Going to the airport is definitely exciting since you get to fly off to a new exotic location and update your social media about it. However, while this is definitely fun, we think that a UK staycation is a much better option. The UK is truly an amazing place to explore and it has too many castles, beaches, pubs etc to explore which makes leaving the country for a vacation completely unnecessary.

1. If you love exotic beaches, then the UK has tons of beaches that will definitely keep you happy. Some of these include Barra in Scotland, Holywell Bay in Cornwall etc.
2. Culturally speaking, Britain has so many different things to experience such as classical music at Battle Proms, looking at Shakespeare at the Cornwall Minack Theatre etc.
3. There are many different types of hotels and places you can stay at which can be as wacky and strange as you want, extremely luxurious, historical or quaint, such as Ty Gwilym Holiday Cottages. Also, you may think that these places are expensive, but that’s not true, many of them are surprisingly affordable.
4. History lovers can visit sites such as the Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, the Tower of London, Hadrian’s wall and much more. You can view some of the most famous and historical landmarks right in the UK.
5. If you love visiting festivals, then there are numerous ones all through the year that are internationally known. Music lovers can go to Glastonbury, theatre lovers can visit Edinburgh, Hay is great for book lovers etc. These festivals are truly amazing events and definitely more enjoyable than any California festival!
6. There are lots of strange and interesting customs that you can view and even take part in. Some of these include dancing around a maypole or even making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Britain is filled with lots of strange customs that are really fun to take part in.
7. If you want to get more involved in nature, then you don’t need to go abroad to go camping. In the UK there are numerous amazing camping spots and they are much more interesting and cheaper than other camping spots in other countries.
8. Having a drink in a pub may seem like a normal activity, however, that’s not so in the UK. There are hundreds of odd and quirky pubs that you’ll surely love such as the John Lennon pub that is in Liverpool. There is also the newly opened Croker’s Folly pub where you can hang out with friends or make new ones.
9. In the event that you don’t want to feel like you’re staying at home for your vacation, then you should think about going to a luxury spa resort in the UK. There are many to choose from and you’ll definitely feel like you’re someone else in the world.
10. If you want to stay in the inner city, there are many retreats available there as well. You can enjoy the UK’s beautiful hills and forest while staying in places such as the Chiswick house in west London, Horniman Museum and Gardens etc.
11. There are a lot of beautiful sights to see during walks. Some of the most beautiful places to go for a walk include North Wales, Snowdonia, the Peak District, Northumberland etc. You definitely don’t need to leave the UK in order to visit somewhere beautiful.
12. If you’re a lover of great food, then there are so many options in the UK. You can enjoy fish and chips at the Whitby Quayside which is the UK’s best place to buy fish and chips since 2014. However, if you prefer something more cultured and nuanced, there are literally hundreds of amazing restaurants and ethnic takeways that are never very far away.
13. Lastly, if you’re a lover of adventure, there is as much adventure as you can handle in the UK. For example, you can go scuba diving in Plymouth, skiing in Scotland, skydiving n Devon and much more. So, be sure to pack what you need and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

Greece holds a special place in my heart. Each summer I dream of going away to this place. Greece has great summer weather, especially considering how damp and cold UK summers can get, has a rich history, is relaxed and stunning, everything I have been looking for in the perfect holiday destination for a family. Furthermore, the cost of living is affordable and it’s actually closer to home.

With 227 islands and islets being inhabited, Greece is home to around 6,000. We are yet to visit any Greek island twice even after going to a number of them over the years.

I feel that I experience the Mediterranean as it was meant to be whenever I visit Greece. This is exactly how the south of France and Italy must have been back in the 50s I imagine. Unlike no other Mediterranean destinations where people have to deal with congested beaches, restaurants and roads during the busy summer season, Greece has a traditional and timeless feel.

Locating a peaceful picturesque marina with a number of simple taverns and some colourful wooden boats is quite easy even though some parts of the country are full of hotels and resorts, such as the Ikos Andalusia Hotel.

Unspoilt & Timeless

Old fashioned and untouched, this is what most of Greece feels like. You will find old women wearing all black sitting over laced mats and adult males playing backgammon throughout the day as you walk around local villages. With everyone taking a nap, some villages have a ghost town feel when you stroll around in the afternoon.

Greece is the perfect holiday destination for families. The relaxed environment ensures that the entire family enjoys a laid back experience, while kids, who are simply adored, get a warm reception from all the people they meet.

In our family, everyone finds Greek cuisine irresistible. Sharing the fun to eat, healthy and delicious food together is always an enjoyable experience. Each day, we eat loads of vegetables, salads and fish during our time on Greek islands. From thinly sliced or fried octopus in olive oil, whitebait and anchovies to calamari, red mullet and sardines we will gladly eat through of these tasty dishes.

From grilled feta cheese, cheese and spinach pies, Greek salad, stuffed vine leaves, fish, dips – taramasalata and houmous – and stuffed tomatoes and peppers to courgette flowers, we usually order various dishes for the entire table and then sample each. We always try to sample each, even though everyone has a favourite, and it’s all surprisingly tasty.

We tend to socialize a lot more when we eat together like this. We interact with each other more when sharing food. Everyone enjoys the experience even more as we engage with each other.

A Rich Past

Any child will be fascinated by the interesting stories of ancient Greek mythology and all their gods. On even the tiniest islands, you will find temples devoted to one of the many Greek goddesses or gods as history takes a life of its own in Greece.

Tour Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held; go atop the Acropolis to take in views of the Parthenon temple in Athens; check out the very spot where the fight between Theseus and the Minotaur took place in Crete’s Minoan palace or head over to the home of the centaurs, Mount Pelion.

You will always get more for your money in Greece. It is possible for you to pay as low as 45 Euros when dining out as a family of 4, and enjoy lower accommodation costs at charming boutique hotels than you would in say France or Italy.

You can get affordable flight tickets if you book early, and most foreigners don’t even need to pay anything for a visa. As you can see, there’s nothing holding you back, so go for it!

Spain has a lot to offer, and you might be overwhelmed when planning a visit. Fortunately, there are certain places that you should visit whether you are travelling with just your partner or the whole family.

Madrid

Over the last few years, Madrid has revamped itself. The Reina Sofia, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Prado museums have all become a lot bigger and have more to offer. The city centre has been updated with a lot of new cafes, boutiques, delis and gastrobars opening up.

Madrid is perfect if you are looking for a city break with great food and a lively atmosphere or if you want a weekend trip that is full of culture. It is important to note the city can get cold in the winter as it is one of the highest capitals in Europe. However, the sky will usually be blue with sunshine that allows you to sit outside at one of the pavement cafes.

Barcelona

The city of Barcelona is a mixture of architectural styles with dark Gothic facades facing off against the harlequin buildings of the Modernistas along with the imposing constructions of Herzog and de Meuron. You can easily spend a day admiring all of the buildings.

To finish off the day, you can head to one of the 7 beaches in the city before dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant. You can also get a more authentic tapas at a family-run bar. The city has a relaxed pace, unbeatable food and months with more sunshine than you know what to do with. This is combined with design and cultural clout that surpasses many cities in the colder north.

Costa Brava

If you are looking for a romantic, beautiful and unspoilt stretch of coastline in Europe, Costa Brava is the destination for you. There are parts of the coast that are wild while others are very tastefully maintained. The area also has some of the best Blue Flag beaches in Europe with broad and sandy stretches or horseshoe bays with secluded coves.

For accommodation, there are some amazing independent hotels that offer some exceptional food. Many people believe that this area is a paradise for foodies. After all, Catalonia has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred chefs in Spain who serve wonderful food with locally produced wines.

Valencia

Valencia is the third-largest city in Spain and has been under bold development for the past decade. This has provided some of the most striking architecture in the country improving the Art Nouveau buildings that already lined the streets with Renaissance and Gothic monuments. The city has some dynamic museums, miles of beaches, great stores and lively nightlife – perfect for a stag do in Valencia.

If you are looking for Mediterranean exuberance, Valencia is the best place to go. The centre can easily be walked allowing you to drift from avenues of elegant buildings to medieval monuments. While walking, you can easily stop at the pavement cafes for refreshments.

Seville

Seville is the best place for a short break as it is compact with a rich history, tapas bars, flamenco and orange trees. You can stay in the old town area and explore the cobbled streets of the Santa Cruz quarter as well as the Alcazar Palace. You could also head to the banks of the Guadalquivir to soak up the atmosphere or admire the views from the cathedral tower and Parasol Metropol.

The Moorish and Catholic past of the city is visible everywhere you look. The most striking will be the cathedral which is the largest in the world. The Giralda minaret is also a stunning example of Islamic architecture.

Malaga

One of life’s pleasures is eating sardines that have been freshly caught by the sea. The beaches of Malaga are the best place to experience this. This is also a great meal after a morning spent at the Carmen Thyssen Museum and the Picasso Museum.

Unlike some of the other Spanish cities, Malaga does not wind down in the summer as the Malaga Fair hits in mid-August. There is a lot that you can see and do in Malaga, but it is also the best place to relax and enjoy the laid back Mediterranean vibe.

San Sebastian

When you visit San Sebastian, it will be hard not to fall in love with it. The food alone makes the trip worthwhile as there are Michelin-starred restaurants and some of the best tapas to be had. The spellbinding beaches and Art Nouveau architecture complete the enchantment of the city.