UK: Excitement closer to home With all of the excitement in the run up to the Olym- pic and Paralympic Games in London, 2012 is the perfect time to plan a break closer to home and to enjoy all things British. Why not plan a classic UK seaside break and take all of the family to a resort such as Bournemouth, Brighton or Blackpool? And, you don’t need to travel overseas for picture-postcard beaches, as there are plenty on our doorstep. Devon, Cornwall and Northumberland all have some stunning stretches of white sand and this year, a record number of British beaches were given the top award for water quality in the Good Beach Guide. So start searching for a bargain B&B or a funky boutique hotel now.
Another option is to treat the kids to an active break in one of the UK’s holiday parks. Whether you want to stay in the middle of the rolling countryside or on a beach, you’ll fi nd a park to suit you. There’s also plenty on offer for parents while the children are out learning a new activity – from relaxing spa ses- sions to high-energy games of squash.
BALEARICS:
Some of the best weather in the Med Hundreds of direct fl ights whisk families to the Bale- aric Islands every week over the summer months to enjoy some of the best weather in the Mediter- ranean. And whether you and the family like to self-cater in an apartment or villa, or enjoy a spot of all-inclusive luxury, there will be a place to stay in the Balearics for you.
If you would like a completely relaxing family break with pretty marinas, peaceful sandy beaches and archaeological sites, Menorca could be the place for you. The resort of Cala ‘n Bosch, with a waterpark and mini-golf, is a hit with family groups. Alternatively, if your family prefers more action- packed breaks, Majorca could be the destination for you. You can splash in the sea and fl op on the sand on the beautiful beaches, and if you can peel yourself off your sun loungers, older children will be fascinated by the Caves of Drach. With more than fi ve miles of gently sloping beaches, Alcudia in the north of the island is a good option.
FRANCE: Visit Mickey and friends Easily reached by ferry or plane, France is another popular choice with British families. And one big draw for children is the prospect of seeing Mickey Mouse and his friends at Euro Disney - recent research by TravelSupermarket found that a third of children in the UK would like to visit a Disney resort this year, so a trip to the theme park is sure to be a popular option.
And a trip to Disneyland Paris needn’t be as ex- pensive as you think. It’s possible to get some great hotel deals outside of the complex in the nearby area of Marne-le-Valée. Many of these hotels will offer transport to the theme park too. However, if the Magic Kingdom isn’t on your must-visit list, there’s a multitude of other options for you and the family to enjoy – from admiring the art and culture in Paris and splashing in the sea in Nice to camping in a holiday park.
CANARY ISLANDS:
Family fun and fascinating landscape Just off the coast of Africa, the Canary Islands keep holidaymakers coming back for more year after year. And each island offers something completely different. Tenerife is the island to visit for fun in the sun on black and white-sand beaches, for family-
friendly attractions such as Aqualand waterpark and Loro Parque wildlife park, and for fascinating landscapes in Mount Teide National Park. Families will love Los Cristianos’ calm waters and people watching in the harbour.
If you would like a more tranquil break, Fuerte- ventura could be the place for you. Take the family to Corralejo for miles of unspoilt beach and dunes and enjoy food from around the world in the town centre at night. Caleta de Fuste is another popular option as its horse-shoe shaped beach provides sheltered waters and there’s accommodation for every budget.
HOW TO SAVE ON YOUR SUMMER BREAK
✔ When booking your holiday, shop around and use a travel-comparison site to make sure you have found the best price possible.
✔ Compare the price of all-inclusive breaks with self-catering holidays, and package holidays with DIY trips – you may be surprised which offer the best value for money.
✔ Don’t leave buying all of your travel extras such as car hire, travel insurance and travel money until the last minute. Being organised and shopping around for these extras in advance can really pay dividends.
✔ If you are staying in the UK and travelling by train, try to book your tickets as soon as they are released to stand the best chance of bagging a bargain – this is 12 weeks before your travel date.
TRAVELSUPERMARKET
TravelSupermarket is an online com- parison service where customers can fi nd the best value travel options for their needs and purchase over the internet.
For more information on travelling as a family, take a look at Travel- Supermarket’s Family Holiday pages where you’ll fi nd tips and advice as well as a selection of family deals:
www.travelsupermarket.com/c/ holidays/family-holidays/
Disneyland Paris
WWW.MUMSSURVIVALGUIDES.CO.UK 43
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