Holiday virgin or old pro?

SAMHP_2

Been told I posted this in the wrong 'overseeas' section.......so here it is again for all you UK holiday virgins.....

UK Holiday Virgin or an Old Pro?
If the media is to be believed, there’s a lot of you out there who are going to be doing it for the first time this year….. whether you want to or not.

Well I don’t mind admitting to being a of an old pro when it comes to holidaying in the UK. Yes, in my youth I dallied with the foreign – USA, Cyprus, France, Morocco even – but now I’m strictly a stay-at-home kind of gal.

So, as it was the first time for all of us once, I’m sure I won’t be alone in being happy to impart a bit of advice to all you UK holiday virgins so you can hopefully lie back, think of England and ENJOY……….


Top Travel Tips:

• If travelling with dogs or children ALWAYS take water and invest in some of those window sun-shade things even if you hate them (the shades, not the children). Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t ALWAYS rain in the UK and it’s easy to get caught out with over-heating dogs or kids if they can’t get out of the sun – obvious I know, but someone always comes home with a horror story.

• Don’t rely on motorway services – they’re horrid and over-priced. (See below)

My favourite websites:
Find good places to stop OTHER than motorway services at either:
www.breaksnearthemotorways.com/ or www.nearthemotorway.co.uk/

Read guest reviews/recommendations of UK holiday accommodation at: www.mycottageholiday.co.uk or www.therealvisitorsbook.co.uk

Check weather outlook (forecasts up to 15 days ahead and much more detailed than the BBC) at www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather

Best late availability for cottages & B&Bs if you decide to do it at the last minute www.lastminute-cottages.co.uk/ or www.bedandbreakfasts-uk.co.uk/

Best Money Saving discovery:
Clarks shopping outlet on the way to/from Devon, Somerset or Cornwall via M5 or A303 – pick up a bargain en-route www.clarksvillage.co.uk/

Biggest Myth believed by English holiday virgins:
It always rains in Wales.

What I wish I’d been told before I did it the first time……….
Even if you’re a grown-up, take a scrapbook and get everyone to write a page about their day, plus drawings – hilarious, especially after a few glasses of wine.

Hope all you UK holiday virgins enjoy yourself - just remember, relax, be safe and I'll bet you'll look forward to the next time...

SAM.
All old pros welcome to add their own advice...!