I can't believe how quick the summer goes sometimes, but although we are getting towards the end of August there are still people going off on holiday, enjoying the sunshine when it arrives, or planning to attend end of season festivals. So, although for various reasons I haven't been on holiday in a good few years now, I thought I'd indulge in a holiday wish list style post. In no particular order here are a few places I would love to visit:
Center Parcs
I have always loved holiday parks ever since I was small, and used to get quite excited whenever we were going to one. I like the home from home feel of the accommodation, don't mind making my own food or going self-catering, and prefer the informal style of the holiday, as oppose to always dressing for dinner, being in a hotel with noisy guests, and having more structure.
Center Parcs to me would be the ultimate UK holiday park stay, I love the woodland settings of the 5 parks, the lakes, and the idea of taking my bike and riding through the park to blow the cobwebs away. The indoor water parks look pretty amazing as well. I think it would make for a special chilled out break, perfect for someone like me who doesn't like things too frantic, but wants plenty of options so I don't get bored. I have to say the woodland lodges look really cute too.
Euro Camps
Yep, there is a bit of a theme here! I always wondered what Europe was like in terms of holiday parks, and liked the idea of staying in one, but didn't really want to delve to far into the unknown. So when I found a Euro Camp brochure in a travel agents this seemed perfect. A recognised brand, top quality facilities, and a great choice of destination.
Although the 170 plus parks may vary a bit in terms of size and facilities, overall I like the mix of relaxation and activities that are promised. There are some great looking pools with water slides pictured at some of the parks, along with activities ranging from cycling to golf available on the park or nearby. You can even book for a park that has it's own private beach, is close to popular tourist towns and cities, or near to a theme park.
Browsing through the destinations on offer it's pretty hard to narrow the choices down to one place I'd like to visit, so I'd have to put Lake Garda and the Adriatic areas of Italy, Interlaken in Switzerland, and Costa Dorada in Spain would be top of the list.
Lapland
One of the things I've always wanted the chance to see and photograph is the Northern Lights, and I've heard if you go far enough North in Lapland you may be able to see them. Sounds like a plan, and some companies allow you to book a 'Northern Lights Experience' as part of your trip.
Short transfer times are always top of my list, so I think I'd book for Lapland's capital Rovaniemi. Easy access to the wilderness - and activities such as reindeer sleigh rides - yet in a lively city with good quality accommodation and shopping. Rovaniemi has a hotel called Hotel Santa Claus and cosy looking cottages - bookable through Thomson. The Santa Park - an underground grotto full of ice sculptures, Santa, and his elves, sounds quite magical as well.
Disneyworld Florida
I have been lucky enough to visit Florida and Disneyworld twice when I was younger - and this destination is without a doubt my favourite ever that I've visited. We stayed in an amazing hotel on resort called the Polynesian Village Resort - all Hawaiian themed - with it's own private beach, monorail to Disneyworld and Epcot - epic mickey mouse waffles for breakfast - and views of the fireworks every night. I'll save all the memories and photo's for another post, but Disney really does stick with you forever, and a lot has changed and been added since I went years ago. I would absolutely love to go back and visit all the main parks, and hopefully fulfil a lifelong goal and swim with Dolphins at Discovery Cove.
To go back to the hotel where I stayed twice with my family would be amazing, and staying on resort is brilliant, with a lot of the attractions easy to reach - or on the monorail network, although the idea of staying in a villa or checking out one of the other resort hotels is pretty tempting as well - maybe I'd need a split centre holiday!
Have you been to any of the places on my list? what would be on your holiday wish list? would love to hear your thoughts as always, so please join in the holiday dreaming, and maybe one day we will all be ticking some destinations off our list.
Center Parcs
I have always loved holiday parks ever since I was small, and used to get quite excited whenever we were going to one. I like the home from home feel of the accommodation, don't mind making my own food or going self-catering, and prefer the informal style of the holiday, as oppose to always dressing for dinner, being in a hotel with noisy guests, and having more structure.
Center Parcs to me would be the ultimate UK holiday park stay, I love the woodland settings of the 5 parks, the lakes, and the idea of taking my bike and riding through the park to blow the cobwebs away. The indoor water parks look pretty amazing as well. I think it would make for a special chilled out break, perfect for someone like me who doesn't like things too frantic, but wants plenty of options so I don't get bored. I have to say the woodland lodges look really cute too.
Euro Camps
Yep, there is a bit of a theme here! I always wondered what Europe was like in terms of holiday parks, and liked the idea of staying in one, but didn't really want to delve to far into the unknown. So when I found a Euro Camp brochure in a travel agents this seemed perfect. A recognised brand, top quality facilities, and a great choice of destination.
Although the 170 plus parks may vary a bit in terms of size and facilities, overall I like the mix of relaxation and activities that are promised. There are some great looking pools with water slides pictured at some of the parks, along with activities ranging from cycling to golf available on the park or nearby. You can even book for a park that has it's own private beach, is close to popular tourist towns and cities, or near to a theme park.
Browsing through the destinations on offer it's pretty hard to narrow the choices down to one place I'd like to visit, so I'd have to put Lake Garda and the Adriatic areas of Italy, Interlaken in Switzerland, and Costa Dorada in Spain would be top of the list.
Lapland
One of the things I've always wanted the chance to see and photograph is the Northern Lights, and I've heard if you go far enough North in Lapland you may be able to see them. Sounds like a plan, and some companies allow you to book a 'Northern Lights Experience' as part of your trip.
Short transfer times are always top of my list, so I think I'd book for Lapland's capital Rovaniemi. Easy access to the wilderness - and activities such as reindeer sleigh rides - yet in a lively city with good quality accommodation and shopping. Rovaniemi has a hotel called Hotel Santa Claus and cosy looking cottages - bookable through Thomson. The Santa Park - an underground grotto full of ice sculptures, Santa, and his elves, sounds quite magical as well.
Disneyworld Florida
I have been lucky enough to visit Florida and Disneyworld twice when I was younger - and this destination is without a doubt my favourite ever that I've visited. We stayed in an amazing hotel on resort called the Polynesian Village Resort - all Hawaiian themed - with it's own private beach, monorail to Disneyworld and Epcot - epic mickey mouse waffles for breakfast - and views of the fireworks every night. I'll save all the memories and photo's for another post, but Disney really does stick with you forever, and a lot has changed and been added since I went years ago. I would absolutely love to go back and visit all the main parks, and hopefully fulfil a lifelong goal and swim with Dolphins at Discovery Cove.
To go back to the hotel where I stayed twice with my family would be amazing, and staying on resort is brilliant, with a lot of the attractions easy to reach - or on the monorail network, although the idea of staying in a villa or checking out one of the other resort hotels is pretty tempting as well - maybe I'd need a split centre holiday!
Have you been to any of the places on my list? what would be on your holiday wish list? would love to hear your thoughts as always, so please join in the holiday dreaming, and maybe one day we will all be ticking some destinations off our list.
Lovely post! Would love to go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, Sorrento and go snowboarding. Me and Tom better get saving! xx
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