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Rough Guides: Make The Most Of Your Time In Britain

Forget the economic woes and the hassle of travelling abroad — the real reason Brits want to holiday in Great Britain is because they “love holidaying” at home!

A RECENT SURVEY BY ROUGH GUIDES reveals that 35% of participants planning a holiday in Great Britain claimed that their love of holidaying in Great Britain was the reason they were staying at home in 2011. Only 14% of people blamed the cost of going abroad and only 13% said they didn't want the hassle of travelling overseas. 32% of people are holidaying in Britain this year as well as visiting another country while 20% of people are staying home this year instead of a holiday abroad.

The poll comes as no surprise to Rough Guides who have just published Make the Most of Your Time in Britain which reveals 500 of the best travel experiences in Britain, a perfect illustration as to why Brits are such fans of Blighty.

Clare Currie, Rough Guides Publishing Director says: "For years we've been seduced by cheap flights and promises of guaranteed sunshine, so it's exciting to see a resurgent appreciation amongst Brits of Great Britain as a holiday destination — a casting off of the idea of 'it's not a holiday if it's not abroad'.

"We're calling it 'Patriotourism' and we're certain that whatever kind of holiday you enjoy, you'll find the perfect destination somewhere in Britain. Where else can you find super-luxe hotels to homely b&bs, surfing to mountain climbing, oysters to tea-cakes, comedy to opera crammed into such a small space? Not to mention as much breath-taking countryside, superb shopping, vibrant cities and unique heritage as you can shake a stick at."

Make the Most of Your Time in Britain also illustrates how much the country has changed for the better over recent decades. Keen to banish the stereotype of staid B&Bs, lacklustre service, outdated museums and early-closing days', Rough Guides reveal the transformation in the British offering.

From rejuvenated cities, gourmet gastro pubs and boutique hotels, to eye-popping architecture and all-singing, all-dancing attractions, it celebrates an injection of energy and innovation across the British travel industry.

About Rough Guides

Rough Guides is a leading travel content provider with more than 700 travel guides, gift-books, reference titles, maps, phrasebooks, bespoke custom publishing guides and digital products, including eBooks and mobile applications. Start your journey by visiting roughguides.com.

New significantly revised Alfa MiTo range on sale this month...

THE ITALIAN SPORTING CAR manufacturer, already enjoying a strong and sustained sales surge this year, has significantly revised its MiTo range — all designed to make owning an Alfa easier and more attractive than ever, with lower entry prices combined with higher standard specifications, and a new congestion-busting sub-100g/km CO2 version.

The MiTo sports compact line-up has been streamlined from 17 versions to nine, with both Turismo and Lusso trim levels being replaced with the Sprint; entry level versions are now known as Progression, and Distinctive and Quadrifoglio Verde versions replace Veloce and Cloverleaf.

New Alfa MiTo

Prices have been reduced across the range, and now start at £12,250 OTR for the entry level 1.4 8v Progression, rising to £17,955 OTR for the 1.4 TB MultiAir 170bhp Quadrifoglio Verde.

In terms of enhanced specification, Distinctive (formerly Veloce) and Quadrifoglio Verde (Cloverleaf) are both enriched with additional equipment, including Cruise Control, Sports pedals and rear parking sensors.

Three new engines become available: 1.4 8v 78bhp (available in Progression and Sprint, replacing the 1.4 16v 95bhp unit) for lower emissions, superior MPG and with Start&Stop as standard; and 1.4 MultiAir 105bhp (available with Sprint or Distinctive trims) for superior power, torque and MPG (compared to the 1.4 16v 95bhp engine).

And the new congestion charge and tax-busting 1.3 JTDM-2 (Sprint only, replacing the 1.3 16v 95bhp unit) which produces a spritely 85bhp and just 95g/km of CO2 — which means free travel in the congestion charge zone, together with free road tax and first registration fee. Business users can also claim 100 per cent capital allowance in the first year of ownership.

Finally, the Alfa MiTo will become available in Metal Bronze, a colour entirely new to the Alfa range, having been previewed at this year's Geneva Motor Show. On Progression and Sprint versions, it can also be chosen with new Sprint Bronze upholstery.

Island hopping in the Quirimbas...

EVER IMAGINED what it's like to be Robinson Crusoe turning up on a beautiful, uninhabited desert island? Uninterrupted turquoise ocean around you and nothing but the sound of gently lapping waves against the side of the wooden dhow that's just sailed you to this idyllic spot. Okay, not quite like Robinson Crusoe, but this is island hopping in the Quirimbas Archipelago, north-eastern Mozambique.

Not only is the Quirimbas Archipelago one of the most unspoilt places you can visit — pristine environment and abundant bird and marine life — but this guided dhow safari (the only one of it's kind) is unbelievably good value.

Island hopping with Natural High

You can spend 8 days, fly camping on uninhabited coral islands and staying at the enchanting Ibo Island Lodge for just £1,600 per person.

Check out Paradise found at African safari specialists Natural High.

No limits for 170mph Insignia — VXR model’s true performance potential revealed with new ‘Unlimited’ option...

TAKING A LEAF from the legendary Lotus Carlton's book, the latest Insignia VXR turns up the heat still further with the launch of a de-restricted package, allowing models fitted with a manual gearbox to achieve 170mph.

Known as the 'Unlimited' option, it removes the 'regular' Insignia VXR's 155mph restrictor, allowing the range-topper to exploit its all-wheel-drive chassis dynamics to the full.

170mph Insignia

Available with either manual or auto transmissions, and in Hatch, Saloon and Sports Tourer body styles, a car fitted with the Unlimited option is visually distinguished by a blue Brembo logo on its front brake callipers and a newly-designed tachometer and speedometer, showing higher increments.

Producing 325PS (320bhp), the VXR's turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 engine is one of the most advanced units of its kind, and allows the Insignia VXR to accelerate from 0-60mph in as little as 5.6 seconds for the manual Hatch, a time which is unchanged with the Unlimited option.

And with this renewed performance potential, owners can gain even more reassurance from the Insignia VXR's innovative Adaptive 4x4 system, which provides optimum traction in all conditions. The system uses a sport differential with a Haldex multi-disc clutch as well as electronic centre and rear limited slip differentials (eLSD), and is complemented by Vauxhall's FlexRide chassis, which allows drivers to choose between three dynamic setups: standard, Sport and VXR.

But just to ensure that Insignias fitted with the Unlimited option were safe, durable and entertaining to drive, prototype vehicles underwent extensive testing at the gruelling Nurbürgring's Nordschleife (north loop), where 10,000 validation kilometres were accrued. The test programme is rated at 'factor 18', which corresponds to 180,000kms (112,000 miles) on normal roads.

"For those owners who enjoy driving on the Continent, the Unlimited option lets them experience the Insignia VXR's true top speed, combined with the peerless stability and secure handling that only an all-wheel-drive chassis can offer," said Stuart Harris, Vauxhall's Group Product Manager.

The Insignia VXR's Unlimited option costs just £250 and is available immediately through Vauxhall dealers.

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