England Archives - Page 2 of 4

January 29, 2014 by jfalbelda

Caravanning in the UK!

Caravan holidays have always been popular as a cheaper alternative to holidaying abroad, giving people a chance to explore the natural wonders of the United Kingdom. Perfect for family bonding and meeting other like-minded people, caravan sites are often associated with the older generation and don’t have the most exciting reputation. However in recent years caravanning has been taken to another level, with many different groups deciding to swap their beach break in Spain for a seaside session in England. Activities like glamping and glamavanning are bringing a modern take on camping and caravan holidays; a chance for younger people to inject a bit of glamour and luxury to the traditional British holiday.

caravan in parking lot You can book a caravan on a traditional site filled with nostalgia, or bring along your home comforts and friends for a UK adventure close to local bars and amenities. Whatever you choose, it’s a great idea to research caravan sites and see which one best fits your purpose. Sites like The Caravan Club, offer great membership opportunities so you can find the best holiday at the cheapest price. From busy family sites to more secluded areas that offer privacy for your group, the club looks to make sure you have all the facilities you need in the right location for you.

With caravan sites located all over the United Kingdom and Ireland, you can go on a journey to a range of different areas, all with their own charm and benefits. Sites in Scotland offer the chance to have a relaxing break amongst the serene lochs of the Lowlands or the towering mountains of the Highlands. Try Wales for sites that can be found within the valleys, offering a chance to really embrace Welsh culture and their love of the land. The rural areas of England are full of caravan sites that are surrounded by enchanting forests and woodlands, streams to splash in and picturesque lakes for picnics. Spend a weekend in Ireland, surrounded by the Celtic countryside and mysterious ancient caverns, to hear tales of the myths and legends that are embedded within Irish culture.

Wherever you decide on for your caravanning in the UK adventure, The Caravan Club can help you plan and book a truly unforgettable holiday. Just remember to pack for sunshine and rain, as the weather is bound to be less predictable than a week in the Mediterranean!

January 20, 2014 by Jeremy

Top Tourist Attractions In London

There is a lot to talk about the top tourist attractions in London. And the fact that it attracts more than 14 million visitors per year, which accounts for £15 billion of its revenue, is very telling of the grandeur that awaits visitors once they step into the city.

But those who do not know much about this historical metropolis may find the fuss over London a little too dramatic. So just to quiet down the doubts, here are a few of the points of interest that’s exclusive to it.

1) The British Museum

This world famous art and artifact sanctuary serves as home to a number of prehistoric and modern works. If you want to see Parthenon sculptures, preserved mummies and Ancient Egyptian relics, as well as some of Michelangelo, Raphael and Da Vinci’s early works, then you should spend some time here.

2) The London Eye

This giant Ferris wheel that stands on the banks of the River of Thames measures 394 feet tall and boasts of a front row view of London’s skyline. It has 32 capsules that weight 10 tonnes. And each can hold 25 people at one time, so you can have your friends along. Yes, it can be scary at first. But if there is one thing you can’t miss experiencing, it is this.

3) The Tower of London

Built in 1078, this monumental piece architecture has bared witness to the rise and fall of England and its monarchy. And is the common background for a number of folklore. It has housed royalties, imprisoned criminals, became a well-known place of execution, and it has also protected the crown jewels at one time. If you wish to see the top tourist attractions in London, then it is a good idea to swing by when you are in town.

4) Madame Tussauds

It is an unconventional entry and has really very little connection with England’s culture or history. But this renowned museum of wax figures is a great place for tourist to explore and make memories. How often do you get a chance to take a picture of Brad Pitt, Queen Elizabeth II and Spider-man in one place?

5) The (London) Science Museum

Now if you are the no-nonsense type of person who is into facts and discoveries, then you’d enjoy your time touring this facility in South Kensington. As one of the top tourist attractions in London, this is where you’ll find every innovation that England has contributed to, from the automobiles to artillery, and displays on flight and space exploration.

While London might be a massive city, it is one of the easiest to get around in the world with countless options for transport. The Tube, London’s metro station has a multitude of stations and there is definitely one near any place you’re most likely trying to go.

You can take the tube to and from Heathrow International airport as well as a fast train, the Heathrow Express, which only takes 15 minutes to Paddington Station!

January 2, 2014 by Jeremy

Top Things To Do In London

If one were to think of the top things to do in London, any tourist can come up numerous sets of bucket lists to enjoy this city. London is one of the most popular and fabulous cities in the world, alongside New York City, Tokyo, Shanghai and Paris.

One can safely say that London’s entire history is a microcosm of United Kingdom’s saga. London was already inhabited as early as the Bronze Age era. Sooner around 43 AD it became an important Roman outpost coexisting with a number of older civilizations such as the Anglo-Saxons, the Picts and the Celts.

One can pretty much summarize London’s entire history as a straightforward ascending transition where every important era marks its rise to excellence. Today London remains to be the center of trade and economy in Europe. For ordinary travelers, here are among the recommended activities that will help keep one’s positive memory of London cherished.

1. Tour around Buckingham Palace

Among the top things to do in London for tourists, nothing pales in comparison to the enthusiasm that the public shares in touring around the Buckingham Palace. For a lot of avid visitors, this is considered to be a crowning achievement.

After all, nothing could ever be more prestigious than the residence of the most powerful person in the country (and perhaps even in all of Western Europe). The only catch about this vacation plan is that this tour is available only in summer season. In any other months, the Buckingham Palace is unavailable and highly guarded by the ceremonially immovable Beefeater Guards.

2. Visiting Trafalgar Square

For those who have no clear idea about Trafalgar Square and its prestige, one can simply compare it to New York City’s Central Park. Therefore, this centuries old plaza remains to be the most festive place in England during the New Year’s Eve. This square was built to commemorate Lord Horatio Nelson’s victory against Napoleon Bonaparte in leading the British Royal Navy in the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar.

3. Riding the London Eye

The London Eye remains to be the third largest observation wheel in the world, following the New York Wheel and Dubai Eye. Riding Ferris Wheels is more than just a childhood fascination. It gives tourists a splendid panorama of the entire metropolitan area. The London Eye is more preferable to ride at night because it reduces the chances of vertigo (no clear view of how high you are) and it features the city bathed in swarming lights.

4. Watching live sports events

Another of the top things to do in London can bring about a very exciting vacation experience. This city is host to two of the most popular national sports in the country – tennis and soccer. The Wimbledon tradition dates back as far as the late medieval era. There are important football league schedules one can check in order to get a chance to join the crowd.

5. Hitting a nightclub

After a long day of visiting the various attractions in the city, tourists might want to dance the night away at one of London’s hottest nightclubs. Kodo is an intimate venue that plays funk, soul, and R&B music. It features a lively dance floor, but also has plenty of tables for those who simply want to relax and have a drink. Opium is another hot venue in Soho that hosts a number of celebrity guests every week. Those who love hip-hop music and want the opportunity to party with some of London’s most beautiful people should definitely give it a try.

London is a massive city, but getting around isn’t hard given the very comprehensive metro system known as the tube. A good option for accommodation is staying near the airport at one of the cheaper Heathrow airport hotels. You can access the tube easily, and it’s also much easier to reach the airport when it’s time to fly back out!

December 3, 2013 by jfalbelda

Five Most Underrated Attractions In Europe

Planning a trip to Europe? Whether this is your first or a return venture, you will not be disappointed traveling to these less-known landmarks. You will be awed, you will be off the beaten path and you will have adventures your friends will be envious of.

Vezelay, France

Rioja Alavesa, Spain

The Rioja Alavesa Wine Route offers you the tours of wineries in the region and much more. Throughout the year there are fairs, exhibitions, car rallies and marathon races. The area is known for its deep musky Rioja wine and for its landmark modern architecture. The land has a rich history that is seen through many found remains that date back to the Bronze Age.

Vezelay, France

Vezelay is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is famous for the eleventh century Romanesque Basilica of St. Magdalene and one of the most underrated attractions in Europe. Legend has it the basilica was built to house relics (bones) of Mary Magdalene brought to Vezelay by the Benedictine monk, Baudillon. The Basilica has been a pilgrimage place for hundreds of thousands of followers.

Beyond this, the beauty of the Vezelay Abbey is said to rival Chartre Cathedral, and the village, being set into a hillside in Burgundy, is one of the most picturesque in all of France. The surrounding countryside is home to France’s burgundy wine country.

Avebury, England

Twenty miles north of Stonehenge lies one of the eeriest Neolithic monuments in Europe: Avebury. It consists of multiple concentric circles of stone constructed around 2600 BC, amid which the medieval village of Avebury grew. Archeologists assume the purpose of the stones and placement to be ritualistic.

Thanks to a collaboration with the BBC a few years ago, Avebury Mansion has been restored with a museum for exploring the monument. Visitors can re-experience the BBC series the Manor Reborn, tour the Mansion and the Gardens, and experience the Stone circle that borders the edge of the Mansion Property.

Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark

On the north end of the Danish Island of Zealand lies Louisiana Museum of Modern Art. The museum prides itself on its interface of art, nature and the museum’s modern architecture.

Louisiana Museum has one of the largest collections of modern art in Scandinavia and includes artists from Picasso, Giacometti and Dubuffet to Warhol, Rauschenberg and Guston. They have a tradition of cross-cultural exhibitions and of large, international photo, design and architectural shows. The museum looks across to view Oresund Sound to Sweden, along with Hamlet’s Elsinore Castle, the summer home of Danish royals-Fredensborg Slot and the many beaches and cliffs all nearby.

Dresden, Germany

Culture is the word that comes to mind when one mentions Dresden. The city has three major landmarks and many more minor ones too numerous to mention: Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House, and the Church of Our Lady. For 700 years Dresden has been famed for its music and the calendar year round is packed with musical events from international festivals like the International Dixieland Jazz Festival to theatre and dance happenings to the famous Semper Opera Ball. Christmas is a special time in Dresden as it is home to the oldest Christmas Market, Striezelmarkt, first documented in 1434. No other place has the lights, sounds and tastes of this one.

October 30, 2013 by jfalbelda

Why renting a cottage in the UK is perfect for cosy holidays!

When autumn and winter arrive, sometimes you fancy jetting off to exotic climes and staying in a fancy hotel, dining out every night and spending all day every day sightseeing. Sometimes, though, all you want to do is to escape to a cosy home from home where you can relax and do exactly as you please – even if this means doing nothing more than curling up on the sofa with a good book!

Of course, that may well leave you wondering ‘why go away at all?’, but that’s easy to answer. Anyone who has ever tried having a break from everything at home knows that real life just keeps rearing its head – hence the need to go somewhere different. Booking a country holiday cottage in the UK offers the perfect balance of home and away – here’s why.

thatched roof cottage in the United Kingdom.

Snug and cosy atmosphere

When the weather starts getting cooler, most of us immediately crave a cosier, more snug atmosphere – and this is part of the reason holiday cottages have the edge over hotels. After all, arriving to a soft sofa, fully equipped kitchen, welcoming bedrooms and, if you’re lucky, a roaring fireplace is much better than being greeted by a single hotel room with a meagre bathroom.

And of course, since the cottage is essentially yours for the duration of your stay and there’s plenty of space, there’s scope to make it even cosier still. For instance, you could bring extra cushions and blankets if you love curling up in soft spaces, or you could even pack a few of your favourite creature comforts from home just to make the place feel more like your own.

Cook warming food

One of the best things about renting a holiday cottage is that you’ll have your own kitchen. Now, most people focus on saving money as the main advantage of self-catered accommodation, but really having the ability to cook your own meals is a massive benefit in ensuring you enjoy your stay.

This is especially the case in autumn and winter, if you think about it, because it means you can treat yourself to a leisurely fry-up over the Sunday paper, delicious stews and steaming pies – all of which will not only make you feel at home, but will also be wonderfully warming in the cooler temperatures. And, of course, you can always go out for a meal whenever it suits you or your budget – this versatility is another big plus point.

Have space to socialise

Stay in a hotel and you’ll typically have a bedroom (or perhaps several, if you’ve got kids or are travelling with friends) and a bathroom, plus any lounge areas for guests, should there be any. So, there’s not really anywhere you can easily spend time together in private just talking, watching TV or playing a game.

Staying in a cottage is a different story. As well as having your own bedrooms, there will be plenty of communal space just for you, which makes it a much more social and homely environment. You’ll find this is especially handy in the autumn and winter, when you may well want to spend rainy days or evenings indoors.

Bring the family pet

Of course, if you have a dog, it just doesn’t feel like home without your faithful friend around. And this is another massive bonus of opting to stay in a holiday cottage, since there are so many pet-friendly properties available. So, you really can bring the whole family!