As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, (attracting more than 50 million visitors a year) Spain which is also a top destination for UK tourists who wish to enjoy the sun, sand and sangria, has plenty to offer no matter what holiday your after.

For those who want easy going family holidays where all you needs are catered for then you don’t need to look further than the popular resorts such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote which offer plenty of family orientated activities. If you want a faced paced party holiday then you need to be going to Spain’s world famous party capital, Ibiza or the lively resort of Magaluf. And for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the busier tourist resorts you can look to stay in some traditional holiday rentals in Spain further off the beaten track such as Correalejo National Park, and the resorts of La Gomera and La Palma.

There is also more to Spain than the golden beaches, if you travel a little further in land you will find a country steeped in history with a rich culture as well as cities which boast world’s finest architecture as well as breath taking scenery. Here you also get to enjoy the real Spain, with its sights, sounds and tastes that are a world away from the bright tacky lights and British orientated food found in many of the resorts.  If you stay in holiday villas further inland you will get to enjoy the real Spain, in villages the feel like they have stood still in time.

There is a lot to be said for taking a holiday here at home, why go abroad when we have so much to see and do here in England, our countryside is some of the most diverse and beautiful in Europe and can far suppress that of popular destinations in Spain and Turkey, with many people taking for granted what we actually have right here on our doorstep. Instead of following the rest of the sheep abroad why not instead opt for the increasingly popular staycation, there are many country house hotels and quaint holiday cottages in England.

 You can look at staying in little village’s right in the heart of our English countryside, ideal to get away from it all, and at a slower pace you can take time to enjoy what’s around you. However if you still want some fun and excitement then there are many historical towns and cities that offer plenty of activities. When looking at holidays in the UK you can’t forget to mention the English coastline, we are lucky to have so many fantastic seaside towns that offer a whole host of activates for the whole family to enjoy, from places with the old school charm to more modern and vibrant towns.

There are lots of different places to stay, if you like a bit of adventure you can enjoy a boating holiday along England’s waterways or stay in a log cabin in one of many forests, there’s so many places to stay and plenty of things for the whole family to enjoy in England there is no reason to go abroad!

If you’re looking for a great getaway for the August Bank Holiday weekend, then a trip to the Lake District should have everything you’re looking for, whether its rest and relaxation in peaceful surroundings or action pact adventure and fun there is something for everyone. There is so much to see and do it’s going to be hard to know where to start, no matter where you stay you won’t be far away from adventure and fun, there are many hotels and holiday cottages in the Lake District, some near the hustle and bustle of the market towns others out of the way in the peaceful surroundings of nature.

The Lake District is famous for its Lakes, where it gets its name from, also known as the Lakes or Lakeland however there’s only one “Lake” which is Bassenthwaite Lake, the rest are “meres” or “waters” such as in Windermere which is the largest ‘lake’ in Britain and Derwentwater. Here you will get to see some of England’s finest scenery as well as a wide choice of attraction’s and family activities which include outdoor fun at Grizedale Forest its challenging course of rope bridges and zip slides up to 60 feet above the forest floor will be enough for any young adventurer or for those who are not adrenaline junkies a tip to The World of Beatrix Potter where all 23 Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit tales are brought to life. You can also enjoy whiling away the hours on a boat on one of the many lakes, or explore the local area horseback riding or hiking and if you really want a challenge clime to the summit of Scafell Pike which is the highest fell in England.

You can also enjoy the tastes that the Lake District has to offer and sample the fares of Cumbria and all the local seasonal produce, from bakeries where bread and cakes are made fresh each day to restaurants sourcing local foods and delicacies, and you can also try a lot of authentic local food at farmers markets that are dotted around the area.

So for a fun filled action packed weekend away or a relaxing, revitalising break you should get booked into a holiday cottage in the Lake District.

Windermere

Picture courtesy of flamesworlddragon

You don’t have to go far from your holiday villa in the Costa del Sol to get some grub the food in certain resorts such as Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola offer a distinctly British affair, with the streets and promenades packed with British-style pubs and expat-owned cafés, where you can enjoy full English breakfasts, roast dinners and steak and kidney pies. However if you like to go on holiday and enjoy traditional local cuisine, fear not because the Costa del Sol and southern Spain is where the Spanish food of Tapas was born. You can enjoy traditional Spanish favourites such as their spicy chorizo and their albonigas which are meatballs in tomato sauce or jamon Serrano which is traditional salt-cured ham and yummy deep-fried, lemon-drizzled squid rings washed down with ice-cold sangria.

Jamon Serrano Tapas

Picture courtesy of Kazutaka NAKANO

If you do stay in self catering holiday villas in Spain, it a great opportunity to go out and try all these local flavours, you can also pop to the local markets and have a go yourself at cooking tapas. You can also enjoy trying out the fresh local produce such as giant lobsters and big cheeses.

There are also plenty of places to go for a night on the town no matter what you’re looking for, some quieter resorts like Frigiliana, Marbella and Estepona have a great laidback vibe if you want to just chill out and enjoy great food, drink and local music. If you want to be a bit more energetic you could visit Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola which have plenty of vibrant bars, clubs and pubs that offer plenty to keep you going.

Sangria

Picture courtesy of andriesss

When you’re not enjoying the beaches here there is plenty of places to shopping here in the Costa del Sol, in some of the resorts like Marbella and Puerto Banus for example, you will find big designer-name boutiques. Over in Torremolinos and Benalmadena however you will find cheap and colourful gifts as well as the Costa’s holiday favourite blue and white Andalucian dishes, as well as handmade soft leather bags, straw baskets and flamenco shawls.

The Costa del Sol region in southern Spain that is made up of small coastal towns and communities which stretch from Almeria to Tarifa and this area is a much favoured holiday destination here in Europe, every year thousands of people travel here to enjoy a holiday in the sun. The Costa del Sol is an all year round destination with a large offering of fine, sandy beaches and calm Mediterranean waters, with a mild climate that means you can enjoy the beaches and a wide variety of outdoor and water activities all year round.

Torremolinos Beach - Costa del Sol

Picture courtesy of manuelfloresy

For an exciting family holiday or a relaxing get away break the resorts of the Costa del Sol like Benalmadena, Fuengirola Torremolinos, and Marbella, will have something for everyone no matter what you are looking for. There are many holiday villas in the Costa del Sol that can sleep anyone from couples to large families, either as part of a resort complex or somewhere a bit quieter out of the way. You can choose to stay self catering or go for some which are part of a complex that offer bed and breakfast, which ever best suits your needs. Many of the resorts in this area are easy to get to, especially with the new Autopista del Sol granting access from Malaga to Estepona and beyond to Gibraltar. The International Airport has regular flights to most key cities and is located just 10 minutes from Malaga City center, and within half an hour by car from most other popular resorts on the coast.

Marbella - Costa del Sol

Picture courtesy of ppz

The Costa del Sol has become one of the most developed part of the coast, with many of the town been developed to cater for the tourists needs near your holiday villa or cottage, many have modernized their boardwalks, or ‘ paseo maritimos. The area boasts plenty of tourist attractions but it is also known as “The Costa del Golf,” thanks to the many golf courses that line the area. If golfing isn’t your thing there are plenty of other activities to keep you entertained when you’re not relaxing on the beaches, for families and children there are theme parks, including water parks, safari parks and go-karting. There are also many beautifully landscaped public gardens to enjoy in many of the resorts, so you can take time to unwind.

Torremolinos

Picture courtesy of Gert Mewes

If you want to take your family away this summer for an exciting action packed holiday this year then there are a huge number of destinations to choose from, you can tailor make your holiday to your specifications. Holiday rentals are great for those who want to holiday at their own pace, you are not tied to a hotel schedule and can come and go as you please, they are also great if there are a large group of, many rentals, either holiday cottages or villas can sleep anywhere between 4 and 20 people. They will include all the necessary amenities and if you are going to destinations in hotter climes you can also enjoy the luxury of your own pool in some. 

You can choose to be right in an action packed resort or you can opt for somewhere quieter and out of the way, if you are looking to stay here in the UK there are many places either in land or in coastal resorts. You can stay near places of interest either somewhere historical that offers castles and grand houses to explore or somewhere that offers thrill’s and excitement like a theme park.  You could opt for a city break and explore the Capital with many days out to choose from.

If you want to take your family further afield then Europe is a great option and staying in a holiday cottage or villa and enjoy the freedom mentioned above. You can choose a drive holiday to France or a fly drive holiday to Spain opting for favourite family destinations or somewhere a bit quieter off the beaten track.

If your tailor making the holiday yourself you can normally find better prices and could get it cheaper than a package holiday, comparing rental prices as well as travel prices for air, rail and sea, so why not have a look for yourself today and get on your way to creating those oh so important memories.

When it comes to booking a holiday many people look to see if they can get the best value for money, so with many people feeling the pinch still has meant some people are looking to the UK in hope of getting a good deal however some prices here in the UK can be higher than abroad, so what’s the best option?

A lot depends on what you’re looking for in a holiday, the type of accommodation you want to stay in and what you’re happy paying for food and drink as well as travel expenses’. Some popular resorts in the UK find that businesses impose much higher prices than normal for food and accommodation especially if you want to travel with your family during the school holidays that it can work out cheap to go abroad, even when comparing holiday rentals.

Sometimes it can be cheaper to holiday abroad if you are looking to stay in all inclusive accommodation as although it costs more initially you save money during your holiday because your meals and drinks are included at your resort, however factoring in the flights can bump up the price to more than a holiday in the UK.

If your confident that you can keep to a budget for your holiday then there are ways to save money, if you take a caravan holiday at a park in the UK you can share the cost with a few people, many static caravans can sleep up to 10 people, all you need to think about then is the cost of food which can also be split. Travel may be a bit more expensive but if there are a few of you then to travel around you could hire a mini bus, splitting the cost here will also be handy.

There are plus and negatives to both staying here in the UK for a holiday or going abroad, however with careful planning and comparing deals and prices, you could get a very reasonable summer holiday.

There are holiday alternatives for those who do not wish to stay in a hotel complex with 100’s of other people around, not have much peace or privacy and feel like you are restricted from doing as you wish. If you want to explore the surrounding area of your holiday destination, stay in different places for the duration, or have the freedom to do what you want and when then staying in the following accommodation might be just want you are looking for:

Holiday apartments, cottages and villas

When staying in holiday apartments, cottages or villas you will experience more freedom than you get when staying in a hotel complex. Many are based on self catering which means although you have to arrange your own meals you are not regimented to certain times or what you eat. All have their own amenities and some depending on where you are staying will have private or shared pools, patio areas and parking. Holiday villas, apartments or cottages also make a great base for your holiday if you hire a car you can travel around and see more of the area you are visiting, giving you more freedom. You could also if you wish to see more have a multicentre holiday staying in different destination.

A firm family favourite has more to offer than the all inclusive bustling family hotels or resorts you can get a better look at the volcanic island by staying in a self catering holiday villa in the Canary Islands and hiring a car to explore the island.

Many people visit Lanzarote for the great selection of beaches and the sizzling sunshine to get a great tan and the resorts that offer a wide range of bars and clubs and all night entertainment, but Lanzarote has more to offer than that.

The island has some of the most awe inspiring landscape you will see made up of volcanic formations with great reserves including a Biosphere Reserve and Marine Reserve as well as a National Parks and 12 protected areas, making for some great photo opportunities. It also has volcano’s that you won’t see anything like anywhere else which influences the lives of its inhabitants and offers great natural history.

You can choose to stay in a holiday cottage or villa either by the coat or inland in one of many small villages and can get around the island by car or if you prefer by bike to explore those harder to reach places.

Lanzarote volcanic landscape

Picture courtesy of sbegueria

The Aegean Coast is a very popular destination for British tourists with many great holiday spots on its coastline and lots to see and do. You can enjoy Turkey’s rolling hills and mountains, clear blue seas and its glorious white sand beaches from many resorts whether you stay in the bustling centres of Bodrum or Marmaris or smaller ports such as Olu Deniz and Fethiye there is plenty to explore and enjoy.

If you stay in one of many holiday villas in Turkey Aegean region you can use it as a base to sample all the different cultures and the rich history this region has to offer like the Ephesus Archaeological site which is probably the most evocative ancient city in the eastern Mediterranean, and one of the grandest reconstructed ancient sites in the world. The remarkably preserved ruins were rediscovered in the 1800’s, you can marvel at the marble-paved streets with grooves made by chariot wheels and partially reconstructed buildings and monuments. Or the Dalyan Çayı River which flows past the town of Dalyan where you can take a boat ride and spend some time pampering your skin at the Dalyan mud baths or go to Iztuzeu beach which today is now a nature reserve at the mouth of the river. Along the Dalyan Çayı River journey to Iztuzeu beach you can also see the spectacular Lycian rock tombs in the mountainside.

For those who enjoy a wild night out you can visit the town of Marmaris which has a vibrant nightlife, you can enjoy a meal at one of many restaurants down by the quayside where you will find anything from traditional Turkish to Italian, Chinese and British. You can then dance the night away down Marmaris famous Bar Street which is full of bars and clubs, or if you don’t fancy some dancing you can enjoy some late night shopping in the undercover Carsi market before you head back to you holiday villa or apartment.

Lycian rock tombs, Dalyan

Picture courtesy of sbunting108