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Posts Tagged ‘Europe’

United Kingdom To Bordeaux

July 1st, 2010 No comments

You can reach Bordeaux from the United Kingdom on flights from London, Manchester or Birmingham. Bordeaux is located in southwest France and is that region?s largest city with a population of one million people in the metropolitan area. Its airport is the Bordeaux-Merignac Airport

The gentle climate makes Bordeaux popular with tourists from the UK. While summers may run hot and long, the rest of the year is quite mild. Bordeaux is a port on the Atlantic, and about nine million metric tons of cargo passes through each year. Visitors come to the port to enjoy the view and also to enjoy the mild weather. Bordeaux’s main rail station is the Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean. The station offers high-speed service trips to Paris taking about three hours. There is also extensive local tram, bus, and taxi service.

The most famous product of Bordeaux is its wine. It is in one of the top wine producing areas of the world, with almost 500,000,000 meters of vines. Bordeaux’s famous reds are almost always blended wines, made from Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot grapes.

The red wine produced near Bordeaux is usually referred to as claret. Wine makers in the region also make white wine and dessert wines, but these are only about 10 per cent of total production. Some of the world’s most expensive vintages are produced near Bordeaux, but so are everyday table wines of extraordinary quality. Almost all Bordeauxs are blended wines.

Not just world famous for its wine industry, Bordeaux also is home to research centers for laser technology and a booming aeronautic industry. Both of these industries employ thousands of workers. Travel and tourism also serve as an economic engine, largely, of course, due to popularity of the vineyards and winemaking tours.

In addition, Bordeaux is a major architectural center, boasting one of the biggest collections of’th century architecture in Europe. Some of its more famous buildings are the Place de la Bourse, the church of St. Pierre, the church of the Holy Cross, the Saint Andre Cathedral, the Saint Michel Basilica and the Saint Seurin Basilica.

Tourists also enjoy shops, restaurants, cafes, gardens, parks, and many festivals in Bordeaux. Home to the National Opera of Bordeaux, Bordeaux was the first city in France to found an architectural and research center.

This cultural gem is known as Arc en Reve, and it is one of the most popular and respected architecture and research centers in all of France. This city is also home to a lively music scene, with no shortage of live music venues.

The climate, the architecture, the culture, and the wines make Bordeaux an outstanding place to visit and enjoy.

Tom Martens is the content coordinator for Bestukflights.co.uk the UK’s premier flight and travel comparison portal which includes a detailed section on Travel and Flights to Bordeaux

London Airport Guide

June 29th, 2010 No comments

London attracts so many visitors from around the world that it needs to have five airports to accommodate them all. What follows is a brief overview of each of those airports and details of how you can travel between them and Central London.

Heathrow Airport – Heathrow is located approximately 20km from the centre of London and benefits from its own London Underground station. The journey into the city centre takes up to 50 minutes however the cost is minimal at around $6 each way. Heathrow is by far the busiest of the 5 airports, with 5 terminals catering for 90 airlines that between them fly to over 170 worldwide destinations.

Gatwick Airport – Gatwick, located 45km south of the city center, is London’s second-largest airport. It is the main hub for discount and charter airlines. The journey from Gatwick Airport to central London, takes anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. To avoid potential traffic problems, you might want to consider a train instead, which will take you directly from the airport to Victoria Station.

Stansted Airport – Stansted is the definition of a budget airline hub but, despite the limited number of airlines, it is still London’s third busiest airport. It is located 48km northeast of the city center and there are convenient and reliable bus and train connections between the two. Stansted Bus and easyBus all would be your best options – they both send vehicles between the airport and Victoria Station, with the option to jump off at Marble Arch or Baker Street if you prefer.

Luton Airport – This small airport operates a single runway for the use of budget airlines traveling to and from European destinations. Located in the county of Bedfordshire 55km north of London, Luton Airport takes a while to get to and there may be more than one bus journey needed depending on your starting point. There are several round the clock bus services to and from London though, mostly run by Green Line and easyBus.

London City Airport – This small, central airport is situated just 11km from the centre of London and is suited to light aircraft that specialize in short take-offs and landings. Its location close to Canary Wharf makes it ideal for business flights and private travelers destined for the nearby financial district. In addition, the airport is well connected to London in its entirety through the Docklands Light Railway and a network of bus routes.

Alternatives to the 5 London Airports include the centrally located Birmingham Airport and Manchester Airport to the north. Both of these large international airports have very good transport links to London and the rest of the UK, meaning you can be anywhere within the country with just a few hours traveling.

Read On : Gatwick Hilton Hotel

Thailand: My First Night in Pattaya

January 10th, 2010 No comments

It was seven-ish and I was sitting in a nice-enough room overlooking the front entrance to the pub above which I had just moved in. The pub was the Pig and Whistle on Soi 7 in Pattaya. Across the way was a big hole, which they were hoping to construct a hotel in and next door to that, just opposite me, was a tiny bar with one lady sitting on a stool outside it. Not that there was a wall there, it was open on two sides. The Soi was lovely and peaceful, I thought. I also thought that I might go and sit in that little bar and talk to that woman, if my friend was late, because I would surely see him arrive from two metres away, the width of the Soi.

So, I went to the bar in the pub at 19:15 to await my friend who said he would meet me at 20:00. It was much busier than thirty minutes earlier but not noisy and I sat at the bar. The first thing a barmaid did was say hello, give me a menu and step back. I did not really want to eat, I only wanted a beer as I presumed we would be dining together later, but I wanted to read the menu anyway.

‘A pint of Boddington’s', I said. It arrived and the girl began laying a setting for me. I tried to explain that I was not hungry, but it was no good. Like in Spain, most people eat and drink at the same time. All the while the girl was smiling at me. Then she said: ‘You live upstairs? My name Charli. What you want to eat?’. So, I gave in and ordered something and rice.

‘You first time in Thailand? You no can eat. Too spicy’, she said with a grin. ‘Oh’, I replied, ‘but I want to try. ‘I put only 50-50 for you’, she said and went.

I battled my way through that meal and it took a Boddingtons and a bottle of water. Charli had been accurate, it was too hot for first-time foreigners and she had reduced the chilis by 50%. I have always heeded a Thai’s guidance on food ever since.

I changed seat to by the window to see what was happening as it was dark by 19:30 and I was curious. Within thirty minutes Soi 7 had changed completely. I could see hundreds of ladies and tourists milling about. I wanted to go out and join in or at least sit in the quiet bar across the way, but I’m ashamed to say that I was too scared, so I sat put, rivetted to the Pig like a rabbit in a hunter’s beam.

My friend walked in on time and after we had been chatting for an hour, he said: ‘Drink up, I have someone I want you to meet’. This was it, we were going into that mele. A waitress opened the door for us and the racket and the heat were terrific. Particularly the noise. Every metre at least two or three girls would yell: ‘Hello, sexy man, you want a drink’. Trying to say no courteously to each call was out of the question, so I just stuck close by to my pal.

Luckily, we only had about fifty metres to stroll and we sat down in another bar. My friend said hello to several women and then said, this a girl I have been going out with for some time. I was flabbergasted as I had never heard him talk about her, ever. She was gorgeous, but could not speak English, so I sat in the pandemonium in silence. Not for long through, as my friend said, I have a blind date for you and he introduced another girl to me who was equally beautiful, but with whom I could speak a little. She was captivating and I was captivated. The pandemonium seemed to pass away, but it was only because I was concentrating on my new friend. The four of us had the best time and the best food I had ever had in my forty-nine years of existence.

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Things to Do In Madrid – Staying Busy Isn’t Hard

December 6th, 2009 No comments

Madrid, the capital city of Spain, has not always been a hot tourist spot. With a population well over 3 million, though, it has certainly stayed full of things to do and activities to be enjoyed. More recently, it has focused on becoming an international destination, so you should be able to find something to do on your vacation to this bustling city. [youtube:0p2UqVoUEcY;[link:Madrid Travel Tips Video];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p2UqVoUEcY&feature=related]

World Famous Food

Madrid is very famous for some of its food. There are many different restaurants that are able to be found throughout the city serving some of the best local cuisine in the world. There is also a variety of international cuisine to check out while in town.

There are a variety of restaurants throughout the city offering the finest food that you’ll find in the country. In addition to local flavors, you’ll also find plenty of international restaurants, including French and North African dining.

There are restaurants and cafes all around the city, featuring a variety of styles of cuisine and environments to choose from. Whether you want bustling restaurants and bars or quaint cafs, you can find it all.

Historical Attractions

Madrid is striving to become an international Mecca for tourism, fashion, and more, so their history is a little less important to them than it might be in other places.

In addition, you can find history throughout the city showing different stages of Madrid’s life. Whether you want to see classic history landmarks or famous sites, there are plenty to see in this city that has been around for centuries.

You’ll also find three of the most important art museums in Madrid: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, which boast artwork from some of the most famed artists in history.

Other Entertainment Options

Finding things to do in Madrid is NOT difficult. If you’re looking for nightlife and entertainment, you can find plenty to keep you entertained.

The city of Madrid has a rich musical culture, and you can find them at any number of theaters that are available. It isn’t uncommon for the locals to spend a night out on the town and not go home until the morning, guaranteeing you entertainment galore.

Shopping is one more type of entertainment that you can find in Madrid. From upscale boutiques to large department stores, there is something out there for almost everyone. Madrid features some of the best cuisine, but also offers plenty of shopping, night life, and other entertainment for travelers to enjoy.

Need some additional Madrid travel tips for travellers? Why don’t you visit our travel tips blog?

Beautiful River Cruises

November 12th, 2009 No comments

Leisure, scenery, ambiance and culture all sum up to a western european river cruise. If you need a holiday that may remain in your memory for a while, running into all the unique aspects of a river cruise will be a great experience for you. The boats used for river cruises are smaller and can access inland areas that the bigger sea ocean liners can’t.

This will enable you the chance to explore regions not generally known on the holiday circuit. Northern EU river cruises are one of the journeys that will enable you to see sights in Finland, Sweden and Norway. See for yourslef the countries of the ‘Midnight Sun’ and see what it’s like to have daylight for 24 hours.

A river cruise is one of the best ways to spend your vacation without caring about booking hotels. By experiencing a river cruise you will have accommodations and meals already looked after while you are on the go to explore coastal cities on the way. The river cruises vary in length, but you should be capable of finding one to fit in with your vacation plans.

The northern cruises will enable you the opportunity to see the Baltic Sea and revel in the wonders of this area of the planet. From the ports of call along the way you’ll enjoy the variances of the old and new mixture of architecture. Palaces and contemporary buildings exist in a way that is tempting to behold.

Experience a mixture of old and new while enjoying the riverside towns. Cruising along in the summer when the temperatures are perfect for your river boat trip will be an energizing adventure. To remember everything use a camcorder or digital compact camera to record your cruise. You can buy a cheap one in any online auction website.

Preparing for European river cruises is not an easy task. If you’d like to read advices from experts and also travelers who speak from experience, you should visit our website that specializes in these trips. I’d personally recommend Seine cruise for everyone who wants to see beautiful places in Europe.