Five alternative weekend getaways that don’t require a passport
Unusual, quirky holidays are becoming a much more popular option for anyone bored of the same old destinations and accommodation. Fortunately, the available options are broadening with the demand, and Airbnb has been nothing short of a godsend to most travellers, but if you don’t like the idea of staying in a stranger’s house, why not do something with a twist?
1. Helicopter Holidays
When you’re looking for a British break, it doesn’t take long to realise there’s more to our small island than we often give it credit for. There’s no shortage of hotels, towns and picturesque scenery that’s completely off the beaten track. While it may be difficult to reach certain places by road, one surprisingly affordable alternative is to book a helicopter ride. Not only will you be able to experience flying over wide swathes of the country, feeling like master of all you survey, but you can tailor the rest of your holiday to suit your own interests.
A number of helicopter charter companies offer great inspiration, from a tour of Cambridge to an aerial view of Stonehenge. However, your options are practically limitless, and there’s no shortage of suggestions for places you could go.
2. Visit ‘The Village’
The cult sixties TV series The Prisoner may have only run for seventeen episodes, but its breakout star was arguably the Welsh village of Portmeirion. The hotel resort inspired was by Italian fishing village Portofino, and took over fifty years to build, to make sure that no part of the gorgeous natural landscape was disturbed by the construction. Self-catered apartments are available, as well as the resort’s own hotel rooms, and the area borders Snowdonia National Park, allowing you to make the most of the coastline and the forest in the space of one weekend.
3. Try a Treehouse
If you’re looking to get away from it all, but aren’t sure about renting a cottage in the countryside, you could consider a stay in a treehouse. There are plenty of companies offering treehouse rentals for short breaks, and the quality of the buildings is genuinely breathtaking – it goes without saying that these aren’t the tree forts you dreamed of as a child.
Self-catered eco-tourist spots like this aren’t only incredible weekends away, but completely sustainable and designed with the environment very much in mind. Head to Zoella’s blog to read about her recent treehouse trip, and if you can get to the end of it without going green with envy, I applaud you.
4. Houseboat Hotel
Do you like the idea of spending a few days messing about on the river? If a straight-forward B&B won’t do, why not stay on a houseboat? Houseboats are becoming increasingly popular places to stay – they are, after all, designed for people to live on – and much like a caravan, you can book a few nights on a static barge, and spend your days exploring the local riverside.
5. Everybody Yurts
It may be scary to think about, but glamping has officially been in the dictionary since 2010, and there’s no sign of it going away any time soon. Luxury camping – be it a weekend in a wigwam, summering in a safari tent, or a honeymoon in a hut – is a great way to get back to nature without sacrificing any of those creature comforts you can’t be without. Our pick would be a yurt, a permanently-constructed Moroccan tent; yurt campsites are popping up all over the country and, compared with the hassle of putting up tents or finding the wood to start a fire, make for an easy, enjoyable family break.
