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Travel tips for visiting London

Use these handy travel tips for visiting London so that you can see a side of it that you may not have seen before.

Published

12 years ago

October 12, 2012

This is a guest post by Hugh Beckaner who is an aficionado of all things London, from its pubs to its parks, its palaces and much more. Two years ago, Hugh set a goal to visit every pub in London and blog about it.

After the Summer Olympic Games and the extensive coverage in the media, you might think that you know all about this cosmopolitan and historic city. In fact, London is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world, for example, the London Bridge, Buckingham Palace and Big Ben.

London is Beautiful, Big Ben

But for as much as you think you know about London, chances are you’ve only scratched the surface of what the city has to offer. Before you plan your next hop across the pond, keep these fun facts in mind to plan a truly affordable and fascinating trip.

Lodging is Affordable

While London is home to some of the most grand and luxurious hotels in the world, as well as quaint cottage-style bed and breakfast inns, there is a growing contingent of affordable chain hotels popping up all over the city. The worldwide economic downturn has greatly affected London, and hotels have responded by creating affordable, no-frills chain hotels that offer basic, clean and comfortable accommodations for a reasonable price.

While you might miss out on some of the legendary five-star service or historic charm of one of the older, grander properties, staying in a chain hotel will help you keep to your budget and allow you to spend more time exploring the nooks and crannies of London.

Avoid the Tube

If you’ve never been to London, a ride on the legendary subway system is worthwhile just to hear the famous “Mind the Gap” warning when you get on and off the train.

However, the Tube can be expensive, and the stations difficult to get to, with many stairs, so you’re better off to walk. Especially considering that many landmarks are closer together than they appear on the Tube map. So skip the complicated system in favor of your own two feet, and see more of the city while you’re at it.

Buckingham Palace London is beautiful

London: Land of the Quirky Museum

While you might associate London with royalty, formal teas and stiff upper lips, the city actually has a very eccentric and quirky side that can be a lot of fun to explore. Those interested in psychology, for example, shouldn’t miss the Freud Museum, which houses the famous shrink’s collection of antiquities, as well as his desk, chair and the famous couch that he used in his sessions with patients.

If you’re interested in advertising – and have some fondness for British nostalgia – don’t miss the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising, which is basically a homage to the best of British pop culture.

If looking at vintage bags of snacks isn’t your thing, head to the Dennis Sever’s house, a townhouse stuffed with Victorian antiques and designed to make you feel as if you’ve traveled back in time. Another shrine to Victoriana is the Leighton House, also a popular tourist spot and home of the High Victorian artist. At this museum you’ll see a stuffed peacock and rooms decorated with Victorian influences from all over the world.

A Glimpse into U.S. History

As anyone who has sat through a high school American history class can tell you, the relationship between USA and Britain is long –and at times contentious. However, what many people don’t realize is that many of the most enduring symbols of American freedom hail from Britain.

On select days, visitors can actually tour the Whitechapel foundry where the Liberty Bell, the cracked American icon, was forged.

The Liberty Bell isn’t the only British native that symbolizes freedom. Benjamin Franklin, perhaps the most well-known of the Founding Fathers, was born a British subject and spent much of his life in London. Today, his home is a museum and a popular destination for American visitors.

The Food is Actually Decent

You may have heard rumors that English food is, well, less than scrumptious.

In fact, there’s a saying that “heck” is a place where all the cooks are English. While it’s certainly possible to have a bad meal, and some “delicacies” might not be terribly appetizing, it is possible to get a decent meal in London.

Try one of the many Indian takeout joints for an authentic curry, or ask your hotel concierge for a recommendation. And don’t forget to get an authentic order of fish and chips!

Seafood La Spezia market

An ideal trip to London mixes some of the well-known sites and experiences such as the London Eye and changing of the guard, with a few unusual and offbeat excursions. Only by using these travel tips for visiting London and getting out of the tourist areas will you find the true London, and learn the secrets of this historic city.

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Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2022

Guest Author

Portugal is a hive of culture, history, and architecture and is home to fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you plan a holiday to Portugal to discover some of its glorious histories, look through our top five Portuguese historical landmarks.

Alcobaça Monastery

This beautiful monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça is a prime example of early Gothic architecture. The sanctuary is home to the ornate tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro I. There is a tragic love story associated with the burials. Ines de Castro was assassinated in 1355, and the king ordered his tomb to be placed next to hers so that he could face the woman he loved on the day of resurrection. They are considered to be the most beautiful medieval tombs in Portugal. There are also living quarters, including a refectory, dormitory, kitchen, and cloisters that have been inhabited by monks for 800 years.

Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a beautiful roman catholic building located in Tomar. It was initially a stronghold for the Order of the Knights Templar. The building houses impressive art and examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture. The walls inside are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved stone sculptures, and a window depicting symbols and motifs. This site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

Évora

Évora is a Portuguese city home to several historical sights, some over two thousand years old. The Cathedral of Évora is considered one of Portugal’s most important gothic monuments. Moorish palaces and courtyards, a renaissance fountain built-in 1559, and a one-of-a-kind Roman temple have become the city’s most famous landmarks. It is not surprising that Évorahas is classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Belém Tower

Belém Tower was built to be a fortress in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. The tower is constructed from lioz limestone that is local to Lisbon. It is considered one of the prominent examples of the late gothic Manueline style. There is a drawbridge, spaces for cannons, turrets, and arches that have been decorated with images of animals, plants, and royal coats of arms. Inside there are statues, pillars, and gargoyle facets. UNESCO has listed the tower as a World Heritage monument.   

Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in Portugal and Europe. Located in Lisbon, the monastery has various entrances that have been decorated with carved figures, gables, and pinnacles. There is a 16th Century Portuguese sculpture of Our Lady of Belém in the central doorway, a figure of Prince Henry the Navigator in the center of the monastery, and a statue of King Manuel I. The monastery has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

We hope this has inspired you to start planning your trip to Portugal today.

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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.

Published

3 years ago

April 8, 2022

Guest Author

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.

Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Diving expeditions

The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.

Sand Adventures

Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.

Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero

Al Jassasiya

The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.

Sunset Cruise

When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.

Desert Safaris

Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.

Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung

Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.

There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.

This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.

This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.

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Boys will be Boys – Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Published

3 years ago

April 1, 2022

Guest Author

Barcelona has a lot to offer to the quintessential all-boys travel group for a stag weekend in Barcelona. This sunny Spanish city is known for its gorgeous Mediterranean beaches complemented by turquoise waters. In addition to this, this city offers the ideal environment for an all-male party hotspot, considering its vibrant nightlife, football culture, flamenco dance clubs, tattoo parlors, and its delicious sangrias and tapas.

Paella cooking class Barcelona

Barcelona is a widespread consideration for a quick all-boys getaway during the summer. With a variety of heart-thumping activities that can make your trip a memorable one, make sure you take out time to pursue the following –

LTW Tattoo:

If you are looking for a real adventure that will stick with you all your life, there is no better way to commemorate this epic trip than heading to Barcelona’s best tattoo parlor.
Barna Paintball:

Take on your best buddies in a battle of agility by visiting the Barna Paintball. With four thematic areas to choose from, your experience here can be genuinely adventurous.
Bar Crawl Barcelona:

Considered one of the most famous pub crawls globally and the biggest in Europe, the original Bar Crawl Barcelona is a great way to explore the city in its nocturnal state. You and your buddies can visit four bars and then finish at one of the best clubs in Barcelona. Complete with some of the craziest drinking games, this memorable experience costs all but 15 Euros.
FC’s Camp Nou:

If you are a group of football fans visiting the city, you cannot leave without making a trip to Camp Nou, the city’s football ground. With a ticket for the stadium tour, you will have access to the changing rooms, benches, press rooms, and stands. If you are fortunate enough to have a match coinciding with your travel dates, make sure you book your tickets for the game well in advance.
Circuit de Catalunya Racing Track:
If you and your crew are into racing, consider heading to the Circuit de Catalunya, host to various Formula 1 and Moto GP races. Here, you can get a detailed tour of the briefing room, pits, and podium.
Comedy Nights:

Comedy nights are often an option that everybody loves. Especially as a group of single boys, you may love to attend an event organized by the Giggling Guiri program that consists of English-speaking shows.
Al Fresco Drinking on Las Ramblas:

The heart of tourist activity in Barcelona, Las Ramblas, offers unique casual outdoor ambiances for groups of boys to spend hours finishing pitchers of sangria or chugging down buckets of beer bottles. Vibrant as ever, this street located off the Gothic Quarters is a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

As a group of boys, you can also research options for day trips to beaches outside of Barcelona that offers relaxing and laid-back environments for your holiday. Many options are available in Barcelona for hiring a car to explore this scenic and exciting city with your friends, such as Thrifty Car Rentals. So when you are in Barcelona with your amigos, nothing stops you from having a great time!