Category Archives: Holiday

Top 10 Tips for your Self Catering Holiday in Cornwall

Self catering holidays are growing in popularity as holidaymakers take advantage of the flexibility, and savings compared with inclusive deals. For those of you who are new to the self-catering experience, or perhaps just in need of a few pointers we hope that these top 10 tips will prepare you for the perfect holiday.

1.Cutlery and Crockery:

Most self catering establishments will provide you with the basics, a selection of pots and pans, plates and cutlery. But read the small print! You may find that they only provide crockery for the minimum number of guests and you dont want to be the one eating out of saucepans! If in doubt, give them a call to check.

2.Electric and Electricals:

Most self-catering apartments, cottages or caravans will come with an oven, hob and fridge. A kettle and toaster are usually provided too. Often there will be a minimal surcharge on a microwave, but its best to read the small print or give them a call to make sure.

At some self-catering destinations there will be an additional charge for electric usually if it is on a pay as you go meter. If your electric isnt included then its best to find out how the electric is topped up, so you can stock up on a supply of 50ps in advance.

3.Bedding and Towels:

Often bedding and towels will be included, but occasionally there will be a surcharge, and some holiday homes expect guests to bring their own. If you have allergies, or just expensive tastes, then it might be best to bring along your own bedding to make sure you can snooze satisfactorily.

4.Loo rolls, tea and coffee:

These just arrived essentials are often found at the bottom of the last suitcase, by which point the stresses of a long may have already gotten too much for some weary travellers. Some thoughtful self-catering destinations include some complimentary tea, coffee and other essentials, but if yours doesnt then it is best to pack these separately (or at least at the top of a bag or suitcase) for ease of access.

5.Packing a room at a time:

When it comes to packing for a self catering holiday, there is a tendency to pack everything but the kitchen sink, or to travel light and end up coming home with much more than you left with.

One way of sorting out what you will need from everything else in the cupboards is to adopt the do I use it weekly? approach. So in the bathroom you may decide that air freshener and bleach might be useful, but the sink un-blocker can probably stay at home.

When it comes to packing food, it is easiest to plan enough meals for the duration of your stay. Try to agree on breakfast cereals and sandwich fillings to lighten the load.

When planning a holiday to somewhere like Cornwall, take into account what you are likely to get up to when packing. If you plan to spend days at the beach, remember your swimwear, beach towels and comfortable clothes. If you plan on outdoor activities ensure you take sensible footwear, and if you are going to be spending a lot of time in the sun remember your sunscreen, hat and shades.

Holiday Villages A European Delight

Holiday villages are growing in popularity with families who are looking for a laid back holiday where they can completely relax, but yet have the all the facilities of a large resort at their fingertips. In the UK villages are open year round, and are as popular for a winter getaway as for a summer holiday.

One of the largest brands of holiday villages in Europe is Center Parcs. Apart from their centres in the UK they have sites in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. In the late 1960s a Dutch entrepreneur bought some woodland in the south of the country and started the first holiday village using tents. He soon changed these for bungalows and the Center Parcs brand as we know it today had started.

Center Parcs now have four holiday villages in the UK in Cumbria, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk and Wiltshire, plus one more under development in Bedfordshire. Each village is located in woodland sites of up to 400 acres, and are particularly marketed to appeal to families with young children. The main ethos of the villages is to provide a relaxing forest holiday for visitors. Cars are not allowed on site and visitors leave their vehicles in large car parks by the exit after unloading their suitcases. Bikes are the encouraged form of transport around the site, and there are hire facilities for people who have not bought their own bikes with them. The villas are grouped in small clusters and are all low-rise so as to blend in perfectly with the forest environment.

The main attraction at a Center Parcs holiday village is the huge swimming area, marketed as a sub tropical paradise. The swimming area is housed in a massive glass roofed area, and there are separate areas for toddlers, children and adults. They have high adrenaline slides and flumes as well as smaller slides and wave machines for younger guests. There is plenty to keep guests occupied for several hours, and numerous places to sit and relax. All visitors to the holiday village get free access to the swimming facilities throughout their stay.

Apart from the swimming, there are dozens of other activities on offer. These can include pony trekking, archery, tennis, abseiling, kayaking, and windsurfing. Guests will be charged extra to participate in these activities, which can soon mount up to a considerable sum for a family wanting to be busy every day. Most sites also have a spa offering the full range of beauty treatments and the opportunity to relax completely and be pampered. As the site itself is so large, there are also free bike and nature trails through the forest or guided tours with one of the ranger staff.

The main area of the holiday village is packed with restaurants, cafes and bars, providing plenty of options for dining. There is also a supermarket on site, and as all villas have full cooking facilities many visitors take their own food and self cater. A selection of gift and craft shops also offers the chance to pick up a souvenir of your stay.

Must see Historical Sites for Rhodes Holidays

Apart from its sunny beaches, lush green fields and traditional villages; the beautiful island of Rhodes is rich in many worth seeing historical sites. Ranging from Rhodes Acropolis to ruins of Kamiros and the Old Town; the island of Rhodes is top destination for those who have keen interest in history. The Island of Rhodes is rich in many historical buildings and landmarks that show the remarkable past that this island passed through. The historical sites of Rhodes still represent the glorious times of yore of this beautiful island.

Acropolis of Rhodes

Although, the unique Acropolis of Rhodes is not in its original shape today, but still, its a must-see tourist destination due to its impressive looks and architecture. It stretches near the new town and can be visited through coastal side easily. Although there are just a few columns and a platform left but still the remains of acropolis captivates attention of a large number of tourists. So, you must visit and observe its scenic beauty during your Rhodes holidays. One thing is sure that you will not be able to forget its grace and appeal.

Ancient Kamiros

Explore the beauty of this ancient site, located at the west coast of Island Rhodes. Dating back to the ancient Greek era of civilizations, Kamiros is the most important and glorifying part of the Greek history. Your Rhodes holidays are incomplete, if you do not visit this place. The stone work in the area, will give you the exact picture of how the city was built. Its ruins are still alive and attract visitors from all over the world.

Rhodes Old Town

The utmost blend of Greek, Muslim and Christian civilizations, Rhodes Old Town is a doorway that glorifies pre-historic era. This ancient city carries a boundary wall with different gates carrying different names. The old town has many worth seeing sites like the Palace of Grand Masters, the Archeological museum, Turkish baths etc. Its a place worth-seeing that welcomes you to stay and observe its traditional culture during your Rhodes holidays.

The Palace of Grand Masters

The Magnificent palace of the Grand Masters is still charming as it attracts a large number of visitors and tourists every year during their Rhodes holidays. Unfortunately, the original palace building was massively destroyed, when Italy occupied this beautiful island in the last century. Its eye-catching and breathtaking architecture, mosaic work and antique furniture are quite attractive. Pay a visit to this gothic and historic palace and avail an unending opportunity of fun and entertainment.

The Archeological Museum

The Archeological Museum is one of the most visited museums of Rhodes. Being located in the building of old knights hospital; this museum is one of the must see sites in Medieval town of Rhodes. Ranging from marvelous exterior to magnificent interior, metal objects to jewelry, mosaic floors to furniture and sculptures to other exhibits; this museum has lots of worth seeing items. Keeping a huge collection of ancient artifacts, this museum is one of the historically significant sites of Rhodes. If you love history then do not delay and plan your next Rhodes holidays.

Holiday cottages in Devon

Devon is one of the most popular holiday destinations in England. Devon is situated in South West England, and offers plenty for tourists sandy beaches, open spaces of national parks, historic villages, bustling seaside resorts and rolling countrysides. There is much to do in Devon including attractions and activities, shopping and restaurants, stunning scenery and sandy beaches, making it the perfect destination for a family holiday.

In keeping with this, Devon offers several accommodation options for all your needs. You name it, from luxury hotels to camping sites, there is something for all in Devon. Holiday cottages are an excellent accommodation choice they are comfortable, self catering, affordable and most are baby friendly and even dog friendly!

East Devon is an ideal location for a break at any time of the year. It is composed of rolling farmland countryside, coastal towns and villages and the Exmoor National Park. Here are a few holiday cottages situated in East Devon.

Bothy, Spreyton: This is a gorgeous 16th century romantic hideaway that is buried in the glorious countryside. It has its own large private garden and even has an extensive library! It is close to the Dartmoor National Park, the Two Moors Walk and the glorious Teign valley which hosts the famous Castle Drogo.

Hannaford Quay, Topsham: This is a beautifully refurbished and comfortable holiday cottage situated on The Strand, close to the edge of the River Exe. It is a five star property, well equipped and set in a fantastic location.

Idehill Cottages, Colyton: These cottages are situated overlooking the Coly Valley and an 18 hole golf course, which is exclusively for guests to use. The cottages are located in a peaceful setting and provide an excellent opportunity to sport a wide variety of birds and local wildlife. The cottages are comfortable and have good views, and have their own personal patio/sitting out area with garden furniture and a barbecue.

The Mede, Topsham: This is a gorgeous self catering cottage set in a quiet residential cul-de-sac on the edge Topsham. It has wonderful views up and down the Exe estuary, and a recreation park nearby. This holiday cottage is suitable for those with walking disabilities, as it is all on one level and no steps involved. The area is famous for its birdlife, pleasant riverside walks and excellent shopping.

Home Security Be Safe During The Holidays!

Dallas is one of the largest cities in the United States, which is why it is no surprise that the city’s huge population has fast growing crime rates. Plenty of home owners are considering home alarm systems to protect their valuable belongings and a lot more importantly their loved ones.

While doing Christmas shopping at the mall a few weeks ago, a lady in line told me that a couple of weeks earlier a man followed her home from the mall and threatened her in her driveway. She called the Dallas police and filed a police report, and thankfully nobody was hurt and nothing was stolen; but what truly troubled her is knowing that this individual was still out there.

It is really important to keep in mind that crime rate is on the rise as the holidays approach; don’t risk letting someone take your valuable belongings or put your family’s safety at risk by not properly securing your property.

Here are simply a few ways to show you how a home security system can help protect your family and home this holiday:

– Monitor your house while visiting friends and family out of town during the holiday seasons. This helps maintain peace of mind knowing that you’ll be notified immediately by the monitoring station if something goes wrong- excellent way to protect all the expensive Christmas presents.

– Protect your Christmas presents. You might have just bought a TV or an iPad as a holiday gift for somebody. Be sure not to put these big presents under the Christmas tree until Christmas Eve. Most importantly arm your alarm system when you are away.

– Arm and disarm your alarm system remotely from work, the mall, or anywhere you have your cell phone. Making it convenient to disarm the alarm for your house cleaner or sitter while you’re out.

– Get notifications when your family arrives home from school or work to know that they’re safe and sound. Monitoring the house until you’re home is a smart way to keep an eye on your little ones. Assign a specific user code for each person who uses the system. That way you know when they arrive at the house and when they leave the house.

– Create reminders to arm or disarm your system in case you forget. This is a very useful tool when you’re rushing out the door to all holiday celebrations and family gatherings.

Home owners of Dallas find it easier to be proactive in securing their homes rather than paying the consequences later when things go wrong. All it takes is one frightening situation to ruin the holidays. And that is why Dallas home security is our top priority.