Are you at a loss as to where to choose to take a holiday this year? If you are don´t worry, our comprehensive guide to the top ten holiday destinations for 2012 will hopefully give you a resort that will tick all boxes.
1. Spain
Spain has long been a favourite with British holidaymakers for decades and nothing has changed this year. The country is easily accessible with most international UK airports offering daily flights here. Self catering Spain holiday rentals in Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca are firm favourites, but other islands such as Tenerife, La Palma and the increasingly popular La Gomera are also very popular too. For beach lovers resorts in the Costa de la Luz and Cantabria should fit the bill with their almost endless expanses of golden sand beaches.
Although often overlooked by many tourists resorts in Northern Spain are also growing in popularity. Here you can find the same stunning beaches but here they are set against a backdrop of rolling countryside, pretty towns, medieval villages and mountains instead of the normal hustle and bustle associated with a modern holiday resort in the south of the country.
There is however far more to Spain that beaches. You can enjoy great walking and cycling themed holidays in the north of the country and due to the increase in more affordable air travel to Spain, resorts such as Palma and Seville have seen an increase in the number of happy holidaymakers visiting here.
If you are looking for a more sports based holiday resorts such as the world famous La Manga Club are hard to beat. Not only can you take advantage of three world class championship golf courses but also some of the best tennis coaching and training facilities in Europe. In addition watersports such as sailing, yachting and scuba diving are also highly popular here. Or you simply relax and let the world go by from the comfort of a self catering villa rental in Marbella.
2. France
With only a few miles of water separating the UK from the country of France it is no surprise that this country is rated so highly in this list of holiday destinations.
Resorts such as Corsica and Languedoc Roussillon are very popular with holidaymakers as they offer a great base from which to discover the country. France is awash with history. You can explore ancient towns and villages and marvel at the battlefields of both world wars. Cycling and golf are also very popular here, you could even take a holiday leisurely exploring the Champagne region of the country.
Mountainous areas are also great for a holiday. During the winter months the pistes of the Rhone Alpes are packed with avid skiers, however taking a holiday here during the summer months will reward you with some breathtaking scenery.
For the kids (both you and old) try Disneyland Paris, located in the capital of the country. From gites to chateaus France has a little something for everyone. You can even top up your tan during the winter months in the star studded resorts of the Cote d´Azur.
3. Great Britain and Ireland
The UK and Ireland are crammed full of great holiday destinations, in fact there are simply too many to mention. Not only are there great things to see and do in the UK and Ireland, but they are easily accessible too. The Lake District, Cornwall and Devon, Dorset and Scotland have been popular for many years but there are some lesser know destinations that will give you a great holiday too.
Why not enjoy lodge or cabin holidays set in stunning scenery or deep in forests, or wander along the river and canal banks that stretch throughout these countries?
The Scottish Highlands offer a real “get away from it all” experience whereas holiday accommodation in Wales give you access to some wonderful beaches, mountains and beautiful scenery.
Resorts in Northern Ireland are growing in popularity due to a high profile tv advertising campaign, or you could opt for a well established favourite and use self catering holiday rentals on the Isle of Wight.
4. Greece
Although there has been a large increase in the number of 5 star hotels in Greece and the Greek Islands they do not offer the same homely comforts and freedom that a self catering holiday rental apartment or villa do. Here you can enjoy the blue sun filled skies and explore the local taberanas and restaurants and get acquainted with the wonder that is Greek cuisine.
The Greek Islands have become hugely popular with holidaymakers over the last few years, with islands such as Corfu and Crete being two of the most popular.
The islands are so popular as the sheer number of them allow you holiday to a different one each year. There are amazing beaches and coves to enjoy and many people holiday in the Greek Islands to be pampered on a yacht or even attend sailing courses whilst on holiday.
The Greek mainland offers a wealth of holiday opportunities too. Book self catering villas here with private swimming pools and private gardens and terraces and eat al fresco beneath the stars.
All in all self catering holiday rentals in Greece will give you a real taste of Mediterranean lifestyle and culture.
5. Italy
Think fantastic food, amazingly rich history and culture and fantastic beaches and you are close to understanding why self catering Italy holiday are so popular with so many. So many holidaymakers travel here annually to experience a taste of the Dolce Vita in cities such as Florence, Venice and Rome.
The area of Umbria is a great place to visit. Here you can find unspoiled medieval towns complete with castles that just ooze ambiance. There are rolling vineyards and all manner of Renascence architecture and art as well as some of the best natural food stuffs in the country. The coastline of Puglia is stuning and gives you access to some 500km of glorious beaches, all of which are accessible from you self catering Umbria holiday rental accommodation.
If scenery is your thing consider booking holiday rental villas or apartment in the Italian Lakes area.
Or for a different kind of self catering Italy holiday try the islands of Sicily or Sardinia or the lesser know Le Marche area will not disappoint either.
6. USA
Cheaper airfares and an increased number of flights to the USA have ensured that the USA is a firm favourite with the latest generation of holidaymakers.
The USA is such a large country that no matter what kind of holiday you are looking for you will find it here. Self catering USA holiday rentals are the best choice of accommodation for you to be able to get out and explore all that the Big Country has to offer.
On the East Coast New York city is often a first port of call for holidaymakers new to the USA. Book a chic self catering New York holiday rental apartment or townhouse in Manhattan and experience the buzz of the Big Apple first hand. Further south the state of Florida is perfect for families. Book a self catering villa in Orlando and take advantage of the multitude of attractions that are on your doorstep. From Disneyland to Busch Gardens, Florida and Orlando have something to put a smile on everyone´s faces. The southern tip of Florida and the Gulf Coast offer unrivaled weather and beaches whereas you could cross the time zones and enjoy a self catering condo rental in California and seek stardom in Hollywood. Just make sure that you keep your camera handy, you never know who you could bump in to.
7. Turkey
Another holiday destination that has benefited from cheaper airfare and more regular flights is Turkey. Although Turkey is a not a member of the Eurozone and inflation has increased over the last couple of decades you can still get a lot for you money here. self catering Tukey villa rentals and apartment rentals in Turkey will give you access to this amazing country and the almost endless beaches of the Aegean Region and its coastline.
Turkey is a country that is awash with fascinating sights and sounds. There is a wealth of history and architecture for you to discover here. The capital city Istanbul is a melting pot of culture and tradition and is affectionately known as the gateway between East and West. Resorts in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey such as Kalkan conjure up images of exotic and exciting holidays. Here you can experience the true sights, sounds and even tastes of the Turkish way of life and all accompanied by the hot and sunny days that are so common in this part of the world, just don´t forget your sun tan lotion.
8. Cyprus
The island of Cyprus is located towards the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea to the south of the Turkish peninsula and due to the geographical location of the island it enjoys almost year round sunshine and very little rainfall. The island is split into tow sections, the north side being controlled by Turkey and south by the Republic of Cyprus. Renting a self catering villa in Limassol or Paphos will give you a way in which you can explore the island without the constraints of hotel based holiday accommodation. Fresh seafood and a cuisine similar to that found in Greece are the norm here with a meal in a good restaurant costing a fraction of the price that it would cost in the UK or Ireland.
For those of you who enjoy the nightlife, why not rent a self catering holiday rental apartment in Larnaca or Aiya Napa and let your hair down in one of the many bars or nightclubs that can be found here?
If you are looking for a more relaxing time in Cyprus, the northern coast around the resorts of Famagusta and Kyrenia offer self catering apartment rentals and villa rentals which adhere to a more sedate pace of life. All in all this tiny island really does have something to offer everybody.
9. Portugal
Portugal has enjoyed a similar kind of popularity to that of her larger Spanish neighbour over the last few decades. Although the two countries share a border there are distinct differences between the two countries. Being located on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula the coastline of Portugal resorts along the coastline enjoy spectacular sunsets on a nightly basis. The language of Portuguese is different to Spanish and the whole ethos of culture and tradition is different too. One thing that both countries do share though is glorious year round weather. Renting a self catering apartment in Portugal or booking a villa in Portugal direct from the owner will give you access to one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe.
For beach lovers, the south coast and the resorts located in the regions of Western, Central and Eastern Algarve will allow you to enjoy the many unspoiled golden sand beaches that can be found here.
If you are a culture vulture why not take advantage of self catering holiday rental accommodation in the Lisbon Coast area? Here you will find all that is traditionally Portuguese. There are traditional bars and restaurants which will server you a true taste of Portugal. There are amazing examples of native architecture and you can easily sit back in quaint cafe and soak up the culture and atmosphere of the magnificent capital city of Lisbon.
If you fancy a more relaxed holiday environment the northern regions of the Green Coast and the Silver Coast give you a more sedate pace at which to enjoy this wondrous country.
10. Malta and Gozo
Choosing to rent self catering holiday rentals on the islands of Malta and Gozo will give you the chance to experience a true sense of the Mediterranean way of life. Located in the Mediterranean Sea only a few hundred kilometers from the north African coastline these two islands enjoy a wonderful climate. The summer months provide plenty of sunshine, whilst during the winter months the temperatures may drop slightly but the days are still pack with plenty of sunshine.
Holiday resorts such as St Paul´s Bay and Mellieha seamlessly marry the old and new. Here you can find ancient customs and traditions existing side by side modern and exciting architecture and technology. The beaches around the area of Sliema are enough for even the most hardcore sunbather or beach lover to enjoy. There are a wealth of bars and restaurants to be found here which cater for almost every possible type of cuisine imaginable, although fresh seafood is the order of the day.
If you fancy a more relaxing pace to your holiday why not book a self catering Gozo apartment in the resort of Xaghra and simply watch the world go by?
With an increased number of flights from the UK and Ireland to Malta and Gozo these beautiful islands are now accessible on a daily basis, so what is stopping you enjoying self catering holiday rental accommodation in Malta and Gozo this year?
With all of this valuable information at your disposal we hope that you take your time and explore our exciting range of self catering holiday rental accommodation in these fantastic resorts and book your next holiday accommodation with Lupain-Holiday-Rentals.
Have a great holiday in 2012!
