As holiday season is well and truly here; here is an article about what to expect, or where to go. As I have mentioned a few places here, they are very condensed. I will elaborate on each at another time, or click on the related links at the bottom of the article for a more expanded view on those I have already written about.

Depending what you would like, decides the area you should go! If you want noise crowds and queues then Brighton and Southend on sea are where you need to head off to. Yes it is true there are good facilities, and much to do for young families and children. Take Brighton. Its sea life world and pier, with the funfair on the end are good entertainment. There are hundreds of cafes, restaurants eateries of different tastes from Indian, Chinese, Traditional English, Fast food and little tea cafes as well as wine bars and pubs.

Shops galore for the shopaholic, clothes, bits and bobs, especially in Brighton’s famous Lanes, an area that is as old as Brighton with tiny shops, from antique to souvenir to bo-ho, there is a shop for all tastes. That’s the plus side.

However please be aware that Brighton gets extremely crowded, noisy and can get quite dirty. So if its peace you want, Brighton is not for you.

Southend is pretty much the same, Bars, pubs and clubs, but after dark it is not the place for young families. Teenagers and adults who are streetwise, its great. But if you are quiet and new to England, it’s not advisable. Better to start somewhere quieter first and once confident then it’s a blast, if that’s what you like.

Deal is ideal as a starting place for the new or holidaying for peace tourist. It is tranquil and beautiful and is not built up, but has amazing castles and places of historic interest.

More quieter places and/or water sport places are to be found in Devon and Cornwall, great for surfing, sea sports and relaxing, with a laid back attitude, though check if your camping, because you can’t just park your camper/tent anywhere. Some areas are defiantly out of bounds and you may find you pay a hefty cost for disobeying the signs. Bude has good shops for the bohemian shopper. Good places to eat too. With large beaches; Sandy ones! Although in some surfing areas, it does get very crowded.

If it is more city you fancy, and are good on your feet and out for adventure try London, its fantastic; certain areas are great for kids and there is quiet, though you may need to look for it! Another place about an hours drive from London is Crawley for the shopping and body art at least. Good shops, including a big shopping mall, and lots of places to eat. There are other entertainments like bowling and the cinema, and excellent Tattoo parlours. The one I personally recommend, and have tattoos’ by myself, is a typical Biker parlour, with tattoo artists, Father and Son: Dave and Max, check it out at www.myspace.com/piercing_tattoos (28 Church Street, Crawley, Rh11 7BG Tel (01293) 618811 ), Millions of tattoo designs, or take a custom one and it will be done for you. Piercing is also done there if that is what you like.

However Crawley is not really for small children at night, but better suited to teenagers and adults. It is also somewhere to stop only for shopping and body art, not near the beach, so it’s more of an excursion for the day, if those are things you would want to do.
So these are a few places worth a visit this summer. Enjoy!