This week, Blue Chip Vacations has three late special offers for properties in Devon and Cornwall that are still available for half-term week, so its not too late to bag a half term bargain and enjoy a fantastic break in the South West!

 This weeks green blog reports on Jon Presslings recent trip to the Green Awareness Training that he attended earlier this week. 

Two years ago, Blue Chip Vacations was rewarded for its work towards sustainable tourism by being awarded the Silver Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) award. This involved our business being assessed against a rigorous set of criteria covering a range of areas including energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and more.

Not wanting to be a business that lets the grass grow beneath us we are now striving towards achieving a Gold Award. As part of this I recently attended a course on "Green Awareness Training", organised by the Devon Tourism Skills Network.

  The beautiful panorama of the South West was enjoyed by Blue Chip Vacations Marketing Executive Michelle Roberts this weekend when she enjoyed a bike ride from Brixham to Coleton Fishacre along the coastal path, taking in Sharkham Point and the striking Mansands Beach.

 This week's green blog comes from the charming Old Walls Vineyard in Teignbridge, the perfect place to sample the fantastic taste of the West Country. Read on for an account of Blue Chip Vacations' Environmental Coordinator Jon Presslings' visit.

Deciding where to take anyone to showcase the best of the west is difficult. Deciding where to take an Australian friend only visiting South Devon for the weekend is a real challenge. Therefore it may seem a somewhat risky strategy planning a trip into unfamiliar territory but that's what exploring the unknown is all about and often provides the best memories.

 North Cornwall surf instructor Nick Tiscoe reports here on the ideal surfing conditions that can be enjoyed during your holiday in the South West. 

Once again we have seen a record number of participants taking to the waves over the New Year desperate to start the year with a bang (or end the previous one in style, depends which way you look at it!).

As always we have surpassed people’s expectations of the temperature, many people come along assuming it will be freezing and all go away saying, and I quote, ‘I can’t believe how warm I was!’. To think all these years that dedicated surfers have been enjoying this fantastic sport year round and most of it crowd free, always under the suspicion from onlookers as total nutters. If people are still not sure then the newest accessory is the heated wetsuit!

 If odd, unusual and entertaining Cornish customs are your thing, the annual Hurling of the Silver Ball held each year in St Ives, could be just the thing for you.

Held on Feast Monday, 08 February, the celebrations start at 10.30am when the silver ball is thrown from the wall of the Parish Church into the thronging crowd below. The ball is then passed from one person to another over the beaches and through the streets of the town, and at noon, the person in possession of the ball receives a traditional reward of five shillings from the Mayor at the Guildhall.

 The Sunday Times has once again ranked Blue Chip Vacations' cottages in its top 100 cool cottages. This year the stunning Bryher Cottage in St. Mawgan, Cornwall came in the top twenty at number 13. And it's not difficult to see why. This beautiful barn conversion boasts a roaring Charnwood Stove, comfy mattresses and blackout curtains making Bryher Cottage a cosy home from home. Ideal for families, with a cot, high chair and stair gate all provided, it makes for a special family break. The walled garden is a real sun trap and a great place for family barbeques in the warm summer months. Sat in a characterful corner of the region, close to a quaint village shop, a cosy welcoming pub and a fascinating monastery, there is certainly plenty to see and do. In addition to this, the great family beaches of Mawgan Porth and Watergate Bay area mere five minute drive away, ideal for a lazy day on the sun kissed sand.

 This week intrepid Environmental Coordinator Jon Pressling has visited the popular Dartmoor National Park, finding some hidden gems and enjoying the beautiful panorama in the process.

Dartmoor, the granite heart of Devon. A landscape of mystery, intrigue and beauty all in perfect natural harmony. From rivers winding their way through wooded valleys to the highest windswept peaks, Dartmoor has a special awe which continually attracts both visitors and locals alike.

 A great way to get a feel of the true beauty of this wonderful region is by watching the fascinating Great British Railway Journeys. Presented by Michael Portillo, this great series follows a route around the country through the striking scenery that many railway lines traverse.

 Santa played a secret visit to the winners of the Blue Chip Vacations Secret Santa competition this Christmas, leaving some amazing gifts for the lucky family to enjoy. A member of the bookings team picked a Christmas booking reference from a hat and to decide who got the surprise visit from St. Nic.

The Kirby family from Aldershot were this year’s victorious holidaymakers, whose fantastic prizes included an iPod shuffle, iTunes vouchers, a hot diamond earring and necklace set and a set of Laura Ashley wines glasses. There was even a hamper for the family dog!