Each month, we’ll bring you everything you need to know about where to go and what to see to enjoy a brilliant 2022 touring season. This time, we share our top tips for a February tour…
Why not celebrate Chinese New Year?
Keep the party going while we wait for spring.
In 2022, Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, welcomes the Year of the Tiger.
As the story goes, each year is named for an animal invited to the Emperor’s party, following the order in which they arrived. The ox beat the tiger, but was deceived by the rat, so it’s not the line-up you’d expect.
The festival focuses on food and family, and several British cities put on large-scale events.
Manchester is perhaps the most renowned for its Chinese New Year festivities. The date moves each year, but in 2022 it falls on 1 February, so expect the streets around Chinatown to be adorned with red lanterns from then until 6 February.
Dancing dragons are all the rage at these events, so take a camera, because they are very
photogenic. Oh, and take along a good appetite, too.
Celebration days
London reckons that it holds the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia, and who are we to argue? Expect to see huge parades, energetic stage performances, New Year celebration zones – and food!
Events centre on Chinatown, but encompass Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square, with more stages on Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue.
In York, celebrations will take place from 31 January to 6 February at venues around the ancient city. The lively action includes more of those spectacular dancing dragons, a gala of singing and dancing, a choir and a live band.
For something different…
Nothing says winter more than a roaring Viking, at York’s famous Jorvik Viking Festival. In 2022, this takes place from 19-27 February, and features parades, banquets and battles. Beer and beards are in order, so you might start growing one now, to pass for a Norse warrior next year…
Perfect pitch
Open all year, Knaresborough CAMC Site has lots of amazing things to do on your doorstep, with some of the most dramatic views in Britain, too.
Buy of the month
Dometic Safe 361C
This mechanical safe has a capacity of 24 litres and is suitable for storing a 15-inch laptop – ideal security for your vehicle valuables. The safe has an LED four-digit guest code, and two 18mm solid steel bolts provide excellent security for your possessions.
Price: £225 at dometic.com
Be sure to check out some of our Buying Guides too, where you can find brilliant round-ups on a variety of topics, ranging from our best caravan guide to the best caravan cleaners.
Now’s the time to…
Check your paperwork
Be prepared by checking your paperwork is up to date. It’s easy to overlook key caravanning admin, which can cause stress before your breaks away.
If you’re heading abroad, check you’ll still have at least six months on your passports, and that you have relevant travel insurance and breakdown cover.
You’ll need UK (not GB) stickers for your caravan and tow car; check online for any other post-Brexit changes.
Think about currency, and the costs of withdrawing cash from ATMs on the Continent – over a two-week break, these can really add up. Take a look at free options, such as wise.com.
