Author Archive
Vacations In Bristol, England
March 29, 2010
The United Kingdom of Great Britain is a brilliant place in which to take a vacation. It is fantastically popular with a wide range of folk ranging from mountain climbers, ramblers, hikers, hill-walkers and other visitors who enjoy vacations of this type to folk who enjoy such things as castles, country homes, historical buildings and fortified houses. Another thing attracting visitors is that the vacation destination features attractive countryside with a fantastic choice of majestic spots as well as an extensive choice of some of the world’s finest visitor attractions. Below I examine the amazingly popular English vacation destination, the city of Bristol.
City Breaks In Bristol, England and Some Facts You Should Know
Bristol has a rich and varied history, making it an ideal city for a weekend city break. In the past Bristol City was included amongst the top three medieval towns after London. Bristol was one of the busiest trading ports in the country of England, and in the 14th century, the port handled a considerable amount of the trade with the country of Ireland. In 1373 Bristol was constituted an English county, and during this time Bristol developed into the hub of manufacturing and shipbuilding. It is Bristol’s richly diverse cultural history that helps make it one of the most exciting of the English cities of this present time. Fortunately, folk wishing to spend time in Bristol will find that there is a large amount of bed and breakfast in Bristol available online, making it incredibly easy to make reservations.
The city of Bristol has a diverse arts scene and the city breeding an interesting selection of immensely talented and well known artists over time. Did you know that Wallace & Grommit were first brought to life in Bristol, and that Cary Grant also came from the city. The well known modern artist called Banksy created his most well known works of art in and around Bristol. The City Museum & Art Gallery is a entry free visitor attraction well worth a visit which shows a fascinating collection of excellent ancient artifacts, archaeology, art works, natural history and an ever changing selection of exhibitions and events. For a truly unique arts centre experience you should visit Spike Island. The arts centre concentrates on the exhibition and production of contemporary visual arts, which include various aspects of working with moving images, printmaking, multimedia projects, painting and more. If you would much prefer a more traditional art gallery, then The Royal West of England Academy should be the ideal answer. The Royal West of England Academy was Bristol’s very first art gallery and has in excess of one thousand two hundred works of art dating from the 19th century to the present day.
You will discover that there are a reasonable number of visitor attractions in the city of Bristol. One of the many places to visit is Bristol Zoo which houses over 450 different types of creature. Bristol Zoo is proudly involved in the conservation of endangered insects, mammals and amphibians. from around the world.
If horses are your thing then a trip to Horseworld would be perfect for you for you and your family. A visit to Horseworld enables you to meet rescued donkeys, horses and ponies. If you want to Horseworld allow you to indulge in the hand feeding of the animals. Another 2 visitor attractions which you might also find interesting are Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park and the Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, which both supply all of the essentials you will require for an excellent day out for your family.
If my article has interested you to such a degree that you and your family are currently thinking about taking a break in the city of Bristol it is crucial that you book your accommodation at the earliest opportunity because, unfortunately Bristol hotel accommodation tend to be amazingly busy and are commonly fully booked months in advance. If you are travelling in a group you might find that Bristol serviced apartments are a cheap alternative than paying for your whole family to stay in one of the many Bristol hotels, guest houses or other accommodation.
If you are looking at taking a Bristol vacation please take a look at our listings of Bristol hotels and Bristol bed and breakfast
categories: vacation,vacations,travel,leisure,city break,city breaks,destination,destinations,Bristol,England,United Kingdom,holidays,holiday
Devon Vacations And The City Of Plymouth
March 24, 2010
Vacations in England appear to be incredibly popular this year, most probably due to the present depression and the weak pound Sterling. The UK has a large selection of top vacation destinations including London (the English capital) and other interesting cities plus a fine selection of seaside resorts such as; Blackpool, Bognor Regis, Weston-super-Mare and Torquay. One city often overlooked is Plymouth in the south of England.
When you first arrive Plymouth appears a little plain and modern, but searching a little bit deeper and you will soon find that the city of Plymouth has a fascinating history and a deep association with the sea. As long ago as the 16th C there has been a port in Plymouth. In fifteen eighty eight Sir Francis Drake embarked from the port to successfully defend England by defeating the Spanish Armada. Another moment in history occurred in 1620 when the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for North America.
It is possible to take reasonably priced weekend city breaks in Plymouth by making a reservation in bed and breakfast accommodation in Plymouth rather than staying in a costly hotel. Searching online will reveal that rooms are available from as little as twenty nine pounds a night and some places offer reasonably priced dinners also, often equal to, or cheaper than local restaurants.
Things To See And Do In Plymouth
There are numerous places of interest to visit in Plymouth. Popular visitor attractions include; Smeaton’s Tower and Plymouth Dome, the Royal Citadel, the Elizabethan House and the Barbican district. A boat cruise around the waters of the port is an interesting way to spend some time and if you find that you have more time why not take a day trip to places close by Plymouth, such as; Buckland Abbey, Saltram House or Mount Edgcumbe.
Saltram House is a fine Tudor Mansion which is found 2 miles from the town of Plymouth, Mount Edgcumbe is another fine example of a Tudor house with landscaped gardens, coastal paths and parklands, and Buckland Abbey, approximately six miles in distance from Plymouth, is a Cistercian abbey which was once owned by Francis Drake and was later redesigned as a family home.
If you are currently considering spending some time in Plymouth it is vital that you reserve your rooms as early as possible as, sadly guest houses and hotels in Plymouth tend to be alarmingly busy and are often fully booked for months in advance. If your group is large you may find that Plymouth serviced apartments prove to be reasonable alternative to Plymouth bed & breakfast accommodation. If you are visiting Great Britain from overseas then you should consider booking a room for a few days in hotels in London to take in the sights of the nations capital also.
If you are looking at taking a Plymouth vacation please take a look at our listings of bed and breakfast in Plymouth
Nottingham Vacations And Some Handy Details
March 21, 2010
Bring to mind Nottingham and mostly all tourists recall the legend of Sir Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest and though folklore attracts increasing numbers of folk year after year there is plenty more to Nottingham and Nottinghamshire than you may have thought. Infact Nottingham has a respectable collection of super local attractions and it makes it a superb base for a family vacation and the following article examines the city more closely and a small number of attractions in and around Nottingham, as well as some establishments offering Nottingham bed and breakfast accommodation.
Nottingham is in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England, UK. As well as the legend of Robin Hood, the city is also strongly associated with the industry especially during the Industrial Revolution when it gained an excellent worldwide reputation.
The Lace Market
At one time the center of the worldwide lace industry, at the peak of the British Empire, the Lace Market in Nottingham is, today, a protected heritage area. The area is home to many incredible examples of industrial architecture of the Nineteenth Century. The Lace Market was not like a normal market, as such, instead of having stalls and their stall holders, the market was more a number of salesrooms and warehouses displaying and selling lace. Following the decline in the lace industry the area became derelict but, today, the vast majority of the old warehouses have been renovated for residential use and other purposes for example photographic studios and the likes. The Lace Market, Nottingham is a popular visitor attraction.
Shire Hall
Not a great distance from the Lace Market can be found the Galleries of Justice in Shire Hall. The Hall is a Georgian civic building featuring Neoclassical pilasters, columns and dome. The facade has, if you examine it closely, a spelling mistake Goal instead of Gaol. The Hall has two superbly preserved Victorian courtrooms plus old cells, a women’s prison, bath house, a prisoner’s exercise yard and an Edwardian police station.
The City of Nottingham is a superb place to take a short city break. You will find lots to see and do around the city and an incredible number of tourist attractions which are readily accessible. Nearby places to visit include; Newstead Abbey, Hardwick Hall and Wollaton Hall.
As is common in all bed and breakfast in England, Nottingham accommodation is commonly of superb quality at a reasonable rate and many people choose to stay in Nottingham for only part of their vacation and then somewhere else for the remaining nights.
If you are considering an Nottingham vacation please take a look at our listings of bed and breakfast in nottingham
Incredible Bath Vacations
March 21, 2010
The city of Bath, in Somerset, may be just less than 13 miles away from Bristol but it is incredibly different in a great many ways. You will find that Bath is immensely more laid back than its neighbour. With its many open spaces, Georgian buildings and elegant crescents it is an extremely popular place in which to take a vacation.
Bath has been important for at least two thousand years. Due to the hot springs, the only hot springs in Britain, it was a place of reverence for the Celtic population. It wasn’t until the occupation of the Romans that, due to the technical knowledge, the springs were developed to their full potential. To this day the Roman Baths are a popular tourist attraction.
Bath was just a town until the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I granted the town a Royal Charter in the year fifteen ninety, she had visited in fifteen seventy four. By the 18 th century Bath had become an extremely popular resort where good etiquette was essential and Beau Nash ruled the social scene.
It was during this time that Jane Austen, who lived in the city, wrote Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, and where Gainsborough became well known as a landscape artist and portraitist. If you are interested it is possible to learn more about Jane Austen, the city’s most famous resident, at the highly educational Jane Austen Centre.
Bath has a multitude of tourist attractions including; the Roman Baths which I mentioned earlier, Bath Abbey, The Holburne Museum of Arts and The Royal Crescent. The Assembly Rooms is one place you must really get to see and this is where you will find the fascinating Museum of Costume which displays a collection of historical and modern dress.
Many people choose to stay for only a day in the city of Bath but if you want to see the most it is much better to stay for a couple of days and walk around leisurely exploring all the city has to offer.
If you are planning a short break in the city of Bath it is important to know that although there are many hotels and guest houses in Bath finding Bath bed and breakfast can sometime be rather difficult. Because of this it is crucially important to book your accommodation at the earliest opportunity.
Finally I would like to wish that you have a thoroughly enjoyable vacation in the fascinating Somerset city of Bath, England.
If you are looking at taking a Bath vacation please take a look at our listings of Bath bed and breakfast
Pet Friendly Places To Stay In Ayr, Scotland
March 2, 2010
Visiting somewhere new on a vacation is thrilling and few people realize that pets also get excited about a trip to a new place. Each year more and more people are choosing to travel with their pets and when you consider the fact that walking is the best form of exercise and walking with your dog makes it more enjoyable you begin to realize why vacation destinations such as Ayr in Scotland have unique advantages over other places in the UK. Sadly it is often far too difficult to find pet friendly accommodation but in the following article I introduce a couple of places to stay in Ayr which allow pets.
Ayr is a wonderful town on the south west coast of Scotland which is extremely popular with tourists for a variety of reasons. Most commonly people visit the area to explore the many connections with the famous poet Robert Burns. Burns is known the world over for both his amazing use of the Scots language, his most amazing poetry but also for the way he led his life. You do not have to travel far in this part of the country to find either a building associated with the bard or a monument or statue dedicated to him. Ayr itself has a multitude of important building relating to the national poet but it is in the outlying districts that you will find the man’s heart.
Ayr is the main administrative center for this part of Scotland, known as Ayrshire. All around you will notice that the scenery is much greener than many other parts of Scotland and this is due to the generally milder climate and lack of pollution, two of the reasons why Ayr is such a great place to visit with a pet. Imagine walking with your dog in astounding scenery or along an unspoiled, and clean, beach, both of you will love it. If you travel around Ayrshire you may begin to think that you have seen some places before and you may well have done, either on the big, or the small, screen as the area is popular with film makers. The cult classic “The Wicker Man” was shot around here and each year, just down the road from the town, is held an arts and music festival called the Wickerman Festival, well worth a visit and it is family friendly too.
The Wickerman Festival is held in the neighboring county of Dumfries and Galloway but for this article I am concentrating on Ayr and Ayrshire however, before I list the pet friendly accommodation I would like to request that you really take care to ensure that your chosen hotel or guest house does not regret allowing pets in their rooms. Some places make a charge for pets while other may only charge if there is damage or the room requires extra cleaning but if everyone’s pet behaves pet lovers will keep their excellent reputation.
3 Hotels Which Are Pet Friendly
The Swallow Station Hotel
The Swallow Station is a large, 73 roomed, hotel situated in the very heart of the town, overlooking Burns Statue Square right by the train station. Situated 10 minutes from Glasgow Prestwick International Airport this 3 star establishment features a restaurant and bar plus it does not charge extra for pets.
The Horizon Hotel
With superb views over the Clyde to Arran this central hotel gives three star pet friendly accommodation without charging extra for allowing your pet in your room. This establishment is smaller than the previous with only twenty five rooms.
The Savoy Park Hotel
Offering free broadband internet to every one of it’s 15 rooms the three star, family-run,Savoy Park Hotel is a great place to stay. Pets are allowed and they do not charge extra! Also features traditional home made food.
Pet Friendly Ayr Guest Houses
Canter Holm
The 3 star, 6 roomed, Canter Home offers superb pet friendly Ayr accommodation in a lovely Victorian residence close to the center of town. Although there is free internet access throughout the guest house they may make a charge if you have your pet staying with you.
Grange View
Grange View is a small pet friendly guest house with only three rooms. Three star accommodation about two minutes from Ayr town center. Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges.
Well that is the end of our list which although short it is as comprehensive as it could be. In my opinion far too few hotels in Ayr allow pets and even fewer guest houses say pets allowed in their policies. This is really unfortunate but we hope that you manage to make a booking (they can be busy) and that you and your pet have a wonderful vacation.
If you are searching for pet friendly hotels in Ayr or you are looking to pick up a last minute bargain you will find the above mentioned hotels discounted at http://hotels.simplytop.com/.
categories: travel with pets,pet travel,pet friendly Ayr hotels,pet friendly hotels in Ayr,city break,hotel,hotels,accommodation,travel,travel and leisure,vacations,destinations,destination,vacation destinations
Places To Visit During Vacations In Swansea
February 19, 2010
Many folk consider the most beautiful county in Wales to be Swansea. Found in the south west part of Wales this gorgeous county includes such places as the Mumbles and the famous Gower peninsula. Below you will find information to help you get the very best from a vacation in Swansea.
Swansea (the city)
Sadly large areas of Swansea were devastated during the German air raids of WWII which resulted in the loss of much of the older city. While many would look at such an event as devastating the people of Swansea took the opportunity to redevelop the city and this development has continued right up to the present day making the city completely different to earlier times. Nearly everyone is in agreement that the work has been a vast improvement and if earlier inhabitants, such as Dylan Thomas who called the city his “ugly, lovely town”, would not recognise the place.
It is along the seafront, and in the area of the docks, that redevelopment is most noticeable. Where once you would see the hustle and bustle of trade and industry you now see shops and cafes. Superb top class museums, such as the National Waterfront Museum are found in what is called the Maritime Quarter, other museums well worth a visit include the Swansea Museum and the fascinating Dylan Thomas Centre. If you are looking for a fun family day out then consider visiting the LC leisure Complex which includes gym equipment, a children’s play area and a climbing wall.
Nightlife In Swansea
Wind Street and Kingsway are renowned for being the centre of Swansea’s nightlife. In these districts you will find an exciting mix of restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs. Restaurants of note include the excellent La Brasseria which offers excellent Mediterranean and French cuisine (found on Wind Street).
One of Swansea’s most popular bars is the vibrant Cafe Mambo. Situated at 46 The Kingsway, the Mambo has a distinctive Latin American atmosphere. You can also visit the cafe during the day or early evening to grab a snack.
One building which thankfully survived the WWII blitz is the wonderful 18 th century Cross Keys Inn on Mary Street. The Cross Keys is the oldest pub in Swansea but another old pub, which is considered to be one of the best in the city, is Wind Street’s No Sign Bar.
Swansea (The County)
The vibrant city of Swansea has a multitude of tourist attractions and a lively nightlife. For those who prefer a more tranquil vacation then it is the area around the city which will be of most interest. You may already know of both the Gower Peninsula and The Mumbles as they are immensely popular and often feature is lists of the most beautiful places in Britain and the likes.
Rhossili Bay, which spans some four miles, from Worm’s Head to Burry Holms, is found in the Gower Peninsula. Beautiful sandy beaches, small coves and endless areas of natural beauty are found all over this part of Swansea. However the most well known of Gower’s beaches are those found in Three Cliffs Bay. If you are visiting Gower you may also wish to visit a castle and you have three to choose from here, Penrice Castle, Pennard Castle and Weobly Castle.
As well as the three castles mentioned above Swansea also has Oystermouth Castle which is found in the area now more generally known as The Mumbles (technically Oystermouth). Although many consider the Mumbles just a suburb of the city it is historically separate and sports all of the appearance of a typical seaside resort. Now an increasingly popular place to live with those with larger budgets the area gains its name from the nearby twin islets.
Learn more about hotels in Swansea. Stop by Karl Fraser’s site where you can find the best deals on Swansea bed and breakfast.
Pet Friendly Birmingham Accommodation
February 17, 2010
Birmingham, England’s second largest city by population, is becoming an incredibly popular vacation destination. With a wealth of industrial heritage, numerous museums, art galleries and the likes, together with countless top class visitor attractions and some of the best venues for live music, the arts and large scale meetings it is not surprising that so many folk take vacations and short city breaks here.
Each year more and more folk are choosing to take their pets with them on vacation. There are many reasons for this increase but probably the most common is that, simply put, people are often not willing to be parted from a pet which is literally part of the family. Another common reason for taking a pet along on vacation is that housing your pet while away can be ridiculously expensive and though hotels sometimes charge a small additional fee for allowing you to have your pet in your room, it is still often far, far cheaper than paying for boarding kennels or similar.
Imagine that you have decided that yes, you will be taking your pet with you when you next take a vacation. Imagine that you also plan on taking a short city break in the English city of Birmingham. Unfortunately you will very quickly discover that only a tiny number of places to stay will allow you to take your pet into your room. As few as one (or less) per hundred hotels and guest houses offer what is called pet friendly accommodation (where pets are allowed).
You will quickly discover what a thoroughly depressing task it is to find pet friendly Birmingham accommodation. Imagine finding the perfect hotel out of say, seventy only to scroll down to the hotel policies and discover those dreaded words, no pets allowed. Understanding this I wish to introduce a few places in Birmingham which specifically say “pets allowed”.
The Etap Hotel The immensely large Etap is situated roughly half a mile from the very centre of the city. The Etap offers pet friendly accommodation at a very affordable cost.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel The absolutely enormous Crowne Plaza is a 4 star pet friendly hotel located on Holliday Street right in the very centre of the city.
The Paragon Hotel The incredibly huge Paragon offers 4 star pet friendly hotel accommodation literally minutes from the city centre.
If you would rather book a room in a city centre pet friendly hotel with less than one hundred and fifty rooms then, unfortunately your choice is limited to just one establishment, the Ibis Holloway Circus, which has only 51 rooms.
If you want to choose from more pet friendly hotels in Birmingham and pick up a lst minute bargain you will find the above mentioned hotels discounted at http://hotels.simplytop.com/.