Having the option of choosing package holidays for your family holiday can definitely make things a lot easier. However, a lot of families still go for a self made holiday because it allows for a bigger freedom of choice. There are pros and cons to both. One thing that is certain is that no one will say no to cheap family holidays that allow them to have a good time, save money, and stay for a little longer.

It won’t take long to build a family holiday. All you have to do is sit down and make a decision about where you and all your family members would like to go. Next, figure out your total number of expenses, such as food and travel. Add in the cost of your accommodation, and don’t forget to count in some amount for shopping expenses at the destination. Finally, add everything together and compare your grand total to package holidays to the same destination.

If you are lucky, you might get a call from a travel agent to discuss package holidays along with the different prices available. This will give you a great chance to save some money. Your job will be to talk the agent down until you’ve both agreed on a reasonable price. The biggest benefit of package holiday deals is that they are often much cheaper than DIY holidays.

Many families choose to build their own holiday from scratch because there are obviously much more to choose from. Perhaps you’re not concerned with price and just want to get out and enjoy yourself no matter what the cost. You can always research package holidays, but if you can’t find something that interests you, you might be much better off doing it yourself.

If you go for a DIY holiday, you choose the food you eat, the place you travel to, the length of time you want to stay, as well as choose how you reach your final destination. Your family also has more of a say-so when you decide to do it yourself.

In the end, the most important is that you and your family spend a great time away together. A family holiday is a special occasion and it will be good for everyone to get away from it all. When the opportunity arises it is always best to go for it – package or DIY – as there is no reason to hold back from getting out and enjoying yourself.

Letting a child travel alone is always an uneasy situation for the parents, but sometimes it cannot be avoided. If the time comes when it has to be done, care must be taken to assure that all details are thought through. The trip might be an exciting experience for the child, and for it to stay a positive one, it must go smoothly. There are many inherent risks that go along with allowing a child to travel alone, and being prepared for what might go wrong is a step towards avoiding the worse.

The foremost and upmost priority is child safety. A parent, relative, or guardian can’t do enough to ensure the child has a safe trip. There are many ways that a child can be put in a compromising situation that will leave them open for predators, and dangerous scenarios. Luckily, and especially with today’s technology, there are many things that adults can do to promote child safety, and to ensure that the child arrives to their destination safe and happy.

First, the adult or parent needs to call on the travel carrier and get explicit information regarding the carrier’s policy on children travelling alone. The minimum age that carriers allow for children travelling alone alters and the parent needs to make sure that they are aware of their own responsibilities. If the carrier, such as an airline, does provide a guardian, will they sit beside the child for the whole journey? Will the guardian make sure that the child gets bathroom breaks? Will the guardian make sure that the child eats their meals or gets a snack? Finally, will the guardian escort the child from the take off port, to their seats, and then escort the child to their relatives or parents at the final destination? Is there documentation available regarding all these concerns, and child safety? What is the procedure if the parents or the relatives aren’t happy with the level of child safety that the carrier provided?

There are other considerations for parents as well. Since it is imperative that the child has a channel of communication to reach mum and dad, it is good to ask whether the child will be able to use a provided phone to make free calls to their parents. In any case, it is a good idea to provide the child with a mobile phone and put all important contacts on speed dial. Also, make sure your child knows how to do a reverse call, that way your child will always be able to call you, whatever the emergency.

While the carrier has to be on their guard when transporting a child, there are a few more things for parents to think about. They should make a list of any medical conditions that the child might have. Also, a list of any medications, allergies, important phone numbers will add to the safety of the child over the course of the journey. If the parents or relatives work together with the transportation carrier, the experience for the child travelling alone can go smooth, and can be a fun, grown-up experience.

Trains have long been a part of our history, especially as they relate to the transport of goods. As early as 1750, wagon ways were used in Germany; these were in effect roads of rails; primitive railroad tracks that consisted of wood rails; horse-drawn wagons or carts could then be driven over them quite easily, much easier than the dirt roads of the day.

By 1776, wheels on carts and the wood in the rails had been replaced by iron. Wagon ways became tramways, and these became popular throughout Europe. However, they were still powered by horses. William Jessup, an Englishman, designed the first weigh in with flash wheels in 1789. The flange or groove allowed the wheel to grip the rail better; this design eventually carried over into formal locomotive design.

It wasn’t until the invention of the steam engine though that the modern railroad really took off. Samuel Homfray funded the development of what became a steam-powered vehicle, and replaced the tramway’s horse-drawn carts. This first steam engine was built by Richard Trevithick; this first steam engine tramway locomotive carried 10 tons of iron and 70 men nine miles between the town of Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, to the bottom of the Abercynnona valley. The trip took about two hours and took place on February 22nd, 1804.

The first regularly scheduled trips to carry goods and passengers started in 1825. Then, the Stockton Darlington Railroad Company used locomotives that George Stephenson, an English inventor, had designed. These locomotives could carry up to 450 passengers who wanted to experience the novelty of railway breaks, with 21 passenger cars and six loaded coal cars, and it could travel at speeds of around 15 miles an hour.

In 1923, scores of private railway companies became four large railway groups, merging into what became known as the “Big Four”. These were the Southern Railway, or SR, the London North Eastern Railway, or LNER, the London, Midland Scottish Railway, or LMS, and the Great Western Railway, or GWR. The GWR had already been in existence, the only railway to survive the merger.

What was fortunate about these years was that London-Scotland routes fostered intense rivalry between two railways, the LMS and LNER. In turn, this led to significant advances in train and locomotive design. Two men greatly responsible for this advancement were designers Sir Nigel Gresley for the LNER, and Sir William Stanier for the LMS.

Trains came under state control during World War II, and the Transport Act of 1947 allowed the network to be nationalised. British Railways was born on the January 1 1948, with the Big Four becoming regions. Prime Minister John Major through his Railway Act of 1993 privatized the nationalised network; it became Railtrack and other companies. This was replaced by Network Rail, a not-for-profit, state-owned company, in 2002.

When most of us think of a holiday, we may not imagine that it could involve a train journey. We are so accustomed to booking flights and hotel reservations in far away destinations such as the Mediterranean Coast or somewhere exotic such as the Caribbean. However, one can experience all this fun and excitement on one of the many rail journeys available worldwide. Depending on your destination, you get to view scenic landscapes, picturesque villages and townships, seaports and wild game while the train slowly chugs along its tracks.

In the USA, the America rail tours involve a coast-to-coast trip stopping at various places along the way, whilst among the many rail journeys of Asia, the Toy Train is one of the most popular. It begins its journey from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling in India. It is a 9-hour journey taking you deep into the Indian countryside. Along the way, there are big valleys and huge mountains, rolling hills and beautiful roaring rivers. You will bypass many villages and rural folk working on their farms. At the end of the journey, you arrive to find the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest standing magnificently before you.

In Africa, one of the most exciting rail journeys one can take is The Blue Train of South Africa. It runs a train tour from Cape Town to Pretoria. The Blue Train was built in the mid 1940’s and is the longest in the world. The journey from Cape Town will see you pass through the heartland of diamond country on your way to Pretoria. The train also passes through forests and national parks allowing you to view big African game such as lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos among many other animals.

There are many rail journeys in Europe. The Deer Stalker Express runs from Euston to Fort Williams in the United Kingdom. This is a night time service, which departs at 9PM and arrives at the Scottish highlands the following day in the morning. Tea and scones are served to keep you warm in the chilly mountain weather. The train is equipped with tastefully designed carriages, which retain the traditional British appearance. A steam locomotive pulls the Deer Stalker Express.

Other popular rail journeys in Asia include the Oriental and Eastern Express, which begins in Bangkok and ends in Singapore. Along the way are many spectacular types of scenery such as rubber plantations, rice paddies and ancient temples, which still serve as places of worship for the local population. The train engine pulls along 22 carriages and 6 Pullman cars. It has two fully loaded restaurants on board to cater for needs of the guests.

High speed train access in the UK has made fast train travel possible – and it can be much more cost effective and environmentally friendly than travel by other modes of transportation, such as taking a flight. The UK itself serves more than one billion passengers – meaning that a reliable rail service is one that many people count on for their commuting and leisure needs.

High-speed train travel is certainly growing in popularity due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of transportation. People are starting to prefer not having the inconvenience of a long drive, and can instead watch the landscape go by, or get on with some work, instead of having to keep their eyes on the road.

With the resurgence of high-speed train travel, though, what can one expect of a holiday spent on train travel? What are some examples of the best train journeys you can take should you opt for this mode of transportation?

Escorted holidays by train

Instead of trying to cobble together your own holiday by train, many companies are now offering escorted holidays with train journeys. That is, you can opt for a packaged ride to a destination of your choice, with specific stops on the way and stays in luxurious locations such as Basel, Switzerland.

As with many other types of escorted tours, you can choose from packages with specific events included. For example, you may choose breaks that include walking tours of cities, visiting a market at Christmas time, or others that are steeped in history. An excellent offering which combines history, class and culture is one that takes you to gorgeous Italian cities like Milan, Venice, and Verona, with activities including wine tasting and gallery visits.

No matter what you decide you want to do on your escorted train journey, you can choose these rail tours at a reasonable price. Many are all inclusive, with one or two meals a day provided as part of the package, hotel accommodations, and any necessary auxiliary travel requirements provided as well, such as transfers or required local rail passes. Most packages also include tour guide services and any other necessary components of the trip.

Most of these train journeys allow for a certain amount of customisation, as well, in that you can often add additional excursions or extensions at the end of a packaged trip, such as a stopover or travel to another location, or the ability to travel from your final destination to your home stop at your discretion, without having to rigidly adhere to tour expectations.

Have you thought about touring Australia for your next holiday? There are a number of train journeys that can get you to your next holiday destination comfortably and luxuriously. More than that, you’ll enjoy getting there as part of your holiday, instead of waiting for your destination to arrive to start having fun!

Let’s take a look at five great rail tours to different Australian destinations you can take the next time you want to get away:

Trans-Australia

With a Trans-Australia trip, take a train from one edge of Australia to the other, from Darwin to Adelaide and from Perth to Sydney. This transcontinental travel lets you experience Australia up close so that you can see its vast and ever-changing landscapes firsthand.

Western Australia

See the largest state in Australia, Western Australia, either by going from Perth to Kalgoorlie, or go south to Bunbury. Perth and Fremantle’s great beaches and delicious restaurants are a good place to start, but take a look at the Karrie forests, travel to the Margaret River region for great food and wine, or visit Australia’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge. You can also take a cruise down the Swan River, basking in wildflower season at the right time of year.

Northern Territory

Australia’s Northern Territory has many natural wonders, with travel from Darwin through central Australia to Alice Springs, to the Uluru. Visit breathtaking waterfalls in Litchfield, or go to Kakadu National Park, and down to the town of Katherine, where you can experience the rawness of the outback and the beauty of the tropics simultaneously. Also, try visiting Katherine Gorge at Nitmiluk National Park, or visit Kings Canyon or Palm Valley.

South Australia

South Australia boasts four areas wine lovers will love, with Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, and the Clare and Barossa Valleys. To go along with your wine tour, visit Glenelg, a seaside town with great beaches. For breathtaking wildlife views, visit Kangaroo Island, wildlife sanctuary and home to many different species including, of course, kangaroos. The Outback as well is not to be missed, with Flinders Ranges and aboriginal beauties like ancient mountain ranges and desert landscapes.

Queensland

Rounding off our top five (although of course Victoria and New South Wales don’t disappoint, either), Queensland is an Australian destination you can explore by train, and this is truly a destination with something for everyone. Visit the tropical north, go to Brisbane, or explore the Great Barrier Reef. You can also visit the rustic Outback or see dinosaur fossils and other sights, like the Lark Quarry Dinosaur Footprints.

A coast to coast rail tour in the US is a wonderful experience. It is something that anyone will enjoy; US citizens and foreign visitors alike. A rail tour lets you really see the country from a whole new angle. Instead of travelling in traffic and trying to navigate through backups and rush hours, you get to travel in luxury aboard a passenger train that goes through some of the most beautiful spots in the country.

A coast to coast rail tour means travelling from the east to the west or west to the east – between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on either side of the country. Most tours will start in New York since this is a major hub for international travel and an obviously wonderful spot to start an amazing tour of the country. With a start in New York, most tours will involve some sightseeing before the train departs on its coast to coast journey.

Most USA rail travel tours will include stop over’s in various cities to allow for sightseeing. Beginning in New York you will have the chance to visit places like the Ground Zero Memorial site, the Statue of Liberty and Broadway.

From New York a train may depart in many directions. A common route for a coast to coast rail tour is to head to Washington, DC. Here you will get to see the American government at work with sites like the White House, Congress and various monuments to some of the country’s greatest leaders.

After the stops on the east coast, a tour will usually head to the mid-west. The mid-west includes Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Sites to be seen along this part of the journey include the Allegheny Mountains, the Sears tower and the site of the infamous gangster Al Capone’s headquarters. You will also get to see a lot of scenery as you pass corn fields, Amish communities and small towns in this area of the country.

As the coast to coast rail tour begins to enter the west of the country you will get to enjoy stops throughout Colorado and the scenic Rocky Mountains. You will be able to explore the Wild West and see some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the USA on this leg of the tour.
The tour will take you by the Grand Canyon and along the famous Route 66. You will get to see many attractions and sites along the way in various stop over’s throughout the west, including places in Utah and Arizona.

The final part of the coast to coast rail tour will usually head to the west coast. Here you can explore famous sites in Hollywood, like homes of celebrities and movie stages. You will get to see various landmarks, like Alcatraz, and other scenery as well.

People are intrigued with trains and rail journeys. Here are some facts that you may have never known about trains to get your mind chugging down the track to find out even more:

1.    Staying on time – Before trains, most people kept time by the rising and setting of the sun. With the introduction of railways however, this had to change to run to a strict schedule, meaning that they had to create what is known as ‘standardised time’. People found that knowing the hour of the day could be useful and began using this form of time.

2.    Who is the fastest? Although there are trains around the world that travel at a fast rate of speed, there is one that beats them all. The French TGV can travel at 515 kilometres or 322 miles per hour. At test trials, the TGV reached 584 km per hour and braked for ten miles before coming to a complete stop. TGV’s are powered by electricity through overhead lines that connect to the train. Many rail journeys are taken using this method of travel in Europe.

3.    Do all railroad tracks curve? Most railroad tracks curve along rivers, around mountains, following the curvature of nature. There is one set of tracks in Australia though that has one long section without any curves, measuring at 478 kilometres or 301 miles long.

4.    Can trains fly? Trains cannot fly but they can float as demonstrated by the Maglev. Abbreviated for Magnetic Levitation, magnets are used to make the train rise above the tracks, giving it extra speed. Already exceeding speeds of a record breaking 552 kph or 343 mph, the Maglev is expected to reach speeds of 800 kph or 500 mph by 2020. The vehicle is bound to benefit those taking European city breaks, as the speed is easily controlled, making stops easier.

5.    Can a train have shoes? A train can certainly have shoes if it is powered by ground electricity. Some trains have three tracks, the third track being an electric line. A shoe is connected from the train to the third rail to feed off of the electrical power that drives the train. Trolleys and streetcars often use this method. Very few trains are on this type of system since the low voltage limits the speed to around 100 mph.

Dorset, a county in the South West of England, the perfect family holiday location where there is plenty to see and do throughout the year. Steeped in history and renowned for its rugged landscapes and picturesque scenery, Dorset boasts an impressive 95 miles of spectacular World Heritage Jurassic coastline. Explore the tranquil countryside by foot, bike or horse; alternatively venture to the nearby natural harbour of Poole with its many Blue Flag beaches.

The beaches in Dorset are hard to resist and are the perfect reason to visit on a short break or week long holiday, particularly in the summer months. Everyone has different ideas of what they want to experience when they visit a beach, it could be a relaxing day building sandcastles on West Bay beach or a day surfing on the Boscombe Pier with its new artificial surf reef.

Dorset caravan sites are ideal for families wishing to spend their holidays in beautiful surroundings with many nearby visitor attractions. Treat the kids with a day trip to the world famous ‘Monkey World’ or the exhilarating ‘Adventure World’ theme park. Whether you want a fun packed holiday or a relaxing romantic break, a holiday in Dorset is the perfect choice.

There are many caravan sites to choose from, with a wide range of well equipped, quality accommodation sporting a contemporary feel. Whilst Dorset sports a relatively mild climate, to the rest of the UK, these modern caravans are a home from home. You can be rest assured that the family can continue their enjoyable holiday experience with an array of fun filled entertainment on site.

Dorset caravan holiday’s are suitable for all budgets and are an affordable way to enjoy comfortable accommodation leaving you with plenty of spare change for taking in the sights. People of all ages visit throughout the year for its many annual events such as the summer Bude Jazz Festival and the Portsmouth International Kite Festival.

Many people who visit Dorset continue to return year after year, as there is so much to see and do. With a caravan holiday in Dorset, we know you will want to return.

Norfolk offers something for every visitor and those who have been here before would agree that Norfolk holidays are an unforgettable experience.

For those who wish to have their holidays in the great outdoors there is no better place to stay than in one of Norfolk’s caravan sites For those who love taking walks, Norfolk has beautiful scenic landscapes to enjoy with its beautiful coastline, lush vegetation, forests, fens and picturesque countryside.

Taking a walk during summer or spring is very refreshing. Norfolk poppies are in full bloom and provide such colour to the surrounding landscape. One of the most popular routes is the Peddars Way. It follows an old road built by the Romans to mobilise their troops for military expeditions. This road connects to the Path National Trail in the Norfolk coast region and passes through a very diverse countryside with spectacular marshes and stunning cliffs. Tearooms and guesthouses are also available to serve refreshments along the way.

Norfolk has a very strong cultural heritage. Castles built centuries ago still stand strong and many are open to the public. Grimes Grave is also well worth a visit. This Neolithic mine is thought to date from 3000BC and if you descend 30ft down the ladder you’ll see, up close, the jet black flint that was mined over 5000 years ago.

For those who love cycling, Norfolk holidays are a great opportunity to get on your bike. There are many established cycle routes in Norfolk and riding along the coastal paths with the wind rushing against your face is exhilarating. The Sustrans National Cycle network runs along forest tracks and country parks and there are also many quiet roads. Marriotts Way is another route which is traffic free, making it ideal for all the family.

During almost any given month, there will be wonderful arts festivals going on somewhere in Norfolk. Britain’s first, the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, was founded in 1772 and art festivals are a tradition here. In a county so full of well-connected arts folk, even the smallest community festivals can boast renowned line-ups.

Norfolk holidays would not be complete without some twitching and Norfolk is considered the bird watching capital of Britain. Bird watching takes place throughout the year and the county has some of the best nature reserves and learning centres in Britain.