Can't afford a foreign holiday? These UK hotspots will make you feel like you're abroad...
If you usually: visit vineyards in France
Try: Llanerch Vineyard near Cardiff
It's not quite the Beaujolais region, but four award-winning wines are grown at Wales' oldest and largest vineyard (planting began in 1986). Self-guided tours cost £8 but that's not the only thing to do on this 20-acre estate - there's a cookery school too (demonstrations from £37 and hands-on classes from £65). Dine at the Calon restaurant and stay in four-star self-catering accommodation in a converted stable block so you don't have to argue over who's driving. For more information, visit Llanerch-vineyard.co.uk.
If you usually: go shopping in the US
Try: Westfield in London
The Westfield shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush, London, is a US-style monster of a mall packed with all your favourite UK and international designers and high-street names, as well as some hot newcomers. After a hard day hammering the plastic, grab a luxury bargain at nearby design hotel K-West. Visit K-west.co.uk to register for a lucky dip deal - for £90.85 you get the best room available at the time you book.
If you usually: go on safari
Try: the Cairngorms in Scotland's Highlands
OK, so we can't promise lions, but there are plenty of Kodak wildlife moments to be had in Britain's largest National Park. It's home to golden eagles, red deer, wildcats and otters. Safari tours cater for both the active and the idle, from hiking (£10 for 2 hours) to Land Rovers (£25 for a half day). Visit Glenlivet-wildlife.co.uk. Stay in the Grantown Wigwams at the edge of the park (prices from £30 per night, per wigwam, based on two sharing). See Wigwamholidays.com.
If you usually: sunbathe in Spain
Try: Treen, Cornwall
Experts predict a hot summer, so catch some rays in Treen, on the furthest south-western coast of Cornwall. Two miles from Land's End, it's home to some of the most unspoilt beaches in the UK, and at Pednvounder you can surf as well as sun-worship (it's rated as a top naturist beach if you want an all-over tan!). When it comes to accommodation, all budgets and tastes are catered for. For lovers of the great outdoors, a night at Treen Farm campsite costs from £15 for two adults, a child and a car - see Treenfarmcampsite.co.uk). Alternatively, there are lots of B&Bs - we love The Gurnard's Head (from £85 for a double room with breakfast). l For more information on Treen and the surrounding area, see visit cornwall.com.
If you usually: go on a Med cruise
Try: a boat holiday on the river Shannon in Ireland
If you love being on the water, captaining a power cruiser on the loughs of Ireland might float your boat. After a classroom session and hands-on demonstration, you're ready to explore the 300 miles of waterways. Start at Tully Bay Marina near Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, and during your four-night trip you'll get to visit Lough Erne and Lower Lough Erne - two stunning lakes dotted with hundreds of idyllic islands that you can moor alongside overnight. Don't miss Devenish Island with its ruined 12th-century monastery. Boats sleep up to 12 and have fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms. Prices start from around £400 for four nights per four-person boat, and the nearest airport is Dublin. For more information visit Cruise-ireland.com
Photography: Alamy, Getty Images, Masterfile, Photolibrary.com, Scope beauty
This article has 1 comment
Dublin is not part of the UK, its Ireland ! so cant be included in your UK hotspots.
By dub. Posted August 30 2009 at 4:33 PM.