Interesting holiday ideas – gites in France...

A gite (a small furnished holiday house in France, typically in a rural setting) is a home-from-home that you can rent for your holiday.  Most of them are fully equipped with all the essentials of modern day living and many are located in the most beautiful areas of France.

Gites in France are usually managed by the owner, and for the property to qualify as a gite the landlord should preferably live close by so that they can offer any assistance if necessary.   Most gites are on the owner’s land and are within reach of their home.  A gite is often a converted outbuilding or a cottage originally occupied by a farmworker. 

Initially gites in France were both cheap and basic, having only the essential facilities required for living.  However as time has gone on more and more gites in France have been equipped with modern facilities such as televisions, DVD players and broadband internet provision.   Nowadays the definition of a gite has broadened somewhat and can refer to nearly any form of accommodation from a converted outbuilding, to a luxury apartment or flat.  If the landlord lives close by, then essentially the property could be classified as a gite.

Gites are very popular throughout France as they are often a cheap (depends on standard) and easy means of going on holiday.  The local authorities in France also encourage them as gites attract tourists and money into the quieter rural areas. 

The gites in France are certainly worth considering for accommodation if you are planning a holiday in one of the beautiful areas of that country.

Small Cruise Ships...

Cruise holidays need not mean huge ships and lots of luxury. Many of the major cruise operators also have smaller vessels in their fleets, which will be perfectly suited to travellers on a budget. A smaller cruise ship will, of course, have fewer passengers and can often be a better choice if you enjoy meeting new people.

There is a wealth of small ships that offer excursion cruises and they provide a perfect alternative to the 2,000 passenger plus, floating resorts. They sail to a variety of destinations around the globe, such as Antarctica, Alaska, the Indian Ocean and the Galapagos Islands to name just a few. These cruise holidays are all about the ports of call en route. However, if you are looking for on board entertainment, this will often be limited. Excursion cruises are highly recommended for cruisers looking for an authentic adventure.

In addition to the wide variety of exciting activates on offer, some of the smaller ships offer scenic cruises, during which you can explore each destination at a more relaxed pace. Also not to be overlooked are the stunning yachts that offer their own unique take on a cruising holiday. There is nothing like a little traditional sailing to ensure an unforgettable cruise and the all-together atmosphere on these ships, where there are usually fewer than 100 passengers, quite simply cannot be found on large luxury liners.

Cruise and stay holidays on smaller ships are becoming an increasingly popular option and as always, last minute deals are usually widely available.

Northern Ireland Tourist Attractions...

From the looming city walls of Derry to the lovely scenery along the Causeway Coast and onto the exquisite Victorian architecture in Belfast, Northern Ireland has always had what it takes to attract visitors.  It really wasn’t a possibility or reality until about ten years ago when people began to feel safe about travelling there again.  In today’s world, Northern Ireland has been renewed almost to the point of rebirth. Belfast has a sparkling nightlife and excellent restaurants, while Derry is artistically coming into its own. 

The Giant’s Causeway draws more people each year than any other spot in Northern Ireland.  It is the top tourist sight and is accessible only by car or shuttle bus.  At the top of the location, columns of solidified lava called basalt point the way towards Scotland, which can be seen on the horizon on clear days. The weather in Northern Ireland is just as unpredictable as the rest of the United Kingdom.  It is mostly cold and wet during autumn and winter, and warms up to more comfortable, tolerable temperatures in spring and summer. 

In order to get to Northern Ireland, you will need to have a passport and/or visa.  And depending on where you’re travelling from, you can get there by air, or sea.  As with most International travel, it tends to be a bit pricey so the farther in advance you book your trip the more money you will be saving.

Cheap Holiday Villas...

If you are thinking about going abroad on holiday this year then perhaps you should consider renting a cheap holiday villa.  Such properties can be found at all of your favourite sunny holiday destinations, such as in Spain, Turkey, Greece and France.  The benefit of hiring a cheap holiday villa as opposed to staying in a hotel is that you will have a lot more privacy and will be able to do exactly as you please, when you please.

The rental cost of a holiday villa can often be no more expensive than the average package holiday, and in some cases it might work out to be even less costly.  If you rent independently then of course flights will need to be arranged plus any transfer transport.  You might even consider having a hire car awaiting your arrival.

These villas are almost always self-catering holiday lets, some do however have cooking and cleaning staff available if required; this obviously increases costs. So eating out, or buying in food will be the options, which can be tailored around your available budget.  Self-catering can also be to your benefit as it means that you will be able to come and go as you please to your holiday villa without having to comply with any set meal times. 

Most cheap holiday villas come equipped with all the home essentials that you will need, such as a television, fridge, comfortable furniture and bedding.   If you are in a property in a complex you might find that your villa has its own private swimming pool for the use of guests.  This is great if you want to avoid the crowds on the beach and relax in peace.

Stirling and the Wallace Monument in Scotland...

The small city of Stirling, known for its rich history and culture, is a great place to visit. With enough sites to keep young and old occupied, it makes for a great family holiday destination.

The Wallace Monument, which stands atop the summit of Abbey Craig hill just outside Stirling, is one of the city’s most famous attractions. Built in honour of Scottish hero Sir William Wallace (the original Braveheart), the tower is an impressive structure.

The Wallace Monument is split into levels with a spiral staircase leading all the way to the top. The first level traces the history of Wallace himself, including his famous victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. The Hall of Heroes then pays tribute to other Scottish notables including Robert the Bruce, Rabbie Burns, Adam Smith and Sir Walter Scott. On reaching the highest level of the Monument, visitors can experience one of the finest panoramic views to be had in the whole of Scotland. Stirling and the entire Forth Valley stretch away into the distance, joined by the Pentland and Ochil Hills and Ben Lomond in the west.

The Wallace Monument is generally open from 10.30am to 4.00pm daily except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. A family of four can expect to pay £17 for admission, while adults pay £6.50. It is located just outside the city and well signposted. Stirling itself has direct road and rail links with major Scottish cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Visiting Brussels...

Brussels, which is centrally located on the borders of France, Germany and Luxembourg, is at the heart of modern Europe, and it is here that the governing edicts of the European Union are formed into EU law. But apart from its bureaucratic importance, the city itself has very many attractions for the visitor, and with so many cheap flights to Brussels available from London and Edinburgh there has never been a better time to experience what the city has to offer.

Most of the signage in Brussels is in French and Flemish, but English translations are usual. A good guidebook or available brochures will enable you to get the most out of a long weekend.

The famous Grand-Place is the hub around which the life of Brussels revolves, and is a great place to start exploring. Here, what catches the eye is the magnificent Town Hall and the ornate houses of the medieval guilds, the sight of which will transport you back to the city of the Middle Ages when the city was already a thriving centre of commerce. Number 10 houses the Guild of Brewers, as it did in medieval times. The square is the setting for markets and events throughout the year.

As well as visiting the famous Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate, and the other great museums and galleries, you can do some serious shopping in stores along the Rue Neuve or the fashionable Rue Antoine Dansaert, and rest for refreshments at one of the numerous street cafes.

Take advantage of the cheap flights available and book a break in the wonderful city of Brussels.

Relax in Luxury on a Cruise...

Thomson know all about luxury cruises, on which you will be pampered and surrounded by pure luxury on board some of the most fantastic cruise ships in their fleet.

People usually choose, when on holiday, to either be adventurous or to relax. They can, of course, do both; usually at different times and cruise holidays are no different. You don’t always have to be taking part in sports or enjoying a show on a cruise, you can also relax your way to serenity.

Whether you choose to go on a Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise, you can chill out while sipping cocktails by the outside pool, lazing on loungers whilst listening to music or read the latest bestseller while the world, quite literally, drifts by.

If you fancy some real ‘me time’, book into the spa and have the most fantastic massage, manicure or facial that will relax you more than you could have ever imagined.

Of course, not only you will be completely pampered, you will also be wooed by the sense of luxury onboard your Thomson cruise ship. You can arrange a deal and stay in the best accommodation the cruise ship has to offer or enjoy a few ‘extra’ luxuries that will make your cruise holiday even more special.

Enjoy benefits like priority check-ins, having your luggage delivered to you before anyone else and enjoy Thomson Cruises exclusive concierge service. You can also book special extras that will really make you want to make cruising the only type of holiday you ever go on; anything from chocolate-dipped strawberries to a bouquet of flowers sent to your loved ones cabin.

Family friendly things to do in Edinburgh...

Edinburgh has a rich tradition and history and lots to keep visitors happy, but it also has some pretty special child friendly things to do. Children from all over the world have enjoyed the antics of the children’s street theatre and the face-painting artists during the Edinburgh Festival. In this city there are always things to keep the youngsters happy, no matter what time of year that you visit.

Edinburgh Zoo is a firm favourite with kids of all ages; penguin feeding time is a popular attraction. The zoo has contributed a lot to zoology in terms of knowledge and is dedicated to various conservation schemes and projects.

Close to the Scottish Parliament building, you will find the Camera Obscura. The Dynamic Earth exhibition will take children and the young at heart on a lighting fast trip right back to the dawn of time.

Ghost tours and guided walks that investigate and explore the dungeons, alleyways and underground passages are very popular with older children who enjoy the adventure, and the sometimes gruesome stories.

Many of the restaurants, bars and cafés in the city offer special children’s menus during the day and most restaurants are open for early family dinners. Some close early in the evening, except at the weekend, so always check opening times before you decide on the venue for your family meal in the evening.

If all this is not enough to tire the whole family out and make them ready for an early night, you can always take the children for a walk up to Arthur’s Seat on a fine evening. The view from the top is staggering and you can look right out over the city.

Ski Holidays in Bulgaria on a budget...

Skiing holidays in Eastern Europe are always cheaper than the more popular resorts in Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland. Skiing in Bulgaria is a popular budget choice.

The most popular budget resort with British skiers is Borovets. The town is fairly small and lies at approximately 1,300 metres in the Rila Mountains. It is comprised of three different zones. The upper half of the mountain is mainly above the line of the trees and has plenty of wide open pistes. Most of these are gentle which is ideal for beginners and intermediates. One of the big attractions of Borovets is the nightlife. Free or cheap drinks fuel the fun and there are plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs.

Pamporovo and Vitosha have also received much needed upgrades, but the pick of the bunch is Bansko which has seen huge investment in its facilities and hotels. Prices of course have inevitably risen as the quality of the resorts improves, but choose a travel company that can negotiate the best rates on ski rentals, lift tickets and other items and you can still get a bargain.

Booking and paying for everything in advance is often better than paying at the resort as prices tend to be fluid in Bulgaria in a way that they are not in North America or Western Europe.

The locals are friendly and the ski schools are of a high standard whilst being much cheaper than in the Alps. Eating out is also reasonable, although Bulgaria is not exactly known for its cuisine.

Bulgaria is in the south east of Europe so flights and transfer times tend to be longer and the road network is not that good. The exchange rate in the resorts tends to be poor and often there is a high commission charge. It is recommended that skiers take hard currency such as sterling or withdraw money from their UK bank account as required.

To find the best deals on skiing in Bulgaria packages visit several websites and follow the links to ‘Ski Holidays Bulgaria’.

Shopping in Manchester...

Manchester has one of the widest varieties of shops in the north-west of England.  The city centre houses one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, the Arndale Centre, where visitors can find most of the major high street retailers. Getting to Manchester is easy as it is connected to major road and rail networks and cheap flights to Manchester Airport are available from most European cities.

Streets such as Deansgate, St Ann’s Square and Barton Arcade are popular with shoppers who are looking for anything from designer labels to the ultimate bargain.  The area is also home to a number of cafés, restaurants and coffee bars, which makes it welcoming for those serious shoppers who want to spend all day browsing.

The city centre also has a number of specialist shopping areas.  The Triangle is home to independent jewellery shops and some designer names while those with an interest in vintage fare can visit the Northern Quarter.  This is popular with second-hand retailers, record and music shops.  Chinatown has a number of shops selling everything from food to fabric and there is even a Buddhist shop for yoga accessories.

There are also several shopping options for those who prefer not to visit the city centre.  There is a Designer Outlet Shopping Village situated next to The Lowry in Salford and the Trafford Centre offers nearly 300 different stores. 

Markets are always a popular choice with shoppers and Manchester has many to choose from.  Farmers’ markets are regularly held at various locations around the city for fresh produce and Christmas sees one of the country’s best European markets.  Stalls are set up at different locations in the city centre and vendors come from nearly every European country to sell their wares.