There is nothing better than the freedom of the road, no memories more potent than those spent with family, nothing more adventurous than the great unknown. However, there are certain aspects of a long car journey you could do without. In this article we will look at 5 very basic tips that will ensure your memories are good ones!

1. An Emergency Kit. Nobody plans for disasters, but you can be prepared for when they occur. When travelling long distances by car, always pack an emergency kit. This kit should contain, first aid, jump cables, full petrol can, car jack, flash light, spare tyre, pressure gauge, water, oil, road side flares, high-visibility jackets and a small portable tool kit.

2. Take Regular Breaks. One of the most common causes of fatal road accidents is fatigue. Take regular breaks, get out of the car and have some fresh air. Should you feel tired whilst driving, open a window to allow cold air in until you find a place to pull over and have a quick 40 winks.

3. Road Service Membership. We’ve all seen the adverts on television, but road side services such as the AA can be an absolute lifesaver when stuck in the middle of nowhere.

4. Get your car serviced. Prior to any long distance car journey, you should always have your car inspected and serviced appropriately, especially important for used cars. This will ensure that your car is prepared for the long distance you have planned to make.

5. Plan for the unexpected. As with any long distance travelling, you are sure to have ups and downs. If you are driving new car, familiarise yourself with all its functions and equipment, test drive the vehicle to become confident in the way it handles. If you are travelling with small children, make sure that you think ahead and bring plenty of activities to keep them busy. Plan your trip in advance and familiarise yourself with your route. Bring a paper map (in addition to GPS devices) and know where all of the safest rest stops, restaurants, hotels and historical sites are along the way.

With this in mind you will have peace of mind that you prepared as much as you could, and can get on with enjoying your time and creating those wonderful family memories.

With the current economic climate in the UK and further afield, many people are thinking twice about travelling abroad for their summer holidays this year. If you’re one of the people considering alternative options to international destinations for your break, regardless of the type of holiday you’re after, why not consider a short break in the United Kingdom.

The UK has a huge amount to offer as a holiday destination, and many of us just don’t take advantage of what’s right on our doorstep. Not only is there a huge variety of holidays on offer in the UK, but compared to travelling abroad you could save yourself a considerable sum of money.

So, for those considering a UK breaks this summer, here’s a few ideas for holiday destinations in the UK:

1. London
If you’re heading off with your wife or husband, or you’re taking a holiday with friends, why not consider taking a shopping trip to the South of England. London is the obvious main destination, offering one of the most eclectic shopping experiences in the world. No matter what you’re looking for, whether it’s vintage gems in second hand retro shops and market stall or designer fashions from top boutiques, you’ll find what you’re looking for in England’s capital. On top of this, London has a huge amount to offer in terms of sights, attractions and activities, ensuring you’re never short of things to do. Catch a Premier League football game at one of the City’s numerous top-flight football clubs, take in the Houses Of Parliment, Big Ben or the London Eye, take in London’s iconic architecture, enjoy a picnic in Hyde Park, take a boat ride town the Thames or visit the world famous London Zoo – the list goes on and on. The down side of a visit to London is the price of accomodation and general living in the capital, making it more suitable for a weekend visit.

2. Brighton
If you’re down South, why not head to Brighton – the most eccentric, colourful and welcoming seaside City in the country. Like London, Brighton is a fantastic destination for shopping, featuring every kind of shop from expensive designer boutiques to tiny vintage shops. What Brighton offers that London doesn’t however is a beautiful stone beach and wonderful sea air. Brighton Pier is famous worldwide and the shopping and attractions along Brighton Seafront make it a fantastic location for relaxing in the sun with the family. Brighton is also a renowned destination for holidays with friends, including stag do’s and hen nights. This is largely due to the extremely vibrant night-life in Brighton, with bars, clubs and restaurants abound throughout the City. Unfortunately Brighton can also be fairly expensive, depending on where you’re happy to stay and spend your time. If budget isn’t an issue then you’ll be able to take advantage of any 5 star guest house in Brighton, many of which are world renowned, but for those on a tighter budget you’ll find numerous B&B’s and guest houses which will be more suitable.

3. Edinburgh
Arguably the most popular holiday destination in Scotland, Edinburgh has a huge amount to offer to holidaymakers, regardless of the type of break you’re looking for. Edinburgh is a fantastic destination for sightseeing and taking in historical monuments, with numerous attractions for tourists. The City is also a great location for shopping, featuring a huge range of boutique fashion houses, vintage stores and high street retail chains. As well as the city itself, there is a wealth of wonderful countryside to explore around Edinburgh. One of the best ways to do this is by motorhome, as it affords you the freedom to travel and stop whenever and wherever you want, and you can experience the real wilds of Scotland

A lot of people now days like to get involved with the charity 10k runs, marathons and half marathons. There are plenty of worthwhile causes to get involved with, which sees more than 5 million people participate yearly. It is no doubt that long distant running has been seen as more of a past time and hobby of a sport than it has in previous years.

But with the increase in people doing these long distance runs, I have made it my mission to increase the adoption of yoga as a method of preparing your muscles for the runs and making sure they are in top shape for your next long distance run.

Whilst running is good for your cardio training and builds strength to the muscles, it tends to leave them contracted and shortens them. Whilst the perfect antidote for the tightness of long distance running are the abundance of positions in yoga that are perfect for stretching out and lengthening the muscles.

The usual suspects that are good to work for runners are the hamstrings, the glutes, the hips and the buttocks and with a whole range of suitable postures to give these muscles a good work out, there are of course many other stretches and exercises that are good for runners. The best beginner/intermediate yoga postures for runners are as follows.

The “Downward Dog” is the first on our list as it is a good stretch to aid the muscles in the legs whilst also giving a good amount of exercise to the shoulders and back. This is great for alignment and can help with the posture and key elements to ensure fitness whilst running and is a great warm up for getting a lot of the muscles warmed up and lengthened.

This position is good for lengthening the muscles but there are some more positions that are beneficial to runners also as they will help with circulation, breathing, flexibility and ultimately strength.
A typical runner with have a flawed running technique and will experience too much pounding, tightening and shortening of the muscles and not enough focus is put on restorative and elongating muscle exercises.
If you feel you could be in need of a break in a warmer climate and for those that are interested in a yoga spa holiday, the tutors in charge will be able to take what you enjoy the most and give you exercises as a means to help your muscles for repairing.

Camping has never been so popular in the UK. I have learnt the hard way that if a camping holiday is on top your agenda for the year, then you need book up nice and early to avoid disappointment. I enjoy camping all over the country and in many parts of Europe, but the place that I return to more often than anywhere is the Isle of Wight. Isle of Wight camping is perfect for me because it is only a short distance from my home town of Brighton, but you can more or less be sure of a decent spell of weather in the summer. Add that to the amazing array of local walking routes and pub and restaurants, and you have the perfect combination for a great holiday. Two campsites that I have stayed at during the past year are Grange Farm and Southland Camping Park, which I have mentioned briefly below.
GRANGE FARM, Brighstone Bay, PO30 4DA (Tel: 01983 740296)
This is the perfect place for kids, and one place that I would have instantly loved as a child. It a family run small rural site that is perfectly situated on the south west of the island. First appearance suggests that it is quite remote, but this is not really the case. It is situated near to Grange Chine on farm land near to the A3055 that runs right down to the Brighstone Bay.
Grange Farm welcomes campers with tents, caravans and motor homes. The camping fields are level with plenty of electric hook up points, and you can pitch right up to the cliff face with great views over the sea. (Families with very young children are offered sites further away. Access to the sandy beach is via the small chine. It is just great!
One particular feature that we all liked was the camp shop which stocks everything from buckets and spades to kites and wet-suits. There is also a play area for young children and the well-kept toilet and shower facilities.

SOUTHLAND Camping Park, Newchurch, PO36 0LZ (Tel: 01983 865385)
This is famous for many camping attributes and has been the beneficiary of many industry awards including the AA Best Campsite in Southern England. When you get here it is easy to see why, as the whole site is absolutely immaculate and offers top notch facilities.
Both touring caravans and motor homes are welcome on this site alongside over 120 pitches – all very generous in size, and all with electric hook-up.
What is attractive about this place is that it appears to be quite remote, so it quiet at night for those who like to get their rest after a tough day exploring.
Despite this, it’s easily walkable to the nearest village of Newchurch where you will find the hospitable The Pointer Inn, and only three miles by car from the immaculate sandy beaches of Sandown and Shanklin which are great for the kids.
On site facilities at Southlands are excellent – and much effort from the staff is invested into ensuring that the toilet blocks and showers are kept clean at all times.

If you find that you are unable to get the pitch that you wanted, you can try the extensive list of Isle of Wight bed and breakfast accommodation. Going down this route is guaranteed to take the strain from you break, and give you more time to spend enjoying yourself with your partner or your family.