For some people, going away at Christmas is something that they have never considered but more and more people are choosing this time of year to pack their suitcases and set off on holiday. Christmas for many people is about family spending time together opening presents, enjoying good food and celebrating but if you fancy trying something new, then a festive break could be just what you need. You do not have to go somewhere hot for Christmas, many December holidays are taken in countries that are cold and even that have snow on the ground, often making the experience feel even more festive. To go away just before or after Christmas may save you some money, but holidays that fall over the Christmas period may be little pricey. Why not go for a break a few weeks after Christmas, allowing you to enjoy that time at home whilst giving you something else to look forward to.

When choosing a holiday in the UK you have a number of options when it comes to accommodation. You can stay in a hotel, bed and breakfast, lodge/cottage/apartment, caravan or tent. Staying in a tent is often the cheapest option as some campsites charge as little as four pounds per night for a pitch, but often have very little else in terms of entertainment and facilities on site. This is often perfect for families who want to enjoy camping and don’t plan to spend much time on site. If you are looking for something a little more like home then you could opt for a caravan but the prices do often rise steeply often averaging from £50-£100 per night. But have you ever considered glamping? Glamping is the new way of camping that allows you the excitement of camping with the comfort of a caravan of lodge. Safari tents are often available at many campsite sites across the UK such as Haven and offer comfort and a good range of equipment at a lower price than a caravan.

If you really want to get away but cannot afford or cannot take time off to go on a week/ two week holiday then try and fit in a few mini breaks. You can even go abroad for a long weekend and have a fantastic time. These types of breaks can be found at fantastic prices if you shop around a bit and especially if you can go last minute.

Everyone needs a break from work or day to day life from time to time and holidays can be such a big expense. Managing to get away for a few days or even an overnight stay can be exactly what you need and this way you can afford to have a few throughout the year. An overnight stay in a spa can do you the world of good and an often be purchased for as little as £80-£100 per couple with meals included.

If you have never tried a mini break then I would highly recommend them, and they are great for all the family no matter how young or old.

Oxford is a beautiful English city in central southern England and revolves around its prestigious university, established in the 12th century. It has attracted tourists from all over the world and many students come here to study in one of the UK’s top universities. The Oxfordshire Cotswolds open your eyes up to the real beauty Oxfordshire has to offer with streams running through villages surrounded by miles and miles of green lands.

Whilst staying in Oxford, there are some great places you should visits. The Oxford museum is free entrance and have a range of items to look at from dinosaur and animal fossils to mummified cats and historical weapons.

There are some great places to eat in Oxford and if you are up for a bit of shopping then you will find it hard not to stay out all day with the wealthy and variety of shops on offer.

When choosing to go abroad for your holiday, you may want to take time to get to know the locals. Many countries are very happy to welcome visitors and the local people are often all too pleased to help you with whatever you need. When staying in another country you need to respect their rules and regulations and show respect to the people living there.

If you can mix with some of the local people you will have more of a chance to experience what life is actually like living there, rather than only seeing it from a tourist’s point of view. The local people will often be able to advise you better on where is great to eat and drink and places of interest to visit and indeed avoid.

It is vital to stay safe when on holiday and therefore you should never go off with someone of a group of people you do not know on your own and especially without telling someone where you are going and contacting them at regular intervals.

When holidaying with children you need to make a few more preparations and pre planning is definitely in order to avoid any nasty surprises. The first thing to consider is location. Ideally you want to go somewhere that is tailored towards children and can cater for their needs. If you are staying on a campsite this may mean looking for one with good facilities, play areas and close to the beach or a town offering entertainment.

Depending on how old your children are, you may look for a place that has children’s clubs onsite allowing the children to go off for a few hours participating in an activity whilst you get a bit of time to do what you wish to.

Car journeys can be hard work with children, so try and plan a few activities that they can do on the way and make sure you stop for regular breaks.

When you are going on holiday abroad holiday insurance is a must and most people are use to factoring this cost into their trip, however there are still people who simply look for the cheapest cover possible, and the issue with this is that should you need to make a claim you can be stung by extra costs or insurance companies refusing to pay out in certain circumstances state on their terms and conditions.

Here’s what to look out for when getting your travel insurance:-

ALWAYS read the full terms and conditions of any policy, it may seem like boring legal jargon but it’s important before you sign that you have read and understood exactly what you are covered for.

Ensure that you are covered from the start of your journey right up to when you return home, most claims are made in the actually travel part of the journey rather than the main body of the holiday.

Ensure that your insurance covers a suitable amount for lost luggage or damage to your property during transport.

Check the excess that you would need to pay out on a claim is not too high, high excess will bring down the initial cost of the insurance but is not worth it if it’s too high to bother making a claim on.