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Posts Tagged ‘Scotland’

16th Century UK Vacation Cottage

July 11th, 2009 No comments
by Olivia Parker

UK mainly consists of famous nations like England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. All these kingdoms are pretty ancient and possess a very old background. In United Kingdom you have a number of accommodation options in terms of holiday cottages. There are a huge number of ancient holiday cottages in UK. These cottages are very much praised by the tourists because of the rich heritage they carry. These cottages are very old, but are very strongly built as they have sustained all kinds of climatic circumstances in these years.

I am going to list below, few of the best holiday cottages in UK that were build in around 16th Century:

1. Church Farm Cottage Church Farm is one of the best cottages located in a quiet street at St Briavels, balanced high on a limestone flat terrain and it seems like as if they are overlooking the River Wye which forms the heart of the very old Forest of Dean. Capably and compassionately reformed to a very high customary from a Grade II listed, 16th century hangar, Church Farm Cottage is positioned adjacent to the major farmhouse and forms one side of the yard of this beautiful and traditional smallholding.

There are walks in the whole region and tourists have straightforward contact across the owners’ land through forest onto confined bridle paths. The local region of this province also presents quite a large assortment of things. I must tell you that you will surely love this cottage and never feel like leaving this place after reading about its world class features and interesting background.

2. 16th century cottage in Perch National park This holiday accommodation is newly renovated with 33 acres of property. You will also an easy access to the Lounge with log burning stove and fully outfitted kitchen, shower room as well as bathroom with full central heating. It is considered as the perfect location for activities like cycling and walking. However this is quite a rustic locality and you will certainly find pin drop silence in this locality.

3. Wood cutters cottage Trust me that this is yet another cottage which is quite ancient and in fact it was built in the late 16th century. Due to the rich heritage this cottage carries you would love to stay here.

These are some of the best prehistoric holiday cottages in UK, which were built in 16th Century. Make sure you consider them as an accommodation option for you.

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The Best City For a Golf Resort

March 25th, 2009 No comments

Each year during the summer months, there are more and more people traveling out of the city for their summer trips. Not only do the trips involve a vacation with the family, a trip with your friends, or a get away with the one you love, but also time for yourself! No matter what you choose, you’re sure to have a good time if you make your selection carefully, with your and your family’s interests in mind. If golfing is something that interests you, you may want to consider a golfing vacation.

If you are a golfer, there are many different resorts around the world. If you are looking for a specific golf resort in the United States, there are many great places to choose from. In the United States, most resorts are only open during the spring and summer months; many in Arizona, Florida, California, and Texas.

Although your main focus is on golf, there are also many other activities as well! For your family members, the activities may be important; however, if they do not like golf you will want to make sure there are other activities close by! In that case, you will want to read up on all the local amusement parks or beaches. Many times you can get a great deal for the entire family to any kind of parks! If they are occupied with fun activities, chances are they won’t mind how much time you spend on the golf course!

If you are interested in golf resorts that are near a beach without having to take a flight to Murcia, there are many different ones available. In fact, Myrtlewood Golf Resort and Villas are located near Myrtle Beach; which is good for the entire family. Also, you will be able to find many other golf resorts that are close by along the coast. Since everyone loves the beach, there should be something for everyone to do for fun.

Whether you are alone or with your family, you can find all the excitement that you need right here in the United States! In fact, whatever you want to do, the US offers it! If you are on a budget while traveling, there are many ways to save money. In fact, you can look online for any available coupons or look for a special pricing on golf packages.

You may also go to your local travel agency for help, as well! It’s all a matter of looking around. Don’t grab the first vacation package you see. Travel agencies are always trying to compete with each other to get your business. Know what you want and don’t let the agencies talk you into something else.

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Excellent Visitor Attractions To Visit In Aberdeen, Scotland

March 23rd, 2009 No comments

Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city, in relation to the city’s population size. Since the mid eighteenth century Aberdeen’s buildings have been built using local grey granite and the city has a sandy coastline. This has led to the city being nicknamed the Granite City and also the Silver City. However in recent years the city has also gained the nicknames of the Energy Capital of Europe or the Oil Capital of Europe due to the discovery of oil in the North Sea. The city of Aberdeen has greatly benefitted from the oil industry and the support industries. Today the city is thoroughly modern and immensely vibrant with a lively nighlife.

Aberdeen hotels are often booked by people visiting on business but also by many other types of tourists wishing to enjoy the many tourist attractions Aberdeen has to offer. Below you will find details of three; Satrosphere Science Centre, Duthie Park Winter Gardens and Aberdeen Maritime Museum:

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum in Aberdeen is found nearby the harbor, at the historic Shiprow. There are breathtaking sights across the harbour from the museum. The Maritime Museum can be found in quite a few buildings, including a former church and one of the oldest residences in Aberdeen. The museum has exhibits that cover everything relating to the marine environment, from fishing boats to the oil industry. Basically, the museum tells the story of the city’s lengthy relationship with the ocean. Some of the collections contain paintings, photographs, models and ship plans from the greatest shipbuilders of Aberdeen.

Duthie Park Winter Gardens

In 1881, Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston, gifted to the council, 44 acres of land. The land for the park was purchased, as a lasting memorial to her uncle and brother. In 1899, the gardens were ready, and were opened to the public. However, in 1969 misfortune occurred and the greenhouses had to be demolished and reconstructed. This was due to horrendous storm damgage. Today, the David Welch Winter Gardens at Duthie Park are one of Scotland’s favourite garden attractions, and also the largest indoor gardens in the whole of Europe. Each greenhouse has an important collection such as, the Fern House, Tropical House, Temperate House, Victorian House, Japanese Garden and Corridor of Perfumes.

Satrosphere Science Centre

In Aberdeen, the Satrosphere Science Center was one of the first science and discovery centers in Scotland. This interactive, hands-on science center, has over 50 exhibits and live science demonstrations, and opened to the public in 1988. Although the center is aimed at school age children, the attraction of the exhibits is universal. The center is situated in the old tram sheds, nearby the beach, on Constitution Street. The aim is to inspire youngsters to become scientist’s, as entry into science courses in universities, is in decline. One of the best loved exhibits at the center is the famous giant soap bubble, where each child can be encompassed in a magic bubble.

There are many more tourist attractions in and around Aberdeen which are well worth a visit and those described above were chosen randomly. If you are planning to visit Aberdeen, Scotland then you will find numerous quality hotels in Aberdeen, or various other types of accommodation, available to book online.

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Stay at the United Kingdom’s Best Hotels, Inns

December 17th, 2008 No comments
by Tess Kirkpatrick

From the wind-swept moors to the Scottish highlands, the United Kingdom is a diverse land – both in culture and geography. You’ll discover quaint villages, castles, museums, galleries and much more.

If you are planning a trip to England, Scotland and Wales, it is best to create a list of what you would like to do and see. Fitting in everything can be difficult, and it’s usually best to focus on your favorites and spend quality time exploring those areas rather than rush around from spot to spot. You might start in London and then explore nearby Kent and Sussex, enjoying all the attractions of the city, as well as castles and quaint villages. Another option is to spend your time exploring Wales, a country often passed by, yet full of promising possibilities. Or perhaps you want to explore Scotland with time to enjoy Edinburgh, “The Whisky Trail,” and hope for a glimpse of the famous Loch Ness.

On her popular website, prolific travel writer Karen Brown has listed several itineraries for visitors to England, Scotland and Wales. Her detailed itineraries offer plenty of interesting and unique places to visit, sightseeing, as well as offering driving instructions and maps of each area. Karen Brown readers also have voted and chosen the following as the best hotels, inns and B&Bs in England, Scotland and Wales:

These three countries are a romantic land — a land of inspiration for a myriad of famous poets and writers. If it is romance you want, try the Gilpin Lodge, which was chosen by Karen Brown readers as England, Wales and Scotland’s “Most Romantic” lodging choice. Located in England’s Lake District National Park, the inn rests on 20 acres of gardens, woods and moors. The rooms are elegant, and each has been decorated individually. Every room offers a charming view of the gardens or moors. Spa treatments, such as massage with aromatherapy oils, can be arranged in the privacy of your room. Guests also enjoy privileges at a local “leisure club,” which has a pool, sauna, steam room and fully equipped gym. Four rooms comprise the award-winning restaurant’s dining areas. There is also a bar and afternoon tea is served in the lounge.

Bolhays, a lovely Victorian bed and breakfast in the appealing English town of Salisbury, is the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for England, Wales and Scotland’s for “Warmest Welcome.” The two guest rooms are picture perfect English country retreats, and the marvelous homemade breakfasts are the perfect start to a day that might include a trip to Stonehenge or the famed Salisbury Cathedral. Your innkeepers, a warm and helpful sister-duo, are full of helpful information for travelers.

Meadowland, a Bath bed and breakfast, was chosen by Karen Brown readers as England, Wales and Scotland’s “Greatest Value.” The three guest rooms are decorated in an English country style that is both comfortable and elegant. The home is distanced by about a 15-minute’s walk into the heart of Bath, but public transportation is just two minutes away. Explore the famous Roman Baths, linger in the Pump Rooms, and spend a day exploring the area around Pulteney Bridge with its museums, shops and galleries or head out of town for a visit to Blaise Castle or Salisbury Cathedral.

Pamper yourself at the spot named by Karen Brown readers as England, Wales and Scotland’s best “Splendid Splurge.” Chewton Glen, located on 130 acres in the heart of Hampshire, is an idyllic English country estate offering a mix of traditional and contemporary guest rooms and suites, all elegant and romantic in style. The hotel offers a long list of amenities and services, including a full-service spa, tennis courts, a swimming pool and nine-hole golf course. The hotel has a full-service, gourmet restaurant and afternoon tea is served on the terrace or in one of the finely appointed lounges. The surrounding area offers many fun attractions, such as historic home tours, garden tours, Stonehenge, and the National Motor Museum, which displays more than 250 different motor vehicles.

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The Western Isles of Scotland and Tourism in the UK

August 28th, 2008 No comments
by Angus MacLeod

The tourism industry is continually seeking out new vacation destinations to satisfy the ever increasing demands of the modern tourist however many are also taking a new interest in places which have been popular destinations of the past. The reasons for the decline in the areas popularity with tourist may not be applicable today (such reasons could include such things as wars ending). The Western Isles of Scotland are one of the most fascinating and beautiful places, in the world, which are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of folk taking vacations there.

The first tourist in Great Britain could be said to be those young men who did the “Grand Tour of Europe”. Although the main aim of such a trip was to expand the mind, learning about new cultures, art and the likes it was often little more than an opportunity to meet important and/or influential people and have a wonderful time doing so.

In the United Kingdom, during the early days of the tourist industry, people generally tended to visit places not too far from where they lived or worked. Working men and women often had only the annual works outing to look forward to, which was attended by all of the employees while their work place was closed. Those of more means were able to venture further and some even went as far as traveling to the islands of St Kilda in the Western Isles of Scotland.

When air travel became cheaper more people could afford to travel abroad. Over time the family vacation was less to the British holiday camps like Butlins and Pontins and more to European destinations. Usually this was to Spain or, at least, somewhere with a beach and a bar. As some British destination fell into disuse the better transportation systems meant that areas previously considered inaccessible, such as the Western Isles and other places in Scotland, were now a possible vacation destination for the masses including visitors from Canada, America and elsewhere.

Today the tourism industry is extremely diverse but, maybe due to the increased knowledge of the dangers of over exposure to the sun, there seems to be a decreased interest in typical beach vacations and an almost corresponding increase in the number of people visiting inland destinations or other destinations which offer something unique. People are visiting the UK city of Liverpool in more numbers than ever before. Although this is, in part, due to the city being the European Capital of Culture this year it is also true that the steady increase means that it is now an important part of the local economy of that city.

Of all the islands around the United Kingdom some of the most fascinating are to be found amongst the Western Isles of Scotland. These remote islands, found off the west coast of Scotland, are home to many unique species of flora and fauna, many of which are endangered, all set in the most astounding scenery in Scotland, the United Kingdom and, probably, Europe.

The group of islands are also known as the Outer Hebrides and this, sometimes, causes some confusion for visitors, it is even confusing for the islands’ inhabitants. The islands (such as the Isle of Harris, Isle of Lewis, North and South Uist, Barra and Benbecula) have, as their main language, Gaelic (pronounced “Galick”) which, although it has the same roots as other forms of Gaelic, is very different to the Irish Gaelic (pronounced “Gaylick”). The culture of the Outer Hebrides is a mix of Celtic and Norse with a major aspect being Gaelic and the region is regarded as the Gaelic heartland.

The islands of the Outer Hebrides have been inhabited by man since prehistoric times. Driving around the islands you will immediately notice the enormous number of single standing stones and small stone circles. The most spectacular prehistoric site is to be found on the Isle of Lewis and is considered one of the most important stone circles in Europe. Just by the village of Calanais (Callanish in English) is a most interesting stone circle with four avenues and a number of satellite stone circles in the surrounding area. Every visitor to the islands should make a point of taking the trip out to see them.

Genealogy is another factor in the recent increases in tourism to the UK, Scotland and the Western Isles. The Scottish people are amongst the most widely traveled peoples in the world and the Hebrideans are amongst the most widely traveled in Scotland. This has resulted in a massive number of people from all around the world being able to trace their roots back to the islands. Will increases in the interest in genealogy many people are choosing to travel to the Outer Hebrides to research their family trees.

There are many reasons why more and more folk are choosing to visit places that were once inaccessible. However the simple fact that they are now easily accessed by road or air (and sometimes rail) is the main reason that there are now a great many people visiting such places. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that places like the Western Isles/Outer Hebrides have not yet been commercialized that makes them such a popular vacation destination but for how long they remain unchanged is uncertain.

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