My Trip Blog

While being one of the smaller countries in Europe, England has a huge amount of diversity that any traveller to its shores will surely testify. Whilst not the largest of countries, exactly where to base your stay often raises a bit of a dilemma for many but the Yorkshire area has much to offer even the most discerning visitor.

The image of smoking chimneys and mass industrialisation is in reality a bit of a misnomer for modern day Yorkshire, these days industry is much more subdued, but while still here the region has far more greater treasures to offer.

The mining in the north and east of Yorkshire has long since quietened down and it is doubtful whether the mining activities will ever get even close to the heyday of there former levels. Sheffield is still world renowned for its exquisite silver canteens of cutlery.

Any visit to the South Yorkshire area would not be complete with a trip to the Peak District national park one of the most visited national parks in the whole world. The Peak District offers outstanding natural beauty and enough activities to keep most people very busy.

Activities in the park include rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking and camping, bird watching and so much more, you can even take a balloon flight across the peaks or even a helicopter ride if you enjoy flying or don’t mind digging a little deeper in you pockets for a memorable experience that will probably stay with you for the rest of your life.

More Peak District Tourist Information can be found here.

South Yorkshire is not only about exercise though as there is also an historic and cultural aspect to explore.

Brodsworth Hall and gardens, just to the north of Doncaster is a true survivor of the mid 1800’s and is said to be one of the finest complete examples of Victorian living and the most complete Victorian country houses ever to have survived in this country.

The favorite main city in the area of course has to be the city of Sheffield which considering its steel and industrial heritage is surprisingly one the greenest cities in Europe and is known as the city of trees as there are said to be in excess of two million, as well as a large number of parks and even areas of scientific interest.

The Canary Islands are Europe´s only genuine winter sun holiday destination. At just under four or so flying time from the UK these seven specks of Spain enjoy temperatures in excess of 20C all year long. Thanks to their location just 70 miles off the coast of Africa.

The most easterly of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote, is home to a population of around 127,000 people and is a unique melting pot of African, European and South American influences. Thanks to its historic position as a staging post between the Old World and the New.

UK tourist continue to flock to the island and as a result demand for Lanzarote villas and apartments has remained relatively stable. Whilst property prices have also started to fall on the island it is less noticeable than in other european destinations.

This can be attributed to the fact that Lanzarote has much more to offer tourists than just sunshine alone though. As the island boasts a unique volcanic scenery, picturesque beaches, a host of natural attractions and some of the most unusual tourist sites found anywhere in the world. All of which is largely thanks to an island born artist and architect called Cesar Manrique.

Alert to the damage that this could cause to his birthplace Manrique returned home to ensure that his beloved Lanzarote was not buried beneath a sea of five star concrete.

As a result of his efforts Lanzarote has largely been spared the type of over development now commonly found in other Spanish sun spots and other Canary Islands resorts. High rise buildings are banned, advertising hoardings are outlawed and all of the islands three main tourist resorts are well contained.

Manrique´s other main initiative was to create a unique set of tourist attractions on the island that essentially fused art with nature.

In tandem with close collaborators such as Jesus Soto he lit an alternative path for island development with the creation of sites such as the Jameos del Agua, which embodied his desire to fuse art with nature.

It can be very confusing to both find and book car parking space at the UK’s second busiest airport. Who do you turn to in order to get accurate parking price information? Do you need long term or short term parking? What are the key differences between the various car parks? I hope that this article addresses some of these common questions.

Gatwick is the UK’s second busiest airport and the sixth busiest in the world. With over 32 million passengers using the airport each year it’s not surprising to find that the airport provides extensive car parking facilities.

You will probably want to use short term parking when dropping people off and picking them up from the airport. This is also all you need for most short trips of only a few days. Multi-storey short term parking is available at both the North and South terminals.

You are warned not to leave your car unattended, even for a short time, in the forecourt areas outside the airport passenger terminals. If you do your car will be removed by the vigilant airport security staff and you will have to pay a hefty release fee to get it back. If you need to leave your car unattended for any reason, always take it to a car park.

If your trip lasts more than just a few days then Gatwick long term parking is what you will need. There are so many options to consider when booking airport parking at Gatwick it can be a little confusing.

It is always worth taking a close look at the facilities provided by the various car parks around Gatwick airport. Most airport car parks provide excellent security facilities including fencing, security cameras and regular patrols. Some outstanding car parks have the ‘park mark’ safer parking award. All provide a free transfer bus service between the car park and the airport terminals.

If bus transfers to and from the airport terminal are too much hassle then meet and greet parking may be just what you need. This basically means that all you need do is drive directly to the appropriate terminal forecourt where you will be met by professional chauffeur. They will take your car and park it on your behalf in one of the secure long term car parks. When you return from your trip your car will have been retrieved from the car park to be ready and waiting for you as soon as you have cleared customs.

Meet and greet provides a number of benefits such as time saved at both the start and end of your journey as you don’t need to worry about transfers to and from the car parks. You can also get take advantage of the valet service to have your car cleaned while you are away.

To get the best Gatwick parking rate it is essential that you book in advance. Booking your car parking space well in advance will usually give you the best deal. The best way to check on prices and availability is to use an online price checking and comparison facility such as the one provided by Gosimply.com. This excellent website not only provides accurate and up to date parking prices and availability information it also provides honest and impartial customer reviews of various airport facilities, including airport hotels.

Stirling has appeared throughout the history of Scotland, especially during crucially important events. The city and surrounding area has an amazing selection of spectacular tourist attractions and masses of photographic opportunities. In the following article I introduce 3 places to visit in Stirling; Stirling Old Town Jail, Stirling Castle and Argyll’s Lodging:

Stirling Castle

Situated 250 feet above the city of Stirling, and surrounded on 3 sides by shear cliffs is Stirling Castle. The castle is immensely important in the history of Scotland, there have been several coronations at the castle, including Mary Queen of Scots coronation in 1543. Stirling Castle was also witness to a horrifying murder in 1452. The 8th Earl of Douglas was victim to James II in 1452. The castle is the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, although they are, unfortunately no longer stationed there. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, can be found inside the castle.

Stirling Old Town Jail

The Stirling Old Town Jail of today is not the original jail, for four hundred years, Stirling’s prisoners were secured in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was seriously overcrowded, and smelt dreadful, with twenty four prisoners per cell, and zero toilet facilities. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, because of the fearful living conditions there, and in 1847 the current jail opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial prison, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military jail in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a tourist attraction, and was only restored in the 1990’s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled elevator that rises to a viewing platform at the very top of the jail. From this superb spot a person is able to look out across the Forth Valley, and enjoy the spectacular view of the Highland mountains.

Argyll’s Lodging

Argyll’s Lodging is found on Castle Wynd, near the center of Stirling and is Scotland’s best existing renaissance mansion. The house was built around 1630, by Sir William Alexander, originator of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who became Secretary of State for Scotland, and was then appointed the 1st Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging became the property of the Argyll family on his death and was extended by the ninth Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the dining room, laigh hall, bed chamber and drawing room, have all been superbly furnished and restored, as they would have been when the 9th Earl lived there, circa 1680.

If you are in the process of planning a city break in Stirling you will find a large amount of online Stirling hotels and guest houses and you will find a massive selection at http://stirling.hotelreservationhelper.com/