Posted by Becky
To many the 1950’s and 1960’s are a golden era of rock ‘n ‘roll music and the shows that include this music are the perfect time machine into the past. From tribute shows to Roy Orbison, Elvis and Buddy Holly to top selling musicals there are plenty of rock ‘n’ roll theatre breaks to choose from.
Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran the writers of the hugely popular musical Dreamboats and Petticoats have again put pen to paper to create a new musical based on the songs of writing team Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. With Pomus writing the lyrics and Shuman the melody the two created a huge number of hits from the Drifters Save the Last Dance for Me to over 20 songs written for Elvis including Suspicion and Viva Las Vegas. These songs have been adapted into a stage musical Save the Last Dance for Me which has embarked on a UK tour starting in Sheffield and visiting twenty cities during its run, including Edinburgh, Bristol, Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.
If you love rock ‘n’ roll then a short break to see this new Bill Kenwright production is a must. Bill Kenwright has been responsible for some of the biggest musical tours of the UK including Chicago, Blood Brothers, Caberet and more.
Dreamboats & Petticoats is currently also on tour across the UK or if you are planning a London break you can see it at the Playhouse Theatre on Northumberland Avenue.
Will you be going to see the new show? Have you seen Dreamboats and Petticoats? Which era of music would you enjoy live on stage?
January 27, 2012
Posted by Becky
With Valentines Day creeping up many peoples thoughts will be turning to romantic gestures and gifts to show their loved ones how much the care. With a fantastic variety of heart wrenching love stories, poems and ballads to draw inspiration from throughout classic literature, contemporary film, stage productions and even stunning art there is plenty of romance to share around.
Searching through some of the world’s classic love stories we have come up with a range of valentine breaks to spoil your loved one. From the harsh landscape and doomed love of Wuthering Heights to Baby’s rebellious summer of love in Dirty Dancing or the sad romance of Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter there is a romance to suit everyone.
Whether planning a short break within the British Isles or further afield there are endless scenarios and landscapes that lend themselves to love. Why not head to the Empire State building, a location used for romantic rendezvous in both The End of The Affair and Sleepless in Seattle, with a fantastic number of New York hotels to choose from you can relax in this wonderful city. While in the Big Apple venture to Central Park or down Fifth Avenue taking in scenes from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, When Harry met Sally and many more.
If an Atlantic escape is not for you then how about the romantic Yorkshire Moors, the backdrop of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights or Carnforth railway station in Lancashire the station used in Brief Encounter. The classic love story Romeo and Juliet appears at the Royal Opera House in March, alternatively as part of the 2012 World Shakespeare Festival the story is adapted for a new generation in Romeo and Juliet in Baghdad playing at the Swan theatre in Stratford in April.
What are your favourite love stories, will you be taking inspiration from them this Valentines Day?
January 26, 2012
Posted by Danielle
Liverpool is well renowned for its musical and acting talent as well as its rich heritage and fantastic shopping, which is why it is one of the most popular UK destinations and one of our faves. If you are planning a short break in 2012 there are many reasons why you would want to add Liverpool to the very top of your list!
Liverpool’s world-famous Cavern Club has recently celebrated its 55th birthday, known as the birthplace of The Beatles Cavern Club who made a massive 292 appearances. The club originally opened its doors in 1957 and was the first venue in Liverpool dedicated to live popular music and now over half a century later the club is still welcoming tribute bands and original acts 7 days a week. To mark this special birthday events have been planned throughout the year to celebrate the anniversary of the incredible music venue that has changed the lives of so many. No trip to Liverpool is complete without a visit to this legendary musical venue which is buzzing with history.
Liverpool is hugely popular for its shopping and fashion and in February the Liverpool Fashion Festival will be held at the Aintree Racecourse with a huge turnout expected. Confirmed brands attending this event include Reiss, Ted Baker, Karen Millen and House of Fraser. This spectacular festival will have fashionistas flocking from all over the UK to enjoy live runways, boutique fashion fair, music and entertainment over four evenings.
If you are planning any visit to Liverpool make sure that you check out the Superbreak Liverpool for Less offers and our fantastic range of Liverpool hotels?
Will you be visiting Liverpool in 2012?
January 25, 2012
Posted by Kirstie
Last weekend saw Bradford-born Yorkshire artist David Hockney’s latest exhibition ‘A Bigger Picture’ open at the Royal Academy in London. This much-awaited exhibition focuses on Hockney’s long term dedication to landscape painting, and features exciting new representations of the East Yorkshire countryside. If you’re planning any London breaks soon then this exhibition is a must-see.
Proving that he still knows how to move with the times in spite of his enviably long career, 74 year old Hockney embraces the medium of the iPad in ‘A Bigger Picture’, presenting around 50 drawings created using the ‘Brushes’ App. Of Apple’s hit gadget Hockney said ‘The more I got into the iPad, the more I realised what a fantastic medium it is for landscape. There are certain things that you can do very, very quickly using it.’ In his series of digital drawings Hockney aimed to capture the short lived moments between the seasons, and the mobile nature and the versatility of the iPad allowed him to do so.
Here at Superbreak Towers we’re hugely proud that a local-born artist and his depictions of the surroundings that we know and love are achieving such great recognition thanks to this new London exhibition. If you’re planning a short break and are hoping to go and see Hockney’s magnificent new works for yourself, exhibition tickets are on sale from the Royal Academy from now until 9April. To help you plan your trip we’ve got a great range of London rail packages to help save you money and make planning your getaway a little easier.
If you’re inspired by Hockney’s love of landscape then we’ve also got a wide choice of East Yorkshire Hotels that will make an excellent base for you to get out and explore the countryside scenery for yourself. Grab a sketchbook (or an iPad!) and see what visual delights you can discover.
January 24, 2012
With February adding an extra day to the year it’s a great chance to get out and explore the UK. From romantic spa breaks to walking in the Lakes or spending a day at one of the country’s amazing historic properties there is plenty you can do to make the most of the additional day that a leap year brings.
Falling on a Sunday the 29th February fits perfectly into a weekend break away, whether planning a short break with family, spoiling your partner with a luxurious hotel stay or heading to the capital for a couple of days of sightseeing it is the ideal opportunity to escape the hum drum of day to day life.
Away from the busy crowds of half term or the usual romantic icons of Valentines Day a short break at the end of February could be just what the doctor ordered. Why not head out to the coast and enjoy some fresh winter air, with miles of beaches and coastline to choose from you are never far from the sea. If its city life you seek then head to London for some of the best West End musicals including the award winning Matilda or the new production of Singin’ in the Rain.
With plenty of fantastic attractions and sights to explore across the UK there is always something new and exciting to look forward to.
How will you be making the most of the extra day in 2012?
January 20, 2012
It has today been announced that The Queen will visit the City of York on the 5th of April to mark the 800th anniversary of York’s city charter. The Queen, who celebrates her Jubilee in 2012, last came to the city in 2005 when Royal Ascot was hosted at York Racecourse and this latest news will surely see an increase in visitors to the city over the Easter Weekend. The Queen will be greeted at Micklegate Bar, which has long been noted as the traditional Royal entrance to York, before proceeding to York Minster to distribute her traditional Maundy money.
This visit forms a part of the York 800 festival, which marks 800 years since York was granted a Royal Charter in 1212. In celebration of this anniversary there is a special programme of events running throughout the year including Holocaust Memorial Day, York Festival of Fair Trade and Festival of Angels.
The city of York is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history, world class attractions, quirky shops and of course the incredible York Minster. No visit to the city is complete without delving back in time at the Jorvik Centre or discovering York’s grizzly past in the York Dungeons. York is also home to an array of museums, from the renowned National Railway Museum to the Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum and due to open in spring the Chocolate Story, exploring the city’s long relationship with chocolate making.
As the Queens visit falls just before the long Easter weekend it is a fantastic opportunity for a short break and hotels in York are expecting to see a huge increase in visitors during this period. With many more visitors expected to head to the city on the day to welcome Her Majesty, York will be thriving from the 5th April and all through the Easter holidays.
Will you be visiting York in 2012?
January 18, 2012
With Christmas and New Year now a distant memory the February half term is fast creeping up. Whether planning a short break away with the family, a special treat to visit one of the UK’s attractions or sightseeing tours or a theatre break to London there is plenty to discover this half term.
For lovers of the sea and marine life Sealife centres across the UK are offering Kids go Free with every paying adult. From the seaside towns of Scarborough, Brighton and Blackpool to the outstanding National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham there are plenty of destinations to choose from.
If you are after the thrill of the theme park then Alton Towers will be open between 11th-19th February with a selection of rides on offer including the big rides Oblivion and Nemesis alongside the Peugeot Driving School, Marauder’s Mayhem and the Runaway Mine Train. Not all rides are available during this time.
Why not explore the wonders of Warwick Castle and learn about life in medieval times with hands on activities and exhibitions or discover the stunning Royal Palaces of London. If you are planning a break to London then be sure to take in a show in the West End with a great range of shows on offer there’s bound to be a theatre break to suit you and your family from the acclaimed Matilda, to the highly popular Lion King or the magic of Shrek brought to life on the stage.
What will you be getting up to this half term?
January 17, 2012
Haunted Houses have long attracted visitors wanting to explore the paranormal and everything that goes bump in the night and many of our hotels also feature a local ghoul or two. Hotels with a dark past are quickly proving to be a short break in their own right, with many people wanting to delve deep into the history of many old hotels.
Ballygally Castle is a 17thcentury building in Northern Ireland and is surrounded by beautiful views of the sea, but this incredible hotel has a haunted past! The hotel is thought to be occupied by several ghosts including the famous resident, Lady Isobel Shaw. She is thought to be most recognisable from the smell of vanilla and according to reports she was thought to be held in a top corner turret of the castle against her will by her husband. Many guests of Ballygally Castle have reported hearing knocking at their door during the night or the musty smell of vanilla in the bedrooms.
If you don’t fancy heading to Northern Ireland to discover a haunted hotel, then you will be pleased to know that many English hotels have their own ghosts. The Brownsover Hall in Rugby is a stunning gothic mansion and has attracted visitors for many years with tales of haunted corridors and unexplained goings on! A member of the Boughton-Leigh family who lost his hand at the time of Queen Elizabeth I is said to haunt the grounds and people have reported hearing groans and voices from the empty tower.
Darlington based Blackwell Grange Hotel also has a dark past and is thought to be home to many ghosts, the most famous being the Tartan Lady. After plundering a Highland town the Duke of Cumberland is believed to have stolen her portrait and brought it to Blackwell back in 1746, the picture was lost in a fire but many insist that the Tartan Lady’s spirit roams the grounds seeking revenge for the slaughter of her husband.
These are just three of our favourite haunted hotels but there are many more out there if you are brave enough to spend the night. Have you ever experienced the paranormal on a weekend break?
January 12, 2012
2012 is a huge year for England as we prepare for the arrival of the Olympic Games and celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee. London is going to be a busy hub of activity and while many people are planning on heading to the capital to make the most of these incredible events, some are opting to explore other parts of the region and escape from it all.
Up and down the UK people are already adding the final touches to their Queens Jubilee celebrations; many are planning street parties while others are preparing for their trip to London. London hotels for the Jubilee weekend have also seen a huge early booking increase as visitors from all over the world are heading over to join in this huge day.
If you are looking to make the most out of the extended bank holiday weekend then a short break or a getaway is perfect and you don’t have to face the London crowds to celebrate the Jubilee. The Royals are well known for frequenting many beauty spots in the UK including Sandringham, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Balmoral and with many hotels surrounding these beautiful locations you could soon be enjoying a break like royalty.
For many people the Jubilee brings back memories of last year’s Royal Wedding, when the UK went crazy and communities joined together to celebrate a truly historic day. In the run up to the Royal Wedding it was thought that many Brits were taking advantage of the long weekend and deciding to jet off to warmer climates and simply watch the event unfold from the comfort of their sun lounges and with the June extended weekend
If you still haven’t decided on how you want to spend the weekend make sure you check out our Queen’s Jubilee breaks with ideas for people who want to celebrate and those who don’t!
January 11, 2012
Yes, it’s true! We love food! Especially as the winter seems to have finally stepped in… The cold weather is here as well as the long dark nights and what better way to beat the winter blues than a good hearty meal! Most of us here at Superbreak towers enjoy cooking and we all enjoy sharing a meal with our loved ones. We love nothing more than to find inspiration for new dishes, and even classics (in between selling fabulous short breaks, that is!). Everyone has their own top secret ingredients that make the difference between creating a culinary masterpiece or a kitchen nightmare. This is why we have made a selection of our favourite food blogs, who share great recipes and thanks to whom we have enjoyed some great meals. Together we will beat the winter blues
Now when it comes to an organised blog this one is a great example! Michelle at Greedy Gourmet has her recipes sorted by dish, cuisine, courses, cooking times and dietary requirements. I found this as I was in a hurry and found myself looking for inspiration on the web as I do! And this is how I found one of my new favourite starters or appetisers the ham and cheese tartlets. This is so simple and so quick, impress without stress! And I got some great feedback on them from friends who I have forwarded the recipe to and who have equally good feedback. A great recipe on a great blog!
http://www.greedygourmet.com/2011/03/10/ham-cheese-puff-pastry-tartlets/
Thanks to Goddessonabudget, you can make great food without having to spend too much. Thanks to Vanessa, a red haired, half Italian professional chef, make the most of some delicious recipes which, as she states, go along with her ‘champagne taste and beer money’ as her mother qualifies it! We very much enjoyed the Blue cheese and Broccoli quiche, a recipe you can find on her website, along with many others, a mixture of sweet and savoury. This is a simple but great recipe which comes with facts about all the different cheese varieties which are produced in the UK.
http://writingacookerybook.blogspot.com/2011/02/simple-blue-cheese-broccoli-quiche.html
What is better than a good old pie on those cold nights? A pie? Yes you are right! We found a great pie recipe thanks to Katie at Feeding Two Boys and A Firefighter – tell us what you make of this sausage, cider and potato pie… I think the only thing that will come to mind is ‘YUM!”. I think, when you see the picture of this pie (which is what convinced me) you will happily (and rightfully) trust Katie, who is a freelance food writer and who has two boys and a fire fighter husband! I certainly did, and I don’t regret it.
http://feedingboys.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/while-the-vegetarians-away-sausage-cider-and-potato-pie/
A pie is a good old English culinary tradition but don’t push aside the delicious tarts that can be made! I found a good tart recipe thanks to Sarah at Maison Cupcake. It does make for a great meal on a cold winter evening, and although I haven’t yet tried this tart, it is next on my ‘to cook’ list. The picture Sarah has taken and shared of this pie makes it look simply delicious! Tarts are so quick to make and so easy to have either hot or cold with a salad or vegetables. This blog is another great one for inspiration and has recipes stored by categories, which makes it easy to navigate.
http://blog.maisoncupcake.com/leek-goats-cheese-tart/
We like cheese. One night browsing around for a new macaroni cheese recipe, I found this great and easy macaroni cheese with baby leeks on Ren’s Fabulicious Food! blog. This recipe is so simple and so tasty I have made this a few times! And yes I have tried it with Salmon and Peas. Ren has a load of great recipes shared on her blog, which has now been going for just over a year! If you are a Mum, Ren has a very helpful tab called ‘fab food for kids’ which lists a few wonderful recipes that children will like!
http://www.renbehan.com/2011/01/easy-macaroni-cheese-with-baby-leeks.html
What better to beat the blues than cheese and booze?! How about combining these into a three cheese fondue with champagne no less!? Well thanks to Cook Sister’s recipe you can! This is one I have yet to try, but my love of cheese and fondues has been nudging me to get myself a fondue set. I mean it will be made profitable over the winter months with cheese, oil and even chocolate fondues! This is also a great form of meal to get everyone together for a fun meal, which always entailed dares for those who lost their bread or meat at the end of the fondue fork… It makes for very entertaining evenings and great memories.
http://cooksister.typepad.com/cook_sister/2004/09/imbb_8_waiter_w.html
This Risi and Bisi recipe which I found on Helen’s Fuss Free Flavours blog was a great success. Did I mention that I love Italian food?! Well I do! And most of us at Superbreak do! This is a ‘risotto-eque’ as Helen calls it, dish which is simple to make and tastes delicious! It comprises two of my favourite Italian ingredients (parma ham and parmesan) in one of my favourite Italian dishes (Risotto)! What more could I ask for?! This blog is again full of wonderful recipes, and offers a price category for the recipes, which is very useful.
http://fussfreeflavours.com/2011/07/recipe-risi-bisi/
Who said booze is bad!? Thanks to Helen of helengraves for this great spice rum apple cake recipe. This cake went down a treat when my sister popped round for a cup of tea and a good chat. There is nothing like a feast with booze and with this cake you get them both, and not in excess!! Thumbs up for this website, which again has numerous recipes, but Helen is also sharing the spots that need to be visited. http://helengraves.co.uk/2011/08/spiced-rum-and-apple-cake/
What best to beat the long and cold winter nights than a good brownie to enjoy with a nice cup of Yorkshire tea! Well we have found a killer recipe thanks to Craig at Lyons Made. The bravo Brownies made my day a few weeks ago, when I was down and the early darkness was just starting and made a batch of these delicious brownies, some hot chocolate and sat in front of a good romcom and it made it all feel so much better! Try it, this is only one recipe amongst a lot of numerous good looking others, but I am sure you will find something for you on this site of pure foodie goodness!!
http://lyonsmade.blogspot.com/2011/01/bravo-brownies.html
Now when it comes to Chocolate, Chele at Chocolate Teapot has a few tricks up her sleeve! Whether you are looking for your favourite hotels’ or restaurants’ chocolate Christmas inspiration or simply a new recipe, I would recommend having a browse at this site. Most of these recipes are for sweet dishes, mainly desert or great tea time cakes! She makes everything seem very easy, like these white chocolate and strawberry centre Muffins, which I tried and failed since I forgot them in the over and got sidetracked. Have not tried again since, but I will. I really enjoyed this site and use it to find inspiration.
http://thechocolatepot.blogspot.com/2011/08/white-chocolate-and-strawberry-centre.html
So here are a few of our favourite food blogs, which we hope you will enjoy and we are sure you will find it as difficult as us to choose from one to another. Have a browse through all of them and make sure you organise a dinner party a week for the next few years! Thanks again to all the bloggers mentioned for sharing these recipes and please keep them coming!
January 5, 2012
Liverpool's Waterfront at Night
As 2011 quickly draws to an end we should all be thinking about planning our first short break of the year. Here at Superbreak Towers we know how important it is to plan your break down to the smallest detail, which is why we don’t like to leave anything to chance! We understand that organising a trip can be stressful which is why we like to do the hard work for you and have created a set of incredibly useful city guides to help make your break perfect.
Liverpool's Tate Gallery
In 2011, with the help of our Liverpool Guide, we have seen many happy customers travelling to the city that brought us the Beatles! Liverpool has cemented itself as a must visit city and with incredible history, fabulous shopping and amazing restaurants it’s easy to see why. From the UNESCO world heritage sight of the Waterfront to the award winning Beatles Story, renowned Cavern Quarter, superb shopping at Liverpool ONE and two astounding Cathedrals, Liverpool has something to please everyone making it an excellent destination for a short break.
"The Three Graces" in Liverpool
2012 is going to be a busy year for Liverpool with huge events such as the 2012 John Smith’s Grand National and the current spectacular Liverpool Tate exhibition, which runs until January, attracting thousands of visitors to the city. With an array of festivals throughout from the celebrations of the Chinese New Year in Chinatown to the 7th Liverpool Biennial with a selection of visual arts events, there is plenty to draw the visitors to the 2008 capital of culture. With a world class venue Liverpool is also home to a number of fantastic events happening at the Liverpool Echo Arena including the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour, JLS and Disney on Ice.
There are many reasons to head to Liverpool in 2011; the question is when will you be visiting?
December 14, 2011
Christmas is now just around the corner and while the rush is on to do that last bit of Christmas shopping, we should also be preparing to wave goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012 with open arms. If you are still organising the finishing touches to a perfect Christmas why not let someone else do the hard work over the New Year and relax with one of our many New Year Hotel Breaks.
Many hotels across the UK are getting ready for their busiest time of the year, with a mixture of Christmas Parties and festive breaks happening over the next few weeks they need to make sure they are fully prepared for the festive rush! But once the turkey is gone and Christmas day is over they still have to make sure they are organised for the biggest party of the year, New Years Eve!
Even though there is only a few weeks to go there is still a huge selection of 1 and 2 night hotel breaks still available with many hotels pulling out all the stops and including Gala Dinners, entertainment well into the early hours and a much needed late checkout on New Years Day!
So whether you want to enjoy Hogmanay in Scotland or welcome 2012 in with style in Yorkshire, you are sure to find a hotel break to make New Years Eve 2011 one to remember.
How will you be spending this New Years Eve?
December 16, 2011
Throughout the years there have been many stage musicals that have developed from films, bands and television programmes. From the hugely successful Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You Musical to the award winning Our House based on the music of Madness and the short lived show Never Forget based on the early songs of Take That there are plenty of musicals that have stemmed from pop music favourites.
In recent years those travelling on theatre breaks have had the opportunity to see the songs of The Four Seasons brought to life in the Jersey Boys, rock n’ roll favourites in Dreamboats and Petticoats and relive the astounding night that Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash met at Sun Records studio in Million Dollar Quartet. In 2012 London will welcome American Idiot a musical based on the album of the same name by American punk band Green Day. During its run on Broadway the musical won two Tony Awards, a Grammy award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award as well as being nominated for several more.
The stage has also been greatly influenced by the screen with both television programmes and films being transformed into stage musicals. In 2003 the controversial production of Jerry Springer the Opera opened, written by Richard Thomas and Stewart Lee this was based on the TV talk show. There have also been stage adaptations of the popular Disney films Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and High School Musical. The stage production of Legally Blonde achieved huge acclaim, surpassing the popularity of the film and winning several awards. With popular film musicals such as Sister Act and Dirty Dancing touring the UK the film adaptation has proved to be a huge success. News has now come through that the popular Austin Powers franchise will be adapted into a musical in the coming years.
What do you think of the musical adaptations of films and bands? What musical would you like to see being made?
December 17, 2011
While the cold snowy winter of 2010 is now a distant memory, we are still waiting to see a good dusting of the white stuff in 2011. Snow is one side of winter that we all love to see, giving us the perfect opportunity to make snowmen, slide down incredibly steep hills and throw ourselves on the floor to make snow angels. Many people opt to seek out snow for their winter breaks and head off to the snowy Alps in Austria or Italy for a few days of adrenaline filled fun!
Skiing is now one of the most popular choices for a holiday and its thought that more people are taking a second short break abroad in the winter and are heading to popular skiing destinations in Europe and beyond.
If you are looking for somewhere with one of the biggest vertical drops then Stowe in Vermont is perfect! Stowe is complete with traditional New England charm and with two ski areas it’s ideal for skiing thrill seekers. France also holds some of the most incredible ski slopes and was the host of the world’s first Winter Olympic Games in 1924, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is among the elite contenders for the title of “World’s Most Famous Ski Resort.” With an incredible run at a massive 13.7 miles the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is an attraction in its own right and a must for skiing enthusiasts. But if you are looking for a huge drop, towering mountains and fantastic shopping and restaurants then a visit to Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia is a must. Snowboarding and skiers love these slopes and it has been constantly voted as “Best North American Ski Resort”.
Where are your favourite skiing destinations?
December 21, 2011
Whether enjoying a meal in your local pub or dining out at a Michelin starred restaurant we all love enjoying the experience of eating out. From Spanish Tapas to superbly flavoured Thai food or a simple pasta dish there are plenty of fantastic restaurants to suit all tastes. The 2011 list of best fifty restaurants in the world includes establishments across the UK, Europe, Australasia and the Americas so to get the best you may have to take a short break away.
At the top of the list is the Norwegian restaurant Noma, set in the heart of Copenhagen Noma embraces the Norwegian tradition of sharing food. Using local produce and traditional cooking methods the chefs at Noma create original dishes by adding innovative twists onto customary recipes. Serving elaborate 7 course meals from crab and caramelized sweetbreads to dill and cabbages and Gammel dansk and wood sorrel Noma combines it’s Nordic heritage with fine craftsmanship.
The second and third restaurants, El Celler de Can Roca and Mugaritz, in the top 50 are both in Spain, while the first UK restaurant appears fifth. Heston Blumenthal’s world-famous Fat Duck is set in the small village of Bray in Berkshire and serves an imaginative menu to tantalise the taste buds. This exciting restaurant won the Best Restaurant in the world in 2005 and has been awarded three Michelin stars.
Other restaurants on the list include Le Chateaubriand in France, with its five course fixed price menu, Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York and Les Creations de Narisawa the first Japanese restaurant to make this list.
Will you be trying any of the top 50 restaurants? What’s your favourite food to dine out on?
December 22, 2011
With Christmas behind us and New Year creeping closer people all over the world are getting ready to welcome in 2012. Whether planning a family celebration, a night out with friends or taking part in some of the huge celebrations there is plenty going on.
Famed for its Hogmanay Edinburgh is a fantastic destination for a New Year break. Running for three days from the 30 December 2011 to the 1 January 2012 the Hogmanay takes over the streets of Edinburgh. With music, dance, cinema and fireworks there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate. This year the Hogmanay features live music from a fantastic array of bands including Primal Scream, Mark Ronson, Friendly Fires and Bombay Bicycle Club. With hotels in Edinburgh booking up fast this is a hugely popular way to see in the New Year, with visitors from all over the world travelling to Edinburgh to join in the festivities.
London’s midnight fireworks over the Thames attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Last year over 250,000 people gathered to see the amazing fireworks and welcome in the New Year. If you are planning a London break for New Year then make sure you arrive at the viewing platforms early as they fill up hours before the display stars. The London New Year celebration also includes a DJ set from Radio 1 DJ Nihal from 10pm and the infamous sound of Big Ben ringing through the New Year.
Around the world there will be celebrations taking place from the millions of people who will gather at New York’s Times Square to fireworks over the iconic Sydney harbour New Year is a fantastic time to discover the world.
Where will you be this New Year? Where’s the best place you have spent New Year?
December 29, 2011
As we get ready to welcome in 2012 may of us are working out what we can change in the New Year, whether it’s the old cliché of going to the gym, giving up a vice or simply seeing more of your family everyone likes to clean the slate and start New Year afresh.
2012 promises to be an exciting year from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the 2012 Olympic Games there is plenty going on. Why not make your 2012 one to remember with some of Superbreak’s top resolutions.
Travel More
From exploring the British Isles to taking the trip of a lifetime the world is full of new places to discover. See the fantastic cities of Europe on a Eurostar break, climb to the top of the Empire State Building in New York, tour the Sydney Opera House or simply relax on the beautiful beaches of the Canary Islands. If you don’t want to travel far then there are plenty of cities and towns to explore throughout the UK, from the picturesque scenes of the Cotswolds to the bustling streets of Birmingham or Manchester and the stunning coastlines of Cornwall and Devon.
See a West End Musical
There’s nothing quiet like seeing a top musical in the heart of the West End, whether after drama, comedy or family entertainment there is a theatre break to suit you. New for 2012 London welcomes Sweeny Todd with Michael Ball and Singin’ in the Rain, while many of the top shows are now touring across the county you can see Sister Act in Cardiff, Phantom of the Opera in Manchester and Dirty Dancing in Birmingham. For serious drama there is a fantastic array of Shakespeare plays and adaptations as part of the World Shakespeare festival.
Go on Safari
A great suggestion for all animal lovers but if you can’t afford a trip to Africa then why not head to one of the UK’s wildlife parks. Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire is home to a huge selection of animals from big cats to monkeys, penguins, reptiles and more. The park even offers special experiences where you can get up close and personal with the animals and Feed the big Cats or have Tea with the Tigers.
Have Fun
Across the world there are a superb range of attractions and themeparks to suit all tastes, from historic castles, stately homes and gardens and world class museums to adrenalin fuelled rides, aquariums and sightseeing tours there is something for everyone to enjoy. This year get out and about and explore what’s all around you.
What New Years resolutions will you be making?
December 30, 2011
Christmas now seems like a distant memory and as many of us head back to work we are already beginning to plan our next short break or adventure. Many of our most popular hotels and destinations have some incredible stories to tell and 2012 is the year to discover more about some of the UK’s most famous hotels.
If you are looking for a hotel full of character and with an incredible history then why not visit the Malmaison Oxford, this incredible former prison offers you much more than a fantastic night’s sleep and is arguably one of Oxford’s coolest hotels! The cells of the prison have been transformed to create amazing boutique rooms. But don’t worry, a room now spans three cells instead of just the one and if you are feeling extra brave you could spend the night in the House of Correction. But that’s not all, as well as years of history as a prison the hotel was also home to two of the most famous prison based shows to hit our TV screens. Porridge and Bad Girls both called this former prison home during the filming of their shows and many features of the former prison still exist in the hotel today!
The 5 star Macdonald Randolph hotel in oxford has also opened its doors as a TV set and has previously welcomed the cast of Inspector Morse. Fans of the series will be instantly familiar with the renowned Morse Bar which has seen its fair share of famous patrons including Prime Ministers and Presidents just to name a few.
But it’s not just Oxford that has proved to be popular with film makers, the Headland Hotel in Newquay has been the focus of several films including Roald Dahl’s The Witches. Its grand Victorian façade overlooks the ocean and regardless of which film you have seen nothing compares to a visit to this stunning hotel in person.
Do you have a favourite hotel that is a star of the big screen?
January 3, 2012
Following on from the launch of Superbreak’s fantastic range of Eurostar breaks including breaks to Paris, Bruges, Lille and more, some of the Superbreak sales team will take part in a gripping race from Superbreak Towers in York to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The race which will take place in late February 2012 sees two journalists from the Travel Trade Gazette join members of the Superbreak sales team and two travel agents in a Top Gear style challenge. The challenge will see train take on plane in a battle of air vs. rail as the teams travel across the English Channel in a race to the Eiffel Tower. The teams will meet at a bar at the Eiffel Tower with the first ones who get there winning the race. Details of the race are still being finalised but Superbreak will be providing the hotels in Paris, transportation and food.
Eurostar breaks are a great way to see Europe with quick and easy transportation across the Channel into Paris. From Paris there are superb connections to the rest of Europe with short breaks across France, Belgium, Germany and Holland.
Which mode of transport do you think will win the race? Will the lead come from those travelling via air or from the team hopping on the Eurostar at London St Pancras?
January 4, 2012
If you are looking at a theatre break to start 2012 then don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity as part of our Winter Offers. As well as money saving deals, free night offers and by one get one free attractions we are offering all our theatre bookers the chance to enjoy 2 for 1 dining with every theatre break booked directly with Superbreak, over £300!
The 2 for 1 Hi-Life Diners cards are perfect for couples who like to enjoy the finer things in life. The card lasts for 12 months and gives you incredible savings in over 3,500 restaurants across the UK allowing you to enjoy the benefits long after you return home from your short break. You can choose from your favourite high street restaurants or your favourite Michelin starred celebrity chefs including Gary Rhodes, Chris Horridge and Marco Pierre White just to name a few, but hurry this offer is only available to bookings made until 31st January.
So what are you waiting for! Enjoy a break in London with a trip to the theatre and 2 for 1 dining all year. The only question is, which restaurant will you visit first?
January 4, 2012
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