Posts Tagged ‘Holidays’

The Cotswolds is a beautiful region which falls into the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire among others. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966 and contains idyllic honey-coloured towns and villages, rolling Cotswolds hills and true picturesque English countryside.

There are a range of things to explore in the region, from the bustling market towns to the endless walking routes across the Cotswolds countryside. There are also many historic houses and beautiful English gardens to visit.

Local Towns

The Cotswolds is the hub of rural England, where the small Cotswolds towns and villages have retained and preserved English character and charm. Cirencester is the largest of the towns and is known as the 'capital' town of the Cotswolds. A couple of other towns to visit include:

Malmesbury

Malmesbury is reputed to be the oldest borough in England and its hilltop presence means that it is described as the 'Queen of the hilltop towns'. The town is surrounded by two forks of the River Avon and sweeping steep slopes which together act as a natural defence. The great stone walls which were once used to fortify for the town can still be seen to this day, along with the weavers' cottages which are dotted along the High Street, as like most Cotswolds towns, Malmesbury was a wealthy wool town. Today the town is still bustling and vibrant presenting a good selection of small, independent shops where the major chain stores are very rare among the town.

Moreton-in-Marsh

Moreton-in-Marsh is situated at the head of the Evenlode Valley on the Fosse Way which was a major Roman road which runs from the South coast to Lincoln. The town was granted market charter in 1227 and the weekly markets still takes place each Tuesday. Like Malmesbury, Moreton-in-Marsh was also heavily involved in wool and cloth making which was the source of income during the medieval years. At present, the town is lined with specialist stores, tea-rooms, galleries and the Wellington Aviation and Art Museum is a haven for World War II enthusiasts.

Attractions

The Cotswolds reflects history with its grand houses, abbeys and castles dotted throughout the region. Blenheim Palace is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It is set among 2100 acres of beautiful parkland, sweeping lawns and award-winning landscaped gardens.

The Cotswolds is also home to some of the finest gardens in England, from small cottage gardens to the more famous gardens such as Abbey House Gardens at Malmesbury which is filled with fabulous garden designs and powerful aromas. Westonbirt Arboretum in Tetbury displays over 18,000 specimens and has one of the world's finest collections of trees and shrubs.

Cotswolds Water Park is another place worth visiting and offers something for everyone. It is Britain's largest water park and consists of 140 lakes covering 40 square miles. Activities range from sailing, fishing, swimming and cycling.

Malta is known for its hot summer sun and everything related to its surrounding blue Mediterranean sea, such as water sports and diving. As a result, flocks of tourists visit the Maltese islands during the May to September season in an attempt to sit back, relax and enjoy the summer sun! So, a visit to the island during its winter months may prove to be a quieter, calmer and perhaps more rewarding sort of holiday in Malta.

Since Malta's winter is rather mild, it allows for the hills to be greener. One can enjoy the countryside by means of hiking, walking or cycling – an activity which is usually difficult in the hot summer months. Countryside walks have become a highlight for many tourists visiting Malta, and for this reason, specific guide books have been created for the tourist who wishes to explore the quiet rural areas of the island by providing directions through rural paths and towns.

Malta Sightseeing

During this time of year, taking in Malta's spectacular culture would be ideal since the old villages and monuments are less busy with tourists, and the temperature is cooler. The oldest and most impressive structures are the prehistoric temples, the largest of which are located in Qrendi (Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Temples), Tarxien (Tarxien Temple) and Gozo (Ggantija Temple). Dating from c.5000BC, the temples are actually older than the Egyptian pyramids! A definite must-see!

Since Malta is very small, transportation is often unnecessary and one can view all, or most, of a town or city on foot. Valletta and Mdina, for instance, are incredible localities that merit a visit. By simply walking around, one can appreciate the historic buildings and distinct character of each city. Valletta contains within its walls the Grandmaster's Palace, Auberge de Castille, St. John's Co-Cathedral, the National Museum of Archaeology, the Fine Arts Museum, Malta's National Theatre (The Manoel Theatre) and a host of other historical buildings, not to mention one of Malta's shopping high-streets, all at a short walking-distance from one another.

Mdina is no less stunning. Mdina itself is known as the 'silent city' and contains series of winding narrow roads through which cars are not allowed to pass. Walking through the former capital allows for the appreciation of historical buildings, the possibility of dining in some of the most up-town Malta restaurants and cafés, as well as spectacular views of the island off its bastions.

With regards to indoor activities, the several museums of Malta that range from archaeology to classic cars are sure to keep someone busy for a series of days! Furthermore, the theatre scene is bustling all year round with selections of classical concerts, operas, drama, musicals and comedy. In fact, it has become popular to go and enjoy a light meal and bottle of wine at local wine bars following a show at one of Malta's Theatres. Wining and Dining in Malta is of course not limited to such wine bars and extends to all sorts of cuisine scattered in every locality on the island, the most prominent being that of Mediterranean cuisine.

If you simply wish to relax, the several spas across the island provide a perfect harmony of tranquility and well-being, in order to release you from the daily stresses of your routine back home. Unlike the packed summer beaches, spas provide a calm splendor for you, and your loved ones, to enjoy.

Find out how Inntravel's self-guided hotel-to-hotel cycling holidays work.

Savvy guests are demanding more from Lake District hotels who in turn, are being more creative in what they offer guests. Guests are re-introducing their families to the Lake District because it is compact (35miles) and offers very diverse attractions that will appeal to all members of the family.

The UK in general, of course does have a downside in the weather but what the UK lacks in sunshine, it makes up for in activities and good old fashioned fun. The Lake District is especially suited to families with its vast choice of activities. Firstly there are the fells. Walking and taking in the spectacular scenery in the Lake District is not only good exercise but it is free. Other activities in Cumbria and the Lake District are Muncaster Castle, the World Owl Trust, Ravenglass Steam Railway, Lake District Coast Aquarium, Puzzling Place and Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick, Beatrix Potter Museum and cycling tours at Grizedale Forest. A trip to the Lakes isn't complete without a boat trip. Windermere, Coniston, Ullswater and Derwentwater are the main lakes for boat trips. It gives a different perspective on the fells from the water than on land.

An organized Lake District holiday break takes away all the stress of having to think of what to do each day. An organized package takes care of all the booking of venues and has an itinerary each day. This kind of holiday helps families get the most out of their Lake District holiday and can include activities such as sailing, walking, museum trips, picnics and cycling. Many have been designed to enable families to spend time together but also making consideration for the parents by giving them a few hours of freedom with the children only activities.

The Euro is not the only reason UK family holidays and Lake District holidays are predicted to increase. The awareness of climate change and the impact of flying on the environment is something that is making families think twice about going abroad. A return flight from London to Barcelona for example produces half of tonne of carbon dioxide per person. That is an awful lot when compared with a return car journey from London to the Lake District which creates a 10th of a tonne of carbon dioxide. Once a family has realized what good they are doing for their children's future, money saved and most importantly, how much fun can be had on a holiday in the UK, it is sure to make the UK tourism industry flourish once again.

So really, who needs the hassle of travelling abroad, waiting around in depressing airports and arriving at disappointing destinations anymore? You can choose a destination like the Lake District where you and the children can arrive and leave, when it suits you and the hospitality is second to none. Educationally, children get so much more out of an activity holiday where they are challenged, learn and experience new things. As with a selection of these special activity packages available in places such as luxury hotels in the Lake District, parents can enjoy their Lake District holiday just as much as the children.

Cyclists of all abilities can look forward to some fantastic scenery whilst on a cycling holiday in france, along with experiencing traditional French cuisine in the many hotels you stop at on your travels through the scenic countryside.

France is a country that is extremely enthusiastic about cycling, as we are all no doubt well aware with the Tour de France, and they have made it ever so easy to explore the countryside and cities on two wheels, with dedicated cycle paths and routes all around.

Cycling holidays will give you peace and tranquillity with awesome views of countryside, chateaux, medieval towns, hilltops, valleys and gorges and these are just some of things that you would easily miss out on if you were driving through France, and with the rich heritage, extraordinary landscapes and the gastronomic delights can all be appreciated more whilst cycling, especially because of the extensive national network of veloroutes.

These veloroutes will take you along canal towpaths, quiet country lanes and converted railway lines as well as getting you into the heart of the countryside by using voies vertes, also known as green ways, which are specially designated tracks that are completely shut to motorised traffic, you can even hire your cycle en route from one of many locations-velos that line the major cycling routes.

You can still find areas in France that are so peaceful, it is rare to see a car, yet you may be passed by a few very passionate cyclists! Stopping for lunch and experiencing the local cuisine and of course the local wine is must and you can often find fortified villages scattered along the hill-tops and valleys for the most pleasant of stops.

Or if you prefer to have your trip organised then why not let the hoteliers transport your luggage by finding establishments that offer an "accueil velo" which are hotels and bed and breakfasts that cater specifically for cycling holidays throughout France.

With a French Alps cycling holiday you cannot go wrong, as you will be able to discover some of the Worlds most spectacular cycling routes, with climbs like the world famous Col de la Croix der Fer and Alpe d'Huez around Grenoble. But as well as the Alps, cycling in the Pyrenees with its mountain climbs such as the Col de Portet d'Aspet and the Col d'Aspin will provide you with the opportunity to see some of Europe's most beautiful locations. Although these are not for the feint hearted! If you have ever watched the Tour de France, you will have seen some of those mean mountainous routes and the suffering these cyclists go through, yet perhaps this could be just the type of holiday you are looking for!

Also, the Midi-Pyrenees offers a wealth of art and history from prehistoric cave paintings to Renaissance mansions and is also famous throughout France for its cuisine which is rich with foies gras, Roquefort cheese, Gaillac wines, and Armagnac brandy, but to make the most of this region, it is often advisable to plan your cycling holiday very carefully, so that you can enjoy the many different places en route.

Yet if mountain biking and going on strenuous cycling routes through the mountains is not you, then do not worry, there are plenty of other areas in France that will cater for the novice or the family cycling holiday, just like Brittany, this area is ideal for a family cycling holiday, as the coastal routes along the bays are reasonably flat, making the trip easier, whereas the Loire is more undulating, yet fabulous chateaux and riverside towns will enthral you and the family on your travels.

What about the Poitou-Charentes area, which is an excellent choice for those who love wildlife and bird watching, as the area is still extremely rural, even compared to some of the other areas in France and Burgundy is a great place to cycle along the many canal paths.

Then there is the Dordogne which is extremely picturesque, and from the rivers and gorges through to forests and vineyards, this area provides such a diversity you will enjoy the whole experience from the start to finish of your holiday.

Mind you, with a cycling holiday organised for you, there is no need to worry about where you will stop for a break or lunch or where you will be staying, which means you do not have to have your panniers full to the brim, as all your belongings are transported on for you, ready and waiting for when you arrive at your next stop, plus if you decide to add in other activities, such as canoeing and horse riding as well, then your bikes will be transported to your next stop and you will be picked up at a specified location.

So whether you are a cycling enthusiast or a novice with a family, France is a fantastic destination to explore on your bike.