Types of trip
Visits to UK fall for first time in seven years
The number of visits to the UK has fallen for the first time since 2001, the year that saw the outbreak of foot and mouth disease and the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Figures for 2008, published today in the annual ONS report Travel Trends, show that overseas residents made 31.9 million visits to the UK last year, compared with 32.8 million in 2007 - a fall of 2.7 per cent.
A Cumbrian retreat for chocoholics
For all those with a sweet tooth, Cumbrian Cottages recommends a break at the elegant two-bedroom/two-bathroom (sleeps four) apartment in one of the wings of 17th century Jacobean Orton Hall, in the pretty Cumbrian village of Orton, high up in the fells, in the Eden Valley.
Discover the hidden Hong Kong
Hong Kong is recognised as one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the World but, behind the popular façade, is a relatively undiscovered region of islands, stunning countryside and coasts.
Cruising is booming
River cruising is booming this year, according to cruise news and reviews site, CruiseCritic.co.uk. With the pound struggling against the Euro, cost-conscious British holidaymakers have discovered that river cruising holidays offer great solutions for multi-city sightseeing trips in the Euro zone on rivers such as the Rhine and the Danube. Further afield, more adventurous expeditions along rivers such as the Nile or Yangtze are also proving popular.
Spend it like Beckham
According to the latest reports, the Beckhams celebrated their tenth anniversary on the luxury eco-retreat of North Island in the Seychelles for a reputed £100,000. While the lavish spend may be necessary to keep ‘Brand Beckham’ safe from prying eyes during their romantic stay, fortunately, ‘Brand Everyone Else’ can enjoy the paradise offered by these 115 islands for a price tag to suit them too.
Love in the city, romance on the shore
Rayavadee, Krabi and The Sukhothai Bangkok have launched a tantalizing twin-centre ‘Island Honeymoon-City Romance’ offer, a Thailand honeymoon package that offers the perfect romantic escape for newlyweds to two of Thailand’s most enchanting destinations.
Short breaks close to home
For pony-mad youngsters there’s a saving of £150 on one-week Pony Trekking & Riding holidays beginning 1 August at three PGL adventure centres – Boreatton Park (Shropshire), Little Canada (Isle of Wight) and Caythorpe Court (Lincolnshire).
Mumbai to Delhi by luxury train
Great Rail Journeys, the UK’s market leader for escorted holidays by rail, has expanded its range of tours to India for 2010 with the introduction of a new 10-day Indian Maharaja itinerary which travels right across the north of the country – from Mumbai to Delhi – on board the luxury train, the Deccan Odyssey.
Family adventures in Kenya
Kumuka Worldwide, the adventure travel specialist, has introduced savings of up to 15% on all Family Adventures to the end of the year. Families with children as young as five can ride elephants in Sri Lanka, go rafting in Thailand or head off on safari in Kenya.
Salisbury Cathedral wins coveted tourism award
Salisbury Cathedral has won The VisitWiltshire Large Tourism Award in the tenth annual South Wilts Business of the Year Awards.
The joy of the open road
With many of us reducing the cost of our holidays this year, many Brits will be indulging their love of motoring by driving to their holiday destination both in the UK and abroad.
Bargain mobile home holidays in Europe
With only a very few gaps left to fill during the peak school holiday period, camping and mobile home specialist, Venue Holidays is highlighting savings of up to 30% on selected stays.
Make a break for freedom
HF Holidays is well-known for walking and leisure activity holidays, but the long-established specialist is aware that some walking and activity enthusiasts may prefer to explore the great outdoors independently.
Ashes fans enjoy the sweet smell of success
National tourism body VisitEngland has launched its own unique scent to showcase the best of England during The Ashes as part of its Enjoy Every Minute; Enjoy England campaign.
Angel Gabriel returns to Salisbury Cathedral
The Angel Gabriel, one of the eight beautiful angel heads sculpted by Emily Young and seen and loved by many thousands of visitors to Salisbury Cathedral last winter, returned this week. It is now installed in the cloister garden, underneath the cedar trees looking up towards the Cathedral’s soaring spire.