Relaxing Guided Tours of Ireland

For families interested in traveling to Europe, consider one of the guided tours offered by several outfits that will take you and show you the best sights and sounds of Ireland. Such vacations are often not very expensive when compared to the rest of Europe and family members of all ages will enjoy the scenery and attractions.

Most guided tours of Ireland will have you fly into Shannon. This is a small airport on the western side of the island and it’s close to many attractions you’ll see. Your first stop will be to the village of Adare, famous for its thatched roof cottages and quaint charm. This is your first stop along the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland’s most beautiful natural area. You’ll see dramatic mountains, green fields and many archeological sites.

As for your next stop, guided tours of Ireland may take you to some of the sites or to a pub in the Dingle Peninsula. You may choose to go dolphin-watching at specified places along the Peninsula road. Soak up the beautiful scenery and eat some of the hearty local dishes. After that, you’ll travel to Killarney and visit the Gap of Dunloe, a four mile gulch carved out by glaciers.

Guided tours of Ireland would be remiss if they didn’t take you to the infamous Blarney Castle. While much of the castle is in ruins and it doesn’t have a roof, visitors will be amazed by the ancient architecture and will be given a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone—a feat which is done while lying on your back. Afterward, you’ll likely go to the picturesque town of Kinsdale, within County Cork. Visit one of their gourmet restaurants and walk along the cobblestone streets.

The next logical stop for guided tours of Ireland is the town of Cobh, the departure point for many emigrants to the US and the last port of call for the Titanic. Visit the local graveyard where many of the Titanic’s passengers are buried. From there, travel to the medieval town of Kilkenny, famous for its cathedrals and its history of witchcraft.

Often, guided tours of Ireland will then bring you into Dublin where there are numerous sites to see, including the site of Ireland’s first Parliament and the famous Guinness Brewery. Taste some of Ireland’s finest beer and stay at the Cabra Castle, complete with a golf course, gardens and beautiful walking paths.

To get the most out of guided tours of Ireland, you’ll continue on to visit Carrick-on-Shannon, a scenic boating haven and Boyle, the site of some lovely abbey ruins. After touring this area, you’ll likely move on to the County Mayo. In Mayo, you’ll walk the streets of Westport and see its seashore, dotted with a number of tiny islands. Shop along the traditional Irish shops and take in the quaint nature of this lovely town.

Guided tours of Ireland rarely miss Galway, the cultural capital of Ireland. Take in some traditional Irish music by visiting one of the town’s several pubs. After that, you’ll visit the Aran Islands, the place where the famous Irish Aran sweaters originally came from. These islands will take you back in time as little has changed over the years.

Most guided tours of Ireland will let you see and taste and listen to Ireland at every possible chance. It’s a beautiful country with lovely people and it will be an experience you’ll never forget.

Off the Beaten Path on Guided Tours of England

Most guided tours of England focus on London and yet miss the beautiful and historic places you can go in the rest of England. It’s a lovely country with lots of history and places in which you can truly have an adventure.

A favorite place for many guided tours of England is Stratford upon Avon. Located on the Avon River, it was the birthplace of both William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway. You may be able to stay in hotels that date back to the time of William Shakespeare, see his place of death and surrounding gardens and the Anne Hathaway House.

Guided tours of Stratford upon Avon will take you to Trinity Church where both William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway were buried and you can see the lovely Hathaway Cottage—a must-see on most guided tours. In addition, Shakespeare’s birthplace has been turned into a showplace of period furniture that takes you back to the time of his birth in a delightful little

museum.

You may also wish to travel to Warwick Castle—another must-see destination on many guided tours. It is perhaps one of the best preserved old castles in all of England. Located along the Avon River, your tour guide will tell you that the original castle was built around the year 900 AD. Gradually, parts of the castle were added onto and fortified until it became the huge and sprawling castle you can see today.

Guided tours of Warwick Castle are available to groups and include the dungeons, the high buttresses, and rooms from various eras, including the Victorian Era. One of the special features of this castle is that it has been outfitted with wax figures made from Madame Tussaud’s galleries. There is an entire section of ornately decorated Victorian period rooms, complete

with wax figures.

Often, guided tours will allow you beyond the castle walls and out into the massive gardens and conservatory, where visitors can have lunch and enjoy the beauty of the gardens. If the weather is right, you will be able to walk among real peacocks strutting through the gardens. All in all, it is a day worth remembering.

Guided tours that partake of the southern part of England will take you to the famous Stonehenge, built more than two millennia ago and a favorite tourist attraction. Those who come during the summer or winter solstice should expect that there will be a crowd there at the crack of first daylight.

Fun guided tours of England will take you to Oxford, home of the famous Oxford University and to Christ Church, where some aspects of the Harry Potter movies were filmed, including the scenes in the great hall. In fact, you can take an entire Harry Potter guided tour that will guide you to as many places as possible that were included in the filming of the movie.

After rolling past the many castle ruins, fabulous gardens and quaint British homes on one of the guided tours of England, you may forget all about London itself. If not, extend your tour into the big city of London—a city that often offers guided tours involving just those wondrous things you’ll find right there. Take your time and enjoy all that England has to offer.

Camden Tourist Attractions & Highlights

There are a huge variety of attractions to see in the London Borough of Camden which caters for all types of people with an array of interests. Some of the main attractions in the London Borough of Camden include Regent’s Park, Hampstead Heath, a number of theatres such as Shaftsbury Theatre and Bloomsbury Theatre as well as many more attractions, some of which are described below.

Regent’s Park which spans a huge area of 487 acres has a wide range of facilities and attractions which include sports areas, children’s playgrounds, many gardens, a lake and London Zoo. The best way to reach Regents Park is by tube and the closest stations located near the park are Regents Park, Baker Street and Great Portland Street.

Hampstead Heath is another vast area of parkland which is almost double the size of Regents Park and is located in the south of the London Borough of Camden. The main attractions here are the number of ponds which people can swim in and its location in the affluent area of Hampstead. It is a leafy and green area of Central London and is picturesque in the summer time.

Camden Market is one of the most renowned markets in London and is visited by both residents and tourists alike. Over the years the range of goods sold here has widened with shops and stalls now selling everything from books to jewellery, and clothing to art and craft. There is also a diverse mix of people which adds to the markets vibrant atmosphere. This is a great place to spend Sunday afternoons and is a must see in the London Borough of Camden.

The south west area of Covent Garden is located in the London Borough of Camden and is one of the best parts of the city. The area is teeming with shops, street performers, bars, restaurants and other entertainment facilities. The main square of Covent Garden is described as the heart beat of the area and is always full of people, performers and great energy.

There are three main theatres located in the London Borough of Camden which are Bloomsbury theatre, Shaftsbury theatre and the Dominion theatre. Of the three theatres, Shaftsbury theatre is both the oldest and largest in terms of capacity. It opened in 1911 and has a capacity of over 2,300 people. By comparison, Bloomsbury theatre is the newest and opened in 1968 and is by far the smallest with a capacity of just over 500 people. All three theatres have their own character and are renowned for showing great plays.

The London Borough of Camden also boasts an array of museums including the Freud museum, the Foundling museum and the Sir John Soare’s museum The Foundling museum refers to the story of Foundling’s hospital and has a great art collection.

All in all, the London Borough of Camden has a number of attractions both culturally and in the area of entertainment. It is a vibrant part of London and is enjoyed by both London’s residents and tourists alike.

Beautiful Vacations In Blackpool

You know what they say - you've never been to England if you've never been to Blackpool. Of course, locals in every single town around Britain will claim the same thing about their towns. Blackpool, however, is one of the very few towns that actually has any right to claim such a thing - and for good reason.

It's Not Black But It Does Have a Pool.

Blackpool is Britain's most popular holiday destination. Whether you're looking for a place to relax in or a town to paint red, Blackpool can give you exactly what you need and more. Take a leisurely walk around Stanley Park and enjoy the horticultural and wildlife marvels. Who knows? You might make a squirrel friend or two.

Take a ride on the famous Blackpool trams. The track runs for 12 miles down the Promenade, but don't worry, it won't take you anywhere near London. Get your freak on and dance under the world's largest disco ball. Grab a Cosmopolitan while you're at it. Visit Blackpool's Sandcastle water park where it's always summer, even in the middle of winter. Don't forget to wear those thermal coats over your bikini if you head outside, though. Frozen buns are not a Blackpool delicacy.

With so much to offer, Blackpool is not a place you visit for a day. For the traveler on a budget, you're better off spending on Blackpool's many attractions rather than some posh (as the Brits like to say) hotel you only sleep in. Clean, comfortable, and most importantly cheap at only £30-£40 a night, a Blackpool guest house is the perfect place to rest your weary head after a day of exploring.

If Hairdryers Are Safe at the Strathmore, So Are You!

Centrally located along Lonsdale Road, the Strathmore Blackpool guest house is within walking distance of Blackpool's most popular attractions. It is conveniently near the major clubs and pubs so you don't have to walk - no, stagger - too far if you had one too many cocktails after dancing the night away under that disco ball. All rooms are centrally heated in this Blackpool guest house, which should do wonders to your hangover the morning after. Each room also has a useless colored television (useless because you'll be too busy exploring the town to watch television), a coffee maker, and a tea maker (if there's such a thing). Reduced rates are offered to children, possibly based on size - the tinier, the better. Hairdryers and flat irons are available upon request, possibly because they can fit in your suitcase, so nice try.

The Good Life - Living in a Bar

The Hinsford Blackpool guest house is also centrally located and is very close to Pleasure Beach and the town center. There's a licensed bar in the guest house itself so you don't have to stagger at all after those cocktails. You can just have the barman escort you upstairs to your room where you can throw up in your en suite bathroom. It might be a bit embarrassing to see him in the morning though, as he will also be serving you your full English breakfas. But look at the bright side - the breakfast is free.

When You're Only Pretending to Be on Vacation

The Lynmoore Blackpool guest house is also two minutes away from all the great Blackpool attractions. Aside from the usual coffee (and tea) maker, hairdryer, iron, English breakfast, and en suite bathrooms, this Blackpool guest house offers Internet access. So even if you're on vacation, you can still get some work done.

As a downside, these Blackpool guest houses only accept couples or families. Singles are turned away at the door and sent to where they belong - in posh hotel rooms where they could actually invite the barman or barwoman in.

Savvy Shoppers Travel UK By Rail

Some vacationers might choose to arrive into the United Kingdom by air but they will change their mode of travel many times while they are there. The savvy shoppers prefer to travel UK by rail because the trains are much faster than some people care to walk even if the distance is just mile or so down the road.

Tourists really enjoy being able to travel UK subway systems because they might have seen them in many motion picture movies. There are many motion picture films which have captured the interior fixtures aboard trains throughout the United Kingdom. Some of those scenes were quite romantic and made people want to visit the United Kingdom just for the aura of romance it offered.

There were many people in the audience that were thrilled by the scenes in the motion picture movies because they could relate to the scenes that were captured and they fit them to a "T". Some of those scenes featured shoppers returning home after finding marvelous bargains and this was all possible because they chose to travel UK subway cars to their shopping destinations.

Subway tokens are always mentioned in the movies and travel UK destinations were identified by tickets. There are still porters who work each day on the railway system and they are there to provide visitors with a sense of well-being and to make sure that passengers have actually purchased a ticket. It is possible to travel UK from border to border without passengers having to worry about getting lost.

Smart shoppers know that they can venture into Scotland by rail too and ride the train all the way down to London if they wanted to. The railway systems are a bit more realistic to what motion picture movies portray trains to be. There are many opportunities to enjoy dinner in a dining car or buy some sweets and drinks from another railway car. Shoppers can even rest a while when they travel UK by rail because someone else is responsible for the driving portion of the trip.

Travelers have many opportunities to see parts of the United Kingdom that they have dreamed of seeing for many years. The meadows that slip by minute upon minute might have herds of sheep in them that roam freely. Some shoppers might start thinking about eating delicious cuts of lambs and then they will travel on wondering why some of the lambs were quite colorful on their backs. A seasoned shopper would know it was part of some ownership marking system of the country they are passing through.

Many Holiday Agents UK In The UK Travel Industry

If you want an exciting trip, holiday agents UK can find anything you need to travel to Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England. If you need to find some great holiday agents UK travel specials you might look at Airtours, Olympic, Cosmos, Panorama Holidays, Thomas Cook, Direct Holidays, Virgin Holidays or Manos Holidays. They offer some nice deals and always seem to have affordable packages for all your UK travel needs. The travel industry for holiday agents UK travels sends you to some great destinations. You can explore England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Once you land in Wales, you might start by relaxing by the pool. Your holiday agent UK travel guide should show you some of the attractions close to the hotel or resort. If you land in England, you might take a walk around the hotel or resort to see all the fun things you can do while staying there. Olympic and Panorama Holidays might have a deal on a trip to Scotland while the holiday agent UK Virgin Holiday and Thomas Cook might have great deal for your travels to Ireland the land of the Irish. The holiday agents UK Direct Holidays and Cosmos will have great deals for Wales.

The holiday agents UK guides that you receive when you confirm your reservations will tell you about attractions such as the castles, gardens, entertainment, great restaurants and points of interest. Your holiday agents UK travel guides will also have information about rental cars and other transportation needs you might have while staying in the area you choose. Setting up your itinerary with holiday agents UK is as easy as planning a meal. You simply pick your destination and everything you need or would like to do and you are all set.

Visit any of the holiday agents UK for more information and do not forget about the British Airways, which make have low fight rates due to the lack of people on the planes. This is also a great way to plan your trip. See what the holiday agents UK has for you and your trip as far as accommodations and package deals.

London Calling! Travel To London And Discover Ten Breathtaking Places

If you are planning on spending a vacation in London, make sure you take full advantage of this gorgeous city with all that it has to offer. The city of London is full of an exciting array of places to go and things to do and see, for people of all cultures and ages. Being one of the biggest cultural capitals in the world, this city offers sightseeing opportunities and tourist attractions like nowhere else. Travel to London involves experiencing the city in all its splendor and fantastic sightseeing. Here are ten of the best sightseeing places in the city of London:

1. The British Museum: Founded in the year 1753, the British Museum had a collection of over 71,000 unique items that had all been contributed by Sir Hans Sloane. In the 1800’s, this museum gained in popularity and began to flourish, which in turn increased its inventory of items to more than seven million. The museum’s charter declares that it should be open free of charge to all those curious people who are interested in learning more. So, come spend a day wandering through the eternal, labyrinthine corridors, exploring and discovering some of the greatest works of mankind’s cultural accomplishments and some take in some of the greatest relics of the Egyptian and Greek empires.

2. The London Eye: Drawing nearly four million visitors each year, the London Eye has become one of the most popular sightseeing attractions in the world today. This gigantic wheel stands almost 135 meters over the entire city of London and is presently considered to be one of the tallest observation wheels in the world. This wondrous creation of modern engineering permits tourists to view all of London with an entirely new perspective, allowing them to see parts of the city that are generally not visible from the ground. Visiting the London Eye has been described as an ‘enchanting and inspiring experience’ and no vacation to London is complete without visiting this monument.

3. Saint Paul’s Cathedral: Saint Paul’s Cathedral offers a captivating picture of the British Empire of the yesteryears and is a historical accomplishment of the reconstruction that took place after the great London fire of 1666. Famous for hosting royal birthdays, weddings, celebrations and even funerals of some of the greatest leaders in Britain, the Cathedral attracts millions and millions of tourists every year.

4. The National Gallery: Situated in the very center of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery is home to some of the finest works of art in the world. Some of these pieces date back to the 13th century. Construction of the gallery commenced in the year 1832 and ever since it has collected many great pieces of art, which include works by Monet, Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Renoir and many more. A visitor can probably spend days trying to view all of the contents inside the gallery.

5. The London Zoo: The London Zoo, which is in Regents Park is one of the most popular zoo’s in the world and houses as many as 12,000 different species of animals. Considered to be a must see, visitors travel from all parts of the world to see the animal shows that are held daily.

6. Tate Modern: One of London’s most contemporary galleries, the Tate Modern consists of great collections and diverse exhibitions of modern art. Appealing to both, children as well as adults, connoisseurs as well as novices, the Tate Modern houses grand collections of artists like Matisse, Andy Warhol and Bacon.

7. The Tower of London: Constructed with white stone that was imported from France, the Tower of London or the ‘Bloody Tower’ has been known to imprison, protect and even execute the wrongdoers in the past.

8. The Natural History Museum: An enigmatic gothic building that is home to some of the largest collections of dinosaurs in the world, the Natural History Museum consists of exhibitions that dominate the huge halls and tower.

9. The Madame Tussaud’s Experience: A museum that is filled with life-like waxworks and animated displays that demonstrate the dark side of British history.

10. Westminster Abbey: It is a medieval work of monumental significance and the burial ground for some of the most famous kings, statesmen, musicians, scientists and poets since the 11th century. The Westminster Abbey offers some of the most intriguing literary works and artistic talent in the way of paintings, murals and tombs.

London – Every Travellers Dream Destination

London is among one of the hot tourist destinations. Millions of visitors flock to London every year in their quest to see the various attractions that the city has to offer. The City is blessed with abundance of museums, palaces, magnificent landmarks, and wide variety of cultural sites including the parliament buildings, Buckingham palace and the Camden Town Market.

Being a tourist destination, London offers wide range of accommodation to its guests. There is no dearth of hotels as there are themed hotels in the central areas, every kind of hotels to suit the budget of every type of travelers, and little cottages or inns are also there for those who prefer peace and quietness in the outskirts of the city.

The City is well-served by good transport link, thus making it easy for you to go to any tourist attractions. You can also stay in any of the hotel and plan your short break to the city.

However, if you want to make your stay in the city incredible, it is advisable to plan out your visit in advance. You can look out for accommodation from where you can get easy access to local attractions, shopping, and entertainment. Find out the best accommodation which will take care of your need and purse without compromising on quality of service.

If you are a budget traveler, you can find several hostels and hotels located within Tube or near main tourist attractions and vibrant nightlife spots – including a wide variety of clubs, theaters and music venues. So, whether you are a leisure traveler who have come here to enjoy the attractions or catch the royal sights, or a business traveler on a business trip, the plethora of accommodation available will ensure that you are not bereft of any of the happenings in the city.

To make your travel in the city easy and convenient, you can take advantage of the Oyster card which is quite handy. This swipe can be topped up in much the same way as a mobile phone top-up card.

Oyster card will make your travel around the city easy and hassle free, as the fares tend to be cheaper if you have this card with you. Not only this, it also saves your time as need not worry about in your pockets for the right amount of change for the bus or train.

With Oyster card you can travel to any part of London without the fear of being stranded in the middle of your tour. London has many stores and newsagent where you can top-up your Oyster card without your need to travel to a tube station to do so. The Oyster card can change the entire perspective of your trip and gives you the opportunity to top-up in preparation for a day trip.

Holidays In Cornwall And Devon - Travelling The English Rivera

On the very south-western tip of England lies the beautiful county of Cornwall. With a delightful mix of superb beaches (among the best in Britain), outstanding scenery and charming towns, villages and cities, Cornwall has something to offer every traveller.

Despite the wealth of attractions & scenic beauty on offer, Cornwall has many affordable hotels, B&Bs & guesthouses to suit the budgets of all holidaymakers.

Cornwall is also Britain’s premier surfing capital – not surprising given that it enjoys the best weather anywhere in the country. It also has some of the cleanest beaches and attracts visitors by the millions every year.

Whether it’s lazing on lovely white beaches, ambling along wonderful sub-tropical gardens or exploring quiet, picture-perfect fishing villages you’re after, you’ll find it all when you visit Cornwall.

The famous King Arthur is also believed to have come from Cornwall, in a small town called Tintagel. Cornish history is mystical, ancient and highly fascinating. The many delightful towns and villages are often named after the Christian missionaries that have influenced them.

Like your food and drink? Cornish pubs are known for offering good hearty foods and your choice of flavoursome ales. And let’s not forget the “Cornish pasty” – a tasty must-have meat pie that must be experienced when visiting Cornwall.

Holidays In Devon

Devon is famously known to offer the traveller a feast of splendid scenery, lovely beaches and pretty harbour towns. Popular destinations within Devon include Plymouth, Torbay and Dartmoor National Park.

Devon is also a walkers paradise, and like neighbouring Cornwall is one of the most popular holiday destinations within the United Kingdom. And it’s very easy to see why – lush pastures break out into spectacular coastlines, making Devon a Mecca for those hunting for a taste of quaint old England.

While enjoying a holiday in Devon, be sure to experience the wonderfully rugged coastline scenery. Devon is also blessed with some stunning countryside – charming narrow little roads amble on for miles with nothing but lush greenery and flora that offers a myriad of explosive colours during the summertime. Driving through these single-lane roads is an experience like no other – arrive in a Devon town that’s dotted with charming thatched cottages and enjoy a cream tea and scone in one of the many tea-shops.

Devon offers the traveller a classic English village experience – and there are many great hotels, B&Bs and many more types of accommodation to cater to the needs of both the luxury traveller and budget conscious back-packer.

Devon also offers some of the best year-round weather to be found anywhere in the UK. Temperatures in January (when the rest of the country is shivering) average a maximum of 9 degrees.

If you enjoy coasts & estuaries then a holiday in Devon will delight you – the estuaries (such as the Teign) also attract many species of migratory birds.

Glasgow Tourist Information And Travel Guide

There are few better places to enjoy a taste of Scotland’s charm than in our largest city, Glasgow. With a population of 620,000 people situated in 68 square miles of west central Scotland along the banks of the River Clyde the city occupies much of the lower Clyde Valley incorporating suburbs – with an overall population of 1.4 million people – which extend into surrounding districts.

If shopping is your thing, you've come to the right place. Glasgow's reputation for retail shopping is well deserved - and, whatever your taste, you are sure to find something to suit. Buchanan Street, Buchanan Galleries, Argyle Street and St Enoch Centre are full of the big high street names. Princes Square, the Italian Centre and the Merchant City have a more design-led offering. And for something a little bit different, pop into the West End. Byres Road and surrounding streets offer an eclectic mix of the new and the antique - perfect for an unusual gift or a lazy afternoon's browsing.

Glasgow's cosmopolitan nature is steeped in the city's heritage. Glasgow's international reputation for shipping and industry brought considerable wealth to the city, as can be seen from stunning architecture - a rich tapestry of styles and influences, with Victorian sandstone rubbing shoulders with gothic spires, and classical edifices beside contemporary structures.

Unsurprisingly, a number of the city's museums celebrate Glasgow's architectural heritage or the cultural wealth amassed during the shipping heyday. The Museum of Transport, The Burrell Collection, Glasgow School of Art (and the city's many other Macintosh treasures) and Kelvingrove art gallery and museum contrast nicely with the more contemporary: The Lighthouse, Gallery of Modern Art and the Science Museum.

Forget those nasty rumours - Glasgow offers a wealth of different cuisines, to suit a range of different budgets. From award-winning restaurants to noodle bars, brassieres to old fashioned tea rooms, the only problem you will have is deciding where to go.

If you are just popping out for a drink, choose from coffee shops, style bars, wine bars or good old fashioned pubs. Many lay on music or entertainment, especially during one of the festivals, and Oran Mor (Byres Road) even offers one-hour plays at lunchtime!

Gyms and healthclubs are scattered throughout the city, as are facilities for racquet sports, field and track, swimming, football, rugby and ice skating.

If you enjoy skiing, there are dry slopes at Bearsden and Bellahouston, and the upcoming real snow slope at Xscape at Braehead. A few hours in the car will take you to ski resorts at Aviemore, Glencoe or Glenshee - amongst others.

Golf is also available throughout the city, and the world famous courses at Troon, Loch Lomond and St Andrews are within easy reach.

Some of the country's best sailing waters are just outside the city, with marinas at Ardrossan, Largs, Inverkip and Rhu.

Hillwalking, climbing, mountain biking, horse riding, canoeing, windsurfing, clay pigeon shooting and other sports and activities can all be found in Greater Glasgow and surrounding areas.

Some of country's most beautiful scenery is within easy reach of Glasgow. Loch Lomond National Park and The Trossachs are within 30 minutes' drive, whilst the West Highland Way begins at Milngavie, just outside the city's northern limits. The Ayrshire coast or New Lanark make for good family days out.

Pop through to Edinburgh by car or on the train - the journey is less than an hour - to visit the castle, or travel further afield to explore the Highlands and Islands.

Whether you are interested in eating out, shopping, sports, architecture or art, Glasgow will have something for you to enjoy during your visit. A warm welcome awaits all the tourists.

This is my first guide covering all the places that a tourist should visit in Glasgow. In my second article I will provide more information as well as a little bit of history. Watch this space!

Galway Tourist Information & Travel Guide

Galway, the largest county in the province of Connacht, lies in the centre of the western seaboard of Ireland. It covers nearly 6,000 sq. kms, (with over 2000km of highly indented coastline) and is divided by Lough Corrib, Ireland’s second largest lake. It has two distinct landscapes - the vast mountainy land of Connemara to the west of Lough Corrib and the rich farming plains of Galway East. The population of the County (all the areas outside of Galway City) is estimated at just over 143,000. The County is predominantly rural with just over 15% living in towns of more than 1,500 people.

Galway City is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, often referred to as the bi-lingual capital of Ireland, Galway city is the perfect mix of old and new. A bustling shopping centre with wonderful little boutique cafes along the pedestrianised streets and plenty of craic at night with a host of live music venues to choose from.

For a taste of the “real” Ireland Connemara is a must. Gaeilge is the predominant language of choice here and the people are warm and friendly with a typical Cead Mile Failte Irish welcome. The beautiful rugged landscape is as yet unspoilt by progress.

Take in the majestic splendour of the Twelve Bens mountain range in the north as you make your way further south to the well knows seaside resort of Salthill. Something for everyone here from the landmark Leisureland complex with its indoor and outdoor childrens activities to the quieter restaurants and bars further back from the sandy seafront and promenade.

Galway County Council recently lead a project to create a Galway East Ecclesiastical Trail. The Trail features over 40 sites of interest to ‘culture and heritage seekers’. This area also features Portumna Castle on the banks of the Shannon and Coole Park and Thoor Ballylee associated with literary legends W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory founder of Ireland’s National Theatre.

There are four main inhabited Islands off the coast of Galway including the world renowed Irish speaking Aran Islands and Inisboffin. In total there are 18 inhabited islands in County Galway. It is worth a visit across to the islands to enjoy such activities as walking, cycling, swimming, horse-riding, diving, basket-making and learning a little of the Irish language and culture. Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, is home to the world famous Dun Aonghasa monument and the islands heritage centre is wonderfully informative of the lives of previous inhabitants. An overnight stay is highly recommended in order to sample the traditional night life.

The Summer Festival Race Meeting at Galway Racecourse is renowned worldwide. Veteran race goers, and indeed those who simply love the atmosphere, travel from around the world for this unique experience.

The Festival runs for seven consecutive days starting from the last Monday in July each year. There are special race days, such as, Ladies Day, The Big Bash and Mad Hatter’s Day which add fun and excitement to the event. A record number of people, 220,000, attended the Summer Festival Meeting in 2006.

In addition to good road access, Galway is increasingly well serviced by over 100 direct flights a week to Galway Airport, Shannon and Ireland West Airport (Knock) as well as daily train services from Dublin through Galway East to Galway City provided by Iarnród Eireann. Bus Eireann services the area with regular coaches to and from the rest of the country.

Discounted Travel Savings For United Kingdom

There are discounted travel savings for United Kingdom room rates that will save you as much as 70%, and place you in some of the best of cities that are located throughout the United Kingdom. They are offered by discounted travel agency sites that beckon you to save by any type of communication means possible.

These discounted travel sites will make doing business with them so easy, because each of the websites has the capability of letting you see their various discounted travel offers in the language and currency that is right for you. That makes taking advantage of discounted travel savings for United Kingdom travel really easy.

There are so many travel options available that are true discounted travel savings for United Kingdom travelers. These discounted travel agencies will allow you to view all of the cities in Europe, and those that are in Great Britain will certainly be the best of the best discounted travel savings for United Kingdom that you will ever find.

To truly appreciate the discounted travel savings for United Kingdom travel, you can take the opportunity to use the convenient travel guides that are posted for England, Scotland, Ireland and Europe. When you see the marvelous tips and reviews in these handy destination guides, you will certainly know that you are reaping excellent discounted travel savings for United Kingdom tours, lodging, and airfare.

There is even a UK Travel Guide, and a list of worldwide cities, that you can use to compare the discounted travel savings for United Kingdom bargains against those being offered in the rest of the world. This is something that is not normally available unless you have a great relationship with your travel agent.

Then you know you will be making the wise choice to book your travel with these discounted travel agencies, because they are not afraid of what the comparison results will show. They know they offer the lowest prices on air, train, lodging and dining attractions for Great Britain and they relish the opportunity to be challenged.

There are so many nice combinations you can use to enjoy discounted travel savings for United Kingdom visits. These discounted travel agencies urge you to book your airfare, hotel accommodations and rental car needs together to save marvelous amounts of money on things you truly need to travel to and throughout Great Britain.

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Chesterfield Travel Guide & Tourist Information

Welcome to the Travel Guide & Tourist Information for Chesterfield.

Chesterfield is a historic market town and is situated north of Derby near the rivers Rother and Hipper. Traveling to Chesterfield whether by road or rail is fairly straight forward. Chesterfield is Derbyshire's largest town and is located just off the A617 which is Junction 29 of the M1.There are train main land train services to London, Sheffield, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bournemouth and Edinburgh ,Liverpool, Nottingham and Norwich.

Chesterfield is best known for its "Crooked Spire" at the Church of Saint Mary and All Saints. The leaning characteristic is believed to be the result of the absence of skilled craftsmen, possibly due to the Black Death as this happened only 12 years previous. There have been other reasons given however. One is that the spire was so shocked to learn of the marriage of a virgin in the church that it bent down to get a closer look. It is said that if this were to happen again, the spire will straighten and return to its true position. Another saying is that a Blacksmith from Bolsover mis-shod the Devil, who then leaped over the spire in pain, knocking it out of shape.

Chesterfield received its market charter in 1204 from King John and now has one of the largest open air markets in Britain and the stalls are either side of the Market Hall, which in its own right, is a historical building. In the middle of town there is a collection of old and narrow streets that make up "The Shambles", which houses one of Britain's oldest pubs.

There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Chesterfield. Vicar Lane was redeveloped in 2000 and was made into a pedestrianised, open-air shopping area. This resulted in most of the existing buildings being demolished. In the process two new streets were created in their place and there are now plenty of major brands, such as Woolworths, Marks and Spencers, Co-Op and Argos to choose from.

Other developments include a large area, between the Low Pavements and New Beetwell Street being completely flattened in the 1980’s to build "The Pavements" shopping centre, better known by local residents as "The Precinct". This is where you will find the larger shops including Somerfield, Boots and WH Smiths. It has entrances opposite Chesterfield Market and also escalators lead down to New Beetwell Street.

There is also a multi-storey car park which was built at the same time. Chesterfield Library's main entrance is also located just outside the Pavements and at another exit you will find the local McDonald's. Despite all this development, Chesterfield has retained its character and much of its town centre from the pre-war era.

Chesterfield has lots to offer in the Leisure and Entertainment Industry. The Queens Park is located within the town centre and on the outskirts of the park is the Queens Park Leisure Center which has a good size swimming pool and gym. There are also several indoor courts (for a variety of sports) and outdoor tennis courts too. There are plenty of Gymnasium Clubs for those wishing to keep fit. All of this plus Bowling, Golf and even Ice Skating, in Sheffield, which is only about 20 minute’s drive from Chesterfield.

Travel time to Sherwood Forest is only 30 minutes by car. There are several night clubs located around the town, predominantly towards "Holywell Cross Car Park" and there are many bars scattered around the town including the infamous "Brampton Mile" which has 13 pubs on a one mile section of Chatsworth Road. It is traditional that anyone "doing the mile" has at least one drink in each pub.

The Winding Wheel is a multi-purpose venue, hosting concerts, exhibitions, conferences, dinners, family parties, dances, banquets, wedding receptions, meetings, product launches and lectures. Famous acts to appear recently include The Manfreds, Patrick McGuiness and even The Sooty Show

"The Pomegranate" theatre is a listed Victorian building, with a small auditorium, seating around 500 people. A variety of shows are performed throughout the year.
Both venues are owned by Chesterfield Borough Council, and the box office for both is located in the entrance area of the theatre.

The Chesterfield Museum and Revolution House are also both run by the local Authority and both hold regular free events throughout the year.

If you’re feeling hungry there’s plenty to choose from. This includes Chinese, Indian and Thai restaurants and plenty of takeaways not forgetting of course good old Fish and Chips.

With all of these different events, the wide range of market stalls and shops as well as the activities at the local Football ground Chesterfield has lots going for it and is a perfect destination point for tourists.

For tourists arriving for the first time, there is a lot to see and do. In this travel guide (tourist information part 1) I have provided some basic information and a brief guide to Chesterfield. My travel guide part 2 will look at the tourist attractions in a lot more detail.

Camden Tourist Information & Travel Guide

The London Borough of Camden includes a vast area of London covering of inner London, north of the West End and City of London. The area spans 22 square km and covers many vibrant areas such as Covent Garden, Holburn, Hampstead and King’s Cross.

It is quite a new borough and only created in 1965 when the three metropolitan boroughs were combined. The three metropolitan boroughs were called Hampstead, St. Pancras and Holborn. Since this time, there has been huge development and expansion which has benefited residents, businesses and tourists.

The borough encompases a range of postcodes and area including N1 (Angel and King's Cross ), N6 (Fortune Green, Highgate, Kilburn and West Hampstead ), N7( Islington ), NW1 (Somers Town, Camden Town, Kings Cross, Primrose Hill and Regents Park ), NW3 (Swiss Cottage, Hampstead, Belsize Park and Gospel Oak), NW5 (Kentish Town, Gospel Oak and Queens Crescent), NW6 (Kilburn, West Hampstead and South Hampstead), NW8 (Regents Park and St John's Wood), W1 (Central London), WC2 (West End) and WC1 (Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury).

With regard to commercial interests, the borough is home to universities like the University College London and hospitals such as Royal Free Hospital. There is an array of businesses and the area has around 14,000 small medium and large sized companies. These businesses have many different interests and you can find anything you want here.

If you want high street shops, you can go to Tottenham Court Road, Covent Garden and Camden Town. If you are looking for something a little more off the beaten track go to Camden Market and Stables Market with its vibrant and eclectic mix of small food stalls and shops. You can find crafts, clothes antiques, and jewellery here and the weekends are generally the busiest days.

The London borough of Camden is known as this great city’s cultural district and is a fantastic place to stay. It has great accommodation whether you are coming for a holiday, a short city break or a business trip. You can find hotels ranging from 5 stars to your small bed and breakfasts that are comfortable and cheap. Many of the small independent hotels can be found in most areas of the borough, however, for the more exclusive hotels, you will need to look in busy areas such as Covent Garden, Hampstead and Regents Park.

The best way to travel is by public transport as the borough has excellent bus and underground facilities. As the area is so vibrant and so full of life, the transport system needs to keep up with the sheer volume of people. This is done by a well maintained underground and bus system which links to any part of London.

Moving on to bars and restaurants, you can find all sorts of places to suit all types of needs. A range of cuisines can be found from Italian to Indian, Chinese to Middle Eastern and Thai to Mexican. Furthermore, this wide array of cuisine can be found in all the different areas within the London borough of Camden. For a great nightlife, you can find very upmarket bars to laid back, relaxed pubs. Angel, Hampstead, Primrose Hill and the West End are the best areas to find good nights out and a great atmosphere.

Travel tips to European Countries: UK

About the county

The United Kingdom also called as England or Great Britain is the country which once ruled nearly the entire world a century ago. The glory might have been lost but people are still proud of their country and heritage. It has come a long way from a colonial empire to a member of the EU. The country comprises mainly of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The country is full of scenic locales and energetic cities. Also the county is home to nearly two million heritage points. The capital city of UK is London. A city beyond comparison, representing itself as an icon of diversity with people from different races, creeds and all walks of life blended into its culture. It is also home to many architectural marvels and one of them is the London Bridge. While York and Durham manifests the bygone era of country, Liverpool and Newcastle are modern industrial marvels. Not to forget the scenic Lake District and Edinburg still attract people from all over the world.

Population & Languages

The population is around 61 million and the official language is English. Other regional languages spoke are Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and Irish etc.

Electricity

The voltage is 230-240 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The type of plug used is rectangular blade.

Geographic Location

It is located in Western Europe and consists of islands including the northern one-sixth of the Ireland. It is 22 miles from the France border and linked by a under sea tunnel. The terrain is mostly rolling lowlands and low mountains.

Climate

It has a moderate climate but lots of rain with around half of the years being overcast. The lowest temperatures never go below −15 °C (5 °F) and in summer the average maximum is 34 °C (93.2 °F). It also gets snow in winter and early spring.

Local Customs

The handshake is customary when you are meeting somebody for the first time. When visiting someone’s house a small gift like flowers or chocolates is customary. Waiting till everyone is served before eating is also one of the etiquettes. Tipping is usually 10-15% in hotels, restaurants and taxis. Smoking and non-smoking areas are clearly designated and thus should be taken care of.

Places to see

London – Buckingham Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Whitehall Palace and the Tower of London
Scotland - The Bannockburn Heritage Centre and Ben Lawers Mountains
Wales - Aberdulais Falls, King Arthur's Labyrinth, Dolaucothi Gold Mines, Great Orme Mines, Portmeirion Village, Rhossili Visitor Centre, Taff Valley Activity Centre and TechinQuest

Travel

By Air – The domestic airlines is British Airways which also connects almost all major world destinations. Almost all airlines connect UK through London which is hub for all international flights between east to west and west to east. Heathrow and Gatwick are international airports of London.

By Sea – Since UK is surrounded by water from almost all sides it has many ports. There are many ferry services operating between Europe and UK.

By Rail – Trains connect Ferries at Dover, Folkestone, Newhaven, Portsmouth and Weymouth, sailing for Belgium, France, Germany and Spain (you need to board at Victoria Station in London); and at Harwich, sailing for Germany, The Netherlands and Scandinavia (you need to board at Liverpool Street). Eurostar train connects London with Brussels and Paris through channel tunnel.

By Road – The vehicles can enter UK through channel tunnel. Cars and motorcycles, coaches, minibuses, caravans, campervans and other vehicles over 1.85m (6.07ft) can also use channel tunnel. Bicycles are also provided for.

Duty Free Items
1. Up to 3200 cigarettes
2. 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars
3. 1 liter spirit over 22% or 2 liter wine or 32 liter beer
4. Perfumes
5. Gifts up to ₤145

Prohibited Items
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel Tips to European Countries: Ireland

About The Country

The summers are warm and the winters are moderate with some snow. May and June are the sunniest months. Weather changes quite frequently from cloudy to sunny and vice versa. If planning the visit during the summer, lightweight woolen or cotton clothes are recommended and jacket for spring and autumn. Always carry raincoat for that untimely showers. Incase of emergency call 999 or 112.

Culture

Most of the locals prefer speaking English here. Handshaking is customary. Irish are social people and are good at having a lively chat even with strangers. People live in great harmony and make great friends. Foreigners are welcomed with warmth and are made to feel at home. Guests are never sent back empty stomach as food is always served at any time of the day, to the guest. Most of the locals come from an agricultural background. Dinner is considered to be a meal of importance as it is the time when the whole family gets together and eat. One can dress casually when out on the streets except women are expected to dress formally at social gatherings and at fine restaurants. Smoking is banned in public places.

Shopping

Many towns organize flee markets at least once a week, which is worth checking out for cheap goods. Belfast is the shopping capital of Ireland; most of the stores open up early and close early too. On Thursdays, shops remain open till 8 in the night. Value Added Tax of almost 17% is charged, which can be reclaimed later. So if the visitors buy anything from the stores remember to check if the store operates the Retail Export Scheme, which would require the passport and filling of the Tax Free Shopping Form by the sales person. If the restaurant bill doesn’t includes any tax, leave behind a 10% tip to appreciate their service. Giving a tip to the porters and hair dressers is customary here.

Electricity

The voltage in Northern Ireland is 240V, 50AC.

Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Aer Lingus, which provides service from most of the major cities of the world. Airlines like Delta Air Lines and many other have been introduced and to promote them, promotional air fares are being offered. Checking out such offers will prove to be money savers. There are many flights from UK to Ireland. The Dublin airport is located at 10 km away from the city. Services like taxis, air coach, buses transport passengers to their destination. Airport has duty free shops, bank, currency exchange, car hire, tourism information, and restaurants for a comfortable journey. Shannon Airport is situated to the north of Limerick City and is 24 km and 25 minutes away from it. Buses, coaches and taxis are available for transportation. Other services that are provided are duty free shops, currency exchange, bank, tourism information and restaurants. While planning to travel, check out other airports like Cork Airport and Knock Information Airport for more options. A departure tax of €10 is to be paid by people over 12 years of age at the Knock International Airport.

To take ferries check out the Baltimore, Galway, Dublin, Wexford and Kinsale ports. Most of the ferries offer high-speed services. Time to time special offers are being announced which can be availed to save money. Check out the websites as some of them offer online booking facility.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
2. 1l of spirits and distilled beverages (more than 22 per cent) or 2l of other alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength not exceeding 22 per cent, including sparkling or fortified wine, plus 2l of table wine
3. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette

The carrier should be above 17 years of age. Sharp objects, explosives, firearms, food or agricultural items and hay or straw should be brought along as they are strictly prohibited.