My Trip Blog

England vacations appear to be incredibly popular at the moment, most probably due to the economic downturn and the low value of the pound. The United Kingdom has a large number of top class vacation destinations including London (the capital city of England) and other interesting cities plus a collection of seaside resorts such as; Blackpool, Weston-super-Mare, Bognor Regis and Torquay. One vacation resort often overlooked is Plymouth in the south of England.

When you first arrive Plymouth appears rather bland and modern, but searching a little bit deeper and you will soon find that the city of Plymouth has a rich history and a deep association with the sea. As far back as the fifteen hundreds there has been a port in Plymouth. In 1588 Francis Drake embarked from the town’s port to successfully defend England from the Spanish Armada. Another historic moment occurred in sixteen twenty when the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for North America.

It is possible to take low cost vacations in Plymouth by booking bed and breakfast in Plymouth rather than booking a overpriced hotel. A quick look online will show that you can make a reservation from £29 a night and many places have dinners at a very reasonable cost, commonly equal to, or less expensive than local restaurants.

Things To See And Do In Plymouth

There are many interesting places in Plymouth that are well worth visiting. Popular visitor attractions include; Merchant’s House Museum, St Andrew’s church, the National Marine Aquarium and the Mayflower Steps. A boat cruise around the waters of the port is an excellent way to spend some time but if you discover that you have more time to spare why not take a trip to places close by Plymouth, such as; Mount Edgcumbe, Buckland Abbey or Saltram House.

Saltram House is a pretty Tudor Mansion which is found 2 miles from the town of Plymouth, Mount Edgcumbe is a further Tudor house with landscaped gardens, parklands and coastal paths, and Buckland Abbey, roughly 6 miles in distance from Plymouth, is a Cistercian abbey which was once owned by Francis Drake and was later converted into a family home.

If you and your family are currently deciding upon spending a few days in the city of Plymouth it is crucial that you book your  lodgings at your first opportunity as, unfortunately hotels and guest houses in Plymouth tend to be alarmingly busy and are frequently fully booked months in advance. If you are travelling in a group you might find that apartments in Plymouth prove to be cheaper option to Plymouth bed & breakfast. If you are visiting Great Britain from abroad then why not consider making a reservation for a room in London hotels to take in the sights of the nations capital also.

There’s no shortage of good quality accommodation on Lanzarote. As this popular holiday island has been a hot favourite with tourists for over forty years.   Especially with visitors from the UK – who account for over 50% of the 1.5 million foreign arrivals every year.

The majority of them will find themselves staying in one of the three main resorts of Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca.  Although rural tourism has grown in popularity in the last few years as a growing number of independent travellers seek to connect with the more authentic side of the island.

Lanzarote certainly represents good value for money in relation to many other destinations.  Especially during the winter months when more exotic locations require a much greater investment of both time and cash.

Currently for example it is possible to book Lanzarote apartments from as little as £160.  Which buys a weeks stay on a centrally located complex in the heart of Puerto del Carmen, which is the biggest and liveliest resort on the island. 

Rates at 250 plus Lanzarote hotels are also equally reasonable.  Especially in the four star category, where tourists can book standard rooms in good quality establishments on a bed and breakfast basis from around €70 per night. 

Playa Blanca is home to the largest selection of hotels – but head for Costa Teguise for some real luxury.  As the Gran Melia Salinas is the best five star on the island.  Thanks in no small part to the input of a local artist called César Manrique who had a hand in the design of the hotel and dreamt up the stunning indoor atrium garden – which is the Gran Melia´s central showpiece.

Villas in Lanzarote are much cheaper than on many other Spanish holiday islands.  Where the shorter seasons tend to push prices sky high. Here for example it’s still possible to book a standard two bedroom property with private pool for as little as £450 per week.  With Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen the best locations to search.

Keen to escape the hustle and bustle of the main resorts?  Then check in to one of Lanzarote´s rural hotels or fincas.  Such as the Finca de Salinas in the pretty village of Yaiza.  Distinguished by its terracotta paint job and Moorish turrets.  This upmarket establishment is also home to an excellent restaurant and boasts great views across to Lanzarote´s number one tourist attraction of the Timanfaya Volcano Park.

Perth, the ‘Fair City’ in Scotland a former royal burgh can be discovered at the head of the Tay estuary. During the twelfth and fifteenth centuries Perth competed with Dunfermline for the title of being the capital of the country. In the article below I write about 3 places to visit in Perth, Scotland; Elcho Castle, Huntingtower Castle and Scone Palace:

Scone Palace

At this time, home of the Earls of Mansfield is Scone Palace, and a incredibly popular attraction to travelers from across the world. The palace is an integral part of the history of Scotland, as the Scottish kings were once crowned there. In 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone Palace, as was Charles II when he took occupancy of the Scottish Crown in 1651. There is a beautiful and mysterious aura to the palace, which is justifiably so.At one time in the past the area acted as an important gathering place of the Picts and there was also a church on the site said to be early christian.

Elcho Castle

situated approximately three miles from the city of Perth, with stunning views across the River Tay, is Elcho Castle. Elcho Castle is one of the prime examples of Sixteenth century architecture in Scotland today. The Wemyss family commissioned the building of the castle in the 1570’s. The land had been in the family since 1468, when it was handed over to them by King James III. In 1633, the head of the family was given the titles of Lord Elcho and Earl of Wemyss. Elcho Castle and it’s lands remained in possession of the Wemyss family until 1929. At this time, the 11th Earl of Wemyss, bestowed the castle to the nation. The castle has recently been renovated and is now in the charge of Historic Scotland.

Huntingtower Castle

Found just to the west of Perth is Huntingtower Castle, a medieval pile. Although the castle is originaly medieval, it has been redeveloped significantly throughout most of it’s history. The Ruthven family were the owners of the castle and lands from the C12th to the C17th. During this time the castle consisted of two separate towers, built 3 meters apart. When the Murray family took occupancy, later on in the 17th century, they decided to merge the two towers, making the house appear more like a ordinary country manor house. The bridging work between the two towers is still rather noticeable today, on both the interior and exterior of the building.

If you are thinking about a short break in Perth you will discover a large selection of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will find a huge range at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/

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/

The capital of England, London, is nearly as well known for its incredible shopping opportunities as it is for its interesting history and fascinating culture Travelers from all around the world take city breaks in London to sample the incredible number of departments stores, specialist markets and boutique stores. With the weak Pound and strong $ those folk visiting from the USA will discover goods are much cheaper as in recent years, it is the same situation for those tourists visiting from other countries in Europe as the £ is also struggling against the Euro.

Well Known Department Stores In London

Probably the most famous of London’s department stores is knightbridge’s Harrods the world’s largest having around 18,000 m2 of floor space.  The motto of Harrods department store is “all things for all people, everywhere” or ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’. Harrods has earned a reputation of being luxurious and exclusive and their toy department and food hall are extremely famous

Selfridges is another department store worthy of a mention.  Found on Oxford Street, the store first opened to the public in 1909. Named after, and constructed by the businessman Gordon Selfridge Selfridges was specially designed so that the goods on sale were readily accessible to the prospective customer which was a drastic departure from the common practices of the day.

London’s Key Shopping Areas

Covent Garden has become extremely well known for its unusual and specialist shops and is considered a trendy place to hang out. As well as the fantastic stores there are also an excellent selection of eating places and restaurants around Covent Garden.

Camden Market is another popular London market place. Even though there have been a number of different markets in Camden for an incredibly long time the present market only appeared in 1974. Camden Market is actually a group of various adjoining markets of various types together providing an incredible selection of wares.

Famous Shopping Streets In London

Chelsea’s main high street is the Kings Road which is one of London’s most stylish and chic streets in which to go shopping. The Kings Road had, during the nineteen seventies, a close association with Punk, the Sex Pistols and their manager Malcolm Maclaren, in more recent times the Kings Road is much more subdued but still worth visiting.

Sloane Street is another London road with a strong association with shopping which takes its name from Sir Hans Sloane who purchased much of the surrounding land in 1712.

Visiting London

Getting to London is amazingly easy, being England’s capital transportation links are first class and London’s underground rail network makes everywhere easy to reach.

London accommodation seems to be everywhere and is easy to find but sadly it can be to be a little expensive. It is usually best to book your London hotels online and you will discover a variety of London hotels, guest houses and apartments at http://www.londonhotel4u.co.uk/.