Posts Tagged ‘United Kingdom’

Why Devon Is A Great Holiday Destination For All The Family

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Devon is a very popular holiday destination in the UK. Devon has three major towns Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay and just happens to be the third largest county in England. Devon has relied on tourism to sustain its economy and this has been helped by the beautiful national parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor, its wonderful beaches and the odd Devonshire cream tea. If you are looking for some where to take a family vacation or a short weekend break then Devon is one of the best choices you can make.

The award winning accommodation in Devon is varied and rich. You can find the right sort of accommodation to suit your needs. You will always be able to find a hotel with a wide range of boutique hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, sea front guesthouses, and country house hotels as well as the regular types of hotels you’ll find in most major cities. If you are worried about your carbon footprint you will also be able to find a number of green accommodations suppliers.

For those of you that like to take your holiday at your own pace, you will be able to enjoy the fine self catering accommodation that Devon has to offer. There are a wonderful array of luxurious holiday cottages in Devon that are suitable for couples, large groups and families that want to stay in them. A cottage usually comes complete with a beautiful garden and a kitchen with everything you need to cook. A number of holiday cottages come with above ground swimming pools which are the perfect way to cool off on a hot day or to keep the kids busy. As most of these cottages can be found in the heart of the Devon countryside, you’ll be able to enjoy the peace and quiet whilst also traveling to different attractions.

If you’re more interested in bringing your mobile home, caravan or tent then there are plenty of campsites available. You will find campsites located in the countryside as well as close to the Devonshire coast both of which offer stunning views. Those of you that don’t have your own caravan or mobile home you’ll be pleased to hear that there are a number of locations that will rent you one. You can even rent classic Volkswagen camper vans for your holiday.

There are plenty of attractions and things to do in Devon. Some of the most popular attractions include The Milky Way theme park and Crealy Great Adventure park as well as Dartmouth Castle and the National Marine Aquarium. The beaches in Devon have a number of Blue Flag awards that represent that the beach and sea are clean. The Northern coastline of Devon is blessed with beaches covered in sand and sheer cliffs. In contrast South Devon’s coast is surrounded by red sandstone cliffs with pebble beaches.

There are plenty of places to eat in Devon with a variety of local restaurants offering fine food. Most restaurants in the county source produce from local farmers meaning that fish, dairy products and vegetables are fresh to guarantee the finest cuisine and a true taste of Devon. You will also find a wide range of farmers markets where you will be able to sample local strawberries, jam, fruit and home grown vegetables.

Whatever you decide Devon is a wonderful place to visit and should be a popular holiday destination for many tourists this summer.

There Is Something For Everyone To Enjoy In London, UK

Friday, July 30th, 2010

I was able to take a trip to London when I was 16 years old. I wish there was some way I could convey to you how truly awesome it was. Fortunately, I had a camera and some money with me, and was able to leave with some great memories, photos, and souvenirs. Although I had to deal with finding a missing passport and going through tons of electrical adapters trying to find the right one, I left London not only vastly inspired, but also armed with some of the most amazing experiences I have ever experienced.

One of my favorite locations was the Tower of London. I spent a whole day reading about it’s history and seeing first hand what it was like. Probably most well known as a royal prison and place of torture, the Tower of London also served many other uses, from menagerie to stellar observatory. One of the most interesting parts of the Tower of London was seeing it’s famous ravens. The ravens that walk around the Tower have been occupants there for generations. A very old superstition keeps them there, one that says if the ravens leave, the kingdom will fall. The ravens have some of the most royal treatment of the Tower’s inhabitants, with their own personal handler and living quarters.

Big Ben is the third largest clock tower in the world. As one of London’s most well known historical monuments, it has been represented in movies and stories for generations. Although pictures and films do it a little justice, seeing it for yourself is truly breathtaking. Standing beneath it will make you really and truly understand why it has been used as an English icon for so long. A visit to Parliament can give you a first-hand look at how the government of the U.K. works. Although I am not particularly interested in the workings of the government, seeing it in action was something really special and pretty inspiring.

Although it’s a little cliche, seeing the Changing of the Guard was a really cool experience as well. I didn’t pick a guard’s nose or try to make him laugh anything, they are armed after all, but I did get pretty close to have my picture taken. There are numerous locations where you can see the guards, including the Tower of London. The various parks and gardens in London make walking anywhere as adventure in itself. Huge ponds full of all kinds of birds, from swans to some funny looking ducks, walk around parks full of beautiful sculptures and breathtaking gardens. Seriously, the gardens are beautiful.

London’s shopping scene is just awesome. I got to visit Camden Market, which isn’t your ordinary shopping spot. Stretching on for as far as I could see, Camden Market offered everything from handmade bags to leopard print Doc Martins. So grab some money and your passport, as there is something for everyone at Camden Market, and I guarantee after a long day shopping, you can’t help but walk away with tons of stuff.

Everyone in your family can walk away with some unforgettable experiences after a London visit. I definitely did. If you’ve never been able to see London for yourself, I recommend you take a trip there sometime. I promise, it’s even worth the hassle of having to find that missing passport.

For more information about applying for or renewing your passport before your trip, visit http://www.uspassportnow.com.

Visit Devon For A Family Holiday Or Weekend Break

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Every year thousands of people visit the county of Devon in the UK. It is the third largest county in England and its major towns are Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay. Devon has relied on tourism to sustain its economy and this has been helped by the beautiful national parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor, its wonderful beaches and the odd Devonshire cream tea. Devon is the perfect destination for a family holiday or a short break with plenty of places to stay, things to do and attractions to visit.

Devon is blessed with a wide variety of award winning accommodation so you will be able to find a hotel or other accommodation that will be perfect for you. You will always be able to find a hotel with a wide range of boutique hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, sea front guesthouses, and country house hotels as well as the regular types of hotels you’ll find in most major cities. There are also a number of green accommodation providers if you want to help do your bit for the planet.

For those of you that like to take your holiday at your own pace, you will be able to enjoy the fine self catering accommodation that Devon has to offer. If you are planning a trip with a large group, the whole family or a romantic couples break then you’ll find many cottages in Devon that will meet your needs. These cottages come with everything you’ll need in the kitchen and home as well as beautiful gardens. Some come with built in swimming pools or above ground swimming pools and if you’re lucky a hot tub. As most of these cottages can be found in the heart of the Devon countryside, you’ll be able to enjoy the peace and quiet whilst also traveling to different attractions.

If you’re more interested in bringing your mobile home, caravan or tent then there are plenty of campsites available. Many of these campsites are situated in the beautiful Devon countryside and boast some stunning views and excellent facilities. Those of you that don’t have your own caravan or mobile home you’ll be pleased to hear that there are a number of locations that will rent you one. There are even some companies that will rent you a Volkswagon camper van.

There are plenty of attractions and things to do in Devon. Popular tourist attractions such as the National Marine Aquarium, theme parks like The Milky Way, Woodlands Leisure Park and Crealy Great Adventure Park and Dartmouth Castle. The beaches in Devon have a number of Blue Flag awards that represent that the beach and sea are clean. The North Devon coast has sandy beaches with sheer cliffs looking over them. In contrast South Devon’s coast is surrounded by red sandstone cliffs with pebble beaches.

If you are into your food you’ll find that there are many great places to eat out in Devon with some fantastic local restaurants. Most restaurants in the county source produce from local farmers meaning that fish, dairy products and vegetables are fresh to guarantee the finest cuisine and a true taste of Devon. You will also find a wide range of farmers markets where you will be able to sample local strawberries, jam, fruit and home grown vegetables.

Whatever you decide Devon is a wonderful place to visit and should be a popular holiday destination for many tourists this summer.

Why Devon, Cornwall And The New Forest Will Be The Top UK Destinations In 2010

Monday, May 31st, 2010

The British summertime is fast approaching and as a result many families in the UK are planning their summer holiday. In the summer of 2009 we saw the rise of what became known as the ’staycation’ with families opting for holidays at home instead of abroad. Seaside resorts reported an increase in visitors and UK tourism saw an increase despite the down turn in the economy. The ‘staycation’ started initially with many people staying at home and travelling to local tourist attractions and beaches but this eventually spread out to a range of different accommodation.

A short weekend break in a nearby city became popular as people opted to stay in hotels and serviced apartments. Many young couples and groups tended to take breaks in cities like Bristol so they could enjoy the nightlife, restaurants and shopping on offer. Plenty of places to stay in Bristol are available to meet the needs of these groups but many UK families want a more rural location for their holiday.

There were two family accommodation trends that became obvious in 2009 and this is mainly a case of budget. Those that had mobile homes or caravans decided to stay in campsites, which is particularly popular in the South of England. Those that didn’t want to brave the elements as much and had a marginally higher budget opted to rent holiday cottages.

Some of the most popular holiday cottages in the UK can be found in the southern counties of England. These are usually in areas like Cornwall, Devon and Hampshire. Each of these counties has much to offer any tourist. Cornwall is very well known for it’s beautiful beaches, while the New Forest has some wonderful wildlife and Devon has a mix of both.

It was reported by various holiday cottage agents that self catering holiday cottages in Cornwall saw a dramatic increase in the number of people staying in them. The rise in popularity of Cornwall holiday cottages can largely be attributed to the number of young people visiting the region after finishing their exams. This is because areas like Newquay cater for younger people with the wide range of extreme sports and night life available to them.

The other more popular destination was the New Forest. It is generally considered that the popularity of holiday cottages in the New Forest was a result of the number of families choosing to visit the area. The New Forest has a lot of natural beauty and a wide range of wildlife as well as lots of outdoor activities for the children to participate in. The New Forest is also well positioned allowing trips to nearby towns, cities and places of interest. The medieval city of Salisbury is nearby as well as Bournemouth with it’s beautiful beaches.

Looking forward to the summer of 2010 it would seem there is potential for another successful year for UK tourism. The state of the economy has improved slightly but times are still tough with many people still tightening their belts and with potential strike action from some airlines the thought of going abroad this year is looking uncertain for many. These are all strong signs of the continued success of the ‘staycation’ in the UK.

You’re Sure To Have A Jolly Good Time In London, U.K.

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

When I was 16, I got to take a trip to London. I can’t even begin to explain how amazing it was. Luckily, I was armed with a camera and a little bit of money, so I was able to walk away not only with some of the greatest memories I have, but also some souvenirs and lots of pictures. I’ve spent years figuring out how I can make my way back there. Even though I had to deal with a missing passport and finding the right kind of electrical adapters, getting to go to London proved to be one of the most inspiring and unforgettable moments of my life.

The Tower of London is one of the oldest buildings in London. It was used most famously as a royal prison and place of torture, but it has served many other uses, such as an armory, treasury, menagerie, an observatory, and also as a fortress. A treasure trove for any history buff, the Tower of London holds a whole day’s worth of exploring. Seeing the ravens makes it worth going, just by itself. These huge black birds walk around the lawn, and, believe it or not, they are one of the most important guests of the Tower of London. It is said that if the ravens ever left the Tower, then the kingdom would fall. Not only do the ravens have their very own living quarters, but they have their own personal handler as well.

Everyone knows Big Ben as one of the most iconic monuments for London. Movies, stories, and art have been representing Big Ben for many, many years, and seeing it for yourself will show you why. I also recommend that you visit Parliament. This is where laws, bills, and other legislation takes place for the government of London, England. I’ve really never been interested in the workings of government, but seeing it in action is pretty inspiring. Getting to see the “behind the scenes” government action was really special, and it amazed me how accessible it was.

Although it’s a little cliche, seeing the Changing of the Guard was a really cool experience as well. I didn’t pick a guard’s nose or try to make him laugh anything, they are armed after all, but I did get pretty close to have my picture taken. There are numerous locations where you can see the guards, including the Tower of London. The various parks and gardens in London make walking anywhere as adventure in itself. Huge ponds full of all kinds of birds, from swans to some funny looking ducks, walk around parks full of beautiful sculptures and breathtaking gardens. Seriously, the gardens are beautiful.

Being a woman, I of course have to mention the London shopping. I visited Camden Market was blown away by the selection. From designer bags to fishnets, Camden Market has something for absolutely everyone. So get a little bit of money, your passport, and your good walking shoes, and get ready to walk away with bags and bags of stuff.

London holds something exciting for everyone in your family. I walked away from the week-long London trip with some amazing memories, and I still dream of getting to go back there someday. If you’ve never been to London, I very highly recommend it. I promise it’s even worth having to locate that missing passport.

To renew or apply for your passport, go to the uspassportnow.com website and check out all their great passport services to make the process a breeze.

Will Tourists Choose To Stay In UK Or Head Abroad For Summer 2010?

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Many families in the UK have started to put together their plans for their family holiday this summer. In 2009, British tourism saw many families choosing to go on holiday at home rather than abroad. This quickly became known as the ’staycation’. An increase in the number of tourists visiting UK beaches took the British tourist board by suprise because of the economic downturn. The ’staycation’ was launched when families stayed at home and started visiting local tourist attractions but before long they started looking for affordable accommodation across the country.

A short weekend break in a nearby city became popular as people opted to stay in hotels and serviced apartments. Many young couples and groups tended to take breaks in cities like Bristol so they could enjoy the nightlife, restaurants and shopping on offer. There are a number of these sorts of places to stay in Bristol. Families on the other hand were looking for longer-term accommodation in more rural locations.

There were a couple of accommodation trends in 2009 that became noticable as it became clear that budget was having an effect on holiday maker’s decisions. Many people chose to stay in caravan parks or went on camping holidays as these were very popular in the South of England. Those holiday makers that wanted to stay in something a bit more stable and had a greater budget typically chose to stay in self catering holiday cottages.

Counties in the south of England like Cornwall, Hampshire and Devon are among the more popular locations for people renting self catering holiday cottages. This is likely to be down to the wealth of local attractions in these regions. Hampshire has the New Forest, Devon has Exeter and Dartmouth, while Cornwall has become known as the surfers paradise.

Many of the popular holiday cottage rental agents reported that last year cottages in Cornwall saw a dramatic increase in the number of rented properties. This is likely to be because places like Newquay receive regular young visitors each year after the end of GCSE and A level exams. This area of Cornwall has become well known for catering for young people looking to let off some steam after years of studying.

Another destination that is very popular is the New Forest in Hampshire. It is thought that holiday cottages in the New Forest saw an increase in families visiting the area. This is likely to be down to the wildlife found in the New Forest and the number of healthy activities for children young and old to take part in. The New Forest is also well positioned allowing trips to nearby towns, cities and places of interest. The medieval city of Salisbury is nearby as well as Bournemouth with it’s beautiful beaches.

Looking at all the signs it would appear that UK tourism will have another successful year in 2010. The slow improvements in the economy mean that people still don’t have vast amounts of money to spend and with an increase in strikes amongst airline and railway workers many travellers feel uncertain about heading abroad. These are all strong signs of the continued success of the ‘staycation’ in the UK.

Things You Can Do In Cherwell Oxfordshire

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Cherwell is the name given to the northern governing district of Oxfordshire. Cherwell is mostly made up of rural settlements such as Islip and Hook Naughton. It is also blessed with some beautiful scenery. The two major towns in the area are Bicester and Banbury both of which serve the local rural community. They are essentially market towns but they have a wide range of both local and national retailers.

Cherwell has lot of good transport links as the M40, which joins Birmingham with London runs right through the heart of Cherwell District. This makes the area around the M40 the centre for business in Oxfordshire so you will find a lot of business parks based in this area. Banbury railway station is along one of the major UK railways routes that goes through Oxfordshire and is regularly used by people from the area and those going through. This is a railway route that connects the South with the North of England as well as other connections to the East and West.

Everybody enjoys shopping and one of the most popular products to buy in Oxford is a pair of shoes. You can find almost anything that you need in these local towns and you are never too far away from Oxford itself for your shopping needs. This means that you can get regular shoes such as Dr Martens shoes from these local shops but you may need to go a little bit further for specialist footwear like Fit Flop Boots for instance. This being said shopping in the Cherwell district is more than adequate for those that live near by and if you want more you could always head off to a major city like Birmingham.

There are a number of things to do for all the family in Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties. This makes it an excellent choice for a family holiday, as there are a number of different attractions available. There is an amazing amount of beautiful buildings and ruins in the area including a number of British castles. Visiting these you will be able to amuse your children with knights tales and many of these castles also offer themed castle weddings. There is a wide variety of accommodation available in Oxfordshire thanks to the number of tourists visiting the area. There are the usual sorts of hotels but if you want something that is perfect for a family holiday then I would suggest looking for a good holiday cottage. The holiday cottages on offer are perfect for a family as they provide you with a self-catering base that you can use to travel to the different sights you want to see. They are also perfect if you want a family pet to join you on holiday as many booking companies offer dog friendly holiday cottages.

With the wealth of options available to you and your family you are sure to enjoy yourself when staying in the Cherwell district of Oxfordshire. So why not start looking into the different options available to you today.

Egypt Holidays

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Considering Egypt as a vacation destination, we had to desert - or maybe grow beyond - our oldskool notions about Cleopatra’s area. In fact , is it not true that the bulk of europeans and American recall their grammar school introductions to Egypt and picture pyramids, the Sphinx, hieroglyphics, and stately craft plying the Nile river. Whereas archaeologists continue excavating valuable Egyptian antiquities, Egypt has a large amount more to offer tourists than traditional mounds of well placed stones. These are our top picks for Egypt away from the common pyramid tours.

Sharm El Sheikh

In truth, package holidays in Sharm el Sheikh remain one of Britain’s best kept travel methods. We nearly hate to divulge this previously well guarded info. Among the most developed and most easily accessible resort destinations on the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el Sheikh has everything aseaside resort ought to have : still, at heart, just another tired tiny beach town, Sharm el-Shiekh offers every aquatic amusement anyone ever could imagine, and it ranks among the world’s very best spots for snorkelling and scuba diving. The beaches are good for wind surfing and catamaran sailing ; the gentle waves are fun for dance boards and surfmats. Though five-star high-end resorts have erupted out of the sand, Sharm el-Shiekh has lots and lots of intimate lodgings. Though the city rocks with decorative nightlife, some folk still camp in the desert just beyond the fringe of town. And although golfing courses stretch across lavishly irrigated land, ancient monuments and rough mountains belie centuries of hard struggle to bring life from grudging land.

Extended stays in Sharm el-Shiekh are wonderfully reasonable. With vacations from the united kingdom, holidaymakers may pay as little as ?350 for a week’s stay at a very cosy and well elected four star hostels. All the most favored net travel sites offer really enticing packages when it comes to this almost perfect beach paradise, and some offer both last minute and all inclusive packages at awfully desirable costs.

Hurghada

Hurghada is atiny traveller town close to the Red known for its rich stunning underwater flora & fauna with its warm waters being full of an abundance of sea species. A substantial number of the hotels in this area run along a single stretch of beach and sport both their own swimming pools as well as non-public beaches for your privacy. This resort, like Sharm el-Shiekh, offers great water sports.

Alexandria

A former trade centre established by Alexander The Great the traditional, this city is full of belle poque buildings and grand squares. You won’t be in a position to resist it’s charm no the chance to eat some of the amazing French pastries on offer or smoke the sheesha ( water pipe ) in one of the local coffee shops full of heated debates.

If you do visit Alexandria one place you can’t pass up the possibility to visit is Ar-Ashid ( Rosetta ). This city was made famous by the Rosetta Stone tablet discovered here in 1799 by the French that was the key to interpreting the hieroglyphics.

If you are taking an Egypt holiday this year remember to book your Birmingham Airport Parking & Birmingham Airport Hotels on the web in advance to find the top deal and use the online discounts available.

The City Of Bristol

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

Long before the days of the Merchant Venturers, the city of Bristol has been a essential and successful center of business enterprise, not only as the gateway to theSouth West but to international trade with a large and busy wharves complex at Portbury and Avonmouth, close to Bristol, importing 1000’s of autos everyday, 12 million tons of cargo employing more or less 5000 employees. For this reason it has always been simple to find cars for sale in Bristol.

Bristol has always been steeped in History from the days of Isambard Kingdom Brunel and before, to the beginning test flight of Concorde engineering at its best, adapting and enduring through good times and bad, holding the test of time encompassing ingenuity, dedication and passion symbolised by the evolution of the latest Bristol Space Planes project.

The recent recession has hit Bristol just as hard as any urban center around the world but in Bristol and the west country, establishments have joined together to exchange ideas and offer help and assistance to any commercial enterprise fighting the recession. You can find some of these Bristol businesses in any ample business directory for Bristol.

You can find many different comprehensive Bristol guides on-line with business directories, Bristol jobs, property for sale in Bristol and community pages. These types of internet site allow people to become connected with different people dwelling in the region. Whether they are looking to date someone special with dates in Bristol or to try and arrange to eat at restaurants in Bristol with a useful Bristol restaurant guide.

Bristol also has a vibrant music and liberal arts scene with venues like the Colston Hall, Hippodrome and the charity St George’s concert hall. There are umpteen clubs and small gigs taking place every night of the week. Last, but not least, the Old Vic Theatre Company and the very active Theatre School. As a result of all these events taking place, many people from outside the region come to find hotels to stay in Bristol. There are a good range of hotels in Bristol to choose from and they will meet most people’s budgets.

Shopping in the city of Bristol has just grown more electric with the starting of the Cabot Shopping centre in the middle of Broadmead, including the top names in designer stores and eating houses with parking for a fair ?1.00 an hour. With all that Bristol has to offer it would be a great idea for anyone to come and visit the urban center.