Holidays | City Breaks, Camping, Golf, Adventure Holidays

Want a fun, cost-effective alternative to a hotel city break? Then join the growing number of switched on families who are opting to go on metropolitan mobile home holiday, the latest way for those travelling with children to enjoy some of Europe’s most spectacular sights. And if you book with Keycamp before 25 February 2009, you could also save up to 15% in its New Year sales.

Committed to providing the most enjoyable family holidays, Eurocamp – the UK’s leading European camping holiday operator – has teamed up with Tumble Tots to offer free children’s play sessions when they’re away.

In a new survey by Thomson holidays, 96% of holidaymakers stated that financial protection was important to them – a six percent rise compared to a survey that asked the same question four months ago.

There are still places on Naturetrek’s pioneering tour in search of Snow Leopards, one of the rarest and most beautiful animals on the planet, in the spectacular setting of Ladakh, northwest India.

Look out all Merlin fans, following the premier of the new Merlin film ‘The war of the Dragons’ and the resounding popularity of the BBC1 TV series ‘Merlin’, Canvas Holidays is launching “Discover Merlin’s Magic” sessions for summer 2009.

Have you ever been stood in the airport duty free shop, waiting for your flight home debating which of the latest Armani or Chanel fragrances you like best? Wondering how guilty you’re going to feel if you buy both? Are you constantly juggling between treats for the family and souvenirs of your holiday?

Accommodation-only bookings website EasyToBook.com has announced its best November revenue figures for Prague in its four year history. 20% up from October to November 2008, this marks a contrast against the usual market drop of 10-15% during this season.

A trilogy of Italian guidebooks covering the area around the central Apennines, a magical and little known region of Italy, have just been translated into English for the first time. In conjunction with the region’s premier villa provider, Marche Holiday Homes, the three books have been translated as part of the company’s close links with the Monti Sibillini National Park, home to some of Italy’s most stunning landscapes.

Holidays with friends can be a stressful thing to organise, especially when large amounts of money are involved. Everyone knows the age-old scenario of mates agreeing to go - in theory, but backing out when it comes to putting the money down.

Leading Asia-specialist, Travel Indochina, has come up with the perfect solution for discerning travellers affected by the credit crunch, but unwilling to compromise on holiday preference.

Despite inflation-busting price rises on rail fares announced for the New Year, some train operators are far from generous when it comes to giving customers refunds for lengthy train delays, says Which?

Where the Pyrénées meet the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea you’ll find Criques de Porteils - Eurocamp’s latest French destination. Brand new for 2009, the parc is nestled on a rocky Languedoc cove on the southernmost coastline of France. It’s just a short walk from the picturesque harbour village of Collioure and 15 miles from both Perpignan and the Spanish border.

To celebrate their 60th year of operation, Cadogan Holidays has announced the Cadogan Diamond Class; premium cabin seats in partnership with BMI, to many key summer destinations across Southern Europe.

European Boating Holidays (EBH) has announced that it will freeze the Euro to Pound exchange rate in order to pass significant savings onto customers for 2009 holidays. With brochure prices currently in Euros, EBH will offer existing and new travellers a fixed rate of €1.30 to £1 for holidays booked to any destination by the end of January 2009.

The history of the fabulous coastline and scenery of South Devon will be on show with a new walking break from Torquay’s TLH Leisure Resort. The break, Walking for Pleasure, will be led by Gerald and Margaret Thompson who have spent the last 17 years exploring the area and are now keen to show it off to others.

Over-55s operator Grand UK Holidays has seen a 55% rise in solo travellers booking early 2009 breaks, as they seek to put a spring in their step. Over its 25-year history, Grand UK has catered for such holidaymakers with its policy of no single supplements on all UK breaks. It also offers dedicated ‘Specially for Singles’ holidays.

To celebrate the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday on the 12th February 2009, Wildlife Worldwide offers an action-packed 18-day tailor-made holiday combining the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle and Cotopaxi Volcano, with a 7-night Galápagos Island voyage.

The BBC’s Natural World recently focused on the wealth of natural history amongst the Cork Oak forests of Portugal’s Alentejo region that produce much of the world's supply of cork, and in turn support a flourishing eco-system.

Explore one of Africa’s newest riding destinations – Kafue National Park, similar in size to Wales and host to an impressive combination of large herds of big game, diversity of landscape and wildlife. Zambia’s only horse riding safari operation opens in Kafue NP for the first time in March 2009, and first on the scene is Equine Adventures who offer an 8-day Kafue Horse Safari departing Lusaka 10th March 2009.

Escape the winter blues, get off the beaten track and grab some of the action with Dragoman on a 21-night journey loaded with adventure activities. From Elephant safaris and white-water rafting, to quad biking through the dunes of the Namib Desert and visiting community projects en route, this overland journey is a great way to experience the spectacular landscapes and wildlife of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia, from Cape Town to Livingstone.

BBC2’s Oceans series recently searched for Great White Shark in the Mediterranean, which experts now believe provides a nursery for birthing and raising young. Join Dive Worldwide for a rush of adrenaline during a 5-day Great White Shark Weekend in South Africa. Plus, right now get more South African Rand to the British pound whilst exchange rates are favourable. Holidays depart London daily throughout 2009, with the best time to see Great White Shark being from May until September.

For a cookery course with a difference, self-catering accommodation specialists, Mallorca Farmhouses has introduced a series of Guilt-Free Gastronomic Getaways to Mallorca next spring and autumn.

The Adventure Company is offering early booking discounts and half price child spaces on selected family adventures so families can enjoy exotic, active and cultural trips during the 2009 Easter and summer school holidays at great prices.

Not only was Kununurra, in the Kimberley of Western Australia, the set for Nicole Kidman's new epic romance, Australia, but apparently its waters aided the ‘miracle’ conception of her daughter.

Specialist tour operator Journey Latin America is offering over 25% off selected cruises in the Galápagos Islands in 2009 to help travellers celebrate the bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth.

USA travel specialist TrekAmerica is inviting customers to join the celebrations in 2009 as Alaska – the state which brought us Sarah Palin, Northern Exposure, Jewel and Into the Wild – celebrates 50 years of US statehood. Alaska became the 49th state of the USA in January 1959 - only Hawaii was admitted later.

Tour Operator Thomson Worldwide, which offers flexible holidays to suit every taste and budget - from romantic retreats and adventurous family holidays to once in a lifetime luxury trips or budget conscious breaks – has divulged its top tips for the hottest travel experiences and destinations for 2009.

When the Russian government petitioned UNESCO to register the volcanoes of the Kamchatka Peninsula as a World Heritage site, it made its case simply: “(Kamchatka) represents the most active volcanic region in the world.” Its 29 active cones alone were enough to warrant World Heritage status in 1996 and lure KE Adventure Travel there in 2009.

Contrary to popular belief, walking holidays are not confined to leisurely strolls across Fells or Dales. Specialist operator, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, offers a wide choice of high grade walks throughout Europe – with stays en route in mountain huts.