Christmas cottage and self catering breaks – save £150 or more

Date: 2010.10.20 | Category: Latest News, Self catering | Response: 0

If you are looking for a cosy cottage or a luxury coastal house to celebrate Christmas 2010 with family and friends, we have a selection of stunning properties perfect for a small or larger group across the UK many complete with fireplace for hanging up your stocking!

Here are two great offers from cottages ideal for Christmas in South Devon:

Grandview, Hope Cove, (Sleeps 4)

£150 OFF Christmas week at this delightful apartment with views of the sea and countryside, just a short walk from the pretty village square, sandy beach, historic pub and the South West Coast Path, perfect for a festive break this Christmas. Now only £535 per week, under £20 per person per night based on 4 sharing. Find out more>

7 Thurlestone Rock Apartments, Thurlestone, near Kingsbridge (Sleeps 6)

£250 Off Christmas week at this marine apartment with fabulous ocean views and large patio area with steps leading down to the beach. This luxury apartment looks directly over the beach at Thurlestone Sands and is adjacent to the beautiful South West Coast Path. Now £799 per week under £20 per person per night based on 6 sharing. Find out more>

If south Devon is too far to travel or you are looking for something different for your Christmas break take a look at our extensive selection of self catering cottages and apartments in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.  With thousands of self catering cottages and apartments to choose from you will find something to meet every taste from luxuries like hot tubs, pools and open fires to places ideal for couples to large groups.

Time is running out for 2011 holidays at 2010 prices with Thomson Al Fresco

Date: 2010.10.18 | Category: Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

To take advantage of Thomson Al Fresco’s offer of 2011 holidays at 2010 prices you need to book your holiday by the 1st of November.  There are a lof of benefits of booking your 2011 holiday early including getting your pick of the parks and as well as benefitting from early booking prices.

Thomson Al Fresco have some great family holiday park offers including:

• 2010 prices held until 1st November
• £50 early booking discount
• £25 off group discount when you book multiple mobile homes
• £50 loyalty bonus if you are a returning Al Fresco customer
• Free holiday amendments

Find out more about Thomson Al Fresco special offers click here>

Click here to see a range of Thomson Al Fresco holidays, as well as other operators including Eurocamp, Keycamp, Siblu and Canvas Holidays in France, Italy, Spain, Holland and Croatia.

Family holiday offers in America, Costa Rica, Corsica, Croatia, Namibia and more

Date: 2010.10.15 | Category: Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

Here’s a selection of family holidays that we hope that you’ll enjoy…

Corsica family villa holiday, L Aghja cottages, France
From £414 – £1287 per person per week
more »

Family adventure holiday, Costa Rica and Panama
From £2099 – £2499 (16 days) inc UK flights
more »

Croatia holiday, activity week
From £600 – £820 (7 days) ex flights
more »

Family camping holiday in America
From £1059 – £1149 (12 days) ex flights
more »

Some other great offers:

Limousin holiday accommodation
From €700 – €1500 per week (sleeps up to 14, discounts apply to smaller groups)
more »

Essaouira bed and breakfast accommodation
From £50 per night for the house (sleeps up to 5)
more »
Ethiopia family holiday
From £1532 (16 days) ex flights
more »
Namibia family safaris
From £2192 – £2887 (15 days) inc UK flights
more »
Sinai holiday
From £690 (8 days) ex flights
more »

Check out these hotel and holiday discounts and voucher codes

Date: 2010.10.14 | Category: Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

We have a great set of holiday voucher codes and special offers from some of our holiday partners for you too choose from.  Use the more info buttons to find out more about the offer and use the code at the check out if required by the holiday partner.  These offers are time limited so please check that they are in date/in use  on the holiday partners website.

Offers and codes from MacDonalds Hotels

• Stay at the Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel for only £39 per person per night including accommodation and breakfast and a £20 voucher per room per stay to redeem during the stay (offer is subject to availability full pre-payment taken at the time of booking). Valid until 30/12/2010. Code: QS6.   Find out more>

• Book a break with Macdonald Hotels from £40 pp per night! Plus get £15 or €15 in vouchers per room, per night for either the restaurant, a luxury spa treatment, or a round of golf (for full T&C’s – http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/offers/autumn/terms.htm). Valid until 22/11/2010. Code: ATW.   Find out more>

Offers and Codes from Apex Hotels

• Use this promo code – C25F1 – when booking any Apex Hotel online to receive a 25% discount on all hotel food during your stay. A discount card will be handed to you on check-in. Valid until 28/10/2010.  Find out more>

• Use this promo code- PBREAK – when booking any Apex Hotel online to receive a free room upgrade. Please note your confirmation will show the original room type, and your upgrade will be allocated on the day of arrival, subject to availability.Expires 30/11/2010. Find out more>

Warner Leisure Hotels

• Save up to £120 PLUS book for October and get a FREE upgrade to Full Board – code 22AFX. Expires 15/10/2010. Find out more>

Lowcostholidays

• £20 off any family flight and accommodation bookings. Minimum spend £600, online only. Terms and conditions apply: Exclusive of any taxes, fees or VAT, to be redeemed only once, minimum spend required, not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Code: FAMILY20. Expires 31/10/2010. More info>

Offer from Blue Chip Holidays

• All 7 night stays departing in October 2010 will receive a years free subscription to ‘Coast’ Magazine. Only valid on new bookings, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Only one subscription per household. More info>

Riu Hotels and Resorts

• 5% discount on bookings made from now to the 31st of December 2010 for Stays between now to the 15th of January 2011. Minimum stay of 3 nights Tunisia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, Bulgaria, Brazil, Cuba and Panama, as well as the Riu Garoe. Code: Afiriu. Expires 31/12/10. More info>

Barcelo Hotels and Resorts

• 5% discount on your booking. Coupon is valid for all hotels and all levels of board. This coupon may not be used in conjunction with other offers. Code 888D41767293. Valid until 31/12/2010. More info>

Top ten sunshine escapes in Europe for a great family holiday

Date: 2010.10.13 | Category: Features, France, Holiday Parks, Italy, Spain | Response: 0

If you are looking for some inspiration for your 2011 holiday then why not take a look at the list of top sunshine escapes put together by our holiday partners Eurocamp.  So whether you are looking forward to happy days on the beach, exploring new and exciting destinations, sampling the local cuisine or just lazing by an amzing pool you’re sure to find the right holiday park for you.

Les Mouettes, Brittany, France

• Fantastic new pool complex
• Close to ferry ports
• Golf and driving close by

Cypsela, Costa Brava, Spain

• One of Spain’s best parks
• Superb facilities
• Windsurfing nearby

Les Grottes de Roffey, Dordogne, France

• Lovely pool complex
• Great park for walkers and nature lovers
• Fishing and abseiling nearby

La Baie, Brittany, France

• Beautiful beach a stroll away
• Quad biking nearby
• Great for walkers

Koningshof, Holland

• Indoor and outdoor pools
• Lakeside fishing
• Close to Amsterdam

Read the rest of this entry »

5 star entertainment at Puy de Fou, Vendee, France

Date: 2010.10.11 | Category: Been there, Places to go, Review 5 star | Response: 0

With over 1.3 million visitors, the Puy de Fou is the 4th biggest theme park in France and is a great fun family day out.  Situated in the Vendee region of France, the park is a French favourite but it does cater well for its big number of foreign visitors each year.

Puy de Fou offers the visitors fun packed live entertainment shows  including Gladiators in a colleseum, Vikings battle over a village, the Musketeer spectacular, the knights on horse back  jousting and a birds of prey display.  Doing all of the shows will take most of your day as you rush from one to the next and they are all great value.  If you do not speak French do not worry, you can get MP3 style players with headphones at the entrance that translates all the important bits.

All of the shows are well put together and above all fun. We thoroughly enjoyed the Gladiators and the Vikings shows but have to say that the Musketeer show is truly spectacular and the top must see show.  From start to finish the Musketeer show was full of delightful surprises from villains appearing from chandaliers above the audience to the superb horse and light display as the arena filled with water… truly fantastic.

In addition to the shows you can explore the Medieval City, the 18th Century village, Town Square and the Forest.  There is plenty to see and do and of course you will find characters in traditional dress.

Through out Puy de Fou you will find places to get snacks and drinks and some fast food restaurants. Although there are picnic areas so it is worth taking some bits along with you to keep the costs down.

Some practical advice is that if its going to be a warm day don’t forget your hats and sunscreen – a lot of the shows are in the open and so there is not a lot of shelter when the sun is at its hottest.  Similarly, if rain is possibility, don’t forget your raincoat to keep you dry through the shows… we watched some of the shows through a downpour, they never stopped and we never minded – it just made it all the more authentic.

Puy de Fou also has two evening shows that make the most of fantastic castle and lake as backdrop to the evening entertainment.  The nights include, horse displays, fountains, fireworks and music.  If you are looking to do these shows you may want to buy a ticket for more than one day as we were so exhausted after doing the park we didnt have the energy to day for the night shows.

So will this apply to families of all ages?  Simply, yes.  Our children, one of who was in a pushchair the first time we went, absolutely loved it with so much happening all around them.  The shows are superb but the whole park is just great to explore. We have been to the Puy de Fou 3 times in recent years and have enjoyed it every time – it’s 5 star entertainment.

Accommodation near Puy de Fou

• Holiday parks in the Vendee, France
• Villa and apartments in Aquitane, France

Save 40% on your Disneyland Paris hotel and park tickets

Date: 2010.10.07 | Category: France, Holiday Parks, Self catering, Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

Disneyland Paris have a great sale that runs until the 30th November where you can save up to an amazing 40% on your Disney hotel and theme park tickets.  The family holiday package in Paris, France includes:

• 2 nights or more in a Disney hotel
• Tickets to both Disney Parks for each day
• Breakfast

PLUS all kids under 7 stay and play absolutely FREE.

Click here to find out more about this superb offer>

Please note you have to book by 30th November 2010 for selected arrivals until 5th April 2011.

Here are some useful booking tips:

• For the best availibility and discount look for arrivals between Sunday and Thursday
• Kids stay and play free offer:
  - For ANY arrivals until 31st December, kids under 7 stay and play FREE.
  - And for ANY arrivals between 1st January to 5th April 2011, kids under 12 stay and play FREE!

Alternative accommodation can be found at:

• Holidays Parks near Paris
• Self catering in Paris

Book your Ferry crossing:

Book your Flight:

Fun family day out at ZSL London Zoo, Regents Park, London

Date: 2010.10.06 | Category: Been there, Places to go, Review 4 star | Response: 0

In recent years new exhibits, such as Animal Adventure (the new children’s zoo), Giants of the Galapagos, Butterfly Paradise, Meet the Monkeys, Rainforest Life, Gorilla Kingdom and the Blackburn Pavilion, create realistic environments housing some of the world’s most impressive and inspiring animals.  You can also visit the amphitheatre and be prepared for action as flying, leaping and climbing animals show off their skills.

And, of course, the children loved the non-stop feeding time where they could get up close and personal with some of the animals.  However, there is no doubt that the penguins remained the star of the show for our children.

The Zoo, is easy to find as it located in the north east corner of London’s Regent’s Park (open every day of the year except Christmas Day) and so it is very reasy to get a tube train to close by.

As you would expect from a central London attraction it is not the cheapest family day out with adult tickets around £18 in peak season and children tickets at £15.  It is a little cheaper out of peak season and it is definitely worth a late Autum and winter visit when the crowds will be a lot less.  Another great tip is to buy your tickets online which will save you 10% on each ticket.

Food is available at the café and kiosks, it is prepared with ethically-sourced ingredients and not bad for a tourist attraction but again not the cheapest.  We grabbed something to eat on the way to the zoo to savesome pennies although there were places to sit andeat sandwiches if you were more organised.

Where to stay

• Self catering in London, England
• Guest houses in London, Greater London
• Hotels in London, Greater London

Ratings

• Value for money: 4 star
• Facilities: 4 star
• All family entertainment: 5 star
• Overall: 4 star

Self catering Late Availability this October Half Term

Date: 2010.10.05 | Category: Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

Devon, is one of the most unspoilt coastal areas in South West England and the milder climate is perfect for families planning to take an October half term holiday; enjoy coastal walking with magical views, go rock pooling on a sheltered beach, taste locally caught seafood in an award-winning restaurant or sample the locally produced organic fresh food delivered straight to your holiday home.

You can find some great half term breaks to suit your holiday requirements, taste and budget including luxury waterside apartments, stunning barn conversions in rural locations, cosy ‘chocolate box’ thatched cottages or chic contemporary houses. We have a range of properties that sleep anything from 2-12 people.

Here are just a couple of late availability offers for October Half Term, we hope you find of interest…

Keepers Lodge, Hillfield Cottages and Country House, near Dartmouth (sleeps 10)

£200 off the week commencing 22nd October at this delightful lodge. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast or alfresco meal on the private deck or relax in the large hot tub. Child friendly facilities at Hillfield include: children’s play area and all weather tennis court. Now £1290, under £19 per person per night based on 10 sharing. Click here for further information.

26 Dart Marina, Dartmouth (sleeps 4)

£100 off the week commencing 23rd October at this luxury waterside two storey town house with a lovely terrace, perfect for alfresco dining and for taking in the wonderful views of the River Dart. Guests also have use of the luxury Dart Marina Health Spa facilities, including indoor pool. Now just £1150, under £42 per person per night based on 4 sharing. Click here for further information.

Take a look at other self catering in Devon and South West England

Great Holiday Reads – Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly

Date: 2010.10.04 | Category: Book reviews, Holiday reading | Response: 0

For all the Michael Connelly fans, this latest book sees the return of the very familiar figure of detective Harry Bosch.  Harry is an LA Detective that is a little rough around the edges and is relentless in his pursuit of criminals.

In this latest instalment, Bosch investigates a murder of a store owner in a tough neighbourhood of LA. He has extra motivation on this occasion because he knows the victim as he once helped Harry out in a time of need.  The investigation takes Harry in to the seedy underworld of Chinese Triad gangs in LA and a chase to catch the suspect before he flees to Hong Kong.  The story takes a major twist when Harry’s daughter, who lives with his estranged wife in Hong Kong goes missing and a devastating message arrives on his mobile.  Harry heads to Hong Kong as the action picks up even more pace and his rampage around Hong Kong is almost Jack Reacher’esque

The story continues to twist and turn to the thrilling climax. A thoroughly enjoyable read and a perfect holiday page turner.  In fact I read this in 7 days when I was supposed to be working – just didn’t want to put it down!

• Buy a copy of Nine Dragons>
• Find more by Michael Connelly>