Keep Yourself Entertained

However much you plan your trip, you are likely to meet disruptions and delays whichever form of transport you are taking. Rather than growing impatient with the trip, you should aim to keep yourself entertained for the duration and beyond with a few key activities. One of the best ways to keep entertained is to play mobile games like a poker app, which you can play over and over again for hours at a time. At once engaging and simple, their short play time can help you to keep boredom away in between stops. 

Check Travel Arrangements Beforehand

It is also important to check travel arrangements before you go to ensure that there are no delays to your route, ensuring that you are prepared or can find a handy alternative before you reach your terminal. There are many live travel software apps which you can use to determine any issues with your arrangements, and this will show you if certain routes are busy or blocked, or if there are any strikes that could affect you. Delays may also be caused by weather, and you should always check weather apps before you travel to ensure that your routes are unaffected.

Allow Extra Travel Time

Whether you find any extra delays or not, it is important that you allow extra travel time for each leg of your journey. This will ensure that you are able to meet your connections through the crowd and can prevent stress from leaving you with ample time to find your transport at stations and airports. Extra travel time will also ensure that you arrive in plenty of time to sort out problems if they arise, and can mean that you can opt for alternative transport if the route that you originally chose is not possible. 

Keep Gifts Safe

It is likely that you will be carrying gifts in the holiday season for family and friends, and it is important for yourself and the people that you love to keep those safe. However, packages and parcels tend to get easily damaged in transit due to the necessity of placing them in unprotected luggage racks, for example. Then, to keep your gifts safe, you should ensure that they are wrapped well or placed within protective packaging, that you invest in a seat with extra room, or that you use a suitcase with a hard shell which can keep them from damage. 

Travel Outside of Peak Times

To avoid crowds and queues, you should always attempt to travel outside of peak times if possible, as this will ensure that you are able to prevent meeting travel chaos. You can find peak times by checking with your provider, and by buying an off-peak ticket for trains, for example. This will mean that you are more likely to reach your destination on time.

The post 5 Top Tips for Spending the Festive Season Travelling appeared first on Breaks.com.

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Luggage On Demand

So, let’s start by looking at what “luggage-on-demand” actually means and why people use the service. The concept is that you have the luggage you need and want for your trip delivered when you want it and picked up once you return. Some of the key reasons to use a luggage-on-demand service are:

• Get access to quality, stylish luggage (without the need to purchase it)
• Always have the right size luggage you need for the trip
• No need to store suitcases in-between trips
• Stress-free delivery service in the build up to a holiday or business trip
• Last minute bookings to save you from having to rush out and buy or borrow

With ever-changing airline luggage allowances, your previously accepted hand luggage may now be no longer allowed in the cabin so it is nice to know that arrives to your door is fit for purpose. More importantly than that boring practicality of the right size luggage, this service makes you feel like a VIP!

Cargo Luggage Styles

If you are wanting to hire luggage, you want to hire good luggage! Thankfully, Cargo have put that at core of their offering.

Look the part as you wheel through the airport with yellow or aluminium (or both) luggage. Taken from their website, here are the boring/important dimensions of their cases:

Cargo Cabin Bag

The Cabin Cargo is a 20 inch aluminium magnesium alloy 4 Wheel Spinner, with dual TSA® coded locks.​​

Dimensions, Weight & Capacity

55 x 39 x 21 cm

4.2kg

31L

Cargo Hold Luggage

This is a 24 inch case made from robust, lightweight and impact resistant Makrolon® polycarbonate. It’s fitted with a TSA® coded lock for total peace of mind.​​​

Dimensions, Weight & Capacity

58.5 x 44 x 25.5 cm

4.2kg

65L

Want to give Cargo a go?

You can find out more about Cargo, including pricing, on their website and Instagram.

The post Cargo: Luggage-On-Demand competition! appeared first on Breaks.com.

If you’ve been keeping up with my socials you will know that Will (my boyfriend) and I recently adopted a dog. How exciting! It’s been an absolutely amazing experience, but can be quite daunting as well. I thought I’d write up a bit on how you can prepare your house for adoption day. I am by no means a dog trainer and have no official knowledge at all, these are just thoughts from reading a lot about dog adoption and my personal experience.

*Disclosure: some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Getting the house ready for adoption day was the easiest bit of the adoption for me. Leaving Monty behind in the shelter after the visits (we had 4 or 5) was so difficult! I was counting down the days until I could actually take him home! Although Monty is 4,5 years old and definitely not a puppy anymore, we were expecting him to be quite good in the house in terms of house training, chewing shoes and wires etc. If you do adopt a puppy I would definitely recommend hiding your wires properly and putting shoes and other loose items away.

Before you take your dog home, set some basic rules with your family/house members. Where will the dog sleep? Will he be allowed upstairs and in the bedroom? If you have a garden, is this safe and can he go off the lead in here? With your shelter you can set up a schedule for feeding times. Talk to your family about who does the feeding. If you are alternating the feeds (for bonding reasons, fun, learning the kids responsibilities etc.), remember to make some sort of list so that everyone knows the dog has been fed. You can buy a magnetic ‘Did you Feed the Dog?’ board with pen to help you and your family members communicate.

How to prepare your house

Before it is adoption day you need to make sure you have your house ready for your dog. We made sure we had everything set up to allow Monty to come into a dog friendly home. You might want to leave some small dog treats randomly scattered on the floor so he instantly thinks ‘yay! This is a great place!’

If your dog is only allowed in specific rooms (lounge, kitchen) I’d suggest you close the other doors before you let the dog in. Because we wanted to train Monty to sit down camly before the door to the house opens, we started this straight away. Of course adoption day is stressful enough for both you and the dog, so if your dog doesn’t know this command yet I wouldn’t try it at this time. In the long run it might be nice to do this as it disencourages him from running into the house. We’ve had Monty for a couple weeks now and as soon as he gets to the door he sits down without us asking him to – success!

When you open the door to enter your house for the first time, keep your dog on the lead. Give him a tour around the house in a calm manner. While he is on the lead, you could open the doors to the rooms where he is not allowed and take him for a quiet walk around. This is just for him to know what’s behind those closed doors! Once he’s had a little sniff, take him out and close the door again. Show him to his water and food bowl and when you feel like you are ready, take him off the lead. We kept Monty’s harness on for a little while: this is to show Monty that wearing a harness doesn’t always mean it is ‘walkies’ time. Give your dog some time to settle into your house, let him have a sniff in the corners and a walk around, but keep a close eye in case of any accidents.

Things to buy

Crate

This is completely up to you. Crate training can be a wonderful thing for so many reasons! But if you don’t want them in a crate or are adopting a dog with a fear of crates, it might not be the best idea. We did get a crate for Monty as I think it’s a great safe space for him, whether it is nap time, sleep time or when he is home alone.

In order to encourage him from going into his crate, I gently introduced him to this after the first moments in his new home. Make his crate a cosy place, with some soft bedding, treats and a toy. I scattered some small treats around the crate and this really encouraged him to go in and explore. Don’t close the door straight away! This will probably deter him from going into the crate again. Closing the door and leaving your dog on his own in the crate takes a lot of practice.

! When you leave your dog wittout supervision, make sure to only leave him with safe bedding, treats and toys.

Bowls and food

I mean, this is pretty basic. Your dog will need to be fed proably twice or three times a day. What food you are getting him is up to you, but I’d suggest getting a recommendation from the shelter you are adopting your dog from. Often ‘cheap’ food like own shop brand dog food is not very good for dogs (and linked to behavioural problems with dogs too!).

Harness and lead

It is really important your dog has a good harness and lead. This is for you and your dogs’ safety and comfort, but also encourages proper walking. On the shelters’ recommendation we got a Perfect Fit Harness for Monty. This comes in three separate parts and allows every part to fit him properly where it needs to. The staff at the shelter measured Monty for us and fitted him with a suitable size harness. We’ve found it helps a great deal when we’re out for walks! Monty is a nervous little boy and pulls a lot on walks. The Perfect Fit Harness stops him from pulling as much and when he does pull he doesn’t get hurt.

In terms of lead, this is mostly just personal preference. For dog walking training I’d suggest getting a solid lead that is not very long (2 metres or so). This is so you can keep control of your dog. Most dog trainers don’t recommend you using a retractable dog lead. This can hurt both you and your dog because it can pull back suddenly when it gets to the end of the lead. It can even cause it to snap and break! Also, if you are training your dog to walk on the lead without pulling, a retractable lead does the complete opposite as there is constant tension. For Monty we have two leads:

1. a short one for daily walking
2. a long 10 metre (non-retractable) lead that we use for recall training and countryside walking in open fields

! Remember that in the UK your dog legally needs to be microchipped ánd have an ID tag with your name and address on it (whilst you’re engraving one, put your phone number on it too). Don’t put your dogs name on the tag, as this makes it easier for people to steal your dog.

Treats

Oh, yes. Especially when your dog is settling in you will need a lot of treats. As mentioned earlier, we scattered them around the house and his crate.

It might take a while for you to find out which treats get your dog excited, so don’t buy too many treats in bulk at first! Chewy treats are great for your dogs’ teeth and to keep him occupied for a while. Small treats are ideal for training sessions. With recall training and walks where your dog is off the lead, I’d suggest bringing some of his favourite treats. Small chunks of cheese and sausages are Monty’s favourite: he comes back for these every time!

Puppy pads and poo bags

The not-so glamorous things to buy for your dogs. If you are adopting an older dog, you might not need any puppy pads. But because they are coming into a new environment and probably have a lot of stress built up, it might be worth putting a few down by the doors and in corners. In terms of poop bags, it is essential that you clean up after your dog! Not only is it horrible for other people, it can be dangerous for other animals in the area because of the bacteria. You can get scented poo bags (although I find these actually make the smell worse) and biodegrable ones.

These are the absolute basics of what you need before adoption day. There are other items, like a portable dog bowl, car travel items, toys, dog shampoo etc.

What suggestions do you have for those who are adopting a dog?

 

 

 

 

 

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Been a bit quiet on the socials today but for a good reason! Finally we got to take our little Monty home from the @cheltenhamanimalshelter they looked after him incredibly well, but feeling very happy he’s in a warm place where he is só loved by us, we’re a little family now

A post shared by Breaks.com (@breaks_com) on Oct 28, 2019 at 12:01pm PDT

Related: Dog friendly things to do in Birmingham

The post How to prepare for adopting a dog appeared first on Breaks.com.

One thing I like to do over the festive season is read blogs. Gift guides for this year, personal experiences about the holiday and inspiration for decorations and wrapping – reading blogs is a wonderful way to keep up to date. Reading in general really relaxes me, so grab a cup of tea and sit down in a comfy chair for these 25 festive blog posts:

1. Christmas Decorations to Shake your Baubles by The Lush Lists

Have you got your Christmas tree up yet? Whether are just looking to add some decorations, or need brand new baubles for your tree, The Lush Lists have got the article for you! I personally love the ‘cheer’ baubles, with mini gin, wine, prosecco and whisky bottles. Also check out the rest of the website for more handy and fun lists (like this post about board games for big kids).

2. The Expat Christmas Wish List by Teaspoon of Adventure

It’s so tricky to buy gifts for expats and/or those who are travelling around quite often. Although Christmas is a joyous time, it can be hard for expats and other people who don’t get to spend it with their families. Riana from Teaspoon of Adventure has put together a fantastic wish list, from a portable coffee maker to a VPN subscription!

3. The 6 Best Gifts for a Foodie by Jupiter Hadley

Who doesn’t love food?! Although some people are more into cooking than others, I think everyone would be happy with pizza socks (they come in a pizza box, rolled up to look like an actual pizza). If you are looking for gifts for the foodie in your life, Jupiter Hadley’s list is great!

4. ‘Christmas by the River’, London Bridge City’s Festive Market by The Globetrotter

I used to work in London Bridge and would always visit the London Bridge Christmas market on my lunch break. They got very expensive this time of year with all the tasty street food! Read The Globetrotter’s handy guide and review of the market before you plan your visit.

5. Where I’ll Wander in 2020 by The Armchair Traveller

The festive period is such a great time to look ahead to the new year. What will you do, where will you go? The Armchair Traveller has already got some trips planned (I wish I was this organised!) and has put together some handy tips for planning your next holiday.

6. Lights To Remember – Christmas Without A Loved One by Luv and Lifestyle

When Kirsty from Luv and Lifestyle sent over this post, I was immediately amazed about the genuine and positive undertones she manages to write with. Talking about the Lights to Remember service by the Marie Curie charity and personal experience, this post is a brilliant reflection on this time of year. For those who need a little bit of light and love this time of year!

7. Whistler at Christmas – Skiing and Giggles by A Walk and a Lark

I think a holiday in Whistler is on everyone’s bucket list! And especially around Christmas time I’m imagining the ski resort to be even more magical than normal. A Walk and a lark wrote a great review on a Christmas skiing holiday in Whistler – with the most beautiful pictures to persuade you!

8. Christmas Gift Guide for Pets by Tales of Belle

It’s not just your human family members that deserve a Christmas present! Dog or cat, Tales of Belle made a list of the best Christmas gifts for your furry friend. I mean, doesn’t your dog need Christmas pyjamas? All I want is matching ones!

9. 7 Of The Best Places To Travel For Christmas by Passports and Parenting

We decided to take a trip (to Amsterdam) last Christmas and it was one of the best Christmasses we ever had. No plans, no obligations to do anything, a magical atmosphere: it was just amazing. So if you’re looking to ‘escape’ the family plans and travel somewhere for Christmas, Passports and Parenting have rounded up the best places to visit.

10. Top Motorhome Winter Destinations by The Gap Decaders

Winter in a Motorhome sounds so romantic! Cruising through the snowy landscape, drinking hot chocolate in your cosy van and exploring the world. The Gap Decarders have written up a list of destination ideas, the post also includes helpful tips on prepering your van and equipment you might need.

11. Sustainable Gift Ideas: the Ultimate Guide for Home and Travel 2019 by Small Footprints, Big Adventures

This is definitely the ultimate guide to sustainable gifts. It is absolutely massive! Whoever you are looking to buy a gift for, you will find something in this list. From coffee and wine to ethical jewellery and toys for children, this guide by Small Footprints, Big Adventures has it all.

12. 6 Gift Ideas for Travel Bloggers by Two Roaming Soals

Are you lucky enough to have a travel blogger as your friend or family member? Normally this is great, but they can be hard to buy gifts for! As travel fans are usually not that materialist, they often prefer experience gifts or an envelope of money to go towards their travel budget. Two Roaming Soals give you some great gift ideas for the travel blogger in your life.

13. 10 Tips To Deal with a Christmas Away From Home by Go With Gabbs

Whether you live abroad, are travelling for Christmas, away with work or whatever you are doing, it can be hard to not spend Christmas with your family! Go With Gabbs wrote a great blog post about her experience being away from home and how to make it magical!

14. £100 Christmas Challenge – Earn an Extra £100 for Christmas by Bee Money Savvy

I think we could all use some extra money over the festive period. Drinks and dinners out, Christmas parties, new outfits and presents – it’s not a cheap time of year! Bee Money Savvy always write great stuff about saving/making some cash, and this post will help you make £100 this Christmas!

15. The Ultimate List of Things To Do to Fill the Void Between Christmas and New Year by This Glorious Life

Aren’t the days between Christmas and New Year always a bit odd? You kind of forget what day it is, but there’s always more days in between than you think there are! So what do you do in between Christmas and the New Year? Do you spend it with family, at home or are you at work? This Glorious Life wrote a great list on what to do on these days.

16. 7 Tips to a Stress Free Christmas Day by Greenbank Interiors

If you are hosting Christmas Day, it can get a bit stressful. Food timings, serving drinks, making sure the table is ready… try not to stress out just thinking about it! So how do you make sure you keep it cool and also enjoy the day? Read Greenbank Interiors guide to get the top tips.

17. 10 Ways to Save Money on Christmas Decorations by Keeping Up With the Bulls

I personally love having Christmas decorations in and around the house. A wreath on the door, a decorated tree in the living room and cusions, candles and bits around the rest of the house. But if you also have to buy lots of Christmas presents, decorations might be out of your budget. Keeping Up With The Bulls have some handy tips on how to save money on your Christmas decorations, I love the idea of making your own!

18. Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers by Affordable Backpacker

Are you a travel lover and looking to put something on your wish list? Or are you browsing for the perfect gift for your family member who seems to always be travelling? Affordable Backpacker has a very inclusive list, with prices ranging from £5.99 to £84.99!

19. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac Christmas by Fish Out of Malbec

I have never wanted to visit Canada in the winter as much as I do after reading this blog post! Fish Out of Malbec writes a review on a truly magical Christmas at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. A real castle in Québec, with more Christmas spirit than the North Pole!

20. The Best Free Things to Do in New York City During the Holidays by Mad Hatters NYC

We all know that the holidays can be an expensive time. Often prices are increased for attractions, as well as in restaurants and bars. Luckily Mad Hatters NYC bring you a list of the best free things to do in New York during the festive period. Please just bring me to Rockefeller Center already!

21. How To Buy Great Christmas Gifts and Stay on Budget! by My Dreamality

Do you always set a budget for your Christmas presents? And do you stick to it…? My Dreamality’s post about how to stay on budget for your Christmas presents is super handy. Work out who you need to get presents for and setting a budget are the first steps!

22. Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas by Simply Bethany Megan

What are your favourite Christmas smells? I am definitely a ‘cosy’ smell person, like cinnamon, pumpkin and all things warming. Simply Bethany Megan has some tips and products that will make your entire house smell like Christmas.

23. Why Mental Health is Important During the Holidays by Creatively Lauren

For many people the holidays is about happiness and joy, but for some it can be a tough time. Stress, pressure and social obligations can make it a hard month. Mental health is important any time of the year, but Creatively Lauren writes about how to manage your mental health during the holidays.

24. What Happens During Christmas in Cuba? by Bacon is Magic

Do you ever wonder what happens in different countries over Christmas? The holiday was banned in Cuba for quite some time, so most Cubans don’t spend Christmas eating turkey and opening presents. So what do they do? Bacon is Magic give you the lowdown.

25. Eco-friendly Alternatives to Wrapping Paper by Healthy Vix

Eco-friendly alternatives are always a good idea in my opinion, for everything! If you think about it, wrapping paper, ribbon and gift tags are not the most eco-friendly products! They are usually plastic items, covered in… plastic. Healthy Vix gives you some eco-friendly alternatives to these Christmas essentials.

Let me know which blog posts you enjoyed reading. Also, let me know what you think are good topics for festive blog posts, maybe we can write about them next year!

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The post 25 festive blog posts you need to read appeared first on Breaks.com.

I love these types of post! I always think it’s so nice to find out more about fellow bloggers and it adds a bit of a personal touch. Also, it allows me to reflect back on the year. Going through pictures I realise what a great year I’ve actually had – something I may have not appreciated if I didn’t do this post!

So what I’m going to do is show you a picture I took in every month of this year with a short explanation of what I did this month. Hopefully this gives you a bit of insight about me and what I do. I’d love you to do the same! Let me know via Twitter or Instagram if you’ve done it too

January

For me the new year always starts at my family home. It’s my mum’s birthday on New Years Day so we love to celebrate it all together! My mum, dad, sister and other family members have a fun evening together drinking a couple of bubbly drinks, playing some games and chatting away. This is one of my favourite nights of the year!

I usually fly back to the UK a couple days after New Years and that’s when we get back to normal life. Work, the gym and regular walks with our pupper – the everyday life stuff!

February

February is usually a bit of a happier month than January, as it starts to get slighty warmer, lighter and the post-holiday blues has kind of faded away. It’s my sisters’ birthday early February too! I try to come over to see her, but if I can’t make it I send usually send a small gift and funny card.

In February 2019 I actually went to my family home in the Netherlands again! This time not to see my parents, but to wave them goodbye on their holiday. They went to Cuba for two weeks and asked me to look after their two gorgeous Beagles (yes, please!). Dogsitting is the best and most relaxing thing ever!

This is one of them, Senna, posing by the spring flowers coming out.

March

Oh do I love it when March comes around again! It’s my birthday month (15th) and it’s usually pretty glorious in the UK. Lighter jackets, sometimes even just a long sleeve top will do. In our house the spring decorations come out again, cushions with lighter colours and candles with fresh scents.

I love being outdoors so on the weekends we often do things like going to Painswick Rococo Gardens as pictured. Long countryside walks and warming up in the nearby pub, these are my favourite days.

I never really celebrate my birthday to extravagantly, maybe just a nice dinner with my boyfriend or relaxing in the pub with a drink!

April

Nothing too special happens for us in April, no birthdays, celebrations or antyhing like that. This April was just a working month, getting into the gym regularly and doing fun things on the weekend.

I’d never been to Bath before (I know! Ridiculous!) so one random weekend we decided to go for the day. We live in the Cotswolds so are just a short train ride away from this lovely city. I adored it! We’ve been back to Bath frequently since that weekend and I love it more every time.

If you have any suggestions for nice pubs or restaurants let me know in the comments.

May

The start of May is always special for us, as it’s my boyfriends’ birthday. He never likes to make a fuss though, so always has a hard time thinking of what he wants to do! Most years we do the same as my birthday, go to our favourite pub or restaurant for a nice meal and some drinks.

This year towards the end of May my parents came to visit me! As you know they live in the Netherlands and every so often they fly over to the UK for a couple days. It was so nice to spend time with them and show them where we live (they hadn’t been since we moved). The weather was absolutely glorious so this called for the first Pimm’s of the year.

June

In June we took a pretty impromptu trip to: Greece! Good friends of mine recently moved to Thessaloniki so we spent a week and a bit around the area relaxing by the beach and partying in the beach clubs. Catching up with friends, lots of tasty Greek food (and drink!) and soaking up the sunshine – what a treat. Because our bedroom had view of the sea, we would wake up really early and watch the dolphins swim past which was absolutely amazing to see.

I used to go to Greek islands a lot on family holidays, but had never been to the mainland before. What a gorgeous part of the country. With a pool ánd beach next to our house our holiday couldn’t be any better. I’m planning another visit soon and am curious to see what it’s like in the spring.

July

As I was scrolling through my photos I found lots for every month and had a hard time choosing which one to use! But I struggled a bit in July..

As much as the summer is meant to be a time to party, relax and enjoy the sunshine, we mainly just worked and spent time around where we live. If I’m being honest I’m more of an autumn/winter person and when it gets to the end of July I start getting excited for the leaves falling (apologies to all the summer people reading this)!

This photo of us drinking wine is the most exciting I could find! I guess it could be a good resolution for 2020 to make July a bit more special! Do you have any events going in July that you always go to? Let me know and maybe I can plan it for next year!

August

August is one of my favourite months of the year! I always go home around the first week of August as there is a massive sailing event around where my parents are. The warmer weather, cold Dutch beers and spending time with family – what’s not to love!

My boyfriend came this year and we decided to spend a couple of days in Utrecht, a large city in the Netherlands. This picture shows the canalside café, where we love to have a drink and just watch the boats go by.

September

September 2019 was a special month for me. I quit my full time job for my blog! Super scary and a big decision to make, but my job was not making me happy at all.

So what did I do in September? Worked hard on this blog! Writing, creating relationships with bloggers and brands, optimising the website and so much more. A few months in, am I happy with the decision to go full time on my blog? ABSOLUTELY! I love every single day, wake up so much happier and love the website.

October

October is great around where we live because it’s the month of the The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. They always have an impressive line up, with interesting artists, writers, documentary makers, politicians and more. And the atmosphere is so nice! Cheltenham is a lovely town in general and the festivals really add to the buzz.

We hang around the festival most days, even if we haven’t booked tickets for something. Grab a drink and some food, see if there any last minute tickets for sale. Often you end up finding an interesting talk you hadn’t considered going to!

November

Although November only ended a couple days ago, it seems like ages away! We did só much this month and I’m excited to tell you about it.

Firstly and most importantly, we adopted a little dog. This gorgeous boy is called Monty, he’s 4,5 years old and a terrier mix. He’s a bit nervous about some things like meeting other dogs and us leaving the house, but other than that he has settled in very well and has instantly become part of our family. We love him!

My sister came to stay for a couple days in November as well. It was amazing having her around for a while and spending time together. As you can see we enjoy going to the pub and exploring different beers. Cheers!

December

I mean, were only 5 days in! What can I say about this month. The most noteworthy thing that has happend so far is that my driving licence arrived! This is super exciting, but I’m also a bit scared that I can now go on the road without the instructur next to me giving advice. We’ve rented a car for this weekend, to drive to the Welsh Brecon Beacons and explore the area.

Christmas is on our doorstep and we are spending this with Will’s family, a proper British Christmas with a big dinner and watching Christmas specials on the tv. For New Years I will be back at my family home and cheers with my mum for her birthday.

What are you up to this Christmas and New Years?

The post My year in pictures appeared first on Breaks.com.

Everyone has got different rituals or Christmas and especially on Christmas Eve people like to do different things. Do you go on a wild night out? Or do you you stay in and watch Christmas films? If you are like me and enjoy a cosy night in with friends and/or family, here’s some tips on fun things to do.

Get your best beauty products out

Having a pamper day/evening is a great way to spend time relaxing! The winter time is usually not great for your skin, as it’s cold out. Put on some face masks, do your nails, have a full body scrub – whatever you can think of. Get the men of your family involved too, their skin needs looking after as well!

How to make your own body scrub:

• Ingredients: honey, oil and sugar
• Warm a pot of honey in the microwave until it becomes runny but not too hot (just a few seconds)
• Pour a quarter of a cup of honey into a bowl
• Stir in two tablespoons of oil (coconut, almond, olive etc.)
• Mix in half a cup of brown sugar
• Recipe from Byrdie.

Enjoy the cheesiest Christmas films

What’s a better way of getting in the Christmas spirit than by watching all the films! Everyone put on your softest pj’s, grab the popcorn, a glass of wine or hot chocolate and go. All squeezes on the sofa together with comfy cusions and soft blankets, this evening is a dream Christmas Eve for me! What are your favourite Christmas films?

Some of my favourite Christmas films:

• Elf
• National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
• Home Alone 1 and 2
• Harry Potter (ok, maybe officially not Christmas films, but they make me feel Christmassy!)
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• The Polar Express

Play boardgames

Playing boardgames is a great way to spend time with friends and family. There is always someone who is a bit too competitive (usually me). You can create a competition with your friends and family and play different boardgames, and then decide a winner in the end.

My top 5 boardgames:

• Cluedo
• Risk
• The Settlers of Catan
• 30 Seconds
• Exploding Kittens
• Rummikub

Do a cocktail class at home

This one takes a tiny bit more planning than the prevous ideas, but is so much fun! You don’t even need to hire a mixologist, just get the old school recipes out and try it yourself. Get every member of the family to bring the ingredients and recipe for one cocktail of their choice. Then line everything up in your kitchen and start mixing! Stick to the recipes and take it serious, or mix and match ingredients to create new cocktails. The overall favourite wins!

Find your favourite music videos and play them on the tv

This may sound a bit odd, but my family do this all the time at home and is a great way to spend time. With modern tv’s and phones nowadays you can select music videos on YouTube and play them on your TV. If you have fancy equipment like this, get your family together and select their favourite songs. Find the official videos on YouTube or select live performances. It’s a great way to reminisce and find out what your family enjoy.

What do you like to do on Christmas Eve? Let me know in the comments!

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The new year is on our doorstep! A new year means new annual leave from work and new chances to explore the world. Do you have any European destinations on your list to visit for 2020? If you’re not sure of where to go, I’ve got the perfect list for you. Divided up in seasons, this guide shows you the best destinations to choose for 2020.

*Disclosure: some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

In the spring season you might be looking for some sunshine to kickstart the new year. Maybe you can find time for a 3 night mini break! Get rid of the cold, rainy weather and find the sun! Although most places in Europe won’t be scorching just yet, temperatures are starting to rise to comfortable t-shirt weather.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Southern Croatian city of Dubrovnik has been up and coming for a while now. It’s easy to see why! It’s Old Town is very charming and the fact that it is fronting the Adriatic Sea is a feature for many tourists. Whereas in March the temperatures might still be around a mild 15° degrees, in May these rise up to 23°! Explore the history of Dubrovnik, enjoy some shopping or have a great night out clubbing – Dubrovnik has a lot to offer.

Malta

We love Malta! This island is an absolute must-visit in 2020. It’s becoming increasingly more popular, but you can beat the tourist high-season by going in the spring time. With temperatures around 20° this is an ideal destination for escaping the post-Christmas blues. Malta has a very interesting history to explore, as well as a buzzing nightlife. And don’t forget to explore the neighbouring island of Gozo!

Madeira

Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal with islands of the coast of Africa. Although temperatures in spring are generally around 13°, you should find the nature in bloom ready to start the new year. And if you love being in nature, Madeira is the perfect destination for you. Volanic landscapes, cliffs, greenery and more – Madeira’s nature and wildlife is incredible. The island is known for the botanical gardens and luxury resorts: two of our favourite things!

I can completely understand if you are already looking at a Summer break! Sun, sea and tasty cocktails – I can’t wait! Of course the Meditteranean gets very hot in the summer time.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria might not be your first thought when considering your summer holiday destination. But hear me out. The temperatures in Bulgaria are generally around 30°, but it can get as hot as 40°! It has beautiful white sandy beaches, with lots of water sports for those who like a bit of adventure. Especially if you are on a budget, Bulgaria is a fantastic destination!

Chania, Crete

Of course Greece is already a family favourite when it comes to a summer holiday. The weather is always nice and hot, it is surrounded by water and has thousands of beaches. But have you explored the island of Crete yet? If not, head to Chania, the islands’ second largest city. The famous Venetian harbour, old town and abundance of restaurants and bars won’t disappoint. 

Algarve, Portugal

The famous Portuguese Algarve region. If you haven’t been here yet, you need to get here as soon as possible! If you are familiar with the Algarve, why not come back and explore it all over again. This area screams holiday: fishing villages, cliffs, sandy beaches and water sports. The Algarve is also famous for the fantastic golf courses, so why not try a spot of golf! Temperatures in the summer can go up to 35° degrees, but there is often a coastal breeze which makes the heat a bit more tolerable.

Whether you are embracing the colder weather or are still looking for some autumnal sunshine, there are plenty of destinations to choose from. A lot of Mediterranean places stay quite warm until the end of the year, so get all the vitamin D you can before winter starts.

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is an amazing place to visit in the atumn. With temperatures hoving around 20° degrees, weather is comfortably warm but not scorching. Medieval towers in San Gimignano, jetsetting in Forte Dei Marmi or finding tranquility in Artimino: Tuscany has it all!

Split, Croatia

Croatia has become a popular tourist location. The seaside city of Split is Croatia’s second largest city and famous for its beaches and rocky coves. With bustlin markets, shops and restaurants, Split is coming a cosmopolitan city! The Old Town is very charming and there are plenty of nearby islands you can visit for day trips.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Lanzarote is a fabulous autumn destination, as the temperatures still average about 23° degrees. If you’re not ready yet for darker evenings and colder days a holiday to Lanzarote is the one for you. This island is part of the Canaries and has a lot to offer. Chill out on the beaches, discover the interesting history of the island or explore the vulcanic landscape.

Winter breaks are my absolute favourite! Celebrate the festive season by travelling to a wintery destination, or seek the winter sun. Although even southern Europe will get colder now, some areas will still be mild and comfortably warm.

Iceland

If you are feeling festive and are ready for the winter, Iceland is where you need to be! Reykjavik is easiest to get to at this time of year, but you can rent a car and travel around the country to explore the breathtaking landscape. Glaciers, waterfalls and hopefully the Northern Lights! Make sure to pack your warmest clothes!

Costa del Sol, Spain

The world famous Costa del Sol might not be the first destination that comes up when you are looking for a winter holiday. But this seaside resort has a lot going on outside of the summer season. With mild temperatures and few rainy fays, the area is famous for golf, scenic walking routes and food & drink culture. Doesn’t sound like a bad winter break to me!

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is one of the most Christmassy cities of Europe! Visit between the end of november until Christmas and you will be able to enjoy the Christmas markets. The Medieval maze of streets and squares in Krakow are magical any time of year, especially with a sprinkling of snow!

What are your favourite European holiday destinations? Let me know in the comments!

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The festive season is upon us! For many people this is their favourite time of year, a time to see friends and family, go to many parties and have lots of food and drink. I personally like a drink, but also feel the Christmas season gets a bit much for me in terms of alcohol. Pair this with a lot of stodgy food, no time for the gym and needing to be on top-form to engage with family and fiends – alcohol is not always the best!

If you feel the same, or simply feel like you’d like to swap for a mocktail alternative sometimes, here are 5 non-alcoholic festive drink recipes!

1. Spiced marmelade toddy

From the Sunday Times

How to:

• Warm all the ingredients in a pan, along with 300ml water, until the honey and marmalade have dissolved.
• Strain through a sieve to remove the cloves and the marmalade zest.
• Pour into heatproof glasses or mugs.

2. Elderflower Collins

From the Guardian

How to:

Half-fill a tall glass with ice, pour in all the ingredients. Garnish with lemon and mint. Serve!

3. Winter Sangria

From Immaeatthat

Preheat oven to 400ºF.  On a baking sheet, place sliced oranges, sliced grapefruit and cranberries.  Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until cranberries burst and caramelize a bit.  Meanwhile, boil pomegranate juice and orange juice.  Once boiling, pour over chai tea bag.  Steep for 5 minutes.  Remove tea bags.  Add in caramelized fruit and let sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.  Fill a glass half full of the sangria mix and fill the rest of the glass with grapefruit sparkling water.  Garnish with anise stars, cinnamon sticks and fresh cranberries.

4. Mock Champagne

From Oh So Delicioso

How to:

Simple mix the ginger ale with the grape juice and pour in a fancy champagne glass. Top with raspberries.

5. Holiday Mojito Mocktail with Cranberry and Pomegranate

From PrettyLifeGirls

How to:

1. Add sugar, water and fresh cranberries to a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes until the cranberries start to open up and the sauce gets very thick. Set aside and allow to cool.
2. Meanwhile, add mint and lime to each glass. Muddle together to extract the flavor of the mint. Add ice.
3. Add in Canada Dry®, pomegranate juice and cooled cranberry reduction to each glass.
4. Top with more mint, lime, and cranberries as garnish. Serve immediately.

If you are looking for some more tasty Mocktail recipes, have a look at this book:

Mocktails by Kester Thompsons

£13.99

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Last-minute decisions are usually some of the best ones! So deciding to go on a last-minute city break is a great idea. Sadly, the days of cheap last-minute deals are ending and you are now more likely to get a better deal if you book in advance.

But you can still book a cheap last-minute getaway! I’ve made a list of the top 5 destinations that offer cheap last-minute flights from the UK.

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is Polands’ second city and the royal capital of the country for centuries. The city still has a medieval feel to it and this is reflected in the beautiful artictecture. Visit the Old Town, wander around the Market Square and look up at the Gothic churces to get a feel for the history of Krakaw. Nearby the Old Town you can find the Botanical Garden, which is a lovely visit if you like plants and nature.

If you are spending some time in Krakaw you cannot miss out on a visit to the Wawel Royal Castle. This gorgeous complex looks out over the Vistula River and boasts an impressive Italian styled courtyard. You can visit the Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral, so make sure to plan a few hours for this visit!

Handy information:

• A return flight from London to Krakow can cost as little as £20 per person!
• The flight duration from London to Krakow is 2 hours and 25 minutes
• Krakow time is one hour ahead from the UK.

Dublin, Ireland

If you are thinking of taking a last minute trip to Dublin, good for you! This gorgeous city has plenty of fun things to do, day and night. It’s also a really great city to explore in a short weekend, as it is not that big. Dublin is especially an interesting location for those who like a drink or two. You can do a tour around the Guiness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery and enjoy a drink afterwards.

If you want to explore some of Dublin’s history, visit the Dublin Castle and/or Trinity College Library. Both are absolutely gorgeous, picture perfect for the Instagram, and steeped in history.

After the taste of history you might want to explore more of Dublin’s culture. A visit to the Temple Bar is a must! The nightlife in Dublin is fantastic and unlike anywhere else. In the morning you can cure your hangover with a classic full breakfast!

Handy information:

• A return flight from London to Dublin can cost as little as £20!
• The flight duration from London to Dublin is 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Dublin is on the same time zone as the rest of the UK.

Alicante, Spain

The Spanish city of Alicante has a lot to offer for a quick last-minute break. Even in the winter the temperatures stay mild and of course the Spanish summers are amazingly sunny! There are many great reasons to head to sunny Spain for a last minute break.

The Alicante Museum of Contemporary Art (MACA) has works on display from artists like Joan Miró Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and more. Or take a short ferry (approx. 1 hour) to Tabarca Island where you can snorkle, scuba dive and enjoy the marine life the island has to offer.

Handy information:

• You can buy a return flight from London to Alicante for just £20 per person.
• A flight from London to Alicante takes 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Alicante is one hour ahead from the UK.

Faro, Portugal

With temperatures staying around 15 degrees in the winter and rising up to 29 degrees in the summer, Faro is a fantastic destination for a city break in all seasons. This compact, authentic city has a lot to offer: from history to nightlife, Faro will charm you!

Start by exploring the Old Town, with is historic cathedral, bishop’s palace and Museu Municipal. If you are into nature, make sure to visit the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. This nature reserve follows 60km of the coastline and is a beautiful celebration of nature. For a bit of fun, jump on the tourist train (Comboio Turística). Going around the Old Town, Carmo and São Pedro churches, modern Faro and the municipal market, this 45 minute trip will keep all members of the family entertained.

Handy information:

• A return flight from London to Faro can cost as little as £20!
• The flight duration from London to Faro is 2 hours and 50 minutes
• Faro is on the same time zone as the UK.

Bucharest, Romania

If you want to explore Eastern Europe, why not head to Bucharest. The capital of Romania is probably the best option for a cheap last-minute break. The food, drink and attractions are generally very cheap. However, this doesn’t mean Bucharest is not amazing! It is a fantastic city with an interesting culture and history.

To explore this culture, head to the Bucharest Parliament building – the heaviest builiding in the world! It is also the second biggest administrative building in the world (surpassed by the Pentagon). You can take a tour of the inside which is very impressive.

If you needed more convincing that you can take a cheap break in Bucharest: they have free walking tours! You can join by meeting them in the main Square (Piata Sfatului), next to the fountain. The staff wear an orange outfit so should be easy to spot! The tour takes between 120 and 150 minutes and is of course free (although donations are appreciated).

Handy information:

• Prices for a flight from London to Bucharest start at as little as £20!
• A flight from London to Bucharest takes 3 hours and 30 minutes.
• Bucharest is on Eastern European time zone, two hours ahead of the UK.

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According to a survey in 2018, 100,000 proposals were expected in 2018’s Christmas period, making Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve the most popular dates for getting engaged.

There can be lots of pressure around proposing in the perfect way. After all, this story will probably be told for years to come. After you’ve chosen the perfect engagement ring, have planned the knee-quivering speech, you need to choose the setting. A romantic backdrop will totally set the scene, and if your partner has dreamed about their engagement since they were a child, chances are you’ll be fulfilling a major fantasy of theirs.

With Christmas just around the corner, Angelic Diamonds take a look at some of the most romantic Christmas settings in the UK to hear the word “yes!”.

Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum

Now, unless your partner is like Bambi on ice, this setting is probably one of the most magical scenes to pop the question. With a Christmas tree in the centre, the Natural History Museum’s ice rink is enveloped in trees illuminated by hundreds of fairy lights. A romantic atmosphere is set with the 12^th century gothic Natural History Museum as the backdrop to your question. Day or night, your partner is bound to be in awe of the location.

Fortunately, ice rinks provide lots of ways to tailor the engagement if you’re looking for something extra special. Hiring professional flashmob ice skaters is a fun way to surprise the person you’re proposing to, turning fellow ice skaters from strangers on the rink to a unique event dedicated to him or her. And chances are, they won’t be expecting it at all.

A romantic Christmas break in the Lake District 

The Lake District is a magical setting all year round, but it really comes to life as the year comes to an end. If you and your partner love the outdoors, there are plenty of scenic winter walks to embark on together, during which you could pop the question against a backdrop of magnificent mountains and frost-coated trees. Afterwards, nothing beats relaxing in a cosy cottage with a roaring fire to keep you warm and toasty. 

There are plenty of Christmas events available all throughout December too. From Carlisle Christmas market, to the Keswick Proms. For a more luxurious proposal experience, Lake District Country Hotels are offering a three-night Christmas package, where you can enjoy mulled wine and gourmet food. 

Christmas Tree Farm

If the person you’re proposing to prefers to keep a low profile and isn’t a fan of all eyes on them, a festive yet understated location is your local Christmas Tree Farm. This is an excellent way to catch them off guard whilst in the midst of a festive activity. 

It’s worth getting in contact with your local Christmas tree farm and asking if there’s a secluded area where you can decorate, and maybe even hire a photographer to hide and snap pics of the unforgettable, private moment.

You could even take the Christmas tree you got engaged next to home!

Christmas Market

The best part about proposing at a Christmas Market is that they’re in almost every city, as well as having most of the work already done for you! To make this engagement extra special, you could plant small, thoughtful gifts at different stalls, commemorating your relationship together — these could be inside jokes, things you know they love. Make your way around the stalls until you get to a Christmas tree where you can drop to one knee and ask those special words, ‘will you marry me?’

There are a variety of Christmas markets to choose from, you could visit your local one if you don’t fancy travelling far. Or if you want to go for a trip somewhere, why not check out the best Christmas markets for 2019. 

Christmas Carol Concert

For ultimate festive romance, take your other half to a Christmas carol concert. If they’re a fan of taking part in traditional Christmas songs, you could check out local events and surprise them during one of their favourite carols.

So, there we have some of the best Christmas settings to pop the question this year, check out Christmas events at cities near you for more inspiration.

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