Top 10 Things to do on a Summer Holiday

No matter where you decide to go, a summer holiday is the perfect opportunity to recharge the batteries and get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. But to really enjoy your holiday, you have to make sure you see and do plenty of things which will live long in the memory – and not all of them are as simple as lying on the beach getting a tan! Here we run down a slightly quirky list of top 10 things to do on your summer holiday.

1. Attempt to learn the local lingo

No, we don’t mean spend five months trying to learn Portuguese from someone on YouTube. What we mean is try to at least greet your hosts in their mother tongue, even if it just hello or goodbye. Who cares if you get it wrong or if it you mispronounce – at least you tried!

2. Sample the local booze

Just because they sell your favourite tipple from back home in the local bar does not mean that you should stick to it religiously. Instead, try some of the local produce, whether it is beer, wine or spirits. Often they are much cheaper than imported varieties and nicer too.

3. Wear a novelty hat

When does the opportunity to wear a big sombrero present itself back home? When in a foreign country it is the perfect time to look like a bit of a fool, and nothing will make you look like more of a fool than a big hat.

4. Befriend a local

Do not just stick to your own when on holiday. Whilst it is good to meet up with fellow countrymen and discuss life back home, your experience will be much heightened by getting to know a local – plus they may even be able to let you into a few local secrets and unknown hotspots.

5. Build a big sandcastle

Sand was invented so that, mainly men, could try and build a bigger sandcastle than their neighbour. Whilst this may or may not be true, the fine sands often found on a cheap all inclusive holiday are perfect for sand castle building. Do not let this opportunity pass you by.

6. Go on an excursion

Excursions are perfect for getting out and about from the usual beach type activities which dominate cheap holidays abroad. They are often organised by tour groups in and around where you will be staying and are the best way to see local attractions and sites.

7. Join in with a show

If you are on an all inclusive holiday, the chances are you will spend some of your evenings watching the entertainment laid on for guests in-resort. Sometimes these shows will require a volunteer to get up on stage. That person should be you…

8. Eat a local delicacy

Ditch the burger and chips and try something that the locals eat (or claim to eat). If you get lucky, you may find that the local dish is something fairly normal like fish or a special curry. If you are unlucky you could end up eating a sheep’s brain or live insects. But that is all part of the fun isn’t it?

9. Take your summer holiday in the winter

No, we haven’t gone mad. Places like Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands are hot all year round, so in theory you could go on your summer holiday in December and still come back with a tan.

10. Have fun

It sounds obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people use a holiday as the perfect opportunity to moan. About the weather, the food, the hotel facilities. Of course you want everything to be perfect, but do not let little things which cannot be helped like the weather get you down. Just try to enjoy it as much as you can!