Jubilee Walkway

Whether you’re a tourist looking to tick off the sights or a resident keen to remind yourself of the magic of the UK capital then this route is the perfect way to see some of the most iconic attractions and landmarks. This 15 mile route encompasses centuries of history as it takes you past St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and much more.

St Paul’s Cathedral Pinnacle and London Eye, UK by J. A. Alcaide

Crystal Palace Park

Hunting dinosaurs might seem an unlikely activity in London but venture down to Crystal Palace and you’ll be able to stroll past more than 30 quirky sculptures of prehistoric beasts originally put up in 1854. They have recently been restored and are a captivating sight for monster-crazy kids and imaginative adults too. The park has plenty more to offer as well, including the site of the first ever FA Cup Final, a century-old maze, a good ol’ London boozer, and the ruins of the Crystal Palace itself.

Photo of Crystal Palace Park, London, UK by Ewan Munro

Green Chain Walk

London may be renowned as one of the planet’s most bustling metropolises, but it is surprisingly green as well. You can escape the fast pace of city life by following the signposted Green Chain Walk, which lets you explore up to 50 miles (broken down helpfully into 11 different sections) of parkland, riverbank walks and green spaces which have been preserved from development for decades.

Richmond Park

If you really want to take a walk on the wild side in London then this park offers some surprising wildlife, including the famous deer. With a whopping 2,500 acres to explore it gives you a real sensation of wide open spaces within the otherwise cramped confines of London and a chance to get some fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The surrounding millionaire houses are a sight to behold, while the park enjoys fantastic views of the city skyline, but it is catching a glimpse of hundreds of deer roaming free and the cheeky parrots perched on the treetops which will truly inspire.

Photo of Richmond Park, London, UK by Matthew Kirkland

Mystery treasure hunt

London is a city of hidden delights and there is no better way to appreciate this than with a mystery tour. Urban treasure hunt experiences make great gift ideas for inquisitive individuals and are superb fun for groups of friends looking for a day out with a difference. Following the instructions will see you exploring some of the city’s hidden charms, looking for clues in the fabric of the buildings and landscapes and digging deep into the heart of London in a way you never expected.

Produced by Activity Superstore, the UK’s leading gift experience supplier. From Gifts For Men to gifts for her we’re sure you’ll find the perfect gift in our range of over 1,000 products.

The post Five of The Best Walks in London | United Kingdom appeared first on Europe Explored.

Hyde Park

The foremost of the London parks and probably the most well-known, Hyde Park is one of the city’s Royal Parks. Covering 350 acres of land in the very centre of London, the park is popular with locals and tourists alike and gives the chance for anyone to take a break from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

Aerial view of Hyde Park, London, UK by Ben Leto

The park has won awards for urban conservation, and choices made about planting the flower beds, borders and trees have encouraged a great number of songbirds to feed and nest here. Visitors are discouraged from feeding the pigeons and squirrels that also come to the park as the songbirds can’t compete with these sometimes aggressive feral creatures.

The Serpentine is a small lake created in the 1700s as part of the development of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. As well as attracting wildfowl, the Serpentine has the oldest swimming club in the UK and is famous for its Christmas Day swim. Most recently, it’s featured in the London 2012 Olympic Games as the scene of the swimming leg of the triathlon.

Green Park

Green Park is another of the Royal Parks with a history even older than that of Hyde Park. First recorded in the geography of London in 1554, Green Park has a modest area compared to Hyde Park with some 45 acres of land adjacent to Buckingham Palace.

At the Buckingham House entrance to the park you’ll find Canada Gate, installed as part of the memorial to Queen Victoria at the turn of the 20th century to commemorate Canada’s contribution to the then British Empire. An ornate iron gate chased with gold guards the entrance to the park near the Canada Memorial, which pays homage to the Canadian forces who lost their lives in the two World Wars.

Canada Gate at Green Park, London, UK by Ian Dick

Keen Olympics followers will have also seen Green Park as part of the triathlon. The Royal Parks hosted the event, with the cycle leg running along the paths through the park.

Clapham Common

South London has parkland of a different kind to the open spaces north of the Thames. While North London has enclosed parks with ornately planted beds and borders, South London has expanses of common land on which Londoners can stretch their legs and enjoy what sunshine the capital manages to trap.

Clapham Common, London, UK by Justinc

Clapham Common is the best known of the London commons and covers 220 acres between the boroughs of Wandsworth and Lambeth. The most popular features of the common are the ponds – Eagle Pond and Mount Pond – which are used for coarse fishing and sailing of model boats.

In recent years, the common has hosted a number of music festivals. In 2012, the electronic music festival South West Four is due to take place on the common on the 25th and 26th August, bringing the big names from dance music from around the world together in what organisers hope will be the summer sunshine.

Conclusion

Although densely populated and filled with iconic buildings, London has a surprisingly large amount of open space, see them all from the air at https://www.thelondonhelicopter.com/. On your visit to London, try to check out some of the parks and get a feel for how Londoners spend their outdoor time right within the city limits.

The post The Green, Green Grass Of London – Open Spaces In The Big City appeared first on Europe Explored.

Sunrise over Formentor, Mallorca, Spain by Tobias Lindman

Climate in Majorca

One of the great things about Majorca is the climate.  It is typically Mediterranean, with very dry and hot summers.  Temperatures are almost always in the high twenties during the summer and the winters are very mild.  Furthermore, because of the sea, there are few extremes in temperatures and the sea breeze is very pleasant, taking the sting of the very hot days.  Best of all, rainfall is incredibly rare in Majorca, with rain generally only falling from late October to early February.  The climate is but one of the many reasons why Majorca has the nickname of the “Island of Tranquillity”.  It is hard to imagine that an island that has a real party reputation could be classed as tranquil, but it is actually true because it has a mountain scenery that is nothing short of magical, hidden little cove beaches and the most stunning old villages and towns.

North East Majorca

The north east of the island is full of the most amazing cliffs, as well as offering visitors the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.  The mountains are dotted with sleepy, ancient little towns and villages.  The homes are truly tiny and have gorgeous green shuttered windows.  The walls are stone and ancient and wild flowers cascade all over them.  It will feel as if you are Alice in Wonderland and everything around you is really small.  If you venture to the foot of the mountains where they meet the sea, you can spend some time in one of the little local villages and watch the boats sail in.

Palma de Mallorca, Spain by SBA73

South East Majorca

The south east of the island is just as beautiful and enchanting as the north, but this part is full of pastures and almond groves.  There are some beautiful little farmers’ villages, where it feels as if time stood still.  Don’t be surprised to see some people sleeping outside of their home if you have arrived there during siesta time.  There is also a beautiful marina where the jet set seems to gather in expensive luxury yachts.

Culture and Arts in Majorca

Besides sun, sea, sand and – as you now know – beautiful scenery and villages, Majorca is also a great place to soak in some culture and arts.  There are many monasteries and sanctuaries dotted across the island, many of which have long been abandoned.  Some offer accommodation for travellers, so you may even choose to spend the night.  One beautiful monastery is the Carthusian monastery.  This is found in Valldemossa and you will be able to view some works of art by some of the world’s most famous painters.  Francis Bacon, Picasso and Henry Moore are but some of the names you may find here.  Even Palma, the capital and touristic hotspot of Majorca, offers plenty of off the beaten track adventures, with gorgeous little hidden streets in which you will find traditional tapas bars and little craft stores.

Clearly, if you are able to find a cheap Jet2.com flights to Majorca, you should go for it.

The post Majorca’s Road Less Travelled | Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.