British Travel

Going to London for a vacation? You won't be disappointed if you decide to go to London to take a vacation. You can go sightseeing in this place because of the various historical landmarks you will see there. Read on for some of the interesting landmarks you can see in London.

London Eye

The London Eye is also called the Millennium Wheel. This is actually the largest ferris wheel in Europe at 135 meters high. It is also the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom. The London Eye was constructed in 1999, and back then it was still the tallest ferris wheel in the world. The London Eye is located in the western part of the Jubilee Gardens on the South Bank of the River Thames. The London Eye at twilight is an awesome thing to see because of the splendid lights.

Trafalgar Square

The Trafalgar Square is a located in central London. It is one of the most famous squares in UK and the world. The centre of the square is the Nelson's Column. There are various monuments and structures to see in the square. Fountains also abound in the place. The fountains have colorful LED lights that only make them more attractive. The Trafalgar Square is, indeed, a very interesting place to visit on your trip to London.

London has a colorful history and culture. And you can fully understand and enjoy the best things that the place can offer if you take time to visit London's landmarks which showcase the past and present glory of the place.

London is a great place for shopping. There are many large and luxurious shopping centers in London. If you are on budget, you can still shop there. There are actually a lot of thrift stores where you can buy less expensive quality items. Read on to know more about the shopping centres in London.

Shopping at London's high streets

Oxford Street is one of the streets where you can find various shopping centers. This street runs one and a half miles end to end. Shops are usually open from 10am until 6 or 7 pm. Oxford Street is known for Selfridges. It is said that Oxford Street is the busiest shopping street in Europe. The Regent Street is also one of the best shopping streets in London. The shops here appear similar because of the regulations that they should blend with the elegant architecture of the street. So here, you will really appreciate not just what's inside the shop, but also what's outside the shops. The Covent Garden is also a great shopping street. Here, you can also find a variety of cafes and restaurants. Covent Garden is also famous for its street entertainment.

Shopping at thrift stores

You can also find quality items from London's thrift stores. The areas around Brick Lane have various shops where you can find cheap and unique items. Many smaller high streets in London have charity shops where you can donate something that you don't wear and pick up something new. There are also lots of second-hand shops where you can find clothes with high street labels.

Whether you have lots of money to spare or you are on budget, London is still the best place to go.

Pre-arranged itineraries and travel packages are one way to fully enjoy your vacation in Great Britain. When looking for travel itineraries, check out these travel packages:

From London to Lake District

Day trips from London to Lake District involve short train trips that let you learn more about London's culture. As a matter of fact, you can visit Lake District from London in less than 3 hours.

Touring Wales

Wales is a country that's part of United Kingdom. If you want to explore Wales' rich Celtic history, then a personalized Wales tour is what you need. Attractions found in Wales include gothic castles and breathtaking mountain views.

Southwest England tours

Southwest England boasts plenty of tourist attractions and hot spots which include Bath Abbey, Wardour Castle, St. Nicholas' Market, and the Thermae Bath Spa.

When looking for Great Britain travel itineraries and travel packages, you can check out several reliable travel guides online. You can also consult your local travel agent for tips and ideas when going on a Great Britain vacation.

Now wouldn't a luxurious sight-seeing venture through Britain on a magnificent cruise ship be worth a damn leg as much as the other one? If you think the scenery Britain has could be viewed in front of your modern digital TV, go get a life, or at least maybe even two, for that matter! You see, the Hebridean Princess is a luxurious cruise ship that has ammenities fit for royalty. Plus, since it cruises through Britain's scenic spots in the time of the year where the air is both fresh and romantic, you'll definitely think twice of spending a month's worth of wages on nothing more than this dream cruise.

My idea of a dream cruise through Britain is on the equally dreamy Hebridean Princess. This luxury ship has a lot of royal furnishings to boot, not to mention culinary services that could rival the best French restaurants. But despite of its royal ammenities, this cruise ship has a sort of homely aura that those old cowboy steakhouses have. But it also has a very comfortable lounge, a quiet library, and a dining area with lots of wood carvings along with other old wood antiquities. Plus, it also has a sight-seeing lounge so as to see the elegance of Britain's coastlines rather luxuriously.

The Hebridean Princess trip consists mainly of a cruise through Britain's remote areas. This is because the trip promotes casual sight-seeing on the docks as much as out of it. Now if the ship does docks itself, you could then stroll rather luxuriously on the grassy plains of the unseen countryside of Britain. The trip is a week-long one, and it usually cruises from May to late November. Plus, the places it docks are usually open only for private sight-seers, and this is because the spots mostly have castles and other historical buildings.

Are you a person who likes to travel? Manchester can be your next apple of the eye. Manchester is considered as the second city in United Kingdom, second of course to the capital London. It is the home of the famous football team Manchester United. In 2002, this city hosted the XVII Commonwealth Games. If you're fond of shopping, this is the place that will cater your needs because this city is one of the main retail centres of the North. You can shop at its two largest shopping malls, the Manchester Arndale Centre in the middle of the city and the out-of-town Trafford Centre. There are also smaller shopping centres like The Triangle. But if you're fond of eating, Manchester also offer an array of restaurants, bars, and clubs. This city is also famous for its beer.

However, if you are inclined with arts, there are different museums that you can visit like Greater Manchester Police Museum, Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Jewish Museum, Manchester Museum, and Museum of Science and Industry. This city is also a home to two symphony orchestras namely, HallA Orchestra and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Manchester is considered as the centre for musical education because Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham's School of Music is located here. So if you want to learn music, Manchester is the place to be.

I wonder what happened to the Wandle River. Three years have passed since, for the first time, after 100 years, Wandle river was restored by the villagers. The significance of this river might have been overlooked by Thames, but historical records reveal that Lord Nelson even fished on this river before he defeated Napoleon Bonaparte. The river is home to trout. It was noted that the species found in Wandle are among the largest. For decades, the trout has been reared in school aquariums, and the authorities waited for the right time when the trout could finally be released to the river once more.

The ceremony that followed the relinquishing of the trout did not only commemorate the revival of the river, but reminded Londoners of their responsibility in taking care of small rivers such as Wandle. It took the government a relatively long time to clean up the river. Ever since the industrialization of London began, the Wandle was left out. That is why, most anglers go straight fishing in Thames.

Wandle, after its stagnation for years, is finally cleared of impurities. The polluted water alarmed the local government of the effect it might bring to the water source of people. The tap water has been on the line of risks. With the help of concerned citizens, the trout were made to live in Wandle once again. This will ensure that the natural habitat of trout as well as the natural cycle of waters in London will flow once more.

Today is the perfect time to go to Malvern Hills and feast our eyes on the fantastic show of different flowers. This is in line with the Gardening show held annually in the said hills. Hey, there is nothing wrong with liking flowers, right? I have a small patch with herbs sans flowering plants, so I just enjoy strolling the park to see the beautiful inflorescence during spring time. Flowers actually have calming effect. I need a lot of that especially after my work.

Anyhow, the Garden Show is held and organized by three different associations. I am not sure if they have put up this fair for any other purpose than to make people aware of the beauty that flowers bring to our surroundings. It is good to know that the show has also inspired gardeners to make a television program that features everything about growing plants. It was through this program that I learned about Peppermint or the Mentha Piperita plant, which I grew in my patch. But, what makes the celebration so special is that it holds several contests. The competitions are divided among flowering and non-flowering plants. If only I could find time, I will join the show. I can readily carry my patch with me.

A trip to Britain would not be complete without going to a British pub. Pub is short term for public house. British pubs are found in most streets of the country and have become one of the distinctive images of British cultural life. For many Britons, the pubs are like their second home. It's where discussions and important gatherings occur. It is a place where the Britons meet to drink a couple of beers or cocktail drinks and release their everyday tensions and inhibitions about life.

Most pubs in busy commercial districts in Great Britain are open everyday usually between the hours of 11 am to 11 pm and 10:30 pm on Sundays. Even the pubs here have house rules. All drinks and food are ordered from the bar because there are no waiters to serve pub-goers. There are pubs, however, that bring the food ordered in the customer’s table. Every order is paid immediately. Note though that minors are not going to be served alcoholic drinks.

The pubs rang a bell to indicate last minute orders. After a second bell, the customers must all leave the pub house. Alcoholic drinks are not served to those who are below 18. Children are only allowed to enter when their purpose is to eat meals.

One way you can enjoy the sights and sounds that Britain has to offer is through a train ride. Since Europe is known for having the world's best rail transportation system, Britain is no exception and train rides are made to be comfortable and convenient for each passenger. British train companies basically offer two train packages that a traveler can choose from: standard class and first class.

Standard class and first class train rides are not that different when it comes to seats and amenities. Both packages have comfortable, cushioned seats, but of course, traveling first class has its perks such as having wider windows, better lighting, and better food than that of the standard class. Because of these advantages, you have to pay more when riding first class. When I say pay more, I really mean more.

The prices of first class rides are about double or triple of the standard's. For example, one who wishes to travel first class from London to the city of York are charged with around 29 euros as opposed to the 9 euros rate of a standard train ride. Whoa, imagine a disparity of about twenty euros! That is already the cheapest quote for an advance booking.

So, when you're on a tight budget, I suggest you go for the standard ride instead. British trains seem well-maintained, anyway. Besides, in standard class, you might meet more locals that could provide you more tips on train travel.

Britain is not just for its spectacular attractions, its culture, and its interesting places. There are a lot of activities to do in Britain. And no, not just shopping or walking around Notting Hill. If you're an outdoor sports fanatic, then you're going to love this one.

Britain offers a Cycling holiday for everyone who wants to tour the countrysides in an adventurous way, not to mention healthy! You can go around England and Wales using your bicycle, through the parks and valleys, you'll see every beautiful spot in England and Wales. And, you'll save money because you won't be spending money on gas or any fares for any ride, You'll ride your own bicycle!

Britain has always been famous for London, the Beatles, and the Big Ben. Now, don't you think there are far more wondeful, partially undiscovered places in Britain that we should visit? Alas, if you're travelling with friends or your family or anyone else for that matter, you can explore Britain with your own little group and you'll be fully escorted by the travel guides of Britain.

You just have to schedule your tour date and you can begin your journey in Britain.
You can go for the 5 days, 4 nights travel, and experience the beauty of the different places around Britain, from Cambridge, Stamford, to York, and Chester. You can end your journey over at Stratford or Avon, and just visit Salisbury and Winchester. Now, isn't it like hitting many birds with one magnificent stone?

Britain has a lot to offer; it's one of the most famous European countries and it's one of the most visited tourist spot in the world. No wonder, Britain has the largest designer outlet store in the whole of Europe. Yes, you heard me right; Britain has cheap bargainswith up tp 50% discounts. It's all in a 2-hour drive coming from Holyhead.

If you're into interior design, there's an Ikea depot store just 30 minutes away, in Warrington. Who doesn't want to go to the fashion stores? Another 15 minutes from Ikea, there's the "Trafford Centre" just near Manchester. In there, great clothes, fine dining, and a whole lot of entertainment are in store for you. Now, ain't life just grand in wonderful Britain.

I like the idea of riding cabs anywhere. It's like you have the power and the capacity to reach any destination with a flick of your hand, a whistle, and by just hailing a cab! Well, it also takes budget money for nothing's free nowadays.

So anyway, you're already in London, what's next? How do you get to the pier of River Thames? Or London Eye? The most famous form of land transportation in London is its black taxi cabs. The famous London black taxi cabs will take you anywhere in London, no matter how far. The taxi cab drivers are proud that they know every corner and every turn in the city of London but be sure to catch the taxi cabs after the rush hour, if you don't want to pay extra!

London is one of those cities wherein you can just hop on a river cruise and spend the whole day cruising around the city on River Thames. It is the most fantastic experience, having lunch on a river cruise, like the lunch cruise which departs from St. Katherine's Pier over by Tower Parliament.

The lunch cruise usually departs by 12:30 until 1:45, there you can enjoy the sights of Shakespeare's Global Theater, the Tower of London, the House of Parliament, and St. Paul's Cathedral! Of course, a lunch cruise wouldn't be complete without ending it with tea time, so when you get back at the pier after lunch, there's always a reason to hop back on in the afternoon. With the same process, tea time in the river cruise departs at 3:00 pm until 4:30 pm. Sounds like a plan, doesn't it?

When you visit a country like Britain, it is wise to make walking your habit. Walking allows you to see things and other attractions that are not on your itinerary, and besides, many people in the U.K. walk in spite of the cold weather conditions.

When you decide to take a walk, make certain to wear something warm and suitable boots for possible rains. Aside from bringing essentials like phone or food, bring a map to indicate that you are on the right route and you recognize the area.

British love indulgence and it shows in the new and emerging hotels that the United Kingdom has to offer today to its high-end tourists. Several of these hotels include the Whatley Manor, The Grove, Cowley Manor, Babington House and Seaham Hall, all of which are designed with neutral hues and clean lines to convey comfort and relaxation to its guests. These hotels offer a variety of luxury services, with spa treatments and pampering massages which are very popular in Britain.

Looks familiar? Well, you guessed it right. This is the train featured in the Harry Potter series. No, it's not just props; it's an actual steam engine train located in Bridgnorth, Shropshire in Britain. The Severn Valley Railway station has been in operation since the mid-1890s and is situated between the foot of a hill and the village of Goathland in Yorkshire Moors. Travelers would be delighted to know that the Severn Valley Railway is still very much in use and in fact, the "Hogsmeade train" is currently servicing the dwellers of the area.

Britain is known for its existing rich culture, the streets and the buildings, and the monarchy; it's like living out of a history book. If you're visiting Britain, you should go to the Great Central Railway station during the weekends and experience the steam train. The main line steam lines operates every weekend all throughout the year, you can also enjoy driving the locomotive train! Complete with the classic ensemble of a train operator. It's a truly enjoyable experience, be sure to take your snapshots, because this is one ride that's hard to believe!