Rivers Travel

London has seen some turbulent times. It has survived plagues, the Great Fire of London and two world wars. Despite all this, the capital of the United Kingdom still has its fair share of sights for history lovers.

The Romans turned ‘Londinium’ into a civilized town. Few Roman sights remain, but the ancient Roman Wall built around the City of London and now known as the London Wall is still in evidence near Moorgate. The ruins of The Temple of Mithras are on Queen Victoria Street and there is an exhibit of the Temple at the Museum of London. The curious London Stone in Cannon Street sits behind iron grating and is said to have been the marker from which all distances were measured in London.

After Roman rule London fell into decline, but out of the following reigns grew Westminster Abbey. Edward the Confessor rebuilt the old Saxon church in the Romanesque style and William the Conqueror was crowned there. Henry III gave the Abbey its current Gothic appearance in the Middle Ages.

Mediaeval London saw the appearance of the Tower of London, originally used as a royal residence then an armory and even a zoo before it became a prison. The oldest church in the city was built in 1123 and St. Bartholomew’s Priory still stands today in West Smithfield. The basis of the Houses of Parliament began in the form of Westminster Hall, so there are plenty of sights from the Middle Ages in London.

London prospered under Tudor reign. The parks were established – Richmond Park, Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and St. James’s Park were used as Royal hunting forests. The original Globe Theatre was built but didn’t survive the Great Fire and the modern replica stands in its place.

Inigo Jones stamped his 17th century mark on London with his designs of Covent Garden Piazza and Queen’s Chapel. It is amazing that any of historical London exists after the fire of 1666 and it is thanks to Christopher Wren, who set to work to recreate what was lost, that the city boasts the beautiful St. Paul’s Cathedral and many more churches.

Georgian London is still in evidence thanks to beautiful houses such as Chiswick House and Syon House. They are well worth a visit. Buckingham Palace took on its role as royal residence for the first time.

John Nash created Regent’s Street and Piccadilly Circus and the clock tower known as Big Ben rose as Georgian gave way to Victorian.

The Victorians gave London the Victoria and Albert Museum and when the city bustle gets too much it’s a good idea to take in London’s various museums to learn more about the history of this amazing place.

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The United Kingdom has fifteen National Parks from the Cairngorms in Scotland to Dartmoor in Devon. The most visited and one of the most popular is Cumbria’s Lake District. It attracts a wide range of visitors from near and far and has a distinct character that sets it apart from the rest.

The many lakes of the Lake District are an obvious pull for tourists. Huge stretches of water support the local wildlife and the local inhabitants, with Lake Windermere being the best known. Visitors come to enjoy the water based activities and canoeing, kayaking, and boating are all available on the various lakes. There are even ways to learn how to sail. The Royal Yachting Association Training Centre at Coniston Water offers several courses to qualify for internationally recognized RYA certificates.

The Lake District is proud to have the most outdoor activity centers in the United Kingdom. These centers welcome visitors of all ages and backgrounds for weekends, school trips or longer holidays. They offer courses on horse riding, caving, abseiling, climbing and more. Accommodation is normally provided in the form of dormitories with communal areas for eating and relaxing. Access to the fells is completely unrestricted and there is a long tradition of public rights of way. Visitors can take part in a course or explore the beauty of the area independently. Whatever they choose, there is never a lack of pursuits to enjoy and stunning scenery to take in.

The landscape of the Lake District is diverse. There are ancient woodlands which provide a home for animals and plants and add texture and richness to the area. Evidence abounds of colliding continents and deep oceans thanks to the deepest lakes and highest peaks in England. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of life from as far back as the Ice Age. More modern habitation is reflected in the materials used to build local houses and bridges.

It goes without saying that the Lake District is popular and it isn’t just the lakes, outdoor activities and scenic beauty. The quaint, bustling towns are an attraction in themselves and they cater well to the visitors’ needs. Specialist shops sell local art, crafts and food, including the famous Kendall Mint Cake. Gardeners have plenty of nurseries and garden centers to visit and walkers and hikers can browse round the many outdoor equipment retailers. There are galleries and exhibitions for everyone and accommodation to cater to all tastes. Those ignorant of the Lakes District’s charms have to come and see it for themselves.

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The Algarve, located on the southern edge of Portugal, is a wonderful vacation destination. There is everything from sandy beaches to hopping nightclubs to be found there. Understanding its place as a popular tourist destination, the Algarve has built up a strong foundation of activities that will appeal to all walks of life. There are several things you can expect from a visit to the Algarve, Portugal.

Enjoying a place on the southern section of Portugal, the Algarve plays host to dazzling, sunny beaches and a warm, relaxing climate. The beaches are the perfect locale on which to place the beach blanket and soak up the rays or dive into the Atlantic Ocean. Adding to the aesthetic beauty of the area are rocky cliffs that jut into the beaches, creating grottoes with some of the bluest water seen on the planet. Numerous historical fishing villages dot the coast and offer guided tours of the towns. They offer a glimpse of the history and tradition of the Algarve.

After you have had a chance to do some sightseeing and are ready to take up some sport, the Algarve is home to almost 20 golf courses that will satisfy your competitive side. Combining the Algarve’s natural land features with challenging designs, these courses will test your skills as you try to stay on par. One golf course, the Oceanico Faldo, was designed by the accomplished Nick Faldo, three time Masters and three time British Open champion. Don’t get too serious about your score, though, and be sure to take in the green landscape, the breathtaking cliffs, and the beach views as you wind your way around the golf course.

The fun doesn’t end when the sun slides below the horizon. After a long day of swimming, hiking, and swinging the golf club, you have probably worked up an appetite. Plenty of restaurants await the opportunity to allow you to relax and satisfy your hunger. Enjoy an al fresco dining event under the stars while the warm night breeze blows. Because the Algarve is known for its figs and almonds, many sweet desserts featuring these delights are ready to be sampled. For a more active night, clubs and bars attract dancers and revelers from all over. While shaking it up on the dance floor, you may even find new friends. The casinos make a great destination for the card players and gamblers of the area.

Warm, sunny weather and plenty of tourist activities have combined to make Algarve, Portugal a highly sought after vacation destination. There is something for all walks of life to be found in the region. A good time is what you can expect from a visit to the Algarve.

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Brighton has always been popular with the London crowd. It was the Prince Regent who raised the city’s profile for he set up a royal court here second only to London. Thanks to his influence, Brighton is one of Britain’s top cultural destinations.

Brighton has a deep Regency heritage thanks to its architecture. Although each generation left its mark, the patronage of Prince Regent – later George IV – gave inspiration for the beautiful Royal Pavilion and the towns of Kemp and Brunswick. Regency streets and terraces are dotted around the city and bring back memories of grander times. As Queen Victoria took the throne, so the architecture changed. Many of Brighton’s churches are Victorian as are the finest sea front hotels and bandstands.

More than fifty festivals grace the streets of Brighton each year and expose its residents and eager festival goers to art, theatre, music, film and comedy. The biggest and most popular is the Brighton Festival. In 2010 Brian Eno took control of the artistic direction and raised the attendance and the bar for future directors. In 2006 a Fringe Festival split from this main event and invited anyone and everyone to put on a show in what is becoming a rapidly growing festival. Artists get a chance to showcase their work thanks to various festivals in the calendar where Brighton is full of the creative muse.

Art, nature and photography are housed all over Brighton thanks to its many museums. The Booth Museum of Natural History has hundreds of fascinating exhibits, and literature and data spanning three centuries. Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is the biggest and most modern museum and houses 20th century works. Photography is put firmly on the map thanks to the Sydney Street Gallery and North Laine Photography Gallery.

The Brighton Centre on the beach front welcomes the latest bands and the Theatre Royal Brighton is a venue for top class West End productions, sometimes even before they go to London. Brighton Dome plays host to an eclectic mix of acts and productions and it isn’t unusual to see the latest stand-up comedian one night and a Shakespearean tragedy the next.

Brighton has an illustrious reputation both behind and in front of the camera. Pioneering photographers and film makers set up studios in the city and Brighton has featured in cinema’s most popular films, including Brighton Rock and The End of the Affair. Film lovers can treat themselves to a showing at the Duke of York’s Picturehouse, the oldest working cinema in the country and the annual Cine-City film festival is a must for film buffs.

Cultural and creative, Brighton has put itself on the map.

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The island of Cyprus combines the Mediterranean’s rich history with terrific local food and unparalleled weather. Situated in the eastern section of the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus is sure to offer something to every vacationer who visits this beautiful land. There has been plenty of time for Cyprus to cultivate its culture, as its settlement dates all the way back to the 2nd millennium BC.

Choirokoitia is one of these earliest settlements. Not only is it acknowledged as possibly the first colony on Cyprus, but it is known as one of the first communities in the world. Choirokoitia has received World Heritage Site designation by UNESCO, which affirms its place in human history. Upon discovery, Choirokoitia was already incredibly preserved, but measures have been taken to fully restore it to its original grandeur. Outstanding examples of Byzantine art can be seen in any of Cyprus’s ten painted churches that have also been placed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO. Vivid frescoes adorn the walls of these churches, embodying the artful spirit of the settlers. Don’t forget to head underground into the Tombs of the Kings that have been carved into the rock of the Cypriot landscape.

Any vacation worth its salt requires a sampling of local cuisine. Due to its proximity to the Turkish mainland and its history of Greek settlers, Cypriot food enjoys a unique blend of ingredients found in Greece, the Middle East, and Asia Minor. Many of the recipes full of fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, wine, and of course olive oil have been passed down from generation to generation, so even the food of Cyprus is steeped in history. Accompany your delicious meal with a locally distilled wine. Wine has played a major role in the Cypriot economy nearly as long as people have dwelt on the island, and Commandria, a very sweet wine, is considered to be one of the first wines in the world to be identified. If you want a little more kick, try Zivania, a wine that is nearly pure alcohol.

You are surely looking at the Mediterranean as a vacation spot due to the beaches and crystalline water found there. The beaches of Cyprus are ideal places for sunbathing and playing amongst the waves. Not many places on the planet can boast such a wonderful climate, making Cyprus a popular destination for swimming vacationers. If swimming and soaking up rays simply is not enough, you can find plenty of locations that offer windsurfing and sailing year round. Add to this snorkeling and deep water fishing and you have every marine delight you could want.

Cyprus offers a wide array of activities for every vacationer. A land steeped in history and culture, it is an eye-opening glimpse into the past. Do not delay any longer in planning your trip to Cyprus.

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Thinking about taking a relaxing trip this year to the island of Majorca? If so, you have made a wonderful choice. Majorca is one of those rare places on the globe where you can actually experience the fun and excitement of a major city as well as the peaceful relaxation of an island paradise. To help you plan your trip to Majorca we have outlined a few of the top attractions that make this island getaway such a fantastic vacation choice.

While the hotels at Majorca are certainly magnificent and impressive, with many world-class amenities and activities, perhaps the most impressive feature of this island gem is the miles upon miles of beautiful beaches. Due to the warm, consistent climate in this region, Majorca is considered by many as an absolute sun-seekers paradise. However if action is on your mind, these beaches also offer a wide variety of land and water sports for all-day entertainment and fun.

While the hotels certainly feature all the modern amenities of the 21st century, once you leave its confines you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. As you travel through the streets of Majorca you will undoubtedly realise you’ve discovered a place unaffected by the pressures of time and advancement. Majorca, from its vast parks, to its churches, to it old-world bus and train station, the Place deEspanya, will make you appreciate the people who settled this wonderful little oasis, and their culture. Once you’ve experienced the history of Majorca, it may be difficult to even picture returning to your life back home.

After a long day exploring the wonderful sights and sound of Majorca, there are plenty of things to do to relax and unwind. The night life on Majorca features something for everyone’s tastes, including bustling, let-your-hair-down discotheques, out of the way romantic bars and world-class restaurants featuring both local and foreign cuisine. Whether you’re American, European or from somewhere else altogether, Majorca offers the food, drink and fun which will make you feel right at home.

The beauty and old-world charm of Majorca has made this beautiful island locale one of the favourite tourist spots for people around the world. On Majorca, there is plenty to see and do no matter how many days you decide to stay, with attractions and amenities that will make you want to return time and time again. Make Majorca part of your next vacation itinerary; the island is waiting for you.

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Paris is by far the most popular tourist destination in the world. Over 45 million tourists a year flock to this French city, famous for its food, drink and culture. Many consider Paris to be the most romantic and bohemian city in the world, with a number of art museums, fashion houses and stunning restaurants available within the city itself. Major attractions such as the Eiffel Tower bring in huge hoards of visitors every year – over twenty times the city’s population, in fact.

If you’re looking for a stunning architectural city situated right on the beach-front, look no further than Barcelona. This gorgeous Spanish city boasts a plethora of museums, churches and markets guaranteed to keep you busy all week. The city is easily reached by many different methods of transport – rail and air being most popular. If you plan on visiting in the summer, though, be wary of humidity. In peak times, any temperature higher than 23 degrees Celsius can feel very warm indeed!

Berlin is a stunning, culturally-rich city situated in eastern Germany. Since Germany was reunified after the 1989 fall of the Berlin wall, the city has grown into a cosmopolitan, cultural giant of Europe. It’s highly recommended that you visit the Brandenburg Gate, Bundestag and Berliner Dom for views of the amazing architecture that Berlin has to offer. There’s plenty to see for arty and cultural types, with lots of museums and art galleries situated across the city which is famous for its culture.

The multicultural city of London in the United Kingdom boasts a wealth of world-famous landmarks and attractions including the London Eye, Tower of London, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. You can travel around the city with ease using the popular London Underground train system and travel into the city is easy using any of the city’s five major airports. The city boasts a number of districts, each with its own unique nuances and specialties in culture and architecture.

Rome is not only the capital of Italy; it was once the capital of the world. The planet’s greatest global civilization rose from the fabric of this great city which is still home to the center of the Roman Catholic religion in the Vatican City as well as timely reminders if the city’s vibrant history in the Coliseum, Santa Maria and Pantheon. The popular Roma Pass allows you free access to the public transport system, ensuring it’s quick, easy and affordable to travel around the city.

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