Travel to Europe but avoid the Subways
While countries like Switzerland and Spain are well known for their architecture, and Venice and Paris draw tourists for their amazing streets and canals, travel experts warn travellers to steer away from underground subways. Europe is typically a favourite destination for American travellers who go there for the culture and aesthetics of the old architecture but the beauty of this traditional favourite is lost as the subway takes them from the scenic beauty that brought them there to begin with. Certainly a quick and economical way to get around whilst there, you will benefit from paying a little more to ride public buses. Luxury travel is not exactly luxury if you are the victim of a crime.
Guidebook author and travel show host Rick Steves recommends trams, buses and ferries as a better way to experience the sounds of Europe and the sights of the cosmopolitan cities. Steves offers the idea of “it’s more about the journey than the destination, so staying above ground is not quicker.” Unfortunately, tourists riding the trams and buses are prime target for pickpockets, so be aware of your surroundings and you will find the expense is worth the risk. He goes on to recommend the 69 bus route when in Paris and number 100 for Berlin as the best of public transit.
Stag Nights
Stag nights are for unmarried males – albeit lively and exciting, they plan to end their bachelor’s life after a final weekend of elated bliss. Things range from wild adventures to bustling, sensuous fun, all mixed and stuffed in a few memorable days. A time of merriment and fun awaits while you pack your bags and arrangements are made for an all-dance-all-singing evening.
Stag nights are an ideal time to celebrate friendship as well as your bachelorhood and so often only include those friends of the future bridegroom who have stood by him and been a part of his best memories. From staid games like poker to risqué activities such as striptease acts, they can run the gamut of fun and pleasure.
Music is an integral part of the enjoyment whatever the form it takes and varies from spiced up rock (classic rockers are already married – well, almost all of them) to salsa with TT (techno and trance) numbers in between taking on yer nerves. The right music coupled with high spirits can literally steer the party to the zeniths of intense and exciting fun. It forms the essence of the last night of hedonistic freedom, defined by various activities; the mayhem and the magic of a few splendid ideas that are otherwise not tolerated too well in the society.
Unless it’s brave and bold, a stag night is not the breathless party it’s supposed to be. To the imaginative and fun-loving though, there are several exciting options including racy games – think gears and the racing-quads and the ultimate action and navigating thrills. Water, mud, land and dirt give the rider enough high; the rest is left for the laughter, the booze, the dog racing, trigger pulling (on set targets) and partying at the hot spots, to accomplish. Stags’ nights, after all, have always been noted for vibrant and sizzling parties.
For party ideas on designing stag nights to set things buzzing once more, the most rocking nightclubs provide great ideas. That is, if you are planning it in the basement. With a little effort, the cold hole can be turned into an all-night, vibrant night den. It’s fine so long as it’s limited to intoxication and indoor activities; for unusual and different stuff, there are the flashy bus-parties and lap and pole-dancing clubs. Have some personal fun on the run as well when you are in one of these.
Beautiful Somerset
Somerset has plenty to see and do, all in the quaint setting of an ancient English town. There is the Dunster Castle, as well as a number of historic wells. You can also view one of the many manor houses in the area, like the Montacute House, Tyntesfield, or the Barrington Court. If museums are your thing, you will find plenty to visit. You can go to the Helicopter Museum, for the more offbeat exhibits, or the Fleet Air Arm Museum. For the more adventurous, take a tour through the Cheddar Caves. The National Trust has preserved many different locations, such as Cheddar Gorge, Exmoor National Park, and Glastonbury Tor.
For the more active types, you can partake in a variety of activities, such as horse riding on the beach, or a walking tour around rustic villages. There is also cycling and golf to enjoy. Some of the best fishing for Freshwater Trout and Carp can be done in this town as well. You can take a swim, or visit a sporting venue. Take a walk down one of the many side streets for great shopping and unique finds.
If you’re looking for Hotels in Bath, you won’t find a shortage of beautiful accommodation. You can stay in anything from romantic, rustic manors, or a quaint bed and breakfast. There are five star resorts or friendly hotels to cater to any taste.
Cotswolds, England
This region is well known for it’s natural beauty, and is a beautiful location for a quiet holiday. There is breathtaking landscape to see, such as river valleys, meadows, and woods. There are ancient ruins, such as the limestone villages, and old market towns for the iconic “English” setting. You can complete you quaint, British holiday by booking a Bath Bed and Breakfast, for a rustic, quiet getaway.
For tourist attractions, you have to see the only circular Nave in England, in the church St Michael at Garway, which dates all the way back to the thirteenth century. Or stop by the Cirencester Agricultural College, where is the leader of agricultural methods in the country. It was founded by the Early of Bathurst, Henry the fourth. The church of St John in a small village called Elkstone is also worth seeing. It has beautiful carvings and a wood churchyard. There are also tombs and the village nearby hosts several events throughout the year. It is also the highest church in Cotswolds.
But Cotswolds is more than just a picturesque town, you can find plenty of activities to keep you busy if you’re more of an active type. You can go horseback riding, enjoy golfing or motor sports. You can also go cycling or camping for the adventurous.
Visiting Cornwall
Cornwall has something to offer everyone, from a variety of activities to beautiful, historical buildings and other tourist attractions. You can also find fantastic dining, night life, and shopping.
When you’re looking for historical sites, check out the Pendennis Castle, or the Lanhydrock House, which have been preserved by the National Trust. If you’re with kids, there are plenty of activities to keep them busy. Take them by the Crealy Great Adventure Park, or Dairyland Farm World to serve as an outlet for their energy. These parks have great outdoor attractions as well as indoor play areas, so its a great destination year around.
If museums are more your thing, there is the famous Tate St Ives, and a great aquarium in Newquay called Blue Reef. Nature enthuists will love the Eden Poject, home to some of the most famous gardens in Cornwall. There is also the National Seal Sanctuary.
You can also enjoy one of the many beaches here, being that the city is eighty percent coast line, you can choose from one of three hundred beaches.
When it comes to accommodation, book one of the quaint, traditional Cornwall Cottages that can be found around the area.
A Guide to the Pembrokeshire National Park
Have you ever considered taking a short break in Pembrokeshire? No!? Well, perhaps its time you change your mind. First of all it’s so accessible. Located in South West Wales, London is just 4 hours away, Birmingham 3.5, the Severn Bridge 2 hours and Cardiff a mere 1.5 hours. Strong access to the area really does make it a place worth visiting wherever you are.
The Pembrokeshire National Park can boasts some of the most breathtaking views and diverse range of wildlife found anywhere in the UK. The park covers some 240 square miles with a coastline stretching 258 miles long. The coast is dotted with little islands just off the mainland that can be accessed by boat; on the islands, you can see puffins, gannets and a whole host of sea life from seals to whales as well as the panoramic views. Walks, biking, golf and fishing are all popular activities, while quaint little villages, bustling towns and great attractions provide many things to see and do. Here is just a little list of things you could be doing on your nest holiday:
Choose to stay in one of a wide range of Pembrokeshire Cottages to make your stay truly memorable.
Romantic Italy for Newlyweds
The most iconic experiences that define the word “Romance” can only be found in the beautiful country of Italy. Such as a: touring through the Venetian canals on a gondola, or candle lit dinners in a water side cafe, you can find it here in Italy.
If you book your trip to Venice, Florence, or Rome, you will find that many newly married couples from all over the world go to Italy for the most romantic holiday of their lives. From it’s picturesque canals to it’s towering architecture, every couple can find something that appeals to their tastes.
The nightlife throughout Italy is also famous throughout the world, with great clubs with live music and fantastic wine. If you go south to Sicily, you will find lush wine country and secluded beaches. Italy has all of the most desirable aspects when it comes to vacationing, all in one country. So if you like sightseeing and ancient ruins, as well as great restaurants, wine and art, then you know where to book for your Honeymoon.
Guest post by Holly
Visiting the UK? Take a Trip to Cornwall
Located in the very south and west of the UK, Cornwall enjoys a warmer climate than the rest of the country, and is a haven for surfers and holiday makers. With the Atlantic Ocean, the Bristol Channel and the British Channel all surrounding it, and with the most coastline of any county in the UK, it’s unsurprising that Cornwall is well known for its beaches.
Because of the wealth of visitors that Cornwall receives, you shouldn’t have trouble finding accommodation. There’s always a whole variety available, from hotels and bed and breakfasts to holiday parks, or even a Cornwall holiday cottage.
It’s not just beaches though. There are plenty of small, picturesque villages to explore, and Cornwall has a rich history that any visitor can delve into. From its Celtic heritage to the tin mining that made it rich, there is a lot for any traveller to discover.
Some villages even provide enough attractions to make an entire week’s trip out of. Rent a St Ives cottage and visit the numerous art displays and galleries that it has to offer. Stay in St Just and find out all about Cornish tin mining. Visit Penzance and enjoy some true Cornish culture.
Cornwall truly can make for an excellent holiday, so bear it in mind next time you’re looking for a UK trip.
See China via the Himalayan Express
If you have ever heard any of your friends boast about their China Holidays, then you will no doubt realise the country is stunning and an amazing place to visit.
One of the most special holidays you can have in China, is taking a ride on the Himalayan Express.
The project’s travel directors have named China’s new railway the Himalayan Express, which stretches 1142km between Tibet and Qinghai. The name is slightly catchier than the official name T27 or T28, depending on which way you are travelling.
So what makes this railway special compared to any other ones round the world? Well it is that the peak altitude is 5072m which makes for an exciting and spectacular ride.
This amazing feat of engineering took thousands of workers four years to build and was completed in 2005 ahead of schedule. As well as the track itself, the railway workers built 44 new stations including the worlds highest at Tanggula at 5068m. The total cost of the project has been reported at $3.68 billion.
So what can you expect if you take the plunge and take a ride on this amazing railway? Well depending on what station you board the train and where you depart, this will determine what sites you will witness.
One popular journey is travelling from Lhasa to Xining. On this journey you will travel across the Tibetan Plateau, taking in dramatic landscapes and cross through the Kunlun and Tangula Mountains. Once you arrive in Xining, you will be able to visit the amazing Ta’er Temple.
The train itself has many amenities to make your trip comfortable. There are tea and coffee stations, a simple Chinese menu to choose from and information boards that let you know statistics about your journey (speed, outside temperature).
It is always advisable to be aware of the hazards of travelling at high altitudes. If you travel up to quickly and fail to acclimatise properly, you may get sick. If you are travelling with an organised tour, they will make sure you are well looked after and take the appropriate measure so you won’t get ill.
So if you are considering China Tours as a possible holiday in the near future, why not take a trip on the Himalayan Express and see China in style.
Top five must-do London activities
Visiting London’s capital and want to know what to see and do? Read on…
1) ‘Learn something new’
With London having some 300 museums on varying subjects, there really is no excuse not to learn something new. Whether it’s a quick look around, or taking it all in you won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer. The Natural History Museum and Science Museum are undoubtedly firm favourites of the public, whilst is it’s something different you’re after the London aquarium is a guaranteed crowd pleaser and elsewhere the Victoria and Albert museum plays host to a vast array of decorative art and design artefacts.
2) ‘See the sights’
Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, Buckingham Palace, Downing Street… the list goes on. So much to see, so little time. There is a solution. Rather than having to pick and choose your attractions, see the lot with an open top bus tour. An ideal way to see the sights, beat the crowds, and all from the comfort of a seat.
3) ‘Shop ‘til you drop’
London is famously renowned as the shopping capital of England, playing host to a multitude of some of the worlds most famous labels. If it’s extravagance you’re after, a trip to the flagship Harvey Nichols store is bound to leave you in awe. Even if it is only of the prices.
4) ‘Take a stroll’
A break away from the commotion of London’s commercial district is never hard to find what with the vast array of Green spaces and parks on offer. Why not take in the sheer enormity of arguably the most famous river in Britain, and saunter by the sides of the Thames.
5) ‘See a West End show’
‘Avenue Q’, ‘Joseph’, ‘Cats‘, ‘Les Miserables’, London’s West End has housed some of the most famous productions out there, and now’s your chance to see one of them. For listings of the most recent productions, and for details of exclusive hotel and theatre packages check out these London theatre breaks for the hottest offers around.