Short Breaks in the UK – Where to Go and When

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is so varied that when travel deals come up, it can be an absolute nightmare figuring out where best to go to have a great time and not feel completely bewildered the whole time. As a sub-continent, everything from the weather and culture will change depending on where you stay, so it’s always good to know the spots you’ll love and the ones best avoided.

Best for: Peace and quiet

The Lake District is a serene location in the north of England absolutely ideal for spending some quiet time away from the world. It’s almost completely isolated and you can thank your lucky stars if you’ll be able to access a mobile network out there. On the other hand, you’re probably interested if you’re looking to get away from your emails and phone calls for a few day and spend some time camping as nature intended.

Best for: Breathtaking scenery

This is a bit of a difficult one to choose, since there is so much to see, but the north of Scotland (particularly Lochaber) is ideal for the type of trip that will leave your friends jealous when they see the photos. Although it’s not really known for its beaches despite being along the coast, the mountainous regions more than make up for it. When you’re packing, don’t forget an extra SD card for your camera – you’ll need it.

Best for: Historical value

London is the capital for a reason. As the most prominent city in the UK, London is incredibly rich in lore and is the type of place that budding historians will just fall in love with. Whether you want to go to the Tower Of London and re-visit the site of Bloody Mary’s famous be-headings or go to Buckingham Palace to get your chance at catching a glimpse of the Queen, just be sure to hunt for the best travel deals to let you stay as long as possible. Even as a local, it’ll take you forever to see it all.

Written by Alexandra for Deal Zippy

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Renting a Chalet in Meribel, France

Icicle on the chaletThe enchanting ski resort of Meribel is situated in the very heart of the Trois Vallées in France’s Savoie region. This part of France attracts skiing enthusiasts from all over the globe, and people who want to get the most out of the experience can hire a chalet Meribel to stay in while they explore the 600 kilometres of ski slopes that this area has to offer.

The chalets that can be found on the slopes of Meribel are made from stone and wood in the traditional Savoyard style. These chalets usually come complete with a wide range of modern conveniences such as cable television, kitchens and comfortable sitting rooms. The deluxe versions also feature added luxurious touches such as hot tubs and spacious porches on which to sit and soak up the abundant natural beauty of the area.

The main ski resort at Meribel features an impressive 74 runs, the longest of which stretches for an impressive four kilometres. While there are slopes available for people of all levels, intermediate and advanced skiers are particularly well catered for. Each of the pistes is colour coded to ensure that skiers stay within their comfort zones, and Meribel boasts a total of 11 green beginners slopes, while expert skiers will be able to have fun pushing themselves to the limit on the nine expert slopes.

Meribel also boasts an excellent nightlife scene for visitors to enjoy after the sun sets over the slopes. There are plenty of excellent restaurants to be found here, which specialise in deliciously decadent French cuisine as well as other culinary treats from all over the world. People who want to unwind with a drink or two will find plenty of bars here, while the area’s discos are great places to let off a little steam before returning to your chalet you enjoy a great night’s sleep.

Practical Tips for Driving Around France

Drive to Col d'Aubisque

Drive to Col d'Aubisque

Driving is one of the best ways to explore France. Cheap car hire France is available in most of the major cities and at international and domestic airports. There are several beautiful routes to follow when driving around France, and they will take you through the vineyards in Bordeaux, through the countryside in Southern France or around the historic region of Languedoc.

French Roads

France has motorways (marked with an A in front of the road number), national roads (marked with an N in front of the number) and minor roads that are maintained by local councils (marked with a D). Many motorways are toll roads, although a few are toll-free. A blue sign indicates a motorway and a green sign indicates a national road or another non-motorway, non-toll route.

If you are about to drive on a toll road, you will need to take a ticket at the entrance to the toll section. You will then have to pay for the distance you have driven when you exit the toll road or when the toll section ends. The national route network offers free alternatives to motorways.

Speed limits in France are generous. The motorway speed limit is 130 km/h. In rainy conditions it can be lowered to 110 km/h. On major national roads the speed limit is 110 km/h (or 90km/h in wet conditions). In towns the speed limit is generally 50 km/h.

Other Driving Tips

The French drive on the right hand side and overtake on the left side. Both the driver and the passengers (in the front and in the back) should wear seat belts.

The minimum age for driving is 18. You should always carry a driver’s licence when driving in France. Driving licences from European Union countries are valid in all other EU countries, but those who come from outside the EU should bring an international licence.

5 Reasons a Holiday Villa is Better than a Hotel

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Booking a holiday in a villa is a great way to get the most out of your break and unwind for a while. In recent years a large number of people have been choosing to stay in a villa rather than a hotel. Here are five reasons why staying in a villa is better than booking a room in a hotel.

Although many people think of staying in a villa as being costly, opting for this type of accommodation is actually a good a way to save money. Most villas feature fully loaded kitchens, which means that holidaymakers can save money by cooking their meals in the villa.

Villas tend to be much more spaciousness than standard hotel rooms. People who choose to check into a villa will have plenty of room to spend out and relax. Most villas also feature at least two bedrooms, making this type of accommodation ideal for sharing with friends or family members.

Villages tend to be much more private than standard hotel rooms as guests have their own access rather than having to enter through the lobby. This means that guests will be able to come and go whenever they like unobserved.

Most standard villages are decorated in a homely style, making them extremely cosy. Unlike hotel rooms, which tend to be rather stark, villas feature comfortable living rooms to relax in with plenty of homely touches such as large sofas and armchairs.

Villas are often located in picturesque gardens and feature their own balconies and porches. Many villages are also located close to the ocean, offering guests stunning views of the water or surrounding hills. For ideas on the various types of villas that are available and top destinations, pay a visit to eholidaycollection.com.

Things to Do In Sharm El Sheikh

sharm el sheikhSharm el Sheikh is an Egyptian resort city situated on the southernmost point of the Sinai Peninsula. This picturesque destination is located on a coastal stretch of land framed by the Red Sea. The alluring blend of pleasant weather, unspoiled beaches and the mystery of the desert attracts tourists from across the globe. With so many wonderful leisure pursuits available, here is a list of five that most visitors would find enjoyable.

Dune Buggy Desert Adventure

The best way to explore the surrounding desert is by renting a dune buggy or quad bike. Take one of these all-terrain vehicles and experience the thrill of crisscrossing the desert. Guided trips are available that last 2 to 11 hours. Visitors will be captivated by the remarkable beauty as they navigate the dunes.

The Ras Mohammed National Park

The serene waters and natural wildlife of the Ras Mohammed National Park is the perfect backdrop for relaxing on the beach, traversing the nature preserve or discovering undersea treasures as you scuba dive on the offshore reefs. Eco-tourists will be amazed by the flora and fauna of this national Park.

The Monastery of St. Catherine

Cultural tourists won’t want to miss a trip to the Monastery of St. Catherine. The world renowned Orthodox monastery houses the second largest array of codices and manuscripts. At this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will find many precious works of art.

The Mount of Moses

Journey to the Mount of Moses and see where, according to tradition, Moses was given the Ten Commandments. Climb Jebel Mousa at night. Although this trek is arduous, it’s well worth the effort when you witness an awe inspiring sunrise from the summit.

Glass Bottom Boat Excursion

No vacation to Sharm el Sheikh is complete without a glass bottom boat tour. Embark upon a cruise and explore the natural wonders and beauty located just offshore. Passengers will be amazed by the colorful reefs and exotic sea creatures beneath the waves.

Eating out

Obviously this is popular wherever you go but Sharm has some great restaurants which are well worth the extra effort of hunting down – don’t just go for the easy option and you’ll be rewarded with great culinary treats!

Whether you participate in these five activities or explore the city’s other wonders, everyone who visits Sharm el Sheikh will find something to enjoy.

Andy is a guest blogger from Easyjet who operate flights to Sharm El Sheikh from London and across Europe

Top holiday Destinations in Central America

Central America Travel

Central America is a land of diversity of cultures, geography, climate and government, it is Latin to the core and is a welcoming destination for the traveler on holiday.

Travelers on holiday come to Central America for many reasons; to study the culture, enjoy the arts and music, to explore ancient ruins, trek jungles, but the majority are drawn to the beautiful beaches and crystal waters and Belize and Honduras are major destinations for watersports.

Belize, formerly British Honduras, retains an English atmosphere and English is spoken predominantly by a mixed population of Mestizos, Creoles, Anglos and Latinos. The majority of resorts are on the islands that string out along the second longest barrier reef in the world. Scuba diving and snorkeling in gin clear waters attract a multitude to interact with not only tropical reef life, but sharks, manta rays, sea turtles and moray eels.

The Bay Islands of Honduras are said by many, to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. The islands rise from deep water and offer the visiting scuba diver with walls that plummet into the abyss where anything in the ocean may swim by. The islands host tropical resorts constructed out of exotic wood and many are fashioned on stilts in tranquil lagoons. The Bay Islands offer a rustic luxury, excellent dining, friendly people and romantic settings

How to Get Your Child Ready For Your holiday

Are We There Yet?

Traveling over the holidays can be a tricky maneuvering act when you throw kids in the mix. You probably have some excruciatingly boring road trip memories of your own that you don’t want to relive again through your own children. That being said, there is hope! Regardless of those people who roll their eyes at all the new electronic gadgets and gizmos designed for children; take advantage of them! The most popular device for all ages is the portable DVD player. You can even hook up multiple screens for the different children and ear buds can be plugged into it if you don’t want to be listening to Barney for four hours straight.

Also, come prepared with an arsenal of snacks. The website http://www.activitiesforkids.com/travel/travel_hints.htm, gives you a ton of ideas to make your trip easier. Have some healthy snacks that come prepackaged like mini graham crackers. And, don’t forget the beverages! You also will want a small trashcan or designated trash bag at your disposal to keep crumbs and clutter from taking over your car. How can you feel restful if you have gummies stuck in your hair?

You know your child and what he likes or dislikes. With just a little effort you can turn any trip into an adventure!