This week, Blue Chip Holidays has three late special offers for properties in Devon and Cornwall that are still available for half-term week, so its not too late to bag a half term bargain and enjoy a fantastic break in the South West!

 

 Santa played a secret visit to the winners of the Blue Chip Holidays Secret Santa competition this Christmas, leaving some amazing gifts for the lucky family to enjoy. A member of the bookings team picked a Christmas booking reference from a hat and to decide who got the surprise visit from St. Nic.

The Kirby family from Aldershot were this year’s victorious holidaymakers, whose fantastic prizes included an iPod shuffle, iTunes vouchers, a hot diamond earring and necklace set and a set of Laura Ashley wines glasses. There was even a hamper for the family dog!

 Eagle-eyed viewers of the fascinating ‘Country Tracks’ programme on BBC 1 on 14th January would have spotted the beautiful surroundings of stunning Somerset, which plays host to Blue Chip Holidays’ pioneering eco-homes.  If you missed the Country Tracks programme, or simply want to enjoy the splendour of this enchanting region again, then click the link below to enjoy presenter Joe Crowley’s journey across Somerset. He begins with rock climbing at Cheddar Gorge, visits a cider auction and takes part in a gruelling orienteering time trial on the shores of Wimbleball Lake, all activities you could enjoy during your holiday.

 Blue Chip Holidays' Marketing Executive Michelle Roberts took advantage of the glorious weather in sunny Brixham yesterday, enjoying a scenic bike ride around the quaint seaside town. Initially taking in the charming scenery of Berry Head Country Park, and then arcing around to the stunning panorama of the marina, Michelle has provided us with these beautiful shots of her journey.

This week, Environmental Coordinator Jon Pressling was off to the charming East Devon attraction Escot Gardens, with its fantastic maze. Luckily he made it out in time to write this, here's an account of his latest adventures.

Stored somewhere in the back of my mind is a list of places that I've always felt compelled to visit but have never quite found time. Each year I try and make the effort but each year it just gets longer.

To celebrate Blue Chip Holidays' 10th birthday, we ran a prize draw for all bookings between 1st November to 31st December 2009 for a holiday in 2010, with some amazing prizes up for grabs! The winner of the first prize will get their 2010 holiday paid for up to the value of £1,000, as well as a fun day out for all party members at one of the top local attractions in the area including Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts, Kents Cavern and Babbacombe Model Village, or a great day fishing, at a spa or an evening at the theatre. To round the fantastic day off, we're even throwing in a scrumptious meal at a fantastic local restaurant! Two runners up will enjoy fine dining at one of the finest restaurants in the South West.

Blue Chip Holidays recently announced that it has agreed a deal with Comer Homes to market 50 apartments at its Ocean Views Portland development.  The apartments, which include a number that have been booking well since October, will be made available in batches of 10.  The first full batch will be ready in early 2010, with the remainder coming on board throughout the rest of the year, 2011 and in the run up to 2012.

With that ‘back to work' feeling well and truly established this January, what better way to raise your spirits than a relaxing half term break in the South West. If its long stretches of sun kissed sand and lapping emerald waves, stunning expanses of countryside and brilliant nature trails aren't enough to convince you, then how about a ‘kids go free' offer at some of Torquay's finest attractions? That is exactly what the English Riviera is offering its visitors this February! Finding ways to keep the kids amused during the break is often hard work, so why not de-stress the week with a host of fun-filled attractions for you and your family to enjoy?

Over half of us are likely to take fewer overseas holidays in 2010 replacing these with UK breaks instead. The survey of 949 people undertaken by Blue Chip Holidays showed that 56 per cent of us would ditch the overseas holiday in 2010, while over two-thirds (69 per cent) will choose to holiday in the UK instead. Respondents said their decision was influenced by the combination of positive UK weather predictions for the next decade, continuing poor exchange rates, concerns over the environment and the impact of increasing Air Passenger Duty. These findings are supported by strong domestic self-catering bookings that are already on the rise for 2010.

Blue Chip Holidays Jon Pressling reports here on the teams' recent fact finding mission to the charming North Cornwall town of Newquay.

From the tranquil waters of the English Channel to the raw power of the Atlantic Coast, on a bright December morning a team of hardy explorers set out on a fact finding mission to Newquay.