Enjoy Your Visit To London And Take a Tour
July 19, 2008
The largest and most interesting city to visit in England is the capital city, London. The city always has something to do, or somewhere to visit that will suit everyone. The most famous attractions of course are the Royal Family and the Queen, and the traditional ceremonies that are synonymous with them. Travelling around can be quite tiresome and troublesome, as London is a huge city. There are many ways of getting around, the two most popular ways to see London are either the Tube (London underground), or via an organised tour. The Tube is popular as there is a tube station near to every tourist spot.
If time is an issue when visiting London then one of the many tours available is ideal. This is the best way to see as many attractions as possible in as little time as possible. The only problem will be which tour to choose from. There are tours of historic monuments, musical history, educational, and haunted (ghost) tours. Tours of the pubs are very popular as are the walking tours. The younger generation is not forgotten as there are tours more suited to them as well.
For the more culturally minded tourist London is an ideal destination. With a population of over 7,000,000, London is by far the most ethnically diverse cities in Europe. As you walk around it soon becomes obvious just how culturally diverse the city is. In fact there are over three hundred different languages spoken within London. The different ethnic backgrounds differ according to country of origin and religion. Of course we must not forget the English language, the most common of all. Other languages to be heard are Hokkien, Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin and Gujarati.
One thing about London which many folk find extremely exciting is the vast number of shops and shopping opportunities. Camden Town is very popular with its colourful array of shops and stores. If browsing through the markets is more your cup of tea then there are numerous exciting examples in London, the oldest is Billingsgate Fish Market which originates from around 500 BC, and only moved to the Isle of Dogs in 1962. London also boasts the longest street market in the United Kingdom (Walthastowe Market).
The relationship between London and Literature runs deep. One of the most widely known literary figure is poet, actor and playwright William Shakespeare (born 1564, died 1616). Of course most people visiting London will have some knowledge of the works of Shakespeare as he is one of the most important writers in the English Language. For those people studying, or just with a strong interesti in, Shakespeare there are a number of tours which take in the important places associated with Bard with some specially designed to cater for this trade with many including the viewing of a performance, of one of his plays, at the Globe Theatre.
The original Globe was constructed from 1598 to 1609 and William Shakespeare, as well as being a writer and actor there, was one the shareholders. It was during one of the more spectacular performances that the theatre burnt down, apparently a canon set alight the thatch roof. Rebuilding and repair quickly commenced and the theatre was ready for business again in 1614. Sadly it was forced to close for good by the Puritans, and flattened in 1644.
Charles Dickens is another famous person from the world of literature who has close ties with London, and there are numerous tours affiliated with him. When he was a child Dickens lived at 16 Bayham Street, Camden. Today however you will find a plaque at 141 Bayham Street, this is because number 16 has been demolished. Another of his home still stands and that is now the Dickens Museum (48 Doughty Street). Unfortunately the remainder of Dickens homes are no longer standing. One such home is 1 Devonshire Terrace, where Dickens lived in 1839. Today an office block is in its place at Marylebone Road.
There has been a fantastic book market in London since 1982. OUtside the National Film Theatre one will find South Bank Book Market. The book market takes place at the weekend all year round, the only difference being the opening times, longer in the summer (10.30am - 6.30 pm) and shorter in the winter (12pm - 5.30 pm). Bargains galore can be found amongst the many secondhand book stalls.
A Brief Introduction to Boutique Hotels?
July 18, 2008
While there are certainly a large number of folk who, when visiting a city, like to stay in familiar surroundings and several of the large hotel chains offer accommodation that varies little from city to city making them ideal for such people. However there are many, many people who prefer something a little more intimate and something a little bit different and such folk often choose to stay in a local guest house or small local hotel. For the last few decades there has been an increase in the number of boutique hotels in London and many other popular city destinations. The following article explains a little about boutique hotels and describes what you should expect from such accommodation.
“Boutique hotels” originated in North America and such hotels are usually small privately run hotels with a strong and noticeable character offering a most excellent personalized service which is not commonly experienced in the larger, well known, hotel and motel chains.
About thirty years ago society became a little more stylized and style conscious and many attempted to create a distinctive style and culture that influenced all aspects of their life. For an increasing number of folk the style became incredibly important and the demand for hotels which more closely matched such lifestyles increased. A number of small hotels attempted to meet this demand and they became known as design/designer hotels or lifestyle hotels.
While there are several boutique hotels which claim to be the very first two seem to have the strongest. Morgans Hotel in New York and San Francisco’s hotel Vintage Court. Morgans Hotel (owned by Ian Schrager) opened in 1984 having been designed by Andre Putman but Vintage Court, owned by Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group Inc. which owns many boutique hotels, opened in 1983.
One of the most interesting aspects of boutique hotels is the way in which they are usually themed. Rather than concentrate on all the modern bells and whistles, often available in hotels owned by the larger chains, boutique hotels offer personality and personal service. For example the Church Street Hotel in London, a Spanish-American Boutique hotel, is decorated in a Cubano style with mexican tile work which has been hand painted with numerous items of art and furnished with excellent Colonialist furniture.
As the interest in boutique hotels developed rather rapidly with hotels appearing in many different styles it was a while before the larger chains began to realize the potential benefits of opening such hotels. As mentioned many of the major cities of the world have a growing number of boutique hotels and London certainly has it’s fair share. Interestingly the hotel chain Best Western have entered the boutique hotel market with their Shaftesbury Kensington which is described as boutique and has all of the modern facilities you would expect from a Best Western hotel. Such actions have slightly blurred the previously accepted definition and there is now a little confusion around what is a true boutique hotel.
One of the best boutique hotels in London is found opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace at 41 Buckingham Palace Road. The Red Carnation, 41 Hotel is only a few minutes walk from many of London’s finest tourist attractions and only a short distance from Buckingham Palace itself. If you are visiting London you may want to stay here if only to be able to say to friends that you stayed at that address.
It would seem that the term “boutique hotel” is appearing here there and everywhere nowadays, even the Isle of Harris (an extremely remote island off Scotland) has a boutique hotel opening soon. However it really doesn’t matter how many appear as each is entirely unique by definition. If you are planning a short city break or vacation soon why not consider trying out a boutique hotel, I am certain that you will find one to match your lifestyle.
The Wonder of Scotland
July 18, 2008
The United Kingdom of Great Britain is an extremely popular vacation destination. The kingdoms are England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland with each having unique differences in architecture, culture, language, accents and much much more. The citizens of each country are both proud of their own country but also very proud to be British so a person from Scotland can declare himself both Scottish and British with the vast majority placing “Scottish” first and foremost. Scotland was a fiercely independent nation until the Act of Union in 1707 brought it into union with England. Even today there is a strong movement for independence. Even though Scotland has a devolved government with some important and influential powers, the nationalists feel that the Scottish peoples will be better served by a free and independent government with total power over the country’s destiny.
Throughout the world the typical images of Scotland include a Scottish piper dressed in a tartan kilt and most probably situated in front of a famous castle or in a Scottish glen with a stag clearly visible in the distance. While some of this is obviously Scottish most of what we class as “typically Scottish” is but a recent creation, or recreation, by the likes of Sir Walter Scott. Scott was a famous, and incredibly popular, poet and novelist in Victorian times and he worked extremely hard to promote Scotland to the English gentry, including the Royal Family, as a recreational playground and vacation destination. In actual fact the country of Scotland has a number of different and distinctive cultures and there can be incredible differences as you move from one region to the next and from one city to another.
While Sir Walter Scott took much from the Highland way of life and repackaged it, in what he considered a more suitable form for the English aristocracy, the basic elements are distinctively Highland. The tartan kilt is the traditional dress of the region and is still seen throughout the area today, though more often at weddings and in traditional pipe bands. Besides the tartan cloth, kilts and bagpipes, there is much to interest the tourist in the Highlands not least the most incredible countryside which consists of the most spectacular mountains and misty glens. Towns such as Fort William and the city of Inverness are few and far between with little more than rough open countryside, dotted with numerous tiny villages, between them. Even more remote are the islands of the Hebrides, while the Isle of Skye (Inner Hebrides) may be the most popular the islands of the Outer Hebrides are increasingly popular with tourists keen to enjoy the distinctive Gaelic culture.
The capital city of Scotland is Edinburgh and it’s roots can go back thousands of years. Surprisingly there are still some fine examples of old buildings to be found in this thoroughly modern city of culture. Of course the city is dominated by Edinburgh Castle but there is much, much more to entice the tourist not least the incredible number of festivals spread throughout the year from the Edinburgh Festival in the summer to the New Year’s Hogmanay celebrations in the winter.
Strangely Edinburgh is not the largest city in Scotland, that honor goes to the nearby city of Glasgow. Glasgow could not be more different to Edinburgh if it really tried and there is strong competition between the two cities. While Edinburgh is quiet and laid back Glasgow is fast and furious at times, especially in the evenings when the town’s nightlife explodes into life with a multitude of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Of course during the day there are plenty of architectural delights, numerous museums and galleries and absolutely amazing shopping to keep you fully entertained.
Obviously there are plenty of other cities in Scotland that are well worth visiting. If you enjoy castles then scotland has plenty of fine examples and one of the best is Stirling Castle in Stirling. If you enjoy sports you are spoilt for choice with plenty of opportunities to enjoy mountain biking, skiing and other sports, including, the most popular Golf and fishing.
Of course Scotland has much too much to offer than can be included in this short article. Amongst the most popular attractions are specially designed tours such as whisky tours and ghost tours of Edinburgh and the likes. The truth is that there is something in Scotland to please anybody and the country’s diversity provides some of the most incredibly opportunities for a vacation of a lifetime.
Why Not Take A Vacation In Scotland
July 18, 2008
Great Britain is a most popular tourist destination. The “United Kingdoms” are England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales and each country has it’s own distinctive identity making each considerably different. The population of each country are, in the main, fiercely proud of their roots and happily declare their relevant nationalities while also calling themselves to be British. While most people in the UK are happy to remain part of the Union there are a large number, especially in Scotland, who would wish to become independent.
Throughout the world the typical images of Scotland include a Scottish piper dressed in a tartan kilt and most probably situated in front of a famous castle or in a Scottish glen with a stag clearly visible in the distance. While some of this is obviously Scottish most of what we class as “typically Scottish” is but a recent creation, or recreation, by the likes of Sir Walter Scott. Scott was a famous, and incredibly popular, poet and novelist in Victorian times and he worked extremely hard to promote Scotland to the English gentry, including the Royal Family, as a recreational playground and vacation destination. In actual fact the country of Scotland has a number of different and distinctive cultures and there can be incredible differences as you move from one region to the next and from one city to another.
Much of what Sir Walter Scott recreated as traditional Scottish was taken from the region of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The traditional dress of the region was, and still is, the tartan plaid/kilt and the bagpipes were played extensively since first promoted by the MacLeods. When visiting the Highlands one can not fail to be in awe of the most amazing scenery of mountain and glen and, as you travel from one place to another, you will be enthralled by the lovely little villages found dotted around. If you prefer larger towns and cities then you could always base a vacation in Fort William or in Inverness. If you enjoy the remote then a visit to the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides or the islands of the Outer Hebrides should not be missed, especially if you wish to experience the culture of the Gaelic Heartland.
One of the most famous Scottish landmarks is Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and the home of the Scottish Government. While Edinburgh is a thoroughly modern city it’s facade is ancient, with truly awesome architecture to be found along the Royal Mile and in the New Town. One of the reasons why the city is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe is the shear number of important multi-national festival which seem to take place continually through the year ranging from the International Book Festival to the Hogmanay celebrations
Glasgow is vastly different to Edinburgh, it is certainly larger (Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland), but the architecture is more Victorian with little any older. This is due to the fact that the city developed extremely quickly from a small village to a large town and then a city, during the industrial revolution. The Act of Union in 1707 opened up markets which had previously been closed to Scotland and the tradesmen of Glasgow took full advantage, especially the tobacco merchants who made massive fortunes in a very short space of time. Many of the merchants invested in the building of wonderful civic buildings which are still used today and can be seen throughout the city.
Besides the two cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow there are plenty of other towns and cities, such as Sterling, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen, that are worth visiting as each are very different from one another. Each has it’s own tourist attractions such as St Andrews and it’s famous golf courses. One of the most popular tourist attractions is actually a modern work of engineering, the Falkirk Wheel but, in the main, most tourist attractions in Scotland are historical buildings or sites such as Stirling Castle.
Of course Scotland has much too much to offer than can be included in this short article. Amongst the most popular attractions are specially designed tours such as whisky tours and ghost tours of Edinburgh and the likes. The truth is that there is something in Scotland to please anybody and the country’s diversity provides some of the most incredibly opportunities for a vacation of a lifetime.
Visit Aberdeen in Scotland
July 17, 2008
Aberdeen is one of Scotland’s largest cities (with only Edinburgh and Glasgow being larger) and has a couple of nicknames including “the Granite City” and “the Silver City with the Golden Sands”. Since the discovery of oil in the North Sea the city has prospered and the local economy is now dominated by oil related industries. However modern the city may appear it has a long and prestigious history with some evidence proving that the area has been inhabited for over 8,000 years.
Aberdeen has a fascinating selection of museums and art galleries and other cultural tourist attractions but most people visit the city to indulge in the lively vibrant nightlife. For those looking for such entertainment Aberdeen has various classy restaurants and bistros, wild nightclubs, numerous cafes and bars and a varied selection of festivals. For the younger visitor there is the incredibly popular 2 mile beach with the usual selection of fairground rides and other seaside attractions.
A place definitely worth visiting is the House of Fun which can be found on the Beach Esplanade. Inside you will find loads of family entertainment including Just For Kids, the foam factory, the family amusement arcade. You will find lots, lots more throughout the two storeys which also include all of the most popular video games such as driving games.
Obviously the House of Fun is great for kids but there is also much to keep the adults entertained. For those who like to gamble there is a cash arcade and bingo. There are also places to buy gifts and souvenirs but if you want your entertainment a little more adult then there are also various places to eat with such features as large screen tv and even live music.
Of course many people visit Aberdeen to do some shopping and for many in the surrounding rural areas this is vitally important. The main shopping district is around Union Street which has some of the usual retail outlets and other shops however many folk head to the Bon Accord St Nicholas Shopping Centre which is a large indoor shopping mall on two levels. There are several other shopping centers/malls including The Academy and The Mall which are well worth visiting as they contain other types of shops including more upmarket stores and different high street brands.
The city of Aberdeen has a proud tradition in sporting excellence.
There are eight golf courses in Aberdeen six of which are public (three at Hazlehead , two at Balnagask Golf Course and Auchmill Golf Course) and two owned by the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club (Silverburn & Balgownie). The Royal Aberdeen Golf Club is the sixth oldest golf club in the world having been founded in 1780 as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen which changed it’s name, in 1815, to Aberdeen Golf Club and awarded the “Royal” status in 1903.
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Aberdeen with the city having a number of football clubs including Aberdeen FC which was formed in 1903 and has had some major successes including winning two European championships. At home Aberdeen FC has it most successful period during the 1980’s when they won the Scottish Premier League on three occassions. Of course there are plenty of facilities for soccer and other sports throughout the city.
London Tours Are The Best Way To Take In The Sights
July 17, 2008
One of the most interesting cities in the UK is London. Not only is it the capital city, but it is a city with a vast amount of things to do. London has a colourful history, and a large proportion of tourist attractions are related to this. Of course, the first thing to come to mind when thinking of London is the Queen and Royal Family. London is an enormous city and navigating your way around can be tricky. To take the stress out of this there are plenty of organised tours where one can sit back and relax. If a tour is not to your liking, then the easiest way to get about is the underground or Tube.
When visiting London the easiest way to see everything you want is by booking a tour. For the more energetic there is a walking tour. There are also tours specifically for the younger generation. One of the favoured tours is on an open top ‘red bus’ (weather permitting), a rare sight these days. Other interesting tours are those of the taverns, historic monuments and ‘rock and roll’ tours.
For the more culturally minded tourist London is an ideal destination. With a population of over 7,000,000, London is by far the most ethnically diverse cities in Europe. As you walk around it soon becomes obvious just how culturally diverse the city is. In fact there are over three hundred different languages spoken within London. The different ethnic backgrounds differ according to country of origin and religion. Of course we must not forget the English language, the most common of all. Other languages to be heard are Hokkien, Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin and Gujarati.
London has many markets that are well worth a visit. One of the oldest markets is Billingsgate Fish Market. This market dates back to 500 BC and only moved to its present location in 1962 (Isle of Dogs). The longest street market in the United Kingdom is Walthamstowe Market which is just over a mile long (1.61 km). The smells and sights have to be seen to be believed, and a visit to any one of the many markets in London will not disappoint. If a market is not to your taste then Camden Town has plenty to offer the serious shopper.
London has many sights and things to do for the tourist interested in Literature. William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the famous poet and playwright has connections with London. His famous Globe Theatre was sited in London, and even though the original theatre no longer exists, it is possible to visit and watch performances at the newly constructed Globe Theatre, which is close to the site of Shakespeare’s original theatre. There are a lot of different tours available with a Shakespearean connection.
Shakespeare was not only a playwright but also an actor. He was also a shareholder in the original Globe Theatre, which was built in the period 1598-1609. Tragedy occurred in 1613 when the theatre was rendered to the ground. The thatch roof of the theatre caught fire when a canon set off on stage hit the thatched roof. The theatre was repaired and opened up again as soon as possible (1614). The doors finally closed on the Globe in 1642 and it was finally knocked down in 1644.
Charles Dickens is another famous person from the world of literature who has close ties with London, and there are numerous tours affiliated with him. When he was a child Dickens lived at 16 Bayham Street, Camden. Today however you will find a plaque at 141 Bayham Street, this is because number 16 has been demolished. Another of his home still stands and that is now the Dickens Museum (48 Doughty Street). Unfortunately the remainder of Dickens homes are no longer standing. One such home is 1 Devonshire Terrace, where Dickens lived in 1839. Today an office block is in its place at Marylebone Road.
South Bank Book Market, situated at Riverside Walk SE1 is one of the best places to buy books. The market takes place every weekend (saturday and sunday) and is open from 10.30 am to about 7 pm during the summer. In the winter the opening hours are shorter (12 pm to 5.30 pm). There has been a book market here since 1982.
A Guide to the East End of London
July 16, 2008
The capital city of England is London. When visitors come to London, they are awe struck at the sheer size of the place. There are so many different places to visit and things to do. There is a plethora of world-class museums and galleries to visit, including “Tate Modern” and the “British Museum”. One of the best views of the city is from the “London Eye”. One area of the city which visitors often neglect is the East End. To many people this is where real Londoner’s or Cockney’s live.
To some people the location of the East End is obvious, but the average tourist is often confused, expecting only a small area. In actual fact the East End encompasses all those districts which are to be found east of the centre. Of course such a large area contains a number of highly interesting places to visit and a number of top class tourist attractions. One thing that you really should make the effort to see is the fascinating collection of dolls houses at Bethnal Green Museum. The collection contains numerous antique houses dating back to the 17th century.
Londoner’s who live in the East End are generally known, and commonly referred to, as “Cockneys”. However, to be a true Cockney the person has to have been born within the sound of “Bow Bells” (the “Bow Bells” are the bells from Bow Church). Strangely the word “Cockney” is derived from the middle English word “cokeney” which is the name given to misshaped eggs or cock’s eggs.
In the grim years of 1348 - 1350 London suffered the effects of the Black Death (Plague), because of the vast number of people inflicted it became necessary for the dead bodies to be piled into huge pits (this was mainly because the number who died was so huge, and the number of fit folk so few). Excavations, near to Tower Bridge, have unearthed over 700 skeletons in one of these pits (known as plague pits).
The main port of London was in the East End with the first being the West India Dock which was completed in 1802. For a long time, from 1788 to around 1960, it was the world’s busiest port. At it’s peak (in the 1930’s) the port’s docks saw 35,000,000 tons of cargo being handled and, at this time, the port employed around 100,000.
The East End of London has been home to many famous & infamous characters. The famous explorer Captain Cook married the daughter of the landlord of an East End public house in which Cook often visited. Another famous person closely associated with the East End is Joseph Merrick because he had been appearing in a freak show at the Mile End Road billed as “The Elephant Man”, sadly a name to which he remains most widely known as to this day.
The East End has an even darker side to its history; steeped with murder, mystery and other crimes. Two names that spring to mind when talking of the East End are those of the infamous, gangster twins, Ronnie and Reggie Kray around whom a number of modern myths and legends have developed. The most famous criminal associated with the East End will, most probably, always be Jack the Ripper, because of the brutality of his crimes. In 1888 he butchered five women in Whitechapel then disappeared, to this day nobody can be sure of his true identity though there are many theories.
The East End of London has always been the place in which new settlers set up home. At different times the area has been dominated by various cultures (during the time of Jack the Ripper it was predominantly Jewish. This led to many folk automatically assuming that he would also be a Jew) and today we have an East End that is incredibly vibrant with an amazingly diverse population incorporating many different races, cultures and creeds.
London’s East End
July 16, 2008
The capital city of England is London. When visitors come to London, they are awe struck at the sheer size of the place. There are so many different places to visit and things to do. There is a plethora of world-class museums and galleries to visit, including “Tate Modern” and the “British Museum”. One of the best views of the city is from the “London Eye”. One area of the city which visitors often neglect is the East End. To many people this is where real Londoner’s or Cockney’s live.
Anywhere east of the centre of London is known as the East End. When visiting London, the East End is not most peoples first port of call and it is often overlooked. However the area does have a number of popular tourist attractions, one of which is the incredible Bethnal Green Museum. Inside you will discover a massive selection of exhibits including the highly interesting collection of antique Doll Houses, including some that are several hundred years old.
Londoner’s who live in the East End are generally known, and commonly referred to, as “Cockneys”. However, to be a true Cockney the person has to have been born within the sound of “Bow Bells” (the “Bow Bells” are the bells from Bow Church). Strangely the word “Cockney” is derived from the middle English word “cokeney” which is the name given to misshaped eggs or cock’s eggs.
During the time of the plague (1348 and 1350), or “Black Death” as Londoner’s called it, there were so many victims that the corpses were thrown into huge pits known as plague pits. In excavations of a plague pit close to Tower Bridge over seven hundred skeletons were discovered in only a small space.
Between the years 1788 and 1960 London’s East End port was, by far, the largest in the world. At one time (in the 1930’s) the were about one hundred thousand men working in the port and the amount of cargo handled was incredible, around thirty five million tons. London had a number of important docks, the earliest being the West India Dock completed in 1802 (the East India Dock was built in 1806).
The East End of London has been home to many famous & infamous characters. The famous explorer Captain Cook married the daughter of the landlord of an East End public house in which Cook often visited. Another famous person closely associated with the East End is Joseph Merrick because he had been appearing in a freak show at the Mile End Road billed as “The Elephant Man”, sadly a name to which he remains most widely known as to this day.
The East End of London has had a number of “high profile” criminals. During the 1960’s the area was ruled by the infamous Krays, twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray. In 1888, the Whitechapel district of the East End was witness to the horrific murders of the infamous serial killer, “Jack the Ripper”. Although he murdered 5 women he was not caught and even today there are powerful arguements for and against him being one of many suspects.
At the time of the Ripper murders the population of Whitechapel was about ninety percent Jewish and this led to many assuming that the Ripper must, almost certainly, have been a Jew. The East End has always been one of the areas in which new cultures settle when first arriving in England. Even today this is the case and the East End is all the richer for it.
What are Boutique Hotels?
July 16, 2008
The travel industry is huge and there are many huge organizations involved which own numerous hotels with one or more properties in most of the world’s important cities such as London in Great Britain. However there are also a great many individuals and families who run small hotels, guest houses or other accommodation. It is often the case that many of us choose to stay in such accommodation rather than one of the well known, and rather more expensive, hotels which often seem very much the same whichever city you are in. Over the last few decades it has become common for accommodation to be advertised as a “boutique hotel” and this article examines exactly what it is that makes it “boutique”.
“Boutique hotels” originated in North America and such hotels are usually small privately run hotels with a strong and noticeable character offering a most excellent personalized service which is not commonly experienced in the larger, well known, hotel and motel chains.
At the beginning of the 1980’s tourists, travelers and traveling businessmen started to demand hotels which offered accommodation which more closely matched their lifestyles and culture. To meet this demand a small number of hotels attempted to create an appealing atmosphere to these travelers and such hotels were quickly labeled “lifestyle hotels”, “design hotels” or “designer hotels”.
In 1984, the Morgans Hotel in New York opened, it was owned by Ian Schrager, a famous hotelier, who had commissioned Andre Putman to design it. Morgans Hotel, New York is credited as being the world’s very first Boutique hotel. There are other boutique hotels which lay claim to being the first, such as San Francisco’s hotel Vintage Court which opened in 1983. Vintage Court is part of the Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group Inc. which has many boutique hotels.
One of the most interesting aspects of boutique hotels is the way in which they are usually themed. Rather than concentrate on all the modern bells and whistles, often available in hotels owned by the larger chains, boutique hotels offer personality and personal service. For example the Church Street Hotel in London, a Spanish-American Boutique hotel, is decorated in a Cubano style with mexican tile work which has been hand painted with numerous items of art and furnished with excellent Colonialist furniture.
London, like many of the world’s largest cities, has a large number of boutique hotels. Best Western have many hotels in the city including the boutique hotel, Shaftesbury Kensington, which has recently been refurbished and offers a huge range of services including broadband Internet access from all rooms. The hotel has all of the amenities of the largest hotels, such as bars, restaurants, conference facilities and a fitness room. The sudden and rapid growth in interest in boutique hotels has led to a little confusion over the true definition of the term and to blur things a little more several large corporations have established boutique hotels to grab a little of this expanding market.
If you like to boast a little, or if you like to impress friends or you just like to make interesting conversation then you might want to consider staying in the London boutique hotel Red Carnation, 41 Hotel at 41 Buckingham Palace Road. Yes this wonderful hotel is within minutes of the Palace itself and just opposite Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews. In such an excellent position it is little wonder that the hotel is extremely popular.
It would seem that the term “boutique hotel” is appearing here there and everywhere nowadays, even the Isle of Harris (an extremely remote island off Scotland) has a boutique hotel opening soon. However it really doesn’t matter how many appear as each is entirely unique by definition. If you are planning a short city break or vacation soon why not consider trying out a boutique hotel, I am certain that you will find one to match your lifestyle.
London Tours Can Be Fun And Cultural Too
July 16, 2008
Looking for culture, history, and fun, then look no further than London, the capital of England. The appeal of London holds no bounds, and there is plenty of things to do, and places to see that will be of interest to everyone. The Queen, Royal Family and their various homes and traditions are what first attract people to London. Getting around to see all these attractions can be a bit of a headache. If you prefer to do things at your own pace, then getting around by underground is probably best. There are underground stations on virtually every street corner (or so it seems), so finding one near to where you are visiting is not a problem. If you prefer for someone else to do the ‘leg work’ for you, then there are numerous tours that one could take.
If time is an issue when visiting London then one of the many tours available is ideal. This is the best way to see as many attractions as possible in as little time as possible. The only problem will be which tour to choose from. There are tours of historic monuments, musical history, educational, and haunted (ghost) tours. Tours of the pubs are very popular as are the walking tours. The younger generation is not forgotten as there are tours more suited to them as well.
In the world there can be no more culturally and ethnically diverse a city as London. The population of London is more than seven million with over 300 different languages are spoken in London schools. To experience this enormous array of different cultures, one only has to walk about as each culture is generally represented in small, distinct, areas of the city. As you move from one area to the next you will notice small and subtle changes until you find yourself in a completely different environment.
An altogether different experience can be had by visiting one the famous street markets on offer in London. London has always been known for the fabulous Billingsgate Fish Market. Its present location in the Isle of Dogs has only been home to the fish market since 1962. Billingsgate fish market first started life about 1500 years ago. Another must see market is Walthamstowe Market, the longest street market in England which stretches for 1.61 kilometres.
Some of the finest writers from literary circles have been associated with, or lived in London for a short while. One such famous figure is that of William Shakespeare. There are a number of tours associated with Shakespeare, which will also take in a visit to the reconstructed Globe Theatre. The theatre has been built close to the orignal site at Bear Gardens, SE1.
The original Globe was constructed from 1598 to 1609 and William Shakespeare, as well as being a writer and actor there, was one the shareholders. It was during one of the more spectacular performances that the theatre burnt down, apparently a canon set alight the thatch roof. Rebuilding and repair quickly commenced and the theatre was ready for business again in 1614. Sadly it was forced to close for good by the Puritans, and flattened in 1644.
Charles Dickens is another famous person from the world of literature who has close ties with London, and there are numerous tours affiliated with him. When he was a child Dickens lived at 16 Bayham Street, Camden. Today however you will find a plaque at 141 Bayham Street, this is because number 16 has been demolished. Another of his home still stands and that is now the Dickens Museum (48 Doughty Street). Unfortunately the remainder of Dickens homes are no longer standing. One such home is 1 Devonshire Terrace, where Dickens lived in 1839. Today an office block is in its place at Marylebone Road.
South Bank Book Market, situated at Riverside Walk SE1 is one of the best places to buy books. The market takes place every weekend (saturday and sunday) and is open from 10.30 am to about 7 pm during the summer. In the winter the opening hours are shorter (12 pm to 5.30 pm). There has been a book market here since 1982.
