York - city of history

The ancient walled city of York, about two hours by train from London, is a great place for a day out or city break, and particularly so if you love museums and history. As soon as you set foot out of the railway station you see the ancient Roman walls, and walking along them gives you the finest vistas of the city and its beautiful Minster. Along the walls are the old entrances to the city known as “bars”, and Micklegate Bar, just around the corner from the station, is particularly beautiful.

York Minster is the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, and is acclaimed worldwide as a stunning work of artistic and architectural beauty, combining fine stonework with colourful stained glass.

If you want to step back into the daily life of the past, then York Castle Museum has recreations of rooms through the ages, to the cottages of the Ancient Britons, to the chintz and ornamentation of the Victorians. There is even a kitchen and living room from the 1960’s complete with small-screened TV and state-of-the-art washing machine.

Come out of the Castle Museum and you will find the ancient fortification known as Clifford’s Tower, which was once part of York Castle, and dates back to the Norman Conquest.

A little further on you will find the narrow street known as The Shambles, with its overhanging timber framed buildings which date back to the 14th century. At one point the upper floors of opposite houses are so close together that people can shake hands across the street from their bedroom windows.

Because this part of England was once settled by the Vikings from Scandinavia, York has the Jorvik Viking Centre, which has an excellent and authentic recreation of a Viking settlement, based on original archaeological evidence. York is also home to the National Railway Museum, where you can see many fine old steam engines, and beautiful carriages.

So if you want to get a feel for history, York is the place to go. For a little more quintessential Englishness, why not head south for the city of Exeter?


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Greece - A classic beach destination

Greece is a long-standing favourite with British holidaymakers due to its classic beach holiday ingredients: friendly resorts, fine beaches, sparklingly clear water, brilliant sunshine, family-run tavernas and exciting excursions.

With an atmosphere all of their own, Greece has a delicious blend of hot sunshine, stunning beaches, alluring white villages, welcoming resorts and the perpetual romance of island life.
One of its main attractions is the sheer variety which Greece offers. Each of the Greek Islands in particular, have their own distinct character and appeal, whether the dramatic scenery and sophistication of Santorini and Naxos or the energetic youth-orientated resorts on Kos and Mykonos.

Even so, whilst many holidays in Greece without doubt tend to focus on the islands, there is a wealth of richly gratifying Greece holiday destinations on the Greek mainland, from the Peloponnese to Thessaloniki. Visit Greeceholidays.biz For the most popular and comprehensive travel guide to Greece! Also the biggest Greece directory with travel related sites.

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The dream island of Mauritius

With its turquoise seas and blue lagoons, its endless beaches of soft, white sand fringed with palm trees, and wonderful sunshine, the enchanting island of Mauritius provides that perfect dream island location for a winter getaway. From the variety of top shops and excellent nightlife of Grand Bay, to the peace and tranquillity of The Labourdonnais Orchards, Mauritius suits all tastes and holiday moods.

There are colourful outdoor markets, such as Flacq Market, where you can buy delicious fresh fruit and vegetables, see amazing locally caught fish, and bright local textiles such as clothing, baskets and hats.

Mauritius offers an impressive variety of water sports, from gentle rides in pedal boats and kayaks, to the more adventurous windsurfing, water skiing, and utterly thrilling speedboat rides. There is even a Waterpark Leisure Village where you can ride down giant water chutes. If you are a fan of fishing, then you can try out some of the deep sea fishing that Mauritius has to offer.
If you go snorkelling, scuba diving, or go on a sea trip in one of the many glass bottom boats, you will see the most spectacular sea life, such as the fascinating coral beds, sparkling fish all colours of the rainbow, moray eels, and turtles swimming along who may well be older than any of the people gazing at them.

An essential part of any holiday is good food, and the delicious cuisine of Mauritius combines Chinese, European and Indian influences. If you enjoy a drop of rum then you will find some good ones to sample here, as sugarcane was introduced to the island by the Dutch, and rum is one of the traditional drinks produced on the island.

So if you are looking for glorious weather and a beautiful island retreat when northern Europe is in the grips of winter, Mauritius is the place to head for.


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