Jonathan Pryce’s Caretaker comes to the West End
If you’re looking to enjoy some classic theatre this month, a little bird tells me that the new production of Harold Pinter’s classic play The Caretaker is worth catching in its run at London’s Trafalgar Studios.
Like many modern classics, The Caretaker may have been analysed to death by academics over the years, and be a staple of many dry University literature and drama courses, but don’t let that put you off! With a thought-provoking plot and a stellar cast headed by the great Jonathan Pryce in the title role, The Caretaker offers everything you could ask from a theatre break in London, and sounds like the perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening.
I’ve been a fan of Jonathan Pryce since I first watched Terry Gilliam’s bizarre film Brazil, and this is the perfect chance to catch him at his self-proclaimed best: treading the boards of London’s theatres in front of a captivated audience. It’s no surprise that reviewers have been full of praise for his performance, with Peter Brown of the London Theatre Guide calling him “a fox-like Davies who thinks he’s cunning and sly, but is not sufficiently so to recognise which brother it is best to side with.”
The brothers in question are the owners of a house who invite the homeless old man (played by Pryce) to be their caretaker. Aston, played by Peter McDonald, is a withdrawn and trusting victim who you can’t help but feel sorry for, while Sam Spruell plays his brother Mick in what sounds like a very unnerving depiction of the house owner.
I can’t really give more details without giving it away, but rest assured this isn’t just a play for the literary elite either, though I’m sure the high brow audiences will enjoy it just as much as the casual theatregoer. The Caretaker is one of those shows that can be as deep or meaningful as you want it to be – bear in mind that its creator Harold Pinter had this to say about his masterpiece: “It’s about two brothers and a caretaker.” 
You can catch The Caretaker any evening from Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm, or on afternoon matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays from 2.30pm, and the show will run at Trafalgar Studios 1 near to Leicester Square and the West End until 17th April. If you head down, let me know what you thought!
Add comment 09/02/2010
Carnevale season sweeps Rome
This weekend sees the start of the Carnevale festival in Rome, 10 days of festivities taking place across the city centre before the more serious business of Lent begins. And nowhere does religious festivals better than Italy’s holy city!
While I’m sure many people will already be travelling to the Eternal City this month on romantic Valentine’s breaks, the overlapping Carnevale celebrations are making a trip to Rome seem all the more appealing. Despite being a religious festival of sorts, there’s little that’s stuffy about Carnevale Romano, which involves concerts, art events and horseback parades bringing the ancient city’s wonders to life.
The celebrations kick off with a costumed parade along Via del Corso on Saturday 6 February, which, according to the New York Times, will involve 60 riders and over 100 performers paying homage to the horse races that used to take place here until the 19th century. The festivities will conclude in grand style on Shrove Tuesday, 16 February – better known to festival-goers as Mardi Gras – with a performance from Italian folk singer and musician Angelo Branduardi.
Rome isn’t the only city in Italy that pulls out the stops for Carnevale though, and this year’s festival season will once again see the city twinned with Venice in an artistic exchange. Simply put, this will involve Rome’s Teatro dell’Opera taking their show to Teatro La Fenice and a number of Venetian artists taking part in events at various venues across Rome, helping to bring two of Italy’s cultural capitals together.
Anyone who’s visited Rome before won’t be surprised to learn that the Piazza del Popolo will be host to one of the festival’s major events, with the Village of Culture and Tradition being set up to host debates, meetings and performances between the 11th and 16th. Equestrian fans whose thirst hasn’t already been quenched by the parade will also be able to see a horse riding show being put on in the square on 13 and 14 February, directed by one of Italy’s leading riding instructors.
For centuries, Carnevale celebrations have been the perfect way for many people to enjoy some light relief before committing their willpower to Lent. Of course, Lent isn’t restricted to Christianity, and even if you’re not religious, the period can still be an effective way of deciding to make changes to your life – even if it’s only for 40 days and nights. Are you thinking of giving anything up this year?
Add comment 05/02/2010
Make it a Valentines weekend to remember
If you’re determined to make this February 14th a Valentine’s Day to remember, how can you choose the perfect destination for you and that special someone when there are so many enticing Valentine’s Day breaks out there?
As the romantic weekend comes ever closer, it always seems that travel writers everywhere are giving their heartfelt opinions on which destinations around the UK make for the ideal Valentine’s break. And while I’m sure each opinion is perfectly valid, it doesn’t help that many of these are contradictory – and you can’t be in two places at once!
With so many great offers and experiences to enjoy around the country, it really does depend on you! That’s not to say that I won’t put in my own tuppence worth and tell you about some of the romantic breaks we’re offering here at Superbreak to help that special weekend go down in history.
If you’re looking to splash out on a luxury Valentine’s getaway for you and your partner, there’s still time to find low prices on top four- and five-star hotels around the nation. Treat yourselves to a little pampering in opulent surroundings – or better still, get your other half to treat you to it! 
Whether you’re looking to get away from it all on a country escape to the beautiful Lake District or Cornwall, or even if a Valentine’s city break is more appealing, you’ll find that love is in the air everywhere you go.
To get even more out of your Valentine’s break, you can even look into what’s playing in your area – those of you visiting London might want to combine your hotel with a theatre package or event booking to see Eric Clapton at the O2 or Phantom of the Opera to make it a truly unforgettable night!
Of course, you don’t have to stay in the UK, and what better reason than the Valentine’s weekend to take that trip to Europe? If you’re an old romantic who goes weak in the knees at the thought of a weekend in Paris, you’ll find they really know how to celebrate the event in the world’s romantic capital. But you might also want to check out up-and-coming Switzerland – chosen as this year’s top Valentine’s spot by popular travel blogger Adventure Girl for its beautiful hotels and awe-inspiring scenery.
Add comment 03/02/2010
Vancouver makes final preparations for Winter Olympics
As we enter a month traditionally associated with romance and pancakes, it looks like February this year will be dominated by winter sports, as eyes across the world are turning to Canada – host of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Taking place every four years, the snowy alternative to the Olympic Games may be less high-profile, but is no less prestigious for those involved in the world of winter sports. Thousands of spectators will be flocking to mountains and arenas in Vancouver and Whistler next week to see some of the world’s finest athletes compete in skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, bobsledding, ice hockey and all other sports that work best in the cold.
But that’s exactly where things have been looking a little worrying for the organisers and fans, as according to the Telegraph, weather forecasts have been predicting warmer temperatures this month than expected. So what would usually be great news for the nation may spell trouble if conditions are less than ideal.
Luckily, it seems that the event’s organisers are well-prepared for undependable weather, and have already taken steps to fly in pallets of snow from British Columbia to help ensure ideal conditions on Cypress Mountain, where the men’s downhill event will open the Olympics on 13 February. The venues are also prepared to start artificial snow production if temperatures drop below zero, making sure that millions of viewers around the world will still be treated to the spectacular sight of snowboarders soaring through the air across the magnificent backdrop of Vancouver Bay. You know I’ll be watching
If you have a winter sport of choice, you can check out the official Olympics schedule to find out when all events are taking place across February, closing in grand style with the gold medal ice hockey final followed by the closing ceremony at Vancouver’s BC Place.
Add comment 01/02/2010
British Supercross Championships comes to the O2
If you’re a fan of extreme sports and looking for a high-octane event this winter, you could be in luck. Saturday sees the long-awaited return of the British Supercross Championships at the O2 – an event that’s sure to get your pulse racing!
While I’ve never been a big fan of spectator sports, I have to admit there’s something alluring about extreme sports like dirt bike racing. Maybe it’s the bravery it takes, or the skill required to carry out those manoeuvres, or maybe it’s the morbid fascination with what might happen if they fell off their bikes…
This weekend’s event in London is the grand final, and the most highly skilled of the world’s off-road racers will be going head-to-head. It’s set to be a record-breaking event too. And when an event is held at the prestigious O2 Arena in London Docklands, you just know it’s going to be big, loud and a night to remember.
Personally, I’d be fascinated to see how they’re going to transform the O2 from a concert venue into a fully functional dirt obstacle course, which is said to feature 40 jumps that are designed to challenge all types of rider. With intriguing names like “whoop-de-doos,” “triples,” “table tops,” “rhythm sections” and “high-banked berms,” I truly have no idea what these obstacles involve, but it sure sounds like it might be quite fun to find out.
This year’s British Supercross Championships takes place on Saturday 30 January starting at 6PM, and is the most prestigious and exciting motorcycle event on the calendar. Of course, the indoor location means there’s no chance of it getting called off due to foul weather. It also means you’ve got no excuse for watching it in the safety of your home – so get down to the O2 and enjoy the best indoor racing action you’re ever likely to see!
Add comment 29/01/2010
The Spice Girls get the musical treatment in Viva Forever
If you loved the Spice Girls in their 90s heyday, I’m sure you’ll be as excited as I am to hear about the new musical being planned to hit West End theatres in the not-too-distant future.
With a working title of Viva Forever, named after one of the group’s biggest singles, this musical adaptation of the Spice Girls phenomenon is being handled by Judy Cramer. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Judy is the brain behind the hit ABBA musical Mamma Mia – so you can be sure this show is in very capable hands!
According to the Times Online, the show is likely to hit theatres in the next two to three years, and its style will be similar to Mamma Mia, in that rather than featuring the Spice Girls themselves, their iconic music will be the basis for an original story. Judy said: “I want to create a unique celebration of the band and its music, with its own flavour and joyful message. It is important to me that the excitement, style and humour of the Spice Girls is well represented on stage.”
So what can we expect from a Spice Girls musical? Well, if Mamma Mia is anything to go by, we can look forward to a star-studded cast and sold-out performances, as well as a revival in interest for the group that popularised the phrase ‘Girl Power.’
Some critics are questioning whether the Spice Girls music will be as well-known as that of ABBA. I really don’t think that’s anything to worry about, though it’s true that not quite as many of their songs have entered the public consciousness – with the possible exception of ‘Wannabe’.
Those who grew up in the era of Girl Power are now those who spend their disposable income on theatre breaks, and it does make sense that the Spice Girls are next in line for the musical treatment. If their last reunion concert in London is anything to go by – an event that completely sold out within 38 seconds – this is sure to be a huge hit. I can hardly wait!
Add comment 28/01/2010
Take a chance on ABBAWorld at Earls Court
If Mamma Mia left you eager for more and you’re looking for your next ABBA fix, prepare to be dazzled by an experience unlike any other, as tomorrow sees the world debut of the sensational ABBAWorld at Earls Court.
I’m not ashamed to admit my lifelong love affair with Sweden’s pop superstars, so this exhibition sounds like it’s right up my street – even if it makes me wish I was still a child to get the full magical effect! ABBAWorld is the only exhibition that’s fully licensed by the group, and promises to offer much more than a mere memorabilia show or tribute act ever could.
Spread across more than 25 rooms at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, ABBAWorld aims to bring the ABBA experience to life with state-of-the-art interactive exhibits. The ‘Perform with ABBA’ activity sounds like the most fascinating of all, letting visitors see themselves singing alongside Agnetha, Benny, Björn and Frida in a full 3D projection, as well as appearing in an ABBA music video!
The exhibition is also packed with timeless exhibits to delight ABBA superfans, like never-before-seen treasures previously owned by members of the group alongside other rare material – including stage costumes, gold records, exclusive interviews and promotional films, each one an important piece of ABBA history.
Here’s the BBC’s sneak preview of ABBAWorld, which gives us some idea what to expect:
The ABBA phenomenon is truly timeless, and meets the 21st century head-on in this groundbreaking exhibition, which is running in London from 27 January to 28 March before heading overseas. According to the event’s website, you can even keep the experience alive after you’ve returned home by logging on to www.abbaworld.com, where your photo will still be gracing your personalised ABBA album covers!
And remember ABBA fans, you can still catch Mamma Mia at the Prince of Wales Theatre to see fantastic performances of all your favourite ABBA songs first-hand.
Add comment 27/01/2010
Australia Day events across the UK
With the taste of haggis and whisky still lingering after a sensational Burns Night, it’s already time to celebrate another great nation – as 26th January is Australia Day!
Celebrations are taking place all over the world in honour of our Aussie ‘neighbours,’ and for those celebrating in the UK it looks like there’s a packed day of events taking place in London and other big cities to make sure any Australians stranded on this side of the globe will feel right at home.
There’s been some controversy over the festivities in Australia itself with the authorities looking for ways to dissuade people from drinking too heavily. They are even asking some shops to only stock booze with a low alcohol content! But although it may seem a little harsh, I think on the whole they’ve got their hearts in the right place – I’m sure they just want to make sure everyone feels able to have a good time. With a stronger police presence, I’m sure many people will feel safer celebrating on the beach and in other public places – though apparently the scorching weather over there might mean more people choosing to celebrate indoors this year. If only they could share a little with us!
So while it’s inevitable that beer will be a cornerstone of many activities, especially those being held at major pubs and restaurants like Peoples Republic, Belushi’s and of course Walkabout, there are always alternatives – including an Australian wine tasting evening at Vinopolis in London’s Bayswater area, if your palette finds grapes more appealing than barley.
Wherever you are in the UK, if you head downtown you’re likely to see Australians enjoying themselves – even more than usual! Of course, you don’t have to be Australian to join in the festivities, and it seems that Scottish tennis fans may have even more reason to celebrate if Andy Murray beats Rafael Nadal in today’s quarter-final in Melbourne.
Add comment 26/01/2010
Celebrating Burns Night the Scottish way
If you don’t live in Scotland, you might not see anything special about January 25th. But for those of you north of the border, I’ll be joining in this Monday to celebrate Burns Night, one of Scotland’s national holidays.
No one celebrates like the Scots, which is why I’m heading to Edinburgh to celebrate the occasion with friends. I wasn’t able to come up last year, but the Burns Supper I held at home was a great success – I even got my friends to eat haggis, which was no small achievement!
The excitement doesn’t all have to be indoors though, and as a national holiday you can always find plenty of opportunities to celebrate in public – especially in the big cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, where pubs and restaurants bring out special menus and live performances abound.
As for the food and drink themselves, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Scotland’s national holiday is celebrated with traditional cuisine and Scotch whisky. Haggis is available everywhere in Scotland, but even in the rest of the UK it’s easy enough to find it online. And if you’re a little put off by the idea of what you’re eating, you’ll be glad to hear that veggie haggis is just as readily available and many people actually prefer the taste.
Some companies have gone even further to cash in on the holiday, with haggis producers MacSween introducing the ‘One Minute Haggis’ this year – two slices of haggis that can be microwaved in 60 seconds and put in a bun. Sounds tasty enough, but I don’t think MacDonalds will be losing sleep over it somehow!
Even though I admit I’m not so much into the poetry that often forms a part of the celebrations (Robert Burns, whose birthday the event commemorates, was a poet after all!), Burns Night is a great occasion to eat, drink and be merry in great company. After all, Christmas and New Year were a long time ago… right?
Add comment 24/01/2010
Voice in a Million comes to the O2
If you’re the kind of person that gets goosebumps watching TV talent shows then you’ll be blown away by the spectacular musical event coming to the O2 next Thursday. Voice in a Million is an exciting new project that’s been devised to raise awareness of abandoned and orphaned children who need a new life, and it involves the aspiring vocal talents of 5,000 children. This means you’ll have the chance to enjoy a musical fix but also know that it’s happening to raise money for some of the world’s most deserving causes.
This record-breaking event was organised by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) and is certainly worth making the trip to London to experience first-hand. The O2 show is the beginning of an epic project that will involve a staggering one million children lending their voices to support the worthy cause all across the world.
Each singer on stage represents one child in the UK who is in need of a loving home, which gives you a real idea of how important this issue is. Not only orphans, but children who’ve suffered abuse, neglect and abandonment will also be helped by the event. Singers were auditioned at Shepperton Film Studios, and the most talented performers will even be given a chance to sing solo in front of the gathered crowd – make sure you’re a part of it!
The concert will be recorded for a documentary and for the upcoming One Million Voices album, to commemorate the fantastic event. Events like this are the perfect way to show your support and to recognise young talent, and better still, 1,000 tickets have been donated to members of the British Armed Forces and their families, to show support for all the children who are still losing their fathers in the current conflict in Afghanistan.
Voice in a Million comes to the O2 in London Docklands on Thursday 28 January. Later this year, the event will head to Nottingham’s Trent Arena on 1 July and Newcastle’s Metro Arena on 8 July, so clear your diaries now!
Add comment 22/01/2010
Hello happy travellers and welcome to my brand new blog
Posted by Sarah
In my line of work you get to hear about all kinds of amazing things happening all around the world, from underground art exhibitions in London to the huge range of festivals that fill the streets of Prague come winter time. And sometimes, when you hear about things that could be a once in a lifetime opportunity, you just want to share.
I hope this blog will be somewhere that I, and hopefully all sorts of people, can do just that. If travelling is your passion, I hope you’ll share a little of it with me and that together we can create a travel blog with a difference – somewhere that you can contribute your experiences and tips but also a place to turn to when you want to know all about the biggest news to hit the world of travel.
I’m planning to keep everyone updated with all of the interesting travel information and rumours that come my way as well as any holiday related titbits and special short breaks I come across, so hopefully you’ll find something to interest you whether you mainly travel for business or whether you’re an intrepid adventurer keen to explore new climes.
Let your mind take you travelling even when you’re stuck at your desk, pop onto my blog whenever you have a spare moment and hopefully you’ll find something to inspire you!
Add comment 18/11/2008
Looking to the stars for short break inspirations
Posted by Sarah
When the pressures of work and other life stresses get too much for me, I find that a change of scenery is one of the best ways to get back on form. An action-packed short break always gets my body invigorated and a leisurely weekend spent strolling around art galleries is guaranteed to stimulate my mind. And if you’re hoping to see similar effects in your life on a short break close to home, you might be pleased to hear that Scotland is soon to offer a new option for those wanting to recharge their batteries and bust some stress.
Later this month Dark Sky Scotland will unveil a number of parks designed to allow star gazers to sit back and chill out as they take in some spectacular constellations – and it’s hoped that these new attractions will make Scotland the number one destination for stargazers. The Dark Sky Scotland project has more than 30 organisations involved as well as the backing of national tourism body Visit Scotland.
So we could soon see Scotland rebranded as the world’s first country to establish official ‘dark-sky discovery sites’ – which makes sense seeing as it apparently has some the best conditions for star gazing in the world.
Of course, Scotland is already home to some of the UK’s most breathtaking sights. The stunning vistas of the Highlands and Islands make them popular in summertime, and seasonal events like the Edinburgh International Festival and Hogmanay celebrations are a big draw for Scotland – I know I love seeing in the New Year on Princes Street! However, these new parks could tempt people to visit in times normally considered as off-peak and provide new opportunities and services for tourists.
So, while the parks might offer something a little different from the attractions you may normally think of when planning your next break, hardworking city dwellers might find natural night-time illuminations – rather than Broadway stars – are the perfect way to sooth their spirits. I know that I’m certainly keen to give one a try.
Add comment 20/11/2008
Ray’s top ten theatre shows of all time
Posted by Ray
My favourite shows of all time are:
1. 10th Anniversary Performance of Les Miserables at The Royal Albert Hall. It was so emotional.
2. The opening night of We Will Rock You. The critics hated it and I loved it.
3. The 21st birthday performance of The Phantom of The Opera. This musical has played a very big part in my life. I have been with it every step of the way.
4. The closing night of Cats. It was as good that night as it was when it opened 21 years earlier.
5. Carmen Funebre at The Edinburgh Festival. I watched it in the pouring rain. It was the start of a life-long love affair with The Edinburgh Festival.
6. When The Bulbul Stopped Singing at The Traverse Theatre. The best one man play I have ever seen and an amazing insight into the Palestinian occupation.
7. Frank Finlay playing Salieri in Amadeus. An amazing performance.
8. The first birthday performance of Billy Elliot. All three Billys danced that night. Very special.
9. The original cast of Stones in His pockets at The Duke of Yorks. This show made me laugh so much.
10. The first time I saw Jesus Christ Superstar at The Palace Theatre. It changed my life. I fell in love with London and its theatres.
What do you think?
Add comment 24/11/2008
Boris’s new plans for the culture capital
Posted by Sarah
Thanks for that great post, Ray – the country’s just bursting at the seams with outstanding theatre, so your list is sure to give our readers a better idea of where to start. And anyone that identifies with Ray’s post will love the news that Boris Johnson – London’s fair-haired, blunder-prone mayor – aims to improve access to cultural events through a comprehensive three-year plan.
Whatever your views of BoJo might be, this new plan definitely gives culture vultures in London something to shout about. In a bid to push ‘high culture’ to young people, he’s encouraging more teenagers to take up musical instruments, increasing funding to the London Jazz Festival and will appoint a ‘London Film Day’, which will involve free film screenings across all London boroughs. What’s more, he aims to launch “The Story of London” next year, an event that will celebrate the capital’s history throughout June.
It’s a series of innovations that will hopefully wake new life into London’s well-established cultural foundations, and create a distinct cultural legacy that residents and visitors can enjoy in the run up to London 2012 and long after. After all, cultural attractions – like the West End’s plethora of theatre breaks – are one of the city’s greatest assets. That and its shopping! Making these attractions better can only be a good thing and will keep London up there as one of the world’s best loved creative hubs.
Maybe at this time next year, Ray’s list of cultural highlights will reflect the liveliness that we hope Boris’ schemes will inject into the capital!
Add comment 25/11/2008
Gareth Gates: the West End’s newest Joseph
Posted by Sarah
Who would have thought that Gareth Gates would go from the stammering teen we saw on Pop Idol all those years ago to a fully fledged West End Star? This week’s news that Gareth is going to be the newest Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat has me absolutely shaking with glee.
As a teenybopper in the early 1990s, I actually went to see then-heartthrob Jason Donavon play Joseph in the musical’s first ever West End premiere and the memory is permanently etched on my brain. From the soaring notes of “Any Dream Will Do” to the depths of despair conjured up by “Close Every Door”, it was one of my first experiences with musical theatre and I’ll always be grateful to my mother for taking me – thanks mum!
Gareth’s definitely got large boots to fill, as Jason was just the first in a long line of top class entertainers to portray the biblical character. Past Josephs include This Morning’s Philip Schofield, Donny Osmond (who played the role from 1993 to 1997), Ian Watkins – better known as H from Steps – and Boyzone’s Stephen Gately. And let’s not forget the wonderful Lee Mead, winner of last year’s BBC talent competition Any Dream Will Do, from whom Gareth takes over.
But I for one think he’s up to the challenge. In addition to his effortless boyish charm and endearing demeanour, he seems to have a real passion for the role – as well as a history of playing Joseph outside the West End. Following the announcement, he said: “Joseph is something I have wanted to do since I was a kid – the first time I was on stage [at school] I was Joseph, so for me to be here now on the West End stage as Joseph is the most amazing feeling in the world.”
Gareth will be taking to the stage at the Adelphi Theatre in his Technicolor dreamcoat in February 2009. But if you can’t wait until then, or you’re just looking for theatre break this Christmas, go see him play Prince Charming in Cinderella at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre from December 5th. If you look closely, you might see me in the front row!
2 comments 27/11/2008
Barcelona in Winter!
Posted by Chris
Welcome to my first blog of what I hope will be many! – Having just returned from Barcelona, I just wanted to let everyone know what a great place it is to visit over the winter period.
When I left Gatwick airport last Friday it was a freezing 2 degrees, just one and a half hours later I was in a sunny Barcelona enjoying a very pleasant 17 degrees – not sunbathing weather but certainly warm enough to walk around without a coat.
The city has loads to offer tourists including the awe inspiring Nou Camp stadium home to Barcelona FC – I think I would give my right arm to actually go and see a game there.
Public transport is easy and cheap and the food is to die for – I managed to grab some tapas and local wine in a small restaurant just off Las Ramblas and it was amazing (although not too great for my diet!). I have to say that it is probably my favourite European city at the moment – so over to your guys, let me know where your favourite winter city getaway would be?
Add comment 01/12/2008
The Lapland debacle aside, the UK is just teeming with great theme parks
Posted by Sarah
The recent palaver surrounding the Lapland New Forest attraction has got me thinking about the enviable range of theme parks we have here in the UK. If you haven’t heard about it already, the park on the Hampshire-Dorset border has come under fire from angry consumers over false advertising; instead of the “winter wonderland” promised in marketing material, the real scene was reportedly nothing of the kind.
Organisers might still be denying any wrongdoing, but it’s important not to let this unfortunate incident give the rest of the UK’s spectacular theme parks a bad name. When I was growing up, there were only three places I wanted to go at weekends: Surrey’s Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures in London and – last but definitely not least – Alton Towers. Days filled with towering rollercoasters, tutti-frutti ice cream and candy floss certainly feature prominently among my childhood memories!
These days, families can draw from a wider – and constantly growing – selection of theme parks. Legoland Windsor is one of my favourites from the new breed, while further north you’ll find Camelot in Lancashire and Birmingham’s Cadbury World – ideal for chocolate lovers of any age! Better still, the advances made in shortening the Eurostar journey time between London and the French capital means that we can even count Disneyland Paris among our nearby theme park attractions – isn’t technological development great?
So if you’re one of those people that’s been left feeling disappointed by Lapland New Forest, don’t forget how many more great theme parks there are in Britain just waiting to be discovered by you. Or maybe you know of a few theme parks that are off the beaten track – if so, tell us! We’re always eager to hear about new attractions, and you might just give someone the holiday tip of a lifetime.
Add comment 02/12/2008
Take that Europe! The UK’s got some great Christmas markets too
Posted by Sarah
There’s nothing that gets me more in the mood for Christmas than the smell of roast chestnuts. I just love buying a small bag of them and dividing them between my pockets: the warmth they give to your body is just as wonderful as the taste! Of course, there’s nowhere more festive to buy roast chestnuts than at a Christmas market – and, lucky for me, the growth of Christmas markets in the UK in recent years has meant that I don’t have to hop over the Channel for an authentic experience.
As if London wasn’t already overflowing with great things to do, its “Cologne Christmas Market” gives the culture-packed South Bank an added burst of colour and vibrancy over the festive period. What could be better than shopping for handmade German arts and crafts against the stunning backdrop of the London Eye?
If you’re really hoping to immerse yourself in the Christmas market vibe, you can’t miss Birmingham’s extravaganza. I’ve never been myself but it’s supposed to be the biggest Christmas market outside Germany – so I really should make plans to visit soon if I’m going to remain an authority on this subject! Travel west to Cardiff or north to Manchester and Newcastle and you’ll find plenty more festive fun in the form of traditional German Christmas markets. There’s even a quaint Christmas market in York – which is really handy for people that work at our York office!
But my favourite Christmas market has to be the one in Edinburgh. It’s no secret that Edinburgh’s my favourite short break destination – I just can’t get enough of its breathtaking skyline and its mystery-filled Old Town. The Christmas market that takes over Princes Street Gardens – a city-centre park built on an old septic tank, for all your trivia buffs! – is just magical. It’s got a huge ice rink, a Ferris wheel and loads of children’s rides. Sipping mulled wine and listening to the buzzing Christmas sounds – it’s my idea of heaven!
So why trek over to Germany or Holland for a good dose of traditional Christmas spirit? There’s so much on our doorstep that you’d be a fool to miss out, as would I. So I’m off to book a train ticket to Birmingham!
1 comment 05/12/2008
My 10 favourite views from London Hotels
Posted by Ray
1. New years eve from the 15th floor of The Cavendish. Uninterrupted views of fireworks on The BA London Eye
2. The O2 from The Radisson Edwardian at New Providence Wharf
3. Tower Bridge from The Tower Hotel
4. Leicester Square at night from The Hampshire Hotel
5. Views across Hyde Park from The Cumberland Hotel
6. The River Thames from The Swissotel -The Howard
7. The Houses of Parliament from The Marriott at County Hall
8. Kensington Palace and Gardens from The Royal Garden Hotel
9. Chelsea Harbour from The Wyndham
10. Sloane Street and beyond from The Jeremiah Carlton Tower
These are my favourite top 10. Let me know your top 10 or even top 5 and why!
Add comment 08/12/2008
London, Celeb Spotting and Me…
Posted by Lynda
I can’t believe how many posts there are here already – I feel quite left behind. It has been a somewhat hectic week for me though! I’ve just moved to London from York and what a move it’s been! We’re finally settled into our new flat in the rather trendy spot of Primrose Hill, but contrary to popular belief it’s far from swarming with celebrities – much to my disappointment!
So – I’m going to ensure I spot many a celeb…by visiting the world famous Madame Tussauds in Marylebone. There I can bump into the gorgeous Daniel Craig or maybe even George Clooney…if only I could afford to visit Madame Tussauds NYC – now that would be something! Afterwards I might indulge in a spot of (window) shopping down Marylebone High Street with its many independent shops that prove to be a haven from the madness of nearby Oxford Street.
That’s my Saturday afternoon sorted out, but so to the evening. I quite fancy going to see one of the many West End shows on offer – but my other half isn’t much of a musicals fan. I think I might have found just the thing however! La Clique is a quirky cabaret set in London’s Hippodrome. With a variety of acts to tease and tantalise I think that will be more up his street than an evening of Mamma Mia!
Oh so many things to do – so little time….and money! By the way – if you’re looking for a top notch hotel at a brilliant price – try The Hoxton – a real gem not far from Old Street Station with designer good looks at bargain prices! My favourite things are the soaring bird sculptures hanging down in the entrance and the fact there is free internet access in the lobby, the free milk in the fridge, the full size bars of pears soap (it makes me reminisce!), the funky local area map in the room, the free Prêt breakfast….oh I could go on but why not go see for yourself!
Well I’m off to explore London some more – maybe take in some other top London attractions but will no doubt be back soon to see what everyone else is up to!!
Add comment 09/12/2008
Pinching those Pennies in London
Posted by Sarah
Lynda’s post has really got me thinking: London has so many great attractions on offer, but if money is certainly an object – and for most people, it is – a trip to the big city can be fairly restrictive. But that’s no reason not to visit! Whenever I find myself in central London with a few spare hours to kill (not something that happens too often, unfortunately), there are a few trusty freebies I love to fall back on.
My favourite without a doubt is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. I find something so satisfying about the fact that, although it costs over £15 for one ticket to get into the Queen’s humble abode, watching this great British ritual is free for all! Basically, the Changing of the Guard sees London’s famous red coat and furry hat donned guards swap places with a new guard in ceremonious fashion. It can be hard to catch – it takes place at 11am every alternate day most months and daily from April to July – but is really a sight not to be missed.
It’s no secret that the capital simply overflows with great museums and art galleries, but people often forget that so many of these offer free admission. You’d be surprised by how many of my friends who have been born and bred in London have never once set foot in the British Museum – and (excluding the special exhibits) it doesn’t cost a penny! I first visited on a primary school trip to see its Egyptian exhibits in the 1980s and the memory has been burned into my brain.
My personal favourite, however, is the Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s officially the world’s largest art and design museum, home to a mind-boggling 4.5 million objects – and it’s right here in South Kensington. One of the V&A’s most famous – and in my opinion, most interesting – recent displays was its Kylie Exhibition last year, a show charting the Aussie pop star’s changing image throughout the last two decades. I absolutely adored it; I never guessed that I’d see those famous gold hot pants in the flesh (so to speak).
If you’re really tightening your belts, preparing a packed lunch and eating it in one of London’s many open parks is really a great way to spend some time. I really treasure the moments I spend in St James Park; few things make me happier than eating a prawn and mayonnaise sandwich, sipping a coffee and reading the Guardian’s Saturday travel supplement on its steps.
But my opinion on free delights in London is by no means the definitive one – do you know of any hidden gems in the capital that won’t cost a penny? Let us know and I’ll be sure to test it out as soon as I can. I’m sure Lynda will have plenty to share with us too as she gets to know her new surroundings – good luck in your new home Lynda!
Add comment 12/12/2008
Belfast – The New Milan??
Posted by Chris
Belfast? Milan? I can hear your doubtful minds from my room (well, its the Clinton Suite to be precise - where President Clinton and the first lady stayed when they were in Belfast during the ‘troubles’, but one doesn’t like to brag) here at the famous Europa Hotel. Well I had a bit of a hard time believing it myself, but I can honestly say that the Belfast that I see today is a far, far cry from the city that I visited for the first time twelve years ago when things here weren’t exactly so rosy.
Chic boutiques, amazingly cosmopolitan bars and celebrity chef restaurants have taken over the city. Add in the amazingly warm welcome and the fantastic architecture (the City Hall is probably one of the best examples of its period in the UK) and I really believe that you have a city break destination that has it
I arrived early evening yesterday and walked to the traditional Christmas market, if you ignored the Northern Irish accents you could have been in Munich. Then, I had a walk around the main shops expecting a typical British selection of M&S, Boots and maybe a Zara but not much else – boy was I surprised, yes … the high streets names were there but side by side with some of the nicest little finds selling everything from designer clothes to fantastic modern art. Needless to say, I spent a small fortune and may need to buy a new case to get it all back to York.
This morning I ventured to The Culloden Hotel and Spa just outside of the city overlooking the sea. What an amazing property, no wonder all the stars stay here. The Spa (using ESPA products) is one of the best I have seen in the world and the bedrooms, views and restaurant are to die for – the best thing, it really is great value. So good in fact that I am going to fly back in January to stay for the weekend.
Back to work for me now, more hotels to visit – watch this space for news of some new properties we are going to be working with in the city soon.
1 comment 15/12/2008
My Favourite London Restaurants and Pubs
Posted by Khalid
One of the hardest but most pleasurable parts of a short break is often deciding where to eat and drink. Before I moved up north I lived in London for a while so here’s a guide to my favourite watering holes and eateries in the big smoke. Hopefully they’ll make the most crucial of decisions for your short break that little bit easier. They aren’t the fanciest set of restaurants around but places I went back to again and again, so generally easier on your wallet. Not all are central but I’ve only listed them if they are worth the trip.
Chez Bruce – Wandsworth Common
Definitely worth the 10 minute train ride from Victoria to South London. 3 course set menu for about £35 in a superb Michellin starred restaurant. Highly recommended for a special occasion.
Fish, Borough Market
It’s all in the name really. Virtually any kind of fish you can think of cooked to perfection. It’s laid out like a diner and has a great atmosphere. The location is great for lunch if walking down the South Bank towards Tate Modern and The London Eye. The Anchor (next doorish) used to be good for a pint looking over to St.Paul’s. Livebait near Waterloo is another great fish restaurant.
Carluccios – St.Cristophers Place and Eastcastle st (both just off Oxford St) My favourite chain of restaurants with high quality Italian food, unfortunately not ventured to York yet.
The Champion – Wells Street, off Oxford Street A superb Sam Smiths watering hole just off Oxford street with Yorkshire prices to match. Fabulous stain glass windows and a perfect stop off from a busy days shopping. Just up the road from Carluccios. Try the Pure Brewed bottled lager.
Tsunami – Voltaire St, Clapham
It’s now quite an unfortunate name but this is the best Japanese food I’ve ever eaten. The staff are great and could explain everything on the menu you hadn’t heard of. Very, very cool restaurant
Momo, Regent Street
Brilliant North African food with a great atmosphere, on the more expensive side but worth it for for a special occasion.
Princess Louise, Holborn
Another Sam Smiths pub, OK there is a theme emerging here but the Victorian decor of this pub is amazing and who would argue with under £2 for a pint of Best bitter in Central London.
Mirsh Masala – Norbury
The best Pakistani cuisine I’ve tasted outside of my Mums’s kitchen. Brilliant for star-spotting, saw Ronnie Corbet on my last visit, he really is as small as he looks. Often visited by Indian and Pakistani test teams when on tour. 15 minutes from Victoria and great value, worth the trip.
Belgo – Covent Garden
Belgian beers, moules frites, lots of interesting meat dishes and all really good value. You get served by Belgian monks at long diner style tables. I’m actually getting hungry writing about this place.
Busaba Eathai – Soho
This is a good place for grabbing a quick but tasty bite to eat in Soho. It’s popular so you may have to queue but it does go down quickly. Great quality Thai food for pretty good prices in Soho.
Freuds – Shafesbury Avenue
I haven’t been for a long time but they mix an excellent mojito, it’s a good central bar to get a night going.
I better put a health warning on this as I moved a few years ago, so any updates gratefully received.
Add comment 16/12/2008
Escape Christmas crowds at a relaxing spa break
Posted by Sarah
If you were one of the brave people that ventured out to the shops last weekend, I congratulate you! I ventured into just two major high street retailers on Saturday morning and was so overwhelmed by the crush of people trying to snap up the credit crunch bargains that I’m ashamed to say I had to retire home and curl up on the sofa with a nice cup of tea.
The tea worked in the short term, but what I really wanted was a wonderful day at the spa to recover from Christmas chaos. I have to admit, I’m no expert on spas but I absolutely adore them. My first spa experience was just this year – I had an “invigorating back massage” at a spa in London – and I was really astounded by how relaxed it made me feel.
At first, I was a little nervous about being so unclothed in front of a stranger, but the awkwardness soon dissipated after the massage started. Some of my companions that day diversified a little – one had a facial, while another had an Indian head massage. The next time I visit a spa, I think I’ll definitely go for the latter; I had an Indian head massage once when I was backpacking in India as a student and I’d love for those memories to come flooding back.
If you haven’t experienced the wonders of a spa break yet, I’d heartily recommend that you do so – I’m already looking forward to my next experience. So generous family members and friends, if you’re reading and you haven’t bought me a Christmas present yet. . .
Add comment 18/12/2008
A Christmas gift to look forward to
Posted by Sarah
I think it’s a little cheeky but a friend of mine has bought her partner a combined Christmas and Valentine’s Day gift – even though there’s nearly two months to go until Valentine’s. It’s a good gift though – a romantic short break in Paris over Valentine’s weekend. Personally, I think that the reason that there are so many holidays in the average year is to give us greater opportunity for present buying – and receiving!
But her gift did make me realise that Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday next year – and in my line of work, that immediately sets bells ringing. I’m sure that there’ll be loads of couples keen to make their romantic day a weekend rather than a mere 24 hours, and a short break is the perfect way to do that.
So what would be your perfect destination for a romantic break? For me, there’d be nothing better than a trip up to a secluded spot in the Scottish Highlands, though the tempestuous February weather up north might make that idea a difficult one to fulfil. On the other hand, I love immersing myself in the bright lights of London’s West End – coupled with a cosy dinner and some champagne, I reckon that would make a pretty romantic way to spend a weekend.
Of course, people have very different tastes. I imagine my friend and her partner will spend their romantic weekend in Paris sipping coffee in cafes and reading Sartre by the Seinne – but I’d rather be out gazing at the Haussmann Renovations or the Musée Rodin. If you and your partner have different interests, it’s a good idea to pick somewhere with eclectic attractions, like Berlin or Barcelona – that way, you’ll be able to keep each other happy with ease.
Despite my aversion to doubling up on gifts, I really hope my friend’s partner likes her present – Paris will be overflowing with romance on Valentine’s Day and will probably still be fairly devoid of tourists before the summer rush sets in. It’ll give her something to look forward to in those long cold winter months too!
Add comment 24/12/2008
Our very own Nick Cust gets an OBE
What a fantastic start to the New Year – Superbreak’s joint managing director Nick Cust has just received an OBE for services to tourism. We’re all so pleased with him in the Superbreak camp; it’s a fantastic recognition for our chief . Nick’s been part of the Superbreak team for decades and it’s under his guidance that we’ve managed to spread our wings so far across the UK and beyond.
When I first heard that he was featured on the New Year’s honours list, I was riding aboard a steamer across Ullswater in the Lake District, where I spent a serenely pleasant New Year’s Eve with friends – quite a change from my usual choice of shenanigans in Edinburgh or London!
But I really couldn’t think of a better way to be reminded of the natural beauty the UK possesses in abundance, the protection of which really is the key to the future of our tourism industry. It hammered home the fact that if Nick’s past efforts to enhance British tourism – and the stunning vistas that surrounded me them were to stand any chance of surviving – it’s really up to us to give our all to our historic and natural heritage.
Which brings me to my New Year’s resolution: I’m going to try my hardest to give something back to the regions I visit, whether that’s tree planting in Sherwood Forest near Nottingham or cleaning up beaches in Fife. I’ve got my fingers crossed that this one will last!
So congratulations to Nick – and Happy New Year to everyone.
Add comment 08/01/2009
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas
Posted by Chris
After months of build up and excitement it is all over. No not Christmas!!!, my holiday to the USA. I do not think I have ever been so excited about a holiday in my life, I am sure I get worse as I get older. Unfortunately as we know all good things must come to an end – but I wanted to let everyone know that despite the weak pound there is still some fantastic value to be had in the states.
We started our trip in Las Vegas – where believe it or not, it was snowing (in the middle of the desert!). Now because of the economic situation Vegas was reasonably quiet as many Americans stay close to home. As we all know there are tens of thousands of hotel rooms to fill in the city, therefore the hotels are offering some amazing discounts to entice people to stay. If you are a gambler, I recommend joining the players clubs that each casino operates – as well as earning cash back on your spend they will usually give you loads of coupons to use in the bars and restaurants with some great savings. We found a 3 course Steak dinner (with one of the coupons) for just $5.99 – and it was amazing. Of course, if you want to blow the bank it is really easy to do so in what they call ‘Sin City’ however we did discover that Las Vegas on a budget can be just as much fun – everyone always says “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, make sure its not all of your money!
After 4 days of too much eating, drinking and not enough sleeping we moved onto New York for, well … more of the same. The Big Apple is renowned as being an expensive city, but at the moment they are almost giving things away to encourage you to spend your dollars! I spent hours in Macys, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales, Century 21 ….. in fact anywhere there was a sale taking place. Many items were 75% off the already reduced prices and I bagged bargains galore. For attractions, The New York pass is your best bet – gives free entry into everything you want to see like The Empire State Building, Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty, Intrepid and Madame Tussauds to name just a few and we saved absolute fortune over the individual entry prices.
Then we rounded off our trip in Connecticut, spending a fantastic (and very white) Christmas and New Year with family and thankfully, still with enough money left in our pockets to consider doing it all over again!
Add comment 09/01/2009
Manchester – the Capital of the North?
Posted by Sarah
A lot of my northern friends – especially the ones from Yorkshire – balk at the idea of Manchester being called “the capital of the North”. I can’t say I blame them either; just as people from Somerset or Kent might reject the idea of London being ‘close to home’, the north of England is so fantastically diverse that Manchester really is just one of several bustling cities in the region.
That said, it’s a city that really doesn’t disappoint! I was lucky enough to spend a few days there over my festive break and it really hammered home what a vibrant cultural and artistic mix Manchester offers. For example, I had (shamefully) never visited the Lowry Centre in Salford before but was really mesmerised by the building, which houses a theatre, some fantastic exhibition space, a great range of kids’ activities and – my favourite bit of any tourist attraction – a café with a range of scrumptious eats.
Manchester is also home to a great range of art galleries and museums. A few years ago, I visited the Manchester Art Gallery and was really impressed with the photographic collection I saw there, although unfortunately the name of the artist escapes me now. This time, I went to the Manchester Museum too and was riveted by their mummified remains – it took me right back to my primary school day trip to the British Museum to see their excellent Egypt collection.
But by far my favourite new discovery in Manchester was the Cornerhouse, an arts venue that screens films and hosts contemporary visual art exhibitions. It’s located right next to the city’s Oxford Road railway station and across from the Palace Theatre (which was showing the fantastic Mary Poppins stage musical when I visited), so it’s really easy to find. During my short visit in Manchester, I went into the Cornerhouse several times, finding myself unable to keep away from its treasure-teeming bookshop and delightful café/bar (are you noticing a pattern here?).
If you’ve never been to the Cornerhouse before, I’d really recommend it – the environment is laidback but it really makes you feel as though you’re in the centre of things. Trivia buffs might be interested to know that one of its patrons is Lancashire-born director Danny Boyle, whose new film Slumdog Millionaire is sweeping up all the awards this season – just another reason to visit this scintillating place.
Add comment 13/01/2009
Staying in Germany – I’m looking for answers!
Posted by Sarah
All this talk of recession has made me feeling pretty frugal when it comes to my lifestyle – even though I know the government wants us to keep spending. That said, a travel addict like myself can’t go too long without thinking about the location of their next adventure and I’ve already put the wheels in motion for my first overseas trip of the year – Berlin!
For a lot of seasoned European travellers, Berlin really does represent the pinnacle of style but I’ve so far never had the pleasure of visiting the German capital. France, Italy, Spain – I’ve explored all of western Europe’s primary tourist hotspots from head to toe, but Germany is somewhere of which I know woefully little. I suspect that this, in part, has to do with my grandfathers’ ceaseless stories about the war – the country just never really registered on my parents’ family holiday destinations of choice. I adored my grandpas to bits when they were alive and am still continually startled by what they had to go through then – but I’m pleased to admit their anti-German prejudice never rubbed off on me.
Recently, I made my first trip to Germany by visiting a friend in Munich and I have to say, I fell a little bit in love with the place. I was only there for a few days, but we managed to take in some fantastic sites – including the huge green expanse of the Englischer Garten, the world famous Glockenspiel in the city centre and a range of authentic Brauhäuser (“beer houses”) serving delicious home-brewed beer.
One day I’ll hopefully make it back there for Oktoberfest – the city’s legendary beer swilling extravaganza – but right now I’ve got my heart set on Berlin. I’ve been doing some research on what I should see while I’m there and so far I’ve got the impressive-looking Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and (of course) what’s left of the Berlin Wall.
But there are so many activities in the city, I just don’t know how to narrow it down. If anyone’s got any handy tips or suggestions for travelling and sightseeing in Berlin, I’d love to hear them. I’ll be sure to report back on my verdict after the trip is over!
Add comment 16/01/2009
I love Hairspray!
I’m sure that anyone who read my post on Gareth Gates being the new Joseph in November is in no doubt that I love musicals! But while I pride myself on being fairly knowledgeable about musicals in general – from old stalwarts like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to newer classics like Rent – there was one legendary musical film that I was ashamed to say I hadn’t seen. Ashamed, that is, until this weekend when I finally watched Hairspray – and I adored it.
Ok, well I should probably admit that it wasn’t actually the original 1988 film but the new remake starring John Travolta, Queen Latifah and Zac Efron. For anyone that doesn’t know what Hairspray is about, it’s set in 1960s Baltimore and revolves around Tracy Turnblad, a plump teenage girl who wants to be a dancer on a popular TV show; she eventually fights to get the programme racially integrated – but don’t worry, I won’t spoil the ending.
The film’s colourful exuberance really whetted my appetite for seeing all the other versions – including the current West End show in London, which features Michael Ball’s critically acclaimed performance as oversized 1960s housewife Edna Turnblad. The latter is probably more urgent for me since Michael stops performing in the show from mid-March, so I’m definitely taking a theatre break to see it very soon.
It did get me thinking though about the sheer volume of shows based on original films that are currently operating in the West End. There are more well-established successes like The Lion King and Billy Elliot but then there’s also Dirty Dancing, the upcoming Sister Act and even Priscilla Queen of the Desert, based on the off-the-wall Australian movie.
Pair these next to shows like Grease, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Chicago and Mamma Mia – all of which were turned into successful movies after their stage debuts – and it makes me wonder: have musicals started stealing their ideas from Hollywood, rather than the other way round?
I’m still making up my mind, but suffice to say that my newfound love of Hairspray has made me very grateful for the stage version – it’s just even more Hairspray goodness for me to soak up!
2 comments 21/01/2009
Where will you be spending Burns night?
Posted by Sarah
Burns Night might not mean much to us to people in England, but in Scotland it’s a pretty big deal. In fact, for a lot of my Scottish friends, Burns Night – which falls this Sunday, January 25th – is more of a celebration than Easter, and definitely more important than Guy Fawkes Night.
I have to say, I don’t like poetry much and Scottish bard Robert Burns is no exception, but I love tucking into a Burns supper every year. My first experience of this was about five years ago, when I went to visit a friend in Edinburgh in late January. Her parents are real traditionalists and insisted that I partake in their annual Burns supper celebrations. We all sat down at the dinner table and her dad recited one of Burns’ most famous poems, My Luve is Like a Red Red Rose, in his lovely mellifluous Scottish accent. Then we tucked into the supper: a hearty feast of haggis, neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes).
Sadly, I won’t make it up to Scotland this year to celebrate Burns Night, but I’m definitely going to make my own supper at home – that’s because this year’s Burns Night is also the 250th anniversary of Burns’ birthday and I’m inviting my friends round for a special dinner. I’m hoping I’ll finally get them to try haggis! I know it doesn’t sound great (sheep’s offal mixed with oatmeal and spices, and boiled in an animal’s stomach) but I think it’s incredibly tasty.
Unfortunately, you can’t get haggis in a lot of places in England but you can order it online now. I’d really encourage people to do so, and experience the warm, fuzzy feeling that Burns Night gives you – or me at least! If you’re free this weekend, maybe you should take a short break to Scotland too, for some first-hand Burns related fun.
However, if a Scottish trip doesn’t appeal, and neither does haggis, I know one steadfast feature of Burns Night that might: copious drinking of whisky!
1 comment 23/01/2009
Making good of Europe’s snowfall
Posted by Sarah
I’ve been reading loads about the great snowfall that the Alps region is seeing this winter. The Telegraph even says that some resorts in western Austria saw 30cm of snow in the last week – that’s huge! It kind of makes me wish I had booked a ski break this year, despite how expensive things are likely to be in Europe due to the poor exchange rate.
Then again, it’s maybe a good thing that I’ve given skiing a miss this year – as much as I love to go on skiing holidays, I’m really not that good at it. I always come away with cuts, bruises and sprains, although I’m lucky enough not to have broken any bones (yet). Still, I’ve always had an amazing time – and hot chocolate never tastes as good as when you’ve just finished launching yourself down the bunny slopes!
And if you’re going away skiing in the next month or two, I do envy you. I’ve heard that Chamonix in France is really great at the moment, as are many of Austria’s popular ski resorts. If you do find yourself amongst western Austria’s stunning snow-capped mountains, be sure to visit Innsbruck – there are some fantastic hotels around there.
The Italian mountains are a fantastic skiing location too (especially if you can make it down to Lake Como) and Switzerland is always a safe bet. But the next time I go skiing, I think I’m going to head to the Bavarian Alps. Yes, I know – I’ve already talked a lot about Germany this month! But when I was in Munich, a friend and I went on a day trip to the surrounding countryside and the sight of those white peaks – so close to the city – were incredibly tempting.
I’m definitely going to try to make it down there on my Berlin trip, if the snow still holds by then (though I doubt I’ll be so lucky). But, in the meantime, if you’ve had any great skiing adventures, I’d love to hear about them!
Add comment 28/01/2009
Cow exploding or cheese rolling? I don’t think I’d enjoy either…
Posted by Sarah
I’ve just been reading this piece on the Guardian website about a new attraction on the Mexico-US border. Apparently, you can pay to experience what it’s like to sneak into the United States illegally! They’ve got actors pretending to be migrants and border guards too – it sounds completely crazy. I think it’s important to realise how much these people go through to escape poverty but I’m not sure that I would call it a “tourist attraction” exactly. It doesn’t sound very entertaining!
Sort of related to this, I remember reading something last year about people in Cambodia being able to pay money to fire rocket launchers at cows. I think I’d lump both those “attractions” in the same kind of morbid fascination genre, and I really don’t think I have the stomach for either of them. But it did get me thinking – do we have anything similar on offer here in the UK?
I’ve used a combination of research and memory, and all the wacky attractions I can think of in Britain seem completely tame by comparison. My favourite is the annual cheese rolling competition down Coopers Hill in Brockworth, near Gloucester. I love the idea of people wheeling these huge round cheddars down a grassy hill, although I do hear it’s pretty dangerous and it seems an awful waste of tasty cheese.
Haggis hurling looks great fun too, though I’ve never tried it firsthand and it usually only happens in Scotland. Apparently, you usually just stand on top of a whisky barrel and just hurl the haggis as far as you can! And the great Christmas Pudding Race in Covent Garden in London – organised on behalf of Cancer Research – looks totally bonkers as well.
I’m not sure these are really in the same league as mock illegal border crossing or cow exploding, though. I might just start keeping a list of crazy attractions that I hear about, and publish a top ten sometime in the next few months. Will keep you posted – and any suggestions are definitely welcome.
4 comments 29/01/2009
Iceland: lower prices – and vodka! – beckon
Posted by Sarah
One of the many great things about working in the travel industry is that my friends see me as a Bible of information on up and coming holiday hotspots. It’s a little stressful sometimes but for the most part, I love it. Recently though, they’ve been leaning on me hard for tips on destinations where our currently devalued pounds can go further and I’ve been struggling to think of ideas outside the mainstream.
But one just came to me: Iceland! One of my good friends received a package in the post today from an admirer who’s just been there on a trip. Her parcel included a strange animal-skin stole (not something I am a fan of!) and a huge bottle of Icelandic vodka (that however… ). And while I don’t necessarily approve of this guy’s attitude to fashion, I definitely admire his travel ingenuity (and choice in women obviously).
After all, Iceland seems to be one of the few countries in the world that’s more affordable for Britons that it was a year ago. In fact, my research tells me that prices are now 20 per cent cheaper in Iceland than they were in January 2008, and the currency has even halved in value against the pound since global economic troubles began. A fairly stark difference to the ever-inflating euro!
Reykjavik, the capital, is supposed to be stunningly beautiful too, and you can even fly there direct from London. There’s a huge town pond, the Tjornin, plenty of museums and galleries, and architecture that looks very picturesque. Apparently you can even see the Northern Lights there – a natural phenomenon that I think everyone should have a chance to witness. Isn’t it sounding more attractive by the minute? I hope my friends agree or my reputation will be ruined…
Add comment 01/02/2009
Celebs have been spotted!
Posted by Lynda
Ok…I know it’s been a while, but I’ve been busy celeb spotting! With minimal success initially, but I got two in one day! Whilst walking back home from Hampstead, who do I spot walking along trying to look nonchalant…but Ricky Gervais! It was then back to Primrose Hill…where we bumped into (not literally!) Fergie! That’s the one with Royal connections as opposed to the Black Eyed Pea…
Anyway! Enough name dropping – I have lots of work to catch up on as I’m flying back home to stay with my parents for the weekend. Yes – I’m off back home to glamorous Broughshane (that’s in Northern Ireland!)! Don’t all rush at once…unfortunately Superbreak don’t sell any hotels there…namely because there aren’t any! However, as Chris previously said, Belfast is well worth a visit – it’s such a lovely compact city, it’s perfect for a weekend break. I certainly need a break as we’ve been so busy since Christmas getting lots of new attractions and events packages!
One of the new products on sale is Chelsea Football Stadium Tour and Museum. Now I’m not a big football fan, but I went along to see what the tour was all about. I walked in the doors a football novice (a rather reluctant one at that!) and walked out feeling like I could actually sit through a whole match! Seeing behind the scenes – the players changing rooms, the press room and the museum itself were pretty good, but walking out from the dugout onto (well almost onto) the pitch really gave you the sense that on match days it can get pretty exciting!
What I’m really looking forward to in London is the British Music Experience that opens at the O2 Bubble in March. From what I can tell, it’s going to be an interactive experience taking the visitor through the history of British music. I’ve got my ticket booked already – so when I visit, I’ll be sure to report back!
Hang on – I almost forgot to mention the snow…! The snow we had yesterday was incredible and I’m quite sad that it seems to be melting. I do love snow – one of my best pals is moving from Paris, back to Oslo. It means a visit to Oslo is on the cards which I imagine although not bathed in snow year round, possibly gets more than us poor Brits! I’ve already got my eye on some hotels – but the 4* Voksenaasen looks interesting because of the stunning view of the city it offers! Although it might be a bit far from the shops perhaps….maybe I’ll opt for the 4* Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel….or on my budget I might end up kipping on her floor as normal!!
Anyway – best get back to work – it’s a busy time round the Superbreak office – ’til next time!
1 comment 03/02/2009
Why I love Pancake Day
Posted by Sarah
A lot of people say that January and February are the most boring months of the year – and for the most part, I agree. But there’s one thing in February that I really look forward to: Pancake Day!
Like most kids, I started making pancakes on Pancake Day with my mum as a child and I’ve just carried on the tradition for all these years. My usual routine is to invite some friends round for dinner, make a huge stack of pancakes and make sure that I’ve got enough fillings to go round. I know lemon and sugar is traditional but my favourite is definitely chopped bananas and nutella. A little unorthodox, I know, but I love it.
I’m quite keen to branch out of the norm a little this year though – that’s because someone I know is planning to run in Great Spitalfield Pancake Day Race in London. I’ve never been to one but all the pictures I’ve seen look amazing. Basically, teams of pancake lovers get together and run towards a finishing line with frying pans of pancakes, tossing the tasty treat at strategic points along the way.
Here’s a video I found of it from a couple of years ago:
Looks like fun doesn’t it? I wonder if I could persuade everyone else in the office to hold one of our own. Any takers, guys?
I’ve definitely got to add this to my list of wacky UK attractions…
Add comment 10/02/2009
Ideas for late Valentine’s Day breaks
Posted by Sarah
I always think that Valentine’s Day is a period of extremes: my single friends are always depressed that they have no one to share it with, while my coupled-up friends suddenly become oblivious to everything but their own romantic whims. So I count myself lucky that, whether I’m attached or unattached, Valentine’s Day never really registers on my social calendar.
That said, it is a great opportunity to whisk your loved one away on a romantic break somewhere, if it’s within your budget. But I guess that’s the problem this year – economic woes mean that loads of people won’t have the means to make that annual grand gesture quite as grand as it used to be.
But, if you’re searching for a last minute Valentine’s idea that’s a little more special than a fancy meal for two, there are plenty of attractions close to home that could provide you with the perfect way to show your love. For instance, if you live in the North of England or southern Scotland, it might not cost too much to take a wee Highlands break (as they say up there!). You’ll be able to enjoy the stunning vistas over a few days and find a hotel in a lovely location. All this snow we’ve been having means you might even get to go skiing!
Or, if you fancy a short break in London, the London Eye’s champagne flights might be appeal; apparently you get fast-track entry, a red rose, chocolate and a glass of fancy champagne all for £66 – and don’t forget those priceless views of the capital’s impressive skyline. If your partner’s never been to London before, it might be just the thing for him or her.
I guess the secret is being creative really. Think outside the box and you’re sure to find a romantic idea that’s affordable and unforgettable. And if you’d rather spend Valentine’s Day at home or in your local area, push the boat out on your present. For instance, if your partner loves cocktails, why not spend the next week creating a tasty new bevvy and name it after them? Just stick the necessary ingredients in a sparkly box and include a recipe card, and you’ll have an immortal present that’s definitely representative of your eternal love. It would work on me, anyway .
1 comment 10/02/2009
You can still enjoy great breaks on a budget
Posted by Sarah
One of the real benefits of working for a travel company is that I’m always confronted by loads of ideas for my next holiday – in both the UK and the rest of the world. In fact, I take as many opportunities as I can to get away on short breaks to places in Britain that you can visit over a weekend, though this month’s snowy weather has made it a little harder of late.
So when some of my less optimistic colleagues in the travel industry bemoan the death of their holiday-lifestyle due to the rocketing Euro, I don’t have much sympathy. Sure, the Alps are beautiful for skiing at this time of year and the south of France is really quite spectacular – but there’s so much breathtaking scenery and so many exciting attractions in the UK that anyone who fails to see how much we have to offer is just being plain lazy.
Of course, the problem these days is money – the Euro might be too expensive for us Brits but the good old pound doesn’t bring much respite either. A lack of cash shouldn’t hold you back though; I think it’s so important to be able to enjoy a holiday – even if you’re only away from home for a few days.
I have a lot of friends and colleagues who found the post I wrote a couple of months ago on saving money on a visit to London quite helpful, so I thought I’d start replicating the trend. So every week for the next few months, I’ll bring you a potted rundown of free or cheap attractions in some of the UK’s leading cities – those that you already know as major tourist destinations and those you might not.
And where better to start than the site of Superbreak’s headquarters: York! Watch this space for more.
Add comment 12/02/2009
Tightening the purse strings in York
Posted by Sarah
I think York is a beautiful city but – like anywhere really – it can be pretty expensive to see all of its main attractions. York Minster, an absolutely stunning Gothic cathedral in the centre of the city, is really worth visiting but costs nearly ten pounds for an adult entry if you want to see all of it. Other major attractions cost almost as much, including the famous Jorvik Viking Centre, the York Dungeons and the York Maze (a maze made of maize!) so seeing all of them in a weekend could really stretch your budget, especially if you’re travelling with family or a large group of friends.
Thankfully, there are still loads of ways to appreciate York’s history and culture without paying much at all. My personal favourite York attraction is the (free) National Railway Museum, which is near the train station. I love wandering around through its warren of retired locomotives (which include the Flying Scotsman and the Mallard), railway equipment and olden day signs. Since I’m not much taller than five foot, some of the wheels are almost as big as me – now that’s definitely going to instil wonder in smaller children. Better still, its gift shop sometimes has some great bargains – I bought a pack of ten beautiful retro postcards in there once for just one pound.
I also really love wandering round its ancient streets – the Shambles is the famous one but the streets surrounding it are just as intriguing – and its crumbling city walls. Of course, exploring the city centre doesn’t cost a thing! If you’re Scottish though, make sure you don’t carry a bow and arrow with you – it’s still legal to shoot a Scotsman within the city walls if they’ve one on their back .
York’s pretty easy to get to on the train wherever you live, since it’s only two and a half hours away from London and Edinburgh, and about an hour and a half from Manchester. But if you do decide to drive your car to town, make sure you make full use of having personal transport at your disposal and visit the very impressive Castle Howard, which is just half an hour’s drive from the city. If you’re anything like me, you’ll adore the ITV adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited, which was filmed here and it’s truly glorious in real life. There’s a number of free outdoor guided tours too, so you’ll get to bask in its splendour without ever reaching into your pocket.
And if there’s anything left in your wallet at the end of your short break in York, don’t forget to sample a tipple or two in one of its many great bars and tea rooms. Betty’s is a local favourite for tea and cakes, but I love spending time in Evil Eye on Stonegate – they have some great cocktails and their (reasonably-priced) Sunday roasts are to die for.
Add comment 13/02/2009
All this Slumdog Millionaire hype makes me want to go back to India
Posted by Sarah
Nearly everyone I know has been going absolutely crazy for the film Slumdog Millionaire. I liked it a lot too, but I have to say, I’m not really sure it’s worth all this hype. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the film and loved the characters, especially the main guy – I loved him on Skins so I’m glad he’s doing well for himself. But whether it’s really as amazing as all these award shows are making out, I’m not so sure.
Anyway, what it has made me think about is taking another trip to India. I went backpacking there as a student – a really long time ago – but I’d love to take another trip there, maybe this time staying in some nicer hotels! If you’ve never been, I’d definitely recommend it. If you’re willing to make a stopover somewhere in the Middle East, flights from London can be pretty cheap and there are some great hotels too. Recent exchange rate fluctuations have made it more expensive than it might have been at this time last year – but, relatively speaking, it’s still a bargainous location!
Plus, if you are planning a break in India, I’d really recommend going for at least three weeks. A week in this vast country would probably leave you feeling unsatisfied, as you wouldn’t get to see as much of it as you might like. Believe me, the Taj Mahal in Agra really is as beautiful as they say, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar is truly a breathtaking sight. It’s a little off the tourist map, but I really like the hustle and bustle of Bangalore too, though I hear all the tech industry investment that’s gone into it in recent years has made even busier (if that’s possible!).
And if you’re a Slumdog Millionaire fan, of course you’ll want to go to Mumbai. I didn’t spend too much time there on my visit, but there is so much to see, like the Gateway of India and Chowpatty Beach. And there are so many shops! You’ll be able to buy a lifetime’s supply of jewellery for little more than you might pay for one dinner at a semi-fancy restaurant in the UK.
I think it’s time for me to start mapping a new route east…
Add comment 14/02/2009
Have a ‘pure’ cheap holiday in Glasgow
Posted by Sarah
Glasgow gets a bad rap these days, as far as Scottish holiday destinations go. But in my experience, the bustling, vibrant city centre is a world away from the dark and seedy underbelly you most often hear about on TV. I’ve been a few times and I really love it – it’s got all the attractions of a big city without being overcrowded and oversized. In my mind, it’s one of the UK’s most ideal cheap break destinations.
For starters, it’s easy to get to: trains from London run along the West Coast Mainline through the Lake District, or up the east coast via Newcastle and Edinburgh. Both journeys are picturesque and relatively inexpensive if you buy tickets early; but if time is a major factor, it’s probably quicker to get the plane, especially if you’re travelling from the south or Ireland. But whichever way you’re getting into Glasgow, one thing that’s sure to hit you first off is its impressive skyline. From attractive bridges spread across the majestic River Clyde to innovative venues like the Clyde Auditorium (the ‘Armadillo’ to locals), it’s a magnificent place.
A lot of its main attractions are free too. My favourite has to be the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a superb Victorian building that’s set in a wide expanse of parkland (Kelvingrove Park). There’s quite a vast collection of art and natural history exhibits, but it’s the astounding architecture that’s floored me every time I’ve visited. Not so far away are Glasgow University’s main buildings, which are also quite commanding, and you have to visit the Glasgow School of Art – popularly considered to be influential Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s finest building.
What’s more, Glasgow’s really well-known for its eclectic music scene – Franz Ferdinand, the Fratellis and Glasvegas all came from here. For a taste of what’s around now, I’d suggest visiting smaller venues like King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut on St Vincent Street or Stereo, where you might occasionally get to see the odd great band at no cost.
It’s so easy to get around Glasgow too – the Subway (which is sure to seem novel to anyone au fait with London’s vastly more complicated network) is around £1.20 flat fare or £3.50 for unlimited day travel, so is still quite affordable. In fact, the hardest thing about Glasgow for most tourists is the accent! Be prepared to here plenty of smatterings of ‘pure’ (meaning ‘very’) in every other sentence.
But despite their verbal impenetrability, I think Glaswegians are very friendly – especially if you partake in local habits. Drinking ‘Buckie’ or Buckfast (a kind of strong fortified wine), for instance, is definitely something to try before your break is over – it’s cheap too!
Add comment 17/02/2009
Superbreak FC 1 – 0 York Ox
“In 2009 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum-security stockade to the North Yorkshire underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the S-Team.”
The S-Team are: Andrew “Hannibal”, Mike “Howling Mad”, Seamous “Face”, Khalid “B.A.” Baracus, Reporter Wayne “Triple A”, Show Creator Danny “Frank Lupo”. Extras; Nick.
Manager Andrew “Hannibal” puffed out a ring of smoke and spoke as he held his cigar between his teeth. “We’ve lost vital points in recent weeks boys. We’ve been called in here to take three points from York Ox. Extra Nick walks by. Manager Andrew “Hannibal” whispers to Seamous “ Face”, “You know how he hates the pitch, well we’ve got to get him on that pitch! Show creator Danny “Frank Lupo” writes in to the script that Mike “Howling Mad” brings the team some pre match oranges. Khalid “B.A.” Baracas looks at Mike “Howling Mad” and says, “I don’t trust you fool! I ain’t getting on no pitch!” and switches oranges with him. Mike “Howling Mad” eats his orange and comes over all faint and collapses. Khalid “B.A.” Baracas looks on smugly as he eats his pre match orange. Suddenly he looks around and his eyes close as he slumps to the ground. Mike “Howling Mad” springs to his feet, “How did I do boss?!”. Manager Andrew “Hannibal” stubs out his cigar, “Lets get him on that pitch boys!”
Mike “Howling Mad” played as a holding striker as Superbreak FC played without striker and fan favourite Chris (back problem), Steven (back problem) hmmm?! and Matt (baby sitting for own child…so I guess being a dad). Mike “Howling Mad” managed to piece together attacks from high balls, flick-on and occasional passes to his feet.
Midway through the first half Mike “Howling Mad” took a corner kick that York Ox failed to defend. The ball ran to Seamous “ Face” who drove the shot low into the bottom right of the goal, 1-0!
Khalid “B.A.” Baracas came round from his compromised pre match orange and pitied the York Ox defence as he helped to link up play and attack balls flicked on from Mike “Howling Mad”.
Defender Manager Andrew “Hannibal” locked up the defence with show creator Danny “Frank Lupo” who’s last ditch tackles kept York Ox at bay and his breaks from defence helped to relieve pressure on the extra, Nick.
Extra and keeper Nick performed to a level that show creator Danny “ Frank Lupo” couldn’t ignore or pay minimum wage to any longer. Distribution was effective, his positioning shouts to his players were listened to but of course the decisions were thought through thoroughly before acting on, and a fine finger tip save late on in the second half was knocked on to the bar from a tight angle and was pivotal in awarding Superbreak FC with the three points.
Manager Andrew “Hannibal” commanded his players and rotated his subs much to the distaste of Mike “Howling Mad” who was heard to have shouted, “don’t make any stupid late decisions and bring on Wayne for these last few minutes as his touch isn’t happening today and it’s like playing with a man down…(he takes a breath)…but we would like to thank him for his efforts as he has defended like a true champion and blacked many passes and runs”
A blue card was awarded before the final whistle to York Ox as a professional hand-ball and some back chat to the referee saw the player leave the pitch muttering and with his head down. This didn’t spoil the Superbreak FC celebrations as the three points were secured but with the league currently out of there hands.
Add comment 20/02/2009
Superbreak FC 1 – 1 E.T.F.C
Posted by Nick
“Matt, where, are, yoooooooou!” Manager Andrew desperate cry could be heard over the Yorkshire moors as Superbreak FC coughed and spluttered in front of goal. With his head hung low as another push for promotion was slapped back in his face, he spoke honestly and frankly. “We were let down tonight! Superman, the man of steel, he has many strengths and only one real weakness…kryptonite. You could ask him if he would mind helping you out one night of the week with some heavy lifting and Superman would be like, yeah of course man, just so long as I don’t run in to any kryptonite, it makes me all tingly and week, and then I’ll be of no use at all. Now Mr Lee, if he was a superhero his only weakness would have to be RELIABILITY! Reliability dam it! We struggled tonight! Dam his reliab…………Suddenly Manager Andrew felt an injection in his right arm and his eyes glazed over. The official statement read;
“Manager Andrew has been suffering from acute match stress which has been brought about through the teams dwindling league form and table positioning. We expect him to make a full and calm recovery”
Fan favourite Chris C longed for form of old in front of goal on this cold, crisp Monday evening. Seamous and Khalid ran the midfield with Danny and Manager Andrew in defence. Captain Mike filled the goal in the absence of keeper Nick. Nick was ordered to be baptised by Seamous and to change his name under Manager Andrew’s authority, in a hope to forget “the bad times” a rebirth. The seasons under “Matthew” have seen clean sheets, money laundering and an atrocious own goal while playing out on pitch, which started Superbreak FC’s downward spiral. You could say it’s all Nick’s fault!
Kick-off, 30 seconds of play, a high ball lofted down the pitch and a glancing header to Captain Mike saw E.T.F.C’s take the lead within the minute. Manager Andrew did everything he could in trying to header the high ball back to his keeper but as he flicked the ball back the sand slowed the ball and keeper Mike could only stand there in agony as the striker ran on and slipped the ball past him, 1-0!
Midway through the first half Manager Andrew played the ball up to fan favourite Chris who soothed the ball with his instep as Seamous ran ahead. Fan favourite Chris’s reverse pass landed perfectly in Seamous path as he ran on to the ball and slotted it into the bottom left corner of the goal, 1-1!
The second half saw Superbreak FC on the defensive and Captain Mike on the ball. First class reaction saves kept the score low for Superbreak FC. His finest moment saw a snap shot into the top right corner palmed out as he dove through the air and tipped the ball around the post.
E.T.F.C’s defender mopped up Captain Mike’s long throws as Superbreak FC tried to beat E.T.F.C for pace at the back.
Superbreak FC were without any substitutes and struggled for fitness as the minutes passed by. Fans favourite Chris had a chance late on but failed to control the pass and any further attack broke down. Danny linked up play with Khalid but they both struggled to keep up with the play. Manager Andrew defended with bravery and honour as he took blame and responsibility for the first goal and his defensive efforts showed his full class.
The clock ticked down. Ten seconds remaining. Mike though the ball from goal and E.T.F.C’c defender missed the header. Seamous gambled and ran beyond him. The ball bounced. Five seconds remaining. Seamous watched the ball come down and struck it on the half volley. A clean connection to the right of the goal saw the shot inches wide of the left post. With his head in his hands he heard the final whistle blow and the points shared.
Could you blame Manager Andrew for his “header” back to the keeper and Seamous for his last second miss? The answer is of course yes, without those two incidences Superbreak FC would have been victorious, but with Superbreak FC’s tight team spirit the lads stood close at the death…and blamed Nick’s mother for having him.
Love to Khalid.
Add comment 27/02/2009
Staying with celebs – it’s not so far-fetched
Posted by Sarah
I was reading earlier today about Hollywood director Francis Ford Coppola’s new hotel in Buenos Aires. Apparently it’s called Jardin Escondido (or Hidden Garden in English) and there are only seven rooms available for booking – so it’s super exclusive! Even more excitingly, there’s an outdoor kitchen, a solar-heated pool and three levels of gardens – sounds like heaven if you’re a green-loving, cooking-crazy gal like me.
Of course, economic woes mean that most people in the UK feel like they can’t afford such luxury these days. But staying in a celebrity hotel and feeling some glitz and glamour on tight purse strings isn’t that far-fetched – and you won’t even have to stray far from home.
Take Cardiff, for instance. Offbeat American actor John Malkovich – you might remember him in Dangerous Liaisons, Burn After Reading and of course, Being John Malkovich – owns a hotel there called The Big Sleep. It’s very central, just ten minutes from Cardiff Central train station and supposedly uber stylish. Better yet, it’s actually pretty cheap; even the Penthouse is only £99, or thereabouts.
Also in Cardiff, you’ll find The Church Hotel – a three star B&B owned by homegrown opera diva Charlotte Church’s parents. She’s said to help out there from time to time so, if you’re lucky, you might find yourself being served eggs and bacon in the Welsh capital by the celebrity herself!
Travel a little further down to Devon and you’ll find The Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf Club, owned by former Formula One champion Nigel Mansell. Its secluded countryside location looks really inviting – and I imagine that if you like golf it’s even better! This one looks a bit expensive though, so if it is out of your budget, you could maybe visit its restaurant, which looks scrumptious.
And if you’re happy to travel across the water to Dublin – flights can be very cheap these days, you know – you’ll definitely want to take a look at The Clarence, which is part-owned by Bono and The Edge from U2. A friend of mine (a huge U2 fan) stayed here recently and said it was just gorgeous. Again, it’s a pricier one but even just a night’s stay looks like it would be really memorable. And you never know – you might just find yourself face to face with the world-famous singer and his Stetson over the breakfast table.
Add comment 25/02/2009
I can’t wait to visit Agatha Christie’s house in Devon
Posted by Sarah
Phew! After last week’s footie shenanigans, I definitely feel in need of some genteel entertainment – and I think a visit to Greenway house – Agatha Christie’s holiday home – in Devon will be just the ticket. I’ve been watching videos that showcase the interior, which has just opened to the public after a refurbishment from the National Trust. The BBC has a particularly good video tour of the place and, if you’re interested in a potted tour, you should definitely check it out.
I’m not by any means an Agatha Christie expert (truth be told, I’m more familiar with the TV adaptations than the books) but I just love the way mysteries unravel in her work. I have such fond memories of watching episodes of Poirot on ITV as a child – and hiding behind the couch during the ’scary’ bits – and I adore the fact that I still get so much enjoyment from watching re-runs of the series 20 years later.
From what I can see, the library looks like the most interesting part of the house (watch the video to see what I’m talking about!). The US coastguard painting along the walls is really intriguing and it’s so special to have a collection of all her works lining the wall in such a mesmerising fashion. The house has been totally renovated by the National Trust to look as it would during its 1950s heyday and I think it looks spectacular. The gardens around it look gorgeous too, so it really seems like the perfect place to unwind over the course of a lazy day.
It’ll probably be the summer before I get a chance to pop down to Devon, but the opening of Greenway house has reminded me of another Agatha Christie landmark that’s right on my doorstep – the Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate. Christie ‘disappeared’ to this Yorkshire hotel for about ten days during the 1920s, but it was called the Swan Hydro back then. I think I might plan a visit sometime soon – it’ll a great excuse for me to visit one of the town’s famous Turkish baths too.
Add comment 26/02/2009
My favourite UK museums and galleries
Posted by Sarah
I’ve been reading this story about how the UK’s museums are reporting cheery predictions for 2009, since their visitor numbers jumped last year. It certainly makes a change from all the financial doom and gloom we’re being bombarded with! And it’s got me thinking about my favourite museums and galleries to visit too.
Here’s a potted list (in no particular order) – and guess what? It’s free to get into the permanent collections of all the attractions below.
My favourites in London
The British Museum in Bloomsbury – Well, of course! The first time I visited this treasure trove of history was on a primary school trip, and I’ve been going back regularly ever since. I haven’t been to see its newest exhibition on Iran yet, but it looks fascinating.
The V&A in South Kensington – I adore the sheer breadth of artistic innovations that the Victoria and Albert Museum focuses on, from its ancient Egyptian pottery collection to its exhibition of Kylie Minogue costumes from a couple of years ago.
The Science Museum in South Kensington – I’m no scientist, but I love how much fun the Science Museum always is – for adults as well as children. Although it’s a little embarrassing when I have to queue to play with the exhibits next to a bunch of five year olds!
Tate Modern on Bankside – More than any other art gallery in Britain, Tate Modern is my favourite for wandering around in. ‘The Crack’ it engineered in its floor last year was just spectacular.
And not forgetting the rest of the country…
The Baltic in Gateshead – I always make it a point to visit this flour mill-turned-gallery every time I visit Newcastle, more to revel in its beautiful space than its exhibits. And it definitely provides the best place to survey the city’s magnificent skyline.
Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool – I’m so glad this place has seen its visitor numbers jump up during Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year. It’s got some great works spanning the centuries – from Rembrandt to Hockney – and is really easy to get to from the train station.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow – I think I mentioned this place in my post on Glasgow last week but the building really is unforgettable. I’d go in the summer and spend some time in the neighbouring park too – this is definitely Glasgow at its best.
Dundee Contemporary Arts in (surprise) Dundee – OK, it’s less of a gallery/museum and more an event space but the DCA really is a cultural highlight in a city that has a pretty bad rep, unfairly I’d say. The DCA really is worth a visit if you’re in Dundee though, and there’s a great view of the silvery River Tay right next door.
Well, that’s my rundown folks – although I’m fairly sure that I’ll have missed out a few vital ones (feel free to add to my list below!). I’d definitely recommend keeping two more on your radar though – the Ashmolean in Oxford and Edinburgh’s Royal Museum, both of which are closed for refurbishment for a while. The Edinburgh museum is particularly stunning inside. Apparently they host events too, so if I ever get married, I think it’s going to have to be there .
1 comment 02/03/2009
You don’t have to be posh to visit St Andrews
Posted by Sarah
Ok, it’s a bad reference to those Privilege insurance adverts, I know, but St Andrews is fairly posh! And it’s up in Scotland too so, if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, taking a trip there sort of feels like you’re visiting a totally different country. I think St Andrews is a really great place to take a short break. It’s one of the most picturesque towns in Fife and its ancient architecture and attractive beach make it a great spot for a short summer holiday that doesn’t have to cost much at all.
For starters, its broad, lush golf courses make the town look beautifully green, which – even if you don’t play golf – is a charming asset for any town to have. And since it’s such a world renowned golfing location, there’s often the chance that you’ll get to bump into a famous golf playing celebs, like Samuel L Jackson and Hugh Grant, who tend to stay in famous places like The Old Course Hotel.
The University is gorgeous too. Of course, it’s famous for most people because Prince William went there but if you take a walk down The Scores, you’ll get to appreciate its lovely buildings in person. I’d also suggest a wander into St Salvator’s Quad – if the gates are open. This college was originally founded in 1450 and its medieval buildings are really something. Understandably, its chapel is supposed to be a popular place for alumni to get married.
Two other unmissable attractions in St Andrews are the Cathedral and the Castle, both of which are some of Scotland’s most spectacular ruins. It does cost to get inside these but their majestic environs can be fully appreciated from the outside too, and they make stunning pictures on a clear day.
But by far my favourite part of St Andrews is the West Sands, its largest and most famous sandy beach. If, like me, you’re a fan of the 1980s film Chariots of Fire, you’ll want to run down the beach in emulation of the film’s opening scene – and, I’m almost embarrassed to admit, that’s what I do every time I visit. It’s great fun though, especially when the sun’s shining. Expect plenty of kite flyers and loads of dogs to add to the atmosphere!
If you don’t manage to nab one of its cheaper B&B’s, St Andrews can be a little pricey for accommodation. So, if you’re travelling there by car, it might be advisable to stay somewhere a little further away from the town centre – maybe in Leuchars or St Michaels. And if you’re travelling by train, rest assured the route is easy: National Express services go straight to Leuchars from London, through Edinburgh, and St Andrews is a very short bus ride from there.
Add comment 09/03/2009
Michael Jackson tickets – definitely the perfect Mother’s Day present
Posted by Sarah
I can’t believe it’s only a few days until Michael Jackson tickets go on sale! I’m a bit scared that I won’t be able to get hold of a pair but I think the anticipation is definitely half the fun. I love the way people are going Michael Jackson crazy everywhere I go to – it almost feels like I’m back in the ’80s
It’s quite strange actually. Last week, after he announced that he’d be playing at the O2 Arena in London, I had such a sudden desire to listen to his old stuff again – you know, the good ones. Billie Jean, Beat It, The Way You Make Me Feel – that one is definitely my favourite. But I realised I didn’t actually have any of them on my iTunes and (in a bid to save some pennies) I dug out my old cassette tapes – which, can you believe it, actually still work! They’re a little dusty (and so is my old tape player) and the sound quality is so much worse than I remember, but still totally listenable.
Anyway, I really hope that I do manage to get the two tickets I want – they’re going to be my present to my mum for Mother’s Day. If I do get them, I’m fairly sure I’ll cancel out a grudge she’s held against me since before my birth! Basically, Michael Jackson was playing in London around the time she was pregnant with me. She had a ticket but – much to her annoyance – her doctor advised her not to go in case the flashing lights induced premature labour and, like the lovely mother she is, she duly obliged. I’m forever grateful to you Mum, but hopefully I’ll be able to make it all up to you this week – fingers crossed!
1 comment 10/03/2009
Brighton on a budget
Posted by Sarah
I guess one great thing about the credit crunch – for the UK’s travel industry, anyway – is that people seem to be rediscovering local seaside destinations like Blackpool, Bournemouth and Brighton as they stay at home for their holidays. Of the three, I have to say I think I like Brighton the most (no offence to the other two!). If you get a fast train, it’s less than an hour from London and the environment is instantly more holiday-like.
What’s more, although Brighton might look swish, with its ornate Royal Pavilion and impressive Regency architecture, there’s still plenty of ways to enjoy the delights of the city on a budget. Its main attraction – Brighton Beach – is completely free, though it helps to have good weather of course! And Brighton Pier, though not the cheapest place to buy things, is great to explore. What’s more, you don’t actually have to go into the Royal Pavilion to bask in its splendours – personally, I think its gorgeously flamboyant exterior looks its best from the outside at twilight.
Brighton’s vibrant cultural landscape also means that it’s home to a great range of art galleries, many of which have free entrance, while its sprawling culinary scene means that you’ll always find somewhere to eat that won’t break the bank. Better still, if you’re a vegetarian (and you’re tired of feeling like your non-veggie friends have to go out of their way to accommodate you), Brighton will welcome you with open arms – it’s home to some of Britain’s best vegetarian eateries (and some cheap ones too).
However, there’s one thing that I’m looking forward to the most in Brighton this year: the Brighton Fringe! It’s the second biggest arts festival in the UK (after Edinburgh) and is held every year in May. I’ve been to the Edinburgh Fringe loads of times, but never Brighton, and I’m planning to change that this year. Like its Scottish cousin, I hear that Brighton’s festival can get a bit pricey – especially when you’re buying tickets to multiple shows at once. But if it’s anything like Edinburgh, I’m guessing that you don’t necessarily have to spend much to really revel in its lively atmosphere.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to report back at the end of May with even more news on cheap stuff to do in Brighton. In the meantime, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that we’re in for a nice warm summer!
Add comment 12/03/2009
Last minute ideas for Mother’s Day breaks
Posted by Sarah
I know I’ve already made up my mind on what I want to get my mum for Mother’s Day (Jacko’s just revealed 14 more London dates – yay!) but have you? If not, it’s not too late to book a Mother’s Day break. I mean, flowers, chocolates and a nice dinner are all well and good – but if they’re in a genteel or picturesque location, I’m sure your mum will enjoy them even more.
If your mum lives in the city, for instance, it might be an idea to treat her (and a companion of her choice!) to a relaxing countryside break. I’d recommend Yorkshire. A visit to the Bronte sisters’ home, for instance, could be the perfect thing, with a spa visit in Harrogate to top it off. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more rugged, a trip up to the Isle of Mull in the Scottish islands could be just the thing – although how much you’ll love the countryside there really depends on the weather.
The same works the other way round too. If your mum lives somewhere a bit more rural, a trip to the big city might offer a dazzling way to spend a weekend. Look for last minute theatre breaks in London, perhaps, and pick a show that she’d really love – Mamma Mia, Hairspray and Oliver would probably be my shortlist. Glasgow and Cardiff are great places to spend a short break too, especially if your mum likes experiencing shopping! And of course, there’s my favourite, Edinburgh – truly one of the UK’s most breathtaking cities.
If you feel like blowing your budget, or getting a joint Mother’s and Father’s Day present for your parents, a short break in Europe might be the perfect solution. If your parents live in London or Kent, for instance, hopping a train to Paris is even easier than getting to the north of England these days. Or plan ahead and get them a nice break in an Italian villa over the summer.
All it takes is a little imagination – something that I better start utilising if my Michael Jackson plan fails… watch this space!
Add comment 13/03/2009
Superbreak FC 4 – 0 Ioko Cardicarrest
“Growing up, your mother probably told you that it isn’t nice to laugh at other people’s mistakes. Sometimes it is best to ignore mum’s advice. Especially when it involves the blunders of a goalkeeper, which will forever keep us amused.”
Manager Andrew’s Superbreak FC, flattered with a 4-0 victory over Ioko Cardicarrest, sat back and reflected over a disjointed performance. Passes were hit and miss, player communication was below par and Steve shot wide, high, on the half volley, towards the corner flag and once in to orbit. Seamous was guilty of missed opportunities in front of goal and manager Andrew had a defensively sound game….full moon?
Further pressure mounted on last seasons top scorer Matt as yet another game passed without a goal, and the Khalid counter after being replaced to zero was already racking up the minutes bless him.
Keeper Matthew stood strong against the leagues lowest scorer and when called upon spread himself wide saving the ball with testicular reactions. Down and hurt he heroically played the ball out to Mike J but then curled up in the faecal position. A real man may have stood tall and bellowed is that all you have? I have a right testicle too!
Defensive Error – Ioko Cardicarrests defender runs into the box as pressure is placed upon him resulting in a penalty. Penalty taker Mike strode up to the spot. Ball placed, whistle blown, goal scored, done! 1-0.
Defensive Error – Ioko Cardicarrests same defender receives the ball from the keeper and with a classic 6-a side schoolboy error passes it straight back to the keeper resulting in a free kick 8 yards out. Fan favourite Chris eyes up the keepers positioning behind the wall and whispers to Mike, “I fancy this”. Meanwhile manager Andrew discusses with Seamous as they rest on the bench, the likelihood of fan favourite Chris scoring. Manager Andrew was less than confident and aired on the side of caution hoping for the pass rather than a “greedy shot.” Seamous belief in fan favourite Chris and his goal scoring ability was rewarded with a good strike on goal and joined with erratic goalkeeping resulting in the ball ricocheting around the keepers legs and in to the goal, 2-0!
Defensive Error – Ioko Cardicarrests goalkeepers throw out was poor and interpreted by Seamous who calmly played fan favourite Chris in on goal who slotted the ball through the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, 3-0.
Defensive Error – Huntington Road officials on video replay denied early claims for a Steven goal as the ball was clearly travelling away from the goal when it rebounded off the post and onto the goalkeepers back, 4-0! In sealing Ioko Cardicarrests fate another shot from Steve in the last minute resulted in a clean strike hitting the post and rebounding out hitting the goalkeeper in the back and rebounding in for an own goal.
The final whistle blew and only goal difference separated Superbreak FC from a promotional spot.
Add comment 14/03/2009
Would you get naked for free flights?
Posted by Sarah
I’ve always been a little squeamish about public nudity. It’s not that I disapprove as such – I just don’t know where to look! And I’m fairly sure I’d never get naked in public myself – even if I was lured with free flights. I’ve just been reading about an Aer Lingus marketing stunt during which a couple of hundred people volunteered to ‘get naked’ in London on Sunday, with two free flights on offer for everyone that did so.
Apparently, Aer Lingus was expecting around a thousand people but less than half of this number attended – maybe they all felt a bit like me! Still, due to police regulations, you weren’t actually allowed to get completely naked and from the pictures I’ve looked at, it looks like most of the girls were wearing bikinis. The weather in London looked quite good actually, so – if I had had the time or the inclination to go – being semi-unclothed for a few hours probably wouldn’t so bad, if I got a free trip to Dublin out of it.
It’s sort of made me think about other high profile naked events and exhibitions in the UK – like Spencer Tunick’s live installation outside the BALTIC in Gateshead in 2006, where nearly 2000 people of all ages, shapes and sizes stripped naked. Annoyingly, I can’t find a video of it (can anyone help me?) but the artist has done loads of these installations all around the world. Here’s a really spectacular video of the installation in Switzerland a few years ago – don’t worry, it’s very tasteful!
Even if you missed out on Aer Lingus’ stunt, you’d be surprised at how easy it is to combine public nudity with the promise of a holiday. I just found out that at a naturist beach in Devon, evidence of giant prehistoric worms has been discovered. Situated in the English Riviera Geopark – which aims to promote the UK’s impressive geological heritage – there’s plenty to see on a short break around this popular naturist retreat. And you can pack light too
Add comment 19/03/2009
Appreciating Oxford’s architectural gems needn’t cost much
Posted by Sarah
When I was at school, I was never one for dreaming of going to Oxford or Cambridge – I don’t think I could have withstood the pressure! But a friend of mine was lucky enough to get in to Oxford and the first time I went to visit her, I suddenly realised what a beautiful place it was. It’s definitely a city best characterised by the dazzling architectural brilliance of all the Oxford colleges. As a poor student, I loved it because I could see all of its most spectacular sights just by walking around, without having to spend a penny. So it’s only natural that I’ve been thinking about it more recently, as travellers continue to seek inexpensive but entertaining short breaks in the UK during the recession.
Hotels in Oxford city centre can be expensive – in fact, in peak seasons, they’re not much cheaper than hotels in London. But if you book well in advance, it’s definitely possible to find accommodation on a lower budget. And if you’ve got friends or family that live there or nearby, it won’t hurt to ask if you can kip on their sofa for free! But whatever you end up paying for Oxford hotels or B&Bs, it’s unlikely that you’ll spend much on actually seeing the attractions around you. Its buildings are really something to behold, ranging from ancient colleges dating back to the twelfth century and relatively ‘newer’ additions from the nineteenth century.
It’s not an especially original choice but my favourite college to gaze at is Christ Church, not just because of its beautiful grounds but also its literary connections. The early part of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited (one of my favourite books) is set here, as is parts of Alice in Wonderland. Some of the Harry Potter films were also filmed here, so it’s definitely one to put on your viewing list. I’d also suggest a walk around the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera – though you probably won’t be able to get in, both of these majestic buildings are definitely worth a look.
If you’re into your history, the Ashmolean museum – one of my top UK museums – is an essential stop on your Oxford break, but remember, it’s closed for refurbishments until later this year. Moreover, the Oxford University Museum of Natural History is another wondrous sight, with loads of fascinating exhibits. And since both these attractions offer free entry, there’s no excuse not to visit.
If Oxford’s multitude of scenic walks seems as though it could be a little overwhelming, you’ll find plenty of tour guides happy to take you around. A budget option would be download Oxford walking tours from Tourist Tracks, a company that offers handy audio tours that you can just download onto your MP3 player. For £5, the Oxford tour offers highlights within and outside the Medieval City, as well as a Christ Church and river tour. I’d suggest getting one of these before you go – and don’t forget your walking boots either!
Add comment 20/03/2009
Rise in Channel Islands holidays – but I’ve still never been
Posted by Sarah
I’ve just read this article about how searches for breaks in the Channel Islands have skyrocketed this year and I can’t say I’m surprised. The Channel Islands is still part of the British Isles and it uses the pound, so there’s no need to worry about poor exchange rates. But because you have to get a plane or a ferry to get there, it feels completely like you’re going to Europe – and the French place names only enhance the effect!
However, I’m slightly ashamed to admit it but I’ve never actually been to the Channel Islands, although I’ve heard loads about them. I have a friend from Guernsey who’s always trying to get me to come and visit, so maybe I should take up the offer sooner rather than later. If you are travelling to Guernsey or Jersey this summer, however, here’s a few tips I’ve picked up and stored for future use over the years.
For starters, it’s a lot easier to get to the Channel Islands than you might think. Budget airline flybe.com operates flights to Guernsey from airports across the country, from Aberdeen to London to Southampton. However, if you drive, you might want to consider getting a ferry across the channel so you’ll be able to drive around easily when you’re there. If you are driving, though, make sure you stay on the soft drinks! There are loads of great pubs and bars in the Channel Islands, as well as excellent restaurants, so it’s a great, original place to go if you’re gastronomically-inclined.
What’s more, be sure that you spend some time off the main islands to see their smaller sisters. Alderney, a three-mile wide island which is just a few miles off the coast of France (but still in the UK), is supposed to be beautiful and all the shops, restaurants and cafes you’ll find there are locally owned. Herm is supposedly popular for day trips too, but there’s only one hotel there so book well in advance if you’re planning to stay the night.
In fact, if you’re still in the planning stage for your impending Channel Islands adventure, I’d suggest making your moves soon. With searches for the Jersey and Guernsey holiday increasing by 101 per cent, it’s a fair bet that hotels in the Channel Islands will be pretty packed come summer. Now, I better go call that friend of mine…
Add comment 23/03/2009
Getting your Edinburgh festival tickets and hotels in one fell swoop
Posted by Sarah
Anyone who reads this blog regularly will know that I have quite a fondness for short breaks in Edinburgh. I usually try to make it up there a few times a year and always schedule a date in August, when the world-famous Edinburgh festivals take place. Living outside the city, though, I do often find it’s hard to get tickets for really high-profile shows, even if I’m on the ball and try to buy them on the first day.
But I’ve just been reading about an initiative that Festivals Edinburgh (the new body responsible for promoting all of Edinburgh’s festivals) is planning to launch. Through the project, tickets for hotly tipped shows will be given to travel agents as part of tour packages – so if you do live outside Edinburgh, it should make it much easier for you to organise tickets, accommodation and travel to the city in one fell swoop.
Apparently, the organisers are going to spend the summer targeting potential festival-goers in northern English cities in close proximity to Edinburgh, like Manchester and Newcastle. I think it’s a really great idea, and should definitely help the Fringe festival recoup its losses after the disastrous box office events of last year.
What’s more, I can’t believe how many people in Britain have never been to any of the Edinburgh Festivals. It’s a world of culture – the Fringe is actually the biggest arts festival in the world – and it’s right on our doorstep. And if you’re struggling for cash this year and looking for local summer holiday destinations, I think you’ll find it hard to do better than Edinburgh in August.
The spectacular, innovative theatre is my favourite part (some of the best plays I’ve ever seen here have been in the back room of a pub or basement) but there’s loads of comedy, music, exhibitions, children’s shows and author event on too – basically, everything you can think of! Even if you’re not seeing a show in one of the city’s many festival venues, you’ll encounter all sorts of performers roaming free on the famous Royal Mile, which is really the best place to find out about what’s good and what’s not.
So I’d definitely try to bag one of those packages soon, if you’re interested. Even if you’re not a cultural person, the Edinburgh Festival is definitely worth doing at least once. Just think of it a bit like an all-in-one London theatre break – but most likely cheaper and about much more than just theatre.
Add comment 24/03/2009
Fond memories of Disneyland Paris…
Posted by Sarah
Would you be surprised if I told you that I visited Disneyland Paris in the year it first opened? Of course, it was called Euro Disney Resort for the first few years, but I think the name change definitely suits! I was fairly young and probably on the cusp on abandoning my wide-eyed love for all things Disney, but it was definitely a great send-off from what I can remember.
My family and I stayed at the Sequoia Lodge, which is built in a national park-style environment with lots of greenery and wood building features. I don’t recall much about the rides we went on (except the spinning teacups – I loved those!) but I do remember having a really fun time. From what I’ve heard, they’ve really enhanced the attractions on offer there in recent years too.
Anyway, the reason for my reminiscing is that one of my colleagues is taking her children there over the Easter break. But while her kids love Disney films, and her husband is quite a fan too, she’s not so keen – and it’s no secret so she won’t mind me saying so here! I’ve spent all day trying to convince her to give herself up to the Disney magic while she’s there, so I really hope she does. Regardless of whether you find Disney culturally malignant or divinely entertaining, there’s really no other way to enjoy Disneyland Paris (or any of the other Disney resorts) except by immersing yourself in its bubbly charms. And if your kids are really loving their time there, I’m sure you will too…
Of course, if a 100% Disney holiday really doesn’t appeal, you could always try to transform the excursion into a slightly longer break in Paris. Spend two or three days in the resort and then head into the city to soak up some fine art at the Louvre or the Pompidou Centre and expunge that Mickey Mouse mass consumption out of your system.
Personally, I think a Disneyland Paris break sounds like a great way to spend a few days – especially considering that you can get a direct train from London too. And as the resort tries to attract visitors during the downturn, you’re sure to come across affordable accommodation and kids-go-free offers too.
My suggestion for Disney sceptics is to do some research before you go – in the form of film-watching that is! I’d very much recommend Enchanted, it’s definitely a new classic – but then again, I’m enjoying a Disney renaissance at the moment
Add comment 30/03/2009
UK’s most exciting family Easter events
Posted by Sarah
I can’t believe that it’s nearly Easter – it feels like I was writing about Christmas just a few weeks ago. I’ve got some really exciting plans over the long weekend though: I’ll finally be making that long-planned trip to Berlin! I managed to get a really good, affordable deal – but I know some people that just won’t be able to afford to go anywhere. However, if you’re one of those people, there’s no need to resign yourself to a long weekend spent watching repeats of Friends on TV – there’s sure to be plenty of fun Easter attractions in your local area.
For starters, if you live in or near London, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to family events. You’ll find Easter Egg hunts galore in a range of exciting locations that your children will love – including the Imperial War Museum, St Paul’s Cathedral and Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, to name just a few. Or, if your kids think they’re too old for such larks, the London Bridge Experience’s gory twist on a conventional egg hunt is sure to appeal: strictly for children aged over 11, participants are supposed to search for missing severed heads!
If you’re not keen to negotiate your way through the hustle and bustle of London town but you do live in the south, the Blenheim Palace Easter Challenge might be more to your taste. Situated in the picturesque grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, there’s plenty to occupy young Easter revellers – including face painting, Easter pottery and the palace’s sixth annual Easter Egg Challenge.
Further north, you’ll find the wonderfully titled Great Peter Rabbit Easter Egg Hunt in Cumbria – which sounds fantastic if you’re an avid Beatrix Potter fan like me. Run by the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, the search involves looking for 100 pottery eggs in parks and public sites, with ten prizes – and one extra special offering – up for grabs.
Over in the Scottish Borders, you’ll find 5000 eggs hidden in Traquair House in Peeblesshire, the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland. In Wales, you’ll find more Easter Egg hunts in picturesque locations, like the Newport Wetlands and Cwmcarn Forest. And if you’re in Northern Ireland, head out to Ballymoney for a traditional Easter Egg Hunt in a rural farm – an event that’s sure to be a hit, provided the weather is good.
Of course, if any of this is out of reach, you could always hold your own Easter Egg Hunt in your garden – indeed, this might be the best option for adults unwilling to show their childish streak in public!
1 comment 01/04/2009
Using Twitter to find travel tips
Posted by Sarah
The way in which the internet has revolutionised the way people research holidays never ceases to amaze me. I think the tipping point was really the rise of sites like Trip Advisor and Yahoo! Travel, which let people share their opinions and ratings of hotels and destinations with other travellers. Now, sites like Twitter are changing things even more, offering people real time information on holiday locations and accommodation.
I’m probably a little late on the bandwagon but I’ve just discovered Twitter Search – and I love it! I don’t even have a Twitter account, but I’m already addicted to finding out what people are tweeting about. Better still, it’s really helping me find some much-needed travel tips. My neighbour’s planning a tour across South and East Asia for later this year and asked me if there were any attractions or hotels I could recommend to her. It’s been a while since I’ve been in that part of the world so I just wanted to see if the places and things I thought were cool still are. Lo and behold, Twitter came to my rescue!
For instance, one of the places my neighbour wanted information on was Colombo in Sri Lanka, where she’s planning to spend a few days. When I was there about five years ago, I stayed at the Hilton, which was great. A search for Hilton Colombo on Twitter search doesn’t provide too many results, but the ones that appear are enough to tell me that it’s still a great place to stay.
Another place she’s going to that I have very fond memories of is Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Unfortunately, the hotel that we stayed at while we were there didn’t have much to recommend it. But a search for “KL hotel” or “Kuala Lumpur hotel” on Twitter Search offers me a whole bunch of helpful results from Twitterers. Sure, some of them are commercial entities that are simply showcasing their deals, but the vast majority of tweets definitely offer useful information that could be invaluable in pointing you towards great hotels (and away from shabby ones).
The best thing is that the results you get are usually no more than a day old – so you know the information is up-to-date. Maybe it could help me find reviews of cheap hotels in London – definitely an invaluable travel tip to bear in mind…
2 comments 04/04/2009
Why pavement cafes are among my favourite things on European holidays
Posted by Sarah
Just two days until Berlin! I’m so excited… as well as all the great sights there are to see, I’m also really looking forward to just having a few days to relax, away from my everyday routine. One thing I really love to do on holidays (especially spring and summer holidays) is lounge around sipping coffee and reading in a pavement café. According to the BBC, it’s looking like highs of 20C over the weekend in Berlin, so I’m optimistic!
But while I’m eager to sample any outdoor cafes and eateries that Berlin may have to offer, I doubt I’ll change my opinion that Paris is home to the best pavement cafes in the world. That’s why I find it slightly worrying that the street cafes in one of my favourite Parisian neighbourhoods are under threat. I read an article in the Guardian yesterday about how residents on Rue Montorgueil are trying to limit the extent to which chairs and tables can be spread out across the road – and, to be fair, I can see why they might do that. It must be difficult to live in an area that’s completely overrun by outdoor cafes and restaurants – but if you’re a café-loving tourist like myself, it’s heaven
If the famed eateries of Rue Montorgueil are forced to shrink slightly, I’m almost certain there’ll be other streets in Paris that are willing to pick up the slack – and I’ll definitely be visiting them the next time I’m there! I am looking forward to seeing what Berlin has to offer in the shape of outdoor cafes though, especially after my other favourable experiences of street eateries in Germany – Fressgasse in Frankfurt, for instance, as well as Marienplatz in Munich.
Of course, if you’re not going to be able to get away this summer, but you’re still keen to savour some outdoor café time in the sun, there’s a few options at home. The famous Grassmarket in Edinburgh, for example, has just had its pedestrianised areas expanded. It’s a great place to spend some time in the summer when the weather’s good – my tips for outdoor eating in the area go to Mamma’s Pizza and Petit Paris (definitely one of the city’s best French restaurants). And in central London, there are a range of options in South Kensington and Chelsea. But if you’ve got any other suggestions, I’d really love to hear them!
Add comment 08/04/2009
Making the most of rail travel with kids
Posted by Sarah
Last night, I was discussing the relative benefits of train versus air travel with some friends and colleagues. I have to say, I come down firmly on the train side – not just because of the environmental benefits, but because I do actually prefer travelling by train. Unfortunately, while a lot of my peers agree with me, their children do not – in fact, some of them said their children don’t actually see a holiday as a holiday unless they’re getting on a plane to fly to their destination!
This makes me a little sad – when I was growing up, getting on the train was as much of an adventure as taking a flight and, in many ways, much less stressful. Today’s trains might be much more crowded, prone to delays and seemingly more expensive, but there are plenty of ways in which you can make the most of rail travel, both in terms of cost and overall experience. Here are my tips:
1. Buy your tickets early! Train travel seems to keep going up in price, but I’ve found that if you buy tickets even three or four weeks in advance, you can make great savings. This applies to first class travel as well, which might be preferable if you’re travelling during peak hours. Plus, your kids will love the extra space and attention – and you’ll relish the free cups of tea.
2. Get a Family and Friends Railcard. Previously known as the Family Railcard, this offers you one third of adult fares and 60% off kids fares, when you buy a railcard at £24 for the year. And since it accommodates up to four adults and four children, it’s perfect for larger families and any friends that may come along for the ride.
3. Avoid travelling on weekends: you’d be amazed at how much calmer and more relaxed a train journey can be on a Wednesday afternoon compared to a Friday. If you’re travelling during the Easter or summer holidays, this is a much more realistic possibility too.
4. Get a sleeper train! One of my favourite train journeys ever was from London to Edinburgh on the Caledonian Sleeper, when my friends and I got a berth. Yes, it does take ages, but it’s surprisingly fun and comfortable, especially when you have a berth to yourself. It’ll make it more exciting for kids too!
5. Take the Eurostar to Paris instead of the plane. This is much easier to do when your journey starts at London, but even if you’re travelling in from northern England, Scotland or Wales, the benefits are immense. You just hop on the train and little over two hours later, you’re right in the centre of the French capital. And your kids will love it even more if you explain that the Channel Tunnel goes under water…
What’s more, there are plenty of ways to organise hotel and rail breaks, in the same way that you might book a hotel and flight package together – a service that will save you both time and money. In fact, the more research I do on train travel, the more I think that it’s the perfect way to travel during the economic downturn.
I’ll be sure to sample the train network around Berlin when I’m over there and report back. Until then, have a lovely Easter break!
1 comment 09/04/2009
Just got back from Berlin…
…And you’ll be pleased to know that I was not the woman who was attacked by the polar bear at Berlin Zoo! The pictures of that poor woman are horrific, I’m amazed that she’s ok. Although I can’t help wondering why she jumped into the polar bears’ enclosure in the first place…
But apart from hearing about that horrible mishap, I’m pleased to report that my first experience of Berlin was amazing. My friends and I stayed in Kreuzberg, an area that’s known for its alternative vibe, and met loads of really interesting people. I even had one of the best doner kebabs I’ve ever eaten – nothing like the greasy parcels of meat and pitta bread you get here – and there were loads of small shops selling the tastiest falafels I’ve had the pleasure of devouring at all hours of the day and night.
Anyway, suffice to say I was incredibly impressed with the city. The Reichstag dome is completely mesmerising, and so futuristic compared to the classical face of the building. And German history was never my forte at school, but I’m determined to read up more about the origins of Berlin Wall after witnessing it in real life, from the vast stretches of colourful graffiti to Checkpoint Charlie, a former crossing point that’s now a busy tourist attraction with the most intriguing museum. It opened its exhibition at the end of 1962 and has since continued to grow and change as it followed the twists and turns of the eventual downfall of the notorious border security system.
Another thing I loved about Berlin was the way we kept coming across beautiful buildings and fountains when we least expected to. I was really taken with the Berliner Dom, or Berlin Cathedral, on Museum Island. Here’s a photo I took of it with the television tower (‘Fernsehturm’ in German) in the background, but I don’t think it really does it justice.
The Berliner Dom & Television Tower in Berlin
In my opinion, one of the nicest things about Berlin is the way it has so many themed bars that don’t feel gimmicky. For instance, I had a delicious afternoon cocktail in the Barbie Bar (which touts itself as a gay/drag friendly bar) on Meringhdamm in Kreuzberg – a great drinking hole to spend a lovely few hours during the day. On the other end of the scale, the Panorama Bar in Friedrichshain (next to Kreuzberg) is a fantastic, lively night out – it’s above Berghain, one of Europe’s most notorious (and biggest) techno clubs.
All in all, it was a lovely few days in Berlin and it’s definitely cemented my feeling that Germany should be a more popular holiday destination than it currently is. But four days was certainly not enough! I’m already thinking about planning a trip back in November during celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Add comment 15/04/2009
Going green in San Francisco
I was watching the film Milk the last week, which is about Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in the USA. I liked it a lot more than I expected to and Sean Penn is fantastic in it as Mr Milk, so I’m not surprised he won the Oscar earlier this year. But as well as turning my mind to the awful injustices of the time, the film made me think about San Francisco as a city – and how much I want to visit again.
I’ve been to San Francisco once on a family holiday when I was in my teens and, from what I can remember, I adored it. At the same time, I couldn’t help thinking that I’d get more out of the city if I came back when I was older – especially when we walked past welcoming-looking bars! What’s more, I’m determined to make my next holiday an eco-friendly one, and I think San Francisco might be just the answer.
Yes, I know that California is half way round the world and of course, I’ll have to fly there! But my research tells me that, once I get there, there will be plenty of ways to keep my travel green. San Francisco is widely known as one of the greenest cities in the United States. Its forward-thinking mayor Gavin Newsom is planning to implement mandatory recycling for all households in the city, and he’s also promised to make every taxi in San Francisco convert to become a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle by 2011.
There seems to be plenty of ways to enjoy San Francisco’s main attractions in an eco-friendly way too. For starters, who ever said that you had to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to truly appreciate its magnificence? I’ll walk or bike across instead! There seem to be a few environmentally-friendly tours to take too. Mr Toad’s Tours, for instance, apparently use propane-powered pre-1930s touring cars, while the 74X CultureBus offers an economical and eco-friendly way to see the city’s main museums.
It’s early days yet, but I’m hoping my plan will come together. The official visitor’s guide to eco-friendly ways to see the city is pretty useful but if you’ve got any insider tips on how to go green in San Francisco, I’d love to hear them.
Add comment 16/04/2009
Have you been to Latvia?
I’ve been reading a bit about the new Office for National Statistics figures today, partly for work and partly just because they are pretty interesting, and they show that the number of air miles clocked up by British travellers in the last generation has increased five-fold. Working at the heart of the travel industry, I can’t say I’m shocked by this revelation or by the finding that more and more people are taking trips to Eastern European destinations, even though some newspaper articles – like these ones in the Telegraph and The Herald – seem to be a little surprised.
However, I am surprised at one thing – that I still haven’t been to some of these destinations yet. Apparently, holidays from the UK to Latvia and Slovakia have seen growth of 1164% and 957% respectively between 2003 and 2007 – which is very impressive! Both countries have been on my mind for a while, but my list of dream travel destinations is so long, I’m finding it harder than ever to work my way down…
But they’re not the only countries to have benefitted. According to the ONS report, Poland saw a 719% increase in the same period – at least a little of which I contributed to when I visited Warsaw a couple of years ago. I’d really recommend it – it’s a wonderful mix of charming Old Town sights and throbbing, contemporary bars.
Other emerging holiday hotspots include Estonia, Lithuania and Slovenia. I’m in the dark about the first two I’m afraid – although I hear Tallinn is lovely – but Slovenia, I know! One of my friends goes snowboarding there at least twice a year, and I went with him once (though kept myself away from the winter sports). It’s beautifully picturesque – occasionally, overwhelmingly so – so don’t forget your camera if you visit! I’ll try to dig out an old photo to post up here.
I don’t really know when I’ll next get to any of these destinations (San Francisco and a Berlin re-visit come first! ) but I’d love to hear any travel ideas you might have on them. For instance, I’ve heard great things about Riga – but where else is unmissable in Latvia?
Add comment 21/04/2009
Curious about cruises
A friend of mine is a real cruise enthusiast and I really admire how she plans for them. Basically, she saves up for three or four years and then spends all the money she’s collected on a big, blow-out luxury cruise. Of course, she does take a few short breaks here and there over the years but nothing big or lasting longer than five days or so. For her, it’s all about the cruises.
I have to say though, I was amazed to hear yesterday that she’s thinking about going on the Titanic 100th anniversary cruise! I’m sure it’ll be the epitome of sophistication, but I find the details a little bit morbid. For instance, the anniversary cruise will be carrying the same number of passengers as the original Titanic (1309 to be exact) and will depart from Southampton. It will hold a memorial service to those that died in the 1912 voyage in the North Atlantic, at the approximate co-ordinates of the ship’s sinking, before finally ending in New York City.
At the same time, I feel a bit bad for judging the cruise in advance as I’ve never actually been on one. That’s right, never! The idea of spending a few weeks confined to a designated amount of space (albeit a relatively large one) doesn’t sit very well with me – nor does functioning on someone else’s timetable. I know you get to spend a day or two at planned stops but I’m sure I’d just find the small time you’re allocated for exploring on shore frustrating.
Still, I’ve been hearing great things about the food they serve on board the best cruises, from people in the industry as well as my cruise-mad friend. Celebrity chefs always seem to be hopping off on cruise liners and catering to diners around the world. More than anything, this emphasis on tasty dishes does tempt to me to get over my stigma against cruises – I am a total sucker for good food! But perhaps I’ll save it for some time when I’m in real need of being pampered…
Add comment 22/04/2009
Justin Lee Collins in Hairspray? And Legally Blonde on stage too
It’s been a while since I wrote about what’s going on in the West End theatre scene in London – but a few news articles I’ve read recently have definitely given me the impetus to correct this!
For starters, anyone that reads this blog regularly will know that I’m a huge fan of the musical Hairspray. I’m yet to see the current West End version (trying to get tickets for June, fingers crossed) but I’ve just read a report from The Stage, which says that TV presenter Justin Lee Collins may be playing the role of Edna Turnblad – currently embodied by Michael Ball – at some point in the future…
I’m not too sure how I feel about this. I’ve always been a little ambivalent towards the Friday (and Sunday) Night Project, which is the only TV show I know Justin Lee Collins from. However, I’m sure he’s a very talented musical performer – in fact, his performance as Amos Hart in the musical Chicago last year seems to have been well received. Plus, I was sceptical about John Travolta playing Edna in the 2006 film – and in the end, I thought he was fantastic.
In other West End news, Legally Blonde looks set to get a stage makeover! I have to say, I really loved the first film with Reese Witherspoon (but liked the second one less), and the original book by Amanda Brown is entertaining too. But it does make me wonder how easily the whole chick-lit atmosphere will translate into the theatre. I mean, can you imagine Bridget Jones on stage? With the right selection of pop hits, I think it could be a great musical – but it would be hard to pull off.
In non-musical news, the Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden has recently announced its new programme, and I’m pretty excited about it. Rachel Weisz will be in a new production of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, for example. And better still, British actor Dominic West is going to be in a version of Life is a Dream, a play that I must admit I’ve never heard of.
West is in HBO drama The Wire, one of my favourite TV shows ever – watch it now, if you haven’t yet! He’s absolutely great in it – which makes me think he’s the perfect addition to London’s theatre scene.
Add comment 23/04/2009
My May bank holiday tips
The advent of May means a lot of different things to different people: to some, it’s the start of (relatively) warmer weather; to others, it’s the end of the football season. But to me, the month has always been about taking May bank holiday breaks – there are two of them after all!
I don’t yet have plans for the late May bank holiday on Monday the 25th, but I’m really excited about the first holiday on Monday the 4th. I’m heading up to Edinburgh to see some friends and I’m already booked in to see a preview of Hoors, Gregory Burke’s follow-up to the internationally-celebrated play Black Watch, at the Traverse Theatre (I’ll be sure to report back with my own little review!). And while I’m there, Bob Dylan is playing at the Playhouse – I don’t have tickets but I might hang around outside to try and catch a glimpse of him after the gig .
But if you’re having trouble deciding how to spend your May bank holidays, I’m not surprised – there are so many fun things to do across the country, actually making a choice is pretty difficult. If money and geographical proximity is no object, Brighton would be my number one suggestion. With the Brighton Festival and the Brighton Fringe Festival both happening next month, there’ll be absolutely no end of things to do – from theatre and performance art to books and political debate.
However, if you live in the north of England or Scotland, it’s definitely understandable if southerly Brighton is too far for you to travel! Closer to home, you’ll find be able to fall back on the natural joys of breaks in the Lake District. Cumbria also plays host to a special Kendal Market on the late Spring bank holiday. I’ve never been, but I hear there are nearly 100 different stalls, with farmers’ market-style food and drink as well as entertainment.
Of course, if you live in Northern Ireland, that’s probably a little too far for you to go too… but if I was in Belfast over the early Spring bank holiday, I’d definitely be going to the Festival of Fools – a sort of free showcase of street performers and comedy artists. It sounds like a really interesting family day out and is in its sixth year – if anyone’s been before, I’d love to hear about it.
If there’s still nothing that takes your fancy, never fear! I’m planning to post little updates every so often on the best attractions over the May bank holiday weekends in the coming days and weeks.
Add comment 24/04/2009
Re-arranging your holiday during a crisis
Hmmm. It’s not been the happiest few days for news has it? It feels like wherever I go, I can’t get away from news about swine flu. Thankfully, I don’t know anyone who has had to re-arrange any impending holidays in Mexico due to the outbreak but I have read a few sorrowful tales about people having to cancel dream honeymoons to the Central American paradise, like this one in The Telegraph for instance.
However, it has got me thinking. Having to re-arrange holidays as a result of a sudden or ongoing crisis in your destination of choice isn’t exactly an uncommon phenomenon. One of my relatives had scheduled a holiday in Madrid in 2004 but had to come up with an alternative after the train bombings in the city. And the neighbour planning to travel to Sri Lanka during her epic Asian tour? She’s planning to bypass the country altogether until its longstanding civil war has calmed down somewhat.
My suggestion if you have to re-organise your holiday for any reasons akin to the above is to pick somewhere similar in atmosphere. For example, if you’re trying to find an alternative to Mexico, try Malaysia – it’s a really beautiful country and its gorgeous islands are well-known for their luxury resorts and great diving opportunities. What’s more, if you’re a UK citizen, you won’t need to get a visa prior to landing there, something that’s a definite advantage if you’re in a last-minute holiday planning rush.
Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera also provides an excellent tropical location, and the area’s popularity with British tourists means that it’s increasingly easy to find last-minute deals on four-star and five-star resorts in the area. I think Greece is always a reliable option when it comes to stunning sea, gorgeous sand and glorious food too. Even if you spent a lot of time there on clubbing holidays in your youth, I wouldn’t rule it out – revisiting the country and staying in a luxury hotel is sure to make the experience seem like a totally different one.
Of course, you could always opt for a secret holiday – i.e., get one of your holiday companions to do the work and not tell you where your final destination will be. But whatever you opt for, remember that panicking is never a practicable solution – and knowing how to rearrange a holiday at speed is definitely a desirable travel skill!
Add comment 29/04/2009
Pondering Jade Goody The Musical
Wow – this business about a Jade Goody musical has really had me reeling. She really did have a surreal life, from her explosive television debut in Big Brother to her finding out about her fatal cancer on the Indian version of the show. It does seem a little soon to be talking about such a commercial venture but at the same time, if the West End musical is well-written, has catchy songs and is well executed, I don’t see anything wrong with it.
However, I am hearing conflicting reports on who’s going to play Jade if this musical extravaganza goes ahead. Apparently, one betting outfit is offerings odds of 3/1 on Scottish actress Ashley Jensen (from Extras and Ugly Betty) to land the role. Close behind are Eastenders stars Michelle Ryan (4/1) and Lacey Turner (6/1), as well as my favourite Doctor Who sidekick Billie Piper (6/1).
Of the four, I get the impression that Lacey would be the best. She’s got that scrappy but admirable spirit down pat in her Eastenders character Stacey and I can totally see her embodying Jade on stage. She even looks a little bit like her! Having said that I have no idea if she can sing… but if she does, I think my money’s on her.
At the same time, it seems that the BBC is reporting that Jade’s former business partner Danny Hayward is talking about doing a TV talent show to find a regular girl to play the reality TV star. Although no deal has yet been determined, MTV and ITV2 have been rumoured and some are suggesting that Max Clifford – Jade’s former publicist – could be a judge on the show.
I actually think this might be a better way to go about casting the role. After all, Jade made her career out of being a reality TV star – creating a new reality show to find someone to play her seems apt, and could give someone a much-needed big break. I really like the idea of Max Clifford being a talent show judge as well – I can totally see him occupying a Simon Cowell/Piers Morgan type role on TV!
I’m sure we’ll find out more about the project soon. I think it’s an interesting one and I’d like to see it become a fully-fledged London hit – hopefully, I’m not the only one.
Add comment 30/04/2009
Mixing football with travel fun
You might have gathered from some past posts on this blog that, here at Superbreak, we like a bit of football fun! I’m definitely an avid supporter of these football shenanigans, but can’t say I’m much of a player myself. That said, I do tend to get quite involved when there’s a big match or tournament on – like last year, I got very obsessed with Euro 2008, despite England’s failure to qualify.
Football in May is quite enjoyable too as the month seems to be full of league finals, both here and elsewhere in Europe. A few of my friends are Everton fans and they’re heading down to London for the FA Cup Final against Chelsea at the end of month. One of them is taking his son who’s never been to London before, and was asking me for tips on family attractions in the capital. Of course, I duly obliged but it got me thinking – pairing a football outing with an actual holiday would be the perfect way to fit a timely short break into your life.
For instance, I know – ok, well I was told! – that at least one team from the English Premier League will be in the Champions League Final, depending on who wins the Barcelona v Chelsea and Arsenal v Manchester United semi finals. But whoever’s in it, there’s sure to be plenty of British tourists and football fans in Rome for the final on May 27th. If you’re visiting and you’ve never been to Rome before, it’s the perfect time to take in some of its ancient delights. The Coliseum really is a sight to behold, as is the Roman Forum and too many other relics of Old Rome to mention here.
My favourite part of Rome, however, is the Trastevere district, which is replete with mesmerising cobbled streets and has some wonderfully authentic bars and restaurants. And, unsurprisingly, I love the food too! To me, there are few things better than relaxing in a Roman piazza and enjoying some authentic cannelloni with a glass of red wine that’s probably been bottled only a few miles down the road.
Rome isn’t the only place you can mix football and fun this month either. This year’s UEFA Cup Final is on May 20th in Istanbul – no English or Scottish teams here in 2009 though. Still, if you’re going to be in town, there’s so much to do in this city, Turkey’s biggest and most cultural. I only paid a fleeting visit there a few years ago on route to somewhere else, but I was very impressed and have always wanted to go back. Views along the Bosphorus, which divides the city, are spectacular and there’s some great food (more than just Doner kebabs!).
Maybe next year’s World Cup in South Africa will have more people visiting the country too. Perhaps I should start preparing my South Africa travel guide for my football mad friends now… In any case, it’ll have to wait until after I’m back from my long weekend in Edinburgh. Enjoy the bank holiday and I’ll be sure to report back with the latest buzz from the Scottish capital next week!
Add comment 01/05/2009
Tales from Auld Reekie
I’m back from Edinburgh after a gorgeous weekend! The weather was cracking – well, on Saturday and Sunday at least. Monday wasn’t so great, what with the cloudy skies and the blustery weather that’s typical of Auld Reekie (that’s Scots for ‘Old Smoky’, after the many smoke-spouting chimneys it once sported) at any time of year.
I love the Scottish capital and visit it often, but this weekend was definitely one of those trips that really reminded me of how we’re so lucky in Britain not to have travel too far from our doorsteps to enjoy great short breaks. Most of Saturday was spent wandering around the Royal Mile – already so busy and it’s still months until the Fringe! – and scouring the Edinburgh Farmers Market. This has to be one of the most scenic farmers markets in the country, with Edinburgh Castle in stunning view behind the array of stalls.
I also spent some time in the Grassmarket – an area that’s best avoided by the fainthearted due to its popularity with noisy hen and stag parties, although its new pedestrianised look has really transformed it. There’s a shop here called Armstrongs that sells the best vintage stuff, and a French restaurant called Petit Paris that’s an old favourite of mine too. I also ate in a restaurant on Rose Street called the Mussel Inn, which is amazing if you love seafood as much as I do!
But probably the highlight of the whole weekend was going to see a preview of Hoors by Gregory Burke at the Traverse Theatre on Sunday. I caught Burke’s Olivier Award-winning Black Watch at the Barbican in London last year and was totally floored by it so I was really excited about his new play. The subject matter is completely different – a man dies on his stag night in Amsterdam and his detached fiancé tries to deal with the fallout – and it’s fantastically funny, so I really hope it gets good reviews following its official premiere tonight.
So that’s one May Bank Holiday weekend over, and one more to go… I’m still a little unsure of what exactly I’m doing. So far, it’s down to catching the last weekend of the Brighton Fringe or staying with a friend in Newcastle. Who knows, maybe I’ll go to Gloucestershire to catch cheese-rolling in action! There’s plenty of time to decide yet…
Add comment 05/05/2009
10 days to Eurovision!
I know there’s still 10 days to go but I’m already super excited about Eurovision! It’s in Moscow this year on Saturday May 16th, and I’m really hoping that the UK entry – the lovely Jade Ewen – will do well. I was rooting for her all the way on the selection show last year and, while the song she’s singing isn’t really the style of music I like, I think it’s a strong number and we’re definitely in for the best shot we’ve had in years. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a peek:
However, as an ardent traveller, one of my favourite parts of Eurovision – apart from the crazy songs of course – seem to be the bits that everyone hates: the touristy segments in between each entry. You know, the short one-minute films that pepper the action, each concentrating of a different aspect of the country’s heritage. Last year, the show was in Belgrade and I think the clips shown of Serbia did a really great job of showcasing the most amazing sights in one of the world’s youngest countries.
I’ve been to Moscow once and I liked it a lot. Communication was hard as I found Russian quite impenetrable and the weather was very cold (I went in March). But I’ll never forget the first time I saw the onion domes on Saint Basil’s Cathedral – it didn’t feel real at all. They’re incredibly spectacular and it’s hard to believe that you’re actually seeing them in the flesh (figuratively speaking), rather than on a television news report.
I’d like to go back to Russia some day (perhaps after I’ve learnt a little Russian!) but it doesn’t look as though I’ll be fitting it into my itinerary anytime soon – not when there are so many other places I’ve never been to still to visit. So instead, I’ll have to make do with the clips of Russian attractions and heritage sites on Eurovision for the time being, even if they are as cheesy as usual! And if you’re planning an impending visit to Russia, I’d definitely suggest watching Eurovision closely this year.
Fingers crossed that our Jade wins this year. As much as I want her to win so the UK can regain some long-overdue Eurovision glory, I’d also love the exposure it’ll give the country if we were to host it in 2010. After all, we have some enviable attractions to be showcased in those between-song segments. My top three choices would probably be the Forth Rail Bridge connecting Edinburgh and Fife, the spectacular Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland and the striking Eden Project biomes in Cornwall – what would yours be?
Anyway, enough getting ahead of myself – good luck Jade!
Add comment 06/05/2009
Gearing up for the Chelsea Flower Show
The lovely weather we’ve been enjoying in the UK for the past few days has got me really excited about summer. I’m not going to get my hopes up too much though, I know a few good days in spring doesn’t make for a splendid June, July and August – as last year’s summer washout showed us all too well!
However, it has got me anticipating the Chelsea Flower Show with unlikely enthusiasm. I say unlikely because it used to be one of the lowest points of my year as a child. My mum is a big fan of gardening and the Chelsea Flower Show consumes her every waking moment when it’s on – I’d never hear the end of it when I lived at home! Now that I’m older (and hopefully wiser), I think I enjoy the essence of the event a lot more – and I know that, while I’ll never have the patience to craft my garden as beautifully as some of those that go on exhibition in Chelsea every year, I can definitely appreciate them from a distance.
This year’s flower show runs from Tuesday 19th to Saturday 23rd of May at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Kensington, while I won’t be in London to watch the real thing, I’ll hopefully catch some of it on the BBC. One of my friends is even having her very own Chelsea tea party on the Friday night and I’ve promised to bake cupcakes with flower-shaped icing detail! She used to be a member of the Royal Horticultural Society (who organise the show) so she should hopefully be able to tell me what the “pretty pink flowers” are actually called…
What’s really amazing me about this year’s show, however, is the fantastic online presence it has. The BBC website, for instance, is a treasure trove of information on the Chelsea Flower Show. There are some lovely images, informative blogs and interesting videos. There’s also some valuable visitor information and details of the BBC’s coverage schedule too. So if you are a garden lover but you can’t fit in a short break to see this year’s show, I’d definitely suggest using this site as your main information resource.
Now, it’s time for me to seek out a recipe for those flower detail cupcakes. I think I’d better give myself plenty of room for trial and error if they’re going to be a hit on the night!
1 comment 12/05/2009
Feeling frugal in Cardiff
I just realised it’s been ages since I wrote one of my guides on cheap UK holiday destinations! And since I’ve been hearing a lot about Cardiff recently, I thought I’d put my new-found knowledge to some use. It’s been at least a year since I was in the Welsh capital, but over the last decade I really think it’s become one of the UK’s most sought after destinations. And, considering how many more Britons will be holidaying at home this year due to the credit crunch, 2009 could be its glory year.
Of course, the problem with visiting a popular tourist destination is, the more visitors it attracts, the more prices in restaurants and attractions are likely to rise. But there are still plenty of things to do in Cardiff on a tight budget, with some of its primary attractions being free.
Take Cardiff Bay, for example. This regenerated waterfront is wonderfully scenic, especially on a clear, warm day, with dozens of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants dotted around. Even if all you want to do is take a pleasant walk, Cardiff Bay is the ideal place to do this in the city. The Cardiff Bay Visitor’s Centre – free to enter – provides excellent views across the bay and offers visitors an insight into the area’s important maritime history too.
On to more ancient attractions and Cardiff Castle really is unmissable on a visit to the city. I’ve been once and the tour of the 19th century Bute household is really quite spectacular. But at £8.95 a ticket for an adult and £6.35 for a child aged 5 to 16, it might be the only attraction you can afford to splash out on, especially if you’ve got a large family. Thankfully, many of Cardiff’s leading museums and galleries are free to visit. The National Museum of Cardiff has some interesting historical and archaeological collections, and the Bay Art Gallery has a diverse collection of Welsh and international exhibits.
And if you’re planning a trip to Cardiff in the summer, you’re in for a treat. The Cardiff Summer Festival – one of the UK’s biggest free festivals – takes place over July and August. Most events are free and revolve around a range of family activities and cultural performances – check out the Cardiff Festival website for more details.
All in all, I think Cardiff would be a fine place for a cheap but exciting getaway. As well as it’s plethora of attractions, it’s easy to get to from London, the north of England and Scotland, and I’m pretty sure you can fly there from Belfast as well. What’s more, it’s very compact so you’re unlikely to spend much on transport while you’re there as you’ll be able to walk everywhere – if the weather holds out, that is!
Add comment 14/05/2009
The Apprentice and making Margate matter
As far as reality television shows go, The Apprentice is one of my favourites – and the current season hasn’t disappointed.
Every year, the episode I look forward to most is the one where they go abroad. Last year, it was bartering in exotic Morocco; this year, however, has been a rather more sober affair (the producers supposedly toned it down due to the credit crunch, I hear), with contestants visiting Manchester and Liverpool last week and Margate in Kent in the latest episode.
Wednesday’s Margate episode in particular made me think about the impact appearing on a show like The Apprentice can have for people and places. I haven’t been to Margate for years, but the programme did bring back some happy memories of riding on the town’s Scenic Railway – Britain’s oldest rollercoaster – as a child. Sadly, the attraction was partially destroyed in a fire last year but, as this Telegraph report details, plans to open again in 2011 after extensive refurbishment.
I know I’m not the only one to feel nostalgic about the destination. Yesterday, I was chatting to my neighbour over our shared hedge and he told me that watching that Apprentice episode was the solution to all his holiday woes. He and his family visited Blackpool last year, Bournemouth at Easter and are planning to go down to Eastbourne in June. He was looking for another short break destination in the UK for the August bank holiday weekend and it looks like he’s now going to Margate. After all, the re-branding campaigns thought of by the two teams of Apprentice hopefuls might not have been particularly exciting (I didn’t think either of them lived up to their potential), but they certainly did a good job of showing everyone watching that there’s still a lot to do and see in Margate, for both children and adults.
I guess that’s my point really – Margate is hoping that an extensive re-branding exercise will put it back on the tourist map. But I think that simply being exposed on a show with such high viewing figures as The Apprentice will go a long way towards restoring its reputation.
In the meantime, my money’s on Kate to win! She’s my favourite
Add comment 15/05/2009
Hooray for Norway’s singing violinist
After my long-held anticipation for this year’s contest, I was finally rewarded on Saturday night with a very excellent Eurovision! Really though, cheesiness aside, I think this year’s contest was a highlight of recent years. I know Graham Norton said this repeatedly on the night, but it really was all about the songs and there was very little of the political voting we’ve seen in past years. I mean, Norway – we all expected them to get points from Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland but not from everyone else!
I am glad they won, not so much because I liked the song (actually, I didn’t think its account of fairytale love was as catchy as everyone else seems to) but Alexander Rybak, the Norwegian entry, was pretty cute . Plus, he plays the violin like a fiend and wrote the song himself – a far cry from a lot of the fake, manufactured pop outfits that tend to dominate the show.
Here’s 23-year-old Alexander in action, in case you didn’t catch it on Saturday night. He’s a former winner of Norwegian Idol, you know!
I’m really hoping that this Eurovision win will be a good way for Norway to cement its place on Europe’s musical map, one that Sweden seems to have dominated in Scandinavia for ages now – there are some really great bands coming out of Norway. And ABBA won Eurovision for Sweden in 1974 with ‘Waterloo’ – in my mind, one of the best pop songs ever – so maybe young Mr Rybak can acheive similar heights for his country? We’ll just have to wait and see.
In any case, it has got me thinking about Oslo, a city that I really liked when I visited a few years ago. It’s true, things are expensive but it’s definitely worth a visit – it has this lovely atmosphere of being quite serene and also quite contemporary too. If you’ve never been, I’d really recommend it – it’s a great city break, and flights from London really don’t take long at all. Maybe if you’re a Eurovision fan, you could time it with next year’s competition!
Nearly forgot to say, well done Jade – fifth place after years of finishing at the bottom is no mean feat. Hopefully next year, we’ll carry on the tide of success.
Add comment 18/05/2009
Superbreak and Smartsave – making your budget go further
Making sure I get the most for my money when on holiday has always been really important to me and, with the current economic climate as it is, I know that it’s the same for most travellers out there too – whether they’re families, couples or intrepid individuals. That’s why I’ve been trying really hard to find out about cheap ways to enjoy city breaks in the UK and blogging about them (though admittedly, not as often as I should be!).
But here at Superbreak HQ, we’ve just announced a new offer that’s designed to offer our customers even more discounts on travel. Our partnership with Smartsave offers you great savings on London restaurants, as well as tourist attractions around the country. For instance, if you book a London hotel on our site, you’ll be able to save 20% on dining out at over selected 35 London eateries.
The Smartsave deal makes travelling with groups of friends and families more fun as well. For instance, you’ll get 20% off over 100 attractions in London and other attractions in the country when you book for up to 6 people. I’ve got so many friends and relatives who are reluctant to take their children to see the UK’s much-valued sights and landmarks because of how much it might cost for a family of four or five – especially in London, where things can be so expensive. But with deals like this, families can enjoy the experience of great attractions, without worrying about the effect it might have on their wallet.
I know I’m a little biased but, with so many people in Britain planning to take holidays at home this year in order to save money, I don’t think our Smartsave deal could have come at a better time. What’s more, people I’ve met abroad who have visited Britain always remark on how expensive it can be. But this year – with a combination of great discounts and a weak exchange rate on which to capitalise – there’s definitely no excuse for any such complaints!
2 comments 21/05/2009
Scenic film locations = top travel destinations?
So the second May Bank Holiday weekend has come and gone – it always ends so soon! I had a lovely time relaxing at home with friends and I finally got to catch-up on a lot of things I’ve been wanted to do over the past few months. For example, finishing up a new book I’ve been reading (The Earth Hums in B Flat by Mari Strachan – I recommend it!), watching some films with friends and attending that Chelsea Flower Show tea party I was telling you about before. Sadly, flower-shaped cupcakes did not materialise as planned 
.
Anyway, one thing I did do successfully was watch all three Lord of the Rings films almost back to back for the first time since I saw them in the cinema all those years ago – and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s true, they are long and quite unwieldy in places, but they’re great fantasy films and I hope they continue to be a favourite with people over time.
It may sound as though that was a purely self indulgent way to spend all those hours, but – as ever – travel opportunities for myself and my readers are never far from my mind! The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in New Zealand and the country really did get a tourism boost from its success. Not surprisingly either – take a look at the stills below from the Fellowship of the Ring and you’ll see that Peter Jackson’s direction really did the country’s natural scenery justice.
The upcoming film version of Tolkein’s The Hobbit, which precedes the Lord of the Rings in narrative chronology, is going to be filmed in New Zealand too, which I’m sure will give the country an even higher profile amongst film-loving travellers. But New Zealand isn’t the only place to have benefited from its scenery being showcased in exquisite style on celluloid. Earlier this month, the tourism board in Western Australia said that its bookings had skyrocketed following its starring role in the Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman film Australia released last year. By all accounts, the film itself was a turkey but at least some good has come from it .
The beautiful Greek Island of Kefalonia also saw a profile boost after the 2001 film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was filmed there (Louis de Bernieres’ book was also set on the island). And I’ve got loads of friends who set off in search of the real Barcelona after watching the great film L’auberge Espagnole (or Pot Luck in English), or jetted off to Thailand after enjoying The Beach (despite its bleak storyline).
But I’m sure there’s loads I’m missing out – anyone have any more locations to add to the list? Personally, I’ve never gone on holiday to a destination simply because it featured in a film I liked, but I was in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia when they were filming the 1999 film Entrapment. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to catch a glimpse of Sean Connery but I did see the back of Catherine Zeta-Jones’ head!
1 comment 27/05/2009
World’s weirdest attractions part 2 – the hunt continues
In my perennial search for weird and wacky travel activities, I’ve come across this fantastic collection of images on the Telegraph website showcasing the world’s weirdest festivals. It’s really worth a look! The first picture on there is especially crazy. It’s of The Baby Jumping Festival in Castrillo de Murcia, Spain, and I’m terrified that guy is going to fall on those babies!!
Anyway, there are some great British weird festivals in there so you don’t have to travel too far to enjoy a dose of bizarre fun. There’s the Cheese Rolling competition in Gloucestershire that I’ve talked about here before (it took place last weekend so you’ll have to wait another 12 months for it I’m afraid!) as well as the upcoming World Toe Wrestling Championships in Derbyshire, which happen in June.
And there’s another that I’ve never heard of before – the World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Wales! Apparently, participants – many of whom don fancy dress for the messy occasion! – have to snorkel through 60 feet of bog in Llanwrtyd Wells in South Wales and over 100 crazy people compete each year. Now this is really something I’m going to have to see to believe…
When it comes to the festivals in other countries on the other hand, I’m overwhelmed at how many of them have to do with food. On the tamer end of the scale, there’s the Ivrea Orange Festival in Italy, where people who live in the town re-enact a medieval battle using oranges as their only weapons. There’s also La Tomatina, a tomato throwing festival in Valencia – a friend of mine has actually been to this and said it was great, but mushy, fun.
But here’s the one that I think really clinches it in the weirdness stakes: the Monkey Buffet Festival in Thailand. No joke! Apparently, over 600 monkeys are fed around two tonnes of sausages, fruit, ice cream and various other goodies. It’s a really big tourist attraction as well, with thousands of people visiting the town of Lopburi to see the monkeys devour their feast.
In any case, the one that tickles my funny bone the most is The Testicle Festival, which takes place in late July in Montana, USA. In this strictly adults-only event, 6500 people attempt to eat bull’s testicles! There’s supposedly a lot of public nudity too. A friend of mine will be in the States around this time this summer… I wonder if I can get her to visit and take pictures
Add comment 29/05/2009
A music-filled summer is on the cards
Despite all the hype surrounding Susan Boyle, I’m afraid I haven’t been watching Britain’s Got Talent this year – which I’ve come to realise is a shame on my part. Everyone in the office has been talking about it non-stop this week, first about dance troupe Diversity’s shock victory and then about Susan’s sad admittance to the Priory. It must have been such a stressful few weeks for her having skyrocketed to fame so quickly, and I really hope she feels better soon.
In any case, the Britain’s Got Talent Live Tour looks like it’ll be a treat for BGT fans! I’ve seen clips of winners Diversity and fellow dancers Flawless, and I have to say that both groups looked fantastic so I bet they’ll really light up the stage. The tour begins next week in Birmingham and then travels all over the country, with highlights expected to be their London dates at Wembley Arena and the Hammersmith Apollo as that will be Diversity’s home turf.
Of course, if you can’t make it to the BGT Tour – or you’re just not really a fan of Britain’s Got Talent – there’ll be plenty of other things for you to do musically in the UK this summer. For starters, there’s Take That’s The Circus Live Tour, which will wow crowds at Wembley and many other arenas across the country over the season. Then there’s Blur’s Hyde Park dates at the start of July; I gather these have already sold out but it’s always best to keep your ears peeled for last minute tickets for these events.
If you live in London and can’t get to any major festivals outside the city – like Glastonbury, Reading or T in the Park up in Scotland – don’t worry, you’ve still got options. The Wireless Festival in Hyde Park is expected to feature some great acts, like Kanye West and – one of my personal favourites – Basement Jaxx.
Then there’s Hard Rock Calling also at Hyde Park from June 26th to 28th. I’m a little new to this festival but it looks amazing – The Killers, Fleet Foxes and Seasick Steve will all be playing there, and I love all those artists. Also performing will be the great Neil Young at the O2 Arena as part of the event on the 27th so if you’re a big fan, I would seize the opportunity as fast as you can.
And with such wonderful weather on the cards for the next few months, it really makes me think – I’m so lucky to live in a place where there are so many exciting events going on! At this rate, I won’t have to leave the country for a special travel experience all summer…
Add comment 04/06/2009
Gearing up for the Venice Biennale
This year’s Venice Biennale Art Exhibition kicks off on Sunday and it does look pretty exciting. The press previews have been taking place over the last few days and I’ve been reading some great things – definitely exciting enough to make me think about booking a break in Venice sometime before the exhibition ends on November 22!
The contemporary art exhibition is one of the world’s most anticipated and takes place every two years. It also incorporates dance, cinema and music and this year’s theme is ‘Making Worlds’. I love the way it works: basically, there are 30 permanent national pavilions and each is assigned to different countries each year. This year’s entry for Great Britain is former Turner Prize winner Steve McQueen (whose debut film Hunger is definitely worth seeing if you haven’t yet) and he’s already garnering a lot of praise from art critics at the festival – so go us!
A lot of art industry events in Europe tend to be very Eurocentric but not this year’s Biennale. There are national pavilions from countries as far apart as Armenia, New Zealand, Brazil, Iran, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Gabon and China. So anyone planning to visit the city during the art exhibition will have a truly global repertoire of artists’ work to experience and enjoy. Plus, the fact that it’s on for nearly five months means that there’s quite a wide window for art lovers to plan their holiday – so there’s no excuse to miss out.
I haven’t been to Venice for over five years but I really love the city. Of course, it’s exceptionally crowded in the summer and the abundance of waterways means that an unpleasant smell can permeate the streets during times of hot weather but let’s ignore these failings! If you love art, history and architecture, there are few better places in Europe – if not the world – in which to immerse yourself.
I know it’s really easy to get to Venice by catching a flight from London, but I think if I make it to the Biennale this summer, I’ll attempt to get the train. It’s easier than it sounds – you just need to get the Eurostar to Paris and then the sleeper train from there to Venice, with a potential journey time of less than 15 hours. Definitely more exciting than a simple hop-on/hop-off plane journey!
1 comment 05/06/2009
England is in a cricket frenzy – or at least, I am
I’ve never been a big fan of cricket but I’m quite fixated by the Twenty20 World Cup at the moment. Maybe it’s because it’s being held in England or because the Twenty20 form of the game is much faster than your usual test match but I’m getting quite into it!
So much so that I think I’m going to London for the final on June 21st – one of my friends has an extra ticket to the match, which will be held at Lords, and has asked me to come along. I’m really excited, although it’s still unclear who will be in the final. I would have put my money on Australia (who apparently won the 2007 cricket world cup) but they got knocked out yesterday! So instead, I’m going to put my money on Sri Lanka – Australia’s defeaters – and (with all my fingers and toes crossed) England.
I do have one complaint about the Twenty20 World Cup though. All the matches are being played at Lords and the Oval, both in London, and Trent Bridge in Nottingham. So for any cricket fans in the north of England – of which there are many, especially in Yorkshire! – actually getting to the matches isn’t as simple as it could be.
It’s not as if there aren’t any major cricket grounds in the north either. Headingley in Leeds is a big one and so is Old Trafford in Manchester. I’m sure that there are many reasons that I don’t know about behind these decisions, but still – it seems a little unfair!
That said, this summer also sees England and Wales host the Ashes in July and August. Those five tests (can you tell I’ve done my research?!?) will be hosted in a range of locations, including Cardiff and Edgbaston in Warwickshire, as well as Headingley, the Oval and Lords.
Whether or not my newfound interest in cricket will last that long is yet to be seen but for now, I’m definitely enjoying it .
1 comment 09/06/2009
Thwarted by tube strike? Try a London walking tour instead
I’ve been reading loads about the Tube strike this morning and it’s making me quite thankful that I don’t live in the city. I can’t imagine how busy it must be! And while it’s bad for commuters to have to find alternative routes of travelling to work, it must be even worse for any poor tourists who have come to London to have a good time and found themselves faced with no way to get around! There are the busses, of course, but I imagine these will be super crowded with Tube refugees.
Perhaps it’s just the right time then to resurrect the popularity of the London walking tour. I mean, if you can’t get around by tube or bus, and driving or cycling is hampered by vast amounts of people taking to the roads, walking is the best alternative, right? I think so, anyway. And if you’re new to London, there are loads of walking tour operators that can help you get your bearings.
London Discovery Tours, for example, offers a range of different walks – from popular tours of the city’s main sites to a few things that are off the beaten track. People that relish having a chill up their spine might like the operator’s Jack the Ripper Tours, while the free Harry Potter London walks it runs are a must for families or fans of the fantasy novels. There are other cultural alternatives too; a few walking tour providers also offer a tour of Charles Dickens’ London, while Beatles fans will adore a walk around the Liverpool foursome’s London hangouts.
If following a tour guide around isn’t really your style, there are plenty of DIY walking tours available too. I discovered the website Tourist-Tracks.com earlier this year and I really love its premise. Basically, you just pay £5 for individual tours that you download onto your mp3 player and then plug in and play as you walk around your chosen location. Out of the London tours on offer, I have to say my favourite is the South Bank tour because it includes some of my favourite landmarks in the city: the London Eye and Tate Modern.
And if even £5 is too expensive for you and your holiday party in these credit-crunched days, there are many walking tours you’ll be able to do for free yourself. Just have a search around the internet – there are loads of bloggers offering tips on which London locations are ripe for walking, and Twitter can be useful too. Who knows – maybe the tube chaos of the next few days will expose a few elusive attractions in the city as more people start walking!
Add comment 10/06/2009
Worth Every Penny!
Posted by Jem
I have been an avid Britney fan since I was 15 years old and can assure you that even 7 years on, as soon as Britney came out on stage in all her glory, I quickly resumed back to my 15 year old state! There were screams, tears and absolute euphoria!
Now, I know what your thinking, Britney is renowned for miming, the ultimate fan I am, this did not perturb me slightly, however for those who are slightly dubious, I can assure you the dancing, choreography and pyrotechnics were out of this world!!!
The one song Britney did sing, was outstanding and it was the best 90 minutes ever! Although, I did feel terribly sorry for the guy sitting next to me, clearly dragged by his girlfriend (and not getting into the ‘Britney Spirit’ whatsoever) who had to put up with my screaming, crying and ‘grooves’ all induced by alcohol, I can’t imagine his experience was quite as enjoyable as mine!
Only negative point I really have is that drinks and food at The O2 are expensive, be warned of the hot dog vendor outside who tempts you with great smelling hot dogs (perfect for the munchies after a couple of drinks!) but who then charges you £4.00 followed by major spillage of ketchup on white jeans, not a good look!
Overall seeing Britney was one of the best nights out I have had and would go again every time!!
1 comment 12/06/2009
Getting the hats ready for Ascot
It’s not like me to write about sport twice in seven days, but hey – crazy things can happen! Similar to my newfound zeal for cricket – speaking of which, it’s SUCH a shame England got knocked out! – I’ve never been very interested in horseracing but there’s a buzz around the office with Royal Ascot starting today and it might be infecting me too.
In any case, I think I’ll have to pay attention this year, and to the actual races as well. A recently engaged friend of mine is always looking for an excuse to dress up in elegant clothes and she really wants to go to there for her Hen weekend and stay in a fancy hotel in Ascot. So I better become au fait with its ways before being dipped headfirst into the Ascot action in 2010!
And here’s what I discovered: Royal Ascot has origins way back to 1711, with the oldest race – the Gold Cup – first run in 1807. It’s held every year at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, about 27 miles (maybe an hour’s drive in low traffic) from London, with six races held every day; in 2009, the Gold Cup will be run on Thursday June 18. Supposedly, the Queen has six runners entered this year and has owned 20 Ascot winners to date.
Despite all this, the event is really known – in my mind, at least – for two things: a flurry of betting from people who don’t usually gamble and outlandish ladies hats. Indeed, I think I usually notice the hats more than the horses – take a look here at some great photos of Ascot hats (many of them Sex and the City-inspired) run by The Sun last year.
I have just found out another thing that I never knew before too. According to the Telegraph – they’ve got a great Ascot fact page up today – “off the shoulder, halter neck and dresses with a strap of less than one inch are all banned” from the Royal Enclosure. That’s all my favourite dresses out of the running! Just as well I have a year to get a new one… and find a suitably ostentatious hat!
Add comment 16/06/2009
Our top city break destinations
I’ve always been more a fan of city breaks than country retreats. There’s just something about the buzz of a city that I find so infectious. Don’t get me wrong, I love the countryside and its tranquil offerings too – but if I want a quick, invigorating getaway, it’s a city break all the way for me.
Here at Superbreak, we’ve just revealed our top cities – the urban holiday destinations that are most searched for on our site. There are some classics in there, like London (of course), seaside draws Blackpool and Brighton, and my personal favourite Edinburgh, which is currently gearing up for its manic summer festival season.
But it’s heartening to see some lesser known city breaks in there as well. Leeds, for example, isn’t a city that most people would think of going to for a holiday but it really does have so much to offer. For starters, the opportunities for shopping are great, especially around busy Briggate. And in the Exchange Quarter, you’ll find plenty of inviting cafes and unique boutiques – it’s really one of the city’s prettiest areas.
Other post-industrial towns – like Glasgow and Liverpool – feature too. I like Glasgow a lot; there’s always something going on and it’s a fantastic place to be if you like music – the success of homegrown bands like Franz Ferdinand and Glasvegas are just a small sample of what its eclectic music scene has to offer.
Liverpool also received a great boost from its status as European City of Culture in 2008 and its many museums and art galleries have become the toast of the country since. And I love that Cardiff and Belfast are featuring too, these two capital cities have long been overlooked as premier city break destinations in the UK.
Out of the foreign cities that feature in our list of top cities, there are no surprises: Barcelona, Paris and Prague are definitely favourites with Brits for their unique mix of cultural attractions, diverse culinary opportunities and great summer weather.
But I’m thinking this balance might change a bit as the recession continues and cheaper cities like Budapest, Warsaw and Istanbul may start to emerge in our most searched for list. We’ll just have to wait and see if I’m right!
5 comments 17/06/2009
Top Cities: Take Two
There have been a few rumblings about the Top Cities blog I posted yesterday – and not just online. Some of my friends have asked me (and with good reason) how it could be that more of our customers are searching for hotels in places like Leeds and Bristol than in hotspots of world travel like Rome and Dublin.
To start with, let’s clarify: I was over-simplifying when I said that the Top Cities list represented our most searched for destinations – these cities/urban areas are the ones our customers have spent the most money on too and I’m sure it comes as no surprise to anyone that London is at the top of this list.
Regarding our local towns – many of which have unfairly poor reputations as far as tourist destinations go – preceding glamorous overseas ones in the rankings, there are a number of ways we can interpret this. For starters, the high positioning of some destinations is clearly due to a business/convenience factor. For example, hotels near Gatwick Airport and in Hounslow (near Heathrow) ranked considerably higher in our top 100 than Berlin, Nice and Dubai.
But for me, the most obvious reason is the economic climate. Many studies are telling us that Brits will holiday at home this summer for several reasons, including lower household incomes due to redundancies and the weakness of sterling against the euro and the dollar. So surely it makes sense that local destinations will be more popular this year than foreign ones, no matter how strong their cultural draw may be?
The same works the other way round too. People I know in France and Spain have been telling me for years that they would love to see more of the UK – but that it is simply too expensive. The weakness of the pound means that loads of people who live in the eurozone – not to mention those in the US – are now able to come over and enjoy our sights for less than they would have one or two years ago.
As for the reader who was incredulous that Bournemouth or Bristol might rank higher than Munich and Venice – you might be interested to know that while Bournemouth and Bristol are nestled comfortably in our top 20 for the financial year so far, Venice and Munich are outside the top 100! I’m sure this will change as the year continues but I’m heartened to see people turning to local cities for breaks this year. Let’s hope we don’t forget them as the economy starts to recover!
Add comment 18/06/2009
Becoming au fait with film festivals
Sam Rockwell in Moon at the Edinburgh film festival
From my outsider’s perspective, highlights seems to be Moon, a sci-fi film starring Sam Rockwell and directed by Duncan Jones (David Bowie’s son), as well as Andrea Arnold’s Fish Tank and a French film I hear about called The First Day of the Rest of Your Life. Then there’s also Ice Age 3 screening in 3D – something that really does appeal to the child in me! But I’m not too upset, as I think all these films will be out in the cinema before the year is out.
It has got me thinking about other film festivals that I’ve been to and ones that I’d like to go to at some point too. For example, in the UK, we have loads of fantastic film festivals: there’s the Bradford International Film Festival, the Glasgow International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival – and those are just the major ones. There are also several niche festivals throughout the year, including ones that cover animation, documentary, LGBT films and so much more. I’ve been to a few events at the London film festival, as well as Edinburgh, but I really should make the effort to go to more of our local film festivals as I love the movies.
What’s more, there are so many international film festivals now that I think combining one with a holiday would be just the perfect thing for film fans. A friend of mine works in the film industry and has to go to Cannes every year for marketing reasons – but she always stays back a few days after the festival is over to enjoy a wee holiday in the town. And another friend was in Annecy, in the Rhone-Alps region of France, for the Animated Film Festival a few weeks ago and loved it.
A few years ago I was in Toronto during its annual film festival in September. I didn’t go to any screenings (too late for tickets to films I wanted to see) but I did try to soak up as much of the atmosphere as I could just by hanging around the venues and trying to catch many glimpses of A-list stars as I could (largely unsuccessfully I’m afraid!).
But I do plan to go back there at some point to actually see some things. When I was in Berlin at Easter too, loads of people I met said I should come back in February during Berlinale, the city’s annual film festival. What’s more, I’m considering a trip to Venice in early autumn to catch some of the Venice Biennale art festival this year – the film festival runs for 10 days in September so it would be great to combine the two! I just have to get my travel planning hat on…
Add comment 23/06/2009
Discovering weird theme parks
An old friend of mine is taking his eight-year-old daughter to Alton Towers at the weekend for what he believes is the 12th time in as many months. I have a feeling this might be an exaggeration on his part – but, true friend that I am, I promised I would come up with a few theme park-alternatives and run them by him to inject a bit more variety into his family leisure time.
So in the spirit of my ongoing quest to find weird and wonderful attractions for people to enjoy, I’ve been looking for weird theme parks across the world – and, surprisingly, I’ve found quite a few in the UK. For starters, there’s Bewilderwood, a very jovially named adventure park located near Norwich. This looks like an amazing place to take children that love the outdoors, with tree houses, zip wires, jungle bridges, boat trips and marsh walks to enjoy. According to their website, they also have “Crocklebogs, Twiggles and Boggles” – but I have no idea what those are!
Another UK theme park that I find a little weird – though I know plenty of boys that would disagree – is Diggerland, which is an amusement park based on the theme of diggers and JCBs! There are four in the country, in Kent, Devon, Durham and Yorkshire, so wherever you live, you’ll definitely be able to get to one of these. Of course, it’s probably something that will, in essence, appeal to boys more than girls – but I’m sure when they’ve had a go on one of the many crazy rides, many kids will want to go back again and again.
Last – but certainly not least in my eyes – is DickensWorld in Chatham, Kent. I think this opened a few years ago and I’ve always wanted to go and visit, but haven’t managed to – although, had it existed when I was young, I’m sure I would have dragged my parents there on the first day! The first Dickens book I ever read was A Christmas Carol when I was 12; I loved it and devoured as many of his other novels as I possibly could. Today, my favourite Dickens novel is Hard Times – I know it sounds desperately boring but believe me – it’s a Victorian soap opera. Anyway, if you love Dickens but your family aren’t sold on the concept of DickensWorld, just tell them about the Great Expectations Boat Ride or The Haunted House of 1859 – I’m sure they’ll come around .
That’s all I’ve got so far but if anyone has any other weird theme parks they’d like to share, I’d love to hear about them – and I’m sure my friend (and hopefully his Alton Towers obsessed daughter) will too!
Add comment 25/06/2009
The Edinburgh Fringe versus the Military Tattoo
I can’t believe tomorrow will be the first day of July! It’s about time for me to start planning my trip up to Edinburgh during the city’s festival season.
If you’ve never been to Edinburgh in August – when the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, International Festival, Jazz and Blues Festival, Art Festival and International Book Festival take place – I would definitely recommend it. This usually serene city starts moving at a stunningly fast rate and reportedly quadruples in population size – understandably, much to the annoyance of local residents.
The Fringe is the biggest by far; it’s actually the biggest arts festival in the world, hosting over 2000 shows spanning theatre, comedy, music and dance genres, and more than 18,000 performers. Add to that thousands of audience members and international press who come along every year and it’s no wonder that the streets are bulging for 30 days. People are almost literally strewn out over the infamous Royal Mile, peddling their wares, distributing flyers and soaking up the carnival atmosphere.
However, at the top of the Royal Mile, there’s an altogether more sophisticated affair – although offering just as much, if not more, exuberance: the world famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. I’ve been going up to Edinburgh almost every summer for the last decade to catch the festivals in action but, unbelievably, I’ve never been to the Tattoo, although I have seen it on television.
Luckily that’s going to change this year – a friend of mine has a spare ticket to this year’s show, which marks the 60th anniversary of the event, I’m really looking forward to my very first Edinburgh Tattoo break. They haven’t released too many details about the programme yet but, since this is the year of Homecoming in Scotland, I think it’ll be extra special!
Rest assured that once I’ve been to the Tattoo – and had my annual fix of Fringe madness – I’ll report back and let you know how the two experiences compare. But if anyone out there has any strong feelings on the matter, I’d love to hear them! I mean, if you had to choose a week at the Fringe or one night at the Tattoo, which would you go for? I’m all ears…
Add comment 30/06/2009
Refunding or exchanging your Michael Jackson booking
Some of you might remember that back in March, when Michael Jackson’s O2 Arena dates in London were revealed, I was quite excited. While I didn’t actually manage to get tickets, I was still really looking forward to the thrilling event – so it’s no surprise that I – like the rest of the world – am completely shocked by the King of Pop’s death last Thursday.
It’s a terribly upsetting time for his family as well as all his devoted fans, and I imagine that having the world’s media shining cameras at them all day long is not helping either. And to one extent, there’s a real spiritual loss in knowing that, although it’s been a long time since MJ released new material, we’ll never hear any new music from him again.
Unfortunately, for the hundreds of thousands of people that bought tickets for his summer tour, there’s a practical element to consider too. The event’s organisers are offering refunds to ticketholders and if you bought your tickets in a concert package through Superbreak, you can rest assured that we’re offering the same.
However, if you’re still hoping to make the most of the summer break you planned in London, there are other options that will let you choose alternative gigs or shows and we’re happy to let you transfer your Superbreak booking to these events.
While Jackson was one of a kind, there are loads of great artists playing in London this summer. July, for instance, sees performances from American R&B sensation Ne-Yo and revered rock band Nine Inch Nails at the O2, both of which are likely to appeal to very different music fans (though I daresay huge swathes of both audiences will be lovers of Jacko’s music). There’s also, Oasis at Wembley – a gig that promises to be more than memorable, given the Mancunian band’s reputation for showmanship.
Later in the season, the O2 is hosting Cliff Richard, Pearl Jam and celebrated opera singer Andrea Bocelli – so you can rest assured that there’s a real variety of musical events in store.
Get in touch with us and we’ll help you change your Michael Jackson booking to something else you want to see, or give you your money back if you prefer. We can’t promise that anything you’ll see will be as wondrous as the spectacle the King of Pop may have staged but we can certainly help you celebrate his legacy of music in style.
Add comment 01/07/2009
The Shawshank Redemption coming to the West End
I was looking back at some of my early posts on this blog for organisational purposes today and came across this one I wrote in January on Hairspray and how big musicals are increasingly stealing their ideas from Hollywood, rather than the other way round.
About an hour later, I saw this story about The Shawshank Redemption – one of my favourite films – being adapted for the theatre and I feel vindicated in my opinion!
Ok, it’s not quite a musical but it will be a significant West End show when it comes to the Wyndham Theatre in London. It’s a much loved film – rated number one by users on the Internet Movie Database – so I imagine it’s the kind of thing that people will take theatre breaks for and plan well in advance to ensure they get tickets.
The story itself – if you haven’t seen it, I don’t want to give away too much, but it’s about an epic prison breakout – is so dramatic and powerful, I have no doubt that it’ll make a fantastic show, if done correctly. At the same time, I do feel like there’s something dangerous about tinkering with a story that works so wonderfully well in its existing format.
What’s more, it’s not the kind of move that’s going to bring new audiences to the storyline – I mean, I love the theatre but most people I know would rather go to the cinema than see a play. So while releasing the film of The Shawshank Redemption in 1994 probably directed a lot more people towards the original Stephen King novella, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, I doubt that the play will do the same.
Still, I think it sounds like an exciting project and I am looking forward to seeing it. It’s already been performed in Dublin but I can’t find any reviews – can anyone help? Or, if you went to see it, I’d love to hear your opinion!
1 comment 03/07/2009
The world’s best patriotic celebrations
I’ve been reading a lot recently about all the different Independence Day celebrations that took place in the USA – and in the UK at US-themed fancy dress parties – over the weekend. It all looks like so much fun, from the various firework displays in different cities (the ones in San Francisco are said to be amongst the most spectacular) to major concerts from music superstars like Rihanna and the Foo Fighters.
It’s all got me thinking – patriotic celebrations are often such lavish spectacles that it’s the perfect time to visit a country and enjoy the very best of what it has to offer. For example, I have friends that organise breaks in Dublin for every St Patrick’s Day – but they do this at the end of the summer, even though the celebration is in March, just so they can ensure they’ve got somewhere good to stay! And my Scottish friends absolutely love going home for St Andrew’s Day, as someone’s always having a party of some sort.
Next week, it’s Bastille Day in France, a national celebration that marks the Storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. This is pretty spectacular too, with a parade taking place down the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris, as well as a beautiful firework display illuminating the Eiffel Tower.
Another national day festivity that’s guaranteed to be fun is Australia Day, which takes place in January – in the middle of the Australian summer. As a public holiday in the country, Australia Day plays host to loads of parties and concerts, as well as the announcement of the Australian of the Year Award – presented by the Prime Minister to an Australian citizen who has contributed a lot to the Australian community and nation.
I haven’t been to either France or Australia on their national days, but I was in India for its Independence Day celebrations every 15th August when I was travelling there many years ago. It really was a lot of fun and, despite the fact that me and my backpacking buddies were British – and Independence Day, of course, marks India’s independence from British rule – everyone got us to join in. A couple we had met invited us to their parents’ house for dinner and there were loads of games played and stories swapped – not to mention great food!
I guess what I’m saying is, if you are visiting a country during its national day festivities, make the most of it – people are sure to be welcoming and friendly, and you’ll probably get to experience a jubilance that may only occur once a year.
Add comment 08/07/2009
Getting the tents out for music festival season
Any year that I don’t go to Glastonbury, I always get envious when I see the fun unfolding on television. So after having longingly watched the happy events of two weekends ago, I’m thinking about seeing if I can score any last minute tickets (from official vendors, of course) to any festivals in July or August. I found out just now that T in the Park – which takes place in Scotland this weekend – has just released some extra day tickets so a friend of mine is trying to see if we can snaffle some before they run out…
The T in the Park line-up looks great this year. Two of my favourites – Blur and Kings of Leon – are playing, as well as loads of other great artists like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Calvin Harris and Lily Allen. But if you haven’t managed to get tickets, there are loads of options, many of which I’m still considering myself – definitely for 2010, if not this year.
At home, there’s the usual contenders like Leeds, Reading and the V Festival. But for me, the best by far seems to be Bestival in September, which is on the Isle of Wight. Organised by DJ Rob da Bank (what a great name ), it only started in 2004 but has since grown to become one of the UK’s best loved music festivals. This year’s line-up looks amazing too, featuring greats like Massive Attack and Elbow, as well as exciting upstarts such as Little Boots and Florence and the Machine. Better still, because it’s on the Isle of Wight, I imagine attending Bestival makes you feel as though you’re staying somewhere foreign and exotic even though it’s so close to home.
If you’d like to combine your music festival experience with a real overseas getaway however, Benicassim near Valencia in Spain is a good option. This year’s line-up features loads of European and American acts, as well as British favourites like Oasis and Glasvegas. It takes place from July 16th to 19th and although its 4-day weekend tickets are sold out, you can still get day tickets.
There’s also Pukkelpop in Kiewit, Belgium from August 20th to 22nd. This three-day festival is one of the biggest in Belgium, and is an inviting mix of indie, metal, rap and electronica – so it’s definitely one to go to if you and your friends have diverse musical tastes! I can’t think of many other festivals – except maybe Glastonbury – where you’d have the Arctic Monkeys and the Klaxons playing alongside 50 Cent, Dizzee Rascal, Placebo, My Bloody Valentine and Kraftwerk, to name but a few!
What’s more, if you’re based near London, it’s so easy to hop on a Eurostar to Brussels and get a train straight to Kiewit from there.
But there are so many music festivals in the UK, Europe and beyond, I’m sure there are some gems that I know nothing about. So if you’ve got any tips about little-known but long-running festivals, or music events that you think will be huge in a few years, I’m all ears!
Add comment 09/07/2009
There’s more to Austria than Bruno
I feel like I’ve been watching trailers for Bruno, Sacha Baron Cohen’s new film, for ages but it’s actually only coming out today. It does look amusing and I enjoyed Borat (as much as you can ‘enjoy’ watching something so cringe-worthy) so I am looking forward to seeing it.
It has made me think about Austria though, and whether Austrian people will take to the film or not. This video on the BBC site is pretty good at showing the divide of opinion in Austria (some people find it “very insulting”, others think it’s funny). But ultimately, I hope it’ll inspire people to find out more about Austria is really like – and in my mind, its beautiful towns, stunning countryside and long association with classical music make it one of the most refined countries you can visit in Europe.
I’ve been to Austria twice and I had a wonderful holiday each time. My favourite Austrian town is probably Salzburg, which is gorgeous. For starters, it’s amazingly picturesque; a river runs through its centre and you can see the mountains in the distance. It’s also teeming with charming tiny streets that wind their way through the heart of the city, and in that respect it reminds me a lot of York!
If you’ve got limited time in Salzburg, make sure you take a Sound of Music tour (if you like the musical, of course!), visit the mountain-top Hohensalzburg Fortress for panoramic views of the town and see Mozart’s birth house, where you’ll find a range of memorabilia on the great composer. Also make sure you buy some Original Salzburg Mozartkugeln – a delicious spherical concoction of pistachio marzipan, nougat and dark chocolate.
Innsbruck in South Tyrol is lovely too. Some of its churches are breathtaking – the baroque exterior of Saint Jacob’s Cathedral was a favourite of mine – and there’s loads of museums that are very interesting. However, I have to admit I spent most of my time in Innsbruck skiing or lounging around the 5-star Grand Hotel Europa – but whatever you choose, there’s certainly fun to be had.
One place I haven’t been to is the capital, Vienna. From what I know, it’s steeped in history and I’d probably need at least four days to properly appreciate its sights, but if anyone’s got any tips on travelling in Vienna, or anywhere in Austria, please do share. One thing’s for sure – travelling around Austria is probably a much more sophisticated experience than watching Bruno, even if you end up finding them both equally enjoyable .
1 comment 10/07/2009
Summer sun leads to Scottish camping invasion
It looks like the weather has been shifting around the country like nothing else – as many people have been stuck inside watching summer rain splash against their windows, others have headed out to enjoy the sunshine. Good news for some of the rising number of people choosing to pitch a tent in the UK – Scotland in particular, and spend some time getting to grips with the great outdoors.
It’s hard to predict which area of the country is to be hit next – but many of the downpours are nothing more than summer squalls, so I hope too many people aren’t put off.
I love camping, though I must admit that I usually only break out the tent when it comes to festival season and events like Glastonbury are always so much fun that it doesn’t matter when the rain comes on. I’m not sure how I’d fare if I was camping near Inverness and the downpours began – but then maybe my chances of seeing Nessie would be higher!
There’s nothing like being outside in nice weather, though. Personally, I love even simple things like taking a walk when the sun is shining and the air is warm. And if you have the opportunity to do that in a new place, it can lead to gorgeous discoveries you’d never make whilst on holiday. I remember when I went to Venice years ago we went on one of the walking tours which was incredible, but nothing compared to some of the things I discovered for myself when exploring alone.
And taking a stroll at different times of the day can show you so much about a city’s culture. London streets are typically bustling 24/7, but come five o’ clock and you’ll be wise spend a good hour or so people watching from the window of a nice café as the offices empty – providing you get a seat, of course.
Going back to camping, though, I wonder what would be the best places to head to if you fancied a tent trip in Scotland. I know the west coast is far rainier than the east, but it also has the advantage of breathtaking mountain landscapes that would make for some excellent hiking and photo opportunities. On the other hand, the east coast is easier to get to – and it’s home to my favourite city Edinburgh where I’ll be heading for the Festival in a few weeks (I can’t wait!).
I suppose there are pros and cons of pitching a tent in any location – and it’s always going to be a cheap break, no matter where you go. Besides, nothing would stop me skipping off to a nearby hotel nearby if the good old trustworthy British weather decided to take a turn for the worse!
Add comment 22/07/2009
Forest Fun at Ashdown this August
A colleague let me know about some upcoming events taking place at Ashdown Forest in the South East. I’ve never actually been there before, but I had a little snoop around and have to say that the fortnight of activities looks like a lot of fun!
From the start of August, a host of events will be taking place at the public park – which spans an enormous 6,500 of open space. Those of you with good memories may know it as the setting of the Winnie the Pooh stories, making it the ideal outdoor spot for families or anyone feeling a little nostalgic for their own youth.
I had a look at the brochure for the events and it looks as though there’s something that everybody should enjoy – from a cheese and wine tasting on opening day to the chance to go for a walk leading a llama from the Ashdown Llama Park! I also noticed a survive in the woods workshop – thankfully mainly available to kids aged between 8 and 13 – and a rock climbing course, so there’s plenty for the more hands on holidaymaker.
I know that a lot of families are looking for unique holidays around this time of year, and these inventive offerings certainly make a change from the typical amusement park Alton Towers type holiday – though those certainly have their place too!
Sourcing a few hotels for those interested, I found a few properties from as little as £27.50 at the 2 star Roebuck Hotel to the 4 star Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club, which is actually contained within Ashdown Forest itself.
August is already a write off for me looking out for making any more trips of my own, though! That’s because I’m heading up to Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which I’m going to for the first time! I do my best to hit the festival every year, but (as I may have already mentioned) this will be my first Tattoo experience and I’m really looking forward to seeing an international take on military musical tradition. Let’s just hope it doesn’t rain as much as it did last year – I heard that loads of people ended up getting soaked which is why I’ll be taking my fold-up mac, just in case! Two weeks to go until it all kicks off! 
Add comment 27/07/2009
When Christmas holidays become the new tradition
I know Christmas is a really far way away, but my parents dropped the bombshell on me the other day that they’re thinking about going away over the holidays this year – leaving me wondering where I’m going to get my turkey from!
For the last couple of years, my boyfriend and I have gone to each other’s parents in turn. When my parents copped out of this year, we got in touch with his parents, who we stayed with up in Edinburgh last year. Unfortunately, my dreams of seeing the bright Christmas Market in Princes Street Gardens were quickly diffused when we learned that they’re going away as well!
All right, so it’s not that bad – I mean, I know I won’t be sniffing over a plate of beans on toast this year, but it was quite disappointing to hear that both my boyfriend’s parents and mine were going away at that time of year. Then I got to thinking – yes, tradition is great, but so is going away on holiday, and what better time to capture a new city in a magical setting than at Christmas? Right, I said to my boyfriend, if they can do it, so can we. And now we’re completely caught up in the excitement of planning our Christmas getaway!
The only problem is, it turns out there’s so many places I’d like to see at that time of year I know it’s going to be a tough decision. I’ve been thinking about somewhere radically different like Australia but I’m not sure how I’d cope with Christmas dinner in the sun! Over there, Christmas is a little different – a few of my friends were there last Christmas and I got emails telling me about seafood and salad instead of turkey and potatoes.
Another spot I’ve been considering is the incredible New York City – though unless I’m planning on combining that with my next trip to San Francisco we may be looking for something a little closer to home. I’d love to stand in Times Square amidst all the snow and carol-singing, though, before heading somewhere cosy for a nice meal and a few drinks.
I’ve heard amazing things about Germany at Christmas time, though – and that’d give me a chance to return to Berlin after I had such a great time there at Easter. Maybe it’s a little too soon to return though, seeing as there are still so many other places on my wish list of destinations.
I suppose we’ll just have to keep doing our research and looking for somewhere different to spend Christmas. At least I know that, no matter where we go, it’s going to be an amazing trip – after all, there will definitely be presents involved!
Add comment 28/07/2009
Summer sun? What summer sun?
What is with this weather we’re having? I was promised by the Met Office to expect heatwaves all around and, okay, while that was true for a lot of June, somehow the summer has turned into the opposite of what it’s supposed to be: wet and dreary.
I know I’m not the only one who’s been affected by the weather – I’ve seen a lot of gloomy faces around the office and it hardly helps that the sun seems to only be coming out during the day on weekdays and disappearing as soon as Friday evening rolls around, never to be seen again until Monday morning.
The best thing about working in the travel industry is the fact that all of us have great summer holiday plans though, and the cloudy weather has got me dreaming about where I could be right now – and, although I definitely prefer holidays where I can explore cities and find out all of their little cultural secrets, right now I have to admit all I want is to be lying on a beach in the sun soaking up the heat and working on my tan.
But since it’s unlikely I’ll be allowed to go swanning off as I please (and besides, I’m heading up north soon!), I thought I’d write about some of the top spots I’d love to be right now if I wasn’t in the lovely Superbreak office.
Okay, so, anyone who reads my blog regularly will probably know that the sort of holidays I like are ones where I can learn lots of things about where I am – but that doesn’t mean I can’t do that on the beach – or near one anyway! I mean, a trip to Majorca might have many people thinking about sun, sea and sand – but to me it also spells out Soller, a charming, coastal town nestled deep in the mountains with amazing walks and breathtaking sights. And that’s not to mention the rickety train ride you can take from Soller to Palma, where you can watch miles of mesmerising countryside pass by on an old fashioned train.
Palma, Majora’s capital, has massive stretches of overwhelmingly gorgeous beaches too, and plenty of seaside cafés where you can relax in the sun whilst enjoying una cerveza grande – a litre-sized glass of Spanish beer.
Going a little further afield, I’d love to visit New Zealand – miles of beach, long days, sun, beautiful sea – and I could learn to surf! Okay, it looks like I’m not very good at laying back and relaxing on holiday, but I’d definitely love to be on the beach in a hot country right now, especially looking out of the window at the muggy drizzle we seem to have been blessed with herein the UK.
Add comment 05/08/2009
The West End will prevail!
I was checking out the news this morning and saw an article saying that, despite the recession, ticket sales and audience numbers in the West End are going up as people look for great new entertainment on one of the quintessential London experiences.
I couldn’t help but feel good that at least that’s one area of the industry the recession hasn’t hit. We’ve seen a lot of people changing their travel plans here at Superbreak, usually choosing to ‘holiday at home’ instead of heading abroad, but, to be honest, I think it’s pretty fantastic. There’s so many undiscovered places in Britain that people who’ve lived here all their lives didn’t even know existed that taking a city break in another UK destination can be a real eye-opener when it comes to our broad-ranging culture. It’s always refreshing to hear about people from Manchester discovering what it’s like to visit the Scottish Highlands, or Blackpool residents discovering big cities like Birmingham or London.
It’s really good to see that people are still determined to enjoy themselves – and the West End is certainly one of the best ways to go about doing that. I love the theatre and you can always be sure that any show you take in at the illustrious London West End will be a good one. I’ve seen a few shows down there and I’ve loved it every time. The quality is superb, and it seems like I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Okay, so I’m not just writing about this just because I saw the news this morning – though that was certainly a coincidence. My boyfriend also sprung it on me that he’s booked a surprise theatre break for the two of us and I’m already really excited. August is going to be an amazing month – London this weekend, the fabulous Edinburgh Fringe the next – I don’t know when I’m going to have time for anything else with all this travelling.
Worst of all, he’s not telling me what we’re going to see – it could be anything! Wicked, The Lion King, Phantom – I’ve no idea, but I’ll be sure to write all about it when I get back – both here and on my new Twitter account which you can follow at SarahSuperbreak. I’ll be Tweeting about my travels and the fantastic deals I find at Superbreak so be sure to follow me if you’re a member!
Add comment 07/08/2009
Sister Act at London’s West End
Well, I’m back from my short break to London and I have to admit that the weekend couldn’t have gone quicker! We left early on Saturday morning and arrived in the city centre around lunch time. The first thing we did was check into our gorgeous hotel before going out for a walk and some food. We were both starving after rushing around all morning and skipping breakfast in the excitement, so when my boyfriend suggested a fairly expensive restaurant my purse normally would’ve overruled my stomach but this time I said yes.
London is full of amazing restaurants and I wish I had the time to visit more of them. There’s so much variety, from fast food sushi outlets to celebrity chef owned places and I really love finding somewhere cheap and cheerful around Soho – but Saturday’s trip to Pearl Restaurant was nothing if not exquisite. We had the most delicious French food I’ve ever tasted and it really got our trip off to an amazing start.
Following that, we visited the London Aquarium for a couple of hours before it was time to get back to the hotel and get changed for the show! Anybody who’s started following me on my Twitter account will know that my boyfriend surprised me with tickets to Sister Act and I have to say that this show is really unmissable. Patina Miller is fantastic as Delores and they got the casting just right for all of the other characters. We were totally impressed by how good it was – it just made for a wonderful theatre break.
I really love getting away, even if it’s only for one night. This last weekend was really fantastic and it was great to get away to a completely different environment and soak up the culture. I don’t know what I’m going to do come September and all of my short breaks suddenly come to an end – this weekend I’m going to Edinburgh for a few days to take in the Edinburgh Festival. The highlight will definitely be the Military Tattoo as I’ve never been before, but I really can’t wait to get back to such an amazing city. And at festival time, it really comes to life.
Hmm, that means I’ll be visiting England and Scotland’s capitals within a week of one another – maybe I should think about Ireland and Wales too – after all, there is that bank holiday coming up
Add comment 10/08/2009
Go green for your next break
I’m sure we’ve all heard plenty of it – and maybe some of you have had enough of it – but all the hype about going green has got me thinking about how people are feeling about going on holiday. While it’s true that flying to exotic locations uses plane fuel, which equals nasty carbon being released into the environment, I thought I’d take a look at some of the destinations that could let eco-conscious travellers offset some of the damage and enjoy a guilt free holiday.
After a little bit of consideration, I’ve come to the conclusion that adventure type holidays could be among some of the best breaks for people who don’t want to cause much environmental impact. Obviously, I don’t mean skydiving trips or anything like that, but the kind of outdoors holidays where you can hike across amazing mountains like the Appalachians in the US and Canada, or plunge through the jungle of the Amazon Rainforest that spans across the South American countries of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela and Bolivia – to name but a few!
Then there’s heart-in-your-mouth extreme sports like white water rafting – which would be amazing to do in somewhere like New Zealand, what with all of that breathtaking scenery on either side. That is, if you’re not too terrified to take it in. In the same region, there’s camping trips to the Australian outback where you can explore the desert, see stunning mountainscapes and listen to the sounds of a starry night.
Camping is definitely one of the best ways make your trip more eco-friendly. Your accommodation needs no electricity and it’s easy to take any waste with you to dispose of properly and pop into local recycling facilities either on-site in some camping parks or at the nearest sign of civilisation. It’s also a brilliant way to save money – something I wrote about a couple of weeks ago when I noticed the camping trends jumping up around Scotland.
Of course, if it’s an extreme sport style holiday, I know I’d definitely prefer the opportunity for a proper shower and the comfort of a hotel bed after a busy day’s adventuring – and knowing I could do it with minimum impact on the environment makes it all the more worthwhile.
Add comment 12/08/2009
One night in London may not have been enough
After my one night in London last weekend, I’ve definitely been feeling that it wasn’t enough. Although I had an amazing time taking in a few sights and the fabulous stage version of Sister Act at the West End, it would’ve been even better to have at least one more day in the big smoke!
Still, beggars can’t be choosers – and it’s not as if I’m not off to the amazing Edinburgh Festival this weekend, so I can’t really complain. But I was checking out other breaks in London and wanted to share this exclusive London hotel and attraction package with my blog readers, which includes entrance to four of London’s most famous attractions – one of which I visited the other day and had a lovely time at.
That was the London Aquarium, which I really enjoyed. The chance to see all those fish, rays, sharks and absolutely huge turtles was really special and I’d definitely recommend it. Also included in the deal is entry to Madame Tussauds, London Dungeons and a flight on the London Eye – all parts of the quintessential London experience. All in all, you save around 20% than if you’d gone to everything separately, so it’s definitely worth thinking about if you’re going to London with the family soon. Staying at the 3 star Hampstead Britannia hotel for two nights with a family of four costs only £391 – definitely an eye-catching price when you’re looking for recession breaks.
Phew – I better stop thinking about the capital when I’ve got another capital to set my sights on. Edinburgh, of course! The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is in full swing now and I’ve already booked my tickets to a few shows, as well as the Military Tattoo in Saturday night. I really can’t wait to head up north to Scotland this afternoon and soak up the festival atmosphere – in fact, it’s nearly time for me to get home and catch the train! The joys of an afternoon off – see you after the weekend!
Add comment 14/08/2009
An amazing trip to the Edinburgh Fringe
It may have rained, it may have been incredibly, ridiculously windy, but there’s nothing in this world that could put me off the gorgeous city of Edinburgh – not even the tram works!
Admittedly, I’m really sad to be back from my weekend away to the Scottish capital, but I couldn’t have had a better time up north. Not only did I visit the Military Tattoo for the first time but I took in several top quality shows – and one or two less great ones – which made for a packed weekend filled with festival fun.
If you’ve never been to Edinburgh during the festival period, I’d definitely recommend it. Not only is the weather (somewhat) gorgeous in August, but the city comes to life with thousands of events and attractions pulling millions of tourists into its streets every year. And despite the recession causing many people to spend as little as possible this year, it looks as though the Fringe has found a way to counteract the credit crunch: over 400 free shows are taking place during three weeks that you can just show up to and enjoy. That’s alongside literally thousands of other shows, from stand up comedy to the most bizarre and wonderful musicals and eye-catching and exotic dance performances.
As for the Tattoo, it was better than I ever could’ve expected – not that I thought it was going to be bad. I thought it would mainly be comprised of traditional Scottish pipers playing ear-splitting tunes on the bagpipes – though I suppose I must’ve really known it wouldn’t be so bad since I bought tickets in the first place! But instead, we were treated to an amazing international display of traditional music and dance from all around the world, with huge companies of dancers and musicians coming together for an evening of rousing, cultural displays, made even more special by the projection of lights and images on the walls of Edinburgh Castle.
Fireworks topped the night off and we headed out to enjoy the sights of the city during festival season.
It’s not over yet, though, and knowing it’s all still going on even after I’ve returned home is making me want to go back. I’d definitely recommend it for a short break for anybody looking to take in some culture over a few days – if the chance of rain doesn’t put you off!
Add comment 18/08/2009
The recession – stay or go away?
I’m beginning to get a little confused with all of the conflicting news reports I’ve seen about the impact the recession has had on the travel industry. Often, stories are cropping up that detail how British holiday makers are choosing to stay in the UK for their holidays, opting for short breaks in UK cities rather than two weeks in Cyprus – but, at the same time, I’ve also seen several pieces about how they’re choosing to go away instead.
GoCompare just did a survey that said most British holidaymakers are planning to holiday overseas so they could get away from all of the recession depression happening here which, however accurate it is, seems like a pretty good idea to me.
The fact is that even though the economic downturn is making many people try to spend less, international holidays are still available fairly cheap and you could even find that a short break in France or Germany is around the same price as holidaying at home. What with the continual lowering of flight fares and the increasing availability of cheaper hotel rates – after all, they’re trying to drum up some business during tough times – it’s really not as expensive to travel abroad as you might think. I had a look at our special offers and there’s plenty to check out for great worldwide destinations, like the Twin Towers Hotel in Bangkok – where you can stay for just £19 per night. That sounds pretty recession-proof to me.
As the bank holiday weekend is coming up, there’s an excellent opportunity to grab a last minute deal and get away for a few days, even if you decide to stay at home. Unfortunately, I’ll probably end up catching up on bits and pieces I’ve fallen behind with since this month has been so busy for me – but then again, it’s always nice to have some time to enjoy York as I go about my day to day necessities. That doesn’t mean I won’t be dreaming about what I could be doing in Spain or Portugal though…
Add comment 20/08/2009
Top 10 weirdest tourist attractions
I stumbled across an article about how a new list of the top 10 weirdest tourist attractions has been published by editors at travel review website IgoUgo.com.
Now, I’m a big fan of weird and wonderful tourist spots just because they always make way for such a great range of new experiences whilst you’re on holiday – but I have to admit that even some of the places on this list are a little too weird even for me.
Coming in first place was the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets in Delhi. That’s right, a museum of toilets. I suppose if you ever run out of things to do in diverse and exotic India then it might be worth a visit. Maybe I’ll drop by if I ever go back and I’ll let you know how it goes.
Something that did tickle my fancy a little was the Peabody Duck March in Tennessee, USA. Twice a day, five ducks are led by a human “duckmaster” from the fountain in a hotel to the elevator and back. Apparently this started out as a joke but is now something that takes place at all of the Peabody hotels. I can’t say that’d be the one thing that’d draw me to the USA, however!
For a creepier experience, there’s the Canadian attraction of Joe’s Scarecrow Village, which sounds pretty much like my worst nightmare come to life – though some of the scarecrows being created to look like Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher and Elizabeth II does sound quite entertaining.
In New Zealand, you can visit the transparently-named Puzzling World, which is a themed attraction filled with illusions, mazes and various baffling treats that will see visitors spending the entire day in the park – and maybe not because they want to.
As much as I love the wacky and weird, I think this list is a little beyond me, although some of the destinations definitely piqued my interest. I’ll probably give the Haines Shoe House, essentially a house built in the shame of a shoe, in Pennsylvania a miss though.
Add comment 21/08/2009
The New Seven Wonders of Nature
I’ve just seen that people across the globe are being asked to vote for the New Seven Wonders of Nature. It seems like people have been trying to decide on a ‘new seven wonders of the world’ ever since most of the ancient ones crumbled to dust, but this focus on natural wonders – produced by the earth alone, without human influence – is very appealing.
And who knows, by asking the world’s population to democratically vote, we might finally reach some kind of agreement!
Some of the finalists like the USA’s Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef may be a little obvious, but that’s no reason they shouldn’t still be celebrated as some of the world’s most incredible natural sites.
On the other hand, it was interesting to learn about geological features that, for some reason, just hadn’t come across my radar before – namely Paricutin, a volcano in Mexico that was classed as a natural wonder because its explosive ‘birth’ in 1952 was actually witnessed by humans. That must have been a holiday to remember…
The only one of these recognised ‘natural wonders’ I’ve seen first-hand is the beautiful Aurora Borealis – if anything truly deserves the title of ‘wonder,’ it’s the amazing Northern Lights. These can be best seen in the arctic islands of Canada, including Alaska, and are something you really have to experience if you’re ever exploring the country. Apparently, your best chance of seeing them is between March to April and September to October – just don’t expect your photos to do justice to the dancing lights.
It seems that the big 7 are constantly changing and rearranging as the votes come in, but the Seven Wonders website still displays all the eligible runners up assorted by country. Just like when your favourite band releases a ‘Greatest Hits’ album, there’s guaranteed to be a few of your personal favourites that didn’t make the list – how could Niagara Falls not be up there?
Petty grievances aside, what better reason for a break than to visit some of the most awe-inspiring natural sites on Earth? I certainly have some catching up to do…
Add comment 27/08/2009
Bank Holiday madness this weekend
Yesterday’s Bank Holiday brought with it the end of an amazing month for me, filled with plenty of travelling and many excellent adventures both north and south of home. From my one night theatre break to see Sister Act in London a few weeks ago to the amazing trip to Edinburgh to take in the Scottish capital’s massive annual arts festival, it’s been one busy month – and Bank Holiday weekend wasn’t much different!
Since my long weekend was spent catching up with friends and family, as well as all the usual errands that I’d managed to let slip what with all my coming and going over the last month, I thought today I’d spend some time finding out what other people got up to – and it looks like the weekend was certainly a wild one for many.
An article in The Telegraph revealed the goings on at the Lancashire World Gravy Wrestling Championships, where 24 men and women wrestled their way through a giant pool of gravy to achieve the accolade of world’s best gravy wrestler – yeuch! The day also included an attempt to break the record for most people dressed as Elvis but sadly only 29 impersonators arrived – not even close to the 148 needed.
Around the office here at Superbreak people have also been chatting about what they’ve been up to and it looks as though plenty headed away for the weekend. Although most of them stuck around the UK for cheap Bank Holiday breaks, one lucky person went off to Andalucia in Spain and tried out a Flamenco lesson! Being the region in which Flamenco was born, Andalucia is certainly the place to go if you’re ever hoping to take in some of this mesmerising traditional music and dance which encapsulates so much of Spanish culture.
The first time I saw Flamenco being performed I remember being amazed. When I think of folk music, I tend to think of smoky pubs with old men and woolly jumpers with pints and a couple of fiddles, but the truth is that folk music – from England as well as all across the world – is such a diverse and incredible way to discover the heart of a culture, from Scottish ballads to heart-wrenching cante jondos that form the core of Flamenco.
Add comment 01/09/2009
Christmas in other cultures
We like to make sure we’re prepared for festive bookings as early as possible here at Superbreak. I especially do too, when summer is drawing to a close and I need something new to look forward to – and the addition of our new Christmas and New Year breaks page has got me wondering how other countries celebrate Christmas and what might make for an exciting new experience this December.
It looks as though many countries have different celebrations to us here in the UK, with fantastic traditions forming part of the events taking place in each country. I loved reading about Spain’s Christmas traditions, where Christmas Dinner is actually eaten on Christmas Eve. This is the beginning of Christmas for Spanish people, who get together with their entire families to enjoy a feast the night before Christmas, staying up until after midnight before even getting started.
Christmas Day is spent in church for many Spanish people and, interestingly, it’s not Santa Claus that brings children their Christmas presents, it’s the Three Wise Men who are believed to visit on January 6th and give gifts to children that leave their shoes on the doorstep on the night of the 5th. Christmas continues for some weeks following December 25th and is a period filled with celebration and foody indulgence – sounds like a pretty excellent break to me, especially as it would mean you could still enjoy Christmas at home before heading off to start the year in style in a new location.
While I was researching the types of food and dinner other countries prefer, I came across a little snippet about how they do Christmas Dinner in Italy – it’s no shock if a feast can last for more than four hours in this European country! The meal consists of at least seven different courses, including two puddings and then a cheese and chocolate course too. Well, they do say Italians love food…
Christmas in Germany has got to be a world class affair. If the Christmas Markets that pop up around the UK every year are any testament to a German Christmas, then it’s definitely somewhere I wouldn’t mind visiting for a short break this December. Like the Spanish, German children put their shoes or boots outside their front doors and St Nicholas fills them with either treats or twigs depending on whether the child has been naughty or nice. This happens a month earlier than in Spain, however. My favourite thing about German Christmas has got to be their title for the big dinner they have on Christmas Eve – “Dickbauch”, which means “fat stomach” – and this comes from a belief that those who do not eat as much as they can on this night will be haunted by demons during the night.
Finding out about how other cultures do Christmas is certainly inspiring, maybe I should try out some of the tastiest sounding traditional dishes over the next few months in preparation for the big day. Stay tuned for more Christmas tid-bits as I hunt down the most unusual and nicest sounding Christmas treats!
1 comment 07/09/2009
More cultural Christmas fun
Following my last post about Christmas in other cultures, I’ve been having a lot of fun doing plenty of research and finding out about how the festive season is celebrated elsewhere around the globe.
Last time, I wrote about Christmas in Spain, Italy and Germany, so I thought I’d look into how some other European countries celebrate Christmas and find out how similar or diverse they are.
There certainly seems to be something about shoes when it comes to Christmas in Europe. I was reading up about Christmas in France and discovered that, yep, once again, children put their shoes out so that Father Christmas – or Père Noël – will fill them with gifts. Thinking about it, however, this is just a more hands-on version of what happens here in the UK with stockings – only over here you can go all out and buy a huge stocking in the hopes of extra presents. I know I’ve pulled that one before!
Depending on the region in France, Christmas starts on different dates. In eastern and northern France, Christmas ‘begins’ on December 6 or, in Lyon, on December 8. These dates are followed with periods of festivities, including the fulfilling of a law that was passed in 1962 – dictating that every letter written to Santa would get a response. So that must be what he does during the year when he’s not busy on Christmas Eve delivering presents.
Moving over to Poland, I found out some weird and wonderful facts about Polish Christmas traditions. In rural areas in Poland, it’s traditionally said that unmarried women who grind up poppy seeds on December 24 will get married quickly and if they go outside following dinner and hear a dog barking, their future husband will come from the direction the dog is facing. Another Christmassy superstition is that Christmas Eve is a time of magic, where animals can communicate with people in human voices – and that it’s possible to tell the future. I think I’ve found my next Christmas holiday destination – it’d be amazing to find out all about the Polish Christmas season firsthand.
In Norway, alongside the Norwegian Santa Clause – julenissen - is another Christmas character called the Fjøsnisse. Unlike our Santa who only shows up once a year, this ‘nisse’ – Norwegian for elf or gnome – lives in farm barns year round and helps out with the animals. That is, if you’re good. If the nisse feels he is being mistreated – like if you forget to leave him a bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve – he’ll play mean tricks on you like move around the animals, scare dogs and blow lights out in revenge.
It looks like lots of places have their different ways of doing Christmas – and now I’m definitely hankering after a Christmas break to experience some of the different customs and traditions.
Add comment 11/09/2009
Halloween is coming; the ghost is getting fat…
Already, people are beginning to chat around the Superbreak office about what their plans are for Halloween this year. It sounds like there could be a party coming up soon, so I’d better start thinking about what I’m going to wear now so I can plan how to win the best costume prize!
Halloween is an exciting tradition in the UK, but from what I’ve heard nobody does it like the US. I know several people who have visited the States during autumn and come back raving about how America does Halloween – so I thought I’d do some searching and find out just what I might expect if I headed there on a short break around the end of October.
Let’s just say that Americans do exactly the same as what the British do – but bigger. From suburban displays of fiendish pumpkins in New York City, where stacked apartments proudly show off their carving skills with ghoulish faces present in windows all the way up the building, to the fear-behind-the-picket-fence of New England towns, where gardens become graveyards and cobwebs are created rather than dusted away, it’s clear that Americans know how to celebrate the holidays.
I also read about some fantastic sounding haunted house parties in Los Angeles where costumed revellers turn up to a spooky mansion and explore inside its walls, with various things jumping out at them before they manage to find the hidden party room, where all sorts of food and drink are available – like eyeballs in a bowl, jellied brains (fake, presumably!) and plenty of ghoulish drinks.
Even just trick or treating is bigger in America. A co-worker used to live in Chicago in the Great Lakes and he told me that in the suburbs it’s not strange for people to hide candies in their front gardens and invite local kids to search for them – though you need to have a big supply on standby as they’re very good at finding things!
And if you’re really wanting to check out a large scale Halloween celebration, I found out about an event in Texas called Boo at the Zoo. Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville opens its doors to visitors with a vast amount of carnival games to entertain, as well as a huge haunted house to explore making it a definite tempting location for a Halloween break.
I love Halloween and I can’t wait for it to come around this year – but it looks like my enthusiasm could be beaten by that of many Americans!
1 comment 14/09/2009
Win a dream break from Superbreak
We’ve just launched a new competition where you can enter for the chance to win your dream break courtesy of Superbreak. I’m gutted that I’m not allowed to enter, especially as I know I’d have no problems answering the question – in fact, I’m sure I could do it a million times over although I’d have to work hard to stay within the word count I’m sure. All you have to do for your chance to win is to tell us in 20 words or less what your dream break would consist of. It’s as simple as that and only takes a few minutes, so is well worth giving it a shot.
I’m looking forward to reading through some of the entries, I have to admit. There are several places I already know are going to crop up time and time again. That’s not a bad thing – there’s definitely plenty of good reasons why some places are so popular and I know that I’d love to visit many of them as well. I may be totally wrong of course, but my predictions for some of the most popular spots could include the amazing Australian outback, maybe on an exploration break taking in some of the magnificent Aussie countryside. Similarly, I’m expecting to see a few mentions of Niagara Falls, New York City and the awe-inspiring capital of South Africa, Cape Town. But it’s not just the destinations we’re looking for, it’s what makes them special and makes them your dream break.
If you’ve been fantasizing about heading away on your perfect holiday but the recession has meant that it’s been nothing more than a dream so far, this could be the competition for you. Even if you don’t win, you might get inspired to see if you can make it to your dream destination one day.
Then again, you could be the lucky one! So whether you’d love to lie on the beach in Barbados or scuba diving in the depths of the ocean off the coast of Greece, get in touch and tell us about what your dream break would be! You never know your luck in fact, I’m off to think up my own dream breaks – thinking about this competition has got me in the mood now!
Add comment 18/09/2009
The rise of destination marriages
One trend I’ve noticed lately that seems to be on the rise – particularly as some of my friends have been taking the plunge – is the destination marriage. This seems somewhat bizarre, given how we’re in the middle of a recession, but the volume of couples wanting to jet off to tie the knot in the sun seems to be growing. Perhaps they’re looking for a way to escape the miserable economy for their happy day and are splashing out in one massive act of defiance? I guess plenty of them are wise to the fact that if they choose their destinations carefully they can actually save cash by having their weddings overseas.
I’m not really sure how I feel about destination weddings just because they put quite a lot of pressure on family and friends to find the cash to spend on flights and hotels. After all, isn’t that what honeymoons are for? Letting the couple get away for a much-needed holiday somewhere exotic? Then again, what better excuse to head off for a holiday than for a wedding? You can pack your beachwear alongside your gladrags and book some time off where you can enjoy a new country or city as well as being there for the happy couple.
This got me to thinking about what countries I wouldn’t mind too much if my friends planned a destination wedding in. I have to admit that the first place I think of is somewhere like Barbados, where they can enjoy a beautiful wedding on the beach and I can enjoy, well, an amazing holiday in a fantastic location.
I also started wondering about all of the unusual places people might think about for getting married. Like I read about a couple that got married in a helicopter flying over Las Vegas – which sounds amazing, but I doubt some of my friends would be able to hire a big enough helicopter to get all of their guests inside, too
Similarly, I’m not sure how many people would go for watching the happy couple exchanging their vows at Ocean Park in Hong Kong, where brides and grooms to be don diving suits and make their way several metres under the water to make their promises whilst surrounded by sharks. Wow – I wonder how they manage to hear each other? Even more bizarrely, some couples in America are opting to wed in Taco Bells and McDonalds – I suppose that really is beating the credit crunch.
But if you choose an exotic holiday destination for your wedding then I suppose you eliminate the stress of rushing off for your honeymoon straight after and can relax and enjoy your big day even more. A honeymoon in a fast food joint though? No thanks!
Add comment 24/09/2009
Moctezuma: Aztec Ruler at the British Museum
It’s opening weekend of the exciting new exhibition at the British Museum and I’m in London! Hooray! I travelled down last night with a couple of other Superbreakers so we could check out the latest instalment. And I have to say that it’s pretty breathtaking.
Moctezuma was the last elected Aztec emperor who ruled from 1502 until 1520 and was seen by his followers as more of a god than a mortal. His tragic downfall in the wake of Spanish invaders changed the history of the ancient people, destroying its culture and leaving behind the story of a savage people that the Christian conquerors saved from darkness and horror.
However, the Aztecs were an enlightened people with a complex social and political culture, sophisticated to the highest degree for the time – which is something that the new exhibition brings to light. This is the first time that some of the pieces on display have ever been shown in the UK and I couldn’t recommend a visit enough. Fascinating from the depth of amazing history, dazzling treasures and jewellery, with a fantastic array of video displays that reveal much of the true civilisation of Moctezuma’s Mexico before Spain’s invasion – well, I won’t spoil it for you. I will, however, say it’s well worth a visit and you could even incorporate it into a nice short break down south.
At Superbreak, we’ve put together a couple of packages that incorporate tickets to the exhibition alongside a hotel stay including breakfast. You can choose from various packages, like a night and breakfast at the 3 star St Giles hotel from £73.50pp or a four star night at the Grosvenor from as little as £51.93pp – not too shabby for a hotel, breakfast and afternoon entry to the exhibition.
Well, we’re about to head off out to dinner – then back to York tomorrow afternoon. See you next week – and don’t forget to enter our win your dream break competition for the chance to do just that!
1 comment 26/09/2009
Disappointing attractions? Hardly
I came across an article recently that rated nine of the most disappointing attractions in Europe – including seeing the Mona Lisa, Manneken Pis in Belgium and going on a gondola ride in Venice. The article is fairly amusing, but I have to say that I don’t really agree any of these attractions could be perceived as disappointing. While it’s understandable that some people may be dismayed that their first glimpse of the Mona Lisa is shared with hundreds of other tourists packed into the room, all a-clamour to see the portrait and take their own photo of it, I would say that being surrounded by such obvious enthusiasm could only serve to make the experience more exciting for me.
Okay, so crowds can be annoying – but they don’t necessarily ruin attractions. The Mona Lisa, which is guardedly stored in the Louvre, Paris, is undoubtedly one of the must see objects in the world. So a lot of people go there – meaning there’s never a quiet moment during opening hours in the Mona Lisa room. And while you may have dreamed about an hour of quiet contemplation in front of this masterpiece, the majority of us aren’t so interested in seeing the picture as we are in having the experience of having seen it – and I think the fact that the business of the room generates such a buzz of excitement is a great thing. After all, we all know what it looks like. The attraction here is taking part in an experience, not viewing a painting (though that’s something you’ll remember as well).
The article also slated gondola rides in Venice, Italy, in part for being like a ‘tourist parade’ for the locals. I’m not sure why that’s such a bad thing. We get tourists here in York all the time and nobody bats an eyelid. Why would people stare at those enjoying a boat ride? Many people think gondola rides are one of the quintessential experiences in Venice – but it is true they’re a tourist attraction. Luckily for me, a bunch of people having a look wouldn’t really put me off if it’s what I wanted to do.
I know that the list, which also included Denmark’s Little Mermaid statue and Dublin Castle in Ireland was intended as a bit of fun, but it saddens me that people reading could be put off some of the most incredible attractions in the world. You make your holiday what it is – so if it’s your dream to take in the Mona Lisa at whatever cost, go for it!
Don’t forget to enter our win a dream break competition and if you’re on Twitter you can follow me for news on the latest Superbreak deals
Add comment 01/10/2009
October food festivals for the gastro-inclined
October looks like it’s going to be a great month for foodies – which means that my boyfriend will be happy!
Kicking off the festivities is the biggest food festival in the UK, the Celebration of Food. Over the next 30 days, there’s going to be over 240 food and drink events between Bristol and Cornwall where people can try new dishes, discover new culinary experiences and enjoy fine dining like no other.
I’m really looking forward to trying to visit some of these events and trying out some of the treats on offer for myself. Devon’s ‘North Devon Food Fest’ sound particularly tempting, and there’s plenty of other things going on for all sorts of food lovers. The Somerset Cider Festival also sounds particularly appealing, as does the excellently named ‘Feastival’ at Kilver Court.
Food festivals are one of my favourite types of festival. Not only do they get a bunch of food lovers together to take in some delicious new cuisine, but it’s a chance for a town or city to show off its local, cultural dishes that people may otherwise not get much of a chance to try. Cities get to show off just what they’re made of when it comes to the kitchen – and this can include putting on events like fun foodie days for children or the classiest dining opportunities you can imagine.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more artsy, Scotland’s Whisky & Words festival is currently in full swing and is part of Scotland’s Homecoming year. The programme is really interesting as it goes into depth with regards to the relationship between the country’s favourite tipple and writing. It even has a whisky-themed creative writing workshop. I’m not sure what that entails, but it sounds like a lot of fun.
There’s also the Exmoor Food Festival back down south, which starts today and ends on October 11. You can expect to enjoy farmers’ markets, food fairs, tastings and the chance to purchase some of the local delicacies.
Wow, all of this is making me hungry. I’m off to see if there’s any biscuits left in the office cupboard.
Don’t forget to enter our win a dream break competition for a chance to do just that – and, if you’ve got a Twitter account, you can also follow me on Twitter to keep up with some great deals!
Add comment 05/10/2009
Give an amazing gift for Christmas this year – a holiday
Every year in the run up to Christmas, we get a lot of interest on the phones about our Superbreak gift vouchers as they’re such a handy gift to give your friends and family at Christmas. Superbreak gift vouchers are versatile and can be used to book trips away through the Superbreak website, meaning your loved ones can choose the holiday and gift they want most of all.
I thought I’d do a blog post about them, seeing as it seems that the Christmas spirit is already in the air – if the number of people Christmas shopping in town is anything to go by. The vouchers offer a way for you to buy thoughtful gifts for loved ones without having to spend hours and hours in town at its busiest times – and means that you’ll be guaranteed to give them the gift they really want. A lot of people think it’s a little impersonal to buy someone vouchers at Christmas, but let’s face it – there’s a good chance that when you make the selection of what particular CD, piece of clothing or even short break a person might like, you could be wrong. By giving a voucher, you get to be as generous as you like while ensuring the recipient has the freedom to choose to spend it on what they really want.
This could be anything, from an amazing romantic trip to Paris, a historic trek along the Great Wall of China or a short break in Berlin to feel the buzz of a city brimming with life. Maybe you think your parents would like a trip to a big city when all they want is to relax on a seaside break, or you think your best friends would adore visiting Prague when they’d love nothing more than to check out London in style – by giving Superbreak vouchers, you can make sure that your friends and family will be able to go on the short break they want to.
There’s a huge amount of amazing breaks to choose from theatre breaks and concerts at the O2 to spa breaks, speciality breaks and even airport products can be purchased with our vouchers.
You can find out more about Superbreak gift vouchers and, conveniently, order them online in various denominations. Don’t forget that you’ve still got the opportunity to score a great break for yourself, too! Our win a dream break competition is still in full swing and you could win your dream break by entering our simple, fun competition.
Add comment 06/10/2009
Halloween traditions in Europe
I know I wrote about Halloween fairly recently, but since it’s one of my favourite holidays, I’m going to write about it again. In my post about Halloween last month, I spoke mainly about Halloween traditions in America – big, bold and beastly. The Americans really know how to party at Halloween, almost to the extent of outdoing the rest of the world – which is why I decided to check out how Europe celebrates Halloween to see if there’s a worthy challenger to our stateside friends that I’d missed.
As Halloween has its roots originally in the UK, I thought that Europe should have plenty to offer – and it looks like my suspicions were correct. France seems to be one of the main players in Halloween parties, though it seems like celebrations on the continent seem to be a fairly new trend. In any case, Europe is catching up – and having a lot of fun while doing so.
Although still developing its Halloween antics, France appears to be a European leader and now the holiday attracts lots of attention as well as extensive preparations. Chocolatiers get to work creating intricate Halloween themed chocolates, using their expertise to get the designs just right, and Paris opens its doors to tourists looking for a spooky holiday by holding various events for visitors and locals alike. The main event during France’s Halloween is All Saints’ Day, a day dedicated to honouring the dead. This day was actually created by Pope Boniface IV in order to crush the ancient pagan festival of Samhain – so it’s interesting to see that many European countries are beginning to combine the two after hundreds of years of separation.
If you’re interested in cemeteries November 1 is the day to go, as thousands of French people decorate the graves and tombs of loved ones with beautiful floral displays.
All Saints’ Day is mirrored throughout the European tradition, to greater or lesser degrees. For example, in Portugal, Halloween is still not a tremendous event, but on this day – November 1 – children travel from door to door during the daytime trick or treating to be awarded with fruit, nuts and small cakes.
In Spain, it’s easy to guess that All Saints’ Day is embraced with much passion by the Spanish population. Like their French counterparts, Spanish people take the opportunity to visit the graves of loved ones and endow them with lavish decorations, including gorgeous flowers and lanterns that remain to light up the night, when sometimes prayers are said.
Hmm, I think I’m going to keep researching this – it’s throwing up some really fascinating facts. Be sure to tune in soon to see what else I find.
Add comment 08/10/2009
Halloween traditions in Europe part 2
After doing some research into how Halloween is celebrated on the continent, I found out some pretty interesting facts on what France, Portugal and Spain do in honour of the holiday. One thing tied the holidays together in particular, and that was a day just after Halloween is called All Saints’ Day in all three. This day, which takes place generally on November 1, is dedicated to honouring the dead and was created by Pope Boniface IV in order to quieten down the Pagan celebrations of Samhain, a fire festival that marks the autumn harvest.
However, it seems like the popularisation of Halloween by big celebrator America has managed to influence other countries into considering the spookier side of the festival – with many thanks going out to the American horror industry that exploded in the 80s, with films like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th and, of course, Halloween gaining mass global popularity. So, while keeping to their traditional All Saints’ Day celebrations, more and more countries across Europe are beginning to embrace Halloween and its ghoulish festivities too.
Here in the UK, Halloween is a pretty big tradition. Kids get dressed up and go trick or treating – called ‘guising’ in some parts of the north, as well as in Scotland and Ireland (the name comes from children dressing up in ‘disguise’) – and many adults will head out to fancy dress parties and celebrate in other ways.
But that’s enough about us – what about the Italians? In Italy, Halloween is becoming more and more popular amongst children and teenagers, who are beginning to see just how much fun dressing up and trick or treating can be. Italians are notorious for their party hard attitude – so if Halloween gives them another excuse to have a ‘Festa’, then they’ve been reaching for it with both hands over the last few years.
In Germany, you’ll commonly see carved pumpkins adorning the windows of shops and residences as Germans get to know the year’s scariest holiday. It’s not yet tradition for kids to go trick or treating, but it seems as though the party atmosphere in Germany is immense and many Germans take the holiday as an opportunity to get dressed up in their best witch, vampire or werewolf costume and head out to any number of themed parties.
Halloween doesn’t seem to be all that popular all over the continent, sadly – but it is getting there. For example, Copenhagen in Denmark is known for throwing massive events, with Halloween in Tivoli amusement park being one of the greatest, In mid-October, Tivoli Park is transformed into an immersive Halloween world, with pumpkins, witches, scarecrows and vampires roaming around set to terrify and entertain visitors. The festival lasts until the end of the month and all rides are open late into the night. It sounds to me like this could be the winner – a two week Halloween festival! That definitely sounds like one that only hardcore Halloween fans would enjoy!
Add comment 16/10/2009
Discover the life of Picasso in Malaga
As October gets into full swing, I’m sad to see the last strains of the summer disappear – not that that means I don’t love the autumn just as much. Despite how the trees lose their leaves and plants scale back in preparation for bracing out the winter, it’s this time of year that I really think nature has a chance to shine. However, the colder air is one of the things I’m decidedly less keen on, and all I’ve been dreaming about recently – aside from what I would enter in our Superbreak win a dream break competition – is ways I could extend the summer.
I heard about an event that takes place every year in Malaga, a city in Andalusia, Spain, which celebrates the birth and life of one of Spain’s most famous artists, Pablo Picasso. All across the world, people are familiar with Picasso’s surrealist works, as well as his contributions towards cubism, a painting style Picasso was very involved in founding.
Born in Malaga on October 25, 1881, Picasso showed an aptitude for drawing and painting from a very young age. It’s said that his first ever word was the Spanish word for pencil and, from seven years old, he was already en route to becoming the artist he grew into when his painter father began Picasso’s formal training in art. His father was a staunch believer in the idea that great art comes from learning from the masters, and taught Picasso to copy their styles during the development of his own. I wonder if this was where Picasso’s leaning towards creating his own versions of master artworks in his later years came from? I’ve seen several; they range from straight copies with the most intriguingly subtle subversions to more obvious critiques – I’d recommend viewing his extraordinary artwork to anyone.
The festival in Malaga lasts for the bulk of October and involves a growth in festivity every day, with parades stocked with colours and energy like only the Spanish can do, huge concerts with all the best local, national and international music, with dancing, drinking and all the other events you’d expect from a festival of this scale.
And, of course, that’s what’s available for those who aren’t big Picasso fans. If you’re really interested in the artist and his incredible life, many museums and galleries open their doors to the public with special Picasso exhibitions, and myriad tours assemble visitors to take them across the city on a discovery trip of some of the most important places that impacted Picasso’s life.
As October 25 is the big day itself, it’d definitely be worthwhile considering a trip to the south of Spain for the big celebration of Picasso’s 128th birthday. With fantastic fiestas taking place all across town and the party atmosphere in the air, I bet that’s one place where it won’t feel like the end of the summer!
1 comment 12/10/2009
Love Never Dies… the Phantom is back!
After many long years, the Phantom has returned for the much-anticipated sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.
As much as I – like many people – am apprehensive about sequels, I’m excited about this one. Lloyd Webber even said himself that he considers it less of a sequel and more of a standalone piece, which gives me high hopes for when it hits London in March next year.
Love Never Dies is set 10 years after the original musical (which was set in 1881) and takes place on Coney Island, New York, where the Phantom had fled to following his tragic ending in Paris. When leading lady of the original Christine Daaé accepts the chance to perform at Coney Island, it is not until she, her husband and their son arrive that she discovers just who it was that extended the intriguing offer.
The new musical promises to continue the Phantom’s intricate themes of obsession and mystery with a dynamic new score by Lloyd Webber and will I can’t wait to see the genius maniac Phantom return in his attempt to prove that the musical’s title is true – love never dies.
The current Phantom at the West End, Ramin Karimloo, is going to leave the production in order to begin rehearsals in January alongside Broadway’s Sierra Boggess, which I think is an especially nice twist of events. Having actors that are already so familiar with the characters they play is sure to enhance the experience, particularly for those who have already enjoyed seeing Karimloo’s stunning performance in Phantom of the Opera at the West End.
We’ve already started arranging Love Never Dies theatre breaks here at Superbreak in the excitement that the news of the sequel has brought on. I know where I’m going to be in March next year!
Add comment 09/10/2009
London swallows the Big Apple
Since October 3, London has been giving locals and tourists the opportunity to experience the genuine New York lifestyle as retailers from the famous US city are opening shop in the UK capital for just four weeks.
I wish this had been in London when I was down there for the Moctezuma exhibition at the British Museum but it looks like I was a week too soon!
Taking place on London’s Carnaby Street, the event is part of an initiative called Wish You Were Here, which aims to let locals in both London and New York experience what it’s like to switch cities for a month. As London and New York are two of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, I can’t imagine exactly how different it’ll be – but there isn’t a doubt that some experiences, such as catching a yellow New York cab down the road, will be great fun for London residents and visitors to the capital.
Wish You Were Here wants to promote an exchange of cultures, which is why it also got part of London to uproot and move to the Big Apple last month, an experience that many New Yorkers must’ve been thrilled by (and many London tourists may have found a bit baffling). Each move brings with it shops, street vendors, markets, food, drink and, of course, the people. All of the New Yorkers currently selling New York classics like hot dogs, pizza and pretzels on the streets of London have never been to the city before and had no idea what to expect when they got here – so they simply set up shop and got down to business.
I really think this is a wonderful idea. Especially during the recession when so many people are having to postpone their dreams of travelling somewhere far afield due to a lack of cash flow, it’s an excellent opportunity to enjoy some of the authentic experience of another city without having to break the bank.
I just can’t wait for the Hong Kong swap
Add comment 14/10/2009
Time is running out to win a dream break!
Many of you will be aware that Superbreak is currently running a build your dream break competition, where you have to tell us what your idea of the perfect break would be. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, we want you to do it in twenty words or less – and that’s where the fun begins. Trying to pack your idea of the perfect holiday into just twenty words has clearly been proving to be something of a difficult task, but keep them coming and you never know your luck!
We’ve had heaps of entries so far, from the nice-but-normal romantic city break style choices to some really wacky and adventurous ones. It’s been a pleasure reading them so far, and the competition has had all of the Superbreak office buzzing over the last few weeks – I think there’s more than a few of us who have been eyeing up our last days of annual leave after being inspired by your suggestions.
So go ahead and tell us what your dream break would be. Don’t worry, you can be as imaginative as you like – after all, we’re looking for an eye-catching winner whose dreams we can turn into reality. That’s not to say we don’t adore the slightly more usual ones too, meaning that you’ve got a great chance no matter what your ideal break would be.
And time is running out – the competition closes on Halloween, October 31, which is just a little over a week away – now there’s a scary thought! Keep the entries coming and you can also add me to Twitter to stay up to date on how the competition is going. Good luck!
Add comment 21/10/2009
Brighton beats the winter blues with the White Night Festival
It looks like tomorrow night Brighton is going to be living up to its ‘bright’ name as the White Night event takes place. An all night cultural festival, the White Night is now in its second year and invites visitors to “do something different in the middle of the night”.
This time around, the Halloween season is receiving plenty of attention as organisers have said they’ll be injecting a dose of mystery and magic into the festival, which will include a variety of venues hosting an impressive amount of events, of which most are free.
I really love the idea of this festival, especially because it gets people to forget about how much they miss the summertime light in the mornings and evenings and instead embrace it. After all, it means the festival will last longer – which can only be a good thing. There’s just so much going on, from exotic art exhibitions to amazing live bands exhibiting some of Brighton’s best local talent. Then there’s the chance to experience Gregorian chants being sung at St Bartholomew’s Church, or get your fortune told at 3am, which I bet would make the experience all the more spooky.
Bike to the Future also sounds fun, where visitors can climb into the saddle and get taken on a virtual time-travelling journey through Brighton and into the future. There are also night bus tours, casinos, a penny arcade and a neon coin slot game where members of the public can put a penny into the slot at the top and watch their coins cascade down to the bottom.
All of this and much more is happening in the southeast of England this very weekend- I wish I’d heard about it sooner, I might have tried to go. Maybe next year! Perhaps one of our entrants to our current Build Your Dream Break Competition might think to add it into their request – the competition’s ending soon, so don’t forget to enter if you haven’t already!
Add comment 23/10/2009
Two days til Halloween – and the end of our dream break competition
It’s just two days until the spookiest night of the year – and, even scarier, the closing of our Build Your Dream Break competition. While Halloween offers the chance for tricks as well as treats, our competition is decidedly just about the treats – and there’s still time to enter, so hurry and submit your entry to be in with a chance to win your dream break come true, courtesy of Superbreak!
Whenever Halloween comes around, I always get a little sad. Nostalgia strikes for when I was little, going from door to door with my friends, receiving loads of sweets and those always unwanted apples from neighbours. On one trick or treating trip we even found toothbrushes thrown into our pillow case buy some well-meaning adult, but now I can see why someone might think that was a good idea. At the time, we’d never felt more ripped off!
But childish longings aside,York is always a great place to be at Halloween. The city centre is already perfect for setting the mood, what with the shadow of York Minster with its gothic architecture looming over the streets, which wind and weave throughout one another to create a real maze for visitors who don’t know their way around.
I always imagine that some cities must be better suited to things like Halloween than others. York is one that definitely makes sense because its layout and architecture lends the city so well to suggestions of the macabre – perhaps that’s why we have so many ghost tours! Durham, similarly, has the same style of winding streets and closes – much like Edinburgh, which possesses a whole street (the Royal Mile, of course!) that spawns narrow alleyways and creepy passages, perfect for exploring on All Hallows Eve.
Edinburgh is also home to the Samhain ritual, which will be taking place on the Royal Mile and sounds amazing. Hundreds of performing artists come together to stage the battle between summer and winter in celebration of the harvest, which sounds like an exciting way to spend the last night of the month.
i still haven’t decided what I’ll do on the big night itself though, what are you doing this Halloween?
Add comment 29/10/2009
Guy Fawkes Night coming up!
Remember, remember – tonight is Guy Fawkes Night, the night we get together and celebrate the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot back in 1605. Well, sort of. Nowadays, it’s mostly about energetic firework displays, actually bonfires aren’t even that common any more… but it’s a tradition still worth enjoying.
I really love this time of year, despite the darkness. What with the fun of Halloween being followed so closely by Guy Fawkes Night, it’s a really good way to herald in the winter months and to console ourselves with the fact that, yes, it’s getting colder now – and quite a lot colder at that! And it’s nice when you see people keep traditions alive.
Some people are still going the whole way when it comes to bonfires too. I saw an article on the BBC that detailed how a Kent bonfire society is all set to burn an effigy of Katie Price. That’s right – Jordan, celebrity model, author, plastic surgery connoisseur and star of one of the most publicised divorces in years. They’ve put up a 30ft model of the star and are making preparations to set her alight tomorrow night. However, given the south east England society’s penchant for burning figures from the public eye – having chosen Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross last year, as well as Cherie Blair and Saddam Hussein in previous years – they’re adamant that it’s to be taken as nothing more as a joke.
I’m not sure if I’d see the funny side if I was Katie Price, but I bet lots of people will be heading down to enjoy setting alight to the guy, as well as taking in fireworks and a torchlight procession.
In Worcester, there’ll be a bonfire, barbecue and fireworks, as well as circus acts that’ll entertain crowds with impressive fire-eating displays – made all the more magical by the covering of the night sky. Leeds‘ Hyde Park will be packed with thousands of spectators braving the mud to eagerly await a stunning firework display and a big bonfire lighting up the night. Such events are taking place up and down England – and the rest of the UK, of course. I know I’ll be heading out to catch York’s best Catherine Wheels tonight, just need to remember two pairs of socks this time!
Add comment 05/11/2009
Dream break competition results
Well folks, it’s finally over. Our Build Your Own Dream Break competition had the Superbreak office in a tizz for some weeks, and I have to say we’re glad to have a little bit of time to relax after the rush to collect all of the entries and decide on a winner.
And guess what? The effort was fantastic. We got hundreds of entries ranging from the sweet and romantic to the downright bizarre, with a surprising amount of you choosing to build your dream break right here at home. There were plenty of entries looking to enjoy a break in Edinburgh, London, Liverpool, the Lake District, Inverness and here in York
We also discovered dreams involving Spain, Italy, France, Norway and Germany, with many of you hoping to take advantage of the cold weather by heading off on New Year or Christmas breaks, filled with romance, snow and walks through idyllic city settings. Some of you, however, wanted nothing more than to jet off for a holiday in the sun in destinations like Hawaii, Sydney, the Caribbean, New Zealand and a host of South American destinations like Peru and Mexico. It was clear our entrants really got their imaginations going and ran wild with their dreams – especially one fellow who included the presence of Angelina Jolie in his!
Unfortunately, there’s only so much Superbreak can do – and that isn’t one of them. One thing we did do, however, was pick a winner. And it was tough. There were heaps of fantastic dreams and cutting them down to end up with only one was a truly nightmarish task. But we managed, and our congratulations go to Paul Marshall for his poignant entry, which we hope he can make true with the £1000 prize which can be used to tailor make a break on our website.
As for the rest of you who didn’t manage next time, keep your eyes peeled. We had so much fun with this competition that we’re already brainstorming the next – so good luck and keep dreaming!
Add comment 06/11/2009
Exploring a whole new world
One type of break that’s always appealed to me is heading off to Africa on Safari. It could be ever since my obsession with The Lion King began when I first saw it that I’ve always wanted to visit South Africa and see real Simbas and Pumbaas for myself but it must be truly amazing to head off on a safari and explore the great plains of an unknown country.
Just imagine trekking in the Savannah, experiencing firsthand the long grass, stubby trees and infrequent opportunities to grab a drink at a watering hole – of course, we’d be safely tucked away in our tour jeeps with our water bottles instead of joining the wildebeest for a refreshing drink, but you get the idea! Then there’s the chance to see an elephant lumbering out of a forest, a rhinoceros basking in the sun and a real hippopotamus escaping the heat by going for a dip in a mud pool. Beasts like these are simply unfathomable in a country like the UK, where the biggest animal you’d see in the wild is about the size of a badger – though, of course, deer and wild horses never fail to make me stop and catch my breath, but – and perhaps it’s because I live here – there’s not a great sense of majesty around such creatures.
Not like polar bears of the Arctic Circle – Canada, Norway and Denmark to name a few – which are breathtakingly impressive in their strength, poise and majesty. That reminds me that Mercedes, the Canadian polar bear that lived in Edinburgh Zoo for many years in a none-too-spacious enclosure has now been moved up near Inverness to enjoy a proper life in a huge nature reserve habitat. Hearing about that recently made my day – I hope she’s happy in her new home!
Going back to Africa, however, the idea of immersing yourself in a whole new country with a different climate, animal population and geography fascinates me – and that’s before you even get to the people and their culture. New scenery, new animals, new rules – though I’m not sure I could be trusted not trying to snaffle a meerkat of my own through customs on the way back!
Add comment 09/11/2009
Winter sports holidays to beat the blues
I’ve always been a fan of trying out new experiences and, since it’s been getting colder and colder outside, my imagination’s been off on the ski slopes around the world, wondering what it’d be like to take lessons and get gliding down stunning vistas of beautiful snow.
The first – and last – time I ever tried anything that resembled skiing was at Hillend in Edinburgh a couple of years ago. My partner thought it’d be a nice, romantic idea to hit the dry slope in Scotland’s capital before heading out for drinks and to nurse our wounds. Well, in the end, I had so many wounds my partner didn’t get a chance to even think about anyone’s other than mine, and I vowed never to go skiing again.
But you know what it’s like – you see those pristine slopes of the Alps and imagine what it’d be like to go speeding down in the cold, crisp air, throwing up sheets of snow as you make a turn, almost feeling as though you’re flying – and you have to admit that it sounds pretty amazing.
Winter sports have always been something that are popular year round because, no matter what time of year it is, it’s always snowing somewhere. So I’ve been doing a little research on some of the hot ski locations, though I already know that if the opportunity arose, I don’t think I could accept – Edinburgh was traumatic enough for me! But while I’m dreaming, I can at least pretend I’m a good skier – one that gets to hit the slopes in America on an amazing winter break stateside, that is! It looks like there are plenty of places in the US that are great for skiers, like mountains in Montana (who’d have thought?) or stunning slopes in Colorado.
Of course, staying close to home is a more tempting option for many ski fans, especially during the tough economic climate. France looks to be one of the best places for supreme ski opportunities, spreading out towards Germany and Switzerland, meaning there’s a great deal of choice if you’re stuck for where to go. And if you fancy hitting the piste in summer, New Zealand’s always an option…
As for me, I think I’ll stick with the après fun – skiers are known for being great partiers once the day on the powder’s up, right? Well, that’s where you’ll probably catch me – sitting in front of the fire with a mug of hot chocolate, resting up for a big night out
Add comment 16/11/2009
New Year’s Celebrations around the UK
The beginning of 2010 is going to be an exciting one and I’m sure that most people are determined to make the welcome party a good one, too.
While Christmas is usually a family thing for me, New Year is one where I love to focus on my friends. There’s nothing like getting together with a big bunch of people and celebrating the New Year in style. This year, however, it looks like things might be a little different – some of my friends have said they’re interested in going away to celebrate this time around! And guess who they turned to for suggestions?
Naturally, it’d be a bit much to expect to travel too far to celebrate the changing of the year, so I thought I’d look into New Year celebrations in the UK first – but I’m sure there are some of you out there who either live outwith the Euro zone or would be more than happy to travel, so I may end up doing several posts on this (and Christmas too, if I can squeeze them in – I love the holiday season!).
So let’s get started – what’s on offer in the UK? Well, I thought I’d start by checking out the capital – London, of course. If you’re in the vicinity of the big city, there’s going to be a cracking fireworks display along the banks of the Thames, at Alexandra Palace Park and in various other London locations. It’s such a big city that I wonder what the chances are of standing somewhere open and seeing more than one fireworks display going off at once! Of course, hitting Trafalgar Square at that all important moment is surely an event to remember, as is attending the parade on New Year’s Day held at 12 sharp – if you can get up, that is.
Of course, if I’m going to talk about large scale New Year’s celebrations, I can’t get away without mentioning Edinburgh. The capital of Scotland is renowned for hosting the biggest New Year’s celebrations in the world. Its annual Hogmanay party, which lasts for the three days surrounding the big night itself, is filled with concerts, events, exhibitions and street performance as Scottish revellers get into the party mood in style.
Every town, city and village in the UK has its own celebrations, but I’d definitely recommend hitting the big cities like the two mentioned above, as well as Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow if you’re hoping for the biggest party of the year – the problem is deciding where.
1 comment 18/11/2009
Tis the season to get shopping!
December is approaching at a faster rate of knots than ever before, and you know what that means – Christmas shopping. Now, when it comes to seeking out gifts for the ones I love, I’m in the majority: I want it over with as quickly as possible. However, I was chatting to a colleague about her shopping plans and she revealed to me that she was planning on taking a Christmas shop n’ spa break in London.
The idea is that you head off on your Christmas shopping and top off the day’s work by indulging in spa treatments and staying in a luxurious hotel. That way, the stresses of Christmas shopping disappear and the whole experience turns into a bit of a holiday. Now that’s the sort of Christmas build-up I can get behind.
Usually, I’m not the type of person that likes to go to the spa very often, but I’m sure that’d change if I started. Then again, my bank account probably wouldn’t approve too much of me getting used to being pampered – though a once in a while treat must be okay. So I’ve been thinking about recreating the London shop n’ spa here in York, or somewhere nearby and gorgeous like Durham, which is a stunning city with many excellent shopping and sightseeing opportunities!
It also made me think about spa breaks in general and how they’re some people’s idea of the perfect break away – the entries to our Build Your Dream Break competition proved this. I got to thinking that giving a trip to a spa as a gift might be a welcome present for your family or loved one this Christmas – combined with our Superbreak gift vouchers, you could even give your recipient the choice!
Add comment 19/11/2009
Visit Santa in a real Lapland grotto
I just found out about the most amazing idea for a Christmas break – how about a visit to Lapland to meet Father Christmas in his own grotto on a real Santa safari?
Well, as ‘real’ as need be to spellbind children. Kids are sure to love taking a sleigh ride through a real Lapland forest in north Finland and chance upon the woodland cabin of jolly Saint Nicholas himself. They even get to take home an early Christmas present – Santa might have run out of Nintendo Wii consoles at this busy time of year, but kids are sure to get a cuddly reindeer for their troubles.
These Lapland Santa tours are the perfect idea for a family Christmas break, and offer up a festive wonderland that’s just as you might have imagined it – although you’d better make sure you really do wrap up warm, it can get mighty chilly. You’re only 32 miles from Russia after all, so your finest Arctic gear is a must if you plan on following in Rudolph’s hoofprints – and after all, it wouldn’t really be Christmas without the snow.
There’s a whole host of activities to enjoy on a trip to Santa’s Lapland, lifted straight out of your childhood Christmas books. All the family can enjoy rides on snowmobiles and sleds pulled by huskies and reindeer, but let’s face it – this is really a time to treat your children. Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year when you’re young, and while taking a Santa trip might seem like a wish fulfillment for the child in you, it makes for an unforgettable experience for your little ones (and the young-at-heart). A step up from a bloke in a beard down at your local garden centre any day!
Add comment 25/11/2009
Julie Andrews to return to the London stage
Like many fans who grew up with her timeless films, I was over the moon to hear that Dame Julie Andrews – star of the classic musicals Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music as well as many, many more – is set to return to the stage in a special one-off London performance next year.
What’s more, the event has even been scheduled with a definite date – so keep May 8 free in your diary if you want to witness the magic of the legendary singer performing some of her most well-known songs at the O2 Arena in London’s Docklands, supported by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
According to the BBC, this will be the first time Dame Julie has performed on the UK stage in a staggering 30 years! She has performed a few concerts across the pond in New York, but not too often since an operation in 1997 sadly damaged her ability to sing soprano. However, fans of all ages will surely delight to hear Dame Julie performing hits from her more recent films like The Princess Diaries and the Shrek series, as well as my personal childhood favourite – Mary Poppins.
But it isn’t all about reliving past glories. Julie said recently that she was excited about the opportunity to share her new works with audiences, and why not? The singer has enjoyed a real comeback in recent years and, even at 74 years old, she’s still got what it takes to wow audiences the world over.
I just hope that this one-off performance is Dame Julie’s way of testing the water, and might lead to many more theatre performances further down the line. Her obvious excitement means there are certainly no signs of this being “so long, farewell” for the legendary star.
Add comment 30/11/2009
St Andrews Day events across Scotland
Today is St Andrew’s Day, the official national holiday of Scotland – and because no one celebrates their national heritage quite like the Scots, the whole weekend has been packed with a fantastic range of events across the country.
First up was the generous opening of many of Scotland’s most fascinating buildings for free, as Historic Scotland, the national heritage trust, waived the entry fees at over 40 locations on Saturday and Sunday – including the ever-popular Edinburgh Castle and Glasgow Cathedral, two fascinating edifices that are always worth a return visit.
This gave curious visitors the chance to explore sites they might not have thought about before – though it has to be said that anyone hoping to take in the historic atmosphere may prefer to leave their visit for another time, as the attractions can understandably get pretty packed on this free weekend!
But the festivities didn’t stop with the weekend – not when Monday is now a national bank holiday after all. According to The Scotsman, Scottish locals and visitors alike have been blessed with a wide range of activities in all areas of the country to celebrate the finale of the Year of Homecoming, from a music event at the Glasgow SECC that played to an audience of 6,000 to a parade down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile that ended – quite fittingly – at St Andrews Square.
Elsewhere, films celebrating Scotland were the name of the game at the Falkirk Hippodrome, while Dundee, never to be outdone, hosted a spectacular display of music and fireworks that also involved street art and storytelling.
Proving that this festival really does offer something for everyone, the close of the celebrations will see staff and students of Glasgow University attempting to sing Auld Lang Syne in the most languages at the same time to make their way into the record books. Whether this valiant effort will be a triumph remains to be seen, but what’s certain is that Scotland’s Year of Homecoming has been a winner.
Add comment 30/11/2009
Toronto lightens up this December
It sometimes seems that cities across the world are competing to put on the most extravagant New Year celebrations every time the end of the year comes around, but some can definitely be said to go to further extremes than others. For a dazzling New Year break this December, I think a lot of holidaymakers might want to take a look across the pond to Toronto’s Cavalcade of Lights.
The 43rd annual Cavalcade is illuminating neighbourhoods and tourist attractions across Toronto, accompanied by fireworks displays and public concerts. The festivities started in Nathan Philips Square on Saturday, and saw the lighting of the city’s official Christmas tree, a Fair Trade market and even a skating party on the city’s famous ice rink. All this, and with the new year still over a month away!
That’s the good news for anyone who fancies making the trip to Canada but has already made arrangements to see the New Year in at home. Every weekend is New Year in Toronto – or at least, every Saturday offers the same fantastic range of events. Dedicated DJs will set the theme for each night of fireworks, dancing and skating on December 5, 12 and 19, before things go out with a bang on December 31.
Canada’s a pretty far way to travel, especially in this weather! However, I’m happy enough that I won’t be missing out – after all, the UK puts on some pretty great parties too! There’s always going to be plenty to get up to during new year celebrations in the UK, from quiet town and village celebrations (well, probably not that quite) to Edinburgh, where the three-day Hogmanay party enthrals both local and international attendees alike with a packed schedule of concerts, fireworks displays and street performances.
Add comment 02/12/2009
Mexico’s Island of the Dolls
Every now and then I’m innocently browsing the web and I come across something truly bizarre – and today I really stumbled across the jackpot when it comes to the weird and wonderful.
Mexico’s La Isla de las Munecas – or Island of the Dolls in English – is definitely one of the strangest things I’ve come across, and yet there’s something about it that totally intrigues me. Basically, this is what it is: located just south of Mexico City is an island where almost every tree on its surface is decorated with ancient, creepy and degenerated dolls.
Just seeing some of the pictures of this place on the net was enough to both put me off my lunch and make me consider that maybe a visit to Mexico during my upcoming trip to San Francisco could be on the cards. It’s so weird! The story – according to OddityCentral.com – goes that the Island of the Dolls first began when a hermit called Don Julian Santana moved to the island because he wanted to live in solitude, despite being married.
As he spent the last 50 years of his life on the island, Santana claimed he was haunted by the ghost of a young girl that had drowned in one of the island’s canals and, whenever a lost doll turned up in the waters, he would fish them out and place them around his house as a dedication to the little girl’s ghost. He was even rumoured to trade his home grown food for dolls to take back and place in his home.
In 2001, he was found dead in the same river that the young girl reportedly drowned in, which further adds to the creepiness of the tale and the whole island has been preserved as is, with scary-looking dolls nailed to trees and placed in various locations all over. Many tourists say it feels like you’re being watched when you visit and some have said that the dolls whisper to one another as you walk past. Some even suggest all visitors leave gifts to appease the spirit of the little girl as they arrive – who knows what could happen if you offended them!
Well, I’m not sure if La Isla de las Munecas is really the place for me, but something about it certainly does sound intriguing – have any readers ever visited this spooky Mexican attraction?
1 comment 11/12/2009
Christmas pantomimes in London
It’s December, which means it’s Panto season again! And who can resist the chance for kids to see classic fairy tales acted out on stage and for grown-ups to see well-known celebrities (and, let’s face it, many less well-known ones too) embarrassing themselves in drag? Pantomimes might offer the opportunity for smaller towns to attract some of the big names in entertainment, but for the biggest stars you really need to head out on a theatre break in London.
Kids of all ages are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing which pantomime to attend in London, and they can even choose which venue they like best for some of the classics. Checking out the handy bigpantoguide.co.uk, I counted at least three performances of Aladdin! If you’d like to see a funky version of that swashbuckling adventure, you should be sure to check out the Rock ‘n’ Roll Aladdin being staged at the Shaw Theatre on Euston Road.
Written by the creators of the hit pre-school TV series The Tweenies, this musical panto looks guaranteed to be a hit with kids, especially if they’re fans of a certain High School Musical series. The panto stars familiar TV faces Billy Geraghty and Jess Robinson in the lead roles.
Another recommended festive treat is the acclaimed stage version of Raymond Briggs’ classic The Snowman, which returns to the Peacock Theatre near Covent Garden for another hit run this winter. This performance really brings the Christmas staple to life, and you can’t fail to be moved as the live orchestra performs Howard Blake’s famous signature tune, Walking in the Air. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!
I may have saved the best for last however, as if you’re looking for a truly spectacular high budget pantomime this Christmas, you should get the whole family down to the O2 Arena in Docklands, where a new performance of Peter Pan is being staged in the venue’s 360 Theatre. Yes, that’s 360 as in ‘degrees,’ as the custom-made theatre tent features unique projected scene designs that help bring J.M. Barrie’s classic story to life. Peter Pan will run at the O2 until January 10, but don’t leave it too late to book your tickets, as the dazzling performance is sure to be a festive hit.
Add comment 15/12/2009
New York is top for New Year breaks
If you’re struggling to decide where to spend your New Year, your quest may be at an end – New York has topped the list of this year’s most popular destinations to see in 2010.
In the Big Apple they don’t do anything small, and the New Year celebrations are no exception, making it the perfect place for a lively New Year break – as long as you don’t mind the crowds!
Times Square has been one of the world’s major sites for New Year celebrations for over 100 years now, and according to Beat the Brochure.com, this year over a million people are expected to pack into the public square. That’s so many people I find it hard to even imagine what it must be like!
More staggering is that around a billion more are expected to watch the New York celebrations unfold live on TV, which will include a dazzling fireworks display and, of course, the lowering of the famous iron ball that descends the flagpole to count down to the New Year. Apparently, the iron ball was only introduced as an alternative after fireworks were banned from the city in 1907, but it’s now become as much a part of the celebrations as Auld Lang Syne in Scotland.
So, while many will be content to see in the New Year with friends and family at home, or maybe take in some of the New Year celebrations in the UK’s own big cities, it looks like many more Brits will be flying out to the United States to see in the ‘teens’ – especially now the pound is gaining strength against the dollar and folks are keen to make the most of the exchange rate while they can.
While I don’t think I’ll be making the trip to the Big Apple this year, I still haven’t decided whether to spend my own New Year break visiting friends in Edinburgh or London – though I have to admit, the five day celebrations of Hogmanay 2010 may end up swaying me towards the former! Not much of a surprise to you all I’m sure, after all I’ve hardly hidden my bias to the Scottish capital on here have I?
Add comment 21/12/2009
Keira Knightley wows crowds in her West End debut
Christmas is without a question one of the highlights of the year, but that doesn’t mean that the run up to the big day can’t get a little overwhelming sometimes. So every so often it’s nice to forget about the festivities for a while and treat yourself to an entirely non-festive theatre break – especially when there’s the chance of seeing a famous actress fluff her lines!
But that would be doing a disservice to the talents of Keira Knightley, who’s getting rave reviews for her starring role in a new performance of The Misanthrope that’s just opened in London. The play is a revival of Martin Crimp’s 1996 update of Molière’s classic satire, and is drawing crowds to the Comedy Theatre in Piccadilly who are eager to see the all-star performance headed by Ms Knightley herself.
Much to the annoyance of theatre critics, the famous film star is apparently really rather good in the role of Jennifer, a bitchy Hollywood starlet who naturally becomes the object of desire for a grumpy playwright, played by Damian Lewis. Some key scenes that test Keira’s mettle see her getting her own back on a parasitic acting guru played by Tara Fitzgerald, while a period costume orgy at the finale promises to show off Keira’s sultry side. I’m sure plenty of people will happily hand over the ticket price to enjoy that alone!
Keira Knightley made her name as a major Hollywood actress in films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Pride & Prejudice (take your pick), but she’s stirred debate with her West End debut by agreeing to accept a basic rate for her performance – a modest £750 per week, which is a world away from what she’d take home in Hollywood.
Keira told the Daily Mail that is because she’s keen to get some experience in the world of theatre. If this breakthrough performance is anything to go by, you can be sure Keira Knightley will be treading the boards with the best of them for many years to come.
Add comment 21/12/2009
Brit flicks drawing tourists
As we enter the new year it seems England’s cities are ‘in,’ thanks to a stream of home-grown blockbusters drawing visitors from all over the world, eager to retrace the steps of characters as diverse as Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes.
With people travelling from all over the world to visit filming locations in London, Liverpool and Manchester, it’s as good an excuse as any for us locals to get out there and explore what our nation has to offer!
While anyone who’s seen it would agree that Guy Ritchie’s take on the Sherlock Holmes legend is… unconventional (to say the least), it’s certainly done the trick for the tourism industry – even forming the basis for a new iPhone application released by VisitBritain that encourages fans to visit its filming locations.
According to The Drum, VisitBritain is already planning a similar campaign to mark the release of the upcoming Robin Hood movie – so it looks like Nottingham and Sherwood Forest can expect an influx of eager visitors in 2010.
This tourism boost isn’t all about devoted fans making pilgrimages, but even the film production itself can have a positive impact on the economy. According to Liverpool tourism spokesperson Gary Millar, filming one single scene of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows brought half a million pounds to the city’s tourism industry. Hotels were quickly filled up by the various folk involved in putting together a scene that lasts for all of five minutes on the big screen!
These success stories spell hope that the British film industry might finally be on the road to recovery, meaning the UK can become a major player in international cinema after a fairly disappointing couple of decades. And while traditionalists will surely bemoan these modernised adaptations of Sherlock Holmes and the like, the films might at least get a few more people interested in these classic tales.
And of course, there’s always the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street that’s still going strong as a tourist attraction, and is well worth a look for even the most casual fan. Just don’t expect to hear anything about Holmes’ kung-fu skills there…
Add comment 28/12/2009
Scotland’s first 4D cinema to open in Edinburgh
3D cinema has enjoyed a major revival of late – amongst ‘kids’ of all ages. Now Scotland is getting in on the action by opening its first 4D cinema in the new year, which promises to be a mesmerising experience!
The 4D cinema will form part of the Our Dynamic Earth attraction in Edinburgh – an interactive science centre that takes visitors on a journey through the history and sights of the world, from the frozen arctic tundra to the depths of the ocean. According to the Scotsman, this new feature will take the interactive experience even further, by combining a 3D film with relevant physical effects to engage as many senses as possible.
Put simply, this means visitors can look forward to feeling the frosty winds of the Arctic circle on their face, smelling a rhino up close (if you’re sure you’re up to it…) and feeling the vibrations of their virtual journey produced by small machines in their seats that are rather delightfully known as ‘ButtKickers!’
4D cinemas have proven themselves to be extremely popular additions to other tourist attractions in the UK – most obviously the £5 million film created for the London Eye, but also more modest attractions at places like Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Never a nation to be beaten when it comes to technological innovation, Scotland’s first permanent foray into the fourth dimension will make use of the very latest scientific wizardry to create the ultimate 4D experience, including artificial snow flakes that have been developed at the National Space Centre in Leicester. It does sound like a unmissable experience!
This new attraction is sure to boost visitor numbers to Our Dynamic Earth significantly. The 4D cinema is replacing the less exciting Gallery of Contrasts that’s now been closed to make way for the £700,000 refurbishment, which is being partly funded by the Scottish Government. Visitors are being assured that Our Dynamic Earth itself will stay open throughout the work – so this won’t be a repeat of Edinburgh’s notorious tram works!
Add comment 30/12/2009
Ripley’s opens in Mexico – believe it or not!
Wherever you are in the world, people are always interested in exploring bizarre attractions – which is why the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! franchise is still going strong and opening a new Odditorium museum in Mexico.
Looking back, I probably owe my not-so-secret passion for all things weird to a childhood visit to the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! museum in Great Yarmouth, sadly no longer with us. From elephant-headed boys to mutant animals, it was a jaw-dropping experience, and the Ripley’s museum in London is even more astounding – not that that should really come as a surprise. Included in the 500 exhibits across its five floors are real dinosaur eggs and a model of Tower Bridge made entirely of ordinary matchsticks – 264,345 to be very precise!
I just learned that Ripley’s now operates 30 such museums all around the world, all with unique spectacles to offer. So if oddities are your thing too, you might not have to travel far – there could be an Odditorium in a city near you! Mexico alone is now home to three of them, with the new opening at Veracruz featuring such stand-out attractions as an eight-foot-tall horse made entirely of car bumpers – which I guess gives you a good idea whether this is your kind of thing or not. I must admit, it makes a trip to Mexico that little bit more enticing – maybe I should even pay a visit to the creepy Island of the Dolls after all?
Ripley’s attractions have been drawing crowds since Robert LeRoy Ripley himself debuted his collection of oddities at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, and the museums always offer something different for visitors. Take the Odditorium in Orlando, which is built at an odd angle as if the building is sinking. Be careful finding your way around in that one!
Hot on the heels of the Mexico opening, the 31st Odditorium is set to open in Australia’s Surfer’s Paradise in late January, showing that the Ripley’s franchise is still going strong, and hinting that the key to fighting the recession may be to focus on the irresistible urge to seek out the weird and wonderful… believe it or not!
Add comment 04/01/2010
A record-breaking year for theatre breaks
Who would have guessed at the beginning of last year that 2009 would prove to be such a record-breaking year for London theatre breaks? More than 14 million tickets being sold at venues across the capital, that’s pretty impressive.
Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m sure you all know how much I enjoy settling down for a play or musical and there have been some really fantastic productions in the past year. I just figured that the recession would see less people spending money on cultural nights out – I’m glad I was so wrong!
In fact, it seems that the global economic crisis and weak pound are partly responsible for this surge of interest in theatre breaks, as so many ’staycationers’ have been heading to London to take in its sights and attractions rather than heading out of the UK. All that doom and gloom in the news may also have encouraged people to seek escapism where they can – and what better way than with an all-star play or rip-roaring musical?
This is great news for the British theatre industry, and for us here at Superbreak where we’ve just celebrated our 50,000th booking for a West End theatre package! Looking back over the past year, it was big-budget musicals that attracted theatregoers in droves to our theatre-and-bed deals – but the single most popular, without a doubt, was Lionel Bart’s new adaption of Oliver!, which played at the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane and starred such luminaries as Rowan Atkinson and Griff Rhys Jones. Wicked also proved to be hugely popular last year, while crowds are still drawn to the old favourites like The Lion King and Dirty Dancing.
We’re all hopeful that the coming year should prove just as successful as 2009 for theatre breaks, if not greater, thanks to some exciting new shows making their debut at the West End – from the hotly-anticipated Phantom sequel Love Never Dies, which opens in February, to Shrek: The Musical, which has been getting rave reviews on Broadway and is sure to be just as popular with kids on this side of the pond.
But of course, the theatre isn’t all about musicals – so don’t worry if all that singing and dancing isn’t your cup of tea. A number of exciting new plays are seeing well-known actors walking London’s boards, from Keira Knightley’s West End debut in The Misanthrope to Samuel West in Enron and James Earl Jones in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. With all this fine talent and venues attempting to outdo last year’s successes, 2010 looks set to be another killer year for UK theatre breaks!
Add comment 07/01/2010
Showzam festival dazzles in Blackpool
It looks like everyone will have the chance to roll up for some sensational circus fun in Blackpool, as next month’s Showzam festival celebrates the wacky world of the big top!
This annual festival showcasing the talented performers of circus, magic and new variety is the only one of its kind in the UK, so it’s a sure bet you’ve never see anything like it before. This February’s event promises a wealth of entertainment to satisfy everyone, with families and magic connoisseurs alike being promised something to enjoy at Showzam 2010.
The festival’s unique exhibitions and performances will take place at venues across the ever-popular North West seaside town from Friday 12 to Saturday 20 February, and taking a look at the programme of events, there’s some truly mesmerising stuff.
Whether you’re more inclined towards Derren Brown or Paul Daniels, you can’t help but be dazzled by magic performances, and Showzam is a treat for fans of the conjuring arts. The imaginatively-titled Magic Show playing on every day of the festival at Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery actually offers a lot more than its name suggests, and will see talented performers revealing how illusions and sleight-of-hand are regularly used in more shady contexts in the real world.
But if that sounds a bit heavy-going and you’d rather lose yourself in a traditional magic show full of camp theatrics and rabbits-out-of-hats, Queens of Magic combines magic, comedy, song and dance into a big-budget show at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and features the talents of Fay Presto – reputedly Britain’s finest close-up magician. Sounds like quite a show doesn’t it?
So while it’s the magic events that have piqued my interest, Showzam offers much, much more – from Miss Behave’s Carnival Ball, featuring burlesque performer Amber Topaz and calypso Queen Marawa, to a scary sounding ghost train with live performers. Last but not least, the award-winning cabaret show La Clique combines everything from circus sideshows to modern variety acts.
And if all that isn’t enough to get your pulse racing, the white-knuckle rides of Blackpool Pleasure Beach open for the 2010 season on weekends starting February 13, meaning the one of the weekends overlaps with the festival. Has there ever been a better time to visit Britain’s seaside capital?
Add comment 08/01/2010
Midnight event brings York Minster to life
York’s most famous tourist attraction York Minster is opening its historic gates tomorrow night to host the first Minster Nights event of the new decade. The event is a fantastic opportunity for visitors and locals alike to experience the rare sight of the majestic cathedral coming alive, with a host of installations and performances.
Minster Nights are completely free of charge for those of us lucky enough to live in this historic city – as long as we can provide proof of address, that is. Of course, visitors are more than welcome too, and only have to pay the usual admission price which seems like a bargain when you feast your eyes on the entertainment on offer.
According to the York Press, this event on 9th January is the third time such an event has been held in the cathedral. I somehow missed out on the previous events in May and August last year, but won’t be caught unawares this time!
Saturday night’s event will feature the work of artists on the theme of relaxation, contemplation and reflection, and I’m sure anyone who’s visited the impressive cathedral will vouch that it’s the perfect place to hold a celebration of serenity. But that doesn’t mean this event will be all about peace and quiet – far from it! In fact, a set from Ireland’s charismatic singer-songwriter Kayla Kavanagh, performing on a whole array of instruments from keyboard and guitar to electric violin, flute and the hammered dulcimer, is sure to bring the house down.
It’s not just all about music either, as the Minster Nights programme seems intent on covering all the arts. Theatre fans will enjoy an excerpt from Chekhov’s The Evils of Tobacco being staged by the Mooted Theatre company, while Airvent Media are set to create a unique “walk-in experience” involving light and sound in the cathedral’s Chapter House. I’d be lying if I said I knew what that means, but it certainly sounds like it’s worth a look!
Maybe most intriguing of all are the Hidden Minster tours that take visitors into areas of the cathedral that are rarely seen, and which aren’t normally accessible by the public. This includes the Mason’s Loft and even the crypt passages, so I’m guessing it’s not something for the faint-hearted. But certainly of interest for anyone who’s interested in the remarkable building and in York’s fascinating history.
Add comment 08/01/2010
Ice and Snow Festival creates winter wonderland in China
Here in the UK, many of us are getting sick of the sight of snow and ice – this is far from the case in north west China, where sculptors from around the world have turned the frosty weather into an art form at the 24th annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.
I’ve always been a fan of the traditional winter weather – from the gorgeous effect it has on the landscape to giving me the excuse to wrap up in my festive finery. But even I could do with a break from the ice right now, after slipping up on my way to the office a couple of times! So I was pleasantly surprised to see how the city of Harbin is getting through its harsh winter by celebrating the natural beauty of the white stuff in this fantastic yearly event.
YouTube channel AllVideoVault has posted a video of this year’s festivities:
The Ice and Snow Festival draws millions of tourists each year to take in the magnificent ice sculptures, castles and mazes, which are made from an estimated 120 thousand cubic metres of snow and 160 thousand cubic metres of ice. With the frozen Songhua River winding its way through the city, it’s not as if ice is in short supply in Harbin, and I think it’s a great idea to put the elements to use in such a positive way. As one of the world’s premier ice events, the festival can also be relied on to attract the cream of ice sculptors, from countries as diverse as Russia, Denmark and the United States.
So while the idea of taking a long-haul flight to an even colder destination might not be the first choice for UK holidaymakers right now, it’s inspiring to see a city getting something so positive out of the deep freeze. We haven’t been the only ones suffering from the freeze after all, with China Central Television reporting that Harbin experienced temperatures as low as minus 34 Celcius this winter – and we’re complaining about minus seven!
Anyone who fancies braving the cold can visit the festival throughout the rest of the month; right up until it closes in early February, when the ice starts to melt. An event that makes use of nature and even clears up after itself – what’s not to love?
Add comment 11/01/2010
Andrew Lloyd Webber searches for a Scottish Dorothy
The search is on to find the perfect singer to fill Dorothy’s red shoes in a new production of The Wizard of Oz that’s coming to the West End later this year. It all kicked off in Glasgow this weekend, where hopeful auditionees demonstrated why they thought they should take on the iconic role.
As far as I’m concerned, The Wizard of Oz is one of the true classics of cinema, a film that’s been enjoyed by generations and will probably continue to be enjoyed for many more. So it’s good to hear that Andrew Lloyd Webber and co aren’t simply trying to replicate it, but are really going for something new. In Webber’s own words, he wants “a Dorothy with attitude.”
He told The Sun: “She’ll be more Avril Lavigne than Judy Garland. Of course, Judy Garland made the role famous but I’m looking for a 21st century Dorothy… Okay, she probably won’t have strange green hair or anything, but she’ll be someone who would fit in on the streets here. She’ll have attitude and probably have an iPod.”
Certainly sounds like we’re not in Kansas any more!
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that these auditions are being carried out as part of a new BBC reality show. Over the Rainbow will hit the airwaves soon, and will surely follow the winning formula of the previous shows I’d Do Anything, Any Dream Will Do and How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? Those three shows saw thousands auditioning for the roles that were eventually taken by Jodie Prenger as Oliver!, Lee Mead as Joseph (in his Technicolor Dreamcoat) and Connie Fisher in The Sound of Music – which this month is heading to Edinburgh for a run at the Playhouse. Seems like it’s a good month for Scottish musicals!
While I can’t see myself heading down to the auditions (you have to be able to sing for a start!), aspiring hopefuls can head to bbc.co.uk/dorothy to register and find out where try outs are taking place over the next few weekends across the nation – in Cardiff, Belfast, Manchester and finally London, from the 5th to 8th February. I wish you the best of luck!
With this new take on The Wizard of Oz sure to be a box office winner, it looks set to be another great year for West End theatre breaks, and for fans of Mr Webber in particular. Don’t forget that his eagerly anticipated Phantom of the Opera sequel Love Never Dies opens at the Adelphi Theatre on 9th March. Will it live up to the original? I guess we’ll have to wait and see!
Add comment 12/01/2010
Celtic Connections festival kicks off in Glasgow
Scotland’s biggest winter musical festival got underway this afternoon in Glasgow, and looks like the perfect way to beat the winter blues with a celebration of Scottish music.
Don’t think ‘Celtic’ music is really your cup of tea? Well don’t despair, as the organisers of the Celtic Connections festival are taking a fairly loose interpretation of the term… as well as the term ‘Scottish!’ Rather than simply being a two-week-long ceilidh, the festival aims to celebrate the influence Scotland has had on music across the world – meaning a huge assortment of acts from blues guitarist Ry Cooder to 10-time Grammy winner Bobby McFerrin, best known for his cheery 1988 hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
Checking out the official programme of events, revellers have a lot to be excited about, with a packed schedule involving about 1,500 artists in more than 300 events taking place across the city throughout the month. It all kicks off with today’s torchlight parade through the streets of Glasgow city centre (let’s hope the ice has melted) and ends in fittingly explosive style with the final night party on Friday 31st at Glasgow Art School.
While the Celtic Connections festival is sure to appeal most to those with a love for traditional folk music, you may be surprised by just how much is on offer – this year even sees the festival launching its first club night, the incredibly diverse Balkanarama. This event will be held at the Old Fruitmarket tavern this Saturday, and features belly-dancing, DJs, house bands and Hungarian delicacies – how’s that for a night of variety?
The festival isn’t restricted to Scottish acts after all, though it does offer a great chance for local talent to get time in the spotlight too. It’s not too easy to dismiss the event as being just for folk fans either – after all, how many groups, from the Chieftains to the Corrs, have gone on to great success through bringing the traditional folk style to a wider audience?
No wonder the festival has grown so much in popularity over its 17 year history, with more than 100,000 people attending last year. With so many events taking place over the next two weeks, it’s a great chance to see some fantastic live performances in Scotland’s second city. And seen as I’ll be heading across the border for Burns Night next week, I think it’s worth giving a look!
Add comment 14/01/2010
Legally Blonde wins over critics
As the musical version of Legally Blonde opens to a huge response in the West End, even the country’s most serious theatre critics are having a hard time not getting swept away by the tongue-in-cheek fun.
In this high-camp musical take on the 2001 film that starred Reese Witherspoon, TV’s Sheridan Smith (who you might know best from the comedy shows Gavin and Stacey and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps) dons the overwhelmingly pink garb to play the bubbly blonde Elle, who discovers her surprising talent as a lawyer. The musical opened this week at the Savoy theatre in London’s Strand area, and is already proving to be a huge hit with audiences. It won’t be too much of a surprise to learn that most of those screaming their adoration are women, but what’s even more impressive is that this adaptation of the bubbly film is warming the hearts of the critics too.
That’s right – Legally Blonde is officially a winner! It’s a great achievement for a show to appeal both to the masses and the ‘experts,’ with even the traditionally hard-nosed Charles Spencer of the Daily Telegraph saying “I tried, I really tried to hate this show, but resistance is futile,” and admitting that Legally Blonde is “light, fast, fun and frothy.” I’ll admit that even I had my doubts as to whether it would translate well to the stage, as I’m a big fan of the film, so it’s great to see it making waves.
It’s sure to be a real hit with die-hard musical fans and occasional dabblers alike: with hilarious characters, memorable sing-alongs and energetic dancing, it sounds as though it’s got the winning formula! Which makes me wonder why it wasn’t this well-received in New York – could it be that audiences in London just ‘get it’ more than our friends across the pond?
A stellar cast certainly helps, and Legally Blonde presents a great ensemble of British talent from across the entertainment industry – from Duncan James of boy-band Blue playing Elle’s boyfriend to one-time EastEnder Jill Halfpenny and former Doctor Who Peter Davison as Elle’s leering lecturer. Sheridan Smith’s leading role has been singled out for particular praise, with critics and audiences alike being won over by the sense of mischief she brings to the role.
With hits like Legally Blonde and the upcoming Love Never Dies (the sequel to the classic Phantom of the Opera) bringing even bigger audiences to the West End, it’s clear that 2010 is going to another great year to take theatre breaks in London!
Add comment 15/01/2010
Tickets selling fast for Oberammergau Passion Play
The first year of a new decade marks a significant time for many people – but few celebrate the occasion with as much vigour as the residents of Oberammergau in southern Germany. This May will see the first performance of the decennial Oberammergau Passion Play since 2000, drawing and enthralling audiences from all over the world.
Four months might sound like a long way away, but apparently travel packages are already being snapped up by those eager to witness one of 100 showings of the legendary performance first-hand – and quite a legend it is too!
In ‘Things You Want to Know About the Oberammergau Passion Play’, Sue Brages of Technorati Travel relates the tale of the play’s origin in the dark times of the Black Death. As the dreaded plague claimed 100 of its townsfolk, the people of Oberammergau made a pact with God that they would re-enact the crucifixion of Christ every ten years, if He would spare them. Lo and behold, no more townsfolk died, and the community has honoured that pledge every decade since (well, give or take a couple of years).
It really does sound like a most spectacular commitment, with around half of the town’s population getting involved in staging the play of Christ’s crucifixion, from his entry into Jerusalem to the Easter resurrection. 2,000 local performers from all walks of life – who need to have lived in the town for at least 20 years – perform the epic tale in an open theatre against the majestic scenery of the Bavarian Alps.
But don’t let the community spirit fool you into thinking this is an amateur production – with Christian Stueckl of the Munich Theatre at the helm, the Oberammergau Passion Play satisfies all artistic credentials and is being dubbed Europe’s cultural event of the year.
Tickets are selling fast for the performances, which are being staged between May and October, so don’t leave it too long to book your place – otherwise that’s another ten years you’ll have to wait!
Add comment 18/01/2010
Enchanted Palace exhibition casts a spell over Kensington
Visitors to London’s famous royal residence can look forward to a mind-blowing experience this spring, in a multi-sensory exhibition that’s set to transform Kensington Palace with all manner of interactive installations.
The magnificent 17th-century palace in Kensington has been the official home to many illustrious members of the royal family over the centuries, including the late Lady Diana. With so many conflicting emotions being conjured by the residence, it does seem like the fitting place for this upcoming exhibition, which the Historic Royal Palaces website promises will “reveal tales of love and hate, surprise and sadness, secrets and jealousy” – who said the monarchy wasn’t exciting!
It’s these fascinating royal characters that the exhibition is looking to celebrate in a distinctive and original way – using a mix of installations, soundscapes, interactive theatre, intimate storytelling, film and fashion. Struggling to get your head around the idea? You’re not the only one! It certainly sounds like this is one exhibition that has to be experienced first-hand.
Ground-breaking modern designs will be displayed alongside priceless artefacts from the Royal Collection in the palace’s State Apartments, and with the likes of fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and set designer Echo Morgan at the helm, it promises to be a worthy addition to the top attraction. And as the cost of the exhibition will be included in the usual ticket price, there’s really no excuse for delaying your visit to Kensington Palace any longer.
It’s creative exhibitions like this one that are helping to make Kensington Palace more accessible and enticing as a visitor destination in the capital. The Enchanted Palace exhibition is set to run from 26 March 2010 through to June 2012, when the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games will no doubt find the organisers hard pressed to usher in something even more impressive. Stay tuned for that one!
Add comment 19/01/2010
Europe’s biggest fire festival blazes across Shetland
The Viking horde is preparing to invade Scotland next week, as the town of Lerwick makes preparations for Europe’s biggest and most spectacular fire festival.
Up Helly Aa takes over on the last Tuesday of every January all across Shetland, but if you want to see the festival in all its glory, you have to visit Lerwick, the island group’s main city. There, a packed itinerary sees the Jarl Squad visiting museums, schools, hospitals and other public buildings before the night falls and the torches begin to blaze. The torchbearers sing the traditional songs and put on a dazzling performance, but you’d be forgiven for being a little distracted from the impressive choreography when the event climaxes in the torching of a full-scale Viking longboat.
…And then the fun really begins! As the torchbearers and revellers head to local halls after the main event, each squad takes to the stage to perform a dedicated set piece to entertain the crowds, and it would probably be fair to say that more than a little mead is drunk as the night goes on!
It seems that Up Helly Aa is much more than a pagan celebration of the changing of seasons – not that there would be anything wrong with that. After all, I’m planning on partying with the best of ‘em later this year at the Beltane Fire Festival in Edinburgh! But there’s a more modern twist to Up Helly Aa, where squads of torchbearers choose to dress (or ‘guise’) in satirical outfits, with a healthy smattering of men kitted out in drag – leading to the festival’s affectionate local nickname of ‘Transvestite Tuesday!’
If you can’t make it to Shetland for this year’s festival, Lerwick displays suits used in the festival, alongside information and photos of the event’s fiery history, in a dedicated Up Helly Aa exhibition that’s open in the warmer summer months. But if any of you plan to attend, don your best Viking armour and be sure to tell me all about it when you get back. May Odin be with you!
Add comment 20/01/2010
Sundance 2010 draws film fans to the USA
Movie buffs are making the pilgrimage to the biggest independent film festival in the United States this week, as today sees the opening of this year’s much-anticipated Sundance Film Festival. And I don’t mind saying that I can’t help wishing I was with them for their trek.
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s events, which take place at venues across Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and the Sundance Resort itself from 21 to 31 January. As ever, the event’s organisers have gone above and beyond in selecting 200 new films for exhibition – the cream of the crop from more than 9,000 hopeful submissions (can you imagine? You’d surely never see the light of day again if you sat down with a pile of DVDs that big). But there’s more to the Sundance experience than just film screenings, as venues are brought to life with parties, live music performances and panel discussions from leading figures in the industry, giving revealing insights into their works.
If you’ve ever moaned about the lack of originality in the films shown at your local cinema, I recommend you should definitely check out film festivals like this one, which give you the perfect chance to see some truly groundbreaking filmmaking that could otherwise pass you by. The Sundance Film Festival may be only one of many prestigious film festivals that take place all over the world – including next month’s Berlin Film Festival – but when it comes to the USA, it’s certainly the biggest and loudest. That’s not to mention the fact that it gives travellers an excuse to take in some of the breathtaking Southern landscape like the Grand Canyon!
Checking out this year’s programme of events, it looks like festival-goers are in for some real treats, from short and dramatic films to original documentaries. This year’s featured documentary is apparently so mind-blowing, all details are being kept strictly top secret. A clever marketing strategy maybe, but certainly something to whet the appetite of even the most casual film fan! If anyone has the inside scoop be sure to drop me a line…
Add comment 21/01/2010
