The city of Worcester is the main town in the county of Worcestershire and is situated on the banks of the River Severn which runs directly through the middle of it. The final battle of the English Civil War took place here between Oliver Cromwell’s army and that of King Charles I. It was following Oliver Cromwell’s victory over King Charles I that lead to England and Wales becoming a republic for the next twenty one years.
The town is also home of the factory where Royal Worcester Porcelain is produced and the birth place of the English composer Sir Edward Elgar. There are plenty of things for you to do and enjoy when you stay in Worcester and below we look at just a few.
Whilst building of Worcester Cathedral began in 1084, it was not used as a place of worship until the fourteenth Century. Today it is considered to still be the loveliest of all Cathedral’s to be found in England. When you visit it why not spend time exploring the Royal Tombs, Medieval Cloisters, the Chapter House and Ancient Crypt. Plus remember to spend time looking at the magnificent Victorian stained glass windows. From its towers you are offered wonderful views looking out not just over the city but the countryside surrounding it.
Another place you may find of interest when you come to Worcester is the cottage in which Edward Elgar was born. This is situated near the Teme Valley and has views over the Malvern Hills. Today the cottage in which Elgar was born now houses a wide selection of manuscripts and scores of this world famous composer along with concert programs and cuttings from newspapers.
Slightly further away from Worcester is Eastnor Castle. This has much to offer you to relax or somewhere the children can get rid of some of that energy they have. It is located in the Malvern Hills and is surrounded by a deer park. It has a 22 acre arboretum leading down to the lake as well as plenty of other things for you to enjoy.
There are the adventure playground and assault course for children and a maze. Whilst for the adults there is some wonderful woodland and lakeside walks that they may find pleasant. And of course the castle’s tea rooms for a spot of lunch.
Of course no visit to Worcester would be complete without spending time at the Royal Worcester Visitor Centre. This attraction is situated just two minutes walk from the Cathedral and offers a number of things for those who choose to spend time there. You have the opportunity to take one of the many guided tours or to watch the skilled craftsmen at work. Plus if you feel especially creative you could always have a go at painting a plate for yourself. The business was established in 1751 and even today the name of Royal Worcester is synonymous with the production of good quality bone china and porcelain products.
The market town of Hexham is situated in Northumberland, England and is located to the south of the River Tyne. If you are looking for somewhere to stay close to Hadrian’s Wall or the Northumberland National Park then Hexham is ideal. There are plenty of superb hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts in Hexham for you to choose from.
However along of course with spending time exploring Hadrian’s Wall there are plenty of other attractions close to Hexham to be enjoyed. Below we take a look at a few of the places you may find of interesting whether on your own or with your family.
1. Corbridge Roman Site was used by the Roman’s as their main supply depot for Hadrian’s Wall when their armies were building and guarding it almost 2,000 years ago. Much of this Roman settlement has now been excavated and you can see some of the finest examples of Roman military granaries in England today. There is also a museum where you can see many of the artifacts that have been discovered on the site during the excavations. These include the famous Lion of Corbridge, a stone fountainhead.
2. Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum is also popular with tourists. It is the best preserved of all the Roman forts that were built along Hadrian’s Wall during the Roman occupation of the area. But it is not just the fort that attracts visitors to the site it is chance for them to see what a Roman hospital looked like as well.
3. Allen Banks & Staward Grange is ideal place to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern living. There are many marked walks both through ornamental and ancient woods to enjoy. The remains of a medieval Pele tower can be found at Staward Wood. Whilst at Allen Banks there is a Victorian Summerhouse that has been reconstructed for you to enjoy. The woodland you walk through is cut in the middle by a river gorge and there are many plants and animals for you to try and spot and identify as you walk along.
4. Alnwick Castle England’s second largest castle that are still inhabited. Since 1309 this has been the home of the Earls and Dukes of Northumberland (the Percy’s). There is also evidence to show that a castle has stood on this site since around 1096. The 1st Lord Percy of Alnwick began restoration on the castle back in the early fourteenth Century.
These are just a few of the attractions that you can visit when you stay in Hexham. But the one that is probably most likely to draw the tourists is of course Hadrian’s Wall. Much of the wall still remains and there are plenty of sites along the track it took in order to protect the Romans from the Scottish tribes. This ancient monument was classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and since that time has been maintained by English Heritage.
Oban in Scotland is a town that has much to offer those who choose to visit it. It is steeped in history and there are many castles and standing stones for you to visit and explore. But there isn’t just things to keep one amused during the day the is plenty on offer in the evenings as well. So you will find that your time spent in Oban will be a very memorable and enjoyable one.
Below we will look at a few of the attractions that you can enjoy when you visit this wonderful Scottish town.
1. Slate Islands – This is now a heritage trust site and allows you to see how slate was quarried from here and then exported around the world. Slate was quarried from this site for more than three centuries and you can learn how this was done by viewing the working models on site. The site is open 7 days from March to September.
2. Atlantic Bridge – This structure was built in 1792 because during the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 it was discovered that transporting large numbers of troops over water using ferries was difficult. The bridge links Seil Island to the Scottish mainland and has sufficient height to allow sailing boats to pass below it. It’s main other claim to fame is that it is the only bridge to actually cross the Atlantic ocean.
3. Kilmartin Glen – This is a very important ancient monument site and you can find Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and early Christian Settlements. As well as all these settlements, this is now the only place left in the UK where wild raised bogs are made.
4. Sea Fari Adventures – This attraction provides you with the chance to come in close contact with some of the fantastic wildlife which lives off the Argyll coast as well as on land. During your visit you should manage to see whales, seals, dolphins and porpoises as well as deer and eagles. You can spend as much as a whole day at sea whale watching if you want to.
5. Oban Chocolate Company – This is a place that both adults and children alike will enjoy visiting. As you tour around the factory you will get to see the chocolatiers at work producing some wonderful handmade chocolates in a wide array of flavors. After your tour, you can spend time in the cafe sampling their cakes and hot chocolate.
6. Oban Distillery – This is a place that those who like something a little more alcoholic will enjoy. Here you will learn about how they produce their 14 year old single malt whisky and others. Your admission includes a tour of the distillery and food afterwards. Plus you also get a whisky related gift free as well.
Vacationing aboard a beautiful cruise ship is an experience that is simply unlike any other kind of vacation you might take. Imagine yourself looking around, surrounded by the sparkling ocean, laying sight on new shores and having your face caressed by gentle ocean breezes. The line of Celebrity Cruises is one of the most popular cruise companies and one of the cruise lines that consistently delivers extraordinary experiences to their passengers at very competitive prices.
Another of the wonders of a cruise travel vacation is waking up each morning to find yourself transported to a new, interesting and exciting destination that you will have the opportunity to explore. In addition to having new sights to see every day, cruise vacations also allow you to relax and be pampered by the staff. This cruise line has ample experience in taking people to wonderful destinations and to seeing to it that they have a wonderful time during every aspect of the adventure.
Celebrity Cruises have a long-standing reputation for taking care of the smallest of details, for providing outstanding accommodations, and for offering amazing amenities to their passengers. They also love to make their guests not only feel special, but they take it a step further and endeavor to make every passenger feel like a pampered celebrity.
Many people who have been aboard the Celebrity cruise line, come back to land and report that they truly had a once-in-a-lifetime experience and enjoyed a cruise travel vacation that was a journey from the ordinary to the extraordinary. All Celebrity Cruise vacation packages are considered “all inclusive.” This means that virtually everything you need for a marvelous vacation is included in the price of your ticket.
The Celebrity cruise line makes sure that you have luxurious accommodations that include everything from comfortable beds to gracious surroundings. Gourmet meals are included with a wide array of dishes to delight and tantalize your taste buds. Entertainment options, a selection of activities and numerous amenities are yours to enjoy in making sure that you never have a dull moment. All are at your disposal as part of the price of your ticket.
Taking a Celebrity cruise has been likened to staying at a luxury hotel, with personal staff to follow you as you travel the globe. Each day you have the advantage of exploring a new location, or simply taking in the new view from aboard ship. But you never have the hassles of constantly packing, unpacking, repacking and hauling your bags to the next stop on your journey.
Instead, this cruise line allows you to simply focus on the fun, the excitement, and interesting aspects of taking in all the sights and sounds, tastes and treasures of each new port of call. Best of all, after a long day of wandering the streets of a new destination, you get to “come home” to a staff who knows your tastes and has been busy preparing your quarters for an evening of relaxation.
Celebrity Cruises offers over 130 worldwide destinations from which to choose. With that many choices of destinations, you will surely be able to find an itinerary that captures your interest. There are also choices from quick two-night trips to multi-week voyages that you can select from depending on your schedule. Celebrity Cruise lines have received numerous travel industry awards and are usually top-rated by travel guides, so you can rest assured that you will have a great time when you sail away with them.
A Playa Del Carmen Vacation comes extremely endorsed by families. A good bet is this part of Mexico if you want a Carribean blue water vacation. If you want, fly in to Cancun, but don’t stay there, take a little trip South for much more peace and quiet. Another option is checking out the nearby Riviera Maya. Bigger cities have sold out a little. But Playa del Carmen is still authentic and Mexican.
There is an abundance of activities offered in Playa. They include both deep sea fishing, visiting the 5th avenue shops laying on the beach and exploring the stunning Eco park at Xcaret and Tulum where you will discover plants and wildlife bounties of the planet.
You could always swim with dolphins or feed them at the sanctuaries! If you are truly adventurous, then there is zip lining over the top of the jungle canopies.The horses will take you to a variety of locals. Jungles galore can be found not far away, just waiting for you and your horse. Galloping into the sunset on the beach can make some great memories.
Cozumel is a short hop and skip away, just jump on the ferry for a great time there. It’s right around thirty minutes to get to Cancun. So those two popular destinations are available as day trips when you choose to make your vacation stay in quieter Playa Del Carmen.
A great money saving option is to stay at an all inclusive hotel. You and your family eat for free as it is included on the tab. Crafted to make you forget about your problems and enter another world, these resorts can be a great choice. You can rest your head too since you won’t have to figure out tips or amounts. It’s all included. Everybody gets a vacation here. The children can participate in hotel sponsored events. The parents can relax in some much deserved peace and quiet.
If you are planning to vacation in Mexico with your family, don’t forget to check out Playa Del Carmen.
