London

Possibly the most famous city in the world thanks to the recent birth of the future King George VII, London has tourist attractions aplenty. Using the underground tube, you can travel the city with ease, seeing landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Shard, and the many shopping districts, as well as have easy access to the bounty of museums and galleries.

Take the family for a walk along the Southbank, a hub of culture that has many attractions standing along the banks of the river Thames. Here, you can go for a ride on the London Eye to see a beautiful panorama of the city, or pop into one of the many waterside art galleries, including the Tate Modern, to introduce the world of art to your children.

The London Eye on the Southbank by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

Bristol

The tenth largest city in Great Britain, Bristol is commonly known as one of the friendliest places in the UK and has plenty of family friendly activities to offer this summer, including a science museum and aquarium. Currently, the city has seen 78 Gromits from the Wallace and Gromit franchise spread across the city (with 2 more in Cheddar Gorge and Paddington station, London). The Gromit Unleashed art project runs until the 8th September and touring the city in search of Gromits is a great way of finding out what else the city has to offer.

In aid of The Grand Appeal charity, you can download the Unleashed app, or head to their website for a trail map to find where the celebrity and artist designed dogs are hiding!

At the Bristol Aquarium by shellac

Snowdonia

For families that are looking to escape and have a holiday that lets them get closer to nature, head for a camping holiday in Wales. The Snowdonia region has a wide range of outdoor activities to keep your family entertained during their holiday, with centres offering kayaking and canoeing hire, rock climbing sessions and organised walks of the region. Home to Wale’s highest mountain, Snowdon, families can head visit the summit either by walking or by the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Whether you want to stay by the sea and have a beach break, or head inland for a countryside retreat, there are plenty of pretty campsites in Snowdonia, as well as some lovely local guesthouses. The picturesque village of Beddgelert is popular amongst visitors due to its many guesthouses, ice cream shop, nearby campsites and idyllic nature.

Snowdon Mountain Railway by Porius1

Cheltenham

On the edge of the Cotswolds, lies Cheltenham, a spa town in the Southwest of England. The town gets busy during the annual literature, science, and music festivals which have plenty of events that are suitable for families and children. The collective festivals’ website will give you a full listing of events and it is also worth checking out their free Sunday Family Fun Day events in Imperial Park.

Outside of the festivals, there are still plenty of fun things to do and places to visit. The Holst Birthplace Museum gives a musically and historically educational day out as you visit the home of the famous composer and see how an English Victorian house was run. Other town highlights include the Sandford Parks Lido, which is the perfect place to go on a hot summer’s day. With slides, children’s pool and paddling areas, the outdoor heated lido will provide a day’s worth of fun for all the family.

Sandford Parks Lido, Cheltenham, England, UK by Iain Barton

Beth Stubbings works for Holiday Inn Express, a comfortable hotel in Cheltenham. She thinks that Britain is a wonderful destination for your family holiday!

The post Great Destinations For Your Family Holiday In The UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

This is what is great about Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice Destination Awards, which honour those destinations voted by millions of tourists across the world. So when it comes to planning a school trip or weekend away as a couple, you can check out the winners of the places which lie fairly closer to home.

Eiffel tower, Paris, France by Derek Key

The leading travel site has already published its results for 2013, with some surprises as well as the popular destinations featuring at the higher end of the European list.   If you have decided to travel somewhere in Europe this year to get a closer look at its history, culture and learn something from the expedition, it would be worth taking a look at the top 25 destinations in Europe – with the winner no shock to most people.

Paris was not only the leading destination in Europe, but it also pipped New York to the highest global accolade too. London had many reasons to be pleased with itself, taking the second spot in the European honours. A spokesperson for the site, Angus Struthers, explained: “These awards honour the world’s best destinations as decided by those judges that really matter – travellers themselves.

Now that the Jubilympics are over it’s vital that UK tourism continues to flourish so it’s great news that London is rated so highly among the world’s and Europe’s best destinations.”   It was good to know that the English capital had so much to offer tourists to these shores, with events like the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games doing no harm in raising the country’s profile last year.

The top 10 for Europe also included the likes of Barcelona, Berlin and Prague, with Italian cities featuring quite heavily (Rome, Venice and Florence).

Old town square, Prague, The Czech Republic by Claire for Europe Explored

There is so much to learn about the nations around the UK, while a trip to one of these breath-taking cities is certainly affordable. Whether you choose to travel on your own, as a couple or as part of a larger group, you can decide on any of these places and not be disappointed.

See what makes France’s capital such an appealing destination for global travellers and enjoy the ideal Paris experience. Stroll along the Seine and take in famous attractions like the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower, not forgetting to savour the fine exhibitions at the Louvre and explore the rich history of the place.

Alternatively, pick somewhere else on the list and find out why each country has its own distinctive charm and appeal to tourists. Use this guide as a starting point and explore Europe even further whatever your age or interests.

Christian Hewlett is a travel advisor who recommends packages for individuals and groups travelling throughout Europe and the rest of the world. For school trips he’d suggest you try speaking with the team at Encounters Europe.

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Not all UK road trips need to look like this; instead you can get that seaside image back. Here are some destinations for the ultimate road trip in the UK:

The Lake District

The Lake District has to be one of the most beautiful areas in the UK. Nestled in the far north west of England, this is the area that many of our hard workers drive off to for a weekend away. Whether you are planning on driving their and not using the car until your journey home, or you plan to drive your way round the lake district, it is the perfect holiday.

The Lake District national park is home to England’s highest peaks and some of its most striking scenery. The encapsulating views you will see on your journey will stay with you forever. It is known that The Lake District is often the home for inspiration for aspiring writers – Wordsworth and Coleridge.

Lake District, England, UK by Maciej Lewandowski

The Yorkshire Moors

Another of England’s national parks, and yet another beautiful area of the world. The Yorkshire Moors are not quite as popular as The Lake District – but for this reason, it can make it an even better place for a road trip.

The roads tend to be quieter and you will get to enjoy some time to relax and soak up the beautiful views. As well as the attractive national park to visit, you can also visit some of the seaside towns on the east coast of England.

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, now currently homing many A-list celebs. More celebs are discovering the beautiful scenery that The Cotswolds have to offer.

As well as having the opportunity to cruise down some spacious, scenic roads. You can also get the time to relax in some of the most stunning areas in the world. Sit back, and watch the world go by as you adjust to nature.

Cotswolds, England, UK by W. Lloyd MacKenzie

The No Entry Roads

As well as considering the must go road trip destinations, it is also worth mentioning the places you should avoid.

Some roads in the UK are nothing but havoc, such as the M6 from Birmingham to London – by using this road, you are running the risk of sitting in standstill traffic for hours on end. To avoid getting stuck in hours worth of traffic or in the dingiest areas of the UK, here are the areas that you should avoid:

London & Birmingham

Although London is a beautiful city and the home of our Royal Family, you do not want to be driving into London City Centre. There are great transport links around the city, the bus and the tube, that will offer tourists an easy way to get around the city without having to wait.

If you decide to drive through London, you are putting yourself at risk of sitting around in traffic for hours on end as well the risk of someone carelessly bumping into your car as they fight their too often road rage.

Quite similarly, the second city of England, Birmingham, is another no-go area. The city will offer nothing but one way complicated roads, as well as traffic in every direction possible. If you are after a city visit, you are much better dumping your vehicle for good old public transport.

Kerry planned a road trip for the summer. Rather than taking her unreliable motor, she chose a personal car leasing option from UK Car Contracts Ltd. She drove her luxury car with joy through the Cotswolds for the week.

The post The Ultimate UK Road Trip appeared first on Europe Explored.

Thames, London, England, UK by Jim Linwood

The city is also full of architectural wonders to visit and see. There is the London eye, the Big Ben, St Paul’s cathedral and the beautiful London Bridge. People can visit these monuments destination and have fun with friends. The unique Buckingham Palace is another architectural wonder in the city of London. The palace is open to tourist as from the months of August to September. The palace has a very exceptionally beautiful garden that one can visit and have a good life experience. Apart from the above mentioned destinations, London city has many parks and walks that one can enjoy.

The Royal Court Theater is also one of the exotic destinations in London where you can enjoy yourself and see a good theater performance. The experiences in the theaters are good and unforgettable. The city has various lavish departmental stores that are well equipped with all the local brands and the national brands. The nightlife at London is absolutely cool and rocking. Most pubs in the city remain open all night in Fridays and Saturdays. Therefore these are good destinations to go with your friends, party and have fun.

The British Museum is also found in London. This is a good destination that you cannot miss to visit when you are in London. It is the museum that is famous all over the world because it has good collections and displays. Plan to visit it when you are in London. The Tate Gallery is another destination in London where you can visit when you are traveling with your kids. The city is full of exotic range of foods. It is where you can find any cuisine ranging from that of the Chinese, Italians, Indians and many others. Esta is the electronic system for travel authorization. The esta authorization is an online process and all the applications are made online. Esta form therefore are obtained online and all the requirements are completed online.

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View of London from London Eye, England, UK by André Zehetbauer

The British Airways London Eye is simply an opportunity that mustn’t be missed. It is the largest observation wheel in the world and has, somewhat unrealistically, been compared with the Eiffel tower in Paris. From here you can ride in one of the many viewing pods around the huge wheel and see all along the River Thames and across London. The ride takes some time to complete and is a good way to get your bearings in this fantastic city. From the top you can visualize where all of the main attractions are located which makes reaching them on foot far easier. Also make sure to take note of the famous bridges over the River Thames as they were the predecessors of this truly wonderful engineering feat.

The British Museum is another must see place in London and entry here is free of charge-therefore it is perfect for a day trip to London. Thought to be one of the world’s best human history and culture museums and is home to around 8 million pieces the British Museum has something that will interest everybody. Just the building itself is worth seeing with its 44 columns that resemble the temple of Athena Polias and the famous reading room that was redeveloped in 2001. Remember entry is free so you can come and go as often as you like. There is no need to spend all day here, just look at a few galleries and then return another time to view some more.

British Museum, London, England, UK by Ana Paula Hirama

Of course no visit to London would be complete without taking a trip to Buckingham palace. This is the official London residence of the Queen and is also where she chooses to do most of her entertaining. You can see the palace from the Royal mews quite easily and for free and this is where the famous photographs are usually taken from. There is also access to the palace museum for the public, however this isn’t always opened and it is advisable to check before you make the journey. One of the best and most famous parts of the palace is its guards, the life guards, and once a day it is possible to watch the changing of the Queens Life Guard on Horse Guards Parade and outside the palace’s gates. This is an absolutely great spectacle and a real video and photo opportunity not to be missed.

So make sure that you come to London as these are just a few of the hundreds of great things that are on offer, many of which are free of charge.

Autor Bio: This article was produced by Catalita G.  She lives in London and the places mentioned above are some of her favorites. Catalita runs the travel blog Channel Voyager, where you can get more ideas for trips to London (did you know the term in Danish is Rejser til London).

The post Ideas for Day Trips to London appeared first on Europe Explored.

Change of Guard, Buckingham Palace, London, UK by Dan McKay

Summer is the best time to visit London thanks to the assortment of activities available. Tourists can stroll through St. James Park right through to Buckingham Palace in order to witness the Change of Guard which is such a spectacle. The annual Notting Hill Carnival attracts millions of tourists who come solely to witness its pomp. The streets of West London are always packed with people who are eager to witness the biggest festival in Europe. Adults and children alike can get to enjoy this festival without discrimination. This makes London the ideal family vacation destination.

Most people regard London as one of the best cities across Europe because of its edgy fashion. Whichever street you walk down in London, you are likely to peer through the clothes store windows to catch a glimpse of the wide array of fashion. Top Shop is one such place that celebrities from all over visit to grab the latest trends in fashion. Budget conscious shoppers come to this shop to browse through the many fashion endowed floors. This chic store has an in-house disc jockey who makes standing in the queues a bit more tolerable. Fashion loving people definitely enjoy visiting this city.

Notting hill carnival, London, England, UK by S Pakhrin

Another thing that makes London one of the top cities in Europe is football. Wembley stadium plays host to very important football matches such as the UEFA champion’s league fina. Hordes of football loving visitors come to this city annually to watch important matches. The English Premier League is also very popular worldwide and it attracts many foreigners who come to watch their favourite football teams in action. Popular teams such as Chelsea and Arsenal call the city of London home and they have many fans all over the world. Some people even fly into London just to see their favourite footballers in the hope of getting an autograph.

The city of London is home to more than 7.5 million people excluding visitors. A lot of these Londoners come from abroad so they speak an assortment of languages making it a culture rich city. The theatres in London are the best in the world. One such theatre is the West End Theatre which attracts the best actors. There are lots of tranquil green spaces where visitors can sit down and have picnics. There is no shortage of parks form Richmond Park to Hyde Park. Visit London and experience the free attractions and some of the best sporting events in the world.

Richmond Park, London, UK by Cristian Bortes

Author Bio: Blogger who researchers and talks about the fantastic city of London and what makes it special for tourists for Eccleston Square Hotel

The post Why London Is Regarded As One Of The Top Cities In Europe appeared first on Europe Explored.

1) Wimbledon Championships

The passion for sport doesn’t end with the Olympics, as the annual Tennis tournament sees the worlds very best compete in England for the Wimbledon Championship. British number one Andy Murray will be the star of the show as he seeks to finally win a grand slam in front of a home crowd.

After a public ballot, to randomly distribute tickets to visitors of the official Wimbledon websites, you can purchase tickets yourself on the day. Although the queue will be long, attending early is key. Who would want to miss out on a chance to see the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal up close on Court One?

You may even spot some royalty in Prince William or Kate Middleton as they often attend games, making the event that much more special.

Wimbledon Championships by Albert Lee

2) British Summer Time at Hyde Park

There is never a better time to attend music concerts than during the summer as the very best of pop and rock culture come to Hyde Park, London. With headlining acts such as Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones and Elton John, it’s sure to be a festival to remember. It’s a good idea to purchase tickets for the show as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Bear in mind that there will be a lot of people at the park so make sure you get there at an earlier, more convenient time. If possible, instead of taking public transport, which is sure to be congested, National Car Hire can help you cut your travel times.

Concert in Hyde Park, London, England, UK by David Jones

3) Film 4 Summer Screen

To cap it all off, if the sports and music wasn’t for you, Film 4’s yearly summer screening definitely will be. You won’t find a better place for some relaxed open-air entertainment coupled with the stunning backdrop of Somerset House. The best bit about the outdoor cinema is that you can bring in rugs, blankets and your own food to enjoy a picnic before the movie starts.

It is perfect for you and the family as you have hundreds of people in attendance all enjoying the experience with you. The full feature of movies is yet to be declared but past shows have included classics such as ‘Pretty in Pink’, as well as newer releases like ‘Lawless’, which was screened at this event as the first showing in the UK.

With plenty for you to do in London and many more activities on the cards, you’ll be guaranteed to have fun this summer of 2013.

The post Top 3 Upcoming London Events This Summer 2013 appeared first on Europe Explored.

Fingal’s Cave, Scotland, UK by Croila

The UK is a lovely country which has a constitutional monarchy, which consist 4 constituent countries. These are Wales, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. All these groups collectively make up the United Kingdom. This is one the most industrialized parts of the world, with extensive big industries in various parts of the country. All the sectors of the economy are significantly experiencing a great boom and this has lead to an improved of living of both the citizen and the foreigners living in the country.

However, besides industrialization, real estate and tourism, seems to be another important part of the economy. Several thousands of tourists do use to visit the country annually, thereby bringing in millions of foreign currency into the economy. The city of London is the most popular and so far, the commercial center of the country. Apart from being the capital of England, the city, is also the most visited area in the UK.

Cheddar Gorge, UK by Arpingstone

There are lots of prominent tourist places in the city of London and other parts of the UK. Some of these places are historical, ancient edifice, while others are impressive, new modern structures. Some are natural; while others are man-made, but a visit to the country will give you the opportunity to experience the natural attractions of UK.

Natural attractions of UK:

1.) Fingal’s Cave, Scotland

Fingal’s Cave is located in Staffa Island, in Scotland. A tourist visit to United Kingdom is never completed without the Fingal’s Cave. This is a Cave that brings the sound of water flowing into the sea cave pipe.

2.) Cheddar Gorge, England

Cheddar is one of natures most remarkable in England. History has it, that this place has been a center of tourist attractions for several decades and the country has been able to manage and preserve its natural environment. Encroachment to its natural beauty has been prevented over the years and this is despite the high numbers of tourist visiting this rocky place every year. Rock climbing is better there than anywhere else and you may also need to climb up to the tower and get to know of the presence of nine thousand year old , England’s oldest skeleton.

Pistyll Rhaeadr, UK by Velela

3.) Pistyll Rhaeadr, Powys, Wales

This is believed to be the tallest fall in Wales, the literal translation of its name is “spring of the waterfall”. This natural wonder is situated just 4 miles from the Llanrhaedr-ym-Monchant and just below the fall, is an elegant cafe with the name, Tan-y-Pistyll. This is where, tourist and visitors to the site, can relax and have a wonder experience of the natural falls.

4.) Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London, England

Whenever you want to schedule a vacation trip to any country, it is usually a good option to include a visits to special Museum, in the country. This Exhibition centre is actually a whole row of several museums worth seeing. A visit to the place will give you the chance to have a glimpse of several artifacts of great historical values. This is actually, a science and arts museum, which was built and dedicated to the history of London.

Giant’s Causeway, Ireland by Jim

5.) The Giant’s Causeway, Ireland

This is Ireland most popular United Kingdom natural attraction. This is a Giant’s Causeway on the coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. And it is actually a place with serene environment and unique natural beauty.

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Amsterdam

The compact size of Amsterdam – a city built around a system of canals – means that you are never far from the highlights of the destination, and there is never a dull moment, whatever may take your fancy. There is a charm that comes with the quaintness of Amsterdam, but recently a new wave of urban art has been sweeping the town, with an influx of cool reigniting its bohemian credentials. While Anne Frank’s House and the Van Gough Museum are understandably popular, you should also check out rising photographic talent at Huis Marseille or Foam. Away from the tacky stag-do-central of the Red Light District is Reguliersgracht, where criss-crossing alleys are lined with chilled-out cafés and dinky boutique shops.

Amsterdam, Netherlands by Christian Lendl

Istanbul

While the majority of the population of Istanbul are Muslim, it is a sprawling cosmopolitan city with a huge mix of cultures. Being located on the very edge of Europe and Asia, it is a melting pot of Western and Middle Eastern cultures which will fascinate any discerning traveller. One of the archetypal visions of the city can be found in the Covered Bazaar, where merchants and locals trade wares and offer must-have souvenirs to the tourists who pass through. This will give an idea of the whole city, which is a maze of nooks and crannies, all filled with remarkable cafes and boutique shops offering scents, gold and textiles. The Blue Mosque is a must, presenting fabulous mosaics of ceramics and glass, and offering an insight into the wealth and excess of the home of the Ottoman Empire.

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey by Jerzy Kociatkiewicz

Rome

The home of an empire that once included territories in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, Rome is a goldmine of cultural artefacts. One of the most popular ruins is the Colosseum, which once held brutal fights to the death for the entertainment of thousands. Standing in the stalls, one can imagine the roars and jeers from the baiting crowds. Opposite is Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, from which some of the best views in the city can be found, looking down over the ruins of the residences of many Roman emperors, including Augustus (27 BC-14 AD), Tiberius (14-37) and Domitian (81-96).

Fontana di Trevi, Rome, Italy / Photo by Claire for Europe Explored

London

The British Empire is one with a long and treacherous history. London has a regal sense about it, with cultural monuments still standing proudly across the city – many of which, such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, are still being used today as the centres of the monarchy and Government, respectively. The Tower of London, along the north bank of the River Thames, was built primarily by William the Conqueror in 1078, with many phases of expansion across the centuries. Juxtaposed with the historical sites is modern urban London, with many waves of immigrants creating a cultural hotpot in areas such as Brixton and Camden, where restaurants serve cuisines from across the globe and boutique shops and market stalls trade in unique gifts.

London, England, United Kingdom by Tim Morris

Berlin

Berlin is a strange mix of cultures, which is sometimes a little difficult to feel at ease with. On one hand, you have the ever-present reminders of its recent history, in the form of Third Reich tours or visits to the Iron Curtain and the location of Hitler’s bunker, where he spent his last few hours. While fascinating, it can also be spine-chilling, thinking how recent those terrible events were. However, there are plenty of opportunities to chill out, with quirky urban spectacles such as pop-up nightclubs, and underground ping-pong events, held in derelict buildings. The best way to do this is get talking to the locals and ask if they know of any happenings close by. A sure-fire destination for weekend parties, though, would be Farbfernseher in Kreuzberg.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany by Bill Tyne

With so many routes and tour companies available to help you travel across the continent or dedicate your time to discovering one particular city, there is no excuse not to learn about these fascinating hubs, no matter what your budget.

Written by Kat Kraetzer, a travel blogger who loves to visit Europe.

The post Europe’s Best Cultural Hotspots appeared first on Europe Explored.

The London Aquarium

If you are interested in seeing many different varieties of fish and sea life, the London aquarium is for you. There, you can see exotic fish such as sharks, piranhas, stingrays and many others. Furthermore, rather than just sitting there and staring at the sea creatures through a glass panel, you can take one of the available floating platform walks. For example, taking a stroll over the Shark Walk will let you experience the feeling of having a living shark several inches of glass underneath you. Also, in the aquarium, you can visit the Rainforests of the World that is filled with exotic vegetation, tropical scenery and foreign wildlife.

London Aquarium by mallitch / License: Creative Commons

Pub Crawl

For those who don’t know, a pub crawl involves touring several pubs and having drinks in each one. Because London has so many good pubs, it offers all tourists the opportunity to go on the most memorable London pub crawl where they can experience a big part of the local culture. There are many organized crawls you can choose from, and if you do that in time, you can find one that is quite cheap, and yet, very fun. However, students benefit most from what London has to offer. As a student, you can party all night long with cheap drinks and live music. Student nights in London are never dull because of the many amazing people you can meet. Therefore, foreigners should not be discouraged even if they don’t know anyone- people are friendly and ready for a good party.

Monument Scaling

The Monument was built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1667 after the Great Fire of London to show that the city will rise again. Indeed, the monument, which is 61 metres high, offers the opportunity to look at the amazing London landscape. However, here is the catch- there is no lift. You have to go up the 311 spiral steps to the top, however, there is no place to pause or rest. At least when you reach the top, you will receive a certificate that you can show off. The climb and the scenery offer a unique experience that you won’t forget.

Stairs in the Monument to the Great Fire of London by Dave Catchpole / License: Creative Commons

Jason’s Trip

This trip is on a boat that is more than 100 years old, and it takes you through a route that is very picturesque and relaxing. You will start from Little Venice and make your way to Camden. On the way, you will be told about the history of London, the way people lived before and some interesting facts about how the canals shaped London’s history. The trip, which has existed since 1951, will last for 45 minutes. All of the above are just some of the unique things you can do in London. So, keep an open mind and you will have the most amazing time in you can imagine.

Jean-Pierre is an article writer who is currently a student in one of London’s universities.

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