Enjoy 10-Day Fully Escorted Britain Sampler Vacation from $1,099

Sceptre Tours' most popular Britain vacation, the Britain Sampler, offers travelers the absolute best of England, Wales, and Scotland on a 10-day escorted tour. The package, priced from $1,099 per person for land only, includes all hotel accommodations, full breakfast each morning, three dinners, the services of a professional tour guide and driver throughout the trip, private luxury motorcoach transportation to each destination, and a complete sightseeing program. It works out to approximately $110 per day!

Round-trip air, including airport transfers can also be added starting from approximately $660 for travel between NYC and London during winter departures dates (Jan 14, Feb 11). Airfare will be higher for fall departures and from other departure cities.

Highlights of the trip which begins in London include a tour of the city's many famous landmarks, and a special walk through the ornamental gardens of Hampton Court Palace. Travelers will then head north along the west coast of England stopping at Stonehenge and Bath, Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, picturesque Llangollen in North Wales, the historic county town of Chester, Wordsworth's beloved Grasmere in the Lake District, and Gretna Green in the Lowland Hills before arriving in Scotland's capital of Edinburgh. In Edinburgh, travelers will visit its famous castle, the Queen’s Holyrood Palace, and Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford House. The trip back to London takes a route along England's eastern coast, with a walking tour of the medieval city of York and the unique Belvoir Castle. Visits to the market town of Stamford and the beautiful university city of Cambridge complete this magnificent vacation.

The Britain Sampler Package Includes:


Accommodations - 8 nights hotel stays throughout Britain:

•2 nights Hilton London Metropole, London
•1 night Bath Hilton, Bath
•1 night Chester Ramada or St. David's Park at Ewole
•2 nights Mount Royal Ramada, Edinburgh
•1 night York Ramada, York
•1 night Novotel London West, London
Transportation

•Transfers from the airport to hotel and back to airport at the end of tour (if air is purchased through Sceptre Tours)
•Private luxury motorcoach with services of a professional driver and guide
Other Inclusions

•Eight full Breakfasts
•Three 3-course Dinners with a choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Bath
•Complete sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary including: London Guided City Tour; Hampton Court; Stonehenge; Salisbury; Bath; Stow-on-the-World; Stratford; Llangollen; Chester Walking Tour; Grasmere; Edinburgh Guided City Tour; Abbotsford; Jebburgh; York Walking Tour; Belvoir; Stamford

Departure Dates Available & Land Only Rate:
November 12, 2010 - from $1179
December 3, 2010 - from $1179
January 14, 2011 - from $1099
February 11, 2011 - from $1099

*Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single room supplement $349-$459. Triple room reduction of $30 per person. Extra nights per person in London: Mar.-Apr.: in single room $123, in twin room $76, in triple room $69. May-Oct.: in single room $223, in twin room $134, in triple room $124. Nov.-Feb.'11: in single room $129, in twin room $77, in triple room $70. Airport transfers are included if air is purchased from Sceptre Tours.

Sceptre Tours Debuts Madrid 5-Star Vacation

Sceptre Tours, which has made a name for itself selling affordably priced escorted and independent vacation packages first to Ireland and Britain, and then later Italy, is now selling Spain. Today, Sceptre launches its "Madrid 5-Star Vacation With Air" package priced from just $699 per person.

The Madrid 5-Star Vacation With Air package puts travelers right in the heart of Spain's capital city with accommodations at the elegant five-star Hesperia Madrid Hotel which features stunningly modern interiors and a two Michelin star restaurant.

The Madrid 5-Star Vacation With Air package includes six nights in a deluxe room at The Hesperia Madrid Hotel, a five-star hotel, and round-trip economy class airfare to Madrid on Air Europa. This package is priced from $699 per person, based on double occupancy for travel from New York, $779 from Boston, $829 from Chicago, and $869 from Miami for travel from November 1, 2010 to February 28 2011. This package is available for travel in October 2010 and March to May 31, 2011 at discounted rates. Rates quoted are exclusive of taxes and fees of up to $136 per person and the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 for U.S. enplanements.

Sceptre Tours is also offering travelers the option to purchase an elegant buffet breakfast daily with a three-course traditional Spanish lunch at La Manzana in The Hesperia Madrid (lunch includes a glass of wine with the meal) for $149 per person.

Sceptre Tours Offers A Five-Star Ireland Vacation

When you can travel to Ireland — with round-trip airfare, five-star hotel, AND rental car — for less than the price of a regular transatlantic economy class airfare, it's time to start packing your bags!

Sceptre Tours has just announced new 2011 pricing for its 6 Nights Adare Villa With Car + Air package and offered a variety of options — including the choice to fly into either Shannon or Dublin airports. And the price...how about $499 per person (based on four people traveling) including air, hotel, and car rental.


The basic 6 Nights Adare Villa With Car + Air package includes the following:

•6 nights in a private three-bedroom villa on the grounds of Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort including a kitchen, dining room, living room, sun room, laundry facilities, and four bathrooms;
•Round-trip economy class airfare to Shannon or Dublin;
•Weekly manual car rental

This package, as listed above, is priced from $499 per person, based on four people traveling from New York and Boston for travel from November 1 to December 16, 2010 and from $549 for travel March 27 to April 30, 2011. Prices for travel from January 1 to March 26, 2011 are $599. This package is available for two travelers priced from $699 (November 1 to December 16, 2010) or from $799 from March 27 to April 30, 2011. This package is available for 2 to 6 travelers. Rates quoted are exclusive of taxes and fees of up to $180 per person and the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 for U.S. enplanements.

Sceptre Tours is also offering a variety of options for travelers as follows:

Option #1 - Upgrade to an automatic car rental with GPS, three-course dinner at the Carriage House Restaurant at Adare, and a Historic Tour of Adare for $99 per person.

Option #2 - Features 6 nights at the Adare Villa plus a final night at Croke Park in Dublin (four-star hotel) with a manual car for $75 per person additional.

Option #3 - Features 6 nights at the Adare Villa, an upgrade to an automatic car rental with GPS, three-course dinner at the Carriage House Restaurant at Adare, and a Historic Tour of Adare plus a final night at Croke Park in Dublin (four-star hotel) for $174 per person additional.

Option #4 - Features 6 nights at the Adare Villa plus the first and last night at Croke Park in Dublin (four-star hotel) with a manual car for $150 per person additional.

Option #5 - Features 6 nights at the Adare Villa, an upgrade to an automatic car rental with GPS, three-course dinner at the Carriage House Restaurant at Adare, and a Historic Tour of Adare plus a final night at Croke Park in Dublin (four-star hotel) for $249 per person additional.

Save $700 Per Couple On Dooley Vacations

Dooley Vacations is once again offering a deal to Ireland so good, you can't afford to pass it up! Think $399 for four nights in Dublin including round-trip airfare — that's just under $100 per night!


Dooley Vacations' Dublin City Vacation includes the following:

•4 nights at the Regency Hotel in Dublin with additional nights available from only $59 per person, per night (travelers can upgrade to the four-star Croke Park for an additional $20 per person per night or to the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel from $75 per person, per night);
•Round-trip economy class airfare to Dublin

This package is priced from $399 from New York and Boston or $489 from Chicago (other gateway cities across the US are available at different rates) for travel November 1, 2010 to January 31, 2011. Package must be booked by October 15, 2010 to ensure the best rates. Travel is also available from October 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011 for slightly higher rates. Rates are per person based on double occupancy, subject to availability and specified dates of travel, and blackout dates apply. Stated prices exclude government taxes/fees/facility charges of up to $60 eastbound and $120 westbound and the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 for US enplanements. Additional bag charges may apply.

An Escorted Tour Through The Best Of

For those travelers who are looking for an introduction to Italy, Sceptre Tours' escorted tour "A Taste Of Italy" provides all the right ingredients: visits to the country's most popular cities, airport transfers, accommodations, breakfast daily, sightseeing with an expert guide, and an affordable price. This tour is priced from $1,579 per person based on double occupancy, land only. Air-inclusive pricing is also available.

This is the perfect option for a solo traveler or group of women or even a couple who want to visit Italy, but prefer the security of traveling on an escorted tour. This comprehensive Italian vacation covers Rome, Florence, and Venice with enough free time for travelers to also do their own explorations — which is rare on an escorted tour.

Participants will enjoy sightseeing with a Local Guide in all cities including the must-see sights such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St. Peter’s Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel in Rome, Michelangelo’s celebrated David statue, the cathedral, and sculpture-studded Signoria Square in Florence, as well as St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, and the Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. A full day at leisure in Venice provides the opportunity to join an optional excursion to the island of Burano. A special welcome dinner in Rome and a private boat ride in Venice are included.

The Taste of Italy package includes:
•6 nights hotel stays throughout Italy (2 nights at the Albani in Rome, 2 nights at the Atheneum in Florence, and 2 nights at the Boscolo Bellini or All'Angelo in Venice;
•Transfers from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport at the end of the tour if you purchase air through Sceptre;
•Private luxury motorcoach with services of a professional Italian driver/guide;
•Daily buffet breakfasts and a welcome dinner with wine in Rome;
•Sightseeing in Rome, Florence, and Venice

The land only portion of the tour is priced from $1,579 for travel on departures in March, 2011 and ranges from $1,699 to 1,829 for travel from August through December, 2010 and again in April, 2011. Rates are per person based on double occupancy. Single room supplement is $246 - $261. Triple room reduction of $54 per person. Extra nights per person in Rome: in single room $228, in twin room $165, in triple room $135. Extra nights per person in Venice: in single room $230, in twin room $185, in triple room $168. Airport transfers are included if you purchase air from Sceptre.

Air into Rome is available from as low as $300 (approximately $590 with taxes and fuel surcharges) round trip from New York for travel from November to March on select Wednesday departures. Passengers should contact Sceptre for exact air pricing based upon their dates of travel and gateway city.

Save $700 Per Person On Sceptre Tours

Travelers can save big when they book the "Affordable Luxury" vacation package to Ireland by Sceptre Tours — as much as $700 per person or $1,400 per couple for travel November 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011.

The Affordable Luxury package is geared toward those who want the five-star experience. The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt is one of Ireland's most exclusive properties. Located only 16 miles from Dublin City, in Wicklow, The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt is set amidst one of the most scenic and historic estates in Ireland. The resort is perfect for a romantic getaway, honeymoon, or family and friends as it features first-class golf courses and several restaurants including Gordon Ramsay.


The Affordable Luxury package includes 6 nights in a Deluxe Room at The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt in Wicklow; round-trip economy class airfare to Dublin; and a manual shift car rental.

Affordable Luxury is priced from $799 per person based on double or triple occupancy for travel from November 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011 for New York or Boston departures (other gateway cities are available). The price for four or five travelers is $829 per person and includes a connecting Deluxe Room and a Suite. This package is also available for travel from October 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010 at slightly higher rates. Taxes and fees of up to $180 per person and the September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 for U.S. enplanements are not included. Prices shown above are for select Monday and Tuesday departures. Discounted rates for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's are available. In order to ensure availability at these rates, travelers are advised to make their booking by September 2, 2010.


To further enhance this Affordable Luxury experience, travelers can opt for the following upgrades:

GOLD PACKAGE
Includes upgrade to a suite, automatic car rental with unlimited mileage, and a GPS Navigation rental for $75 per person.

PLATINUM PACKAGE
Includes upgrade to a suite, 1 dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, and automatic rental car with unlimited mileage and a GPS Navigation rental for $250 per person.

ADDITIONAL NIGHT
Add a seventh night at The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt and an extra day car rental for only $99 per person.

BUSINESS CLASS SPECIAL
Upgrade to business class on Aer Lingus for an additional $499 each way per person.

Travel Tips for You

Here are the best six tips for setting up a holiday vacation of a lifetime:

Stop searching and be found – The advent of RSS (Real Simple Syndication) news feeds means that news, information and web resources will be sent to you by subscription. When you find a great source for tickets, lodging or vacation packages, look for the small, orange, square button in your browser toolbar, or search the site for “RSS,” then click and set up your “feed.” In Internet Explorer, your feeds can be found in your IE favorites area.

Let your email help – These same sites may also send regular newsletter or sales announcements by email, and sites without RSS will normally offer this service. Subscribe to some good, reputable sites and the information will be delivered to you daily, weekly or (sometimes) on a schedule of your choosing.

Comparison shopping – There are various sites, like traveljungle.com or travelsupermarket.com, where you can compare offerings from travel agencies and brokers from around the world. That holiday vacation of a lifetime just might be part of a package deal that you will find this way.

Forget the hotel bill – The less you spend on accommodations, the more you can spend skiing or sailing or trekking around the island of Malta. If “home exchange” sounds like a strange concept to you, do some Googling and you will discover that it is a low-cost way for travelers to trade their house in New Jersey for a small villa in Spain. Homes can even come with a car, or household help, as part of a package deal, so check on this option carefully at such websites as Digsville. This site, like similar ones, has listings around the world. A beachfront bungalow in the South Pacific, a ranch home in the wilds of Australia or an apartment in central Tokyo can be yours with the right trade, the right timing and the right arrangements.

Skip the driving – If you're going to vacation in a big city, you can probably have a great time without a car. Driving a car overseas can be stressful and public transportation, bikes and taxis are all possible replacements. This is also a good way to “go native” and see how the locals really live day to day.

Discount dining – If your vacation trip will be a few weeks or more, consider preparing some of your own meals. You can save a good deal of money since eating out three times a day can add up quickly. Shopping at local markets and food stores is also a fabulous way to learn the language, interact with the local culture and meet the “real people” of the country, instead of the country’s tourism professionals.

Planning the Vacation of a Lifetime

Many families take European vacations during the holidays, but travel isn’t necessary for you and your family to enjoy a “holiday of a lifetime.” However, since interests range so widely among different people, we will break this article in half and give you six top tips for a holiday vacation, and six top tips for general holiday wonderfulness!

Since the first set of tips does involve some cost (perhaps a great deal), the tips will focus on getting the highest value for the money, which is a bit different than just trying to spend the least amount of money. For penny-pinchers, of course, these tips will serve as pointers to money-saving deals and ideas. There is a lot to be learned about traveling on a budget, by everyone, regardless of what you want to spend.

The other “general” holiday tips will concentrate on bringing the family together, as opposed to spending money and not getting involved in any more than wrapping a present. The holidays are for kids and families, first of all, so there will be some ideas on how to have fun and enjoy other. Since most people get to the end of their lives and wish they’d spent more time with family, following some of these general, family-oriented tips truly could be a life-changing experience.

Independent Travel is Awesome!

There is a changing tide in the travel industry. Traditionally massive package holiday companies have block booked villas, hotels, flights, tours and coach transfers from and to the airport. Every detail of ones holiday was catered for by the tour operator. Two weeks in July with bacon and eggs by the pool. The situation is however changing and the trend is towards independent travel.
The independent traveler is on the scene and with the arrival and growth of the internet individuals no longer need accept a tin sardine holiday. Low cost airlines have made it possible for individuals to make huge savings on flights especially by booking mid week and at least two weeks in advance. There has been more and more one way tickets purchased. The modern traveler wants more flexibility and will often extend or shorten their trips depending on how much they are enjoying themselves.

The reliance on packaged holidays has caused severe pressures on the infrastructure and environment of holiday hot spots like the Algarve and Majorca, Spain. Their ability to monopolise the accommodation market and dictate pricing has not only created ghost towns that are virtually deserted for most of the year, it has also conned thousands of people with misleading real estate opportunities and created a housing bubble and surplus as well.

Credit Cards on Vacation

Aiming to save money on our credit cards should be something that we all should be doing. This can be done by switching your credit card to one that has a 0% interest free offer on balance transfers and purchases, or simply playing a credit card game such as "stoozing". The term stoozing is used to describe the practice of using the credit limit you receive on a credit card to make money by transferring the balance to high interest savings account.

It can be so much simpler to save money without having to go through all of these games and switching from one credit card issuer to the next. Many people while on holiday use their credit card to either make purchases or to withdraw cash from an ATM. This is one credit card usage you should always avoid.

Your credit card will incur a load of different charges when it is used abroad, which will be adding up on the bill when you return from your trip. Many of these charges you will not even be aware of, as many of us do not even realise that the charges exist when we are on vacation.

Every purchase incurs a foreign usage fee...

Did you know that you could be charged by up to $2.00 a transaction on your credit card for every transaction that you make or $1.50 if it's a debit card? This is bad enough, but you could also be getting charged interest from the moment that you have made the purchase, even though when you are back home you will not be charged interest from anything up to 59 days. So if you have purchased goods or paid for your meals using your credit card when you first arrived, then depending on how long you are away the interest has already built up by the time that you return home.

A Final List of Must-Sees in London

7. St. Paul's Cathedral - this historic site has been the venue of many notable events such as the wedding of Charles and Diana - the Prince and Princess of Wales. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1710, we suggest you don't miss the Whispering Gallery.

8. Trafalgar Square – Don't miss Nelson's Column, which celebrates England's greatest sea-farer. Also, don't miss the lions! You can walk across the square to the National Gallery too. Each year in December, the people of Norway send a gift of an enormous Christmas tree to Britain, which is erected in Trafalgar Square.

9. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - this theatre is a reconstruction of the original Globe where Shakespeare's plays were first shown to the world. The Globe Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse designed in 1599. The theatre season runs from May to September with productions of the work of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and modern authors.

10. The British Museum – founded in 1753, the British Museum holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures. Housed in one of Britain's architectural landmarks, the collection is one of the finest in existence, spanning two million years of human history. Access to the collections is free.

More to See in London

4. The London Eye - Created by British Airways for the millennium, it is a giant Ferris wheel that gives you a 360-degree view of the city. We suggest you book in advance if possible – you can do it online. Otherwise, prepare for a very long wait.

5. The Houses of Parliament – the home of the UK's government. Actually made up of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, Big Ben is also one of the biggest attractions with its characteristic chiming every quarter of hour. Make sure you arrive on the hour for the full effect.

6. Westminster Abbey – a short walk form the Houses of Parliament, this great building is an architectural delight. The location for Princess Diana's funeral, and home to Isaac Newton's tomb, the Abbey recently featured in the film "The Da Vinci Code".

Must-Sees in London

Millions of visitors travel to London every year. As the nations' capital it is a great blend of old and new, with plenty of medieval history and modern attractions all rolled into one. Whatever your interests there is something for you. But here is our top list of the sites you just must not miss on a trip to London:

1. Buckingham Palace – home of the Queen of England and a great building in its own right. Don't miss the changing of the guards at 11:30am, but do check when you get into the capital as it doesn't always take place every day. We recommend you get there early to secure a good location.

2. The Tower of London – it doesn't get more historical than this! Home to the Crown Jewels of England, and where Anne Boleyn, the famous wife of Henry VIII, was beheaded. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. In 900 years it has been a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house.


3. Tower Bridge – Often called London Bridge by those who don't know better. This iconic bridge is recognisable anywhere in the world. Now you can take a tour around its innermost workings too.

Hustanton in the UK!

Visiting Hunstanton does not always live up to its nickname given to it by the locals - "Sunny Hunny". So on days when it is too cold or rainy to laze on one of the wide sandy beaches, here are ten interesting places to visit, and all are an easy stroll from the town centre.


1.Coastguard Lookout Tower. Built in 1907, the tower was a Marconi listening post in both World Wars, and is now a private residence. Location: On the cliffs at St Edmund's Point.


2.Golden Lion Hotel. Opened in 1846 and originally named The New Inn, this was the town's first building. Location: The Green, Hunstanton.


3.Cross on the Green. Origins unknown, but thought to have been brought from the green in the nearby village of Old Hunstanton at the time when the Golden Lion Hotel was built. It may once have been the old village cross from Snettisham. Location: The Green, Hunstanton.

How to Travel With Money

The UK market for Traveller's cheques has been in steady decline for a few years, despite the overall increase in travel to Britain. (source Mintel Market Research - Holiday money UK). This has been caused by a number of factors, not least being the increased issuance of credit cards and debit cards, and the extent to which they are accepted abroad. Support for the use of cards and the undermining to Travellers Cheques has been further eroded by the massive growth in the worldwide ATM network. This is coupled with the perception (and fact) that TCs can be a pain to cash. Especially at weekends or if you run foul of local bank holidays (quite likely in Spain where there are local bank holidays!)

I can cite my own example of this. trying to pay by credit card in an Ibiza restaurant in 1988 was an offline transaction that had to be supported by a passport and they were most reluctant despite displaying the Visa symbol. Fast forward 20 years and you have no problems using cards in restaurants and bars, even in out-of-the-way places. The problem is more likely that your card issuer will 'stop' the transaction as suspect because it is not chip and pin. It is now routine to pay in Supermakets and virtually all shops by card; this wasnt the case a few years ago when cash was still king.

Cash and Travellers cheques do have one big advantage for the budget conscious its much easier to keep track of what you're spending especially if trying to keep to a daily budget!

What to Do in Liverpool and Oxford

Liverpool Vacations:
A city that held the title of 2008 European City of Culture, Liverpool's early claims to fame were due to its position as being one of the busiest trading seaports in the world. Located on the River Mersey, the city is home of one of the world's most famous musical groups, The Beatles.

No visit to the city is complete without indulging in some Beatlemania, and the best place to do so is to visit the wonderful Albert Dock alongside the waterfornt, which houses the Beatles Story Museum, The International Slavery Museum, the Maritime Museum and also the Tate Gallery. Find out more about The Beatles Story. You could also visit the Cavern Club on Matthew Street, where the band began their career, and where a new club has been built on the original site. Liverpool is not all about nostalgia – it is a city famed for its nightlife and shopping!

Oxford Vacations:
Oxford is home to Oxford University, one of the oldest establishments of its kind in the world, dating back to the 11th century! As you stroll through the streets of the vibrant University City you will be walking in the footsteps of presidents, kings, prime ministers and Nobel Prize winners who attended the famous University.

Some of the most famous attractions that are well worth visiting include the Ashmolean Museum, the Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Cathedral, the University itself and Bodleian Library.

Birmingham and Glasgow

Visiting Birmingham:
The second largest city in Britain, with one million inhabitants, Birmingham was known as the Manufacturing Capital of the UK for generations. The Steam Engine, which was made James Watt, was first constructed here, along with the famed Orient Express, and the city was the home of the British Motor Industry.

With plenty of Museums from Cadbury World to shopping at the Jewellery Quarter, and plenty to buy at the new Bullring complex, there is something in Birmingham for everyone.

Travel to Glasgow:
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, with 620,000 inhabitants in the city area. It is a bustling city, situated on the River Clyde, and home to some beautiful Victorian architecture. Take in a visit to The Tall Shop (The Glenlee), check out the wonderful Glasgow Science Centre and the People;s Palace and Winter Gardens. The Buchanan Shopping Mall is a great place to visit for shopping!

Edinburgh is Delightful!

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and is the seat of the Scottish Parliament. Being a University City, Edinburgh has over 60,000 students and attracts around 13 million visitors a year! You can find some of the most wonderful buildings of the British Isles here, including the 1,000-year-old Edinburgh Castle. The city is home to one of the most enchanting and exciting arts festivals in the world. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Indeed the period from July to September is Festival Time in the city, with the Arts, Jazz and Blues Festival and the International Film Festival all taking place. The street Festival celebrating the New Year is called Hogmanay, and this is a party to beat all parties!


Visiting Edinburgh is not just about Festivals, for a bit of culture visit the Scotland Museum and the National Gallery of Scotland to name but two. You could also pay a visit to the mountain called "Arthur's Seat", which is an extinct volcano located right in the middle of the city!

A Taste of Manchester

The Manchester area was originally one of the centres of Britain's Industrial Revolution, once being the cotton producing capital of the world. The city is home to plenty of museums, art galleries, theatres and libraries as well as wonderful architecture. In 1996 the city centre was ripped apart after an IRA bomb which led to major urban redevelopment in the city centre, leading to a modern, and cosmopolitan city centre famed for its shopping!

Visiting Manchester is famed for its popular music scene, and many famous musical groups from the Hollies and the Smiths to the Stone Roses and Oasis hailed from the area. There are plenty of popular clubs to visit for live music.

London; You Must Visit in the UK!

The UK continues to be a popular tourist destination, with millions of visitors each year. In addition to continued foreign visits, we are seeing that due to the economic downturn more and more people are going to holiday at home, so expect a growth in UK domestic trips for 2010 and beyond.

In line with these vacation trends we have put together a guide to the Top 7 Most Popular Cities to Visit in the UK, so you can pick up some ideas for your holiday break. For more details please read on!

London
The UK's capital city has long been the "jewel in the crown" of the UK tourism Industry. The city is located on the majestic River Thames and there is so much to see in the city. This bustling city is well served by the underground tube stations so it is very easy to get from place to place, and discover the gems of the city which range from the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, London Tower Bridge to Westminster Abbey and the British Museum!


London is a world centre for music, shopping, theatre, drama, literature and culture and if museums, theatre and drama are your thing, you are spoilt for choice here! You could take in a play at the National Theatre or visit the Tate Modern Gallery. Or visit the London Eye or take a boat trip on the River Thames! Or shop at Oxford Street or Regent Street! Whatever you decide to do a visit to London is a place you will always remember.

Entertainment in London

Come nightfall, the entertainment and leisure scene is astounding. London's restaurant scene is staggering, with the rise of British and London-based celebrity chefs and their restaurants, to smaller and more intimate restaurants offering a remarkable range of cuisines. If bars and clubbing is not quite your idea of a great night out, perhaps a night at the theatre or concert might appeal to you. London is also home to many internationally acclaimed arts groups, and each season, they offer a wide range of theatrical or arts productions.

Popular musicals such as Les Miserables, The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, and so on, are mainstay offerings for tourists in search for some night entertainment. There are also other music and dance performances available at different clusters. While the West end is renowned for its popular culture after-dinner scene, the South Bank Center is home to the National Theatre, Hayward Gallery and Royal Festival Hall, and there is a range of dance, theatre and music performances available throughout the year. The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden offers ballet and opera, while Sadler's Wells is a dance and music venue.

Visiting London

For the first-time visitors, the best advice I can offer when visiting London is to prioritize what you want to see and do. This is because London simply cannot be covered in a matter of days. Trying to cover too much ground in one go will leave visitors feeling exhausted. Many tourists to London are repeat visitors, and for good reason, too. London's entertainment and leisure scene is incredibly diverse. There is a great many things to do in London, and there are many great sights and experiences in store for tourists.

The London experience is a rich assortment of English culture, history, and the arts. Get photographed against some of the world's most historic architecture, such as the Tower of London, or the houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Cathedral. For modern architecture, how about The London Eye or The O2? Indulge in some history or art education at the British Museum or the Natural History Museum, or visit the Tate Modern for contemporary art, or the National Gallery for a wide collection of European art. Or, you could rub shoulders with who's who of a who in History at the world famous wax museum of Madame Tussauds. Stroll through the internationally acclaimed Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, or take a literary journey at the excellent Shakespeare Globe.

For a taste of English culture and royalty, there is the changing of the keys ceremony at the Tower of London, or you could watch the changing of guards at Buckingham Palace, where there is a chance of meeting the Queen or the Royal Family in person! The State Rooms of the Buckingham Palace are open to visitors in August and September each year. A good way to experience London is to go for one of London's walks, which are featured walks around places of interest conducted by the locals, who will entertain you with their animated stories.

The Joy of British Pubs

Wherever you go, almost every country has its unwritten laws on how and where to drink alcohol. Of course, Britain also has its drinking culture, but it mostly deals with your behaviour in a pub. The problem is, finding a good pub, a real British pub is sometimes not that easy. The point is, many travel routes lay aside of them. So what can we advise you then? First, if you have friends among Londoners, just ask them what pub they usually go to. If this variant is not for you, try finding it by yourself, local pubs are found almost in any district of London (people don't usually live in popular travel districts).

When you find one, don't be confused with how a pub looks, even though it might seem too simple: you are welcomed with a signboard saying that this is the place where you can eat, drink and watch football channel. True Londoners come here to relax, play darts and billiards.

Many tourists say that only after you spend an evening in a true British pub can you claim that you've been to Britain. And they're right. However, those are mostly foreigners who get into awkward situations since they don't know local rules. The first awkward situation is: many tourists don't know that local pubs are self-serviced. You can sit there for hours, but no one will bring your beer to you.

Britain's Best Beaches!

Looking to make a big splash in Britain? Although most sand and sea loving tourists flock to the continent for the joy of beach, there are better places right in Britain. Escape the crowds and check out these top three beaches in Britain.

Cornwall
It's sung about, written about, and talked about…all with good reason. Cornwall is a legend, but it's reality, too. Getting a trip to Cornwall is like getting a private history tour in naturalist's playground with priceless vistas to boot. Anywhere along this peninsular county has a special beach, but perhaps the most exciting is Watergate Bay, famed for its water sports and its kite flying. Hankering for some local delicacies? You're in luck. Celeb chef Jamie Oliver has a boutique restaurant up on the hill above the beach.


Rhossili Beach, South Wales
Want to get the best of beach-variety in one place? Try Rhossili. This beach area is isolated enough for privacy, but populated enough for fun. If you're in for some adventure, check out the nearby ancient burial grounds. If you take a walk on the beach at low tide, you will also get a glimpse of the historic shipwrecks located here.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Bring the family to this one; they'll love it. It's not just a beach. It's a theme park on the beach. That means it's the best of both worlds for kids and parents alike. This Lancashire seaside town has excellent breezes. Bring your kite. And don't forget your camera. The views from Boulevard Beach are absolutely stunning.