We have all dreamed of a cottage in the country, the peace, the tranquility, the sheer bliss of escapism.

The Holiday Cottage market is booming, as the Buy-to-Let market has exploded so more and more people have invested in Holiday Cottages. Is this boom another reason for ever inflated property prices?

The idea of a holiday cottage seems idyllic to me. The crack of an open fire, the glorious use of chintz in decor, the ability to be able to relax in a tranquil setting away from it all.

If like me you are not a big television fan and you like to read, then a holiday cottage is surely a holiday type to consider.

The time is yours, the cottage is fully self-catering, you are bound to no one.

There are holiday cottages all over the UK with many set in beautiful surroundings. Whether it be Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Worcestershire, The Cotswold’s or a holiday cottage in Sussex there are plenty to choose from.

As with anything there is choice, some holiday cottages are for the adults only, some accept children, some accept pets.

Prices vary from season to season; you are always going to pay more during peak times. For example a 4 star English Rose rated cottage in Arundel begins at £350 for a week and rises to £450 in the main holiday season.

If you are after a different type of holiday, check out a cottage holiday.

Google search for Cottage Holidays

The Tories are being urged to introduce new Bank Holidays, but bizarrely, they have thrown out the proposal. Is that because politicians already get more time off than anyone?

The UK tourism industry would certainly benefit from the introduction of three new bank holidays; I have always found the UK Bank Holiday system, bizarre to say the least. Because of the weather in the UK we are never quite sure how to play Bank Holidays and that is why thee timing of current UK Bank Holidays is all wrong.

For me Easter is usually a total loss; For example in 2008 Easter is going to be at the end of March, now March traditionally is still cold. Mid to late April is a far more suitable time for weather. We had a glorious April this year and Easter was not too bad. Then we are lumped with two bank holidays in May and then we get nothing until August. So why are the no Bank Holidays in the middle of our Summer in June and July? It does not make sense!

When Bank Holiday weather is glorious, our touist spots are packed to the rafters; a Bank Holiday brings everyone out; a Bank Holiday gets people together. How nice is it knowing you do not have to get to work on a Monday morning? I love it and I want more of it.

We all work hard so it really is time the lack of Bank Holidays was addressed in the UK. Our European cousins get more Bank Holidays than us,  why is it that we are treated so badly by those in charge?

I would rather lose a Bank Holiday in May and have one in June and then take an extra Bank Holiday in July.

Why not have a bank holiday to celebrate the longest day of the year? That to me is a perfect time to enjoy the beauty of a British Summer and get out and enjoy what Britain has to offer.

What we would lose in productivity we would make up in revenue from holiday makers.

Whether it by a Hotel in Torquay or a Holiday Cottage in Arundel an extra Bank Holiday will help the tourism industry and give us hard working Brits another day to look forward to in the Summer.

The Washington Post has highlighted a fantastic offer by the all inclusive resort specialist Almond Resorts. If you book an all inclusive holiday at any of Almond Resorts’ Barbados or St. Lucia properties, then you may be entitled to receive savings ranging from 35 – 50%.

The article highlights how a three night stay in the Almond Beach Club & Spa in Barbados will see you able to claim a 50% discount, with the holiday starting at just under $600 per person.

This includes access to the resorts’ water sports, meals and drinks. Book by the 31st of August to receive your discount.

An article from the Fair Investment Company details how couples who have their weddings abroad end up saving in comparison to tying the knot in the UK.

10% of couples in the UK are making that very choice and jetting off to faraway shores to get wed according to statistics from WeddingsAbroad.com.

Whilst often being described as more stressful than a typical wedding close to home, a wedding abroad means couples can enjoy a beautiful wedding in and idyllic location, with close friends and family.
Travel insurance is advised in the event of the wedding being ruined by sever weather conditions associated with tropical climes.

There are some many beautiful places to get married, and why not combine a beautiful Caribbean holiday with your special day, followed by a relaxing honeymoon. With the savings that can be had, it’s hard to find a reason not to!

Walt Disney World Vacation last day. Downtown Disney, DVC Animal Kingdom Rooms from preview center, Lunch a the Wilderness Lodge

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Walt Disney World & Busch Gardens Day 8 end

Given the summer we have had so far, one might forgive any hotelier or business owner that relies on the tourist trade to quietly shut-up shop and commit Hari Kari! This leads me to ask the question, is taking a holiday in the UK  a waste of time?

OK, we are have just had some fine Summer days, but how long have we been waiting for them? From what I recall it has been since April when we were treated to some fine spring days. That aside are we lucky to get a series of warm and sunny days like this or is it that a British Summer is filled with inconsistency?

For example, Brighton is a haven when the sun is shining, looking at Brighton Beach on a summers day simply beggars belief. I for one would not want to venture somewhere that was that busy, because as the image shows the tourists are quite literally packed in like sardines.

 And this is my point; days like this in a resort such as Brighton are more irregular than regular, that is unless we have a blistering summer. 

Last year I felt we had a blistering summer, every Sauturday I seemed to be lighting up the barbeque and endulging in some prime Angus steak! But is that any reason to want to take a holiday in the UK, is the weather consistent enough to warrant it?

In August last year I ventured down for a holiday in Devon. It was my first visit down to Torquay and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I found Torquay to be a delightful place. It was my first time in South Devon, traditionally I had been up to North Devon and stayed around Barnstaple and Ilfracombe. The fact is I had an absolutely glorious time whilst taking a holiday in Devon and I am looking to get back down to the TLH Leisure complex in Torquay this very Autumn.

The hotel in Torquay in which I stayed offered me more than just a room; it was a complete leisure complex, which is why I would be happy to visit the location again. It was not so much a hotel, but more of a leisure complex and even if there were rainy days there would have been activities throughout the complex to keep one occupied.

So in answer to my blog title, I do not believe holidays to be a waste of time, the trick is finding the right holiday location that is suitable for your needs and no matter what the weather does you can still have a jolly good time.

If you have Children and you are next seeking Travel Insurance, it may be worth shopping around as Travel Insurance suppliers are now starting to include child kidnap cover as standard protection.

Whilst child kidnap is very rare when holidaying, it is certainly extra cover worth having.