It seems that every summer, our television news programmes are dominated by scenes of families sleeping in airports. With many suffering major delays or even having their flights completely cancelled, we frequently hear tales of holidays being ruined before they've even begun. The point of a vacation is to relax, but all too often it seems that foreign holidays can cause more problems than they solve. With the Pound weakening against the Euro and the Dollar it's also more expensive than it was to visit another country, leading to more and more people staying in Britain for their breaks. Holidays in Devon are especially on the rise.

This south western county between Cornwall and Somerset has always been a popular destination and it's easy to see why. Frequently named as one of the best counties in Britain for scenery, pubs, local food, and heritage, holidays in Devon will always be a varied experience. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, with rolling hills and gorgeous green countryside and can be experienced in a number of ways, from hiking to seeing it from above in a hot air balloon.

A popular activity on holidays in Devon is the 21 Mile Drive. Following a figure of eight around the 'Little Switzerland' area of Exmoor National Park, the route includes many beautiful scenes including cliffs, valleys and small villages. The drive can be broken up by stopping at one of the many viewing points to take in the view, or dropping into one of the welcoming pubs or tea rooms along the route.

With many other activities, such as several theme parks and zoos which will keep both children and adults entertained, numerous stunning garden attractions, stately homes, farms and beaches at both the top and bottom ends of the county, holidays in Devon really do provide something for everyone. Good travel agents can provide many options to find the kind of break that's right for you, and with the kind of variety that Devon offers, it's almost guaranteed that you'll find it.

Taking a break in the UK as opposed to abroad is becoming one of the more popular ways of beating stress in modern Britain. More economical than taking a foreign holiday in the current climate, and avoiding the need to brave the airport, the beautiful British countryside is the perfect place for a relaxing break for all the family. It's on our doorstop so why not utilise it and embrace it?

Thomas Pretty is a travel journalist with many years of experience travelling and writing about european detinations. Find out more about holidays in Devon at http://www.eastdevoncottages.com/

Tags: travel, destinations, leisure, recreation, holidays in devon