by ·Comments Off on Holidaying in the Frozen North

Just a month before Christmas and Britain can be drizzly, dreary and dull.  Not to mention battling the crowds of shoppers hoping to bag a bargain, queuing for a precious parking spot, getting tied up in sticky tape and string, making endless batches of mince pies and sausage rolls….

So, a well-earned break, away from it all, might seem very attractive. How about flying to either Stockholm or Helsinki and then catching a connecting flight up to the frozen wastes of Lapland within the confines of the Arctic Circle?

It may be cold with temperatures below freezing and snow piled all around but the air is fresh and the light is bright under cloudless, chilly blue skies.  Stay in a romantic log cabin and relax in the evenings in front of a roaring log fire or book a night or two into an ice hotel for a totally unique experience.  For those who are full of energy and prefer activity holidays to rest and relaxation, then  hire skis and try cross country skiing, have a go at dog sledding or simply hike amongst the snow covered hills and mountains, stopping for a hot chocolate and a pastry in a picturesque village cafe.

If you are travelling with young children, then you must look into a trip to Santa’s grotto and visit his reindeer on a reindeer farm! Tourists to Lapland who visit during December to March may also be lucky enough to experience the beauty of the Northern Lights.

by ·Comments Off on A recommended day out to Warwick Castle

October half-term may only be a week, but for some parents it can feel like a very long week if the weather is cold and wet and the children are bored and fractious.

For a special treat, why not visit the very imposing Warwick Castle in Warwickshire.  During half-term week, the Castle has organised special activities and spooky events for Hallowe’en and is open until 9pm at night.

For those who can’t stay that late, there is still plenty to see and do at the castle.  For the energetic, there are 500 steps to climb if you want to explore the towers and walk along the ramparts.  Have your children peering through the arrow slits and imagine firing arrows onto an enemy below.  Look across to the the huge trebuchet on the other side of the river and admire the views over the city of Warwick and the surrounding countryside.

There are interesting rooms to discover where children can learn about life in the castle and its history.  Feel how heavy the chain mail is to wear and giggle at the medieval toilet which overhangs the dry moat.  Imagine wearing heavy armour or sleeping in a four poster bed.

Included in the admission price is the Bowman Show where children can admire the skill and accuracy of using a bow and arrow. You can also take in the Birds of Prey Display and admire and wonder at the eagles and vultures which are allowed to fly majestically around the castle ramparts whilst you and your children enjoy a picnic on the grass nearby.

by ·Comments Off on Visiting the Paradise Island of Sri Lanka

If you like tropical weather, beautiful scenery and an abundance of wildlife all rolled up in one holiday then you can’t go far wrong with a visit to Sri Lanka.  Located a mere 30 kilometres distant from mainland India, Sri Lanka is similar to southern India in many ways and so different in others.

The weather is very similar.  Sri Lanka is an island which can be visited all year round. When the south-west monsoon strikes, the north and the east of the country is dry and when the north-east monsoon hits the north and east coasts, then the west of the island and the south is sunny and relatively dry.

The population of Sri Lanka is predominately Buddhist and Buddhist temples can be found everywhere.  The island is more relaxed and calmer than India.  Driving is noticeably less frenetic and safer compared to that on Indian roads.

The landscape is varied with beautiful beaches, particularly in the south and east.  Some are perfect for surfing whilst others are calm, quieter and safe for families with young children.  The many National Parks, covering forests, jungle, sand dunes and grasslands, are home to many species of birds and wildlife – including wild elephants, leopards and crocodiles and eagles, pelicans and parrots.  Visit the cooler hill towns in the south where tea plantations are plentiful or the ancient cities, further north, where temple ruins often merge with the lush, forested countryside.

There is plenty to see and do, so much to visit and enjoy that you are bound to want to return for a second stay the following year.

by ·Comments Off on Camping Holidays in the UK

You may be the type of person who loves outdoor life and camping under canvas.  For many (maybe saner) people, there is nothing worse than having to walk across a field to spend a penny in communal toilets or trek 30 metres to the tap over by the hedge for water to fill the kettle.  In that case, camping will definitely not be for you.  Keen campers don’t mind the chill in the air as bedtime approaches nor are shy about brushing their teeth in communal wash rooms wearing a onesie and wellies!

There are many different camp sites in the UK and it is easy to find them online.  Some are run by organisations like the Camping and Caravanning Club where the grounds may be landscaped and the facilities scrupulously clean.  However, other campers may find some of the camp site rules a little over zealous.  In which case, they may prefer a much more relaxed site, where pitches are not specified and where camp fires are allowed in the evening.  Some of the largest sites are particularly suitable for families with children as they often have playgrounds and games rooms for campers to enjoy.  Companies like Haven sometimes have camping areas on their holiday centres for holidaymakers who wish to bring their own tents and campers can make use of facilities like swimming pools, bars and restaurants, tennis courts and evening entertainment.

Whether you are after peace and quiet or somewhere to keep the children amused, you should be able to find a camp site somewhere in the UK to suit your needs exactly.

by ·Comments Off on Protection against contracting malaria on holiday

If you travel anywhere within the tropics, then you will be well advised to protect yourself against insect bites.  Malaria is spread by mosquitoes and is a serious tropical disease, which can be fatal. Symptoms of malaria include high temperatures, headaches, vomiting and muscle pain.  If you have been infected by malaria on holiday, then symptoms will usually occur within 3 weeks of being infected (but it may take longer) so it is something to be aware of on your return home.

The Fit for Travel website, set up by the NHS, informs travellers of malarial areas of the world and calculates the risk of contracting the disease.  Depending where you are travelling to, you may need to take anti-malarial tablets.  There are different types, depending on the type of malaria present, so make sure you follow medical advice carefully.  Some tablets need to be taken before travel so it’s important to seek medical advice from your surgery in plenty of time.

If the risk of contracting malaria is small, you are still advised to take preventative measures.  Make sure you cover up, especially after dusk.  Wear long trousers and long sleeves.  You should also spray yourself with an insect repellent containing DEET.  If you are sleeping in a room without air-conditioning, then make sure you sleep under a mosquito net.  You could also spray the room with insecticide or burn pyrothroid coils to further deter mosquitoes.