Monthly Archives: December 2008

Top 3 things to do on an Isle of Wight Holiday

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There are many things to do whilst you are staying at one of the many Isle of Wight Luxury Hotels for more information look below:

Take a trip to Ventnor Botanic Gardens: Home to palm trees, cacti, banana trees and much more thanks to the Isle of Wight’s temperate micro climate. The gardens have been used frequently over the years for documentaries and dramas like Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Based on the south of the island the gorgeously green area also give you a chance to sample stunning sea views from Niton & Ventnor.

Go on a dinosaur tour!: Strangely for its size the Isle of Wight has been credited by the National Geographic Magazine as being the forth best location in the world for dinosaur fossils. Tours can be booked from the islands Dinosaur Isle Museum and are taken from Freshwater bay to the Needles.

Go to the beach: The weather in the Isle of Wight between the months of May and September is usually bright and humid making it ideal beach weather. Below are a couple of beaches that prove popular year after year:

  • Colwell Bay – A golden beach based near Yarmouth which is especially good for family swimming and sand castle building. Can get busy during popular times of year but there is usually enough space for everyone.
  • Compton – When the weather and wind is right the Compton beach is perfect for surfing.
  • Bonchurch – Perfect around August, the Bonchurch beach is ideal for relaxing as the local coves will become lovely & warm.
  • Sandown – Getting a Hotel in Sundown may not be as popular with the tourists as getting a Hotel in Shanklin but the beach is larger with more beautiful views.

Things to do on your Shanklin Holiday

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Osborne House: The once summer home of Queen Victoria is owned and maintained by the English Heritage. The house is kept in brilliant condition and can be viewed all year round. If you are planning to visit other English Heritage landmarks on your Shanklin Holiday like Carisbrooke Castle then it is worth becoming a member as there are discounts and other deals that allow free access to other English Heritage properties.

Carisbrooke Castle: This castle based in the middle of the island is very popular with tourists. Charles I was imprisoned at Carisbrooke. The castle is mentioned in Moonfleet, a popular children’s story that includes a donkey driven treadmill.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway: resuscitated to pre war glory the steam railway has been given the financial backing to recreate the environment of yesteryear. A day ticket ensures that you can have unlimited travel which is great for all of the family, prices are reasonable at £8 for adults and £4 for children. Opening times do vary but it is available on weekends and summer.

The Needles: Based on the west of the Isle of Wight these offshore rocks were used to defend the island. Preserved impeccably by the national trust, the views and atmosphere is hard to beat anywhere else in the UK.

Steephill Cove: Based at the south of the island and close to the town of Ventnor. This cove is only reachable on foot. Again the views and gorgeous sea air are breathtaking. An amazing restaurant based on the beach is home to some of the freshest lobster and crab anywhere. A great place to go on your Weekend Break to Shanklin

Take a Winter Break in Bath

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If those winter blues are starting to kick in then maybe its time you took a winter break. With the credit crunch it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for people to take holidays abroad so many are looking for breaks in the UK as an alternative.

Taking a short break in Bath has been popular with those looking for a UK break for centuries, from the time when people would visit its ancient springs for healing water to those looking to marvel at its Georgian splendour. Bath has managed to create a relaxing atmosphere yet still has plenty of things to see and do. There are a number of year round attractions so when ever you decide to go there will be something for you to do. One of the top attractions for visitors is the world renowned spa. Using the only hot springs in Britain the spa is unique. The hot springs gave been attracting people to Bath for thousands of years because of the healing properties the water is said to contain.

As well as the many attractions of the city itself a walk through the surrounding country side should be high on your list. Bath is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. The city is surrounded but picturesque country side and chocolate box villages all well worth a visit and if your feeling adventurous the rolling hills make great walking whether you’re a novice or an experienced rambler. With a number of hotels offering great Bath accommodation the city is ideal for a winter getaway.

Book a Last Minute Cornwall Holiday Today!

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The Great British holiday destination of choice with gorgeously green countryside, jaw dropping coastline and charmingly friendly fishing towns like St Austell, Falmouth and St Ives. It’s not surprising that Cornwall is one of the most admired parts of Britain.

It isn’t just the views that keep getting people to come back for more. England’s surf capital that is Newquay, sandy beaches, parks, golf courses and much more makes Cornwall a top holiday destination for all the family.

As everyone is already aware the credit crunch has meant that we have had to look after the pennies and it looks like we will be doing so for a long while yet. So instead of going abroad this Christmas, why not stay at a traditional Cornish Cottage?

There are plenty of companies that except last minute bookings and it’s probably the best time to book as you can find yourself some awesome deals over Christmas, New Year and beyond.

Looking online for example I’ve found an excellent holiday apartment in Penzance for the week between Christmas and New Year for only £345. The Grade II Listed building called Harbour Lookout (Pictured above) has 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and remains charismatic and quaint but with all the modern contemporary facilities that you would expect. To find out more about booking a last minute Cottage in Cornwall.

The Finest Natural Wonders in Wales

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pembrokeshire cottage

Wales is a beautiful country with so much to see and do with many natural delights on offer. One natural wonder is the tallest waterfall in England and Wales, Pistyll Rhaeadr, which falls 240 feet in three stages. Pistyll Rhaeadr is named in “the Seven Wonders of Wales” which is a poem created by English visitors to Wales to chronicle some of there favourite Welsh attractions during their short break in Wales.

If you have already been lucky enough to have seen Pistyll Rhaeadr or just don’t fancy a trip to see the waterfall then perhaps St. Winefride’s Well will be more appealing. St. Winefride’s Well, known as the Lourdes of Wales, is a holy site and is the oldest pilgrimage site still in operation in the whole of the UK. Legend has it that the waters can achieve miraculous cures for those who have drunk the water.

The most famous of all the natural wonders in Wales has to be Mt Snowdon. The mountain is the highest in England and Wales and has been popular with climbers and tourists for centuries. Even if mountain climbing isn’t your idea of a holiday the beauty of the mountain and the Snowdonia National Park is well worth a trip to see.

The Pembrokeshire coastline is one of the most beautiful coasts not only in Wales but in the whole of the British Isles. The picturesque coastline is made up of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, tranquil islands and quite coves. The area has become increasingly popular in recent times thanks to the creation of the Pembrokeshire National Park and many Pembrokeshire cottages providing accommodation for holiday makers.

Cheap Walking Breaks on the Isle of Wight

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The Isle of Wight has so much more to offer than just one of the biggest music festivals of the year. The Isle is packed full of possible ventures for people of all levels of fitness and really provides something for everyone.

One of the increasingly popular reasons of visiting the Isle is the outstanding views that really enhance your experience of your time on holiday there. What better way to see the isle and the spectacular views that are on offer than a walking holiday that are available through out the year.

The isle has many, foot only pathways that take you to some well secluded areas of the Isle of Wight and lead to many hidden treasures. A brisk walk or a leisurely stroll makes a walking holiday ideal for people of all levels of fitness and great for those of us who enjoy and simply stunning view. All year round the views are just spectacular and provide a different experience depending on what time of the year you visit.

What better way to undertake your walk than with your best friend by your side. This popular destination offers a selection of dog friendly hotels on the Isle of Wight that will welcome you and your beloved dog.

So treat yourself and your dog to a cheap break on the Isle of Wight and se first hand what is on offer on this beautiful part of the world no matter what time of the year.

Break up the New Year on the Isle of Wight

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Why not start the New Year with a memorable occasion and treat yourself and your partner to a romantic luxury break on the Isle of Wight? Why wait for Valentines Day to show some one you care? After the hustle of xmas is out of the way and before the travel industry becomes over whelmed with people looking for a bargain, opt to do something differently at the start of the year.

The Isle of Wight offers great scenic views all year round and to locations only reachable by foot you’ll soon discover some hidden treasures that the Island has to offer. The winter delivers the fresh embracing air that rushes along the breathtaking coastline, and the summer provides long summer days that seems to last forever both with unbeatable views of outstanding natural beauty.

Embrace the fresh air and go for a nice romantic walk along the coast and see what picturesque views are at hand. Really explore the Island and visit the local shops and find out more about the history of the Island and discover some of the lesser known treasures of the Island. Then upon your return to the warmth and comfort of an open fire at the hotel and treat yourself to a warm heartily meal and a well deserved glass of wine.

A trip like this would be ideal for a weekend break away from the regular day to day routine that becomes a necessity. It is advisable to book soon to avoid disappointment.

Time for Bed and Breakfast on the Isle of Wight

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So you might have considered a luxury break on the Isle of Wight but what time of year is the best time to go? Well once xmas is over and done with and you have given yourself a few months to recover from the financial impact that it has had upon your bank balance, you’ll probably be looking to treating yourself to a well deserved break away.

So why not look for bed and breakfast on the Isle of Wight and treat yourself and your partner to a post festive break. The island offers many reasons to visit through out the year and one of which is the Isle of Wight Grand National.

The next event takes place on Sunday the 29th March 2009 and promises to be yet another nail biting event. The grand national takes place on West Ashey Farm and is fast becoming a annual tradition for most families.

Competitors arrive from all over the place to see the events and the spectators come from as far a field as well. The Grand National makes for an ideal family day out for all involved.

With an array of races to be run and a huge range of prizes to be dished out for race positioning and best in show the competition can get fierce.

Weather permitting this promises to be a fine event for all who attend. You don’t have to be passionate about horse racing to enjoy it and before long you will find yourself caught up in the excitement and suspense of the race.

So treat yourself to a flutter on the horses and a luxury b and b on the Isle of Wight.

Camping tips for the winter

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camping in the winter

Most people tend to think of camping holidays as happening during the warmer summer months. But many people like to brave the weather and try a spot of winter camping. In this blog post we will cover some tips and advice that will hopefully make your winter camping trip go smoother.

Obviously you need to keep warm and one of the best ways to do this, is by wearing layered clothing. This allows you to adjust the amount you are wearing that will regulate temperature and body moisture. Fleece or body warmers are ideal as a bottom layer, working your way up to a waterproof outer layer. Cotton clothes aren’t really recommended as they lost their insulating qualitative once wet.

All footwear should be waterproof, especially if you are planning on going for walks in the area. Heat escapes from you head, so you should a woolly hat or balaclava. A balaclava will also protect your face and neck from cold winds.

One misconception is putting on too many socks. If you end up restricting the blood flow to your feet, they will feel cold no matter how many you have on. This same principle can be used with gloves; don’t wear too tight gloves as they will have the same effect. If you are going to a wet area, you should take extra gloves and socks as you will need them if they get wet during the day.

When it comes to food you should take plenty of carbs to keep the body warm. Care should be taken in that food should be easy to prepare in cold conditions and simple to eat. Keeping yourself hydrated is important, as dry winter air has the habit of dehydrating you without you knowing. Water is used by the body to create heat so it is important to keep an eye on. You can stop water from freezing by using insulating covers.

The tent you use for your camping trip should be carefully chosen, as some may not be sturdy enough to handle strong winds, and may have ventilation that will let the cold in. Select a campsite with spots that are sheltered if possible, tarps between trees can also be used to help block wind.

There are a lot of other factors that you need to take into consideration when winter camping. We will have another blog post next month discussing the matter further. Good Luck.

Top Ten Tips to save on your Ski Holiday this Christmas

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1 – Book the holiday in a group – There are many great deals out there to be had including half price insurance for large groups or book a group holiday and the 10th person goes for free!
2 – Make essential purchases before you leave – Lift passes are often cheaper bought pre holiday in the UK than if you wait and buy them at the resort.

3 – Think about purchases – Are you the type of family or person who likes to lie in, especially whilst on holiday? If so it might be a good idea to buy half day passes instead of a full week.

4 – Book at the right time – New Year, Christmas, Half terms and early April all have something in common. They are all very busy and usually expensive. If you are looking for a cheaper Ski Holidays in France then book outside of these times.

5 – Be Prepared – Paying for everything up front on your holiday is something that we might not all be able to afford but it will let you relax and let you enjoy stress free Ski Holidays in Norway.

6 – Try to Haggle – Hiring shops particularly on ski resorts will charge quite large amounts for their goods. But a little bit of bartering can get you a long way.

7 – Purchase Ski gear from the UK – Gloves, Ski’s, Clothing, Goggles etc. Makes sure you purchase everything you need before you go as the prices can often double by the time you get to the slopes.

8 – Look around – Whilst the pound is weaker in todays financial market in comparison to the euro, look elsewhere and find other great places to ski like the Czech Republic.

9 – Be Sharp – Last minute travel arrangements are often best for cheap ski holidays with some packages being reduced by around 50% in order to sell the holiday.

10 – Drive to your destination – Thanks to a recent decrease in petrol prices it could prove beneficial to hire a car and drive over to your destination instead of flying.