Filed under: USA Travel
Posted by Becky
With Valentines Day creeping up many peoples thoughts will be turning to romantic gestures and gifts to show their loved ones how much the care. With a fantastic variety of heart wrenching love stories, poems and ballads to draw inspiration from throughout classic literature, contemporary film, stage productions and even stunning art there is plenty of romance to share around.
Searching through some of the world’s classic love stories we have come up with a range of valentine breaks to spoil your loved one. From the harsh landscape and doomed love of Wuthering Heights to Baby’s rebellious summer of love in Dirty Dancing or the sad romance of Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard in Brief Encounter there is a romance to suit everyone.
Whether planning a short break within the British Isles or further afield there are endless scenarios and landscapes that lend themselves to love. Why not head to the Empire State building, a location used for romantic rendezvous in both The End of The Affair and Sleepless in Seattle, with a fantastic number of New York hotels to choose from you can relax in this wonderful city. While in the Big Apple venture to Central Park or down Fifth Avenue taking in scenes from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, When Harry met Sally and many more.
If an Atlantic escape is not for you then how about the romantic Yorkshire Moors, the backdrop of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights or Carnforth railway station in Lancashire the station used in Brief Encounter. The classic love story Romeo and Juliet appears at the Royal Opera House in March, alternatively as part of the 2012 World Shakespeare Festival the story is adapted for a new generation in Romeo and Juliet in Baghdad playing at the Swan theatre in Stratford in April.
What are your favourite love stories, will you be taking inspiration from them this Valentines Day?
January 26, 2012
As we get ready to welcome in 2012 may of us are working out what we can change in the New Year, whether it’s the old cliché of going to the gym, giving up a vice or simply seeing more of your family everyone likes to clean the slate and start New Year afresh.
2012 promises to be an exciting year from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the 2012 Olympic Games there is plenty going on. Why not make your 2012 one to remember with some of Superbreak’s top resolutions.
Travel More
From exploring the British Isles to taking the trip of a lifetime the world is full of new places to discover. See the fantastic cities of Europe on a Eurostar break, climb to the top of the Empire State Building in New York, tour the Sydney Opera House or simply relax on the beautiful beaches of the Canary Islands. If you don’t want to travel far then there are plenty of cities and towns to explore throughout the UK, from the picturesque scenes of the Cotswolds to the bustling streets of Birmingham or Manchester and the stunning coastlines of Cornwall and Devon.
See a West End Musical
There’s nothing quiet like seeing a top musical in the heart of the West End, whether after drama, comedy or family entertainment there is a theatre break to suit you. New for 2012 London welcomes Sweeny Todd with Michael Ball and Singin’ in the Rain, while many of the top shows are now touring across the county you can see Sister Act in Cardiff, Phantom of the Opera in Manchester and Dirty Dancing in Birmingham. For serious drama there is a fantastic array of Shakespeare plays and adaptations as part of the World Shakespeare festival.
Go on Safari
A great suggestion for all animal lovers but if you can’t afford a trip to Africa then why not head to one of the UK’s wildlife parks. Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire is home to a huge selection of animals from big cats to monkeys, penguins, reptiles and more. The park even offers special experiences where you can get up close and personal with the animals and Feed the big Cats or have Tea with the Tigers.
Have Fun
Across the world there are a superb range of attractions and themeparks to suit all tastes, from historic castles, stately homes and gardens and world class museums to adrenalin fuelled rides, aquariums and sightseeing tours there is something for everyone to enjoy. This year get out and about and explore what’s all around you.
What New Years resolutions will you be making?
December 30, 2011
With October nearly upon us, our thoughts are turning to the end of the month and the chilling prospects that Halloween brings. Celebrated for hundreds of years Halloween is one of the world’s most popular holidays, second only to Christmas. Whether you are planning a fancy dress party, masked ball or simply getting away on a Halloween break there is plenty of Halloween related events and destinations to choose from.
From fantastic locations shrouded in the mythology of Halloween to festivals celebrating the dead and astounding sights across the world now is the perfect time to get away and discover these fascinating things. Synonymous with Halloween are the creatures of the night from film and literature, from Frankenstein and werewolves to the famed Dracula our imagination is brimming with these monsters and what they are capable of. During Halloween why not delve deeper into the myth of Dracula and visit the stunning Bran Castle in Romania, home to Vlad the Imapler who inspired some of this great story. Alternatively enjoy an overnight stay at one of the hotels in Whitby and explore this beautiful seaside town, with the Dracula Experience attraction, Gothic Abbey and 199 stone steps to climb it is ideal for lovers of the unknown.
To find out about the terrible persecution of witches in the 17th Century then you can plan a short break to Salem, Massachusetts, where you can join in the 30th Annual Salem Haunted Happenings. Running throughout October this festival is host to a superb array of Halloween activities, from theatrical productions and visits to the Witches cottage to haunted cruises and ghost tours.
If you are planning on staying closer to home then there are plenty of ghost tours and haunted properties throughout the UK. Those on Edinburgh breaks can feel the spine tingling chill of walking through Mary King’s Close, while those planning breaks to York or Chester will be staying in one of the country’s most haunted cities.
What will you be up to this Halloween, have you ever stayed in a haunted house?
September 30, 2011
Posted by Becky
With the Wizard of Oz previewing throughout February everyone is getting excited about Dorothy and her slippers. Those of you planning London theatre breaks can enjoy the whole story of Oz from the witches’ humble beginnings in Wicked through to the sparkle and wonder of the Yellow Brink Road. The eagerly anticipated stage adaptation will feature songs from the famed 1939 film including ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’, ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ and ‘We’re off to see the Wizard’.
The new production of the Wizard of Oz will star award winning actor Michael Crawford as the Wizard and winner of TV show ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow’ Danielle Hope as Dorothy. The appointment of an unknown for the lead role follows on from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s previous success with reality TV to find lead stars for Oliver, Sound of Music and Joseph.
With a recent trend in theatre to adapt screen to stage what could be next? Already the Broadway previews of Spiderman the musical are not going down well and are receiving an array of unfavourable reviews.
However within the past few years there have been a considerable number of stories making the leap from screen to stage, many which have great success. Legally Blonde has been nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for best new musical while this year sees the arrival of the eagerly awaited Shrek and Ghost.
What film would you like to see on stage? Do you think it is a good thing or are you worried about the originality of theatre falling away?
February 10, 2011
Posted by Becky
With the BAFTA nominees announced all eyes will turn to London’s Royal Opera House on 13th February for the celebrated night of award winning film. While many fans will be heading down to see if they can catch a glimpse of their favourite actor or director, I’m still trying to work out which of these films I’d like to see.
The regal Kings Speech has had huge coverage on the news and is tipped to win several awards, with Colin Firth already claiming the best actor at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills. Though for something a bit more exciting I might try the New York thriller Black Swan set within the ballet community or for edge of the seat entertainment the true story of a rock climber trapped, in Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours. So far only a few of these films are actually out at the cinema so it’s hard to judge which will be good. I’m just as likely to visit the National Media Museum in Bradford or the London Film Museum as to loitering by the red carpet.
Hot on the tail of the BAFTAs comes the highly prestigious Oscar’s. Broadcast live from Hollywood on the 27th February these awards offer the highest praise within the film industry, often causing controversy with underdogs stealing the show.
Which film do you think will pick up the most awards, are you looking forward to them when they hit the cinemas or will you be avoiding all the hype. Does it even matter to you if a film has won an award?
January 19, 2011
I’ve just found out there’s an even greater incentive to visit one of my long-desired attractions this year, as the legendary House on the Rock in Wisconsin is staging a whole host of magical events this Halloween – including a rare chance to ride the world’s biggest carousel.
I first heard of this incredible attraction when I read the novel American Gods by Neil Gaiman, which features the real-life complex in Wisconsin’s Spring Green as a portal to another world. But even accounting for artistic license, from the pictures and reports I’ve seen online, the House on the Rock does seem like something that’s truly out of this world!
With so many diverse rooms and streets lovingly decorated and bewilderingly designed, including a dizzying ‘infinity room,’ this is sure to be one of those few special places on the planet that really does have to be seen to be believed. In fact, the author even said he was forced to leave out some of the attraction’s more bizarre features when writing the book because his publishers thought readers wouldn’t believe him 
The famous carousel. Photo: Wikipedia
A cross between a museum, a fairground and a vivid dream, the House on the Rock sits on top of Deer Shelter Rock and was originally opened in 1959, though there’s been much expansion since then. Unsurprisingly, the already well-known attraction has benefited from even more visitors since the best-selling book brought it to a wider audience, and it seems its owners have finally taken notice by announcing a dedicated American Gods themed weekend over the spooky season.
These events on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 October 2010 will feature a special appearance from author Neil Gaiman talking about his work, as well as panels, presentations, a costume party and of course, the chance to explore the weird and wonderful house itself.
As I’ve said before, I’m always tempted to head over to the USA for Halloween because no one celebrates it like the Americans. And with one of my favourite writers teaming up with one of the attractions I most want to visit in the world, just try and stop me! 
April 13, 2010
It’s been whispered about for several years, but it seems the time has nearly arrived for the grand unveiling of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the new theme park dedicated to the boy wizard at the Universal resort in Orlando.
News has been sketchy up until now, but the Orlando Sentinel just revealed that Universal has started offering holiday packages to its new attraction starting on 28 May, with an opening expected sometime earlier that month – so it’s probably best to book your United States break now if you’re hoping to get a look at the new attractions this summer!
So what does Universal have in store for visitors at its new park? Well, anyone who’s been to Islands of Adventure before can expect to see new life breathed into a couple of old rides like the Dueling Dragons rollercoaster, which will now be a Potter-themed Dragon Challenge, alongside brand new attractions that are sure to take your breath away – whether you’re a fan of the series or not.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the only theme park licensed by the franchise’s creator J. K. Rowling, meaning there are no cheap imitations out there, and visitors are naturally expecting the best. With a huge recreation of Hogwarts Castle, an interactive Ollivander’s wand shop where “the wand chooses the wizard” and a Post Office featuring owls, it certainly seems like Universal has thought of everything!
I’ve never been to Orlando, but I do love a good rollercoaster, and from the sounds of it there’s a lot to look forward to at this park. Although apparently the developers of the main attraction – a ride called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – have said that it’s about as far away from a traditional rollercoaster as you can get!
This ride uses the latest robo-arm technology to take riders on a guided tour of scenes from all the Harry Potter books and films, and sounds like it’s worth the entry price alone – which naturally included access to all the other attractions included in the Islands of Adventure park, including popular rides based on Jurassic Park and other Hollywood blockbusters.
With all the talk about Universal’s new attractions, you can also be sure to see some tough competition coming from Orlando’s other big players like Walt Disney World in the near future. Watch this space!
February 25, 2010
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… 
January 21, 2010
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 and staying in hotels in America 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?
December 21, 2009
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!
November 6, 2009
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