I didn't want to start a thread just about a single destination as I thought other people might also appreciate people's experiences of different places that they have thought/are thinkiing of visiting.

We've been looking at Tuscany, but I've heard and read that people suffered from various insect bites, have any SB's been, what was it like......

Anyone been to
Lake Como or Garda
or
San Francisco

I'm looking a for four day Christmas break starting on Christmas Eve. Want self catering and must allow pets. Anyone got any recommendations?

Garda-no, SF- yes, exactly the same as Widnes. will have more fun camping in West Wales.

Just come back from a week in Northumberland using these people [urlhttp://www.gracedarlingholidays.com/[/url most of their rentals allow at least one dog, don't tell anyone but the Northumberland coast is one of the last truly untouched coastlines in the country, stunning for dog walking.

I'd highly recommend the company, we used Spindlestone House for a party of ten, would love to be there over xmas (and might just do that too).

A fantastic place! You'll like the weather, it's just like it is here.



Very laid back and the most European like city in the US.


I've just returned from wreck diving the SS Thistlegorm in the Red Sea. Next year I plan to dive Truk Lagoon, my ultimate dream dive.

Tuscany is nice. Not stayed out in the countryside and didn't have any insect problem (although can't recall what time of year we went).

Went to Como when I was about 8 years old. I vaguely remember there was a lot of water and we had ice cream.



Seriously though, you only need to google some images to see how beautiful it is.

Cheers. I'll check them out.

Been to Tuscany quite few times, stayed in Florence and the countryside, back of beyond and little villages.

My other half is incredibly allergic to insect bites but as long as you're careful it's not too bad. We have ludicrously strong repellent, candles and joss stick things impregnated with citronella. If the worst does happen then pharmacies carry industrial strength antihistamine creams that can be bought over the counter.

My favourite place is Panzano In Chianti, we're just about to book an apartment that's part of a castle, we'll hire a car from Pisa airport. Driving isn't a problem if you're reasonably proficient.

Pretty much every town or village has excellent places to eat from Michelin starred to little enotecas. There's a fantastic wine shop in Greve which if you're in the area I can't recommend highly enough, you get a credit card that you load with Euros and then you pop that in a dispenser that gives you wine by the glass, so you can try before you buy.

If you speak even the worst Italian and show an interest, the Italians will love you and go out of the way to befriend you, I've drunk fantastic wines with enoteca owners and their friends after just a couple of visits to their shop.

Quote ="McLaren_Field"Just come back from a week in Northumberland using these people [urlhttp://www.gracedarlingholidays.com/[/url most of their rentals allow at least one dog, don't tell anyone but the Northumberland coast is one of the last truly untouched coastlines in the country, stunning for dog walking. I'd highly recommend the company, we used Spindlestone House for a party of ten, would love to be there over xmas (and might just do that too).'" Agreed...Northumberland is a truly beautiful part of the world, some great beaches for dog walking or just walking. I've been several times and love walking the stretch from Seahouses to Bamburgh which is excellent and spectacular whilst Alnmouth is also well worth a visit and they are the ones that spring to mind easily.I'm sure others will have their own suggestions. Having said that I've just come back from a week in Robin Hoods Bay and got to say as a Lancastrian (exiled in York for 22 years) I think of the delights the Lancashire coast has to offer like Blackpool and Southport and shudder at how they compare to the Yorkshire coast! Robin Hoods Bay is a great place to consider a stay with a great beach (rocky in places!) and cliff top walks whilst your not far from other beaches worth a stroll on such as Filey, Whitby and Brid to Fraisthorpe is excellent beach territory whilst Runswick Bay is worth a visit and you may discover a fossil or two on the beach. Saltburn is also a lovely gem of a place! Check out this site for lots of accom in Robin Hoods Bay: www.bayfair.co.uk/index.html

Quote ="McLaren_Field"Just come back from a week in Northumberland using these people [urlhttp://www.gracedarlingholidays.com/[/url most of their rentals allow at least one dog, don't tell anyone but the Northumberland coast is one of the last truly untouched coastlines in the country, stunning for dog walking. I'd highly recommend the company, we used Spindlestone House for a party of ten, would love to be there over xmas (and might just do that too).'" Agreed...Northumberland is a truly beautiful part of the world, some great beaches for dog walking or just walking. I've been several times and love walking the stretch from Seahouses to Bamburgh which is excellent and spectacular whilst Alnmouth is also well worth a visit and they are the ones that spring to mind easily.I'm sure others will have their own suggestions. Having said that I've just come back from a week in Robin Hoods Bay and got to say as a Lancastrian (exiled in York for 22 years) I think of the delights the Lancashire coast has to offer like Blackpool and Southport and shudder at how they compare to the Yorkshire coast! Robin Hoods Bay is a great place to consider a stay with a great beach (rocky in places!) and cliff top walks whilst your not far from other beaches worth a stroll on such as Filey, Whitby and Brid to Fraisthorpe is excellent beach territory whilst Runswick Bay is worth a visit and you may discover a fossil or two on the beach. Saltburn is also a lovely gem of a place! Check out this site for lots of accom in Robin Hoods Bay: www.bayfair.co.uk/index.html

Quote ="the exile"Agreed...Northumberland is a truly beautiful part of the world, some great beaches for dog walking or just walking. I've been several times and love walking the stretch from Seahouses to Bamburgh which is excellent and spectacular whilst Alnmouth is also well worth a visit and they are the ones that spring to mind easily.I'm sure others will have their own suggestions. Having said that I've just come back from a week in Robin Hoods Bay and got to say as a Lancastrian (exiled in York for 22 years) I think of the delights the Lancashire coast has to offer like Blackpool and Southport and shudder at how they compare to the Yorkshire coast! Robin Hoods Bay is a great place to consider a stay with a great beach (rocky in places!) and cliff top walks whilst your not far from other beaches worth a stroll on such as Filey, Whitby and Brid to Fraisthorpe is excellent beach territory whilst Runswick Bay is worth a visit and you may discover a fossil or two on the beach. Saltburn is also a lovely gem of a place! Check out this site for lots of accom in Robin Hoods Bay: www.bayfair.co.uk/index.html'" We stayed in Alnmouth a few weeks ago, wonderful place (but the place we stayed wouldn't allow pets, so I didn't reply to Rock God x), Whitby, Ruswarp, Robin Hoods Bay, Filey, all are wonderful places, only thing with that neck of the wood is going in Winter, if it snows, you're stuck!

Quote ="the exile"Agreed...Northumberland is a truly beautiful part of the world, some great beaches for dog walking or just walking. I've been several times and love walking the stretch from Seahouses to Bamburgh which is excellent and spectacular whilst Alnmouth is also well worth a visit and they are the ones that spring to mind easily.I'm sure others will have their own suggestions. Having said that I've just come back from a week in Robin Hoods Bay and got to say as a Lancastrian (exiled in York for 22 years) I think of the delights the Lancashire coast has to offer like Blackpool and Southport and shudder at how they compare to the Yorkshire coast! Robin Hoods Bay is a great place to consider a stay with a great beach (rocky in places!) and cliff top walks whilst your not far from other beaches worth a stroll on such as Filey, Whitby and Brid to Fraisthorpe is excellent beach territory whilst Runswick Bay is worth a visit and you may discover a fossil or two on the beach. Saltburn is also a lovely gem of a place! Check out this site for lots of accom in Robin Hoods Bay: www.bayfair.co.uk/index.html'" We stayed in Alnmouth a few weeks ago, wonderful place (but the place we stayed wouldn't allow pets, so I didn't reply to Rock God x), Whitby, Ruswarp, Robin Hoods Bay, Filey, all are wonderful places, only thing with that neck of the wood is going in Winter, if it snows, you're stuck!

I do like Whitby. Went there as a kid, but never been back since. Might have to have a look at that.

Quote ="Rock God X"I'm looking a for four day Christmas break starting on Christmas Eve. Want self catering and must allow pets. Anyone got any recommendations?'" Went here about 2 month ago. www.kingairloch.co.uk/ Might not be the best if it is snowing. But sat by your own Loch, with a roaring fire, dog by your feet and a beer / whiskey in your hand. fantastic accommodation and very, very clean. We stayed in the "old post office"

Quote ="Rock God X"I'm looking a for four day Christmas break starting on Christmas Eve. Want self catering and must allow pets. Anyone got any recommendations?'" Went here about 2 month ago. www.kingairloch.co.uk/ Might not be the best if it is snowing. But sat by your own Loch, with a roaring fire, dog by your feet and a beer / whiskey in your hand. fantastic accommodation and very, very clean. We stayed in the "old post office"

Quote ="the exile"Agreed...Northumberland is a truly beautiful part of the world, some great beaches for dog walking or just walking. I've been several times and love walking the stretch from Seahouses to Bamburgh which is excellent and spectacular whilst Alnmouth is also well worth a visit and they are the ones that spring to mind easily.I'm sure others will have their own suggestions. Having said that I've just come back from a week in Robin Hoods Bay and got to say as a Lancastrian (exiled in York for 22 years) I think of the delights the Lancashire coast has to offer like Blackpool and Southport and shudder at how they compare to the Yorkshire coast! Robin Hoods Bay is a great place to consider a stay with a great beach (rocky in places!) and cliff top walks whilst your not far from other beaches worth a stroll on such as Filey, Whitby and Brid to Fraisthorpe is excellent beach territory whilst Runswick Bay is worth a visit and you may discover a fossil or two on the beach. Saltburn is also a lovely gem of a place! Check out this site for lots of accom in Robin Hoods Bay: www.bayfair.co.uk/index.html'" I'm booking a few days in September in Staithes, a slightly cheaper but almost identikit village to Robin Hoods Bay - I almost, almost bought a building with house above and shop at street level halfway down the village in Robin Hood Bay a few years ago, its now a holiday rental and the shop has no tenant - every time I see it in the adverts I kick my own , very hard, this is it, could have had the whole lot for the same price as our house was valued at the time [urlhttp://www.robinhoodsbaycottages.co.uk/html/gilroyd_house_images.htm[/url

Quote ="the exile"Agreed...Northumberland is a truly beautiful part of the world, some great beaches for dog walking or just walking. I've been several times and love walking the stretch from Seahouses to Bamburgh which is excellent and spectacular whilst Alnmouth is also well worth a visit and they are the ones that spring to mind easily.I'm sure others will have their own suggestions. Having said that I've just come back from a week in Robin Hoods Bay and got to say as a Lancastrian (exiled in York for 22 years) I think of the delights the Lancashire coast has to offer like Blackpool and Southport and shudder at how they compare to the Yorkshire coast! Robin Hoods Bay is a great place to consider a stay with a great beach (rocky in places!) and cliff top walks whilst your not far from other beaches worth a stroll on such as Filey, Whitby and Brid to Fraisthorpe is excellent beach territory whilst Runswick Bay is worth a visit and you may discover a fossil or two on the beach. Saltburn is also a lovely gem of a place! Check out this site for lots of accom in Robin Hoods Bay: www.bayfair.co.uk/index.html'" I'm booking a few days in September in Staithes, a slightly cheaper but almost identikit village to Robin Hoods Bay - I almost, almost bought a building with house above and shop at street level halfway down the village in Robin Hood Bay a few years ago, its now a holiday rental and the shop has no tenant - every time I see it in the adverts I kick my own , very hard, this is it, could have had the whole lot for the same price as our house was valued at the time [urlhttp://www.robinhoodsbaycottages.co.uk/html/gilroyd_house_images.htm[/url

Thanks for the suggestions. Having trouble finding anywhere that'll let me have four nights at that time of year. They all want a week's rental.

As I say, time of year may be against you, been stuck in Whitby trying to get to Pickering and in Pickering trying to get to Whitby numerous times in Winter, if you like that part of the world then try Gothland and Mallion Spout, wonderful places.

Staithes...you're right, lovely place, Robin Hoods Bay with a few rough edges around it! Though I'm sure the Staithes group wouldn't agree. I went there earlier this year and had forgotten how nice it is. I recall going there 17/18 years ago and places where selling for £35k and me being seriously tempted!
As for the place you thought of buying in RHB...that top image could have been taken from where I've just stayed. I also recall that place being almost derelict a few years ago when they used to sell papers down there.
Just stayed in a cottage, just over the brook from Gilroyd House next to a place called "Swell" which used to be a chapel converted into a bookshop that I loved before being converted!
All RHB needs these days is a little delli given the number of yummi mummys staying there.

Thanks (only just noticed this reply), I'm not too sure that I want to have to use repellant etc. hmmm,

Dunno about other insects but I can vouch for Avon's Skin-so-Soft lotion for keeping Scottish midges at bay

As we found in Corfu last August, the insect repellent that you buy in the UK is generally not effective abroad (haven't a clue why that should be though) but the stuff you buy in your holiday resort generally is, probably because the local shopkeepers know what works and what doesn't.

Like wise in Corfu we found the chemists to be extremely effective in treating minor illness and injury, were certainly much cheaper than consulting a doctor and then being referred to the chemist for the treatments, and would often do a brief consultation for free anyway - three of our party had bad reactions to insect bites and were given antihistamines over the counter in the chemist (which worked), and I mean not just itchy lumps but swollen legs and open sores which were bandaged in the shop and treated there and then for a few euros.

I'd suggest that we do it in this country but the Tories would claim it as their idea.

Lake Garda is spectacular. We went for a long weekend in July a few years back and I could quite happily have stayed for a fortnight. We stayed in a little town called Lazise which was really nice, but we used it as a base to explore other villages and towns around the lake. If you're there for long enough, try and get to Verona for the day.

I think it's the southern European "chemists" are more apothecaries and are usually trained to treat non-urgent cases. I use hyrogen peroxide as an antiseptic and mouthwash but have to drive 15 miles to find an old-school chemist that still stocks it. After the dopey bint in my local Boots offered to sell me Plax or Listerine, she finally told me that they couldn't sell it because I could use it to make a bomb. As opposed to them making a bomb by selling me branded shoite

I think this may be true, some years ago when prescriptions in the Uk cost £5.00 per item, my wife, who suffers from occasional eczema on her hands was prescribed something called "oily cream" which TBH wasn't having much effect. Normally you get Betnovate, but anyway she persevered. We went on holiday to the Costa Del Sol, and she forgot to take this stuff with her. So we went into a chemist, and he gave her a tube of Betnovate - and here's the punch-line it only cost a £1!

Places I'd recommend. I've been to Garda twice and it's lovely - but IMO compared to Spain Italy is expensive.
My favourite resort on the Med is Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava. It's picturesque, you can eat and drink well fairly cheaply, the people are great and the weather goes without saying. Plus of course if you drive, which we have four times it's one of the nearest places in Spain to the UK. In fact if you time your holiday there correctly you could even watch your team at Catalans - it's only 60 - 90 minutes drive from Perpignan.

Mine too, hoping to go 2014. Doing Aliwal Shoal in South Africa next year. Doing Thistlegorm in August.