Since retirement, Ben and Elaine feel like they've had a new lease of life as far as holidaying is concerned, exploring pockets of the UK that they'd never even heard of, let alone considered as holiday destinations. They did a fair amount of far-flung exploring in their youth and now prefer to stick closer to home.

Indeed, that's the choice of many travellers (of all ages) these days - there's just so much on offer in the UK that there doesn't seem to be as much point in going abroad as there once was. This trip they're exploring the South Coast, not too far from their native suburbs of north London, but seemingly a world away.

They're borrowing an electric car from their local CarShare scheme for the three weeks. The first leg of the trip will be easy. They can sit back and relax, leaving the car on autopilot (driving in as efficient a manner as possible) and joining an autoconvoy.

Once arrived at their first stop just outside of Eastbourne, first port of call is the local beer festival, a sure highlight for Ben. Elaine has promised to go too but suspects Ben won't notice if she slips off for a half day on the beautiful blue flag beach.From there it's several hops along the coast, staying a few days in each place, including a trip to the giant dome at Portsmouth with its guaranteed climate for a taste of the tropical.

For the grand finale of their trip they're staying in a rather indulgent 6-star hotel just outside Poole. Hotel Chameleon is a model of efficient technology - solar powered and day-lit to take advantage of the summer sun and with its geo-thermal pump as well, entirely self-sufficient in its energy needs.

Clever architectural design ensures it is passively heated and cooled to minimise the need for air-conditioning, and if Elaine and Ben feel energetic enough to hit the onsite gym, they'll also be 'topping-up' the hotel by generating further energy on the treadmill or bikes.

The food there is fabulous too (according to their friends who went there in September), fresh and locally sourced, with so much to try - and that's before Ben's got onto the organic beers.