We may all be sailing on choppy waters at the moment with the current recession squeezing our purse strings, but that’s no reason to abandon your summer holiday this year. You needn’t dash off to the Med either as there are some fantastic places to visit all on your doorstep - so what’s stopping you from a Staycation?

If you’re looking to holiday at home but you need to reign in those pennies then let one of the UK’s top Tour Operators help you decide where’s best to go. Enjoy a bargain breakaway in The Peak District where you can walk for miles and take in the stunning scenery. Combine the gentle rolling hills and honey-coloured stone villages of The Cotswolds with two fantastic steam railway journeys. Explore the home of the ‘Fab Four’ and do a spot of sightseeing whilst in Liverpool.

If you’re looking for a traditional UK summer holiday then head to the many beautiful British seaside resorts such as Llandudno, Blackpool, Scarborough, Torquay and Eastbourne. Spend weekends in family-friendly Skegness where the British holiday was born all those years ago in 1936 with Billy Butlin and his infamous holiday camps!

Holidaying in Europe is still achievable even if you are on a budget during this recession era. Whisk the whole family to Disneyland Paris for a weekend break that’ll keep everyone entertained. Explore Monet’s Garden and get some ideas of what plants to grow in your own or spend a few days in Bruges – a chocoholic’s paradise! Cruise the canals and cobbled streets of Amsterdam or spend a summer in the beautiful German Valleys. You won’t just save money on holidays and short breaks you’ll also be able to attend some of the hottest events around without breaking the bank. Ladies don your flares and platforms for a night in the West End with London theatre trips to Mamma Mia or Dirty Dancing for ‘the time of your life’. Hone in your gardening skills and jazz up your garden with tips from the experts at Hampton Court or Tatton Park Flower shows. Or, book your seat for the hugely popular Edinburgh Tattoo, a fabulous evening of military displays held in August using the stunning Edinburgh Castle as its backdrop.

Wherever you end up this summer, we wish you all the best. Have a great summer 2009!

Bon Voyage!

Source: Door2Tour.com

White Acres Holiday Park in Cornwall has been granted an Award of Special Distinction by David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme. This is in addition to the gold award the park holds for their dedication to good environmental practice and well-kept natural settings.

White Acres achieved the Award of Special Distinction, created for 2009, by demonstrating innovation and commitment to engaging young people’s interest in food and its source, through cookery and the park’s own produce. White Acres is amongst a small number of parks to receive the award in its first year.

In light of increasing childhood obesity figures and the movement to reduce our carbon foot print and save money, the new award recognises the holiday park’s efforts in working towards encouraging children to eat their 5 a day by involving them in fun interactive activities, learning about growing fruit and vegetables through to cooking their own meals.

White Acres earned their award through its Treetops Grove kids’ club, hosting green fingered activities for 4 – 10 year olds, planting and picking their own produce at Multi’s Allotment. Home grown delights are then used in the popular pizza making activity at the park’s Pizzeria.

This is a fantastic achievement that everyone at Parkdean are extremely proud to have won.

This is what David Bellamy had to say…

“Anything that gets kids in touch with nature and encourages them to get their hands mucky gets my vote. White Acres is promoting real hands-on natural history, and healthy eating, and for that I applaud them.”

Visit the White Acres Holiday Park homepage for more info.

You won’t need to dash off to the Med this summer for a sun-packed holiday as weather experts at the BBC are predicting the mercury to rise above 30°C in the UK. This will come as a treat to many after suffering from the dullest August on record last year and having to endure a snowy February in 2009. The sunny weather will delight Tennis fans as they’ll have many hours of uninterrupted play at Wimbledon - with or without the new roof on Centre Court.

Luckily, there are a few great UK destinations on offer if you’re thinking about a Staycation this year. Why not pack your suntan lotion and dust off the shades for a break to Bournemouth where you’ll enjoy miles & miles of golden sandy beaches and have fun in the arcades. Water sport enthusiasts must head over to surfing mecca Newquay - not only is it a ‘Surfers Paradise’ but the kids will love building sandcastles on the beach or crab-catching in rock pools. Visit Captain Cook country with touring holidays to Whitby and explore the Abbey made famous in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, or keep the kids entertained with short breaks to Blackpool where you can see the Illuminations and experience adrenalin-pumping rides at Pleasure Beach. And if you’re looking to get away from it all, head to ‘suntrap of the South’ Eastbourne, for fish, chips and a leisurely stroll along the colourful promenade.

Wherever you choose to go, just don’t forget the sun cream, shades and sunhat!

For the full range of UK tours available, visit www.door2tour.com.

Has the recent series of Hells Kitchen inspired you to flex your culinary skills? Perhaps all the fascinating cookery programmes on TV have persuaded you to find out more about the different cuisines available across the globe? If so, then why not consider blending cuisine with culture on a gourmet break.

On coach holiday website Door2Tour.com there are a selection of tours to delight a holiday palate. Wine connoisseurs can follow the infamous Wine Trail taking you from Burgundy to Alsace and enjoy a spot of wine tasting along the way.

If pasta’s your passion, head off to an undiscovered region of Italy and discover the culinary delights of Italian gastronomy in Piedmont, where you can hunt for white truffles with the locals, dine out in many Turin restaurants and finish it all off with a vineyard tour.

With winding rivers, lush green valleys and scenery straight off a postcard, you’ll certainly enjoy sampling the local Riesling and Pinot Noir in Germany as well as brushing up on your historical knowledge by touring local castles.

Take a look at the selection available at www.door2tour.com.

Think two weeks might not be long enough to get in a great caravan holiday across the UK? If so, read on and let us put your mind to rest.

May is officially the first month of the year where you are allowed to let your imagination of the upcoming summer holidays run free without guilt. Even if you keep your holidays till the end of summer, you can still count down the weeks from here. Before now, it all seemed a little too far away to get excited about, didn’t it? Sure we all daydream of golden beaches in Devon, the ruggedness of Scotland and the rolling hills of Wales year-round, but May is finally the month where giving your holiday notice to the office transforms your imagination into the planning stage!

Dust off and saddle up the family caravan, take two weeks off this summer and stay at home for the ‘staycation’ summer of 2009! For those fortunate enough to have two weeks off and a caravan to get you from A to B, here’s our recommended itinerary. This summer, let the best of Scotland, Wales and England’s West Coast remind you how great holidaying in THIS country can be!

Two weeks in a caravan is plenty of time - the key, like most things in life, is proper planning. If you need a little guidence to get the ball rolling, allow us to provide you with an example itinerary to go by…

From NORTH TO SOUTH (just reverse the order if heading the other direction!)

DAY 1
Grannie’s Heilan’ Hame Holiday Park - Dornoch Firth, Scotland

Ready to go?! This is where you you begin your 2 week southwards caravan journey to the south coast. Set in an idyllic location, Grannie’s Heilan’ Hame offers direct access to stunning Embo Beach and its white fine sand – you may even be lucky enough to spot dolphins and seals. Nice start!

DAY 2
Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park - Moray Firth, Scotland

At Nairn Lochloy you’re in a glorious spot nestled between a pretty marina, two championship golf courses and the sand dunes of East Nairn Beach

DAY 3
Tummel Valley Holiday Park - Near Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland

Tummel Valley is the perfect retreat to enjoy the great outdoors and stunning scenery. This scenic woodland park, set on the banks of the River Tummel in the heart of Tay Forest, is where you can really get away from it all.

DAY 4
A well needed day to yourself. Not far to go to your next scheduled stop, Sundrum Castle Holiday Park

DAY 5
Sundrum Castle Holiday Park - Ayrshire & Arran, Scotland

Head to Sundrum Castle for a fun filled holiday! This five star park has plenty on offer to keep everyone entertained including an indoor pool with flume and toddlers’ pool. Off park, Ayrshire has plenty to see and do with over 30 castles, sandy beaches and rolling countryside.

DAY 6
Free day to play. Glasgow or Edinburgh? You are minutes away from either.

DAY 7
Southerness Holiday Park - Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland

Situated just steps away from a beach that stretches for over two miles with views overlooking the Solway Firth and minutes away from a choice of great golf courses, you’ll never be short of things to do.

DAY 8
Another free day - but you need to move a little this one! This is the only day you’ll need to drive a fair amount, so hopefully you’re ready for a trip through beautiful Wales down to Swansea, the next stop.

DAY 9
Pendine Sands Holiday Park - South West Wales

At Pendine Sands, you’re a short walk from miles of glorious sandy beach and surrounded by stunning Welsh countryside, and otherwise relax from yesterday’s driving.

DAY 10
Ruda Holiday Park - Croyde Bay, North Devon

Ruda has it all; golden sands, world class surfing and excellent park facilities set in the charming hamlet of Croyde. Learn to surf with the school on park, explore the coastal path to Baggy Point for stunning views of Lundy Island or ‘go wild’ in the park’s indoor Tropical Adventure Pool.

DAY 11
Holywell Bay Holiday Park - Newquay, Cornwall

This park is ideal for beach lovers with the famous Gull Rocks of Holywell Bay beach just a short stroll from the park.

DAY 12
A lazy day on your own. Not so much travelling to do today, just take it easy. There are so many options here, go wherever the breeze takes you. Whatever you decide to do, get ready for the last two stops on your caravan adventure - Torquay and Hayling Island!

DAY 13
Torquay Holiday Park - The English Riviera

Torquay is set in a superb hillside location, surrounded by rolling Devon countryside with stunning views in every direction. This park is a great base for exploring the English Riviera, its stunning beaches and the nearby resorts of Paignton, Brixham and Torquay.

DAY 14
Hayling Island Holiday Park - Hampshire

Your caravan itenerary ends (or, begins!) at one of the treasures of the south coast, Hayling Island. Hayling Island’s stunning location is perfect for exploring the south coast and the award winning beaches nearby. This area is one of the UK’s top locations for sailing and watersports.

SOURCE: Parkdean Holidays

Local food is what I love about travel! Thanks to the warm weather in Southeast Asia, it offers a great selection of delicious tropical fruits you don’t normally find in other parts of the world. So apart from the usual bananas, oranges, grapes and watermelons, what else does the tropical cities in Southeast Asia has to offer? Let’s take a look at our carefully selected top 10 list

1. Guavas, although can be found in other parts of the world, but you don’t find them eaten the same way as they do in Southeast Asia. The green apple guava, commonly found in Thailand, are generally eaten before ripped, where the crispy fruit are dipped in salt, pepper or sugar for added flavour.
2. Rambutan, you can find the canned ones in many Asian supermarkets, but the fresh ones are simply delicious. Under the red velvety skin, it has a white fruit inside, which is generally eaten directly by the locals. Of course, with creative Asian cuisine, they can also find rambutan jam, sauces, ice cream, or added to salads for flavour.
3. Papaya in Thailand has two main varieties, one with red and the other, a yellow-orange fruit. Like many other tropical fruits, it can be eaten directly, or mixed into papaya milk drink. The green papayas are generally used in cooking, like for the famous Thai green papaya salad, or cooked into other local dishes.
4. Mangosteen, commonly known as the “queen of fruits”, has a dark purple skin. Inside, it’s a white, delicious fruit that can be eaten raw, added to drinks, made into mangosteen cake, or to be very creative, added into seafood curry.
5. Longan, don’t be fooled by its not so fancy look. Inside the thin crispy shell, it comes with a translucent white-pinkish fruit that are sweet and juicy with a unique musky scent. It is eaten raw or used as a traditional dessert toping, mixed with glutinous rice, coconut milk and ice.
6. Sapodilla or Ginseng fruit, another fruit you shouldn’t judge by its cover. Peel through the brownish fruit skin, you’ll find light reddish-brown juicy pulp that can be eaten directly, or cook with sugar or syrup to make jam and preserved fruit snacks.
7. Custard apples have what appear to be small bumps on the outside like a badly-stung head. It has a white and sweet fruit wrapping tiny black fruit pits, it can be quite a mission to eat it without accidently swallow one. It has a very interesting flavour with the blend of banana, strawberry and pineapples all mixed into one. It can be eaten raw once peeled, or mixed with coconut milk to make ice cream or candy.
8. Durian, the “King of fruits”, can be found in many places in Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Malaysia, they are loved by the locals. Under the rough spiny coat, it has a delicious creamy-like fruit, which has a really strong scent to it. You can smell a ripe durian before you sees one.
9. Star fruits or Carambola, just like the name, has a star shape when sliced. The fruit has a translucent orangey-yellowish fruit with a sweet and acidic taste to it. Star fruits are normally eaten by dipping in salt, sugar or even pepper to sweeten the flavour. Also, it can be commonly found as pickled snacks or made into star fruit drinks.
10. Last but not least, mangoes. Yes, you can find it in other places around the world, but in places like Thailand, you can find at least 10 different varieties to choose from. Like everywhere else, mangoes are eaten raw, or dried – most popular souvenirs from Thailand and Philippines, or make into delicious desserts with glutinous rice and coconut milk.

Now that’s our top 10 list, what’s yours?

Source: Faraway Holidays | Wikipedia