Holiday tips tricks and hacks

THE WORLD’S most welcoming cities have been revealed and a UK destination with famous Turkish Baths and vibrant gardens has been named amongst them.

Though technically not a city, Harrogate in North Yorkshire, sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

And according to Booking.com, Harrogate is one of the most welcoming destinations in the world and the only spot in the UK to feature on the list.

Booking.com commented: “Harrogate is an elegant English spa town full of historic charm.

“Quaint boulevards and ornate Victorian façades frame a town filled with modern and contemporary cafés, indie shops and scenic garden paths perfect for leisurely strolls.”

One top spot mentioned by Booking.com is Valley Gardens, formed of 17 acres of English Heritage Grade II listed parkland.

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In the gardens, visitors will find themed areas, different flower species and a number of historic buildings.

There’s also a children’s play area and entry to the entire park is free.

One recent visitor said: “What an absolute gem of a park.

“Very picturesque, serene and pleasant walk through with a beautiful Victoriana style cafe and beautiful views across the park.

“I could spend a day there with a book, flask with hot tea and snacks and relax. It has a very calming aura.”

Harrogate is also well-known for its Turkish Baths – a unique spa experience that dates back to 1897.

The Harrogate Turkish Baths are one of the best-preserved Victorian Baths in the UK and were once used as a luxury and therapeutic experience by wealthy Victorians.

The spa still operates today and has a frigidarium, steam room, different heat rooms and a plunge pool.

Sessions usually cost £37 per person for an hour and a half to two hours access.

And if you find the history of the spa town interesting, then head to the Royal Pump Room Museum, where you will find the strongest sulphur wells in Europe.

You will also learn about Harrogate’s connection to Russian royalty.

It costs just £4.20 per adult and £2.40 per child to visit.

The Montpellier Quarter then dubs itself as “Harrogate’s best-kept secret”.

Here visitors will find over 50 independent shops including cosy cafes.

Across the cobbled streets in the Montpellier Quarter, there are gardens, ornate lamp posts and lots of flowers.

One visitor said: “This is a rabbit warren of individual antiques and curios shops under one roof.

“There is art, jewellery, ornaments – too much to mention but all very interesting and great for provoking memories of things our grandparents had in their time!”

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in the town, then you could head to The Old Swan Hotel – which is the hotel where Agatha Christie was discovered after she had been missing for 11 days in 1926.

The ivy-covered hotel is just a three-minute walk from the Royal Pump Room Museum and features suites with four-poster beds.

Rooms cost from around £68 per night.

For a bite to eat, definitely check out Bettys Café Tea Rooms – a famous spot for afternoon tea and coffee.

You can opt for the Grande Breakfast which includes muesli, pain au chocolat, toasted fruit loaf, tea or coffee and a choice of either poached egg and avocado, scrambled eggs and Yorkshire smoked salmon or poached egg and dry-cured bacon for £22.50 per person.

Booking.com added: “Captivating with its harmonious mix of culture and greenery, Harrogate invites travelers to unwind while discovering the quieter corner of northern England.”

Other cities named among the most welcoming in the world include Montepulciano in Italy.

This hilltop town in Tuscany, Italy, is famous for its red wine.

Due to being on the hilltop, the town has stunning panoramic views.

Other destinations named as welcoming cities include Fredericksburg, Texas, United States and Klaipėda, Lithuania.

In other destination news, the cheeky 48-hour holidays to Europe’s best cities, beach towns and islands this summer from £167.

Plus, five stunning European holidays that are cheaper than a UK train fare – with £2 prosecco and stunning beaches.

WHETHER you’re wondering which park to pick or you’ve already got yours booked, Tracy Kennedy is helping Sun readers make the most of their £9.50 holiday.

Tracy Kennedy, a Hols from 9.50 expert who has more than a quarter of a million followers online, has long been helping Sun holidaymakers plan their getaways.

If you fancy asking Tracy something else about the Sun’s Hols from £9.50, she’ll be answering your questions in her new agony aunt column in Sun Club.

One top question each week will be rewarded with a £100 Amazon voucher – use the form further down to send her your question.

Having stayed in holiday parks across the UK from the Isle of Wight to Bognor Regis, Tracy has experience staying in a range of locations.

Along the way she’s picked up some of the best tips and tricks for making the most of your break – and now she’s here to answer your questions.

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From how to plan a romantic getaway for couples, to how to find a quiet site to avoid the crowds, our £9.50 Hols Agony Aunt has got you covered.

This week, Sun reader Paula Cubitt has been awarded best question of the week – which means she’s been selected to win a £100 Amazon voucher. Congratulations, Paula!

If I am unable to go on the holiday after booking, can I alter the date or venue? How do I do it?

Denise Houghton

Once you’ve had your confirmation through, speak to your chosen holiday site.

The £9.50 holidays website tells you to speak directly to the parks themselves.

They’re the best ones to tell you. Don’t do anything until you’ve spoken to them!

A lot of the parks are happy to change, but sometimes there’ll be a £20 admin fee or so to make amendments.

Some have rules that you can’t change dates, but some parks will change it for you. So it’s always worth asking. But they don’t give refunds.

How can I make sure I get disabled friendly caravans or chalets?

Paula Cubitt

If you need certain accommodation, use the contact form straight after you’ve booked.

You can fill it in to request the right kind of space. Make sure to contact them straight away, because there’s only so many at each resort.

It says more on the £9.50 Holidays website about how to speak to them once you’ve booked your holiday.

Where is ideal for a romantic getaway for couples?

Adam Meacham

For couples, I suggest maybe going somewhere abroad on a European holiday.

Somewhere in Italy, as there’s quite a few Italian sites. Because Italy is such a romantic country!

If you’re wanting to go away in the UK, it depends on how far you’re willing to travel and where you’re based.

But if you can, I’d say to go up to Scotland for one of the beautiful sites up there – plenty of the Scottish sites welcoming to dogs too.

Can an older couple enjoy a £9.50 holiday, or are they for families?

Tracey Wolverson

There’s lots of things to do for couples and older couples.

Check your preferred park on the website to see what they offer. You can always go for a drink, have a meal, play bingo or go swimming.

Walks along the beach are nice too, or going out to explore the little villages nearby.

For couples looking for lots of things to do, I’d recommend Billing Aquadrome in Northampton.

There’s loads of adults and kids stuff. Lakes and streams to walk around, a lovely bar. It’s absolutely amazing.

It’s also only a 10-minute taxi ride from the closest train station.

Tips for those who want to travel by train?

Monica Johnstone

Firstly you should look at your preferred sites to work out how to get there from where you live.

Look at how far the train station is from the park and how easy it would be to take a bus or a taxi from there.

Also you should book your train tickets as early as you can to get the best deals.

If you go to somewhere like Caerelwan, you can literally get off the train, walk out the station and you’re there.

You’re practically next to the tracks, but you can’t hear the trains, it’s great!

There you’ve got a pub down the road, arcades, and a little shop.

How to find quieter sites?

Dora White

I’d say all sites can be quiet, if you book to go out of season.

Maybe book a holiday just before the kids break up. But bear in mind that Scotland break up for school before England do.

If you go between the school holidays, the sites won’t be full of children so are usually quieter.

A good park for some peace and quiet is The Lakes Rookley on the Isle of Wight.

The views are amazing around there, and it’s definitely very quiet.

You can go off site and do plenty of walking. Even on the site itself there’s a lovely lake to walk around, it’s very peaceful.

Everywhere is reachable from there, too. You can jump on an island hopper bus and they can literally take you around the whole island.

You just buy a day saver ticket. So then you can leave the car behind if you fancy a drink.

Tracy’s top tips for £9.50 Holiday planning

Before booking, Tracy recommends researching any dates you can and can’t make ahead of time.

This includes making a note of when the school holidays are, and any key events you have coming up in the year.

You should also consider how far you’re willing to travel, and how exactly you’ll reach the holiday park.

This includes planning out the car journey, or researching ahead of time where the nearest train stations are to the holiday parks.

You should also double check that the park you want has the right facilities for you.

Whether this is accessible accommodation or dog-friendly sites, Tracy says you should definitely check ahead of time to see if the park offers what you need.

Entertainment on offer can change depending on which holiday park you choose, and which time of year you go.

Tracy recommends looking up the entertainment schedule ahead of time to know what will be available once you’re there – especially if you’re bringing kids.

And if your top picks have already been fully booked – don’t worry, they might just be back.

Lots of popular parks get snapped up the minute that booking opens, and gradually more and more places become filled.

But sometimes, later in the year, new spots open up at various holiday parks.

Tracy recommends hopping back on the website from time to time to see if any secret deals have been added.

However, there;s no guarantee that more spaces will open up – so make sure to have some backup holiday parks in mind that you wouldn’t mind booking.