Summer Holiday Locations

Summer is the ideal time to go away on holiday. The school holidays coincide with the summer, so this is usually the time that families with children pack their leisure wear and head for somewhere exciting. Even young couples or singles take to the road at this time as the weather is generally great and places look their best.

Scotland in the summer is an exciting place with an extraordinary variety of activities. The cities have excellent accommodation ranging from cheap hostels to luxurious hotels. Public transport is on hand and cars are easy to rent. The nightlife is vibrant and there are a large number of very good restaurants, pubs and clubs to entertain you. The Edinburgh Festival is one of the most popular in the world.

But the true charm of the country probably lies in its stunning natural beauty. Lochs and hills, cliffs and forests form part of the only remaining true wilderness in the UK. Whether you live in one of the many charming self catering cottages, a farm house or a comfortable caravan, your day trips will excite and amaze you. Beach cottages are the ultimate homes in which to relax. Visiting the islands will enchant you with interesting archaeological sites and snow white beaches. Golfers will rejoice to know that there are 550 courses to choose from. And whisky lovers will find enough distilleries to visit to last them for a lifetime.

"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life". Samuel Johnson was right - the capital has so much to see and do that it would take you an entire year to explore it all. The Natural History Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew are just two of the fascinating places to visit; and of course the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and many more. The shops in London are legendary - whether you visit the famous ones like Harrods or the quaint little shops in Camden Town, you can spend days in a daze of retail therapy.

Visiting the theaters for the many excellent plays will keep you busy every night for weeks. Some of the longest-running plays can still be seen, such as The Phantom of the Opera. Transport to and in London is varied and very well-developed. Accommodation outside the city centre is cheaper yet still very good.

Alternative places to visit for a great summer holiday include the coast of Spain with its stunning beaches and lively party life. Portugal will give you much of the same but at a fraction of the cost. France offers a fascinating contrast between the sophisticated cities and the rural towns. Italy and Germany are also geared towards tourists. For a cheaper and very different experience, visit Romania or any other of the previously communist countries.

For those holiday makers who enjoy activity weekends, going backpacking or cycling in the UK or Europe, or camping in nature could be the ideal holiday. You could either join a tour group or grab a map and compass and go off by yourself. Stopping to swim in the heat of the afternoon or fishing for your supper that you can fry over your own fire is adventurous yet relaxing.