Archive for the ‘Travel guide’ Category
Paris in springtime is the stuff of romantic ballads. Laden with blooming flowers that scent the air with fresh perfumes, the trees in the city’s parks are at their best at this time of year. In particular, Jardin du Luxemburg encapsulates what it is that Parisian parks are all about. Romantic and elegant, the park was first laid out in 1612, surrounding the palace built for the Regent, Marie de Medici.
A trip to the daily flower market at Place Louis-Lépine is made magical on Sundays, when a chirruping bird market is held. The traditional sights of Paris are made only more beautiful in the spring, from the world-renowned Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame to Montmartre, the beautiful and unique village within Paris. Surrounded by leafy greenery and budding flowers, the atmosphere is one of joy of life, what the locals would call ‘Joie de Vivre’ and of course, romance.
At anytime during the spring, heavy rains may burst from the Parisian sky, but it is a far cry from the heavy heat of summer. At this time of year, before the hordes of tourists come to explore this beautiful, historic city during summer, it is a peaceful place, though never without a spark of life.
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How much can you do and see in one day? Antwerp, the Flemish capital of Belgium, will challenge you to pack in more than you ever thought possible. You will be spoilt for choice as you take in the designer-led fashion quarter, the narrow cobbled streets that hide thousands of bars, restaurants, art and antique dealers, chocolatiers and of course, the famous diamond shops.
Slip into one of the bars and ask for a bolleke (a ‘little bowl’) of one of Antwerp’s famous beers, maybe a De Koninck, a mild strength ale, or a Kriek Boon, a beautiful cherry beer. If you decide to take some home – and you certainly will – visit the excellent Den Dorstvlegel beer shop.
Antwerp is a rising fashion city thanks to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, which hosts perhaps the best fashion department in Europe. Graduates tend to remain in the city to make their mark, rather than decamp to Paris or New York.
Its architecture spans medieval to modern, with The Cathedral of Our Lady dominating the skyline.
Head north of the centre to the quiet urban cool of Park Spoor Noord, a expansive centre of relaxation, play and entertainment that hosts concerts, sporting events, or if you prefer, a family picnic.
What comes to mind when you think of Warwickshire? Rolling hills, Shakespeare, endless canals, quaint villages and pubs?
Warwickshire is all of these and more: the wonderful castles of Warwick and Kenilworth, the genteel town of Leamington Spa, and green and pleasant countryside.
The historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon with its black and white buildings and river is wonderful in its own right. It is a beautiful setting for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre – arguably it is the best place in the country to see the great bard’s plays. Recently refurbished, it really is a dramatic experience. Visit Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare was baptised and buried. It has the accolade of being England’s most visited church and has many interesting features. The building dates from 1210 although there has been a church on the site for much longer.
The fascinatingly beautiful castle at Warwick, dating back to William the Conqueror, has seen some great historical events, and is now a major tourist attraction as well as being an impressive setting for re-enactments of jousting and falconry.
The canal system in Warwickshire is vast and yet you could be forgiven for almost not noticing it as it is hidden away from the main hub of activity. With many canalside walks, interspersed with pubs for refreshments, there is plenty of opportunity for slow, leisurely enjoyment. Hire a boat for a week and experience being afloat.
In many ways, Warwickshire epitomises English country life.
River Avon Stratford-upon-Avon
Picture courtesy of Nigel’s Europe
Try Thomson cruises, for a family friendly cruise holiday, without the hassle. Thomson cruises cover destinations all around the globe which means you can find the perfect holiday for you and your family. The have five ships which cover not only family cruises but also adults only, all with mouth-watering cuisine and top class entertainment, not to mention Thomson’s selection of shore excursions.
Thomson Celebration
Picture courtesy of ozgurmulazimoglu
Their ships circumnavigate the globe so you can visit a wide range of destinations such as the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Baltic, the Red Sea, Canary Islands and Morocco and the Caribbean. On a cruise holiday with Thomson you can visit some amazing ports of call such as: Livorno from where you can enjoy Florence and Pisa, sampling a piece of Italy. Montego Bay offers you the chance to explore the rich culture and history of Jamaica and Willemstad allows you to discover Curacao in the Dutch Antilles. On a Red sea cruise you can stop off in Alanya to explore the beauty of Antalya and the Turkish Turquoise coast, in Agaba you can search out ancient histories in Jordan.
Thomson cruises also offer cruise and stay holidays to, so your holiday doesn’t have to come to an end just because you leave the boat, you can spend a week cruising before spending a week on land at a luxury hotel. Many people opt for cruise and stay holidays especially when they are visiting destinations such as the Caribbean so you can wind down before you go home and travel all that distance by air.
The state of Florida is home to some of the top attractions in the United States, such as Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center, and The Everglades. Many tourists choose to visit the state while their children are on summer holiday. It is also a good winter destination, with most attractions remaining open.
The most important consideration will be the intended area in which to stay. It should be as close to the attractions as possible. This makes it convenient to travel to the attractions on the itinerary without having to spend a lot of time driving in heavy traffic. An ideal holiday rental should be no more than 20 minutes from intended destinations by car.
It is important to find out what the maximum sleeping capacity is for the rental. Usually, there will be at least one master bedroom intended for a couple, with additional bedrooms or sleeping facilities in the living area. There is also usually at least one full bath, with additional water closets.
These types of rentals are self-catering. However, individual amenities may vary somewhat. If the property is on a beach, it is a good idea to find out if beach gear is included. If not, beach towels, sand toys or other items can usually be purchased from nearby shops. You will also find full dinner sets with cutlery for meals. Some properties may provide food items for breakfast or other meals to help save guests a trip to the grocer.
Sitting at the southern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia is the City of Gardens, Victoria. This city of 300,000 merges North American, British and Asian influences into a vibrant setting for a holiday.
If you enjoy exploring on foot, start with a tour of the Parliament buildings, an impressive collection of stone buildings that face the Inner Harbour. Next, take a short walk to the historic Empress Hotel, to enjoy high tea. You might next consider a walk along the Inner Harbour, which bustles with activity all day long. Tourists and locals mingle among the local artisans and buskers. View the aboriginal wood carvers, listen to a steel drum band or get your caricature drawn. If you are in need of a rest, hop aboard the ferry to explore the harbour.
Step back in history at the Maritime Museum and the Royal British Columbia Museum or visit the undersea gardens to explore the creatures living in the harbour. There are plenty of food stands along the Inner Harbour and restaurants abound throughout the downtown core, from sushi to steak, pasta to seafood and tapas to gelato. Stroll north along Government Street to stock up on souvenirs. Take a turn onto Fisgard Street and venture into Chinatown, the second oldest Chinatown in North America. If you are still feeling energetic, sneak down Fantang Alley, the narrowest street in Canada, which was once known for its opium dens. Turning back southeast, enjoy a brisk walk up Fort Street to admire the treasures on display on Antique Row.
Victoria offers many cultural activities to keep you busy during your holiday.
In this day and age it is becoming more and more expensive to go on holiday, whether it’s here in the UK or abroad. Many families are being squeezed financially meaning they are struggling to afford the holiday costs which seem to be continuously rising. There are however quite a few affordable holidays out there you just have to know where to look, as well as do some research plus maybe open yourself up to taking a holiday you may not have thought of before.
All-inclusive holidays and cruise holidays are becoming more and more popular as people look for affordable options so they can take a break away with the family.
It’s been noted in the news recently that all-inclusive holidays are becoming more popular thanks mainly to poor exchange rates. With all-inclusive holidays you pay the majority of the costs up front such as food and drink which means you won’t have to worry about paying for these whilst you’re away. Plus things like kids clubs are also normally included free of charge and even Wi-Fi in some hotels, just make sure you know exactly what you don’t have to pay for and what you do!
Cruise holidays too are also bucking the trend when it comes to holidays with bookings rising in this sector too, like all-inclusive holidays a lot of costs are paid up front, however with a cruise holiday you don’t have to worry about getting there and back. Some cruise lines also let you use a pre-paid card for food and drink which means you don’t have to worry about carrying money around with you. The final bonus of a cruise holiday is that you also get to see a lot more places whilst you’re away with all the different ports of call that can be fitted in. Plus cruising is no longer perceived as just for the rich as there are a lot of cruise deals available now which make them very affordable!
The Algarve on Portugal’s southern shore offers its visitors wonderful weather and fantastic beaches. It is also a favourite spot for golfers from all over Europe. The Algarve boasts some top class golf courses, and, for anyone wanting to play their favourite sport in the delightful Algarvian surroundings, golfing holidays. These usually last from three to 14 days, and are easy to arrange.
Golfing holiday packages on the Algarve can include hotel rooms. Or alternatively, if you have already arranged accommodation, there are specialist golf holiday companies who will arrange tee times to ensure you get as much time as possible out on the course.
Depending on the type of package booked, car hire may be included. This will ensure that you will be able to visit as many of the region’s courses as possible during your stay. However, if you prefer not to have to drive during your golfing holiday, transfers can be arranged between the airport, hotel and golf courses.
The cost of taking a set of golf clubs on a flight can be very expensive, so you may instead find it more convenient, as well more economical, to hire clubs on the Algarve. Some golf holiday specialist companies offer this facility.
Discount fees for courses throughout the region can also be arranged, as well entry to local golf competitions. Additionally, for those wanting to improve their game, the golfing holiday packages can also include golf tuition.
Warsaw is Poland’s capital, and one of the country’s oldest cities. A large portion of the city dates back to medieval times. The airport is Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport, and travellers can easily get transportation to hotels from the airport. Buses and trams are popular forms of transportation. The city is also ideal for travel via hired car.
The Centrum area of Warsaw is where interesting attractions are likely to be found. The Old Town has some especially beautiful buildings that have existed for hundreds of years. The Royal Castle is one of the most impressive buildings in Poland. Special exhibitions are sometimes hosted here. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier pays homage to Poles who gave their lives for their country. The Jewish Quarter offers a good look at how Warsaw’s Jews lived for many years. Here, visitors will see the Nożyk Synagogue, which is the only Orthodox synagogue still in the city.
In addition to some independent shops that mainly cater to locals, most of the shopping in Warsaw is in the form of larger European chain stores. Many items can be found at Carrefour or Tesco. There are also several shopping malls in the city. These malls keep late hours and may have bowling alleys or cinemas in addition to shops and restaurants.
Warsaw offers quality food for decent prices. The Śródmieście district has several inexpensive kebab shops. The kebabs are quite tasty. There are also several favourite fast food chains represented. These include McDonald’s, Subway, and Burger King.
Scarborough is a gem of a seaside town and well worth exploring, but many people may never venture beyond to discover some interesting villages not far away.
The village of Brompton-by-Sawdon, just eight miles away, is a pretty Yorkshire village with some fascinating history. Brompton Hall, which is now a special school, was once the home of George Cayley, who designed a glider that he then flew in Brompton Dale. Cayley is not well known generally, even though amongst engineers he is known as the ‘Father of Aviation’. Richard Branson recently flew a replica of Cayley’s glider in Brompton Dale, inviting young school children along to watch.
Brompton also has a beautiful, ancient church, where William Wordsworth married Mary Hutchinson in 1802.
Travel a little further along the A170 away from Scarborough and you come to Thornton-le-Dale, which was dubbed one of the prettiest villages in Yorkshire in the 1920s and is still very attractive today, having avoided becoming over developed, or over ‘touristy’ in spite of its accolade. It is a small town with ‘chocolate box’ thatched cottages and a pretty beck runs alongside the road. The town still has local butchers’ and greengrocers’ shops, and it can almost seem to come from a different era.
Pickering is a few miles further on – a bustling market town with an ancient church that has mediaeval paintings on the wall. This is the starting point for a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where steam trains travel between rural villages in the moors.