Self-Catering-Breaks Blog - Part 3

Three Alternatives to Roast Turkey for Christmas Dinner

Posted on: December 19th, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

While the usual British Christmas dinner of roast turkey and all the trimmings is a well loved tradition, more and more families are looking for some alternative options for their festive feast. Greater culinary knowledge can be attributed in part to the many TV chefs who inspire us these days, while worldwide travel and the availability of international produce in our supermarkets has given us a taste for the exotic. Read the rest of this entry »

Top Christmas Gifts for Travellers

Posted on: December 12th, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

Choosing Christmas presents for friends and family can be difficult, which is why buying something related to a hobby or interest is always a good idea. If you are looking for a Christmas gift for someone who loves to travel, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve come up with a list of great travel related gift ideas to inspire you - whether you are looking for a fun Secret Santa gift for a work colleague, or a luxurious gift for that special person in your life. Read the rest of this entry »

Protect Yourself from DVT on Long Haul Flights

Posted on: December 5th, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

If you have booked a long haul flight for your next vacation, you may have some concerns about Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT. Often referred to as Economy Class Syndrome, untreated DVT can lead to life-threatening complications, so being aware of what it is and how to prevent it is vital. Read the rest of this entry »

Things To Do During Your Family Holidays At Lake Garda

Posted on: November 28th, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

Located in the scenic, mountainous region of Northern Italy, Lake Garda is an ever popular destination for family holidays. The vast body of water is the largest lake in Italy, stretching 51km in length, but just 17km at its widest point. With a total of 158km of coastline, Lake Garda offers a wide range of attractions for visitors to the area, from water-sports such as windsurfing, to hiking, biking and sightseeing. Read the rest of this entry »

Thanksgiving in The United States

Posted on: November 22nd, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

As one of the major national holidays in the United States, Thanksgiving forms an important part of American culture. For many people, this celebration marks the beginning of the festive season and the lead up to Christmas. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and has a history dating back hundreds of years. Read the rest of this entry »

Food Specialities of Puerto Rico

Posted on: November 14th, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is a  island which lies east of the Dominican Republic, in the Caribbean. Although Puerto Rico is officially United States territory, the island’s unique history has led to the development of cuisine which embraces a variety of cultures. Read the rest of this entry »

How to Beat Your Post Holiday Blues

Posted on: November 8th, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

After any enjoyable vacation, returning home is inevitably a bit of a come down. You’ve spent a week or more experiencing new things, relaxing and generally forgetting about work and home, then you are straight back into the real world. The post holiday blues, or post holiday depression, is a problem that many people face, and it is all too easy to find yourself resenting your normal life, which is not healthy at all!Here are our top tips to help you chase those holiday blues away. Read the rest of this entry »

Offal-y Good?

Posted on: November 2nd, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

At the start of 2011,  food critics and gourmet chefs predicated that 2011 would be the year of offal. Gordon Ramsay and Hugh Fearnly-Whittingstall have both spoken in favour of the trend, presenting an array of thought-provoking dishes on their TV shows, and encouraging people to try these (supposedly) underrated ingredients. Read the rest of this entry »

The Modern Treasure Hunt – Geocaching

Posted on: October 17th, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

If you are looking for something a little different from the run of the mill tourist attractions that you usually visit on your holidays, we’ve got a fantastic suggestion for you - and one that all the family can enjoy. Read the rest of this entry »

Do You Know How Much To Tip?

Posted on: October 11th, 2011 Posted by Helen Young

Giving a tip, or gratuity, to someone who has provided you with a service is a custom which is widely believed to have originated in the United Kingdom. The story goes that back in the 18th Century, the thieves had developed their own language in which to tip meant to give. Landlords of pubs and drinking houses adopted this term, and so tipping began. It is often said that the word tips stands for “to insure prompt service” although there is little evidence that this is correct. Read the rest of this entry »