Guest House Swansea, Wales

November 10th, 2009

The city of Swansea is located in southwest Wales and is the second largest city in Wales, after Cardiff. Believed to be founded by Sweyn Forkbeard, the Viking King of Denmark in 1013, Swansea has a colourful history that encompasses both land and sea. Accessible by the M4 motorway, the nearest airport is Cardiff International Airport which is approximately 71km to the east. The Swansea and Mumbles Railway is accredited with being the world’s first passenger railway, but has since closed in 1960 in favour of bus travel.

Swansea has a rich historical and cultural heritage, and with very active performing arts groups as well as a thriving visual arts community, Swansea is a mecca of the arts. With performances ranging from opera and ballet to pantomime, a variety of shows are available year round at a number of theatres both in and around the city. Oystermouth Castle, which is also open to tourists, hosts a variety of Shakespeare performances every summer. Visual art exhibits are hosted at a variety of galleries around the city and are a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

Featuring a plethora of festivals in and around Swansea, the most famous of them is the Festival of Music and the Arts, which is held yearly and is attended by musicians, both orchestras and soloists alike, from around the globe. Lodging for the various festivals are available from luxury hotels to Bed & Breakfasts and the more traditional Guest House. Additional festivals, mostly music related, are held in the surrounding areas and are great all year round tourist attractions.

Many people choose to make Swansea their holiday destination, and there is a variety of accommodation available such as the more traditional larger Guest Houses that offer personalized B & B type services, or other smaller but equally quaint Bed & Breakfast hotels which excel with their personalized service and inclusive home-cooked meals. While enjoying your stay, there are scenic golf courses, water skiing, jet skiing or boat tours of the Gower Coast and other outdoor activities. Being a coastal town, and considering that three quarters of Swansea is bordered by water, Swansea offers a plethora of seasonal water related activities and the local marina is very active with both commercial and pleasure craft activity. There are also a variety of nearby beaches and water park areas which are open seasonally.

Regardless of the reason for your visit to Swansea, there is much to occupy your time, and its rich history is apparent in everything from the preserved castles to the quaint Bed & Breakfast hotels where you can get a true sense of the local flavour. With truly a small town atmosphere yet having large city amenities and a vibrant outdoor life, Swansea is a unique tourist destination.

A Belfast B & B holiday

September 19th, 2009
Belfast bed and breakfast Belfast
Belfast bed and breakfast Belfast

Belfast bed and breakfast Belfast

Temperature and Geography

Choosing to stay in a Belfast bed and breakfast hotel, you will enjoy the temperate climate giving you short winter and long summer days. This allows outdoor activities all year round. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east, rolling hills to the west and the mouth of the River Lagan starting at the edge of the city, there is a variety of geographical features to see. Belfast offers a vibrant urban setting along with a rural environment just a short distance away.

Accommodations

There’s a wide range of places to stay that will fit into any cost-conscious budget. Whether it’s a quaint bed & breakfast, also known as a b & b, or a guest house room, the visitor has a tremendous selection. If you are looking for guest house lodging, there are also many, nicely equipped rooms in stately houses.

Things to Do from your Belfast Guest House

The area has many cultural options including The Grand Opera House. It is an impressive building with magnificent architecture offering a myriad of shows. There are many venues including ice shows, ballets, and plays.

The Ulster Museum is built in Renaissance style with Italian marble on the inside. Inside, there are 9000 years of Irish history in art, furniture, tools, clothing and more. Themed exhibits make it even more remarkable.

There are many themed museums that are fun to see. Some of the more unique ones are the Royal Ulster Rifle Museum, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, and the Whowhatwherewhenwhy, or 5W, which has 160 interactive exhibits.

The outdoor enthusiasts aren’t left out either. There is great golfing on beautiful courses, hiking in the nearby mountains, beaches and spectacular fishing off the coast.

The Lagan Watersports Centre offers great boating on the river. There are choices of driving a James Bond style powerboat, sailboats or cruising on a Chinese Dragon boat.

The city is easy to get around with many things within walking distance. The historic districts, shopping, and the pubs and restaurants are close by. The city can be toured by boat, taxi, mini coach, or even by bicycle.

Transportation

Transportation is excellent in Northern Ireland so getting around from your b & b is no problem. Translink is an integrated bus and train system operating city buses within the city and Ulsterbus that services the other parts of the country. Northern Ireland Railways runs four lines connecting the major cities.

Events

Northern Ireland has events scheduled that can’t be seen anywhere else. The tall ships Atlantic challenge, a maritime festival, will bring hundreds of boats from across the world together in the Belfast harbour. The ‘Titanic – made in Belfast’ is another interesting and exciting event that is scheduled in the spring along with the Belfast Music tour.

Shopping

Shopping here is great. From the St.Georges Market, the country’s oldest, to designer boutiques on Lisburn Road, and many fine shopping centers, there are many shopping opportunities. On Saturday morning, a Farm and Speciality Food Market opens.

Getting There

The city is easy to get to. There are two airports serving the air passengers and a major harbour which allows for sea arrivals. An inclusive highway system is available for ground transportation to take you to the door of your bed and breakfast hideaway for a weekend, a week or even longer of fun and exploration.

Birmingham is fun for the whole family!

September 16th, 2009
Birmingham
Bed & Breakfast Birmingham

Bed & Breakfast Birmingham

Looking to plan an unusual family holiday? Then head to Birmingham! Birmingham offers a huge variety of activities that are sure to please everyone, from waterparks to concert halls and incredible shopping. While you are there, stay at a quaint little bed and breakfast or guest house.

The city is within an hour’s journey by train from London, and once you arrive there, it is really easy to get around using the local buses.

While staying at your guest house in Birmingham, it is only a short trip to Waterworld, the United Kingdom’s best waterpark! Waterworld has tons of slides and fun rides, and it is totally indoors, so you never have to worry about bad weather. For extra fun, go to Waterworld on a Friday night and experience the games and music of Aqua Disco!

Another really fun family activity is to head to Planet Ice and spend an afternoon ice skating. Or if you really want some excitement during your stay at a Birmingham B & B, take a trip to the SnowDome. This totally indoor mini mountain offers a year-round chance to learn how to ski or snowboard. You can take lessons there, as well as rent equipment, or you can just go tobogganing.

From your bed and breakfast, it could be just a short walk or bus ride to the Walsall Arboretum, the prettiest park in town. And if you have the chance, ask the staff at your B & B when the Walsall Illuminations is held. This pretty lights show is a must-see!

While staying at the bed and breakfast, you will not want to miss a trip to Cadbury world! Learn how the company’s delicious chocolate is made, and enjoy a ton of great samples. This is a trip that everyone loves!

Planning on going shopping while staying at your Birmingham B & B? Well then, just head straight to the Bullring located in the heart of Birmingham. The centre will not be far from the B & B you are staying at. This enormous three level shopping centre has just about every store you could ever want to shop at. The centre has a huge Selfridges store, as well as high quality stores such as Debenham’s, Karen Millen, Lacoste, Topshop, and Miss Selfridge. They also have great eateries, from Yo! Sushi to Ben and Jerry’s.

For couples and singles, Birmingham also offers a great nightlife. If you want to stay at an inexpensive guest house or bed and breakfast you can still find accommodation that is in the heart of the city and not far from the best bars and clubs. Many of the most popular bands and musical artists will stop on tour at the BJCC, the biggest and most popular concert venue in the city.

So whether you are looking to go shopping and clubbing on your next holiday, or you are searching for a more family oriented destination combined with guest house accommodation, Birmingham is the perfect destination!

Guest house Nottingham

September 11th, 2009
Guest house Nottingham
Guest house Nottingham

 Guest house Nottingham

Located in the heart of England, the city of Nottingham is quite historical and often famed for the legend of Robin Hood. Since its charter in 1897, Nottingham has been expanding and growing, now boasting a population of 275,000. This English city is home to magnificent architecture with two of the most notable buildings being the Nottingham Castle and the Prudential building.

Nottingham offers its visitors many choices in accommodations, with a long list of available guest houses and Bed and Breakfasts. There are literally hundreds of listings for places to stay in Nottingham, with conveniences and amenities widely available. Most guest houses are small and quaint, and don’t accommodate large numbers of people. This provides a more quiet and homely atmosphere.

Visitors will find elegant, old Victorian charm in some of the B&B rooms, while others are more simple and subdued. Well-kept gardens are perfect for enjoying the refreshing air, while regal architecture and ordered brick and stone make for excellent views. Pictures and descriptions of what these English guest homes have to offer allude to a very relaxing, enjoyable, and personable stay. Friendly staff, who are attentive to needs, will make your stay in Nottingham almost like being at home. Here, at the charming guest houses, the beautiful bed and breakfasts, and even the more luxurious accommodations, visitors can find the sort of peacefulness which has long been forgotten in more cosmopolitan cities.

While staying in the beautiful city of Nottingham, there are many things to see, especially with convenient travel systems of both road and railway. Many of the B&Bs are located within walking distance of the renowned city’s centre where visitors will find over 800 shops, the Nottingham Castle Museum, a well-known inn “Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem”, the Caves of Nottingham, and more.

Home to the University of Nottingham as well as the Nottingham Trent University, this city is also quite educational and cultural. Two large theatres, the Nottingham Playhouse and the Theatre Royal, adorn the city well, hosting productions and concerts year round. Such groups as the Symphony Orchestra and the Bach Choir will delight those music lovers, while a visit to the stunning Nottingham Castle and the Sherwood Forest may be perfect for history lovers.

Well known for its large Nottingham Royal Concert Hall as well as the even bigger Nottingham Arena, this city is home to many venues as well as sporting events. The Nottingham Forest Football Club and the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground are often busy with sports’ teams and personal recreation.

Truly, Nottingham is a beautiful city, well deserving a visit. This seems but a small description of all the city has to offer, and perhaps it will never be fully understood until one has stepped foot on the stunning historical and architectural ground themselves. Maybe even then, the entire wonder of Nottingham may not be completely grasped, for this is a city of endless offerings, beauty, and many places to stay!

Bed & Breakfast Windsor

September 11th, 2009
Bed & Breakfast Windsor
Bed & Breakfast Windsor

Bed & Breakfast Windsor

When it comes to cities in England, Windsor always comes up as one of the top tourist destinations. Being home to Windsor Castle, a residence of the British Royal Family, the city is a welcoming and historically rich destination drawing guests from near and far. Windsor is located just south of the River Thames and borders Eton and it is only 30 miles outside of central London. There is a small village just south of the city called Old Windsor which is approximately 300 years older than the New Windsor. The countryside and surrounding areas are simply lovely. It is the perfect place to retreat for a stay at a Bed & Breakfast or charming guest house. Most B&B accommodations are family-owned and operated, making them both cozy and comfortable.

There are many activities and attractions for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy in Windsor. The first place people will want to visit is Windsor Castle, and it is a sight to behold. Not only does it house the Royal Family, but it is the oldest and largest castle in the world to be occupied today. Tours throughout the open periods of the year are fun for the whole family. Legoland Windsor is also quite a popular tourist stop for the kids. Perhaps then the parents will visit Royal Windsor Racecourse for a little fun and excitement.

Sightseeing double-decker buses are a great way to take in the city and surround areas. Allow tour guides to give you all of the fascinating historical and present day facts about this remarkable area. The tickets are good for the whole day, so tourists can get off and on the bus at will. The starting point is at Queen Victoria Statue outside of the castle. The Savill Garden located within Windsor Great Park is a lovely place to stop for a stroll and to take in the beauty of the area. There is a new visitor centre available to the public, which in and of itself is a marvelous attraction.

Throughout the year there are several stellar events in Windsor that guests won’t want to miss. The Royal Windsor Horse Show and the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo are both fantastic reasons to visit the town. Further entertainment can be found at the Theatre Royal Windsor, which brings in a vast number of famous actors from around the world. Each September brings in the Windsor Festival as well, which is considered highly entertaining and excitingly diverse.

Shopping is a must at the Windsor Royal Shopping Centre, which is full of adorable shops and dining. After all of the excitement, tourists are happy to take in a snack or a fine meal at one of the many stylish dining establishments in town before heading back to their B&B. For some brilliant seafood, visit Café de la Mar or have some Indian cuisine at the Mango Lounge. No matter what you are craving, there is a restaurant in Windsor that can provide it.

Book your guest house or Bed & Breakfast today and plan your vacation to Windsor.

Get away from it all in Chester!

September 4th, 2009

Chester is a unique destination for your next holiday! The city is relatively small and yet incredibly cosmopolitan and packed with fun activities. Founded way back in 70AD, it has a unique culture due to its location on the border of Wales and England.

To get to Chester from London, you can take a high speed train that gets you there in two and a half hours. If you are coming from out of the country, you can fly into Manchester International Airport or Liverpool John Lennon Airport and then drive forty minutes to your Chester bed and breakfast. The city is great for using as a base for visiting Liverpool and Manchester. Once you get there, you can use the city’s bus system, or you can walk, since many destinations are in close range.

While you are visiting, stay at a quaint little bed and breakfast, or rent a room in a guest house. Or, there are also many four star hotels and other accommodations to choose from. While staying at your B & B or guest house, you will have to take a short bus ride to get to the Chester Zoo. The Zoo is enormous, and you can easily spend a whole day there. The Zoo is home to some of the rarest species in the world, and has a worldwide reputation for their conservation efforts. The zoo also offers some unique ways of experiencing the wildlife; for instance, enter the bat cave, where fruit bats fly right over your head!

From your guest house in town, you will also want to take a walk around the River Dee, which goes through the centre of town. You can go boating or enjoy great food at the many riverside cafes and bars. In the summer, you will see rowers training, and you may even get to watch a local raft race.

Or spend your holiday relaxing sore muscles at the The Chester Grosvenor and Spa. The city has many great spas; ask the friendly staff at your B & B for a recommendation!

As anyone who works at the guest house or B & B will tell you, a trip to the city would not be complete without a visit to the Chester Racecourse (Roodee!) These horse races are some of the most important social occasions that occur in the city. When you leave your B & B and step out onto the Roodee, you will see a veritable fashion runway of racegoers. The track itself is maintained beautifully, and it should be, because this is the oldest racecourse in all of Britain!

Finally, while staying at your bed and breakfast, you should take a trip to the Cheshire Farm. Their luxury ice-cream is famous throughout Britain and has won many awards. When you visit the farm, you can also enjoy lunch in the Tea Room or watch the cows get milked. So no matter how you spend your holiday at a guest house or bed and breakfast in Chester, you are sure to have a great time!

Visiting The City Of Canterbury – Where To Stay And Things To Do

September 3rd, 2009
Guest house Canterbury
Guest house Canterbury

Guest house Canterbury

Historic Canterbury in Kent, England offers a variety of attractions for visitors of all ages. From fine shopping and dining experiences to guest house and bed and breakfast accommodations to historical tours, Canterbury is a richly diverse city where the modern is mixed with the memories of long ago.

Your Accommodation

Whether you’re visiting Canterbury for business or for pleasure, you’ll find your stay both inspiring and relaxing. Start by arranging your accommodation in one of Canterbury’s delightful bed and breakfast inns, where the service is reminiscent of days gone by. Unlike the large hotels, you’ll find these quaint little inns peaceful and quiet, allowing you to relax and enjoy your stay.

Canterbury’s bed and breakfast inns (b & b), and guest houses come with a variety of amenities depending on their location. Dotted throughout the city and on the outskirts, you can find a b & b or a guest house close to all the action, or secluded on a quiet street in a friendly suburb.

A b & b is like a home away from home. The atmosphere is warm, inviting and friendly. Many of these charming inns are centuries old, and therefore have historical significance.

Canterbury has bed and breakfast inns with just one or two rooms to ensure a quiet, restful stay, as well as guest houses with as many as 16 rooms. Be sure to call well in advance of your arrival to get the room and location of your choice.

The City Of Canterbury

The City of Canterbury is a blend of history and heritage, along with modern shops, restaurants, bars and pubs. As one might expect from a city so steeped in culture, theatres are plentiful here. Whether you’re in the mood for comedy, drama, dance or an opera, chances are you’ll find just the entertainment you’re looking for. If a film is more to your tastes, Canterbury also has two cinemas playing all the latest blockbusters as well as some more specialist titles.

The city also boasts plenty of historical sight-seeing opportunities, containing six museums, a couple of castles, and even The Canterbury Tales – an experience which allows you to enter the Middle Ages and accompany the pilgrims on their way to the Canterbury Cathedral from London.

Canterbury Cathedral is the famous cathedral from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer and is one of three churches worth a visit in Canterbury. St. Martins Church, the oldest parish which is still in use in England, and St. Augustine’s Abbey are the other two must see churches.

For a spooky good time and some humour, you can take the ghost tour around the old city at night with Canterbury’s leading ghost hunter, or if you would prefer a little romance, a river tour might be more to your liking. River tours offer the chance to see sights you might otherwise miss, since some are only accessible by boat.

A Seaside Holiday in Portsmouth

July 23rd, 2009
Guest House Portsmouth
Guest House Portsmouth

Guest House Portsmouth

Planning your next holiday? Why not take some time off at a B & B in the beautiful seaside city of Portsmouth? From London, it is a hassle free train ride to Portsmouth. The train takes you right to the water’s edge. Or, if you are coming from France or Spain, it is very convenient to arrive by sea. Once you get to your bed and breakfast, you can travel to popular destinations using the city buses, which are easy to navigate. Also, there are very few hills in Portsmouth, making it an ideal city to explore by walking or cycling. Finally, there is also a brand new Park and Ride Service in the city.

During your visit to Portsmouth, stay at a quaint little bed and breakfast, or rent a guest house. There are many great accommodations in Portsmouth, and you can even find a beachside bed and breakfast!

While staying at your guest house in Portsmouth, it is only a short trip to Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyards. Visit the Royal Naval Museum, and learn about some of the world’s most famous warships. The Dockyards were named as the ‘Family Attraction of the Year’ by the Good Britain Guide. The Dockyards are right next to Portsmouth’s newest landmark, the Spinnaker Tower. The Tower offers incredible views of the city, an open air deck, and three glass bottomed platforms that are not for the vertigo impaired.

While staying at your Portsmouth bed and breakfast, you should also check out the Blue Reef Aquarium, which is home to seahorses, puffer fish, lots of coral reefs filled with colourful fish, and an underwater tunnel. The Aquarium has an ongoing variety of fun events. For instance, one month you can learn more about the octopus during Suckers Weekend. Another month, learn about predators such as stingrays, stone fish, sharks, and piranhas. The Blue Reef Aquarium is a great destination for families!

From your guest house or B&B in town, it is not a long trip to Southsea Castle. The castle was built in 1544 during the reign of Henry VIII. Now the castle is host to public parties and other events, and there are rumours and tales of castle hauntings.

And of course, while you are staying at your Portsmouth B & B, don’t forget to visit the beach! The Portsmouth beach is long and wide, and there are two main play areas along the shoreline that are designed especially for children. There is also a Southsea Skatepark, perfect for in-line skating, skate boarding, and BMX biking. There are also places to play cricket, tennis, and crazy golf along the seafront.

Planning on going shopping while staying at your guest house or B & B? Head to the Gunwharf Quays! Located right next to the marina, the Quays have 95 designer outlets, a bowling centre, a comedy club, a cinema, and even a dance club!

When you need the fun and relaxation that the sun and sea can offer, just take a trip to Portsmouth, where there are a ton of great activities to suit any taste!

Guest House Rooms in Glasgow

June 3rd, 2009
Guest House Glasgow
Guest House Glasgow

At the very heart of Scotland is its most populated and one of its busiest cities, Glasgow. With diverse cultural activities throughout the year, top-notch shopping opportunities and just the overall welcoming feeling every pub has to offer, Glasgow has become one of the most popular vacation destinations in all of the United Kingdom.

Tourists are keen to locate a charming guest house or B&B in the middle of Glasgow and spend a week or more exploring the city’s many charms. Running through the city is the lovely River Clyde, which has much to do with its development and growth over the years as it allowed Glasgow to be a center for shipbuilding and steel mills. Tourism is now a major industry in the city, as well as printing, textiles, higher education and communications. Running a decent bed & breakfast in Glasgow is a lucrative business.

One of the biggest tourist draws to Glasgow is the breathtaking architecture found throughout the area. While the Medieval buildings are all but gone, a few remain which draw in big crowds every year. Provand’s Lordship, located across the street from the remarkable Glasgow Cathedral, is the oldest remaining house in Glasgow dating back to the 15th century. St. Mungo’s Cathedral of the 13th century is also available for viewing. Actually it is the Victorian era that is most influential in Glasgow architecture. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow’s West End is a fine example.

Glasgow owes much of the city’s most fascinating architecture to the genius of native artist and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. To observe his fine designs, visit the Willow Tearooms or Queen’s Cross Church. There are indeed modern marvels as well, such as Sir Norman Foster’s unusual Clyde Auditorium known by natives as the “Armadillo” due to its odd layered design.

Glasgow offers guests much to do in and around the city centre. After settling into a B&B, visitors may start their vacation with a simple stroll about town to get a grasp of the general feel and atmosphere in Glasgow. Public transport in town makes travel easy and uncomplicated. You can travel by underground (which is probably the most popular and inexpensive way to get around), buses, taxis and by overland rail for more distant destinations.

All day passes can be purchased for buses allowing folks to make several stops. Bus stops can be easily located and buses are generally on time. If you do get lost, a taxi driver will be happy to get you back to your Bed & Breakfast. When hunger strikes, there are no shortages of fine restaurants, pubs and “carry-outs” to visit in and around town. Most pubs serve lunch and dinner as well.

In the city centre there are such marvelous places as George Square, where there are often activities underway. Christmas time is especially beautiful in George Square with brilliant decorations and lights, and there is often a lovely skating rink in the middle of the square where families come to celebrate the season. From this point in the square, tourists are in the middle of the major shopping area in Glasgow, having access to the busy streets of Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street.

For a little culture, guests can visit The Theatre Royal for some fine, Scottish performing arts, The King’s Theatre or the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. For the art lovers, the city has several popular galleries, including McLellan Galleries and the Gallery of Modern Art.

Glasgow has much to offer visitors from all over the world. Book yourself a guest house or find a lovely B&B and spend some time in this amazing city.

Guest House Rooms in Dublin

June 3rd, 2009

As both the capital city of and the largest city in Ireland, Dublin has a long and illustrious history which is clearly reflected in the architecture, culture and society of this bustling city. Located midway along the eastern coast of Ireland, Dublin is considered to be the fastest growing European city, and it is also a modern centre of the arts, education, economy and industry for Ireland.

Any visit to Dublin will reveal that the city is a careful juxtaposition of history and modernization, which is clearly evident in the architecture of this cosmopolitan city. From the plethora of museums located in ancient buildings, or the rich literary history preserved in smaller exhibits, to the fourth largest stadium in Europe which is home to many of the country’s professional sport teams, the city has blended old with new in a way that does homage to both. Let us not forget Dublin Castle, which is home to the heart of Dublin, and is open daily for tours.

Accessible via motorway, railway, sea port or airport, this city is the primary gateway to the rest of Ireland, and many visitors choose to use Dublin as a base while exploring the other parts of this country. With a variety of lodgings to choose from, be they humble
Bed & Breakfast or sleek modernized hotel, there is something for every discerning taste in Dublin. A quaint Guest House or small B & B should not be overlooked for it is at these establishments where you’ll experience the depth of Irish hospitality, and the personalized service available at Bed & Breakfasts can help point you toward the major shopping districts in the city, or toward the vibrant nightlife. Plus, sharing a pint with a fellow traveller in a Guest House is sure to reveal otherwise missed points of interest in the city or area.
Dublin is also a culinary center and many high end restaurants showcasing talented chefs are available. If ‘not so fancy’ is more your cup of tea, the area also delights in smaller pubs and taverns which cater more to the common man. A Guest House or Bed & Breakfast can also provide you with a superb meal consisting of local favorites and traditional dishes which should not be missed.

Also home to a variety of year-round festivals, Dublin is never still for long. Celebrations of their literary history, regattas, maritime festivals, soul music festivals and dance festivals are just a few of the revels planned during the year. But if this is too much activity for you, there is also a plethora of gardens and parks to enjoy, each with stunning examples of gardening and horticultural brilliance.

Regardless of the purpose of your visit be it business or pleasure, Dublin maintains its small town atmosphere despite being a bustling city. Perhaps it is in the personalized warmth from the locals you meet or the quaint B & B’s on a suburban corner, but whatever you do and wherever you go, Dublin will remain a jewel of a city.