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Gatwick Airport : One Of The Busiest Airports In The World
March 12, 2010
Gatwick airport is London’s second biggest airport. It is the 8th largest (by passenger traffic) airport in Europe, and is one of the top 30 busiest airports in the world. It also has the single busiest runway in the world.
Gatwick recently announced plans to expand their infrastructure with a one billion pound investment aimed at improving the visitor experience in terms of everything from access to aesthetics. Those responsible for running the airport feel that this investment will allow them to match, or even surpass, Heathrow airport, whose shadow it is has constantly had to exist under, in terms of amenities and passenger accessibility.
Though Gatwick has always been considered a ‘lesser’ airport than Heathrow, this is due to the merits of the latter rather than any shortcomings in the former. Indeed, Gatwick airport has a history that warrants more attention than it is generally given…
#1 – Architectural Advances
Gatwick unveiled the world’s first circular airport terminal (named the ‘Beehive’) in 1936. It was an extraordinary achievement, as it was the first terminal to combine literally every necessary stage of air travel. There was a rail link directly to the terminal, and for the first time passengers could directly board their aircraft instead of having to travel across the runway on foot or by bus.
#2 – Private Flying Club
Gatwick was not originally build to be a public airport. In its early years, it was used as a home for a private flying club. The flying club that used it, which was the Surrey Aero Club, became so popular though, and brought so much attention to the airport, that it was soon granted a commercial flying license, which meant that members of the public could fly in and out of it.
#3 – The Queen Of England
Gatwick has been graced on two separate occasions with a Royal presence at important opening ceremonies. In 1956 the airport temporarily closed in order to undergo a major redevelopment, and it was Queen Elizabeth II who oversaw the ceremonies in 1958. Then, thirty years later, the Queen and Prince Phillip were also present for the opening of the new North Terminal as well.
#4 – World War II
The second World War saw Gatwick become primarily a military airport, to aid Britain with its air to air combat against the deadly German air-force. Gatwick participated when it was requisitioned by the RAF as a combat airfield, and provided service to a number of important operations necessary to keeping England’s skies clear of bombers.
If you’ll be arriving in the UK via Gatwick Airport, and need a Gatwick car hire company, then visit http://www.gatwickcarhire.org.uk
London – What To Do On Your First Visit
March 3, 2010
As the capital city of England, it is hardly surprising that there is much to see, do and experience in London. With millions of residents packed into this vibrant cultural melting pot, London is always bustling with activity, regardless of the day of the week or the month. Before you arrive there, it is worth making a list of the what you want to see and do, so that you don’t miss out on any of the highlights.
There is so much on offer in this vibrant city that you probably will not have time to take in everything; fortunately though, a lot of the most popular sights are located quite near to each other. Take the time to see Westminster Abbey, the Tower Of London, and the Houses Of Parliament. You can take guided tours of each of these, so you can learn about their colorful histories, which will give you an even better appreciation of what stands before you.
The House of Commons and the House of Lords are pretty impressive in themselves, but more popular among visitors is the landmark’s clock tower. You have probably seen the clock tower, called Big Ben, on TV, and it is even more impressive when you see it in person. Each of its four clock faces is 23 feet across, and it is big enough to see from all around central London. You really want to get up close to it though, especially at night time when it is lit up and looks particularly special.
There are lots of palaces and historic buildings to visit. The Queen of England lives in the most famous of all them, which is called Buckingham Palace. The changing of the guard outside is a sight to see. Tourists will gather long before the appointed time just to see the grand guards in their world famous red and black uniforms. The hat itself is legendary.
Depending on the time of year, catch a sporting event. London has some of best stadiums in the whole world, and five Premier League football (or soccer if you prefer) teams, including Arsenal and Chelsea, who have genuine football superstars in their teams. If English football is not your scene not to worry, check out a rugby game or world class tennis at Queens and Wimbledon during June and July.
No matter where you go and what you do in London, take plenty of photos. It’s only your first time once!
Looking for an affordable place to stay in London? Book a bed at a Cheap London Hostel!
A Holiday Guide To The Greek Islands
February 15, 2010
Greek Islands holidays are a dream for millions of people around the world. They are so beautiful, and offer so much in the way of unique experiences, that is of little surprise that they attract millions of tourists every single year.
There are only a small number of places that have such an ancient and legendary history, and even fewer enjoy such a high level of name recognition. Try a Google image search for ‘Greek Islands holidays’ and you will be able to get a glimpse of the beauty that goes with the history.
Even pictures of the landscape, beaches and historical settings can not to Greece justice though. You really need to see and experience the place first hand, so as to be able to appreciate the atmosphere that goes with the scenery.
For some the thought of the magical Greek Isles is a once in a lifetime adventure to be savored and explored. Others have made Greek Islands holidays an annual event that they can share with friends and families.
Whether it is an action packed holiday (with hiking, sailing and scuba diving being just a few of the available activities) that you are looking for, or a tranquil, peaceful one, Greece has something for you. You will not be disappointed!
There is so much to see and do there that it would literally be impossible to experience everything on a week or two week trip there. The charming paradises that are the Greek Islands are so different to one another, that a holiday on one of them would be totally different to a holiday on one of the others.
They all offer perfect beaches, scenic landscapes and historical sites, but they all have their own unique charms too. Whichever Greek Island you opt for, you are guaranteed to be impressed with it.
A popular choice with tourists is a visit to the Sardonic Gulf Islands which are close to Greece’s mainland area. You can sign up for a day trip and easily travel to Aegina, Poros, Spetses, and Hydra.
The Sporades Islands might be the right choice for you if you are looking for a particularly quiet and intimate atmosphere. Located between northern and central Greece, these islands are said by many to have the most exotic landscapes in the country.
A Grecian island holiday package can be structured to suit any preference, taste and budget. You can spend the sunny, mild days basking on the beach, swimming in the stunning jewel colored waters, or just exploring the culture and beauty that surrounds you.
If you’re interesting in taking a relaxing holiday in the Greek Islands, you may be thinking of a more common destinations like Cyprus or Santorini. However there are many other islands that are just as phenomenal as these, and not nearly as busy. Why not take a look at our specialised Greek Sporades Islands page to uncover some of these hidden gems that Greece has to offer?
Arranging The Perfect Honeymoon
January 24, 2010
A honeymoon should be a time of bonding and relaxation. Yet, poorly planning it can result in it being stressful and frustrating. Below is some advice to make sure your honeymoon goes as well as it possibly can.
Of the utmost importance is to discuss with your future spouse their preferences regarding the honeymoon. Do not presume that you already know the type of honeymoon they would prefer. Have a thorough discussion of location, accommodation and budget. Both of you need to initially create your own list of preferences and then you should make a comparison and highlight areas that they have in common.
travel agents can be a great help with planning a honeymoon and can assist you in making the best decisions based on your joint preferences. Honeymoons are one of the few areas that travel agents still receive a commission on booking, meaning that they will commonly put extra effort in to helping you.
Once you have consulted with a travel agent and have an idea of the approximate cost, make a savings plan and begin putting a money aside for it each week. You could additionally ask the travel agent if they provide a honeymoon registry service, which gives guests the option to contribute to your honeymoon costs.
Look to prepay as much as possible. Incidental expenses such as souvenirs and tips, tend to be manageable expenses, however, should you neglect to allocate money for extra luggage, car rental or day trips, it is easy to find yourselves short of money when away.
Having booked and budgeted your money, the last thing to do is pack. Do this at least a week before departing as it will be something less to worry about in the hectic approach to your wedding. The later you leave it, the more chance there is of you leaving something behind.
Now Try : Honeymoon Ideas
Why Your Caravan Needs A Cover!
December 21, 2009
The potential damage that can be caused by leaving a vehicle outside in bad weather is well known. Few people with garages take such a risk with their car during the winter months. For some reason cars seem to get special attention though, whereas taking care of caravans often gets forgotten about. Just like your car, your caravan needs care and attention, to reward you with many years of pleasurable caravanning and, when you come to replace it, keep depreciation to a minimum.
It’s not only the hail, storms and snow of a harsh winter that can cause damage. Rain contains the same acids all year round, from a light April shower to a torrential downpour, and a build-up of sludge and green algae on your caravan roof is not only unsightly but very time-consuming to remove.
It is not just the wet weather that is a problem either, the powerful UV rays of the sun can damage the paintwork, tires and upholstery. Yet the weather is only the start of the problem. Birds might well enhance your caravanning experience, but they show no respect when it comes to where they leave their droppings! Consider also the potential for nasty scratches, bumps and even the audacious thief.
So, what can you do about this? Well, if you do not have space in your garage, and do not fancy paying extortionate storage fees all year, then a good caravan cover is just what you need. It can save you a lot of both hassle and expense, and leave you to spend your time enjoying your caravan rather than cleaning and repairing it.
The well-fitting cover, especially one made to fit your own particular caravan, is a microporous barrier. Just as our own skin is waterproof and ‘breathable’, exhaling condensation, so the caravan’s weather resistant cover can protect it from damp as well as all other environmental damage. Most covers are made from polypropylene, a versatile material well known for its toughness, strength and its powerful resistance to chemicals, grease, oil and heat.
So, if you consider yourself to be a wise caravanner, is a caravan cover something that you can really afford not to have? Add covering your caravan to your standard hibernation checklist of emptying the contents, leaving the fridge door open, and securing locking it up, and you will then have all the angles covered, and you will be giving your caravan (which is a far from cheap investment), the sound protection that it deserves.
Specialised Accessories’ are the original innovators of bespoke, protective caravan covers, motorhome covers and caravan trailer covers.
Enjoy Christmas Away From Home – Christmas Hotel Breaks
December 19, 2009
Love it or dread it, Christmas is inevitable. No sooner have the stores taken down their Halloween displays than they’re replacing them with huge icicles, gold stars and beaming Santas. Even those with a real love for Christmas can struggle to keep up with the pace for that long – there’s no escape.
Or maybe there is, if you dare to try something different and break from the normal, society imposed, traditions…
Celebrating Christmas away from home doesn’t mean that you have to lose the festive atmosphere – unless, of course, you want to! The possibilities are endless. All it takes is a bit of imagination and planning – and, if you stay at home, aren’t you doing enough of that anyway?
How about, for example, a city break? Not only are they reasonably priced, but you get to have a break whilst still being back at home for the majority of the festive season. Prague and Vienna are ideal for such a break, as both are rich in history and wonderfully beautiful. You’ll be able to walk around the Christmas markets, sample the various delicious types of foods and, of course, have a festive drink or two.
Curiously, although renowned as one of the most romantic and magical places in the world, Venice is comparatively overlooked when it comes to spending Christmas away from home. Gone are the souvenir stalls and sweltering August crowds, as the population seeps to just half of its summer size. Spending Christmas in Venice gives the visitor a chance to enjoy the real city, with its wonderful architecture fully on show and evening concerts in its vast, albeit chilly basilicas.
Or, how about a guaranteed white Christmas? The ski resorts in Switzerland, Austria and France will not only guarantee you snow, but they, with their pine-covered mountains and crackling log fires, will also give you the complete and perfect Christmas scene. There’s no need to even ski whilst you’re there if you don’t want to, as there is enough in the way of restaurants, bars and shops to keep you entertained.
Then there is the ultimate Christmas experience – a visit to Lapland. What could be more perfect than spending your Christmas at the place that Mr. Christmas calls home. What could be better than watching, from within your snug log cabin, the snow fall outside as Reindeers run across the scenic landscape. For those of you with children, this can turn out to be the most memorable and magical trip of your lives.
There really is something for everyone in the range of Christmas hotel breaks available. Ask yourself, is another Christmas spent half asleep on the sofa, watching the same old Christmas specials on TV, something that you really want this year?
This Christmas, why not have a festive adventure away from home? Our Christmas hotel breaks guide offers a number of ideas for a wonderful Christmas spent at one of the worlds most festive destinations. Cheap Hotel Chains price compare all latest cheap hotel deals across the world.