Holiday Destinations, News and Information

Before I go away on holiday, I religiously check the holiday review sites which tell you the truth about your hotel! When people book a holiday they normally go off the picture in the brochure. Do not be fooled by this, the photo could have been taken when the hotel first opened and may have even been edited.

Sites like Trip Advisor and Holidays Uncovered are great for finding out what your holiday is really going to be like. They give people the chance to post their own photos of the resort and also to write comments and vote for how nice they thought it was. An honest review from members of the public, much better than just the good points that the holiday companies use to sell you the holiday!!!

Here are some sites that are worth a look before you go away:

• Holiday Watchdog
• Holiday-Truth
• Real Holiday Reports

Have you ever used review sites? You may have even posted some comments, advising people not to visit the resort or to tell them that the hotel really is as luxurious as it says? Let me know!

If you are lucky enough to be jetting off into the sun, then here are a few useful hints and tips on how to stay safe, keep well and keep your belongings secure!

• However tempting it is to fall asleep on your sun lounger after numerous cocktails the night before, don’t!! Not only will you get sunburn but your belongings will be free for anyone to pinch.
• Make sure that you re-apply sun cream after you have been in the water. No sun cream is 100% waterproof!  you could try putting on t-shirt, this could work as a temporary sun block.
• The main cause of heat rash is the build up of sun cream which blocks the pores. To avoid this, if there is a shower on the beach, try and have a quick wash to get rid of the old sun cream you applied earlier.
• Even if the tap water is safe to drink in the country you are visiting, try and buy bottled water. It could save you a gippy tummy in the long run!
• Before you go away, make a note of your passport number and take a copy of your insurance documents. Make sure that you keep the documents with you but separated from the originals. In the awful case that your documents go missing you will have back up.

I’ve never been on a cruise before and quite frankly, after watching Titanic I’ve been slightly put off!! Jokes aside though, many people decide to take their summer holidays on a cruise and stay on board for 1 night up to 2 weeks plus. There are so many different destinations to choose from, that picking just a few may prove difficult.

There are family cruises, designed with entertainment for the kids and a place for them to play whilst you dine al-fresco or chill out sunbathing on deck, and there are also adult only cruises which mean you get to leave the kids at home for a few weeks of peace.

With most cruise packages these days you get a fairly spacious cabin kitted out with an en suite, television, hairdryer and tea and coffee making facilities.

Make sure that you take a few of your best frocks though; the dress code on a cruise can be fairly strict. No swimwear in the restaurants during the day and it’s definitely dress to impress in the evenings which is fairly traditional for cruises.

If you fancy an adventure and the chance to visit a number of different countries for your holiday, then a cruise may just be up your street. For some people, the thought of being stuck on the same island or in the same hotel for 2 weeks sounds dull, if this is you, make sure you book your cruise today!!

Today, I am continuing on from my last post on City Breaks.

If you are thinking of travelling to Rome, then make sure you take a good pair of trainers and a charger for your camera, the sites to see are spectacular. Not only do you have the great sites including the Colosseum’s and the Catacombes you also have some of the tastiest Italian delicacies to try. If you have enough energy left, make sure you take an early night so your ready to go and take a trip to the Vatican city.

Prague is another great city to visit, especially in the Winter when the cobbled streets are covered in snow and Christmas markets are buzzing. If your interested in anything from Art to Music, Prague will have something for you. Make sure you start off at the Old Town Square, you certainly will not be disappointed!

Last but not least we have the amazing city of Barcelona. Everyone who I have known that has visited Barcelona has come back wishing they could have stayed there an extra few days and its clear to see why this city is so popular. Barcelona is a great place for tiny boutique hotels, tucked away from the bustling high life of Les Ramblas. You can take a look round the city by scooter, bus or foot, just remember to take your camera so you can capture the beauty of the city.

Are you thinking of going on a City break? With destinations such as Paris, Rome, Barcelona and Prague I’m not surprised! Alot of people think that booking a trip to the city means spending lots of money but this is not the case. Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, 5 star luxury or simply just a place to rest your head for the night there are hotels that will suit your budget.

In my opinion, the top 5 city destinations are:

1. Paris
2. Bruges
3. Rome
4. Prague
5. Barcelona

Paris, the city of love. There is something wrong with you if you dont fall instantly in love with this place. With the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Sacre-Coeur, its clear to see why Paris makes it to number one on my list. You can start your day off with a warm croissant and a black coffee, spend your day visiting the sites or shopping in Chanel or Herve Leger and finish off with a selection of mouth watering food from the local Charcuterie.

Bruges, a great place for all your chocolate and beer lovers. If your interested in history, then visiting Bruges is ideal and the wonderfully preserved  medieval city will leave you open mouthed. There are numerous museums, bustling market squares and it will definitely be a fun-filled weekend for all.

My next post will cover Rome, Prague and Barcelona, so come back tomorrow to find out more!!

The next few months are peak time for family’s to pack up and jet off into the sun for that well deserved holiday. The kids are off school and parents are frantically trying to sort out the last minute travel insurance, stuffing far too many outfits into their suitcases and investigating which sun lotion will protect their little mites the best.

Before booking a holiday, you have to chose your destination. Some people enjoy sightseeing, whilst other people are more bothered about what beaches and nightclubs are available. Personally, i like to go where the weather is guaranteed to be hot. My last holiday was to Egypt so was exactly what i was looking for.

Below are  some holiday hot spot destinations for those of you who are looking to fly for no more than 5 hours:

Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands.

If you are looking for a destination which is further away and where the weather is going to be scorching, then one of the following places could be for you:

Egypt, India, Thailand, Florida, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Maldives, Cuba.

Wherever you chose to go this year, make sure that you check out the deals that are available. If you look around before booking the first offer you see, you may find something cheaper!

If you are going on holiday, let me know which destination you chose.