HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Destination-Tips The Lure of Loch Lomond By Alan Liptrot Platinum Quality Author

Loch Lomond may have been immortalised in song, but it is also the largest freshwater lake in Britain (by surface area) and a popular tourist destination. It occupies a surface area of 71 square kilometres between the Western Lowlands and the Southern Highlands. It is 39 kilometres long and between 1.2 and 8 kilometres wide. You will find the loch in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, in the council areas of Stirling, Argyll and Bute, and West Dumbartonshire. It southern shores lie 23 kilometres north of Glasgow, making it a perfect day trip location for anyone visiting the country's largest city.
Its eastern shores are dominated by the impressive Ben Lomond, a 974 metre peak of the Munro Mountains. A 2005 poll named Loch Lomond as the 6th greatest natural wonder of Great Britain. The only drawback with this beauty is that the A82 road, which runs the length of the western shore, is often choked with tourists during the summer months.
Around 60 islands dot the surface of the loch, the largest being Inchmurrin, which is also the largest island in loch or lake in the British Isles. Several of the islands are 'Cranmogs', artificially created and dating back to prehistoric times. English travel writer H.V. Morton wrote, 'What a large part of Loch Lomond's beauty is due to its islands, those beautiful green tangled islands, that lie like jewels upon its surface'. Strangely, one of the islands, Inchconnachan, is home to a colony of Wallabies.
In 2002, the 'Loch Lomond Shores' leisure and shopping complex opened, providing a home for major retailers, and the Drumkinnon Tower building has been redeployed as an aquarium. Large events are advertised on the Loch Lomond Shores website, but on a lesser scale, there is a popular Farmers' Market every second Sunday on the promenade. If it's Golf you're looking for, what better place to tee off from, than the Loch Lomond Golf Club, which lies on the south western shore. This club has hosted major tournaments, including the Scottish Open. The Carrick Golf Club is situated adjacent to the Loch Lomond club. A 28 kilometre cycle track runs from Arrochar and Tarbet railway station at the north end of the loch, to Balloch railway station in the south. On the eastern bank, you'll find the West Highland Way. The National Park Authority are trying to achieve a balance between tourists and loch users, and have imposed a 10 kph speed limit in environmentally sensitive areas.
As you would expect, the dramatic scenery draws boating and water sports enthusiasts from far and wide. All types of craft can be found on the loch, including canoes, wind-surfers, speedboats, and jetskis. The Loch Lomond Rescue Boat is on call 24 hours a day. A cruise can be taken from the town of Balloch. The last paddle steamer to be built in Britain, The Maid of the Loch, has been restored and is open to the public as a restaurant and bar, providing a totally unique venue for events and functions. She is open every day 11am - 4pm Easter to October; and on Saturdays and Sundays during winter. There is plenty of car parking adjacent, but limited access for the less able bodied. Admission is free.
It's difficult to mention Loch Lomond without bringing to mind the well known song that bears the same name. The chorus is;
Oh, ye'll tak' the high road, and I'll tak' the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye;
But me and my true love will never meet again
On the bonnie, bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond.
The song, first published around 1841 has unclear origins. It is believed that the author may have been a Scottish soldier who penned the lyric in a letter home, as he awaited death in enemy captivity. Another theory is that a soldier on his way home wrote the song, the low road being a reference to the Celtic belief that after death, the soul would be transported away by fairies. Whatever the truth, we remain thankful for the song that compliments Scotch whisky so well. In 1957, to some people's dismay, Bill Haley recorded a popular rock and roll version of the song which carried the title 'Rock Lomond'.

Alan Liptrot writes for http://www.yourholidayrentals.com providing worldwide holiday accommodation. The original article, along with other interesting articles can be found at http://www.yourholidayrentals.com/inspiration/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Liptrot

HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Destination-Tips Visit the Scottish Highlands to Experience Culture and Wildlife By Jeff Goodwin

Millions of travellers around the globetravel to the Scottish Highlands every annum, in part to see the Scottish culture, so that they can observe the beautiful wildlife and a few to investigate the legend of the Loch Ness creature. Some of the most travelled to towns or villages to visit in Scotland include Fort Augustus, Inverness and Drumnacrochit. When evaluating any of these locations for your vacation, you will definitely find a lochness hotel or neighboring hotel without any problem at all.
The Culture of the Highlands
At the heart of the Highlands culture lies the Gaelic language. But, in addition to this intriguing language lies arts and music, fashion, and food. Although the area's established history, you will notice every 21st Century amenity when you vacation here.
Some of the Scottish symbols that can be found when travelling to the nation include Gaelic icons such as kilts, bagpipes and tartans. One of the most popular events that visitors from around the globe travel to is the Highland Games. The Highland Games features festivals and events that highlight the Scottish heritage.
If you are one of the many interested in attending this event, be sure your lochness hotel before everyone else, as they book up rapidly around this time. Some of the heritage foods that are found in regional venues and in almost every lochness hotel include salmon, haggis and venison.
In addition to the food and the iconic nature of Scotland, many tourists are pleased with the wildlife and the scenery, very representative of the photographs people are familiar with in travel magazines or on postcards.
The Highlands Wildlife
In addition to the culture within Scotland, many tourists travel to the country to see the wildlife. Different than other travel destinations where you would have to go to a wildlife reserve to view wildlife, much of what is found in Scotland, especially surrounding the lake can be viewed in the most normal encounters.
Some of the most common wildlife that is seen walking out the front door of your lochness hotel may be seals or otters swimming by in the water. Additional animals that can often be seen include eagles, seabirds and the red squirrel. These are just a few of the wildlife that many people see when they are walking around Loch Ness lake, relaxing on their lochness hotel balcony or when walking through any one of the towns.

For more information on the Lovat Arms Hotel or Hotels Loch Ness. Visit http://www.lovatarms-hotel.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Goodwin

HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Destination-Tips Enjoy a Scottish Vacation in Edinburgh, Skye and the Highlands By Margaret Winfrey Platinum Quality Author

If you want to enjoy a Scottish vacation in Skye and the Highlands of Scotland, you must first visit the capital city of the country: Edinburgh. Although Glasgow is the largest city in the country, in terms of both population and area, Edinburgh has the history and exudes a sense of times past in every street you walk.
A personal tour of the Royal Mile is a must for any traveler to this historic city. The Royal Mile runs from Edinburgh Castle, that overlooks the city from the top of a volcanic plug, right down the detritus left by the last ice age to Holyrood Palace, the ancient seat of Scottish kings and queens, and the one-time home of Mary, Queen of Scots.
However, there is more in the Royal Mile than just that. Underneath the current streets lies an underground town: the original town of Edinburgh, and one that is said to be haunted. The most famous Ghostbusters of the modern day have failed to prove that the spirits haunting this part of Edinburgh are figments of the imagination - in fact many have run screaming from the vaults underneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile. None have dared to claim the hauntings to be false.
You can visit these vaults - if you are brave enough - but only under the guidance of Edinburgh's experienced guides that know where it is safe to take you - and where you dare not visit for fear of your sanity. Edinburgh is the ghost capital of Europe, if not the world, and if it is your desire to meet them, then the choice will not be yours: it will be theirs at a time and place of their choosing. So sleep well during your Scottish vacation and do not awaken in the night!
On a lighter vein, once you have left Edinburgh you should head for Fort William, nestled under the highest mountain in Britain - Ben Nevis. Small by American standards, but high enough at 4,500 ft. One man pushed a piano up Ben Nevis right to the summit. It is said the remains are still there - the piano's, not the man's. You can take a gondola ride up there and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Grampian mountain range.
However, before you get there, you must stop at Loch Fyne on the way, since this loch is famous for its fish, kippers and oysters that you can taste at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. You will also pass Loch Lomond, the longest fresh water Loch in Scotland, and also the most beautiful. Stop in Luss, on the banks of Loch Lomond, for a pint of beer and a visit to the bagpipe and kilt shop - they will send your purchases back home for you.
When you are in Fort William, don't miss Glencoe to the south. This was the scene of the massacre of the MacDonalds by the Campbells in 1692 - it is an eerie and dangerous place and still said to be haunted by the ghosts of the MacDonalds. The MacDonalds had acted as hosts to the Campbells that winter, feeding and entertaining them for a week, and then were slaughtered during one night on the behest of the English king. No Scottish vacation is complete without a visit to Glencoe.
Some scenes of the Harry Potter films were shot here, and you can also visit bleak Rannoch Moor close by, where many of the MacDonalds froze to death on that terrible night. There is still a feud between these two clans because of this betrayal, and the ghosts of the Macdonalds still walk the moor, waiting for any unwary Campbell to walk by. To this day no Campbell dare walk the moor or the Glen at night.
If your name is not Campbell, you can now get the ferry boat to the Hebridean island of Skye, and perhaps visit Dunvegan Castle, where the remnants of the Fairy Flag can be seen - the flag taken by the MacDonalds into every battle they fought. If you get the chance, travel round Skye and the other islands by boat and enjoy the beautiful Red Hills to the east of the island and the brooding Cuillan in the west.
You should then leave Skye over the new bridge that replaced the ferry from Kyleakin to the Kyle of Lochalsh, and head off down the Caledonian Canal route to Loch Ness. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to see the Loch Ness monster. Not many are, but I have ridden its back and it's an enormous beast. However, I have been sworn to secrecy or I will disappear.
If you like your drink, or just a wee dram, stop off at one of the distilleries on Speyside. The Spey is the river that meets the Atlantic at Inverness, and is one of the purest rivers in Scotland. The whisky it produces is like nectar, and Glenlivet, Glen Grant and the Macallan are just three of the most famous of the 38 single malts distilled in this area. Each of them allows you to visit the distillery and taste the product. Don't stop at them all or you will never reach your next hotel!
If you are lucky enough to get this far after the Edinburgh Vaults, Glencoe and Rannoch Moor, you will pass through the ancient Caledonian forest which is the nearest existing forest to the prehistoric carboniferous forests that produced the coal, oil and gas that we now rely upon for power. It is said that unknown creatures walk this ancient forest at night.
So that is what a Scottish vacation involves: ghosts, mountains, murder and treachery and whisky. What could be a better way to spend a week or two than that! A vacation to Skye and the highlands, with a stop in Edinburgh is the ideal vacation for anybody with a sense of adventure and a desire to prove that they are not easily frightened. Just a word of warning: if you feel you cannot be frightened then Edinburgh will prove you wrong. You will be shaking in your shoes as you run screaming from the underground 17th century vaults.

If you are looking for a Scottish vacation with top class hotels and food, and business class air travel, then visit Ultitude where you will be offered a first class luxury Scottish vacation with personal guides and individual bookings. You can also visit Ultitude-Travel.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Winfrey

HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Destination-Tips RSS Feed XML RSS Feed RSS feeds allow you to be notified whenever brand new articles are released by your favorite authors. Google Yahoo NewsGator Bloglines MSN AOL Enjoy a Scotland Vacation in the Scottish Highlands and the Lowlands of Bonnie Scotland By Margaret Winfrey Platinum Quality Author

"You tak' the high Road an' I'll tak' the low road" and we will enjoy a Scottish vacation together, in the Scottish highlands and in the lowlands of Bonnie Scotland. Most people visit Edinburgh and then claim they have "done Scotland". Others head straight for the Isle of Skye or for Gleneagles Hotel or St. Andrews for a round of golf and then claim the same thing.
You don't "do Scotland" in a day, or even a few days. Ten days to two weeks is what it takes to experience what Scotland has to offer, and even that is nothing more than a taste of more to come should you wish to return - and most do. So what is needed for you to see Scotland in all her glory? This proud country that has withstood the ravages of invading English, sometimes with great success and sometimes not?
One of the first things you will notice on your Scotland vacation, whether in the Scottish highlands or in the lowlands, is the pride of the people in their country and of their friendliness to visitors. Then you notice the scenery and everything else that makes Scotland what it is. Let's start on your ideal vacation in Scotland with the type of service you should expect.
First, if traveling from a distance, such as anywhere in the USA, you must travel at least business class. It is 5 hours out and 8 hours back (due to the jet stream), so you will want to travel in comfort. Then you should have personal attention - your personal guide, individual car and chauffeur and first class rail travel. The accommodation in Scotland is generally excellent, but even that should be extra special just for you and your partner or friend.
Scotland's capital city is Edinburgh, and is universally acclaimed as one of the most beautiful in the world. Its main street, Princes Street, is lined with stores and boutiques on one side, and by the gardens on the other where you cannot miss the famous Edinburgh Castle, perched high on a volcanic plug overlooking the entire city. The largest city in the country is Glasgow, about an hour drive away, designed largely by Sir Charles Rennie Mackintosh and home of the famous Burrell collection of art. Glasgow is second only to London as the largest retail center in the UK.
Having visited these two magnificent cities your Scotland vacation should now leave the lowlands of Scotland, and head for the Scottish highlands. The beauty of Loch Lomond, the longest inland loch in the UK, deserves its reputation, and you mustn't miss it when visiting Scotland. Luss, on the banks of the loch, is a good place to stop for a pint of Scottish beer and to see how kilts bagpipes are made. The bagpipes are Scotland's national musical instrument, though some my debate the term 'musical'.
Scotland is steeped in history, and Inveraray Castle is close by on the sea loch, Loch Fyne. This is the ancestral home of the chief of the Campbells, the Duke of Argyle: more about them below! You should then head for Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain, and just south of there is the gloomy Glencoe, where in 1692 the Campbells were the guests of the MacDonald clan for the best part of a week.
By order of the English king, whom the Campbells supported, they massacred the MacDonalds one wintry Scottish night while they were asleep. Few survived - those that escaped immediate death later froze on the mountains or on Rannoch moor where survival was impossible on a freezing winter's night. The Campbells have never been forgiven for this treachery, and Glencoe is still a dark and brooding place. It is well worth visiting, as is the Rannoch moor close by.
You should now head off for Mallaig and get the ferry over to the Isle of Skye. Before you reach Mallaig you will pass Glenfinnan, and the memorial on the site where Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) landed in Scotland to claim the Scottish throne - a venture that saw them as far as Derby before the whole campaign ended in tears and slaughter on the field of Culloden close to Inverness, away to the east of here.
Skye itself is a must for any Scotland vacation, and is a beautiful and mysterious island. Dunvegan castle is the seat of the Macleod clan, and still hold the remnants of the 'Fairy Flag' that the MacLeods carried into battle. They believed that the flag could call up a fairy army to help them when needed.
Now you must visit Loch Ness and see if you can spot the Loch Ness Monster - many have, and it is amazing how a few good Scottish malt whiskies (no 'e' in Scots whisky) make the monster much easier to spot. You pass the loch on your way to Inverness that every Scotland vacation should include in its itinerary. The ancient capital of the highlands, Inverness is just a short drive away from the aforementioned Culloden, where you can still see the mounds under which the clansmen were buried in mass graves after the slaughter. Fought on 16th April, 1746, it was the last battle on British soil, and the last in which claymores tried to defeat muskets and bayonets.
Other places you must visit while on vacation in the Scottish highlands and lowlands include Fife and St. Andrews, with its championship links golf courses, Stirling Castle, Falkirk and the Monument to William Wallace of 'Braveheart' fame and many other great Scottish historical sites. You must visit a distillery or two and try out the single malt whiskies, and Rosslyn Chapel is worth a visit. Close to Edinburgh, this has connections with the Knights Templar, and features in Dan Brown's book 'The Da Vinci Code'.
Then finish off back in Edinburgh, with perhaps a visit to the haunted vaults under the city or to Mary Queen of Scots' home, Holyrood Palace. You can visit her bedroom and other apartments in the Palace, situated close to the new Scottish Parliament.
A Scotland vacation in the Scottish highlands and lowlands is the way to 'do Scotland' and after all of the above you can truly claim to have 'done it properly'.

To experience a Scottish vacation in the Scottish highlands and lowlands, with the personal service you deserve, check out luxury Scottish vacation [http://www.ultitude.com>Ultitude where you will be offered a first class

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_Winfrey

HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / City-Guides-and-Information Loch Lomond, Argyll and Bute - The Ideal Town For Nature Lovers By Simon Haughtone Platinum Quality Author

Town information-The freshwater Scottish loch town of Loch Lomond, Argyll and Bute lies nestled between the beautiful lakes and mountains of the Dunbartonshire region of Scotland in the state of the United Kingdom. The town is a mere 23 kilometres north of Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. The Loch Lomond lake is the largest in surface area and second largest by water volume in Britain.
Islands- The Loch area contains 60 islands, some being the largest freshwater bodies in Britain including Bute, Cara, Coll, Colonsay, Davaar Island, Fladda, Gunna, Inchamarnock, Iona, Islay, Jurra, Lismore, Mull, Sheep, Seil, Sanda, Scarba, Seil, Texa and Ulva, to name but a few.
Nature lovers- Nature lovers will thoroughly enjoy a visit to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Parks which are centrally located in the town. The park covers a 1865 sq kilometre area, making it the fourth largest National Park in the British Isle.
Relax If you are a fan of the gentleman's game, you are in the right place. Loch Lomond is home to the Internationally renowned Loch Lomond Gold Club and well as The Carrick next to the Lomond Club. Water sports and boating activities are very popular in the area, drawing people from far and wide to take part in all kinds of watercrafts presented on the Loch lake including speed boating, cruising, kayaking, wind-surfing and jet-skiing.
Transportation- Ferry transportation in the region is extremely popular with service to mainland districts of Islay, Mull, Tiree, Gigha, Bute, Seil in both Luing and Easdale and Port Appin in Lismore. Bus, Rail and Air services are available for easy connection to neighbouring towns with Oban Airport situated in the town North Connel just around Loch Lomond's corner. Coll, Colonsay and Glenforsa aerodromes also cater for the region.

To find a hotel in Loch Lomond just click here Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_Haughtone

HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / City-Guides-and-Information Classic Scottish Lochs and Life in Inverary, Argyll and Bute By Simon Haughtone Platinum Quality Author

If you're looking for Scotland, look no further than the classic Scottish lochs and life in Inverary, Argyll and Bute. Located in the unitary council area of Argyll and Bute, Inverary is a town which sits on the western shoreline of Loch Fyne. This particular loch is a sea inlet of about 40 miles in length, making it the longest of its kind in Scotland. It is noted for the quality of its oyster and herring fishing industries.
Inverary is the historic home of the Duke of Argyll, who founded the town in 1745 next to his newly-built Inverary Castle. The majority of the town was designed and built over a twenty-eight year period, from 1772 to 1800. It is a popular tourist destination in the region, and its many white buildings give it a picture-postcard appeal. It benefits from its close proximity to the A83 road, which is a major road in Argyll and Bute.
Other popular attractions in Inverary include the Georgian Inverary Jail, which used to be an active 19th century prison. It is now a museum, and it reenacts the criminal justice activities of that era for the benefit of tourists and sightseers. There are several other museum or heritage-type organizations within the town, which is dominated by the sight of the Bell Tower. It contains the second-heaviest ring of ten bells in the world.
The historic sport of shinty -- which slightly resembles field hockey in appearance -- is the most popular local athletic activity. The town's shinty team won Scotland's national championship back in 2004. In 2005, Inverary re-formed its pipe band, the Inverary and District Pipe Band, after an absence of 70 years. It has gone on to win trophies at just about every competition, and is the current juvenile world champion.
Argyll and Bute is the unitary council area in which Inverary resides. It is one of 32 entities of this sort in Scotland. There are over 3,000 miles of coastline in the area, which Argyll and Bute proudly claims is more than in the whole of France. It currently enjoys a population of around 92,000 people in the second-largest organized land area in all of Scotland. Both Inverary and Argyll and Bute are outstanding examples of classic Scottish culture and life.

Discover your next hotel in Inveraray or select somewhere to stay from these UK hotels.

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HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Budget-Travel RSS Feed XML RSS Feed RSS feeds allow you to be notified whenever brand new articles are released by your favorite authors. Google Yahoo NewsGator Bloglines MSN AOL Top 10 Money Saving Tips For Your Next Holiday By Bronwyn White

We all have a dream holiday we want to go on for our next trip, but sometimes the costs involved can be just out of reach. However, if you're willing to make small sacrifices here and there, you can make almost any holiday destination fit into your budget.
Here are 10 Top Money Saving Tips that will help you go the furthest on your next holiday.
1. Consider cheaper accommodation: If you're splashing out on a faraway destination, why not cut back on your accommodation bill by skipping that fancy hotel. You could stay in a local hostel - most are more modern and comfortable than you think nowadays. Or buy a copy of the Lonely Planet and look alternative accommodation options that may not be found in your collection of brochures at home. I have travelled the world on Lonely Planet and personally trust what they have to say. I used to stay at a great 2 star hotel in Paris across from the Louvre. The catch was walking up the 5 flights of stairs to my room, there was no lift. But it meant I could spend more money on glorious French food and shopping.
2. Take the simpler forms of transport: You can save a lot of money by not renting a car or catching taxis, and depending on where you're going, you might see more of the scenery by taking a bus, coach or train. Many countries offer discount cards especially for tourists - this way you can travel around for days or weeks at a time for one low all-inclusive price.
3. Stick to the local produce: Wherever you go, it's usually the case that the local food and drink is less expensive than the import variety. Skip your favourite beer for a week and you'll be surprised at how many tasty alternatives you'll come across on your next holiday. Another good way to limit food spending is to buy your breakfast and lunch at the local supermarket instead of visiting restaurants twice a day. Bakeries offer a great insight into local food and local markets give you a fabulous local experience.
4. Bring a water bottle: It may seem obvious, but water is free almost anywhere you go. Invest in one water bottle that you can refill at the water fountain in the museum, park or other attraction, and you'll keep yourself hydrated and healthy without spending a penny. But first, please make sure you can drink the local water. I have found water to be one of the greatest daily travel expenses in some places, especially peak season in Europe. Expect to pay around $10 in some places.
5. Travel light: Almost all airlines have massively reduced the number of bags you can take in recent years, and many of the smaller carriers will charge you a fee for every bag you take. Make good use of your hand luggage and keep your checked luggage to a minimum to save on those annoying extra charges.
6. Skip the expensive attractions: Not everybody needs to pay top dollar to see the same sights that every other tourist sees - this especially applies if you're visiting a city you've been to before. Think alternative - find the less-visited parts of your destination that are often free, which will give you a more unique perspective on the place you're visiting. Again, Lonely Planet is great for this sort of information.
7. Travel off peak: It may sound obvious, but prices are of course much lower if you travel in Spring, Autumn or Winter. Many places do not require scorching sunshine or massive crowds to be enjoyed, and you'll benefit from shorter lines at the airport and fewer crowds in general wherever you go.
8. Consider a last-minute deal: There are some great bargains out there for anyone willing to book their trip just a week or a few days in advance. As long as you're not too picky about your exact destination, hotel or flight time, you'll probably find you can get a very special holiday for a very low price. And most last minute sites allow you to book up to a month in advance.
9. Leave your phone at home: The prices involved in using your mobile phone abroad varies from country to country, but one thing you can guarantee is that talking to your friends and family at home will cost a fortune. International roaming is one of the most underestimated costs of travel. Thankfully, modern technology means you won't be out of touch while on holiday. You can email your friends instead of calling - this also helps with the time zone changes - or you can use services like Skype and Google Talk to make cheap calls from your laptop or an internet cafe.
10. Take a free holiday: There's a new and growing genre of holiday out there known as voluntourism - sign up to work in a local farm or charity during your next trip, and your food and lodgings all come for free. Best of all, you'll return home with a happy glow knowing you've done your small part in making the world a better place.

Bronwyn White has over 20 years experience in the travel industry. She has gained her experience as a travel agent, with airlines, government tourism boards and as a professional travel researcher (yes there is such a job). She consults on a regular basis to the travel industry and is often quoted in the press. Bronwyn also runs a travel information website dedicated to Seniors Travel http://www.newyoungtravel.com.au Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bronwyn_White

HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure RSS Feed XML RSS Feed RSS feeds allow you to be notified whenever brand new articles are released by your favorite authors. Google Yahoo NewsGator Bloglines MSN AOL The Changing Face Of Coaching Holidays By Keith Barrett Platinum Quality Author

Coaching holidays tend to have something of a negative image. Cheap and cheerful trips of previous decades are largely to blame. Tour companies have been looking to improve the experience associated with escorted coach holidays.
Have you been put off taking a holiday by coach because of some previous bad experiences? You're not alone.
Faced with a poor image and falling passenger numbers, it seems that many large coach tour operators have been looking at new ways to revitalise the trips that they offer.
While they've tried to keep prices low, they've also been looking at the quality of the service that they provide. Faced with plenty of competition, they've been looking to hit back and start attracting more travellers.
Where once it was the case that coach holidays seemed to have a large share at the budget end of the holiday market, it's undoubtedly the case the coach tour companies have faced competition in this area from a number of directions.
Most notably, the emergence of the budget airlines and their ability to sell cheap tickets online has forced the tour operators to look at their previous strategies.
It appears that their response has been to try and introduce a greater element of luxury to coaching holidays.
A coaching holiday these days is likely to mean executive coaches, top quality accommodation and experienced tour guides. The range of destinations on offer has also been increasing rapidly.
The end result has been that coaching holidays are increasingly attracting those who are looking for new experiences. Many companies specialise in trips to North America, Asia and Australia, as well as popular European destinations.
Taking a holiday by coach is all about relaxing and experiencing new places. Times have changed and many people are finding that coach holidays offer excellent value for money.
It may be time for you to take a look at what coaching holidays have to offer.

Find out more about coaching holidays by reading Keith Barrett's other travel articles. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.

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HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure Mobile Luxury Holidays By Jay Tillotson Platinum Quality Author

There's nothing people like more than their holidays. Getting away from your everyday life for a week or two is often the highlight of the year, and there are an infinite amount of options to look at when you come to plan your breaks.
When the word 'holiday' is mentioned, most people tend to think of a hotel or apartment complex in the sun, perhaps in Spain or Greece, but if you limit yourself to this type of holiday you could well miss out on a whole new experience.
At one time, camping holidays involved a small pointy canvas tent which barely slept two people and invariably leaked or blew away in inclement weather. Hardly luxurious! But as the years progressed, so did the humble tent and nowadays the curved, domelike, big-as-a-garage canvas Goliaths are becoming the norm. These tents, if you can still call them that, can sleep up to 12 people and usually have 2 or 3 separate sleeping sections as well as a central 'living room' - a space large enough to fit a camping table and chairs in case of rain at mealtimes.
Caravans and motorhomes have also increased in popularity in recent years, and offer mobile luxury which can't be found in even the largest tent. Gone are the days of the tiny 2 berth caravan with a Porta-potti in a cupboard; caravans and motorhomes are now fully equipped with showers, flushing toilets, full cookers, proper taps (no more stomping out a rhythm on the floor to get water) and even 3-piece suites.
But even though they can be luxurious, these mobile homes are still a great way to experience an outdoor holiday at a relatively low price. You can have the comfort of sleeping in a bed while at the same time have the fun of cooking on barbeques and camping stoves if you wish. There's the added benefit of being able to holiday pretty much anywhere, provided you follow some camping laws.
In the UK, it is illegal to stop on any land if you do not have the landowner's permission. This goes for fields, car parks and even lay-bys. You can stay in the latter without facing a fine but the police have the right to move you on. If you're unsure of whether a place is permitted or not, assume it isn't if you can't find the owner to ask. There are many sites on the internet which list licensed campsites so make use of these. If you're in a motor home and travelling a long way to a campsite it may be possible to stay in a motorway services car park, but this will cost you a fee.
While one of the attractions of motorhome holidays is the freedom to go where you wish, sometimes you want to go a bit further afield than the British countryside. Taking a motorhome abroad can be expensive, if not impossible, so a new type of holiday is gaining popularity.
The holiday swap started with the idea of staying in a home belonging to someone in another country, while they came to the UK and stayed in your home. It was seen as a great way to see another country without the expense of hotels. And now, some websites are offering the chance for motorhome owners to exchange keys with another owner and see a new country in a whole new way.
In a motorhome swap, you not only have the excitement of being in a different country, but you also have the means to explore it in comfort, and at much less expense than a hotel. Depending on the country your exchange is in, you may have travel costs such as flights, and obviously you'll have food and fuel costs when you get there, but compare this to a fortnight's stay in a hotel in the same country and you'll see how much you can save.

So if you fancy a holiday with a difference, and you're the owner of a motorhome, why not offer it up for a holiday swap? Register your details with a site such as Motorhome Holiday Swap and you can find people all over the world to exchange your keys with.

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HOME :: Travel-and-Leisure / Camping Camping Holidays Are to Be Enjoyed By Keith Barrett Platinum Quality Author

Talking to friends and family about their camping trip experiences, it often strikes me that many people say that they choose camping holidays because they are cheap. As a camping enthusiast, it is always heartening to hear other people choosing this option.
At the same time, it is also very disappointing to think that others only choose camping holidays because of the relatively low costs involved. There's much more to a camping trip than simply being able to avoid spending too much money.
Surely you should choose a camping trip because you will actually enjoy it. This is not just a money-saving exercise. It's a chance to take a break with the family, to forget about the stresses and strains of normal life and to be able to relax.
As such, you may want to think about how much time you spend planning such trips. The reality is that you will get the most out of your holiday if you are prepared to put in some effort before leaving home. In this sense, a camping trip is really no different to any other holiday.
So what sort of planning should you be considering? You should certainly be thinking carefully about the area that you are intending to visit and the campsites that you will be staying at. Not all campsites are equal. Facilities and conditions can vary considerably.
Think about the needs and requirements of your family. Your aim should be to choose a location that will maximise your chances of being able to undertake the activities that you all enjoy. Fortunately, you'll find you can carry out a lot of research using the Internet.
It's always disappointing to hear people complaining about the weather when they are on a camping trip. Rather than complain, a better approach would be to have a list of activities that you can undertake in case of poor weather conditions.
As you can see, carrying out more extensive preparations will help ensure that your holiday can be enjoyed. This should surely be your aim. If you happen to save money as well, then that is even better.

Read about portable camping toilets and other camping trip accessories with this author's other camping articles online. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.

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