Staying in a London B&B...

Visitors to London, who are seeking reasonably priced accommodation within reach of all the great sightseeing destinations, would do well to consider staying in one of the capital’s many bed and breakfasts.

Cheaper than London hotels, bed and breakfasts, such as the Jesmond Dene Kings Cross Hotel, offer centrally-located and comfortable accommodation for those wanting to spend their days sightseeing, rather than lounging around a hotel. 

Many London bed and breakfasts are family-run, and deliver immaculate service and standards, comparable to many of the best London hotels, but at a fraction of the price.  Not only can guests be assured of a warm welcome, but many of their hosts can provide invaluable information about the best places to see, to eat and enjoy in London.

Guests can enjoy the traditional full English breakfast including freshly-cooked sausages, bacon and tomatoes to provide fuel for a busy schedule of sightseeing, or opt for a lighter Continental breakfast.  Like a hotel, a bed and breakfast will cater for all guests, so for those who do not care for a meat or pastry breakfast, there will also be a vegetarian option.  There is no need to worry about returning for dinner, as guests can dine where they please, when they please.

Many London B&Bs, like The Jesmond Dene, offer a range of rooms, from single occupancy to family rooms, and they are to be found throughout the capital.  A London bed and breakfast offers the perfect base from which to explore this great city.

Major tourist attractions in London...

Visitors to London will appreciate just how central accommodation at the Jesmond Dene a St Pancras Hotel is.  As you can guess from the name it is across the road from St. Pancras International, the Eurostar train service hub and a straightforward two-minute walk from London tube services at King’s Cross, the Hotel provides ready access to all that London has to offer visitors.

Amongst the most famous sights in London is Tower Bridge, easily reachable from the St. Pancras/King’s Cross area.  This historical landmark was built between 1886 and 1894 to carry people over the River Thames.  It is both a suspension bridge and a bascule bridge, meaning it can be lifted to allow river traffic to pass underneath.  There is a permanent exhibition housed within the structure, The Tower Bridge Experience, which tells visitors the full story of the bridge. 

Near to the bridge is another of London’s most famous landmarks, the Tower of London.  Begun by William the Conqueror in the 1080s, the Tower’s structure was added to by subsequent monarchs.  Throughout the centuries, the Tower has been used as a palace, as well as a prison and a place for executions.  Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth I, was imprisoned in the Tower at one stage, as power shifted in 16th-century England.  The Tower houses the Crown Jewels of the Monarch, and has World Heritage Site status.  The new Crown Jewels Exhibition opened to the public in 2012 and includes the Coronation Spoon, which is more than 800 years old, as well as The Imperial State Crown, made in 1937 and worn by Queen Elizabeth II to the State Opening of Parliament.

San Francisco City Guide...

San Francisco is a rolling metropolis of culture and history and is one of the most visited cities in America. The city grew up from the California gold rush that attracted a flood of treasure seekers and fuelled the city’s growth.

A big financial district was built due to the wealth of the gold rush in the mid 1800’s which also helped fund the Port of San Francisco and the Pacific Railroad making the city a centre for trade.

A devastating earthquake hit San Francisco in 1906 destroying nearly 75% of the city. Due to the financial wealth of the area rebuilding started straight away and was completed on a grand scale.

Visitors to San Francisco have a range of historic and modern sights to explore including the formidable Alcatraz Prison, historic tram lines and perhaps the most famous bridge in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge.

Travelling around the city is easy thanks to San Francisco’s public transportation systems, one of the most comprehensive networks in the United States including busses, metro’s, trams and trains.

Eating out is a real experience in San Francisco, must try foods include fresh sea food from the port and sourdough bread.

There are many ways to get to San Francisco including by plane into San Francisco International Airport, by train or bus and ferry, or you can always drive to the city via one of the four major highways.

Picture courtesy of davidyuweb

Going on holiday to Moscow, Russia...

Moscow is the capital of Russia, a city with thousands of years of history. The exchange rate is very favourable in Russia and now more and more westerners are making their way to this amazing Russian city. From history to nightlife, Moscow has something to give every worldly traveller looking for the experience of a lifetime.

Visiting the Red Square

The Red Square is not as intimidating as it sounds, as it hosts a series of irresistibly interesting attractions. The Red Square has served as the centre of Russian government for centuries and is a must-see attraction on any trip to Russia. The Kremlin is also close by, which is the epitome of Russian architecture and art. At night the Kremlin is a beautiful sight to see, as it becomes illuminated with beautiful floodlights.

Of course no trip to Moscow would be complete without a trip to St. Basil’s Cathedral. Let its colourful spires inspire you as you take in all the culture and cuisine available in Russia’s cultural epicentre. There is never a bad time to visit Moscow.

Picture courtesy of Valerii9116

A Festival of life...

Exit the train at Edinburgh Waverley Street Station and gasp with wonder at Edinburgh in August.  Princes Street Gardens is in full bloom, and the city attracts thousands of foreign and UK visitors alike.
 
August in Edinburgh is synonymous with one of the finest arts and cultural festivals on the planet: The Edinburgh International and Fringe Festival.  Whether a visit to the opera is your idea of how to spend an idyllic evening, or some traditional Asian, African, South American or Indian music or dance takes your fancy, Edinburgh is the place to be.  The city gyrates to the rhythm of an eclectic mixture of the arts on a truly global scale, and to walk the streets of the city on any given day during the festival is to behold humankind at its most altruistic.

History

The Edinburgh International Festival differs from the Fringe Festival in that participation is by invitation only.  Whereas the International Festival promotes opera, classical music and dance, the Fringe is free to anyone who has an act to perform.  The International Festival has been proclaimed consistently as one of the most important cultural celebrations on earth, and this is immediately apparent by the numbers of tourists who attend.  The Fringe festival, too, attracts countless numbers of would-be or lesser known musicians, acrobats, comedy acts, and actors.  The first proper Edinburgh International Festival took place in 1947, and since then it has never looked back.  Figures for the 2012 Fringe include 42,096 performances of 2,695 shows, 279 fringe venues and over 800 free shows.

So jump on a train bound for Edinburgh and get caught up in the festival of life!

Picture courtesy of Colins Camera

A glimpse into Spanish culture in Madrid...

Madrid is the place to visit for a taste of the real and rich Spanish culture. Despite its modern face and infrastructure, Madrid has preserved much of its historic feel and cultural heritage, from siestas to traditional foods and fiestas. Even the ultra modern events will still have some touch of tradition in Madrid. 

Fiestas (festivals) are lively and full of colour. The most notable ones on the Madrid social calendar include the colourful Christmas market at Plaza Mayor, the New Year’s Eve celebrations and the San Isidro fiesta during which residents pay tribute to Madrid’s patron saint every 15th of May.  
   
As with the rest of Spanish culture, Spanish culinary heritage is refined. Tapas is a traditional Spanish meal.  They are appetizers that initially consisted of bread and ham and were eaten while drinking beer. Ham, olives and variations of tapas dishes feature strongly in Spanish food.

With their generally relaxed approach to life, Spaniards love their siesta. Many cafes are usually full at this time as the patrons take a break from their schedules for a couple of hours in the afternoons.

Art is also an important part of Spanish culture. The works of master artists including Pablo Picasso, Kadinsky, Dali and Miro are on display at the Reina Sofia Museum. At the Prado, there are famous artworks by El Greco, Goya and many other artists.  

For shopping, visit Madrid’s biggest flea market, the El Rastro. This is held every Sunday morning regardless of the weather; the market sells antiques, crafts, second-hand objects and many other unique items at bargain prices.

If you happen to be in Madrid during the bullfighting season, you can witness the Spanish tradition at the Plaza de las Ventas. Alternatively you can visit the Museo Taurino (the bullfighting museum) and learn everything about bullfighting including its history, costumes and evolution.

Accommodation in London – Where to Stay...

The West End

Right in the centre of exciting nightlife, fantastic restaurants shops and the theatre district, the west end is one of the most popular areas to stay in. Close to many transport connections it’s the perfect place to stay if you haven’t visited London before.

For accommodation near the best transport links, then you want to be looking Kings Cross/St. Pancras and Euston. For travel on the Eurostar Kings Cross/St. Pancras, is the right spot, just round the corner from the station is St Pancras hotel the Jesmond Dene and your also only a tube ride away from the popular visitor spots in London. It’s a great choice for first time visitors. There are also a number of four and five star hotels as well as budget, hotels and apartments.

In the heart of this area you have Covent Garden and Leicester Square, a short tube ride is all that is between these two London hotspots.

Covent Garden, you will find is a great hub, for culture, there is always a show or performance on, as well as exhibitions and street fairs. Shopping is also fantastic with a wide range of shops, including, designer, boutique and specialist. Covent Garden is also known for its restaurants and bars, covering international cuisines and locally sourced food. There are a selection of chain restaurants as well as artisan cafes and restaurants. There are also quite a bars, pubs and clubs in Covent Garden, it’s a popular nightspot.

Leicester Square is one of the busiest areas in London, it has a great vibe and the perfect spot for a night out, it’s like one big party. There are a number of cinemas in this area too, and when there is a premier on you will be sure to spot a celebrity or two. During the day, Leicester Square is a bit more relaxed, there are a number of spots to people watch while you enjoy a coffee or two. It’s also a great spot for families, kids and adults will enjoy M&M’s World® London as well as Ripley’s Believe it or Not! There are also a number of family friendly restaurants such as The Rainforest Cafe.

There are a number of four and five star hotels in and around Covent Garden and Leicester Square, plus a couple of hotels and apartments if you’re looking for a budget break. With great transport links as well it’s a great area to stay for a city break.

The fortified city of Carcassonne, France...

Carcassonne is situated in South-West France and features one of the most breath-taking fortresses in the world. With walls spanning over 3km in length and 52 towers the fort looks over the town centre where the majority of the hotels, restaurants and cafés are located.

Travelling to Carcassonne by train is easy as it is approximately 1 Hour away from Toulouse and other major routes from Marseille, Lille and Lyon also stop at the picturesque city.

For those of you that prefer flying, Carcassonne Airport is located around 3km from the city centre and has regular shuttle busses to and from the centre.

Getting around the city is also easy and the majority of tourist sights are within a few minutes’ walk from one another.

The historic fortress is a must see for those visiting the city and medieval jousting display are held twice a day during the summer. Other sights to visit include the Torture Museum which is filled with medieval torture devices.

Boat trips along the historic Canal du Midi are for those who want to unwind and relax whilst taking in the views of the city.

A guide to Cape Town...

The city of Cape Town stands on the northern part of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa, offering a breath-taking view of Table Mountain. When it gets cloudy, thin sheets of clouds sometimes form at the peak of the Table Mountain, which the locals have nicknamed as a ‘tablecloth.’ The rocky mountainous terrain surrounding the city also includes Devil’s Peak, the Twelve Apostles and the Lion’s Head Mountain.
 
Cape Town is an increasingly popular holiday destination with plenty of fun activities on offer.

Discover the beauty of the South African coastline with its sandy beaches at Clifton, Bloubergstrand and Camp’s Bay or visit the famous Kirstenbosch botanical gardens. Take a driving tour of the rocky cliffs and enjoy a breath-taking view of the ocean and coastline from Chapman’s Peak or from the top of Table Mountain. 

A trip to Cape Town is not complete without a visit to Robben Island. The island’s infamous maximum security prison which housed Nelson Mandela for 18 years, is seen as a symbol of the struggle for South Africa’s freedom from apartheid rule. Robben Island was made a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Cape Town also produces fine wines from its large expanses of fertile vineyards. About half an hour’s drive from Cape Town, the picturesque Cape Winelands offer wine tasting tours in more than 200 vineyards. While there, you can also explore the numerous gourmet restaurants and patisseries at Franschhoek.

If you wish to go on safari, fly to the world famous Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa that is home to the big five and the romantic Ngala Safari Lodge and tented camp.

A travel guide to Barcelona...

Barcelona is renowned for its nightlife, wonderful sightseeing, elegant restaurants and sophisticated holiday properties.  Situated on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, this city is blessed by a subtropical-Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild, humid winters.  The best time to visit Barcelona runs from middle of May through August.

Attractions

Numerous tourist attractions, including breath-taking views, winding streets, hidden squares, palaces, museums and fountains, are on offer to enchant any traveller.  Some places you may like to visit are the Montserrat Mountains, La Sagrada Familia temple, L’Aquarium de Barcelona, La Pedrera, and the Barcelona FC Museum.  You can also choose from a variety of walking holidays, cycling holidays, city tours, hiking and boating trips.

Food and drink

Most tourists consider Barcelona’s cuisine amazing because it presents a rich array of exquisite menus, including fantastic Catalan dishes and foods from all over the world.  Furthermore, many elegant restaurants, cafés and bars serve a variety of drinks, ranging from fine wines to delicious café latte.  

Travel information

Regular flights from London to Barcelona take almost two hours.  Tourists who choose to travel by train should know that the entire journey takes about 15 hours.