All Inclusive Holiday Guide

This year the winter seems to be dragging along for a lot longer than normal, it is heading towards the end of February and it is still snowing, raining every day and generally feeling miserable. It is times like this my thoughts turn to exotic holidays, the secluded beach on the tropical island, the sun shining down on my skin and the warm water to dive in to. I’m clearly not the only one with these thoughts, island holidays are becoming increasingly popular amongst UK holiday makers with flights to the most popular island destinations from most UK airports. If this idea takes your fancy why not check out some of these great island retreats.

As the setting for a major Hollywood film it will be surprising to learn that Skopelos has managed to stay off the holiday maker’s radar. Mamma Mia showed off the islands secluded beaches, rocky outcrops and stunning sunsets over the sea to their best, showing viewers just why this little Greek island is a great choice for a romantic getaway.

If it is a sun filled holiday you are after then why not try Flatey in Iceland. In summer this island gives you 21 hours of sunshine a day making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. This tiny island paradise is located in Breiðafjörður Bay with meadows and brightly coloured picturesque houses as well as wonderful views of the magnificent Snæfellsjökull volcano.

If you are looking for a paradise island with more than a sun soaked beach why not try out Mabul in Malaysia. This island is a brilliant hotspot for those with a passion for scuba diving and snorkelling boasting stunning marine life to rival the Galapagos Islands in South America. The gorgeous turquoise waters surrounding Mabul are not just the only reason to visit this tranquil island, there are amazing markets on offer at this beautiful sun soaked location.

Valentines day is a traditional day for proposals after all it is the day dedicated to love. But there is still the eternal question of how best to propose? You’ve taken your lovely other half away to a stunning location and you have to only seal the deal and get the ring on their finger.

There are a few well known locations to get down on one knee and pop the question, a restaurant, the beach even a theme park or at the pool side. These are all very public locations so if you are a feeling a bit nervous you may want to consider a park or woodland away from the mass crowds.

If you take the restaurant option it tends to give you more variety of ways to propose, you can either get down on one knee in the traditional way and ask either by first drawing everyone’s attention to your table or by letting your loved ones exclamation of delight draw the crowds. You can also hide the ring in a glass of champagne or in a piece of cake, this is a fun way of proposing though it can mean a sticky ring your other half may not want to put on their finger!

Even if you do not choose a public location you can still have a variety of options in the way to propose. Why not organise a romantic picnic in the woods, next to a roaring fire on the beach as the sun goes down or even with the help of characters in front of a princess castle in a theme park.

With so many ways and locations to propose how you do it very much depends upon you and your partners preferences and characters but in the end all that matters is getting that ‘yes’ when asking that eternal question, ‘will you marry me……..’

Booking a holiday is great fun – choosing where you want to go and how long for is the easy bit though. With so many deals out there to be had, how on earth do you make the right decision when it comes to choosing what kind of board you want?

Make sure you get the most for your buck with my quick fire guide to types of holiday to choose from!

Self catering

Self catering holidays mean that your accomodation is included, but nothing else. There are no meals included in your holiday. This can be a good thing though -you can get out and explore the local area instead of sticking to your hotel but it can add up if you eat out everyday.

B&B

B&B or bed and breakfast as it’s commonly known, means that your holiday includes your accomodation and also breakfast each morning. A great way to start the day and make sure you fill up to save your pennies when it comes to lunch.

Half board

Half board holidays always include breakfast and will also include lunch or dinner, depending on your chosen deal -make sure you check this closely beforehand. These kind of holidays can be great if you just want to eat out for one meal a day.

Full Board

Full board holidays include your main meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner but most will not include any additional snacks or your drinks, so be prepared to pay extra for these.

All-inclusive

The grandaddy of all holidays, all-inclusive holidays include pretty much everything you’ll need – accomodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Check the fineprint on drinks though as sometime alcohol will not be included or there may be restrictions on what you can and can’t drink under your holiday agreement.

Disney is one of the biggest brands in the world and is loved by children and adults alike! Heading to a theme park is a great idea for an all inclusive holiday and as far as family holidays go, they’ll be remembered for years to come.

Disney certainly has a few to choose from, although you may not realise it -most people just think of the World DisneyResort in Florida, but there are a few more than that! Here are 3 of the most loved.

The Walt Disney World Resort actually consists of the Disneyland Resort, which is mainly made up of hotels and entertainment venues and also the Walt Disney World Resort which is a massive entertainment complex, comprising of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdom. There are also two water parks – Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

Next up is Tokyo Disney Resort, which – you guessed it – is based in Tokyo, Japan. Back in 2001, the resort expanded to include Tokyo DisneySea. The resort is modelled in the image of the California resort and is made up of seven themed lands and has plenty of seasonal parades. The Japanese enthusiasm for all things Disney really helps to make this less well known resort a massive success and it’s well worth a visit if you’re in the Far East.

Disneyland Paris is Europe’s only Disney resort and as such is popular with a lot of people! Based just outside of Paris, the theme park and studios are split into 4 different areas -Frontierland, Discoveryland, Fantasyland and Adventureland and there are no less thatn seven hotels to choose from. A perfect weekend trip from the UK or Western Europe and it’s really easy to get to!

Dubai is one of the world’s best loved destinations and it has something for all kinds of budgets. Resorts are one of the best ways to see Dubai and have everything it has to offer at your fingertips.

Here are our top picks for all inclusive resorts in Dubai.

One and Only Royal Mirage Palace
With 231 sea facing rooms, all with contemporary, chic Arabian styled rooms, the One and Only Royal Mirage Palace is a popular choice. With a water sports centre, temperature controlled swimming pools, tennis courts and scented gardens, this is the perfect place to relax.

Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah
As one of three Al Qasr properties, this is certainly the most impressive. Set on a peak, this is truly a palacial resort and is surrounded by water for a truly tranquil experience. With 2 boutique hotels, a traditional souk and Talise spa, this is a haven for the senses.

Mina A’ Salam
Located on the lapping shores of the Arabian Gulf, this is a great example of a grand boutique hotel. The Resort recreates the atmosphere of old Arabia and a place where historic beauty meets new-fashioned luxury

If you’re looking for exotic shores, they don’t come much better than Thailand. As well as the beautiful beaches, supremely friendly natives and amazing islands, the one thing that Thailand is famous for is its food.

If you are lucky enough to be heading to Thailand, keep an eye out for some of their most popular (and tasty!) dishes and make sure you try them out…

Tom Yam Kung

Thailand has some great soups and broths and this is one of the most popular. Fiery, spicy shrimp are the heart of this dish but the flavours are delicate and balanced. A must try!

Green Chicken Curry

You can’t visit Thailand and not try a green curry and taste it the way it should be cooked. Beautiful, simple and tasty, not to mention filling, this is something you’ll find all over Thailand.

Phad Thai

Fried noodles with assorted vegetables, egg, meat or seafood – this is a Khao San Road favourite and you can pick it up everywhere; from street stalls to fancy restaurants so you have no excuse for not trying it. You can choose what you want in it and it’s so tasty, I guarantee you will try it more than once.

Tom Kha Kai

Coconut and chicken are Thai staples and this is another massively popular soup that you’d be foolish to miss. The calming coconut doesn’t mean it’s boring though and this is one of the most flavoursome dishes that the Thai people have perfected over generations.

Yam Nua

You might not think of salads when you think of Thailand, but you should. This refreshing, tasty salad will make you feel very smug for choosing the healthy option. A delicate blend of spicy beef, chilli, coriander, ginger, garlic, onion and the sweet saltiness of soy and fish sauce really make this one a winner!

These are just a few of the amazingly tasty options available – if you really want to know what to try though, make sure you ask a local or your waiter at a local restaurant for recommendations.

Thailand is one of those destinations that seems to be at the top of everyone’s lists and who can blame them? Gorgeous islands, azure waters and fantastic food are just some of the draws to this beautiful country.

If you want to go on an all inclusive holiday to Thailand then you’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to resorts, but if you want the best then check out some of the below!

Banyan Tree, Phuket

If you want a fantastic spa break then the Banyan Tree could be perfect for you. Celebs like David Beckham and Kylie come here for the ultimate break and it’s supposed to be entirely private, so there’ll be no paparazzi snooping around. Self contained villas, lots of palm trees and plenty of pools make this a great resort but what makes it amazing is the choice of spa treatments available – perfect for relaxing in luxury.

Rayavadee, Krabi

If you want the ultimate getaway then you won’t find a resort as beautifully secluded as Rayavadee. Here you’ll find stunning two story cottages, all based in the beautiful coconut groves, set along two of Thailand’s best beaches. Azure water and white sand are just two of the appealing qualities though. Added extras like Jacuzzis and hammocks show the great attention to details and there’s a fantastic spa too. Take a trip to the nearby lagoons for an unforgettable experience.

Six Senses Hideaway, Ko Samui

Ko Samui is one of Thailand’s most luxurious islands and the Six Senses Hideaway prides itself on appealing to all your needs. Private villas are hidden away by whitewashed walls and bright, open spaces make this perfect for relaxing. You are close to the beach but thanks to the amazing culinary experiences and mud build spa, you might find that you don’t want to leave the resort at all! Six Senses are top of the eco list when it comes to spa treatments too, and they offer a great variety of different treatments.