Some words like bikini are evocative of summer and hot beaches with warm waters and at this time of winter millions are daydreaming about the summer holiday.
Unfortunately the economy is precarious and many of us are going to find it hard to find the money for the exclusive Barbados fortnight this year and consequently it may be necessary to use some more imagination in choosing a cheaper break.
For the fit and healthy there is the option of a walking and camping holiday which involves no expensive eating out and some spectacular scenery.
For the price of a cross channel ferry from Plymouth to Spain there are some fantastic Pyrenees walks.
This area gave birth to that classic summer lightweight shoe the espadrilles and although these are not designed for long walks they should be an essential part of your rucksack spares particularly for the reward at the end of the walk of a hot Spanish sandy beach.
Many people are attracted to the complete package holiday which for others is their idea of a nightmare.
Herded like cattle off the plane and into coaches to package holidays which are populated by nothing but others of your own nationality seems a fairly ghastly thought.
Far better to buy a map and plan your own journey and better still just get to the airport carrying only a rucksack with a minimum amount of clothing and catch the first flight out to a warm destination.
Years ago it used to be easy enough to do just that and although security means it is not always possible today, there still are airlines that will allow you to buy a last minute ticket just by turning up at the airport.
Here is the routine for the start of your summer holiday: Pack a rucksack with shorts and cotton shirts with extra footwear like the very practical and lightweight espadrilles and do not forget your passport.
On Friday go to work taking with you the rucksack and get permission to work through lunch and leave as early in the day as possible.
Get to the nearest busy airport and check out any flights leaving in a couple of hours or more.
Choose somewhere hot that you have never visited before and bag yourself a ticket! Putting this bit of risk and uncertainty into a holiday always adds to the excitement and nearly always leads to the most memorable holidays.
An essential part of the holiday is to take the absolute minimum of luggage.
You do not want to land with suitcases as this simply restricts all further movement in the week or two ahead.
If you arrive with suitcases the temptation is to find the first hotel and unpack everything and remain there for the whole duration.
With a rucksack and little weight you can get up and go whenever you feel like it.
Unfortunately the economy is precarious and many of us are going to find it hard to find the money for the exclusive Barbados fortnight this year and consequently it may be necessary to use some more imagination in choosing a cheaper break.
For the fit and healthy there is the option of a walking and camping holiday which involves no expensive eating out and some spectacular scenery.
For the price of a cross channel ferry from Plymouth to Spain there are some fantastic Pyrenees walks.
This area gave birth to that classic summer lightweight shoe the espadrilles and although these are not designed for long walks they should be an essential part of your rucksack spares particularly for the reward at the end of the walk of a hot Spanish sandy beach.
Many people are attracted to the complete package holiday which for others is their idea of a nightmare.
Herded like cattle off the plane and into coaches to package holidays which are populated by nothing but others of your own nationality seems a fairly ghastly thought.
Far better to buy a map and plan your own journey and better still just get to the airport carrying only a rucksack with a minimum amount of clothing and catch the first flight out to a warm destination.
Years ago it used to be easy enough to do just that and although security means it is not always possible today, there still are airlines that will allow you to buy a last minute ticket just by turning up at the airport.
Here is the routine for the start of your summer holiday: Pack a rucksack with shorts and cotton shirts with extra footwear like the very practical and lightweight espadrilles and do not forget your passport.
On Friday go to work taking with you the rucksack and get permission to work through lunch and leave as early in the day as possible.
Get to the nearest busy airport and check out any flights leaving in a couple of hours or more.
Choose somewhere hot that you have never visited before and bag yourself a ticket! Putting this bit of risk and uncertainty into a holiday always adds to the excitement and nearly always leads to the most memorable holidays.
An essential part of the holiday is to take the absolute minimum of luggage.
You do not want to land with suitcases as this simply restricts all further movement in the week or two ahead.
If you arrive with suitcases the temptation is to find the first hotel and unpack everything and remain there for the whole duration.
With a rucksack and little weight you can get up and go whenever you feel like it.