Usually, I am blessed with one two-week holiday each year, which I book far in advanceand I scrupulously save up for, which occupies my mind for most of the year.  The year 2005 however, showed a turn of luck on the holiday front.  Countless opportunities were handed to me to travel to very different parts of the world, and with recently finishing college I was free to take these opportunities with open arms.  Who would have thought that in one year I would travel to Dublin, Paris, Menorca, Barbados and more locally, Devon, all in one year, all separate holidays…

I had booked the trip to Paris in the October of 2004, so I’d had a long time to wait until our coach set off in February. Our college had booked this trip for history students, and with not studying history, me and my friend Gemma had a hard time getting on this trip, but with a little perseverance we did it. Not recognising anyone on the coach as we boarded was a little daunting so we sat in an empty area towards the back, which eventually got busy. The people surrounding us included us into their group, and we’ve all be inseparable ever since.

After a tiring overnight journey, we arrived at our hotel which was surprisingly close the Moulin Rouge, a fantastic sight in itself.  The next day we travelled to the centre of Paris where the scene just changed into the most sophisticated I’ve ever seen.  The amazing architecture teamed with exotic statues and gold leafing makes the sights astonishing.  The EiffelTower was also an amazing sight, in which were lucky enough to go to the top. Truly amazing.  We also visited the Stock Exchange building which hosts some of the most beautiful interior you will find.  Surrounding the Stock Exchange are some of the most famous designer shops you will come across, including my favourite, Jean Paul Gaultier.  The extravagance of this city will be something I will never forget.

Dublin was the first holiday opportunity that was handed to me in 2005.  This trip was to last a week, also organised by my college for those who were studying Business Studies.  Never being one to turn down a school/college trip, I automatically signed up and paid my deposit.  It was a rainy April when we boarded the ferry, and within a few hours we were there.  What struck me first about Dublin was its sense of character, which is extremely hard to put your finger on.  It has all the characteristics of any other major metropolitan city in the UK, but there is something more charming and welcoming. 

One of our first excursions was to the Guinness factory, which as I’m sure you will understand, was purely for business related learning!  After a tour of the factory you are invited for a pint of Guinness at probably the highest point (and highest standing bar) in Dublin.  At the top of the Guinness Brewery, much like the experience of the EiffelTower, you can see the whole of the city and its surrounding area, which makes you look at the city in a whole new light.  Dublin probably has some of the best night life I’ve ever experienced.  The friendly and charming atmosphere makes a night out here relaxing and extremely enjoyable.  With endless choices of bars and pubs, you can see why Dublin is a hot spot for stag and hen nights. 

I visited Devon almost yearly with Gemma and her family throughout my years at school.  We had always stayed in a family orientated holiday park which put Butlins to shame.  Beverley Park boasts an amazing outdoor swimming pool, an indoor pool, and tremendous views over Torquay, and an entertainment team who live for what they do.  A park like this would not survive in a lesser beautiful place.  There are miles and miles of sandy beaches, countless activities and a truly British charm.  The thought of coming back here after 3 years was exciting for me and Gemma, it was our chance to relive some of the fun that we’d had during school. 

We stayed in Devon for a week, visiting all the places we’d visit each year.  We went to the Living Coasts project in Torquay, a place where a variety of penguins, seals, sea birds and other sea life creatures are protected.  Located in a cliff on the edge of the Torquay strip, overlooking the sea, this experience was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone.  Another place that have always visited is Cockington, a space which occupies the oldest of beautiful thatched cottages surrounding a lake, with options of horse and carriage rides available to show you the scenery.  After walking through this beautifully traditionally English village, our tradition is to stop off for some authentic afternoon tea, scones and all.  Devon is really the place to celebrate English traditions and the beauty of the country.

As well as taking me with them to Devon, Gemma’s family also own a house in Barbados, where they were kind enough to invite me to join them there for two weeks of sun.  I am a huge fan of the beach holiday (just as much as I’m a fan of the city break), and what better way to do it than go to the real life postcard that is Barbados.  The house we were staying in is located opposite the 8^th hole of Sandy Lane golf course- a spectacular resort favoured by the rich and famous (Simon Cowell owns a space on this resort).  The balcony of the house overlooks the amazing greenery of the golf course, with the Caribbean twist of palm trees and blistering heat.  Here, after a hard day at the beach, I would overlook this scenery by relaxing in the hammock-paradise!

The beaches in Barbados were everything that I’d expected more.  These beaches would put any post card to shame.  The sea was the most incredible blue, and the sand the most striking gold. With few clouds in the sky and the spacious nature of the beaches made these two weeks the most relaxing I’ve ever experienced. 

We arrived back from Barbados at the start of September.  Overlapping our arrival in the UK was the holiday to Majorca of the friends we’d met on the coach going to Paris.  Unfortunately, two of the people originally going to Majorca with the gang couldn’t make it, meaning a hotel room going spare.  Still in holiday mode, me and Gemma both scrapped up the funds to fly out to Majorca to join our friends- and what an experience!

Even though Majorca is well known to be a place for young people to party hard, it didn’t occur to us just how much partying took place here.  As soon as we landed, we were escorted to our first bar, which was to be the first in a long line of many.  I’ve never gone without sleep for so long, the opportunity to let your hair down and enjoy yourself was too tempting.  I wouldn’t book a holiday here if you are looking for the relaxation I described in Barbados, because the beaches that I experienced were not the quality I had already experienced in August.  But that’s not what people visit this place for; the variety of clubs, bars and entertainment is what this place is all about, and they do it perfectly.