Archive for May, 2010

New iPhone apps

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

We’re looking at a couple of new travel apps for the iPhone in today’s post, one that promises to keep you entertained and the other that could maybe save your life!

The SAS Survival Guide contains all the content that you’ll find in the incredibly popular print version, just in a more accessible and portable way.

Unless you’re holidaying in a warzone, or flying with an economy airline, you may well be wondering what use this app has for you. Well alongside such classic SAS staples such as the best way to go to the toilet in the jungle (don’t would be our best advice!) it also contains useful tools like a compass, a Morse Code generator and several helpful tips to help you avoid problems on active break.

If you’re aiming to spend your break lounging around the pool, unfortunately there isn’t a section where former SAS man John “Lofty” Wiseman shares his advice on the best way to reserve a sun lounger, or how to stop ice from melting in your glass but it still provides a highly entertaining read. And if you’re sat around the dinner table in the South of France and the conversation turns to ‘What part of a dog shouldn’t you eat’ you’ll have the answer!

You’ll have to purchase the app to find out. At £3.99 we think it’s well worth it.

If you’re anything like us (or one of the 100 million other people who’ve already download it for their phone), you’ll have already spent a significant part of your life heroically putting blocks together on puzzle classic Tetris, and will be delighted to hear that it’s now available for only £1.19 on the app store.

Once you load it up those memories come flooding back (though thankfully without the insanely catchy music) and before long the minutes of assembling coloured blocks will have turned into hours. Tetris is so addictive that you may want to question whether you want to spend your entire holiday staring at walls of coloured bricks and dreaming of tumbling blocks.

We realise that the answer is probably ‘yes’ from a significant percentage of the 100 million people who have already downloaded it, so we’ll leave that decision up to you.

Check back soon for more travel app reviews.

Posted in England, France, Scotland, Wales |

Eccentric English events

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

Don’t forget that the Cheese Rolling event in Gloucestershire has been cancelled due to crowd safety fears this year. Short of replacing the giant wheels of cheese with Mini Babybels, it seems the event’s organisers were left with no choice but to call it off.

For many the Cheese Rolling is the very definition of those slightly eccentric English traditions that crop up every year to the bemusement of some but to the entertainment of many more. So if you’re one of the many people disappointed by the event’s cancellation then we’ve a few suggestions for replacement events in the UK taking place next weekend.

Castleton Garland Day is a more floral alternative to the rolling of the cheese. The event sees a 3 ft decorative floral garland hoisted onto a ‘King’, dressed in Stuart finery, who then leads a procession through the town on horseback. When the procession finishes in the centre of town there is Morris dancing and singing while the garland is left to wither on the town’s church.

Why? No idea. Some suggest it’s a fertility rite, others think it’s to commemorate the restoration of Charles the Second.

When? Saturday 29 May.

Interested? Search cheap holiday cottages in Derbyshire on easycottages.com and find more info on the Derbyshire UK website.

If you long for the competitive nature of cheese rolling then perhaps you’d prefer Tetbury Woolsack Races. As the name suggests, this Cotswolds based event sees willing (or brave, or silly, depending on your point of view) participants running up a hill carrying bags of wool to display their fitness (or bravery, or silliness). If that wasn’t enough then participants will also be taking part in the event after a couple of pints of Tetbury ale. Amazing.

Why? Don’t know. Presumably they were looking for events that would combine and display their main export and thought better of getting their sheep drunk…

When? May 31.

Interested? Search cheap holiday cottages in the Cotswolds on easycottages.com and find more info on the event website.

Shropshire Arbor Day is a slightly more relaxed affair that involves villagers dressing a poplar tree. It was last celebrated in 1786 bc (that would be ‘before card shops’) as the villagers used the decorated tree to congratulate a local squire on his marriage. As the last remaining village to partake in this ancient tradition, Aston on Clun draws quite a crowd and the day’s festivities will also feature morris dancing, refreshments and children’s activities.

Why? Rumoured to have its origins in ancient fertilility rites the event is now more about making a big tree look nice. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

When? May 30.

Interested? View cheap holiday cottages in Shropshire on easycottages.com and more info on the event website.

So there you have it, Cheese Rolling may be out for a year, but there are still plenty of slightly off-beat activities to keep you entertained over the Bank Holiday weekend. Have fun!

Posted in England |

2010 Travellers’ Choice Destination Awards

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Trip Advisor published the results of its 2010 Travellers’ Choice Destination Awards this week and the results contained a few surprises. For starters London’s no show in the list of Europe’s top 25 destinations raised a few eyebrows, whereas Edinburgh’s emergence on a couple of the lists is proof that the city is emerging as a firm favourite among holidaymakers.

By surveying millions of global travellers Trip Advisor have assembled what could be considered a definitive list of popular destinations and an accurate reflection of people’s tastes. So where did everyone recommend?

Not only was Edinburgh voted the top UK destination but it also featured in the top 25 European destinations, proving that when it comes to city breaks in the UK, travellers in the know heard north.

On your visit don’t miss Edinburgh Castle, Scottish whisky tours, the Royal Mile and some incredible eating and drinking experiences.

Click here to search great value holiday cottages in Edinburgh on easycottages.com.

The only people not surprised to see Weymouth emerge as number 4 in the list of Top Global Emerging Destinations were its residents and people who’ve already enjoyed a break there. The classic seaside destination in Dorset acts as a gateway to the stunning Jurassic Coastline but has more than its fair share of great attractions.

On your visit don’t miss Weymouth beach, Nothe Fort, Bennetts Water Gardens and the stunning Jurassic coastline.

Click here to search great value holiday cottages in Weymouth on easycottages.com.

The Lake District came second in the Top European Outdoor & Adventure destinations, which should come as no surprise to those who’ve enjoyed an active view of the enchanting scenery.

As well as great walking and climbing opportunities, visitors can go boating, mountain biking, abseiling, gorge crossing and caving among many other activities.

Click here to search great value holiday cottages in the Lake District on easycottages.com.

When it comes to Global Spa & Relaxation Destinations, many travellers voted for Bath as their favoured destination, placing it second on the global list. The Georgian architecture, inviting ambience and heritage all help to make it a relaxing place to visit.

Make sure you visit Thermae Bath Spa – Britain’s original and only natural thermal spa. Once you’ve gone for the 4 hour treatment you’ll agree with the many voters, that is, if you can stay awake!

Click here to search great value holiday cottages in Bath on easycottages.com.

View the complete list at Trip Advisor.

Posted in England, Scotland |