Millions of Brits are camping, world confused

by Tom Johansmeyer on

When I saw the headline in The Sun – the tabbiest of the British tabloids – I half dismissed it as nonsense and half looked out my window for four horsemen with a hell of a lot of attitude. Brits are flocking to the forests, it seems, thanks to a brutal drop in the British pound relative to the Euro. Camping is what they can afford.

This does seem like a just punishment for a nation that thought putting money in Icelandic savings accounts was a good idea.

According to a survey by travelsupermarket.com, more than 4.5 million Brits are going to be cracking out their tents this year. Apparently, however, camping has changed. Bob Atkinson from travelsupermarket.com says, “The humble holiday camp has come a long way since its invention in the 1950s. The entertainment has been updated to reflect today’s needs.” He cites examples such as indoor water parks and spa activities.

For a change, youth is not wasted on the young. Several travelers from this demographic are skipping the campsites and heading out for Spain. For younger British travelers, trips to this country are up – despite being down 23.4 percent for Brits as a whole.

New energy efficient waterpark with retractable glass roof just opened

by Jamie Rhein on

Back in 2007 the West Baden Springs Hotel reopened in French Lick, Indiana as part of a casino resort complex. Today French Lick has a new addition, this one something kids will also like. Big Splash Adventure Water Park.

Just like the spectacular atrium of the hotel makes it unique, the water park has a feature that most indoor water parks don’t. The glass ceiling is retractable making the year round status more year round. For adults who want to relax away from kids who are careening down water slides with voices up a few notches, there’s a section called the Palm Cove. It’s adults only.

Big Splash Adventure is part of the Valley of the Springs Resort that opened on February 20. The various room combinations at Big Splash come with admission to the water park. Weekdays are $30 or so cheaper. For those of you interested in staying and playing “green,” the resort has received notice as because of its energy efficient design.

For one thing, that retractable water park ceiling that is perfect for warmer weather, also adds ventilation and improved airflow which adds to its energy efficiency. There are more energy efficient design elements. The ceiling is just the most noticeable.

Hot? Bothered? Cool off in a Public Pool

by Jamie Rhein on

Las Vegas’s casino pools aren’t the only pools to lure visitors. Parks and recreation centers across the U.S. are also places to jump in for a cool off whether you are from a town or not. If you are out of the U.S., swimming at a city recreation pool is also possible. One of my most favorite times in Taiwan when I went as a visitor was swimming in one of the community pools in Taichung.

Because the aim of today’s pools, at least in the U.S., is to draw people in for recreational and leisure fun, many have added slides, wave pools, and play fountains. Whenever we visit our friends who live in Bolingbrook, Illinois outside of Chicago, we head to Pelican Harbor. This place even has a lazy river.

Here are some links to other public pools in the U.S. where you can take a dip.

Waterpark Hotel in Chi-Town

by Adrienne Wilson on

Must have
been one heck of a cold day in Illinois when creators of the Mayan
Adventure Indoor Waterpark came up with the idea, but regardless of the circumstances the area is pleased to
welcome the new family fun venue and hoping to keep tourism dollars in Illinois. Up until this point residents of the
area had been driving three or more hours to reach a similar attraction in Wisconsin. $30 million went into the new indoor waterpark located in the Holiday Inn Elmhurst at 624 North
York Rd., in Elmhurst. Having just celebrated
the grand opening I’m sure the hotel will generate mucho dinero and a splashing good time for families and children
with spring here and summer around the corner.

via
HotelChatter