The more progressive employers have found that holidays are vital to their employees’ well-being. In turn, anything that increases the mental health of one’s employees is of direct benefit to the business.

Sadly many employees still forget the benefits of taking regular holidays and even those that appreciate the benefits seem to get themselves in a tangle when deciding upon how to go about booking their holiday. This article sets out to help you, and reduce unnecessary stress by giving some tips and advice on how to find your cheap holiday.

Many people rely on high street chains when booking their holidays, this is not a good idea as, not only are the chains limited in the options they offer, but they are geared to selling you many extras such as insurance. Many people will accept what they’re offered without considering if it’s best value. They also offer very uncompetitive rates on foreign exchange.

Clearly some people find this a convenient means of travel but it is certainly not the way to get cheap holidays. In many shops, the staff effectively do an internet search for you. This is something you can do yourself in your own time, and you can see what cheap holidays are available. Maybe you will find a deal for a location you had not considered. You can research a location via the internet in your own time and at your own leisure.

Many people have their main holidays and also book short stays throughout the year. This is where cheap holidays come into their own, as even a modest 33 per cent saving on the total cost of your holiday can mean you are able to afford four breaks instead of three.
To summarise, the best tips on finding cheap holidays are to use the internet and keep as open a mind as possible on your ultimate destination and travel dates.

Without a doubt, many will be jetting off on their holidays to Lanzarote in the hope of escaping the temperamental British climate and relaxing on a beautiful  Spanish beach. Not only does Lanzarote cater for those in search of sea and sand, but also those who prefer a fun packed holiday. Some of the most popular activities found around the island are listed below:

1. Kalufa surf: At some point everyone has fancied taking to the waters in an attempt to tackle the surfboard. Lanzarote offers the chance to do so at Kalufa surf.

2. Castillo de las Coloradas: Built between 1741 and 1744, the purpose of this historic castle was twofold: to warn the inhabitants of possible pirate attacks and to defend the island by closing the drawbridge. Well worth a visit to get a taste for this idyllic island steeped in history.

3. Submarine Safari: The experienced Submarine Safari team offers the masses of tourists the chance to explore the waters of Puerto Calero. The crystal clear waters and range of unique sea life make for a once in a lifetime experience.

4. Taro de Tahiche: The house of the famous artist César Manrique was converted by himself into the museum that it is to this day, in order to provide a sound example of Lanzarote architecture at its best and the juxtaposition of construction and nature.

5. Cueva de los verdes: Known as the longest volcanic tunnel in Europe, the Cueva de los verdes is one kilometre long and has been equipped with ambient music that bounces of the uniquely shaped rocks. Indeed an auditorium has been installed allowing visiting tourists to enjoy its unique acoustic potential.

With the above attractions and indeed many more, Lanzarote has a lot to offer and is more than prepared to accommodate its numerous tourists on a daily basis.

Gran Canaria could be described as a mini continent in itself with a range of diverse beaches and not to mention landscapes. With over 60km of beaches along the distinct coastline that it constitutes, it becomes obvious why it has been a summer hotspot for a multitude of tourists from all around the globe for many a generation and many generations to come. Many people take their holidays to Gran Canaria as it is an amazing summer getaway paradise and when considering what the island has to offer, it is easy to understand why.

Maspalomas beach: Well known for its numerous dunes neighbouring the sea and the idyllic climate, the Maspalomas beach is perhaps one of the most popular on the island. Not only does it offer its coastline to the visiting tourists, but also numerous attractions and a vibrant nightlife. Amongst its identifying landmarks is the Maspalomas lighthouse.
La playa del inglés: Just next door to the Maspalomas beach is the playa del ingles. As one of the main tourist beaches, it is appropriately lined with restaurants and souvenir shops for its visitors to enjoy. Despite being one of the most used beaches, it is advised not to swim out too far as the water can become choppy.

Amadores beach: The perfect beach for a family day out, Amadores beach offers a safe and relaxed atmosphere for adults and children alike.
Puerto Rico beach: Known for having one of the best atmospheres on the island, the Puerto Rico beach offers one of the best climates in the whole of Europe. It is one of those places that can be enjoyed by all, all year round, summer and winter alike.
Agaete beach: Situated in the North of the island, the Agaete beach offers not only sand and sea, but also distinct green areas such as “Huerto de las flores” and “El Parque Natural de Tamadaba” consisting of beautiful botanical gardens and exotic flora and fauna.

When planning your holidays to Sharm El-Sheikh its best to research where all the fantastic activities are within the city, especially if you are a love being under water. In Sharm El-Sheikh there are around fifty different diving sites, and benefits from deep clear water ranging in temperature from 20°C to 27°C. The area is host to a wide range of marine life and brightly coloured coral, so it’s easy to see why this is such an attractive diving location and great place to.

With so many fantastic diving sites to choose from, it can be difficult knowing which to choose.

Jackson Reef – This reef is the most northern in the Strait of Tiran. It has steep walls and beautiful corals, and strong currents ensuring a fascinating range of marine life, including barracudas and several types of shark. This is an extremely popular reef.

SS Dunraven – This is one of the Red Sea’s most popular wreck sites. The Dunraven was a Victorian ship wrecked while carrying goods including cotton from India. It sank in the upside-down position, and over the years its contents have been stripped away, leaving a dramatic cavernous space.

Shark and Yolanda Reef – These two sites are normally combined into one trip. Shark Reef is home to several types of shark, occasionally including hammerheads, and features a steep drop and a stunning soft coral wall. The neighbouring Yolanda Reef was named after a vessel which sank there.

Thomas Reef – This is a small reef in the Straits of Tiran which features a deep canyon that is suitable for experienced cave divers. Thomas Reef features beautiful coral formations and species including barracudas, reef sharks and huge cod and tuna.

SS Thistlegorm – This ship sank while carrying British army supplies to Alexandria, and many of her contents can still be seen. This well-preserved wreck makes for a very exciting dive, and most divers make a day trip out of the Thistlegorm, planning at least two dives there.

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Tenerife’s principal attractions are the beach resorts offering ‘sun and sangria’ but there is much else to see away from the exertions and clamour of beach life. Before you book your holidays to Tenerife conduct some in depth research into all the available activities and attractions on the island.

El Teide National Park is dominated by the highest peak in Spain (3,700m), El Pico de Teide, a dormant volcano whose wild landscape offers excellent rambling and magnificent views.

A cable car goes to within 200m of the summit for walks to viewing points and refreshments. Access for the last stretch is by permit only (obtainable from the national park office in Santa Cruz).

San Cristóbal de La Laguna was the original capital of Tenerife whose undeveloped historic centre is a Unesco World Heritage Site. This university town guarantees plentiful food, drink and a lively atmosphere as well as good shopping.

El Médano Beach in the south of the island with its two-kilometre stretch of fine golden sand sitting within a nature reserve is quieter than other resorts. The calm shallow waters are ideal for wind-surfing.

Anaga Rural Park in the north is a large area encompassing the greener and more traditional side of the island offering beautiful scenery from forests to cliffs – and a quieter way of life in rural villages.

Nightlife in Tenerife is abundant. Every town offers a wide choice of restaurants, bars and clubs but perhaps Playa de las Americas has most, concentrated on in three areas.

Those in the Patch are more family friendly though continue to about 3.00 am with cabaret shows and live music. The Veronicas and Starco centres both aim at the younger crowd and are close enough to allow club hopping which, with no entrance fees, makes for a better night. Bars will be open to about 4.00 am with the clubs open till about 6.00 am.

Many people are expected to stay at home again this year as UK holidays grow ever more popular. Fears of a double dip recession, as well as exceptionally bad foreign currency rates mean normal, hard-working families are opting to explore the United Kingdom, rather than splash out on a trip overseas.

If you are planning on having a “staycation” this year in the UK, check out our favourite short breaks in the UK.

1) Cornwall
The county located in the far south west of England offers 140 beaches. The dramatic Cornish coastline is what really attracts the large number of visitors it gets every single year. A popular Cornish attraction is the fantastic Eden Project; a huge indoor wildlife exhibition based in three eye-catching biomes.

2) Wales
Famed for its caravan parks, Wales has something for everyone. Affordable beach resorts such as Rhyl or Prestatyn can help with sticking to a budget, while the slightly more scenic west Wales coastline is a great setting for lovers of the more relaxing break. For shops, restaurants and bars, Cardiff is a must, while the mountainous Snowdonia offers a paradise to walkers and explorers.

3) Dorset
Situated on the south coast on England, Dorset is in a great location for getting out and exploring the surrounding areas. The large town of Bournemouth offers a mix of shopping and restaurants with a glorious seven-mile sandy beach, which is extremely popular in the summertime! Other attractions include Monkey World which is bound to be a hit with the younger crowd.

4) Scotland
Scotland offers some of the most dramatic landscape in the whole of the UK. Whether you are looking to stay in a hotel, B&B, or fancy staying in one of the many caravan sites available, there’s no doubt that Scotland has plenty to keep the UK holidaymaker occupied. For example, the country is the home of golf and a number of courses are available for keen players, or for beginners to try their luck.

5) Norfolk
On the east coast on England, Norfolk has miles of sandy beaches, interesting low-lying countryside, as well as urban areas such as Great Yarmouth and the historic Norwich. The Norfolk Broads is one of the most important nature reserves in the UK, and is the home for many of the country’s wild birds.

The six week summer holidays can seem like a long time for kids and adults alike. Ensuring the little ones are entertained when taken on holiday is something that many parents worry about.

Of course the activities that your children will want to do will mainly depend on their age, but also on their attention threshold. Luckily, many of the caravan holidays on offer in the UK now provide fantastic entertainment all day long, meaning that the children are never bored.

The following tips are designed to help you have a relaxing family break:

1)    Do your research. Use the internet or read travel brochures about the area to find out what’s on offer. Make a plan of action of what you will do each day, and spread the best activities through the week to give the children something to look forward to.

2)    Take their favourite toys and games. Board games are fantastic for travelling with and can be played by the whole family. If you have teenagers, it’s unlikely they will want to go for more than a few hours without their beloved Playstation or Xbox. Thankfully, many caravan parks now come with electricity and televisions built into them as standard, so putting them in front of this for a few hours is bound to keep the peace.

3)    Prepare for your car journeys. Planning your route to take regular breaks can help on longer trips, while making sure your kids are fed in advance, on the way, or bringing snacks to eat in the car is likely will stop the grumbles and keep them awake. To keep them occupied, try games like I Spy, or it may be worth investing in a back seat DVD player system.

4)    Kids Clubs. Many of the UK’s caravan sites offer a range of kids clubs, that aim to keep your children amused for hours, whatever their age. With groups for toddlers, kids and teenagers, your child is bound to make new friends and learn new skills in classes such as dancing and climbing for the younger ones, to sports and DJ classes for the teens.

5)    Make sure all get plenty of sleep. A holiday is bound to bring up debates of having a later bed time. Although it is fair to let the kids go to bed slightly later than normal, ensuring that all have a good night’s rest is the best way to kick-start the next day feeling happy and refreshed.

Majorca is the biggest island in Spain, its capital is Palma. It’s situated in the Mediterranean Sea and Balearic Islands, The best time of year to travel to Majorca is during the month of June and September, as temperatures can reach a maximum of 84°F (29°C).The national dishes  of Majorca include Sobrassada which is a dish made up of saffron rice cooked with meat (traditionally chicken and pork) and vegetables. And the Ensaïmada is a sweet pastry.

Discover the Majorcan Caves

There are so many caves on this  stunning   island, some of which you can actually swim into. If you decide not to swim you can travel to the caves via boat or bus. Ceaves del Drach (Caves of Drach) are a set of four caves on this Majorca. The Black Cave, White Cave, Cave of Luis Salvador, and Cave of the French are all attached to each other. Martel Lake is  subterranean   lagoon  situated in the caves. These caves are definitely worth visiting, as you can take some amazing and unforgettable pictures .

Have fun at the Majorca’s water parks

Why not have fun at Majorca’s famous water park, Marine Land. Some of the attractions include getting up and close to the parks resident bottlenose dolphins or watching the acrobatic and playful sea lions. For those who love our feathered friends, there is a parrots and exotic birds show. Marine Land has many aquariums that  display  sharks and tropical fish (in separate tanks), however this park’s aquatic animals are not only limited to dolphins and fish; they also have a colony of penguins, stingrays and sea turtles .
Art Galleries and Museums

If you’re looking to go explore Majorca’s artistic and creative  heritage  , why not visit  the fantastic  galleries and museums scattered throughout the island. Es Baluard is a museum of modern and contemporary art located in the island’s capital, Palma. The art temporary exhibited in this gallery originate from Balearic artists.

Hit the beach

You’ll  be surprised at how many beaches you can enjoy  on this stunning  island. One popular holiday resort with amazing beaches is the Cala d’or, located on the east coast of Majorca. Be sure to get there first to claim your place  , due to its popularity is does become  fairly  crowded during the popular holiday months. Why not check out the other beaches nearby – Cala Es Forti. Cala Serena and Cala Esmeralda.

Nightlife in Majorca

Enjoy yourself at  night as well as you would by day! Majorca is the home of one of the largest night clubs in Europe, BCM. This club can hold 5000 people at any one  time; they also have house and international Dj’s on rotation to offer a vast array of local and worldwide music.  Alternative  clubs that are definitely worth a visit include: Banana, Boomerang and Buffalos.

Dalaman is a district situated in the South-western coast of Turkey. You can travel to Dalaman from any major UK airport, when you arrive why not experience some of Dalaman’s finest features.

Discover the Countryside

Take a day trip and observe the local area in greater detail but don’t limit yourself to the public transport; why not go that additional mile and rent a car. With your own car you can now take your day trip at your own pace and leisure. Drive to Dalyan, its located nearly 24km from Dalaman. If you’re an wildlife lover you will appreciate visiting this town, you might even catch a glimpse of the local storks, cranes and kingfishers . Did you know that the whole town is an environmentally protected area? This is due to the decline in numbers of Loggerhead Turtles, it is not easy to see these uncommon creatures now as during their critical breeding dates the remaining migratory beaches are off limits to visitors to protect them . If Dalyan is not your thing, drive to Fethiye where you can explore the rock tombs that were carved into the cliff walls. Its marina and waters are also a favourite with scuba divers.

Dining Out

Should you choose to eat out in Dalaman you will be spoilt for choice , due to its close proximity to the sea most of the food offered consist of vegetables, fish, sardines, anchovies . But other staple dishes do incorporate lamb, chicken, lentils, onions, almonds and yoghurt . Should you want somewhere more familiar to eat suiting all your imaginable desires while in the district, fast food chains such as McDonalds, KFC and Burger King , but if you want to sample traditional foods its best to try one of the local restaurants; such as Akkaya Garden Restaurant who provide fresh Turkish home cooked meals as well as dishes from Europe.

Purses and wallets at the ready, we’re going shopping

In Turkey when you go shopping you need to be able to haggle, haggling is negotiating with the vendor for lower price for the goods; being able to do so you will be able to walk away with a great bargain. The most appropriate place to haggle is at the local markets that are located in Ortaca, Fethiye, Marmaris , and Koycegiz. On a Tuesday the Fethiye market is open for trading and this is the greatest market in Dalaman. These markets offer a wide variety of items ranging from small ornaments to hand woven carpets. Another place to check out is The Grand Baazar at Dalaman Airport, as this is a great place to purchase any last minute gifts for loved ones; shops usually open from 8am and close around 10pm.

Treat yourself to some relaxation at a spa hotel

If you’re looking for a therapeutic and relaxing time in Dalaman, why not stay at a luxurious spa hotel? One popular spa hotel is the Therme Maris and is located on Dalaman beach. This spa gives you the opportunity to buy day passes to use on all or the majority of their treatments that include pedicures, massages and manicures ; as well as access to the sauna, gym, pool, mud bath and jacuzzi .

Take to the water

Ölüdeniz, not only is it a resort village, it also has one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Dalaman; this beach is also said to be the most photographed beach in the Mediterranean. While you are there you could take go para-sailing, scuba diving, take driving lessons or go canoeing  . Patara, Icmeler, Caliz and Olu Deniz are also other beautiful beaches nearby you could visit during your holiday. If you are on holiday with children, try visiting the local water parks; AquaDream Water and ParkAtlantis Water Park for some good clean fun.