Continue reading »]]> Christmas is a great time for a party. As they say, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to spend it than in London, near Regent’s Park? Regent’s Park is a royal park that is open year round with many attractions within and nearby the park. Many people choose to have their Christmas in hotels near Regent’s Park, for plenty of great reasons. A white Christmas in a park this beautiful can be astonishing, and some hotels close by will throw the parties for you, leaving all of the hassle out of your party, but leaving you with all the fun parts.

Holiday Inn in Regents Park host Christmas parties at its hotel. Like mentioned above, this party is completely hands-off. They’ll take care of everything; you just get to tell them what you want done. You can choose one of their pre-planned parties, or come up with something yourself and let them know what you’d like. It’s an amazing experience.

Of course, if you’re in London, you won’t want to stay in the hotel the entire time! Fortunately, there are several Regents Park attractions. Everything can’t be listed in a post of this size, but here are some of the highlights. You have the Queen Mary Gardens, which are some of the most beautiful gardens in all of London, possibly the whole United Kingdom. They’ve been around since 1930. If you want to attend a church, as many people do during the Christmas season, Saint Katherine’s Church is located right inside the park. You will not be let down by its beauty. And finally, there is the London Zoo, which has been around for almost 200 years, and is filled with animals that you will want to see.

If you’re planning on visiting London over Christmas for a more professional trip, you may be looking for places to hold meetings. If you’re looking for meeting rooms Regents Park, Holiday Inn London Regents Park is, again, your best option. You will still be right close the all of the Regents Park attractions, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and everything will go swimmingly with the help of the staff from the hotel.

If you’re looking for a Christmas party in London this year, Regent’s Park really is your best option, with Holiday Inn offering a great hotel and dining experience.

Have a great trip!

Continue reading »]]> Every summer something strange happens to British holiday makers, as they pack their suitcases they get slightly homesick and start to pack some strange things.

One of the most common items to be taken on holidays is teabags. This may sound slightly strange but quite a lot of people do actually take teabags on holiday with them, there are many reasons why this maybe the case but many take them because they fear they won’t get a good cup of tea abroad.

If there is one thing the Brits are known for it is their love of tea and will complain bitterly if they cannot get a good cup, in fact one of the first things they do when they get home is put the kettle on.

The one thing many Brits cannot seem to accept is that they can get the same teabags and other ‘home staples’ while abroad. One of the great things about living within striking distance of Europe is that holiday makers can get away from it all and enjoy the sun while still enjoying a taste of home.

So next time you are packing for a holiday why not leave the teabags at home and try the local cuisine and if that turns out not to be to your taste simply pop down to the local shops where they will stock a full selection of British home comforts.

Continue reading »]]> There have been so many rule and regulation changes with regard to what you can and cannot take on airplanes it can be difficult to know where you are with it all. In the long ago days you could take most things on a plane in fact people wouldn’t think twice about taking a full picnic with them.

Now things are a bit different. With the advent of cheap flights no longer are there meals, snacks or even drinks included on many flights and the cost of a simple sandwich can leave most of us with a gaping hole in our pockets. Add that to the strict rules relating to hand luggage and most people feel out of pocket if they buy something on the plane or will brave it out in hunger and thirst. This is fine for a short flight, but a couple of hours without a drink can be hard for most people.

Luckily there are ways around this meaning you can arrive at your destination fed and watered and ready to face the bedlam that is the arrivals lounge. The important thing to remember is that most of the rules around hand luggage relate to liquids. You can only take 100ml sized containers of water, this rules out taking drinks through customs control but does leave you free to bring a packed lunch, sandwiches, apples, pasties and pork pies are all fine to take through with you. Just watch out for a hunger guard looking to snaffle you lovely looking lunch!

When it comes to drinks you are not allowed to bring your own drinks in to the airport but once you get past security there are shops you can buy them from. These tend to be priced slightly higher than any high street shops but are considerably less than on most airplanes so buy your drinks and any food needed past the security barriers.

Continue reading »]]> When it comes to bringing back presents from Europe it can be a confusing business, many people want to bring back cigarettes or alcohol as presents for friends and family. If you do this you need to make sure you are well within the allowed limits and these changed from October 2011 so it is important to keep up to date. Let’s have a look at the limits on the most common items brought back from Europe.

Before October 2011 the limit on the amount of cigarettes was 3,200 per person, this has now dropped down to 800 per person. Cigars have stayed the same at 200 per person, cigarillos have also stuck at 400 per person.  The amount of tobacco which can be brought back has dropped from 3 kilograms to only 1 kilogram per person. However alcohol has stuck at the same levels, beer at 110 litres, wine at 90 litres and 10 litres for spirits, with fortified wine also staying at 20 litres.

The limits are slightly different if you are travelling outside of Europe, alcohol allowances are either 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of any other alcoholic drink. And tobacco allowances are either 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco. For other items you can bring back other goods up to the value of £390 without having to pay tax upon them.

Continue reading »]]> When it comes to visiting beautiful places Venice has to be up there on the vast majority of peoples wish lists. Despite the fact you can walk from one end of Venice to the other in under 40 minutes there is so much to see and do there if you are just there for a few days you may miss a lot. Not bad for an island that would fit easily in to Hyde Park. If you are visiting Venice it is important to know what you want to do before you get there, here are some must see sights.

No trip to Venice is complete without seeing the amazing Piazza San Marco. This is the grandest square in Venice and despite the large numbers of crowds that flock there is well worth a visit. This area contains the Basilica of San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, both of which are must sees. There are two stunning hotels on the piazza and if you are lucky enough to be there in an evening you can experience dusk falling with the orchestras from these two hotels playing.

The Bridge of Sighs is well named and one of Venice’s most famous features. This bridge connects the palace and the public prisons, prisoners were taken to and from the judgement hall along this route.

The Grand Canal is a must see for all visitors to Venice, although it would be hard not to see it even if you tried! It is almost 3km long and up to 70 meters wide. There are a great number of famous building along its banks and it is crossed by three bridges, the most recognisable of these being the Rialto bridge which is line with shops and is a perfect place to pick up mementos from your trip.

Continue reading »]]> New York is a massive place so it can be hard to know exactly what to do for the inexperienced traveller once you get there. There are so many attractions to chose from so if you are on a short break it can be difficult to fit it all in. Here is a quick guide to the best sites of New York.

The Empire State Building has to be on everyone’s to do list when it comes to New York, we’ve all seen the New York skyline on the TV and as you wander around New York you’ll spend your days staring up at it. Why not see New York City from the top of the Empire State Building, however one piece of advice, avoid standing in line to buy tickets book online in advance.

The Statue of Liberty is another iconic New York landmark all travellers need to see. This was actually a gift given to the United States as a sign of the friendship established during the French Revolution. It has since become a symbol of friendship and a welcome symbol to the immigrants who came to the United States of America in search of a better life.

The Rockefeller Centre is another well known New York building. Located in midtown Manhattan it is famously known for its Christmas tree, ice skating, Top of the Rock Observation Deck and the Radio City Music Hall as well as the numerous shopping and dining facilities throughout the year.

A must see for all visitors to New York is the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. It offers visitors a look in to the immigrants experience with interactive exhibits, walking tours. There are also movies in which the hardships and challenges faced by the immigrants as they passed through Ellis Island are displayed and brought to life.

The final must for New York is Central Park; this magnificent escape from reality has offered an escape from the concrete jungle that is New York City for over 150 years. In this green park you can take a walk, a boat ride or enjoy a picnic and remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Continue reading »]]> Travelling with children can be difficult at the best of times. In the car you can develop coping strategies and if they don’t work you can always turn the radio up! but travelling with children on an airplane is a whole different matter you aren’t the only ones that have to deal with your children’s screaming so you develop a coping strategy and take the proper preparations before you travel. There are several key things you can do to make travel more fun and enjoyable for you, your children and the rest of the planes occupants.

If possible choose flights that go at non peak times. While these flights may not be your first choice there may be free seats available to allow your children to stretch out and sleep across or to play upon. This can be especially useful if you are undertaking a long haul journey, as every parent knows children act up when they are uncomfortable or tired, so reduce this stress by giving them more space.

With every flight it is important to set off for the airport in plenty of time but this is especially the case when you have children. Not only will they have forgotten their favourite toy but sprinting down an airport with your children in order to catch your flight can be disastrous. While this can mean you spend longer in the airport you can use this time to make sure you have everything you need for the flight. If you have never flown with your child before it can be worth while taking this time to explain the flight to your child making sure they understand what will happen and if they will need anything for the flight. It is important to keep your child entertained so in flight entertainment is vital, make sure they have toys, books and portable gaming devices.

Continue reading »]]> This time of year the romance levels are high and everyone is looking to create that romantic moment, for some they are able to fly away to some gorgeous destination with the warmth to help rekindle their romance.

Unfortunately not all of us are lucky enough to jet away but there is a simple way to recreate the romance of a foreign country at home, by cooking dishes in your own home. They say romance and food are intricately linked and it is easy to understand why, there are certain foods that whirl you away to another time and place.

Oysters are said to be an aphrodisiac as are most sea foods, they also have an added advantage of being finger foods the perfect way to start a relaxed evening in full of fun and laughter. Paris is said to be the most romantic city in the world so why not try your hand at some classic French dishes, add some candle light and a good bottle or two of wine and you could almost be there.

It isn’t just mains that can help invoke the romantic  feelings, why not try your hand at cooking something sweet such as heart biscuits or cakes and muffins. There has been a realisation in recent years about the value of valentines foods, there are now cookie cutters in heart shapes as well as cake tins and even chocolates.

With so much choice out there you are set for a perfect night in filled with the romance of a meal in the star light under the light of the Eiffel Tower.

Continue reading »]]> It’s easy to be excited about sports this year, even if you’re not usually a fan. Why, I hear you ask – well because, in case you’ve been hiding in a darkened cave for the past year and don’t know – we’re holding the Olympics in our very own London this year. Brilliant, well, if you managed to get tickets that is.

For those of us that missed out, but still fancy some sporting action – why not head abroad for one of these equally memorable events that will have the Olympic goers feeling envious, despite their tickets!

The Grand National, Liverpool

You don’t even have to get on a plane to enjoy one of our best sporting events. With plenty of history and tradition behind it, enjoy the atmosphere as well as the racing, as the huge hats come out to play and millions are bet on our most exciting horse racing events!

RBS Six Nations – Europe

Rugby is well loved by us Brits so if you fancy combing a brilliant sport with a trip across Europe then grab yourselves some tickets and get going! Interrailling is the new flying you know.

The United States Grand Prix, Texas

F1 is returning to American soil for the first time in 5 years and for the first time ever, it’ll be heading to the Circuit of Americas in Texas. The purpose built track holds 100,000 people and as the second from last race in the season – the atmosphere will be electric!

Wimbledon, London

The Olympics isn’t the only sporting event in London this summer – head to classic Wimbledon for the best tennis you’ll probably ever see, along with a large serving of strawberries and cream!

Continue reading »]]> Fancy a holiday to remember this year? Why not check out one of the new wonders of the world for those picture perfect moments that you’ll remember for many years to come.

Here’s the full list of our modern wonders – which is your favourite?

Chichén Itzá, Mexico

These ruins built by the Maya civilisation are one of Mexico’s greatest archelogical sights. The towering pyramid is thought to be both a temple and a solar calendar and at the equinox, the shadows create the illlusion of a serpent moving along the staircase.

Christ the Redeemer, Brazil

Brazil’s most famous sight, millions of people flock here to see the huge statue of Christ watching over the city. The arms, spread wide, have a total wingspan wingspan of 100ft, and this art deco-style figure has become the iconic image of Brazil’s tourism.

The Great Wall, China

The sheer magnitude of the Great Wall of China is astonishing and stands at 3,725 miles long and was first built to prevent invaders from the North. Avoid the crowds and head to the quieter areas at Mutianyu or Simatai

Machu Picchu, Peru

Perched high up in the Andes, the mysterious ruins of the Inca Empire draw thousands of visitors every year. If you can, the 3/4 day hike is spectacular but you can also catch a train from Cuzco.

Petra, Jordan

If you’ve watched Indiana Jones then you’ll have spotted the magnificent exterior of Petra, although you might not know it. The resting place of the Nabataeans is half built and half carved out the the rose hued rock in the desert.

The Roman Colosseum, Italy

Home to gladitorial contests and mythological plays and even executions, the Colosseum has a long history and makes an excellent day tour.

The Taj Mahal, India.

A spectacular architectural feat with a romantic history. This beautiful structure was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, who died in childbirth.