Holiday & Travel

Even on a cold, wet day, you can be cheered up by the thought of summer on the beach.  The beach is where memories are made – building sandcastles, exploring rockpools, discovering seaweed and heading into the water to swim, surf, Stand Up Paddle Board, kayak or just paddle in the shallows.  It's a passion which started with the Georgians, who began to visit the coast in great numbers in the 18th century. 

Recent news of one of Thailand's most beautiful islands - Ko Tachai - closing due to 'excessive tourism' has sparked questions on whether it is still possible for travellers to experience the country without heavily impacting the environment.  This news comes 20 years on from the release of Alex Garland's cult novel 'The Beach' which inspired mass wanderlust to Thailand's turquoise shores.

The 238-room Radisson Blu Hotel in Edinburgh has unveiled a contemporary new look and feel - the result of a £12m investment programme.  Work to completely upgrade the Royal Mile hotel began in early 2015 and since then all guest bedrooms, meeting rooms, and public areas, have been transformed.  The hotel's ground floor space has also been restyled, creating a warm and inviting ambience throughout; whether it's for a casual meeting, a coffee in the lounge, or a lunch or dinner date in Itchycoo, the hotel's stylish bar and restaurant. 

Just 30 minutes outside Lisbon, easily accessible either by car or train, the seaside resorts of Estoril and Cascais are where national and international visitors come every summer to relax on their golden sand beaches and take in the refined ambience – expect glamorous company, elegant accommodation and myriad dining options.   

Puffin Fest, Scotland's celebration of the iconic puffin, returns to the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, for the third consecutive year from 20 to 30 May. During the 10-day festival, the award-winning visitor attraction will host a family-friendly programme of activities, aimed at inspiring locals and visitors alike to learn more about the 'clowns of the sea', while also highlighting the importance of conserving and protecting Scotland's seabirds for future generations.

There is good news afoot for travellers who want to discover the unspoiled charm, spectacular scenery and adventure pursuits of the Caribbean destination of St. Kitts.  Until 17 May 2016, British Airways is offering huge savings on holidays to St. Kitts. Whether visiting the island for the first time or returning, now is the time to check out St Kitts for options available before it's too late. 

The VOLT Festival,  29 June – 2 July 2016 winner of the Best-Medium Sized Festival in 2015, takes place in Sopron close to the Austrian border in Hungary. It's easily reached by train from Budapest and this year's line-up includes Iron Maiden, The Prodigy, Damien Rice, Stereo MC's and Slayer. The festival attracts around 100,000 people each year and has become one of the most popular and diverse festivals in Europe.

Guernsey is set to welcome a new visitor attraction - its own Petit Train - from the end of May 2016. The on road train service will tour sites in a 35 minute narrated circuit operating from the island's capital, St Peter Port. Although initially aimed at cruise liner passengers, the train is expected to appeal to all visitors of the island and is set to become a staple of the island's character before long.

With the advantage of being just a short journey from the UK, the charming village of Samoëns in the heart of the French Alps boasts a wealth of pursuits, such as paragliding, mountain biking and hiking for lovers of the great outdoors. This summer, the traditional village is encouraging all those looking to embrace mountain air, stunning scenery and authentic French culture to discover Samoëns.

For an early start to the busy summer season, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority New York Office has launched a compelling new marketing campaign called ‘Get to Happy’. The premise of this campaign is driven by statistically proven data that states positive vacations lead to increased happiness. The promotion will target consumers and travel agents and highlight all the “happy” attributes Antigua and Barbuda has to offer which will in turn entice visitors to book a trip to the destination this summer and fall.

Yukon is a destination of unparalleled scenic beauty that captivates its visitors under the spell of the midnight sun and the dance of northern lights. It's a land that provides Larger than Life experiences distinguished by culture and its vast, wide-open spaces and the freedom inspired by the unending, pristine wilderness. If you have an adventurer's spirit, a love of nature and a passion for exploration, Yukon should be at the top of your holiday destination list.

TravMedia UK has announced that next year's IMM, the travel and tourism industry's leading single-day event for the media, will take place on 13 March 2017. The showpiece event connecting journalists with travel industry PR professionals has already attracted a flood of early bookings. Once again IMM's home is QEII Centre, the largest dedicated conference and exhibition space in central London.

Caribbean Airlines announced the launch of its “Happiest Ultimate Moments” – H.U.M campaign, designed to create “positive vibes” and deliver added value to customers travelling during the months of June and September 2016. A special H.U.M. Pass will be offered to all regional and international passengers, who can then enjoy special discounts with Caribbean Airlines’ retail partners throughout the airlines’ network.

Visitors can play their way through half-term at Eden with a wide range of oversized, retro and traditional games to entertain all ages from May 28 to June 5. There will be a giant selection of hands-on games for friends and family to work together, play together, share memories of their favourite gaming experiences and most importantly, have fun. Younger ones can explore the many play areas, hidden nooks and crannies that Eden's gardens have to offer and even play a game or two of hide and seek.