25Jan
18Jan
Is Cornwall A Great Place For Families To Travel?
The county of Kernow is as diverse as anywhere else in the world, filled with awesome Cornwall destinations that will blow your mind. From quaint fishing villages to sandy beaches, miles of craggy granite coasts to verdant forests, open moors to exceptional architecture and everything in between, you need not fail to visit some of them when you pass by.
There is a world full of wonder twice as nice awaiting the kids with destinations such as Adrenalin Quarry in Liskeard, Lappa Valley in St Newlyn East, Camel Creek Adventure Park in Wadebridge, Tamar Valley Donkey Park and St Ann's Chapel, and Cardinham Woods, Bodmin. Some of the most interesting places to visit with family include:
Padstow – Foodies’ Palace
Wondering where to get some grubs in this wonderful city? Look no further than Padstow which is by a long shot the best place for a tourist’s food break. You could have an outdoor dinner every night in this beautiful seaside town. In an attempt to fill out your taste buds, purpose to visit one of the four Rick Stein’s restaurants and if you are a curious cyclist, Padstow also offers a great location to stay in awaiting the renowned Camel Cycle Trail.Newquay – Surfers’ Heaven
Newquay fascinates global sufferers because of its constant array of waves and spectacular beaches such as Great Western Beach, Watergate Bay, and Fistral Beach. It also frequently hosts surfing tournaments and events including the yearly Board-masters Festival, branding it of the best places to go on vacation in Cornwall for those who fancy surfing breaks.St. Ives – For Lovers Of Art
This is the art centre of Cornwall and the home of the Barbara Hepworth Museum, Sculpture Garden, and Tate St Ives alongside many other smaller galleries. It attracts world-class artists, exhibitions, and events all year long, you will always be right if you are searching for Cornwall's art scene. Similarly, St Ives is a lively and vibrant seashore town with numerous popular beaches in the area.Fowey – Couples’ Paradise
This is for those who fancy history and love to learn about the encouragement behind the works of favourite authors. Fowey is one of the top-tier places to visit in Cornwall. You can learn about Kenneth Graeme’s motivation for his well-known story of delightful Wind in the Willows River Cruise which is at Fowey Estuary.Port Isaac - Best For Walkers
Any clue where that famous TV series about hot-tempered Doc Martin was shot? Well, if you visit Port Isaac, you may spot the landscape and perhaps some of the places in the area. Explore and see if you can locate the houses that were Doc Martin’s neighbours. It is also an excellent getaway destination to free oneself from the hustle and bustle of the city. Set off to the stunning rugged coastline, its elegant spot for strollers boasting of its easy access to the South West Coast Path.Final Thoughts
It feels all too rewarding to see Cornwall feature in one of the top family and peer destinations, with the rise of staycations which immensely buzzes the market. Family retreats are usually full of fun entertaining activities for young stars and the whole family ranging from waterparks to boat trips.
02Jan
A New Year, A New You
Will 2021 bring any of us good fortune, or will it be more of the same?
This is probably the hardest start of a New Year that any of us have ever faced. Usually, December 31st is full of people wishing each other good luck on the stroke of midnight, exchanging hugs and kisses. This year, it’s more likely to be a collective worldwide deep breath while we brace ourselves for whatever January brings. 2020 has brought us the hardest 12 months in modern history. This year, there will be no Times Square celebrations, no crowding along Princes’ Street in Edinburgh to watch the amazing fireworks displays, in fact, this new year eve we will all be staying home - just like every other day of the year in 2020. To celebrate the new year, usually by means of giant New Year’s Eve parties, is one of our most cherished years on year traditions. But when the clock strikes midnight this year, will we even really notice?
The start of 2021 is likely to bring even stricter lockdown restrictions across most, if not all, of the UK. With the NHS seemingly about to crumble under the pressure of Covid admissions, cases higher than at the peak of the first wave, and the Nightingale hospitals all scrapped due to a lack of staff to operate them, how can we possibly be facing anything other than a second national lockdown to start the New Year?
It’s highly likely that this year’s New Year resolutions will be more like ‘I must not hoard toilet paper’ rather than anything truly life-changing, because, honestly, how can we collectively cope with any dramatic changes in our lives when the high likelihood of a national lockdown is the only thought in our minds?
So if there’s any chance of the ‘new year, new you’ that this time of year usually brings out in all of us taking place this year, it’s got to be in the simple things in life. None of us is in the frame of mind to cope with anything major in our lives right now, not when we have the major thought of an out-of-control pandemic to occupy our daily lives.
Simple, yet effective, changes to our everyday lives are likely to be all we can cope with right now. The easiest one for us all to make is to take that daily walk, for a full hour, and work at increasing our pace and distance covered over time.
Getting outside in the fresh air is vital at all times, but when we’re locked in our homes for extended periods of time, it becomes even more important than ever before to make sure we go outside and move around on a daily basis.
In our part of the world, going for a walk along Cornwall’s glorious beaches and surrounding countryside is no hardship at all, in fact, it’s an absolute pleasure at any time of the year. In winter, the miles of golden sands and beaches that Hayle and the nearby towns are famous for maybe somewhat colder than in the summer months, but they are every bit as beautiful.
It’s oddly deserted right now, but still bleakly wonderful here. We can’t wait to welcome visitors, and their dogs, back to our chalets sometime this year. We obviously hope it’s going to be very soon that we get the okay from the Government to begin taking bookings and renting out our pretty little homes-away-from-home, but, let’s be clear, all of our lives are more important than a holiday.
Right now we need to all do our part to get through this. We can though, make sure we look after ourselves while we do so. Getting outside for that brisk long daily walk will be hugely helpful to you. And if you don’t have miles of golden beaches to walk along right now, don’t worry, we’ll be here for you before you know it.
Have a Happy New Year from all us in Hayle, at Twice As Nice Holiday Chalets.
01Jan
Staycation – The Covid-Friendly Holiday
Well, it’s been quite the year, hasn’t it?! No-one’s New Year’s predictions last year could have possibly come close to the reality of 2020, that’s for sure.
As we exit one of the most testing years in modern history, we may all be thinking longingly about a holiday away to rest, recharge, and recuperate. But are we safe to do so?
Venues, heritage sites, and tourist attractions remain closed. Most of the country’s counties and cities are within high-risk areas (as this article is being written, London and the whole of the South-East are about to enter into Tier 3 restrictions too). Public transport has almost ground to a halt, except in the cities, as Covid really strikes hard.
So how can we even begin to plan a holiday for 2021 safely? When will we be able to get into a swimming pool at a holiday resort again, and is holidaying in Britain going to be that much safer?
With the restrictions on air travel set to continue, that last point looks to be a definite ‘yes’. So the good old-fashioned British Staycation looks to be back with a bang: but is it?
With international borders either closed or imposing strict quarantine regulations - of up to 14 days for some countries - for the first time in living memory, holidaying within the UK is highly likely to be big business in 2021...providing we’re out of our current Tier 3 lockdown, of course.
If we all wear masks and practice social distancing, can we guarantee that we won’t catch Covid if we go for a holiday anywhere in the British Isles? Sadly, it seems as though the answer right now is an emphatic ‘no’, so we do need to first make sure we’re all safe to travel.
Right now, all the devolved countries in the UK - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - have different rules and may require you to self-isolate even when travelling within the UK.
But, does that mean you shouldn’t plan a getaway in the Peak District or Cornwall for next year? No, but it does mean you should plan sensibly.
At present, if you’re in a Tier 3 area - which most of the Country now is - you can’t travel out of your immediate area for a holiday, no matter how much you may want to. It’s not all doom and gloom though: the vaccine has arrived and has already begun to be delivered around the country.
With the vaccine now being rolled out, starting with health workers and the most vulnerable in our society, we have the first glimmer of hope that we may achieve normality early in 2021. We’re not there yet of course, and there’s an anxious time ahead as we wait to see what damage the Christmas relaxation will do.
But if we all now stick to the rules, it does seem as though the finish line may be in sight. So wash your hands, sanitise them - and everything you touch - regularly, wear a mask at all times when you leave home, keep two metres apart (especially in places where you don’t know the other people, like at the shops) and remain vigilant at all times.
If we do all that, 2021 should be able to bring us the opportunity to relax, away from it all on a beautiful Cornish beach, with the people we love.
We can’t wait to welcome you again, but, until it’s safe, please do continue to be extra careful and to look after those around you.
05Nov
What is The Eden Project and Why is it Being Developed?
If you have ever been to Cornwall, or you have considered going, then the chances are that you will have heard of the Eden Project. Some of you may have even had the chance to visit this stunning marvel of science. If you have never heard of it, then no need to fear as we delve into what exactly the Eden Project is and its purpose.
The Eden Project is built over a historical clay pit which was in use for over 160 years! This site is quite famous too as films such as “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy” and after the visitor centre was built it was also used to film some scenes of the James Bond film “Die Another Day”. Many concerts have also been hosted by The Eden Project.
There are even some art exhibits that you can discover inside The Core which are constantly being rotated so there is always something new to see. One permanent installation, by Peter Randall-Page, is a giant oval-shaped sculpture which is titled “Seed”. This sculpture is made of stone, weighs around 70 tonnes and stands around 13 feet tall!
What is The Eden Project?
The Eden Project is a popular attraction with tourists and is a must-see for those who have not experienced it. On first sight you will notice the strange but beautiful giant hexagonal domes that stand out like a sore thumb, you won’t miss it. Within these domes are two distinct microbiomes that each house their own and unique little worlds that you can explore. Other than the biomes, there are many other indoor and outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by all the family. There is an outdoor play area to let the children run wild as well as an indoor soft play area for the younger ones. If you fancy a bite to eat, head over to the Med Kitchen or one of the many other café’s and restaurants located on-site where you will be served fresh food, some of it even comes from the many gardens that you can explore. There are two main biomes which can be explored at The Eden Project. The Rainforest Biome is home to the largest rainforest in the world that is held in captivity and even has a canopy that you can cross using a rope bridge if you fancy a bird’s eye view. Aside from this, there is also the Mediterranean biome which houses many exotic plants and exhibits. Each biome is made up of several domes that are joined together. They are joined by the Link building which acts as a crossover between the two.
The Eden Project is built over a historical clay pit which was in use for over 160 years! This site is quite famous too as films such as “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy” and after the visitor centre was built it was also used to film some scenes of the James Bond film “Die Another Day”. Many concerts have also been hosted by The Eden Project.
There are even some art exhibits that you can discover inside The Core which are constantly being rotated so there is always something new to see. One permanent installation, by Peter Randall-Page, is a giant oval-shaped sculpture which is titled “Seed”. This sculpture is made of stone, weighs around 70 tonnes and stands around 13 feet tall!
What is the Purpose of The Eden Project?
The Eden Project was first thought up way back in 1995 by a man named Tim Smit. Tim had just finished restoring the Lost Gardens of Heligan and was looking for a good location to showcase the world’s most important plants, the ones we need to make everyday goods. There are many reasons why The Eden Project was set up but it was mainly to inspire rainforest conservation and conserve Britain’s wildlife. To do this, The Eden Project ensures that it is always educating the future generation to ensure that they know the importance of the rainforests and plants that can be found in them. The Eden Project also hosts many events to bring awareness to causes and bring communities closer together. The Eden Project even has special relaxed sessions available for children who are on the autism spectrum to ensure that no matter who they are, the next generation is educated on the importance of these natural environments.
27Jan
Planning For The Summer Holidays
Summer Holidays
Summer may seem a long way off and the weather outside is certainly not swimsuit grade yet. Nevertheless, it is never too early to start planning and what better to cheer you up than getting the holiday booked and out of the way? After all, you’ve been working hard and you deserve the perfect holiday for you and your family. Make sure that you get everything sorted and there are no hiccups! Here are a few tips that will help you plan for the best time to suit everyone.Location
The first thing you’ll want to establish is exactly where you want to go and what you want to do. Focusing on the latter, your location should be based on what exactly you want to do on your holiday, giving your plans a structure. This avoids you just showing up and realising there is nothing there that interests you. For example, you wouldn’t go to Spain if you wanted to ski, so make sure that everyone is on board and the activities that you want to complete are going to be provided in the area. Another important aspect of choosing the location of your holiday is where you want to be staying there. You should look at hotels that are relatively close to everything you want to do while on holiday, so there is no unnecessarily long road trips or walks to waste your time instead of enjoying yourself. Sometimes you can’t have everything though, so make sure that you have travel plans and know the best routes and methods of getting to locations beforehand.Reservations
What’s worse than travelling all the way to say, a nice restaurant and then being turned down because you didn’t make a reservation? That’s correct! Finding out that the hotel you had your heart set on has no more room because you didn’t plan ahead in time and reserve yourself a spot. If this does happen you’ll find that all your other plans may be affected as you might have to find somewhere further away or in an entirely different town. This can be a real shame and can bring on the holiday blues, so try to avoid this by simply giving yourself plenty of time not to worry and book your hotel as soon as possible. You should also consider any transport you might need to take, whether it’d be renting a car or travelling publicly via plane/coach/boat, and is well booked in advance. Nothing ruins a holiday faster than not being able to get there or do any of the activities. Don’t leave booking transport till last minute, as if you have paid for everything else not only do you not get to have your holiday, but you lose out on all the money you’ve spent.Activities
As mentioned earlier, you should make sure that the area you are visiting includes the activities you want to complete, and it should be easy to organise it around your time.
The activities you do should be more than one-sided. This is so that you are getting the most of the summer fun out of your holiday and enjoy more time with the family. For example, activities like bike riding are fun for the entire family, but they can be enjoyed along with going to the beach or can lead to the next activity. Activities should be enjoyable to both adults and children, especially during the school holidays within summer!
You should consider flexibility when booking activities, alongside having backups in place just in case anything happens that could cause plans to change. Things like what the weather is going to be like and how bad the traffic is going to be are not always predictable.
Problems can occur, so having plans in place that are flexible can help you to avoid being stuck doing nothing. Not all activities may be for you and your family as well. Consider looking into a various range of activities that everyone will enjoy.
Insurance
This is especially important if travelling abroad! Not all countries have the privilege of free national health. You don’t want to add a bunch of hospital fees to your souvenir list!
Everyone is susceptible to getting ill, and this is especially true when on holiday as you may come across an illness your body is not used to. This alone can ruin the holiday let alone having no insurance and having to pay out of your own pocket.
Also, if you don’t have insurance, the likelihood of you being seen as soon as possible is very slim and you may end up having to stay there for a while. This affects the whole family and can lead to problems at home. This can vary from work-related dates to missing other important plans. Make sure you have good travel insurance and read between the lines so you aren’t left in the dust!
Travel insurance can literally be a lifesaver in some cases. There are some really nasty diseases out there and they are more likely to infect you, especially if it is your first time visiting a new location.
If you don’t have good travel insurance, you may get stuck in a hospital which may have low standards, alongside not receiving the best medical treatment possible. This can further delay going home and can lead to your problem getting worse. This is a terrible cycle leaving you with massive bills and even in rare cases can lead to permanent health problems. This is the last thing you need, so do the sensible thing and get your whole family insured on a good plan!
27Jan
