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Avoiding the Olympics: Alternative Things to Do in the Britain This Summer

Claire — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:06:54 +0000

As the Olympics is just around the corner and the anticipation has begun to cross the entire United Kingdom it would seem that there is little else to do apart from allowing oneself to get swept up by the ensuing mania. However, for some people, sitting by the television watching the upcoming games might not exactly represent their idea of fun so, for those staying in the British isles looking for alternative activities to partake in, here is a list of other things to do:

St Mary’s Abbey, York, UK by Mrs Logic

Ghost Hunting in York

One of the UK’s most beautiful cities, York features an array of buildings left over from times of yore – including the castle which looks over the city – and is home to some fantastically spooky nooks and crannies. Going on one of the ghost walks throughout the city is a fantastic way of learning a bit of British history.. whilst also being scared out of your wits!

Culture at the Edinburgh Festival

Once per year Edinburgh is flooded by tourists looking to soak up as much culture as they possibly can as the Scottish town becomes one of the liveliest places on earth. With shows on all day, every day in more locations than it is possible to count there is everything from cutting edge comedy through to new media debates and much, much more.

Notting Hill Carnival

Why not hit the streets and lose yourself in the atmosphere of Notting Hill carnival? As raucous, lively, vibrant and bold as anything in Rio, the London based carnival features a fiesta atmosphere and a procession of eye catching spectacles.

Notting Hill Carnival, UK by extrageographic

Go Running

Why just leave it to the Olympians to partake in sporting activities? Like most sports, running is much more fun to do that it is to watch and this can be made even more interesting if you decide to jog in some of the UK’s more scenic destinations. From Hampstead or the New Forest through to the Yorkshire Dales, running is much more fun when done in an aesthetically pleasing surrounding. It would be advisable, however, to cast aside the latest trend for barefoot running if you don’t know your surroundings and to invest in a pair of running shoes. An alternative to this is to hire a bike and take that out for a spin instead.

Visit The National Media Museum

Based in Bradford, Yorkshire the National Media Museum is a must stop destination for fans of film. With one of the world’s few remaining functional Cineramas, a giant IMAX and screens playing host to the crème de la crème of world cinema, there is always something to keep the burgeoning cinefile entertained. On top of this the museum boasts an archive of rare film and television memorabilia and has new exhibitions and displays from artists around the world. For those looking for something less high brow, the museum also boasts an arcade of retro games such as Street Fighter and Tetris which are ideal for wiling away the hours on.

Kieron is a UK based fashion writer and blogger who is looking forward to spending the summer avoiding the Olympics. He is particularly looking forward to jogging in his Skechers around Ogden whilst avoiding watching Discuss, Javelin and a host of other events.

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Echternach – the oldest city of Luxembourg

Claire — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:59:21 +0000

Echternach is the oldest city of Luxembourg, located at the north-east of Luxembourg, on the border with Germany. Echternach has about 5,000 of permanent population. The historical center is very attractive and you can find there lots of floral decorations. One of the most original buildings is the Abbey of Echternach, which was founded in the year of 698. During the certain time, the traditional porcelain production was made in the basilica. Currently, the monastery complex of the cathedral is open to the public and offers an extraordinary tour through choral decorations.

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Abbey of San Galgano – the town of secrets and legends in Italy

Claire — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:56:05 +0000

Abbey of San Galgano is located about 30 km west of Siena, near the border with the province of Grosseto, in a wild, unspoiled and rich natural beauty. Galgano Guidotti (1148-1181), son of Guido and Dionysus, was a brave, but dissolute young king, who later renounced the material world and turned to God. When he tried to break the sword on the rock as a symbol of opposition to the war, the rock suddenly engulfed it. King saw this as a divine sign. He built a hut on a hill above the abbey (now there is the chapel) and here also eventually died as a hermit. In 1185 he was declared a Saint by Pope Lucius III. Later Pope Urban III. canonized and declared him as a model of Christian kings.

You can still see the sword in the rock.

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