Cheddar Gorge

Cheddar has fascinating history – both ancient geology and more recent discoveries.  Set in a huge limestone gorge, this is where the remains of Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton were found.  Excavated in 1903 the remains are kept by the Natural History Museum in London. If you and the family are interested in seeing a replica of the skeleton though, a replica is exhibited in the “Cheddar Man and the Cannibals” museum in Cheddar village.

The Cheddar Gorge is Britain’s biggest canyon; a beautiful scenic place that will be interesting to the whole family. There are many caverns, caves and hidden features to explore and countless opportunities for great photos. The Cheddar Man is estimated to be around 9000 years old.

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, England, UK by Paul Lewin

Myths and Legends

Kids love myths and Glastonbury is filled with them. From UFO sightings to ghosts appearing in old churches, shops and pubs there is definitely something extraordinary going on in this charming little town. One of the most famous legends in English history is King Arthur who, according to medieval histories, led the British defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6^th century. In Arthurian legend, the island of Avalon is where King Arthur’s sword Excalibur was forged and later, where Arthur was taken to heal from his wounds after battle. In 1190 Avalon became associated with Glastonbury as Monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to have discovered Arthur’s bones. What is now known as Glastonbury used to be The Isle of Avalon. To explore these legends I’d suggest staying at local Premier Inn so that you will be able to take your time around these beautiful sights.

(The below is the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey – legendary resting place of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere)

Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset, England, UK by Jim Linwood

Roman Baths

This complex is of historical interest in the city of Bath. These are a major tourist attraction and receive more than 1 million visitors a year. The baths were used as public bathing but visitors are not allowed in anymore however, you can still view the baths and enter the museum which are both spectacular. The museum is of particular interest as it holds artefacts from the Roman period including objects which were thrown into the Sacred Spring. Among these objects include 12,000 Roman currency coins – the largest collection from Britain.

Roman Baths in Bath, Somerset, England, UK by Heather Cowper

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Self catering accommodation / Photo by admin

It’s cheaper:

One of the most apparent advantages of lodging in a self-catering apartment/house is that it is far more cost-effective. Firstly, you can prepare your meals in the apartment, which will certainly save you money on eating expenses. Food is one of the main holiday expenses and can easily expend your holiday funds in a heart-beat. By being able to prepare al least some meals where you are staying, will save you a boat-load of cash.

Also, if you have been out and purchased a surplus of food – You can simply take the food back to the self-catering apartment, keep it refrigerated and eat it whenever you want to.

It’s secure:

Self-catering accommodation offers your family added security. Generally, hotels don’t offer rooms that have several bedrooms, which a large family requires. As a result, it is hard to book neighbouring hotel rooms in order to keep the whole family together. By opting for self-catering accommodation – every family member has their own space, while your family is still kept together.

The comforts of home:

Self-catering accommodation offers all the comforts of home while you are away. This makes it a relaxing and comfortable place for you to enjoy your family after a big day of sightseeing.

Unlike a hotel, a modern self-catering apartment offers you enough room for everyone. Thus, if you and your spouse want to relax by doing some reading – the children can play games or entertain themselves in the next room. It is essential for everyone to have a little of their own space. By staying in a self-catering apartment – you are also able to come-and-go as you please, since you have your very own front door.

Less hassle:

Arriving home after a family holiday usually entails washing mountains of dirty clothes. Many self-catering apartments have laundry facilities; therefore you and your family can do laundry as it accumulates. Instead of visiting the nearest dry cleaner – you can simply deal with your washing at your accommodation.

So whether you need Family accommodation in Cape Town, Sydney, Hong Kong or Tokyo, you are sure to find a suitable place for your entire family to enjoy a fun and memorable holiday together.

This article was provided by food-lover and travel enthusiast, ScribeZA.

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White Cliffs of Dover, Kent, England, UK by Harvey Barrison

England’s southern coast is home to a number of important cities, fascinating towns and quaint villages, which is why it’s a good idea to set aside a few days to tour the area. For the best experience of all, you should hire a car in Kent and travel west all the way to Cornwall. Over the course of a week, you can take in some breathtaking scenery as well as some truly unforgettable buildings and landmarks.

Kent is known as the Garden of England, and is one of the most beautiful counties in the whole of the UK. The famous white cliffs of Dover are an iconic symbol of the country, and provide a welcoming vista for ferry passengers who come to Britain from continental Europe. Further along the coast, traditional seaside resorts such as Folkestone and Hastings (which is in Sussex) are lying in wait.

Folkestone, Dover, England, UK by Pierre Metivier

The beauty of Brighton

To the immediate south of London lies the city of Brighton & Hove. It’s an exciting, funky place with a thriving entertainment quarter. Once an exclusive haunt of the rich and famous, nowadays it offers something for everyone. Continuing west, the cathedral city of Chichester is a favourite with history lovers, as well as those people who like to enjoy a little retail therapy from time to time.

Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth are all relatively close together, yet each of them has its own unique character. The latter has been a popular family holiday resort for many decades, and continues to attract plenty of tourists to this day. Continuing through Dorset, the town of Weymouth is worth a little exploration, if only because it hosted the yachting competitions at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Southampton’s Town Walls, England, UK by Christophe.Finot

Devon and Cornwall complete the westerly journey, and in these counties you’ll find a wonderful array of picturesque fishing villages, many of which have changed little over the centuries. The rugged coastline is also home to many secluded coves that offer visitors a golden opportunity to enjoy some much-needed peace and tranquillity. Be sure to bring a camera with you, because the landscapes and seascapes really need to be immortalised on film.

David Showell lives in southern England and works for 121carhire.

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If you’re considering sailing holidays, then you need to plan carefully and make sure you choose the right experience for your skills and family group. There’s no point becoming too adventurous and the holiday turning into a disaster. If you’re all new to sailing then why not look at combining a few days on board with a traditional beach holiday.

Port in Baska, Krk, Croatia / Photo by admin

Settle down with a crewed yacht

Family holidays abroad are the perfect opportunity to introduce your children to the world of boating. If you’ve never sailed before, or you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, then consider a crewed yacht. On this type of holiday you have the opportunity of simply sitting back and enjoying some quality family time as you cruise from place to place. Alternatively, if you want to try your hand at steering or rigging, then there are experienced hands on board to show you the ropes. The Greek Islands, including the Ionian and Saronic, offer excellent conditions for inexperienced sailors, with light winds and short distances between them. Once you’ve moored up there are plenty of quaint villages and towns to visit, offering excellent local cuisines.

Meet new friends on a flotilla holiday

Flotilla holidays are great for all levels of sailing experience. If you’re relatively new to the sport then there are enough people around to help you get to grips with it. However, even if you know exactly what you’re doing having other families around will provide both you and your children with an instant social circle. At the start of the holiday you set off at a leisurely pace, allowing everyone the opportunity to become familiar with their surroundings. You might find that you want to explore further and there will be chances for you to separate from the rest of the flotilla if you’re happy to do so. Sailing around the coast of Turkey is perfect for more confident sailors, with excellent locations to stop and swim or snorkel, or simply moor up at a secluded beach and enjoy the peace.

Go it alone with a chartered yacht

If you want to set your own itinerary and travel at your own pace, then chartering a yacht is an excellent family holiday. The whole family can become involved and if you fancy a rest day to visit the local town, pick up some souvenirs or take advantage of a great snorkelling spot then you can. Why not take in the cosmopolitan marinas, traditional ports and great food, with a cruise around the Italian islands of Sardinia, Elba or Sicily. Or head for the family friendly island of Mallorca, with excellent beaches, clear blue seas and great restaurants.

Whatever type of sailing holiday you choose and wherever you decide to visit, it really will be an experience to remember for the whole family. Make sure you pick a trip that suits your sailing experience and the needs of your children. Once you’ve set sail there’ll be no turning back.

AUTHOR BIO

Andrew Long writes regularly on holidays for a range of lifestyle and family websites and blogs. He regularly enjoys taking family holidays abroad and has a particular interest in sailing holidays.

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Summer

If you love the sun then this is the ideal time of year to head off to continental Europe. Any country in Europe is beautiful during summer time. The main problem with travelling at this time of year is that the prices tend to be at their highest level. You can get around this by looking for last minute deals or by checking out self-catering holidays. If you choose to go self-catering then the money you save by cooking in your accommodation might be enough for you to make more of your time there and enjoy an unforgettable trip.

Sunset in Sicily, Italy / Photo by admin

Winter

There is a lot to be said for getting away during the coldest months of the year. For a start, if you head off from the north of Europe to the southern part then you will feel a pleasant rise in the temperature once you get there. Apart from that you can usually get hold of cheaper European holidays in winter. Finally, this is a great time for anyone who is interested in seeing some traditional Christmas markets, going skiing or taking lovely strolls around snowy streets while wrapped up in warm clothes.

Spring

The warm weather comes early in places like the Mediterranean coast, so if you want to avoid the really high temperatures and the big crowds then this can be a fantastic time to head to somewhere like Spain or Italy. Prices are often reasonable during the spring season and it is an especially good time to go camping. If you have a look at a specialist site like Keycamp then you will see the variety of things you can in and around a campsite at this time of year.

Autumn

This is when the summer usually starts to die out in places like the UK, but the sun tends to still be shining brightly in more the southerly countries of Europe.  A smart move can be to soak up some sun at home during the summer and then go abroad to places like Berny Riviere in France, Lake Garda in Italy or Catalonia region in Spain to enjoy even more of the good weather when autumn comes knocking. If you hate the thought of the cold weather starting to bite again then this can be a clever way to extend your summer a little bit longer.

Which European country would you really want to go to and on which season would it be best to go there? Share your thoughts!

The post A European Holiday Can Cheer You Up During Any Season appeared first on Best of European Union.

Brecon Beacons, Wales, UK by Nigel Swales

This region of the UK has an abundance of beautiful countryside, stunning coastal paths and soft, sandy beaches. There are also many interesting castles and historical sites waiting to be explored.  South Wales has long been a popular choice for families on holiday in the UK. There are many great holiday caravan parks and campsites to choose from in the region and they are always popular places during the summer months.

Reasons to Take a Family Holiday in South Wales

Why do so many families come to South Wales every year for a getaway? There are many reasons why this part of the world is so popular with families on holiday. Here are some of the reasons why South Wales is such a great family getaway destination:

• Amroth Castle is located in South Wales. This unique and beautiful historical 18th century house was constructed on the site of an original Norman fortress and makes a very interesting and educational day trip for kids of all ages.

• South Wales has many opportunities for active holidays, such as hiking, swimming and more. If you have kids who love to explore the outdoors they will have a great time here.

• South Wales does not have a high crime rate, so it is a very safe place to bring your children on a holiday.

• As it is only a short drive or train ride away from anywhere else in Britain, you will not have to take a plane to get to your holiday destination which saves you time and money. Also, sometimes flying with young children can be stressful so staying in South Wales will let you avoid this.

• This region is home to the Brecon Beacons national park which covers a third of the area and contains the highest mountain south of Snowdonia; Pen y Fan. This is a beautiful place to show your children the wonders of nature and take some impressive family photographs.

• With so many holiday caravan parks and camping sites in South Wales, there is a lot of selection and your family will be sure to find somewhere that suits your needs and budget. Camping can be a lot cheaper than staying in a hotel as well as being a fun and memorable holiday experience.

• All of the national museums within Wales are free to visit and great fun for families. Your kids might enjoy visiting the National Museum in Cardiff, the National Waterfront Museum or the National Roman Legion Museum.

• Cardiff, Swansea and Newport offer a good selection of high quality restaurants so that your family will have plenty of choice when it comes to where to eat.

• Every summer plenty of family-friendly festivals take place in South Wales, such as the Cardiff Festival. These events include live music, food, entertainment and children’s activities and are great fun for kids of all ages.

• The big sandy beaches of the West Shore are the ideal place for a classic British seaside experience. Your kids will love making sandcastles and swimming while you relax in the sunshine.

These are just a few of the reasons why South Wales is such a popular destination for family getaway. Why not consider booking a trip this summer with your kids?

South Wales is an ideal place to take the family on a holiday and here are the reasons why so many people love Kiln Park Camping.

The post Why South Wales Is a Great Holiday Destination for Families | United Kingdom appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Heather Sunderland

There are a huge range of tour operators offering winter wonderland holidays in Finland. Go onto different travel review sites to see which hotel and tour operator gets the best recommendations before booking your magical family holiday.

The Finnish hotels are usually set in perfect backdrops of frozen fairy tale forests, adding to the wonder of it all for you and your children. There are lots of activities that you can combine with your holiday. And of course, there’s the chance to meet Father Christmas and his elves.

If you’re not sure what to pack, then think of it in the same way as you would prepare for a ski holiday. Don’t forget – you can be too cold, but it’s going to be difficult to get too hot. If you do get too hot, you can always take layers off – better to carry an extra jacket than be wishing you hadn’t travelled so light. As well as having great ski outfits, make sure you’ve don’t forget to pack essentials like thermal underwear.

It’s not just about meeting Father Christmas; you’ll have the chance to do things like take a ride on a skidoo, go on a sled pulled by Huskies or ride a reindeer. Just don’t forget to have your thermal gloves with you at all times when you go outside. It’s probably worth taking a spare pair for the kids, as they’re the most likely to lose them as they’ll be so breathlessly excited.

Holidays like these don’t come cheap, but the memories will last a lifetime.

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