Compare City Breaks

Home or away?

17. July 2009 Tom

So where are you going on your holiday this year? As you all know the recession is still on everyone’s lips, although it is not getting better, it does seem that it’s now not getting worse! Hopefully we will be coming out of it going forward and we will be much better off. Until that time comes, most people I have spoken to are either taking very cheap flights, staying in cheap hotels and battling cockroaches in the vain attempt to get a quick tan, or alternatively they are staying in the UK, battling the threat of rain and exploring parts of the country that they never knew existed. It’s worth thinking about though, because of the shocking exchange rate we are getting, if we do decide to stay at home, will we have to compete with foreign tourists visiting the UK for good service, hotel booking and seats on tour buses? It’s a safe assumption due to the fact they are getting more for their money if they come to us. I would expect this kind of reverse situation; instead of people from the UK flying off to warmer climates we will decide to holiday at home. At the same time we’re likely to get a higher influx of tourists, and therefore we may have to wait longer at Alton Towers to get onto the Nemesis!

UK | 0 Kommentare »

Why fly?! Stay at home this summer!

10. July 2009 Daniel

So it’s a recession and there’s not much money or time available for you to spend getting away this year. Although there are a lot of cheap flights around at the moment consider staying at home in the UK for your holiday this year, as you can pick up some very cheap train tickets and bargains if you sign up to chain hotel sites such as Travelodge who regularly send out offers to their members.  Try London for some good old fashioned patriotism! Go and see the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, Madame Tussauds, Tower Bridge, Bond Street and the huge Topshop on Oxford Street! Or if the hustle and bustle is not your idea of a holiday, try York and see the Jorvic centre to learn about Viking history, take a trip to York minster, go look around the railway museum and visit The Shambles- a really classy ‘step back in time’ shopping arcade with cobbled streets and classic shops.  Or alternatively try a country break and visit one of the little towns in the Peak District for a laid back, quaint and traditional holiday. Go to Buxton and sample their water straight from the well or visit Bakewell and try one of their famous Bakewell Tarts!

UK | 0 Kommentare »

Prague - city for lovers

1. July 2009 Sammy

Prague is well known as a good destination for stag and hen do’s because it is cheap and has a fantastic nightlife. I always knew this, and when I was thinking of a destination for a short break with my boyfriend last year it was not the first place to occur in my thoughts. However after investigating this a bit further I discovered that if you look deeper, Prague is the most beautiful, cultural, romantic and amazing place you will ever visit. If you go with the right person that is! It was sold to me by a travel agent, and I went away and booked it online for half the price (shh!). The deal we got cost us just under £160 each and we got flights, taxis to and from the airport, and 3 nights in a 4 star hotel close to the National Museum, which was a 10 minute walk to the centre of town through the most beautiful streets you can imagine! I am very into these quaint streets and architecturally stunning buildings and if this is something that interests you, please consider Prague for your next getaway. Whilst we were there last February there was a European market on one of the back streets off the main shopping street which was selling various treats and kooky items. If you go and come across something you really like, make sure you look in a few of the touristy shops around town as you might be able to get a better price. Top tips for Prague- Go with your partner as this city has a magical quality that makes people fall in love, go to the castle, visit the museum, walk along Wenceslas Square and get to the Astronomical Clock in the old town square at a few minutes to the hour in order to see it chime. It is definitely worth it!

Czechoslovakia | 0 Kommentare »

Hot Air Balloon Rides

1. June 2009 Sammy

Hot air balloon rides are definately the way forward to marvel from a birds eye pint of view at the English countryside. The quiet serenity and exciting thrill that can  be experienced from a ride like this can be bought from many venues all over the country.  They will offer you the highest ride of your life and you’ll see all sorts of things - farms, houses, and different landmarks that are normally hidden right out of view when on the ground!

But why would you buy a balloon ride of all things?  Well, you’ll always come across an occasion at some point where you  want to buy something a little bit different.  Be it a special birthday, a wedding anniversay or even, for the romantics out there, what a great way to propose to your partner, whilst sharing champagne to make it an experience you’ll never forget. You’ll certanly have memories to treasure for ever.

By purchasing this idea as a gift or even if it’s something for yourself, you’ll probably end up visiting another part of the UK which isn’t local to yourself.  This is when you can turn it into a nice relaxing weekend away and stay over in a bed and breakfast or a hotel.

UK | 0 Kommentare »

Weekend away walking in the Lakes.

1. June 2009 Sammy

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on what makes a good weekend away, but for me, I can’t get enough of the Lake District.  Don’t get me wrong I LOVE shopping and eating out and drinking in trendy new bars.  The excitement you feel when stepping into your new outfit specially purchased and then you hit the highlife of a new city, dancing until the early hours of the morning - hungover and tired and returning home having spent a fortune and not relaxed at all!

A weekend away in The Lakes, in my opinion, is the best get away you can get as you may as well be a million miles away.  The breathtaking views, the sound of birds twittering and sheep bleeting and the overall silence of the countryside all just seem to chill be right down and so I forget the everyday frantics of a typical working week.

One of my favourite walks has to be Helvellyn via striding edge.  The scramble up striding edge can be quite treacherous if climbed and scrambled in bad weather. The cloud can appear and disappear very quickly so you have to be prepared for all sort of whether. But done on a very clear day the views are amazing and so worth all the tears shed and the sweat dripped!  Just be careful that you are carrying all the correct equipment so there’s no need for you to call on the air ambulance to rescue you because of your carelessness of not being prepared for the weather!

Netherlands, UK | 0 Kommentare »

Galapagos Islands

29. May 2009 Sammy

Dream no longer, the perfect place for escaping the rat race of everyday life is only a flight away! It’s paradise without a doubt and only after a few minutes all your worries will drift away.

At a glance you’d think that these islands which sit about 650 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean were desolate but on further inspection the rough and rocky isles are home to wonderfully weird and abundant wildlife. From giant tortoises which meander along,  marine iguanas stretching out and sunning themselves on the black lava rocks along the shore.  You can watch as the penguins dart swiftly through the waters and graceful red-billed tropicbirds squawk through the cloudless skies.

When exploring these remarkable islands you’ll also be able to inch past lazy sea lions, look out to sea for whales and play spot the pink flamingos amongst the many hidden lagoons.  What better way to enjoy all these wonderful creatures other than in their natural habitat and surroundings.

Thousands of people visit and eexplore Galapagos every year but don’t forget that they’re only a very tiny part of South America and that there is much more to see and do! To get the best out of your holiday and visit as many amazing places as your time will allow book your Galapagos Tours right now!

Netherlands | 0 Kommentare »

The Search for little Maddy goes on…

21. May 2009 Sammy

As beautiful as the Algarve resort is, it has probably now been tainted by the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.  Reports are given weekly still of the progress still trying to be made in finding this lovely little girl.

Its just over 2 years since little Maddy was so ruthlessly taken from her parents villa in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz.  But reports are now showing an artist’s impression of the latest suspect.  This man, who has been described as being very ugly with pitted skin and a large nose, was seen twice in the days before Madeleine’s disappearance.
Why hasn’t this been picked up by the CCTV systems that should have been on in and around the hotel. In a hotel as good as this one you’d have thought that cameras would have been on and have recorded the goings on of that horrible night.  Maybe Maddy would have been found by now or maybe she woudln’t have been taken at all if they’dve been in place.

But…the small Portugese resort is very beautiful and as a small fishing village is still one that must be visted to take in the fabulous scenery.  Once here and chilled out you will think you’re a million miles away form the rat race of your every day life.

Netherlands | 0 Kommentare »

California offers sustainable trips

30. April 2009 Sammy

The tourist board that represents the Northern American state of California says that sustainable holidays are an easy option.

The CTTC, California Travel and Tourism Commission have claimed that there is a huge variety of initiatives in place to ensure environmentally friendly measures are taken at the state’s cities, airports and attractions.

CEO of CTTC, Caroline Beteta said: ‘With millions of visitors touring California every year and leaving behind their carbon footprint, it is our responsibility as part of the tourism industry to not only provide sustainable travel alternatives, but to help make those options effortless so our travellers will embrace them on their next visit to the Golden State.’

CTTC claim that airports such as Los Angeles, Van Nuys and Palmdale are ‘fast evolving into the greenest transportation centres in the world.’

In LA at Universal Studios Hollywood the ‘Simpsons Ride’ has been equipped with new technologies that include a large installation of light emitting diodes. Additionally, San Francisco was also rated as one of the greenest cities in the US within a National Geographic guide which placed it in the top ten green cities within the United States. The city of San Francisco now includes an extensive public transport network, parks and open spaces of natural beauty.

USA | 0 Kommentare »

Macau hosts unusual festivities

29. April 2009 Daniel

Those people who are looking to take a trip to Macau in China this year are in for a treat. The administrative region of China is set to host a variety of unusual events which will include what they call the Feast of the Drunken Dragon.

The festival is set to open on 2nd May and has its origins firmly in the Buddhist story which surrounds a group of villagers saved by a monk who managed to slain a serpent like monster and finally cure the local people of a dreadful disease.

The occasion is celebrated by many Buddhists who clean their statues of Buddha during this time, whilst the local fishermen in the town of Macau set out to perform a ‘drunken dance’ along with a variety of wooden dragon heads.

The dancing procession starts at Senado Square near the inner harbour and within the square there are a number of stalls offering the chance to eat and drink.

There are a number of events being hosted this spring in Macau and one such event is the Arts Festival running from 2nd to 30th May along with an International Dragon Boat event on 28th May.

China | 0 Kommentare »

Getting your luggage off airport conveyors

6. April 2009 Sammy

We’ve all experience that feeling when we arrive at our destination after a long, tiring flight and you just want to get your luggage and get to your hotel. You get through passport control/checks and make your way through all the security to the luggage collection. It’s usually several U-shaped conveyors, so you start by finding the convey belt for your flight.

When you find the right conveyors you then have to squeeze in amongst all your fellow holiday takers and wait for the suitcases to start flowing. Once the stuff starts coming, you try to remember exactly what your suitcase looks like, usually thinking about ten other ones look the same.

as time goes by a panic begins to settle in and you begin to wonder whether someone else might have taken your suitcase off the conveyors by mistake, or even worse, on purpose.

In the end though you finally see your luggage come trawling along on the conveyor belt and you sigh with relief, grab it and start your holiday.

This is just a reminder that lots of other people go through this, so don’t worry and remember to stay calm until the end.

Oh, and enjoy your holiday.

Holidays | 0 Kommentare »