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2012 craft workshops in West Dorset

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

From 101 Holidays newsdesk

Ever wanted to know how to craft your own wire sculpture or walking stick, make a picture frame or a willow basket…?

One of our favourite B&Bs, Highway Farm in southwest Dorset, is holding a number of reasonably-priced craft courses this year.

Learn the ancient technique of felt-making (creating fabric from fleece) with expert Dennie Rose on 11th February, 24 March, 30 June and 13 October; £38 + approximately £7.50 for materials.

On 7 March, there’s a hat-making course with Fiona Neylan, with a chance to create vintage-inspired yarn jewellery on 10 March.

Peter Moors will lead a two-day course on creating hazelwood garden furniture on 15 and 15 April and there’s wire sculpture course on 19 April (£45 + materials).

Learn how to craft your own walking stick on 28 April or 16 August. There’s a picture framing workshop on 7 July and willow baskets on 21 September.

All courses take place at John and Pauline Bale’s B&B, Highway Farm, just outside Bridport. En suite accommodation is available, subject to availability, from £70 to £88 per room per night including a whopping full English breakfast.

Check out the full list of 2012 craft workshops. Highway Farm is a member of Countryside & Coastal, a collection of B&Bs in and around Bridport and the Jurassic Coast.

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15 best travel blogs to follow in 2012

Friday, January 6th, 2012

By Holly Cave

Last year we gathered together our 25 favourite travel blogs. Now at the beginning of a new year we’ve found 15 new and inspiring travel blogs that we believe you should be following in 2012.

We looked for websites that are run by individuals who are out there seeing the world, not corporate blogs run by SEO departments. We think our list is bursting with independent spirit, personality, insight and humour.

Each of these blogs is different, with its own voice and personality. But what they’ve all got in common is that they’re inspiring, invigorating and enjoyable to read. We hope you enjoy following them – and if you have any suggestions of your own, please leave a comment below.

1. One Giant Step

What it is: Gillian and her partner Jason search for an ex-pat hang-out.

Why we like it: While Gillian has been blogging about their adventures since 2009, the couple are now thinking seriously about settling down. We’re looking forward to finding out where they finally decide to put down some roots and hearing about how they settle into the ex-pat lifestyle. In the meantime, enjoy the frank articles, focus on local culture, the been-there, done-that tips on planning a round-the-word trip and the tit-bit taster of a place captured in time in the Monday Moment series.

Read the blog: One Giant Step. Follow Gillian on Twitter.

2. Further Bound

What it is: A new blog with bite, ‘adventurer-to-be’ Hannah is hitting the road for the long haul in 2012.

Why we like it: This is a genuinely brand new travel blog for 2012. So new, in fact, that Hannah and her boyfriend aren’t actually jetting off until September – a great opportunity to follow other travellers from the very beginning of their journey. Hannah puts her heart on her sleeve to write with refreshingly brutal honesty about everything from failed relationships to finances. Until they leave, enjoy regular blog updates featuring interviews with other bloggers, articles about preparing for life on the road and absorbing, often quite spiritual reminiscences about past adventures.

Read the blog: Further Bound. Follow Hannah on Twitter.

3. Sarah Somewhere

What it is: Flight attendant turned less formal traveller, this blogger has decided against settling down in the traditional way.

Why we like it: This clean and pretty site is an honest account from Sarah, who, having realised that getting married, buying into a mortgage and having babies isn’t for her, is embarking on a journey without an end date. Witty and personal, this blog charts Sarah’s inspirations, hopes, dreams and fears as she changes her life for the long-term. The house is sold, the bags are packed and 2012 is definitely going to be a big year for this travel blogger. We look forward to hearing about her adventures, beginning with South East Asia.

Read the blog: Sarah Somewhere.

4. Married with luggage

What it is: American couple Warren and Betsy are long-term travellers, working their way around the world.

Why we like it: These guys mean business. Ever thought you couldn’t possibly do your job whilst travelling? Well, Warren would disagree – he’s built websites whilst crossing the Atlantic and answered client questions all the way from Antarctica. And Betsy is building up her own business advising small companies on social media. With a constantly updated bucket list that gets scratched off each time something is achieved, this site is a real source of inspiration for anyone who’d always wanted to do something but has found a reason not to. Their admirable, can-do attitude and high quality of their travel advice is reflected in the fact that they’ve had a couple of books published.

Read the blog: Married with luggage. Follow Warren on Twitter.

5. Hotel Belle

What it is: A hotel-focussed blog from the perspective of a New Yorker.

Why we like it: According to her biography, Annie has always loved hotels – and it shows. We love that it’s not all high-end resorts and five star hotels. Annie also features B&B’s and bargain lodgings that she’s enjoyed staying in. She also writes about the places as well as the accommodation, making this a really rich blog to enjoy in 2012. And if you happen to be planning a trip to the Big Apple, drop that guidebook and read her top tips instead – she’s a licensed tour guide and resident, so you won’t go far wrong.

Read the blog: Hotel Belle. Follow Annie on Twitter.

6. Never Ending Voyage

What it is: Self-styled ‘digital nomads’, Simon and Erin are making cash as they go to fund their endless adventure.

Why we like it: Erin’s fantastic photos always offer a slightly different perspective, and if you’ve ever got stuck over safe choices in a Vietnamese restaurant specialising in dog, then turn to their food section, where you’ll find advice for eating meat-free around the world. Not yet sure about their plans for 2012, Burma is on the list and we hope they make it there, as we’d love to get their perspective on this intriguing country.

Read the blog: Never Ending Voyage. Follow Erin and Simon on Twitter.

7. The Fearful Adventurer

What it is: Proving you don’t have to be brave to travel the world.

Why we like it: Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “do one thing every day that scares you.” Well, being scared and doing it anyway is probably the most admirable thing anyone could do. Torre is open about her nervousness and this gives her blog a unique theme and perspective. She’s an engaging writer who knows how to be funny but doesn’t let humour detract from her point about the place she’s describing. With a book based on her adventures coming out soon, 2012 is going to be a landmark year for this particular travel blogger.

Read the blog: The Fearful Adventurer. Follow Torre on Twitter.

8. Four Jandals

What it is: The ‘Kiwi adventure couple’ take us flying by the seat of our pants on their round-the-world trip.

Why we like it: With as much energy and enthusiasm as two puppies let off the lead, Cole and Adela started their travel and blogging life with a 18,000km road trip across North America. And in case you were wondering, jandals are what Kiwis call the humble flip-flop. Heading out on different trips from their Scotland base, these guys always have something different on offer, and we love their insightful posts and musings on everything from the Arab Spring to how to kill time in an airport.

Read the blog: Four Jandals. Follow Cole and Adela on Twitter.

9. GQ Trippin

What it is: A cute site that charts Gerard and Kieu’s holiday time outside their home of San Francisco.

Why we like it: Their lifestyle goes to show that you can love where you live as well as appreciate the sights the rest of the world has to offer. Fans of adventure sports and eating out, there’s lots of great little snippets – some including videos – of what they get up to in their spare time. Knowing all their trips are done as part of a holiday rather than a long-term trip makes the site really accessible and offers up loads of undaunting ideas for having fun in the short-term. Having said that, 2012 will see Gerard and Kieu head off on an 8-month, Asia-focussed voyage. Good luck guys!

Read the blog: GQ Trippin. Follow Gerard and Kieu on Twitter.

10. Hecktic Travels

What it is: Canadian-born storytellers Dalene and Peter describe a life without possessions as they travel for the long haul.

Why we like it: This couple describe themselves as storytellers and we’d say they’ve got it bang-on. With a different approach to some of the other long-term travellers features in this list, Peter and Dalene like spending longer in one place, usually by house-sitting, to really get to know it. So when you read their opinions and comments on their well-designed site, you’ll know they truly come from experience. The catchy blog titles will hook you in, and the evocative writing will keep you dangling on the line. Enjoy!

Read the blog: Hecktic Travel. Follow Peter and Dalene on Twitter.

11. Captain and Clark

What it is: A kooky adventure tale with some twists and turns along the way.

Why we like it: The site itself is beautiful and with a steampunk twist, it’s really rather cool. Reading their eclectic and descriptive meanderings around the globe is like delving into an old classic novel. Alongside their day-to-day travels, the underlying theme of the site is The Maverick Expedition – a mission to take 22 letters from the whisky barrel on the Galapagos that’s acted as an informal post office since the time of the whalers and hand deliver them. This is a quirky blog that will keep on giving.

Read the blog: Captain and Clark. Follow Chris and Tawny on Twitter.

12. So Many Places

What it is: Kim and husband Brian are saving like mad to head off for a very long holiday.

Why we like it: Another great blog to follow from the outset, the couple heading up So Many Places are set to leave for their round-the-word trip in June 2012, making this a pretty big year for them. Until they leave, get lots of inside information about how they’ve gone about packing up their life and their bags, and take the time to read about their outdoor experiences in their idyllic home county of Oregon.

Read the blog: So Many Places. Follow Kim on Twitter.

13. Nomadic Samuel

What it is: A newbie to the travel blogging scene, Samuel’s shot into ‘most read’ lists from day 1.

Why we like it: What’s not to like? Samuel is a true multimedia man and throughout his blog, you’ll find gorgeous photography, films and writing to keep you gazing, watching and reading for hours. It’s obvious to anyone how much work he puts into his blog and that helps make it addictive. We love admiring his range of headgear, the quips and self-deprecating humour of his Quirky Travel Tales and his tips on taking better travel photos.

Read the blog: Nomadic Samuel. Follow Samuel on Twitter.

14. Camels and Chocolate

What it is: One-time journo and celebrity interviewer, chocoholic Kristin has become a professional travel writer.

Why we like it: Having ‘made it’ as a full-time travel writer, Kristin spends seven months a year overseas on work trips. This blog makes it all sound like play rather than work, though. She’s visited a massive array of places and it’ll be stories about her and her life you’ll find here, rather than descriptions of the places she’s been. This marks it out as a bit different and, peppered with Kristin’s trademark dry humour, very readable. Her scoop on getting the best shots from your camera is useful, and

Read the blog: Camels and Chocolate. Follow Kristin on Twitter.

15. Delicious Baby

What it is: An eye-opening, hugely popular travel blog for all things baby and child-related.

Why we like it: Not all of us are still independent, with only ourselves to worry about when we throw ourselves off a bungee launch or pick the next destination with the throw of a dice. Debbie is rocking it for all the mums and dads out there who still want to travel and don’t see why having young kids  needs to get in the way. This incredibly popular site manages to maintain its independent roots and personal approach and because of that, it’s pretty unbeatable for parents looking for travel inspiration.

Read the blog: Delicious Baby. Follow Debbie on Twitter.

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The rise of social travel

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

By Catherine Leech, Director, 101 Holidays

With 30 years’ experience in the travel industry, I’ve witnessed the rise of the all-inclusive, the growth of regional airport departures, the rise (and fall of some) low cost airlines, the advent of pet passports and all manner of buzz words for green tourism. This year, I’ve become aware of the term ‘social tourism’ and I reckon it’s a growing trend that is here to stay.

If you’ve ever visited a city and stayed with friends rather than in a hotel, you’ll know that it gives you a whole new perspective on the place; the sort of inside-track, on-the-ground knowledge that means you see and experience the places that are unlikely to be in the guide books.

My recent stay with friends in Brooklyn was a case in point – how else would I have found such off-grid gems as Ted & Honey for stellar coffee and huevos rancheros, the best French bistro outside of Paris (Bar Tabac), cheap-as-chips and tip-top chilli squid and green curry at Joya Thai and Clover Club for a sublime Bloody Mary? And all within a window-shopping walk of each other.

For those of us without a friend in every port, however, there is Wimdu and they are all about social travel. Stay in a room within a house or an apartment attached to a house and your host will be on hand (as much or as little as you wish) to share their local knowledge. They aren’t B&Bs – only a handful of Wimdu’s properties offer breakfast – Wimdu offers a resource of places to stay for those of us who relish independence, with the freedom of your own space, a lack of that knock on the door from housekeeping and no smooth, commission-hungry concierges.

Some are city-slicker cool, some home-spun cosy and others simply clean and comfortable.

Since the company was started less than a year ago, Wimdu has already gathered a collection of 25,000 properties around the world and has 26 staff in the UK alone. Impressive stuff.

I met one of the founders, Michael Riegal, recently and he explained that their clients are, on average, in their mid-30s, mostly couples but some family groups. Cities, particularly London and Berlin, are way more popular than rural, seaside or ski venues. Interestingly, within the cities it is the lesser known neighbourhoods that are more popular than the more obvious choices – Shoreditch over Kensington, for example.

The hosts are, generally, in their late 30s or early 40s and sign up to Wimdu because they can (a) make some money and (b) they like to meet people and give them the inside track on their city or neighbourhood.

Not only can guests leave reviews online but the hosts can also review their guests. Prices are startlingly cheap when compared with a hotel or B&B; they start at £26 per night. You book online (via Wimdu’s website) directly with the host and most guests open up an online dialogue before they have even arrived; there’s a generous supply of photos of each property.

Wimdu was created by a group of university pals who travelled extensively and recognised the value of staying in smaller properties where the owners were on hand to offer their top tips and advice.

As for the name and its meaning – Wimdu means absolutely nothing at all. The founders decided on the name over a few beers one evening, on the basis that it was memorable and – meant nothing at all.

My boyfriend and I are heading to Amsterdam in March – he’s not a hotel man and I’m not a B&B girl so we’ll give Wimdu – and ‘social travel’ – a whirl.

Check out their website.

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Deal of the Day: Save £40 on cultural Paris

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

  

 

 

 

Holiday details: enjoy the cultural highlights of Paris on a 3 night package that includes entrance to the Grand Palais exhibition, a Seine river cruise, guide notes, and concierge service.

Stay at the Sydney Opera Hotel, situated between the Place de la Madeleine and the Opera, which provides small but attractively furnished rooms with exposed beam ceilings.

Price: £449 (normally £489) includes Eurostar travel, private hotel transfers, 3 nights accommodation with breakfast, guide notes, a concierge, Metro tickets, Seine river cruise, and entrance to the ‘Matisse, Cézanne, Picasso…’ exhibition at the Grand Palais.

Date: 8 January 2012 (valid for Sunday arrivals until 16 January)

Book with: Kirker Holidays

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New UK photography workshop weekends

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

 

From 101 Holidays newsdesk

We like the look of these new UK photography workshop weekends.

Sheepskin has teamed up with landscape photographer Sarah Howard to offer two-day workshops from some of their stylish UK properties.

The first weekend is from 30 March 2012 at Shell House, located bang on the waterfront on the north coast of Devon.

It costs £510pp including 3 nights’ accommodation, dinner on the Friday night and a packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday plus 2 full days of professional photographic tuition with transport to photography locations.

Photography tuition will take place in and around Exmoor, one of Britain’s smallest National Parks and home to some of the UK’s most diverse and spectacular landscapes. A unique combination of coast and countryside, forest and moorland, it is also one of Britain’s most unspoilt regions.

You’ll need to bring your own photographic equipment; the workshop will cover the use of semi-automatic and manual settings, understanding exposure, lens selection and the use of filters, composition, working with light and understanding depth of field.

The price is based on 2 sharing a double room – single occupancy costs £660. The group size will be between 4 and 8 persons sharing 4 double bedrooms.

Find out more from Sheepskin.

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Historic Antarctic voyage to grant explorer Frank Wild’s dying wish

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

At the end of this week, the Antarctic explorer, Frank Wild CBE, will have his last wish granted 72 years after his death when his ashes are laid to rest alongside the remains of Sir Ernest Shackleton in a tiny graveyard in one of the remotest places on earth.

Wild died and was cremated in 1939 in South Africa but his ashes, which were lost to the world for many years, were found this year by British historian and author Angie Butler. His last wish that he be buried on South Georgia Island, next to Shackleton, was never granted due to the outbreak of World War II two weeks later.

Wild will be buried on November 27  2011 on South Georgia Island in the whalers’ graveyard by the ruins of Grytviken whaling station.

Last Sunday, a group of passengers and special guests boarded the Akademik Ioffe for the start of a commemorative expedition to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica operated by polar specialist, One Ocean Expeditions.

The company’s historian, David McGonigal said, “It’s likely to be the closing event of Antarctica’s Heroic Age. The Heroic Age was marked by the truly remarkable feats of the great explorers like Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott, Douglas Mawson and Roald Amundsen and this event is even more significant as it takes place just two weeks before the centenary of Amundsen and his Norwegian compatriots achieving the South Pole for the first time.”

Wild was Shackleton’s trusted second-in-command during the ill-fated Trans-Antarctic Expedition aboard the Endurance (1914-1916). Wild and 21 crewmates remained on desolate Elephant Island for more than four months after the Endurance was lost while Shackleton and five others sailed a seven metre lifeboat to South Georgia to organise a rescue.

Frank Wild CBE is one of the great Antarctic explorers. In 1901 both he and Ernest Shackleton were members of Robert Falcon Scott’s expedition on the Discovery. In 1908-09 he was with Shackleton on the Nimrod expedition and in 1911 he joined Douglas Mawson’s Aurora expedition before being reunited with Shackleton aboard The Endurance from 1914-1916.

Angie Butler, and several relatives of Frank Wild as well as the Hon. Alexandra Shackleton, the grand daughter of Sir Ernest Shackleton, will accompany Wild’s ashes to South Georgia onboard One Ocean Expeditions’ Akademik Ioffe.

“The significance of the event will be recognized by the South Georgia Government at an official reception at Government House, Stanley, as well as the issuing of a set of commemorative stamps. A minister will sail from the Falkland Islands to conduct the service and the funeral proceedings at Grytviken that will be overseen by South Georgia’s Government Officer, Mr Pat Lurcock” said McGonigal. “With favourable sailing conditions, the burial ceremony is expected to be conducted on Sunday 27 November 2011. “

Ongoing reports of the voyage and ceremonies will be posted on the company’s news pages.

TV presenter Paul Rose and a crew from BBC2 are on board filming the expedition. The programme is scheduled to be shown on BBC2 in April 2012.

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See Bruce Springsteen on the Isle of Wight

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Bruce Springsten on the Isle of Wight

From 101 Holidays newsdesk

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will headline on Sunday 24 June at the 2012 Isle of Wight Festival; Wightlink is offering ferry-inclusive festival tickets from 9am Friday 25th November.

It’s The Boss’s first gig on the Isle of Wight and tickets for the event (from 22 to 24 June) are expected to sell out fast.

Three-day non-camping festival and travel tickets cost from £183.70 for foot passengers and £255.50 for a car and driver; 4 people travelling together by car will pay £201.65 each.

Camping-inclusive packages are also available from £214.70 for foot passengers, £286.50 for a car and driver and £232.65 pp for 4 travelling together.

Special rates are available for motorbikes and children aged 15 or under. A special delivery charge of £7.50 will be added to each booking.

Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday 25th November.

Find out more from Wightlink.

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Icelanders invite you into their homes. Even the president will host you for pancakes

Friday, November 11th, 2011

By Mark Hodson

This exclusive new video highlights the kind of welcome visitors to Iceland can expect as locals pledge to open their doors to encourage more tourists to the country.

Even the country’s President has offered to invite tourists into his home to enjoy traditional pancakes prepared by his wife.

The Inspired by Iceland campaign includes a range of unique experiences such as viewing the Northern Lights, a traditional goose hunt, a private house party, a night sailing expedition and a meal of Icelandic sushi with the mayor of Reykjavik.

Even Iceland’s Minister of Tourism invites you to take a foot bath in a geo-thermal pool with her. You simply decide which activities interest you and establish contact with your potential host via a Facebook link.

It’s part of an exciting growing trend for local tourism that includes accommodation websites such as Wimdu, which allows people rent out rooms in their homes, and Tripbod, an innovative UK startup that offers an eBay-style marketplace for local travel experiences.

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St Helena’s airport is confirmed – is it a blessing?

Friday, November 4th, 2011

By Catherine Leech, Director, 101 Holidays

As St Helena is finally assured by the British Government that the much-talked-of airport is to become a reality, I can’t help but reflect on and consider the impact on this exquisite but remote gem of an island.

When I was fortunate enough to visit St Helena in September 2009, I met a family who told me about the realities of life there.

Several years before, their young daughter lay critically ill in St Helena’s hospital with a severe abdominal infection following an accident. The hospital had tried three of the 4 antibiotics they had in stock (on the entire island) but her condition was worsening. The RMS St Helena, the island’s sole means of access, was about to set sail for Cape Town – a 6 day journey.

They had to make a swift but unenviable decision – to risk the 4th antibiotic not working and her probable death or a 6 day voyage in the ship’s hospital in order to reach a better-equipped hospital in Cape Town.

The outcome was a happy one – they opted to stay and their daughter responded to the 4th antibiotic.

No other story so clearly outlined to me the sometimes harsh reality of living on one of the planet’s most remote islands without air access, something that we so easily take for granted.

For the 4,000 or so St Helenians who live there, air access means not only the ability to travel more readily and access emergency support when needed, but is is also to serve as the catalyst to usher in a new era for tourism and other economic development.

I was there on behalf of DFID to prepare a five-year tourism development plan based on sea-borne tourism opportunities – this was at a time when the British Government had put on hold the airport decision, having previously given it the nod, and it’s fair to say that the mood on island was one of uncertainty, despair and anger. The population was dwindling as St Helenians left to find work opportunities elsewhere and the island’s astonishing, largely Georgian, built heritage was crumbling.

I had to tread carefully – I was there to look, listen, ask questions, assess and analyse in order to put a coherent and meaningful strategy together but the endless stream of consultants, advisors and experts over the years had rendered most of those whom I met deeply, and understandably, sceptical at best.

The pro-airport camp will be delighted by the latest decision. The long-term objective is to lessen the (considerable) financial burden on British tax payers by opening up the island for development and, ultimately, self-sustainability. The anti-camp will be fearful of the impact of ‘planeloads’ of tourists descending on their tiny island, developers being allowed to despoil the natural beauty of the place and the peaceful, gentle pace of life eroding.

My own conclusion, albeit after only 8 days on-island, is that St Helena has a heritage of international importance which could, if carefully managed, become a magnet for niche ‘high value, low volume’ tourism with knock-on benefits for the entire population – which in turn should regenerate as expat St Helenians return home to invest and work in their own country.

To quote from my report: “St Helena’s single key asset is her wealth and diversity of built and natural heritage within one remote 47 square mile island and country 1,200 miles from the nearest continental landmass….. To have such wealth in such a small space would be the envy of much of the rest of the world – entire tourism industries in many countries are built on far less.

“Consider batteries, forts and cannons, an intact Georgian working town, trading and military history, an authentic wealth of touch-it, feel-it Napoleonic heritage, historic country houses, slave graves, the Boer cemetery, endemic flora and fauna, scenery which includes cloud forest, desert, sculpted volcanic rocks, woodland and staggering coastal scenery – and possibly the world’s oldest living Giant Tortoise. All of this is underpinned by the genuine warmth, culture and charm of Saint Helenians.”

It is my firm view that, with improved access, a sustainable tourism industry which is entirely predicated on heritage can be successfully, and gradually, developed – but only if existing historic buildings are sensitively restored, the natural environment protected and new development by Saint Helenians and foreign investors is appropriately controlled within the heritage framework.

I keep abreast of development via the island’s only independent newspaper and I am in no doubt that the airport on St Helena could prove to be the catalyst for a sustainable future which could help preserve, restore and allow others to share in its matchless built and natural heritage.

However, whilst I am aware that steps are in place to ensure an investor-friendly infrastructure, I don’t underestimate the need for strict control (and local buy-in) especially when it comes to any new builds.

I hope to return one day to stay in one of St Helena’s many historic buildings, currently crumbling but with the potential to be restored as characterful hotels, inns and lodges to suit all budgets. The Consulate and Farm Lodge Country House Hotel are both examples of what can be done with the existing buildings.

What a special place – I have worked in travel for close to 30 years but nowhere has touched me in the way that St Helena and the St Helenian people have done. I only hope that the uniquely charming RMS St Helena, which triples up as a cruise ship, virtual ferry and cargo vessel, will not disappear. The voyage (I sailed from Cape Town to St Helena and then on to Ascension Island) is as much an ingredient of St Helena’s magical spell as the place itself.

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Free holidays for poor people?

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

By Catherine Leech, Director, 101 Holidays

I can’t recall a single occasion when I was impressed by an MP and the very thought of an All Party Parliamentary Group report leaves me cold. That said, ”social tourism is not about free holidays for poor people”, Paul Maynard MP’s forceful opening words at a reception at the House of Commons yesterday, ensured my attention.

In fact, Paul Maynard blew me away with his passion, energy, focus and humility as he presented the APPG’s outstanding report on Social Tourism.

The report itself is an inspiring and thoughtful piece of work with some solid research, practical examples of social tourism at work in other countries and clear recommendations for Government and the industry.

It’s a smart and succinct kick-start to bring together all those who are already working in this field but with little coordination or recognition, to inspire those with the potential to contribute and to integrate social tourism into wider tourism policy at a national level.

Social tourism is about giving access to recreational time (from a day out to a longer holiday) to families and individuals who couldn’t otherwise afford or, equally important, access it – think beyond the poor to carers, the disabled, single parent families and the elderly.

The report argues convincingly that, beyond the social, psychological and medical benefits, social tourism has potential economic benefits (e.g. filling rooms out of season which would otherwise be empty) with knock-on benefits for attractions, transport, retail and other sectors.

I was particularly impressed by the examples of social tourism at work in France, Spain and Flanders. The latter has a Holiday Participation Centre, run by Tourism Flanders & Brussels, which provides holiday assistance to families and individuals living in poverty, the disabled and the elderly; 600 local accommodation providers (from hotels to youth hostels) offer reduced rates and, in return, have access to maintenance and construction grants. 100,000 people have been able to take a break in the last year.

In Spain, the IMSERSO Holiday Programme for the elderly sends 1.2 million over-65s on reduced-rate holidays in Spain between October and June. A Price Waterhouse Cooper report in 2004 demonstrated that for every €1 invested, the Spanish government generated an additional €1.5 in tax revenue. Win win.

Top marks to the Family Holiday Association for their support in researching the report; this outstanding charity has sent 130,000 parents, children and young people on breaks since it was established in 1975. We are proud to promote the FHA on 101 Family Holidays and through our popular Tweet a Holiday Review competition.

The report, and reception at the House of Commons, was also supported by Thomson Holidays – neat timing that their current ground-breaking TV campaign quotes: “the time you spend on holiday is the time when nothing matters….holidays are the most precious time of all.”

Hear hear.

Download the report (PDF file)

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Spooky spots to rent this Hallowe’en

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

From 101 Holidays newsdesk

Wimdu’s collection of spooky places to stay are enough to put a shiver up your spine. As Hallowe’en approaches, we’ve picked some of the scariest.

Available this Hallowe’en is an apartment for 2 in Count Dracula’s Castle in Transsylvania – dating to the 18th century, it’s located in historic Sighisoara citadel in Romania. 2 nights cost £62.

Wimdu has found a spooky haunted treehouse in Germany – the owners are in no doubt that the ghost of Boldermutz lives there. Catch a glimpse in the bathroom – it’s a hall of mirrors! 2 nights cost £355 for up to 4 people.

Schloss Fursteneck is a positively creepy German mansion sleeping up to 10 brave souls. 2 nights costs £146 for up to 10 people; it’s not too late to check in for Hallowe’en.

Closer to home, how about renting your own secluded castle for the weekend…? Located close to Halifax, Carr Hall Castle won Channel 5′s Britain’s Best Home and sleeps up to 10 in considerable grandeur. Ghosts may not be guaranteed but all the luxury mod cons will ensure a comfortable stay. 2 nights cost £3,500 for up to 10.

We’re not sure if this is spooky or just plain weird (and definitely scary) but you can rent a room with a bed of nails – literally – in Oranienburg, Germany. There’s a more normal bed too if it all gets too much. 2 nights costs £87 pp.

Find out more from Wimdu.

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Christmas ski deals

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

From 101 Holidays newsdesk

Peak Retreats, which last week won the prestigious Guardian/Observer Best Ski Company Award for the 3rd year running, has announced some excellent deals for pre-Christmas and New Year skiing from its sister company, Ski Collection.

Best value of all is a pre-Christmas week, departing 17 December, at the 4* residence Le Ruitor in Sainte-Foy. It’s now £180pp (was £279) for 7 nights.

Departing 10 December, 7 nights in the luxury 4* Le Nevada in Tignes (Espace Killy) now costs £264pp (was £290pp).

8 nights at the 4* luxury Le Cristal de l’Alpe in Alpe d’Huez has been reduced from £436 to £395 pp, departing 16 December.

If you fancy hitting the slopes for Christmas, a week in the residence L’Albane in Vars now costs £253pp (was £308pp), departing 24 December.

The best value New Year package now costs £376 pp (was £416pp) for 7 nights in the 4* luxury residence Les Granges du Soleil in La Plagne (Paradiski). Departs 31 December.

All prices are based on 5 people sharing a two-bedroom self-catering apartment and also include a FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing for a car and passengers.

Book by 31 October 2011.

Find out more from Peak Retreats’ Ski Collection.

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Free travel show in London this weekend

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

From 101 Holidays newsdesk

The TNT Sun & Snow Travel Show takes place this Saturday, 15th October, between 9.30am and 5pm at the QEII Centre in Westminster.

Many of the 40 or so exhibiting travel companies are offering exclusive show discounts with up to 50% off holidays and numerous competitions.

Expert speakers are lined up for a series of free travel seminars; for example, Pat Riddell and Maria Pieri from National Geographic Traveller will be giving their predictions for the hot destinations in 2012 and there’s input from travel writers on how to make money from travel writing, blogging and Twitter.

The show is aimed at travellers aged 18 to 40 years

Pre-register for free entry (£2 on the door).

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10 Most Inspiring Travel Videos

Monday, October 10th, 2011

By Polly Crossman and Mark Hodson

Sometimes words and pictures aren’t enough – you need a moving image to convey the sheer joy and excitement of travel. We’ve watched thousands of travel videos over the years – some wonderful, many deadly dull – and these are the 10 that inspired us the most. Some will make you want to book a flight right away, others will just remind you why travel is one of the most thrilling experiences on Earth. Please enjoy them in full screen!

A Day in California

Ryan Killackey spent more than 18 months taking the 10,000+ photographs that combine to make this short film, documenting a day in California. The result is a beautiful portrait of the Golden State, encompassing the hustle of everyday life and the expanse of California itself. We love the waves rolling in at the coast and the sprawl of the cityscapes at night.

Unexpected Luggage

When 190 people boarded the Spanair flight in Barcelona on Christmas Eve in 2010, they had no idea what awaited them on landing in Las Palmas. This is an excellent advert for the airline – but we won’t spoil the surprise for you.

Aurora Borealis in Finnish Lapland

This astonishing film was captured in Finnish Lapland over the course of the winter months of 2011. Using time-lapse photography and unusual camera angles, the result is an ethereal and beautiful portrait of the Northern Lights. Blues, greens and purples light up a dark sky over snowy landscapes, making this truly breathtaking.

The Beat of New York

Thomas Noesner captures the buzz of New York – and the exciting diversity of its inhabitants – in this short stylish film. Composing his own soundtrack around footage he recorded of a drummer busking on the subway, Noesner’s video is fast-paced, tough on the eyes at points, with fast cuts between scenes, and wonderfully calm at others – as unpredictable as the city itself.

India in 3 minutes

This film follows Mike Matas on a 2,000 mile journey across India on an autorickshaw. Combining the colours and culture associated with India, stitched together and united by movement, the video conveys a strong sense of travelling a huge distance, at the same time as exposing the authentic flavours of India.

Move

Combining 44 days of travel over 11 countries and 38,000 miles, Move is one part of a trilogy of short travel films made by Rick Mereki, Tim White and Andrew Lees. The video uses a simple idea to maximum effect, craftily interpreting the idea of a continuous journey with Andrew walking across the screen.

Maeklong Train Track Market

The world is full of crazy places waiting to be discovered when travelling. This is one such place. Four times a day, loud sirens cause a flurry among market stall holders: their market lies across a train track in Samut Songkhram, Central Thailand. This video documents the hectic flavour of the market, followed by the organised chaos of moving market stalls.

Night Rush Around the World

This cleverly crafted video paints a portrait of 14 different cities at night. From Stockholm and Athens to Istanbul and Boston, the film captures the way that cityscapes change as night falls and lights flicker on. The footage combines a beautiful blend of colour and movement.

The Longest Way

Taking travelling back to its most basic form, Cristoph Rehage set out to walk all the way from Beijing home to his native Germany in 2007. Though he never made it to Europe, this video documents a 4,000 mile journey across China. Cristoph shares his journey, and the growth of his hair and beard, through a series of self-portrait photographs that combine to convey a sense of the sheer expanse of China.

Newport State of Mind

A Welsh response to Jay-Z’s hit single, Empire State of Mind, features hilarious lyrics and charming self-deprecating humour. Will it inspire you to add Newport to your list of must-see places? Mmmm, we’re not so sure…

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Gilpin Hotel – 2011-12 Hotel of the Year

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

From 101 Holidays newsdesk

One of our favourite hotels, Gilpin Hotel & Lake House in Windermere, was named AA Hotel of the Year for England at last night’s AA Hospitality Awards 2011 – 2012.

The proprietors, Barney and Zoe Cunliffe commented: “This is an incredible honour. Good old fashioned hospitality combined with the very best in design, comfort and service have been given recognition.”

Gilpin Hotel is set in 22 acres of country gardens, moors and woodland. Having achieved and maintained four Red Stars since 2007, the hotel has shown consistency in the kitchen as well, with three AA Rosettes achieved yearly from 1997 to the present day.

AA Hotel Services manager, Simon Numphud, said: “It would be difficult to find a finer example of a truly outstanding, family run, country house hotel in the UK. Gilpin is a superb hotel that places its staff and hospitality at the very heart of everything it offers and it is truly deserving of this award.”

Rates at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House are from £290 per room per night including Dinner, Bed and Breakfast. Find out more about Gilpin Hotel.

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