Posts Tagged ‘Europe’

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Things To See And Do In Birmingham

Friday, August 5th, 2011

Birmingham is situated in the West Midlands and is second only to London as England’s most populous city. Once a humble market town, Birmingham rose to international prominence beginning in the 1700s. Its metropolitan area experienced significant growth as the Midlands Enlightenment gave rise to the Industrial Revolution. Just like many other cities across the globe, Birmingham established many popular attractions as the population expanded. People from all over are interested in the sights that the city has to offer, and there are a number of exciting tourist attractions located there.

Birmingham is a music lover’s paradise. Its musical past includes its distinction as the birthplace of several popular acts such as Electric Light Orchestra and Duran Duran. The largest attraction for music enthusiasts, those particularly interested in jazz, is the International Jazz Festival. Jazz artists from every corner of the globe come to this celebration to play for a worldwide audience. Those interested in orchestra will want to make a stop at Symphony Hall, the home of the city of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Musical acts of all kinds ply their trade in the National Indoor Arena.

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery attracts tourists with its collection of art pieces from the old masters, including Bellini and Rubens. Though smaller, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts possesses a collection that is just as impressive with many exquisite pieces of Western art dating back to the 13th Century. For a museum of the scientific, a trip to Thinktank is in order. It contains an IMAX cinema, a planetarium, and the world’s oldest functional steam engine.

Tourists with a sweet tooth especially enjoy Birmingham’s Cadbury World. This internationally renowned chocolatier treats guests to a tour of the company’s history as well as an exhibit on the process of making its chocolate. Sarehole Mill is a location that many people may not know by name, but probably recognize in another form. It served as inspiration to a young J. R. R. Tolkien before he began writing his Lord of the Rings books, as his boyhood home of four years is located within 300 yards of the mill. The structure appeared in one form or another in his books years later. A stroll down Broad Street will reveal the Birmingham Walk of Stars, a strip that features star emblems in the pavement that hold the names of entertainers who have performed in the city.

Related Reading : Hotels In Birmingham

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Visiting Bulgaria For The First Time

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

A member of the EU since 2007, Bulgaria is a country that is increasingly popular with international travelers - there is a lot to see while you are there. It is ideal for visiting at any time of year. For skiing, it is best to go in the winter months. If visiting the Black Sea Coast, the fall is a great time to go. Summer is ideal if you are after festivals and hiking, and spring is the ideal time to visit if you are looking for comfortable temperatures.

It is relatively easy to get to Bulgaria and one popular option is to get there by train using a European rail pass. Alternatively you could fly there. It’s also quite easy to get around while you are in the country; bicycles are a good way to see the countryside. While you’re in the capital city of Sofia, there are good metro and tram systems, while elsewhere the buses are said to be better than the trains. Public transport is generally very good value.

When it comes to the currency in use, Bulgaria uses money known as the ‘lev’. This is a very stable currency and one lev is made up of 100 stotinki. You will generally be asked to pay for things in the local money, but increasingly when you make large purchases, the price may be quoted to you in euros. Although the euro is not the official currency of Bulgaria, you can pay for some things using it. 10 euros is worth around 20 lev, so it’s an easy conversion rate.

When drawing up your list of places to visit in Bulgaria, make sure the Black Sea Coast is near the top. The towns of Varna and Sozopol are gorgeous and well worth a visit, for instance. You’ll find lots of art galleries, Roman baths and plenty of spas to visit and explore. There’s also a good mix of tourist developments and quieter areas. You should check out Sunny Beach for a popular tourist area, while for something a bit quieter, Sinemorets is a great place.

Despite the fact that Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria and also the biggest city, a lot of tourists don’t actually go there. This is a shame as it’s great to visit. There are lots of good museums, theaters and plenty of green spaces to visit. There are also a lot of modern developments such as five star hotels, and nice bars and restaurants. These are coupled with the memories of communism in Bulgaria, such as Ottoman mosques and domed churches that you should definitely explore.

Find Out More : Bulgaria Package Deals

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Exploring Europe From Cheap Hotels

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

There is a rail network amongst the resorts in Europe with cheap hotels that links Europe to the Mediterranean and on to Scandinavia. The InterRail Global Pass enables you to explore Europe, which has got to be better than the usual boring summer holidays sat on a beach somewhere in the drizzle. With 30 countries opened up by InterRail, there should be something for everyone.

InterRail passes are not valid however for trains in this country. This being the case, you’ll have to find a cheap way to travel to mainland Europe to use the InterRail Global Pass. Upon arriving in Europe, the world is your oyster, as the pass is valid in 30 countries.

Europe is becoming increasingly well-known for staging some of the best music festivals worldwide; one of the best being the Spanish Festival Internacional de Benicassim. Set in a stunning location, it combines theatre, fashion, art, cinema and music. Once partied out, it is worth looking into hotel deals and booking yourself into Barcelona where you’ll be able to explore one of the cultural centres of Europe. Must-sees are the famous Las Ramblas and its plethora of shops; the Miro museum; and Gaudi’s Park Guell – a garden-city created by the artist in his inimitable style.

Florence is ideal for art lovers; a shrine to the Renaissance, the city is full of galleries and monuments celebrating its artistic heritage. The most important gallery, probably in the whole of Italy has to be The Uffizi Gallery. Constructed in the 16th Century by the Medici, The Uffizi Gallery displays work by Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, and da Vinci.

There are many hotels in Dubrovnik, some with their own private beaches. One of the best cheap hotels in the city is the Hotel Adriatic and it comes highly recommended. Close to Lapad beach, the Hotel Adriatic is also nearby some of Dubrovnik’s most famous tourist attractions, including the Pile Gate and Onofrio’s Fountain. 

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Bulgaria - A Tourist’s Guide

Friday, July 1st, 2011

If you are looking for somewhere to visit that is exciting yet traditional at the same time, then you can’t go wrong with Bulgaria. To get you started, we take you through some of Bulgaria’s must visit attractions, starting with the seaside town of Sozopol. This is located on the Black Sea coast and is a great place to visit, with lots of beautiful old buildings and tiny streets. It has been settled since 4BC and you can learn about its heritage by visiting the archeological museum.

Bulgaria also has lots of worthwhile natural sights and parks such as the Rila Natural Park. This is located in the Rila mountain range (the highest mountain range in the Balkans) in the southwest of the country. It is also home to the largest glacial lake in the Balkans, as well as some plant species you won’t find anywhere else in the world. There are lots of gorgeous woods for you to explore and the largest Bulgarian Orthodox Monastery is also worth paying a visit.

Of course, you also need to visit the capital of the country, Sofia. It is over 7000 years old, making it one of Europe’s oldest cities. There are lots of cultures reflected in the city, including Roman, Byzantine and Turkish, making it a really vibrant and interesting place to explore. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, built in the early 20th century is one of the biggest attractions and St. George’s Church, which dates from the Roman period, is definitely well worth visiting while you are there.

Plovdiv was one the city of Philip II of Macedonia and it is now Bulgaria’s second city. On your visit, you should definitely check out the old town, which is very beautiful and has lots to see. As a once important trade route, you can also find lots of ancient features in Plovdiv, such as the public baths and the synagogue. The Roman stadium with 30,000 seats and the ruins of the city’s fortification walls are also must visit attractions for anyone with an interest in history.

Bulgaria is also home to a lot of World Heritage Sites, which you should definitely not miss out on. One, located in the north of the country, is the Ivanovo Rock Churches. Once part of a large old monastery complex, the churches feature lots of murals and 14th century art that give you an insight into how the monks used to live in medieval times as well as offering a chance to find out more about an exciting part of history. They’re sure to provide something for everyone who visits.

Find Out More : Holidays Bulgaria

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A Guide To The Best Islands In The Outer Hebrides

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

If you are looking for reasons to visit the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, then the beautiful islands should be more than enough to convince you. We take you through some of the best, starting with the Isle of Lewis. Here you will find the Neolithic Callanish Stones, which predate the Egyptian pyramids. There is also the most consistent surf in Europe, lots of cliffs that are great for abseiling and a community-owned castle. It’s also the most populous of the islands, with 6000 people living in Stornoway.

Another brilliant island in the Outer Hebrides is the Isle of Harris. Attractions include the oldest rock in the world, the Lewisian Gneiss and the slightly lunar landscape. You’re sure to love the diverse terrain, with the rocky and harsh east coast providing a stark contrast to the more traditional views of the west coast, with its sandy beaches and backdrop of mountains. There’s also lots of fishing, meadows, hills, locks and castles to explore on the island, meaning there’s plenty to do.

The Isle of North Uist is also a stunning place to visit. It runs 13 miles from north to south and at low tide, you can get across to the Isle of Vallay, where you will find a stunning deserted mansion. The island has a great arts center and is peppered with freshwater lochs. Anglers can get a whole lock to themselves, there are so many of them. 9000 seal pups are born on the island every year, so it’s a great place to go if you’re a wildlife lover.

The otters, other wildlife and flowers also make the Isle of South Uist a great place to explore. As well as lovely contrasting cliffs and valleys, you’ll love the 20 miles of white shell beaches. You can also explore the traditional way of life, with Hebridean traditions such as peat cutting, seaweed collecting and wool drying all still very common. For a great day out, you should also visit the Loch Druidibeg nature reserve to complete your brilliant stay on the island.

Our final suggestion is the Islands of St Kilda, which is the most important sea bird breeding station in North West Europe. There are more than 1 million birds in total, including the most guillemots in the world. The islands are volcanic and largely uninhabited. They are owned by the National Trust and attractions include an abandoned village. They are a World Heritage Site, offer the most diverse scenery in the UK and are located 40 miles west of the main archipelago.

Find Out More : Outer Hebrides Holidays

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