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

When looking to fly abroad for business or pleasure you may find you might have to get a connecting flight to London Heathrow from your local airport first, sometimes this may be the aircraft you’ve travelled down on but mostly you change to a larger aircraft for the remainder of your journey, especially if it’s a long distance to travel.

Most connecting flights are only a short time after you arrive, giving enough time for baggage to be moved, some people do worry though about losing their luggage in transit when taking connecting flights. Sometimes however a connecting flight might mean a stopover in London. Luckily there are some great hotels on and near Heathrow, many of which offer a shuttle service.

Small local airports can only offer a limited number of destinations they travel directly to, normally ones across Europe if you are going further afield you may find you have to look to larger airports to get good flight deals to destinations such as USA, Canada and Australia.

If you’re someone who would rather have a bit of culture during your holiday rather than spending time soaking up the sun on the beach all day and enjoy a faster paced exciting break then a cycling holiday is right up your street.

If you want to feel like you are getting away for a break taking in a cycling tour of Northern Ireland might be just what you looking for. You either go across on the ferry in your car with your own bikes or you can get a flight to Belfast and hire some bikes from where you are starting your tour.

There are so many options on a cycling tour/holiday in Northern Ireland with many different places to visit and many different cycle routs to take depending on your ability you can visit the west of the country and enjoy the majestic scenery of Upper Lough Erne, the Mountains of Mournes along the Strangford Lough Cycle Trail and the amazing views along the North Coastline as well as many, many more destinations.

You can take a cycling holiday around Northern Ireland for as much or as little as you want with some great accommodation deals available on the web and many places to hire bikes from not to mention cheap flights that are available.

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.

With airline prices going up to combat environmental damage from air travel now has never been a better time to holiday in the UK so for your 2010 holiday why not enjoy a ‘Staycation’ right here in the UK. There are many things to enjoy some maybe right on your doorstep some further afield but never more than a car or train journey away.

If you want to enjoy a romantic weekend away then look no further than an exciting city break, places like Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool and London offer a whole weekend pack full of things to see and do, from local history, art galleries and museums to shopping, spa days and fine dining. With so much to see and do you will defiantly want to stay longer.

 Picture courtesy of Mikecolvin82

If city visiting is not your thing and you would like a longer break somewhere a bit more quiet then consider a break in the countryside with so many places to choose from you are spoilt for choice. Some great places to visit are Wiltshire, which is known as ‘The gateway to the West Country’ which has some fabulous scenery to take in and a great variety of places to visit like world heritage sites to beautiful gardens and historical stately homes.

Picture courtesy of PhillipC

For a relaxing or exciting break take a look of the map of the UK and see where you can go.

Not everyone can afford the luxury of the Après Ski culture that you find at some of the top European and American ski resorts, their prices can be very hefty for the most simple and essential things such as a hearty meal however there are some resorts who focus more on the skiing and offer a great skiing holiday at a great price.
Bansko, Bulgaria
The number 1 ski resort in Bulgaria, Bansko is one of the most modern ski resorts in the country thanks to recent multimillion euro investment to modernise the area and add a new ski area by Yulen, the company which has the licence to run the skiing area of the resort. You can find great ski deals for the area, which is becoming more popular with Brits. Bansko also offers excellent tuition with many beginners learning the ropes here, you will also find that there is no posh expensive restaurants here instead food and drinks take a back burner to the skiing ideal for those who wish to go on a skiing holiday and enjoy most of your time doing just that.
Soldeu, Andorra
The busy Pyrenean village of Soldeu is set in the heart of Andorra deep in the Pyrenees Mountains, in 2002 the resort joined forces with its neighbour, Pas de la Casa, to create the Grandvalira mega-area, offering now an impressive 120 miles of pistes, spread out across a series of high and undulating hills. Although you will find five-star hotels and a vast four-storey spa, you do get far better value for money plus the resort is far less snobby than its other European rivals. As with Bansko, Soldeu is also a great place for learner skiers, the ski school is run by an Englishman and you will find a good flattish plateau halfway up the slopes offering snowsure nursery areas to practise on.

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and it is also the largest city that has a substantial history from disruption, conflict, and destruction called the Troubles. Now it has undergone sustained period of calm, free from the intense political violence of former years, and substantial economic and commercial growth. The past history and current arts, entertainment and attracts make it a great cultural city to visit as well as easy to get to from mainland UK with flights to Belfast International Airport.

When visiting Belfast you will never be short of things to do and if you’re only going for a weekend break you may find yourself wanting to spend more time there. You can go to world class venues such as the Waterfront Hall and the Odyssey Arena and enjoy lots of exciting concerts, plays and exhibitions and take in the historical and cultural to the scientific and literary in the city that inspired Narnia. You can also take in some great architecture such as Belfast Cathedral/St Anne’s Cathedral or enjoy the natural beauty at one of many parks in Belfast such as Falls Park which is popular with families, children and sports teams and Groveland’s which is popular with gardeners due to its wide variety of trees, shrubs, conifers, heathers, bedding displays and lawns which provide interest and colour throughout the year.

Belfast also has an abundance of restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs where you can sample the best of what Belfast has to offer from smart and stylish restaurants to historical hostelries and from gastro pubs and bars to funk and happening nightclubs there is something for everyone.

If you fancy a fun break away for the weekend you can get some great deals on cheap flights to either Belfast International Airport or George Best Belfast City Airport, both which have excellent transport links.

Belfast City Hall

Picture courtesy of pawelbak

After a year of the ‘credit crunch’, doom and gloom over the recession and strikes, delays and restrictions at airports and on the Eurotunnel people are returning to the good old faithful way to cross the channel on a ferry. Now it may not be as glamorous as a cruise holiday but you still get the same effect with a decent level of service on board for your money.

Currently ferry companies are desperate to fill ships and reduce prices to tempt more passengers aboard, you can now get a return trip to France for less than a meal out at a restaurant meaning you can easily get away for a break and enjoy the samples of France. Many of the newer ferries are much bigger and feel more like a cruise ship with great on board amenities.  It’s also relatively cheap to take your car across which means you can explore much more of what France has to offer.

If you want to get away from it all this year for Valentines, a cruise holiday is a great way to be wined and dined and enjoy some of the best services available. Many cruise lines are often described as luxurious floating hotels with 5 star services that fit your every need.

You can get some great cruise deals around the Mediterranean visiting places like South of France, Gibraltar, Barcelona, Corsica and Rome, some of the most romantic places around the Med. Or you can venture further afield to the Caribbean and dock at ports in Barbados and Mexico and have a long break away enjoying all the services aboard as well as visiting some of the most beautiful places in the world.

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Picture courtesy of sister72