A whole host of Easter events are taking place across The National Forest.

In the Easter Holidays there will be two Wildlife Watch drop-in sessions for families at Rosliston Forestry Centre. Between 2-4pm on Tuesday 6 April “Fantastic Frogs” is an opportunity to learn about the life cycle of a frog and make a mobile to take home. The following Tuesday 13 April there will be fun pond dipping to discover what lies beneath the surface of the flight pond. All equipment is provided. Wildlife Watch sessions also take place at the centre every Tuesday afternoon in half term and summer holidays.

Visitors to Rosliston Forestry Centre can embark on an Easter Egg Hunt on Monday 5 April. This kicks off a whole range of holiday fun, including drop-in sessions (2-4pm) to try out the following activities:
• Climbing wall and Bushcraft Day on 7 April
• Laser Combat on 8 April
• Archery on 12 April

Twycross Zoo’s new Visitor Welcome Centre “Himalaya” opens for Easter. This world-class building is a landmark for the East Midlands Region and a visitor attraction in itself. Enjoy a meal in the restaurant with views overlooking the Himalayan landscape themed Snow Leopard enclosure. The new visitor centre will host Himalaya – a Wildlife and Wilderness Watercolour Artist Exhibition from Friday 2 to Tuesday 6 April. And from Friday 2 to Monday 5 April the zoo will have its ‘Going Ape’ exhibition with activities and information on apes. Visitors will also be invited to join in the Easter Bunny Zoo Trail.

Conkers has a fortnight of family fun from Friday 2 to Sunday 18 April with Easter Egg orienteering hunts, ranger tours and lots more. Nick Spellman, the animal man, is back as are the dream ponies and circus workshops. For more information visit the website www.visitconkers.com Based upon life in a British woodland and with more than one hundred indoor and outdoor activities themed around Forest life and the environment, families enjoy hours of fun at Conkers.

Easter is a fantastic time to visit Calke Abbey as it is lambing time. Visitors can see the young lambs close up and meet the wardens as they care for the flock. Children will love the Easter Trail, sponsored by Cadbury’s, running from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 April (11:30am–3.30pm), which leads to an Easter prize.

Swadlincote Ski and Snowboard Centre has Kids Easter Fun Activity Days from Friday 2 to Friday 16 April (11am-5pm). These include skiing or snowboard lessons, tobogganing, Sno-Tubing, lunch, certificate and badge for just £25.50. Pre-booking is essential for these popular sessions.

The centre will also be hosting an Easter Extravaganza from Friday 2 to Monday 5 April where visitors can have a half hour ski or snowboard taster lesson for just £5, toboggan for just £1 per ride, Sno-Tubing for £2 per 15 minute session or ski or snowboard open practice just £5 per hour. Other events include a family quiz night on Thursday 15 April with fantastic ski centre prizes. There will then be a Freestyle Competition on Saturday 24 April with skiers and boarders welcome and excellent live bands.

As well as these special Easter activities, The National Forest contains a wealth of things to do and see throughout the whole year. For more information on attractions, activities, events and places to stay in and around The National Forest, the 2010 visitor guides to the Forest and Beyond are bursting with great ideas. These are available from Tourist Information Centres or from the National Forest Company.

The National Forest spans more than 200 square miles across parts of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire and is one of England’s most ambitious environmental projects – to create a new Forest for the nation. Already more than seven and a half million trees have been planted in The National Forest, which offers more than 700 miles of paths to explore in over 400 woodlands. The gentle undulating landscape is perfect for walking, cycling and horse-riding. And through the creation of new habitats, The National Forest is an ideal location for bird and wildlife watching.

EASTER ESCAPE TO 15th CENTURY SWAN HOTEL AT LAVENHAM, SUFFOLK

Escape this Easter to the beautiful 15th century Swan at Lavenham, a country retreat in the heart of Suffolk’s rolling countryside. The historic hotel is offering two night Easter weekend breaks between 2 and 5 April from £240 per person including a delicious three course dinner in the two AA rosette Gallery Restaurant and a full Suffolk breakfast both days.

The special Easter offer is based on two sharing an enchanting double or twin classic room; guests staying a third night on Good Friday or Easter Monday can enjoy dinner B&B for just £60 per person.

Steeped in history, the Swan has served as a hostelry for nearly 600 years, ancient oak beams and inglenook fireplaces blend with rich furnishings and modern luxuries, while outstanding food is served in the restaurant, informal lounges and the historic Old Bar, which boasts a wonderful collection of World War II memorabilia.

To book call the Swan Hotel at Lavenham on 01787 247477 or email bookaroom@theswanatlavenham.co.uk; details can also be found on www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk.

The Columbia Beach Resort, one of Cyprus’s most exclusive hotels located in the secluded Bay of Pissouri, and sister Columbia Beachotel next door, are both offering a special five night short break for the Easter weekend. With selected spa treatments in its award-winning* Columbia Spa the packages also give visitors the chance to experience the celebrations and culture of the Greek Orthodox religious feast that is celebrated island-wide.

This year orthodox Easter is celebrated the same week as Catholic and Anglican Easter and it’s a great time of year to visit Cyprus when the weather is warm and the island vibrant with spring flowers.

Located on the south west coast of Cyprus the two hotels owned by Columbia Hotels & Resorts are close to the traditional village of Pissouri situated on the hills above the bay. Here visitors can get a taste of the cultural festivals of Easter week. Just as the UK celebrates with hot cross buns in Cyprus it’s customary to cook Easter breads such as Flaounes and Tsoureki. It is also the tradition to dye eggs red (in memory of the blood of Christ), also blue, yellow and green which are displayed in bowls and baskets throughout Easter.

On Good Friday in villages across Cyprus there is a candlelit procession through the streets and on to local churches. Then on Easter Saturday an open air mass takes place at midnight and visitors to either the Columbia Beach Resort or the Beachotel will have a complimentary transfer to the local church in Pissouri village to participate.

After Midnight Mass it’s back to the Columbia Beach Resort and Beachotel for a traditional Mayiritsa dinner. The 40 days of fasting of Lent are broken by eating a special Easter soup of lamb combined with the dyed-red eggs, the traditional breads and cheese pies. Then Easter Sunday is a time for fun and celebrations in all villages. Family and friends eat together on long tables through the streets and eat lamb cooked on a spit. Guests of both hotels will enjoy a similar Easter Sunday lunch prepared by renowned chefs.

The five night stay in Pissouri Bay concludes with a trip to the village of Omodhos, about 800 ms above sea level, founded in the Byzantine era and famous for its monastery and winery. Here a walk along the cobbled streets and little alleyways with their local arts and crafts is a good way to experience Cyprus off the main tourist trail.

Easter Packages:

• 5 nights accommodation in a Junior Suite (Resort) Standard Side Sea view Room (Beachotel)
• Transfer to and from Pissouri Village for Midnight Mass on Easter Saturday
• Traditional Mayiritsa Dinner after Mass
• Easter Sunday lunch
• 1 Relaxing massage or 1 Body Scrub per person
• A trip to Omodhos village (3 hours)

Price for two persons based on shared accommodation:
5 Star Columbia Beach Resort: £1,210/ €1345 (£605 per head)
4 star Columbia Beachotel: £850/ €950 (£425 per head)
Note prices do not include flights. Flights to Cyprus are available through British Airways www.ba.com, Cyprus Airways www.cyprusairways.com and EasyJet www.easyjet.com
The Columbia Spa features a hair salon and fitness facilities including squash and tennis courts, a well-equipped gym and an aerobics hall with regular workout and relaxation sessions. Guests can enjoy therapies from Daniele de Winter (specialists in anti-ageing), Molton Brown spa and the marine-based range Phytomer. The 80m lagoon style pool that flows from the spa through the heart of the Resort provides a place for exercise and relaxation.

Both the Columbia Beach Resort and sister Columbia Beachotel are of traditional Cypriot design with cool marble floors, shutters on the windows and reclaimed terracotta tiles on the roofs. Clever use of planting, wooden features and local stone mean that old and new blend together in a sympathetic but very elegant and luxurious style. For more information visit www.columbia-hotels.com.

Following the phenomenal success of its 2009 tour, Wild Things: Live! is back on the road for Easter 2010. If your kids are bored with the traditional Easter bunnies and chicks, then this roadshow is for them! The interactive experience, presented by SeaWorld and Busch Gardens in Florida, features animal educators bringing up close encounters with a variety of furry, feathered and fanged creatures from around the world including penguins, squirrel monkeys and exotic reptiles. Wild Things: Live! will visit selected shopping centres around the UK & Ireland between Friday 2nd April and Friday 9th April 2010.

The entertaining and educational roadshow gives families a chance to get up close and personal with amazing animals, learn about conservation and have the chance to win a family holiday to Florida to visit SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and Discovery Cove.

Wild Things: Live! is free of charge and will run during shopping centre opening hours at the following locations:

Good Friday 2nd April: WESTFIELD, London
Saturday 3rd April: ST DAVIDS, CARDIFF
Easter Monday 5th April: DUNDRUM, DUBLIN
Wednesday 7th April: BUCHANAN GALLERIES, GLASGOW
Thursday 8th April: TRAFFORD CENTRE, MANCHESTER
Friday 9th April: MERRY HILL, BIRMINGHAM

For further details visit www.seaworldparks.co.uk

Not yet booked an Easter holiday? Family friendly travel company Tots to Travel (www.totstotravel.co.uk) still has several properties in the Dordogne region of France available over the Easter break that are close to fabulous Easter egg hunts.

Monpazier, a beautiful bastide village in the Dordogne, hides hundreds of coloured boiled eggs all around the centre of the village on Easter Sunday (4 April). Children collect as many as they can before exchanging them for prizes. This ‘Chasse des oeufs’ takes place between 3pm and 5pm and is entirely free.

Similarly, in the stunning grounds of the Overhanging Gardens of Marqueyssac near Roque Gageac in the Dordogne Valley, children are invited to hunt for eggs on 4 and 5 April. Workshops will also be held for decorating eggs, making hens from egg cartons and crafting wooden eggs with the wood turner. Booking is essential due to its popularity.

Suitable properties to reach these Easter eggs hunts are:

La Maison du Lac (http://www.totstofrance.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=0145) – Sleeping eight, this property comes with enclosed pool, outdoor play equipment, 180-degree views and is in walking distance to a beautiful lake with beach and playground, a 12th century church and local shop. Price for the week 3 – 10 April is £655

Le Fourneau (http://www.totstofrance.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=0019) – has two bedrooms (one double and one twin with room for cots), is a beautifully renovated period building, formerly a bakery. Price for the week 29 March – 5 April or 5 April – 12 April is £595. This is 55 minutes drive from the Easter egg hunts mentioned.

La Maison Jaune (http://www.totstofrance.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=0112) – one of the most popular houses on the Tots to Travel books, this beautifully renovated home in the heart of a bastide village sleeps 7 plus cots. Price for week 3 – 10 April (approx 1.5 hours drive to both settings).

La Maison Verte (http://www.totstofrance.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=0108)– charming family house sleeping up to 8 in five bedrooms and includes a large play barn filled with toys. Price for week 3 – 10 April is £1205 (approx 1.5 hours drive to both settings). This property also has 30% off the price of the second week if two weeks are booked.

Like all Tots to Travel properties, these have been fully vetted with an eye on safety and provide all the equipment parents need for babies and young children, from cots and highchairs, to sterilisers, blenders, toys, potties and more. Babysitting is available at most properties and some also offer home cooked meals.

For more information or to view any of the properties, visit www.totstotravel.co.uk or call (0)870 458 5528.

EASTER FUN IN THE IRONBRIDGE GORGE, SHROPSHIRE The Easter school holidays at the Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Shropshire bring numerous opportunities for families to join in a myriad of creative, hands-on and quirky activities that will be taking place between 2nd and 18th April. These range from egg rolling and an Easter Bonnet Parade at Blists Hill Victorian Town to china painting and clay modelling at Coalport China Museum, plus the drop-in Springs and Wings design challenge at Enginuity. Easter Egg Rolling, Egg Dancing, Hunt the Chick and Easter Bonnet Parade at Blists Hill Victorian Town Join the residents at Blists Hill Victorian Town as they celebrate Easter over the Bank holiday weekend (2nd – 5th April) and try the unusual pastime of egg dancing; once blindfolded you have to dance across the street without stepping on eggs that are carefully placed along your route.

Visitors who come wearing their finest Easter bonnet and take part in the Easter Parade will receive a small Easter egg, regardless of their age. At 2pm entrants will parade around the Pleasure Gardens where prizes will also be

given for the best bonnets. Other activities include a ‘hunt-the-chick’ competition, following a trail of clues around the recreated Victorian town; singing in the New Inn Public House, various hands-on workshops and watching performances by the world renowned Kaleidoscope Theatre Company.

Easter Tile Decorating at Jackfield Tile Museum: Take part in a drop-in tile decorating workshop with an Easter theme at Jackfield Tile Museum from 6th – 9th and 12th – 16th April where you can learn the tube lining technique to produce a 6 x 6 inch tile featuring your own design and choice of colours. Tiles cost £7 each and can be fired and sent home later for a small extra charge to cover postage and packing. Spring Themed China Painting and Clay Modelling at Coalport China Museum Come and join in some Easter fun with creative activities for all the family at Coalport China Museum. Between 5th – 9th and 12th – 16th April, you can paint and decorate a mug or eggcup with spring flowers, try clay modelling Easter characters or join in Easter themed paper activities.

The ceramic workshops carry a small extra charge per item plus postage and packing to send the finished models home after firing. Springs and Wings Design Challenge at Enginuity Enginuity, the interactive design and technology museum will be holding drop-in ‘springs and wings’ design challenges to create moving models from 2nd to 18th April. Using a choice of simple materials such as paper, elastic bands, cotton reels and string, discover how to make your own ‘Flapping Birds’, which are puppets on a stick with flapping wings or ‘Wind-up Wheelers’, which are rubber band powered cotton reels with wacky outer shells, plus a variety of flying creature kites. Workshops are held from 10am until noon and from 1pm until 4pm daily and there is an extra charge of £1 charge per model.

A Passport to all ten museums valid for twelve months and multiple return visits costs £21.95 for adults, £17.60 for the sixty plus and £14.25 for children (up to 18 years in full time education) £59.95 for families. For those on a shorter time scale, individual admission is available into any of the sites. The museums are open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm; activities and workshops vary day-to-day and some carry an extra charge in addition to the museum admission fee, for further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 884 391 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6). Accommodation: For families planning to stay

overnight and visit several of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums over Easter, the nearby Q Hotel is offering a two night stay from £115 per room per night dinner B&B per couple, children sharing their parents’ room stay free just paying for meals taken. The price includes tickets for entry into the museums on one day. To book, call 0845 074 0060 and quote ‘Telford – Ironbridge Experience’, www.QHotels.co.uk.

Visitors to Eastbourne can look forward to a bumper start to April with an eggs-travaganza of Easter events taking place in the country’s sunniest resort.

Kicking off on Good Friday, 2 April, Eastbourne is a hive of Easter-inspired activity. From an Easter egg hunt with a difference as families follow a trail of scientific questions around the Observatory Science Centre in Herstmonceux to an afternoon concert at the Bandstand on Easter Sunday launching the 2010 concert season, visitors will be spoilt for choice on the Sussex coast this spring, with plenty of family friendly deals at hotels and guesthouses too.

Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Cllr Susan Morris said “Easter really does promise to be eggstra special in Eastbourne this year with a wealth of activities and events for families to choose from. Spring is a fantastic time of year to make a trip to our beautiful East Sussex resort, with the weather just beginning to warm up making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy the countryside and seafront in Eastbourne. With Easter falling on the first weekend of April this year, it is perfectly timed to lead into the three week Eastbourne Festival with lots for families to look forward to during the school break.”

The third annual Eastbourne Festival gets underway on Saturday 3 April and this year has been extended to take place over three weeks. Bursting with arts, entertainment and cultural events, the Festival includes a Marshmellow Night Art Trail on the evening of Easter Saturday.

The Alice in Wonderland inspired twilight procession takes place along Eastbourne seafront from the Lifeboat Museum to the Bandstand and will include static art pieces, mad hatters tea party and free workshops for families to get involved in.

There are more unusual events to get families excited during the Easter break too, with a Festival Fashion Show and Frock Swap on 10 April, the opening of the new Children at War exhibition at the Redoubt Fortress, and Crafty Kids workshops at Towner, Eastbourne’s award-winning art gallery.

Towner also opens its Underwater exhibition on the Easter weekend, which will include works by 10 UK and international artists, depicting sea creatures, humans in and out of their element, sublime seascapes and infinity and flux. Visitors can come face to face with monsters, mermaids and aquatic creatures in the free event on until 20 June.

Just outside of Eastbourne, Drusilla’s Zoo in Eastbourne, will be helping children to unearth hidden eggs in the park’s eggscavation site with Moregg the Giant Egg Laying Chicken on hand to keep kids amused. While Eastbourne’s Miniature Steam Railway will be running the special Easter Eggspress Train with a present from the Easter Bunny.

With Eastbourne’s hotels and guesthouses offering enticing deals for an affordable spring break, visit the special offers pages on the resort’s official tourism website VisitEastbourne.com to make the most of the deals on offer.

Book an all inclusive package for the Easter weekend for just £155 per couple for two nights at the stylish Langtons Guest House, including Sunday lunch and a visit from the Easter bunny, or browse deals such as 3 nights for the price of 2 and 7 nights for the price of 6.

To see the full list of offers visit www.visiteastbourne.com or for more information on Easter activities in Eastbourne telephone 0871 663 0031.

Love will be in the air in Poland this February as the country’s men get ready to honour their wives and girlfriends on Valentine’s Day.

Only celebrated in Poland since relatively recent times, Valentine’s Day has quickly become one of the country’s most popular days for couples. It’s a time when men across the country give gifts of flowers and sweets to the love of their lives.

A popular treat on14 February sees couples heading to the northern town of Chelmno, renowned as a ‘lovers’ city’. Prayers are offered at a Valentine altar for a long and happy live of love, while Polish men give their loved ones spectacular floral arrangements made of red roses and bows, heart-shaped cookies, cakes, pastries and buns, all specially prepared for the occasion.

After dark, the town holds a singing concert that fills the air with romantic lyrics and song. The finale sees thousands of lights placed in the town square in the shape of a giant love heart.

Acting Director of the Polish National Tourist Office Bogdan Becla said: “Poland is a special place at any time of year, and we’re a very romantic nation. That romantic side will definitely be on show on 14 February.

“Polish culture is well known for honouring women and Valentine’s Day is certainly no exception.”

Seven nights this Easter just £350, accommodation only

With Keycamp currently offering up to 15% off selected breaks booked before 24 February, now’s a great time to bag the last of the Early Bird bargains and with some great deals still available for Easter and May half term, there’s no need to wait until summer to get away.

Easter Fun in Brittany just £350 per family, accommodation only
With some fabulous facilities, including an adventure course and indoor pool with slides, plus activities including canoeing, rock climbing, quad biking and paintballing, Keycamp’s Ty Nadan parc in Arzano, Brittany, is the perfect destination for a family adventure this Easter.

Out and about, there’s much to explore with the popular Pont Scorff zoo and the pretty village of Quimperlé close at hand, and the medieval town of Quimper within easy day trip distance.

Seven nights starting from 3 April for a family of two adults and up to four children staying in a two bedroom Villanova mobile home with decking will cost £350, accommodation only. Ferry crossings and rail travel are available at a supplement.

Hit the Vendée for May half term only £448 per family, accommodation only
Often referred to as the best parc on the Vendée, and just a ten minute walk from the beach, Keycamp’s Le Clarys Plage at St Jean Plage has all the ingredients for a great family getaway.

When not enjoying the region’s fabulous coastline or the fun of the nearby Atlantic Toboggan Waterpark, the parc offers much to keep the whole family entertained. As well as an impressive pool complex, and activities such as archery, badminton and tennis, Keycamp offers its very own Fun Station kids’ clubs, and as one of its designated Mini World parcs also provides a host of super toddler-friendly activities, including free Tumble Tots sessions.

Seven nights from 29 May for a family of two adults and up to four children staying in a Supernova mobile home will cost just £448, accommodation only. The price includes an early booking discount of 10%, while previous Keycamp customers can enjoy a further 5% loyalty bonus discount. Ferry crossings or rail travel are available at a supplement.

Inspired by the story of Romeo and Juliet, Verona in love is a festival held around St Valentine’s Day, featuring a series of events dedicated to love and romance. The programme of Verona in Love ranges from theatrical interpretations of Romeo and Juliet to a series of photography exhibitions, concerts, shows and much more, all on the theme of love….. Our Valentine Special Includes:

- Accommodation with a guaranteed upgrade into the next room category
- You can check in from 1100 onwards and depart at 1500
- A bed of roses and soft candle-light
- Bottle of DOP Veneto Prosecco
- A delicious home-made cake
- Morning breakfast served in your room
- A City card which provides you with a range of discounts..
- A 3 course intimate candle-lit dinner at the restaurant (beverages not included)