For so many of us, summer is the most exciting time of the year with long days, warm sunshine and most importantly……. summer holidays! We have included holiday inspiration from some of our preferred partners to get you excited and help you decide where to go for your much needed getaway”! 

ITALY, AUSTRIA, SLOVENIA AND SWITZERLAND SUMMER HOLIDAYS

We couldn’t just pick one as we love all of these destinations. Choose Italy and your spoilt for choice with its rich heritage, culture, art, natural beauty, and of course incredible food! Sicily is a particular favourite of ours with its astonishing volcanic landscape and ancient ruins, not to forget stunning beaches for some much-needed downtime.  

Or perhaps you are into walking and nature? If so, you’ll appreciate the staggering mountains of Austria and its beautiful rural countryside that is very much off-the-beaten-track. This country may be relatively small in size, but one thing’s for sure is its huge in beauty and culture. Whether it's exploring the deeply carved valleys, alpine peaks or visiting quaint chocolate-box villages and lakeside towns, you will be sure to find an endless list of sights to see and things to do.  

In Slovenia, you can explore lakes, castles and historical cities. Its unique blend of folk culture and spectacular Alpine scenery will almost certainly capture both your heart and imagination! For many that don’t know, Slovenia is the land of caves so plenty to explore as well as plenty of festivals to enjoy during the summer months. Be sure to delight your tastebuds with the regional exquisite cuisine.  

And finally, Switzerland – famous for their snow-capped mountains, cuckoo clocks and delightful chocolate. It may not be the first destination that comes to mind when looking for summer holidays, however, it has so much to offer – stunning scenery that won’t disappoint and a country filled with a mixture of culture, food and traditions, finding surprises in almost every corner.  

Inghams provides amazing holidays to Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and more so why not contact us for more information today! 

BULGARIA HAS ALL YOU NEED FOR A BEACH HOLIDAY

What is it you look for when choosing your summer holiday? If your list includes gorgeous sunny weather, golden sandy beaches, high-quality hotels and low prices, then Bulgaria is the place for you! Located in south-east Europe, Bulgaria has a 200-mile coastline bordering with Greece and Turkey and enjoys glorious sunny weather. Only sandy beaches are found in Bulgaria, of which all of them are gentle lapped by the Black Sea. We understand now more than ever that value for money is a significant factor and Bulgaria will offer you just that. With lunch and wine costing just a few pounds, bottles of beer around £1 and an evening meal costing approximately £10 - £15 – Bulgaria is a truly great value destination. In fact, the post office runs a regular survey for the best value beach resorts, and Sunny beach in Bulgaria wins almost every time. When it comes to beach resorts, you will find plenty of variety with Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast to suit all tastes and budgets. Sunny Beach is the largest resort and certainly has something for everyone, including two water parks and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nessebar, just across the bay with cobbled streets and gabled houses.  

If all that wasn’t enough, we can also share our knowledge to assist you in choosing the right resort for you. As there is a huge variety of hotels to choose from, ranging from great value two- and three-star hotels to luxury four- and five-star hotels, many newly built, you can be assured the standard will be high. 

Balkan Holiday, the Bulgarian experts, offers a wide range of summer holidays to Bulgaria, which we can share with you. Simply let us know if you’re interested in a holiday to Bulgaria and we will be able to tell you more. 

ESCORTED TOURS IN IRELAND

Why is an escorted tour in Ireland one of the tops to do’s this summer?

If you have the urge to explore somewhere this summer but don’t want to travel too far, Ireland is the perfect option for you during the summer when it boasts long days and plenty of sunshine, ideal for exploring.  

What to expect on an escorted tour around Ireland?

One of the greatest ways to visit this relatively small but fascinating country is by a fully escorted tour of Ireland as it allows you to see many iconic locations in just the one trip as well as a hassle-free experience with travel, accommodation and excursions all packaged together at a great price. A tour of Ireland is so much more than an “on your left” and “on your right” experience. Both Cosmos and Globus escorted tours allow you to explore as much as you can whilst still having leisure time to explore your own added interests. You will largely benefit from the knowledge and experience of the tour director and local guide as they will be able to provide you with information on the places you are visiting as well as tips on the best things to do. Another added benefit to a fully escorted tour is that they include pre-purchased and pre-arranged excursions to many of the iconic must-see sights. After all, who wants to spend their precious time queuing in a line.  

Why Ireland this summer?

The stunning island of Ireland provides some truly amazing scenery including the Cliffs of Moher at a staggering 668 feet, the Ring of Kerry with its sea views, winding lanes and mountains dotted with brightly coloured farmhouses as well as the world-famous Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.  

Also known as the Emerald Isle, Ireland is certainly unique, so what makes it so special?  

Ireland offers truly magnificent coastlines, mind-blowing national parks, small quaint villages drenched in history and contemporary cities with modern, up-to-date attractions. When visiting here during the summer, you will be greeted with warm weather and a buzzing atmosphere. Ireland is home to many popular destinations along the West Coast such as Dublin, Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula, the Wild Atlantic Way and Waterford as well as the historical city of Belfast and the spectacular Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Besides these, there are many other places to be explored on a Cosmos or Globus Tour, of which we can book on your behalf. Why not contact us today to find out more.  

HIRING A CAR ON YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY

As we have now taken you through some of our top summer destinations and holiday styles, now is the time we spoke about those added extras, such as car hire. 

With the freedom to explore in your own time, a popular way to make the most of your holiday is by hiring a car. Although the process of hiring a car prior to travelling can be overwhelming to some with so many companies and services to choose from, a few top tips from Holiday Extras, one of our preferred partners can certainly make hiring a car a smooth ride! 

How to avoid fuel charges 

When it is time to book your car hire, make sure you select the “Full to Full” refuelling option. Selecting the “Full to Empty” option means leaving the resort with a full tank of fuel and returning the car without any. You can indeed be charged an additional fee by the provider for the refuelling service.  

Purchase excess insurance

When booking your car hire, make sure you take out sufficient insurance cover for your entire journey well in advance. As standard, all hire cars automatically include a certain level of insurance, however, this may not necessarily cover you in the way you would like.  

Be aware of mileage caps and one-way fees 

For those who are planning on driving long distances or even one-way, be sure to look out for any mileage caps and drop off charges before travelling in order to avoid any nasty surprises at the end of your holiday.  

Make sure you book the right vehicle 

It is advisory to complete your research before booking a hire car to avoid any disappointment on arrival or having to pay extra to upgrade the vehicle. Things you need to ask before is if the car carries five people, will there be enough room for all of your luggage? 

Get snap happy 

Be sure to check the hire car before you set off and take photos of the car from all angles to avoid any existing damage potentially being wrongly attributed to you when it comes to dropping the car off. The simple, quick action will provide you will peace of mind so you can thoroughly enjoy your holiday.  

So, the next time your off on your holidays, be sure to pick the car that suits you best and you will be well on your way to cruising in stye. To find out more information on car hire with Holiday Extras, contact us today.  

SO…WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Hopefully our round up of favourite summer holiday inspirations has helped you decide where to head to for your summer holiday. Whether your all set, or need further recommendations and top tips, contact us today and we will be happy to help you further