Off to Lyme Regis next Saturday for a week. Never been - any tips? Two nights in Sandbanks at the end.
Charmouth, next door is worth a visit (popular with fossil hunters) and has a nice Fish and Chip restaurant in the High Street that you normally have to book for.
West Bay, a little drive away is stunning and where the majority of Broadchurch was filmed, and there’s a walk along the cliffs West to Eype Beach.
Beer, another short drive is a pebble beach with rock pools, so best to go when the tide is out. There is also a fun park there called Pecorama, mainly for kids I guess and haven’t a clue if it’s open currently.
Currently staying in Highcliffe for a couple of days. Ideal spot as it's 10 mins into the New Forest and 3 minutes from the beach. Had a great day yesterday around the forest which my boys loved. Off to the beach this morning then back into the New Forest later. Love this part of the world.
Haven have said they are full across their 40 sites this week, bookings up over 25% on 2 years ago.
It’s painful paying such a premium, but it’s market forces sadly and people are willing to pay it to get a break.
What I dont understand in the day of social media is no ones taken on these firms. Boycott one of these firms one summer by not booking with them.
But you've just booked a week's stay for £3,658 with one of "these firms". That'll show em...
But as an aside, if you look at the economics of virtually any holiday company, domestic or overseas, it's the summer occupancy at premium prices that enables them to exist.
6-8 weeks of high revenue effectively enables them to offset the losses they make during the rest of the year.
It's the nature of the travel industry and one that will never be any different (and why every years "outrage" at school holiday prices dies off once people start investigating and realise that without variable seasonal pricing, there would be no holiday companies for us to use and enjoy...)
It was a joke me booking that week for that price. Paid £300 for a week there last September.
Haven have said they are full across their 40 sites this week, bookings up over 25% on 2 years ago.
It’s painful paying such a premium, but it’s market forces sadly and people are willing to pay it to get a break.
What I dont understand in the day of social media is no ones taken on these firms. Boycott one of these firms one summer by not booking with them.
But you've just booked a week's stay for £3,658 with one of "these firms". That'll show em...
But as an aside, if you look at the economics of virtually any holiday company, domestic or overseas, it's the summer occupancy at premium prices that enables them to exist.
6-8 weeks of high revenue effectively enables them to offset the losses they make during the rest of the year.
It's the nature of the travel industry and one that will never be any different (and why every years "outrage" at school holiday prices dies off once people start investigating and realise that without variable seasonal pricing, there would be no holiday companies for us to use and enjoy...)
It was a joke me booking that week for that price. Paid £300 for a week there last September.
Also that is because all the cheaper accommodation is sold out. That is not the standard/average price.
When I looked yesterday you Could get same accommodation for 1500 by going Monday to Monday the week before
most holiday parks are pretty much fully booked now and probably only have the higher end caravans or lodges etc left available
Haven have said they are full across their 40 sites this week, bookings up over 25% on 2 years ago.
It’s painful paying such a premium, but it’s market forces sadly and people are willing to pay it to get a break.
What I dont understand in the day of social media is no ones taken on these firms. Boycott one of these firms one summer by not booking with them.
But you've just booked a week's stay for £3,658 with one of "these firms". That'll show em...
But as an aside, if you look at the economics of virtually any holiday company, domestic or overseas, it's the summer occupancy at premium prices that enables them to exist.
6-8 weeks of high revenue effectively enables them to offset the losses they make during the rest of the year.
It's the nature of the travel industry and one that will never be any different (and why every years "outrage" at school holiday prices dies off once people start investigating and realise that without variable seasonal pricing, there would be no holiday companies for us to use and enjoy...)
It was a joke me booking that week for that price. Paid £300 for a week there last September.
We are off to broadlands sand holiday park in lowestoft in september. Monday to Friday for £360 for a platinum lodge. Booked that last year sometime and it's out of school holidays so cant really argue with that price.
No holidays abroad this year yet and tbh cant see us bothering
I honestly can’t see why anyone’s bothering this year, far too much uncertainty to make it a relaxing prospect.
Currently staying in Highcliffe for a couple of days. Ideal spot as it's 10 mins into the New Forest and 3 minutes from the beach. Had a great day yesterday around the forest which my boys loved. Off to the beach this morning then back into the New Forest later. Love this part of the world.
Slightly cheating as this is the end of next year, but been and still planning our holiday of a lifetime for our retirement, we are lucky to be able to do this and it’s still work in progress, but basically it kicks off late October 2022 with 2 days in Istanbul then a 73 night luxury cruise to Auckland via, Dubai, Luxor, India, Australia and finally New Zealand, followed by a short 4 days tours around New Zealand, then a flight back to Dubai for two nights in the desert before the final leg home. We are looking at some fabulous trip including sea plane and helicopter trips (both on our bucket list), whilst on the cruise. We will also be calling into Brisbane to see my brother for the first time in around 10 years. Mind you if Covid doesn’t relent I might well be wasting my time.
@CharltonKerry I’d reluctantly do a swapsie with our Weymouth caravan week.
you would have to babysit both my kids and my parents though :-)
Mate, don’t knock caravan holidays. We booked a last last minute week down in New Romney last summer and had a fantastic break. Admittedly, we had the weather by my daughter said she enjoyed it just as much as when we pay a fortune for 2 weeks all inclusive in Spain.
Not knocking at all mate, probably had about 40-50 UK caravan holidays. Pretty much all we’ve done the last 10 years. Love them.
Wouldn't say no to that world cruise though :-)
@CharltonKerry not staying at that one, another in Weymouth.
We’ve been all over the place - Cancun, Turks & Caicos, Disneyworld 3 times, New York, Portugal, France and Italy and yet my kids still rave about the 4 nights in a caravan we had 2 years ago at Easter in Great Yarmouth.
sometimes it’s just the fact we are together is what matters most...not necessarily the location
I would quite like to just pop back to the UK to see my family and friends, but the fact we're all fully vaccinated seems to be meaningless at the moment.
Going to Trecco Bay caravan park in porthcawl soon. Anyone been recently? Seems popular but recent reviews very mixed, I guess covid has made it difficult for these sorts of places
Covid willing it will be that London for a mate's 60th in September, then to Hampshire where the folks now live, Tamworth for a Rockabilly weekend in October (then swiftly back to that London/Hants), Tenerife for another Rockabilly do and also another mate's 60th in November, then most of December in London/Hants until we go to Germany over new year.
easyJet cancelled our flights to Zakynthos on June 19th despite the possibility of it going green. However, we are sort of relieved as the cost of the PCR tests for us both wouldn't have been cheap plus the island could have gone Red again while we were out there.
Thought I'd let you know that Las Vegas has returned to 100% capacity today, and all screens have been removed from the casinos. Mask-mandate has been lifted for anyone who is fully vaccinated.
Planning a grand tour driving to Italy with the wife and dog this time next year. It will give us something to look forward to and everything seems easy to cancel at quite a late date. It seems very easy to find dog friendly hotels on the way and when we get there we will rent a villa with a pool for a couple of weeks as well as a hotel either side of that for three weeks in total.
I am planning on not driving too long each day so a few stops. I think I have found a decent route were we stop at places worth visiting but am still going over it. First stop would be a place called Verdun, then Colmar, then a couple of nights in Aosta (in the Italian Alps), then on to Venice for a couple of days and then Forli for a couple of weeks (Where my dad originated from), then a lovely Villa near Rimini for two weeks (where my son and his girlfriend could join us picking them up from the airport) and then back to Forli where we will sort out the vet for the worming treatment needed for the way home. It has to be done within 5 days of return but can't be done on day of return.
Has anybody done anything similar? If so, any tips? Especially relating to taking a dog. The Villa is expensive but it has a Gym and a large pool with a lot of room and we have saved by not having a holiday this year. The hotels seem to be more than reasonable. We thought do it before we are to old to do it.
Planning a grand tour driving to Italy with the wife and dog this time next year. It will give us something to look forward to and everything seems easy to cancel at quite a late date. It seems very easy to find dog friendly hotels on the way and when we get there we will rent a villa with a pool for a couple of weeks as well as a hotel either side of that for three weeks in total.
I am planning on not driving too long each day so a few stops. I think I have found a decent route were we stop at places worth visiting but am still going over it. First stop would be a place called Verdun, then Colmar, then a couple of nights in Aosta (in the Italian Alps), then on to Venice for a couple of days and then Forli for a couple of weeks (Where my dad originated from), then a lovely Villa near Rimini for two weeks (where my son and his girlfriend could join us picking them up from the airport) and then back to Forli where we will sort out the vet for the worming treatment needed for the way home. It has to be done within 5 days of return but can't be done on day of return.
Has anybody done anything similar? If so, any tips? Especially relating to taking a dog. The Villa is expensive but it has a Gym and a large pool with a lot of room and we have saved by not having a holiday this year. The hotels seem to be more than reasonable. We thought do it before we are to old to do it.
Being half Italian I have quite a good knowledge of what is around and what to do. I can speak Italian pretty well. What I am less confident about is around taking the dog. Italy is probably one of the most dog friendly countries in the world. A law was passed where establishments should take dogs in unless they are not well behaved and I think they have to opt out. But my concerns based on not having done it before, are around how straightforward it is with vets etc... Brexit has worried me a bit but I am assuming the system will have settled down by then. Has anybody taken a dog abroad post Brexit?
Being half Italian I have quite a good knowledge of what is around and what to do. I can speak Italian pretty well. What I am less confident about is around taking the dog. Italy is probably one of the most dog friendly countries in the world. A law was passed where establishments should take dogs in unless they are not well behaved and I think they have to opt out. But my concerns based on not having done it before, are around how straightforward it is with vets etc... Brexit has worried me a bit but I am assuming the system will have settled down by then. Has anybody taken a dog abroad post Brexit?
I can't really answer, but we're new dog owners - ours came from Cyprus so has a EU passport (probably more valuable than mine now...!) and we're really keen on a road trip with the mutt around France next year - but no idea what the realities are of travelling to Europe with a dog. So basically, I'm no help but am following as well for anyone with advice on the practicalities!
Just been down my local Tui shop in Orpington and put this summer's holiday back to next year. That's the 2nd time I've had to do this but haho life goes on.
Just been down my local Tui shop in Orpington and put this summer's holiday back to next year. That's the 2nd time I've had to do this but haho life goes on.
The fact you’ve postponed and not cancelled is of huge benefit to the travel industry. Well aware disappointing to miss out on the holiday, but thankful for those like you transferring bookings.
We postponed last year for a holiday booked in 2019 and rebooked for this to help the industry (we could have cancelled then and not lost anything) and Tui didn't demonstrate any flexibility or gratitude, taking our deposit (£600 this year). We couldn't postpone it until next year as it was with our son who it looks like is going to work in Sweden for a year as part of his Uni course so we don't know dates he will be available. I suggested they offer us the lost deposits as vouchers which mean we would be booking another holiday with them when we know free dates or lose them, but they said we had to book a holiday for the three of us by Friday (a few days notice) or we would lose the deposit. We had to cancel as if we did not 70 days before we went away, Tui could have taken all of our money even if the destination was Amber.
We postponed last year for a holiday booked in 2019 and rebooked for this to help the industry (we could have cancelled then and not lost anything) and Tui didn't demonstrate any flexibility or gratitude, taking our deposit (£600 this year). We couldn't postpone it until next year as it was with our son who it looks like is going to work in Sweden for a year as part of his Uni course so we don't know dates he will be available. I suggested they offer us the lost deposits as vouchers which mean we would be booking another holiday with them when we know free dates or lose them, but they said we had to book a holiday for the three of us by Friday (a few days notice) or we would lose the deposit. We had to cancel as if we did not 70 days before we went away, Tui could have taken all of our money even if the destination was Amber.
Just seen this posted on BBC.
Travel firm TUI says it won't refund customers for trips to Portugal while the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) isn't advising against all but essential travel to the country.
That's despite Portugal being moved to the amber list, which means the government urges people not to go there.
But being on the amber list doesn't necessarily mean the FCDO advises against travel there (but note that when they do make that decision to advise against travel to a country, it usually invalidates travel insurance if you still choose to go).
Just been down my local Tui shop in Orpington and put this summer's holiday back to next year. That's the 2nd time I've had to do this but haho life goes on.
The fact you’ve postponed and not cancelled is of huge benefit to the travel industry. Well aware disappointing to miss out on the holiday, but thankful for those like you transferring bookings.
That's partly why I rescheduled the holiday and never cancelled it. The staff in the Tui shop have been helping me with my holidays for many years. The least I can do is try and support them in these troubled times.
Comments
West Bay, a little drive away is stunning and where the majority of Broadchurch was filmed, and there’s a walk along the cliffs West to Eype Beach.
Beer, another short drive is a pebble beach with rock pools, so best to go when the tide is out. There is also a fun park there called Pecorama, mainly for kids I guess and haven’t a clue if it’s open currently.
Paid £300 for a week there last September.
most holiday parks are pretty much fully booked now and probably only have the higher end caravans or lodges etc left available
sometimes it’s just the fact we are together is what matters most...not necessarily the location
Got a lot of catching up to do...
I am planning on not driving too long each day so a few stops. I think I have found a decent route were we stop at places worth visiting but am still going over it. First stop would be a place called Verdun, then Colmar, then a couple of nights in Aosta (in the Italian Alps), then on to Venice for a couple of days and then Forli for a couple of weeks (Where my dad originated from), then a lovely Villa near Rimini for two weeks (where my son and his girlfriend could join us picking them up from the airport) and then back to Forli where we will sort out the vet for the worming treatment needed for the way home. It has to be done within 5 days of return but can't be done on day of return.
Has anybody done anything similar? If so, any tips? Especially relating to taking a dog. The Villa is expensive but it has a Gym and a large pool with a lot of room and we have saved by not having a holiday this year. The hotels seem to be more than reasonable. We thought do it before we are to old to do it.
used the spain and portugal version for road trips, they're really useful
That's the 2nd time I've had to do this but haho life goes on.
Just seen this posted on BBC.
Travel firm TUI says it won't refund customers for trips to Portugal while the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) isn't advising against all but essential travel to the country.
That's despite Portugal being moved to the amber list, which means the government urges people not to go there.
But being on the amber list doesn't necessarily mean the FCDO advises against travel there (but note that when they do make that decision to advise against travel to a country, it usually invalidates travel insurance if you still choose to go).
The staff in the Tui shop have been helping me with my holidays for many years.
The least I can do is try and support them in these troubled times.