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.

There is nothing quite like hitting the trail on a fresh summers’ morning. The air is crisp and the ground slightly damp due to the early morning dew. Hiking is a great sport to enjoy at a next to nothing cost. It presents a great opportunity for the whole family so spend some time together and a healthy way to experience the great outdoors.

Getting your hiking attire spot on is an important aspect of your hike to consider if you want to maximise your enjoyment, whilst eradicating safety concerns too.

Picking the right hiking gear can be a tricky process, and there is a definite gulf in quality available in the market place. There are some more-general tips to adhere to though to make the most of your choices.

It is always wise to wear a form of hat when hiking, especially when it is sunny. A hat provides adequate protection of the eyes from the glare of the sun, as well as keeping your head cool. There are some hats with side tassels which can protect the ears from sunburn too.

Footwear is also a vital area to consider and it is best to choose a pair which offer adequate whole-foot support which are study enough to withstand long walks on uneven and uncertain surfaces. Heavy duty cotton socks should also be worn to prevent blistering or skin aggravation.

Dependant on the climate you are hiking in, the number and style of upper body garments will vary. For warmer weathers, a light coloured t-shirt which will reflect the sun will be a safe choice, with the accompaniment of a lightweight fleece, in case the weather turns chilly. In colder climates a long sleeve shirt would suffice. Craghoppers have an extensive range of outdoor garments to suit any weather condition.

Should the hike be through any woodland area, it would be wise to protect yourself against the risk ticks, sharp branches and nettles by wearing rigid jeans of cargo pants.

Stay safe this hiking season and happy trails!

It’s no surprise that an airport features a direct route to Palma Malorca International airport. After all, it’s the 3^rd largest overall airport in Spain and during the Summer high season it’s one of the busiest airports in the whole of Europe. It’s also a major hub for both Europa Airlines and Air Berlin, two of the most prestigious young carriers in Europe. But to have a direct flight from such a busy airport is not something every town can be proud of, but for a long time Malorca airport has featured on the list of flights to Belfast.

This sunny coastal city in one of Spain’s most beautiful Mediterranean islands has a lot to offer to every type of tourist. I remember a group of college friends of mine that went there to do what every college person likes to do in their free time: party. And party cheap. They found that for such an attractive tourist hub the town featured a lot of inexpensive hostels and restaurants. Another friend of mine visited the city regularly on his Easter Break, and went there with his family, stayed in a bungalow and had the most quiet time of his life.

This historic and luxurious city lives up to its name, providing it’s many tourists with a variety of options when it comes to spas and resorts. If you’re looking for the best of the best, trust a hotel that has invested 40 million pounds on providing it’s guests with the best spa experience in the UK. The Bailbrook Lodge is one of the leading spa destinations in the UK, having romantic, weekend getaway packages to give you the ultimate bath weekend break

The accommodation her includes beautifully redecorated rooms, with15 en-suite bedrooms to choose from, as well as 5 with four poster beds. This Lodge has an impeccable reputation, having recently paired with the renowned Champagne House of Taittinger to put together a super Spa Break Offer. Now you can have an inclusive English breakfast with a glass of champagne, included in the promotional price of a per person, per night rate. Getting there is also very easy, being only a few minutes from the city center.

This business, specializing in holiday cottages since 1964, can cater to all your vacation specifications. You can rent for 3 or 4 nights, or get weekly rates for those long winter getaways. The holiday season is coming, and there is nothing that makes memories like having a cottage to invite your family to for Christmas. There are specialists available every day of the week to help with all your vacation planning. So make this next holiday a special one, and trust a company that is the best at what they do, and can cater to all your needs and holiday plans.

Scarborough Hotel overlooks Robin Hood’s Bay, at a towering 600 feet above sea level. If you’re looking for a unique experience, choose from one of eight Finnish lodges available. Furnished with a luxurious setting, your own private kitchen, wireless access, and the peace of mind of eco friendly structure that helps reduce O2.

If you’re going to plan your next vacation, don’t settle for anything less than the best. Give you and your family the chance to have a unique experience that will leave everyone with many memories for years to come. The only down side is you won’t want to stay in any other hotel after you have experienced Scarborough, which is holiday accomodation at its finest. Scarborough sets the standard for the hotel experience, and any competitors fall in their shadow.

Northumberland Tourism has identified a unique way to link it’s burgeoning creative arts sector to it’s every growing tourism offering. The Made in Northumberland Project (MiN) aims to encourage networking between local artists and the regions visitor attractions and accommodation providers. It is hoped that the project will allow visitors to experience & learn new art and craft skills for themselves and also be able to support local artists by making their work more easily available to purchase.

It looks as if Northumberland Tourism have spotted a growing trend at just the right time. Recent data from the market research organisation Mintel shows that 24% of tourists are now keen to learn a new skill on holiday. Based on current figures for visits to Northumberland this could equate to 2 million visitors looking for a unique learning experience whilst away from home.

The MiN project should allow Northumberland Accommodation providers to develop more craft based holiday options with local artists offering courses in skills such as pot-throwing & glasswork. These enhanced experiences add value and a unique spin to a providers holiday offering, helping them to stand out from the crowd. Whilst the artist also benefits from additional funding and increased exposure.

A series of workshops have been organised by MiN at three major visitor attractions during November. These workshops will explain how creative holidays can be arranged and will demonstrate what holiday makers can expect to gain from the experience. Those involved in local tourism will have the chance to sample the products and experiences for themselves which will help them to understand how best to market them to potential visitors.

In addition the work of local artists will be on display. It is hoped that more local artwork can be put into shops as MiN has identified a real hunger from visitors for genuine local souvenirs rather than the mass produced tourist tat that is prevalent in so many tourist resorts. For visitors that choose to stay in Northumberland Cottages the desire to get a real taste of local life is often very strong on their list of holiday expectations. Being able to take home a little slice of local culture gives them a memento they will enjoy for years to come.