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.

Visitors to Madrid consider Retiro Park, otherwise known as Parque del Buen Retiro, to be one of its cardinal attractions. In it there are miles of paths and walkways for people to explore, beautiful monuments, a peaceful lake and the home to various festivals and events throughout the year.

It was once the site of a royal palace and has housed many culturally and historically significant buildings both prior to and since it was first opened to the public in 1868. The Napoleonic wars threatened to destroy the entire palace, but thankfully managed to leave behind many beautiful buildings setting the backdrop for the park and creating a fascinating historical account sure to please any visitor.

Two worthwhile buildings frequently visited are the Palacio de Cristal, constructed entirely in glass and utilized before to hold rare plants and the Palacio de Velzquez, a structure that currently holds art but was previously open to a variety of businesses. Other famous structures include a glorious military museum by the name of the Ejercito, and another one by the name of Casn, now home to various 19 and 20th century arts.

The focal point of Retiro Park is the Estanque del Retiro a huge lake located in close proximity to the entryway. Not surprisingly summer is one of the more popular times for the park when entire families can be found taking in the beautiful surroundings along the perimeter of the lake. For those wishing for a little activity, you can rent a boat from one of the local vendors there and row around it.

Another beautiful feature of the park is the Rosaleda rose garden, enjoyed by both tourists and natives, as well as the nearby Cecilia Rodriguez gardens and Serrano Street’s outstanding restaurants.

Making your way through the park, be sure to stop in at one of the many cafes and enjoy a taste of Spanish food at its best. It’s also a place of entertainment and you’ll likely see street musicians and dancers, jugglers and fortune tellers alongside the ordinary citizens who are simply out for a walk.

Now Try : Spanish Phrases

If you are ever wondering where to vacation, let me suggest Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana vacations are definitely one of the best in the world to enjoy. The Dominican Republic is located southeast of the Bahamas and west of Puerto Rico. Its sharing the island with Haiti. It has over 300 miles of white sandy beaches and extensive mountains. Punta Cana is on the eastern tip with great weather all year round. Grab yourself one of the Punta Cana vacation packages that are available.

The beaches are the number one attraction, and many choose Punta Cana Packages simply to relax and do nothing more than lie in the sun and enjoy the clear, calm waters. A majority of the resorts are all-inclusive and are at the beachfront, so for those searching for relaxation you can spend time on the beach and by the pools.

The activities in Punta Cana outside the resorts and hotels are normally taken in excursions provided inside the resorts like the one to isle of Saona. These excursions usually involve an extra fee and take the entire day but are very worth it since it can include fun rides like on a helicopter, a catamaran, horses, and more. On the first day of arriving at a resort there is a guide that explains all the activities you can do at the resort and the costs involved. So if you are looking for an all encompassing, excellent vacation getaway, you can’t do much better than booking one of the Dominican Republic Vacations available.

Folks who come to Punta Cana and its resorts with the hope of experiencing some entertaining nightlife should not be disappointed. Indeed, there are plenty of great discotheques and plazas around the major resorts in this area. At the resorts, there is always plenty of excellent nightlife options. If you want to go out for the evening and dance the night away, you will have lots of chances to do so in this part of the country.  Find out what so many people already know and you are sure to have an unforgettable time.

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/

Now that Inverness is no longer a town (it’s a city) Fort William is the largest town in the Highlands of Scotland. Fort William is an incredibly popular tourist center with many folk appearing to climb or view Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain. In the article below I talk about a few different attractions well worth visiting if you are staying in Fort William.

The Highly Educational West Highland Museum

Founded in 1922 was the West Highland Museum in Fort William. A group of people from Lochaber wanted to create a museum, about life in the Highlands, for the people of the Highlands. The present building was purchased in 1926 from the British Linen Bank, and is located in Cameron Square, just off the Hight Street. Small but fascinating is how some people describe the museum. The exhibits in the museum present a delightful look into the way of life in the West Highlands over the years. Folk from all walks of life are represented, through the magnificent collections of artefact’s, picture’s and photograph’s

The Superb Old Inverlochy Castle

There are two Inverlochy Castle’s in Fort William, the Old Inverlochy Castle and the newer Victorian, chateau-style Inverlochy Castle, erected in nearby Torlundy (which is now a luxury hotel). The Old castle was rumoured to of been constructed between 1270-1280, by John “the Black” Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lochaber, and chief of the Clan Comyn. Even though the castle is ruined, the layout has not altered much since it was first erected. Lord Abinger made alterations and enhancements to the house, in preparation of a visit by Queen Victoria. Old Inverlochy Castle remains an important part of English and Scottish history, because of the role it played during the Civil Wars of the 1640’s.

The Exquisite Jacobite Steam Train

An excursion on the Jacobite Steam Train, is an awe inspiring way to experience the enchanting scenery of the Highlands. The Fort William to the port of Mallaig journey takes you on a breathtaking ride through the glens. One of the most exciting parts of the trip is traveling over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which the majority of travelers will recognize thanks to the fact that it has appeared in the films about Harry Potter. The 84 mile journey takes you past Ben Nevis, Loch Morar and Loch Nevis, with a break in Glenfinnan before arriving in Mallaig. There is about an hour and half in which to explore Mallaig, before the return journey, back to Fort William. This journey has frequently been declared, one of the Great Railway Journeys of the planet.

There is plenty of accommodation in Fort William available to book online but you will find a comprehensive list of hotels in Fort William at http://www.fortwilliamhotelscotland.com/

Blackpool is a seaside resort situated on the North West coast of England, which remains immensely popular with tourists from the close by towns and cities which include Warrington, Liverpool, Warrington and more. The town is also surprisingly popular with the Scottish who turn up in large groups rather like the hordes of factory workers of the past on their company vacation. Sometimes it seems that the seaside town is nothing but hotel accommodation and tourist attractions and although there is an incredibly amount of Blackpool bed & breakfasts it is advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Guest houses varies from the cheap and chearful to five star class. Many are situated on the sea front alternatively, if you would rather stay somewhere more relaxing there are a few in the suburbs.

Blackpool began to see its first visitors in the 18th century who had visited to indulge in  the new practice of sea bathing. With the arrival of the railways, from 1846, Blackpool saw increasing numbers of visitors to”take the cure”. Nowadays you can travel to Blackpool by road, rail or aeroplane arriving there much faster than the early Victorian visitors who would take up to 2 days from Manchester.

The Famous Blackpool Pleasure Beach

The most popular attraction in the town, in Lancashire in the north west of England, which brings in roughly seven million visitors every twelve months, is Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach is a static funfair with fear inducing big rides, for example Valhalla, Grand National, Ice Blast, the Pepsi Max Big One, Zipper Dipper and Wild Mouse, and including many more sideshows, food booths, children’s rides, thrill rides, sidestalls and games. The most recently added big ride is Infusion, the first ride in the world to be a suspended looping coaster entirely over water.

 A useful tip: If you are traveling as a group or family it is possible to save a substantial amount of cash by purchasing a wristband for unlimited rides especially if you will be going on as many rides as you can handle as the individual cost of each ride soon amounts to serious cash.

Getting There And Accommodation 

Blackpool is, as said earlier, very easy to get to nowadays as you are able to travel there by air, automobile or railway. If arriving by train you will, most probably, be arriving at Blackpool’s main rail station, which is Blackpool North found on Talbot Road. Just a short distance down the road is situated Blackpool’s main coach station, the Blackpool National Express Coach Station. The other railway station, Blackpool South, is at Waterloo Road, South Promenade. Blackpool’s airport is found approximately two miles south of the centre of town and was known as, Blackpool Squires Gate Airport, one of the oldest British airports.

Blackpool bed & breakfast accommodation is priced fairly low. Accommodation is far less expensive in the off season and a little more expensive at weekends. Blackpool hotels are at their most costly during the Blackpool Illuminations, which is really Blackpool’s peak season.

A useful tip: Some hotels can be busy and noisy especially those close to North and Central Pier. If you require at a place which is not so busy try booking somewhere past the North Pier.

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city with exciting shopping opportunities plus a highly enjoyable nightlife. For the more artistic tourist there are countless places to visit especially in the West End which features bars, cafés, boutiques, tea rooms, clubs and restaurants as well as some upmarket Glasgow bed and breakfast accommodation. In the article below I will introduce 3 Glasgow visitor attractions which will be of interest to those visitors who enjoy all things artistic; the Burrell Collection, the House For An Art Lover and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum:

Burrell Collection

In 1944 The Brurrel Collection was gifted, by Sir william and Lady Burrell, to the city of Glasgow and the collection can be viewed at Pollok Country Park which is in the south of Glasgow This astounding collection of works of art includes more than nine thousand items of art. The collection is very diverse containing some modern sculptures as well as an Islamic art collection. Visitors can view paintings by Degas, Cezanne and other European artists. As well as sculptures and paintings visitors is able to enjoy the incredibly beautiful collection of alabasters, English furniture, stained glass and tapestries. On top of all this, the Burrell Collection also has a most important collection of medieval art plus collections from ancient Chine & Egypt.

The House For An Art Lover

House For An Art Lover is one of the most popular attractions in Glasgow. The house is of an Art Nouveau design designed, originally, by Glasgow’s most famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh with some assistance from his talented wife.

In actual fact the design was an entry for a 1901 competition to create plans for a ‘House for an Art Lover’, however, the Mackintoshs’ entry was disqualified from the competition because of late submission. Luckily, more than one hundred years later the house is located in Bellahouston Park due to the hard work of the engineer Graham Roxburgh and architect Professor Andy Macmillan. Building began in 1989, halted for a short amount of time but restarted in 1994 due to the collaboration between the Glasgow School of Art and the Glasgow City Council.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

One of Scotland’s finest museums and art galleries, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery is where one of the greatest civic art collections in Europe is housed, but also it is one of Scotland’s most popular free to enter attractions.

You will find Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Argyle Street, on the banks of the River Kelvin, in the West End of Glasgow. The gallery was constructed in a Spanish Baroque style using the traditional red sandstone. The building was followed the designs of E.J. Milner Allen and Sir John W. Simpson and first opened its doors to the public in 1901. The collections of the museum were originally from the McLellan Galleries and the old Kelvingrove House Museum.

If you are planning to have a short break in the Scottish city of Glasgow you will discover plenty of online hotels and guest houses providing bed and breakfast accommodation in Glasgow. You will discover a comprehensive selection of hotels and guest houses in Glasgow at http://www.glasgowhotelscotland.com/

Cambridge is widely known all over the earth as being the home of the University of Cambridge, one of the finest learning centres in England. The University includes some 31 colleges including; Christ’s College, Churchill College, Clare College, Clare Hall and Corpus Christi College which have a major impact upon the city. Although large numbers of people arrive at Cambridge with their main intention being to view the University, Cambridge has so many more places to visit besides the colleges of the University.  Happily there is a varied selection of Cambridge bed & breakfast accommodation to choose from (Important: for more information see bottom of article).

Cambridge dates back to the medieval period and because of this there there are numerous examples of fantastic architecture. You may walk amongst the ancient streets, relax one of the various parks and gardens or you could take a punt up and down the river. If the idea of punting takes your fancy, then you can rent a punt or for something a little different one can rent a chauffeured punt. There are numerous organisations offering this facility along the River Cam. Otherwise a cruise up the River Cam in a narrowboat.

Cambridge is also widely known for its churches, 13 of which are situated within the city’s boundaries. Of the thirteen churches found in Cambridge town centre it is All Saints Church which is said to be one of the best examples of Gothic revival architecture in England. Another church which you must visit is Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is one of only four round Norman churches located in England. The tiniest church in Cambridge is the Church of St Peter’s, which is hidden away in a tranquil part of the city. Possibly the most spectacular panoramic views of the city and University colleges are to be experienced from the viewpoint of the University church, the Great St Mary’s Church.

As there is a vast collection of visitor attractions to see in Cambridge, it would be virtually impossible to visit all of them in just 24 hours.  We therefore strongly advise that you spend at least two days in Cambridge. If you and your family are currently considering taking a break in Cambridge it is vital that you reserve your  accommodation at the earliest opportunity because, sadly hotel accommodation in Cambridge tend to be surprisingly busy and are frequently fully booked for weeks or even months in advance. If your group is large you might find that Cambridge apartment accommodation prove to be reasonable option.

In most recent years more and more people are seeking new holiday destinations which afford something different or, at least something rather than the popular vacation on a sunny beach. Under the current conditions large numbers of folk are, unfortunately realizing that they have a great deal less money for expenditure on a holiday and are, obviously, having to cutting corners to save money. One way of doing it is to look for cheaper resorts. In the article below I introduce readers to Birmingham in the UK. With the pound so weak against the dollar and euro Birmingham hotels and guest houses are  so much less expensive.

The city of Birmingham is situated in the English county of the West Midlands  and the city’s residents are described as being “Brummies”. The Brummy accent is a strong northern English sounding dialect and it is tricky to understand fully what is being discussed a problem which is exaggerated if if you are unfamiliar with such dialects. Happily the majority of people from Birmingham are kind, extremely helpful and polite and do their very best to explain so if you need to do not hesitate to engage in conversation about directions and help or help with  Birmingham bed & breakfast.

Birmingham has  a healthy collection of visitor attractions including some highly interesting and informative art galleries and museums, for example the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the new Thinktank  which is in the Eastside. The city also features a large number of square kilometers of woodland, parks and open spaces, Sutton Park being the largest with 970 hectares it is also the largest urban nature reserve in Europe.

Birmingham features a wide ranging and vibrant nightlife with an excellent choice of restaurants, bars, cafes and nightclubs. You will discover most in one of the city’s squares, Victoria Square, Centenary Square, St Martin’s Square, Rotunda Square, Chamberlain Square, the historic Old Square at Corporation Street and the Gas Street Basin. Gas Street Basin is the central hub of the city’s intricate canal network. The city has approximately thirty two miles of canals with a total of 8 canals which were built during the 18th century and continued being used until the 1970’s. Today the Gas Street Basin has been cleaned up and is now a incredibly popular tourist attraction.

Rather than staying bed and breakfast why not think about Birmingham apartments. If you If you are considering taking a vacation in Birmingham you should know that the nearest airport is about eight miles distance from the the city center just off the A45 and near the M42 (junction 6). You will will be able to find a number of hotels and b & b’s nearby the airport.

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/