Posts Tagged ‘uk’
What Lonely Planet Says About Britain
May 28, 2011
Lonely Planet is the largest travel guide book publisher in the world. Not only this but it has the distinctive reputation for being the ‘cool’ guide to places and people, often drawing the reader’s attention to things other publications would omit. Furthermore, people trust its verdict implicitly. That is why it is such a blow that Lonely Planet published an incredibly un-charitable view of Britain recently.
Among the things said in the verdict was a description of the country’s economy as “dicey”, along with a condemnation of the citizens as junk food guzzling celebrity addicts. It also used the term “eye-sore” to describe some of the architecture, and “uninspiring” to describe a certain place, while also making a point about the country’s fondness for an alcoholic drink.
This is very bad news for Britain, especially in such hard times, as tourists who think favourably of Britain are more likely to put up with high prices, and are likely to see negatives as ‘charmingly British’. Having the worst of its qualities brought into focus by Lonely Planet makes it quite unlikely that people will fork out for their overpriced Gastro pub meal, or buy tacky Blackpool merchandise.
There were some positives, though, and it’s important to focus on these. Manchester, for example, is said to contain “world-class museums and heavyweight art galleries”, while also drawing attention to its infamous nightlife. London is described as perhaps one of the great cities of the world, and the likes of Oxford and York have apparently maintained their English charm.
The worst part about the whole thing, though, is that many of the criticisms of the country will ring true with many readers. There are places in Britain that are poorly maintained, and there is a tendency among the citizens to prioritise new about celebrities, while eating a microwave meal, or worse some fast food. The country can still salvage some pride, however, in its unrivalled cities, and its unspoiled historic areas.
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Travel from the UK to Rome
December 29, 2010
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country?s largest city and a very popular area for visitors. There are flights to Rome from London and other major cities like Manchester and Birmingham in the United Kingdom. There are two airports in Rome: Leonardo da Vinci Airport, which is the main airport, and the smaller Ciampino Airport.
Rome offers excellent public transportation. For the uninitiated, driving is not recommended. There are congested streets, and many landmarks lie in the middle of pedestrian plazas. Most landmarks in the Rome can be reached on foot, so you should expect to find many fellow pedestrians as you see the sites in this most walkable city.
Rome is known as the ?Eternal City? and is extremely popular with tourists. In fact, Rome is the third most popular European city for tourists. It is located in the central-western portion of the Italian peninsula on the Tiber River. It is home to the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Sistine Chapel and the Colosseum.
UNESCO lists Rome as a World Heritage Site. Not just the capital of Italy, Rome is capital of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican admits visitors without charge on the last Sunday of every month. As you might expect, the Vatican enforces a strict dress code, so be sure you are appropriately attired before you got. You will probably need to stand in line for several hours to be admitted to Sistine Chapel. The dress requirements and the long waits in line are a small price to pay for a once-in-a-lifetime visit these famous landmarks.
Rome also offers visitors and residents alike access to dozens of parks and natural areas. It has one the largest expanses of green space of all the European capitals. These parks include the Appian Way Regional Park and the Pineto Regional Park.
Rome is famous for its food. Plan to spend to follow the Roman custom and spend several hours enjoying each meal, especially dinner. Dinner typically has several courses, including dessert, and is not to be rushed. Even the pizzerias offer an incredible dining experience. Some travelers go to Rome just for the food! But don’t worry about putting on the pounds. You can easily walk them off as you visit the city’s historic and famous landmarks.
The weather in Rome varies from season to season. Spring and fall tend to be warm, dry, pleasant and very popular with tourists. October is the peak tourist month. Winters tend to be cool and rainy, while summers are hot and dry. The high season for travel to Rome runs April through October, but you need to be aware most of Rome takes vacation in August. Rome is essentially shuttered for the month. If you have to make your trip to Rome during August, be sure to check ahead to confirm that the sites you plan to visit are available to visitors.
With its rich history, its famous sites, its religious important, its food, and la dolce vita, Rome is a must for every traveler. Plan you visit to Rome and you surely will have a trip to remember. Rome never disappoints.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for Bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel and Flights to Rome
Flights to Ko Chang
April 5, 2010
Ko Chang, part of the Trat Province, is about 330 km from Bangkok and is Thailand’s second largest island and the largest in Ko Chang National Park. Tourism in Ko Chang has increased dramatically just in the last few years.
Bangkok Airways departs two times a day from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Trat. Due to competition, one can travel to Bangkok at a low cost. The flights traveling from UK to Bangkok depart from London Heathrow. Further, the airline industries of British Airways and Quantas have flights to Bangkok, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as a stopping point on the “kangaroo route” to Australia. In addition, one can give Thai Airways a try as well as the Taiwanese carrier, better known as Eva Airways.
Direct door-to-door mimibus transfers will get you from Trat to Ko Chang and fares include the ferry crossing. Ko Chang has three seasons including the cool season from November to February, the hot season from March to May and the rainy season from June to October. In general the climate is hot and humid with lots of rainfall, 4,000 mm per year.
Getting around Ko Chang is simple using the songthaew, public taxis, hired small motorcycles or cars. The atmosphere is laid back so many visitors pick a beach and walk wherever they want to go.
Ko Chang’s recent growth as a tourist destination is due in large part to its proximity to Bangkok, just 5 hours away. It has become a favorite for Bangkok families on holiday. The island is home to a variety of wildlife including birds, snakes, deer and elephants and offers ideal spots for snorkeling, diving and jungle hiking.
The Mu Ko Chang National Park consists of 47 islands including Ko Chang, the best known. You can walk with a ranger on an 8 hour tour from the Than Mayom Waterfall to the Khlong-Plu Waterfall or camp in the jungle overnight. For luxury treatment, the Aiyapura Resort and Spa offers Thai villas surrounded by tropical gardens and ocean views.
The best beaches are located on the west coast and they offer the finest accommodations as well as night life, Sai Khao and the White Sand Beach is the most popular on Ko Chang. There are beach bars, jazz clubs and night club that offer entertainment. You can stay in the thatched huts or wooden bungalows for a natural experience. You also have the option of luxury suits that offer air conditioning, televisions and pools.
Klong Prao Beach has a steeper, sandy beach with a beautiful rocky landscape in its northernmost area.Kai Bae Beach is similar to Klong Prao. You can hire canoes and kayaks, and there are plenty of dive shops. Bang Bao Beach is a fishing village built on stilts. Hire a boat and fish or snorkel to view the rich coral life.
On Khlong Prao, Chang Chutman offer half-hour and hour-long elephant safaris into the interior. You can also go on foot, preferably with a local guide. Start at the southern end of the island.
One of the attractions that you might want to consider wile in Ko Change, is stopping at the Monkey Training Center. Not only can you watch training but you the center offers shows which highlight the monkeys abilities.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel to Thailand and Flights to Ko Chang
Notably Great Value Holidays At Holiday Parks In The UK
March 28, 2010
Travelling with your own caravan attached to the rear of the car is an experience all on it’s own. Knowing how to reverse with a caravan is either learned through repetitive performance or a natural talent is present from the word go. Judging distances and maneuvering in awkward traffic situations has to be a concern for anyone wishing to have great value holidays at holiday parks in the UK, and are taking their caravan with them.
People travelling along the coast of England may end up in a place called Cornwall. It offers a host of small towns and villages that have cheap camping facilities for families on vacation. A beach getaway is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing ways to take that much needed break form work.
Hiring self catering accommodation keeps the budget down too. Organise to bring all your own gadgets and things and the cost is lowered, meaning more to spend on shopping and souvenirs. Little coastal towns have a wonderful array of tourist, arts and craft and bric-a-brac shops.
When money is scant and nothing but a break away will do, try staying at a few locations instead of just one. Moving on every four or five days gives one a feeling of affluence and a lot more sights can be seen this way. Travelling through Cornwall there are several lovely villages well worth visiting for the fishing, golf or nightlife. Why take your pick when you can do all three?
There are many camping areas available for families with or without the children. Some places offer a kid’s club full of activities appropriate for young people on vacation. Adults might just enjoy a game of darts with the kid’s too.
A few of the parks are pet friendly. To avoid the extra expense of kennelling the dog while having great value holidays at holiday parks in the UK, simply take them along. Very affordable prices begin at 10 pounds per night. You can’t get a much better deal than that.
Pontins and Haven Holidays 2010 offer great value holidays in the UK with great entertainment and facilities. Find out how you can get the best prices and accommodation with travel tips from Bertie Davis of Holiday Parks in UK
Flights to Krabi
March 20, 2010
Krabi Province, on the west coast of Southern Thailand, is similar to other Thai holiday destinations offering beautiful beaches and major tourist centers designed to cater to its 2 million foreign visitors.
There are a lot of flights going to Krabi begining from Bangkok through various airlines such as Thai Airways (flights include from Uk to Bangkok), Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Firefly and Air Asia. The Krabi International Airport is only 15 km far from the city, 40 km towards Ao Nang and 23 km far from the popular beaches Had Yo.
Taxi and hired car are also affordable options. Krabi is hot and humid all year round, with the hottest usually in April. Many hotels, bars and ferries close during the rainy season during the fall. High season spans from November through April peaking during Christmas and New Years.The local Songthaew, public passenger pick-up vehicles, offer convenient transport to various local tourist attractions.
Krabi’s most unique feature, Phang Nga, a massive limestone karsts, rises high and steep from the flat rice paddies. Krabi’s natural coastal attractions never fail to impress tourists. Beaches are white and sandy with clear water, fascinating coral reefs, caves and waterfalls. Numerous islands are also available to explore.
When you go to Krabi, you can find a variety of things to do and places to stay. This is the most developed beach in Ao Nang. You won’t go hungry either, there is a great selection of restaurants as well as places to stay.
Rai Leh is known for its rock climbing and several smaller beaches. Ton Sai offers the most affordable bungalows in the area. It is preferred by hikers and backpackers due to the lack due to the lack of tourists and the easy walk to Rai Leh.
Four surrounding islands, Ko Jum, Ko Lanta, Ko Phi Phi and Ko Siboya offer quieter escapes for travelers seeking solitude.Had Yo is the last untouched beach in the Krabi province. It offers spectacular views of Jum Mountian and Ao Nang’s cliff walls.
Krabi is more than beaches and islands, however. Take a look at some of the other local attractions’ Krabi Town, the provincial capital, has memorable landscape featuring the prominent landmark Khao Khanap Nam. Created by two hills approximately 100 meters high that flank the Krabi River running between them, Kho Khanap Nam offers distinctive vistas accessible by a 15 minute long-tail boat ride from Chao Fa Pier. Visitors can canoe in the mangrove or a stroll to dinner at the night bazaar. Find authentic cuisine at Chao Fa Pier and the bazaar on Maha Road.
Pra Nang Beach (Princess Cave Beach) is less about sandy beaches and more about the area’s limestone scenery. A fascinating network of cave systems is home to the Pra Nang Beach considered to be the most beautiful beach in the world. The huge cave is believed by fishermen to be the home of a mythical sea princes. You can get to the Princess Cave Beach by boat or by foot.
Tiger Cave Temple is a religious site for the monks who live and worship there and features a maze of natural caves in a jungle valley. Stone tools, ancient pottery fragments and the mold for making Buddha footprints have been excavated there.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel to Thailand and Flights to Krabi
I Saw The Queen From My Cheap Hotel Room
March 13, 2010
London is one of the most fashionable city break locations on the planet and each year hundreds of thousands of tourists visit UK’s capital city. The city of London has hundreds of years of history and culture, stunning historical buildings and of course lots of entertaining attractions, even the queen lives there.
One of the hardest things to discover in London is a good quality hotel at a low-cost price. If you want to be in the center of all the action then you would usually have to pay a lot more for than you would if you were staying five miles away. The secret is to try and find a hotel that strikes the right balance between the price and location.
There are many high-priced four and 5 star hotels all over the center of London that could cost you a fortune unless you shop around and take a few easy steps.
First thing to do is to make sure that your visit does not take place in the middle of any large events in London as the low cost hotels will in all likelihood be reserved for these dates well in advance. So avoid any dates where there is a cup final on at wembley stadium or any other big event. A quick look on the official London council inter net site will give you a list of yearly events.
It may be that you are going to London for a big event and are having problems getting lodgings at any property. There is a possible solution by utilizing the web site of Hotel Breaks as they have extra rooms to sell by many of the London hotels. Even when the hotel itself is full Hotel Breaks may still have availability.
If you have any friends or relatives in or near London as it may be a good idea to ask if they have any localized knowledge of a suitable hotel that you could stay at. The important thing is to look around and make sure you get accommodation that is not miles away. You do not want to be using your holiday time and money traveling to where you genuinely preferred to be in the first place.
Hotel breaks in a city such as London can cost you a lot of money unless to take a few essential steps. Find out what to do with tips from David Anderson travel writer from the travel web site Bargain Sun
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
Flights to Bangkok
March 10, 2010
All flights to Bangkok from the UK are out of London Heathrow. British Airways and Quantas offer Bangkok flights, as well as flights to Singapore and Hong Kong, as one of its stopping points on the “kangaroo route” to Australia. Also try Thai Airways and Taiwanese carrier, Eva Airways.Cheap flights to Bangkok are easy to find thanks to healthy competition for this route.
The new Bangkok International Suvarnabhui Airport (BKK) is now open offering the largest enclosed terminal building in the world, a sign that Thailand is keeping up with major destinations in the region. Each airport is less than’ miles from Bangkok, and you can get there by taxi, hired car, or bus.Bangkok has two airports. The Don Muang Airport (DMK) was one of the busiest in south-east Asia.
The best time to visit Bangkok is during the busy season which is during November to March, but you will have to shell out more money to enjoy the experience. Weather conditions are perfect at this time of the year and you will surely have a comfortable stay. The only rider is that you will have to spend almost double charges on flights and hotel accommodation as compared to lean season. During lean season, rates are quite less, but the weather is not conducive as it rains during that time making the weather hot and humid. There is rainfall in this area between June to October.
None of this has stopped Bangkok from luring travelers from all over the world. It offers overwhelming choices in shopping, ancient culture and legendary night life.
World-class nighttime entertainment is a stroll away and shoppers can find everything from antiques to designer clothing. Thailand’s culture center since the’th century, Bangkok is also the country’s bustling capital. Peaceful Thai villages nestle among glass buildings and stylish restaurants.
You also have the option of taking the BTS sky train, subway, bus or river taxi. Drivers are aggressive in Bangkok, so if you want the convenience of your own car, hire a car and driver for the day.Getting around Bangkok on foot is an option, but it is slow. Tuk-tuks and cabs are inexpensive and almost always faster than walking.
Tuk-tuk fares are negotiated, so never got into one until the fare has been decided. Drivers are known to claim that the attraction you’re looking for is closed, and to steer you to special shopping excursions instead. They may offer to take you to a friend’s shop for free. You should know that such trips are scams, in which the driver receives some of the money you would spend buying overpriced gewgaws.
Some points of interest in Bangkok:The National Museum gives you a great opportunity to learn the history of Thailand. The Grand Palace, one of Bangkok’s most famous attractions, is the major architectural symbol of the Thai Royal Family and is still used for ceremonies.
The Reclining Buddha, a huge structure of 157 feet long and 49 feet high, stays at Wat Pho, Bangkok’s most eminent, oldest and largest temple. The Buddha is laminated in gold and decorated with nacre that covers the soles of its feet. There is every night at Joe Luis Theater an exclusive presentation of puppets. The puppeteers are skilled dancers, also participating on stage, playing an important component of the show.
Tom Martens is the content coordinator for bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel to Thailand and Flights to Bangkok
Remember To Have Everything Booked Before You Take Off On Your UK Flights
February 27, 2010
Many times, people forget to book their travel extras when they get their UK flights. By doing these all one time, you can make sure that you have a comfortable trip with everything that you need to make your holiday go smoothly.
While many people book their hotel of the same time as the flight, it is important to remember to do so at hotels everywhere that you plan on traveling. This ensures that you have the availability of the room and you’re not going to have to scramble for place to stay. It will also allow you to lock in rates as well.
Car rentals are important. In today’s economy, many of the companies are having less cars on thew lot, and in some cases finding one for you to get will be difficult, and if found, will cost a lot more then reserving one before you leave. You can reserve these with flight and make sure you have one for your holiday and will have no troubles getting it.
Airport parking is also necessary to book early. This makes sure that you have the availability for a space. You also will have more option including parking at the airport, or even having a driver meet you at the gate and park your car so storage of it is much easier on you while you are gone, and can be delivered back to you easily and with no hassles.
Not only will doing this make sure that you are able to get what you want, but you will also be able to get better prices on them. This makes sure that you have enough money to have everything you want, and a little extra to take with you.
When you plan your trip, don’t forget to buy tickets online and make all your reservations to the attractions you want to see. Because many of them are harder to get when you are there, this will allow you an easy time of getting to them and enjoying what it is you wanted to see.
By planning your travel extras along with your UK flights, you will be able to save a lot of money and time before you leave. You’ll be able to take your holiday worry free as long as you plan these extras beforehand. You’ll be able to enjoy yourself more without having the added stress of trying to find these extras.
When you get your inexpensive uk flights, specifically Flights to Anchorage you need to remember to also get all the extras that make the holiday unforgettable. We’ve got the ultimate inside scoop!
UK Flights To Africa- Things You Should Learn About
February 24, 2010
When you think of your ideal vacation destination, Africa might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Even though it is Europe’s southern neighbor, the continent as a whole gets some very bad press. However, there are many countries, such as Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya that are very lovely places. Of course, it is the developing world, but if you decide to choose Africa as your next holiday location you are sure to be pleasantly surprised at all the wonders that Africa has to offer. It is also good to know that many UK flights originating in London and even some less central locations can take you into the heart of Africa.
In many ways, Africa is a study in contrasts. Much of the country is completely untouched, therefore you will not be able to get a direct flight from London to most of the continent.
At the same time, most of these flights will be rather expensive as there are no competing airlines to keep the prices down.
At the same time, you’ll probably end having to pay more than you would for a flight to India simply because of the complexity of the journey. However, if you are looking for a simple holidaymaker’s time, you can enjoy the weather and the wildlife in some of Africa’s more popular and populated cities.
There are direct flights from London to Tunis, Morocco, and Cairo on discount carriers such as Ryanair, Easyjet, and Thompson. These flights are obviously the cheapest during the heat of the summer.
Besides booking your travel in Africa, there are other considerations that you have to keep in mind if you are thinking of traveling anywhere on the continent.
Once you have decided on traveling to Africa, you need to think about much more than just the UK flight that is going to get there. You may or may not need a visa for travel, depending on the countries on which you are visiting.
You will also need to get the appropriate vaccinations which usually include malaria and yellow fever. You might not be allowed to fly if you don’t have the appropriate paperwork. Taking a UK flight to Africa can be a complicated proposition, but once you get there the beauty of the continent will be worth all your trouble.
If you are truly interested in exploring the wonder that is Africa there are numerous UK flights specifically Flights to Angola that you can take to the heart of this continent. We’ve got the inside skinny!