Big changes are coming!

Daily Holiday Blog is briefly on hiatus and will have fresh new posts starting on January 1.  I am totally in the midst of selling my house and moving into my RV. It has always been our dream to travel and we are just about to the point of living our dream!

In June of 2010, my husband and I made a major life decision.  With the kids grown and gone, we were ready to begin a new chapter in our lives.  But we really weren’t sure what that change would be.  Both of us have jobs in the city.  I’m an Executive Assistant in a huge corporation, and my husband is a Fleet Manager in another large company.  

Both of us were tired of the major commute (an hour and a half each way).  Both of us were tired of our jobs; tired of city life; tired of the crowds.  Let’s face it, we were just plain tired.  We needed to come up with a new plan. 

I had just created my arts and crafts website, Suzy’s Sitcom, at that time.  A new blogger, I really didn’t realize the potential of a website with creative content.  But I tackled a blog like I tackle most things; head on and running.  My father always said that I could accomplish anything that I set my mind to.  If I truly believed that something would be a success, then it would be.

It was also at that time that my husband and I watched a television show that ultimately pointed us in the direction we wanted to go.  It was a documentary about a couple who bought a RV, sold their house and everything they owned and set out on the road to travel, document their journey and live full time on the road.

Our five year plan was set in motion.  We would be doing the same.  We just needed to follow the plan.  After all, anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

This week, the house went on the market and I quit my day job.  EEEK!

So life is pretty crazy right now.  Keep an eye on Suzy’s Sitcom if you are curious about progress in December.  I am updating that website, but cannot currently handle both websites at the same time.

Daily Holiday Blog will be back and running in full form on January 1 with a new free downloadable calendar and lots of fun holiday news!  Have a fabulous holiday season!

Source : dailyholidayblog[dot]com

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Out Of Office Round-Up – Sara Thomas

Over the last year we’ve sent 5 brilliant bloggers to some of our finest destinations. They visited the likes of Mexico, Mauritius and Thailand, and blogged about what they got up to. Here’s our round up of Sara Thomas’ blogs…

In October last year we ran a competition to find a handful of expert bloggers who could road-test our holidays and bring you the lowdown on the destinations, excursions and activities. Sara Thomas was hand-picked to be part of our Out Of Office blogging team, impressing us with her entry about her day trip to Salisbury. We sent her to Thailand to blog about her experiences. Here’s a selection of her holiday highlights…

Elephant trekking through Khao Sok National Park

“Khao Sok Discovery specialise in running daytrips for tourists to experience some of what the area has to offer, and one of the highlights of our day was a visit to the Rommanee Elephant Camp. It’s a small, family-oriented sanctuary – the ‘trainers’ and the elephants have grown up together, and now their own children are growing up here. As an animal-lover who has seen first-hand cruelty in other parts of the world, I found Rommanee was worlds apart in terms of the level of love and kindness shown to the animals. If it’s possible to have an icy heart in the 40-degree Thai heat, then I’m pretty sure one of these elephants can melt it.”

Canoeing along the Sok River

“Next on the list was canoeing along the Sok River. If you’re lucky, you can spot tree frogs, snakes and even large lizards basking in the sunshine in the low-lying canopy. The trips last for around 45 minutes, gently following the river, well away from busy roads and other distractions. You can also take the reins and do the canoeing yourself, if you’re feeling up to the challenge!”

Shopping in Bang Niang market

“Open-air markets can be a tourist’s paradise, and Bang Niang Market is no exception – it opens its gates every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The spice stores are one of the market’s highlights, so if you fancy trying your hand at recreating some of your favourite Thai dishes when you get home, don’t forget to pay a visit. The traders pretend to drive a hard bargain when it comes to bartering, but it’s easy to pick up spices for a fraction of their original asking price. The market can get very busy, so head to the Blah Blah Bar within the market itself for a break. It prides itself on the fact it has no Wi-Fi, and is designed to be a rest-stop for tourists to sit down, enjoy a banana smoothie and get chatting.”

Testing the Quan Spa at the JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort

“I had decided to try an After-Sun Wrap, after spending a little bit too much time outside with not enough sunblock on. The treatment started with a coconut oil and sea salt foot scrub. Next, I moved over to the table for the wrap. The therapist applied fresh, chilled aloe vera gel to the full length of my body – including my back, which had taken the brunt of the sunburn – and swaddled me up in several layers of blankets, to allow the jelly to absorb. Once I was unwrapped, and surprised at how warm I’d gotten in those 30 minutes, the therapist continued the massage focusing on my back and scalp. A combination of the music, the massage and the heat from the wrap almost sent me to sleep. It was a truly relaxing experience that did wonders for my sunburn.”

Source : firstchoice[dot]co[dot]uk

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Art Attack

Source : teletextholidays[dot]co[dot]uk

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If You Like Magaluf, Why Not Try…

Source : teletextholidays[dot]co[dot]uk

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Most Amazing Windmills

Source : teletextholidays[dot]co[dot]uk

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Pet-Themed Events Around The World

Us Brits love our animals so much we have an exhibition dedicated to them. Show-jumping bunnies and duck-herding dogs are taking over London’s ExCeL this weekend for the London Pet Show. Here’s a look at some of the world’s other weird and wonderful events that celebrate pets…

Chihuahua Parade

Washington DC was the setting for this year’s Running Of The Chihuahuas Parade, which is held to honour the Mexican Cinco De Mayo holiday. Hundreds of Chihuahuas showed up for the puptastic event and they sure did dress to impress. Click here to check out their adorable outfits. Ole!

Rabbit Show Jumping

A craze for bunny show jumping took off in Sweden in the 1970s. We can see why – it’s so cute. There are 4 different types of courses – straight, crooked, high jump and long jump, and the winning rabbit is the one that manages to not fluff their routine. See this hopping mad sport for yourself this weekend at the London Pet Show.

Dog Surfing Competition

Pooches of all shapes and sizes take it in turns to ride the waves at California’s annual Surf City Surf Dog event. They’re surprisingly good at it and it’s clear they love it, too. Brandy the pug secured first place in the medium dogs category last year. Watch him in action here –

Camel Beauty Pageants

Camels line up to unleash their inner diva with this beauty contest in the United Arab Emirates. The judges rate the desert wanderers on their ears, straightness of their legs and their toes. And they strut down the catwalk to the sound of my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely lady lumps… Ok, we made that last bit up.

Frog Jumping Jubilee

The residents of Angels Camp, in California, have held this quirky frog jumping competition every year since 1928. Believe it or not, the contest draws in competitors from around the world. The winning amphibian receives a trophy, cash prize and a pavement plaque dedicated to them – like the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in LA. Sounds ribbiting.

Cat Nightclub

Like clubbing? Like cats? Now you can combine the two thanks to a nightclub called Neko in Tokyo – a world first. It allows revellers to take a break from raving and hang out in a chillout room filled with moggies. It’s feline-friendly with scratch posts and treat dispensers. Plus, it’s purrfectly soundproofed to protect their ears.

Which animal-themed event would you most like to go to?

Source : firstchoice[dot]co[dot]uk

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Summer Of Music – Interview With Alesha Dixon

She’s back on the music scene with her new single – so we caught up with pop star Alesha Dixon to talk jet-setting, holiday anthems and Summer Of Music…

Just in case we haven’t shouted it loud enough, we’ve teamed up with TV judge Alesha Dixon to create the UK’s first fan-curated music video. It’s all part of our Summer Of Music campaign. Alesha’s just got back from sunny Cyprus, where she’s been shooting the video to her single, The Way We Are.

Three different endings have been filmed and edited. Now, the power is in your hands – you can choose your favourite by voting on the Summer Of Music site. What are you waiting for? Voting closes on Friday, 15th May. Oh, and did we mention that voters will be put into a prize draw to win a holiday to Cyprus? Go, go, go…

You’ve just filmed at two of our First Choice hotels – Holiday Village Aliathon and The King Jason Hotel – what did you think?
The King Jason was beautiful. We started filming in one of the rooms, which created a lovely backdrop. Holiday Village Aliathon was gorgeous, too – the pools were lovely. We shot footage on the beach, clifftops and in the sea caves as well.

Was it your first time on the island?
I’ve been many times before – in the Garage days, my Ayia Napa days. There are some very funny memories – blurry ones. I just remember raving a lot. I’d literally perform at some random club and then end up at Insomnia ‘til 6am. Great times…

Are you excited to be having the UK’s first fan-curated music video?
I was up late last night with the director to make sure all three endings are great. I’m so excited – I just love the fact it’s never been done before.

So you don’t have a favourite?
I’ve got a personal preference, but whichever one the fans choose is totally fine with me. One’s Go Pro-style, the other’s a beach party and then there’s one on a clifftop – they’re all so different.

Can you sum up your new single in one sentence?
A celebration of everybody’s individuality and a real feel-good summer track.

Talking of holiday tunes – what’s your go-to summer anthem?
I’m into Jess Glynne’s Right Here at the minute. But, Flowers by Sweet Female Attitude is a classic.

And where’s your favourite holiday spot?
I love going to LA because there’s a lot of creativity out there – and the temperature’s always beautiful. It’s really health-inspired too, so I love hiking around Runyon Canyon Park. But I also like quirkier places, like Asia. And, somewhere I’d love to go but haven’t yet is Brazil.

Is there anything you can’t travel without?
One thing I never forget is my iPod and speakers in case the hotel doesn’t have any. And a good book – the usual really.

Any holiday plans for this year?
I have no time for a holiday this year – apart from Cyprus for my cousin’s wedding. But, I’m not sure that counts. I’ll be in a villa with my entire family and there’ll be my cousin’s five-month-old baby keeping us awake all night.

You must’ve filmed in some amazing places before this – anywhere stand out?
I Shot Breathe Slow in Las Vegas – that was pretty cool. And, when I was in Mis-Teeq we shot on Venice Beach in LA. But I’ve also shot in some really dodgy places like infamous Bagleys in Kings Cross – in fact we filmed Mis-Teeq’s biggest hit, Scandalous, there.

Back to chilly Blighty – why do you think Britain’s Got Talent is still so popular?
I think it’s quintessentially British. It’s a show the whole family can watch together. When an act walks through the door, you don’t know what they’re going to do. I’m sometimes sitting there thinking ‘what else can I see, that I haven’t already seen?’ Then somebody will do something that surprises us.

Any acts you’d like to see win?
Obviously we’re all passionate about our golden buzzer acts, but I don’t mind who wins – I can’t call it. It’s a really open competition this year. I think the act that deserves to win is the one that works the hardest and makes the public fall in love with them.

And has big boss Simon Cowell ever invited you to Barbados?
No, but I don’t actually think people get invited to Barbados. I think they invite themselves and I certainly won’t be doing that!

Want to know more about Summer Of Music? Click here.

Source : firstchoice[dot]co[dot]uk

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