Find some great Family holidays this October half term

Date: 2010.09.14 | Category: Cottages, Latest News, Places to go, Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

So the summer holidays are over but that doesn’t mean there are no more chances to get away this year.  For example, why not get away and see the British countryside at its mellow best this October. Whether you are looking for a great family fun Half Term breaks to romantic hideaways for two, there is no better time to get out there and enjoy it. From the quiet calm of the West Country to the dramatic landscapes of Northern England…or anywhere else that takes your fancy…you’re sure to find a self catering family holiday that’s just right for you.

Devon’s beaches are even more magical for family games or quiet evening strolls when the high-summer crowds have gone home. Or why not head for the Cornwall beaches for some of the best UK surfing weather. Whilst in Yorkshire it’s the perfect season for seeing moors and hills, villages and dales at their most seasonally spectacular, whether you’re with the family or just the two of you.

Coast and country in South West England

You can find some great self catering cottages both by the coast and at idyllic country locations this October half term. If you are looking at South West England, there is a great choice of luxury cottages, cottages close to the beach,  accommodation with easy walking close by and self catering with open fires.  Alternatively, you could look at some lodges in the South West of England that range from the luxurious with hot tubs to those that are ideal for the family pet. 

Explore the moors in Yorkshire

You can find some great self catering cottages in Yorkshire this October half term. If you are looking at Yorkshire, there is a great choice of cottages with hot tubs,  with easy walking close by and self catering with open fires and woodburning stoves.  Alternatively, you could look at some lodges in Yorkshire including the Yorkshire Dales, Yorkshire Moors and Coast.

Polzeath Beach, Cornwall, South West England

Date: 2010.09.13 | Category: Been there, Places to go, Review 4 star | Response: 0

If you are looking for a good beach to learn to surf, improve your skills or to bodyboard and mess around in the waves then why not try out Polzeath Beach in Cornwall. Situated on the Padstow Bay, Polzeath gets good quality and consistent waves making this one of the best surfing beaches in Cornwall.

We arrived there on a blustery August day and because we arrived later in the day we managed to get parked at the beaches main car park.  However, there are other car parks close by so if you can not get in to this relatively small car park you will not be too far away.

The beach itself is wide and sandy andwhen the tide is out it is a long way down to the water – so plenty of room for everyone.  During the summer months there are RNLI Lifeguards on duty making it a safe place to be out on the water for all the family.  There are toilets in the car park area but there is not really much in the way of shower facilities like you find at somewhere like Fistral Beach.

If you are looking for surfing lessons, with equipment and wetsuits included then head straight to the beach car park, where you will find a couple of good BSA approved surf schools.  We took our own bodyboards and summer wetsuits and boarded for a couple of hours quite happily in the patrolled areas.  We were there on a windy day though and the openess of the beach doesn’t provide a great deal of shelter – even our beach tent was struggling to cope – and in that sort of weather , even with the sun out, it was worth wearing your own wetsuit or hiring one.

There are a few shops relatively close to the beach in Polzeath – including a Spar mini supermarket, a cafe, some stalls and a pub.  So you can grab the odd thing to eat or drink but if you are mkaing a day of it, it’s worth taking a picnic with you.  There was also an ice cream van on the beach – which saved a walk!

Within walking distance from Polzeath are some other magnificent places to visit including Rock, Daymer Bay, Pentire Point, St Minver and Trebetherick.  All can be reached by the local coastal paths that offer spectacular views over looking Cornwall‘s rugged coast line and out to the Atlantic Ocean.

Where to stay?

• Self catering and cottages in Polzeath, Padstow, Port Isaac,  Cornwall, South West England
• Holiday parks in Rock, Cornwall, South West England
• Lodges in Padstow, Cornwall, South West England
• B&B’s in Padstow, Port Isaac,  Cornwall, South West England
• Hotels in Padstow, Cornwall, South West England

Summary

• Suitable for Family: 4 stars
• Beach and surf: 5 stars
• Beach facilities (toilets/showers): 3 stars
• Cafe/food: 3 stars
• Safety: 5 stars (RNLI Lifeguards during season)
• OVERALL: 4 STARS

Family ski drive holidays in France – free 4 berth inside cabin offer

Date: 2010.09.09 | Category: Latest News, Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

If you are planning a ski holiday then why not enjoy the freedom of taking your car to a self catering apartment in the French Alps.

Benefits of a ski-drive holiday

• Freedom and flexibility: with your own car you can decide your own route and take as much as you like
• Hassle-free: airport parking, long check-in queues. Who needs them?
• Cut out stress: sleep overnight and drive at your own pace
• So much fun: restaurants, bars, cinemas, shops? Our ferries have them all
• Top value: loading up with basics for a self-catering holiday reduces resort shopping to the minimum
• More choice: fancy a change – drive to a nearby resort for the day

Brittany Ferries offers a fine range of hotels and self-catering apartments in the French Alps and the most cost-effective and enjoyable ways of getting to them. You can mix and match any of our ski holidays with any of their routes, crossing during the day or overnight to create your ideal itinerary. Take a look at a selection of great villas and apartments in France>

Brittany Ferries Early Booking Offer

Simply book any ski holiday before 19th October 2010 and they will give you a free 4 berth inside cabin on your outward crossing. Offer available all season except for travel to France between 17/12/10 and 02/01/11 inclusive. Subject to availability. Click here for more about this offer>

Dartmouth Food Festival, Devon, South West England, 19-24 October 2010

Date: 2010.09.09 | Category: Places to go | Response: 0

The Dartmouth Food Festival will take place between 19th and 24th October, and the town’s picturesque streets will be bursting with exciting events and displays! Historic Dartmouth in Devon will play host to the hugely popular Food Market, where visitors can treat themselves to many of the culinary delights available, and enjoy a wide range of activities for both adults and children.

Highlights of the Dartmouth Food Festival will include celebrity chef demonstrations to inspire foodies and enthusiasts alike, with guests such as Mitch Tonks, Michael Caines, Mark Hix, Valentine Warner and many more.

Kingswear is a great base to explore the South West, situated on the banks of the River Dart across from the picturesque town of Dartmouth. Foot and car ferries cross the river frequently ensuring easy access to the many shops, restaurants and river cruises through the beautiful Devon countryside. You can also catch a boat to Torquay and Brixham, taking in the spectacular coastline.

• B&B’s close to the Festival in Dartmouth, Devon, South West England
• Cottages and self catering close to the festival at Dartmouth, Kingswear, Devon, South West England
• Holiday parks close to the festival at Dartmouth, Devon, South West England
• Lodges close to the festival at Dartmouth, Devon, South West England

Great offers still available for September Cottages, you can save up to £200* at selected holiday properties in beautiful South Devon

Date: 2010.09.06 | Category: Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

Whether you are looking for late availability for the coming weeks or a last minute break away in September with family, friends or just for two – there are some stunning holiday properties in beautiful locations in the South Devon coast and countryside.

If the thought of relaxing on a balcony with spectacular views over a glass of something chilled, dining al fresco on local seafood, exploring the coastal paths, enjoying long beach days or indulging in a cream tea in a stylish holiday property in a wonderful location, appeals to you – then why not book a cottage on the coast or in the country today.

Leylands, Salcombe

£100 off the weeks commencing 24th September, 1st October, 8th October and 15th October, now only £415 per week or £375 per week for 4 people or less. This elegant, late Victorian terraced house built for a sea captain sleeps up to 8 people, making it ideal for a family. The property has a garden with a terrace, and is well situated just a few minutes walk from the town centre. This lovely house has been sympathetically renovated retaining many original characteristics. Leylands boasts magnificent views of the harbour towards South Pool Creek, East Portlemouth and Snapes Point. Now £415 per week, under £8 per person, per night, based on 8 sharing (family group only).

• More about Leylands
• Check availability

Shipwrights Cottage, Salcombe

100 off the week commencing 11^th September at this charming and tastefully renovated Grade II listed early 19^th Century cottage sleeping up to 4 people. The cottage has outstanding estuary views, and is located just a few minutes walk from the quayside, restaurants and cafes. Now just £535 per week, under £20 per person, per night, based on 4 sharing. (Offer not including reduced occupancy discount).

• More about Shipwrights>
• Check availability>

More special offers

To find more September special cottage offers in Devon  click here>

Great Holiday Reads – The Difficult Second Book by Chris Moyles

Date: 2010.09.05 | Category: Book reviews, Holiday reading | Response: 0

If you are looking for some light relief on your holiday then this may be the perfect travel companion.

Chris Moyles is the self proclaimed saviour of Radio One and millions of us wake up every day to listen to his banter with the team. This is not a new book and not even his first but it is still a fun insight in to what it is to be a celebrity in the UK.  It also gives you a glimpse of the double life Mr Moyles leads… one minute radio and TV funny man, the next someone who would rather be at home on his couch with the Xbox…. but he doesn’t want the pizza delivery firm to know he is at home alone!

It is fun, light hearted and, if you are a fan like us, like him even more.  As he points out at the beginning this is the perfect book for a flight, we would recommend it as a pleasant change from the holiday novels.

Buy Chris Moyles – Difficult Second Book>

Find other Chris Moyles books>

Over 150 new UK cottages listed at Find-Family-Holidays.co.uk

Date: 2010.09.03 | Category: Cottages, Latest News, Self catering | Response: 0

We are pleased to say that Find Family Holidays now has 150 extra cottages at great locations across England, Scotland and Wales for you to choose from.  We now have over 7,500 UK self catering cottages to choose from, so we have something to meet your needs.

Where’s ‘Hot’ in France?

Date: 2010.09.02 | Category: Latest News | Response: 0

With warmer weather coming and thousands of people opting for holidays in France to forget the doom and gloom of a heightening recession, here is a breakdown of some of the most visited tourist sites in the country.

• Palace of Fontainebleau – The Palace of Fontainebleau, sometimes known as Fontainebleau Castle, is located 35 miles from Paris and was built in its current form in the 16th century. The area is a popular getaway for Parisians and is fast gaining a popular reputation amongst other visitors.

• Disneyland Resort Paris – Probably one of the most famous destinations on this list, Disneyland Paris is around 20 miles from Paris, and has been operating since 1992 as the European answer to the original Disneyland resort in the USA. The resort attracts around 10 million visitors a year from all over Europe.

• Notre Dame de Paris – Notre Dame de Paris is a gothic cathedral located in east Paris. The building of the cathedral took 185 years to be completed, and was finally finished in 1345. The novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame was inspired by the church, and was partly written to raise awareness of the disrepair of the cathedral in the 19th century.

• Eiffel Tower – No mention of French Tourist hotspots would be complete without a mention of the Eiffel Tower, which has become a global icon of France and is one of the most famous man-made structures in the world. The tower was built between 1887 and 1889 for the World’s Fair that was due to be held in Paris, after authority figures in Barcelona rejected its construction there. Ironically, after its completion many of the French public hated the structure, with many labeling it an eyesore.

• Centre Georges Pompidou – The Centre Georges Pompidou is a vast public library and modern art museum located in the centre of Paris, and was built in 1977. The Centre is named after French president Georges Pompidou, and has had over 150 million visitors since 1977. Construction of the building cost around 950 million francs, and renovation work that finished in 2000 cost around half that.

DISNEYLAND PARIS SEPTEMBER SALE – Save up to 30% off hotel, tickets and transport!

Date: 2010.09.01 | Category: Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

We are pleased to announce that DisneyLand Paris have launched their first ever discount on hotel, park ticket and transport. Your holiday package includes:

• Hotel Accommodation including breakfast

• Tickets for the 2 Disney® Parks for each day

• AND Transport with Air France, Eurostar , Flybe or P&O Ferries

PLUS

• Kids under 7 stay and play absolutely FREE, when dates coincide!

Just book by 30th September for selected arrivals between 1st September 2010 and 5th April 2011.

You have to book by Noon 27th July 2010 for selected arrivals between 23rd July and 30th September 2010.

Find out more about this DisneyLand Paris offer>

See full terms of offer

Great holiday reading – True Blue by David Baldacci

Date: 2010.09.01 | Category: Holiday reading | Response: 0

We are huge David Baldacci fans, having read and delighted in ALL of his previous books, so it was with great excitement and anticipation that we started on his latest blockbuster this summer.

And, we are pleased to say, that it didn’t disappoint. Although built around brand new characters compared to his previous books… the lead character – Mace Perry a maverick cop – has you on her side quickly and after that it is a fast paced race for justice.

Brief overview of the plot: Mace, a Washington DC cop is framed for a crime losing everything… career, freedom etc. After 2 years she is free and determined to prove her innocence to get back to her beloved police force.

Roy Kingman, a young DC lawyer, discovers a dead body in a fridge and his life quickly becomes entangled with Mace as they enter unexpected and dangerous territory while trying to solve the crime and stay alive.  There are twists and turns a plenty through to its dramatic finale.

Overall

A real page turner.  If you have read a Baldacci before you will love it, if you haven’t then this is a great place to start.

• Buy True Blue by David Baldacci
• Find other David Baldacci novels

Have you read this, what did you think?  Read other Baldacci books or got some other great summer reads… why not tell us about it?