Three Cliffs Bay in Gower photo: Natasha von Geldern

Top Summer Holidays ideas for 2008

Travelbite.co.uk, Wednesday, 23 Apr 2008 10:26

With summer rapidly approaching and with the forecasts for a much superior summer to last year's waterlogged one, now is the time to start thinking about destinations. This article from Travelbite gives some good ideas for top places to visit:

Summer holidays are about taking time out from the busy working year to recharge the batteries and spend time with the important people in our lives.

We all have memories of childhood summer holidays at the seaside and for many a beach holiday is an essential part of the summer break.

This year the strong Euro and environmental concerns are making summer holidays at home more attractive. Holidaymakers looking for a bargain are also considering the US and lesser-known destinations in Europe.

The independent travel writers at travelbite.co.uk have put together some suggestions for the best summer holidays in 2008.

British summer holidays on the unspoilt Gower peninsula

The Gower Peninsula, an unassuming outcrop on the south coast of Wales, is a perfect destination for a summer holiday.

People have lived here since 250,000 BC but Gower still does not suffer from the over development of other popular British coastal areas.

The beaches and rocky coves from the Mumbles around to Rhossili offer sheltered stretches of smooth sand, exhilarating clifftop walks and all sorts of outdoor activities for the more adventurous.

The region was the very first in the UK to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by the government's Countryside Agency over 50 years ago.

Oxwich beach is one of the best in Britain, with sand dunes, a nature reserve, safe swimming, surfing, beach combing for cockles and a wide sweep of golden sand.

And the two-and-a-half hour walk around the coast to Three Cliffs Bay is a great way to spend an afternoon.

In fact Oxwich was named the most beautiful beach in the UK by The Travel Magazine last year, with its "magnificent and unspoilt" scenery and for being a "great place for adults and children to explore".

Many of the beaches are very popular, yet somehow never seem crowded, and if you want to really get away from it all there are many more remote and secluded coves.

Langland Bay and Rotherslade join together at low tide to form a bigger beach and there is a good café. The surfers also love it here and in nearby Caswell Bay.

Walkers, rock climbers and hang-gliding enthusiasts will find plenty to occupy them.

The cliff walk from Port Eynon is another popular route with spectacular views towards the Worm's Head. Walking out to the tip of this tidal island you are likely to see seals and other wildlife.

There are a good selection of hotels, self-catering cottages, B&Bs and well-equipped camping and caravanning sites along the coast, many only a short walk to sun, surf and sand. The writer stayed at Pitton Cross campsite near Rhossili.

Natasha von Geldern