Isle of Wight
Combining a rich cultural history with miles of jaw-dropping scenery and wildlife, the Isle of White is a great place to visit during any season.
Where to Stay: For a touch of the surreal, stay at The Kasbah, a Moroccan themed bed and breakfast. Ask for a second floor room if you want to enjoy fabulous sea views. Double rooms start from £49.00 a night including breakfast.
How to get there: An off-peak return with South West Trains from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour costs £32.10 and takes around two hours. From there take the Wightlink Fastcat ferry to Ryde Pier Head, £18.60 return.
Where to eat: Offering tasteful decor in a warm environment, the Pond Café is situated in the lovely village of Bonchurch. Order the slow roasted tomatoes (£3.50) to start followed by the fish and shellfish stew with roasted fennel (£15).
Continue reading ‘Isle of Wight Vs Helsinki’
Ambleside
Why: Standing at the head of Windermere, England’s largest lake, Ambleside is a charming town that is a popular base for walkers and climbers.
Where to stay: Based in the heart of town and with great views, the Ambleside Salutation Hotel also has a reputation for making guests feel welcome. Stay there from £53.00 a night including breakfast.
How to get there: National Express trains take around three and a half hours from London Euston to Windermere, an off-peak return costing £83.30. Then take a bus or taxi to Ambleside, which is ten minutes away.
Where to eat: The Log House is known for serving up good, honest food. Between 5-6pm (yes, a tad early) enjoy 3 courses from the Chef’s Menu for £17.50: start with artichoke soup with chiabatta, followed by fillet of sea bass with hand-cut chips, aioli, gherkin and baby caper salsa, and finish with a Pavlova dessert.
Continue reading ‘Ambleside Vs Stuttgart’
Norwich
Why: Once the second largest city in England, Norwich has played a central role in England’s history and has the largest collection of medieval churches in Western Europe.
Where to Stay: The Georgian House Hotel is located in the centre of the city and has its own restaurant and late night cocktail bar. Rooms in this recently refurbished hotel start from £95.00 including breakfast, or a Weekend Wishes package for two (£199.95) offers a two night stay with Friday or Sunday lunch thrown in.
Continue reading ‘Norwich Vs Vienna’
Aylesbury
Why: Aylesbury is a charming market town with beautiful buildings, a good selection of old pubs and since it won £1 million in 2005 to become one of six Cycling Demonstration towns in England, a sanctuary for cyclists.
Continue reading ‘Aylesbury Vs Monaco’
Glasgow
Why: A city that has shaken off its reputation as an industrial and impoverished wreck, Scotland’s largest city is positively thriving and was listed last year by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s top 10 tourist destinations.
Continue reading ‘Glasgow Vs Marseilles’
Newcastle
Why: Once a grimy industrial city, Newcastle has become a cultural centre for the North East. It thrives with artists and students, and is regularly voted one of the best places for nightlife in Europe.
Where to Stay: The Royal Station Hotel in Neville Street is a reasonably priced hotel, popular with visitors looking for a clean, well-run establishment close to the city centre. Single rooms start from around £50.00 a night.
Continue reading ‘Newcastle Vs Prague’
Exeter
Why: One of the oldest cities in England, Exeter in Devonshire is a place that many visitors feel has struck the right balance between celebrating its past while embracing the future.
Where to stay: Just minutes from the train station and overlooking the splendid cathedral, the four-star Abode Hotel is a comfortable and peaceful place to decamp and has a reputation for high levels of service. Bear in mind that it is situated in a pedestrianised area, but parking is close by. Stay there from £79.00 a night including breakfast.
How to get there: First Great Western run trains between London Paddington to Exeter and an Anytime Return will cost £112.80, but check the website for offers. The fast service will take two and a half hours.
Where to eat: Surrounded by Devon’s lush pastures and coastline, you’ll be in for a gastronomic treat. The Cat In The Hat restaurant offers locally sourced produce in a stylish, yet relaxed setting. Try the grilled goat’s cheese tart with a roast vegetable salsa to start (£4.95) followed by the rolled and slow braised pork belly with celeriac mash served with apple and scrumpy sauce (£14.95). At lunchtimes you can have two courses for £9,95 off the fixed price menu.
What to do: Exeter has some wonderful markets including Sidwell Street Market (open Monday to Saturday) where you can buy anything from plants to handbags. The city has many interesting buildings including Exeter Cathedral, which has the longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in England. Exeter Autumn Festival runs from 31 October-15 November and host’s comedy, dance, theatre and classical and contemporary music events.
More information
Lisbon
Why: The westernmost capital in mainland Europe, Lisbon is a vibrant and colorful city that has the scope and depth to keep visitors of Continue reading ‘Exeter Vs Lisbon’
Cheddar
Why: The place that gave its name to the famous cheese, Cheddar is a picturesque village in Somerset where you will find the largest gorge in the UK, a beautiful reservoir and an independent little brewery.
Continue reading ‘Cheddar Vs Belgrade’
Chichester
Why: Just a short trip from London, Chichester is a picturesque university city in West Sussex with delightful buildings, a great harbour and beautiful surrounding countryside.
Continue reading ‘Chicester Vs Sofia’
Bristol
Why: A vibrant city with an eclectic culture, history and beautiful buildings.
From London: Regular services from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads with Great Western lasting 1 hour, 45 minutes. £49.00 off-peak return.
Where to Stay: Ramada Plaza, Bristol is only minutes away from the station and close to the city’s attractions. Not as grand as say the Bristol Marriott Hotel, but from £69.00 a night and a four-star rating, who’s complaining?
Where to eat: The Picture House, located on the fashionable Whiteladies Road, is where locals go for a good knees-up. Run by the dedicated Nick Armitage, the Picture House serves great food and a mean cocktail. Two courses: £10.00. Elderflower and Quince cocktail: £4.90
What to do: Stroll through the historic docks and climb aboard the ss Great Britain (£10.95), visit St Nicholas Market in the old Corn Exchange, or wander up to the world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge with its panoramic views over Avon Gorge. Continue reading ‘Bristol vs Istanbul’
