Phillip Adams-Wright asked:


When we choose our holiday destination we may look either online or through holiday brochures to get ideas. We tend to aim for the hottest weather and a familiar tourist friendly location such as the Balearic Islands and Spain or Greece, all benefiting from wonderful Mediterranean weather but many families may be growing tired of the same old beach holiday.

It is true that many people are less concerned with their holiday destination specifically as they can all look the same when it boils down to it. This is why many families are now looking to other destinations to provide more variety than your typical beach holiday. The UK has emerged as a tourist favourite for a varied holiday and with the island being very small it’s easy for us to get to all the different attractions and sights we want to fit in.

The Lake District

The Lake District up in Cumbria, north of Blackpool (another family holiday favourite) is a wonderful countryside and mountainous region with many lakes forming in the valleys such as Windermere, Coniston water and Rydal. The Lake District has been immensely popular with the rambling and fell walking crowd and is a perfect holiday for the family and even the family dog! Dogs will enjoy the exercise of being on country walks and many hotels and guesthouses are pet friendly too. Favourite destinations include Ambleside and Kendal, famous for the Mint Cake.

Skegness

Skegness is one of the original UK beach resorts, with a pier (a typical feature of any British beach resort) and plenty of nearby wildlife parks and aquariums there is always plenty for children to see and do. Skegness is home to one of the countries many family holiday parks and so accommodation and entertainment is plentiful. When the weather is fair Skegness’ beach can rival many on the continent.

London

Our nation’s capital is home to many iconic landmarks famous around the world such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. Massive amounts of tourists flock to London from around the globe every year to see the classic, old attractions as well as the new ones that have been created since the turn of the millennium. Other popular reasons to visit London include going to the theatre where musicals and plays are regularly on and are worth seeing at least once during your stay.

So holidays in the UK can be as varied as you like, the number of activities isn’t just limited to fair weather activities which is something holidays abroad suffer from if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

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Jane Hannington asked:


Are you feeling fed up with the long dreary winter? Do you want to get away from it all and enjoy some culture? Maybe a stay in the city of London will help you beat those winter blues and recharge your batteries in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. You can enjoy the many events staged at the Barbican, as well as visiting the West End for shopping and theatre trips.

Independent travellers to London often do not realise how easy it is to rent a fully furnished apartment for a short break at the Barbican in London. Apartments nearby are available from periods of just 1 night upwards!

You can stay just 150 metres from the Barbican centre in a simple studio apartment with its own fully equipped kitchen and bathroom for well under a hundred pounds a night. Included in the price are linen, towels, broadband internet access, TV, HiFi, direct phone, in-room safe. You will have the flexibility of being able to prepare your own snacks and meals whilst enjoying your own private home from home in London.

The Barbican is Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue and presents a huge range of art, music, theatre, dance and educational events. It is also home to the world-renowned London Symphony Orchestra.

Offering an unparalleled programme of film festivals, the Barbican shows a whole host of movies from an eclectic mix of independent directors from around the world.

There are many superb concerts or events at the Barbican Centre. Leading musicians and soloists from all over the world in both classical and contemporary music perform regularly at the Barbican. In classical music, in recent times, world-famous artists such as Cecilia Bartoli, Simon Rattle, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Evgeny Kissin, Maxim Vengerov, Alfred Brendel, Bernard Haitink, Mstislav Rostropovich, Midori, Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma have been enjoyed by visitors to the centre.

In contemporary music the best artists in jazz, country, folk, world, roots, rock, soul and contemporary classical music from around the world are proud to perform there.

The restaurants at the Barbican Centre are popular with visitors and serve an excellent selection of meals, both at lunchtime and in the evenings.

The Barbican is also the perfect location for business travellers to the City of London. Corporate executives on assignment in London enjoy living in the hub of the business and artistic centre of the city. Partners are often happy to come along and enjoy the arts, as well as having the opportunity to hop on the tube at nearby Barbican Station and travel in to the West End for shopping. Everyday life in London offers so much to the visitor with its pubs, olde English backstreets and amazing array of shops.

One of London’s greatest landmarks within walking distance is the fabulous St Paul’s Cathedral. You can climb to the top and enjoy magnificent birds eye views of one of the most amazing cities in the world.

If you are a lover of Shakespeare you can visit the remarkable Globe Theatre nearby at Southwark which also offers an impressive calendar of events throughout the year which include theatrical performances and lovely concerts.

You can stroll along to St Katherine’s Dock and watch the fascinating comings and goings at the fabulous marina full of sailing boats whilst enjoying a meal in one of the many waterside restaurants.

Engineering enthusiasts love to visit Tower Bridge and watch as this fabulous old Victorian icon opens to allow tall ships to pass through on their way up the Thames. Again, you can enjoy stunning views along the river from its walkways. In recent years, it has become an impressive London venue and it is now even possible to get married on Tower Bridge!

Whatever your taste, a stay in the Barbican area of London will offer you excellent entertainment and sightseeing opportunities. As well as the arts and culture, you can enjoy fantastic shopping in Oxford Street and Regent Street with the West End just a short distance away on the tube.

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Rose Mary asked:


Soho London is one of London’s most cultural districts. In this place, you can find French churches, Italian cafes, Chinatown, etc. The first immigrant of this place was from France. From the end of 20th century, Soho London was well known as a centre for entertainment. Both tourists and locals liked the entertainment pubs, restaurants and cafes here. Soho London is also popular as a Chinatown.

The busiest times in Soho are during lunch and after work hours. Soho has become the heart of London’s nightlife where people meet after work in the trendy pubs and restaurants. Regarded as the media hub, the film, TV and video industry is the main focus here. There are many film, advertising and design companies located here.

By exploring the Old Compton Street, you will be surprised to learn that many great artists, writers and musicians had lived here in the past. There are some fascinating shops here. In fact, the shops and cafes in this area revealed the variety of people who have occupied this place many years ago. One of Soho’s oldest shops, the Algerian Coffee Store, sells superb coffee producing the best aromas. The café, Patisserie Valerie, sells delicious pastries whilst Maison Bertaux is well known for its tasty croissants and cakes. Located near Old Compton Street, the Palace Theatre is popular with visitors and has held many wonderful musicals. It is a fine building which is decorated with beautiful interior furnishings. Ronnie Scott, which is opened in 1959, had many popular jazz performances held here.

The Chinatown is located south of Shaftesbury Avenue and west of Charing Cross Road. London’s original Chinatown is located near Limehouse in East London. As the number of immigrants increased in the 1950s, many of them moved to Soho. They resided along Gerrard and Lisle Streets because of the cheap rents here. In Chinatown, there are many restaurants and shops selling oriental produce. There are also some small shops selling speciality teas. You can get cheap air tickets to Beijing from here. There are three Chinese beautiful arches along Gerrard Street. In end January each year, a bright and colourful street festival is held here to celebrate Chinese New Year.

The Berwick Street Market is considered as the best street market in central London for fresh fruit and vegetables. A market has been located here since the 1840s. The Berwick Street Market is known to provide the best fresh produce as well as the least expensive produce in this region. Along this street, there are also a few interesting shops, cafes and restaurants. At Charing Cross Road, there are many second-hand and new bookshops. Besides large general bookstores, there are small specialist shops selling books on art, sports, etc.

As it turns out, Soho London is an interesting place to visit. It is popular as a Chinatown. With its many pubs, restaurants and cafes, it is also a well known place for entertainment. Many tourists enjoy the tasty food products sold by the shops in Old Compton Street.  Book lovers who visit the place will not want to miss visiting the variety of book shops located at Charing Cross Road. So you see, there are indeed any things to do in Soho London.

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Catherine Mitschele asked:


Samantha Brown does a great job touring the world and her trip to London during her “Passport To Europe – Season 1, Episode 2, London Now” series is no exception. Here are some highlights of the video.

Samantha starts out her trip in Berkeley Square (pronounced Bark-lee) and points out two publications which she recommends wholeheartedly: The “A-Z” (pronounced A to Zed) and “TimeOut London”. The A-Z is a must have – even for people who live in town! I had one in my car, my briefcase, my desk drawer, my kitchen at home and my bedroom! It is a fantastic and accurate street look-up guide which will get you out of a jam in more than one occasion – I guarantee it! It’s a bit daunting to use at first but you’ll quickly get the hang of it. (By the way, Londoners often refer to their Post Codes when describing the location of their homes, etc. That’s because the post codes actually tell you where something is. For example – the West End is the “heart” of London. So guess what the post code is? W1. I lived in Chelsea for a time which is south and west of the west end. So my post code started with SW.)

Next, Samantha travels via the London Underground – or tube. (We in the U.S. refer to the underground as the Subway. But in London, a subway is an underground WALKING passage so make sure you ask for the Undergound or the tube if that is what you want!) The Underground is very easy to use and their maps are world famous for their simplicity and design. Each line has its own color and changing trains couldn’t be easier. The Underground runs relatively smooth and on time although it’s not unheard of for a track to be out, etc. So if you bring a laptop with you and you need to be somewhere on time, you may want to check their web site to be sure everything is on schedule. Samantha points out that if you need assistance, ask someone in a blue shirt. You can buy tickets in the kiosk or in the vending machines. You can purchase a one-day Travel Card and use it all day within zones 1 and 2 and on the underground and/or buses.

If you take the tube to Waterloo, you’ll be on the south-side of the Thames and at the entrance to the London Eye – the largest observation wheel (Ferris wheel) ever built. You can purchase online in advance. This is a fantastic ride and a great way to see London. It takes 1/2 hour to get through a complete circle and runs until 10:00 p.m. and as Sam points out, you can even reserve it for a cocktail!

Samantha goes to some of the more touristy spots from the Eye – starting with Leicester Square (pronounced Lester). As she says, this is a main meeting place with movie complexes and mega shops. You can also find the “TKTS” booth for half-priced theater tickets. The theaters are just a few blocks from here; mostly on Shaftsbury Ave. Just a short distance from here is Picadilly Circus with its “carnival-like” atmosphere and Madame Tussaud’s where you’ll “que up” for quite a while to pay your GBP 22.00 to get in. You can pay GBP 25.00 to skip the line or, if you’ve got a group of 6 or more, get in fast through the group line. Also check the London Eye site for a double-attraction ticket for Tussaud’s (link below).

From here, Samantha heads back to her hotel at the Atheneum. Technically in Mayfair, the hotel is located on Picadilly and right down the street from Park Lane, Hyde Park, and Hyde Park corner. Right across the street is Green Park and the fabulous shops, restaurants and theaters of the West End are a stone’s throw away. This is a fabulous 5-star hotel with every amenity and comfort you can imagine.

Samantha chose to stay in one of the Atheneum’s “flats” or apartments. With a private entrance, a sitting room, bedroom, kitchen and bath – all donned with style and comfort in mind – you will be truly pampered in luxury. There’s even a spa at the hotel with a full-service hair salon, scrubs, massages, nail treatments and more. If you really want to exercise, there’s a gym with everything you need to keep in shape or just go out the door and head to one of the parks for a run. The Athaneum has it all.

The rates for this 5-star gem will run from $259 to $500 for a “superior” to a “parkview” room and around $750 to $950 for an apartment per night. Make sure when you make your reservation that the rate INCLUDES taxes and fees. The U.K. has a super duper sales tax called the Value Added Tax – or V.A.T. for short. It’s 17.5%!!! (If you buy anything there and take it with you, you will get a refund form but this doesn’t apply to hotels.)

More Great Stops From Samantha Brown in London:

Notting Hill – Trendy area with the famous Portobello Road market and antiques shopping. Not to be missed! On-Street Toilets – Super clean and easy, these facilities are 2nd to none. Don’t be afraid to use them. Each time someone exits the cubicle, the toilet is automatically washed and sanitized. Fast Food London Style – Tiffinbites (Taken from the Indian lunch box name “Tiffinbox”) where you pick what you want, take it up to the counter where it is heated up and served with fresly-made Indian bread. Very good. Indian food is very popular with the Brits. Don’t be afraid to try it and if you don’t know what to order, just ask! Southbank and Bankside – The Millennium Bridge – this relatively new footbridge takes you across the Thames not far from St. Paul’s and over to the Tate Modern – a must see art museum for 20th and 21st Century artists. Wine Tasting – Vinopolis gives you the history of wine and wine tasting. Grab a glass and hop on a Vespa motor scooter where you’ll go on a virtual tour of wine country on the windscreen! Fun.

For more information on the features, sites, places and food in this article, please visit our website at BestLondonHotelReview.com

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Shane Dolby asked:


London today teems with so many theatres at the well-renowned West End. Many talented artists who want to get their breaks and begin their acting careers seek the spotlights of the West End theaters for the promise of brilliant and shining show business careers. The London theatre is where all things can begin for actors so every hopeful has his eyes on the high profile roles, the applause, and that chance to perform on these famous theatres.

I was in 1597 when an actor decided to put up his own theater and launch himself as a star. Richard Burbage established the Globe Theatres when he took over the lease of The Theatre, which was the first ever playhouse in Shoreditch, that was put up in 1576. The Theatre started the rich history of the London theatre and the West End. When the lease expired, Burbage took over and launched much more ambitious efforts to push the industry and the craft. Soon enough, Burbage became a big name as a great actor and he came to be known too, as the first to play Shakespeare’s Hamlet, King Lear, as well as Othello.

In 1663, the West End legacy of artistic excellence in stage performance soared with the opening of the first London West End venue at Drury Lane. This very famous venue witnessed careers of the earliest icons – the likes of Charles Hart and Nell Gwyn. The old theatre, unfortunately, suffered during a fire in 1672.

Since London already had a taste for the theaters, it didn’t take much time before a new venue rose on the very same spot in 1674. The Theatre Royal of Drury Lane came about and picked up after where the former theatre left off. This theatre, designed by Christopher Wren managed to survive for the next 120 years. That was quite a long-standing record especially those days. Along with other theatres that sprung like the Theatre Royal Covent Garden (Royal Opera House) and the Haymarket, The Theater became a catalyst in the evolution of the West End Theatre.

In 1737, a wine seller by the name of David Garrick got magnetized to the call of London’s West End at Drury Lane. He became the legendary manager of the Theater Royal and made his mark on the theatre scene. He soon became famous for playing the roles of Richard III and became a very great influence in the London Theatre scene in the next 20 to 30 years. The Garrick Club and the Garrick Theatre are memoirs of his great contributions to theatre arts in London.

Most of the beautiful buildings that house the modern theatres were built during the 19th century. The middle and upper classmen in London have somehow made theater-going an enduring fashion trend in the city. Many of the theaters started to appear along Shatesbury Avenue too, at the end of the 19th century and soon, this area became the focal point for London Theatre. Many of the buildings are still around and well maintained these days for everyone to appreciate.

Theatre-going never ceased to be a fashion statement and more and more talented actors are being born in these theaters. The London Theatre scene continues to attract so many people from around the world.

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