Spain is one of the traditional favourite destinations for Brits travelling abroad with millions of families enjoying Spanish holidays over the years; in fact it was one of the first package holiday destinations.  One of the biggest attractions to taking a holiday in Spain is the huge amount of variety available to holidaymakers in the country, with city breaks, beach holidays, golfing holidays, cruise holidays 2011 and resort experiences all readily available thanks to Spain’s large tourism industry. 

Ibiza, Spain

Picture courtesy of Philip Larson

The country is also easy and economical to get to, with numerous flights from a variety of low cost airlines departing daily from most major UK airports and some of the smaller local ones. You can also take a cruise holiday from a UK port or alternately if you want to enjoy a cruise around the Mediterranean and a stay in Spain you could go on a fly, cruise and stay holiday.

One of the most popular places for British tourists in Spain is the south coast of the island, where holidaymakers can find a great mixture of beaches, restaurants, bars and shopping to ensure an action packed and fun break.  This area of Spain also has a large ex-pat community, making sure that home favourites are always close to hand.  The south of Spain, though, isn’t all about busy family holidays as there are also several small villages and towns in the area full of quiet, rustic charm.  Further inland from the busy coastal areas you can find some of Spain’s best resorts and golf courses, offering a more relaxing and serene family experience.

Along with traditional beach and resort holidays, Spain is also home to several great cities for tourists to explore.  Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona, amongst a host of others, are all great locations for Brits looking to combine Spanish heritage and culture with the luxuries and comforts of a cutting edge modern city.

Dresden, a city in eastern Germany, has quite a lot to offer visitors in terms of history and culture.  The city was devastated during World War II, but in recent years, the city has fully recovered and has returned to its role as Germany’s primary artistic and cultural city.

One of the most impressive attractions in Dresden is the Frauenkirche.  It is a Lutheran church that used to be the architectural highlight of the city, until it was destroyed during World War II.  Until 2005, the church remained incomplete; in late 2005, the interior and exterior were finally reconstructed.  The church now serves as a monument of hope and reconciliation.

Dresden is also home to Semper’s Opera House.  It is reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance, and the opera house dominates the western part of Dresden.  After being bombed in World War II, the opera house was finally reconstructed in 1985.  Visitors who wish to attend an opera in this building, rather than just admire it, should book well in advance, as tickets are difficult to obtain. 

The Dresden Gallery of Old Masters displays artwork from famous Dutch and Flemish painters, as well as an assortment of German and Spanish artwork.  It is located near the Dresden Gallery of Modern Masters, a gallery dedicated to modern artwork from all over Europe.

Walking through Dresden makes it clear that the city is an important cultural bastion for Germany.  Visitors can enjoy cathedrals, art galleries, museums, beautiful architecture, and learn more about German history in the process.

Barcelona is a city that has something to offer for everyone, with great beaches, plenty of culture, Gaudi’s modernist architecture and a excellent mix of restaurants, bars and nightlife, which make it a the perfect destination for a weekend break.

You will firstly notice that Barcelona is a city that mixes old with new, with its long history there are a great number of ancient monuments, buildings and attractions such as; the Cathedral la Seu, located in the Barri Gotic (Gothic centre) district of the city and is Barcelona’s official catholic cathedral or the 75 acre Parc de la Ciutadella which is right in the middle of Barcelona city.

As well as the Arc de Triomf (or Triumf), not to be confused with the one in Pairs, this one sits at the main entrance to the Parc de la Ciutadella. These are mixed in with modern architecture and most noticeably mesmerizing and stunning buildings by architect Antonio Gaudi.

You can also take in the wide range art offered in Barcelona, the Museu Picasso showcases and charts the great artist’s life and artistic development a must for art lovers, as well as a gallery come museum dedicated to artist and sculptor Joan Miro.

Shopping, whether it’s for designer clothes or local made specialities are top on the list for many visitors, Barcelona offers a great selection of designer boutiques, high street names and Spanish stores, as well as amazing local markets which are a treasure trove or the famous Mercat San Josep (market) which was built in 1840 and is the big fresh produce market in Barcelona city.

One street that shouldn’t be missed when visiting Barcelona is the Passeig de Garcia, not as famous as the as Ramblas, it does offer the best buildings, boutiques, restaurants and cafes. It features many great ornately decorated street lights which are part of Gaudi’s (early) works, as well as modernist architecture and plenty of Neo-Classical and Gothic buildings.

One thing you will find when visiting Barcelona is that you will wish you were there longer, and will probably find yourself coming back again to enjoy more of what this fantastic city has to offer.

Parc de la Ciutadella

Picture courtesy of philTizzani

If you and your friends fancy something different for your New Years eve celebrations this year, why not have a look at renting a an English country cottage to get away from it all as a big group. There are many holiday cottages to rent that can sleep a large group so it’s great for a get together. Renting at this time of year can be expensive however if there is a large number of you then the cost can be reduced for each person.  Not only with accommodations, but also you can divide food and travel.

There are plenty of places to choose from, you can look at staying in an Eco lodge in Yorkshire hidden away in peace and quiet, a Jurassic Coast cottage with exceptional views, or a traditional whitewashed cottage tucked away in Scotland. There are hundreds of options available, so you should be able to find something that can suit your group. You can also choose whether you want to celebrate with all your friends in the cottage or go out and experience the local area where you are staying.

If you fancy on getting away for New Years then you should look at booking now before places get booked, Christmas and New Years can be very busy so don’t delay if you have your eye on a holiday rental.

We have extensively looked at places to enjoy some late autumn sun across Europe and further afield, however we shouldn’t dismiss the UK just because we don’t always have that much great weather in the autumn. You can enjoy a nice break staying in an English country cottage and just because the weather is not great does not mean there won’t be anything to do.

The great thing about Great Britain is no matter where your staying there is something for everyone to enjoy whether it’s braving the elements in the great outdoors, if that your cup of tea, or exploring the UK from undercover. We have 15 National Parks in the UK, including: Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Loch Lomond, Snowdonia and Exmoor to name but a few, all offer a wide range of activities for the whole family to enjoy, from outdoor adventure to peaceful stately homes.

In and around our National Parks there is a wide range of accommodation to stay in, you can choose from stately 5* hotels, charming country cottages, rustic log cabins, old fashioned barges and much more, there are plenty of holiday rentals to choose from, the hardest part is deciding which part of the UK to go!

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

If you are looking for a cruise holiday but don’t want to spend a couple of weeks away at sea you can opt for a short cruise holiday, these go to some fantastic destination for two to five days. Many shorter cruise holidays operate around Western Europe visiting some of the most beautiful ports in the world such as Honfleur and Bilbao, as well as other great destinations such as Ireland, France, Spain, Corsica or Portugal.

It’s a great opportunity to have a quick break away without the hassle you have the comfort of your own room, easy access to bars and restaurants, plenty of onboard activities and the chance to visit exciting destinations all without worrying. You can take a 2 night cruise departing from Southampton visiting Brussels and Paris or a 3 night cruise, setting sail from Southampton and head towards Antwerp in Belgium.

There are many different shorter cruises to choose from at low prices as well as many good cruise deals meaning a three night cruise can cost as little as £329 per person, that’s just over £100 per night and at that price it makes a great idea for a weekend away without worry. It’s also a great way to visit countries such as France where you can enjoy the French Rivera’s fashionable hotspots of St Malo and La Rochelle or Bordeaux which has been an official UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007. As well as the charming and charismatic capital of Portugal, Lisbon, that has a selection of museums of ancient and modern art, such as Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art and Carmo Archaeological Museum.

Sitting around on a beach on holiday is not everyone’s cup of tea, some people like to get out and about and explore the sights and sound of this world, if you’re not looking to travel too far for your summer holiday and want to take in some history and culture then why not hop on a flight to Belfast and explore this fascinating city and its surrounding area.

The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast is its largest city which is steeped in history, it is mainly remembered for the Troubles that dominated Northern Irelands Politics for nearly three decades and scarred many people’s lives over there and here as well. Although Belfast is still coming to terms with the aftermath of the peace process which was instigated by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement the city itself is starting to turn itself around, undergoing major redevelopment and trying to attract tourists.

If you have a keen interest in history then you will find plenty to keep you occupied, learning how the city began back in the early 1100’s as a cluster of forts, and how it developed its self from then on to become what it is today. Some places of interest include: St Anne’s Cathedral, Odyssey Leisure Centre, Ulster Museum and the Botanical gardens to name but a few.

Belfast also offers many great places to eat offering a wide range of cuisines as well as typical Irish food and drink you can also have a great night out in the city with many fun bars and clubs. For those who like some retail therapy you can indulge in some shopping too from designer goods to highstreet buys as well as local crafts and art so you have plenty to keep you occupied during your visit.

Northern Ireland is easy to get around and Belfast makes a great starting point to visit the rest of the country.

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.