Of all the parts of Cornwall that many tourists from around the world flock to, Newquay is one of the most popular of them all. Not only does it have some really great beaches (10 in total) but also there are plenty other things on offer for those thinking about a Newquay holiday.

In fact, you will find that this area is extremely popular with surfers from across the globe and there is an annual surfing competition that takes place in the town. Because of this during the summer months the town is busy night and day with a variety of attractions and vibrant nightlife. But, along with its role as a surfers haven the town is also a popular family destination. In fact, in the months of July and August the towns’ population nearly goes up by 400%.

Newquay’s climate is milder than most of the rest of the UK during the summer the weather is usually quite warm with very little chance of rain occurring. Whilst the winters are cool rather than cold. Which makes Newquay an ideal place to visit throughout the year, but obviously you’ll need warmer clothing in the winter – you’re unlikely to be wandering around in shorts and t-shirt at that time of year.

Originally the town was a thriving port (although not as large as rivals Plymouth or Portsmouth), but this has changed in favor of attracting tourists. Certainly if you are looking to come and stay in Newquay whether for a few days or a week then it’s best to book your Newquay hotel early.

But, if you’re prefer to miss the crowds and have a peaceful stay in the town then consider visiting in April or May. Generally the weather is pretty good and it’s normally quite warm (but not baking hot) then. One of the best things about visiting Newquay “off season” is that the beaches are almost completely empty.

Although the beaches and the surfing are the main reasons why so many people choose Newquay vacations, there are lots of other things to keep you occupied in the area. Certainly if you are holidaying in Newquay then visits to Newquay Zoo and the Blue Reef Aquarium are a must. However, if they want why not let them get some body boarding lessons down on the beach as well.

When it comes to where to stay in Newquay, you’ve got a wide choice of places to stay. You can stay in a hotel in Newquay or or you may prefer the friendlier option of a family run guest house or bed and breakfast. Plus the costs are somewhat considerably less than those of the hotels also.

Situated on the banks of the River Avon, Warwick is well located and steeped in history. You’re within a short driving distance of places like Stratford upon Avon (birthplace of Shakespeare), Birmingham, Leamington Spa and many other towns. Which means you can use the town as a base to explore not simply Warwick but the many attractions that are located relatively close to it. Here we’ll take a look at some of the things Warwick can offer you.

Warwick Castle – This is more than just an attraction for you to wander around the towers and ramparts there are plenty of activities one can get involved in during a visit. You can experience what it feels like for soldiers preparing for battle or just how much a sword really does weigh. Plus you have the chance to experience what it was like when you went into battle wearing a helmet. Or you may prefer to take a leisurely stroll around the State Rooms with their lavish decoration and see how the household prepares for a party taking place in Victorian times.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace – Which of course is in Stratford upon Avon, a mere 8 miles from Warwick. This tourist attraction is the very house where Shakespeare was born. It features a number of exhibitions that give you an insight into the bard’s life, including his famous writing. You’ll be drawn into the reconstructions complete with sound effects together with artifacts dating back to Shakespeare’s time help to capture the feeling of this man’s life.

To reach the house itself one bases through what is considered to be a traditional English garden. This has been planted with many different species dating back to Shakespeare’s day. The house has been carefully restored, keeping as many original features as possible.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage – Just a short trip from Shakespeare’s birth place is Shottery where his future wife spent her formative years. Although we now refer to it as a cottage when his bride Anne lived in it and where Shakespeare came to court her it was quite a substantial farmhouse. Anne Hathaway’s descendents lived here until the late 19th Century when it was purchased by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

The cottage can trace its roots back to the 16th & 17th centuries but it also features two oak beams from 1463. As you wander inside the cottage you will find that little has changed and not just the original open hearth fireplace, which is still in location in the living room, lots of original panels as well. There are pieces of original period furniture in the cottage and includes the Hathaway Bed an old four poster one.

Lunt Roman Fort – Well before the construction of Warwick Castle, as its name suggests this was a Roman Army fort. After painstaking research the site now features a faithful reconstruction of the original fort. As you wander around this wonderful attraction one can get a feel for what life was like in the Roman army when in Britain. The various archaeological digs here have contributed many of the museum’s pieces along with a model of what the fort would have looked like in 64AD.

When you decide to stay in Warwick, select your Warwick accommodation from this list.

Maidstone in Kent has lots to keep you occupied in and around it that you can enjoy. The town caters for young and old alike and we’ll look below at just some of the popular tourist attractions here. 

Leeds Castle – As well as being a Norman stronghold this castle was home to six different medieval English queens and also King Henry VIII more recently was bought by an American heiress in 1926. The heiress, Lady Baillie, was the last private person to own the castle and she had it lovingly restored and then in 1974 she founded a charitable trust known as the Leeds Castle Foundation.

The castle is only a few minutes drive from Maidstone itself and you can travel back through over a thousand years of history on your visit. As well as spending time exploring the castle’s rooms and examine the numerous tapestries, paintings, furnishings and other antiques there are plenty of activities to keep one amused outside as well. Children visiting will enjoy the Kinght’s Realm playground and the turf maze as well as watching the birds in the aviary. Plus why not go and watch the exhibition of Falconry as well as another maze and a grotto. You can if you have the time play a round of golf on the castles course as well. 

Stoneacre – This site is owned by the National Trust and the house itself dates back to the late 15th Century and the botanist in you can marvel at the orchards, gardens and meadows in the grounds. Plus inside there is the Great Hall and Crownpost to be viewed. That said, the property is still privately owned and is actually someone’s home. 

Hop Farm Country Park – If you’ve got children with you and you want to get them to expend some of their energy make sure you spend a day in this country park. Inside, there is a museum but there is discovery world, a display of military vehicles, as well as shire horses and an various farm animals. Plus there are both indoor and outdoor adventure play grounds for the children to enjoy and use up some of their boundless energy.

Museum of Kent Life – This is a place where you can look at a number of different historic buildings showing you how our ancestors would have lived in the so-called “Garden of England” that Kent is referred to over the last 150 years. There is a petting farm for children to enjoy and there is also herb, hop and kitchen gardens for one to explore. Furthermore there is an adventure playground which children can spend time expending unused energy on.

When you visit Maidstone, find your Maidstone accommodation here.

There are wealth of Harrogate attractions that one is able to enjoy whilst visiting this very beautiful city. Certainly, you are not spoilt for spaces where you are able to actually relax and spend a lazy summer’s afternoon. Along with the many parks and gardens dotted around the town there is also “The Stray” a 200 acre are of grassland located in the heart of it.

After you have spent time wandering around the streets, admiring the cities architecture or doing a little shopping then maybe rest your feet and enjoy Betty’s tearooms. From this building, you can have some great food and also take in the sight of the nearby Montpelier Gardens.

Another place which is extremely popular with visitors to Harrogate and for which it is world renowned for is the Royal Baths. They are open all week, but the baths are not in use any more. However if you would like to sample some of the spa water from the Old Sulphur Well then you should also stop in at the Royal Pump Room.

Along with offering you the chance to sample some of the spa water this building is also home to a museum. Here you can view displays of what life was like for people living in the town during the 19th Century and also details on some of the more bizarre kinds of treatments that were offered at the spa.

If you’ve got access to transport, then make sure that you get to see the nearby Plumpton Rocks. Located between Harrogate and Wetherby this 30 acre park is one of the most important sites in the whole of the North of England. You can enjoy the various lake side walks or explore the wildlife in the local woods.

That said, in order for the beauty of this place to be retained especially as it is not a Grade II Listed English Heritage site to gain entry one will need to pay a small fee. You also need to check that the park is open during your intended visit as the opening hours vary by season.

Children visiting Harrogate often enjoy a trip to Brimham Rocks. This can be found in Summerbridge, just a short drive from Harrogate. The rocks show the dramatic effect that the ice age and other periods have made on the rocks themselves. The odd-shaped boulders have all sorts of exotic names such as Dancing Bear and was also the location for the television show Roger and the Rottentrolls.

When you next visit the city, check this list of Harrogate hotels and other accommodation.

If you every come to the South Of England on a vacation then you simply must not miss a trip to the New Forest National Park , the newest national park in the UK and One of the Worlds Heritage national park sites.

The idea for national parks first started in the United States and one of the first national parks was Yosemite of course.

Since that time many other countries have adopted this way of protecting and preserving the un-spoilt habitats of the world for future generations and for the preservation of endangered species as well.

The New Forest has a few endangered species itself but nothing like the American bald eagle that is now increasing in numbers due thankfully. The New Forests most wildly known species are of course the deer and the lovable little roguish New Forest pony.

Centuries and centuries ago the New Forest was to all intents and purposes open land but then one of the kings on of the day decided to make it a royal forest only to be used for the royal pursuit of hunting, and local folk who had lived off the land for centuries found themselves unable to hunt the land for food to feed their family, penalties for contravening the law were severe and in later time fatal.

Fortunately over time sanity prevailed and today you will find many animals wandering the forest grazing as the local “commoners” exercise their right to graze their live stock on the common ground.

The New Forest is home to some very ancient and historic woodland which has been said to be some of the oldest in the entire country. One of the Forest oaks is over 4 centuries old which is remarkable by European standards.

Tourists and visitors to the area will have a host of activities they can pursue on their visit here apart from the ever popular New Forest walks of course. Mountain Biking and road cycling are extremely popular as is Pony trekking where riders have unlimited (in most cases) access to the forest as long as they abide by the rules.

If you are having a family holiday the Park has a number of really olde worlde family and pet friendly New Forest cottages you can rent and if you have a penchant for the quaint then you will just love the old thatched roofs and if your lucky gardens that literally take you out into the forest from your back door.

If you prefer the outdoor lifestyle then the forest has a number of designated campsites with and without facilities so you can enjoy New Forest camping trips the easy way or the hard way , the choice is up to you.

One of the most popular areas of the New Forest has to be the picturesque Village of Beaulieu which is actually part of a massive 7000 acre estate (by UK standards) estate belonging to the Montagu family who’s ancestors have owned the land and property since the early 1500 after the dissolution of the monasteries by King Henry VIII.

Part of the estate is used for the National Motor Museum which must rank as one of the best museums of automotive history in the world with exhibits that span motoring history not only by age but also by achievement as a number of land speed record breakers are exhibited here.

There is also the Abbey to visit which whilst not to much to see these days still gives you an idea of the grandeur and power of the church in early British history.

The now Beaulieu Palace house itself was originally the gatehouse to the abbey here although it has been subsequently extended.

A holiday in this part of England isn’t only restricted to the forest though as just a short drive away you have some of the best beaches in England all with blue flag designations for their cleanliness. They are even building the northern hemisphere’s first artificial ref here as well for the local surfing community so if you like to surf you can try it out UK style.

Poole in the County of Dorset is not only famous for having one of the worlds largest harbours, but also for the number of famous people who live here, and one particular area has the most expensive house prices in the whole of England, still. That’s what you must pay to rub shoulders with the Rich and Famous I guess.

To sum up, the south coast makes an excellent holiday destination for families and couples alike of all age groups, so make sure it is on your short list

The city of Aberdeen has been home to mankind for at least 8,000 years. Although there is much for one to do and see in the city there are plenty of sights and attractions that you can also enjoy in the nearby Scottish countryside if you prefer. In this article we are looking at a few of the attractions that the city itself has to offer and you can enjoy these whether you’re in the city for business or pleasure.

At the very heart of the city you will find Union Street and it is here where you find the majority of the city’s main attractions. Along with the Union Street Bridge built in the 19th Century there is also the Aberdeen Art Gallery that you can enjoy. You can spend several hours wandering around the gallery’s halls viewing the gallery’s collection of art from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Many visitors also flock to Marischal College, which is close to the art gallery. This granite structure housed between modern office buildings is the second largest of its kind in the world. It is home to the Marischal Museum which displays a range of weird and wonderful items. These exhibits have been donated by both graduates and friends of graduates of the college.

If you take a trip to King’s College here you will find the college chapel which was used for worship on a daily basis for over 500 years. But, nowadays it is used to display a varied collection of historical artifacts, some of which date back over 400 years. Elsewhere in Old Aberdeen is St Machar’s Cathedral, which also traces its roots back to the fifteenth century and looks out over Seaton Park and the River Don.

It’s also worth visiting Aberdeen’s historic harbor area. This is home to the Maritime Museum where you can explore the city’s many oceanic links. The harbor also has Provost Ross’s House, the oldest building in Aberdeen.

Just a short walk from the harbor is Footdee an old fishing village. You’ll notice that the 19th century fishermen’s cottages all face away from the sea. This was to ensure that they were protected against the storms that would come in a batter the shoreline.

If you are looking for something exciting and enjoyable for the kids in Aberdeen make sure you visit the Satrosphere Science Centre. There are more than fifty hands-on science and technology exhibits to play with. But it is not only the interactive aspects of the centre that they will enjoy they will find the live science shows both fun and interesting as well.

Whatever your reason for staying in Aberdeen you can find an Aberdeen hotel here.

If you are in search of an ideal family vacation spot, Acadia National Park is definitely worth considering.

This little gem of a park is located on the rugged east coast of Maine. The 47,000 acres that comprise it are diverse, ranging from rocky-topped mountain domes, to thick pine forests, to ocean shoreline, to creeks, lakes, and ponds. Acadia is mostly contained on Mt. Desert Island, but it does extend to the nearby Schoodic Peninsula and even Isle au Haut out in Frenchman’s Bay.

More than 2 million people visit Acadia each year, but you’ll find most of them visit during July, August, and September. Pick a different month for your vacation and the park may almost be deserted. At any rate, even during the busy months, it is easy to get away from the crowds if you try.

Here are 10 great reasons why Acadia is such a great choice for your next family vacation…

1. It is America’s first national park east of the Mississippi. That means it is rich in history and heritage. Take time to learn about the history in one of the visitor centers with your children. They have books, movies, and displays. Or, rent the audiotape auto tour… it provides a wonderful introduction to the park.

2. There are hiking trails to meet every level of outdoor enthusiast. If you are looking for thrills and chills, try the Precipice, West Face Cadillac/Jordan Cliffs, or Beehive Trails, which come complete with iron rungs, ladders, and sheer drop offs. If you want to experience varied terrain, including rolling creek side walking, tramping on boardwalks through marshland, and exploring tidal pools at the ocean’s edge, then you and your family might enjoy the Jordan Creek Trail. Is a leisurely stroll more your style? Then, take advantage of the nicely-groomed carriage roads that you’ll find in every corner of the park or even the mostly flat Jordan Pond Trail.

3. You can try water sports. Rent a canoe on Long Pond on the western side of the island. Or join a sea kayaking group in Frenchman’s Bay out of Bar Harbor. Or just play in the crystal clear waters of one of the many ponds or creeks. You can even spend a day at the beach…Sand Beach. The waters are always cold, but the kids will love it.

4. Leave your car in the hotel or campground parking lot. Acadia has a terrific shuttle system and the wonderful Montagu Accommodation. You can get off most anywhere in the park and re-board when you’re ready. Save on gas and the aggravation of driving too.

5. Enjoy some local culture. If you happen to need a break from the great outdoors, head into Bar Harbor. You’ll find lots of funky little shops, some great restaurants, and even a movie theater or two. If you’re there for the 4th of July, take part in the annual pancake breakfast, town parade, lobster bake, and fantastic fireworks. They come highly recommended.

6. Take a bike ride. Bring your own or you can rent them from one of several shops in Bar Harbor. Then head on over to the park and hit one of the carriage roads. A word of warning… they are all at least a bit hilly, so if you have small children or out of shape family members, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Stick to a short ride around a single lake. Eagle Lake is a great solution.

7. If you have teens, try rock climbing. A couple of outfits in town will fit you with the right gear and then take you out to Otter Cliffs (on the ocean) or Bubble Rock and teach you rock climbing skills and techniques. Great fun!

8. Although when you’re hiking the trails of Acadia, you may feel as though you’re far from civilization, in reality, you’re no more than an hour or two from Bangor, the nearest “big” city. And right outside the park boundaries is the town of Ellsworth, which has a movie theater and small mall, not to mention the local Wal-Mart if you need to restock your camping supplies.

9. Acadia has Montagu Accommodation for every kind of family. There are many fine campgrounds on the island, including Bar Harbor Campground, where you can choose your own campsite, be it ocean view or in the woods. You can also camp right in the park, as long as you’re comfortable with very few amenities. If you want something a bit less rustic, then one of the many cabin and cottage places may be more to your liking. But Acadia’s surrounding towns offer a host of bed and breakfasts, motels, and hotels to suit nearly every budget and preference.

10. There is something for everyone in Acadia, no matter what age or ability. Outdoor activities abound, of course, but there are also opportunities to soak in Maine’s rich history and modern-day culture. Kids might like to spend an evening at Pirate’s Cove, a popular miniature golf venue. Hiking, walking, biking, boating, exploring… Acadia has it all!

So, for your next family vacation and Montagu Accommodation, you can’t go wrong if you spend it in Acadia National Park

As the capital of France, Paris is a large city,it has the ability to please everyone and is often referred to as The City of Lights. Paris short stays of a few days, often over a long weekend are the normal way to see it,most people quickly discover that a few days is not really enough.

It is famous for many famous buildings and locations,it has much to offer visitors who adore culture, even if it is only for a long weekend. Fortunately for tourists, Paris has a first rate transportation system,the underground train system or Metro can take you to anywhere within the city and is simple to use.

The Eiffel Tower at over 300 meters tall and is a magnificent steel structure,it’s visible throughout most of the city but the views from the top of this huge steel structure are even more impressive. In the evening the illumination means it can be seen for many miles,guided tours are available where the patriotic tour guides give you an in depth history and an insight to what it is to be French

The famous Paris Avenue of the Champs Elysees‘ must also receive a visit,if you want to see famous, designer label shops and the restaurants, this is the place. This avenue is well worth a visit to see how the wealthy live,the average tourist may find the accommodation expensive but more modest hotels can be found away from this area.

This city is also the home to the renowned Louvre Museum,it contains almost a third of a million exhibits and is in fact one of the biggest art museums in the world. A short stay in Paris only ever allows a small appreciation of what is on offer,some of the most important art collections in the world are here including Leonardo da Vinci’s world famous Mona Lisa.

Paris has attracted world famous artists for hundreds of years,painters like Monet and Picasso spent many years here and a large number of their art works can be seen in Paris today.

Paris is also the home of the equally famous Arc de Triomphe which Napoleon had constructed in the early part of the 19th century,engraved with the names of generals that commanded his troops, it has become a popular photo spot for tourists visiting Paris.

Although not generally well known, the Arc had an observatory installed after it was constructed to provide views of neighboring areas,in particular those obtained along the lanes that lead from it.

This city has a huge variety of places to visit, many of these have not even mentioned here,and while there are many more worthy examples, those listed here should not be missed.

On your short say in Paris you will only see a small sample of what is available for a visitor,this article has not even discussed the topic of medieval castles and gothic churches which the city has in abundance.