Vacation Vacation Vacation

30 March 2011

Vacation Vacation Vacation, Wed 30th Mar, 8pm, Channel 4

For the past decade Kirstie and Phil have been on hand to guide the nation through the ups and downs of the housing market, with their expert knowledge of all things property. Now they return to Channel 4 to help people get the best out of their holidays whatever the budget by searching out ideas and hands-on advice for the UK's annual getaways.

The series will be packed with destination information, activities to suit all budgets and most importantly, what's worth spending hard earned cash on and what isn't. Each week Kirstie and Phil hit one destination or tackle one style of holiday like cruises or city breaks; one of them is charged with finding the best value budget break whilst the other treats viewers to a peek of lavish luxury, and shows a cheats guide on how to get it without a banker's bonus.

 

Episode 2 - Tuscany

Episode two sees the duo head to the Italian hills of Tuscany. The Italian countryside attracts around 40 million tourists every year and away from the packed out coastal resorts there's a great big slice of rural Tuscan life to be discovered.  Will Kirstie and Phil fall for rustic charm in the countryside or will the luxury of one of the most expensive hotels in Florence win them over?

Phil is in charge of their budget Tuscan break, he has £500 per person as his budget. They head to Italy in September and he opts to go off the beaten track to an agriturismo farm called La Baccane in the heart of the countryside. It is run by a family for families and is the very definition of rustic, 11 hectares complete with vines, olive groves and an orchard.

They are there to live off the farm at a bargain rate of £25 per night per person. It may be simple but there are plenty of added extras like free bike hire, a swimming pool and dinner comes with a free cookery lesson using ingredients from the farm.  

By complete contrast Kirstie takes Phil to Florence to dip into the world of luxury. Florence is one of the top 3 most visited cities in Italy and they stay at Il Salviatino, a Florentine one of a kind with a spa and a fine dining restaurant.

This city hotel is the total opposite of the rural agriturismo. They're presented with champagne on arrival and the top suites cost a staggering £2,000 a night. Initially blown away by the décor and stunning views, they start to wonder whether it is really worth all that cash.

Arguably the best and definitely the most expensive way to see the Tuscan hills is from the sky, with a helicopter wine tour across the Chianti region. With staggeringly beautiful scenery and delicious wine, this really is how the other half live. But unless you have money to burn is it really worth it?

Kirstie and Phil pick their highlights from their Italian trip and show how to have a taste of luxury Italy life without breaking the bank.

Episode 3 - St Moritz

Kirstie and Phil tackle one of the UK's favourite, but not necessarily most budget friendly, winter escapes - skiing, in January, peak season. And to really test their promise to find value for money across the globe, they're heading to one of Europe's most expensive resorts, St Moritz in Switzerland.

St Moritz has long been the home of snow-capped, high society glamour and is a playground for the rich and famous, with 350km of world class ski runs to boot. Yet Kirstie and Phil are determined to prove it doesn't have to cost thousands even in this high-end winter wonderland. Plus there's a glimpse of St Moritz's glamour at a fraction of the cost to prove that this place isn't just for skiing.

Kirstie is in charge of St Moritz on a budget during their visit in January, right in the heart of the season. It is possible to stay for under £500 especially with youth hostels from £22 per night and hotels from £50 per night. But keen to find something more spectacular and still worth every penny, Kirstie finds the Berghotel high up in the mountains, 8000ft above sea level.  From £75 per night including breakfast, this eco hotel has astounding views and it offers the possibility of having fun on the slopes without an expensive ski pass.

How? With some super sledging! Kirstie and Phil try out St Moritz's amazing 3 miles of sledging track that descends 200ft through its course. At just £10 for a day's sledge hire they're soon racing down the mountain.  And for a unique eating experience they discover an all you can eat fondue...in an igloo!

After their value for money sojourn at the Berghotel its Phil's turn to chose their luxury stay. For Phil, a skiing holiday is all about maximising time on the mountain and he has chosen the five star Kempinski Grand Hotel right next door to the ski slopes. It has a £4000 a night suite set over three floors - bigger than most penthouse apartments - but standard rooms are better value for money than the suites hands down.

He hires a personal ski guide for him and Kirstie for some private tuition on the runs. It is the first time Kirstie and Phil have ever skied together and he deliberately picks a challenging route to test Kirstie's metal.

Extreme sports lover Phil is also going hand gliding. At £160 for a ten minute flight it really is an expensive treat, but once he's down the other side of the mountain, was it worth it? 

Episode 4 - Romance

Instead of picking just one destination Kirstie and Phil are heading for two in search of the best romantic getaways. First up, Kirstie is proving there is a way of doing a romantic holiday on a budget... with £500 per person to spend, whilst Phil thinks romance is all about getting away to a tropical island paradise. 

Kirstie chooses Catalonia in north-east Spain for her break. Famous for its historic city of Barcelona and the Costas on the coast with their Brits abroad reputation, but Kirstie wants to see a very different side of Spain. So to escape the crowds, she heads inland to her idea of a romantic getaway.

And within the fairytale landscape, Kirstie takes Phil to a fairytale location.  Parador Cardona is an impressive converted castle with a budget price tag of £88. Spain has 93 of these Paradors across the country, all varieties of buildings old and new transformed into unique hotels. This majestic castle comes complete with a ghost and lucky Phil gets the haunted bedroom with no one to protect him.

Here the romantic atmosphere comes from the castle itself, with sensational views over to the Pyrenees. To heighten the sense of l'amour Kirstie takes Phil star gazing at a nearby observatory, where for the bargain price of £12 they get to see the moon and Jupiter. Phil is knocked off his feet at the awe of it all, and declares it the perfect place to propose...Luckily for Kirstie he's already married!

Then it's his turn to show Kirstie his version of the ultimate romantic holiday with a trip to the Maldives. Made up of a thousand desert islands offering total seclusion and indulgence, the Maldives is famed for honeymoons and escapism. They head to Cocoa Island resort, one of the most remote ‘Robinson Crusoe'-esque islands. But normally Kirstie lives her life at a hundred miles an hour... so can Phil prove to her relaxing on a desert island does not mean being bored?

Her room is in a traditional Maldivian fishing boat at a pricey £800 a night, with Phil in his own private beach house on the water. The resort is totally geared up for pampering and Phil has booked them in for a couple's spa treatment. Reluctant at first, Kirstie soon sees the benefit of such a relaxing environment as she falls asleep during her treatments.

To end the day Phil has arranged a sunset dinner at the end of the pontoon, but can he convince Kirstie that paying for sun, sea and seclusion is worth the hefty price-tag when it comes to romance?

Episode 1 - Ibiza

The opening programme of the series features Ibiza. A Mediterranean hotspot for over two million tourists a year, Ibiza was first claimed by the hippies and then taken over by the ravers. Phil has been holidaying there for years - first as a backpacker and now as a family man, and he is a fully paid up member to the island's fan club. But what does the island have to offer  away from the clubbing and deluxe villas? And can he convince Kirstie that it does rival other gems of the Med for escapism? 

Phil has visited Ibiza regularly for the past 15 years, but for Kirstie the mere thought of Ibiza, the clubbing capital of the world, fills her with dread. Its boozy Brits reputation is largely thanks to San Antonio, but the rest of the island  can be totally different.

Kirstie is charged with the budget break and seeing if Ibiza can be a charming getaway for a family. She picks a campsite on the north east coast in Cala Nova just 50 yards from one of the most beautiful beaches on the island  from under £5 a night in a tent to around £50 for a bunglaow. She may not have an inner hippy, but once off the beaten track and after some horse riding along the beach, Kirstie starts to see the appeal of Ibiza for chilled out family escapes.

In contrast Phil finally gets to dip his toe in the exclusive luxury of the Ibiza super rich as they check out a private suite at one of the island's most exclusive hotels - Hollywood stars like Jude Law are said to stay here.

Kirstie is convinced that Ibiza is just expensive because the stars go there to party. But can a private pool, power boat trip to a remote beach with a champagne picnic and an exquisite tasting menu back at the hotel prove to Kirstie that the Balearic island's glamorous reputation is worth the money?

Vacation Vacation Vacation, Wed 30th Mar, 8pm, Channel 4

For the past decade Kirstie and Phil have been on hand to guide the nation through the ups and downs of the housing market, with their expert knowledge of all things property. Now they return to Channel 4 to help people get the best out of their holidays whatever the budget by searching out ideas and hands-on advice for the UK's annual getaways.

The series will be packed with destination information, activities to suit all budgets and most importantly, what's worth spending hard earned cash on and what isn't. Each week Kirstie and Phil hit one destination or tackle one style of holiday like cruises or city breaks; one of them is charged with finding the best value budget break whilst the other treats viewers to a peek of lavish luxury, and shows a cheats guide on how to get it without a banker's bonus.

 

Episode 2 - Tuscany

Episode two sees the duo head to the Italian hills of Tuscany. The Italian countryside attracts around 40 million tourists every year and away from the packed out coastal resorts there's a great big slice of rural Tuscan life to be discovered.  Will Kirstie and Phil fall for rustic charm in the countryside or will the luxury of one of the most expensive hotels in Florence win them over?

Phil is in charge of their budget Tuscan break, he has £500 per person as his budget. They head to Italy in September and he opts to go off the beaten track to an agriturismo farm called La Baccane in the heart of the countryside. It is run by a family for families and is the very definition of rustic, 11 hectares complete with vines, olive groves and an orchard.

They are there to live off the farm at a bargain rate of £25 per night per person. It may be simple but there are plenty of added extras like free bike hire, a swimming pool and dinner comes with a free cookery lesson using ingredients from the farm.  

By complete contrast Kirstie takes Phil to Florence to dip into the world of luxury. Florence is one of the top 3 most visited cities in Italy and they stay at Il Salviatino, a Florentine one of a kind with a spa and a fine dining restaurant.

This city hotel is the total opposite of the rural agriturismo. They're presented with champagne on arrival and the top suites cost a staggering £2,000 a night. Initially blown away by the décor and stunning views, they start to wonder whether it is really worth all that cash.

Arguably the best and definitely the most expensive way to see the Tuscan hills is from the sky, with a helicopter wine tour across the Chianti region. With staggeringly beautiful scenery and delicious wine, this really is how the other half live. But unless you have money to burn is it really worth it?

Kirstie and Phil pick their highlights from their Italian trip and show how to have a taste of luxury Italy life without breaking the bank.

Episode 3 - St Moritz

Kirstie and Phil tackle one of the UK's favourite, but not necessarily most budget friendly, winter escapes - skiing, in January, peak season. And to really test their promise to find value for money across the globe, they're heading to one of Europe's most expensive resorts, St Moritz in Switzerland.

St Moritz has long been the home of snow-capped, high society glamour and is a playground for the rich and famous, with 350km of world class ski runs to boot. Yet Kirstie and Phil are determined to prove it doesn't have to cost thousands even in this high-end winter wonderland. Plus there's a glimpse of St Moritz's glamour at a fraction of the cost to prove that this place isn't just for skiing.

Kirstie is in charge of St Moritz on a budget during their visit in January, right in the heart of the season. It is possible to stay for under £500 especially with youth hostels from £22 per night and hotels from £50 per night. But keen to find something more spectacular and still worth every penny, Kirstie finds the Berghotel high up in the mountains, 8000ft above sea level.  From £75 per night including breakfast, this eco hotel has astounding views and it offers the possibility of having fun on the slopes without an expensive ski pass.

How? With some super sledging! Kirstie and Phil try out St Moritz's amazing 3 miles of sledging track that descends 200ft through its course. At just £10 for a day's sledge hire they're soon racing down the mountain.  And for a unique eating experience they discover an all you can eat fondue...in an igloo!

After their value for money sojourn at the Berghotel its Phil's turn to chose their luxury stay. For Phil, a skiing holiday is all about maximising time on the mountain and he has chosen the five star Kempinski Grand Hotel right next door to the ski slopes. It has a £4000 a night suite set over three floors - bigger than most penthouse apartments - but standard rooms are better value for money than the suites hands down.

He hires a personal ski guide for him and Kirstie for some private tuition on the runs. It is the first time Kirstie and Phil have ever skied together and he deliberately picks a challenging route to test Kirstie's metal.

Extreme sports lover Phil is also going hand gliding. At £160 for a ten minute flight it really is an expensive treat, but once he's down the other side of the mountain, was it worth it? 

Episode 4 - Romance

Instead of picking just one destination Kirstie and Phil are heading for two in search of the best romantic getaways. First up, Kirstie is proving there is a way of doing a romantic holiday on a budget... with £500 per person to spend, whilst Phil thinks romance is all about getting away to a tropical island paradise. 

Kirstie chooses Catalonia in north-east Spain for her break. Famous for its historic city of Barcelona and the Costas on the coast with their Brits abroad reputation, but Kirstie wants to see a very different side of Spain. So to escape the crowds, she heads inland to her idea of a romantic getaway.

And within the fairytale landscape, Kirstie takes Phil to a fairytale location.  Parador Cardona is an impressive converted castle with a budget price tag of £88. Spain has 93 of these Paradors across the country, all varieties of buildings old and new transformed into unique hotels. This majestic castle comes complete with a ghost and lucky Phil gets the haunted bedroom with no one to protect him.

Here the romantic atmosphere comes from the castle itself, with sensational views over to the Pyrenees. To heighten the sense of l'amour Kirstie takes Phil star gazing at a nearby observatory, where for the bargain price of £12 they get to see the moon and Jupiter. Phil is knocked off his feet at the awe of it all, and declares it the perfect place to propose...Luckily for Kirstie he's already married!

Then it's his turn to show Kirstie his version of the ultimate romantic holiday with a trip to the Maldives. Made up of a thousand desert islands offering total seclusion and indulgence, the Maldives is famed for honeymoons and escapism. They head to Cocoa Island resort, one of the most remote ‘Robinson Crusoe'-esque islands. But normally Kirstie lives her life at a hundred miles an hour... so can Phil prove to her relaxing on a desert island does not mean being bored?

Her room is in a traditional Maldivian fishing boat at a pricey £800 a night, with Phil in his own private beach house on the water. The resort is totally geared up for pampering and Phil has booked them in for a couple's spa treatment. Reluctant at first, Kirstie soon sees the benefit of such a relaxing environment as she falls asleep during her treatments.

To end the day Phil has arranged a sunset dinner at the end of the pontoon, but can he convince Kirstie that paying for sun, sea and seclusion is worth the hefty price-tag when it comes to romance?

Episode 1 - Ibiza

The opening programme of the series features Ibiza. A Mediterranean hotspot for over two million tourists a year, Ibiza was first claimed by the hippies and then taken over by the ravers. Phil has been holidaying there for years - first as a backpacker and now as a family man, and he is a fully paid up member to the island's fan club. But what does the island have to offer  away from the clubbing and deluxe villas? And can he convince Kirstie that it does rival other gems of the Med for escapism? 

Phil has visited Ibiza regularly for the past 15 years, but for Kirstie the mere thought of Ibiza, the clubbing capital of the world, fills her with dread. Its boozy Brits reputation is largely thanks to San Antonio, but the rest of the island  can be totally different.

Kirstie is charged with the budget break and seeing if Ibiza can be a charming getaway for a family. She picks a campsite on the north east coast in Cala Nova just 50 yards from one of the most beautiful beaches on the island  from under £5 a night in a tent to around £50 for a bunglaow. She may not have an inner hippy, but once off the beaten track and after some horse riding along the beach, Kirstie starts to see the appeal of Ibiza for chilled out family escapes.

In contrast Phil finally gets to dip his toe in the exclusive luxury of the Ibiza super rich as they check out a private suite at one of the island's most exclusive hotels - Hollywood stars like Jude Law are said to stay here.

Kirstie is convinced that Ibiza is just expensive because the stars go there to party. But can a private pool, power boat trip to a remote beach with a champagne picnic and an exquisite tasting menu back at the hotel prove to Kirstie that the Balearic island's glamorous reputation is worth the money?

Vacation Vacation Vacation, Wed 30th Mar, 8pm, Channel 4

For the past decade Kirstie and Phil have been on hand to guide the nation through the ups and downs of the housing market, with their expert knowledge of all things property. Now they return to Channel 4 to help people get the best out of their holidays whatever the budget by searching out ideas and hands-on advice for the UK's annual getaways.

The series will be packed with destination information, activities to suit all budgets and most importantly, what's worth spending hard earned cash on and what isn't. Each week Kirstie and Phil hit one destination or tackle one style of holiday like cruises or city breaks; one of them is charged with finding the best value budget break whilst the other treats viewers to a peek of lavish luxury, and shows a cheats guide on how to get it without a banker's bonus.

 

Episode 2 - Tuscany

Episode two sees the duo head to the Italian hills of Tuscany. The Italian countryside attracts around 40 million tourists every year and away from the packed out coastal resorts there's a great big slice of rural Tuscan life to be discovered.  Will Kirstie and Phil fall for rustic charm in the countryside or will the luxury of one of the most expensive hotels in Florence win them over?

Phil is in charge of their budget Tuscan break, he has £500 per person as his budget. They head to Italy in September and he opts to go off the beaten track to an agriturismo farm called La Baccane in the heart of the countryside. It is run by a family for families and is the very definition of rustic, 11 hectares complete with vines, olive groves and an orchard.

They are there to live off the farm at a bargain rate of £25 per night per person. It may be simple but there are plenty of added extras like free bike hire, a swimming pool and dinner comes with a free cookery lesson using ingredients from the farm.  

By complete contrast Kirstie takes Phil to Florence to dip into the world of luxury. Florence is one of the top 3 most visited cities in Italy and they stay at Il Salviatino, a Florentine one of a kind with a spa and a fine dining restaurant.

This city hotel is the total opposite of the rural agriturismo. They're presented with champagne on arrival and the top suites cost a staggering £2,000 a night. Initially blown away by the décor and stunning views, they start to wonder whether it is really worth all that cash.

Arguably the best and definitely the most expensive way to see the Tuscan hills is from the sky, with a helicopter wine tour across the Chianti region. With staggeringly beautiful scenery and delicious wine, this really is how the other half live. But unless you have money to burn is it really worth it?

Kirstie and Phil pick their highlights from their Italian trip and show how to have a taste of luxury Italy life without breaking the bank.

Episode 3 - St Moritz

Kirstie and Phil tackle one of the UK's favourite, but not necessarily most budget friendly, winter escapes - skiing, in January, peak season. And to really test their promise to find value for money across the globe, they're heading to one of Europe's most expensive resorts, St Moritz in Switzerland.

St Moritz has long been the home of snow-capped, high society glamour and is a playground for the rich and famous, with 350km of world class ski runs to boot. Yet Kirstie and Phil are determined to prove it doesn't have to cost thousands even in this high-end winter wonderland. Plus there's a glimpse of St Moritz's glamour at a fraction of the cost to prove that this place isn't just for skiing.

Kirstie is in charge of St Moritz on a budget during their visit in January, right in the heart of the season. It is possible to stay for under £500 especially with youth hostels from £22 per night and hotels from £50 per night. But keen to find something more spectacular and still worth every penny, Kirstie finds the Berghotel high up in the mountains, 8000ft above sea level.  From £75 per night including breakfast, this eco hotel has astounding views and it offers the possibility of having fun on the slopes without an expensive ski pass.

How? With some super sledging! Kirstie and Phil try out St Moritz's amazing 3 miles of sledging track that descends 200ft through its course. At just £10 for a day's sledge hire they're soon racing down the mountain.  And for a unique eating experience they discover an all you can eat fondue...in an igloo!

After their value for money sojourn at the Berghotel its Phil's turn to chose their luxury stay. For Phil, a skiing holiday is all about maximising time on the mountain and he has chosen the five star Kempinski Grand Hotel right next door to the ski slopes. It has a £4000 a night suite set over three floors - bigger than most penthouse apartments - but standard rooms are better value for money than the suites hands down.

He hires a personal ski guide for him and Kirstie for some private tuition on the runs. It is the first time Kirstie and Phil have ever skied together and he deliberately picks a challenging route to test Kirstie's metal.

Extreme sports lover Phil is also going hand gliding. At £160 for a ten minute flight it really is an expensive treat, but once he's down the other side of the mountain, was it worth it? 

Episode 4 - Romance

Instead of picking just one destination Kirstie and Phil are heading for two in search of the best romantic getaways. First up, Kirstie is proving there is a way of doing a romantic holiday on a budget... with £500 per person to spend, whilst Phil thinks romance is all about getting away to a tropical island paradise. 

Kirstie chooses Catalonia in north-east Spain for her break. Famous for its historic city of Barcelona and the Costas on the coast with their Brits abroad reputation, but Kirstie wants to see a very different side of Spain. So to escape the crowds, she heads inland to her idea of a romantic getaway.

And within the fairytale landscape, Kirstie takes Phil to a fairytale location.  Parador Cardona is an impressive converted castle with a budget price tag of £88. Spain has 93 of these Paradors across the country, all varieties of buildings old and new transformed into unique hotels. This majestic castle comes complete with a ghost and lucky Phil gets the haunted bedroom with no one to protect him.

Here the romantic atmosphere comes from the castle itself, with sensational views over to the Pyrenees. To heighten the sense of l'amour Kirstie takes Phil star gazing at a nearby observatory, where for the bargain price of £12 they get to see the moon and Jupiter. Phil is knocked off his feet at the awe of it all, and declares it the perfect place to propose...Luckily for Kirstie he's already married!

Then it's his turn to show Kirstie his version of the ultimate romantic holiday with a trip to the Maldives. Made up of a thousand desert islands offering total seclusion and indulgence, the Maldives is famed for honeymoons and escapism. They head to Cocoa Island resort, one of the most remote ‘Robinson Crusoe'-esque islands. But normally Kirstie lives her life at a hundred miles an hour... so can Phil prove to her relaxing on a desert island does not mean being bored?

Her room is in a traditional Maldivian fishing boat at a pricey £800 a night, with Phil in his own private beach house on the water. The resort is totally geared up for pampering and Phil has booked them in for a couple's spa treatment. Reluctant at first, Kirstie soon sees the benefit of such a relaxing environment as she falls asleep during her treatments.

To end the day Phil has arranged a sunset dinner at the end of the pontoon, but can he convince Kirstie that paying for sun, sea and seclusion is worth the hefty price-tag when it comes to romance?

Episode 1 - Ibiza

The opening programme of the series features Ibiza. A Mediterranean hotspot for over two million tourists a year, Ibiza was first claimed by the hippies and then taken over by the ravers. Phil has been holidaying there for years - first as a backpacker and now as a family man, and he is a fully paid up member to the island's fan club. But what does the island have to offer  away from the clubbing and deluxe villas? And can he convince Kirstie that it does rival other gems of the Med for escapism? 

Phil has visited Ibiza regularly for the past 15 years, but for Kirstie the mere thought of Ibiza, the clubbing capital of the world, fills her with dread. Its boozy Brits reputation is largely thanks to San Antonio, but the rest of the island  can be totally different.

Kirstie is charged with the budget break and seeing if Ibiza can be a charming getaway for a family. She picks a campsite on the north east coast in Cala Nova just 50 yards from one of the most beautiful beaches on the island  from under £5 a night in a tent to around £50 for a bunglaow. She may not have an inner hippy, but once off the beaten track and after some horse riding along the beach, Kirstie starts to see the appeal of Ibiza for chilled out family escapes.

In contrast Phil finally gets to dip his toe in the exclusive luxury of the Ibiza super rich as they check out a private suite at one of the island's most exclusive hotels - Hollywood stars like Jude Law are said to stay here.

Kirstie is convinced that Ibiza is just expensive because the stars go there to party. But can a private pool, power boat trip to a remote beach with a champagne picnic and an exquisite tasting menu back at the hotel prove to Kirstie that the Balearic island's glamorous reputation is worth the money?