Posts Tagged ‘cheap holidays’

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Cheap Holidays That Won’t Break The Budget: London’s Sailing Amusements

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011

London isn’t the destination which immediately pops into your head when you are searching for cheap holidays. The places of interest in one of the globe’s most illustrious cities are pretty pricey and, if you try to get around all the best-loved sights, you are sure to overspend on your expenses. But, believe it or not, there are some wonderful ways to spend your holiday in London that won’t cost the earth. Instead of getting you into hot water, we’re looking to have you riding the waves!

Meandering its way across London town and off to the sea, the world-renowned Thames is the most logical starting point for river exploits. Hire a vessel from one of a number of spots along the river and set your pace to your own ability - ticking off the attractions as you drift past and mooring at the pub for lunch. However, for a true expedition, grab a few friends and rent a ‘long boat’ for a week or so, coasting down the channels.

If you have the kids in tow, make for Battersea Park where you can get within touching distance of London’s water-loving birdlife while revelling in boating on the water. The entire park was built on reclaimed marshland and much of the original wildlife still abounds. Ducks, cormorants, grebes and herons are just a few of the species you may encounter on your rowboat or pedalo outing. From July to September you can hire out vessels and get out amongst the vibrant birdlife of the lake, and the three islands it encircles.

Drawing tourists on its own merits, Hyde Park is the most frequented and, seemingly, the most well-known park in London. The Serpentine – a 28-acre snakelike lake in the middle of the park – is a major draw. Rent a rowboat to check it out, if you want to impress with your rowing skills, or nab a vibrantly coloured pedalo for a more relaxed turn on the lake - and get those feet spinning! Renting boats for 30 minutes or an hour, the boathouse functions from March ’til October. If you arrive later on in the day, you may even get lucky with last minute holidays and save yourself some money to spend on ice-creams!

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Experience Railways On London Holidays

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

People use the nine London rail stations to go to any part of the United Kingdom for meetings and for holidays. Railways were so popular that most London stations were constructed at the same time in the decade 1840-1850. At the time Britain led the world and it was the height of the Industrial Revolution, so the London stations were designed to reflect this fact and to impress.

The man responsible for the ‘Great Eastern’ steamship Isambard Kingdom Brunel, also designed Paddington station with help from Matthew Digby Wyatt. Brunel used his considerable influence and his contacts to push forward the idea of a comprehensive rail network in Britain. The wrought iron and glass roof aroused considerable interest when Paddington station opened in 1854 after two years of construction. Paddington is a popular destination for those on cheap holidays as Little Venice and Portobello Road are nearby.

Sandwiched between the British Library, Regents Canal and Kings Cross station is St Pancras. When it opened in 1868, it connected London with Yorkshire and the East Midlands. Under threat of demolition in the 60s, it survived to become completely renovated and expanded in the 2000s, at a cost of £800 million. The station took 4 years to build between 1864-1868 and was the work of noted Victorian engineer William Barlow. At the time, the elliptical roof was the largest such structure in the world. Above the Arcade concourse is a bronze statue of the former Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman, who was instrumental in saving the station from demolition in the 1960s.

On the 1st October 1860, Victoria Station was officially opened. Two years after opening there were problems with congestion due to the popularity of the station. To overcome these, Grosvenor Bridge was widened in 1863. Due to haphazard extensions and lack of planning, it was decided to demolish the station in 1898 and replace it with a Renaissance style building designed by Alfred W Blomfield. Being near Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park, Victoria is popular with tourists on cheap holiday deals

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Cheap Holidays In Berlin

Monday, July 11th, 2011

The capital of Germany, Berlin is the place to go for cheap holidays. Although there are many things to do in Berlin, be sure to visit the Stasi headquarters and the Berlin Wall, which had a profound effect on the country. Most people who travel to Berlin will be looking forward to visiting the Berlin wall, or what remains of it today. For the 20th anniversary of the Fall of The Wall, some parts of the Wall, like the stretch by Muehlenstrasse, were touched up for this auspicious occasion and had brightly coloured murals painted on them.

The Berlin Wall Memorial has some very interesting historical background and is well worth a visit. It’s a good idea to purchase a guide book and research beforehand all the places you’d like to visit when you come to Berlin on holiday deals. There is a museum next to Checkpoint Charlie which has displays on the people who tried to cross the Wall into West Germany as well as Berlin Wall memorabilia. The Stasi were regarded as one of the world’s foremost intelligence agencies and their headquarters are now open to visitors. The Ministry for State Security, a secret police organization was created back in 1950. When it was first founded it employed around 274,000 people, but the numbers slowly depleted and by 1989 it only employed 91,000.

In the museum, you can roam around through the old offices of the various colonels and other important figures, the conference room (complete with a huge poster of Germany), as well as the common rooms such as the kitchen and cafeteria. On the first floor, you will see the displays about the history of the Stasi and the methods they used to bring down their enemies. Holidays to Berlin just aren’t complete without a trip to this important place in history

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Romantic And Cheap Holidays To The Greek Islands

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Rekindle your romance on the Greek islands, which are the perfect place to spend some quality time with a loved one or perhaps pop the question. There is bound to be something perfect for your romantic getaway, as there are lots of cheap holidays available to suit every budget.

If you like the idea of heading a little bit off-the-beaten track then you might like to consider Naxos. Because it was recently developed for tourism, it is nowhere near as packed as some of the more popular islands, even in the peak months. Interesting little villages, golden beaches and landscapes of mountains mean there really is something for everyone on their holidays in Naxos.

The volcanic island of Santorini offers some of the most breath-taking sunset views in the world for those on all inclusive holidays. You will notice that all of the bars and cafés have their outside furniture arranged so that everyone can keep an eye on the sun in the evening, as it is famous for its stunning sunsets. There is a great sense of mystery on the island, which makes you feel as though anything is possible. This is sure to be the ‘perfect moment’ you have been waiting for if you are planning a surprise proposal.

Head to the exotic island of Mykonos where there are plenty of bars and clubs to get you up on the dance floor. Explore lots of little craft shops hidden down tiny alleyways or visit some of the impressive churches by hiring a bicycle down to the harbour after a night on your feet.

Whether you would like to laze on the beach, dance all night or watch beautiful sunsets there is something for everyone to enjoy on the Greek islands so they are a lovely choice for any couple.

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Explore The Markets With Cheap Flights To Marrakesh

Sunday, June 12th, 2011

Marrakesh offers many cheap flights, so it seems silly not to take advantage of them. The local markets will provide bargain after bargain when you arrive, so all your shopping needs will be fulfilled. Besides the markets, there are plenty of other things to do, including lots of places of history and culture.

As night falls, Djemma el Fna Market fully springs into life and is the best time to visit, as musicians play their instruments late into the night. A mouth-watering open-air restaurant is created, as food stalls open in the square, so whether you want a sit down meal inside or out, there is an option for all moods. 

The Valley of Ourika River, Draa River and the Atlas Mountains, where the Waterfalls of Beni Mellal are found are all fantastic attractions, so it might be an idea to look at package holidays so you’re able to see everything. You’ll want to take photographs of everything, but be aware that many will expect you to pay a small price for the privilege.  

The main market area is Djemma el Fna, which is considered to be one of the world’s greatest spectacles. Get yourself lost in the hustle and bustle, as you wander around the old town and the adjacent new town, exploring the city. As well as being one of the busiest squares in Africa, it is also the country’s biggest souk (traditional market). Overflowing with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers and musicians, all the entertainment adds significantly to the exciting atmosphere and everything can be found at a bargain price, so it’s perfect for cheap holidays.  

A good choice in downtown Marrakesh is the Diwane Hotel. The location gives you superb access to the main entertainment and exciting landmarks that the Moroccan city has to offer. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, you can imagine how beautiful the main square in Marrakesh is.

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