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.

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

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.

The Scottish town of St Andrews is well known for two things, being ‘the home of golf’ and its prestigious university, however it does have more to offer than that. There are many historical and cultural places to explore as well as enjoying its award winning beaches St Andrews makes a great destination for anyone looking for holiday rentals. Because there is so much to see and do in and around the area St Andrews makes a great base for a holiday in Scotland, not to mention the friendly locals.

St Andrews Golf Course

Picture courtesy of Charlie Dave

The golf club at St Andrews is world famous and is known as ‘the home of golf’ because the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, exercises legislative authority over the game worldwide (except in the United States and Mexico) and that its being the host venue for The Open Championship, which is the oldest of golf’s championships the most. The course is also ranked one of the best in the world, as well as one of the most picturesque. The University of St Andrews is also world famous and attracts many visitors, it is the third oldest University in the English speaking world and also its one of the UK’s most prestigious and the University was founded in 1410.

University of St Andrews

Picture courtesy of StuSmith_UK

For those who like to get out and about there are many activities to enjoy in this area such as Horse riding, guided tours, watersports, cycle way’s, off roading, power kiting, walking and hiking, plus so much more, plenty for the whole family to enjoy. St Andrews also offers a wide variety of shopping from traditional Scottish ware to local arts and crafts, it’s also host to farmers markets as well as specialist food shops. You will also fine a great number of places to eat and drink, with fine dining restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars, and fresh fish and chips, there’s plenty for all to enjoy.

There are some great caravan holiday parks in and around St Andres with some fabulous views of the ocean and the surrounding area so you are spoilt for choice for places to stay.

St Andrews Harobour

Picture courtesy of Ed.ward

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.

Looking for somewhere to for a holiday in the UK can be hard, mainly because there is so much choice and it’s even harder to decide where to stay. A popular choice for accommodation is staying in static caravans these are an ideal choice especially if you prefer self catering to bed and breakfast. Caravan holiday rentals are often situated in the best locations and many have amazing views of the surrounding countryside or coastline.

Some popular destinations for caravan rentals are:

Brockenhurst, Hampshire, which is set in the New forest and is great for those who enjoy walking and hiking.

Matlock, Derbyshire, here you can enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding moors and also sample the famous Bakewell Tart that you will find nearby.

Pembrokeshire has so much to offer with an amazing coastline, with great coastal walks, sandy beaches and delicious food.

Whitby, Yorkshire, history buffs will be right at home here, the picturesque town on the moors offers a history of heroes and scary secrets from Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

A caravan holiday is also a great choice for the whole family as many can hold up to 8 people, which means the whole family can enjoy a break away. You can also find places to stay near popular tourist destinations and parks and amusements, which mean you won’t be short of things to do. 

As I’ve said before the hardest part is deciding where to go, if you’re stuck for inspiration, Compare Away has a huge choice of agent managed properties to choose from which means finding somewhere to go is easier than you think.

Pembrokeshire coastline

Picture courtesy of Rataedl

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

Popular for breaks away in the UK holiday cottages and villas make a great base for anyone wanting to explore , with no restrictions on when you need to be back or when you can and can’t eat. Generally a holiday cottage is like a home away from home and many popular UK holiday destinations such as the Lake District, New Forest, Devon and Cornwall have a great selection to choose from.

Usually holiday cottages are situated near places of interest and sometimes you may even find you have a wonderful view of it to look out onto such as an imposing stunning outlook along Yorkshire Dales, or a quiet stretch across a Norfolk beach. With no restrictions you can explore as much or as little of the local area as well as taste local delicacies and good old pub grub, whatever takes your fancy.

No matter where you stay you can find something to suit your needs whether its peace and tranquillity in the Scottish highlands or a good family holiday near a Cornish beach staying in a holiday cottage will not hold you back.