Holiday

A Gypsy Caravan Holiday

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A Gypsy Caravan Holiday is an adventure!
It’s an escape from the busy every-day life: imagine living in a Gypsy caravan for a few days, handling a horse and driving through an unspoiled, idyllic countryside.
You can spend a holiday like this for example in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, Germany, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Hungary with different horse breeds and a vardos in variations.

How can I book, how does it work?

There are hire-companies and travel agencies that offer you a trip with a fully fitted and very practical Gypsy caravan for the holiday together with usually one horse, sometimes two.

Bow top wagons, made out of wood and stretched canvas are used preferably. These vehicles are about 5m long (without horse) and approx. 2m wide. They can weigh up to 750kg. In most places Irish Cobs or Gypsy draft horses are used, as they are very well tempered, calm and very good with children. In a lot of cases a collar harness is used.

What, if I haven’t got any experience with horses?

Everyone gets an initial thorough introduction into functionality of the vardo and handling and caring for the horse. It will be explained to you how to harness up and put the horse onto the caravan, how to feed and water it, how to groom and how to look after hooves and hoof shoes.

What do I need to bring with me?

Space is limited in a vardo, therefore you need to bring practical clothing and only gear you really need and dont forget the wet wear, as in some areas weather can be quiet unpredictable even during the summer: spells of rain can occur at any time. Most hire companies give you bedding, but ask you to bring your own towels. A good idea is also to bring your own sleeping bag. Take also a book or two and some games for the children. A mobile phone for emergencies is a good idea. Also, Bank facilities and ATM’s are usually not passed during the trip (the routes are quite well selected and you will travel on calm, more remote roads.)

You will drive along a fix route and check in at selected over night stops, where you will find grazing for the horse, electricity, shower and toilet facilities.

When is the best time to travel? How much does it cost approximately?

Gypsy caravan holiday operations are open from April to October, with a main season in the summer months July – August.

Prices in 2007 were around 500 (600 in high season) per week and caravan and they will usually ask for approx.10 – 15 % deposit. There will be surcharges for the compulsory over night stops, which might be between 15-20 per caravan. You can book short trips over 2 or 3 days or longer ones over 4 or 6 days. If you enjoy it very much, trips can be prolonged in most cases.

A Gypsy caravan holiday is certainly an adventurous vacation and you will experience life from a totally different point of view, in a slower pace. You might even want to take a longer break and organize your tour through different countries with your own vardo and horse/s.

Holiday

Tips for Surviving Holiday Eating Without Guilt and Weight Gain

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Yes its almost time to start thinking about the holidays again: shopping for gifts, planning celebrations, and eating food! Once Thanksgiving arrives, the holiday season can seem like a non-stop eating contest straight through the end of the year! That can mean 5-6 weeks with lots of extra food!

The holiday season should be a time of celebration with friends and family, but it doesnt have to mean that healthy, mindful eating has to go by the wayside. A few changes in the way you think about food at special events can keep you on track during this busy and stressful time of year.

* Lots of goodies and snacks can make their way into your place of work in the days or weeks leading up to the actual holidays. Make it a point to eat 6-7 servings of fruit and vegetables every work day. Fill up on these lower calorie foods each day, and you will find yourself eating less of the calorie-laden foods that seem to be everywhere!

* Dont go to an event hungry! When you are hungry, its difficult to resist tempting high calorie foods, and you may end up over-eating. Try having a small meal or snack before you go. This can be especially helpful when there are lots of appetizers before a meal. If you are not hungry, you can resist a lot of the extra calories that come from appetizers.

* If you are at a buffet, look for a few lower calorie foods (like vegetables) that can fill up part your plate. Stick with one plate of food and avoid multiple trips to the buffet line. Remember, just because its there doesnt mean you have to try it all!

* Give yourself permission to have that special dessert, but stick to just one. When theres a table full of desserts at a celebration, do you really need to sample them all? Pick the one you would enjoy the most and have it! You will feel just as satisfied if you savor the dessert you want, instead of trying everything.

* Dont forget about the “liquid calories” found in wine, mixed drinks and eggnog. These can really add up fast. Once youve had a drink or two, try switching over to club soda with a twist of lemon or lime.

* Dont abandon your exercise plan during the holiday season. Taking 4-6 weeks off from your usual exercise routine makes it difficult to get started again after New Years day. If you dont exercise at all, now is a good time to start. Starting a physical activity does not require elaborate equipment or a huge investment of your time. If you are really busy, you could start simply by walking for 15 minutes a day. If 15 minutes is all you can manage during the holiday season, thats OK!

Make your holidays more about enjoying time with friends and family. With a little preparation, you can face the holiday food frenzy head-on and have no regrets about what you eat. That could mean no guilt and no resolutions needed on New Years Day!

2011, Gretchen Scalpi, RD, CDE. Publication rights granted to all venues so long as article and by-line are reprinted intact and all links are made live.

Holiday

The Norfolk Broads by Norfolk Holiday Guide

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The Norfolk Broads is an area consisting of many rivers and lakes situated close to the East coast of the county. In conjunction with the neighbouring Suffolk Broads it is the largest protected wetland and third largest inland waterway in Britain. Its status is equivalent to that of a national park, although it has not been designated as oneyet. The Broads Authority, set up in 1989, is responsible for conservation, planning, recreation and waterways.

The Broads, as it is commonly referred to, has an area of 303 square kilometers (for those who, like me, are struggling to come to terms with metrication that is 117 square miles). In its entirety it is made up of seven rivers, namely the Ant, Thurne, Bure, Chet, Yare, Waveney and Wensum, together with sixty three broads. Of these broads only thirteen are for the most part navigable, with three more having only channels which can be navigated. The total navigable waterways amount to 200 kilometers (125 miles) and provide some spectacular night-time scenery.

Intensive peat digging during medieval times is believed to have culminated in the creation of the broads. The result is an area which has, quite fittingly, been described as Britains Magical Waterland. It is home to a diverse range of plants, insects, birds and animals, many of which are the rarest in the UK and some of which are unique to this area. Our most beautiful insect, the Swallowtail butterfly, has made its home here and the delightful British Otter is making a welcome comeback here thanks to the landscape and the water quality.

The Norfolk Broads can be explored along the numerous footpaths and cycle tracks running parallel to the rivers, with bicycle hire available around the county. However, the best way to take in the beautiful landscape and its wildlife is to rent a boat and cruise the waterways at your leisure or to take a guided boat tour. There are many businesses throughout the area offering tours or boats of all shapes and sizes for hire. You can live on board or there is plenty of accommodation available in close proximity to moorings if you want to hire boats by the day.

The Norfolk Holiday Guide is managed by Wentworth Leisure Ltd, a family run company with a love of travel. We are committed to promoting the tourist trade in Norfolk and are doing everything we can to encourage visitors to choose Norfolk as their holiday destination. We are totally independent and are not connected in any way with the Norfolk Tourist Board or any other organisation in Norfolk.

The website is a contemporary, easy to use online guide for holidays within the county of Norfolk. We hope you will find all the information you require for visiting this popular tourist destination. This online guide will help you to choose the Norfolk holiday accommodation that best suits your needs. We have specially designed the Norfolk Holiday Guide website to offer you a quick and easy way to search for your tourist destination or service, with no commission paid to ourselves, as all bookings take place directly with the service you are looking for.

Holiday

How to Choose the Perfect Family Holiday Accommodation

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Once you have decided where you would like to go on your family holiday, you will need to think about where you will stay. There are several factors which will influence this decision:

Taking the car?

If you are hiring a car, or taking your own vehicle then you might want to search for accommodation in a central location between the various attractions in the area which you would like to explore. This would ensure that these destinations are all within a sensible distance, and youll avoid any excessively long car trips!

Going green

Relying on local public transport? Look for accommodation near a train station or bus stop, and check out how regular the links are. If relying on public transport in rural locations you may want to plan your excursions in advance.

Raring to relax?

If you are planning to stay on-site for the duration of your stay, then you might want to look for a site which offers its own forms of entertainment especially if you have children who easily get bored. Some holiday parks even offer kids clubs, meaning you could get some quality time to yourself while they are busy making new friends.

The options

There are several options for your family holiday each with their own pros and cons. Here is our comprehensive summary below:

Holiday Park:

Holiday parks often offer a range of self-catering caravans or apartments, and sometimes offer a full or half board option. These can be good if you want to spend all or part of your time on-site, as there will usually be organised activities for the children, as well as quizzes, keep fit and cabaret for the adults.

Pros:
Full / Half board means you dont have to worry about cooking.
Self-catering gives you flexibility to eat what and when you choose.
Kids activities to keep them entertained.
Evening entertainment.

Cons:
More expensive than some other accommodation (without entertainment).
Kids activities could encourage them to stay on site, where you might want to go on day trips.
On-site food and drinks will usually be more expensive than the local town.
Full/Half board can be restrictive in terms of planning day trips away.

Bed and Breakfast / Hotel

Having a family room or suite in a hotel can be an option if you plan on taking lots of day trips, and can make sure that you get up and out.

Pros:
Having to leave the room at a certain time will make sure you get on with your plans for your holiday.
Many rooms will come with TVs providing some entertainment should the weather be disappointing.

Cons:
Family rooms may be expensive, and hotels will be more expensive than most other types of accommodation.
You may have to be out of the room at certain times, not allowing you to spontaneously do as you please.
Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts are not the most child-friendly places (usually).
You will have to pay for all meals either eating out or at the hotel / B&B.

Self-Catering apartment or cottage

Self catering allows you the freedom to come and go as you please, giving you a good base to explore from.

Pros:
Flexibility to do as you please.
Flexibility to eat what and when you like.
A larger space, so if you want to spend a day in the children would have room to play.
A cheaper alternative to inclusive holidays.
Somewhere to go if it rains.

Cons:
You will have to cook.

Camping

A cheap and cheerful camping holiday used to the quintessential British holiday.

Pros:
Cheap.
You can teach your children the basics of camping.

Cons:
Can be uncomfortable if it rains.
Not suitable for very young children.
Will have to cook without mod-cons.
Only really suitable for the summer months.

Holiday

An Unforgettable Adventure Holiday in Jamaica

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Jamaica, the name itself conjures up images of fun, thrill, excitement, adventure and luxury. Though there is something for everyone, adventure enthusiasts will be in for a special surprise because this destination does offer too many exciting adventure opportunities. Whether it is a horseback or a cycle ride through the lush green tropical wonderland or diving 60 feet under to witness the unique and colorful marine life, each experience is sure to remain etched in the memory.

Before you head out on your adventurous expedition, do remember to opt for Jamaica rentals over any one of the hotels. These Jamaica rentals are situated close to some of the most beautiful beaches and they give you the freedom and luxury to get the most of your holiday at your own pace and leisure. Besides, vacation rentals in Jamaica give you the perfect opportunity to enjoy first hand the local way of life, something, which an impersonal stay in a hotel cannot provide. You may want to consider Silver Sands an idyllic holiday resort, complete with all comforts and amenities, yet serene enough to provide you the privacy and space you need to make your stay extra special.

Go in whichever direction, a gorgeous beach and a beautiful horizon awaits you everywhere. Therefore, do spend a day on exploring the various beaches such as the ever-popular Negril Beach and the James Bond Beach.

Next on your agenda should be an exploration of the underwater world that brims with shoals of colorful fish, coral reefs, tunnels and canyons. Some of the popular diving sites include Airport Reefs in MoBay, known for its wall dives. The other sites that must be visited include Jacks Hall, Top of the Mountain and the Wreck of the Katryn in the Ocho Rios region. Each of them offers distinctive possibilities of enjoying an unforgettable diving experience.

In the excitement of such thrilling underwater adventures, dont forget that there exists a side to Jamaica, which is equally enthralling and exciting.

The Blue Mountains contain the islands highest point, Blue Mountain Peak at 2256 m. Its terrain is also known for offering various opportunities for adventure sports. You can opt for a horseback ride or a cycle tour through the lush tropical wonderland and marvel at the various species of flora and fauna. Full day excursions are available from various cycle tour operators.

Alternately, you can enjoy the local and popular activity of sailing down the river on a bamboo raft. This form of rafting can be enjoyed on the Rio Grande River in the Port Antonio Area. With so much to do and experience, it isnt surprising that Jamaica is a favorite with most adventure travelers.

To experience a fun-filled holiday, opt for a stay at one of the Jamaica villas that offer you all the comforts and services of an upscale resort without compromising on the privacy and space of a home.

Check out Silver Sands, a community of villas and cottages along a stretch of white sand beach and surrounded by beautiful scenic vistas. These villas in Jamaica are tastefully decorated and are staffed with cooks and housekeepers to ensure you have a relaxed and a luxurious holiday.

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