Guest Author - Previous BellaOnline Editor

Anais Nin
The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery.

Hello

Hope all is well with you. Just like me you may be busy and looking forward to a change in the seasons.


I am starting to plan my holiday this year. I have been so busy with one thing and another that is has been a little while since I have taken a break.
I do have a dilemma – I work in local schools as a pupil counsellor and therefore have to take my holidays in school holidays.
I want rest, recuperation and above all some peaceful place of tranquillity. I love history so exploring castles and other historic buildings would suit me fine. How simple I thought it was going to be to browse through the brochures and book!
Yet because I have to plan my holiday's in peak holiday periods this feels almost impossible to achieve.

I love my work and would not change working with young people for the world. I feel I make a difference to their lives and it does feed my inner soul. So no moans there.
However

In the UK, holiday times are controversial. Parents are being encouraged not to plan holidays in school terms. There is a huge drive taking place that states every day out of school is a day lost to learning. This does mean that school holiday times see brochure prices and availability of holidays take on a whole new meaning.
This must be as frustrating to all parents as to those who are child free for whatever reason.

Just because my holidays have to be planned for certain times of the year I am charged higher prices with room availability becomes another matter all together. ( At times I also have to pay single supplements so don't even get me started on that one I am just not going to go there)

There must be h ugh numbers of marrieds or singles who face this dilemma each year and my guess is this is a concern in many countries.

A kind reader sent me a message through the email stating they noticed different hotels dealt with adult only pools in different ways. Some hotels recognise that sometimes adults need adult time and adhere to 'No Children Policies' others take a much more cavalier approach to their visitors.

Children are wonderful people who need holidays just like the rest of us. They need to explore, run, jump about, do what kids do best which is let off steam and have a good time. This leaves them in a good emotional state to continue with their education when they return to school.
I need peace, quite and tranquillity to return my emotional state to a place of renewal, so I can continue with my work.
So a plea to all readers Where would be a location which would met my needs of peace, reasonable priced and full of history?.................