Author: Tom

Affordable Ski Destinations in Europe

Posted on by

With many areas reopening or easing Coronavirus restrictions, you may be thinking of a ski holiday.  Here are a few of the cheaper options.

If you avoid the commercialised places in France and Switzerland, skiing in Europe is one of the most affordable areas to ski. 

Willingen in Germany has a one-day ski lift price across Europe at just €34 (at time of writing) with 18 downhill runs, with the longest being a mile.

Harrachov in the Czech Republic, which is just 2 hours from Prague, has a one-day ski lift price of $24.  Two lifts and a rope tow serve the five main runs.  These are long runs, and a cross-country ski course is available.

Our final destination is Borovets in Bulgaria.  This is Bulgaria’s oldest ski resort and dates back to the 1800s.  One day’s use of the ski lift will cost €35, and you can start skiing from an altitude of 1390 meters.

Beaches in the UK – Barry, Wales

Posted on by

Barry Island, in Wales, is a popular destination for daytrippers and holidaymakers,  There are four beaches in Barry which are Whitmore Bay, which I will highlight more below, Jackson’s Bay which is a quiet sandy beach where dogs are allowed, Watch House Bay has golden sand with rocks around the edge and is very quiet and Cold Knap which is a quiet pebble beach.

Whitmore Bay Beach is the main beach in Barry Island and has become a famous tourist designation thanks to the TV series Gavin and Stacey.

The beach is crescent-shaped with soft golden sand and plenty of space to play and relax when the tide is out.

In the Summer months and Bank Holidays, there is a lifeguard patrol. Colourful beach huts are available next to the beach and are available to hire.

Whitmore Bay Beach has plenty of nearby parking and also backs on to Barry Island Pleasure Beach.

Five of the Best Beaches to Visit in Cornwall

Posted on by

With the impact that Coronavirus has had on the UK and the difficulty and uncertainty of travelling abroad right now, it may be beneficial to visit UK locations for your holidays this year. One place of incredible beauty and gorgeous beaches is Cornwall. Cornwall also has some incredible history and tasty pasties.

Five of the Best Cornwall Beaches

1. Fistral Beach- also is pet friendly and allows surfing
2. Godrevy- has lighthouses, surfing, great viewpoints and excellent for spotting wildlife
3. Watergate Bay- lovely beach that also allows surfing
4. Towan Beach- is pet friendly, so is a great beach for dog walking
5. Great Western Beach- great for families, surfing and also has caves to explore

All five of these beaches offers beautiful views and are excellent locations to go and enjoy some summer sunshine. So, if you have been thinking about where to travel this summer, try a Cornwall holiday.

Tips When Considering a Canal Boating Holiday

Posted on by

Once COVID restrictions lift, one interesting holiday idea is canal boating! The great news is, you do not even have to have prior experience to hire a narrowboat! In the UK, one fifth of canal boat hirers are new to canal boating. When meeting other boats on the canal, stick to the right. The canal systems are the opposite of how we drive on the roads.

Canal Boating Tips

1. It is not required to have a licence to steer a canal boat as a tutorial is provided in many holiday packages, but you can also find the Canal Boaters Handbook video on Youtube.

2. To steer, push the tiller left to go right and right to go left. Then to stop, simply put the engine in reverse.

3. Be sure to use your horn to warn other canal boats that could be coming towards you at sharp bends or when entering a tunnel.

4. When using a lock, always ensure the steerer is on the boat to keep it forward of the cill (step) and share the lock with other boats if possible, to save water and share lock operation steps. Be sure to close all paddles and gates after using a lock, unless another boat is approaching.

Five Money Saving Tips for Travel

Posted on by

Having an adventure and seeing something new is all the more important after spending the majority of this year cooped up indoors. However, travel can be expensive and you may be thinking a holiday abroad is not an option due to finances. With a few handy tips, you can travel and stay within a budget, here is how:

1. Plan off-peak trips. Everything from airfare, hotels and entertainment venues can be more expensive during Peak times of the year.

2. Bring your own food or snacks on a flight. As long as they are sealed and are not liquid, they can get through security.

3. Save on baggage fees. Why not pack light and wear your most bulky items on your travel days so they do not take up extra space in your luggage.

4. Use local communal transportation. Getting taxis from the airport to your hotel can be a huge chunk of money. Try planning your route so that you use a bus or train (depending on convenience and price) and also walking some of that journey so you can see more of your destination.

5. Don’t eat out for every meal! Try going to the local grocery stores and buying things like snacks, drinks or certain meals that you can have at your hotel. This will save SO much money.

Autumn Holiday in the Great Smoky Mountains

Posted on by

The Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, USA are an enjoyable and beautiful place to travel any time of year but the autumn feels even more magical and intimate. The weather is gorgeous and warm, with a cool breeze, the fall colours are incredible and the mood is relaxed.

The nice temperature make it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, zipling or just strolling the streets of downtown Gatlinburg. It is also typically the driest part of the year, with only the occasional rain shower.

October is usually the best for enjoying the fall foliage and wildlife. What better way to enjoy the views than by the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway that takes you on a breath-taking 2.1-mile journey, over the trees along the mountainside.

There are several fun fall events including Harvest Festivals and Oktoberfest celebrations. This area is also very family friendly with a plethora of amusements and museums. Also, don’t forget to eat at one, or two, or three of the pancake houses that you will come across along the way.