Preparing for Summer

Your chance to relax is almost here. Discover our top suggestions of how to spend your summer holidays

In just a few months, you’ll get the well-deserved chance to put your feet up, de-stress and spend time doing what you enjoy most without the pressures of lesson planning, marking and time in the classroom.

Six weeks might seem like a long time, but without good planning, it could pass by in a flash. Avoid the dreaded feeling that you’ve wasted your free time and start planning what you want to do this summer as soon as you can. We’ve made it simple to discover di erent ways to have a jam-packed summer.

If you have already thought about a holiday you want to go on, a new hobby to pick up or who you want to go and see throughout the summer, you might still have time to try something new in between your plans.

On The Road

If you’re looking for a flexible way to experience new places around the UK, it’s time to hop in your car and set o for one of the country’s well-known road trip routes. Find out what rural Scotland has to o er as you tackle the North Coast 500, or the route’s smaller companion, the North Coast 250. The longer route takes around five to seven days to complete, allowing you to make multiple stops along the way. Following the coast in a loop beginning and ending in Inverness,

Go Solo

Fancy a solo escape from reality this summer? Travelling alone is no longer the daunting experience it once was, but always keep your safety in mind. Signing up for a trip where you get the chance to meet other solo travellers is a great way to ensure you have a safe but exciting holiday, and it comes with the added you’ll see beautiful scenery, have the opportunity to try some of Scotland’s best food and drink, and there’s plenty of places to camp or book in for the night. For those who have completed the journey before or want to go further afield, try something di erent and head across the border to England, taking a journey through the Lake District National Park. You could spend a few days in the Lakes or even a whole week depending on what you want to see. bonus of making some new friends along the way. Provider Solos Holidays (www. solosholidays.co.uk) has trips to more than 60 countries around the world. When you arrive, you’ll meet your tour leader who will show you the best sites in each destination, so you don’t have to do all of the planning before you set o .

Schedule Some Sun

We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a hot Scottish summer this year, but if you want guaranteed sunshine, this is your chance to book a summer getaway. Find something that suits your budget by using a dedicated company that does most of the planning for you. Companies like TravelPlanners (www.travelplanners.co.uk) and

Quality Time

Regardless of what you plan this summer, remember to set some time aside to see your loved ones. If you have children who will be o during the summer holidays, there’s plenty of ways to include them in plans or to keep them entertained at home. Both Visit Scotland (www.visitscotland.com)

Trailfinders (www.trailfinders.com) are great places to start. If you want to book a trip yourself, don’t forget to take advantage of all of your options. Through discount schemes like Discounts For Teachers (www. discountsforteachers.co.uk) you could receive money o whole trips or hotels, or receive cashback once you pay in full.

Build Your Skills

and National Trust for Scotland (www.nts.org.uk) have lists of inspiration, with places to visit and activities to do with children in the warmer months. If you’re planning a summer holiday with the whole family, search for deals where kids go free so you don’t end up paying above the odds.

If you don’t have any plans for the summer and want to spend your time upskilling, you could learn something new while you get some sun, returning to school newly inspired come August. There are companies dedicated to holidays that also see you build new skills. Oyster Worldwide (www.oysterworldwide. com) are an adult gap break and responsible travel provider that operate in 17 countries around the world. The company prides itself on o ering quality, ethical experiences that last anywhere from two weeks long to a whole year. Using their search tool, you can tailor your planning to how long you want to go, where, and what type of project you want to work with. Head