Archive | January, 2012

5 Free Things to Do for Backpackers in London

30. Jan, 2012 0 Comments

 

When backpacking around London, travelers will find a number of free things to do. Most backpackers tend to walk a lot when traveling, and some of the most popular London sights will provide hours of entertainment. The top five free things to do in London range from visiting historic locations to fascinating museums and lavish parks to bustling marketplaces.
 
Jack the Ripper
 
The Jack the Ripper Walk begins in London's Whitechapel district and is a free, self-guided tour. Backpackers can walk in the footsteps of the infamous serial killer, as they follow his trail of slain victims. Free maps are available at the Jack the Ripper Walk website.
 
River Thames
 
After arriving from one of several London flights, backpackers will enjoy a moonlight stroll along the River Thames. Begin near the river's south bank and proceed under the Westminster Bridge. Then walk past Chelsea Bridge to the northern river bank. Another interesting walk is under the River Thames in the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. It lies 50 feet under the 1,200 foot river and is decorated with thousands of glazed, white tiles.
 
Museums
 
London's National Maritime Museum showcases over 500 years of seaworthy, British artifacts. The British Museum also has an impressive collection of more than 7 million British objects and artifacts, collected over several centuries and continents.
 
Outdoor Parks
 
London offers several parks filled with various forms of entertainment. Travelers can visit the Notting Hill Arts Club and listen to local indie bands at no charge. The Covent Garden Piazza outdoor venue is open daily and features numerous street performers including jugglers, mime artists and musicians. The Regents Park in London was originally used as a hunting area by King Henry VIII. It has beautiful flower gardens, large picnic areas, an open-air theater, and several eateries.
 
Marketplace Shopping
 
Once you settle in from one of the many scheduled London flights, visit Notting Hill's Portobello Road Market. Open since 1837, it features a number of shopping and browsing options. Toward one end of the market, visitors will find more than 2,000 vendors selling paintings, jewelry, coins, collectibles and antiques. Next, visitors will come upon numerous stands of fresh fruits and vegetables. Down the hill, under the Westway Carriageway, is an expansive flea market area, offering second-hand items such as books, clothing and jewelry.
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Descriptions Can Be Deceiving: Booking A B&B Abroad

23. Jan, 2012 0 Comments

The Bed & Breakfast as we know it, where people open up their homes to paying guests and provide a warm and comfortable place to sleep at night with breakfast each morning of your stay included in the cost, is a truly British phenomenon. However, it is possible to find B&B style accommodation in any part of the world, if you are willing to look for it.

On private holiday lettings sites, you can find a Prague B&B
Prague B&B that may not be advertised as such but when you investigate a little deeper, provides all the things a British holidaymaker has come to expect from a Bed & Breakfast establishment. Even listings that advertise short stay Barcelona apartments
short stay Barcelona apartments could be a B&B style break, if the host lives on site and is willing to factor breakfast into the price. A benefit of this form of accommodation is the local knowledge your host tends to have. They often can advise you on the best local restaurants and places to visit that are not tourist traps. A good host really can make the difference between an OK break and a great one.

Sites that put you in direct contact with the person allowing their home to be let out mean that it is a lot easier to tailor your break to your needs. If you need to have internet access while you are there but find no mention of a connection in the description provided, you can simply contact the host yourself to find out.

No matter what form of accommodation you decide to book; all-inclusive, self-catering, B&B or private apartment, it is always wise to take out travel insurance in case a member of your party falls ill or you lose your luggage while you are travelling to your destination. Many countries do have nationalised health services like the NHS in the UK and patients are often required to pay for treatment.

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