northumberlandNorthumberland Tourism has identified a unique way to link it’s burgeoning creative arts sector to it’s every growing tourism offering. The Made in Northumberland Project (MiN) aims to encourage networking between local artists and the regions visitor attractions and accommodation providers. It is hoped that the project will allow visitors to experience & learn new art and craft skills for themselves and also be able to support local artists by making their work more easily available to purchase.

It looks as if Northumberland Tourism have spotted a growing trend at just the right time. Recent data from the market research organisation Mintel shows that 24% of tourists are now keen to learn a new skill on holiday. Based on current figures for visits to Northumberland this could equate to 2 million visitors looking for a unique learning experience whilst away from home.

The MiN project should allow Northumberland Accommodation providers to develop more craft based holiday options with local artists offering courses in skills such as pot-throwing & glasswork. These enhanced experiences add value and a unique spin to a providers holiday offering, helping them to stand out from the crowd. Whilst the artist also benefits from additional funding and increased exposure.

A series of workshops have been organised by MiN at three major visitor attractions during November. These workshops will explain how creative holidays can be arranged and will demonstrate what holiday makers can expect to gain from the experience. Those involved in local tourism will have the chance to sample the products and experiences for themselves which will help them to understand how best to market them to potential visitors.

In addition the work of local artists will be on display. It is hoped that more local artwork can be put into shops as MiN has identified a real hunger from visitors for genuine local souvenirs rather than the mass produced tourist tat that is prevalent in so many tourist resorts. For visitors that choose to stay in Northumberland Cottages the desire to get a real taste of local life is often very strong on their list of holiday expectations. Being able to take home a little slice of local culture gives them a memento they will enjoy for years to come.

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admin on August 27th, 2009

londonIt could be a hard decision as to where to spend your apparently brief vacation. It would be good if you got to work for just three weeks and get your holiday for the rest of the year, but the excruciating fact is that it’s vice versa. This is how come it’s so significant to know where it is where you really would like to go, and what is it that you might see and do when you arrive there.

England is a must if you’re to expend your vacations in the United Kingdom. It’s a country abundant in culture and fine architecture. With historical landmarks such as the Stonehenge, the Clock Tower, British Parliament, Roman Baths, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace, it appears as though you would have to set apart a whole digital cam memory card for England itself. Here, you would as well get to see the stoic guards at Buckingham Palace that won’t seem to move regardless what you do.

England Vacation Rentals are in huge supply so you won’t have a problem obtaining a good place to stay. If ever your U.K. holidays were to fall into the month of August, then it would be a big error to leave out the world’s most happening festival. It carries the record of being the world’s biggest arts festivals. The term Edinburgh festival is in reality an aggregation of a number of festivals that occur in August at the same place.

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admin on August 10th, 2009

sim11If you are tired of paying exorbitant rates for staying connected over your cell phone while travelling abroad, here are good times for you. With an International Sim Card, you can save up to about fifty to seventy percent of your cell phone roaming bill that you used to pay before. This is real bonanza for frequent travellers.

There are many reasons why you should go for an international sim card. The international sim card providers cover most of the destinations all over the world. With destination specific international sim card, the first advantage is you get a local number of the country you wish to visit. Secondly, with a local number, the incoming call is free in most of the countries. Further, the billing is in simple itemised form and in your own currency. The best thing is, the delivery of your international sim card is done at your door step before you start travelling. GPRS is pre activated on the international sim card, so that you can stay connected over internet as well and the charges for the same are also reasonable.

So, wherever you are, the world is going to be even smaller with a international sim card.

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admin on August 5th, 2009

family4With the current recession that the world is facing globally, taking  small and inexpensive Family Holidays are a better idea than taking none. And, you and your family would love the tourist attractions that France has to offer. Not only this, these holiday packages are especially catered to take care of the children and offer them engaging activities in the kids club so that you and your spouse can spend some quality time together. Not only this, these kids clubs enhance the overall personality of your children by helping them meet and spend time with children of same age groups, learn new things and play games, and even get introduced to a foreign language, French.

Not only this, when on family Holiday you can also rent a car and explore the various scenic locations in France. You can even visit some of the exclusive wineries of the country or indulge in water skiing or banana boating by renting a boat.

With a large spectrum of accommodation available these family holidays fit well within your budget. Therefore, you can choose from a campsite that is not only comfortable and safe, but is also largely popular with British, German, French and other tourists.  What’s more, you can enjoy activities like playing golf in France too. Therefore undoubtedly France is a popular Family Tourist destination spot liked by one and all.

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baltic4When you’re planning a vacation, wouldn’t it be great to be able to first hand knowledge of the place that you want to visit? But, it’s very rare to know someone that has been to the vacation destination of your choice that you can talk to.

When you talk to a professional travel agent at the Baltic Travel Company, you are talking to someone with personal knowledge of the destinations that they offer. The company has taken the time to personally check out the accommodations, restaurants, attractions and activities and that knowledge can be invaluable.

By getting first hand advice on your vacation plans, you won’t have to waste any of your vacation time on trying to choose the right place to stay or eat. When a staff member makes a recommendation, you can be sure that you won’t be disappointed.

When you arrive, you will find that your accommodations are exactly as described. And, when you visit a restaurant, you can be sure that you will truly enjoy your meal. Each and every employee of the Baltic Travel Company will always strive to make you vacation everything that you expect it to be.

Baltic Travel goes one step beyond the services of most other travel companies to make sure that every client is completely satisfied. They pay close attention to even the smallest details of your holiday. And, will even help you with finding other services that you need such as car rentals.

Even after you’ve arrived at your destination, their expert agents are always glad to help with any other questions or advice that you may have. Very few travel companies are as eager to please as Baltic Travel. And, very few agents offer the close, personal attention that their staff members provide.

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villa5There’s just no better option than spending your time away from home in one of the many beautiful homes that Palmer and Parker offers. They’ve been providing high quality vacation villas since 1971 and have villas listed in some of the most desirable travel destinations.

The experienced staff at Palmer and Parker can help you choose the perfect villa for you and your family. And, the have accommodations listed for anything from a couple to a large family or an entire group. For really large events such as a wedding, they offer chateaus that can entertain close to 100 people and sleep as many as 46 guests.

The privately owned villas have all of the conveniences of home and more. They’re all furnished with everything that you’ll need to make your stay comfortable and even have lots of extras for your enjoyment. Each home will be unique in it’s own way, reflecting the personal style and tastes of the owner.

The kitchens are fully furnished from cookware to silverware and the included maid service will keep the villa cleaned for you. You’ll have all the amenities of a hotel without all the crowds and you’ll never need to worry about finding all the privacy you want.

One of the most popular advantages in renting a vacation villa from Palmer and Parker is that you’ll even have your own private pool. Unlike a hotel pool that you’re sharing with every other guest there, you’ll have the whole pool all to yourself all of the time.

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admin on March 27th, 2009

hostelHostels are something that backpackers are very familiar with, as they are the ones who make up the guest list of these establishments.  If you decide to travel around the world with your possessions strapped on the back and you are hoping for an acceptable place for you to rest your head after a full day of walking, then you should be able to find these pointers useful.

Hostels are intended for people who are looking for budget friendly accommodations who do not mind diminished privacy.  You should determine whether or not you are comfortable sleeping in a bunk bed surrounded by strangers with different sleeping habits and social attitude.  If you are not comfortable sharing a place with people you do not know, perhaps you should reconsider staying elsewhere.

Dining in hostels may not be a very delectable experience but there are some which serve really good food for a very reasonable price.  Some even has menus that accommodate special requests for certain dishes, subject of course to the availability of the necessary ingredients.  The key is to scout for the best hostel in the area.  It is a common misconception that staying in hostels should be an impulsive move. Before the actual travel, you should plan ahead as to which hostel you are to stay in.  Make a list of all the possible places you may end up in and look at which hostels are acceptable to you.  Remember to keep your standards low because these places are not meant for those looking for comfort and grandeur.  Set reasonable expectations and be prepared to adjust anytime to make your travel more enjoyable sans stress.

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admin on March 7th, 2009

packingWhen travelling whether for business or vacation, you have to have your belongings packed properly. You wouldn’t want to wear wrinkled up clothes during business meetings or sight seeing.  Having gooey stuff splattered all over your belongings could easily take hours to clean up. It could even leave indelible marks on your clothes. So here are some tips that are commonly used by experienced travellers.

In packing your clothes, use the rolling method. Neatly folding them, as you would usually do in putting in your closet, will not guarantee a wrinkle-free get-up. For shirts, lay each item down, fold back the sleeves, and then roll it. For pants, lay half of one pair on top of another, then carefully roll them up together. Rolling your clothes would less likely to leave crease in them.

Plastic zipper bags are essential in keeping your clothes from getting soiled. Use it for your toiletries. In case one of toiletries breaks or leaks, you are able to isolate the mess in just one container. Vitamins and other medications should be in a separate zipper bag.  If you don’t have a shoe bag, you can use a large zipper bag instead. Crumple a newspaper and put it inside each shoe before bagging it, this method will prevent them from getting deformed.

Most importantly, take time in packing. Do not pack at the last minute. Make a check list as much as possible. Packing is a chore that requires planning and foresight. Taking time to do this will guarantee a hassle-free travel, if not preclude the possibility of leaving behind any of your travel essentials.

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admin on February 18th, 2009

eiffelEveryone’s dream vacation is a European tour. Europe is the ultimate travel destination. There are lots of sights to visit, most of which are historically significant and easily accessible. You can take a leisurely walk, dine al fresco or sit in the park while enjoying the sight and sound of the city. Get to experience world famous events such as bull fighting.

Visiting any European country promises a full itinerary. You can drive around Barcelona, Milan or Paris and be in awe with the different works of art scattered all over the place — sculptures by the masters and modern architecture. Historical structures are also admiringly preserved.

You can immerse yourself in the continent’s rich culture one day, and enjoy the breathtaking beaches the next. If shopping is your therapy, then visit Europe. It is the cradle of fashion civilization. The people here breathe and speak fashion.

Maximize your vacation and grab the opportunity of educating yourself further. Visit as much museums as you can. This is where the most rare art collections are housed. If you are spiritual, you can visit Rome or Lourdes. Although these places are cramped with tourists, you will never feel that your belief is being commercialized.

You can never feel guilty splurging while vacationing in Europe. But having a tight budget is still no excuse for not enjoying the continent. Public transportation is cheap and back packing is a common occurrence. Accommodations are also traveller friendly. There are all kind of hotels that cater to back packers, socialites, group tourists, and family vacationers.

Do not deprive yourself of your dream vacation, visit Europe while you can.

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admin on January 17th, 2009

travelAmidst the global economic crisis, travelling in style is still a thriving industry. Clienteles are mostly celebrities, jet setters and businessmen who prefer to travel in luxurious comfort. They are the ones who can afford the expensively sophisticated way of travelling. Luxury travel is for the people who want their travelling experience to be the best.

The luxury travel industry offers sublime accommodation and personalized service. Private jet is the most common mode of transportation. It has top of the range facilities, first class engines and spacious cabin designed with the passengers’ utmost comfort in mind. The sophisticated taste of this industry’s clienteles extend not only to the mode of transportation but to the comfort of travelling as well.

The exorbitant price of travelling in style is always well compensated with sublime service. Champagne, wine and even caviar are served on board. On board personnel are trained differently.

For businessmen, private jet is more of a necessity rather than an option. They usually work during flights, and privacy and technology is essential to them. They also save time by passing through a different airport security.

Luxury travelling can sometimes border on the ridiculous, considering the sky-high prices associated with basic services. But one shouldn’t feel guilty if he wants to travel in style. He opted for this mode of transportation because he can afford it. Plus the added security and privacy it offers is necessary to celebrities, jet setters and businessmen.

Luxury travel is one industry that will never be affected by financial crisis.

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