As the capital of England, London has amazing sights and sounds to amaze all the family. The tower of London, Buckingham Palace, London Dungeons, Madame Tussauds, immersive shopping, and the London Eye are just some of the attractions for a London hotel city break.

Sounds impressive?  Well, I’ve been looking into this as something to do with my family and it’s not as expensive as you might think.  Especially if you go to London Pass to get your tickets into these places. (http://www.londonpass.com/) (and no, I don’t have any affiliation with London Pass, it’s just a service I’m considering on using as the prices seem fair and can get me into the places I want to get to.)

One thing I would recommend though, and that’s work out the length of time your going to be in London, against the cost of going to the places individually, or with a day pass, sometimes, if your only going to be a few hours each day in London doing the sightseeing bit, then it may be a better thing to do to just “pay as you go”

The extensive business district and many exhibition centres also play host to major events, the o2 arena enjoys huge rock bands concerts and with major airports such as Gatwick and Heathrow that have direct links in London City, there has never been a better to book your stay in London.

I’ve been looking on-line to get a nice hotel, but without having to spend a fortune to stay their and came across Roomguide, who have listed on their website “Our extensive range of hotels, bed and breakfasts, apartments and hostels in London will make any stay in this city a fantastic experience. Our roomguide.co.uk best rate guarantee ensures that your stay in London will be at the cheapest rate bookable anywhere on the Internet. We offer huge discounts, with up to 75% off London hotel breaks, will enable you to spend money on top attractions instead of your accommodation!”

Are you considering a visit to Germany? Why not visit the city of Cologne. It has a history which goes back to the Roman era. Located next to river Rhine and the fourth largest city in Germany it offers good a connection to the nearby cities of D?sseldorf and Bonn. Cologne is also linked with Amsterdam, Brussels, London and Paris by Thalys, ICE and Eurostar High Speed trains. The Frankfurt airport has a direct service to Cologne and is within one hour by ICE trains.

Cologne has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment and culture. The following places are certainly worth seeing:

The Gothic Cathedral, also known as the Dom, is the city’s most famous landmark and also a well known architectural monument in Germany. It is 144 metres long and 86 meters wide and has two spires that are 157 metres in height. Construction began in 1248 to house the relics of the Magi, the Dom was not completed until 1880. The completion of the cathedral was celebrated as a national event. Despite changing architectural styles through the centuries, the result is essentially Gothic. Situated in the centre of Cologne, from the top of the Dom’s south tower there are panoramic views across the city and surrounding area. Open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, except during religious services.

The most impressive attraction in the Roman-Germanic Museum is the 70 square metre Dionysos-Mosaik. The mosaic, once the floor of the main room of a large Roman villa dating from the third century, was discovered in 1941 during excavation work for an air-raid shelter. The Museum, which was opened in 1974 and is situated near the K?lner Dom, boasts a collection of prehistoric, ancient and medieval finds. The exhibitions give an insight into the daily life, beliefs and customs of long-forgotten cultures. An unusual feature is the collection of Roman glassware.

Cologne is the city of live music and concerts, with music from all periods from all over the world and in the most diverse stylistic schools and movements performed here every day. The powerfully pulsating heart of this Cologne music culture, is the philharmonic hall built in the cathedral mound, which seats 2000 people. Since its opening in 1986, it has become one of the leading international concert halls. The ‘Philharmonie’ concert hall has at least one performance scheduled for virtually every day of the year. Recitals range from chamber music to jazz, folk and pop, with a house policy of encouraging lesser-known, new and unusual music.

The city hall in Alter Markt (Old Square) dates from 1330 but has a tower from the 15th century and a Renaissance facade from the 16th century. Having been damaged during the Second World War, part of the 14th-century Renaissance building was rebuilt. Cologne artisans concentrated particularly on restoring the City Hall tower, and thanks to their donations the City Hall got restored properly. Statues of emperors, popes, poets and academics – and also of women’s rights campaigners – look down from the tower on the busy square below.

The Old Market lies in the heart of the old town. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, it hosts a variety of events all year round: home to the Christmas market during the festive season and the Medienburgerfestival in the summer, the Old Market is perhaps best known for the Carnival which begins here at 11.11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month. This is when Cologne goes completely crazy. During the Middle Ages, the Old Market was Cologne’s commercial centre, and the nearby butter market, fish market and hay market were some of its subsidiaries. Nowadays, it is simply a focal point for tourists who flock here to witness the comings and goings around the market fountain.

Thai massages are world renowned, and there is no better place to experience one than Thailand itself. Whilst Bangkok reigns with the largest amount of establishments that provide Thai massages from budget to high-end. With techniques and origins from over 2,500 years ago, Thai massages are one of the most sought after treatments throughout the world.

Thai massages draw their influence from ancient Indian ayurvedic traditions. There are numerous types of massages, each giving their own benefit. Massages can be done with aromatherapy oil, lotion or nothing at all. From triggering a memory, to help aiding you to sleep, recover from jetlag or to make your skin glow, Thai massages can be used to stimulate different aspects of your body.

Take for example the Thai facial massage that uses the fingers in an upward motion and circular strokes across the face. If done regularly, a Thai facial massage can reduce wrinkles and fine lines, and tone facial muscles. The Thai foot massage is perhaps one of the more popular massages that tourists get whilst in Thailand. According to traditional preaching’s it is said that each part of the body is linked to the foot. Feet are looked upon as the pillars of the human body, and hence much emphasis is placed on the feet. Either a massage will be done by hand, or by using a small wooden stick. Known to relieve pain and promote better posture, foot massages in Bangkok are famous! For one of the most traditional massages you can get in Bangkok, visit the Wat Po (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha).

To experience some of the best of Bangkok, why not try the Bangkok apartments by Compass Hospitality? These apartments in Bangkok provide all the modern conveniences coupled with exceptional service to ensure that their discerning guests have a memorable holiday. Compass Hospitality also features one of the most sought after spas in Bangkok called Ananda Spa that revives and restores mind, body and spirit.

I have stumbled upon this brilliant new website specialising in helping people who are dog loversand wanted to share it with everyone so that you don’t skip past it without a second thought. I take my dogs away with me and did when I went to Cornwall recently. I do travel a lot and I wanted to write about it here.
They put you in touch with the perfect dog friendly accommodation places to stay in the United Kingdom. You can easily look up the area that you want to holiday in and pick the accommodation type too. Guest House
There aren’t any pay per click adverts distracting you, the site is thought out well and laid out cleanly The pages can be easily printed for use later. As well as a detailed description and map of the area, each web pagehas details of the areas that you are allowed to take your dog. e.g. living areas.
Travel the easy way and be organised to boot. You want to be happy in the knowledge that when you get to your destination that there won’t be any unforseen problems relating to travel with your dog.
If you like what you are reading, then click on the link and see for yourself. Dog Friendly Accommodation.
If you are a Hotel, Guest House or Campsite, it is possible to add your own listing. The site has been up and running for two months and is still relatively new. As we speak the site ranks # 6 (and climbing) for “Dog Friendly Accommodation” in Yahoo! Click here for more Dog Friendly Accommodation information.

With a population in excess of 7,700,000 London holds few secrets. One spot, however, which has managed to remain secluded in the face of growing urban life – the population of Greater London grew by eight per cent between 1997 and 2007 – is the Watts Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, in Postman’s Park.
Although the city boasts a number of high profile monuments and memorials, chronicling or remembering those who perished through war or tragedy or setting in stone the recognition of worthy historical events, many, such as Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, pay tribute only to one person or one event.
Watts Memorial in Postman’s Park, conversely, offers visitors a spot of seclusion, serenity and sentiment in the heart of London’s busy Barbican district. Here, hidden from the bustle of nearby St Paul’s Cathedral and Canon Street, visitors will find an unassuming public park, dedicated to the lives of those lost in the heroic act of self-sacrifice.
Located near St Bartholomew’s Hospital, and between King Edward Street, Little Britain and Angel Street, Watts Memorial is situated on the convergence of graveyards from three local churches – St Botolph’s Aldersgate, Christ Church Greyfriars and St Leonard – ground that has been an ecclesiastical site for roughly 1000 years.
The idea for the Memorial was first conceived by Victorian artist and philanthropist George Fredrick Watts in 1887, during which year he wrote to the Times newspaper, suggesting a memorial project to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. His concept was to create a site dedicated to the memory of civilians who had heroically given their lives in an attempt to save others.
Watts, a renowned radical who had twice turned down a Baronetcy, was outspoken of his contempt for the wealthy upper classes. His memorial, instead, would honour the hard working, living poor of urban London. He had designs on like parks throughout England, but the site in London is the only one to have been brought to life.
Watts Memorial might never have been, however, as his pleas to the Times fell on deaf ears. Undeterred, he financed the project personally and designed a 50ft outdoor gallery, decorated with plaques in tribute to the brave lives of ordinary human beings.
Were it not for the tranquillity of the park itself, sided almost totally by brick buildings, with the rear of Botolph’s to the north east corner of the park, and populated by leafy gardens, the plaques themselves would provide plenty interest. Their intricate designs typify the Art Nouveau style popular with the Victorian era. Initially to be crafted by designer William De Morgan, Watts commissioned Doulton of Lambeth to cast the final plaques.
During his lifetime, Watts positioned 13 tiles, his wife, following his death, had 34 further tablets made and posted. The plaques commemorate the deaths of young and old through fire, drowning or other misdemeanour, such as Joseph Andrew Ford and John Clinton.
Recipient of one of the park’s tablets is Alice Ayers, whose name may seem somewhat familiar. In Patrick Marber’s Closer, the character of his stripper takes her name from the park, played in Mike Nicols’ cinematic adaptation by Natalie Portman.
While the park’s title remembers its creator, its common name – Postman’s Park – is in honour of its popularity with the staff at the long since gone nearby General Post Office; workers from which too, used to enjoy a quiet lunch in the park.
The tales of those remembered in Postman’s Park are a popular draw for well-informed tourists, but remain hidden to many Londoners, oblivious to its existence. With so many flights to London bringing tourists to the capital daily, you’ll be surprised to find this tranquil spot of calm, which is a great start for further sightseeing in the city centre.
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.

It is always good to carry a map with you when in an unknown city, and Berlin is no exception. But what maps should you get and where?

What’s special about Berlin is that if you know how to make good use of it’s public transportation and have a suitable map, you can easily get anywhere you want.

Berlin’s public transportation system includes two sophisticated train systems (U-Bahn and S-Bahn), many bus lines, and the Tram trains. No single map can show all relevant information about these, but a good map with the basic routes will usually be enough for a traveler.

There are tons of maps available, usually with streets on one side and the transportation system route on the other. You’d find them in books and travel guides, and in various shops and tourist information agencies. Some of the more decent maps are actually given for free, like those offered by the BVG service centers (BVG is the main operator of city transportation).

It’s better to find a good map of the city and mark the places you want to visit prior to your trip.

BVG offer an interactive map, which can be partially downloaded as a PDF file from here.

On my blog, Berlin O Philia, I offer a few other useful links to maps and other Berlin related resources.

The biggest city of Scandinavia and Denmark’s capital city Copenhagen is a popular tourist spot. It is very strategically located as it serves as an entrance to the Baltic Sea and has an distinguishing beauty.
You can easily explore the city by Car Hire Copenhagen. Navigating the entire city is easy with the freedom to visit all the tourist spots. There are impressive destinations within the city and on the periphery. With car hire Copenhagen you will have the best way for visiting all these great  spots. The fastest and the cheapest way to acquainting with the city is car hire Copenhagen.
There are different tourist sites in the city of Copenhagen. One of the main destinations is the famous Radhuspladsen which connects the old part of the city to the new one. It is frequented by pedestrians and cafes that have mushroomed to cover all parts of the street, it is also known as the Latin Quarter. This neighbourhood exudes the delight of this city and the well decorated stores combined with the beautiful restaurants and cafes will surely entice your taste buds.
The famous attraction that shopaholics should visit is the Striget Street. You are sure to be impressed by the richness of the architecture and the cultural heritage of the city. Tourists should see the 17th century observatory tower Rundetam, the Kultorvet plaza and Kongens Nytory. Tourist can enjoy the amazing canal area in the vicinity of Nyhavn. You can feast yourself at the magnificient restaurants and bars present there. The glorious Amalienborg palace is one of the most famous tourist  destinations  which holds the eminent home of the royal family for the past 200 years.
Tourists enjoy the severity and the extravagance locales offered by the city of Copenhagen. One of the popular spots to visit in Copenhagen is the gorgeous Tivoli gardens which is one of the oldest amusement parks of the world. The museums should not be given a miss as you will be enthralled by the exciting cultural heritage of the city. And, of course, you should see the little Mermaid statue which is linked to the city’s history. You can also visit beautiful ruins of the fort of Kastellet. The eclectic neighbourhoods, the tranquillity in the city, the exotic locales, and the great night life adds glamour to Copenhagen and it is a favourite tourist spot for thousands of people around the world. Copenhagen is a really amazing place to make your next holiday destination.

Disneyland is one of the most popular attractions that people from all over the world love going to. In fact, there are some that even travel halfway around the world just to get there. You can expect that not a day goes by that the park is empty.

Due to the number of people visiting the park, long lines are always expected. Disney’s management has devised a way to solve this problem.

The Resolution

Aurora Lillo Editor of the “Best Hotel Deals” website — http://www.BestHotelDeals.biz — pointed out;

“…To help reduce long lines for popular attractions, Disney launched an innovative system in 1999. This system is called the FastPass. From the first day it was used up until now, it has been very successful…”

This pass is available to everybody. You do not need to have a special ticket to get one. As long as you have a ticket to the park, then you are entitled to a FastPass. This pass is not to be bought. It is already included with your admission fee. If a stranger approaches you and tries to sell you a pass, decline it.

The Mechanics

If you see a FastPass Attraction, you will notice 2 clocks. One will inform you on how long the wait is for entrances. The other will tell you the time that you come back if you have a FastPass ticket already.

Basically, FastPass is a system that can reserve you a ride while you go do something else. In this way, you will not have to waste your magical park time waiting in long lines. Once you get a FastPass for a certain attraction, you can go to other attractions. You can shop. You can eat. Do whatever you want to do. You still get to see the attraction as long as you go back at the specified time.

How To Get A FastPass Ticket

At the entrance of an attraction, you can spot the FastPass machine for that attraction. Approach the FastPass machine and present your admission ticket. Insert the card to the card slot. Do not force the card inside. Your FastPass ticket will be out in no time!

What Is Written In Your FastPass?

On your FastPass ticket, you will see some encoded information. Take note of these important details. The ticket will indicate the time frame that you can go back to that attraction. That is the period of time that you can return for the ride/attraction.

Do not forget that there are some attractions that have a window of only 10-15 minutes, like the Little Mermaid Show and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. It is better for you to just wait or simply stay within the area, so that you will not be late when your window comes around.

What To Do When It’s Your Window Already

As soon as your FastPass window or time frame arrives, it is important that you go back to the attraction. Go to the FastPass holders line. Make sure that you have secured your ticket and have your FastPass ready. Show it to the Cast Member. While waiting in line, a Cast Member will actually get your FASTPASS ticket.

Important Things To Remember

There are some important things that you should remember when using FastPass. If you have a FastPass, this doesn’t entitle you to bring your crew with you. They will need to get a FastPass ticket too. Nevertheless, getting a FastPass ticket can be done by one person only, as long as they have the admission tickets for everyone in the group.

“…If you have a baby or a toddler that came into the park for free, there is no need to get them a FastPass. You cannot go FastPass Hopping to different attractions. All ticketing machines issuing the pass are linked together. A machine will not issue you another, if you have not used the previous pass that you just received for a different attraction…” added A. Lillo.

Further information about the cheapest rates on hotels all around the world by visiting; http://www.BestHotelRates.me

The famous Hajj is known as the largest annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is also known as the fifth pillar of Islam, a holy duty that much be carried out once in a lifetime by every Muslim who can afford to do so. Hajj can be simply defined as a tribute by the Muslim people pay to their god. The Hajj pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar used in other parts of the world.
The Hajj pilgrimage is primarily linked with the life of Islamic prophet Muhammad but the tradition of pilgrimage to Mecca is considered by Muslims to get back thousands of years to the time of Ibrahim. Every year thousands of Muslims from all parts of the world take part in Hajj pilgrimage to make their presence in front of Allah. During this pilgrimage, each person walks counter-clockwise seven times about the Ka’bah, the cube shaped building which acts as the Muslim direction of prayer, kisses the Black Stone in the corner of the Kaaba, runs back and forth between the hills of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah and throws stones in a sacrament Stoning of the Devil.
Pilgrims usually travel to Hajj in groups, as an expression of unity. Some tour operators have special packages for Muslims going to Mecca. Pilgrims can also opt for ship to perform Hajj.
There have many several incidents during the Hajj pilgrimage that have led to the loss of many hundreds of lives. Most of the incidents occurred during the stone pelting ritual during Hajj. During the 2006 Hajj pilgrimage on January 362 pilgrims died. After this incident, Saudi government has made several important improvements for pilgrims such as separate pathways for traveling to and from Al-Safa and Al-Marwa.
The British Hajj & Umrah Services is geared towards making this auspicious and spiritual Hajj journey of a lifetime a one that will Inshallah change your life for the better forever.