5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Visit Birmingham

Birmingham is not only the UK’s ‘second city,’ it’s also a wonderful place to visit with attractions that should suit all tastes and interests.

Here are five reasons why everyone should visit it.

1. Easy travel to Birmingham, the home of Cadbury

As Birmingham is situated in the middle of the UK travel links between the city and the rest of the world are excellent. It’s very easy to go online and search for flights toBirmingham with Flybe from Hungary, Ireland to name a few countries as well as the rest of the UK.

Everyone loves chocolate and, Bournville, the centre of Cadbury’s production is just 13 minutes away from the airport. Cadbury World is the place to go to learn more about the manufacture of chocolate and to sample some delicious products.

2. Famous art galleries in the centre of Birmingham

If you’ve ever looked at some of those mournful paintings by the Pre Raphelite Brotherhood and wondered where you can go and see the originals, then the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, right in the centre of the city, is the place to visit.

Works by Millais, Burne Jones and Rosetti are on show here. The museum also holds a vibrant history department which currently is home to the recently discovered gold of the ‘Staffordshire Hoard.’

3. Take a canal trip in Birmingham

Birmingham is famous for its canals. They’ve dominated the city for centuries and have recently been cleared and made more accessible for visitors. Take a canal cruise and view the city from an alternative perspective (image by houseofhall). 

Birmingham Canals

 4. Contemporary art comes to Birmingham

The Ikon Gallery was founded in 1965 and can be found in Brindleyplace. This gallery has a constantly changing programme of exhibitions and is internationally acclaimed. You could see an installation one day and then enjoy some sculpture or mixed media on your next visit. This gallery is never boring and a visit here will electrify your senses.

5. In Birmingham curry is king

Birmingham is a large multicultural city and in recognition of the number of residents who have family origins in Asia, the city hosts the annual National Curry Week. It’s a well-known fact in the UK that Birmingham is the place to visit to sample a delicious curry. This year’s winner is Lasan in the Jewellery Quarter, but there are innumerable restaurants throughout the city serving this delicious menu choice.

Try and go to the so called Balti Triangle, based in the south east of the city. There’s even a website devoted to this area and its wonderful eateries. 

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Feature image by Bradley Nash Burgess

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6 Attractions To Visit with Kids in Paris

If you are new in Paris, it might not look to be too friendly to the kids at the first glance. There are several cumbersome metro stairs and tunnels, several cultural attractions that look a little bit daunting, particularly for kids. You may think that this city was built mainly for culturally perceptive adults which all go around the famous Eiffel Tower. However, to visit Paris with your kids does not need you to struggle too much or worry about it, since several great things are available that you can possibly do with them. In Paris, there are many attractions that are suitable for both adults and children. Some of them are discussed below.

Musee Grevin - Paris Wax Museum

It is one of the historical wax museums that were inaugurated in 1882. Currently, the museum boasts figures of over 300 life-sized waxes, from the former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Leonardo da Vinci Marilyn Monroe. This makes it sufficient for parents and their kids to enjoy. This museum is actually the discovery of kids; therefore, by visiting this place will allow your kids to learn more about wax artists can bring popular personalities to existence. 

Paris Plages - Paris Beach

Paris Plages - Paris Beach

The Paris Beach is also known in French as Paris Plage was founded in 2002 as a free place for summer activities, which transforms many spots into full-fledged beaches with each of them having a distinct theme. Currently, this destination has grown to be a permanent fixture in the scene of Parisian summertime. Some of the activities found in this that kids can really enjoy are evening concerts, sun bathing and sanding, kayaking and many more. 

Disneyland Paris

This is one of the best attractions in Paris suitable for both children and adults. You can arrange to visit this great destination with your kids to experience the true nature of Disney Village, the camping grounds of Davy Crockett Ranch, and a golf course. These can also offer adults an excellent excursion as well. The place also comprises great hotels that provide an enjoyable and relaxed environment for all family members. 

Paris Parks and Gardens

Paris Parks and Gardens

Parks of Paris are commonly known for their impressive, impeccably presented, and groomed lanes, flora, and lawns. These Parisian parks are great destinations to discover and play. Most parks in this city are the best and ideal places for kids and parents since there are a lot of activities children can enjoy doing or watching such as riding ponies, sailing toy boats, games on sleek, enjoying superior puppet shows, just to name a few. 

Menagerie (Zoo) - at the Jardin des Plantes

The Menagerie was established primarily as the public zoo right after the French Revolution. This place is also among the best attractions places in Paris that hosts several species of all rare animals. This a suitable place that can welcome an excellent outing for parents who are searching for kid-friendly activities in the region. 

Le 104 Arts Centre

Le 104 Arts Center is one of the largest tourist attractions suitable for both adults and kids. It is a communal art space as well as a recreation center that comprises several activities, both outdoor and indoor. Some of the amazing things that kids can really enjoy in place are great concerts, changing exhibitions, and several evening activities. 

In conclusion, apart from the above-discussed attractions to visit with kids in Paris, there are also other great things that you can do in Paris with your kid. There are great restaurants and hotels, other geographical destinations for tourists and many more. Give your kid an excellent holiday vacation in Paris to experience these great attractions.

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The Unique Spirit of Seville - Don't Miss This One

The Tomb of Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus is a name that few are unfamiliar with, but his place of resting is a lesser-known fact. It is the city of Seville that houses his tomb through a cathedral’s southern doors. There is some controversy surrounding the legitimacy of the remains that are found in the tomb; the bones that lie there, which were brought to Spain from the Caribbean in 1899, were subject to question. The higher-ups in the Dominican Republic claimed to hold the real bones in its capital city.

Unfortunately for the Dominican Republic the DNA from the bones in Seville matched that of the great explorer’s brother, so Seville is indeed home to the real bones. Go see them.

image by Arshad Habib

Cathedral

The cathedral itself is the biggest in the entire world – that alone makes it worth seeing. The cathedral’s history is quite impressive too in that before a cathedral stood there it was the site of a 12th century Mosque – Almohad. The remains of the mosques great minaret can still be seen today standing next to the main building of the cathedral. It’s said that the cathedral’s creators stated the following “Let us create such a building that future generations will take us for lunatics.” If you see the scale of the cathedral that stands in Seville today – you’ll see that they’ve achieved their goal.

  

Basílica de La Macarena

The Basilica de la Macarena houses what is considered to be the most impressive example of a Virgin in all of Seville. The golden-crowned statue is a beauty to behold – she is even adorned with five diamond and emerald brooches that were donated by a famous matador of the region. 

 

Bullring

Bullfighting is quite a controversial sport – about that there is no question, however it’s worth taking note that in Spain this is much less the case and when in another country we must respect the culture’s traditions as outsiders. The bullring in Seville is the oldest in all of Spain and is said to hold what can only be compared to a religious significance to its thousands of fans.

The construction of the building itself started in 1758 which cements its age (no pun intended). It’s possible to take guided tours of the bullring in English (or Spanish if you speak it) that discuss the history of the place and describe some of history’s most famous bullfights (image by Laura713).

If you’re of a strong stomach and fancy watching a bullfight for yourself, it’s possible to do so between spring and autumn.

Getting to Seville is a doddle and by far the best way to do so is by plane. It’s often worth driving to the airport, parking the car and then picking it up upon your return – you can learn a bit more about how that works here. Flights leave pretty regularly, but, of course, book in advance to avoid being disappointed – you don’t want to miss out on a trip to one of the most enchanting cities on the planet.

If you’ve been to Seville and happen to have some tips regarding where to go (we know we’ve certainly not covered everything here), then be sure to let us know down in the comments section!

Related post:   7 Great Under $50 Accommodation Options in Madrid

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How Well Do You Know Your Holiday Destination? A Third of Brits Can't Locate Top Holiday Hotspots

If you were asked to stick in a pin in a map where you had been on holiday this year, how confident would you be that you could find the right place? If you’re anything like the average Brit, you’d probably end up selecting Greece or France, regardless of where you actually went.

It has been revealed that one in three British holidaymakers don’t know where the countries they’ve visited are located on the map. Some destinations were slightly trickier than others, but many couldn’t even pinpoint France and Spain.

It seems that Cyprus is the most elusive destination, with a staggering 53 per cent of those that travelled there this summer unable to find it on a map. It seems that many didn’t even know it was an island – most believed it to be part of mainland Greece.

However, it’s not just Cyprus that people weren’t sure about, some common holiday destinations for Brits proved just as difficult.

Around one in ten didn’t know where France was, while a quarter couldn’t point out Spain – the favourite destination of Brits for many years now.

You might forgive some for not knowing certain European destinations, but a few obviously weren’t paying attention in geography as almost 500 out of the 2,000 surveyed could not even locate Ireland.

Ever travelled to Turkey? Around half of those that had been didn’t know where it was, with a surprising number of people thinking it was Ukraine, which is 1,200 miles away.

Holidays to Portugal are becoming increasingly popular with travellers, but it’s a good job you don’t have to find your own way there, as 31 per cent thought it was France!

The Netherlands was another one that threw people off, with over a third being completely stumped and almost a quarter unsure about Germany too. Italy is a fairly easy one to identify, thanks to its recognisable boot-shape – but 13 per cent still stuck their pins in Belarus (image by http://www.flickr.com/photos/wolfgangstaudt/).

It doesn’t seem to be just the locations of countries that Brits struggle with; around 20 per cent couldn’t name the capital of their holiday destination and 27 per cent aren’t capable of naming a neighbouring country.

Well, at least the survey managed to open a few eyes, with 70 per cent saying they should know more about their holiday destinations. Rather than concentrating on location of the country, holidaymakers had other priorities.

When asked to name the most important thing when choosing a holiday, the results were its temperature (65 per cent), local attractions (61 per cent) and accommodation (52 per cent).

Fortunately, you don’t have to be a geography geek to get some great deals on your holidays. Expedia has loads of Portuguese holiday bargains and deals to other top destinations and as you don’t need to rely on your sense of direction, so you can be sure of landing there safely!

Related post:         10 Things to Consider When Visiting Europe

header image by www.flickr.com/photos/wolfgangstaudt/

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7 Great Under $50 Accommodation Options in Madrid

People travel for various reasons; to have fun, to do business, see the world and find out about cultures and habits of people living around the globe. If the thought of visiting Madrid has never crossed your mind before, you better start thinking about it seriously, because you never know where your next business trip will take you, and am sure you don't want to find it rough, shopping around for the best affordable hotel or resort deals available. Because of this, i have listed 7 places you can find accommodation for just under $50 per night.

1. Etap Madrid Valentin Beato

You don't have to spend several dollars to find quality accommodation in Madrid. Though this hotel is not very close to the city center, it might serve your purpose well if you don't have commitments in town. This place is just too good for its price. Not only is it comfortable, the rooms are clean, compact and can accommodate up to 3 individuals. Again, there's satellite TV for those of us who love entertainment, and breakfast is optional (not inclusive in the fee charged).

Definitely, it's a place you can check out when you're on a budget. No frills, and it's even easier to access it from the airport. Just pick bus number 200 and it will make 3 stops and there you are.

Ibis Alcala De Henares

2. Ibis Alcala De Henares


It's well worth your $50. The Ibis will treat you well. I can't forget to mention their friendly staff (so don't be surprised if the managers rushes upstairs with your wife's handbag because she'd forgotten it downstairs during breakfast), you'll also appreciate their simple, clean, yet modern rooms which are fantastic for people who have families. Again, this is a great place for those looking to stay away from the town center.

3. Husa Moncloa

When i asked about hotel Husa, i was told that it's a great place for people looking to stay near the the city center on a budget. Word has it that hotel Husa's staff are friendly (though i haven't confirmed), and very attentive to clients' concerns. Breakfast; top rating, plus you receive free chocolates and liquor in the comfort of your room. It's a 30minutes walk from town, and you can use the super metro system to rich town quickly if you don't have time.

4. Hostal Concepcion Arenal

Here comes the thrill of hotel Hostal. Just 100m away from Gran Via, this guesthouse is just too good for its price. If you want to indulge, and get familiar with Madrid's culture, habits and practices of the local people, definitely i would recommend this place because of its proximity to Gran Via-the heart of Madrid's cultural and shopping artery. All in all, it's a clean, comfortable and safe place to be.

5. Hostal Salamanca

If you want a little bit of prestige, and experience what it means to spend a night or two in one of Madrid's finest business hub, then this is the ultimate place for you. It's location makes it an ideal place to be, easily accessed from Barajas airport and beautifully surrounded by state of the art shops and boutiques. And by nightfall, you will discover the thrills of Juan Bravo's Avenue disco pubs such as Doblon or Keeper. If not, you can try some of the glorious restaurants in the area for a full experience of culture, habits, as well as way of life of the people living in Madrid.

The Way hostel Madrid

6. The Way hostel

Though it's a hostel, there are several things you'll love about sleeping the night away in this hostel. Firstly, its location is desirable (a walking distance from most sites), a spacious and comfortable lounge area, as well as several tour events to crown your experience here. You'll enjoy, though there's a suggestion contribution of about 8 euros at the end (don't worry because it isn't a must either).

7. Cat's hostel

With its proximity to Plazor mayor, many guest are opting to spend the night here. Not only is it situated in a nice location, but it has large rooms that can be used for private, or shared rental. Again, all the rooms are very clean, safe and well lit. Other features that may attract you include a central fountain, wooden windows, attractive Spanish tiles, and its architectural attributes in general.


It's a real challenge traveling on a budget. But it's more mind boggling when you have to shop around for the countless accommodations options available that will suit your pocket--and you don't know where to start. Who said that you can't sleep in Madrid comfortably under $50 anyway? The above list will prove you wrong if you thought there aren't accommodation deals under $50.

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Rome: The Most Fun Winter Place A Family Can Ever Tour

If you got bored with the daily schedule in your home city and want to escape it for some real fun, Rome is that place you can spend time having fun with your family getting around the city and capturing romantic ruins of the great Rome or “Roma” as the locals pronounce it. You can lose yourself in the nostalgia that Rome city castes upon you: you can stop at some big sights like St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican the brave gladiators once made their home and get transported in the wonderful history of the place.

Every child in the world has a huge accumulation of bold stories of the gladiators sipped in their little brain through a lot of movies on “HBO” or “Discovery channel.” Your children are certainly going to have a blast making those gladiators their friends, getting a lot of clicks of the monuments and sharing their stories with their friends back home. Keep in mind that in popular destinations like Rome, it is recommended to book your transportation and accommodation in advance, especially when traveling with your family.  Many online sites such as Monarch offer flights to Rome and many other services to meet you needs and your pockets.

Trevi Fountain

As you make your way through the zillions of tourists from across the world having fun around the Trevi fountain (one of the most famous and fun to be around with family destination), you can wish for quite a few good things to happen to you before you turn and dump a few coins in Trevi Fountain: part water feature, part magnificent sculpture. If your child is a lovely cute little baby, he/she may not like this idea of throwing money in the water and may keep the coins to buy a few chocolates for him/herself. (image byAndy Worthington)

Street Artists

If you don't happen to have any artist friends in your family who keeps asking for an appointment to work on a spectacular charcoal portrait of yours, you and your children would love to sit around those artists for your lovely portraits. You can find those portrait artists at almost every corner of the street. In the beginning, you are impatient and keep running to the artist’s stand to see how you look at the paper every next minute; and the man asks you to go back and advises you to remain still for some minutes. Just a quite few more strokes and he makes your portrait come to life on the paper. That is thrilling, you would say. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. You go back and fix it on the wall of your bedroom and it never fails to amaze you and remind you the great time you have had once in Rome.

Mediterranean Beach Walk
Well, if you love being around on the sea beaches and seashores with your family, that is a great place for you. If you plan to stay in some great hotel, it will have a plenty of swimming pools but it is nothing like dipping your toes in the Mediterranean on a sweltering day baking yourself in the sunlight on a summer day. Sperlonga is one of the seashores admired the most by the authorities on the environment. It has been given a 'blue flag’ for the clean water and other great initiatives to make it a wonderful experience for the families touring Rome. It is the nearest destination from Rome: some 45 minutes away; famous for the whitewashed town and amazing stretch of sand all over the place (image by let eat bee)

You will admire about every tourism destination that you can order for anything you want from the service stations located all around. And the experience you will never forget is guaranteed by a little bit of everything Rome is privileged with.

Related post:          The History of Cotton Candy- Yummy!

Header image by Moyan_Brenn

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7 Great Under $50 Accommodation Options in Amsterdam

If you are looking for a serene place to spend your summer holidays then Amsterdam may be the best choice. This place has a lot to offer to its tourists. The, culture, habits and heritage of the people living in Amsterdam is quite interesting. The pristine natural beauty, the beautiful churches and the parks constitute the main tourist attraction of this place. While going on a tour one has to surely think about the expenses and a tour to Amsterdam in luxury can be heavy on your pocket. In order to save money you must never miss out on any of the popular tourist attractions and so the best way to cut down the expenses is to choose inexpensive hotels and such other places for accommodation.

There are a lot of budget hotel in Amsterdam, some of them starting from a range as low as 25 dollars. However, it is unfair to think that hotels that charges less money will not provide you with any facilities or that their services will be poor. Here is a list of a few hotels that provide a lot of wonderful facilities and charge low price at the same time.

· Mercure Amsterdam Arthur Frommer.

This boutique hotel is located near Prinsengracht which is the centre of Amsterdam. The best part of this hotel is that most of the tourist destinations are only walking distance away from it. Travelling by tram is the best way to reach this hotel. This hotel has an awesome location. It lures its customers with a paltry price of $24 and provides clean rooms and luxurious interiors.

Hem Hotel Amsterdam

· Hem Hotel Amsterdam.

Situated in Voorburgstraat, this hotel provides you with all the basic necessities including well-furnished rooms and ready-room services and exquisite restaurants. With facilities of swimming pool, laundry, sauna, banquet halls etc. it is no less than a five-starrer. And you will be amazed to know that you will receive all these services at a meagre charge of just $25.

· Falcon Plaza Hotel.

This hotel is located in Valkenburgerstraat. It also provides with exquisite services that cater to both your basic as well as your additional needs. The prices for this hotel start from $33.

· Best Western Blue Square Hotel.

It is located in Slotermeerlaan. This hotel provides world-class service to the visitors. The hotel authorities have also made special provisions so that tourists can buy souvenirs that depict the culture and habits prevalent in that place. The starting price charged by this hotel is only $45.

· Hotel Casa 400.

This hotel is situated within the ring road of Amsterdam. The location of the hotel is outstanding. Tourists can easily take a public transport from the hotel to reach the heart of Amsterdam within nine minutes. The station is only three minute walking distance from the hotel. This hotel provides all the basic necessities and overwhelms its guests you additional features like free internet and parking services. The costs of rooms in Hotel Casa 400 start from a meagre $13.

· Poet Hotel Amsterdam.

Poet Hotel Amsterdam

The hotel is located in Jan Luijkenstraat. The location is magnificent, and the needs of the tourists are catered to with great hospitality. Plus the additional attraction is its cost, which is $48.

· Hotel City Garden Amsterdam.
The hotel is located in P C Hooftstraat. This hotel has seventy rooms which provide beautiful view and are beautifully decorated. Each of these rooms comes with a private bathroom and other facilities like a flat screen television, a safe, a telephone etc. The price charged for booking a room in this hotel starts from $33.

These are a few of the many cheap hotels that you will find once you land in Amsterdam. So without thinking twice about the cost, you can pack your bags and set aboard to see and enjoy the habit, culture and heritage of Amsterdam.

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The History of Cotton Candy- Yummy!

Cotton candies were first found in Italy way back in the 1400s. The first machine for preparing cotton candy was however launched in the 1800s. Before the machine was introduced, cotton candies were made in a pan by melting sugar.

Until the 1800s, the chefs of Europe prepared delicious deserts made with sugar. Unlike the sugar of current times which is cottony spun, in those days, the strands of sugar was quite thick and was similar to blown glass. The candy came in various shapes and were given the look of bird's nests, eggs, golden webs, castles etc.

Candy

In order to make the candies such fanciful, the chefs had to undertake a tedious procedure. Loaf sugar made out of beet or cane was utilized, as until World War I granulated sugar was not discovered. Water, Sugar and other ingredients were put into large pots and boiled until the correct temperature was reached with the appropriate level of consistency. Cooks generally preferred to use the best quality of cane sugar to avoid any kind of failures, and they also used copper bowls for achieving optimum results. When the melted mixture was successfully accomplished, in no time the chef had to pull it out with a whisk or fork and fling it in the air. This would lead to fast solidification and cooling of the concoction. The chefs had to be extremely cautious to avoid any kind of burns and some even oiled their skins so that any accident would not turn out to be a fatal one.

In 1899, two men from Tennessee named John C. Wharton and William Morrisson invented the electric cotton candy machine for the first time. This machine melted sugar, forced it to spin using centrifugal force and finally made it pass through small outlets before letting it go.

Thomas Patton was yet another individual who found interest in researching with caramelized sugar. He utilized a fork to make threads out of sugar. Thus, he came up with a machine which had a gas-fired rotating plate in it which gave the sugar a threaded texture by spinning it. These threads were gathered together to give the look of a big cotton ball of candy, popularly known as cotton candy today.

In 1949, Gold Medal Products discovered the cotton candy machine that is used in today's date. The base of this machine was loaded with spring, which made the preparation of cotton candy much simpler and convenient.

In 1950, cotton candies became a big hit and a part of fair habits in many nations. In New York, Four Seasons Hotel added cotton candy to their menu list for exclusive occasions. In Manhattan, this sweet sticky desert was given in a martini glass and came in vibrant colors and attractive appearance.

With passing name, cotton candies were addressed and served with different names in different places. New Orleans stuck to the name, cotton candy. In Australian culture, it became well known as fairy floss. Children in Great Britain love it as candy floss whereas in Greece and India, it became famous as "old lady's hair"!

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5 Cool Facts About Bristol Airport

In the recent times, hardly a week passes by without the UK media raising issues regarding the impact the aviation industry has on the environment. In response though, the aviation industry is making every effort to lessen its negative impacts and undertake business in a friendly and beneficial way. These efforts are partly geared towards making it possible for commuters to enjoy business flights through exposure to amazing cultures and exciting landscapes. There are several great facts about Bristol airport such as environmental, economical, and community. In addition, several options of parking at Bristol airport  is available to the travelers who passes through the airport.

Whenever you check into Bristol airport, these are the interesting fact you need to know.

Environmental

• The carbon emissions at Bristol are less than 1% of the whole for the South western region.
• The modern planes are seventy percent more fuel efficient than forty years ago. Easy jet’s 11 based flight machines comprise the youngest air fleet in Europe.
• As a whole, aviation contributes less than 2% of the world greenhouse emissions.
• The aviation sector is only accountable for 12% of Carbon emissions drawn other forms of transport.
• On average, the number fight passengers using Bristol Airport went up from eighty seven in 2004 to a hundred and one in the year 2007. This showed greater efficiency in airline operations.

Economically

• Bristol airport has fifty different businesses operating from its premises.
• There are more than 2800 people in gainful employment at the Bristol airport.
• Bristol Airport Passengers contributed about 31 million sterling pounds as Air Passenger Duty in 2007 to the exchequer.
• Results from a survey done by a respected University of the West England Economist revealed that the world’s leading companies will be less inclined to invest in the South West if Bristol Airport is not expanded.

Inbound tourism

• The inbound tourism in the UK attracts 14bn sterling pounds to the UK economy every year. It has also employed more than 300000 people.
• Tourists to Bristol spend 750 sterling pounds every year in this city.
• Since commencement in May 2005, more than 50% of its passengers using Continental Airlines flights (daily) between New York and Bristol have come from the United States.
• The Airport and other airlines operating within work hand in hand with bodies like Destination; South West Tourism, and Bath Tourism to market the region overseas. ( An instance:- Destination Bristol was supported by Bristol Airport at the NYTT show in Feb 2008)

Community

• Bristol Airport noise footprint is foreseen to be less than nine million passengers per year than it was in 2004.
• The summer in 2007 recorded the least number of flights in a period of 10 years
• Bristol boasts the smallest noise footprints in the UK. (Among airports of comparable size)
• Noise insulation grants have been given to 286 houses at 750,000 sterling pounds.
• Bristol Airport staff raised about 75,000 sterling pounds for the Children’s Hospice South West.
• The Airport joins hands with Young Enterprise South West to realize the difference to the current lives and youthful potential for the future.
• Bristol Airport gives financial aid to Bristol Bordeaux Exchange. This creates cultural and educational links between the two cities

Parking at Bristol Airport

Bristol airport has 2 pre–book parking options for Business, long stay and short stays. The short stay car park is conveniently located at the airport road near the terminal. The Business car park is near the terminal where navigator members get preferential rates. The long stay for airport parking is ideal for those on holiday or related longer stays. It is wise to book longer stays in advance. If you do decide to use the airport parking, you might want to consider using BCP discount codes to save few bucks. 

Additional Facts

• Bristol serves 4 million passengers per year. It has over eighty direct destinations and one Terminal. It’s runway is 2011 meters in length

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7 Great Under $50 Accommodation Options in London

Traveling to London is a very exciting experience. It can be expensive doing so, however. With the increased cost of affair and essentially every other commodity related to traveling you will find that saving money on a room can give you a great more of spending money if you know where to look. There are many hotels in London, but many have very high price tags. Most hotels charged a minimum of $150 per night. There are many that will charge for other guests as well if you get a smaller room. For the savvy traveler, though, finding a great hotel is a simple matter of research.

Tune Hotels London

Tune Hotels

This chain of hotels is one of the most affordable in London. It balances economy with luxury and has many of the accommodations other high class hotels have but with a much lower cost. You can book a room here for as little as $35 per night. You can even get deals here that make the room even more inexpensive if you book during special deals. This hotel is perfect as there are three in central London and will accommodate just about any person or group.

Pavilion Hotel

This hotel has gained a reputation as a great place to stay and has affordable pricing. There is not only that, but the fact that you can soak up a lot culture from this hotel. Each room seems like a movie set in some ways. The hotel has a surreal and inviting atmosphere. You can get a room here for as little as $80 a night. Compared to many other hotels you will find this hotel is very unique and satisfying.

Umi Hotel London

This hotel is a more budget friendly hotel than many other mid-level hotels of the same kind. This hotel focuses on quality of service and great accommodations. It is unique among hotels of its type because it is much larger than other hotels of the sort. It also overlooks a private garden and is a very quiet area. If you are looking for a place to relax this is a great place that gives you quick access to the city, but also allows you to have peace when you want it. Rooms here start are just over $65 per night.

Church Street Hotel

This type of hotel may not be for everyone. It has many paintings and other artifacts inspired by Hispanic culture. The mood of the hotel is very religious. You will find all of the amenities you would require in a hotel, but in a quieter and more observant atmosphere. If you are a religious person or do not mind staying a place with so much depicted this is a great place. The prices for rooms start at just over $100 a night. Comparing that to many larger hotels is great because it is significantly less than what you would pay elsewhere.

Easy Hotel London

Easy Hotel

This hotel chain is a great type of accommodation for the person seeking the cheapest room that is also of great quality. The rooms in these hotels in central London are not for luxury purposes. They are smaller than the average room and the color scheme can make your head hurt if you are in the room and see it for too long, but you will find all of the amenities you need. The price is also hard to beat at just under $50 per night for a room.

Travelodge

This is a larger hotel chain that focuses on efficiency rather than luxury. You will find many branches of this hotel in London and will be able to book a room easily. The rooms have every convenience you will need. There are also facilities to make tea coffee. The rates start at just under $30 if you can book early enough. You can book up to 12 months in advance for a trip on this company's website.

Premier Inn

This is the largest hotel chain in the UK. It is very affordable and had all of the modern conveniences you could want. The rooms are clean and neat and provide a very comfortable space for a very great rate. The rates start under $70 per night for a room.

Conclusion

If you are looking to experience the culture of London but want to have more money to see more things you should invest in a budget hotel. They are much less expensive and will allow you more money to spend on attractions and having fun in the city. For those with the habbits of ill-planning and booking at the last minute you will want to make sure you book as soon as possible for the greatest discount.

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The Inside Scoop: Tips and Tricks for Travel to Majorca

Majorca, the island paradise off the east coast of Spain, isn’t the kind of destination most people would put on their shortlist if they were looking for a budget holiday destination around Spain. The government, apparently, has an interest in keeping Majorca positively upscale, too – they’ve actually enacted legislation to keep hotel builders from opening anything lower than a 3 star when they build new. The tourism business model that they are interested in, apparently, goes after the high-end high profit tourist.

What do you do if you can’t go that high?

You can’t let a little hurdle like the unavailability of budget accommodation keep you from such a special holiday destination. As with as any other tourist spot, you always have ways of working around the system (one of which is to travel in spring or in autumn when the weather is beautiful, but it still isn’t considered high season).

If the idea of taking the trip when it’s the off-season doesn’t seem your style, you do have two options. One would be to book far ahead enough so that you are able to find something in one of Majorca’s older, budget hotel pickings.

The other choice is rather new – a holiday rental. Going with a company like HouseTrip holiday rentals, you could easily find a home to rent at seasonally competitive rates. 

Money doesn’t really talk in Majorca, if you think about it

If you were to visit New York, London or Paris on a tiny budget, you would find yourself priced out of the most sought after attractions. A small budget on at an island paradise, though, doesn’t run into quite the same kinds of problems. The main attraction at a place like St. Tropez or Majorca is the natural beauty of the place itself. There isn’t much to spend money on, anyway.

The breathtaking views to be had on the Majorcan west coast, the peaceful little secret beaches of the south of the island, the exotic Mediterranean environment to be found on every little Majorcan market street, getting back in touch with nature on a hikingtrail and a chance to rejoice snorkelling in the jewel like waters all around – most people who visit Majorca, do so for its spectacular natural beauty. Even if you had a great deal of money, you wouldn’t have much more to spend it on in Majorca. The greatest Majorcan experiences are free. 

How do you make up for the expensive hotel, though?

To be certain, the main attractions of Majorca don’t cost much. All you need to do is to set aside enough money for the expensive hotels. To do this, you need to know how to save money when you eat, though. Luckily, expensive Majorca does offer plenty of ways to save money.

1. Majorcan restaurants have a curious policy in the way they price their menus. While their regular menus are expensive, they all suddenly drop their prices when it’s lunchtime. It’s a 50-year-old tradition from the time Generalissimo Franco ruled. He believed that the working classes needed at least one filling and affordable meal a day. Even at the posh restaurants, a menú del día will get you a full three-course meal and wine for more than €18. You can get by on half as much at one of the more mid-market restaurants. You just need to fill up at lunchtime.
2. Since evening meals tend to be routinely expensive, many tourists in Majorca take a page out of the locals’ book – they go around from one restaurant or bar to the next, only ordering the cheapest parts of the menu – sausages like the sobrassada, local salads like the tumbet, and so on. While most Majorcan beach bars happen to be there expensive, the ones on the southern beaches are quite affordable. Spending no more than €15 can get you seafood and sangria.
3. Some skip the restaurants altogether. They shop around the markets of Majorca for the ingredients of a great picnic and take their meal to the beaches.

Getting around Majorca

Many tourists arriving in Majorca look at the inexpensive car rentals available at the airport and grab a car. This is a mistake, though, because parking anywhere can be very expensive. Instead, renting a bicycle or taking the bus can be a far better idea.

Celebrating life in Majorca doesn’t need a huge budget – it only needs a fertile imagination.

About the writer

An expert in European travel and a holiday home owner, Simon Dance works for Holiday Rental marketplace HouseTrip.com.

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Greece - the Land of a Thousand Islands

While choosing to holiday in Greece is not difficult, thanks to its reputation for great weather, stunning beaches and friendly locals, picking which island you want to visit is another matter altogether.

There are between 1,200 and 6,000 islands owned by Greece (estimates vary depending on the size criteria applied), so there's a lot of potential destinations to choose from. Even if you narrow it down to inhabited islands, this gives you a list of several hundred.

 So in order to help you choose where to book your island getaway (which you can do via this link), here's a guide to three of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece (one small and peaceful, one medium-sized and one big and lively) and what they have to offer.

Alonissos

One of the lesser-known Greek islands, Alonissos is a member of the Northern Sporades chain in the Aegean Sea. It's a small island, 4.5km wide and 20km long, so you can easily explore the whole area during your stay.

Despite its diminutive size, Alonissos has plenty to keep holidaymakers entertained. Walking is a popular activity on the island, with a number of mountains to climb that afford incredible views.

Enjoy wonderful sea vistas from the summit of Kalovoulos Mountain or look out over the whole of Alonissos from the top of Megalo Chorafi Mountain, which sits right in the centre of the island.

On the coast, the beautiful beaches and peaceful coves are a big draw. Those looking to take things easy can relax in the sunshine or paddle in the clear, warm waters, while more active holidaymakers can scuba dive and kayak.

Kos

Kos is one of the Dodecanese islands and lies just a few miles off the Turkish coast. It is quite a bit larger than Alonissos at 40km long and 8km wide. Its population is also far bigger, with around

33,000 inhabitants compared to Alonissos's 3,000.

Being more built up, Kos has a wider range of attractions on offer, ranging from visiting the Asklepion ancient Greek ruins and exploring the castle during the day to hitting the pubs, clubs and restaurants in the main towns once the sun has gone down.

And of course there's a ton of stunning strips of sand dotted around the island for when you want to top up your tan or go for a swim in the sea.

Rhodes

Yet bigger still, Rhodes is the largest Dodecanese Island and has a population of more than 115,000.

Formerly the site of one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the Colossus of Rhodes, and

littered with many relics, the island is a real delight for history buffs. The Old Town of the city of Rhodes is a World Heritage Site and there are some incredible archaeological sites dotted around the island, including the Acropolis of Lindos, Ancient Kamiros and the Acropolis of Rhodes.

Aside from revisiting history, you can do pretty much anything you desire on Rhodes, from relaxing on beaches to dancing the night away in the clubs and bars, and from walking in the hills to taking banana boat rides.

You are also spoilt for choice in terms of accommodation, with numerous resort towns lining the coast, including Faliraki, Lindos and Rhodes.

Although there are many things to consider when visiting Europe, I hope this guide has helped you reach a decision or at the very least shown you what great places the Greek islands are to visit.

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London’s Best Military Museums

The military is an area of interest for many. Those with an interest in history, former or current service men and women, and many others enjoy finding out about the military past and present. London is a great place to visit to explore this interest as it is home to many military museums all with an array of artifacts on display. Why not make a weekend of it, find great deals inLondon accommodation with Travelodge and see more of what’s on offer.

Guards Museum

The 300-year history of the Guards is explored here with explanations and examples of the uniforms across the ages from bearskins to present day. The full history of the five regiments of the Foot Guards and their use as bodyguards to royalty since the reign of Charles I. Time your visit to tie in with the changing of the guard, one of the must see ceremonies when visiting London.

Royal Airforce Museum

The defenders of the skies are one of the most technologically interesting of the forces in the UK. At the museum in Colindale you can view over 100 different aircraft from across the history of the RAF as well as experiencing the Battle of Britain in stunning 3D. This history of aviation itself is covered from the first balloon to present day jets. Opening hours are from 10am to 6pm daily and entry is free.

HMS Belfast

One of the giants of the seas, the HMS Belfast is moored near Tower Bridge, part of the Imperial War Museum. The ship that was involved in the D-Day landings is fully open to the public, and you can take a wander across the deck to imagine what it would’ve been like to be aboard back then. You can also check out the sailor’s mess, engine rooms and Captains Bridge in an unparalleled access all areas experience.

National Maritime Museum

Being an island, Britain has always had an expansive and great Navy. The NationalMaritime Museum explores the history and deployment of our sea defenders at its home in Greenwich. The waves have not just been for military use; in the years of expansion exploration was done in ships, as was trade that helped the economy of the British Empire. Discover all the uses of fleets across the years and see the jacket of Nelson, complete with bullet hole dating back to the battle of Trafalgar.

National Maritime Museum

National Army Museum

If your interest lies with the ground troops and the British Army, then look no further than the National Army Museum. Here is the biggest collection of historical and military artifacts relating to the Army in the UK. Discover stories, objects and interactive displays as you take a step through history in this fantastic exhibition.

Britain has a long and interesting history, which is entwined with it’s military. As technology plays a greater part in combat it is interesting to learn the techniques from years past. London has the largest number of military museums in the country and the highest number of artifacts on display. Spend a few days in the city and immerse yourself in the world of military history and technology. In addition, I suggest you view the great blog about how Vietnam war affected the local culture. This is another war story from different side of the planet.

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