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Thursday, 7 March 2013

A New Home for Need Another Holiday

Need Another Holiday has moved! 

March is here, and I've decided that it's time for a Spring clean of the blog, so what could be better than a new logo and a new website?

Please follow me to the brand new NeedAnotherHoliday and take a minute to subscribe on the new site.

Pop over right now, and have a look!

Happy travels!

Clare

Saturday, 16 February 2013

Weekend Picture Pick: Millport Beach in Scotland

Just off the Ayrshire coast is the Isle of Great Cumbrae and the seaside town of Millport. A favourite for day-trippers, there's a lot to like about this lovely, little place.

This weekend's photo is of Millport beach, on an August day.

Sun, sea, sand and a Scottish summer



Thursday, 14 February 2013

A Reason to Love Winter: Belgian Chocolate Snowmen!

Chocolate was everywhere in Bruges. 

These funny little fellas caught my eye from a shop window one evening as I strolled the streets after dinner - looks like I wasn't the only one to hit the Belgian beer!

There might still be plenty of winter weather about, but a chocolate snowman would surely be enough to brighten your day!

Chocolate beer doesn't get you drunk. Honest.

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Paris: A Good Idea at Any Time of Year

There's something about Paris that can't be explained. 

It's a place that packs a perfectly poised punch, and a city that's inspired me to try to adopt the effortless style of the French ever since I first set foot there. I'd like to say that I could walk around the city with a carefree "oh it's just Paris," shrug of my Chanel adorned shoulder, but despite any efforts I might make to look the part, I'm not French, I don't own anything Chanel except makeup, and consequently I think I'll always be in awe of this stunning city.

You don't need to see the top of the tower to recognise this Paris icon


My last visit here was in the depths of a Parisian winter, with a dusting of snow on the ground and a bright blue sky to light up the city's limitless number of lovely views. This was perfect wrap up warm and get walking weather. And that's exactly what we did.

I couldn't feel my feet as we walked along the Canal Saint Martin, but I didn't care. The shimmering sheets of ice on the water winked at me as I walked in Amelie's footsteps. No stone skimming for me in this weather, but what does that matter?

We stayed near the canal, close to the Gare de l'Est. The ease of which we could hop on a metro to explore the city was a big plus point, despite our hotel room being a little small. But that didn't matter. This is Paris after all, so why would you want to spend much time in a hotel room? In fact, it's probably fair to say that what little time we did spend in our hotel, we spent at the bar; cheeks cold from the city streets, sipping our nightcaps with buzzing eyes until our faces burned with the fatigue of the day and we dragged ourselves off to bed.

We only stayed three nights here, and there's little doubt that a few days will only skim the surface of Paris (thank goodness we didn't have time for me to hit the shops). But you can soak up a good deal from a long weekend. Or, if you can swing the right days off work, a midweek stint, when flights are likely to be cheaper.

Cold, but very happy to be in Paris
Just don't kill yourself by flapping from must-see to must-see in a frenzied sightseeing fit. Cramming too much into a day will stop you looking up and around. And in Paris this would be a mistake. The city itself (as well as, the Eiffel Tower viewed from every angle) is the star of the show.

That said, here's what we did make time to see when we weren't sauntering the streets going gooey-eyed, or prancing around pretending to be Parisian:

The Louvre
The essential must-visit museum, the Louvre is vast and will eat up as much of your time as you let it. Catch the Mona Lisa (though I was slightly underwhelmed by it) and the Venus de Milo as well as countless other important works.


Venus de Milo, on display in the Louvre

The Musée D'Orsay
I preferred this museum to the Louvre. I liked the fact that it's an old railway station (there's always something grand and romantic about old station buildings in my opinion) and I enjoyed seeing works by Monet, Van Gogh and Renoir.



Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur
Wandering the streets of Montmarte makes you believe there's an artist within you that you've possibly yet to discover. It's vibrant culture sets fire to your senses. Then there's the Sacre Coeur Basilica, the stunning high point. A beautiful church with a location that provides a perfect view over the city.


The Magnificent Sacré Coeur 


The Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris
An important example of Gothic architecture, this famous Cathedral won't disappoint. And if you only visit one church in Paris, this should probably be it (though my favourite is still the Sacré Coeur).

Don't just tour the inside, make sure you admire Notre Dame from every angle outside too

Wander down the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe
Walk what's probably the world's most famous street - take in the atmosphere and the sights along the way. And if you can afford to, maybe shop, eat and treat yourself too!

Twinkling lights at night in January on the famous Paris avenue


Of course, I haven't even really mentioned the Eiffel Tower - and whether you decide to ascend it is really up to you. I've had a go, as far as the weather would permit me, but only because it was particularly quiet in January. I'd have undoubtedly passed on it had there been a queue at a different time of year. If I'm honest, I was content just to look up at the tower, particularly when it twinkled at night, and to catch secret glimpses of it as I turned random corners on my promenades through the Paris streets.

What will I choose to specifically see on my next (and third) visit? Well, I really don't know. And frankly, I don't care. I just want to be in Paris. I think that no matter how many times I return, my subconscious will always be working on the details of another trip.

Have you been to Paris? What time of year did you visit and what was your favourite thing to do? Please let me know in the comments! Maybe you can give me some ideas for next time!


Sunday, 3 February 2013

Weekend Picture Pick: Windows of Notre Dame

Happy Sunday to you all! 

Here's a picture of stunning stained glass in Notre Dame. It's a prelude to a post I'm planning to publish next week. Writing it has been bringing back fabulous memories and inspiring me to plan a return visit soon, not just to soak up the sights of the city, but also so that I can take better photographs!

Stained glass in Notre Dame de Paris

Monday, 28 January 2013

It's Official - Britain Needs Another Holiday!


So the chances are, if you’re British, you haven’t had a holiday in far too long. Yes, you have time off work – but it’s pretty likely that you rarely go anywhere, spending a good deal of your annual leave at home. And if you’re anything like me, being at home leads to all manner of unexciting things such as doing the washing and (kill me now) ironing. It’s not good. And now there’s a name for it. Vacationitis.

When was the last time you had the chance to jet off into the sunset?


A recent study by Hilton has found that, on average, us full time workers in the UK only spend 8 of our 24 day leave allowance actually enjoying ourselves. The other 16 days are when we tackle “domestic admin” (a phrase that’s making me feel itchy already). Worse still, half of us haven’t had a holiday in over a year, with a jaw-dropping 5% being holiday deprived for 10 years or more. Of course, there’ll always be times when we’re redecorating, or waiting for a new bed/wardrobe/fridge to be delivered. But 10 years without a holiday? Not good. Last year I posted about the findings from a study by the British Heart Foundation which showed that not travelling enough was the top regret among us Brits. Better to regret something you did do than something you didn't.  And it seems to be no fluke that the people who do travel don’t tend to ever regret it. So what are we waiting for?

The current climate of economic struggles and the need to cut back on our disposable spends can certainly mean we’re unable to do all the travelling we’d wish, but with commitment and savvy planning you can still go on holiday! And if you can, you should! I’m a firm believer that a change of scene is one of the best ways to forget about the worries of trudging life’s treadmill. 

If you physically take yourself away from your problems, you can learn to let them bother you less. And there’s no better distraction than a beautiful view, a new city to explore, or the feeling of the ocean supporting your work-weary bones. A trip away is chance for you to remember that you’re more than your full-time job (even if it’s a job you love).

Two weeks of this? Don't mind if I do!


And before you start to wonder how you’ll afford a two week break in the sun – well it won’t work for everyone. And if two weeks away seems like far too long for you to be away from your reality (or possibly just from family who rely on you), the odd overnight break or weekend away can truly work wonders. Look at budget airlines and consider European cities other than the usual suspects of Paris and Rome. These are beautiful places, but it’s entirely possible you’ll get a better bargain flying to somewhere like Lisbon in Portugal or Bilbao in Spain.  Both are on my radar for bargain flight prices, and in a few months I’ll be posting about just how far I can make my money go on an upcoming three night break to the Portuguese capital.

There are also your local travel options to explore. Have you been to the museums close to where you live? Have you ever stayed in a hotel in your own city? You might be surprised by what’s on offer – many city hotels do excellent deals, and if you take a Monday off work, there’s every possibility of a cheap Sunday overnight stay, with dinner often thrown in too.

You don't necessarily need to travel far to just take the time to enjoy the good things in life


So there you go!  You really don’t have to go far to make the most of a holiday (though if you can, good for you!). It’s much more about making the choice to do something, or go somewhere purely for the purpose of enjoyment, and then to make sure you stick by your decision.

Don’t be a vacationitis statistic!

And don’t stay home doing the ironing on your day off!

Have you ever felt like you wasted your time off? And where would you suggest is a good place to visit if you can only manage a few days off work? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Saturday, 26 January 2013

Weekend Picture Pick: Come to the Cavern

I haven't spent much time in my home city of Liverpool recently, but I'll be rectifying that soon.

One place that's always worth a visit for anyone making a first time trip to the city is the famous Cavern club.

The place oozes with character and is a must see for any one who has ever hummed along, or sang along, to a Beatles song...that'll be everyone in the world, then!

Memorabilia on the walls of the Cavern club.