If you are going to rent your property out when you and your family can’t be there then it’s important to research the most popular places and the places that will bring you the best income. If you have a small budget then it will make it hard to purchase a property on the beachfront of a central tourist attraction so your budget is a big thing to take into account.

Grasmere, The Lake District, UK by Richard Barrett-Small

When you’re thinking about investing in a holiday home there are a number of things that you should take into account such as, where do people you know like to go on holiday?, would you prefer to be near a beach or a city?, will your property be close to pubs and entertainment?, will the property be preferred by young or older people? And will the property be easily accessible? There are many popular areas throughout Britain that become home to holiday makers every year; some of the most popular include, the Lake District, York, Kent, Isle of Wight, Yorkshire Dales and Moors, Snowdonia, Anglesey, the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh. Of course there are many more popular destinations but, for a getaway, these are usually the first places that people will think of.

Because these areas are popular, the property can also be pretty expensive which can be a huge let down to buyers with a low budget. If you wish to buy a home in one of these areas but the budget won’t stretch then a nearby town or village is usually your best bet as although these are popular with the tourists that visit the main areas, the house prices are nowhere near as high. Although your property may not be in the centre of the tourist world you don’t want it to be too far away as this will be a put off for potential rentals. You should make sure your property is easy to get to via public or personal transport and it shouldn’t be more than a 15 minute drive from popular tourist spots – after all, how many people want to spend their holiday driving?

David Sprice shares his interest on Internet Cottages and what they have to offer as a holiday escape.

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Accommodation

Staying on the outskirts of Venice is generally much cheaper than staying in on the Grand Canal, however the city is small enough to walk around on foot so you won’t be far from the centre of the action. Some of the best budget accommodation can be found in guest houses where the owners pride themselves on providing cheap and clean rooms for as little as £18 a night. Alternatively you can stay in the mainland area of Mestre for a fraction of the cost of a Venice hotel but you may wish to consider transport costs in and out of the city.

Eating Out

Head to the markets for a bit of lunch if you are eating on a budget. There are a number of outdoor markets near Rialto that packed with fresh fruit and veg, delicious breads and pastries and seafood.

If you are eating out in the evening avoid the main tourist squares such as the Piazza San Marco. Here you may be charged by the restaurant just for sitting down, and you can be sure that they will also charge you heavily for the little bowl of bread left on the table. Instead look for the restaurants on the edge of the city, especially if there are locals dining. Try the Trattoria Alle Due Gondolette in the Sestiere Cannaregio for some outstanding local cuisine and seafood for around €12. Portions are big and there is no cover charge either.

Don’t forget that some of the finest pizza and calzone to be found can be purchased from the numerous street stalls around the city. Grab yourself a slice, sit down by the canal and watch the world go by. Even better when followed by some of Venice’s famous gelato!

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Travel

By far the best and cheapest way to travel round Venice are the network of public transport boats known as Vaporetti. You can buy passes for the Vaporetti that are valid for from 12 hours to up to a week depending on how long you are staying. A 12 hour ticket is €16. Just remember to validate your ticket using the machine each time you get on and off the boat or you may be fined by the inspectors. The Vaporetti routes can take you all over the city, down the Grand Canal and even over to the island of Murano where you can watch glass-blowers creating some stunning works of art.

Seeing the Sights

The most wondrous sight in Venice is the Carnival which is celebrated all over the city during the month of February. There are events throughout the city and many of them are free – there’s no need to book one of the over-priced tours that are offered by so many agents. The official Venice website has a downloadable brochure of what’s going on during this special time from masked parades to music.

If you are thinking of visiting some of the famous tourist attractions, how about the Basilica di San Marco which is free? Many of the churches such as the Santa Maria della Salute are also open to visitors and host some amazing artwork and architecture.

And finally…

Even if you’re a hopeless romantic, BlueTrips.co.uk recommends you avoid the gondolas like the plague. You can eat and drink for a couple of days on the cost.. Instead pop a little Vivaldi on your iPod when you’re cruising around on the Vaporetti and I promise you won’t miss out! If you enjoy taking a break near the water, why not have a look at Dongo on the shores of Lake Como, still in Italy?

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Do not miss the visit of the Gothic cathedral from the 15th century. Nearby there are the caves of Castellana, which include (besides the Adelsberg cave) the most important cave systems in Europe. Caves that are long 1.2km (with side passages much more) are accessible with a guide and have 2 lifts. Above the caves there is a watch tower and the Cave Museum. In the nearby town of Fasano you can visit Zoo Safari with 600 exotic animals including lions, and the Dolphinarium. This part of Puglia is famous for the unique occurrence of the “trulli” – the dominant form of a circular brick houses with conical roofs in overlapping layers. Best Trulli and other precious relics are in Alberobello, Martina Franca and Locorotondo.

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Located just beside the Holiday Village Tatralandia, countless people make their way to the aquapark every single year in order to relax in the pristine hot mineral waters which abound within the park. In order to ensure that your trip is enjoyable, there are also a number of resorts, hotels and boarding houses that can be found in or around the village. However, most people who choose to visit the aqua park tend to stay in the nearby town of Liptovský Mikuláš which offers even more amenities and accommodations.

Not only are there a number of pools to swim in, there are also toboggans and other nearby attractions that will keep you busy for days. It is also interesting to note that there are several pools that can be found within the Aquapark Tatralandia that also contained seawater. There are also lots of playgrounds for kids and adults as well as Relax centre with Sauna World.

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The area in which the Aquapark Tatralandia is located, is known as one of the most mountainous regions in all of Slovakia. As such, while you are relaxing in the warm waters of the park, you can overlook the picturesque landscapes of the surrounding foothills and peaks. But don’t worry if you get tired of swimming, because there are plenty water slides, deck chairs as well as cafés that can be found in and around the area. For your safety, each one of the pools is monitored by a certified lifeguard.

So whether you are a resident of Slovakia, or just visiting the country for the summer, choosing to stop by and check out the Aquapark Tatralandia will be a very rewarding experience for any traveller with or without kids of any age.

The basic whole-day admission is €19. You can find more information on the official site of Aquapark Tatralandia.

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