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.

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.

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. 

Cruise holidays for groups...

In order to obtain the best cruise deals, there is no better way than to be part of a group. Every major line knows the importance of catering to group cruises and if your party is large enough, you can almost have entire ships all to yourself.

Theme cruises are a popular way of discovering different parts of the world and are often aimed at groups. There is no better way to boost camaraderie and moral than booking a themed cruise holiday and even if you book with friends and family you could stand to save a substantial amount on the listed ticket price.

Music, sports, lifestyle and gay and lesbian cruises are just some of the themed holidays on offer. Whether you are planning a big family reunion or taking your club or society on a big bonding break, theme cruises are highly recommended.

Also popular are the many excursion cruises that are available. Antarctica, Alaska and Caribbean cruises are just some of the sought after options in this category, but you can rest assured that you will be able to find a suitable adventure to suit everyone’s tastes.

Some solo travellers organise groups especially for cruise holidays and this is a great way to bring down the cost of your holiday, as well as meet new people. There will always be special cruises deals available for groups, but last minute cruise deals, may be less easy to find.

The Mediterranean Island of Capri...

The Italian island of Capri, situated off the coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula, can certainly lay claim to being the oldest resort in the Mediterranean. The island served as a resort during the age of the Roman Republic; ancient Roman ruins can still be found scattered across the island.

These ruins, combined with the island’s ruggedly spectacular scenery, make Capri one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating islands. The two settlements of Capri Town and Anacapri serve as the major tourist hotspots with their chic restaurants and stylish hotels. Venture into the surrounding areas, however, and a rural landscape emerges full of traditional charm and stunning scenery.

Capri cannot lay claim to wide expanses of golden sand; the island’s small yet attractive beaches can be found in small nooks and coves carved into the rocky cliffs, many accessible only by boat. The Marina Piccola and Bagni di Tiberio beaches are two of the most popular. La Fontelina, meanwhile, is perhaps the islands most famous beach, situated at the foot of the iconic Faraglioni rocks.

The island is home to the ruins of numerous Roman villas, the most notable of which is Villa Jovis, the former residence of Emperor Tiberius. Capri’s other must-see destination is the Blue Grotto, a sea cave of legendary beauty. To access the cavern, tourists must lie down in a boat while entering through the grotto’s low opening.

Capri can be reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Naples, Positano, Sorrento or Amalfi. Ferries from Naples take about 80 minutes, or 40 minutes from Sorrento. Hydrofoils are slightly more expensive, but cut the travel time in half.

Are you adequately insured for your ski holiday?...

Many who take their annual ski holiday are under the mistaken impression that they do not require to take out additional cover as their normal holiday insurance will be adequate, or worse still that the European Health Insurance Card, which is the reciprocal arrangement for emergency health treatment will be adequate, which it most certainly will not!

If you have taken out annual holiday insurance for your usual two week jaunt with the family to the Mediterranean, together will the other odd holiday you may embark upon, you should ensure that this also has winter sport cover added to the policy for yourself or any other members of the family who may be going to enjoy a skiing holiday with you. Often the better way is to take out specialist winter sport holiday insurance for your trip to the Alps or to North America. Many ski holiday specialists will be happy to arrange this cover for you, or you could search through a broker or by a comparison site. If you choose the latter way to find winter sports insurance, please make sure that it covers all eventualities and has a minimum medical expenses cover which should be not less than £5million.

Another useful tip is to make sure that you always carry a credit card stowed safely in your ski suit as more often than not you will be asked to pay up front for the trip down the mountain and in the ambulance, in fact in Austria this will cost you around €230 and the ambulances there are equipped with a machine to take card payments on the spot. Happily just about everyone comes home with fewer bruises than they might get playing football!