The smell of success for UK self-catering holidays

The comforting smell of a traditional English breakfast instantly conjures up our happiest holiday memories, a new study out today reveals.  A quarter of holidaymakers claim that scent is the thing that most reminds them of their best British self-catering or cottage break. 
 
According to cottages4you’s research of 1,000 consumers, to support its new ‘Take it Home’ TV advertising campaign, other smells which people relate to their favourite UK holiday include:

- Wild country flowers (16 per cent)
- The sea (15 per cent)
- Freshly cut grass (9 per cent)
 
Isabelle Gellé, creative perfumer and expert in aromachology at natural perfumes company, Les Parfums d’Isabelle, explained:  “Scents have such a positive influence on our moods and emotions so it’s no wonder people want to be reminded of those smells which bring back idyllic holiday memories. 
 
“What can be more comforting than a traditional English breakfast with the smokey scent left by fresh farmhouse bacon and sausages?  It instantly brings with it a sense of security, cosiness and nostalgia of those perfect breaks. 
 
“It’s also unsurprising that people class freshly mowed grass and garden flowers among their favourite smells.  They are equally reassuring and synonymous with relaxing and having fun outdoors.”
 
Bringing your holiday back home
 
cottages4you’s study also found that it’s not just smells which invoke holiday memories.  One in five (20 per cent) holidaymakers are so keen to keep their memories alive that they have turned their own home into a replica of their holiday pad, with 15 per cent copying some element of the decor, furnishings and ornaments.  A few (5 per cent) have even recreated the garden! 
 
And it appears the nation is still ‘snap happy’ when it comes to souvenirs of their holiday.  72 per cent claim photographs are still the best way to remember their top experiences, with a third immediately uploading them onto social networking sites to share with friends and family.  Interestingly 30 per cent get printed copies to frame, so they always have a little piece of their holiday at home. 
 
Geoff Cowley, managing director of cottages4you, added:  “While photographs are still the most popular, it’s interesting to see the more unusual things which keep holiday memories alive, whether it’s recreating a cottage interior or just the lovely smell of a cooked breakfast.
 
“The best thing about British cottage holidays is that no two properties are the same.  From staying in a lighthouse on the coast to experiencing a Victorian working farm, there is always something unique that people will want to take home with them.”
 
cottages4you has currently reduced thousands of prices by up to 20 per cent.  For further information visit cottages4you.co.uk.