by ·Comments Off on Culinary Tours – a New Way to Travel

There are many different tours and holidays you can take, depending on what interests you. If a culinary tour takes your interest, then there are many different options for you. Tour operators all over the world offer tours like this and will be happy to take your bookings.

You can enjoy food all over the world, from Asia to European destinations. All have their own cuisine, and by tying in these kinds of tours with general sightseeing, you really will get to see the best of a country. General tourist locations can offer overpriced food that is actually of a lesser quality; culinary tours take you to the places that offer the best quality local dishes.

If there are specific foods you want to try, this is your perfect opportunity. Do your research and find the kinds of tours that appeal to you, then find the right organiser and budget.

by ·Comments Off on Taking a Weekend Trip Away

Going on a weekend trip is great fun and allows you to get away from it all for a couple of days. This can be really refreshing and can help you to come back to everyday life feeling happier and healthier, with a better outlook. Holidays are very important for health and mental wellbeing.

There are many destinations in the UK that can make excellent weekend destinations. If you like city breaks, think of somewhere like London, Liverpool or Manchester. You might also want to think about Glasgow or Edinburgh if Scotland is close enough to you.

If you prefer a country retreat, the Cotswolds or the Peak District are lovely spots that are very typically English. You could also enjoy a seaside break somewhere like Bournemouth or Margate. With cheap flights being so readily available, it is also possible to get to other countries for a short break very easily.

by ·Comments Off on How to Plan the Perfect Mini Break

A mini break is the perfect way to enjoy some time out of everyday life without using up all your holiday allowance. You could even go on a mini break over a long weekend or bank holiday to avoid it becoming a big constraint on your time. Here are some tips for planning it to perfection:

  • Go with a plan. Time is precious during a mini break. Make sure you know what you want to do and have some ideas about how to get there.
  • Book accommodation early. Mini break are often in cities and cities are often expensive, especially capitals. Get in early to get some good deals on hotels and apartments.
  • Travel light. If you are flying, you will only need hand luggage for a short break. You could also consider getting a ferry or a train to somewhere in the UK or a European destination that isn’t too far away.

by ·Comments Off on Recommended short city breaks: Madrid

Accessible from various UK based airports, with national air carriers and the budget airlines, Madrid is a 2 and a quarter hour flight away from London and is the perfect location for a short break.

The city is quite compact with good bus and underground networks. However, if you like walking, you will find a lot of the sights within close proximity to one another.

The Royal Palace is well worth a visit with its beautiful ornate, state rooms and painted ceilings. After a morning visit to the Palace, you can wander along to the busy undercover Mercado de San Miguel and make the most of sampling fresh seafood, crusty breads, olives and delicious pastries for lunch. Madrid’s main square, the vast Plaza Mayor is a few streets away from the the food market. You can walk around the large square, looking in the shops and then enjoy afternoon coffee at one of the many cafes.

If the weather is nice, then the Botanical Gardens and the nearby Retiro Park are lovely places for rest and relaxation. You can hire a boat on the lake or take a wander along the paths to the lovely Crystal Palace situated in the park. Not too far away, is the world famous Prado Museum, which has one of the best collections of European art.

For football lovers, Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium is a metro ride from Central Madrid. When you have have had enough of sightseeing, then it is time to make the most of the many cafes, restaurants and tapas bars and sample some Spanish cuisine and enjoy a glass or two of Spanish wine.

by ·Comments Off on The Cotswolds for Easter

As the weather becomes brighter and warmer and the days longer, for many of us, it’s time to think of short breaks or weekends away in the countryside.  Easter is an ideal time to visit the beautiful Cotswolds.  The Cotswolds extend over an area of central southern England, mainly covering the  counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

With rolling hills, beautiful beech woods, small farms nestled in valleys and attractive villages and small towns characterised with pretty stone-built cottages and impressive churches, it is no wonder that the Cotswolds have been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1966.

For those who love the outdoors, there is a large choice of camping and caravan sites and there are plenty of designated walks and footpaths. If you like exploring small, quaint villages, then wander across the low, stone bridges straddling the River Windrush in Bourton-on-the Water and browse amongst the small gift shops or visit the attractive Sudeley Castle and gardens situated just outside Winchcombe.

If camping and caravanning is not for you, then there are plenty of cottages to hire for a week or a weekend as well as a large selection of B&Bs and small hotels.