Short Break Ideas in the UK

With the recent problems in London it is a depressing fact that the city will be portrayed in a negative light across the globe. As with all tragedies such as the London bombings people start to associate a particular place with the terrible events that went on. The tourism industry in London has undoubtedly been affected with many people cancelling trips and holidays to the capital. While these attitudes are perfectly understandable as people have every right to be concerned for their own safety – it is always sad to see such a great city tarnished by such appalling events.

However, the city of London is one that is used to dealing with adversity and the fact remains – London is still one of the safest and most exciting holiday and short break destinations in the world.

The first thing that will strike you on a visit to London is the sheer diversity of activities available to you. From an architectural and historical point of view the city has a great deal to offer – especially as it is home to the Royal Family. For those interested in the history of the royal family it may be worth checking out the www.superbreak.com website which has a range of excellent accommodation + tour packages of Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London and The Price of Wales current residence Clarence House. All these tours come thoroughly recommended and are an absolute must for royal enthusiasts.

Another wonderful feature of London is its exciting and dynamic West End. Indeed, critics are already hailing 2005 as the best and most important summer season for years in London’s West End with a number of family orientated shows like The Lion King, Mary Poppins and Billy Elliot earning rave reviews. In addition to the number of quality family focussed shows there are also a number of more adult orientated productions such as Chicago or The Producers which is being shown at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. A trip to the theatre can easily be turned into a relaxing short break or weekend staying at one of the many quality hotels in the area. For further details on west end shows the website www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk is an excellent resource.

One reason people flock to London all year around is the quality of the shopping available. With over 30,000 shops from huge department stores to fabulous fashion boutiques, London is the UK’s centre for fashion, style and music. A wide variety of shops are all over London, from high priced exclusive clothing, to some amazing deals at the famous markets in Camden and Portobello Road. Quite simply London is a shopper’s heaven – just make sure you take your credit card!

Finally, the city is also a great place to bring the children of all ages. From the world famous London Zoo to the dizzy heights of the spectacular London Eye children are bound to have a great time. One of the best destinations for all the family is the Natural History Museum in South Kensington. The museum is filled with world class exhibitions including the awesome “T Rex Returns” which makes use of some previously unseen animatronic models which can sense their prey arriving! For further details visit the informative museum website at www.nhm.ac.uk.

Overall, it is easy to see why London is such a short break destination. While the recent problems will certainly have postponed many trips there it is hoped that they won’t be cancelled forever. London has so much to offer and the cities tourism industry is better equipped than ever to ensure that a short break in their city will be a fascinating and enjoyable experience that will live long in the memory for all the right reasons.

Looking back school disco’s were the epitome of uncool. People tended to fall into two different categories; those who were clearly very geeky and those who were delusional to the point of thinking they were at the cutting edge of popular culture with their suspect haircuts and jerky dance moves. These two subgroups could of course be further broken down into boys and girls. Girls tended to dance on mass together in tight circles gossiping and singing all the words, while the walls of the school hall were lined with nervous looking boys doing their best to pretend that they didn’t know the words to the latest Rick Astley hit.

However, as the old saying goes - school days were the best days of your life and like it or not these discos were the soundtrack. To this day hearing a song can cast your memory back to the creaking sound system ran by a DJ old enough to be your great uncle – you may even still sport the scars of failed break dancing moves. It’s perhaps due to these sparks of nostalgia that has led to the increasing popularity of retro concerts.

In the past retro concerts have been a little bit of a mixed bag. For every Bob Dylan there is a sad miserable effort from a band desperately trying to re-live their youth and squeeze an extra few pounds out of “the final tour”. Very often going to see these fallen idols can shatter the memories of your youth and make you realise just how uncool you and they were in the first place. It is always worth therefore doing a little investigating before heading off to a retro concert. Does the artist still have it? Have the drug fuelled parties of their youth taken their toll? Are they medically speaking still alive?

Luckily there are a number bands touring in the near future across the UK that do, definitely still have it. One perennial favourite is Scottish singing legend Rod Stewart who is planning dates across the UK in Manchester, Newcastle and London to name but a few. Famed for hits such as “Maggie May” and “Do ya think I’m Sexy?” - Rod has been entertaining crowds across the world since his career began as a singer in the early 1960’s. While the numbers of people replying positively to his most famous hit has no doubt diminished through the years, Rod’s lyrical presence has certainly not and he continues to be one of the world’s great showmen.

One of the quintessential school disco greats from the 80’s were the sublime reggae outfit, UB40. While the name of the band is certainly very apt for many of their current followers, UB40 are still as good a live act as you will see. Formed in 1978 UB40 are heavily influenced by 1960’s Ska and reggae which was the inspiration behind original tracks such as King", "Madam Medusa", "Food for thought" and "Signing Off". UB40 have 2 dates in December playing to an expected sell out crowd at Wembley, London.

One act guaranteed to spark an emotional response from your mother are the Everly Brothers. Best known for tracks such as “Wake up Little Susie” and “Crying in the Rain”, the Everley brothers are widely regarded as one of the greats in rock and roll history. Playing live in the UK this winter, tickets can be bought for their Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester gigs which promise to be a sing-a-long extravaganza!

In the past retro concerts have received a lot of bad press, with fans wishing they could just remember their favorite artists when they were at their peak. However, as the saying goes for many artists “class is permanent” and if you are looking for a fun day out listening to the songs of your youth then these concerts are great. Just don’t expect miracles – you aren’t going to look 16 again no matter how loud you sing...

The annual Edinburgh Festivals are regarded world wide as some of the best Europe has to offer in terms of film, literature and music. Every year it is estimated that the population of Edinburgh doubles as the city becomes one of the most vibrant places to be in all of Europe. However, despite this worldwide recognition, only a third of the visitors are locals which means many Britons are failing to take advantage of this fantastic short break opportunity available to them right on their doorstep.

Starting in 1947, the Edinburgh Festival has grown into the largest festival in the world of its type. In 2004 there were an amazing 25,000 performances of 1,700 shows in over 230 venues across the city! To give an impression of how gigantic the festival really is, it would have taken over 5 years to see every performance back-to-back in 2004!

Many big names from both sides of the Atlantic have graced the festival throughout the years, such as Robin Williams, Christian Slater, Jude Law and Hugh Grant to name but a few. It is remarkable considering the vast amounts of money that these people can demand for a film role that they would choose such humble surroundings – but getting back to the roots of their acting careers seems to be the goal and the fresh challenge is one they seem to relish.

This year’s festival is set to be one of the most entertaining in recent years, with a large number of quality plays, concerts, gigs and films set to entertain the masses throughout the duration. One of the most eagerly awaited plays is “Beyond Midnight” by Diane Samuels – writer of the popular “Kindertransport”. Pitched as an adult fairy-tale, the production picks up where Disney left off and follows the trials and tribulations of Cinderella’s daughter, following the death of her mother. While this dark tale is certainly not for children, no Edinburgh Festival would seem complete without a fresh offering from the Trestle Theatre Company.

One film that seems set to make its mark is “On a Clear Day” which tells the story of a man recently made redundant who decides to focus his life into swimming across the English Channel. Starring Peter Mullan and Brenda Blethyn the film can certainly draw parallels with the Full Monty (another Edinburgh Festival hit) and certainly seems to be the next worldwide British blockbuster.

In terms of music, Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish band making waves and their festival appearance at Prince’s Street Gardens is eagerly anticipated by fans and critics alike. Perhaps the main reason for this is it will be one of the first opportunities to hear the band’s new work from their new album – “You Could Have it So Much Better...With Franz Ferdinand” – set to be released in September 2005.

With so much going on in the city there really couldn’t be a better time to visit for a few days. However, despite numbers increasing steadily throughout the years it is amazing that more Britons do not choose Edinburgh as a short break destination at this time of year.

In many ways the situation mirrors visitor patterns in London’s West End. For years American and Japanese tourists realised that the quality of venues and shows available in London were amongst the best in the world – it just seemed to take locals longer to take advantage of its wonders. However, this trend is certainly reversing and, buoyed by high profile shows such as “Billy Elliot”, London’s West End is proving extremely popular with Britons looking for an event driven short break.

For further listings on all aspects of the Edinburgh Festival try these helpful websites - http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk and http://www.edfringe.com.

For many the end of the summer period and beginning of autumn is the perfect time to start thinking of a short break before the long winter months settle in. With the main summer holidays of June and July seeming like a distant memory the need to recharge the batteries can lead to many of us exploring the various short vacation options available to them. To many the term “short break” is synonymous with “city break”. Be it going to a show in London or sampling the nightlife in European cities such as Prague, Amsterdam and Barcelona – the options with city breaks are almost endless. However, perhaps the one downside is that short holidays in a city can often lead to you being more exhausted than when you set out for your break in the first place...

During the summer months one of the main problems with city breaks can be the fact that all the local attractions can be packed to the rafters with tourists. Literally, bus loads of people descend on small areas like plagues of locust – meaning queuing becomes the order of the day. Another downside is undoubtedly the fact that major cities are expensive, which can leave you paying over the odds for inferior goods and services. Combining these problems with the organisation of flights, getting to and from airports, battling through traffic and navigating the local public transport – it quickly becomes easy to see why a city break can leave you somewhat less than refreshed.

It is perhaps due to these tiring schedules that more and more Briton’s are exploring the joys of a quiet rural retreat. Providing a wonderful contrast to the hustle of the city, country breaks allow you to set your own pace enjoying the stunning landscapes, quaint villages and excellent hotels that the UK has to offer. Whether you fancy a visit to historic buildings, walking in glorious gardens or perhaps a winding cycle through the countryside, one thing you are always guaranteed is to return back to work well rested and full of vigour.

One of the advantages of living in a relatively small country such as the UK is that you are never too far away from the countryside. Even residents in major cities such as Manchester and Glasgow can find themselves in fantastic locations such as Loch Lomand or The Peak District in under an hour. Despite the UK being such an urbanised nation there is an abundance of top quality and unspoilt rural areas that provide excellent destinations for country breaks.

One such area is the Lake District, which is located in the North West of England and is officially the countries largest national park. Seen by many as the quintessential country retreat, the area gets its name from the large amount of stunning lakes that fill the area and provide a stunning foreground to the majestic mountain landscape. Perhaps as a result of the national park status the area was granted in 1951, the Lake District has maintained much of its traditional charm of small towns, welcoming inns, sumptuous bakeries and quaint craft shops. It is this preservation of times gone past that has ensure that the pace of life is slow – making it an ideal getaway for those looking to unwind. For further details on the area and the multitude of activities that it has to offer try visiting http://www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk.

On the eastern side of northern England, rural Yorkshire has always been a popular retreat for those looking to escape to the solitude of the rolling hills and moors. Television shows such as “Heartbeat” and “All Creatures Great and Small” have ensured the area has grown in popularity with those seeking the quiet life. The Yorkshire Dales – a national park since 1954 – is famous for it lush green valleys and limestone rock formations, which provide excellent backdrops for relaxing country walks. The area really is a haven of unspoilt beauty and a visit can almost feel like a step back in time. The informative website http://www.yorkshire-dales.com has an array of information regarding things to do and see in the area.

Finally, the Scottish Highlands is renowned the world over for its breathtaking scenery. This is perhaps most evident in the North West Highland region of Assynt which boasts some of the most rugged and dramatic landscapes in the British Isles. The unique combination of ancient mountain landscape, vast moorlands, spectacular cliffs and utter solitude proves a powerful magnet to many seeking the ultimate in rural escape. Unfortunately, the remoteness of Assynt make it perhaps not ideal for 2-3 day breaks but areas such as Aviemore in the Southern Highlands offer a more practical solution to those wanting to venture into the highlands for a country break.

At the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, Aviemore is a mecca for hill walkers as well as being a truly beautiful place that is fully accessible by road or rail. With an abundance of quality hotel accommodation the area can be visited at any time of the year – indeed the winter is usually the most busy time to visit due to the flourishing ski industry in the Cairngorm Mountain Range. For further, details on short breaks in the area http://www.visitaviemore.com has all the information you will require.

Overall, a quiet break in the country can be an excellent, cost effective way to relax for 2-3 days. The UK is spoilt for choice in terms of possible destinations – maybe its time you woke up and smelt the fresh air?

When most British holidaymakers think of a weekend break abroad, they tend to think of a city break. Indeed, city breaks have rapidly become one of the most popular short holiday choices for the British public. Cities such as Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona are busy throughout the year with Brits enjoying a little break from their everyday lives. To many the thought of going on a beach holiday for a short break would break with tradition, however growing numbers of savvy travellers are discovering the joys of being in work one minute and then basking on a sun kissed beach a couple of hours later...

Traditionally, the British are very predictable when it comes to holidaymaking. Every year literally thousands of people take there usual two weeks off to find some sunshine in Spain, Greece or Florida. Beach holidays are seen as the main annual break where people can switch off for a fortnight, sit in the sun and unwind. Long weekend’s and shorter breaks throughout the year usually involve visiting a hotel in the UK or a perhaps a city break abroad. However, forward thinking companies such as http://www.superbreak.com have started to challenge these traditions and open up UK consumers to the idea of beach breaks that can be enjoyed over a shorter period of time.

Perhaps one of the main reasons why such breaks are becoming more accessible are the discount airlines such as http://www.aerlingus.com or http://www.easyjet.com offering cheap return flights to popular sunshine resorts such as Ibiza, Gran Canaria and Cyprus. Combining these discount flights with the abundance of hotel and accommodation deals that are on offer means that beach breaks are becoming increasingly competitive.

Popular Destinations

Until the escalation of the problems in the Middle East, Dubai was seeing year on year increases in volumes of tourists. Since 2003 numbers have dropped slightly but in reality Dubai is an extremely safe destination – with a host of beautiful beach resorts available to the avid sun seeker. The consistent climate means that sunshine is guaranteed all year round – with only five days of rainfall expected in the average year. However, beware – in the summer months the heat can be unbearable and temperatures can sore to the high forties!

Slightly closer to home the Canary Islands have always been a popular destination for the British public. Set off the coast of West Africa the archipelago enjoys a warm sunshine all year round, duty free prices and are home to some of the best beaches in the world. Gran Canaria is the perfect getaway for a beach break. Almost 60 of the 236 kilometres of the islands coastline consist of beaches – many of which are famed for their white sands, transparent water and cleanliness – a paradise only a short flight away from the UK.

Similarly to Gran Canaria, with its mild climate and wondrous scenery, Majorca has long been a favourite with the British holiday makers. The largest of the Beleric Islands, Majorca offers everything that the Brits look for in a traditional beach holiday – sun, beaches and nightlife. As a general rule the beach resorts on the south of the island – such as Magaluf - are more lively and suited to the younger crowd. However, island has something to offer everyone and the relatively short flight mean it is an ideal venue for a short beach break.

Overall, taking 2-3 days to top up your tan is becoming easier to do for the UK traveller and the appeal of being on a beach in an exotic location a matter of hours after leaving your work is strong. All you need to do is pick your destination, get your hotel and make the last crucial decision...factor 8 or 9?