Luckily, Britain has a lot to offer holidaymakers, so here are some great ideas for activities and sights in the south of the country.

Explore the south-west

Salisbury in Wiltshire is home to the spectacular Stonehenge and you don’t need to be a history buff to appreciate this impressive monument, which is perhaps one of the most instantly recognisable collections of standing stones in the world.

Stonehenge, England, UK by mari

There are also some fantastic towns and cities to explore in the south-west. Bristol offers museums, art galleries, an aquarium, the impressive harbourside and the Bristol Blue Glass Factory and Shop, where you can watch skilled craftsmen blowing glass – and even have a go yourself.

Alternatively, head to Bath and check out the city famed for its historic Roman baths and spas. The city is home to the only hot spring in the UK and natural water still flows through the bathing complex the Romans built around it all those years ago. You can spend the whole day there and feast on a three-course lunch, as well as being pampered in the thermal baths.

Cornwall

Cornwall is a popular holiday destination in the UK and there is plenty to enjoy. If you’re lucky enough to get some nice weather for your holiday, try some of the many watersports on offer, such as canoeing, surfing and body boarding. There are activity centres dotted all along the coast, so you can easily find something near you.

Be impressed by historic buildings

If you’re looking for a rainy day activity, visit some of the many impressive historic houses, castles and cathedrals in the south-east. If you’re in Berkshire you can’t miss an opportunity to check out Windsor Castle, which was famously almost destroyed by fire in 1992.

Canterbury Cathedral – one of the most famous buildings of its type in Britain – is also well worth a visit and this World Heritage Site is a truly impressive example of gothic architecture at its best.

Canterbury Cathedral, England, UK by Steve Evans

Enjoy a day at the races

Visit Plumpton Racecourse in Lewes, East Sussex, which is open for events all year round and hosts 16 days of jumps between September and May. Check out the competition and place some bets, or simply soak up the atmosphere and enjoy watching the races.

Poole

If you’re heading south a visit to Poole is a must. This lovely coastal town is home to a stunning harbour and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal overlooking the sea. Nature-lovers can head out to Brownsea Island, which is home to the red squirrel, while Adventure Wonderland boasts the largest natural maze in the south and is ideal for those of you with young kids.

Catch fireworks in Plymouth

If you head down south in mid-August you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to watch the British Fireworks Championships. Explore the city during the day before gazing at the spectacular evening show, which will take place on Plymouth Hoe on August 14th and 15th.

British Fireworks Championships in Plymouth, England, UK by Adrian Lilburn

This post was written and contributed by freelance web writer, James Midrun, who has helped many an avid blog reader to find fantastic short breaks in the UK, as well as helping families to enjoy family fun in Skegness!

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San Remo Harbour, Liguria, Italy by Dr. Gert Blazejewski

City of Flowers

San Remo is special for a few very simple reasons. The atmosphere here is pleasant- meaning that you will get accustomed to its fresh food, warm weather, majestic mountains, and Italian ambience rather quickly. San Remo’s favorable climate conditions are part of what make sailing a pastime here. There is plenty of sunshine without much rain, and the wind is quite predictable. The nice weather also means that attractions are open all year so you can enjoy a round of golf or a trip to the outdoor market any month you happen to dock here.

For those who opt to charter a motor yacht instead of a sailing yacht, San Remo will beckon you to get your exercise by experiencing the town on foot. La Pigna is San Remo’s town center, and many of its old treasures are only accessible to pedestrians. The harbor, popular among the luxury yacht set, is the place to go for restaurants with the freshest seafood. Imagine taking in Mediterranean sea views while dining al fresco only to turn around and see mountains stretching up into the sky behind the bay. After the meal on land, you’ll get to return to your private yacht for a nightcap and a good night’s sleep.

Streets in San Remo, Italy by Susana Ferreira Machado

The Music

The other appeal of San Remo is that music is very much alive and appreciated in this town. There is the requisite annual Music Festival, but also, their Symphony Orchestra performs 120 concerts a year! And true to its name, the City of Flowers hosts a Flower Parade that reminds everyone of the town’s most fragrant residents. San Remo not only revels in these simple delights, it also caters to high rollers’ favorite vice: gambling! The casino in San Remo is 100 years old, and the town takes advantage of the building’s cache by hosting the European Poker Tournament every year.

Getting to your private yacht (or planning a meeting place for your guests) should not be too much trouble since the Cote d’Azur Airport serves this area. Trains frequently go between Nice, Genoa, Milan, and the Italian Riviera. Perhaps you can arrange for a boat transfer instead and cross the Med to get to your chartered yacht! Alfred Nobel deemed San Remo the perfect spot for his villa, and he was a pretty smart guy. Why not follow in the footsteps of his legend and head to San Remo where picturesque anchorages are idly waiting for you.

International Yacht Charter Group is the only yacht charter contact you’ll need to make.

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Ulm Minster is the Lutheran church built in the Gothic style with a rich and unique decor. Its construction lasted from 1377 until 1890. Upon completion, about 320 singers met here and sang.

Ulm Minster is a city symbol. It can accommodate up to 2,000 people. Its length is 123.5 meters and width 48.8 meters. Its dominant is 161.5 meters tall tower, which made it the tallest church in the world. From the tower you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the entire city of Ulm. During the nice weather you can even see the Alps.

Fortunately, during the World War II the church was almost not harmed, despite the fact that all the surrounding area was bombed and more than 80% of the buildings were totally destroyed.

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During nice weather you can see the area from Rome to Marseille from the top. The first who ascended the mountain, was Édouard Rochat in 6th June 1882. Monte Cinto has two main hiking trails. The first begins in Haut Asco and the second in Calacuccia village. Reaching the top takes approximately 8 hours. However, the time can be reduced by off-road car, there is the 7.5 km long gravel road from Calacuccia to the parking space at 1650 m and walking from there. The trail then takes approximately 3.5 hours. This path is also used by mountain bikers. On the south side of Monte Cinto there is a mountain lake Lac Cinto.

The top of the mountain is covered with snow from November to May.

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River Nore flows through the city of Kilkenny, where you can enjoy beautiful walks. Above the river, in the heart of the city center, there is the medieval castle from the 12th century. Kilkenny Castle is the main attraction of the city, which was inhabited until 1935 by the Butler family. It serves as a relaxing place. At one side there is a park with a fountain, at the other we can find a large grassy area, which is totally full by locals during the nice weather.

Another important monument is St. Canice’s Cathedral, considered one of Ireland’s finest Gothic buildings. The cathedral is richly equipped with many glass windows. Next to it is a round tower, which offers stunning views of the city. Do not miss a visit to both places and obtain a combined ticket.

Other sights include:
The Tholsel Hall, which dominates the main street (High Street)
Rothe House, a rich merchant’s house, who ruled for 300 years, the city, along with other families
Black Abbey, a Dominican monastery

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At the far shore of the lake you can also visit a majestic Bled Castle.

Bled lake, Slovenia by Mirci

Lake Bled

Lake Bled is considered a symbol of Slovenia. We can find it at the eastern edge of the Julian Alps. Bled is not just a tourist center, but it’s also a spa center with a promenade. There are lots of opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, renting a boat or visiting the thermal pool at nearby hotel Adriatic.

The town dates back to the Habsburg Era, to the early 19th century. The first spa hotel was built here in 1858 by a Swiss doctor Arnold Rikli in relation to its specialization in “Natural Healing”. This first hotel had certainly an important effect on the further tourism developing in this village. Bled is a climatic spa resort with thousands of visitors annually. The local “procedures” include fresh air walking, sport and hiking.

Bled Castle, Slovenia by Sebastian Bergmann

Bled Castle (Blejski Grad)

The castle is situated right on the 140 m high cliff above the Bled lake. In this Baroque castle you can visit a museum focusing on history and culture of the town and surroundings. Its archaeological part shows the history of the region. The castle is open all year round and the basic admission is €8. Further information about Bled Castle you can find on a very nice website here.

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Photo by admin

In 1987, the rock was declared a nature reserve and the smallest protected area in Europe, because it covers an area of ​​4,5 square kilometers. There is a number of endemic species of plant and animals such as sea gulls and falcons.

Peñón de Ifach is a distinct visual attraction on the Mediterranean coast, reaching a height of 332 metres.

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