Testimonials
Atmospheric and educational
"Tonight I finished one of your chocolate tasing holidays, and I just wanted to write and say thanks. It was well written, really atmospheric and educational. I learnt a lot, and it was great to be able to taste the different types of chocolate as I read about them. Good luck with the future."
- Rob Wilde
Exploring places you couldn't normally go
"I've been on actual holidays in the past where I've ended up being ill for most of it, so it was a real waste of energy in going. I think that virtual holidays are great because you can do them when you're feeling up to it. You don't even have to have much energy to go on one.
It's really nice to think that someone's gone to so much trouble to put a virtual holiday together for people in your situation. It doesn't exactly make you feel less isolated, but it makes you feel as though people care.
The virtual holidays are good because they let people explore places they really want to go, when they wouldn't be able to otherwise. They're a fun way to spend a week, but they don't use up too much energy."
- Kat,19, Taunton
A great way to spend some happy time
"I think the idea is brilliant, and when there is no more aviation fuel left, more people will realise what a great idea it is. Being bed bound, you soon get sick of daytime TV, so these holidays are a great way to spend some happy time."
- Ben, North Yorks
Something different and special to do
"Thank you for my virtual holiday. It was very exciting receiving it in the post, so that already made a difference to my day!
The holiday booklet was nicely laid out with well split sections making it easier to read. This also made it easy to pick a smaller section to do at a time when a full day was too much.
I think it can appeal to a varied age group as the booklet is the base for the holiday; it is up to you what imagination you put into on top of that.
I think it is more fun to "go" on holiday with someone else especially if you find reading too difficult as they can read it to you but also you feed off each others enthusiasm and imagination.
I found my holiday in New York fun and informative. It gave me something to look forward to as part of my day was set aside to go to New York. We even splurged on a bit of American food. It's fun for the career as well, and gives them a great basis to add to the fun of the virtual holiday.
I think it's a great thing to send to people who can't get out of the house or are stuck in bed or in Hospital.
Holidays from home is something different and special to do, the virtual links also really helped to bring things more alive too.
Thanks again."
- Robyn MacDonald, 23, Edinburgh
I will never forget my first "holiday" to New York.
"The virtual holiday you sent me was fantastic!! I wanted to let you know that I very much enjoyed it! I went to New York and as I haven't been there before in person, and the fact I have always wanted to go there made it really enjoyable for me - like an easy way to see and feel New York without using up much energy.
The pictures made imagining New York much easier, and the recipes and website links really helped make the experience memorable.
I loved the fact that I could stop and start again whenever I felt up to it, and now I will always have it to "visit" again. When I finally manage to get to New York, I know the things and places mentioned in the virtual holiday will stick with me and I will never forget my first "holiday" to New York."
- Lianne,16, Isle of Man
Feels so real like you're actually there
"It was amazing the holiday to New York! After being unwell for 6 years and bedbound/housebound for 3, it felt like I could have a little bit of independence and imagine going on holiday by myself.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone in a similar situation, it's so detailed and feels so real like you're actually there, in New York."
- Bex, 18, Southampton
There's so little going on in hospitals
"Great to have something to take your mind off things, there's so little going on in hospitals (elderly people in particularly seem to spend so much time just staring into space, can't be good)."
- Clare, 25, Dorset
A wonderful, wonderful creation
"Virtual Holidays are a wonderful, wonderful creation. I've been house and bed bound on and off for a few years and they are amazing to try. I was given the 'New York holiday' as a gift and I must say it is beautiful and I really enjoyed it. I can honestly say that it helped cheer me up when I wasn't well enough to go on holiday, and I'm 100% certain that others would benefit from these amazing holidays."
- Verity St-Clair, 23, Norfolk
A world within the confines of a bedroom or house
"The Virtual Holiday are set out so well and just looking through it inspires you to make you become interested and want to become involved.
As an alternative to travelling it provides a very good way to "see" other places and lets you escape from the real world, which so often is a very restricted life and sadly a "world within the confines of a bedroom or house."
-Eugene Harris, Southport
