Vacation Packages

Posts Tagged ‘city break’

Scotland is a fantastic vacation destination. It is intensely popular with ramblers, mountain climbers, hill-walkers, hikers and other people who enjoy this type of vacation. nearly al folk enjoy the diverse and lovely countryside which has a supreme choice of places to visit including some famous, and awe-inspiring, areas of outstanding beauty. One of these sites which is, most likely the most famous is Loch Ness and the famous monster. In the article below I introduce this most interesting Loch Ness as a vacation destination.

Incredibly deep, Loch Ness is a extensive area of water located in the awe-inspiring Scottish Highlands not too far from Inverness (see below). Surrounded by the most pretty countryside, which features mysterious areas of ancient woodland, huge mountains blanketed in heather, the loch is much more well known for being the home of the world famous Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster.

The monster of Loch Ness is first mentioned in history in the autobiography of Saint Columba by Saint Adamnan. The document states that the respected saint forced a monster back into the waters after the beast had been creating havoc with one of the party.

During the nineteen thirties a road was built running alongside the loch. After only a couple of years in 1934 stories relating to sightings of a huge monster began to be written in newspapers.

Inverness, frequently called the capital of the Highlands of Scotland, was ceremoniously granted city status in two thousand and one and at the moment is the only city in the region. Uniquely (in Britain) Inverness has no legal boundaries which can cause problems when estimating populations. The problems are exaggerated by the fact that the population is on the increase, the city has the highest growth rate of any city in Great Britain. One thing we know for certain is that Inverness has a very fairly population, in 2008 the city of Inverness came 5th in a survey taken, by the Telegraph, of 189 British cities for quality of life. So we can say that Inverness is a pretty alright city in which to stay for some time and this is most likely one of the factors which make the city incredibly popular with tourists. It is lucky then that there is a great deal of Inverness hotel accommodation with the majority being available to book online.

One important thing you should know is that the nearest airport to Inverness is, approximately, 7 miles east of the city at Dalcross. It is relatively easy to hail a cab or catch a bus to the small and busy airport which is fairly cheap. If you will be needing maps of Inverness then you will find them free at the tourist office, in the town center. While you are enjoying your Inverness vacation you should make a point to visit Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, Inverness Castle, the Mercat Cross and ’stone of tubs’ especially the Castle Garrison Encounter, an interactive experience which is great fun.

If you are considering having a Scottish vacation based in Inverness and Loch Ness then you will find Inverness bed and breakfast online by by putting “Inverness hotel accommodation” or “Inverness bed and breakfast” into your favorite search engine (the inverted commas can help greatly).

If you are considering a Loch Ness & Inverness vacation please take a look at our listings of Inverness hotels and Inverness bed and breakfast

Technorati Tags: city break, hotels in inverness, inverness, inverness hotels, loch ness, loch ness monster, nessie, scotland, vacation destinations, vacations

Scotland is an incredibly popular place to visit and one of the most exciting cities to visit is Glasgow. Glasgow has a vast array of visitor attractions covering an enormous diversity in tastes. While there are many modern attractions many people visit the city to take in the sights of the city’s spectacular architecture including the many works of the famous Art Nouveau architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was born in Glasgow in 1868. He worked as an architect from the age of 16 and in 1890 he was a winner of the Alexander Thomson Travelling Studentship which allowed him to take a tour of Italy. After he returned, in 1893, he gained his first big project, the Glasgow Herald Building.

In Glasgow you do not need to travel very far to find a Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece. His finest work can be seen in the building of the Glasgow School of Art. Many consider Hill House his second finest work and while this is in Helensburgh it is well worth the small amount of effort required to visit it. You may also wish to visit House for an Art Lover. Two other Mackintosh buildings are looked at below, Queens Cross Church and the Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is actually the Glasgow Herald Building mentioned above. It is Scotland’s Centre for Architecture, Design and the City, and features an ever changing programme of superb exhibitions and events. The Mackintosh Centre is found here and where you will find a wealth of information on the life and works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. From the Mackintosh Tower it is possible to get the finest views across the city of Glasgow, to get there you need to go to the third floor and then climb a helical staircase but it is well worth the effort I assure you. However, if you do not fancy expending that sort of energy you could always take the lift to the viewing platform on the sixth floor instead.

Queens Cross Church

Glasgow’s Queens Cross Church, though no longer an active church, is famous for being the only church ever designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh that was completed. Many people know it as the Mackintosh church and it first came into use in 1899 and was decommissioned in the 1970’s. It is now open to the public and home to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society.

If you have an interest in architecture and you are visiting Glasgow you should take the opportunity to visit some of the other amazing buildings in this fascinating city. Top of my list is the incredible medieval Glasgow Cathedral (the only one to survive the Scottish Reformation complete).

Want to find out more about Glasgow hotel accommodation? then visit Karl Fraser’s site which has the most comprehensive listings of Glasgow hotels.

Technorati Tags: accommodation, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, city break, destination, destinations, Glasgow School of Art, hotel, Hotels, hotels in Glasgow, Mackintosh, travel, vacation destinations, vacations

The Scottish town of Perth is also frequently referred to as ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. Situated on the River Tay’s banks, the town of Perth was, for hundreds of years, Scotland’s capital and in the medieval period the busy little town was locally known as Saint Johnstoun (St. John’s Town). The name of Perth, or Peairt in Gaelic, is a derivative of a word of the Picts meaning a copse. Today this picturesque little market town is the perfect place for a vacation with an extensive amount of Perth bed and breakfast accommodation to choose from ranging from the less expensive inn to the surprisingly highly priced finest luxury hotels with spas and gyms with a great deal of services and facilities.

Whether you choose to stay for just a single day or longer you will very quickly see that there is a huge amount of things to keep you busy in Perth and the surrounding region. Visitor attractions range from; historical attractions, restaurants, shopping and sport and leisure pursuits and various other entertainments. It was not that long ago that the town was an extremely busy port mainly dealing in the export of leather, bleached products, linen and whisky. In more modern times the tourism trade generates much needed wealth and much appreciated jobs for the younger locals who happily take up jobs in the many hotels in Perth and other similar enterprises.

One characteristic of the city of Perth that is incredibly difficult for any other city to surpass is the neighbouring countryside which is far greater than just incredible, words fail. Dotted around are countless fascinating places to visit including castles, fortified houses, country homes and historical buildings.

Only a little west of Perth you will find the medieval Huntingtower Castle. Situated in breathtaking Huntingtower has undergone numerous minor alterations and redevelopments over the centuries. Huntingtower began as 2 clearly separate towers but built pretty closely together.

Round about three miles away, from the town of Perth, one will discover the 16C Elcho Castle, which features the most glorious views over the River Tay. Elcho Castle can be dated back to 1570 when it’s building was commissioned by the Wemyss family who owned it until the year nineteen twenty nine. The Castle is now in the hands of Historic Scotland.

One of the most visited places of interest, not a great distance away from Perth, is one of the finest historical Scottish country homes, Scone Palace. Here one can learn about the very interesting history of Scone Palace, the place where at one time, the kings of Scotland were crowned including, Robert The Bruce who was crowned here in 1306.

Other than the visitor attractions mentioned earlier Perth has many many more, which makes it an awesome town for a family vacation. Attractions and places, worth a visit, to be found in Perth and the surrounding area include the following; Perth Ice Rink, Perthshire Visitor Centre, Kinnoull Hill, the Glenturret Distillery and the Famous Grouse Experience.

If you are thinking about a weekend break in captivating Perth in Scotland please visit my site where you will find an unrivalled list of hotel accommodation Perth.

If you are looking at taking a Perth vacation please take a look at our listings of Perth hotels and bed and breakfast in Perth

Technorati Tags: city break, destination, destinations, holiday, holidays, hotels in Perth, perth, Perth hotels, scotland, travel, vacation, vacation destinations, vacations

The nation of Scotland is a superior destination in which to take a short vacation. The nation is suitable for plenty of different types of vacation, featuring extensive areas of attractive countryside with helpful amounts of sites of outstanding natural beauty (perfect for ramblers, hikers, hill-walkers, mountain climbers and the likes). Scotland also features some of the smartest attractions, including, some of the best museums and galleries in the whole of the United Kingdom, majestic sites, fortified houses, castles, country homes and historical buildings plus much, much more. In the article below I talk about Stranraer.

Stranraer is a town located in the south of Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway, the town is widely known for being where it is possible to sail to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Unfortunately overwhelmingly tourists do not get to investigate some of the local attractions in the surrounding countryside and the town itself. This is a bit of an enigma, if you get to the port, and reserve yourself a room in a Stranraer bed and breakfast, a day earlier you can visit a few of the tourist attractions before embarking to the city of Belfast.

There are a number of things to see and do in Stranraer including the medieval tower house of the Castle of St John situated in the centre of Stranraer. The castle was erected at the very beginning of the 16th century as a home for Ninian Adair of Kilhurst (the Laird of Wigtownshire). The castle was renovated, in the years 1988/89, by Wigtown District Council who made it available for public viewing in nineteen ninety.

Another attraction near to the town is the gardens at Castle Kennedy. The castle is the centrepiece of the garden which are situated on a hill between two lochs (unfortunately access to the ruins is no longer allowed. The landscaped gardens consist of 75 acres. You can buy plants from a store which has reared them from seed gathered in the garden.

A further lovely tourist attraction worth seeing is Glenluce Abbey, less than 10 miles from Stranraer. Although it is in ruins (actually the most ruined of a trio of Cistercian monasteries situated in the south western region of Scotland) it also has a spectacular fifteenth century Chapter House. Other places worth visiting include, the Mull of Galloway, the Machars, Portpatrick and Port Logan.

If you are looking at taking a Stranraer vacation please take a look at our listings of Stranraer hotels and Stranraer bed and breakfast

Technorati Tags: city break, destination, destinations, holiday, holidays, hotels in Stranraer, leisure, scotland, Stranraer, Stranraer hotels, travel, vacation, vacation destinations, vacations

The United Kingdom of Great Britain is a most fantastic place to spend a few days, or a longer vacation. It is fantastically popular with various folk ranging from ramblers, hikers, mountain climbers, hill-walkers and other folk who enjoy vacations of this type to tourists who enjoy such things as fortified houses, castles, historical buildings and stately homes. Another thing attracting folk is that the vacation destination features charming countryside with a bountiful amount of impressive sites of beauty as well as an extensive choice of some of the world’s finest visitor attractions. Below I introduce the incredibly popular English vacation destination of Bristol.

Useful Facts To Know about Vacations In Bristol, England

Bristol has an incredibly fascinating and wondrously varied history, making it an ideal city in which to spend some time. At one time Bristol was one of the country’s top three medieval towns after London. Bristol was one of the primary trading ports in the country of England, and during the fourteenth century, the port handled most of the trade with Ireland. In thirteen seventy three Bristol became an English county, and it was during this time that the city became the hub of manufacturing and shipbuilding. It is the city’s diverse cultural history that helps make it one of the most exciting cities in England of this present time. Luckily, those tourists wanting to take a vacation in Bristol will find that there is a plentiful amount of bed & breakfast in Bristol available online, making it amazingly easy to book a room.

The city of Bristol has an incredibly diverse arts scene and the city breeding a number of very talented and widely known artists year after year. Did you know that Wallace & Grommit were first brought to life in Bristol, and that Cary Grant also came from the city of Bristol. The modern artist known as Banksy painted some of his most widely recognised pieces of art in and around Bristol. The City Museum & Art Gallery is a free entry tourist attraction well worth visiting and features a diverse collection of excellent archaeology, ancient artefacts, art works, natural history as well as a continually changing selection of exhibitions and events. For a truly unique arts centre experience you should visit Spike Island. Spike Island concentrates upon the production and exhibition of contemporary visual arts, including various areas of multimedia projects, painting, printmaking, working with moving images and more. If you prefer a slightly more traditional art gallery, then The Royal West of England Academy should be more than agreeable. It was the city’s very first art gallery and it now has more than one thousand two hundred artistic works dating from the 19C up to the present day.

You will find that there are a reasonable selection of visitor attractions in Bristol. One of the most interesting places to visit is Bristol Zoo which is home to in excess of four hundred and fifty diverse species of animal. The zoo is also involved in in the conservation of endangered species of insects, amphibians and mammals. from around the planet.

If equine matters excite you then a trip to Horseworld should prove the perfect day out for your family and you. A day out at Horseworld will enable you to personally meet horses, ponies and donkeys which have been rescued from dire situations. If you wish you can also take part in the hands-on feeding of the creatures. A further two tourist attractions which are rather similar are Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park and the Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, which both provide all the things you will need for an exciting day out for the family.

If preceeding article has interested you to such a degree that you and your family are currently thinking about spending a few weeks in the city of Bristol it is immensely important that you book your lodgings as early as possible because, unfortunately Bristol hotels tend to be alarmingly busy and are commonly fully booked for a long period in advance. If you are travelling in a large group you may find that serviced apartments in Bristol are a cheap option than paying for your entire family to stay in one of the many Bristol hotels, guest houses or other accommodation.

If you are thinking about taking a Bristol vacation please take a look at our listings of Bristol hotels and Bristol bed and breakfast

Technorati Tags: Bristol, city break, city breaks, destination, destinations, england, holiday, holidays, leisure, travel, united kingdom, vacation, vacation destinations, vacations

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

Technorati Tags: accommodation, city break, destination, holiday, Hotels, hotels in Nottingham, Nottingham hotels, travel, travel and leisure, vacation, vacation destinations, vacations

Did you know that Europe has 50 different countries? And did you plan to visit all of them on your next Europe-trip. Well, unless you have several months, you should instead focus on a few large cities. Below I will suggest 4 cities in 4 countries, which all have great sights, delicious food and/or superb nightlife.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Are you looking for a city with a very liberal minded look at hashish and sex? Then Amsterdam is the place for you. In the so-called coffeeshops you can buy hash and around the corner in the Red Light District you find women in all nationalities and sizes.

But Amsterdam is much more than that. You can also see great art by Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Or visit the Anne Frank House ” known from the Anne Frank’s Diary.

Barcelona, Spain. The capital of Spain is Madrid ” but the most interesting city is without doubt Barcelona. The city has everything: great food, interesting sights and a very fine nightlife. And then there is FC Barcelona ” the famous football club with the amazing stadium Camp Nou.

On a visit to Barcelona you also have to see Sagrada Famlia ” the unfinished cathedral by Antoni Gaud. Finish your day by a stroll down the La Ramla to the great harbor area, and eat tapas in Barceloneta.

Budapest, Hungary. The Danube (known from the famous The Blue Danube waltz by Johan Strauss) divides Budapest in two: the hilly Buda on the left and the flat Pest on the right. The sightseeing should be focused on the Castle Hill in Buda and the central part of Pest, where the greatest sights are found.

Must see sights are the Royal Palace and the National Gallery. The large parks on Margaret Island are a pleasant place to relax and wander in the afternoon. The best shops are found in Vci Street and in Westend City Center ” the largest shopping centre in Central Europe.

Prague, the Czech Republic. Even though prices have gone up since the end of the Cold War, Prague is still the place for a cheap vacation. Here you can find both very reasonably priced accommodation and restaurants.

In Prague there are also many great sights. You can start your visit by the amazing Astronomical Clock in the old part of the city (called Star Mesto). Then you can pass the Vltava River on the Charles Bridge (remember to look at the painters and souvenir sellers) to left side of Prague. On the hills you can visit the biggest ancient castle in the world, the Prague Castle. If you have more time, also visit the Kafka Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Josefov ” the historical Jewish ghetto.

Morten Elm is writing about storbyrejser (city breaks). Read more about miniferie i Budapest, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Prague there.

Technorati Tags: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, city break, city weekends, destinations, europe, holiday, long weekend, Prague, short holiday, sights, travel, vacation destinations, weekend holiday

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.

Technorati Tags: accommodation, city break, destination, destinations, hotel, Hotels, hotels in Swansea, recreation, Swansea hotels, travel, travel and leisure, travel tips, vacation destinations, vacations

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/.

Technorati Tags: accommodation, city break, destination, destinations, hotel, Hotels, pet friendly Birmingham hotels, pet friendly hotels in Birmingham, recreation, travel, travel and leisure, travel tips, vacation destinations, vacations