River Thames, London, UK by Elliott Brown

London is, of course, famous for Buckingham Palace, located next to St James’s Park.  You can see the palace from the park, and the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony can be witnessed from outside the front gates every morning.  However, admission to some areas of the palace is also available for a price, and this is something you may want to consider.

The Tower of London is one of the city’s unmissable sights.  It is the home of the Crown Jewels, which are on display here, and was also one of London’s most famous prisons for many years.  Keep a look out for the ravens in the tower – tradition says that the kingdom and the tower will fall if the ravens ever leave.

Built for the Millennium celebrations, the London Eye has become one of the city’s most popular attractions.  It can be found on the banks of the River Thames, and the thirty minute ride offers unrivalled views.

There are also a large number of museums located in London, the majority of which offer free admission.  The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, located next door to one another, are always popular, and both will usually have, in addition to the permanent displays, a range of temporary exhibits.

Of course, no trip to London would be complete without a visit to the West End to see one of the famous theatre shows.  There is always a wide selection, and ticketscan either be prebooked or purchased on the day, though availability may be limited.

Author Bio: This post was written by Chris from Simply Hike an online camping equipment store and retailer of Hunter Wellies

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It’s now easy to get cheap flights to Glasgow and see how the city has reinvented itself with eclectic and cutting-edge bars and shopping. You will not leave disappointed by the personality of Glasgow. This Scottish city has preserved its rich history while celebrating innovative design through art, food and architecture.

Sights Of Glasgow

Make sure you take time to visit the Glasgow Tower. Scotland’s tallest building has a steely façade and a stark contrast to the beautiful Victorian architecture around the city. The Glasgow Tower is also the only building in the world with the ability to turn 360 degrees from the ground up. At the very top, visitors will be surprised by the striking views of the city that stretch out as far as the Loch Lomond.

The Glasgow Cathedral is definitely a site to behold. The medieval site is truly special as it’s one of the few Scottish medieval churches to have survived the Reformation period. The walls and turrets are steeped with history of volatile religious periods.

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An attractive neoclassical building houses the Gallery of Modern Art. Situated on the Royal Exchange Square, visitors can enjoy taking in the distinguished Scottish art and an extensive selection of international exhibits.

Grow your appreciation for fine art at the Kelingrove Art Gallery & Museum which has free admission. Spend the day musing over the Museum’s newest exhibition, 500 Years of Italian Art. The exhibition is open until 12 August 2012 and the beauty of Italian art and delicate Venetian glass objects will astonish you.

Food and Shopping in Glasgow

Glasgow has resurfaced with extensive dining options. Not far for George Square, dine at Fifi & Ally for a fresh take on Scottish produce. Scotland is said to have the best salmon in the world, so why not try the self-assembly of salmon and cream cheese bagel. If you’re partial to an ethnic lunch, the city is awash with quality Japanese and Indonesian restaurants.

Retail therapy doesn’t go a miss in Glasgow. In fact, the cosmopolitan city has some of the best shopping in the United Kingdom. Take a look at Buchanan Street and be astounded by the range of high street stores and boutiques. No doubt you will leave with lighter pockets. For souvenirs and gifts that are anything but mediocre, try The Lighthouse on Mitchell Lane. Tojo Design stocks fun lifestyle products like angular clocks and serving trays in punchy colours. GmBH bookshop has a trove of specialised books that will definitely come in handy on the long flight home.

Author: Rebecca Parish+ – is a freelance journalist who is passionate about travel and a great lover of food and culture.

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Techniquest

Cardiff’s science center offers a frequently changing selection of science theater and planetarium shows. Check the web site for current and future shows. Enjoy a wide variety of hands-on exhibits that they build entirely themselves.

National Museum of Wales

Take advantage of the free admission at the National Museum in Cardiff and enjoy exhibits about archaeology, art, geology, natural history, and more. Check the web site for their current special exhibits.

Creepy Cardiff Ghost Tour

This one hour tour begins outside the National Museum of Wales. As you work your way through the white stone buildings, your guide will regale you with tales of dragons, hauntings, reincarnation, and Queen Boadicea’s burial place. With a nice mix of entertainment and information you’ll be terrified one minute but laughing the next.

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Cardiff Castle

With over 2,000 years of history, the castle has seen everything from the arrival of the Romans to elegant Victorian designs right through to the present day. Many large events and weddings take place here every year.

Castell Coch

One of the more unusual castles in Wales, it is styled in a Bavarian theme and is located in South Wales. It was build in the 18th century on the former site of a medieval castle.

Millennium Stadium

The stadium hosts football, rugby, motorsport, and music events every year. It is also available for conferences, banquets, and weddings. Book an individual or group tour online today.

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Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay has it all with shopping, restaurants, bars, and hotels as well as lots of entertainment, including Techniquest, arts centers, boat tours, and water activities, including boating and fishing. Enjoy the public art displays that are scattered throughout the bay.

City Hall

The city hall is housed in the Edwardian City Hall, which is known for being one of the finest civic centers in Europe. With a rich history and a handful of permanent art collections, it is a prime location for weddings and conferences.

Kooywood Gallery

The Kooywood is one of the country’s finest Welsh art museums. With established and emerging artists shown through solo and group exhibitions, their collections include paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and limited editions.

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Walking Tours

If you’ve just landed in Barcelona and you’re looking for a way to get acclimated, a walking tour could be the perfect way to get your bearings. Several companies in Barcelona offer free walking tours. The catch? You’re supposed to leave them a tip; however, the amount of the tip is entirely up to you. Try Travel Bound Barcelona Free Walking Tours, Barcelona Free Tours, or Runner Bean Tours. 

Museums

Many museums in Barcelona charge a nominal fee to enter, but some of these museums waive their entrance fees during certain times of the month. If you’re a fan of Picasso, the Museo Picasso offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month, and after 3 PM every Sunday. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya also has free admission on the first Sunday of the month. The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona has free admission on Wednesdays. 

Food

In many cities and towns in Spain, it’s customary to get a free tapa with your drink. In a pricey city like Barcelona, though, you’ll usually have to pay for your tapas most places. Fortunately, the city also has plenty of places where you can go to get complimentary tapas with your drinks on certain days. On Sundays, get a complimentary buffet with your drink purchase at Bar No Sé. On Tuesdays, check out Sesamo for free tapas tastings. For cheap tapas any day of the week, Txapela is the place to go. This cozy tavern offers a wide variety of freshly prepared tapas, all under two euros a piece. 

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Accommodation

A great way to really immerse yourself into the new culture is to eat with the locals. Find out what it is they eat daily and at least sample it. With so many different foods to try in Barcelona you’d assume it would be really expensive to try them all but some foods require a lot of home-based cooking to really taste like the traditional dishes so for example, there are plenty of places you can enjoy a Catalonian meal in the area, but why not consider renting an accommodation in Barcelona and making your own dishes in your temporary kitchen! Rented accommodation can work out much more cost effective if you’re planning to stay for more than a couple of days and you save loads by cooking your own meals.

Barcelona’s Great Outdoors

Parc Guell is a fascinating, gorgeous park that Gaudí left unfinished. It’s filled with Gaudí’s signature interesting architecture, as well as beautiful fountains, statues, and a museum. While the museum on the park’s site charges a small fee to enter, the rest of the park is free. Another free, beautiful place to escape the city is Barcelona’s Botanical Gardens. The gardens offer a variety of plants, flowers, and trees for visitors to enjoy, as well as an excellent view of the city. Nearby Montjuïc Magic Fountains offer another great view of the city, as well as the beautiful fountains that change shapes against the backdrop of the Palau Nacional.

Markets and Shops

Las Ramblas is Barcelona’s most famous street. This pedestrian street is filled with street performers, locals, and visitors from around the world, with shops, hotels, nightlife, and restaurants lining its sides. You can wander past La Boqueria, an open-air market offering produce, meats, and flowers, as well as restaurants serving food and drinks. It’s free to browse the market, but food and drinks are relatively cheap. Also check out the Port Vell Antique Fair. It’s free to look, but there are plenty of cheap bargains to be found.

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Tree Top Walk is the longest trail of that kind in the world, with a total length of 1300 metres. You can enjoy unspoilt nature at a height of 8-25 meters above the ground. The experience of walking through mixed forest is extended with three stations with a rope adventure elements, the swaying bridge, trapeze and the beam, which thrill not only children but also adults.

Walkway ends with 44 meters high observation tower, from which you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding nature. In clear weather you will even be able to see the north ridge of the Alps.

Both the trail and also the tower are barrier-free. Admission is €8 for adults, €6 for children of 6+ years, family ticket costs €19. The trail is open year round except for Christmas Day, every day from 9:30 am, according to an annual period closes at 15:30, respectively, at 18:00 or 19:30. In bad weather, such as storm or hurricane, the trail is closed.

For further details visit the official site of The world´s longest tree top walk.

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