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Summer holiday inspiration – where will you go?
For many of us, summer is the most exciting season of the year – with long days, warm weather and most importantly… summer holidays! To inspire your much-needed getaway, I’ve included holiday inspiration from some quality partners, to get you excited and help you decide where to go!
Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Switzerland summer holidays
I love all these destinations, which is why I couldn’t pick just one. Choose Italy, and you’re spoilt for choice with rich history, culture, art, natural beauty, and of course incredible food! A particular favourite is Sicily, with its astonishing volcanic landscapes and ancient ruins – and not to forget beautiful beaches for some downtime.
Or perhaps you’re a fan of walking and nature? If so, you’ll appreciate Austria’s staggering mountains and beautiful rural countryside that’s very much off-the-beaten-track. One thing’s for sure, this country may be small in size, but it’s big in beauty and culture. Whether you’re exploring the deeply carved valleys and alpine peaks or visiting quaint chocolate-box villages and lakeside towns, you’ll find an unending list of sights to see and things to do.
In Slovenia, experience lakes, castles and historic cities. Its unique blend of folk culture and spectacular Alpine scenery will almost certainly capture your heart and imagination! Many don’t know that Slovenia is the land of caves – so there’s plenty to explore. During the summer months, there are plenty of festivals to enjoy, and not forgetting the food... Be sure to delight your tastebuds with the regional cuisine.
And finally, Switzerland – which is famed for its snow-capped mountains, cuckoo clocks and chocolate delights. It may not be the first destination that comes to mind when thinking of summer holidays, but it offers a lot – and the scenery will not disappoint. It’s also a country full of mixed cultures, food and traditions, so you’ll find surprises at every corner.
Inghams provides some amazing holidays to Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and more – contact me for more information today.
Bulgaria has all you need for a beach holiday
What do you look for when choosing a summer holiday? If the list includes beautiful sunny weather, sandy beaches, quality hotels and low local prices, then Bulgaria is just the place for you!
Bulgaria is located in south-east Europe with a 200 mile coastline and borders with Greece and Turkey so it enjoys wonderful sunny weather. There are only sandy beaches in Bulgaria, all of them are gently lapped by the Black Sea.
I understand that value for money is important right now, and Bulgaria offers just that. With lunch costing just a few pounds (as well as wine!), bottles of local beer are around just £1 and dinner is approx. £10 - £15 – great value! In fact, the Post Office runs regular surveys for the best value beach resorts, and Sunny Beach, Bulgaria wins almost every time.
There’s plenty of variety when it comes to beach resorts though – Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast has plenty to choose from for all tastes and budgets. The largest resort, Sunny Beach, has something for everyone and is home to two aqua parks. Just across the bay is Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with cobbled streets and gabled houses.
There’s a huge choice of hotels, from great value two and three star hotels, to luxury four and five star hotels – and with many being newly built, you can be assured the standard will be high.
Bulgaria experts, Balkan Holidays offers a wide range of summer holidays to Bulgaria, and I can share these with you. Simply let me know if you’re interested in a holiday to Bulgaria and I’ll be able to tell you more.
A first-hand experience on the beautiful Adriatic Coast
Travel ambassador, Penny Smith, was recently lucky enough to sail the beautiful Adriatic coastline with a group tour provider, Travelsphere, and has shared her experiences of the destination and life on tour with Travelsphere. So, over to Penny to tell you more…
I kayaked around the walls of Dubrovnik, swum in secluded coves, bobbed around in an inflatable, and discovered ancient methods of air-conditioning, all accompanied by laughter and cheerful chatter.
We were picked up and delivered to Gatwick where I parked my brain. Travelsphere had taken care of everything.
Our guide gave us an overview as we headed to our home for the week, MV-Katarina, a luxurious ship exclusively for the group. The crew were lovely and taught us an important word, ‘zivjeli’ (cheers). We had a trot around the town, devoured three bowls of the best soup ever (plus dinner), and then fell asleep on the comfy bed.
Breakfast was served as we sailed, then we had a swim stop. You could swim ashore, float in a pink flamingo, sit in the jacuzzi or just relax!
Every day there were excursions and every night, someone requested Jakov (a nightcap).
One of the highlights was kayaking in Dubrovnik. Our guide explained - “Brawn in the back, brains in front,” The sea was delightful, clear deep blue.
Another highlight was the captain’s dinner, a special meal accompanied by a mandolinist playing traditional songs. Dancing started and one couple were jiving, proclaiming it’s the first time they’d done it in years.
At each town or city, Ivana took us on fascinating walks while feeding us information - in ancient times, a pole would be positioned across a window to hang a wet sheet on, flapping in the breeze it cooled the room (air-conditioning); you must rub the toe of the statue Dumbledore and make a wish; and how Hvar became the centre of lavender production.
Our final day was spent bewailing that we’re going home. We’ll be back. You can’t spend a week learning ‘zivjeli’ and not return!
If Penny’s overview has excited you about visiting the Adriatic coast, then get in touch. I can tell you more about the Travelsphere tours available and book you onto your break.
Escorted tours in Ireland
Why is an escorted tour in Ireland a must-do next summer?
If you are looking to explore somewhere this year but are not yet ready to travel far, Ireland is the ideal option for you, especially during the summer months that boast long days with plenty of daylight hours to explore.
What to expect on an Irish escorted tour?
A fully escorted tour of Ireland is a great way to see this relatively small but fascinating country. A holiday that allows visitors to see a variety of iconic locations with just one trip. A hassle-free, 'full package' experience with travel, accommodation and excursions included at a great price.
A tour of Ireland offers much more than just an "on your left" and "on your right" experience. A Cosmos or Globus escorted tour allows you to see as much as you can while still having time to explore your own interests.
You'll also benefit from the knowledge and experience of your tour director and local guide who will provide you with information about the places you're visiting as well as tips on the best things to do in the places you stop at.
And another great thing about a tour is that it includes pre-arranged and pre-purchased excursions to must-see sights. After all, no one travels to stand in line.
So, why Ireland in summer 2023?
Beautiful Ireland has amazing scenery including the cliffs of Moher at 668 feet; the Ring of Kerry with its seascapes, winding lanes, and mountains dotted with brightly coloured farmhouses; and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.
The Emerald Isle is a unique place, so what is it that makes it so special? There are spectacular coastlines, breath-taking national parks, quaint villages that are steeped in history, and contemporary cities that have modern attractions for everybody.
When visiting Ireland you'll be greeted with a bustling atmosphere. There are many popular destinations including Dublin, Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula, the Wild Atlantic Way, and Waterford, along with the West Coast, as well as historical Belfast and the spectacular Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.
These and many other places can be found on a Cosmos or Globus Tour – which I can book on your behalf. Contact me today to find out more.
Car hire on your summer break
Now we’ve taken you through some of our favourite summer destinations and holiday styles, it’s time we spoke about those added extras, including car hire.
With the freedom to explore in your own time, hiring a car is a popular way to make the most of your holiday. With so many companies and services to choose from, the process of hiring a car ahead of a holiday can be overwhelming. But with a few top tips from one of our preferred partners, Holiday Extras, hiring a car can be a smooth ride!
Avoid fuel charges
When choosing your rental car, make sure you choose the "full to full" refuelling option. If you select "full to empty" (leaving the resort with a full tank and returning the car on an empty one) you may be charged an extra fee by the provider for the service of refuelling.
Purchase excess insurance
To avoid paying out in case of damages, make sure you take out sufficient insurance cover for your journey well in advance. All hire cars come with a certain level of insurance as standard, but this may not cover you in the way that you'd hope.
Beware of mileage caps and one-way fees
If you're planning on driving long distances or one-way, make sure you look out for mileage caps and drop-off charges before you depart, to avoid nasty surprises at the end of your journey.
Don't get caught out in the wrong car
Do your research before booking a car to avoid disappointment on arrival or having to pay extra to upgrade. For example, if the car carries five people, will there be room for all of your luggage?
Get snap happy
Make sure you check the car before you set off and photograph it from all angles to avoid any existing damage being wrongly attributed to you once you've dropped the car off. It's a simple and quick action that can provide you with a lot of peace of mind on your break.
So next time you’re off on your summer holidays make sure you pick the car that’s right for you. You’ll be well on your way to cruising in style. To find out more about car hire with Holiday Extras, contact me today.
So... what are you waiting for?
We hope that our round-up of summer holiday inspiration has helped you decide where to head off to. Whether you’re now set, or you need further recommendations and top tips, contact me today and I’ll be happy to help.