My Travelog

Perth in Scotland was, at one time, a royal burgh is situated at the head of the Tay estuary. Inbetween the twelfth and fifteenth centuries Perth competed with Dunfermline for the right of being the capital city of the nation. In the following article I introduce 3 places to visit in Perth, Scotland; Elcho Castle, Scone Palace and Huntingtower Castle:

Scone Palace

Today, home of the Earls of Mansfield is Scone Palace, and a incredibly popular attraction to travelers from around the globe. The palace is an integral part of Scotland’s history, as the kings of Scotland were once crowned there. In 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone Palace, as well as Charles II when he took possession of the Scottish Crown in 1651. There is a mysterious and beautiful atmosphere to the palace, which is rightly so.Once upon a time the site served as an important gathering place of the Picts and there was also an early Christian church on the site.

There is a superb selection of Perth Hotels on the Perthshire Hotels website.

Elcho Castle

Located roughly three miles from Perth, with stunning views across the River Tay, is Elcho Castle. The castle is one of the finest examples of Sixteenth century architecture in Scotland today. The Wemyss family authorized the erection of the castle in the 1570’s. The land had been in the family since 1468, when it was consigned to them by King James III. In 1633, the leader of the family was given the titles of Earl of Wemyss and Lord Elcho. Elcho Castle and it’s lands remained in possession of the Wemyss family until 1929. At this time, the 11th Earl of Wemyss, gifted the castle to the nation of Scotland. The castle has recently been restored and is now in the charge of Historic Scotland.

Huntingtower Castle

Located just west of Perth is the medieval Huntingtower Castle. Even though the castle is medieval in origin, it has been redeveloped significantly throughout the majoprity of it’s history. The Ruthven family were the owners of the castle and lands from the C12th to the C17th. During this time the castle consisted of two separate towers, built three meters apart. When the Murray family took possession, later on in the C17th, they decided to amalgamate the two towers, making the house look more like a regular country manor house. The bridging work between the two towers is still rather noticeable today, on both the inside and the outside.

If you are thinking about a vacation in Perth you will discover a large amount of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will find a huge selection at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/

Indonesia is an archipelago comprising of over 17,000 islands, a volcanic arc that spreads over two thousand miles from Sumatra in the west to Papua in the east. Diving in Indonesia is always highly esteem being the located at the heart of the coral triangle; it holds the worlds most diverse underwater habitat and holds the most number of exotic species. Of course the quality of a dive is purely subjective but here are my top five for scuba diving in Indonesia.

Pantee Peunateng, Pulau Weh, Sumatra: This high adrenaline dive sites is highly exposed making it an intense experience even when conditions are calmer than most. A fringing reef with dramatic craggy wall sections it has typically strong currents that attract many species of pelagic fish. Black and whitetips are often seen whilst larger fish, attracted by the nutrients brought in by ocean currents include whale sharks, mola mola and mantas. Not for the faint hearted Pantee Peunateng is surely a wild experience.

Lekaun One, Bunaken Island, North Sulawesi: The infamous Lekaun dive sites have always been on many a travelers list whilst diving in Indonesia. The reef flat that surrounds the island plunges to hundreds of meters creating a dramatic wall covered in hard and soft corals desperately competing for space.  Hunting reefs sharks and trevally can often been seen working their way up the reef, whilst giant green turtles rest in the ledges of the wall.

The Passge, Raja Ampat: This area boasts of 5-10 meters deep that forms river-like sea fjord that twists and turns to meet underwater grottoes. A truly mystical experience this is one of many in the region like it. The corals are uniquley illuminated by sun’s rays penetrating a tree canopy that covers the area.

Hairball, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi: For macro life there are few places on earth that can compare with the Lembeh Strait. The black sand slope at Hairball plays host to a huge abundance of marine life. On a typical dive here you can expect to find many types of octopus, snake eels, frog fish, star gazers and nudibranchs (sea slugs) where in other parts of the world these sightings would be few and far between.

Langkoi Rock, Komodo: A submerged pinnacle found not far from Langkoi Island to the Southwest of Komodo which makes an exhilarating dive. The walls that surround the pinnacle drop away steeply to great depths. Exposed to strong currents and surge, it attracts many types of shark including grey reefs, white tips, hammerheads and bronze whalers. Many believe it is a breeding ground for many grey reef sharks. Langkoi Rock offers the most thrilling dive anywhere in Indonesia.

The capital of England, London, is as well known for its exciting shopping as it is for its prestigious history and fascinating culture People from all over the world flock to London to indulge in the immense number of department stores, boutique stores and specialist markets. With the weak Pound and strong Dollar visitors from the US will find goods are much less expensive as it has been, it is the same situation for those tourists arriving from other countries in Europe because the Pound is also weak against the Euro.

Well Known Stores In London

Possibly the most well known London department store is Harrods of Knightsbridge the planet’s largest having about 18,000 m2 of floor space.  The Harrods motto is ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’  meaning all things for all people, everywhere’. Most folk associate Harrods with exclusivity and luxury and their toy department are most well known.

You will  find a great selection of cheap london hotels on http://www.london-hotel-bookings.co.uk/.

Another department store well worth a mention is Selfridges.  Found on Oxford Street, the department store first opened in 1909. Named after, and built by the entrepreneur Gordon Selfridge the store was especially designed in order that all of  the goods on sale could be easily accessible to the customer which had not been done previously.

London Shopping – The Best Places To Go

Covent Garden has built an excellent reputation for its unusual and specialist shops and is considered a trendy place to hang out. Besides the fantastic shops you will also find a reasonable number of eating places and restaurants around Covent Garden.

Another market in London which is well worth a mention is Camden Market. Although there have been a number of markets in Camden over a long period the present market has only been there since 1974. The market is actually a collection of various adjoining markets selling various goods together providing an amazing selection of wares.

Famous Shopping Streets In London

Chelsea’s high street is the Kings Road which is one of London’s most stylish and chic streets in which to go shopping. The Kings Road had, during the nineteen seventies, a close association with Punk, the Sex Pistols and their manager Malcolm Maclaren, in more recent times the Kings Road is much more subdued but still worth visiting.

Another road in London, associated with shopping, is Sloane Street which is named after Sir Hans Sloane who owned much of the land in the area in the eighteenth century.

London Shopping Trips

Getting to London is amazingly easy, being the nation’s capital city transportation links are top class and the London underground rail network makes everywhere very easy to get to.

London accommodation seems to be everywhere and is incredibly easy to find but sadly it can be to be a teeny bit over priced. It is usually the best idea to book your London hotels online and you will discover a fantastic choice of London hotels, guest houses and apartments at http://www.londonhotel4u.co.uk/.

If you need to cut your trip to Canada short and return immediately to the US, here are a couple of travel tips to get you safely past the borders.

You will find a fine selection of hotels in Vancouver ranging from budget to sheer luxury.

Interview and Inspection

When you get to the borders, a CBP officer may there to ask you a couple of questions. These are simple to answer such as your citizenship, the items you are taking back to the US, and the nature and duration of your trip.

To expedite this procedure, it’s best to make a list of the dutiable items you have with you and place all of them together in a single bag or package. If you have a large amount of dutiable items along with you, may the CPB officer will ask you to fill up a Declaration form.

Your luggage and whatever else you have with you may be subject to inspection. This, however, will only take minutes to complete with your full cooperation.

Passport Requirements for Traveling from Canada

Even if you’re a full-fledged American citizen, coming back to the US will still require you to show your passport and perhaps other similar documents for re-entry.

Dos and Don’ts for Items You Can Take Back Home

The greatest problems you could encounter when traveling from Canada and back to the US are ensuring that all items you’ve with you can cross the borders with the rest of your luggage. Last-minute travel plans usually involve whirlwind preparations but for the sake of expediency, it’s best that you take absolute care when you’re packing items.

Be organized.

Categorize items according to their source or method of purchase. Use separate packaging for items you intend to use in business, you’ve purchased for people back home, items you’ve had repaired or altered in Canada, items you’ve purchased in duty-free shops and similar establishments, and items or assets you’ve inherited or received as gifts.

Keep the documents of proof.

Always have the receipts with you. This is to prove that none of them have been stolen or acquired in any lawful means. The receipts of the products could also be used to for tax exemptions and other incentives.

Register in advance.

If you have items with you prior to leaving for Canada and you’re taking them back home with you, it’s important that you had them registered in advance or prior to leaving the US with the Customs and Border Protection.

Without proper registration, you might have to pay duty for these items even if you’re not obliged to do so. Such items are usually valuable in nature like jewelry, equipment, laptops, and the likes.

If you didn’t get to register them in the past, don’t worry because you have one more way of avoiding paying duties for them. If you can furnish any documented proof of ownership as well as proof that you had them with you prior to entering Canada, you may then pass the borders safely without having any duties levied on the specified items.

Money

There’s nothing unlawful about having a lot of money with you when you travel from Canada, but if you have over $10,000 with you then you need to register the amount with the CPB and fill up their Currency Reporting form.

Pets

Has your last minute travel plans to Canada gifted you with a new furry friend? If so, ensure you get the CBP’s Pets and Wildlife brochure to know what is required by you to comply in order to return back to home with your new pet.

Hopefully, these quick tips can make your travel from Canada to US safe and hassle-free.

The city of Peterborough is located in the county of Cambridgeshire in the East of England. The town itself is situated on the River Nene which then flows directly in to the North Sea which is about 40 miles to the North East of the town. Although there is not much for one to view in the city itself there are many wonderful attractions one can enjoy in the surrounding area. Below we take a look at just what some of these attractions are when you visit Peterborough.

One place that is favored by many visitors to the city of Peterborough is Flag Fen Archaeology Park. This is where you can find a wooden causeway and platform that stretches for one km and which has been perfectly preserved. The causeway was built 3,500 years ago and was used by the Celtic fen dwellers for rituals and worship purposes.

The area around Peterborough and Cambridge has a good number of affordable  accommodation and the following link has a great selection of hotels in Peterborough and Cambridge.

But it isn’t just the preserved causeway that brings visitors to this attraction it is the chance to see how our ancestors lived during the Bronze Age. You can also see what life was like more than 3,500 years ago as well as examining many of the artifacts from this era including swords and personal items that have been found here.

Another place that many people like to visit is Sacrewell Farm & Country Centre, located deep in the heart of Cambridgeshire. There is an eighteenth Century Mill and a country farm to enjoy as well as other things to keep your children amused. Bonnie is one of the horses at the Shire Horse Centre and if you visit in the spring then why not cheer the lambs on at the Lamb National.

The centre offers a range of home cooked meals in its restaurant and there are also picnic areas if you prefer. Plus after all that enjoyment why not take home a few mementos from a wonderful day out by visiting the “Three Little Ducks Shop”.

If you do have a car then it would be worth spending time at Croyland Abbey a Benedictine Abbey which was founded back in 716AD by King Ethelbald of Mercia. Although the original building has since been destroyed, there is still a 15th Century North Aisle which is used as a parish church as well as the 12th Century Norman Arch and 15th Century West Front for you to explore.

The Imperial War Museum at Duxford is also close to Peterborough. As well as housing 180 different types of aircraft of historic significance it also contains one of the best collections of military vehicles and tanks. The museum is indoors, so it makes an ideal wet weather activity. Plus it offers you the chance to really learn more about what life was like for those who went to Normandy and about the famed General (Monty) Montgomery.

When you next visit Peterborough, book your hotel accommodation here. You will find a wide choice of Peterborough hotels and guest houses.

The market town of Shrewsbury is situated in the County of Shropshire in England close to the Welsh border. It still retains many of the timber framed black and white buildings that were built during the medieval period and which sit along the sides of its narrow steep streets and alleyways. 

Not counting the castle and abbey, Shrewsbury has more than 600 listed buildings within the town. Also this is where Charles Darwin was born and raised and where he was educated. The town still has many reminders about Darwin.

If you want to explore Shrewsbury it is worth taking a walk along the banks of the River Severn which almost circles the town. Or for a lazier time, there are pleasure trips  on the river. However there is plenty more for one to do and see when you visit Shrewsbury. Here are a few attractions in and around Shrewsbury that you can look at.

1.     Acton Burnell Castle – Here you will find the remains of a 13th Century fortified manor house that was built by Robert Burnell. This gentleman was Chancellor of England a close friend to the then King of England, Edward First. In fact the king was a regular visitor to the house and it is said that in 1263 he convened here one of the first English parliaments.

2.    Attingham Park – This beautiful park which was designed by Humphrey Repton in 1797 surrounds the manor house of the same name that was designed by George Stuart in 1785. It was the home of the first Lord Berwick. The house is furnished with furniture and silver from the Regency period. Or you can wander around the park grounds and take in some quiet country moments.

3.    Abbey Church – The abbey church is all that remains of the Benedictine Monastery founded here in 1083. Made from red sandstone this church is dedicated to the saints Peter and Paul. As you approach the church by coming across the English Bridge you will see the very striking west tower which is of an early Gothic design and on it you will see a statue of Edward the Third. The west window of the church has a coat of arms on it dating back to the reign of Richard the Second. Then there is the altar of 1888 designed by James Pearson to be admired and why not explore the many tombs with some dating back to the 1300’s.

When you next stay in Shrewsbury, choose your Shrewbury hotel here.

Morning has broken, the sun has risen and the birds are in full chorus! Day one of your caravan holiday is about to begin at long last! What better feeling is there than setting off on the open road, not knowing where you are headed, your bed for the night and a few other necessities all tidily stacked away in your brilliant holiday home. It provides a sense of freedom! But sadly, freedom comes at a cost according to the article “Towing the line when it comes to caravan security!”

It is all too easy to settle into the holiday frame of mind and to lighten up over your security measures but there is one thing that stops you completely losing your head in ‘Carry On Camping’ world, the opportunistic thief! He is on the prowl and you never know when he’s going to strike, so beware! Lock up your caravan at all times, take out some caravan insurance, immobilise your vehicle and place a wheel clamp over a wheel. All it takes is this and one or two more common sense security practices and you should satisfyingly put paid to any inclination from our criminal fraternity to make off with your beloved prize possession brilliant home on wheels!

You might as well put a big bulls-eye on the outer walls of your caravan for the lack of attention van owners pay to the issue of security! According to the article “Towing the line when it comes to caravan security!” if we all paid more attention to commonsense security measures, we would prevent the theft of our caravans by up to ten times!

With vehicle crime amounting to a staggering nineteen per cent of all crime recorded in England and Wales, we need to address without fail some simple crime prevention measures into our mobile holiday homes! All we need to do is give consideration to a number of simple security issues such as locking our vans and securing windows and hatches ever time we leave and investing in a wheel clamp for times when we are asleep or on a trip out and about on foot.

All this and a few basic maintenance activities (such as checks on our heating equipment and turning of fuel supply when not in use) will not only keep our caravans safe, they will keep our insurance premiums delightfully low!

Whilst the rest of Europe is packing away the loungers and the suntan lotion the Canary Islands are preparing themselves for the busiest holiday season of the year. As these seven specks of Spain that lie just off the coast of Africa are Europe´s only genuine Winter sun destination.

Lanzarote is the eastern most link in the Canary Island chain and has long been a popular destination with British and Irish tourists. And despite failing airlines, the falling pound and the current bleak economic outlook the Island of Fire is still a hot ticket. As tourist numbers to the island have just kept on rising.

Over one million British and Irish tourists will have bought cheap flights to Lanzarote over the last twelve months. And the Christmas and New Year period is traditionally the busiest time of year on the island. As sun starved Northern Europeans escape the cold back home for a week or two in the sun.

As a result demand for Lanzarote property has remained relatively stable. Whilst prices have started to fall on the island there has been none of the sharp reductions and adjustments currently evident in the British market. As the island’s tourist industry has remained buoyant.

The fact that Lanzarote remains largely unspoiled is attributable to the works and efforts of an island born artist called Cesar Manrique. Who was studying in New York when package tourism first started to take off in Spain and hurried home to protect his beloved Lanzarote from over development.

Manrique was studying his craft and hanging out with the likes of Andy Warhol in New York when package tourism first started to take off in Spain. Alert to the damage that this could cause to his birthplace Manrique returned home to ensure that his beloved Lanzarote was not buried beneath a sea of five star concrete.

As a result of his efforts Lanzarote has largely been spared the type of over development now commonly found in other Spanish sun spots. High rise buildings are banned, advertising hoardings are outlawed and all of the islands three main tourist resorts are well contained.

Manrique´s other main initiative was to create a unique set of tourist attractions on the island that essentially fused art with nature.

In tandem with close collaborators such as Jesus Soto he lit an alternative path for island development with the creation of sites such as the Jameos del Agua, which embodied his desire to fuse art with nature.