Destination Archives - Page 24 of 44

March 16, 2014 by jfalbelda

Discover Notting Hill, London!

Ever wondered what it would be like to hang out in London’s trendiest urban scenes? If only for a day? Well stop that daydreaming and spruce up your next London break with a trip to one of Capital’s most fashionable areas, the one and only, Notting Hill. You don’t need to be a millionaire to enjoy the sights on offer, just get a load of these fantastic ideas to fill up your day in Notting Hill.

First on the list for visiting the area is the famous Portobello Market. Selling everything from antiques and handcrafted goods to clothes and food, this mile-long street market is a shopaholic’s paradise! To get the most out of your London market experience make sure you immerse yourself into the hustle and bustle, haggle for bric-a-brac, and sample foodie delights from one of the many eateries along Portobello Road.

World-renowned as the second largest street festival in the world, The Notting Hill Carnival is definitely not to be missed. Taking place over August Bank Holiday weekend, there’s no better excuse to let your hair down and party the day away with amazing costumed dancers and incredible musical entertainment. Locals welcome this iconic annual parade, and they also welcome visitors from all over the world to come and join in the fun! Oh and don’t worry, there’s plenty of stalls offering food and drink to help that party spirit run throughout the whole weekend, so make sure you’ve got your whistle and vuvuzelas ready!

Now, we’ve all seen and love the film Notting Hill, but wouldn’t it be lovely to see those iconic movie locations first hand. Fear not, those popular points of interest are easily found with the right insider knowledge…or a quick Google search. Head to Rosemead Gardens to see the very spot where Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant break in to the gardens after too much alcohol induced fun! (Re-enactments not advised). Or visit the iconic blue door of William’s (Hugh Grant) flat door on Westbourne Park Road – now actually black and white, but who cares right?! Alternatively, you can see the store used for William’s Travel Book Co. at 142 Portobello Road. Sadly, it’s no long a bookshop but there’s good news…it’s now a shoe shop. Double the reasons to go if you ask me!

If that’s not enough celebrity stalking to satisfy your needs, then you maybe interested to hear about Madonna’s London real estate obsession. With 5 London properties already under her belt, her most recent purchase was a luxury home in none other than Notting Hill – worth a staggering £10 million might I add! Sneak a peak at her gaff in Notting Hill to see how the rich and famous live it up in London.

For those fond of a Royal garden, a trip to Kensington Park should sit at the top of your to do list in Notting Hill. With a staggering 242 acres to explore, you could easily forget you’re in the city. Admire the beautiful gardens, take a breezy stroll or enjoy a picnic with friends…the options are endless!

For most, the dream of having a W11 postcode is unlikely to become a reality, but a London short break to Notting Hill means we can all have a taste of the high life.

Have you ever visited Notting Hill? What are your top tips for exploring this fashionable London area? Come on, share those travel secrets with us all!

Hayley is Superbreak’s Adventure and Budget travel expert! She’s been back packing around Italy and Eastern Europe and loves to see as many places for as little as possible.

March 12, 2014 by Jeremy

Discover a New Side to Florida…

When you think of Florida, what springs to mind? Is it the thrills and spills of the Orlando theme parks? Maybe the Disney firework shows that light up the night sky? Or is it the never ending shopping malls that let you shop until you drop? Whatever you picture, change your view of this destination with a few top tips on places to visit…

For total relaxation, with a fun tropical vibe, head south to the Florida Keys. Bob Marley would have loved it here. The people are friendly, the pace is slow and the sun is hot – what more could you want from a chilled-out escape to the sun?

Key Largo holidays are a popular choice if you don’t want to travel too far. It’s the first Key you come to as you venture down the Dixie Highway to the Florida Keys. There’s lots for the kids to enjoy here, including a visit to the National Marine Sanctuary, home to colourful reefs and protected species just waiting to be discovered. Key Largo is famed for its many bars and restaurants offering award winning outdoor dining day and night.

Further North, you’ll find another part of Florida offering a totally different side to this magical state. On the East Coast is the enchanting city of Saint Augustine.

Steeped in history being the oldest town in America, you’ll enjoy excursions to the famous Flagler Museum, the Fountain of Youth and Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum. Stroll down King Street dotted with quaint cafes and local shops selling fine art, trinkets and souvenirs of your visit.

Pop into Kilwins for the best ice cream you’ll ever taste served in a giant waffle cone. Then head to the beach, with miles upon miles of glorious golden sand and hardly a tourist in sight.

Wherever your Florida dreams take you, you can get there for less with the likes of Thomas Cook holidays to Florida. Check out the great offers available for this year and next, with fantastic savings available the sooner you book…

March 6, 2014 by Ben Carter

The Biggest Universal Movies that Don’t have a ride yet – and what it should be

Universal Studios is not only one of the most successful American movie studios, but the company also operates two ridiculously popular theme parks in the States. Most visitors to either the California or Florida Universal Studios locations come for the thrill rides that are based on some of Universal’s most successful movies such as E.T., King Kong, and Terminator 2.

However, despite all of the rides and attractions at Universal Studios locations, there are a few successful Universal pictures which have surprisingly never had their own Universal Studios park attraction. These are some of the biggest Universal pictures which have failed to inspire an attraction at a Universal park. And if this list makes you want nothing more than to visit the park yourself, then check out tickets at Love Orlando Florida.

February 21, 2014 by jfalbelda

Top Tourist Attractions In Finland

Nature is behind many of the top tourist attractions in Finland. It may be home to Nokia, one of the world’s leading phone manufacturing companies, but it is blessed with unspoiled nature and stunning scenery. Locals are well aware of this that even though they live in a technologically-advanced country, they spend their summer months in cottages around beaches and lakes for relaxing activities such as swimming and fishing. The Nordic country also has an interesting past which left it with numerous historical attractions.

#1: Rauma

The old town is characterized by its wooden architecture and has become one of the finest examples of a traditional Nordic city. Rauma is also one of the world’s biggest and most beautiful wooden towns. There are more than 600 buildings here and many of them are privately owned and well-preserved. The typical house in Rauma is called a kirsti. It is a small fisherman’s house. Don’t miss this awesome Norwegian destination!

#2: Seurasaari Island

The island offers a quick escape from Helsinki as it’s only a few kilometers away. Not only does it give you a peaceful break from the city, it also acts as an outdoor museum that represents four centuries of Finnish history. Old mansions and estates from all over Finland were moved here but you will also see small cottages and farmhouses to represent the country’s different regions. Walking around Seurassari Island is a delight for any nature lover as well because of its beautiful sceneries.

#3: Suomenlinna Fortress

The fortress hails from the later half of the 18th century. It was built to aid Sweden in protecting the eastern Baltic region from Russian invasion. Suomenlinna spans across six islands near Helsinki and is part of the top tourist attractions in Finland. It’s renowned for being one of the world’s biggest and strongest fortresses.

#4: St. Olaf’s Castle

It is a medieval castle built in 1475 on an island connected to the mainland. Like Suomenlinna Fortress, its purpose was to protect Finland from Russia. St. Olaf’s Castle was originally ordered by Eric Knight Akselson Toth but subsequent kings who lived there contributed to its current eclectic architecture. Each year the grounds of the castle and fortress are used as a venue for the Savonlinna Opera Festival.

#5: Petäjävesi

Petäjävesi is an old wooden church that exemplifies northern architecture. It was constructed by a peasant from 1763 to 1764. Its facade and rooftop are characteristically Gothic in architecture but simple in design. The interiors are marked by intricate designs and craftwork such as handmade arches and carvings. Nowadays, the church is a major tourist spot.

#6: Koli National Park

The national park encompasses a woodland growing on mountains from 2 billion years ago as well as islands and a lake. Locals consider it a magical and sacred place. Despite its seemingly uniformity, there is a wide variety of animals and plants thriving in the area.

So there you have it, just some of the great tourist attractions to enjoy in Finland. So, book your tickets, pack suitcase and hit the road! Bon Voyage!

February 20, 2014 by Jeremy

Bargain sun and sand destinations

Who doesn’t dream of jetting off somewhere sun-drenched and sprinkled with beautiful beaches? But the truth is that our budgets seemed to be stretched further and further, leaving little room for holidays. That said, I think there’s still scope to go away and enjoy yourself, provided you pick a destination that’s known for being budget-friendly.

To help give you a little inspiration for your holiday planning, I’ve put together a list of three destinations that are reliable both in terms of sunshine and being kind to your wallet. If none of these tickle your fancy, you can check out a wider range of options (also budget-friendly) through companies like Holiday Nights.

Benidorm

Topping my list is Benidorm, which is probably one of the best-known budget beach destinations. Sitting on Spain’s Costa Blanca, it has pretty much everything the average UK holidaymaker could want – a healthy dose of Spanish sunshine, great beaches, plenty of nightlife and a few favourites from home.

You see, part of Benidorm’s longstanding appeal is that it’s a bit like finding a slice of England in the Spanish sunshine, what with its pubs and classic fish and chip shops. So, in my opinion, Benidorm is the ultimate place to come to if you fancy having that classic seaside holiday.

Its nightlife has a little bit of everything, including karaoke, live music and cabaret, not to mention lots of nightclubs, while there are some lovely local attractions. For instance, just off the coast is Peacock Island, which you can visit for some gorgeous coastal views.

Crete

Crete is a brilliant budget beach destination if you fancy having a little more variety in terms of what you do. This Greek island is really popular among walkers, while there are lots of amazing historical sites here too.

Let’s take a quick look at the beaches first, though. One of the best is Vai in Itanos, which is utterly idyllic. It’s also unique, being backed by Europe’s largest natural palm grove. Another good option is Preveli Beach, which is one of the best-loved stretches of sand on the island.

In term of other attractions, make sure you take the time to visit Knossos, which dates back to the Minoan civilisation. It should take you a good few hours to explore, so leave plenty of time for your trip – heading there in the morning is usually best, because it can get crowded later in the day.

Corfu

Last up is another of the Greek islands, Corfu. Despite being Greek, this destination has quite a European feel – something that’s largely down to the fact that it’s been occupied by the French, Venetians and British over the years. So, expect to see some European-style buildings and things like cricket being played. If you’re someone who loves a stunning hotel or place to stay whilst away, well you’re in luck. There are some beautiful villas in Corfu that really do make your trip that extra special. Whether you’re there for the beach, or to see what the city holds, there are villas scattered all around the area for whatever the plan is.

Agios Georgian Pagos is one of the most popular beaches here. Spanning 2 km, it’s a popular windsurfing spot, while there are also calmer sections of water perfect for swimming. You’ll find it in the north-west of the island. Over on the west coast, meanwhile, is the spectacular Myrtiotissa, which is often said to be one of the prettiest beaches in the world – and it’s also among the island’s top nudist beaches.

If you fancy learning more about the island’s heritage, meanwhile, head to Corfu Town. The streets in the old quarter date back to the 14th century.