From wonderful, clear mornings to a change in birdsong, it really is only a matter of time before those shorts come out and your winter coats are hidden away in the attic for another year. Of course, with the beginning of spring comes an urge for many to book their next holiday, and let’s be honest, who could blame anyone for thinking ahead in this manner? After all, the vast majority of us work all year long just to fund such a break, so getting it absolutely right is a very important task indeed…

Still, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to booking your next break, be it a small getaway for a few days or the best part of a month in warmer climes. One such choice which many of you will have overlooked in the past is the idea of taking a Escorted Tour holiday from The Travel Departments UK website, and this may well be the result of a few misconceptions. Yes, some holidays are looked down upon by people who simply do not understand the many perks which can be enjoyed simply by booking such a break. Well, if you too have suffered at the hands of these unhelpful misconceptions, here is a little guide to just how wide of the mark they often are.

Firstly, many people assume that a tour holiday is something which can only really be enjoyed by the elderly. This could not be further from the truth. Every single year, thousands upon thousands of people pick a tour holiday as their main getaway and age has nothing to do with it. As anyone who has ever experienced a tour holiday before will be able to attest, your fellow passengers and holidaymakers are always a varied and interesting bunch, whose ages can stem from a young child to a pensioner and beyond, so there is no truth behind this particular misconception that all tour holidays (like these from the Travel Department UK) are designed to please the elderly and no one else.

Another misconception has to do with cost. Many people assume that you are simply paying over the odds for a long coach ride. Well, if you can name a single other holiday which has the potential to take in not just entire countries, but complete continents all for a single fee, we’d love to hear about them! Yes, a tour holiday can provide unparalleled enjoyment and as long as you are open minded to the idea, you too can expect to enjoy a fantastic break.

Coniston is every bit as pretty as Windermere but for some reason seems to have fewer visitors. Coniston has many items of interest, such as the home of the artist John Ruskin and the lake was the site of several speed records that were set by Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald. Donald was tragically killed during one of the attempts to set a new record. In addition, the popular children’s series, Swallows and Amazons, by Arthur Ransome was based on many features on and around Coniston. The island called Wildcat Island in the books is based on Peel Island in Consiton, and it’s possible to swim to Peel Island from the shore, or if a person is feeling less adventuresome, perhaps convince a local youth to ferry them over in a small boat.

The water is very cold most of the year, so swimming might not be the best choice! In addition to the lake, there are several peaks around the district that afford wonderful hiking trails, and the views from the tops are lovely (unless the fog has obscured everything of course). Fog on the fells can come in quickly and cause the hiker to become disoriented so it’s important to be aware of the weather and to be prepared in case of fog.

There are of course many colourful and interesting shops and restaurants in the area, but not all are open year round, so if you are there during the off season it’s best to check ahead if you have a particular spot in mind. There are also many lovely Bed and Breakfast establishments, many directly on the water and very reasonably priced, but the best digs have to be lake district cottages as these offer peace and a place to escape the other travellers. As an added treat, for the fans of Swallows and Amazons, the house that Arthur Ransome used as a basis for the farm where the Swallows stayed in the book is an actual farm which operates as a Bed and Breakfast on the bank of Coniston Water.

Residence 6 offer fully serviced apartments which are three times bigger than a suite in one of the regular luxury hotels in Leeds. This space offers you the time to unwind and relax during your stay. Also if you are travelling with children the added room is a bonus, as they will have room to play in. Equally if you are travelling in a group the 2 bedroom apartments are a great option, as you are able to have your own room but are still able to stay with your group. One bedroom apartments are also available for you to book if you did not need the extra space.

There are many other luxuries which will make your stay with Residence 6 an unforgettable one. The Molton Brown beauty products in the bathroom will have anyone impressed. The robes are also a nice touch to make you feel even more like this is your home away from home.

The apartments are close to all the trendy bars and restaurants around Leeds which make it an ideal place to stay. You will be able to immerse yourself into city life immediately. The apartments make you feel like this really is your little retreat in the city which you can escape to whenever you feel like it.

Hotels in Leeds City Centre do not often feel like home, however remembering to stay with Residence 6 will make you feel right at home and will have you coming back time and time again.

Two of the most popular tourist destinations in the world are France, and England. Being so close together, many find that it is easy to see both on the same holiday. England and France have long been coveted destinations by travelers from all over the world, and if you’re planning your next holiday to either, you may be in for more than you expected! The northwest city of Calais, in France, is only about an hour’s ferry ride from the English city of Dover. This makes it fast, fun, and practical to sight see in both countries, without booking two holidays.

If you’re looking for a Dover to Calais Ferry, or visa versa, you’ll find that the internet is a convenient asset. You can look up time tables, availability, routes, and book your tickets, all on the same site. You’ll find you have more than one option for the trip, which gives you some flexibility. Choose the boat, and itinerary that suits your schedule, and you can see all the wonders of both England, and France, in the same day. Also keep in mind that boats that travel between this UK island and mainland Europe include more routes than just these two cities, other itineraries include Dover to Dunkerque, and Folkestone to Calais.

At this time of year, if you haven’t already started to think of where you may want to go on holiday, you should probably start to. There is of course the opportunity to go abroad but in these times of economic uncertainty have you really got the money? Even a ferry crossing the channel can cost up to £300 for just two people and one car. There’s also the added cost of travelling abroad at peak time, which is when all the schools break up and travel companies decide to increase the prices, often to unmanageable amounts.

Because we live in a beautiful country, holidaying here is often overlooked but parts of England, especially the South West, are frequently unrivalled when the weather is good. Many people think of Cornwall for their holiday if they think of England, but Devon is a great choice for many and an increasingly popular destination for staying in a UK Caravan Park.

One of the largest counties in England it offers spectacular coastlines, many are family friendly and safe, and others are perfect for keen surfers. Rugged countryside which can look like a patchwork quilt this time of year once the farmers have ploughed and made their first cut for silage. A fascinating history that stems back centuries for those keen on discovering the origins and what makes Devon the place it is today. With so much to see and do, your Devon Holidays will be packed everyday, just remember to take some time to relax and rejuvenate.

]]> http://britainjourney.com/holiday-in-devon/feed/ 0 http://britainjourney.com/traditional-devonian-fire-hazards/ http://britainjourney.com/traditional-devonian-fire-hazards/#comments Wed, 31 Mar 2010 07:45:43 +0000 admin http://britainjourney.com/?p=114

There are a few villages in Devon which have some absolutely remarkable traditions, and seeing these occur can be a great thing to do on a family holiday. Two villages in Devon, Ottery St Mary and Hatherleigh, have traditions that involve handling flaming barrels of tar.

Many people, perhaps rightly, believe that rolling or passing burning tar barrels through villages where a number of the houses have thatched roofs is a little bit foolish, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a spectacular sight. Visitors from all over the world attend these celebrations, eager to see the dangerous activity take place. It’s very similar to the bull running that famously occurs at Pamplona, and, just as with the bull running, sometimes people are injured.

On the topic of injuries, it’s the people actually involved in the event, rather than the spectators, who tend to fall victim to the barrels, but these are normally only minor burns or singed hair, nothing that won’t be gone in a few weeks.

The concerns about injury have meant that concerns have been raised for the future of rolling flaming tar barrels through villages, and that would mean that the residents would lose out on a valuable draw for tourists, as well as a popular and traditional cultural event.

Luckily, it seems that these Devon villages and the holiday parks near them will continue to have this incredible celebration to draw in the holiday makers as local councils have, rather than shutting the events down because of concerns, looked at new ways of insuring the events instead.

There was a time when Wadebridge was mostly known the being a major traffic route in Cornwall, but because of its small, streets, put in place when Wadebridge was just a tiny village, there was a huge amount of congestion. In 1991, though, this all changed, as a bypass meant that motorists no longer had to squeeze through the town. The streets cleared up, the air wasn’t filled with car exhaust fumes, and Wadebridge quickly became the quaint, picturesque and beautiful little town that it had always been underneath all the traffic.

Some regeneration came in the form of pedestrianising the town’s shopping district, and now Wadebridge is not only a great place to visit, but also a popular town in which to take a family holiday in Cornwall. Visitors can easily access the nearby beaches and enjoy the Cornish countryside, but still enjoy all the benefits that a town can bring to a holiday. They’ll also be able to admire the architecture and really take in the atmosphere of the town.

Since the bypass, in fact, Wadebridge cottages in Cornwall have become very popular, and visitors don’t just book them so that they can visit the nearby beaches, but so they can wander through the town itself, enjoying everything it has to offer. Wadebridge is a great place to enjoy the Cornish culture, and even has its own Cornish name of Ponsrys. Visitors will not be disappointed with a trip to Wadebridge, even if all they do is explore the town itself.

When it comes to accommodation, really complete the experience with unique housing. Forget all those over priced London Hotels right in the city centre, get in the country side or on the coast, and relax in a holiday cottage. This is the perfect atmosphere to relax after a day of exploring, and will give you the “home away from home” atmosphere you can’t find in a hotel. Try a bed and breakfast, or even a vacation flat in the city. This gives you the privacy and personal touch that you will crave when on vacation.

The city of Bath is a historic place with a long history and plenty of modern amenities to wrap yourself in comfort on your next vacation. Dating as far back as 43 AD, it was built as a spa and resort by the Romans. Today it has a variety of museums, theatres, and other cultural venues in addition to its high class spas. This fine city was even named a World Heritage Site in 1987. This was also said to be the sight of the only naturally occurring hot springs in the UK, being situated near the River Avon in the valley. Today, this city welcomes millions of tourists every year, with two official Universities and several schools and colleges spread throughout.

If you’re looking for accommodation in Bath, you will find plenty of hotels, spas and resorts to cater to your every need. Most of them are renovated estates that have distinct aesthetics rich in history, fitted with all the modern necessities. The Royal Hotel for example was established in 1846, and has a high class restaurant, spa, and bars to keep you busy. You can have it all on your next holiday in Bath.