Torbay, on the English Riviera, will see its sheltered waters come alive with activity for the Torbay Sailing Regatta in August. The annual Torbay Sailing Week will take place between Friday 20th and Wednesday 25th August.

The fun-filled regatta will include many events and activities throughout Torbay - in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham – so those on well-timed Torbay holidays will be treated to various displays and spectacles!

Torbay’s excellent conditions for sailing make it the perfect location for the annual regatta, and those who prefer to enjoy the festivities from dry land will have plenty of opportunity to watch the thrilling races from various locations throughout the Bay.  

Anyone who has ever visited the picturesque Devon seaside town of Brixham will be only too aware that it has many secret sides just waiting to be explored. Well now this status has been officially confirmed within the June edition of Lonely Planet’s “5O New Travel Secrets” feature.

Congratulations to Julie Cartmell, the April winner of our writing competition, who wins a £50 Marks & Spencers voucher and the chance to win a short stay at one of our finest properties! She and her husband enjoyed a stay at the charming Moorings Reach, Brixham, and managed to take in some of the spectacular scenery and attractions that this beautiful region has to offer. During their spring break in the South West they even managed to spy some majestic dolphins in the bay on a trip to Torquay !If you would like to be in with a chance of winning the aforementioned fantastic prizes, simply email around 500 words on your favourite activity in the South West to ewan@bluechipvacations.com. To read more of Mrs. Cartmell’s break in Brixham, click here.

Congratulations to Kate Singlehurst, the March winner of our writing competition, who wins a £50 Marks & Spencers voucher and the chance to win a short stay at one of our finest properties! She and her husband enjoyed a stay at the charming Linden Court, Brixham, and managed to take in some of the spectacular scenery and attractions that the English Riviera has to offer. During their spring break in the South West they managed to enjoy the quaint charms of Dartmouth, took in the fantastic coastline and even found time to enjoy one of the legendary cream tea’s that this region is so famous for! If you would like to be in with a chance of winning the aforementioned fantastic prizes, simply email around 500 words on your favourite activity in the South West to ewan@bluechipvacations.com. To read more of Mrs. Singlehurst’s break in Torquay, click here.

Congratulations to Susan Jones from Atherstone , the January winner of our writing competition, winning a £50 Marks & Spencers voucher and the chance to win a short stay at one of our finest properties! She and her husband enjoyed a stay at the charming Pilots Rest, Brixham, and managed to take in some of the spectacular scenery and attractions that the English Riviera has to offer. During their winter break in the South West they managed to enjoy the rural splendour of Berry Head Country Park, the Coast and Defence Harbour Battery Museum and take in the views of the bay from nearby Torquay. If you fancy keeping up with the Joneses and entering our writing competition, simply email around 500 words on your favourite activity in the South West to ewan@bluechipvacations.com. To read more of Mrs. Jones' winter break in Torquay, click here.

  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.

 Blue Chip Vacations' Marketing Executive Michelle Roberts took advantage of the glorious weather in sunny Brixham yesterday, enjoying a scenic bike ride around the quaint seaside town. Initially taking in the charming scenery of Berry Head Country Park, and then arcing around to the stunning panorama of the marina, Michelle has provided us with these beautiful shots of her journey.

Torbay Lifeboat Station gave Blue Chip Vacations a warm welcome despite the wintry weather, when Alan Taylor, MD of the self-catering holiday home specialist, and Maggie Sycamore, its Accounts Administrator, came in to present a cheque for £250 to the RNLI.

The money had been raised over the Christmas period when a festive email was sent to its 600-plus self-catering owners instead of a Christmas card. All money saved was donated to the RNLI, and the initiative even resulted in a number of separate contributions from property owners.

This Sunday (13th September) marks the start of Agatha Christie Week in Torquay, where a host of events will be held in homage of the town's author, daughter and the world's most prolific whodunit writer.

While many self-catering properties have already been booked up there are still a few late deals to be found. A spot of sleuthing could uncover the perfect deal for the Festival, which also marks the 75th anniversary of Murder on the Orient Express.

View all details on events taking place during Agatha Christie Week

Top of the self-catering sleuth's list is Paignton, located on the coast just three miles to the South of Torquay. We've a number of properties still available that are half the price of many properties in Torquay, including:

STEAM DOWN TO TORBAY FOR A GREAT LATE DEAL!

Steam fans are set for a bumper month of fun in Torbay as Tornado, star of the curtain raiser for year's Top Gear Series, comes to town to run the Torbay Express, and the Torbay Steam Festival rolls into action at the end of the month. To celebrate, Blue Chip Vacations is offering a host of discounts across a number of its luxury self-catering properties in the area.More on

Tornado

On the opening programme of this season's Top Gear, Tornado, stoked by Jeremy Clarkson, came a close second behind James May and his classic Jag, while Hammond, on his Vincent motorbike, failed to finish the London to Edinburgh challenge. The Peppercorn class A1 steam locomotive will pull the Torbay Express 12th, 19th and 26th July, as well as 2nd and 9th August.