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

Finally! After record snowfall and cold temperatures this winter, it’s about time we warmed up to the prospect of some decent weather. Looks like the darkest days are finally behind us and thankfully, spring has once again come to the UK.

The blossoms are out. Clocks have returned back (to ahead), where they should have been all along.

Surely, planning your summer holiday cannot be too far behind.

If you are anything like most people, you’ll feel slightly guilty from time to time that you have visited many exotic tourist destinations all over the world but you have sadly neglected to explore the delights of your own back yard. This summer, why not give your skin a much-needed break from its annual sun beating? (Your unsightly tan lines have only just faded from last year, after all). Why not avoid the miserable airline staff telling you your weight allowance only permits you to carry one pair of espadrilles and a bottle of Bacardi? Why not do your bit for the environment and decrease your carbon footprint? This year, shake off those recession blues and stay right here in the UK; explore those places you’ve been meaning to visit for years but haven’t quite got round to it…and have yourself a very merry “staycation.”

You won’t be alone. Much like last summer when over one third of the UK public said that they were switching their plans from a holiday abroad to a holiday in Britain, the very same trend is happening again.

Did someone say, Cornwall? Devon?

The south lays claim to some of the very best seaside resorts in England. If your only memories of the South-West coast are sand pails, plastic shovels and your parents’ 1982 caravan, it may just be the time to revisit. Only 2-3 hours away by train from London, it is no stretch to say that Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Hampshire make up some of the most spectacular scenery in all of the UK. And there is no lack of things to do once you get there.

From Land’s End to Hayling Island, spotted over entire the south-west coast are high end, yet affordable resorts to kick back and let your troubles melt in the best weather in the UK.

Here are 5 recommended places to rest your weary bones:

(1) Sea Acres Holiday Park, The Lizard

Sea Acres’ stunning cliff top position offers spectacular views over Kennack Sands. Spend days exploring the Lizard coastline or try something new and learn to dive at the park’s PADI Dive centre.
In the evenings head to the Family Club House for some great light entertainment or enjoy a glass of wine on your veranda while watching the sunset over the Atlantic Sea. It all sounds pretty good to this blogger!

(2) Torquay Holiday Park, Torquay

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. Feel as tall as a giant discovering the amazing scale models at Babbacombe Model Village or choose from eight different flumes at Quaywest Water Park.

(3) Sandford Holiday Park, Poole

You’ll be spoilt for a choice of things to do at Sandford. There are superb indoor and outdoor heated pools, a choice of play areas plus fantastic live entertainment. Test your skills on the lanes with a game of mini ten-pin bowling or take in the scenery on the nature trail. For a day out, head to the Nearby New Forest and spot the famous ponies or visit the bustling resorts of Poole and Bournemouth.

(4) Ruda Holiday Park, Croyde Bay

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.

(5) Holywell Bay Holiday Park, Newquay

This park is ideal for beach lovers with the famous Gull Rocks of Holywell Bay beach just a short stroll from the park. Nestled in the Ellenglaze Valley, Holywell Bay is the perfect family retreat with an outdoor heated pool and a multi-sports court and fantastic evening entertainment in the Surfrider Club. There’s a great range of facilities at Holywell Bay Holiday Park, you can shoot down the giant waterslide and learn to surf with qualified instructors or enjoy a relaxing walk along the nature trail.

SOURCE: The Times | Cornwall.com | ParkdeanHolidays.co.uk