great wall of china

Beijing – The Great Wall and Other Wonders

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As well as being the gateway to China’s most famous site, Beijing is a capital city with a library of other stories to tell. Indeed, such a colourful and fruitful past is hard to match, and bygones years are brought back to life in many a palace and temple. Impressively cheap flights to Beijing have made the city and its magic more accessible than ever. Here is a rundown of the most atmospheric sites to visit when you get there: Forbidden City: During the Ming and Qing dynasties this area of Beijing was off limits to commoners, making it a symbol of China’s heavy imperial rule and earning the area its myth-like name. It was built as a replica of heaven itself, and oozes lofty grandeur. Take a guided tour to get the best out of this sprawling architectural wonder, which has over 800 buildings and 9000 rooms.

Summer Palace: Once a summer residence for China’s imperial rulers, the palace is a sight to behold, perched on a beautifully landscaped hillside. The main structure is like a multi tiered, multi coloured wedding cake, and its colourful reflections ripple on the lake ahead. Intricately crafted arches, bridges and general splendour surround.

Great Wall: The main reason for many a journey to Beijing, The Great Wall of China is over 2000 years old and stretches for 5,500 miles. The wall snakes over lofty mountain passes and appears like something straight out of a fable. You can take a tour for deeper historical insight and interesting facts. These will take you to sections of the wall that have been restored to former glory, although much of it is sadly in ruins. Drum Tower: Originally the centre of the old Mongol capital Dadu, the tower has been there since the 1200’s and was once the city’s time centre. Drums were beaten to mark the passing of the hours like a human powered Big Ben. These impressive drums can viewed during a visit. The steep steps also lead to soaring views over the city.

Bell Tower: Twin to the drum tower, the Bell Tower is another steep climb with a delightfully restored interior housing a gargantuan bell. Weighing 63 tonnes, it is truly a sight to behold.

Lama Temple: ‘If the heart is bright, the wonderful will appear’, reads the inscription above a statue in this Tibetan Buddhist Temple. The hearts of the people who built it must surely have been bright, as the temple is one of the most wonderful sites in Beijing. Revolving prayer wheels, golden statues, multi coloured tiles and decorations abound.

Hutong: The heart and soul of Beijing is in its Hutong streets, which are maze like, narrow passageways crisscrossing the centre of town. The courtyard houses that line them are still mostly residential. This is your best opportunity to get a real glimpse at life in Beijing, present and past. The oldest street was built over 900 years ago.

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Basingstoke

5 things you never know about Basingstoke

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Basingstoke is probably not the first place people think of when they are planning a UK break away, but on closer inspection, this lively Hampshire town has plenty to offer, so why not take a look for yourself and book a room in one of the many affordable 3 star hotels in Basingstoke?

Basingstoke is one of the major towns in the south-east of England; just a short train, bus or car journey away from London and the county town, Winchester. If you fancy making the short trip, there is a wide range of hotels in Basingstoke to suit all tastes and budgets; if you want to be in the thick of the action, book a room at the Red Lion Hotel in Basingstoke, which is right in the centre of town.

You may already be aware of some facts about Basingstoke, but here are five things you probably never knew about this Hampshire market town.

1. Basingstoke: the brunt of the joke

Basingstoke rarely hits the national headlines but it has been mentioned in several famous comedic acts and works of literature. As far back as the 16th Century, William Shakespeare made some rather unpleasant comments about Basingstoke in part two of Henry IV while  more recently, Basingstoke featured in Gilbert and Sullivan’s comedic opera, Ruddigore and Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Basingstoke was also mentioned in the hit sitcom, Only Fools and Horses, after Rodney Trotter was expelled from an art college in the town for smoking cannabis.

2. Famous residents

Basingstoke was home to one of the UK’s most iconic writers, Jane Austen. Austen, famed for her sweeping, indulgent, romantic works of literature, was born in Steventon, a village very close to Basingstoke and she wrote some of her most famous works, including Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey whilst living in the area. Liz Hurley, the glamorous model and actress, was also born in the town and fans of the original series of Gladiators will also be interested to learn that Falcon hails from Basingstoke.

3. A sinister past

Basingstoke is a lively, typically British market town but it also has a sinister side; Basingstoke was home to Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in England. Ellis, a resident of Basingstoke and a former pupil of Fairfield’s Senior Girls’ School in the town, was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of her lover, David Blakely. Ellis was hanged at Royal Holloway Prison in London on the 13th July 1955 and the case attracted phenomenal media interest.

4. Festival fever

Basingstoke is home to one of the UK’s biggest free live music events; Basingstoke Live. The festival which is held at the War Memorial attracts thousands of visitors every year. Artists that have graced the stage in the past include Chas and Dave, Chipmunk and The Cheeky Girls.

5. The Beast of Basingstoke

Some people will be more familiar with the Beast of Bodmin, but legend has it that Basingstoke had its very own beast. The large cat, which was believed to be a lion or a puma, was apparently spotted several times in the area during the 90s. Local rumours suggest that the beast was killed; however, no official news reports have confirmed this.

Basingstoke may not have been top of your top UK destinations, but why not break the mould and discover some of this lively little town’s hidden secrets for yourself? There’s plenty of accommodation on offer to suit all budgets, so it’s well worth paying the town a visit.

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Portugal holidays

Flights to Portugal Are The True Gateway When It Comes to Experiencing Everything the Country Has to Offer!

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Great news for you travel fans — flights to Portugal are where it’s at right now. You see, if you decide to hop a plane to Portugal, you’re basically hitting the top way to experience everything that the country has to offer. This amazing country has been overlooked for so long that it can almost feel like a hidden treasure when you finally reach your destination in Portugal. In the past, a lot of people thought that Portugal was a place that was hard to access. For a time, it was — but not anymore. You can find lots of great flights into Portugal if you’re really ready to look for them.

Of course, there’s the problem right there isn’t it? You’re going to want to make sure that you push forward and get the very best flight into the country that you can, but you probably don’t know where to turn. Everyone knows that going online to do your comparisons hoping is the best way to go, but what if you still don’t know where to turn?

We completely understand where you’re coming from here. The best way to make sure that you are getting the best information is to pick one site that has quality information. But when you don’t normally do your comparison shopping online, it can be hard to know where to trust.

So here’s one for you — Jet2.com. It’s a site that focuses on always giving you the best flights to just about anywhere that you want to go, including Portugal. A great travel experience is something that we all want, but you might not realize that getting to that point means being able to control your overall trip from start to finish. In other words, you’re going to need to have the best information possible as far ahead as possible. Yes, some people really do like to take last minute trips, but when you’ve never been to a country you still want to give yourself plenty of advance time.

There’s nothing wrong with trying to save money. Think about it from the right perspective here — the more money that you can save on your flight, the more money that you will have available to spend on the activities in the country that you really want to focus on. From eating to shopping to cultural events, there’s truly something in Portugal for everyone — why not check it out for yourself? Your flight is waiting!

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holidays in the algarve

Europe’s alternative city breaks

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As thoughts of our holidays in the sun are resigned to distant memory and Christmas begins to rear its head on the horizon there is no better time than now to plan a short break away before the madness begins.

While rejuvenating holidays in the Algarve, weeklong soirees in Marrakesh and luxurious Tuscan villas are all very desirable, some of us just might not have the luxury of time. However, with many people thinking of getting away during the festive season, availability is stretched.

Never fear though; avoid the crowds and make the most of your time off by looking at European city breaks to some of the world’s least conventional destinations.

Since affordable air travel became the norm, travelers have taken advantage of the increased access to some of Europe’s more unfamiliar destinations. Holidays to countries like Sweden, Poland, Austria and Czech Republic are an interesting alternative to the popularity of Rome breaks, and other famous favourites.

A trip to Stockholm provides travelers with a chance to explore one of Scandinavia’s cleanest and most vibrant cities. Its beauty is matched by the quality of shopping and a trip would not be complete without a visit to Sodermalm, for a buzzing retail experience and a drink in one of the many quirky cafes.

It can be a pricey option, but if you are after bargains you could always head to Farfalla where you will find the city’s large fashion outlet. For a seasonal city break it is hard to beat the stylish confidence of Stockholm; and there is snow to look forward to too.

Eastern Europe is no longer a distant relation, and with many countries still guarding their independent currency, it is not impossible to visit on a budget. Krakow is a jewel in Poland’s crown thanks to its breathtaking medieval architecture, squares like Rynek Glowny and the relaxed attitude of the locals.

If you cannot get enough of the architecture then climb the hill to view Wawel Castle before sampling a local dish of Pierogi or Flaki: a surprisingly delicious, traditional meat soup. If you feel like travelling out of town then visits to the 13th Century Wieliczka Salt Mines are a fascinating experience.

Fans of coffee and chocolate may want to consider absconding to Vienna for a weekend this winter where the cozy cafés of the Austrian capital can be appreciated. Home to Swarovski crystal, countless galleries and the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History), Vienna is paradise for the culture seeker. Eat strudel at the Central Café – one of the city’s grand coffee houses – a place once frequented by revolutionary author Trotsky.

Prague may retain a reputation as a haven for stag groups looking for nothing more than bright lights and an endless line of beer halls, but there is a lot more to the city than that. The Gothic architecture and cobbled streets provide an atmospheric ambiance that leaves it with a distinctly historic feel. Prague’s relaxed jazzy charm appeals to couples who can enjoy the scenic views of Prague Castle with a walk across the Charles Bridge, or soak up the bustle of its main squares.

There are so many alternatives to Europe’s famous destinations and now is the perfect time to getaway for an indulgent weekend. Book fast, before you hear the bells ringing and the countdown to Christmas really begins.

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