Archive for the 'Articles' Category

Top 7 Short Break Destinations in the UK

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

LONDON

London needs little introduction. Must-sees in this multi-cultural capital include the London Eye with panoramic views of the city, the Royal Botanical Kew Gardens and the world famous Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. There’s Old Masters at the National Gallery & Tate Modern, and ancient relics at the British Museum. Get some fresh air at Hyde Park or the Hampstead Heath. Don’t forget to taste London’s diverse cuisine from China Town and Soho to Brick Lane for a curry, and wash it down with a pint in a good old London pub. With over 30,000 shops and stores to choose from, as well as an increasing reputation in the fashion world, shoppers will not be disappointed.BRIGHTON

Less than an hour from London by train, the city is a popular seaside destination with its cultural sites and the added benefit of the fresh sea air. Visit the exotic Royal Pavilion, home of King George IV, notable for its Indian architecture and Oriental interior design. Stroll along the Victorian Pier and the beachfront with its bars, restaurants, nightclubs and amusement arcades. For shopping, try the bohemian North Laine.CARDIFF

Cardiff has developed a cool reputation in the last few years as an ideal family destination. A recent extensive re-development has given the city world-class sporting and entertainment facilities. Add to this excellent shopping, diverse restaurants and plenty of art, history and culture. Highlights include the Wales Millennium Centre, National Gallery, and Cardiff Castle. If you want to find out more about the Welsh obsession with rugby, head to the Millennium Stadium.BRISTOL

Today, Bristol is one of the UK’s best short-break destinations. The city hits a high note with everyone from clubbers to culture vultures. See art, history and nature at the City Museum & Art Gallery, or take in a show at the opulent Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Clifton Suspension Bridge is a famous landmark, and the former ocean liner, the SS Great Britain, which is now in dry dock in Bristol. Take a stroll at Bristol Zoo Gardens, buy some ethnic food at St Nicholas Market and enjoy the nightlife along Corn Street.LIVERPOOL

The city is fast becoming one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations. Famous as the birthplace of The Beatles, Liverpool has more museums, theatres and galleries than any other UK city outside London. The city is nominated European Capital of Culture for 2008 with music, art and cultural events going during the whole year. Visit the former homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Penny Lane and the Beatles Story. If nightlife is your thing, head to the famous Albert Dock with its tempting selection of cafes, pubs and restaurants.YORK

York is one of the most preserved historical cities in England. Famous for the magnificent York Minster, the city is also the location of world’s biggest railway museum and a wealth of preserved medieval buildings and streets, such as the Shambles. As a city of festivals, York boasts a year-round calendar of music, antique, food & drink events. Theatre lovers can catch a show at the Theatre Royal or enjoy a concert at the Grand Opera House.EDINBURGH

Owing to its rugged setting and vast collection of Medieval and Georgian architecture, Edinburgh is often considered one of the most picturesque cities in Great Britain. Walk the Royal Mile, visit World Heritage Site, Edinburgh Castle, and above all experience the spirit of Scotland. Enjoy the art at the National Gallery and volcanic eruptions at Our Dynamic Earth science centre.

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Harewood House

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

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Top Five European City Break Destinations

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

City breaks have never been more popular, especially as the credit crunch takes a chunk out of consumer pockets. With many Brits choosing to swap their long summer holiday for a couple of well-planned short breaks, here are our tips for a top city break in Europe this year.
One of eastern Europe’s rising stars, Krakow in Poland is at the heart of the country’s artistic and cultural life. This beautiful city is Poland’s second largest and has a population of around 800,000 people. Visitors will appreciate the Old Town with its historic Main Market Square; the wealth of museums including the impressive Czartoryski Museum; and the Wawel Hill with the ancient castle and cathedral.
Many travellers will want to visit Auschwitz, the former Nazi concentration camp located 60 km out of the city. A regular bus service runs from Krakow bus station.
The local cuisine largely involves meat, dumplings and cabbage and the large student population means lots of cheap Polish beer, vodka and cheesy clubs – what’s not to like?
This compact city is located on the Wisla River, close to the Carpathian Mountains. Balice Airport can be reached from a range of UK airports with airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet and LOT.
Spain’s most independent city, Barcelona, is a classic city break destination. The cool Catalonian capital is separated from the rest of the country by culture, language and attitude and has reinvented itself over the past twenty years.
The medieval quarter, Barri Gotic; La Rambla, a lively pedestrian street filled with market stalls, bars and street theatre; and the Port Vell waterfront area draw thousands of visitors throughout the year. The Museo Picasso and the park at Montjuic are also must-sees.
The city is full of the extraordinary work of Antoni Gaudi, a Catalan architect working during the late 19th century. Some of his most famous creations include the (unfinished) Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and Parc Guell.
Football fans will want to head to the home of FC Barcelona at Camp Nou and beach babes will love Sitges, the super cool coastal resort just half an hour from Barcelona by car or train. El Prat and Girona are Barcelona’s closest airports, with airlines including British Airways, KLM and easyJet flying from the UK.
Over the past few years Budapest has really taken off as a weekend destination for British travellers. The numerous cheap and cheerful flights now servicing the city have helped us to discover one of Eastern Europe’s most lively and cultured spots.
Budapest consists of two separate cities, Buda and Pest, positioned opposite each other on the River Danube. Buda is the cultural half, featuring most of the cafes, bars, music and coffee house intellectual scene. Pest is the commercial centre but is also home to some museums, the fantastic riverside Parliament Building and the recently restored St Stephen Cathedral.
Budapest is famous for its thermal spas and bath houses, one of the most accessible being the Gellert Baths at the beautiful art nouveau Gellert Hotel on the Buda side of the river. Castle Hill, the Royal Palace, the Labyrinth at Buda Castle and Margaret Island are all worth a visit.
Malev Hungarian Airlines, British Airways and Aer Lingus all fly to the city’s main airport, Ferihegy International.
Bruges may sound more chocolate box than cutting edge to many, but Belgium’s medieval port is an unexpectedly cool city. And at just around an hour’s drive from Calais it’s perfect for UK travellers looking to nip across the Channel for a few days.
Whether its exploring the maze of cobbled streets and canals, taking in the art galleries, museums and beautifully preserved medieval architecture, shopping on Steenstraat and Noordzandstraat or simply enjoying a Belgian beer (or ten) with mussels and chips, there’s plenty to entertain you on a relaxed short break.
The central Markt Square and bell tower, Burg Square (home to the Basilica of the Holy Blood), the Lake of Love, Groeninge Museum, the Church of Our Lady and Gruuthuse Museum should all be on the sightseeing list. Refreshingly, the city’s permanent residents are consistently friendly and helpful to tourists in spite of there being around four million every year.
The entire centre of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is easily reached by car or via Eurostar.
The mother of all European city break destinations has to be Paris. Ignore the cliches, the French capital will charm you and you’ll want to go back again and again.
The best way to soak up the city’s unique atmosphere is to wander on foot along the River Seine and around the different ‘quartiers’ with their own special personalities. Dip in and out of bohemian cafes and boutiques in the Marais; see the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe; peruse works of literature in the eccentric Shakespeare and Company bookshop in the Latin Quarter; devour hot crepes outside the Pompidou Centre; discover the formerly naughty Pigalle and Moulin Rouge.
There’s so much to enjoy in Paris it is impossible to list in a few sentences. But whether you’re looking for art, good food, fine wine, stunning architecture, late night clubbing, antiques or flea market finds, jazz, cinema, theatre or even romance, you’ll find it here.
Travellers from the UK can reach Paris by Eurostar or by flying to Charles De Gaulle or Beauvais airports. Air France, British Airways and EasyJet all fly to Paris.

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100% Accident Compensation Claim Company in UK

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

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