East London

East London is the secret that all Londoners have not shared with the rest of the world. This is an historic place, traditionally the home of immigrants for centuries. This ensured that a rich, multi-cultural scene has thrived and is a must see place in a trip to the capital. Try a curry at Brick Lane – this street of Indian restaurants has fed millions of Londoners over the years and is a great tradition. The other place that all tourists must see is Spitalfields Market. The market began trading in the 17th Century and has morphed into a vibrant indoor space full of great restaurants, bars and lots of great stalls. There is a lean towards arts and crafts, from jewellery to clothes. It is a great place to hang out and literally across the street from Liverpool Street Station. Hoxton is one of those areas that really offer something different. There is a fantastic array of independent shops that sell unique wares that you will not be able to purchase anywhere else. There are some boutiques for men selling cool clothes and shoes at a reasonable price and there is the famous Hoxton Art Gallery which shows modern art and has a thriving art scene. Try the east of London and you will have a taste of gritty urban life mixed with fantastic things to see and do.

Old Spitalfields Market, London, England, UK by Craig Nagy

Newcastle

Arriving in the north of England takes you a world away from the south of England, not only in terms of geography but also in culture. There is warmth that emanates from the Geordies that is hard to beat. The city is a masterpiece of architecture, Grey Street in particular, is a beautiful street designed by John Dobson in the early 1800′s. It is a fabulous example of Georgian architecture and has a great range of shops, a fabulous theatre that underwent recent restoration and several art galleries.

Grey Street, Newcastle, England, UK by Stephen Douglas

Newcastle has a great range of bars and is famous for its nightlife. It’s a scene which should be seen to be believed. The Metro Arena is the local music venue, hosting world class acts.

Newcastle is easily accessible by car and has more than enough parking spaces. For some help finding a good hire car, try this place www.Hirecars.co.uk. There are some serious advantages in having your own vehicle in this part of the world because beyond the wonderful city of Newcastle, there are some fabulous place that really should not be missed. The Northumbrian countryside has gems such as Hadrian’s Wall – the Roman Wall built in AD122. It has a Roman Army Museum, a Bath house and often hosts events. The countryside is spectacular, completely unspoilt and very beautiful.

Try doing something different in England and reap the rewards.

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The island, which was made popular in the Victorian era, is popular with a range of visitors of all ages. The Isle of Wight is situated five miles off the south coast of England; measuring 23 miles east to west and 13 miles north to south.

Isle of Wight Landscape. Compton Chine, looking east towards Blackgang by Barbara Mürdter

It’s a small island, but one where lots of fun can be enjoyed. You may have never thought about visiting because it’s not far away enough to be considered as a holiday destination. If you want to go somewhere different for your next holiday, continue reading to find out where to stay, where to go and what to do if you visit the Isle of Wight.

Where to stay

If you are planning a trip to the island then you can choose from a selection of places to stay – each suit different tastes and budgets. Isle of Wight accommodation includes seaside hotels, farm/rural self-catering B&Bs, holiday centres and caravan parks.

Osborne House, Isle of Wight, England, UK by Naturenet

Where to go

The Isle of Wight has plenty of beaches, so when it’s summer and the sun is out, what better way to spend it then on one of them? Some are small, some are commercialised and others are very secluded. So if you want to spend time lounging on the beach or you prefer doing water sports you’ll find a perfect beach for you. After a day at the beach you can visit one of the many museums, galleries and historic sites that showcase the island’s history and culture.

Wherever you go, it’s good to know there are great shopping opportunities; if you want some retail therapy, you can get it on the Isle Wight. There are arts and crafts outlets too, which sell all manner of things from handcrafted jewellery to wood carvings.

If galleries and shopping aren’t your idea of a holiday or if you want to do something more extreme, you could try tree climbing, paragliding and sailing.

Gate to Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight, England, UK by Dave Pape

What to do

If you are not an adrenaline junkie though, but still wanting to have an experience of a lifetime; in the month of June, thousands of revellers can be found mucking out at the Isle of Wight festival. Acts such as Coldplay, Bryan Adam, The Police and Labrinth have all preformed at the festival. All ages can attend.

If you like festivals but want to hear something other than rock and pop, you can attend the island’s open-air midsummer jazz festival. Here you will find more of an older crowd, but it can be enjoyed by all members of the family.

If festivals and loud music isn’t your thing, then you might enjoy a cycling or walking holiday on the Isle of Wight. Walking and cycling are popular because there are over 500 miles of footpaths and bridleways. With attractive scenery and almost every town on the island hosting a hotel, pub or B&B, walkers and cyclists have plenty of choice of routes throughout the island whilst visiting.

If you love to explore and have an interest in fossils then you go back in time visiting beaches at Shanklin and Brook Bay, as you can find dinosaur remains in the cliffs and on the beaches. Happy hunting!

Brook Bay, Isle of Wight, England, UK by Jim Champion

Are you planning a visit to the Isle of Wight? If so, where are you going to stay and visit?

Author: Stuart enjoys mountain biking on the south coast of England and writes on behalf of Island View Holidays.

The post Have you thought about visiting the Isle of Wight, UK? appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Guy MOLL

Beaches

Let’s start with the beaches. There are plenty to choose from, whether you like your beaches bustling or prefer something more secluded. There are beaches with sand as far as the eye can see and others which are just sheltered coves. The busiest area is the central Algarve region, home to popular resorts such as Alburfeira. The eastern area has long stretches of beach while the western Algarve is thought to have some of the most beautiful beaches. Praia da Marinha springs to mind.

Festivals

Away from the beach, if you time your visit right, you will get the chance to enjoy some of the region’s fabulous festivals. Summer sun seekers will enjoy checking out local arts and crafts at the Alcoutim Fair in July. Also in July is a festival celebrating the region’s history – the Moorish Nights. The Algarve is known for its seafood; try some at the Seafood Festival in August. And for something a bit different, check out the Medieval Fair – ever fancied dressing up in historical gear?

Attractions

There are lots of ways to explore the region, and these include some top Algarve attractions. Take a bike trek over demanding terrain with Quad Ventura, Rooster Quad Day Tours or try the Algarve Buggy Tour in Luz. If you prefer to stretch your legs the Alvor Boardwalk allows you to explore a fishing village and estuary, while enjoying stunning seaside views. Need a family attraction? One of the best is Zoomarine Algrarve, which has activities for children of all ages, as well shows with dolphins and other marine animals.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Rui Ornelas

Tours

If you’re looking for another way to explore the region, try a boat trip with Alvor, proud owner of the first solar powered cruiser in Portugal. It’s a great way to explore the coast. Alternatively, you could take to the air with Barlavento Balloons and fly over the western Algarve. If you want to be more active, kitesurfing, paddleboarding and more are available.

Nightlife

There’s no shortage of things to do in the Algarve at night. Alvor, Lagos and Albufeira have some of the top rated night spots in the Algarve, with the latter taking the lion’s share of the glory. Bars and karaoke bars abound. However, the best nightspot on the island at the moment, according to TripAdvisor, is the Alvor Sports Cafe, famous for its party nights.

Enjoy your trip to the Algarve!

Planning a trip to the Algarve? Marian Jaime writes for Suntransfers, whose Faro airport transfers will get you to your Algarve holiday resort quickly.

View What to Do When You Visit the Algarve Portugal in a larger map

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Many of the small villages in the Liptov region date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. However, as a result of the construction of the important dam of Liptovská Mara which was needed in order to supply power to the growing demands of Slovakia, much of the region was flooded. In order to preserve as much of the history and culture of the region, many of the original buildings in the area were dismantled piece by piece and relocated to the Museum of Liptov Village.

Museum of Liptov Village from outside by liptovskemuzeum.sk

It was back in 1991 when the Museum of Liptov Village first opened its doors to the public. Anyone who chooses to visit the area will find a number of buildings which date back to the 12th, 13th and even 17th centuries. One of the biggest attractions within the museum is a Romanesque church that was originally built back in the 12th-century and expanded over the next four centuries. There is also an old village school complete with a teacher’s apartment which can be found within the museum complex.

One of the most interesting aspects about the Museum of Liptov Village is that it also offers a training centre in order to teach visitors more about the history of the arts and crafts that were common to the Liptov region. Here, a visitor can learn how to weave, bobbin lace, metal work as well as leather-working. Furthermore, the artesian’s from the Liptov region are also known for their wicker and basket work as well.

Museum of Liptov Village – inside the house by liptovskemuzeum.sk

There are also a number of regular events that occur within the Museum of Liptov Village throughout the whole year. Any visitor to the Museum of Liptov Village will also note that there is a zoo on the premises which is dedicated to the farm and poultry life, which was a crucial part of those living within the Liptov region. For those who like horses, and would like to go riding, there is also a horse breeding farm which is situated within the museum as well.

All in all, the Museum of Liptov Village is one of the most unique museums not just in Slovakia, but also in all Europe. As a result, every year thousands of people make their way to the Museum of Liptov Village from all over Slovakia, Europe as well as the world.

Museum is located in Pribylina village and is open all year round. The basic admission is €3. For more information visit official site of Museum of Liptov Village (in Slovak only).

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