Llanrhaedr Waterfall, Wales, UK by Velela

An Area Rich in History

Hidden amongst the hills and valleys of Mid-Wales you will discover some of Wales’ most unspoilt villages, which are well known for hosting many historical and meaningful past times. Many pageants are hosted throughout the year to commemorate local traditions. The villages are full of old buildings, churches and chapels which are maintained to help visitors recognise the history of the local area. There are memorials to Welsh men and women who helped carve out a local community in this region in small quieter areas of Welshpool to commemorate their contribution to Welsh history.

Experience Outdoor Adventure and Quaint Farmers Markets

Mid Wales offers a huge variety of activities and attractions in close proximity to Welshpool so no matter where you are, you won’t be far from a memorable time. Nearby Bala opens many doors to a whole new experience of outdoor adventure so whether you fancy a round of golf, sailing on a sublime summer’s day or the challenge of gorge walking there is an activity for everyone. Welshpool also hosts local farmer markets in which visitors can sample and buy local produce.

Powis castle and garden, Wales, UK by Alexander Forst-Rakoczy

The most popular activities in Welshpool include lake and river fishing, beach activities, walking along the Montgomery Canal, visiting the Llanrhaedr Waterfall and the area also has some of the best bird sanctuaries in the United Kingdom. Do not miss out on some of the most popular attractions within Welshpool and the Mid Wales area including Powis Castle, Coed Y Dinas Garden Centre, Llanfair Caereinion railway, Lake Vyrnwy, Bala Lake, technology centre, King Arthurs Labyrinth and Snowdonia National Park. The list goes on and on, so you will never be short of things to do or places to see no matter who you are with!

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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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Photo by admin

All of this has opened the door for a lot of moving abroad and relocation. When it comes down to it, there are many reasons why people decide to move abroad, but in general when they are asked they will give the same few reasons over and over again as the driving forces behind their move.

It may sound obvious, but the main reason for many who are looking to move abroad is simply due to job opportunities. With the economy still in a bit of a rough shape, some areas of Europe are just not performing as well as others. Thus, some quite talented workers, in Greece for example, who want to work but are having trouble finding a position, might explore relocation to Germany, a place with a robust economy.

Another popular reason is quite simple, it’s due to retirement. Once retired and with the children grown and out of the home, many couples look to do a bit of travel and exploration, they might have always dreamed about a little beach house on the coast of Portugal that was the spot for many family holidays over the years. Now will be the time to make it a reality.

Hand in hand with that is the weather. As we all know, some places in Europe can be a bit dreary during parts of the year, winters in Norway, or the rain in the UK, for example. Many dream of being able to wander about during the winter in the warmer climates of Spain and Italy whenever they feel like it. So, they decide to move to a new place to experience that.

Quality of life is another consideration for many. A person or family could just be growing tired of a stressful fast paced life and long to live in a place that has much less hustle and bustle, yet at the same time still provides some nice career options. Or, they could be looking to downsize, practice less in the way of consumerism and just have a much more simple existence.

Finally, many also cite looking for a fresh start or a new experience as a reason for moving abroad. An investment banker in London who has grown quite tired of his job can take the opportunity to follow his lifelong dream of opening up a snowboarding lessons shop in Switzerland. The opportunities to start fresh and change careers or passions are quite appealing to many when they consider moving abroad.

As you can see, there are many personal reasons that go with thinking about a move abroad. But there are many singles, couples and families doing it now, with plenty more to come over the next decades as well.

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Shrewsbury / Samluke777

Shropshire has much to offer when it comes to family holidays, from the beautiful scenery to the fantastic activities such as walking in the Shropshire hills or biking along some of the UK’s most beautiful bike tracks.

Shropshire is situated quietly alongside the Welsh border, with many local attractions such as “Iron Bridge Gorge” (the birthplace of the industrial revolution). The town of Shrewsbury, one of the best preserved medieval towns in the UK, which includes Shrewsbury Abbey, Shrewsbury Castle and the ancient St Mary’s church.

Shropshire is the home to “Snailbeach Mines”, the biggest lead mine in Shropshire, rumoured to yield the greatest volume of lead per acre in Europe. Originally developed by the Romans, Shropshire county council now run the mine as a tourist attraction. Guided tours are available for those people interested in history.

If you are into walking & rambling Shropshire has some of the best countryside walks available, take advantage of the Shropshire hills or take a stroll down the Shropshire Union and Llangollen canals. Shropshire boasts over 3500 miles of walkways and nature trails, it truly is a ramblers paradise.

Shropshire Union Canal / Tim Regan

If mountain biking is more your thing Shropshire also has some of the best bike tracks in the UK. Shropshire has hundreds of miles of National Cycle Network routes along quiet lanes, old railways and waterways, and for the more extreme mountain biker there are plenty of off road bike tracks which will test your mountain biking skills to the limit.

The nearby Eastridge woodlands offers a picturesque location for picnics and family days out, with stunning views across the surrounding countryside.

Also situated in Shropshie is RAF Cosford, once a year Cosford put on an Air Show, which attracts thousands of people of all ages each year. They provide aerobatic displays along with hundreds of aircraft which are grounded for people to look round and enjoy.

There are many traditional English pubs in the local area, offering a traditional pub food and local ales. If you are a real ale drinker there are plenty of beers to try.

So Why Shropshire?

Shropshire is a beautiful destination for people looking for self catering holidays that don’t cost the earth. There are many self catering cottages available to choose from, ranging in size with some as small as single bedroom accommodation to others as large as 5 or 6 bedrooms sleeping up to 10 people. Shropshire offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages, plan your trip to see some of the best this county can offer.

Andy Morley is a freelance writer currently working on behalf of Fernside Cottage, a beautiful self catering cottage in Shropshire.

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Fort of Paphos / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by simon.hedge

Many of us are looking for ways to tighten our belts and make sure not a penny is wasted, without sacrificing our annual holiday. Choosing a destination that has lots of low-cost attractions is therefore a good choice, and holidays to Paphos certainly fall into this category.

Indeed, while there are plenty of luxurious hotels in the city – which you should be able to find some great deals for online – this does not mean it is lacking in affordable activities. From awe-inspiring historical sites to glorious beaches, some of the destination’s best attractions can be enjoyed without breaking the bank.

Seek out the best harbour views at the Fort of Paphos

One of the simplest ways to make the most of your break is to take a walk and soak up the excellent views. Among Paphos’s most scenic spots is its harbour; to see it at its best, head to the Fort of Paphos.

Kids will especially love going here, because to reach it you have to cross a stone bridge perched over a moat. Once you’re at the fort itself, which is home to cannons pointing out in several directions, you’ll enjoy the finest views of the harbour to be had in the city.

Hit Municipal Beach

Another easy way to get the most out of your Paphos break for less is to hit the beach. Indeed, many of us visit destinations such as Cyprus purely for the warm weather, so heading to the coast is bound to feature on your to-do list.

Many of the local stretches of sand have Blue Flag status, making them great for family holidays. The Municipal Beach, which is perfect for swimming, is a particular favourite.

Paphos hotels, Cyprus / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Verity Cridland

Explore the Tombs of the Kings and other archaeological sites

The city’s most famous attractions are its archaeological sites and, fortunately, they do not cost a lot to visit. So, even if you are on a tight budget, you should be able to explore them fully.

Among the best places to see are the Tombs of the Kings, which are spread out over a fairly large area. This series of chambers and tombs was used to bury residents belonging to the higher classes – but not, as its name suggests, kings – between the 3rd century BC and the 3rd century AD.

What draws many visitors is their impressive interiors, the Doric pillars of which earned the Tombs of the Kings its regal name, as well as their peristyle court structure inspired by Egyptian architecture. While the tombs are certainly impressive, you should not expect to see many treasures and artifacts inside, simply because over the years they were stolen by grave robbers.

If you’re keen to explore the local history a little further, head to the House of Dionysus, where you can see a splendid, well-preserved mosaic laid out on the floor. There are several old houses which have this kind of mosaic flooring – often depicting myths – but the House of Dionysus is the most famous.

By choosing to visit low-cost – yet still very exciting – attractions such as these, you can really make the most of your getaway without blowing your budget.

Author Bio: As a fan of Greek history and architecture, Matt has travelled much of the region. This summer he’s looking to escape the chaos in London and has arranged his Sani holidays

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In France, “le camping” is something of a religion. Families take everything but the kitchen sink to their favourite destinations – often setting up for a whole month of alfresco living.
Almost every commune has a “camping municipal” a publicly provided campsite – which are cheaper than the private ones and usually have excellent facilities. These can be particularly useful if you’re only staying for one or two nights as you travel around. A couple of good Vango sleeping bags and a cheap tent are all you’ll need any time between May and September.

Where you decide to go camping in France is entirely dependent on what you most love to do. France is a very diverse country with varied landscapes.

In the north, the coastline is rugged, while the south coast offers classic Mediterranean stretches of golden beaches.

Inland, the landscape is lush with landscapes carved by famous rivers such as the Loire and the Dordogne, whilst the Alps offer a mountainous landscape beloved by outdoor sports enthusiasts in every season for different reasons. You’ll need you best Merrell gear during any season here.

Also, the Vendée, Royan and the South-West along the Atlantic coast are perfect for family holidays camping in France. There are huge stretches of open sandy beach and the sea is perfect for swimming and water sports during the summer. Be warned, though, it can be exposed in these regions during the hottest months as the beaches are so open and the landscape generally flat.

Wherever you decide to camp in this magnificent and hugely varied country – you won’t be disappointed by the camping facilities.

Bon voyage!

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Porticcio holiday resort which is situated in one of the most beautiful bays of the west coast of Corsica has become a popular destination for water sports lovers from all over Europe. You will find a wide and long sandy beaches here lined with numerous restaurants and bars. There is also the only water park on Corsica nearby. Visitors can go diving, sailing, surfing, water skiing or playing tennis. There is also a sailing school. Very popular here are Porticcio ship cruises.

Tips for your trips

The advantage of the site is that you can easily get to Ajaccio and other parts of the southern half of the island. South of the capital of Corsica, Ajaccio, you will find one of the most beautiful bays of the west coast. It is right opposite the Bloody Islands (Les sanguinaires) in the Ajaccio’s bay, protected by guard towers Capitello a Frassu. There are numerous hiking trails and mountain biking trails. Very attractive are the central parts of the island with picturesque villages and beautiful countryside of Corsica’s National Park.

The most romantic way how you can get to Corsica across the sea, is by ferry either to Bastia in the north or to Bonifacio or Ajaccio in the south. If you have a luck, you can see some dolphins around the ship.

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