People are putting paperbacks aside on holiday and reaching for e-books instead, according to a survey.
E-reading devices such as the Kindle are now the preferred way to get stuck into a good novel while on a break, the poll by a leading online travel agency found.
A total of 1,928 UK adults who had been abroad on holiday in the last 12 months were surveyed.
Of those who had read while away, 51% had used an e-reader while 49% had opted for a traditional book.
E-readers were most popular among those aged 40 or more, with only 11% of 18-25-year-olds using them.
Of those who used an e-reader, 44% said it was easier to hold while 29% said it was easier to see in the sun.
Of those sticking with traditional books, 24% felt e-readers were too expensive while 46% said they "simply preferred books".
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Monday, 30 July 2012
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Possibly The Best British Castle Stays
Roch Castle, Wales
A beautifully restored Norman castle high above Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Refurbished as a five-star holiday let, it has six modern rooms encased within the heavy walls. Views are of the Irish Sea, St David's peninsula or wild Welsh countryside. The House Manager is on hand for breakfast, the larder is stocked, and a private chef is ready to rustle up a special evening meal.
Roch Castle, Roch, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA62 6AQ (01422 323200; retreatsgroup.com). Weekly rental from £4,000, including breakfast. Sleeps 12.
Stonefield Castle Hotel, Scotland
One of Scotland's loveliest lochs is the setting for Stonefield Castle. This 19th-century baronial manor stands on the Kintyre peninsula, with spectacular views of Loch Fyne and acres of private woodland. A spot for bracing walks around the West Coast, rounded off with warming whisky and plates of local smoked salmon and oysters. By night, sequester yourself amid wood-panelled walls and period furnishings.
Stonefield Castle Hotel, Tarbert, Loch Fyne, Argyll, Scotland PA29 6YJ (01880 820836; stonefieldcastleargyll.co.uk). Doubles from £190, B&B.
Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
Play lord of the fortified manor at this Tudor castle on the fringes of the Cotswolds. Built in the early 16th century, it has welcomed Henry VIII (who had Thornbury's architect, also a distant cousin, executed) and Queen Mary, who lived here for several years. Now part of the Luxury Family Hotels portfolio, its impressive original features – coats of arms, carved ceilings and an on-site vineyard – are available for everyone to enjoy.
Thornbury Castle, Castle Street, Thornbury, Gloucestershire BS35 1HH (01454 281182; thornburycastle.co.uk). Doubles from €190, including breakfast.
Haldon Belvedere, Devon
Haldon Belvedere is a Grade II-listed triangular tower, also known as Lawrence Castle, in the heart of the Devon countryside. It was built in 1788, and renovated by the Devon Historic Buildings Trust in 1994 to include a top-floor apartment that makes the perfect romantic hideaway. Exeter is to the east, Dartmoor to the west, while Torquay and the beaches of South Hams are due south.
Haldon Belvedere, Higher Ashton, near Dunchideock, Devon EX6 7QY (01392 833846; haldonbelvedere. co.uk). Three-night rental from £325, self catering. Sleeps two.
Hazlewood Castle, Yorkshire
Hazlewood's halls have a history that stretches back centuries. The former monastery was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 and it's claimed a priest haunts the Tansy bedroom. Converted in 1997, it offers cosy, traditional rooms. Events throughout the year include Jazz Sunday lunches and champagne brunches ahead of horse race meetings at York and Wetherby.
Hazlewood Castle, Paradise Lane, Hazlewood, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire LS24 9NJ (0808 1787666; hazlewood-castle.co.uk). Doubles start at £160, including breakfast.
Beauchamp Castle, Worcestershire
Lavish rooms set the scene at Beauchamp Castle, on the banks of the River Severn. Dodge the stuffed bear on the stairs to reach rich suites bedecked with suits of armour, coats of arms, rich red carpets and well-stocked bookshelves. The grounds are more sedate, with manicured lawns, a flagstone terrace and tennis courts. Worcester, Droitwich Spa and Kidderminster are a short drive, along with gentle walks in the Malvern Hills.
Beauchamp Castle, near Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire (0845 389 9582; statelyescapes.co.uk). Weekly rental from £6,714, self catering. Sleeps 16.
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A beautifully restored Norman castle high above Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Refurbished as a five-star holiday let, it has six modern rooms encased within the heavy walls. Views are of the Irish Sea, St David's peninsula or wild Welsh countryside. The House Manager is on hand for breakfast, the larder is stocked, and a private chef is ready to rustle up a special evening meal.
Roch Castle, Roch, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA62 6AQ (01422 323200; retreatsgroup.com). Weekly rental from £4,000, including breakfast. Sleeps 12.
Stonefield Castle Hotel, Scotland
One of Scotland's loveliest lochs is the setting for Stonefield Castle. This 19th-century baronial manor stands on the Kintyre peninsula, with spectacular views of Loch Fyne and acres of private woodland. A spot for bracing walks around the West Coast, rounded off with warming whisky and plates of local smoked salmon and oysters. By night, sequester yourself amid wood-panelled walls and period furnishings.
Stonefield Castle Hotel, Tarbert, Loch Fyne, Argyll, Scotland PA29 6YJ (01880 820836; stonefieldcastleargyll.co.uk). Doubles from £190, B&B.
Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
Play lord of the fortified manor at this Tudor castle on the fringes of the Cotswolds. Built in the early 16th century, it has welcomed Henry VIII (who had Thornbury's architect, also a distant cousin, executed) and Queen Mary, who lived here for several years. Now part of the Luxury Family Hotels portfolio, its impressive original features – coats of arms, carved ceilings and an on-site vineyard – are available for everyone to enjoy.
Thornbury Castle, Castle Street, Thornbury, Gloucestershire BS35 1HH (01454 281182; thornburycastle.co.uk). Doubles from €190, including breakfast.
Haldon Belvedere, Devon
Haldon Belvedere is a Grade II-listed triangular tower, also known as Lawrence Castle, in the heart of the Devon countryside. It was built in 1788, and renovated by the Devon Historic Buildings Trust in 1994 to include a top-floor apartment that makes the perfect romantic hideaway. Exeter is to the east, Dartmoor to the west, while Torquay and the beaches of South Hams are due south.
Haldon Belvedere, Higher Ashton, near Dunchideock, Devon EX6 7QY (01392 833846; haldonbelvedere. co.uk). Three-night rental from £325, self catering. Sleeps two.
Hazlewood Castle, Yorkshire
Hazlewood's halls have a history that stretches back centuries. The former monastery was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 and it's claimed a priest haunts the Tansy bedroom. Converted in 1997, it offers cosy, traditional rooms. Events throughout the year include Jazz Sunday lunches and champagne brunches ahead of horse race meetings at York and Wetherby.
Hazlewood Castle, Paradise Lane, Hazlewood, near Tadcaster, North Yorkshire LS24 9NJ (0808 1787666; hazlewood-castle.co.uk). Doubles start at £160, including breakfast.
Beauchamp Castle, Worcestershire
Lavish rooms set the scene at Beauchamp Castle, on the banks of the River Severn. Dodge the stuffed bear on the stairs to reach rich suites bedecked with suits of armour, coats of arms, rich red carpets and well-stocked bookshelves. The grounds are more sedate, with manicured lawns, a flagstone terrace and tennis courts. Worcester, Droitwich Spa and Kidderminster are a short drive, along with gentle walks in the Malvern Hills.
Beauchamp Castle, near Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire (0845 389 9582; statelyescapes.co.uk). Weekly rental from £6,714, self catering. Sleeps 16.
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Tips to Save You Money on Holiday This Summer
A big holiday abroad can be the experience of a lifetime, and often people save up for years to afford one great trip away. After so much preparation, you want to make sure that your holiday is perfect, and if possible, save a few pennies so you can spoil yourself that much more when it comes to getting on the plane.
First of all, get yourself a good exchange rate by using a service like Currencies Direct's travel-money service. Foreign exchange costs a surprising amount and particularly if you're changing a lot, a good company can save you a surprising amount. Unless you're going to the Eurozone, it's worth making sure you have a few dollars, and as the dollar to pounds rate is so good at the moment, they're more than worth it as a backup.
Next up, it's important that you get a good deal on your holiday insurance. That does not mean that you should go for the cheapest one available, but rather go for the one that represents the best value for money.
A good tip is to check out the Defaqto website, Defaqto is the independent body which judges the quality of products in the UK financial sector, so work your way through the list of Defaqto 5 star holiday insurances and pick the one that represents the best value for you.
Another good tip, particularly if you're going to somewhere which might not be quite as developed as the UK, is to buy things when you get there. This saves you a little space in your bag and maybe a lot of money. Things like suntan lotion are usually a lot cheaper abroad (except in Latin America) so it's worth waiting until you get out there before splashing out.
Again, depending on where you're going, it might be worth looking up local transport routes. Generally speaking you can buy things in advance from the UK, but a trip that could cost £50 when bought from the UK could cost a fraction of that when you get out to your destination, particularly if you're willing to hop on a bus with the other local travellers.
Last of all, restrict your mobile phone use when you get out there, if you're going to be at your destination for a long time it's worth buying a local sim, but otherwise, roaming data charges can be huge so it's best to reduce your phone use as much as possible.
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
First of all, get yourself a good exchange rate by using a service like Currencies Direct's travel-money service. Foreign exchange costs a surprising amount and particularly if you're changing a lot, a good company can save you a surprising amount. Unless you're going to the Eurozone, it's worth making sure you have a few dollars, and as the dollar to pounds rate is so good at the moment, they're more than worth it as a backup.
Next up, it's important that you get a good deal on your holiday insurance. That does not mean that you should go for the cheapest one available, but rather go for the one that represents the best value for money.
A good tip is to check out the Defaqto website, Defaqto is the independent body which judges the quality of products in the UK financial sector, so work your way through the list of Defaqto 5 star holiday insurances and pick the one that represents the best value for you.
Another good tip, particularly if you're going to somewhere which might not be quite as developed as the UK, is to buy things when you get there. This saves you a little space in your bag and maybe a lot of money. Things like suntan lotion are usually a lot cheaper abroad (except in Latin America) so it's worth waiting until you get out there before splashing out.
Again, depending on where you're going, it might be worth looking up local transport routes. Generally speaking you can buy things in advance from the UK, but a trip that could cost £50 when bought from the UK could cost a fraction of that when you get out to your destination, particularly if you're willing to hop on a bus with the other local travellers.
Last of all, restrict your mobile phone use when you get out there, if you're going to be at your destination for a long time it's worth buying a local sim, but otherwise, roaming data charges can be huge so it's best to reduce your phone use as much as possible.
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
UK holiday spend on the rise
According to latest research released by MasterCard Cash Passport, three quarters of travellers expect to spend the same or more on their main holiday this year compared to 2011, despite concerns over the Eurozone and the costs associated with travel.
Results from a YouGov survey commissioned by the prepaid travel money card, Cash Passport, show that two thirds of us are taking a summer holiday.
Of these, one third (29 per cent) resolve to budget more for their holidays this year compared to 2011.
Two fifths (38 per cent) of 18-to-24-year-old holidaymakers are putting more money aside for spending compared to last year while one third of the over 55s are budgeting for an increase of up to 50 per cent on their holiday budgets.
As the strengthening pound means better exchange rates for those spending in Eurozone countries, less than one in ten (seven per cent) UK adults said they would be avoiding European holidays as a result of reported banking difficulties in destination countries.
Across the regions, only the south of England has a larger proportion of people budgeting to spend less on their summer holiday (31 per cent) compared to more (19 per cent), while Wales enjoys the largest percentage of people prepared to spend more on their holiday this year (37 per cent).
People in the East of England are expecting to spend 50 per cent more than they did last year, the highest proportion of all regions.
Jonathan Bennett, European sales director at Cash Passport, commented on the findings: “Faced with a difficult economic climate in the UK and elsewhere and perhaps even spurred on by the dismal weather so far this year, UK holidaymakers are staying positive about their main summer holiday and their expectations of getting away without worrying about bigger economic issues.
“For those going away but looking to tighten their belts and even those planning to spend more than last year, it remains important for people to be in control of their spending. Cash Passport customers can conveniently put aside their money and manage holiday budgets by using a prepaid card.”
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
Results from a YouGov survey commissioned by the prepaid travel money card, Cash Passport, show that two thirds of us are taking a summer holiday.
Of these, one third (29 per cent) resolve to budget more for their holidays this year compared to 2011.
Two fifths (38 per cent) of 18-to-24-year-old holidaymakers are putting more money aside for spending compared to last year while one third of the over 55s are budgeting for an increase of up to 50 per cent on their holiday budgets.
As the strengthening pound means better exchange rates for those spending in Eurozone countries, less than one in ten (seven per cent) UK adults said they would be avoiding European holidays as a result of reported banking difficulties in destination countries.
Across the regions, only the south of England has a larger proportion of people budgeting to spend less on their summer holiday (31 per cent) compared to more (19 per cent), while Wales enjoys the largest percentage of people prepared to spend more on their holiday this year (37 per cent).
People in the East of England are expecting to spend 50 per cent more than they did last year, the highest proportion of all regions.
Jonathan Bennett, European sales director at Cash Passport, commented on the findings: “Faced with a difficult economic climate in the UK and elsewhere and perhaps even spurred on by the dismal weather so far this year, UK holidaymakers are staying positive about their main summer holiday and their expectations of getting away without worrying about bigger economic issues.
“For those going away but looking to tighten their belts and even those planning to spend more than last year, it remains important for people to be in control of their spending. Cash Passport customers can conveniently put aside their money and manage holiday budgets by using a prepaid card.”
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Benefits of Owning a Caravan
If you had a UK holiday home by the sea how often would you visit? Every weekend? Once a month? All of the Summer holidays?
How would you like to spend your time when you get there? Take a swim in the sea, a dip in the pool, relax in the hot tub or the sauna. Maybe have some well deserved "me time" in the spa, burn off some calories in the gym, play a round of golf, a game of bowls, go to a wine tasting or chocolate making workshop? Maybe you just want to meet up with old friends at a communal BBQ or go on a nature ramble along the cliff tops with the dog. Have you got some grandchildren you need to entertain during the summer holidays whilst your kids are working?
A seaside location usually comes at a premium price however if someone else already has the land and your static holiday homes located on there with all of these great facilities at your disposal then it's a very affordable and attractive option.
Haven have 34 holiday parks dotted around the coastline and 23,000 families all enjoying the benefits of
owning holiday homes. Cliff Marsh from Somerset is an owner at Devon Cliffs holiday park in Exmouth. He says, "The best part about being an owner for me is picking the girls up from school on Friday at half three and being on the deck with a chilled glass of wine by half four. It's the best way to start the weekend."
Site fees vary between £2,950 and £7,500 a year (depending on park locations and your location within each park). These site fees pay for maintenance, 24 hour security and exclusive park facilities. Owners can offset some or all of these costs by subletting their caravan and Haven will manage the subletting.
The price of our holiday homes can range from £11,995 to over £100,000, depending on the park and your location on it, the model of holiday home you choose and whether it's new or pre-owned.
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
How would you like to spend your time when you get there? Take a swim in the sea, a dip in the pool, relax in the hot tub or the sauna. Maybe have some well deserved "me time" in the spa, burn off some calories in the gym, play a round of golf, a game of bowls, go to a wine tasting or chocolate making workshop? Maybe you just want to meet up with old friends at a communal BBQ or go on a nature ramble along the cliff tops with the dog. Have you got some grandchildren you need to entertain during the summer holidays whilst your kids are working?
A seaside location usually comes at a premium price however if someone else already has the land and your static holiday homes located on there with all of these great facilities at your disposal then it's a very affordable and attractive option.
Haven have 34 holiday parks dotted around the coastline and 23,000 families all enjoying the benefits of
owning holiday homes. Cliff Marsh from Somerset is an owner at Devon Cliffs holiday park in Exmouth. He says, "The best part about being an owner for me is picking the girls up from school on Friday at half three and being on the deck with a chilled glass of wine by half four. It's the best way to start the weekend."
Site fees vary between £2,950 and £7,500 a year (depending on park locations and your location within each park). These site fees pay for maintenance, 24 hour security and exclusive park facilities. Owners can offset some or all of these costs by subletting their caravan and Haven will manage the subletting.
The price of our holiday homes can range from £11,995 to over £100,000, depending on the park and your location on it, the model of holiday home you choose and whether it's new or pre-owned.
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
Friday, 20 July 2012
Schools out! Two million Brits head abroad
This weekend marks the start of the summer holiday getaway and is expected to be one of the busiest of the year at UK airports, with thousands also arriving for the Olympics. Eurozone destinations are proving popular with holidaymakers looking to take advantage of the pound’s strengthening against the Euro, coupled with the fact that many bars and restaurants have lowered their prices.
Two million holidaymakers are expected to head overseas this weekend after schools break up for the summer.
According to Abta, the majority will be heading to Spain, with the Canary and Balearic Islands being extremely popular.
Abta said airports will be extremely busy, with 482,000 passengers leaving from Heathrow, 275,000 from Gatwick, 132,500 from Stansted and 70,000 from Luton this weekend.
Over 100,000 will be leaving from Scottish airports with 50,000 from Glasgow alone.
It is expected that 297,000 will leave from Manchester, 64,000 from Birmingham and 45,000 from Bristol.
The travel organisation said Turkey and Greece were also proving popular with Brits.
With the pound at its strongest against the euro for almost four years, British holidaymakers are receiving 11.5%more value for their money than this time last year.
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
Two million holidaymakers are expected to head overseas this weekend after schools break up for the summer.
According to Abta, the majority will be heading to Spain, with the Canary and Balearic Islands being extremely popular.
Abta said airports will be extremely busy, with 482,000 passengers leaving from Heathrow, 275,000 from Gatwick, 132,500 from Stansted and 70,000 from Luton this weekend.
Over 100,000 will be leaving from Scottish airports with 50,000 from Glasgow alone.
It is expected that 297,000 will leave from Manchester, 64,000 from Birmingham and 45,000 from Bristol.
The travel organisation said Turkey and Greece were also proving popular with Brits.
With the pound at its strongest against the euro for almost four years, British holidaymakers are receiving 11.5%more value for their money than this time last year.
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Peace Camp to light up UK coastline for London 2012
A striking series of illuminations will highlight some of Britain's most remote and beautiful coastal areas as part of the London 2012 Festival.
In eight locations ranging from County Antrim in Northern Island to Sussex, the project, known as Peace Camp, will see a total of 2,000 tents lit up from today (July 19) until Sunday.
Described as a "coastal installation celebrating love, poetry and landscape", the installation will allow visitors to wander among hundreds of tents, listening to a “soundscape” made up of poems spoken in different dialects.
It features the work of artists ranging from John Donne to Carol Ann Duffy, as well as the voices of actors and poets such as Andrew Motion, Eileen Atkins and Bill Paterson.
Alongside the poetry readings there will also be music, spoken fragments and the sounds of the natural environment, all of which will be listened to via personal headsets.
The installations will be free to visit, with the tents being illuminated from nightfall at 9.30pm to 5.30am.
The full list of sites where the display will be taking place include: Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, Wales; White Park Bay on the North Antrim coast; Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach, Borough of Coleraine, Northern Ireland; Cliff Beach at Valtos on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland; Fort Fiddes, Cullykhan Bay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland; Cuckmere Haven, Sussex; and Godvery, Cornwall.
More information is available at peacecamp2012.com
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
In eight locations ranging from County Antrim in Northern Island to Sussex, the project, known as Peace Camp, will see a total of 2,000 tents lit up from today (July 19) until Sunday.
Described as a "coastal installation celebrating love, poetry and landscape", the installation will allow visitors to wander among hundreds of tents, listening to a “soundscape” made up of poems spoken in different dialects.
It features the work of artists ranging from John Donne to Carol Ann Duffy, as well as the voices of actors and poets such as Andrew Motion, Eileen Atkins and Bill Paterson.
Alongside the poetry readings there will also be music, spoken fragments and the sounds of the natural environment, all of which will be listened to via personal headsets.
The installations will be free to visit, with the tents being illuminated from nightfall at 9.30pm to 5.30am.
The full list of sites where the display will be taking place include: Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, Wales; White Park Bay on the North Antrim coast; Mussenden Temple and Downhill Beach, Borough of Coleraine, Northern Ireland; Cliff Beach at Valtos on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland; Fort Fiddes, Cullykhan Bay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland; Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland; Cuckmere Haven, Sussex; and Godvery, Cornwall.
More information is available at peacecamp2012.com
Find your next FABHoliday idea with FABTHINGS2do.
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