Northern Ireland Tourist Attractions...

From the looming city walls of Derry to the lovely scenery along the Causeway Coast and onto the exquisite Victorian architecture in Belfast, Northern Ireland has always had what it takes to attract visitors.  It really wasn’t a possibility or reality until about ten years ago when people began to feel safe about travelling there again.  In today’s world, Northern Ireland has been renewed almost to the point of rebirth. Belfast has a sparkling nightlife and excellent restaurants, while Derry is artistically coming into its own. 

The Giant’s Causeway draws more people each year than any other spot in Northern Ireland.  It is the top tourist sight and is accessible only by car or shuttle bus.  At the top of the location, columns of solidified lava called basalt point the way towards Scotland, which can be seen on the horizon on clear days. The weather in Northern Ireland is just as unpredictable as the rest of the United Kingdom.  It is mostly cold and wet during autumn and winter, and warms up to more comfortable, tolerable temperatures in spring and summer. 

In order to get to Northern Ireland, you will need to have a passport and/or visa.  And depending on where you’re travelling from, you can get there by air, or sea.  As with most International travel, it tends to be a bit pricey so the farther in advance you book your trip the more money you will be saving.

Visiting Brussels...

Brussels, which is centrally located on the borders of France, Germany and Luxembourg, is at the heart of modern Europe, and it is here that the governing edicts of the European Union are formed into EU law. But apart from its bureaucratic importance, the city itself has very many attractions for the visitor, and with so many cheap flights to Brussels available from London and Edinburgh there has never been a better time to experience what the city has to offer.

Most of the signage in Brussels is in French and Flemish, but English translations are usual. A good guidebook or available brochures will enable you to get the most out of a long weekend.

The famous Grand-Place is the hub around which the life of Brussels revolves, and is a great place to start exploring. Here, what catches the eye is the magnificent Town Hall and the ornate houses of the medieval guilds, the sight of which will transport you back to the city of the Middle Ages when the city was already a thriving centre of commerce. Number 10 houses the Guild of Brewers, as it did in medieval times. The square is the setting for markets and events throughout the year.

As well as visiting the famous Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate, and the other great museums and galleries, you can do some serious shopping in stores along the Rue Neuve or the fashionable Rue Antoine Dansaert, and rest for refreshments at one of the numerous street cafes.

Take advantage of the cheap flights available and book a break in the wonderful city of Brussels.

Family friendly things to do in Edinburgh...

Edinburgh has a rich tradition and history and lots to keep visitors happy, but it also has some pretty special child friendly things to do. Children from all over the world have enjoyed the antics of the children’s street theatre and the face-painting artists during the Edinburgh Festival. In this city there are always things to keep the youngsters happy, no matter what time of year that you visit.

Edinburgh Zoo is a firm favourite with kids of all ages; penguin feeding time is a popular attraction. The zoo has contributed a lot to zoology in terms of knowledge and is dedicated to various conservation schemes and projects.

Close to the Scottish Parliament building, you will find the Camera Obscura. The Dynamic Earth exhibition will take children and the young at heart on a lighting fast trip right back to the dawn of time.

Ghost tours and guided walks that investigate and explore the dungeons, alleyways and underground passages are very popular with older children who enjoy the adventure, and the sometimes gruesome stories.

Many of the restaurants, bars and cafés in the city offer special children’s menus during the day and most restaurants are open for early family dinners. Some close early in the evening, except at the weekend, so always check opening times before you decide on the venue for your family meal in the evening.

If all this is not enough to tire the whole family out and make them ready for an early night, you can always take the children for a walk up to Arthur’s Seat on a fine evening. The view from the top is staggering and you can look right out over the city.

Edinburgh – city of history, arts and cultur...

Edinburgh is a city of two parts. There is the traditional medieval town mixed in with eighteenth century Old Town buildings, and the new town. Its main attractions are its architecture and history, not to mention culture and the arts.

Five hours on a train from London King’s Cross and you will arrive in the heart of the city.  There are a number of cheap flights to Edinburgh from many of the main cities in Europe and will get you to Edinburgh Airport in a matter of hours. From the airport it’s a short bus, or taxi ride into the city centre.

The main attractions of this great city are Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle and The Golden Mile, but the old wynds (narrow streets) and closes of the Old Town are steeped in history. Some of these are so narrow that you can stretch out your arms and touch the walls on both sides of the street. This area still keeps its medieval character and is a World Heritage Site, which means that it is properly protected.

This city is also well known for the Edinburgh Tattoo held in the castle grounds.  This is a festival with military marching bands that attracts thousands of people each year.

The Edinburgh Festival is famous throughout the Western World for its arts and music. At festival time you will find concerts, street plays, street entertainers, drama groups and what is known as fringe theatre in all the main venues and on the streets. The 2010 festival runs from the 13th August to the 5th September and it promises to be just as special as the previous events. This year there is a mix of Central and South American dance, music and theatre as one of the main official events.

Travelling from Heathrow to London...

There are a number of ways of getting into London once you’ve landed on your flight to Heathrow Airport.  There are options to suit all preferences and budgets.

National Express coaches run from the airport to Victoria Station in London as well as to a number of other destinations in the UK.  Heathrow has its own bus station which is situated between terminals 1, 2 and 3, but is easily reached from terminals 4 and 5 too. 

The Heathrow Connect is a train service which links terminals 1, 2 and 3 and Paddington Station in London via five other London stations.  There is a free service which links terminals 4 and 5 to the others so the Connect service is available to all passengers. There is also an Express service from London Heathrow airport to Paddington. 

Travellers can also travel into the city on the London Underground.  There are three Tube stations at the airport which connect to the Piccadilly line.  Services run for most of the day and evening and the average journey into London takes around 50 minutes.

For those who prefer a car journey then a taxi may be best.  However, this is an expensive option and journeys into the city may be considerably longer than other methods depending on the traffic.  Booking in advance may be cheaper and different vehicles can be hired depending on the number of passengers.

Using public transport in London is cheaper with an Oyster card.  These cards can be used on tubes, buses and some overland trains.  Information on obtaining and using the card can be found at the airport.

Republic of Ireland attractions...

Flights to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland bring millions of tourists to the lush, green countryside of this tiny island nation every year.

Dublin may not have the kind of world-class monuments or tourist sites as some other European destinations, but this prosperous, vibrant city does have a rich literary tradition, comfortable pubs, gorgeous Georgian architecture, and friendly locals.

Outside the city there’s a wealth of possibilities for sightseers and holidaymakers who book flights to Dublin and the Republic.  Fishing and surfing off the coast, hiking along Connemara Way, Ring of Kerry, or Wicklow Gap, and much more.

Dublin is home to some fantastic -and free- art galleries.  A few of the best are the National Gallery in Merrion Square; the Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art at the old Royal Hospital in Kilmainham.

If you have the opportunity, journey to Cork and climb the hills to ring the bells at St. Anne’s Church.  Continue on up the stone steps to the parapet that offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the surrounding area.

Get a sense of the true Ireland in County Kerry.  The area is a bit touristy, but Ireland’s two highest mountains are there, as are vast stretches of moorland and stunning coastal views.  There’s also a lot of history and prehistory to investigate:  Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, and Dingle Peninsula must be seen.

The outdoor adventurer is sure to find something to do in Shannon.  From the Cliffs of Moher and Burren’s limestone landscape to Aillwee Cave and Lough Derg, there’s so much natural beauty to discover in this region. 

Glasgow – Finding your way around...

Visitors to Glasgow who stay mainly within the city centre will find it easy to get around on foot.  The centre itself is reasonably compact with the main shopping area based in and around just three roads – Argyle Street, Sauchiehall Street and Buchanan Street.  If arriving by rail, Central Station will bring you to this section of the city.

If you want to explore a little further away from the city centre then the Glasgow underground system will prove useful.  It is called the Subway and it is a simple circular system that runs around the city centre and reaches out to some of the suburbs.  It has stops at the university and the Ibrox Stadium and is a reasonably priced form of public transport. 

Surface trains can also be used to reach the suburbs and neighbouring towns, though visitors may find that some routes may not be as frequently served as some other forms of transport.

Glasgow has one of the best bus services in the country.  Most routes will have a bus every 10 minutes at each stop so getting around is easy during the day, though the frequency changes in the evening and timetables should be checked carefully.  Be aware that for security reasons change is not available on some buses as the drivers have no access to cash, so you will need to have the right money available.  

There are a variety of travel cards for using public transport and details of these can be obtained from any bus or railway station when you arrive in the city.

The Insider’s Guide to Brussels...

Brussels is a relatively small and compact city that is easy to explore on foot. Take a guided walking tour from Grand Place to Manneken Pis, then head on to the Musee des Beaux Arts and you’ll take in most of the old city centre.

The Musee Royeaux des Beaux Arts is one of the most impressive galleries in all of Europe. Art lovers from all over the world book flights to Brussels just to experience all that this museum has to offer. Arrive early in the morning, as you can easily spend an entire day browsing the various galleries.

Brussels is full of lovely parks, the most notable being the Cinquantenaire, which was designed in 1880 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Belgium’s independence. The park’s entrance is a giant arch; you can walk up to the top or take the lift for amazing views of the city below.

Car buffs will appreciate Brussels’ Autoworld, a museum located in Cinquantenaire Park that’s entirely dedicated to cars. You can browse exhibits that feature some of the first-ever automobiles, as well as modern classics from Europe’s “golden age”.

Built during the 1958 World’s Fair, the gigantic Atomium has become a symbol of Brussels. The area surrounding the huge silver structure is a lovely park that includes miniature replicas of all the important buildings in the EU, including Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower.

The Galleries Royales Saint-Hubert is the world’s first shopping mall. Built in 1847, the shopping centre features a gorgeous glass ceiling, designer shops, gourmet grocers and cosy cafes. Take a stroll through the centre before leaving on flights from Brussels.

Travelling to and from Tel Aviv...

Standing in stark contrast to the pious and reverent attitude in nearby Jerusalem, Tel Aviv is awash with lively clubs, hip cafes, and vibrant nightlife, as well as a tourist-friendly beach resort scene.  A Flight to Tel Aviv will drop you in the middle of one of the most modern and energetic cities in the region.

The most noticeable – and attractive – characteristic of Tel Aviv is its perpetual holiday mindset.  Whether you’re drawn to take flights to Tel Aviv for the chic after-hours scene or to bask on the sunny shores of the south Mediterranean, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.  To say that casual rules here is a sorry understatement.  At any time of day or night you’re likely to find citizens, ex-pats, and visitors doing a bit of laid-back window shopping; lounging around the pubs, outdoor cafes, and restaurants; or taking a leisurely stroll along the beaches.

Tel Aviv is laid out in a series of interconnected neighbourhoods, making the city a walker’s paradise.  From the glamorous seaside resorts to the elegant shopping district to the historic and architectural treasures hidden within the old town, everything is just a short walk away.

Before departing on flights from Tel Aviv Airport, be sure to take in the impressive atmosphere of the city itself.  Take a break from the heavy tourism and overcrowded crush of the beachfront by exploring some of Tel Aviv’s phenomenal native cuisine, pulsing club scene, and lovely green spaces.  This is truly a one-of-a-kind location!

Glasgow’s restaurants – find a great place to ...

One of the best parts about dining out in Glasgow is the abundance of interesting foreign eateries located throughout the city.  From crepe stalls to pakora bars to world-class fine dining, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your food desires in Glasgow.  Another plus:  the restaurants here are generally larger than those in other Scottish cities, so it’s much easier to get a table.  However, if you plan to dine out on a busy weekend night it is advisable to make reservations in advance when you can.

There’s a large Italian population in Glasgow, which means there’s excellent Italian food just about everywhere in the city.  One of the best is Fratelli Sarti in the city centre.  The large restaurant is usually crowded, with tables pressed in close together so if you’re after a romantic evening this isn’t the place to go.  But the food is fantastic, with an impressive menu covering all the classics.  Service can be slow at times due to the number of customers, but the pasta vongole with clams and the heavenly tiramisu alone make up for it.

If seafood suits your tastes, head to Mussel Inn where you’ll find the freshest scallops, oysters, and mussels.  Order a kilo pot of mussels, steamed to order and served with a variety of sauces.  The atmosphere and waiting staff are trendy without being pretentious.

Rogano is a winner for style and atmosphere, featuring an open art deco interior inspired by the famous Queen Mary ocean liner.  The warm maple panelling, chrome trim, and spectacular mural paintings are by themselves enough to warrant a visit.  But then there’s the food—succulent roast lamb, seared scallops, and lots, lots more.