Interesting holiday ideas – gites in France...

A gite (a small furnished holiday house in France, typically in a rural setting) is a home-from-home that you can rent for your holiday.  Most of them are fully equipped with all the essentials of modern day living and many are located in the most beautiful areas of France.

Gites in France are usually managed by the owner, and for the property to qualify as a gite the landlord should preferably live close by so that they can offer any assistance if necessary.   Most gites are on the owner’s land and are within reach of their home.  A gite is often a converted outbuilding or a cottage originally occupied by a farmworker. 

Initially gites in France were both cheap and basic, having only the essential facilities required for living.  However as time has gone on more and more gites in France have been equipped with modern facilities such as televisions, DVD players and broadband internet provision.   Nowadays the definition of a gite has broadened somewhat and can refer to nearly any form of accommodation from a converted outbuilding, to a luxury apartment or flat.  If the landlord lives close by, then essentially the property could be classified as a gite.

Gites are very popular throughout France as they are often a cheap (depends on standard) and easy means of going on holiday.  The local authorities in France also encourage them as gites attract tourists and money into the quieter rural areas. 

The gites in France are certainly worth considering for accommodation if you are planning a holiday in one of the beautiful areas of that country.

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.

Ski Holidays in Bulgaria on a budget...

Skiing holidays in Eastern Europe are always cheaper than the more popular resorts in Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland. Skiing in Bulgaria is a popular budget choice.

The most popular budget resort with British skiers is Borovets. The town is fairly small and lies at approximately 1,300 metres in the Rila Mountains. It is comprised of three different zones. The upper half of the mountain is mainly above the line of the trees and has plenty of wide open pistes. Most of these are gentle which is ideal for beginners and intermediates. One of the big attractions of Borovets is the nightlife. Free or cheap drinks fuel the fun and there are plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs.

Pamporovo and Vitosha have also received much needed upgrades, but the pick of the bunch is Bansko which has seen huge investment in its facilities and hotels. Prices of course have inevitably risen as the quality of the resorts improves, but choose a travel company that can negotiate the best rates on ski rentals, lift tickets and other items and you can still get a bargain.

Booking and paying for everything in advance is often better than paying at the resort as prices tend to be fluid in Bulgaria in a way that they are not in North America or Western Europe.

The locals are friendly and the ski schools are of a high standard whilst being much cheaper than in the Alps. Eating out is also reasonable, although Bulgaria is not exactly known for its cuisine.

Bulgaria is in the south east of Europe so flights and transfer times tend to be longer and the road network is not that good. The exchange rate in the resorts tends to be poor and often there is a high commission charge. It is recommended that skiers take hard currency such as sterling or withdraw money from their UK bank account as required.

To find the best deals on skiing in Bulgaria packages visit several websites and follow the links to ‘Ski Holidays Bulgaria’.

Shopping in Manchester...

Manchester has one of the widest varieties of shops in the north-west of England.  The city centre houses one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, the Arndale Centre, where visitors can find most of the major high street retailers. Getting to Manchester is easy as it is connected to major road and rail networks and cheap flights to Manchester Airport are available from most European cities.

Streets such as Deansgate, St Ann’s Square and Barton Arcade are popular with shoppers who are looking for anything from designer labels to the ultimate bargain.  The area is also home to a number of cafés, restaurants and coffee bars, which makes it welcoming for those serious shoppers who want to spend all day browsing.

The city centre also has a number of specialist shopping areas.  The Triangle is home to independent jewellery shops and some designer names while those with an interest in vintage fare can visit the Northern Quarter.  This is popular with second-hand retailers, record and music shops.  Chinatown has a number of shops selling everything from food to fabric and there is even a Buddhist shop for yoga accessories.

There are also several shopping options for those who prefer not to visit the city centre.  There is a Designer Outlet Shopping Village situated next to The Lowry in Salford and the Trafford Centre offers nearly 300 different stores. 

Markets are always a popular choice with shoppers and Manchester has many to choose from.  Farmers’ markets are regularly held at various locations around the city for fresh produce and Christmas sees one of the country’s best European markets.  Stalls are set up at different locations in the city centre and vendors come from nearly every European country to sell their wares. 

The Mediterranean Island of Capri...

The Italian island of Capri, situated off the coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula, can certainly lay claim to being the oldest resort in the Mediterranean. The island served as a resort during the age of the Roman Republic; ancient Roman ruins can still be found scattered across the island.

These ruins, combined with the island’s ruggedly spectacular scenery, make Capri one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating islands. The two settlements of Capri Town and Anacapri serve as the major tourist hotspots with their chic restaurants and stylish hotels. Venture into the surrounding areas, however, and a rural landscape emerges full of traditional charm and stunning scenery.

Capri cannot lay claim to wide expanses of golden sand; the island’s small yet attractive beaches can be found in small nooks and coves carved into the rocky cliffs, many accessible only by boat. The Marina Piccola and Bagni di Tiberio beaches are two of the most popular. La Fontelina, meanwhile, is perhaps the islands most famous beach, situated at the foot of the iconic Faraglioni rocks.

The island is home to the ruins of numerous Roman villas, the most notable of which is Villa Jovis, the former residence of Emperor Tiberius. Capri’s other must-see destination is the Blue Grotto, a sea cave of legendary beauty. To access the cavern, tourists must lie down in a boat while entering through the grotto’s low opening.

Capri can be reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Naples, Positano, Sorrento or Amalfi. Ferries from Naples take about 80 minutes, or 40 minutes from Sorrento. Hydrofoils are slightly more expensive, but cut the travel time in half.

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.

Lake Baikal in Russia...

Lake Baikal is one of Russia’s most popular natural tourist attractions. Not only is it the deepest and oldest lake in the world, it is also one of the clearest and most voluminous. Located in the southeast of Russia’s Siberian region, Lake Baikal is also home to thousands of plant and animal species.

Whether they are adventure seekers or nature lovers, visitors to the lake and its surrounding area will be dazzled by the natural beauty of one of Russia’s most special destinations. The mystery and charm of the lake is reflected in the locals themselves. Their way of life is still permeated by traditions and rituals which developed due to the lake’s ancient role as a holy place of worship. As such, the local culture is distinctly different from that found in the rest of Russia.

As well as the stunning landscape and unique culture of the region, there are also plenty of activities to pursue. The area is perfect for camping, trekking, biking, mountain climbing, kayaking and fishing, all of which can be arranged in the nearby settlements. Most tourists head to Lake Baikal in the summer to avoid the freezing winter. However, winter visits are gaining in popularity due to activities such as skiing, dog-sledging and ice-fishing.

The fastest way to reach Lake Baikal is by plane. Flights to the nearby towns of Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude are available from all of Russia’s major cities. The Trans-Siberian railway route also runs through Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude. Roads lead from both these towns to the lake itself, the eastern shore being the most easily accessible overland.

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.