for all members of the family, catering from kids to seniors. The instructors or guides are very experienced and their knowledge on their particular activity will keep you interested regardless of ability. One things for sure a day out with Itry is something you won’t be forgetting for a while!

To find out information on Snowdonia Holiday Cottages visit http://www.stsholidays.com/

British Couple Holiday in Isle of Wight for 55 years!

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A hospital porter and his wife have spent the last 55 years visiting the Isles of Wight for their holidays and would never dream about going anywhere else. Leonard and Lillian Howard who are both 80 years old, first visited the Isle of Wight in 1953 and have returned without fail every year, for them the place is perfect and don’t see the need to ever go anywhere else.

The couple from London return for summer vacations, day trips and weekends away, apparently they’ve even gone on Isle of Wight holidays for Christmas and often taking relatives.

Mrs Howard is often recommending the holiday location to family & friends and it seems that the place is very close to their hearts. “We first visited the island in 1953 after a friend recommended it to us.”

“As soon as we got here we fell in love with the place and I’ve since recommended it to hundreds of other people.

“We could go to America or somewhere sunny like Benidorm but why travel all that way when all I want to do is sit in a deckchair and do my knitting?

“When we die we want our ashes to be scattered on Culver Cliff so we can look down on this beauty forever.

“It really is like paradise for us.”

This year the couple were surprised by their daughter Kim who booked a special trip for them to celebrate their 60th anniversary. The Isle of Wight Council were told about the story and arranged a unique reception to commemorate their Diamond anniversary.

They were joined by family members from all over the globe, some visiting from the USA to join in with the celebrations. Mrs Howard added “I keep telling everyone about the island and how wonderful it is and then when they go they always come back and tell me I was right.

“My favourite memory is of when my whole family, including my six brothers and one sister and their partners and in-laws, went over together.

“There were about 30 of us and we all played games on the beach. It was wonderful.”

This story shows that you don’t always have to go abroad to have a fun holiday, sometimes the best holidays are the ones on your doorstep. Find out more about holidays on Isles of Wight keep reading the Online Travel Blog!

The Wonder of The USA’s National Parks

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Nothing beats the fulfilling experience you’ll endure when visiting one of the many U.S. national parks. For as little as $80 you can purchase a pass that admits three adults and an unlimited amount of children under 16. Once you leave the park, that pass will admit you and all of your guests at no additional price whenever you decide to return.

With a trip to Yellowstone park you can enjoy the geyser eruption of Old Faithful, or take in the wildlife and marvel at the variety of animals on display. You can travel to Yosemite and view some of the tallest waterfalls in the world as they pour wondrously into the Yosemite Valley. Take your trip northwest into the Olympic and enjoy a spacious environment that essentially gives you three parks in one. Enjoy the temperate rainforests, sandy Pacific beaches or the amazing glacial-covered alpine reaches. Once you’re inside the gates, all of these sights and activities are offered at no cost.

The U.S. national parks make for a great family vacation that is sure to be cherished by everyone. While they offer excitement, there’s no amusement park that can provide such a return on such a small investment.

China: Environmental Wasteland

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China has the largest population in the world along with the fastest growing economy. However, this rapid growth has resulted in tremendous environmental concerns for the country, one that threatens the health of its citizens.

The Chinese government has been under major fire concerning their unsettling level of pollution approaching the Olympic Games in Beijing. Among those pointing the finger are the United Nations, the World Health Organization and even Olympic authorities for individual countries participating in the games. Apart from overshadowing the Olympic games, China’s pollution issue poses a much greater threat to the country’s 1.3 billion citizens, and ultimately the entire planet itself.

Deemed as the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide and harboring lakes filled with tons of contaminated waste water, its unlikely that China will be able to clean things up in time to host an environmental-friendly Olympic Games. Moving into more positive environmental developments and sustaining them seems far fetched as well. While Olympic athletes will only be exposed to the polluted air and drinking water for a few weeks, the people of China must deal with a probable lifetime of unsafe conditions unless the Chinese government steps up to enforce much needed policies.

Tips For Purchasing Rental Car Service

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With today’s struggling economy, its important to get the most value for your dollar and vacation. For those who frequently travel by rental car, we have provided a few tips that will help you get the best deal possible.

Compare Prices
The best rental car deals often come with hidden fees. Whether you’re skimming through the phone book or seeking service online, be sure to compare the prices of different companies and make sure that you’re quoted exact figures before making a choice.

Keep Your Eye On The Rates
The rates of rental cars fluctuate just like airfare prices. The difference is that you don’t have to place a down payment on a rental car until you actually reach the counter. If you’re trying to plan things a few weeks in advance, check the rates of different companies from time to time. You just may be able to reserve a nice car for a steal.

Rent The Small Car Available
Everybody wants to ride in luxury yet everyone can’t afford to. If you’re looking to save money, rent a smaller car for your trip. This will ensure a cheaper rental price and will be far more economical on fuel.

Is It Still Safe To Fly?

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There was much public concern this year over the number of flights that were canceled by companies like American Airlines and others. While some speculated whether or not is was safe to the fly the friendly skies, it was found that these frequent cancellations were the result of negligence on the part of both the FAA and the airlines.

In the case of Southwest Airlines, flights were grounded due to cracks in the fuselages of their Boeing 737, an issue both parties chose to ignore for nearly year. A representative from the airline reports that this problem wasn’t an issue of safety because the bundle wire was actually secure, but instead, a matter of how the work was done. Despite their claims, Southwest was fined $10 million for this defect, prompting other companies like American Airlines, Alaska and Delta to tightened up in the maintenance department and get the proper inspections to avoid hefty penalties.

Automobile accidents and fatalities still outweigh those in the sky by far. While most airlines have established a good reputation over the past thirty years, there are a few you may want to avoid including those in Indonesia, Africa, Thailand and North Korea.

Be Careful of European Travel Scams!

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The most common problem you’ll likely have while on your European holiday is having a taxi driver overcharge you, but there are other scams you may encounter. One of the most popular is the ‘helpful’ local you will want to show you the sites and invite you for a drink at a popular bar. You go, and when the bill comes it’s several hundred dollars and you have to pay it or the gigantic bouncers near the doors won’t let you leave.

Of course, they’re getting a cut of your money. Also be careful of the ‘lost’ tourist whose credit card isn’t working and who seems so pathetic and troubled. He wants your cash or your PIN if you go to an ATM to get cash to help him out. And while you’re at that ATM, take a look and make sure it hasn’t been tampered with so that it will hold your card until you walk away to get help and the thief comes along to retrieve it.

Be careful, too, of foreign money, as some of the most worthless of it can look very similar to the best of it. Don’t get shortchanged because you’re in a hurry or because your waiter thought that you weren’t paying attention. You can have a great European holiday, simply by using a money belt and being aware of your surroundings – don’t fall for tourist scams.

Digital Postcards for Lake District Visitors

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lake ditrict

The traditional thing to do while on holiday is to send relatives and friends a postcard to show them/ rub in what a wonderful time you are having. This usually involves popping into a gift shop or looking round a local market, writing it, finding a stamp, then a post box and finally sending it, for it to usually arrive after you have got home and already told them about the holiday. Well with the new technology that e-mail and the internet are providing, things can be done a lot quicker and more efficiently. People who are having a holiday in the Lake District and have internet access can send their loved ones a digital postcard using the Southlakeland Parks website.