Yep, it’s time to book your summer holiday.

Perhaps surprisingly, though, increasing numbers of holidaymakers are taking advantage of their time in the sun by using the period away to make life changing decisions.

Photo by Julo (Best of European Union)

In fact, research shows the warmer weather allows strung-out Britons to wrestle with life’s big choices such as changing careers, getting married or having kids. The report also claims that, with the pressures of everyday life removed, holidaymakers are free to plan and change any aspect of their life they’re not content with.

But there’s far more to consider before setting foot on the aeroplane, waving manically from the window and jotting down everything you plan to change from the beach.

For example, have you thought about how you might get to the airport? No? Well let’s do that now…

Picture the scene: your flight is at 6am. You’re rushing around getting kids ready, jamming suitcases shut as your other half has seemingly packed provisions for an Arctic expedition, and you’re stressing about finding a suitable parking space when you reach the airport.

However, all of that stress (well, most of it) can be alleviated with a few simple clicks of a mouse.

Valet parking from I Love Meet and Greet allows you to drive your car straight to the terminal where it will be collected by a professional driver and parked in a secure compound. This convenience allows you and your family to reach check-in within minutes without worrying about a parking space.

Large parking place by thienzieyung

Nothing could be easier.

Additionally, on your return, your car will be delivered back to you at the terminal – and this lets you get back on the road for home safe in the knowledge you’ve made some great decisions.

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Alonzo Zeringue was bitten by the travel bug at an early age. Since then, he’s rarely been able to stay in the same country. Alonzo has contributed this guest post on behalf of I Love Meet and Greet – number one for airport parking in the UK.

The post It’s time to make a decision… appeared first on Best of European Union.

Since the Olympic torch was put out in London, it seems that those who had enjoyed welcoming the whole world into their iconic city just couldn´t wait to get away. The surge in holiday bookings, especially for the month of September, has been quite impressive. It seems that the masses are following the sun at all costs, even if it means kids have to miss school.

London Olympics, England, UK by Dan Davison

The fun is over, let´s get away

Brits are well known all over the world for enjoying a good party, and when the Olympics took a hold of their homeland in the peak of the summer, they just didn´t want to miss all of the excitement. But the rainy summer didn´t seem all that glamorous anymore, once the Olympic crowds had withdrawn, and September holiday bookings skyrocketed soon after.

According to a survey by Travelex, Brits will take 5.7 million trips in September. On the other hand, the number of people who revealed that they hadn´t taken their accustomed summer break during the school holidays this year amounted to a significant 45%, while nearly 25% mentioned the desire “not to miss the Olympics” as a reason for not having gone away earlier, and 23% added that it was their first time taking their holidays in the month of September.

Ironically enough, a Travelex survey from earlier this year revealed that 1/3 of traveling Brits had booked a holiday to escape the Olympic hullaballoo, and over 10 million altogether were planning to try to avoid the “chaos” by traveling abroad. It would seem that not all of those plans actually crystalized, and the locals did join in with the Olympic spirit after all.

Follow the sun

The top destination of choice for Britons going away in September is Spain, which maintains its unrivalled popularity due to closeness, pricing (one upside of the Iberian country´s economic crisis, in terms of attracting tourism), nice weather, natural beauty and guaranteed fun, both day and night. Next up are Turkey and Egypt, two countries that attract those who are not only interested in sunshine, but who also possess a flair for the exotic.

While the last week has seen some sunshine and high temperatures in some parts of England, the forecast for the coming weeks is bleak for those staying, and convenient for the masses flocking to Costa del Sol and Majorca, as strong winds, courtesy of Hurricane Leslie are set to hit Scotland, and heavy rains are expected all around.

Holidays for all ages

A surge in holiday bookings was in fact expected, as July had been extremely quiet at the offices of travel companies all over the UK. But bookings have greatly surpassed predictions, especially in the over 50s group, whose travel plans are not affected by the school year. According to a survey by Saga Insurance, this age group´s preferred destination for September 2012 is Italy, closely followed by Greece, Turkey and France.

The endless summer

It appears that Brits of all ages will follow the sun, and the fun, whatever chance they get. They partied it up during the Olympics like few nations could, and nearly half of them are partying it up right now on some beach in Benidorm or Ibiza, stretching that summer to make it last as long as they can. Given the choice between Southern Spain´s paella and sangría in the sunshine, and a dreary English rain, who can blame them?

Article Written by L. Toulson on behalf of http://www.theluxurycruisecompany.com/luxury-cruiselines/

The post The Post-Olympic Escape September Holiday Boom in Britain appeared first on Best of European Union.

Stonehenge, England / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Danny Sullivan

UK families are now more likely to remain within our borders than journey to Europe or the Mediterranean. Last year, less than 60% of British families stayed at home, but this year we’re expecting over 10% more.

Financial influence has paid a large part in this turnaround, as nearly half of all Britons fear their job is at risk in the immediate future. Trips to the UK are, on the whole, cheaper than trips abroad and feel much safer an option, as a result.

The problems associated with air travel have also become more prominent in the public’s mind over the last couple of years. With the modern worries over our carbon footprints, increased security and the value of low-budget airlines in question, many holiday-makers are less willing to take to the air.

With the exchange rate of the pound in a less beneficial state than it previously has been, the general consensus is that traveling abroad no longer offers the value of money required. Staying at home now seems like an easier, less stressful and cheaper proposition.

Scotland landscape / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jack Shainsky

The beauty of the British landscape is also a massive appeal to those looking closer to home for their travel destination. Beautiful scenery has been the most important factor in location selection since 2009 and the BDRC’s first survey.

The good weather that has blessed the UK in the last couple of years has also had a huge effect on the appeal non-foreign holidays. In this year’s BDRC survey, nearly double the amount of people claimed that the weather influenced their decision to holiday here, than did in 2011.

The 2012 survey also suggests that that Scotland has now become the most popular area to holiday in. 28% chose Scotland as their preferred location, leaving the southwest in a close second with 27%. This is a reversal from the previous year, when the positions were the other way round.

The most sought-after destination for families is Cornwall, which proved to be a real favourite for families with children below the age of eleven.

The Highlands in Scotland are still the most popular region for UK visitors, however. In 2011, they received 13% of all bookings and this looks set to rise, with over 15% of all early bookings, this year.

Written by Jon for Hotel Shop, offering cheap breaks across the UK and beyond.

The post Why is Everyone taking a UK Holiday in 2012? appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Steve Cadman

The Winchester Cathedral is considered to be the worship place for Christians on the present cathedral for more than two millennia. According to the research on history of this church, the building was built on the same place already in AD 169, when Lucius, king of the Britons, was converted to Christianity. As per these evidences the Winchester Cathedral is measured to be far older cathedral than the Canterbury.

It is found that the church has been destroyed several times and have been rebuilt the same number of times. The most popular bishop of the Winchester cathedral was St. Swithin. He was considered to be named as the bishop of Winchester cathedral in the early 852 and was very popular for his services to the poor and helpless in the name of humanity. There is also not a lot of information about him to be known. The present-day building of Winchester cathedral was built in the year 1079 in the Baroque style.

View Winchester Cathedral – one of the greatest churches in the world United Kingdom in a larger map

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