A summer weekend trip to London doesn’t need to break the bank. Yes if you want a 5 star hotel with constant room service, you are going to have a hefty bill but this need not be the case. There is a huge choice of London hotels to stay in for a weekend break.

Often if you are going to London for just a weekend you have at least one event in mind often with the rest of the time intended for sight seeing or similar. Going to the theatre is a popular weekend trip for people as getting away from the normal working routine to see a West End show can be a great way to spend the weekend. It is worth shopping around if this is your main plan as some London hotels offer theatre breaks that can have a good saving on the separate costs.  Other main events drawing you to the capital city for the weekend might be a concert or a huge football match at Wembley stadium or similar.

Once you have your main even sorted the choice falls to what you are going to do with the rest of your time. This time need not break the bank either. If you are into art and culture The Tate gallery, The National Gallery and the British Museum are all free. Seeing the sites is a popular past time for visitors and often the prime locations can be costly to the unwary.  While the London Eye offers great views it can be an expense you don’t want to accrue, an alternative if you don’t mind waling up stairs is Monument to the Great Fire of London. For just a few pounds you can ascend the 202 foot tower and enjoy amazing views of the capital.

There is plenty of public transport available in London so getting around should be no problem. If you want to do it cheaply you could hire a bicycle but after seeing what the London traffic is like I’d prefer to use the heritage bus routes that are a great value way to see the local sites!

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The Spanish, French and Italian Rivieras have long been among the most sought after destinations in the world for sun, sea and surf. While holidays to these glamorous hotspots offer you the chance to indulge in a bit of ‘me time’, it’s often not easy to pack up and travel to the Med on a whim. For those who wish to experience the best of the Mediterranean a little closer to home next year, why not consider exploring the sights and sounds of the English Riviera?

The 22-mile stretch of Devon coastline around Torbay is popularly known as England’s answer to the Mediterranean Rivieras, and with good reason. The English Riviera is the place to be in summer. Soak up the sun on golden beaches, explore hidden rocky coves, or try your hand at a range of exciting sporting activities including windsailing and scuba diving.

The vibrant towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham nestled around Torbay all feature a decidedly Mediterranean charm. Torquay’s bustling marina and central shopping district gives way to palm lined promenades that lead up into the green hills surrounding the town from where grand Victorian villas gaze invitingly out to sea.

Paignton’s lively waterfront and world famous pier will keep you entertained for hours. Let the kids splash around in the waterpark at Quaywest while you enjoy a round of crazy golf on Paignton’s green, or sip on a cocktail in one of the many seafront restaurants. For a change of pace, why not treat the whole family to a day at the Paignton Zoo, or learn more about the rich cultural heritage of the region in the many museums and galleries of each town?

Brixham’s appeal is tied closely to its status as one of England’s oldest fishing villages, and it is the ideal destination for those who wish to sample the best seafood dishes this side of Palermo. A replica of Sir Francis Drake’s flagship, the Golden Hind, also floats in Brixham’s harbour, offering the whole family a glimpse into the swashbuckling world of the 16th century with a range of exhibitions and exciting re-enactments.

Whatever your vacation requirements, the English Riviera is your ideal destination for UK holidays in 2011.

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The summer holidays have been and gone, and now we face the winter. However, it doesn’t have to be something to feel depressed about. In this day and age it is easy to travel to the sun or enjoy a city break even during the winter. The internet enables anyone to find cheap flights to international destinations and the best offers are usually in off-peak periods. Take advantage of a bank holiday weekend, special occasion, the Christmas holidays, the New Year celebrations or great travels deals, to book away for a few days and wipe away the winter blues.

Ryanair is one of the most popular low cost airlines in Europe and it offers flights from airports in the UK and Ireland to lots of destinations. If you fancy a few days in the sun, book flights to Tenerife or Valencia. Maybe you would like a romantic getaway or city break to escape and relax, or get yourself in the festive mood….why don’t you head to Paris, Prague or Barcelona. The arrival of winter doesn’t mean that you should go into hibernation…it is just another great excuse to enjoy a different type of holiday.

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We’re nearing the middle of August and the slightly colder months are becoming more and more visible through the temporary haze of sunshine. Those in the capital are first to despair: festival season will be over for another year, the thermometer will start to show abominably low figures, and then will begin the retreat inside for a long hibernation. But this bleak outlook really shouldn’t be adopted too early. In my opinion, we Brits are generally affected too much by the weather. There should be at least three inches of snow on the ground before any leisure activities, day trips or personal enjoyments are sacrificed.

The bursting metropolis of London can be enjoyed at any time of year, so diverse and full of life as it is. If you’re thinking of a weekend excursion, staying in the city in September may actually be a more enjoyable experience than squeezing yourself along Oxford Street in mid-July. Yes, summer might be sunnier, but you won’t find a space in Hyde Park to sunbathe until everyone’s back at school or the office. To help you out, here are a few ideas for what to do in London during this slightly less friendly season:

Explore leaf-littered paths…

Who says that the outdoors can’t be explored when it’s a little colder? All you need is a different attitude and a warm coat. Instead of picnics outside, embark on a bracing walk and pick up a well-deserved cup of tea on the way back to your London hotels. Kenwood House in North London is particularly good for this, with a friendly tea room next to the picturesque building and Hampstead Heath spread out around it. The amber shades of autumn leaves will have strewn the paths, creating a general aesthetic just as beautiful as that of any other season.

Take in some culture…

The many museums, art galleries and historical exhibitions collated in London can sometimes be neglected when everyone’s outside basking in the summer sunshine. So now it’s autumn, why not check out the edgy installations at the Tate Modern, where everything and anything counts as art. Or, you could peruse the many faces of the National Portrait Gallery near Charing Cross. All of these unique places, with their bounty of interesting artifacts, are ready and waiting to be explored.

Journey to the West End…

You may be mourning the end of the festival season, but aren’t you forgetting that London is home to the best venues in the country, which all produce year-round gigs and shows? The West End dazzles the area around Leicester Square with the bright lights of its multiple theaters. This exclusive section of the metropolis is definitely worth a visit, whether to attend a show, or just to soak up the exhilarating atmosphere. There are also many music venues in this area and all over London – and they don’t stop because of a change of weather.

So, with such a bounty of autumnal entertainment, an off-season excursion to London could be nearly as good as staying at an array of five-star hotels in Rome. Don’t let the change of season get you down. There’s plenty to be enjoyed all year round – all you need is optimism and a healthy imagination.

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