Holiday ideas: tips and trips

Celebrating midsummer's eve in Ljungskile, West Sweden, camping with kids, and staying in a reasonable hotel in the Big AppleTake me there: Ljungskile, West Sweden After a long, hard winter, Swedes are understandably keen to come out of their shells and enjoy every last second of daylight during the short Scandinavian summer. Hence the annual midsummer celebration of the longest day on 22 June ? and given the slow start we had to our summer, we could be forgiven for crashing the party. Maypoles are raised in country villages, and people dress up in national costume to dance, sing, drink br�nnvins and tuck into a sm�rg�sbord of pickled herring, salmon and new potatoes. Departing on 19 June, seven nights' B&B at Villa Sj�torp in Ljungskile, West Sweden, cost from �1,107pp including midsummer eve dinner, flights and car rental with Sunvil Discovery (020 8758 4722; sunvil.co.uk).Three of the best: Campsites for kids1 Arthur's Field, Portscatho Within strolling distance of three beaches on the Roseland Peninsula, and with fireside storytelling sessions and activities including helping to collect eggs and feed the sheep, this is the sort of old-school site that stressed-out urbanites dream of. Pitch for 2 adults in summer �21.50 a night, child over four �3.50 a night (01872 580989, coastalfarmholidays.co.uk)2 Fisherground, Cumbria Ticks all kids' campsite boxes: campfires, rope swings, stream, pond with tyre rafts, zip wires, climbing frames and adventure courses. Adults �6 per night, children �3, dogs �1, vehicle �2.50 (01906 723349, fishergroundcampsite.co.uk)3 Comrie Croft, Perthshire A naturally beautiful campsite that allows tenters to get as close to a wild woodland camping experience as possible. For a little luxury, there are four Swedish k�tas ? pre-pitched tipi-style tents with log-burning stoves and alpine beds with sheepskin throws. K�ta sleep 4-6 from �88 (01764 670140, comriecroft.com)Tom Hall's travel clinic: affordable hotels in NYC The dilemma I'm going to New York this autumn and am looking for somewhere to stay that's reasonably priced, in a good location and not a chain hotel. Any suggestions? Kieran, via emailTom replies New York's take on reasonably priced is very different from the rest of the world's ? you'll often pay $200 and upwards a night for most places fitting your description. But lately a few unusual budget hotels have been springing up.Stylish, compact rooms at the Yotel (yotel.com), a few blocks from Times Square, start at $149 ? when booked well in advance, and most rooms offer skyline or river views.Another interesting option is the Bowery House (theboweryhouse.com) on the Lower East Side. This recently opened hotel is a restored lodging home for soldiers returning from the Second World War, and its conversion has retained the small rooms and shared bathrooms. Cabins for two cost from $125, though rooms with a large window cost $135.When doing your sums, don't forget that various city and state taxes are added to your bill, which will be in the region of �20 per night. This is not always added until checkout when you're booking online.If you have a travel dilemma, email Tom Hall at magazine@observer.co.ukSwedenCampingNew YorkUnited StatesNorth and Central AmericaEuropeJoanne O'ConnorAndy Pietrasikguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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