Advice and Information for the World Traveller on Many Destinations

Archive for the ‘City Guides’ Category

Edinburgh is one of the world’s great cities. Its castle perched on a great rock overlooking the city has soaked up history like a sponge and appears to be a symbol of defiance and dominance. This first impression can be misleading, as Edinburgh these days is renowned for its hospitality and the friendliness of the residents. With many cheap flights to Edinburgh available visitors are flocking there from all over the world.

The Old Town which dates back to medieval times, and the New Town that was being built when Sir Walter Scott lived there, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of splendid architecture.

Top of Edinburgh’s list of attractions is undoubtedly the famous castle, which dates from the twelfth century and has seen a turbulent and bloody past. You can take a creepy ghost tour around the Old Town if you’re so inclined, but don’t forget the more earthly delights of the five National Galleries and the National Museum. Exhibitions and festivals are held throughout the year, so it is worth looking them up when you plan your visit.

In terms of eating and drinking you are spoilt for choice, and down any main street in Edinburgh you’ll come across plush modern restaurants and smaller bars and brasseries, serving up more traditional fare from the surrounding Lothian region.

In the evenings, venues such as the Cabaret Voltaire host local bands and artistes, and there are plenty of clubs to suit all tastes in music and dance.

This city has something for everyone; so make the most of cheap flights to Edinburgh to guarantee a great time in Scotland.

Edinburgh is an extremely accessible city with some lovely architecture, tourist attractions and shopping facilities. It makes it a very popular holiday destination.

If you decide to fly, then once you have landed at Edinburgh Airport getting to the city centre is fairly easy. The airport is situated about eight miles from the city centre and there is a shuttle bus that leaves from the terminal every 10 minutes that takes you right to the heart of the city. There are two services, so depending on your arrival time will depend on which company and route you will take, but both have the same destination. Both services are reasonably priced.

Getting to Edinburgh by ferry is not so straightforward, if travelling from Ireland the ferry from Belfast will likely come into port at Stranraer or Troon and then an additional journey via bus or train is needed to get into Edinburgh. Buses run into the city from all over the country, and there is also the option of coach travel with companies such as National Express who operate from all over the UK.

Travelling from England or Wales is far more straightforward with a choice of options available. All the train routes into Edinburgh run into Waverley Station, which is off Princes Street right in the centre of the city. Of course another option is to drive, with plenty of car parking options it is a good choice, but congestion is always an issue in a major city and needs to be taken into consideration.

Getting around Dublin is fairly easy, as long as you don’t try to drive a car. Severe congestion in the city makes driving difficult, but there are plenty of public transport options available. Flights to Dublin are relatively cheap nowadays bringing more tourists to this ever popular city.

As Dublin is a fairly small and compact city just walking around is a good option, there are a variety of sights to see, and this is one way to make sure you don’t miss any of them.

For those that do decide to drive around the city centre there are many parking facilities available, although some can be fairly expensive. Pay and display parking meters for on-street parking is a good option but maximum parking is usually three hours; be aware that there is a keen wheel clamping system in place for those cars illegally parked.

Regular bus services run through the city courtesy of Dublin Bus, with services starting at 6am running all through the day until 11.30pm.  Also, after midnight on weekends there is a nightly bus service run by Nightlink. Having the correct money to pay for your journey on all bus routes is recommended, as often change is not given.

There are numerous taxi companies operating around Dublin city, fares are reasonable, but for longer journeys it is always best to agree a price beforehand. Recognisable by the yellow sign on the roof, flag one down, or call to arrange a pick up. It’s as easy as that.

There is a new tram system operating in Dublin called Luas, these run on a couple of routes and offer a speedy service. Another option is to cycle around the city, but again congestion can be a major problem.  Bicycle hire is available at several Dublin city outlets.

Glasgow is considered to be one of the best cities for shopping in the UK.  The three pedestrianised thoroughfares of Argyle Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street form the heart of the shopping area of the city. 

Argyll Street is a Victorian built covered arcade and houses over 30 jewellery shops; those who like designer labels should visit Princes Square.  There are several areas of the city where one can find the usual high street retailers including Buchanan Galleries and Sauchiehall Street. 

The area known as Merchant City is perhaps the best for those who see shopping as a treasure hunt.  It is home to specialist booksellers, antique shops and a large number of vintage clothing stores.  One can also find a market at the Barras that also has antique sellers and bric-a-brac stalls.  Souvenir hunters will also find items such as tartan garments, Celtic style jewellery and very good whisky. 

Another favourite with shoppers is the antique craft centre named De Courcy’s.  This is situated in the West End of the city and is a good place to hunt for collectable items such as vintage LP records.

Visitors from abroad should be aware that many items on sale in the UK are subject to Value Added Tax (VAT).  They may be eligible for tax relief if they are taking the goods outside the European Union and forms to apply for this can be obtained from retailers when the goods are purchased.  These should be given to the customs authorities to avoid the tax.

Millions of enthusiastic travellers book flights to Palma each year. Many of them spend as little time as possible in Mallorca’s capital city, as they’re anxious to get to the island’s famous beaches and luxury resorts. However, visitors who by-pass Palma miss the beauty, history and unique personality of this lovely city curved around the Bay of Palma. This is is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, full of palaces, museums, cathedrals, galleries, restaurants, clubs, shops and parks.

Palma’s historic old town district is home to most of the city’s significant attractions. The La Seu Cathedral is a breathtaking structure built in the French Gothic style, with candelabras and an altarpiece designed by Gaudi. The cathedral was built on the ruins of an ancient mosque, like so many other churches throughout Spain. Construction on La Seu began more than half a millennia ago and continues even today.

The Almudaina Palace is another architectural gem located in Palma’s old town.  Located right next to La Seu, the building was once at the centre of a Moorish fortress.  During the Christian conquest of the island, the site was converted into a royal palace.

Yet another stunning edifice is the Es Baluard. It was built by adding concrete walls to the ruins of Palma’s historic city walls. The collection at the March Foundation is also worth seeing. This gallery features more than 70 permanent works as well as a rotating collection of temporary exhibits.

Flights to Palma are usually just a means to a sunny end on Mallorca’s coast, but if you have some time to spend, it’s well worth discovering this beautiful city.

Flights to Aberdeen land at the Aberdeen International Airport, about 11 kilometres north west of the city centre.  Once you’re on the ground, the sights and sounds of Aberdeen are just a short bus or taxi ride away.

Outside the arrivals concourse you’ll find several transportation options to help you get started on your Scottish holiday.  Buses are affordable and will deliver you directly to the city’s central area.  For faster service, hail a taxi from kerb side at the terminal.  You’ll be in Aberdeen in no time at all.

Once you’re there, you’re sure to find something to interest you.  Very popular is the Aberdeen Art Gallery, featuring some of the work of famous local and Scottish artists; the trendy West End with its clubs, cafes, and hip music; or the variety of fantastic restaurants throughout the city.

After you’ve rested a bit from your flight to Aberdeen, get out and explore more of what the city has to offer.  Take a leisurely walk along Union Street to Provost Skene’s House, a medieval townhouse that was once the residence of the mayor of the city.  Take in the gorgeous architecture and atmosphere at Marischal College, with its local history museum, and then head on to the harbour for some fresh seafood.  For a dose of history, venture into Old Aberdeen to see the massive towers of the 15th century St. Machar’s Cathedral.  You can also do a bit of shopping at the Academy Shopping Centre.

Read a book.  See a film.  Look at pictures.  No matter how you try to envision the city of Venice, these secondary descriptions will absolutely pale in comparison to the experience of actually being there in person.  Millions of curious visitors book flights to Venice every year; why not become one of them?

Nearly 1500 years of history are neatly packed into this amazing city, and you can experience all of it.  There are the classic sites like the Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale, and brilliant museums like the Guggenheim and the Gallerie dell’Accademia.  But don’t forget the lesser-known attractions like Ca’ Pesaro, Ca’ Rezzonico, the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, and Arsenale.  It’s these not-so-famous landmarks that will give you a true sense of Venice.

One of the best parts about Venice is that you really don’t need a plan.  A veritable maze of interconnected avenues and by-ways, the city is made for wanderers.  It’s surprisingly easy to find a bit of peace and quiet amidst the bustling tourist centres, so seek out the enchanting inner districts of the city and discover a hidden gem!

The busiest tourist seasons are May through September, Christmas and New Year’s, during the February Carnevale, and at Easter.  If you want a peaceful visit it’s best to book your flights to Venice around these busy times.  But the city certainly comes alive during the height of tourist season, so if you want a charmingly overwhelming experience, don’t let your flights from Venice depart before taking in the sights and splendour of the holidays.

Flights to Manchester are growing in popularity and frequency owing to the cheap journey prices that can now be obtained by millions of customers. The city is seen as a stop off destination on longer journeys to the north of England and Scotland. Internal United Kingdom flights to Manchester are relatively cheap.

Budget airlines offer cheap flights, with prices from around the £10 pound mark for some UK airports. However, the disadvantage of flights like this is the fact that you will miss out on a lot of frills and in-flight entertainment that the likes of British Airways and larger airlines can provide.

You need a passport if you are travelling internally as a means of identification only, it will not be stamped. You are well advised to book early because often flights to Manchester will become fully booked quite quickly.

You can fly to Manchester from a number of other UK airports and there are flights into the city from a limited number of worldwide destinations. Most likely when you are trying to get back to the city from an international trip, you will have to fly into a London airport and then fly directly into Manchester from there.

So, consider flying from Manchester if you are travelling within the UK or are embarking on a long haul trip.  Booking is quite simple via the airline websites on the Internet or through a local travel agent.