Archive for December, 2008

The historic city of Gloucester sits on
the banks of the River Severn and is the 46th largest settlement in England. Certainly when it comes to Gloucester,

you’ll find lots of things to see and do in the city and close by.  A short drive from the city and visit the woodlands of the Royal Forest of Dean or looking at the views from atop the Malvern Hills. Whilst to the east Gloucester borders the Cotswolds with its variety of quiet unspoilt villages, which you can  explore. 

Although historically the city has been a port, the docks got neglected and then in the 1980’s the city
decided to renovate this area. There are plenty of riverside open spaces to wander around or you can visit one of the many shops in the docks area. And, as you’d expect, there are also plenty of bars for you to relax with a quiet drink and maybe some food. One of the warehouses that are situated in this part of the city also houses the National Waterways Museum. Whilst in Custom House you will find a museum that is dedicated to the Soldiers of Gloucestershire. 

A visit to the city wouldn’t be complete without seeing Gloucester Cathedral. This building has been a place of worship for more than thirteen hundred years. Inside you will be amazed at the beautiful architecture and the cloisters are generally thought to be some of the most beautiful in present day England. If you find thinking that, you know this building from somewhere you almost certainly do as it was used as a set for the Harry Potter films.

Gloucester also has a large, central tranquil park. This is located very close to the heart of the city and was the first park to be developed. Along with plenty of space for children to play and you may decide to have a picnic on a lazy summer afternoon. There are many events which take place here during the summer months. A quick visit to the Park’s Information Office that is housed in a Tudor Cottage and will tell you exactly what is happening at the time of your visit.

Another place that you’ll almost certainly want to see when you come to Gloucester is Blackfriars. This is the oldest surviving Dominican Priory in England.  Although it hasn’t been a friary since 1538, Thomas Bell bought the buildings for himself. He had part of the monastery converted into a home and the rest of the property into a factory which made clothes locally. If you time your visit well, you may be able to take one of the guided tours offered by English Heritage.

Check out this Gloucester hotel directory for your next visit.

The city of Carlisle is the largest of all settlements that you will find in Cumbria, England. The building has many different functions: it houses the administration for both the city of Carlisle and the entire county of Cumbria. It is also the host for the University of Cumria’s main campus. A vacation in Carlise is ideal for anyone who wants to find out more about this ancient city.

Actually getting to Carlisle could not be any easier. The city is well linked with the rest of the country. The M6 motorway provides easy access to the South of England whilst the M74 motorway provides good links with Scotland. However, actually getting around the city itself in a car can prove quite eventful especially when the rush hours are in full flow.

If you do not intend driving to the city then there are regular train services that come directly in to its railway station. The railway station has through routes from London, Glasgow, Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne. However, the train that comes from Glasgow does come via the town of Dumfries.

Once you’ve reached the city for your vacation or business trip, you’ll find lots of things to see and do. One of the main attractions of Carlisle is the historic cathedral.

Since it was built over nine hundred years ago, the castle has marked the western edge of the city and is close to the border between England and Scotland. Since it was first built, it has been witness to many conflicts and sieges and yet today you can explore the chambers, stairways and dungeons that remain. It is in the dungeons you will discover the legendary “Licking Stones” that the thirsty Jacobite prisoners which were being held in them would lick desperately to obtain moisture to help them stay alive.

As for the Cathedral this was founded in 1122 and remains a dominate feature of the city’s skyline when you look from anywhere across the city. The crypt’s decoration is exquisite. If you take the time to actually go into the crypy, you’ll be greeted by a display that covers over a thousand years of Christian history throughout Cumbria.

For those looking to liven up their visit to Carlisle, you should time your trip to coincide with one of the regular race meetings. Carlisle racecourse can be found just on the edge of the city. When the weather is with you, you’ll find the views of the surrounding countryside breathtaking. Carlisle racecourse is home to top class horseracing. These encompass the National Hunt season (which runs from September through to April) as well as the Flat season (from April until August).

Carlisle vacations are ideal for those who are looking for a quiet romantic time away with their partner. But they are also the place for families who are looking for a little adventure and fun during their Carlisle holiday.

Colchester is the biggest town in Essex. The town actually claims to be the oldest one in Britain and is certainly the oldest recorded Roman town in England. Because of its history, there are plenty of Colchester attractions, which one can enjoy whilst visiting the town. Here, we’ll take a look at some that should be on your shortlist when you visit Colchester.

1.  Balkerne Gate – This is the most complete Roman gateway you will find in Britain and is believed to have been built at around 55AD. Years ago, the gate was part of the main route into the town but over time was then transformed into a triumphal arch instead. Then, later, the gateway was merged into the town’s walls then in 465 AD it got blocked up in order to help strengthen the defences of the town. The actual gate itself was only uncovered some 100 years ago which is why it’s been so well preserved.

2.  Charter Market – The oldest recorded market in the United Kingdom has been a regular feature of the town for over 800 years. The market was granted a Royal Charter in 1189 by King John and this is where its name originates from. You can still find a market at Charter Market twice a week, on Fridays and Saturdays and there is a wider than normal variety of goods as no two stalls can sell the same items. 

3.  Colchester Castle – This Norman castle is built on the foundations of what was the Roman Temple to Claudius. But, the Roman temple was smashed to pieces in 60 AD as part of Queen Boudica’s campaign to force the Romans to leave Britain. The actual stone that was used by the Normans to make the current castle which means the fabric of the building dates back to the Romans. 

This castle now has one of the largest and oldest castle keeps to be built in Europe and inside the walls of the castle there are lots of things to see and do. There are a number of exhibitions in the castle, which span more than 2,000 years of British history and there are interactive displays to keep your youngsters busy. Whilst touring the castle you might want to find out about the Witch Finder General, Matthew Hopkins who used it as a jail at the times that the trials were taking place.

4.  Colchester Zoo – One of Europe’s finest zoos and is only a short drive from the town itself. Located in around sixty acres of English countryside the zoo has more than 200 species of animal for you to view. Naturally, the elephants can be found in Elephant Kingdom, and Chimp World is home to the zoo’s chimpanzees. Also you’ll find the other bits of the zoo just as enjoyable and enchanting. Certainly, you may well find it difficult to actually get the kids to go home.

Choose your Colchester hotel or guest house from this list.

Brighton vacations are popular with not only people in the United Kingdom but with visitors from all over the world as well. Perched on the south coast of England, Brighton is one of the UK’s largest seaside resorts.

The town originally known as Brighthelmston dates back to well before the Domesday Book of 1086. However, its importance as a health resort only came to the fore in the 18th Century. It became even more popular with people thinking about spending a day by the seaside as the railway came to it in 1841. This is a place where many of the aristocracy of the 18th and 19th Centuries would spend time together.

Actually, when you look back in history during the 1500’s this town was a small fishing village with around 1,500 residents, dotted around in small cottages. There are still examples of these buildings which you can find in The Lanes. The 1600’s saw quite a large change because a doctor by the name of Richard Russell from Lewes began to talk about the health benefits of using salt sea water to treat glandular diseases.

From 1750 onwards the town began to fill with people wishing to try out the water to see if it really could help them. The town also became popular when the UK royalty decided to try the waters and also bathe in the sea.

Each year now the town has more than 8 million visitors to it and they enjoy everything that this coastal town has to offer. Accommodation in the town span the complete range from total luxury to medium and lower priced hotels. There are also lots of fantastic guesthouses and bed and breakfast accommodation which offer you a much more friendly and personal touch.

When you get to Brighton there is plenty for you to see and do from wandering the local streets. Plus a walk along the promenade and the unmissable Palace Pier and Royal Pavilion both of which are places worth a visit. Certainly, the Royal Pavilion is something that should not be missed.

Known as a folly this building was created by the Prince of Wales who was later crowned George IV. He was well known for his flamboyancy and eccentric ways but the building he created still remains as a reminder of a bygone era even though the town has long since been host to many tourists.

Along with the more traditional attractions, you would expect to find in a seaside resort in the UK, Brighton is also host to a myriad of cultural events each year as well. Certainly, the seafront is now full of amusement arcades along with souvenir shops but look further and you’re bound to find all sorts of other delights that help people come back to this town.

When it comes to Brighton vacations one will be amazed at just how much there is to do and see in this town.

You can find a list of Brighton hotels here.

With over 200 hundred miles yet to travel, this question from the little darlings in the back can irritate the nerves unless you take some corrective.
Before we hit the highway, the younger ones were already fidgeting.  The vacation home was still many miles away but the kids couldn’t understand what was taking so long This certainly annoys the older kids and, tension within the confines of the car can start to rise.
The last thing the weary driver needs as she gives her full attention to the busy lanes, is someone distracting her.

Finding a way to keep the kids occupied is a must.
I Spy with my little eye is one such game that will keep them occupied for a short while although I remember one episode that lasted a lot longer thanks to a not so clever mix-up by my six year old.

She spied something beginning with w s and it probably won’t surprise you that windscreen was the answer. But windscreen it wasn’t and many miles later nobody got the answer. And what do you know, her nibs got her steering wheel and her windscreen muddled up! She was not too popular for a while after that.
What happens when everyone gets tired of this game? Well, there’s always ‘Give Me a Clue’ but, some of those end up in almighty rows because the clue was a bit off. No thanks, a row in the back seat of the car is not a great recipe for an enjoyable journey.
What then should we do to keep three restless kids occupied as we drive that long and boring journey to the seaside?

I read an article about audio books on the internet which gave me some ideas. Off to our local electronic shop to purchase the necessary gadgets Four MP3 players later and we now had the right tools to silence the little lambs!
And, silence it was because the audiobooks we chose were fairly lengthy, now, not as long as War and Peace (60 hours) but long enough to keep the little darlings quiet for most of the journey.

The important thing to remember is not to download the same story on each iPod or MP3 player. Instead give them all something different so that they can swap them around eventually.
So, instead, invest a little in the MP3 players and get the kids help in the selection. MP3 players are not just for this trip.
Take a look at the recommended reading titles from your local high school or college, and you will find that many of the educational titles are readily available in audiobook format.
In years to come, it’s possible to turn idle time into productive time by listening to classic literature or foreign language audiobooks on the way to school.

There really is a very wide choice of titles now on audiobooks, for example, nursery rhymes, action and adventure, ghost stories, romance, animals etc…Enough to keep the entire family occupied

Arriving in Paris you will probably want to check into your funky Paris hotel first, but the city will draw you out into the streets in short order. Choosing a central hotel may be more expensive than somewhere at the end of the metro line, but being right in the midst of the famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre has a lot going for it. Whatever your budget think carefully about your Paris apartment location, it will make a big different to your holiday – especially if you are on a limited budget

Another must-see sight is the Champs Elysees or the Elysian Fields. It is considered as the most beautiful avenue in the whole world which started as a plain field but later on converted into a pathway lined with trees. It runs from the Concorde Square up to the equally famous Arc de Triomphe and became one of the attractions and features of Paris. It is one of the most famous streets in the whole world.

In the middle of some of Paris’s craziest traffic, the Arc de Triomphe is still a must-do attraction. It is a large arc which serves as a roundabout a meeting point of more than twelve avenues in the whole city of Paris. It stands as a commemoration of the great victories of Napoleon. The viewing platform at the top of the Arc has a great view: the 284 steps will make you work for lunch. One of the standout attractions of Paris.

The attractions of Paris means that it definitly is still one of the world’s best tourist cities. First-time travellers to France would be foolish to skip the famous Sainte Chapelle over-looking the city or the Catacombes des Paris. Still, there are other landmarks that you can visit when you plan a vacation in Paris. These places will make your stay in Paris memorable and will make your sleep in your Paris hotel as peaceful and as dreamy as ever.

The Peak district National Park attracts visitors from around the globe some of whom come to get out in the wilds and are happy to stay in one of the Peak district b&bs whilst other come to the area to visit many of the town and villages around the area many of which are home to Peak district luxury hotels.

One of the towns in the area is Bakewell in Derbyshire and it is right in the heart of the Peak District, is a small and extremely beautiful market town. Bakewell is positioned right by the river wye and traffic still uses the very picturesque 5 arched bridge which despite its thirteenth century origins is still in use today. Due to increase in traffic over the centuries it was widened in the 19th century.

Un beknown to many people is the history of Bakewell and how old it acually is. recorded history dates back to the first century so it was a very important village even back then. The local grammar school was founded in 1637 by the marriage between Sir George Manners and Grace Pierrepont and the school is known as Lady Manners School.

The local church, All Saints Parish of which the majority stands now, dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, with fragments of Norman and Saxon stonework, again like the bridge considerable restoration work took place in the 19th century. The church is low and broad with an octagonal tower giving grace to the beautiful spire.

There used to be in the centre of Bakewell the White Horse Inn, which has been replaced by The Rutland Arms Hotel, with some other various buildings being demolished in 1805, to form Rutland Square.

Centuries ago, these would of catered for coach travellers who passed through the town, and it has always been reputed for the connection to Jane Austin, who was reported to have stayed at this hotel, whilst writing Pride and Prejudice, and that Lambton in the book has been identified as Bakewell.

Another truly great invention happened by accident at the hotel, and that is the famous Bakewell pudding known throughout all of the UK. Folklore has it that the cook mixed up the ingredients and instructions resulting in the egg being poured over the jam instead of being mixed with the pastry, the result of which was naturally a pudding.

There are numerous shops in the town centre where these puddings can be purchased.

Bakewell in the peak district is at the southern end of the Pennines in Central England, there are thousands of people who visit this beautiful area every year, probably making it the second most popular National Park in England.

There are some really beautiful and interesting places to visit on Peak District holidays especially in and around Bakewell. The area has something for everyone, whether you want a hotel, or a guest house, there are plenty to choose from, who all offer good food and quality Bakewell holiday accommodation.

To fine out more about this delightfull region visit the Peak District tourism blog

If you are thinking that it is time to plan a major family holiday, and if any of your children were fans of the movie, “The Lion King,” then an African family safari can be an adventure that the whole group can enjoy. However, you will have to seek out an African safari tour operation that has both the experience and the inclination to cater to family safaris.

Some of the family-friendly services that are offered by African safari tour companies are baby-sitting, special menus to appeal to the kids, and specially trained guides for the family. Some family safaris will even make arrangements to have special children’s activities, such as a bush treasure hunt, African-inspired crafts like bead-making, or bedtime stories told by authentic African storytellers.

Certainly, there are parents who worry about taking their children into areas where they have an increased chance of contracting a disease, such as malaria. But, there are a number of game reserves in South Africa which are considered safe. Another viable option is taking a “road trip” on well-kept roads in Namibia or South Africa, and enjoying a less structured type of family safari.

One of the challenges that parents might encounter during a safari is convincing a youngster, who loves to cuddle up with his favorite stuffed lion at home, that the mother lion preening her cubs cannot be petted or even approached. This can be one of the more difficult things to get across, especially for children who have never been on wildlife safaris.

Even with the challenges that are bound to come up, a safari for families is not only possible, but also great fun. As long as family wildlife safaris are undertaken safely and are conducted under the watchful supervision of an experienced safari guide, who knows how to handle and cater to the children in the group, they can be an experience that will provide lifelong memories.

Many parents who have never considered taking African safari holidays with their children in tow might be surprised to learn that family safaris are one of the most popular types of vacations for children, from the ages of four to eighteen. There are many African safari tour operators, African tourist bureaus, and adventuresome parents who have successfully undertaken various Africa safaris with their children and claim that is was the experience of a lifetime for the entire family.

If parents take their time in selecting the destination for a family safari carefully, and also take care in selecting a safari guide or African safari tour operator, then the chances are great that you and your children will have a wonderful holiday. One of the best ways to make sure you have the right safari travel company is to ask other parents who have gone on similar trips for their recommendations, so you can plan your trip with confidence.