Bristol Cathedral / Heather Cowper

The scale of business grew and grew, until there was a small harbor built. Bristol waters were treacherous and the ships that docked there were subject to huge currents, that often resulted in the timber of the ships getting damaged. Because of this sailors had to reinforce their ships, and it quickly put Bristol on the map for their ship craftsmanship. The harbor is still in use today, and it makes the perfect destination for you to visit and learn more about UK history. One of the most famous ships in the UK- the SS Great Britain, which was the first iron hulled propeller-driven ship to travel over the Atlantic. It’s now rested in Bristol, and you can visit the ship. It’s a very popular tourist attraction within Bristol.

Of course with all the ships and the great harbor that Bristol is home to; it’s no surprise that Bristol was notorious for pirates. The city was home to many a pirate, and today; the streets are still the same! If you’re into history, then you’ll be able to find yourself taking a step back into time with a walk around Bristol.

The famous UK soap casualty was filmed in and around Bristol, so if you’re a fan of the show you’ll be able to set foot in the city where it was filmed, until 2009, when the show hung up its production line. The show was filmed in an old warehouse in the city, and numerous places in and around Bristol!

Bristol is home to many museums, and you can find yourself entertained for days by visiting some of them. In fact, it’s home to the Clifton suspension bridge museum, the Bristol museum and art gallery, and Blaise’s castle house and museum. This is just a selection of the museums you can visit when in the city. There are others that will have you flabbergasted and spoilt for choice!

Of course, like any other city, Bristol is also home to many events, including the recently hosted Olympic flame torch- and the shopping in the city is fantastic. It’s home to many a UK retailer where you can just let your shopping devil let rip, and you can shop until you drop!

And when the day is done, Bristol is home to some of the best hotels. Including, the Doyle hotel in Bristol. Where you’ll be able to kick off your shoes and rejuvenate ready for the next day’s sightseeing and shopping!

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Terry Whalebone

Historic Dockyard

You can’t go to Portsmouth without a visit to the historic dockyard. Here you can see some of the most famous ships from British naval history, so if maritime and naval mania is your thing, this is definitely a very good place to visit. For example, you can see the HMS Victory, the Mary Rose and HMS Warrior by paying a visit to Portsmouth’s naval base. There is more than just ships to see at the dockyard, however. You can also pay a visit to the Royal Navy Museum and something called Action Stations, which teaches you all about the modern royal navy and has interactive activities.

Spinnaker Tower

If you want to get a really good view of the city of Portsmouth then you really have to go to the Spinnaker Tower. This is a popular attraction that is located at Gunwharf Quays. This is located down by the harbour and it is 170m high, so you really can’t miss it! You can pay to go up the tower and get a fantastic view from multiple different levels – the highest you can go up the tower is 115m. Then once you’ve finished at the tower, you could head down to one of the great bars or restaurants located at Gunwharf Quays.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ali T

Charles Dickens’ Birthplace Museum

Charles Dickens is one of the UK’s most famous and popular writers, so his birthplace museum is an absolute must-see for any Dickens fan visiting Portsmouth. This is located on Old Commercial Road and is generally open between April and December, so it’s worth checking that you’ll be able to get in before you go.

Southsea Castle

Another great place to visit is Southsea Castle. This was built way back in 1544 so it has a lengthy history and it was designed to protect England’s coastline from invasion. Anything from the Tudor period is always popular, which makes this a hot destination.

D-Day Museum

Finally, if wartime history is your thing, the D-day Museum is definitely worth a visit. You can find out about the D-day Landings and those who took part; it’s definitely moving and well worth a visit in itself as well as being educational and a tribute to the people involved in its own right.

Guest post by Adam Croft for Holiday Inn Express Portsmouth, one of the leisure and conference venues Portsmouth has to offer and the only hotel at Gunwharf Quays.

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There are lots of cruise companies offering seven and multi-day cruises aboard modern luxury ships. At each of them you can expect superior service, which often includes 24-hour cabin steward services and an unlimited all-day dining of your choice and at a time that suits you. During the day, you can enjoy the trips to exotic islands or famous cities like London, Lisbon, Barcelona, Naples, Venice or Istanbul, but you can also continue further to Madeira, Canary Islands or even to Jerusalem or Rio de Janeiro. You can also stay on board and enjoy rich cultural program, evening theater and cabaret performances, cinema with the latest movies, live music for listening and dancing, discos, or swimming in the luxury pools…

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Milan Boers

Cruise ships are the kind of holidays where you combine staying at sea with visiting of the different places in the world. During a single trip you have the opportunity to visit many cities and countries. Every day you visit another destination with the big advantage – you don’t have to drive, change trains or buses, or wasting your time and energy by waiting on the airports… But you will have your own cabin and luxury boat facilities travelling with you. On each island, or in any other destination you can visit the mainland individually or choose from optional excursions.

Most ships are luxuriously equipped and offers really excellent comfort. Cabins are nicely furnished and during your stay on the ship you can use the various services that the company offers. Almost all the ships offer several kinds of restaurants and bars, cinema, casino, gym, sauna, massage and beauty salons, shops and much more. It depends on the size of ship, cruise company and destination. You can learn more about all the ship’s equipment and offered services right from the cruise company.

Cruise ships are popular in different parts of the world. The most popular destinations are undoubtedly the Mediterranean cruises, Caribbean, Middle East and cruises on the Nile River. An offer is really wide, you only have to choose one and certainly spend unforgettable days that you will ever want to repeat…

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The Navagio beach can only be reached by boat.

Access from the mainland is not possible, you have to take a boat at the island of Zakynthos. But you can ask also the local fishermen, who – at a lower price – also take you to the beach. Do not go there in the big waves. Then you can see the Navagio beach only from a distance of several hundred meters, because ships cannot enter the narrow inlets during the big waves.

From the cliff above the beach you can enjoy the view of the Navagio beach and surroundings. The most pictures are taken from this view point.

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Oudegracht begins in the south-eastern part of the city where are joining together the rivers Kromme Rijn and Vaartse Rijn, and where begins the original moat of the fortified town. Oudegracht then continues to the center of Utrecht. Part of Oudegracht follows the original course of the river Rhine, but it is not certain which part of it is.

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The northern part of Oudegracht is probably older, it dates back to around the 10th century and connects the River Rhine with the River Vecht. The construction of the southern part began in 1122, but then the river level dropped due to the completion of the new dam in Wijk bij Duurstede. Exposed shores were then used to protect the city from flooding. Since 1275 the water level is stable.

Oudegracht form a vibrant center of Utrecht. It is alive on both sides. Here you can sit on numerous outdoor terraces and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the place, watching the ships and boats or take a walk around the water where you can find a quiet picturesque places in the shade of aged trees. Also such a night lit Oudegracht belongs to a very romantic experience.

You can explore the beauty of Oudegracht for hours from its banks, bridges or from the water. There are organized cruises and gondola cruises, or you can rent canoes or paddle boats.

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Magdeburg Water Bridge was opened in 2003 and connects Berlin’s inland harbour network with the ports along the Rhine river. The bridge also allows the traffic of larger ships. This unique bridge is able to support even the heaviest boats and also to withstand the winter ice.

Its length is 918m, depth 4.25m and width is up to 34 m. The construction took €500 milion and used 24,000 tonnes of steel and 68,000 cubic meters of concrete.

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