Terrific Travel Tips

The city of Carlisle is the largest of all settlements that you will find in Cumbria, England. Along with being the administrative centre for the city and the County of Cumbria, it also houses the main campus for the University of Cumbria. Carlisle vacations are ideal for those who would like to discover more about this historic city.

Actually getting to Carlisle could not be any easier. The main roads that links this city with not only the Southern part of England but also to Scotland are the M6 (for the South) and M74/A74 (takes you towards Glasgow and the Northern part of England). Especially in the busy morning and evening rush hours, it may pay you to leave the car at your hotel.

If you do not intend driving to the city then there are regular train services that come directly in to its railway station. Trains not only arrive from London, but also from Newcastle, Leeds and Glasgow. That said, the line from Glasgow actually travels through Dumfries on its journey.

Once you’ve reached the city for your vacation or business trip, you’ll find lots of things to see and do. One of the main attractions of Carlisle is the historic cathedral.

The castle has been situated at the Western end of the city on the Anglo Scottish border for more than 900 years. It has witnessed many conflicts and even been subject to the occasional siege. Today, these are but memories as you tour the dungeons, stairways and chambers. The legendary “Licking Stones” can be found in the dungeons. Legend has it that Jacobite prisoners were so thirsty that they would lick the stones in an effort to get some water to help keep them alive.

Carlisle cathedral dominates the city’s sky line and can be seen from almost anywhere in the city, which has been the case since it was founded in 1122 AD. The crypt’s decoration is exquisite. If you take the time to actually go into the crypy, you’ll be greeted by a display that covers over a thousand years of Christian history throughout Cumbria.

For those looking to liven up their visit to Carlisle, you should time your trip to coincide with one of the regular race meetings. Carlisle racecourse can be found just on the edge of the city. When the weather is with you, you’ll find the views of the surrounding countryside breathtaking. Carlisle racecourse is home to top class horseracing. These encompass the National Hunt season (which runs from September through to April) as well as the Flat season (from April until August).

Carlisle vacations are ideal for those who are looking for a quiet romantic time away with their partner. But they are also the place for families who are looking for a little adventure and fun during their Carlisle holiday.

Jamaica is one of the finest tourist destinations in the world and is certainly the finest one in the Caribbean. Jamaican beaches will absolutely amaze you, they are full of fun and they are second to none any where else in the world. All inclusive luxury Jamaica vacations are ideal, if what you are looking for, is to relax on a beach or one full of excitement then this destination is just right for you.

Negril beach is one of the most popular of all inclusive luxury Jamaica vacations. The beach here is world renown for its white chalky sand and its vast expanse, which spreads out over an are of seven miles. Tourists come to relax here during there vacation. Also there are many water sports available to you here as well.

Montego Bay is the second largest city of Jamaica. This city is famous for its shopping, also its the commercial center of Jamaica. If you would like to see some of the culture of this city, then go to the Gloucester Road and observe the lively activities there. As well, you will also be able to experience some of Jamaica’s rich historical past in this city.

Tourists always enjoy shopping here, because of the numerous tax free stores. The crafts market is also very popular with tourists, it is a sight you must not miss.

Ocho Rios is another picturesque place sited, which is sited on the north cost of Jamaica. There is a large amount of artifacts and locally hand made gifts available to you here. Ocho Rios is surrounded by lush vegetation and river falls in the mountains. The Dune’s River Falls once visited are never forgotten and will take your breath away. So never miss an opportunity of visiting the falls during all inclusive luxury Jamaica vacations.

The beach here if famous for the Fern Gully, this is spread over a five mile area. There are over 500 species of ferns and some extremely rare flowers for you to see here, this is a once in a life time experience, as these cannot be found outside this tropical forest. Also there are craft markets and duty free shops to visit as well.

All inclusive luxury Jamaica vacations offer the perfect opportunity for you to explore this truly amazing island and all the fun filled activities it has to offer. No wonder this destination is one of the most popular and visited in the world.

In 1963 while traveling in Jamaica, I found what was believed to be an authentic Greenhow Williamsburg 1770 sealed old glass bottle.  I actually agonized over the purchase for $30.00.  In 1972 while visiting Williamsburg, I discovered that whole antique glass bottles like this had never been found!  My bottle was presented and alas the curator, Noel Hume, stated that it was not old but rather a 1930s Williamsburg reproduction.  The good news was that at that time it was worth $60.  The color of the bottle was good.  The methods used to produce the bottle were right on.  It had an applied seal.  There was a broken pontil (a rough spot on the bottom where the glass blower broke the pipe away from the object) and the mold marks were polished when it was taken out of the mold.  But, the curator stated that the give away was that it just looked too good.  The bottle would most likely have been used and show wear from use or worse mis-treatment.

This is one of the clues for distinguishing old glass, antique glass from new.  Check the bottom of a piece to see if there are scratches.  Expect to see wear where it makes sense.  The bottom of a bottle would show scratches where it was slid over tabletops.  These marks should not be uniform but rather random in depth, direction, width and length.  Parallel lines or concentric circles would be suspect.  Sandpaper can be used to simulate wear marks.

Reproductions are often made from original molds and museums often offer reproductions for sale.  Checking museum catalogs is a good way to see what is currently being offered and thus not old.  Reproductions from such sources may be marked or tagged but the mark may be with an easily removed paper label and the tag may have been discarded.  And, don’t forget to check out places like Cracker Barrel to see what is new.  You will often see colors in new glass offerings that you will never see in older glass.

Logan Adams is a Certified Personal Property Appraiser and the Owner of The Specialists of the South in Panama City Florida. She is an old glass collector and specializes in antique glass bottles.

Amsterdam got its name when a dam was built on the River Amstel during the thirteenth century. Popular belief is that The Hague is the capital city of The Netherlands when in reality it is Amsterdam.

The City has earned an enviable reputation as the ideal city break location, although with so much to see and do, a weekend might not be long enough to justify the trip. With such a huge variety of prices, there are Amsterdam hotels to fit any taste or pocket. An enjoyable way to explore the Amsterdam experience is to take a boat trip along the canals. There are four main canals and 1,281 bridges and many cruise companies who provide all sorts of themed trips along what is the city’s intricate water system. Many water excursions are available throughout the year. As a suggestion, set by a day to explore Amsterdam’s museums and board the museum boat where you will be transported in style to a selection of the popular museums. One stop is that of Rembrandts Museum at the Jodenbreestraat. Here you will marvel in disbelief at the full collection of 250 etchings and a number of drawings and sketches by the famed Dutch master Rembrandt. Apart from Rembrandt’s house, your boat will take you over to the Anne Frank House. The house is now a museum, but was originally the home of the Frank family. Fearing capture by the invading German army, the entire family spent years in hiding. The daughter, Anne, wrote her engrossing diary during the 2 years of her concealment. The house (her home) has been saved by the Anne Frank Foundation and was opened as a museum in 1962.

The famed Rijksmuseum contains The Netherlands largest collection of art and history including dolls houses, Asian art, paintings and the history of Netherlands exhibition. The main exhibit at the museum is built around the famous works from the country’s fabulous Golden Age with artists such as Vermeer, Rembrandt and Steen.

If you are looking for an unforgettable art experience, located midway between the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum is that of the Van Gogh museum. A wonderfully detailed exhibition of Vincent Van Gogh’s life is exhibited within the confines of this landmark and you will see over 200 of his masterpieces. As well as his paintings are his hundreds of drawings as well as copious numbers of hand-written notes by the once greatly misunderstood painter. A must for fans of modern art, impressionist fans and fans of Holland!

The Amsterdam red light district is famous the World over. It can be found in the region around the Oude Kerk region where lots of the city’s most impressive buildings can be found. The Red Light area can be found running between Nieumakt Square and Warmoesstraat. Stag Nights are a popular event in the De Wallen area, particularly attracted there by the expectation of sex shops and window prostitution. The region is particularly interesting since it is where people are allowed to be themselves. It is a lively energetic place where you can find a huge variety of people, a perfect cup of coffee, a great choice of shops and lots of excellent places to eat.

Driving in the area of Amsterdam can be very pleasant. The roads are wide and modern and Amsterdam is an excellent centre for touring around the nearby regions and countries. Rates for Amsterdam car hire are very economical and you will make substantial savings by booking car hire online.

Dam Square is the place to return to time after time because it is a tourist meeting place generally and a great place to enjoy people watching and street entertainment while you sip a well-deserved cappuccino! There are so many tourist attractions in Amsterdam that visiting just a few of them could cost a family a small fortune. The City offers its treasured tourists the Amsterdam Card saving its users lots of Euros!. Introduced by the Amsterdam Tourist Board, the card entitles you to admission to all of the leading museums together with a free canal boat trip and reduced price vouchers to lots of shops and restaurants. In addition the Amsterdam Card entitles you to free travel throughout the city. You can obtain an Amsterdam Card for 24, 48 or 72 hours. The 24 hour version costs EUR 31 (GBP 25), 48 hours EUR 41 (GBP 33) or 72 hours EUR 51 (GBP 41) and is obtained from Tourist Information  (VVV).

In the centre of the frequently all too busy centre of the city can be found a peaceful pocket of green space nicknamed ‘the town’s pride and joy’. Amsterdam’s particularly beautiful botanical gardens, Hortus have been on this spot for over 400 years and are looked after with pride by its devoted keepers. A haven of tranquility for the times when city life gets a bit too overwhelming!

Should you find yourself in Amsterdam in August, you will love the bright ‘Gay Parade’. It takes place every year and consists of a procession of brightly painted and wildly decorated boats. Its a wonderful camera opportunity unmissable and is best savoured by watching from any of the bridges that cross the Prinsengracht Canal.

      Ok, so you’ve got the dress, you’ve mailed the invitations, you’ve booked a place and a caterer, and now you and your fiancé are thinking about the fun part – the honeymoon!  The first step is to think about your destination.  The next step is probably to choose your resort.  If you are particular about a certain resort, you may need to pick your lodging before your destination – or you might end up switching locations a couple of times.  Often though, trying a new accommodation with you mate is half the fun.  Play around with the choices and don’t forget to keep your options open.  Regardless of the destination decision your hotel accommodations will undoubtedly make a difference.  The following are just a few things to think about when making arrangements for that romantic getaway. 

      First, choose the location of your exciting and amore-filled vacation.  Do you see yourself sipping Pina Coladas on the beach? Do you want a secluded cabin on the top of a mountain?  Lounging on a cruise in the middle of the ocean?  Want to be seeing shows and playing slot machines in Las Vegas?  Regardless of your destination research the accommodations ahead of time.  Another important thing to think about is budget.  You don’t want to blow all your cash on the room then have to skimp and save on other fun stuff – like shopping and eating!     

      One way to start focusing on how much you can spend is to create a budget worksheet to help estimate your expenses.  Figure out where you want to go and how many nights you will be able to stay in that location.  How much you can spend per night on the hotel costs alone is another important factor.  If you choose an all-inclusive resort, or cruise line, you can cut the food expense out and increase your hotel rate to even out the costs. Another initial cost when deciding on your lodging accommodations is what type of hotel room do you want?  Are you expecting the Penthouse Suite or content with a regular room with a queen sized bed?  The little details that are important to you make the difference in a once in a life honeymoon. 

      Once you’ve got these initial questions answered, start hunting for the resort that fits your style.  When you finally decide on the one hotel that matches your taste, or a few hotels for those of you who want to hop around, start booking them.  Remember to try to book as soon as possible.  If you have your heart set on one resort and have done a lot of research to find it, you definitely don’t want to be let down by finding that is already sold out.  Regardless of the destination, your honeymoon is bound to get you skipping down the road of life together with a sentimental start.  

Read more on Winter Honeymoon Destinations and Romantic Honeymoons at The Wedding Blogger.

Interesting Things About France

Beaches, skiing on the Alps, and vineyards are just a sample of what groups of people are attracted from this country. France is a country which draws more tourists than any other country. It is easy to see why this is the case given France’s great reputation for fine wines, good food, high fashion and relaxed lifestyle. But while a city like Reims France, is undoubtedly a place to eat and drink till your heart is content, there’s much more to this fascinating country than only cutting-edge cuisines. Spring is known as the ideal time to visit, and others with flair for winter fun can slide at the Alps with their gear. The summers are very hot and winters are moderate. An all-weather coat and pair of comfortable shoes are a must. Women, especially, should carry cocktail dresses as some of the restaurants ask for it. Try not to wear sleaveless shirts when visiting religious locations as it is not respected in such places. 

Culture

English is widely spoken here, although French is the official language. Handshaking is customary greeting and women should be kissed on both cheeks and should be addressed as Monsieur or Madame. French people are popularly known for their like for stylish sportswear
and can’t forget the perfumes. Nudism is allowed on some beaches only. Social functions, fine restaurants, and clubs call for more formal dressing. When at a formal dinner, wait till the host gestures to start the dinner. Smoking is banned in public places.

Site Seeing

Paris, the city of love, is a massive city with many attractions in reachable distance thanks to the
highly efficient public transport system. There are 200 art galleries and more than 80 museums. A trip to Disney land and the magnificent Eiffel tower will make the trip worthwhile.

The attractive tourists spots are the Arc de triomphe which spans over the tomb of an
unknown soldier, the forbidding gothic architecture of the Notre Dame cathedral, the picturesque
Sacre Coeur, to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Moulin Rouge and boat tours along the
Seine. Get the Carte Musees-Monuments pass, which gives access to 70 monuments and
museums.

Shopping

Although service tax is included in the bill, a humble tip won’t cost much. An extra dollar can be given as tip to the waiter. A tip of $2 can be left for the bus drivers.

Electricity

220-volt, 50-cycle AC current.

Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Air France. Airlines that are inexpensive provide services from within the UK. Paris-Charles de Gaulle also known as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle is the major airport of France, which is 23km away from the city. The airport provides services such as, taxis, limos, and coaches. The railway facility provided by the airport, claims to reach all the terminals within eight minutes. These trains run 24 hours. The other airports that offer flight services are Paris-Orly, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse.

Ports such as Havre, Atlantic, Mediterranean, and North Sea, are known for their building of cruise ships.

Duty Free Items

1. 250g of tobacco or 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
2. 1liter of spirits over 22 per cent or 2liter of alcoholic beverage up to 22 per cent
3. 2liter of wine
4. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract
6. 40g of tea extract or 100g of tea

Since it’s a gateway into the Costa Blanca, Alicante is an excellent centre for touring. Having a pleasing mixture of old and modern day traditions and culture, Alicante is found within the popular holiday area of the Costa Blanca. Alicante’s visitors will enjoy sunny and warm climate, a selection of the finest beaches Spain has to offer as well as some great examples of Moorish architecture.

Found on the Spanish coastline between the resorts of Benidorm and Elche, The city sits in the shadow of its mountain-topped castle. Alicante and the surrounding areas are peppered with churches with the most recognised of all of them being the Iglesia de Santa Maria. This is the oldest church in the city and was built between the 14th and 16th centuries being at one time a mosque. The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas was constructed in the 17th century to honour Alicante’s patron saint and is thus one of the most important buildings for miles around.

Alicante has lots of ancient buildings to please sightseers and historians alike and can be found all around the area with columns and statues adding interest to lots of a once uninspiring site. Keeping a sharp watch out to Alicante Bay, the Castillo de Santa Barbara is known as one of the biggest medieval fortresses throughout Europe. Readily accessed by car or by elevator (lift) from the Paseo Maritimo, the castle has incredible vistas of the stunning local area. Apart from the excitement the Castillo offers, Alicante has further ancient treasures in the form of the Provincial Gallery, once the Gavina Palace, as well as its nineteenth century bullring. All of the Alicante attractions are easily accessible with the help of an Alicante Airport rental car. Booking your car hire online would be expected to produce big savings together with guaranteeing that your requested vehicle is guaranteed to be available upon your arrival at the airport.

Alicante is the perfect venue to come to enjoy your self and the main reason holidaymakers return every year. With such a huge range of accomodation available, there are plenty of value for money Alicante hotels to suit all pockets and tastes. The beaches here have the most golden sand and consist of both accessible as well as secluded bays ideal for private sunbathing. Drive over to Albufereta Beach where there is outstanding range of water sports. It is a peaceful place that is relatively undiscovered by the majority of tourists.

The Playa del Postiguet is the perfect location for an evening stroll. You will join the locals along this enchanting seaside walk - it’s a perfect location for bringing the day to a close. Formerly known as the Port serving Madrid, Alicante Harbour combines fishing and sailing and is the perfect place to come for the top fish restaurants in town. Alicante harbour provides an ideal venue for activity day and night. Here is where visitors come to eat incredibly delicious, fresh seafood, learn sailing and end the day with a spot of clubbing into the small hours.

Nobody enjoys a celebration as much as the locals and visitors of Alicante! Here you will find a celebration of one type or another happening much of the year, no matter when you decide to visit. One of the more sombre of festivals in the Costa Blanca is that of the Easter Procession. Dressed in black and carrying candles, a model of Jesus is carried on a cross through the streets. Each November, in remembrance of the Patron Saint Crist del Bon Encert, every town has an individual fiesta. Don’t be surprised to find that shops are closed all day, every day as everything stops for this wonderful event of singing, dancing and firework displays. On a less religious note, one of the most well known local festivals is the International Puppet Festival.

Medan City

Medan is the third biggest city in Indonesia. Located in North-Sumatra of Indonesia with a population of 2.5 millions residents. It is said that during day time, the population of Medan City will grow to about 4 millions with people coming from suburbs.

The unique thing about Medan is that, it resides the largest volcanic lake in world known as Lake Toba which is twice the size of it neighboring country of Singapore.

History of Medan Indonesia

Medan started as a village called Kampung Medan (Medan Village). Kampung Medan was founded by Guru Patimpus around the 1590s. Because Medan Village sits on Tanah Deli (Land of Deli), Kampung Medan is also referred as Medan-Deli. The original location of Kampung Medan is an area where the Babura River meets Deli River.

Based on the diary of the Portuguese merchant in early 16th century, it stated that the name of Medan was actually derived from Medina which is actually a holy city in the western of Saudi Arabia. However, other source indicated that the name of Medan actually came from Indian language “Meiden”. One of the Karo-Indonesia dictionary written by Darwin Prinst SH published in 2002 wrote that Medan could also be defined as “recover” or “be better”.

The first inhabitants of Kota Medan came from the Batak Karo community. It was not until the Sultan of Aceh, Sultan Iskandar Muda, sent his warlord, Gocah Pahlawan Laksamana Khoja Bintan, to be the Sultanate of Aceh’s representative in Tanah Deli, that the Sultanate of Deli started to grow. This growth enhanced growth in both the population and culture of Medan. In the second year reign of Sultan Deli (between 1669-1698), there was a cavalry battle in Medan.

Medan did not experience huge improvement until the 1860s, when the Dutch colonialists began clearing the land for tobacco plantations. Medan quickly became a center of government & commercial activity, dominating development of Indonesia’s western region.

The Dutch governed Tanah Deli from 1658, after Sultan Ismail, ruler of the Kingdom of Siak Sri Indrapura, yielded some of his once-ruled land, Deli, Langkat, and Serdang. In 1915 Medan officially became the capital of North Sumatra Province, and officially a city in 1918.

With the largest volcanic lake in the world, Medan Lake Toba is city worth visiting for your vacation spots in Asia Indonesia

Visit www.MedanKu.com for more information about Hotels in Medan

Download Medan city guide, budget travel guide and see more pictures and videos of Medan Indonesia.

Aberdeen gives us a wealth of breathtaking scenery from an unspoilt harbour on the eastern side to the majestic Grampian Mountains in the west. With so many places to visit, it’s a good idea to rent a car from Aberdeen Airport. Being the 3rd largest city in Scotland, expect Aberdeen to have a diversity of attractions from theatre, cinema etc to old historical sites and endless shopping possibilities. The region of Aberdeen and the Grampians is responsible for that mad drawer of crowds and whisky lovers, the Malt Whisky Trail. When you have recovered from imbibing the malts of eight distilleries, then it’s time to explore the Castle Trail amidst the breathtaking views of this amazing region. There is a whole host of activities including fishing, golf, skiing, whisky tasting and lots more on offer here in Aberdeen and the Grampians.

Don’t be surprised to find some form of festival or gala to be taking place while in the city. Tourists and locals regularly meet to celebrate the region’s past with traditional entertainment and events such as the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games. Locally known as the “Friendly Games” the event are held annually on the fourth Saturday of August at Strathdon in Aberdeenshire. Other events to check out when visiting Aberdeen include, the Braemar Telemark Festival  (March), the Aberdeen Jazz Festival (March), the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (April-May), the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (June), Tartan Day, The Wickerman and the Stonehaven Fireball Festival. The Stonehaven festival is one of few remnants of an east coast fire festival traditionally held to welcome in the New Year.You will find a huge selection of luxury Aberdeen hotels

The new part of Aberdeen known as the “Granite City” offers wonderful granite buildings and endless supplies of the finest restaurants, the best shops and a very lively ‘what’s on’ listing whatever time of the year you arrive. Coincidentally, if the city has such a wealth of riches, why are its own people considered internationally well travelled? Why would they ever want to leave this marvellous city? They say that you never to appreciate what is already yours but the truth is that Aberdonians can look more forward to coming home more than most of us. Who could blame them? Everything is here! A generally cool and dry climate, sandy beaches, the Lemon Tree (Aberdeen’s own long-running Festival Fringe), pretty streets, warm friendly people, fishing villages worthy of a place on a postcard and Union Street where you find a whole host of shops, as well as 3 shopping malls!

Aberdeen is often known as the “City of Roses” with very good reason. A popular landmark and attraction in these parts is that of Duthie Park’s Rose Hill with over 12,000 different brilliant varieties and types of Rose.

The Old Town district of Aberdeen has a nostalgic air about it. The area known as Old Aberdeen is a preserved site, which was once a single burgh. Here you will encounter its cobbled high street with Aberdeen Art Gallery, Provost Ross’s House, the harbour and many other attractions within a few hundred yards of one another. Don’t miss a chance to visit Aberdeen University’s ancient King’s College with its 15th century chapel and fixtures.

Whilst in Aberdeen a lot of visitors are interested in the relationship between the city and North Sea. For many years North Sea oil reserves have fueled the growth and prosperity as well as devastating losses of life in the region. Visitors can pay their respects at the Piper Alpha Memorial, a rose garden situated in Hazelhead Park dedicated to the memory of the 167 oil workers lost to the North Sea in the tragedy of 1988. If you would like to find out more about oil exploration in the North Sea, the 5 Star Maritime Museum found on the Shiprow, provides exhibitions on the fascinating subject well as an in depth insight to earlier (but equally as dangerous) forms of fishing and shipping in the region.

Take a map and the area around Aberdeen and the Grampians seems to be very compact. This is deceiving.  In reality, there is a vast acreage of ground to explore with plenty of attractions at every corner and much will be missed if limited to public transport. Cycling out in the countryside around Aberdeen is amazing and highly recommended for all able-bodied souls. For the rest of us,  swapping two wheels for four and exploring the glorious surrounding from behind the wheel of  a hire car from Aberdeen Airport has many attractions. For those fresh air lovers hiking is a great way to explore these amazing landscapes “off the beaten track”.

The Grampian Highlands

Hiking is probably the foremost activity of the Grampians with vast areas to explore and virgin landscapes only ever experienced on foot. Hikers will experience a diverse landscape challenge from the exposed coast to the heights of the Grampian and Cairngorm mountains. If you are looking for an active pursuits holiday this Grampians corner of Scotland will be the ideal solution! The possibilities are generous from water-sports to gliding and horse riding to cycling. Off road driving is also on offer as well as hiking Scotland’s official Long Distance footpaths.

Make your way to Balmoral and instantly discover why Queen Victoria memorably called this magical location her “Paradise”. Constructed as a royal holiday destination, it is now enjoyed by a vast number of (non-royal) guests for its world famous sporting activities such as fly fishing in the River Dee and cycle races across the Royal estate.

Over at the coast there are some excellent facilities for water sports. A popular event is that of the annual sailing race to Stavanger and back. The marina at Peterhead is extremely popular with visiting yachtsmen whilst sailing enthusiasts make for Findhorn at Moray Firth.

The capital city of England is London, which is as famous for its shopping as it is for its history and culture. Tens of thousands travel from all around the globe to experience the incredible stores and markets.

Covent Garden has become known for its unusual and specialist shops, and has become a very hip place to be seen. There are a number of excellent restaurants in Covent Garden not just excellent shops. Until 1980 the Covent Garden market had many stalls selling flowers, vegetables and fruit its roots can be traced to the middle ages.

Camden Market is now one of the most popular places to visit in London. There has been a markets here in Camden for a long time, but in its present status only since 1974. The market is actually a group of adjoining markets selling wares of most things one could possibly think of.

The Kings Road is known as Chelsea’s high street, and one of the most chic and stylish streets to shop in London. Back in the 1970s the Kings Road was closely associated with ‘Punks’, who proved to be an attraction in London themselves. However, the Kings Road is more subdued these days and no longer just a haunt of the followers of the anti-fashion era.

Sloane Street is a street in London which runs north to south, and takes its name from Sir Hans Sloane, who purchased the surrounding area in 1712. Sloane Street has has, for a long time, been a fashionable shopping district, but is probably just as well known for lending it name to the ‘Sloane Rangers’ in the 1990s. The name Sloane Ranger was applied to the stereotypical young upper class English ladies seen in the area during this time. (One famous woman often referred to as a Sloane Ranger was Lady Diana Spencer)

Harrods department store in Knightsbridge is the worlds largest department store standing on 18,000 m2. The motto of Harrods department store is “all things for all people, everywhere” or ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’. A very exclusive and luxurious department store, Harrods is famous the world over for its food hall and its toy department.

Another famous London department store is Selfridges in Oxford Street. In 1909 and american businessman called Gordon Selfridge opened the doors of his London shop to the public which is simply known as “Selfridges”. When it opened Selfridges set new standards for the retailing business. The reason being that each of the floors were designed so that the shopper was able to access the goods on sale more easily.

The shops in London are as diverse as its culture and no matter how bizarre ones shopping requirements, it can be found in London. Whether you like to shop in department stores or prefer to rummage through the markets, London has it all.

If you are planning a shopping trip to London you will find plently of cheap London hotels listed at www.londonhotelhelper.com