The Apple Market

Located right in the heart of the Covent Garden district – a district jam-packed with funky stores and constant entertainment – is the Apple market. Sometimes referred to as the Covent Garden market, it is an indoor swath of boutiques, specialty shops and jewelry stores, clothing stands, cafés, and bars. The market has a reputation for its authentic English feel and moderate prices. Every Monday, the market holds a Vintage day for those looking for unique items hard to come by anywhere else.

The interior of Convent Garden Market, London, UK by Diliff

Portobello Road

Every Saturday, the Portobello Road Market takes over the entirety of Portobello Road, stretching over ten football fields in length, so visitors should be prepared for a marathon of shopping. The market, located in Notting Hill and most famous for its portrayal in the eponymous film, is actually the largest antiques market in the world. The street invites all walks of life, catering to everyone from tourists and locals to the most hardcore artifact-seekers. Vintage stores and cafés dominate the bottom of the hill, but as one heads further up the road, a younger vibe prevails as the stands transition into fashionable flea markets. Needless to say, your feet will be hurting by the time you’re done.

Regent Street

In the Mayfair/Knightsbridge districts of London is the crown jewel of ritzy shopping: Regent Street. Posh locals and affluent travellers patrol along Regent Street, fashioning tailored suits and handbags worth more than an old Fiat. Here you can step into designer stores and luxury boutiques to survey the latest fashion trends, and are guaranteed to feel in vogue with Regent Street purchases in your collection.

Oxford Street

Those looking for the latest fashions at more affordable prices know that there is no better destination than Oxford Street. Intersecting with Regent Street at what is known as Oxford Circus, Oxford Street is the home to stores like H&M, Niketown, and Kate Moss’s ultra-trendy Topshop. Here you’ll find younger crowds and college kids along with your run-of-the-mill tourists looking for a stylish something without having to worry about the price tag.

Oxford Street, London, UK by Ysangkok

Camden Market

Many would argue that Camden Market is one of the best marketplaces in the world, and after one visit there you will be hard-pressed to disagree. Located in the über-hip Camden Town district, the local market certainly reflects its surroundings. It’s hard not to get lost within the sprawling clothing bazaars, handcrafted jewelry shops, independent market shoot-offs, bars, and restaurants, and if the shopping isn’t enough, tattoo parlors litter the walls along the buildings. For those looking for something a bit more vibrant, there is even an EDM (electronic dance music) store in the mix, full of neon clothes and glowing accessories, with its own bondage shop in the basement. The alternative clothing and overabundance of hipster attire for bargain prices should be enough incentive for any young traveller in the area to stop by. Needless to say, Camden Market attracts over a hundred thousand visitors every weekend during the summer.

Article has been written by Party Earth. Party Earth is an international media and entertainment company that features reviews, editorials, and listings of the best bars, clubs, festivals, concerts, events, and more in 19 cities around the world.

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1 – Will I get sea sick on a cruise?

It is highly unlikely that you will get seasick whilst on a cruise as the majority of cruise ships are very well stabilised so you will hardly notice that they are moving. Thanks to radar equipment, most cruise ships are able to avoid bad-weather which causes sea conditions to change. However if you are concerned, you could visit your doctor before the cruise for some seasickness medication or take an over-the-counter remedy.

Cruise Ship with pool by kellinahandbasket

2 – What is included in the fare?

A cruise ship is similar to an ‘all inclusive holiday’ although what’s included varies between cruises. On the majority of cruises, your fare will cover your accommodation, standard dining, some shows and activities on board and some drinks. On more high-end cruises alcoholic drinks and snacks may also be included. Usually things like hair salon appointments, spa treatments and excursions are additional to the cost of your fare.

3 – What entertainment is on board?

Entertainment varies from ship to ship but you can expect to find a swimming pool, cinema, theatre, shops, a gym, and a spa on most large cruise ships. There may also be tennis courts, basketball courts, areas for golf practice and other sports.  There are usually also organised activities such as crafts, card playing and talks or lectures to keep you entertained too.

4 – What types of people will be on board?

People often expect to find only wealthy or retired people on cruises but this not the case at all. Cruise holidays are popular with honeymooners, young professionals and families as well as more mature people. These people are from all walks of life and have different hobbies, past-times and incomes. Some will be looking for the adventure of off-ship excursions offer whilst others will be looking to relax and unwind.

5 – What dining facilities are on board?

Cruise ships will offer a range of dining facilities including buffet style restaurants, fast food outlets and fine dining as well as more standard styles of restaurant. You can expect to find a wide range of cuisines including Italian, Chinese, French, British and English so there should be something to cater to your taste. There may also be coffee bars and ice cream parlours on board too.

Dining room in Cruise ship by Rennett Stowe

6 – What will my cabin be like?

The style of cabin you get depends on the ship you are on and the level of cabin you have chosen. Your cabin will have the bed option you have chosen along with amble space for your belongings and en suite bathroom facilities. All cabins tend to have a telephone, tea and coffee making facilities and a TV. Outside cabins tend to have private balconies too.

7 – Can I keep in touch with friends and family whilst on board?

Thanks to modern technology, you will easily be able to keep in touch with friends and family. Cabins are equipped with telephones and mobile signals are available when in port or near land. Most cruise ships also have wifi facilities and offer internet access too.

8 – Is cruising safe?

We have all heard of the ill-fated Titanic but thankfully safety protocols have come a long way since then.  Cruise ships are subject to rigorous rules and regulations in relation to staff and passenger safety with regular inspections taking place. You will also undertake a drill exercise within the first 24 hours on board a cruise ship to ensure that you know what to do in the event of an emergency. All cruise ships are fitted with enough life jackets and lifeboats for all people on board.

9 – What activities can I do whilst in ports?

Stopping in ports is one of the most exciting parts of a cruise. You will be able to experience organised excursions which can cover anything from seeing the local wildlife to enjoying the beaches or taking in the local attractions and culture.

10 – What should I pack?

What you should pack depends on the destination of your cruise. If you are cruising to somewhere warm like the Mediterranean, Caribbean or Bahamas, lightweight summer clothing will be needed whilst more all-weather clothing will be needed for a cruise to Alaska or Scandinavia. Some restaurants on board may have dress codes such as formal evening dress but the majority of restaurants do not. You also need to remember to pack suitable swimwear and leisure wear too.

John is a freelance travel writer from the UK.

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London Olympics Countdown / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alex Pink

Experience the exciting atmosphere

The atmosphere at the 2012 Olympic Games is sure to be electric, and will bring people from all over the world together. There are many events that are organised to bring about a sense of national pride, such as the lighting of the torch and the opening ceremony, which is expected to be particularly spectacular this year. For Londoners there are plenty of opportunities to savour the moment with big screens being placed in many public places including Hyde Park and Victoria Park. These big screens will not only be showing the World’s best sporting achievements but also amazing entertainment including free performances by the likes of Sir Tom Jones and Feeder.

Cheer for your favourite teams

Try to make sure that you watch at least one sporting event during the Olympics, as this is a great way to show your support for your country and national pride. All of the main sporting events will be shown on specially set up big screens in locations all over London such as parks, bars and pubs to enable everyone to gather together and have fun.

Soak up a little culture

This is the perfect opportunity to broaden your horizons by taking part in special cultural events. Fortunately, there will be plenty to choose from during the 2012 Olympic Games, such as the World Shakespeare Festival, which will feature 70 productions in several different languages. Classical music lovers will want to catch the performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony that is being held on the 27th of July, while special performances will be held by the English National Ballet, the Scottish Ballet and the National Dance Company Wales.

Enjoy a wide range of different types of events

An impressive selection of events has been arrange to coincide with the 2021 London Olympics. As previously mentioned live music plays a heavy part in the entertainment programme. These include live music performances from entertainers such as Elbow, Florence + the Machine, Leona Lewis and Madonna, art exhibitions in institutions such as the Serpentine Gallery and the Tate Modern, and other specially organised events such as the Mayor’s Thames Festival, the BT River of Music and World Pride 2012, while Big Dance 2012 will be held in Trafalgar Square from the 7th until the 15th of July and will feature more than 1,000 dancers. That means when you’ll have every excuse to set up an external London meeting room for the opportunity to experience these events with clients and collegues.

Get Ahead of the Games

Thousands of people will descend on London during the 2021 Olympics, which may well mean that getting around is a little trickier than usual – especially during the early morning and evening rush hour. However, special transportation systems have been set up for the purposes of easing these transport woes, so with a little forward planning you will still be able to reach your chosen destination. Making use of the London Underground is a good way to get around, while making use of special walking and cycling routes also helps you to avoid the traffic on the city streets. Other forms of transportation include River services along the Thames, the Docklands Overland rail service and London buses. Finally cycling remains one of the most enjoyable methods of soaking up the delights of London and is an excellent way of beating commuter traffic if you are heading into London for work.

This article was written on behalf of De Vere Venues who’s Greenwich venue is conveniently located in the heart of the action and ready for the Games!

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