Newquay is the surfing capital of the UK, with eleven fantastic beaches stretching across the shoreline. Whilst in Newquay, you can make the most of these golden, sandy beaches or visit one of the many attractions surrounding the town to make your holiday the most special. Staying in such a lively location is vast, with thousands of people choosing to stay in many of its holiday parks; you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Newquay’s reputation for being the best place to surf in the UK should not be a missed opportunity when you visit this Cornish town. Make the most of the high waves and try your hand at the sport everyone in Newquay is talking about. There are even places to get surfing lessons so even beginners can ride the waves in confidence.

Crealy Adventure Park is not too far from Newquay which provides another exciting day out with the family. Drive the short way to this park and enjoy a fun filled day on the rides. From pirate ships to log flumes, there is a ride for everyone.

For a more peaceful day out, walk along the camel trail to the beautiful little fishing town of Padstow. Stunning views of the docks surround the town and you can have a front row seat in one of the many cafes and restaurants.

Newquay Zoo is a popular tourist attraction with all sorts of animals – over one hundred and thirty species in fact. Take the kids to watch the lemurs being fed and hear the lions in their habitat.

A holiday in Newquay is not complete without a visit to a local castle. For an exciting day out, take your family to Tinagel Castle where you can learn its history while being surrounded by dramatic cliff top views.

British holidays are in fashion this summer because of the world famous beaches and many attractions. Newquay is a highly popular British holiday because of its family friendly town and range of exciting things to do.

Summer is approaching fast and everyone is getting in the holiday frame of mind. Whether you are booking a short break with your partner or the whole of your family, the seaside is one of the best places to spend the summer holiday. With a number of short breaks in the UK near the sea, there are plenty to choose from.

Devon holidays are hugely popular during the summer months because of the world famous surfing beaches. Croyde Bay beach, a Blue Flag Beach, is especially famous for its large, powerful waves, providing the ultimate surfing experience. This beach is next to Ruda Holiday Park which is the perfect location if you want the finest seaside holiday.

Bantham beach, also located in Devon, is another popular surfing destination. You can ride the waves, climb the sand dunes or explore the many rock pools to see what you can find. Bantham beach provides fun for the whole family, and is great for family days by the seaside. And if you’re looking for accommodation while in Devon, look no further than the Challabourgh Bay  Holiday Park.

Scotland also has some of the UK’s finest beaches, with Ayr beach in Aryshire having recently been revamped to provide the best for your family. Ayr beach has beautiful golden sands and stunning views. The fun doesn’t end with the beach however, as there are great activities nearby for all ages. Visit the great adventure outdoor playground or have a round of mini golf with the family.

Whether you choose to visit the north, south, east or west of the UK, you are sure to find plenty of family seaside locations with holiday parks nearby. Holidays abroad have nothing on the UK’s sandy beaches, high waves and seaside villages. Affordable, enjoyable short breaks in the UK should be one of the first choices for any family, as they provide many activities to take part in and beautiful beaches to relax on.

With the long awaited summer holidays approaching, booking one of the many UK holidays is a great way to make the most of the time off. Torquay is a popular location in South Devon where the whole family can have fun, either on the beach or at the zoo. There are plenty of ways to spend the day in Torquay.

Surrounded by beautiful Devon countryside, Torquay is ideal for scenic walks to appreciate the views. Stroll along the beach while the children paddle in the sea, or let them play in the golden sands while you relax and enjoy the holiday. With over fifteen beaches to choose from, you’ll never get bored.

For a more exciting day, visit Woodlands Leisure Park which is situated only a short drive away from Torquay itself. This family theme park has dozens of rides for all ages, which means that the kids will enjoy themselves all day. From wet rides to white knuckle rides, there is plenty to do to make it a day to remember.

Paignton Zoo is also just a short drive away from Torquay, providing a more relaxing but just as memorable day out to see the animals. The zoo is home to three thousand animals, five different types of habitat and plenty of other activities. This zoo even has botanical gardens, providing lots of things to see.

Babbacombe Model Village is a huge hit with the kids. This famous Torquay attraction portrays the world in miniature and is set in acres of beautiful gardens. You won’t want to miss this village, one of Devon’s most popular days out.

Torquay has a huge range of activities to fill up your summer holiday. With over twenty two miles of coastline to explore and more than ten places to visit in driving distance, your Torquay holiday should be nothing short of exciting.

If you want to make sure that this year’s holiday is to be one of the most exciting family holidays for both you and the kids, then camping is ideal. With the freedom to do as you please and the expanse of greenery for the kids to play on, camping is great fun for the whole family. The UK has a number of different holiday parks that provide great camping facilities and have plenty of activities surrounding them.

Dorset is a popular family destination for camping in the UK, as it is famed for beautiful sights and wonderful beaches. West Bay Holiday Park and Sandford Holiday Park in Dorset are fun filled family parkswith plenty of clean facilities ideal for camping. There is a wide selection of touring pitches for both tents and touring caravans with shower and toilet blocks, as well as dishwashing areas and laundrettes. Surrounding the camping area, the kids can fish for crabs on the harbour or swim in the pool while you relax

Devon is also a popular family holiday location. Surrounded by world famous coastline and family attractions, Ruda Holiday Park in Devon is an ideal place to have an exciting camping holiday. The spacious pitches available at this park are within a few feet of the creature comforts and facilities needed by any family. Croyde’s beach is just a short walk from each pitch, so everything you need is right on the doorstep. This park is ideal for the different types of camping people enjoy, including touring caravans, motorhomes and individual tents.

Camping in the UK will give your kids memories they will treasure. Children have lots of energy, and love the freedom of being able to run around. Camping provides this freedom for the whole family as it is an experience in itself. Remember to pack light, but bring the essentials like sleeping bags and maybe a barbeque for those warm nights during the holiday.

Last minute cruises can be the most satisfying kind. You take a moment in your life when you just want to escape the stress and boredom of daily life and you decide to just hop on a ship and disappear to somewhere spectacular. You might bring the family along or maybe you just do it to bond with that someone special. Or again you just get carried away by the fantastic list of destinations offered on cruises from Southampton or another major cruise line and you just head out on your own seeking adventure, solitude, and much-needed rest.

Whatever your reason may be for slipping away on a last minute holiday, there are some tips you might keep in mind to ensure you get the best prices on the best ships with the best cabins for the best experience possible. There is a lot of ‘best’ in that sentence, but you deserve no less than just that…the best!

Look for Date-Specific Deals

You can always find great deals for cruises if you look for bargain prices offered only on specific cruises for very specific dates. These deals are offered to help the cruise line fill up a cruise that didn’t quite sell out, but you end up getting the same amenities as everyone else who paid full price for their ticket. You can find a lot of these deals through online travel sites that offer bargains, discounts and specific deals.

You may also get word of some of these deals directly through the cruise line. So, if you are interested in cruising from Southampton you might want to check with them directly to see if they are offering any special deals on last minute cruises.

Open Your Mind

Most people have a specific type of cruise that they enjoy best, but when it comes to last minute deals it helps to keep your open mindedness. The more open you are to different types of cruise ships, different destinations, and different cruise experiences, the more likely you are to find affordable deals on cruises and other popular cruise lines. These cruise lines have a long list of cruise options, so you never know what will be the most affordable for a last minute booking.

Keep It Realistic

Think about where you will have to go to board your last minute holiday decision. If you don’t have time to take a flight or drive to Florida, then it doesn’t make sense to book a cruise leaving out of Florida. Think about where the cruise is boarding and what you would have to do to get there in time. If you can make it, then throw some clothing in a suitcase and hit the road! There is no greater sense of freedom than taking off at the last minute in a rush for the sea.

Know Your Cruise Lines

If you know which cruise lines tend to offer destinations and cruise types that you enjoy, you can constantly watch them for affordable last minute opportunities. The bigger cruise lines will give you a better chance at affordable rates for late deals.

For instance, if you know there are quite a few cruise lines operating from Southampton that you would love to take, you could keep a watch for the best bargains on tickets for those cruises. If you happen to be free when a cruise has an opening and cuts a deal, it could be perfect timing for a last minute escape!

Booking a late cruise can be challenging if you don’t want to damage your wallet. Taking advantage of the best cruise deals, especially when booking late, requires a basic knowledge of the best cruise lines sailing the seas. The following overview will introduce you to a few of the best so you can book those late cruise deals and save…even at the last minute.

Ultimately, choosing the best cruise line is a very personal endeavour. It comes down to what you prefer to do while cruising, what type of cabin you find the most comfortable, and whether you want to get off the ship for exploration or just want to stay on the sea for your fun and relaxation. The cruise lines presented here represent a little of everything, so everyone should find something suitable to their preferences.

Silversea Cruises

If your idea of enjoyment on the open waves includes a smaller, more intimate ship and a lot of elegance, then you may want to book your late cruise on the Silversea Cruise line. They cater to a more sophisticated clientele and their cruises tend to be more on the luxurious and relaxing side. You won’t find a lot of over-the-top entertainment acts in flashy attire, but you can expect gourmet dinners and lots of time relaxing and watching the beautiful sea roll by. This cruise line is perfect for romance!

Royal Caribbean

You have probably heard of this cruise line before as they are quite popular. They also tend to offer more deals that are affordable to everyone, since they deal with larger ships and a mixed group of passengers. You never know what you will get with this cruise line. You can go as a family and have a good time or you can take someone special for a romantic cruise. You can even go with friends and party it up for awhile. Anything goes on this fun cruise line with larger sized ships and potentially larger sized late cruise deals.

Disney Cruise Line

Of course, this is the best cruise line if you will be travelling with children. It can be difficult to get children to enjoy a cruise, but it’s a lot easier when you are on a ship designed with the little ones in mind.

There are a variety of cruises offered through this line and each offers something a little different. You can choose based on destination or the type of Disney characters your children will enjoy the best. The food options tends to be less elegant than you will find on the smaller, more luxurious lines but you still have a nice variety of food with lots of options that are kid-approved. You can always find great cruise lines with Disney cruises, which makes them perfect for family on vacation!

Which cruise lines sound best suited to your needs? Do you prefer a smaller, more intimate cruise ship with the finest in wine and food or would you prefer something more laid back and entertaining for the entire family? You can find later deals on all of these cruise lines, but some may have fewer offers than others.

Cruise holidays have soared in popularity in recent years, with more travellers than ever choosing all-inclusive cruises over traditional package holidays. Cruise deals are widely available online, offering wide choice and value-for-money to holidaymakers young and old. What’s more, many discount cruises sail from British ports, making crowded airports and expensive flight surcharges a thing of the past.

Once perceived as stuffy, expensive and old-fashioned, cruise holidays have been completely remodelled recent years. While the more traditional cruise experience is available for those who want it, it has been joined by holidays aboard a new generation of “superliners” which are, quite literally, resorts-at-sea. Offering a wide range of leisure and entertainment facilities, and with multiple wining and dining options, these are extremely attractive to the younger traveller.

Discount cruises – the ultimate in holiday value

The competition between cruise lines has never been fiercer, and with a new niche always waiting to be found, the choice has never been greater either. Today there are discount cruises for every age group, from families with young children, to party-loving singles, to 50-plus couples wanting an adult-only cultural experience. Low price discount cruises are available on a no-fly, fly-cruise and cruise-stay basis. The latter is divided between a cruise and a stay at a conventional resort, and is the ideal introduction to those new to the idea of cruising.

Discount cruises take the hassle out of planning your holidays. Compare a cruise package to a fly/drive, where you have to travel from one resort to the next. With a cruise, your hotel comes with you, no matter where you’re bound! You can let the ship take the strain while you relax, and forget about suitcases until the final leg home.

With meals, entertainment and most onboard activities included in the price, discount cruises offer the ultimate in value. With endless ports-of-call in the Caribbean, Canaries, Mediterranean and many other popular holiday destinations, is it any wonder British travellers are queuing up to climb aboard?

Cruise deals and holidays are often thought of as a fairly modern concept. However, they were established over 100 years ago, by one of the most popular cruise companies operating today – P&O.

Cruises were first advertised as such by the Peninsular & Oriental line in1904, with 150 passengers taking “cruise tours” of the Mediterranean on the 6,000 tonne Vectis. Today, similar cruise holidays are offered on the 115,000 tonne Ventura!

P&O cruise holidays – the early days

The oldest cruise company in the world, P&O cruises can trace their origins back to 1822, and the formation of the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company (later renamed Peninsular and Oriental). By by1844, P&O’s passenger services included round tours of the Mediterranean and Egypt. Operated from Southampton, these were the precursor of today’s modern cruise holidays .

P&O’s fleet has always been at the cutting-edge of shipbuilding, the 1889 SS Valetta being the first ship equipped with electric lighting. By 1929 P&O offered 15 cruises on a fleet of powerful luxury liners – including the world’s first turbo-electric ship, the Viceroy of India. Sadly she, along with a number of other P&O ships, perished in WWII. However, these were replaced with even faster and larger ships; the luxurious Canberra and Oriana cutting the run time to Australia down from five weeks to three in the mid-1950s.

P&O cruises today.

In the 1960s and 1970s, passenger air travel made transatlantic crossings increasingly unfashionable. Many shipping companies followed P&O’s lead – often, with little success. But their failure at running cruise holidays was P&O’s gain, leading to events like the acquisition of Princess Cruises in 1974.

In 1977, the remodelling of the P&O passenger division created P&O cruises and P&O cruises Australia. In 2000, the independent company of P&O Princess Cruises PLC was formed, merging with Carnival PLC in 2003.

To celebrate 175 years of history, P&O cruises will be holding a “Grand Event” in which their entire fleet will leave Southampton simultaneously on July 3rd 2012. These cruise holidays promise to be the most iconic P&O cruises ever.

Agreeing what to do for your holiday can be a difficult decision, especially if you’re a group with varied interests, have different destinations in mind, or need to work to a strict budget. A cruise solves all these problems – and right now, there are some great cruise deals to be had, for every budget and interest.

Cruises are no longer expensive, stuffy and formal. While some cheap cruises still take the more traditional approach, many more have a laid-back, family-orientated approach. Whichever you choose, you’ll visit some fantastic locations, and be utterly spoilt in the process. Imagine the perfect holiday, and there’s a cruise deal to match it.

Cheap cruises that offer maximum value

Modern cruise ships are like luxury resorts at sea, with every need taken care of. If you can’t decide where to stay for your holiday there’s no problem, as every day means a different location.

Cruise deals offer every kind of holiday experience in one package – with many things included in the price. No need to trudge miles from the hotel for a night out – cruise ships offer nightly entertainment on a lavish scale. If you’re worried about the quality of the food, even cheap cruises offer superb dining.

If you want an active holiday, the average cruise offers far more than just a pool and gym. Today’s superliners are literally floating resorts; with flumes, waveriders, climbing walls and even skating rinks! And if you want to chill by the pool – just pick a book from the onboard library.

Cheap cruises to every destination

When looking at cruise deals, consider what you want from your holiday. See the sights, or relax on the beach? A cruise-and-stay in Egypt will let you do both. Fancy seeing Venice and Rome? There are cheap cruises which visit all the great Renaissance cities of Europe. Looking for something special for the kids? How about a Disney Cruise – complete with onboard water coaster.

Whatever you want to do on holiday, there are late cruise deals to fulfil your dreams.

Looking for a holiday in the sun, packed with activities and entertainment? Maybe you’d prefer a more cultural experience, touring Europe’s Renaissance cities. Whatever your holiday plans, you’re going to want them to be affordable, so why not consider a cheap cruise? There are late cruise deals to some of the world’s most beautiful and popular destinations, tailored to meet the needs of every holidaymaker.

Cruise holidays are fast becoming the top choice for British travellers on a budget. With everything at an all-inclusive price, and countless holiday options to choose from, they’re the ideal way to enjoy a last-minute break. Here, we describe some of the late cruise deals available.

Late cruise deals packed with variety

You can find late cruise deals covering every type of holiday destination. Some are more traditional, focussing on the “at sea” experience. Others are livelier and less formal, visiting a number of different ports-of-call. Every cruise line has its own “flavour”, but a simple look at their websites will tell you what it is.

If you’re looking for a cheap holiday packed with variety, how about a cruise in the Caribbean? With excellent shopping, endless beaches and a laid-back party atmosphere, late cruise deals are widely available – though avoid the hurricane season.

If you hate flying, you can cruise direct to the Canary Islands and Mediterranean, on a no-fly cruise from the UK. Southampton has numerous late cruise deals throughout the year, with the opportunity to sail on some of the largest and most luxurious cruise ships in the world.

Cruise deals that are rich in culture

Europe is rich in history and culture, with some of the world’s most beautiful and romantic cities. A number of major cruise lines offer late cruise deals with a cultural flavour, such as the Renaissance cities of Europe or the Baltic capitals.

Also available are themed cruises which allow you to indulge your favourite hobby. With guest speakers and related shore excursions, these are often available as late deals at reduced cost.