Get Prepared For A Bit of Snow

The British countryside in winter is a wonderful sight, especially after a few inches of snow has fallen. If you’re planning a trip to the British countryside this winter there are a plenty of things to see and do, the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak district and my favourite: the Lake District. But while the British countryside can often look at its best with a fresh layer of frost, there are certain things you should try to keep in mind for instance, a rural pub has a real charm of its own in the cold weather and a great place to thaw out if you’ve been caught in the snow!

Buy A Shovel

If you’re not used to driving in sub zero temperatures there are certain precautions that will make your trip a safe and enjoyable one. My first recommendation would be pack a snow shovel, especially if you’re negotiating narrow country roads off the beaten track; this is from personal experience having spent my first winter in the UK with a car last year. As snow isn’t as common as say countries such as Russia or Canada, emergency services tend to be reactive rather than proactive but with recent winters causing disruptions to services this is improving.

But don’t worry too much, as long as you wrap up warm and have the right equipment, you’ll be taking in that picturesque winter scenery before you know it. Here are some tips to help make your journey safer and more comfortable:

Drive Slowly and Carefully

When you’re in foreign territory, you might feel like you’re heading out on the “wrong” side of the road. But by staying vigilant and taking things steady, you should be fine. Suss out the driving conditions as quickly as you can and be aware that if there’s ice on the road, you’ll need to be gentle with the steering and try not to be too aggressive with the brakes. As a foreigner looking in the British have a tendency to exceed the speed limit, especially on motorways compared to say Australia so if you are planning to stick to the 70 mph speed limit on the motorway it would be best to drive in the slower lanes, especially if you’re not used to the conditions.

Keep Your Distance

When driving in wintery weather it is a very good idea to keep well away from the car in front of you. In fact, you should be leaving twice the gap you normally would as this allows for a greater stopping distance. It takes longer to come to a complete stop when there is snow and ice on the ground and this is always something to keep in mind.

Stay On The Major Roads

While some of the most idyllic locations in the UK are a little off the beaten track, you should remember that the usually, salt spreaders operate along major routes. Therefore, if it is particularly icy, try and stick to treated roads, as these will be much safer to drive on. The British road system calls motorways M Roads while major roads are called A Roads

Watch Out On The Hills

The UK is full of lovely little hills which look beautiful all year round, but you’ll need to treat them with extra care in winter. If you’re approaching a steep incline or decline, make sure to assess it carefully and if you think the conditions are too dangerous, try to find a different route. Icy hills can be the hardest roads to negotiate if you’re not used to the local conditions.

Get Insurance

It is, of course, illegal to drive in the UK without insurance. If you’re hiring a car, ensure that hire car company offers insurance as part of the deal. Traditionally British insurers will charge similar rates for EU citizens however if you’re non EU (which includes Australia, Canada, US and New Zealand) expect to pay double in some instances. In the same way you’d protect your equipment and alarms back home, try to help others look after their belongings by keeping to the rules of the road. There is a slightly higher risk of an accident when driving in winter, so make sure you are fully covered before you head on your way.

In short driving in country Britain mid-winter can be a real eye opening experience with all the wonderful views and attractions. There’s nothing like rolling hills temporarily covered with snow-  something us Aussies living here can really get into.

Fresh Air and Fabulous Scenery

Think of Scotland and you think of highlands, lochs, acres of lush countryside and white beaches. It’s superb scenery and open spaces are stunning and anyone who loves the great outdoors will love the activities that are on offer.

Adventure activities and outdoor pursuits are available for most of the year, some are weather dependant – you won’t be taken on a mountain hike in three of snow! There are pristine lochs offering canoeing, sailing and windsurfing. For a major adrenaline boost, try out white water rafting or canoeing, jet ski-ing and power boating. There are always professionals on hand to help out and advise, and safety precautions are paramount.

Surfing in Scotland

Watersports are tremendously popular across the country too, with over 1600 miles of coastline.  There is also a growing interest in surfing – The Moray Firth has some spectacular waves, or try out Orkney for the best surfing in Scotland. You will need a super winter weight wetsuit, hood, gloves and boots, because the temperatures are numbing, but the scenery on shore is beautiful and the water is crystal clear. If you’ve not heard the term “Land of The Brave” in Scotland, you’ll understand it if you see Scottish surfers riding the waves! Find somewhere to stay along the coastline and enjoy the spectacular sea views and pale sandy beaches. There is a huge range of places to stay available, from stately homes to Bed and Breakfast, or if you want to do your own thing, what about a log cabin with a hot tub – great to relax in after a day on the beach!

There are many ways to explore Scotland, from mountain biking and kayaking, to good old fashioned rambling. If walking is a hobby of yours, you might want to try hillwalking or some trickier mountaineering courses, as well as long distance routes along the West Highland Way.

Get Out and About

Cycling is another great way to stay fit and get to see the landscape – mountain biking is extremely popular, or you can take a more leisurely tour of the woodland areas with a group – you don’t even have to bring your own bike! Europes finest scenery awaits you as you pedal through the picturesque countryside at your own pace. If you want to get off the beaten track you can hire a four-wheel drive or LandRover and explore areas deep in the countryside. There are several companies offering all terraine vehicles along with suggested routes and group hire.

Thanks to its expansive countryside, sweeping hills and valleys, and acres of unspoiled natural beauty, Scotland attracts visitors from all over the world, particularly those wanting to trace their ancestry.  Get away from the noise of the city and spend some time in the Scottish highlands, experience everything this magnificent country is famous for, and at the end of a long day out in the fresh air, head back to the local pub for a meal by the fire, or your own log cabin holiday heaven, in luxury lodges and enjoy a dram or two of the local fire water!

Sun And Fun At Europes Finest Parties

Much of Europe can still boast warm weather throughout September. The summer crowds and school holidays have passed, which usually means falling holiday prices. So if you missed out on a summer break this year, never fear – there is still time! Travel in September and you can enjoy huge savings as we move out of peak season with some great bargain airline tickets.

In particular, there are some fantastic festivals taking place around Europe during September that may take your fancy. Book airline tickets, pack a bag and join in the fun at one of these festivals:

La Mercè (22-25th September); Barcelona, Spain

This is the main annual festival, and also public holiday, in Barcelona, organised to celebrate the holy day of one of the city’s leading saints, Our Lady of Mercy. Thousands of people from all over the world will enjoy parades of giant papier maché figures, foot-tapping live music and typical Spanish food and drink, including the Catalonian Wine Fair. The weekend is filled with over 500 activities for all ages. Don’t miss the competition to form the highest human tower dressed in traditional costume and look out for the spectacular firework display – all taking place on the main feast day, 24th September.

57th International Oyster & Seafood Festival (23-25th September); Galway, Ireland

What better way to celebrate the first month of oyster season than to visit the Oyster Festival in Galway this year? Over this one weekend, the whole of the port city of Galway comes alive with seafood of all shapes, sizes and colours for one of the most internationally recognised food festivals in Europe! Enjoy street parades, cooking demonstrations, the national oyster opening championships, glamorous black tie balls, kids’ fancy dress parties, jazz bands and much, much more. Fun for all the family on the beautiful western Irish coast, amongst some of the friendliest people on earth, awesome!

Beethovenfest (9th September – 9th October) Bonn, Germany

Beethovenfest has been celebrated since 1845, when a three day autumn music festival was established in Beethoven’s native city, Bonn, by the composer Franz Liszt. The former German capital hosts this popular festival, welcoming over 2,000 artists from international orchestras, soloists and young professionals. The festival runs for 4 weeks and includes 62 concerts in 24 different locations across Bonn, including concert halls, churches, parliament buildings and castles. The theme this year is “Zukunftsmusik” or “music of the future” and is also being used to highlight Liszt’s 200th birthday. So if you enjoy classically-inspired music, take a trip to Bonn – the city is alive with the music of the spheres during this month!

Oktoberfest (17th September – 3rd October) Munich, Germany

If good food and drink make for your kind of a great holiday then you are sure to have a fabulous time at the renowned Oktoberfest, one of the world’s largest festivals. This event held in Munich is an important display of Bavarian culture, having started in 1810 and attracting 6.4million visitors last year. With around 34 beer tents serving fabulous beer (all brewed within the city limits), wine and delicious German food, rides and parades for all the family to enjoy, you are sure to have a memorable trip. And do catch the Costume and Riflemen’s Parade on the first Sunday of the festival – lead by a young lady on horseback dressed as the city’s mascot!

20th International Garden Festival (Until 16th October) Chaumont, France

If you are an enthusiastic gardener or landscape designer, or even just an art and history enthusiast, this is one festival not to miss. Set in one of the prettiest regions in France, Chaumont-sur-Loire, and in the grounds of a beautiful castle, this annual horticultural festival was established in 1992 and pays tribute to awesome garden designs with a different theme every year! Designed by students and artists with diverse backgrounds ranging from landscape architecture, sculpture and graphics, the designs are always original and creative, growing new artistic wonders year-on-year. This year’s theme is particularly relevant, being “Gardens of the future or the art of happy biodiversity”!

So get a last fix of summer and find yourself a cheap flight - a few minutes research, and a few hours flying time and  you’ll be back in the holiday mood!

Austria Traditional Winter Resorts

The sport of skiing likes to market itself as a high-tech up-market pastime with the latest in facilities.

Yet much of the attraction for amateur participants – and that means just about everyone taking a winter holiday is the sense of getting back in touch with nature surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

Austria can add a clutch of traditional towns and villages to that mixture. Resorts that were there before the sport of skiing existed but which participated in the foundations of the sport:

Kitzbühel

Kitzbühel is a town with a strong mining history. It would be difficult to tell that these days (unless you assumed that the richly-dressed glitterati in the most upmarket restaurants were Eastern European mine owners) but that tradition and history is displayed in the well-preserved and mostly-pedestrianized town centre.

Tradition also seeps into the skiing. The Kitzbühel ski instructors and schools are renowned for their standards of instruction and technique. And the attraction of the annual World Cup ski races on the renowned Hahnenkamm run, which attract spectators in the tens of thousands and a TV audience of many millions, cuts across all classes of Austrian society.

The ski area has plenty of modern facilities, with new lifts and connections through to Kirchberg and Westendorf making it amongst the largest in the world. But it is still the kind of area where you can also end up enjoying a schaps in a wooden farming hut hidden away in the trees.
In a word: Kitzbühel is still one of the premier ski resorts in the country, adding modern facilities to a traditional charm and history.

Zell am See

The Austrian Imperial rulers thought Zell am See an ideal location – an opinion shared by the Romans who also lived here centuries before. Set between a picturesque lake and the ski slopes behind, Zell am See is one of the most photogenic winter locations in the country.

Before ski tourism started in the early 20^th century, it was interest in spa breaks that oiled the motor of local tourism and some of the more prestigious hotels in the town can date their success back to those days.

But Zell am See isn’t just suitable for the rich and well-connected. It has a well-deserved reputation for a fairly raucous nightlife which tends to cut down social barriers and a neighbouring hamlet which offers a connection to the same ski area at the other end of the price scale from the four-and five-star lakeside establishments.
In a word: Zell am See offers traditional and expensive lakeside accommodation alongside cheap and cheerful bed-and-breakfast pensions – a mix which gives a refreshing and lively atmosphere to the resort.

St Anton am Arlberg

St Anton can boast all kinds of tradition.

A sense of history when one thinks of the monks who in the 14^th century set up the hospice above the town on the Arlberg pass between the Tyrol and the Vorarlberg.

A sense of tradition when one considers the advances in modern ski technique which can be traced back to skiing innovators from the Arlberg region.

And the sense of the place that the town and winter resort has held for decades in the hearts of all serious skiers. Talk about a ‘bucket list’ of resorts to visit to advanced skiers from all over the world and St Anton will feature heavily amongst the most popular ski areas on that list.

The town deserves it. Spruced up with new lifts and transport connections it may be, but it still has the soul of a ski bum.
Verdict: St Anton is Austria’s classic advanced resort – bump runs, seriously steep off-piste routes and a massive expanse of connected areas for the serious skier to play in.

Author Bio
This guest post has been written by Stephen Rout, a web publisher who runs a number of sites from his base in a traditional Tyrolean village.

World airport facts: on a world-wide scale just how big and busy are UK airports?

The following infographic by FHR looks at how UK airports compare to the rest of the world when it comes to passenger traffic and size. FHR specialise in travel services including Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester Airport Parking.

Reading facts about the world’s largest airports, it is hard not to scan statistics to see how the UK compares to other nations in the world.

At first glance, the UK appears to be small fry compared to certain countries. In terms of passenger traffic numbers, the UK only has one airport in the top 30 list of busiest airports (the US has 13).

And if size really is everything, then it’s a shame to learn that the world’s largest airport (King Fahd in Saudi Arabia) at 780km2 is an incredible 64 times larger than Heathrow (the UK’s busiest airport).

However, looking at the bigger picture, it should be a matter of some pride that London serves as the largest aviation hub in the world; over 130 million passengers were handled in London’s five major airports in 2009.

Busiest airports in the world by passenger traffic

The UK has only one airport in the top 30 list of busiest airports ranked according to passenger traffic numbers – but its only entry did finish very high up the list.

During 2010, Heathrow Airport served 66 million passengers. This ever-popular London airport had ended the previous year as the second-busiest airport but has been overtaken by second-placed Beijing Capital International Airport (China) and third-placed O’Hare International in Chicago, United States.

As the passenger number figures have varied quite considerably over the past few years, it is not impossible that Heathrow could again climb the rankings.

The world’s busiest airport…

But the Hillingdon-based airport will have some way to go to overtake the world’s busiest airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International; a place which served 89,000,000 passengers last year.

Was Hartsfield so busy because people, perhaps still inspired by the 1996 Olympics, are flocking to see the sights of Atlanta? With all due respect to the city’s citizens; perhaps not! Atlanta owes its success to being a major hub for travel throughout the South-Easter United States and is the primary hub of Delta Airlines (the Delta Hub is the world’s largest airline hub).

Busiest UK airports

So what chance have UK airports got of gate-crashing the top 30 list and keeping Heathrow company?

London Gatwick is knocking loudly on the door of the top 30; it had over 31 million passengers enter its departure and arrivals lounges in 2010 (just shy of 30th busiest airport Munich’s 34 million passengers). London Stansted and Manchester are battling it out for the title of third busiest UK airport with 19 million and 18 million passengers respectively.

London airports account for four of the top five as London Luton finished fifth in the list. Edinburgh (sixth), Birmingham (seventh) and Glasgow (eighth) are reminders that there are airports outside London in the UK.

All of the top 15 airports suffered a decrease in passenger traffic in 2010 with Bristol International (up 1.9 per cent in 9th place) and Liverpool John Lennon (up 2.7 per cent in 10th) being honourable exceptions.

Fun and Family Games in Colourful Korea

Seoul City is the vibrant capital of Korea – if you’re looking for a holiday experience, this place should get a long look. Getting airline tickets is easy – and when you get there, you’ll find Seoul is buzzing with life  – it’s a centre for social and cultural events, its got great food, great history and loads to do. Its easy to get out and about, and there’s plenty to keep children of all ages occupied. Here are a few holiday ideas to give a flavour of what’s on offer –

Lotte World Theme Park

Lotte Park has a reputation of being one of the best ever theme parks with an outdoor and indoor section. There are hotels, a Castle and a massive department store here too. The Adventure World section and Magic Island Section have some breathtaking rides, including the notorious Gyro Drop. You are strapped into your seat, the ride climbs up to the height of 70 metres, and you are then rotated and then plunge to the base of the ride at a stomach lurching 94km an hour – it’s very fast. There is also the Gyro Swing, where the ride rotates from left to right up to 125 degrees.

Folk Museum

The Folk Museum is really popular – and it’s a little different from most museums, it shows Korean history and culture through models and animations. A traditional restaurant is also located here – so you can try out some Mandu – which is a Korean-style dumpling with minced meat, tofu, and vegetables wrapped in a thin flour skin. You can have them steamed, fried or boiled and they come in a variety of flavours.

There is a daily Carnival Parade that takes place daily from 14:00 to 14:30 and from 19:30 to 20:00. Lotte World is open the whole year round and is a great destination for families who want an evening out – it’s open until late at night. This park ishuge – so try and plan your trip to make sure you hit all the best rides and see the events. Remember that some of the rides are extreme – so make sure you’re wearing appropriate clothing, that your money and glasses are secure, and your shoes aren’t going to fly off!

Traditional Shopping

Insadong is where you can immerse yourself in Korean life. It’s a bustling, lively part of downtown Seoul, with lots of tea houses, shops, and outdoor performance stages. It’s great for souvenirs, such as wooden masks, traditional paper lamps, and embroidered textiles. There are lots of craft and artisan shops too and again, the area is busy both day and during the evening so there’s lots to see and sample. If you like something a little more rough and ready, try the Saturday Flea Markets of visit the Itaewan Tourist District for some serious noise and haggling!

Culture

Chongdong Theatre has colourful daytime performance and has a variety of traditional events such as dance, mime, and puppetry. Korea House also offers visitors the opportunity to dress up in traditional Korean Costumes, have your name written out by a traditional Calligrapher in Korean, or try your hand at clay Pot making and paper folding. Korea is full of colour and life – check out the yellow dyed toilet rolls, its a trueism that Koreans appreciate colour in all rooms of the home! Don’t miss out on the chance to see this extraordinary city. Look out for international flights which are widely available and once you are there, you’ll get great value for money – great for some summer fun.

Classical Chic

Salzburg is known as the birthplace of Mozart, on a less challenging musical note, its also famous for being the setting for the popular The Sound of Music movie. Celebrated for its popular music festival, Salzburg is an elegant and cultural metropolis, nestled amongst the scenic mountains and lakes of Austria. A visit to this picturesque city is a must for fans of music, culture and history.

Mozart

Salzburg is a centre for musical history, having been home to the classical music legends Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. Mozart in particular is the city’s favourite composer, with two memorial museums in the city. One is the building in which Mozart was born. It can be found on Getreidegasse, the city’s popular shopping street, comprising of tall houses and romantic courtyards. The other is in his former residence on Makartzplatz, where he grew up and composed more than 150 of his works. The building has been carefully restored after sustaining serious damage in World War II and depicts the furniture, memorabilia and music of the time of the genius composer.

The Music University (Universität Mozarteum Salzburg) is named after Mozart, as is the city’s major symphony orchestra and the Mozarteum Foundation that is responsible for the most extensive research ever done on a composer. A visit to Salzburg gives you the opportunity to enjoy walking in the footsteps of the musical mastermind, as most of the city still looks just like it did in his time.

Salzburg provided the backdrop to the 1965 film The Sound of Music. Visitors can either book onto a tour or make their own way around the sites. Famous locations include Leopoldskron Palace, which was used as the Von Trapp’s home, the gazebo in which Leisel and Rolf sang ‘16 going on 17’, the wedding church in Mondsee, the Felsenreitschile theatre and the mountain landscape of the surrounding area.

Music Festivals And Events

Music festivals have been held in Salzburg regularly for nearly 140 years and at the foot of Mönchsberg lies the Festival District with two famous festival halls. Every year in July and August the famous Salzburger Festspiele (Salzburg Festival) takes place for six weeks and visitors can expect to experience a wealth of impressive opera, theatre performances, concerts and, of course, plenty of Mozart. There’s plenty to do during festival time that isn’t purely music-focused too – there’s also a golf-tournament, special gallery shows, public performances and street festivals to keep visitors entertained.

If you can’t make it along to the festival, don’t fear, there are five major concert halls and theatres, meaning you can attend musical performances most nights of the year. Additionally, there are around 4,000 cultural events throughout the year including Mozart Week in January and the Easter and Pentecost Festivals, so you’ll never be at a loss for entertainment.

Getting there…

You can fly direct to Salzburg from most UK major airports, or perhaps consider combining your transportation and tour guide by taking a scenic coach holiday to the region. If Austrian Lakes, The Sound of Music and gorgeous countryside is your thing, take advantage of the tours that regularly visit the area.

Top Ten Wierd and Wonderful Holiday Experiences

Its well known that Florida is home to several world-famous attractions; however, there are a range of more unusual things to see and do, which, although less well-known, can still make for a fantastic holiday experience. Here are a few ideas to tempt you off the tourist trail and get you out and about for a vacation adventure.

1. Potters Wax Museum

One place you may want to visit is the Potter’s Wax Museum in St Augustine. Situated on King Street, you’ll find dozens of wax statues depicting a range of celebrities and historical figures. Tiger Woods, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael Jordan are just some of the icons that you’ll be able to see here.

2. Dinosaur World in Plant City

You can also take in some unusual exhibits when visiting Dinosaur World in Plant City, which is about an hour’s drive from Orlando. This attraction contains around 150 life-size replicas of the prehistoric animals, some of which are 80 ft in length, and stopping by the museum gives you the chance to learn more about the ancient creatures.  There is also the chance to see a few skeletons, while kids can have fun in the playground or go on a fossil dig to hunt for relics.

3. Butterfly World

Any nature lovers are bound to enjoy taking a trip to Butterfly World. The largest butterfly aviary in the United States, this attraction is located in Coconut Creek, southern Florida, and has 10,000 of the winged insects on display. Up to 50 different species can be seen at any given time, including many exotic types that typically do not live in Florida. However, these are not the only creatures you’ll be able to look at here, as the aviary is also home to hundreds of birds and enormous moths.

4. Perky’s Bat Tower (yes this is correct!)

The Bat Tower is another unusual animal attraction to stop by while on a holiday in Florida. Situated in Sugarloaf Key, this monument just off the US-1 South highway was built by local entrepreneur Richter Perky in 1929. Perky had been keen to build a resort in the area but was put off by the presence of mosquitoes. To tackle this, he decided to build a tower and provide a home for the bats to have somewhere to digest their dinner. Although it was never actually used by the winged creatures, it is now listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

5. The Coral Castle

Just outside Miami, in the city of Homestead, you’ll find the Coral Castle. The attraction consists of more than 1,100 tonnes of coral that were single-handedly carved into buildings and monuments by Edward Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951.   Built in tribute to his fiancee, who left him just as they were due to get married, Leedskalnin crafted everything you will see here, including rocking chairs, a nine-tonne gate and a Polaris telescope, using just handheld tools.

6. The Burt Reynold and Friends Museum

Visit the Burt Reynolds & Friends Museum in the coastal town of Jupiter and you’ll be able to learn all about the Hollywood actor. The star of dozens of films and TV shows, including The Longest Yard and Boogie Nights, here you can see a range of his costumes, as well as awards he has been given over the years. While Reynolds-related memorabilia account for the majority of items in display, there is a selection of other pieces to see, including a pair of boxing gloves worn by Muhammad Ali and clothes belonging to country singer Gene Autry.

7. Smallest Police Station in America

Carrabelle is one of the tiniest cities in Florida, with a population of around 1,300 residents, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. One unusual attraction to be found here is the world’s smallest police station, which is little more than a phonebooth.  Built in March 1963, the structure was erected by the authorities to stop people making unauthorised long-distance calls using the police phone and to ensure the city’s sole officer would be protected from the elements while using it. Visiting it will  make for a great photo opportunity!

And 8,9, and 10…..

Other attractions in the Sunshine State include the country’s oldest wooden schoolhouse, a roadside monument in Wausau paying tribute to the Possum and the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop, which is the largest daily flea market in the world, so you’ll never be short of interesting things to see and places to go.

This post has been sent to us and written by travel supermarket.com