The Smiling Penguin

Short Trips From London

admin — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:07:24 +0000

Many visitors to the UK choose London for their base when visiting the country. If you’re planning to stay in the capital, then let’s take a look at some other great locations that can easily be reached for a day trip.

The great thing about staying in London is that it truly is a city that never sleeps. With great entertainment, from musicals to plays, it’s a place where you will rarely be short of things to do.

In the evenings, you’ll find that England’s capital city is a great place to enjoy the nightlife, with top quality restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

Be sure that you get out and explore some of the rest of the country too though. There are plenty of benefits in spending time away from the city, including getting to see a bit more of the real England.

My own home county, Hampshire, has plenty on offer. You can reach the the most southerly part of the county in less than 90 minutes by car (or train from London Waterloo) and you’ll find that the short trip is well worth it.

Hampshire includes one of the UK’s newest National Parks, the New Forest. It also has a large number of great unspoilt English villages, complete with thatched cottages, country pubs and village greens. In many ways, this part of the country reflects many visitors ideas of what England should be like.

If you don’t leave London and its immediate surroundings then this may well be a part of the country that you’ll miss out on.

Any discussion of the joys of a visit to Hampshire would be incomplete without making mention of Winchester. Winchester, the ancient capital of England, can be reached in less than an hour by London and has some great transport links.

It’s also heaped in history – this is the place where Jane Austen lived during the final years of her life. It also boasts a Norman Cathedral, the site of William the Conqueror’s Castle and its renowned links to King Arthur.

Winchester is a truly mystical place and is part of a wonderful part of the country – be sure not to miss it.

Travel Insurance Tips – Get the Right Plan For You

admin — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:50:10 +0000

Traveling overseas should be a dream but, as in all aspects of life, sometimes things can go wrong. A great way to prepare for some unfortunate possibilities that you may experience is to ensure that you get travel insurance before you go. Whilst you do not want to think about the possibility of things going wrong on your holiday, there is always the possibility that something unfortunate could happen.

There are a number of travel insurance providers on the market. Some of these providers are better than others. Here are some tips for you to follow to get the right plan for you.

Get A Number of Quotes

You need to make sure that you get a number of quotes for your travel insurance as some providers are more expensive than others. You should get your insurance that offers you the best price for the country that you are traveling to.

Look for Inclusions and Exclusions

If a travel insurance quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. You need to make sure you properly read the terms and conditions. You need to make sure that you know what you are covered for in the event that there is a problem. You also need to know what you need to do should you need to make a claim.

At a Minimum, Get Medical, Loss/ Theft, and Missing Flights Covered

For most people, the basic cover that you need is medical, cover against theft of loss of goods and coverage for if you miss flights etc. There are other levels of cover to consider but these coverage inclusions depend on your own special circumstances.

One thing that you must organise before you travel overseas is travel insurance. For a small cost on top of your international adventures, you will save yourself a lot of trouble and financial heartache should something go wrong.

Plan A Trip In Advance And Get Discount Hotels In London England

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:06:07 +0000

Mostly hotels offer discount to keep their hotels occupied for the whole year. Discount is a very ambiguous term in itself. Because, discount rates are based upon rack rate and it is not fixed, it varies according to the demand. The rack rate is the highest offered price of the hotel. So, if you want to know the exact discount price then firstly, you have to find the rack rate of the hotel.

Whenever you are looking for discount London Hotels, then you must keep in your mind that summer season may be the tough time. Hence always winter season will be the appropriate time to access such hotels. Weekends again may be tough time as often we say that weekends are mini peak period. Usually, hotels on highway fill up quickly so you should not depend upon those hotels.

Often, travel agents also have some special packages which may be offered with good discount rate. One must discuss about these packages with the travel agent. We may get exclusive discount rates while booking our airline tickets or hotels online. Some hotels may offer redeemable gift point offers. Mostly, business men get benefited with such offer because they are the persons who tour frequently. Business people frequently go for bulk booking which turned into reasonable discount.

Thus discount hotels in London England are not a burdensome task as it was earlier. Now, the large number of internet spreading in all over world has made it a cup of tea for everyone. One must remember that nowadays hotels have special quota of rooms for their online guests. Even cash back offer may be offered them for their next visit.

The administrative structure of the city is divided into two parts. Greater London authority (GLA) takes care of city wide administration while local administration is handled by 33 smaller authorities. GLA was established in 2000. Actually, it has replaced Greater London Council which was already stopped functioning from 1986 onwards.

Transportation system in London is very good and hence, spending long hours in transportation also can be a pleasant session of trip to London. Famous iconic landmarks of London are situated in the central London like museum of London, tower of London, royal exchange building, house of parliament, Westminster cathedral and headquarters of multi national companies.

If we talk about whole London and its top five sights than these sights are London eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, tower of London, British museum and Tate modern. Worldwide, London is known as “the green city”. Visitors can get numerous open places like parks and gardens. Royal park of Hyde park and Kensington Gardens are very famous place of central area. Hyde park is particularly famous for organizing sports and open air concerts. So, if you are staying in discount hotels but don’t like to spend long hours in hotels then you can check the nearest open spaces where you can get ultimate color of London.

Holidays – Amsterdam, an Introduction

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 08:25:15 +0000

With more canals than Venice, Amsterdam is considered one of Northern Europe’s most exquisite yet controversial capitals. From the grand 17th century architecture that shimmers amongst the image defining canals to the bawdy scenes of the Red Light District, Amsterdam is a true Dutch delight.

Legend has it that the capital was founded by two fishermen that touched ashore with their dog sometime during the early 13th Century. Today the city radiates out from the Central or “Centraal” Station, which serves roughly 150,000 passengers a day.

The central station is likely to be the port of entry for any visit to Amsterdam, and just a stones throw away from the station is Amsterdam’s historical centre – Dam Square. The Square is probably the best place to find your bearings and begin exploring the city centre.

Off the square, many make their way down one of the cities main streets such as Damrak or Rokin, where you will find a flurry of interesting establishments from inviting souvenir boutiques to high class designer outlets. If you would rather take the city in at your own pace though then you could take a stroll down one of the countless cobbled streets passing over the capitals landmark ancient bridges.

Going South East off the Square you will find yourself drawn in by the unique scene of De Wallen, more commonly known as the Red Light District. This area pulls visitors in from all over the world to experience its relaxed view on soft drugs and raunchy shop windows. The area however, is also Amsterdam’s oldest district, home to the Oude Kerk, the ‘Dams oldest parish church, which was erected in 1306.

If you are interested in the arts, the ‘Dam has a lot to offer with some of Europe’s finest galleries and museums, like The Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt’s House and the National Maritime Museum. August is a particularly exciting month to visit as this is when Uitmarkt is held, which marks the beginning of Holland’s cultural season. Stages are set up throughout the city with a tremendous amount of free performances from jazz sessions to theatrical dance.

On the other hand, if you can brave the cold temperatures of winter, you could partake in the majestic ice skating that takes place throughout the city’s frozen canals.

The Historic City of Amsterdam

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:04:40 +0000

The Historic City of Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and dates back to around the late 12th century, when it developed as a rather small fishing village on the banks of the river Amstel and the IJ Bay. It is a very popular tourist location and is well-known for its entertainment and cultural features.

The city of Amsterdam did not particularly become well known until around the 1600s, a period that is often referred to as the ‘Golden Age’ in the Netherlands. During the 17th century period, from approximately 1584-1702, Amsterdam achieved a high status in the development of the arts, sciences and trade and was home to some outstanding scientists and artists of the period. From then on, Amsterdam developed into one of the largest known historic cities in Europe and also became one of the most popular places to visit in Northern Europe for its arts, culture and entertainment. There are a variety of interesting features in Amsterdam, which have existed since the Golden Age and especially the period following the Golden Age era. Many large houses and mansions are situated along the canals that were built during this period. The city developments and expansions that occurred during the 17th and 18th century continue to provide Amsterdam with many of its traditional historic characteristics and features such as important buildings, the layout of the streets and its decorated parks.

Following the Golden Age period, Amsterdam experienced some setbacks as a result of French and English attacks on the Dutch Republic. Nonetheless, the City still continued to be recognized as an important financial centre of Northern Europe and in the 18th century experienced another period of prosperity which was reflected largely in the large number of quality dwelling houses that were being built along the canals for the rich and less wealthier inhabitants.

A number of houses and other features of that period still survive today, which add to the overall 18th century atmosphere of historic Amsterdam.

Anyone that is interested in visiting Amsterdam will be impressed with the ‘gezelligheid’ or friendliness of the Dutch people, who have a tendency to act informally with the tourists wherever or whenever they come across them, be it when they are eating out in restaurants or going to visit the shops.

There are many places of historic importance well worth visiting in Amsterdam, such as the various museums such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rembrandt Museum and Stedelijk, the modern art museum, Anne Frank’s House and musical venues where various concerts are held.

In fact, there are so many places to visit that tourists will always have somewhere or something interesting to go and see, whether that is visiting the historic museums, going to listen to the different concerts, walking through the parks, eating at restaurants or visiting some of the popular cafes of Amsterdam. For someone who is interested in nightlife, there are popular locations such as the Leidseplein, which is a night life centre consisting of clubs, cinemas and restaurants that provides all types of cultural entertainment.

This is why Amsterdam continues to be one of the most popular destinations for visitors from all over the world.

Paris Travel Can Be the Best Travel of Your Life

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:24:22 +0000

Paris is one location that will surely leave you gasping for more. Travel to Paris to see some of the most exotic locations never seen before & some of the beautiful Paris Hotels. Trip to Paris will leave you hungry for more as you keep exploring its depth. Paris travel is now made easy with most of the Paris holiday packages available at the most attractive rates. Travel package, especially holiday deals for Paris, have something for every one.

Those who are capable of spending any amount can find the most royal packages that give you an ultimate experience. However, those who cannot afford royal packages can travel to Europe by grabbing the economic deals.

There are several flights to Paris ranging from high business class to economy class. There are a number of cheap flights to Paris for those who would want to shell out little amount, yet keep hopes to reach Paris via air. Each flight deal depends on the kind of airline class you select. Flight deals also come along with the holiday packages which is more advisable.

There are a number of locations in Paris which are worth visiting. Starting from the world famous Eiffel tower to Notre-Dame, Jardin du Luxembourg to Arc de Triomphe, Mus

Hotels in Barcelona – What a Beautiful Place

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 09:53:08 +0000

Any city with a song about it must be special. Situated on the north-eastern coast of Spain along the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is home to over 1.5 million people. As the second largest city in Spain, many tourists choose to visit Barcelona to experience a fantastic city and enjoy the culture.

Despite the modernisation of the city, the historical side of Barcelona has been kept in tact. Art and culture attracts many visitors each year as the city offers the perfect mix of places to visit and opportunities to kick back and relax.

The great thing about the sights of Barcelona is that they are in great locations. This makes finding hotels in Barcelona very easy as you are guaranteed to be in a good area and located near one of the many places of interest in the city.

Barcelona is renowned for its live music and theatre venues including the world famous Gran Teatre de Liceu and the Teatre Lliure. For music lovers there is the Sonar Music Festival which takes place in June every year. There are also a range of fascinating museums in Barcelona; the Picasso Museum is very popular amongst art lovers and attracts millions of visitors each year.

The Gothic Quarter is the centre of the old city and is where the modernised Barcelona turns into a historical wonderland. The architecture on view is simply amazing and none more so than the Sagrada Familia Church, which was built by Antoni Gaudi. The old city also has some fantastic hotels in and around the centre so those looking to experience some of the history of the city can be well located.

Sport plays a big part in Spanish society and Barcelona is no different. Barcelona Football Club is one of the biggest in the world and has a fan base that stretches far a field. As well as football, Basketball and Handball are popular sports in the city.

With so much to do and see in Barcelona you will never get bored. As well as the cultural and historical side to the city there is also a great nightlife and superb restaurants to enjoy some Catalan cuisine. Compare Barcelona Hotels to find the best deals around and enjoy your time in a special city.

Tips for Cheap Air Fare to London

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:38:20 +0000

It’s hard to imagine that you can get cheap air fare to London. This is a prime destination point for business and leisure trips. You can hardly expect such a sought-after location to come cheap. There may however, still be some ways to get discount tickets to London.

Air Fare Specialists

One of the most popular ways to get cheap air fare to London is to get tickets from air fare specialists. There are now many online companies that specialize in consolidating and offering cheaper airfare options. You are guaranteed to get a few dollars off from most of these sites. Different sites however, have slightly different rates. You should consider more than just one air fare site and compare their rates to get the best deal.

Carriers

It is a fact that the name of an airline carrier has a bearing on ticket price. If you want cheaper fares, then you can simply choose a lesser known airline carrier. They would of course have cheaper fares. Otherwise, even their limited number of customers wouldn’t consider flying with them. Be prepared though, cheaper tickets from these airlines will also give you what you paid for. Cheap airlines do not have the same amenities, benefits and services as popular airlines.

Trip Schedule

You can get cheap air fare to London if you travel on days that aren’t in demand. It is almost certain that weekends, specifically Saturdays are peak times for London trips. You get a better chance of getting cheap tickets from Monday to Thursday. Airlines cut ticket prices on these days to encourage more travelers to buy tickets. This scheme though means that you have to be flexible with you plans for travel to and from London.

Travel Seasons

Aside from considering your day travel schedule, you should also consider your month of travel. London will be a top tourist destination on certain times of the year. These are usually summer and the holidays. You can therefore expect high rates from July to August and on the last two weeks of December. The best time to travel to London is off peak season from January to March. Tickets on these months are definitely cost less than the usual.

Early Booking

Planning your trip way ahead of time will help you save on tickets. Airlines give discounts to passengers who book months in advance. Some airlines will allow as much as 9 months booking in advance. If you can manage to plan this much early, then you can surely cut your fare prices.

Promos

Most airlines have regular promos. You might be able to save total costs if you book with a group. There may also be discounts if you buy round-trip tickets. Always check with the specific airline though, there might be some variations to this well-known general promo. There may also be some special London promos. Keep your senses alert for airline contests that could win you discounts or free tickets.

Finding cheap air fare to London may not be easy but it is possible. With a little effort and determination, you will be able to take that dream trip to London at a cheaper price.

The Best Hotels in Barcelona

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:31:10 +0000

Traveling to Barcelona involves choosing a place to stay. The Barcelona hotel you choose can made a tremendous difference in your enjoyment of your vacation or business trip, yet it’s difficult to find a Barcelona hotel that meets your needs if you haven’t been to the city before. Taking into account service, quality, price, and location are important, but Barcelona hotels can offer so much more – such as views of sites steeped in history and easy access to transportation.

The best hotels in Barcelona include the Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel, located
on the water in the heart of Port Vell. One of Barcelona’s most unique hotels is the
Claris Hotel, which was once a nineteenth-century neoclassical palace. Culture buffs
may wish to make Barcelona hotel reservations at Le Meridien Barcelona Hotel,
which is in the center of the city and close to the Liceo Opera House, the Museo
Picasso, and the Gothic Quarter. Those who love to shop until they drop might
choose the Intercontinental Princess Sofia Hotel, which is close to the city’s
exclusive shopping district. The Colon Hotel offers gorgeous views of the Cathedral
of Barcelona, while the Expo Barcelona Hotel is in the heart of the business district.

Barcelona offers a multitude of sights, sounds, and experiences for every
visitor. With miles of redeveloped seafront, you can enjoy a wonderful day at the
beach, soaking in the sun and partaking of the shops, restaurants, and festivities
dotting the shoreline. The Museo Picasso and Fundacion Joan Miro, along to nearly
four dozen other private and public museums provide art aficionados with the
opportunity to admire local and world renown paintings, sculptures and drawings.
Fans of the Olympics will enjoy visiting the site of the 1992 Summer Games,
strolling through the Olympic Village and viewing the names of 257 Gold Medalists
in Placa dels Campions. With architecture dating back to Roman times, you will
enjoy walking tours of the city that include sites such as the Roman Wall and Roman
aqueduct. Steeped in history yet very much a part of the twenty-first century,
Barcelona vibrantly integrates old with new.

Barcelona is known for its lively nightlife, with choices ranging from cocktail
lounges and dance clubs to karaoke bars and the theater. Known for its terrace
dining in open-air restaurants, Barcelona is a gastronome’s delight. From
Mediterranean fare to traditional Spanish dishes, dining in Barcelona is an
experience that fills all of the senses.

Barcelona is a joy to visit, whether for pleasure or business. Just keep in mind
that, when you make your Barcelona hotel reservations, you choose a Barcelona
hotel that has the quality, service, and location that you need.

International Travel Insurance To Africa

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:43:20 +0000

Despite plans being flawless and preparations made to the hilt, circumstances still can crop up out of nowhere. Many unpredictable things can happen when you are on safari. You can expect these ‘unpredictable things’ to force you to call off your vacation to return home, or to deal with the emergency immediately while on holiday.

Can anything be done to prepare for these instances? Yes! Purchasing Travel Insurance will ensure that most, if not all the costs for these unforeseen circumstances will be covered. Travel Insurance is purchasable prior to making any significant steps towards your planned African safari. It will definitely serve as a safety net for you and the people you will be traveling with. Getting an insurance cover is important when traveling to Africa; in fact it is a requirement for your own good.

Before you start searching for a company which can assist you with Africa travel insurance, there are things that you should keep in mind. You should ask the following

- What kind of insurance do you need?

- Do you travel around the world frequently?

- Are you planning to make trips to other locations besides Africa?

If you answered yes to most of the question, try considering an International Travel Insurance Plan. As the name implies, this insurance plan would ensure that you are given sufficient “International Coverage” wherever you go. The policies set in these plans should cover you well when you travel to Africa.

Here is another thing to keep in mind. Say that a situation arises during your stay in Africa, and as a result, you or someone with you needs emergency medical treatment. After the medical treatment, you have to shoulder the bill for the meantime. In this light, try to check the insurance policy that you are interested in, and make sure that your insurance plan covers reimbursement for medical expenses.

You should also make it a point to look over the said policy to see if it covers one of the many activities you may participate in when you get to Africa. Does your Insurance Policy cover any injuries you might get when you take part on a wild and unpredictable safari?

Would the company cover you when something happens during white water rafting, bungee jumping, quad biking, dune boarding, or camel riding? The policy should be able to answer your questions in detail. Take note that there are certain programs and activities in Africa that you may not be able to take part in if you do not have travel insurance in the first place.

Be prepared to shell out a few extra bucks for premium payments for addendum to your policy to cover those unique activities that you plan to do in Africa. A few extra costs and effort is quite inconvenient, but you will see how vital they can get if something ever happens.

Keep in mind that the insurance company should provide you with a comprehensive policy. You will need this document in case there are problems on your repatriation when returning to your home country. A comprehensive policy should contain specific details surrounding unexpected circumstance: medical expense coverage, treatment services, and trip interruption, to name a few. These details will help in determining the extent of coverage of your travel.

The Insurance policy document is apparently as important as your passport in many cases. Before leaving for Africa, make sure to leave it at home and/or with somebody that the company can contact in case of emergency. While traveling or in certain situations, have a copy of the Travel Insurance Policy for the crew you are with, state clearly who to call when emergency happens.

Checking the coverage limits of your travel insurance is very important to find out how you are covered in case something happens. One other factor that you should not overlook in the same policy would be the rules regarding reimbursement in case something happens. Getting money back means more to spend on other vacations in the future.

Whenever you plan on an African Safari for business or pleasure, do not forget to consider purchasing travel insurance. It isn’t just for you, it is also for what you have with you. It’s bound to give you the peace of mind that each and every traveler deserves.