The Summer holidays are here!

Summer is here, so time for holidays, camping, hotels, or self-catering, and time for days out exploring your local area. Time to have fun in the sun!

Staycation – when you choose to holiday at home rather than travel abroad. Of course, this year, many of us don’t have much choice other than to stay closer to home, as travel plans have been turned completely upside-down with Covid19, restrictions and testing regimes.

The main issues affecting booking holidays abroad are; having a vaccine, not having to isolate, and declining global case numbers. Until these factors are met, or there are clearer agreements between countries, staying in the UK is a more popular option for a holiday.

• Before the pandemic, in the UK, domestic travel was on the increase, reaching nearly 25 billion pounds in 2019. Obviously, even though home travel was still the primary vacation option for many in 2020, due to the pandemic, the forecast was for spending to fall.
• the fastest growing holiday-related search term following Covid lockdown, was ‘staycation’. Northumberland and the Peak District were two of the regions regularly searched for.
• 5million domestic overnight holiday trips booked in the Great Britain.
• The annual domestic travel spending in Great Britain is 24.7 billion.
• The National park with the highest number of domestic tourism trips was South Downs National Park.
• We have some wonderful countryside in the UK, and even close to us that we may not have even visited yet, so plenty of places for picnics, and days out.

Holidaying or eating al fresco whilst on holiday, or just taking a day out with the family, can be far more complicated if a member of the family has food allergies.

If you are going out for the day, ideally it is best to search ahead of the visit so you know where the allergen friendly establishments are in the area. However, it is also, always worth taking an emergency supply of safe snacks.

Pack allergen-free food separately, including separate utensils, condiments and crockery, so there is absolutely no chance of any cross contamination.

The same needs to be considered when eating at home, ensure that allergen-free food is kept away from everyone else’s food.

Read our blog here in June, where we make suggestions of foods to eat on a picnic, or al fresco.

For many families with children who have allergies, they find it far easier to stay completely in control of the food, so opt for camping, or self-catering.

Consider the location where you are taking your holiday or day out.

• If you are considering staying in a hotel, contact them and ask about their menus, and also ask questions how they ensure there is no cross-contamination in the kitchens whilst food is being prepared. Can they cater for your specific needs?
• Do you need to take your own suitable bedding?
• Do you know where the nearest emergency department is?

Allergy UK are launching a scheme for hospitality businesses to sign up if they are allergen friendly. But, even then, it is always worth checking with the venue directly to ensure they fully understand your requirements. Click here to see.

• Always make sure you have a mobile signal, in case of emergencies you are able to phone for an ambulance.
• Remember any medications you need, including Epi pens.
• Does anyone suffer with hayfever? Prepare for the effects of pollen – wear wrap-around sun glasses; show and change your clothes after being outside.
• Take a Cool Bag, so you can keep drinks cool and refreshing, especially when it’s boiling hot.
• Sunscreen is incredibly important and vital to make sure you wear a good SPF when the sun could completely ruin your day out. Take a large parasol for cover, for those who don’t like being out in the sun, or if it is too intense.
• Bug spray keep away beasties!