With abundant wildlife and over 400 miles of coastline featuring sandy beaches and opportunities for coastal exploration and hiking on the South West Coast Path, this county is truly special. I’ve teamed up with Unique hideaways and these are some of my favourite stays in Cornwall:

Little Lesquite 

2.9 miles S of Bodmin 

Escape to a secluded paradise in a charming Shepherd’s Hut in Cornwall. This idyllic retreat boasts stylish and cosy interiors that will make you feel right at home. As the sun sets, unwind in the luxurious outdoor bathtub while taking in the breathtaking views of Bodmin Moor. A stay in this little haven is sure to be a dream come true.

Sleeps 2 | From £65 per night

https://uniquehideaways.com/glamping-site/5143/little-lesquite

Panoramic Silverbullet

8.3 miles NW of Looe

Retreat to a retro luxury paradise in an Airstream near the south coast of Cornwall. This chic airstream is the perfect property for those who love vintage style. Located in a secluded spot, it is the ideal base for your adventures in this charming county. After a day of exploring, return to your own private oasis and relax in the hot tub.

Sleeps 2 | From £71 per night

https://uniquehideaways.com/glamping-site/4646/panoramic-silverbullet

Anella 

5.2 miles W of Falmouth 

Anella, meaning “to breathe” in Cornish, is the perfect name for this peaceful haven. As soon as you arrive, you’ll feel a wave of relaxation wash over you. Located in the idyllic countryside of Cornwall, near the Helford River, this secluded paradise is the perfect place to breathe fresh country air and truly let go of all your worries.

Sleeps 2 | From £78 per night

https://uniquehideaways.com/glamping-site/4626/anella

The Little Cider House 

5.5 miles N of Fowey 

The Little Cider House, a cabin in Cornwall, offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern amenities. Nestled in a picturesque rural location, it features everything you need for a relaxing getaway. Enjoy the hot tub, sway in the hammock, and appreciate the functional yet beautiful interior. This cabin truly has it all.

Sleeps 5 | From £91 per night

https://uniquehideaways.com/glamping-site/4479/the-little-cider-house

Mount View Horizon Safari Tent

2.2 miles NE of Penzance 

My personal favourite… Experience luxury camping in this West Cornwall safari tent, nestled in a serene wildflower meadow. Take in the unparalleled panoramic views of the sea and St. Michael’s Mount. After a day of discovering Cornwall’s sandy beaches and secluded coves, unwind in the hammocks, soak in the hot tub, and enjoy toasting marshmallows by the fire pit under the starry sky.

Sleeps 6 | From £113 per night

https://uniquehideaways.com/glamping-site/3348/mount-view-horizon-safari-tent

Want to see more?

Experience ultimate luxury in a one-of-a-kind hideaway complete with your own private hot tub. Imagine a world without interruptions from phones or to-do lists, where you can simply relax and let go of all your stress and tension. Indulge in a romantic getaway or gather with friends for a glamping trip, surrounded by nature’s beauty and luxury. Browse the Unique hideaways collection of Cornish accommodations, all featuring private hot tubs, for the ultimate escape.

The post 5 Quirky Places To Stay In Cornwall With Hot Tubs appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

After 18-months of not being able to travel, you might be able to spend a bit more on a holiday than usual, so why not splash on a luxury holiday? Here are some travel ideas to get you started:

Stay in a water bungalow in the Maldives 

The last holiday we had cancelled because of COVID-19 was a 10-day trip to a private resort in the Maldives. We’d booked a water bungalow for some R&R and it was an all-inclusive package, bliss! Sadly, we ended up not going due to travel restrictions, but it’s still high on my list of places to visit. 

The Maldives archipelago consists of 1190 tiny islands scattered across the Indian Ocean with more than 100 resorts. So, if you’re dreaming of a quiet holiday away from the crowds, the Maldives might be the answer! It’s the perfect place to unwind, have a massage, and do a spot of snorkelling. 

Hire a yacht and explore Greece

Picture this: You’re sunbathing on a yacht, sipping champagne, as you bob on crystal-clear waters. Nothing screams luxury more than hiring your own yacht and exploring the Greek islands. The yacht experience isn’t the only reason you should consider a private charter yacht – it offers flexibility and access to more destinations.

Greece has many beautiful anchorages only accessible by yacht, as well as off-the-beaten-track coves to spend your days soaking up the sun. There is no better way to explore the beauties of the Greek Islands and the coast of mainland Greece than on your own private yacht. 

Trek to Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas 

If you want a bit more adventure, then a trek to Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas may be more up your street. Depending on your fitness level and how long you have to commit to the trip, there are different routes you can take. You don’t need any special skills to join these trips, but it’s no easy feat. 

Along with your team, you’ll hike through mountain villages, stay in tea-houses, and meet locals along the way. Your legs will ache for days but you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the tallest mountain in the world. This is certainly on my to-do list but I’ll need to get some training in first!

Sleep under the stars in the Sahara

One of the most memorable trips I’ve ever been on was a trip to Marrakesh 5 years ago – you can read about it here. I fell in love with the souks, the hustle and bustle of the city, the smells that flowed through the street and hearing Arabic on every corner. There was something about the city that made me feel at home. 

The highlight of our trip was a camel ride into the Sahara desert before having a traditional dinner and sleeping under the stars. In the morning, we watched the sunrise over the dunes and it was incredible. I couldn’t recommend this trip more. I rarely go back to places more than once, but I loved it so much that I had my hen do there in 2019. 

The post Luxury Holiday Ideas For a Post-Lockdown Trip of a Lifetime appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

And for those who have decided to run the gauntlet and book a trip overseas, there are weeks of fretting over quarantines and vaccines and COVID tests before you find out if you will actually make it or not.

Yet for many people, the obvious alternative – booking a UK staycation – is not much better for the stress levels. One of the big issues is cost. With demand for domestic holiday bookings going through the roof this summer, so have prices, with holiday hotspots like Cornwall now more expensive than some of the most popular destinations in Europe.

So if you’re on a budget, what do you do? Give up on the idea of a holiday for yet another year? After all, we’ve been through, that’s a thought too depressing for words.

If there’s one golden rule to carry with you for life in general, but especially when it comes to travel, it’s don’t let money get in the way. Where there is a will, there’s a way, as they say – if you need that summer break, don’t let scare stories about soaring prices put you off. You will find a trip for your budget, and what is more, it will be fantastic.

Here are some great tips for saving money on a UK staycation this summer.

Go Camping

One of the best ways to save money on a UK holiday is to swap a roof over your head for canvas. Prices for hotels and holiday lets might be going up as places fill, but you’ll always be able to find a pitch for a tent at a fraction of the cost. There are campsites literally all over the place, and some of the best ones have facilities to match any Mediterranean resort – swimming pool, on-site club, even a beach within walking distance if you head to the coast.

Even if you don’t have any camping gear, ask around or lookout for offers on sites like Freecycle. You’re bound to know someone who has a tent they can lend you and it is well worth the effort to beg, borrow or buy some cooking gear as well. Making your own meals will save you a fortune compared to eating out in pubs and restaurants, and there’s a real sense of adventure about cooking and eating outdoors which little ones especially will love.

Stay with friends

Carrying on with the beg and borrow theme, another great way to save money on holiday accommodation is not to pay for it at all. Most people have friends or family scattered all over the UK – why not get in touch with some of them and see if you can visit? There’s a high likelihood you haven’t seen a lot of them since before the pandemic, so a reunion is well overdue. And you can even offer to do a swap and host them in return for letting you stay, so everyone’s a winner.

Look out for offers and vouchers

While there is no doubt that certain parts of the tourist industry are cashing in on sky-high demand this summer, let’s not forget that many of these businesses have had a dreadful 18 months and are lucky to still be operating at all. That also means a lot of businesses are bending over backward to attract custom, including offering some fantastic deals.

Particularly for day trips to leisure and entertainment venues, and for food and drink, there will be some amazing bargains to be had if you know where to look. Sites like NetVoucherCodes and Groupon are a good place to start – you may even pick up some eye-catching late deals on accommodation and package holidays.

Book last minute

The conventional wisdom for planning a holiday is to book early to get the best deals. But if you are looking at organising a staycation holiday in the UK this year, you have already missed the early-bird discounts by a long way.

The alternative is to do the exact opposite – leave it as late as you possibly can until you book. In fact, depending on how flexible you can be, if you’re on a strict budget it’s worth considering basing your plans around the best late deals you can find. It might mean setting off at the drop of a hat, but you can grab some real bargains that way.

The reason is that if a hotel, holiday let, or resort doesn’t get full occupancy on any given dates, they will start to drop the prices, usually in the week or so before. For them, it is better to fill bookings at a discounted price than get nothing at all.

You might struggle to get a full seven nights in the same place on a late deal like this – quite often, you’ll find accommodation with two or three spare nights here and there. So you might have to settle for a shorter trip or be prepared to move around and book more places to stay on the hoof.

Protect yourself with travel insurance

Finally, paying for something like travel insurance for a domestic holiday might seem like a counterintuitive way to save money. Have you ever bought travel insurance for a trip to the UK before? Isn’t that just for overseas?

Perhaps pre-pandemic you could get away with thinking like that. But not anymore. If you’re on a budget, the last thing you want is to make holiday plans, pay for accommodation, train tickets, early bird vouchers for attractions, or whatever, and then have to cancel because you or someone in your party tests positive for COVID-19. That would be all the money you’ve spent upfront, gone.

UK travel insurance is the only sure-fire way to protect yourself financially from COVID-related cancellations. Even if you book a place to stay right at the last minute, as long as you buy insurance straight away, you will be covered.

The post 5 Tips For Saving Money On Your UK Staycation  appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

Personally, I don’t feel ready to travel right now – and I’m certainly not going to be paying those extortionate PCR tests and quarantine fees. I’m so lucky to live in Cornwall right next to the beach, and although a little busy, living down here is the best in the warmer months.

Here are some of my favourite places to visit in Cornwall, that really makes me feel like a tourist in my own county. Everywhere will likely be busy this summer but these spots may be a little quieter than Newquay, and you won’t be fighting hundreds of novice surfers.

Kynance Cove

When I was living in Australia, this is the picture I’d always bring up on Google Images, and say “This is where I live!) – which isn’t strictly true, but it’s only a short drive. Kynance Cove is a picturesque sandy beach two miles north of Lizard Point. If you want to feel like you’re on holiday in Greece or Portugal, this is somewhere you won’t want to miss.

Charlestown Harbour

The historic harbour village of Charlestown in Cornwall makes you feel like you have travelled back in time. Gaze up at the masts of the tall ships, walk the walk of a sailor and imagine you’re heading out to sea. If you’re a Poldark fan, you’ll definitely want to pay Charlestown Harbour a visit.

Tintagel Castle

Built half on the mainland and half on a jagged headland, Tintagel Castle is set on the rugged North coast of Cornwall. Cross the spectacular new bridge to take in unforgettable views. Packed with history, there’s so much to learn here, even for a novice history buff. You can often see seals playing in the water. It doesn’t get much dreamier than that…

Helford River

This a special place, that one day, I’ll live. The Helford River is a large estuary that nestles snugly between the western edge of Falmouth Bay and the eastern side of The Lizard Peninsula. Completely unspoilt with deep sheltered valleys and ancient oak forests and hidden creeks, the Helford remains one of Cornwall’s most cherished wild places.

The post 4 Hidden Gems You Need To Visit In Cornwall This Summer appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

From tickets and boarding passes to itineraries and activities you need to book in advance, there’s a lot to remember and to think about before you step off the plane – notably the essential items you should be taking with you. Want to know more? Take a look at these must-haves for your post-lockdown getaway.

Hand sanitiser

Booking your accommodation at a resort or hotel that takes health and safety seriously is a must. Regular temperature checks and crowd control measures will keep guests safe and prevent the virus from spreading quickly. However, you can still do your bit to keep those germs at bay.

Before you jet off overseas, don’t forget to pack your mini hand sanitiser from Purdy & Figg. This luxury pocket-sized sanitiser gives you the protection you need by killing 99% of bacteria including the Coronavirus, and thanks to its essential oils infusion, your hands will always smell fabulous and feel soft. It’s the ultimate addition to your skincare and hand cleansing routine. Don’t jet off without it!

Facemasks

Depending on the restrictions in the country you’re visiting, wearing a face mask in a public place may or may not be required. Some simple research before you travel will determine what rules must be adhered to at your destination, however, you may want to keep in the habit of wearing a mask in public places such as public transport, in crowded markets, in queues, or where social distancing is difficult. Bringing a pack of disposable masks with you is a good idea.

Travel insurance

You’d be amazed at how many people still travel overseas without the right protection in place. Before you head abroad, you must take out travel insurance to ensure you’re protected from flight delays, last-minute cancellations, and lost luggage. Travellers should also take out a health insurance policy that covers them in case they need medical attention overseas. From a chipped tooth to a stomach bug, a broken limb, and even Covid-19, speak with an insurance provider before you travel to take out the right policy.

Disinfectant wipes

While antibacterial sanitising spray for your hands is essential, don’t forget to bring a pack of disinfectant wipes with you. These little essentials will give you peace of mind that you’re not picking up (or spreading around) germs. Use them on the doors and handles in your accommodation, on chairs, lift and call buttons, even on ATMs… keeping your hands clean will ensure you have a trouble-free vacation!

Final thoughts…

Adding these simple travel essentials to your suitcase or carry-on bag will help you stay safe and healthy on your first holiday post-lockdown. Don’t jet off without them!

The post Planning Your Post-lockdown Getaway? Pack These Must-haves! appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.

One attraction which you must see when you are here is the Bioparc. Great for children and adults, the Bioparc is a 10-hectare zoo in the middle of the city.

Animals and Conservation

The Valencia Bioparc recreates the animals’ habitats and living patterns as if they were living in Africa as closely as possible. This includes the great wetlands, savannah, and the equatorial forest. 

The Valencia Bioparc team has tried to recreate an environment that allows the animals to develop socially as if they were living in the wild. To give you an example, the team has put together multispecies enclosures where animals that would naturally live together and coexist in the wild do so here.

This is important for reproduction and conservation, and it gives you a greater understanding of how ecosystems work and how each element fits together. Getting this right is mission-critical for the zoo to thrive and fulfill its conservation aims.

This is strongly emphasised by VisitValencia, who points out that the Bioparc in Valencia has real educational value.

Animal Diversity

An astonishing aspect is the diversity of species in the zoo. They have over 150 different African species. Considering you’ll see these animals in an almost perfect replica of their natural habitat when you visit Valencia, a European city is quite amazing.

Examples of habitats include:

• Dry Savannah – Here, you’ll get to see zebras, hyenas, rhinoceros, and ostriches.
• Wetlands – This habitat is home to lions, meerkats, giraffes, antelopes, and gazelles. 
• Madagascar – Lemurs may well greet you, and in the Kitum cave recreation, you’ll find crocodiles and hippopotamus.
• Equatorial Africa – This is often a visitor favourite as it features gorillas. You’ll also see leopards, python, and otters.

Location of the Bioparc, Valencia

When you visit Valencia head towards the Cabecera Park which was the original river bed of the Turia river.

In 1957, the river flooded, causing widespread damage throughout the city. To prevent this from happening again, the river was diverted around Valencia. The riverbed became habitable for the first time and was converted into Cabecera Park.

The park is simply amazing and is home to the Bioparc.

When you book your visit to the zoo, you should also spend time seeing the attractions in Cabecera Park. You can hire cycles and get around, which is a lovely way to take it all in.

It is advisable that when you visit Valencia, you book every attraction online in advance. It avoids queues and disappointment. It is no fun discovering after a few hours of queuing that you can’t get into your chosen attraction.

Make sure when you visit it with your friends you come to the Bioparc. It will almost make you feel like you’re in Africa.

The post Savour The Bioparc When You Visit Valencia! You’ll Love It appeared first on Strawberry Squeeze.