Online Travel

April 9, 2010

London’s Best Jazz Venues

Filed under: London, Music — admin @ 2:26 pm

Ronnie Scott’s

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho was founded in 1959 by legendary tenor saxophonists Ronnie Scott and Pete King. It became quickly well-known for its friendly air and for inviting the top musicians of the day to come and play. With a roving crew of house musicians and a good reputation among visiting jazz players, it wasn’t uncommon to see a group of jazz greats from both sides of the Atlantic jamming, hanging out, and playing great music.

Today, Ronnie Scott’s is a cozy venue that feels more like a house party at times than like a club. The acts are generally top-notch, though some have remarked that they tend to host established musicians rather than a more underground scene. If you’re interested in tried-and-true great jazz however, Ronnie Scott’s is the place to be!

Vortex

The Vortex Jazz Club originally formed in 1987 on Church Street. David Mossman, an ex-taxi driver and jazz afficionado, wanted a place where local jazz musicians could come and play every night. Thus, Vortex soon became well-known among Londoners as “London’s listening jazz club.” Mossman had an ear for jazz, and many of the performers he invited to play went on to become national and international stars in their own right.

In 2005 the club moved to the Dalston Culture House, but the philosophy remains the same – invite local underground jazz musicians every night to play at a well-respected club. It has received consistent top reviews, so if you’re interested in hearing styles that you’ve never heard before, check out the Vortex!

The Swan at the Globe

This jazz club hasn’t been around that long, but it already has a reputation as one of the top venues for live jazz as well as excellent food and atmosphere. The Swan is on the swankier side of jazz, not so much a dive or a grungy bar scene as it is a cool, happening scene with tables and a stage. Located at 21 New Globe Walk in Bankside, The Swan is host to a variety of live acts, focusing mainly on vintage jazz and older styles of music. That doesn’t mean they don’t host newer musicians as well – check their website for showtimes and dates. Make sure you book in advance, especially if you’be booked into a London hotel, as this hip spot is usually sold out days ahead of a show, especially if it’s by a popular performer.

The World’s Tallest Hotels

Filed under: Hotel Reviews — admin @ 2:24 pm

The world has no shortage of skyscraping hotels. Readers may be surprised, however, about the names and locations of the world’s tallest ones. The Baiyoke Tower II, for example, also known as the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, ranks as the fifth tallest in the world. Located in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok in Thailand, Baiyoke reaches a height of 304 meters with 85 above-ground floors. This mixed-use building became the tallest building in both Thailand and Southeast Asia upon its completion in 1997. With its 673-room hotel situated between the 22nd and 74th floors, it is one of Bangkok’s most famous buildings.

The Baiyoke Sky Hotel is surpassed by the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai by just a mere 5 meters. The Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, completed April 15, 2000, stands at an architectural height of 309 meters with 56 floors above ground. It is the second-tallest completed all-hotel building in the world, eclipsed only by the Burj Al Arab hotel (also in Dubai). It boasts has 40 luxury suites that comprise 10 percent of its total room count.

The Burj Al Arab Hotel, otherwise known as the Chicago Beach Hotel, comes in at number three at a height of 321 meters. Built in 1999, the Burj Al Arab has 60 above-ground floors and an impressive 24 meter helipad projecting 210 metes above the ground. It is one of the world’s tallest structures to use a membrane facade. Excluding mixed-use buildings like the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai and the Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea, it is the tallest operating hotel building in the world. It is both a national landmark for the United Arab Emirates and one of Dubai’s more famous buildings.

Weighing in at number two is the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea. Also known as the “105 building” or “Capital of Willows”, this hotel is 330 meters tall with 105 floors currently under construction. For several years it was incorrectly listed at 300 meters. This hotel reached its full architectural height in 1992, but remained a concrete shell for years until construction resumed in 2008, as the Korean government continues to solicit $300 million US dollars for investment in a new structural system. The Ryugyong Hotel is pyramid-shaped building with a 75-degree slope. It is the first building outside of New York and Chicago to boast more than 100 floors.

Literally rising above all other hotels is the Rose Tower. This Dubai contender holds the top number one spot with a height of 333 meters and 72 floors. Constructed in 2007, it is also known as the Rose Rotana Hotel. Contrasted with other hotels, it sports a postmodern architectural style with a curtain wall, glass facade of dark blue and light grey colors. The Rose Rotana Hotel has restaurants, exercise facilities, sauna, and swimming pool. A 9-level car park is connected from the rear of the building by pedestrian bridge. This is the world’s tallest operating and occupied hotel.

Eating Out in Brighton: Top 5 Restaurants

Filed under: Restaurants, UK Holiday — admin @ 2:23 pm

Brighton is a quaint English town nestled on the coast in East Sussex and is known for its hip and happening nightlife. With over 400 restaurants to choose from, eating a good meal in Brighton is not hard to do. The variety of international cuisines available in Brighton is vast and includes Thai, French, Italian, and Japanese, to name a few. Local specialties such as fish and chips are plentiful and visitors will find a plethora of cosy local pubs. In fact, Brighton has been honoured with several food awards and certainly has no shortage of fabulous restaurants bound to entice a variety of tastes.

If Japanese cuisine is among the choices for the evening’s fare, consider a trip to Pompoko on Church Street. Pompoko is authentic, cheap and well-loved. The portions are ample, especially considering the price with most meals coming in at less than a fiver. Everything on the menu is bound to please; of special interest are the Ebi Fried Prawns and the Chicken Nanban Don. As a bonus, diners can bring carry in their own alcohol and stay late thanks to the extended hours.

The vegetarians in the crowd will undoubtedly love Terre a Terre, a busy little down-to-earth restaurant on East Street. The ambiance is of chic refinement and the people watching is superb. The wait staff is friendly and the food is so good that even the carnivores won’t miss meat at this meal. Vegetarian fare is anything but cliche at Terra a Terre so tuck in for some of the best food in Brighton. Try the Jerusalem Artichoke Souffle and save room for dessert.

Seafood is the quintessential food of Brighton and there is no shortage of seafood restaurants, but the best is The Regency Restaurant. Although they do have a varied menu, the Fish and Chips is the stand-out at this historical restaurant. The prices are great, the wait staff is professional and the view is fantastic.

On those nights when nothing but a plate of pasta will due, head to Al Duomo, a rustically charming true Italian eatery in the Pavilion Building. This popular restaurant caters to large groups with its private rooms and hearty meals. Dishes are served when they are ready, so some may have to nosh on some bread while they await their own meal. If price is a concern, don’t be shy and ask for the prix fixe menu.

Located in my Hotel Brighton, Table offers classic British fare along with local favourites. The atmosphere is hip and friendly and dining on the terrace makes the meal even better. The menu is quite diverse and features a selection of fresh seafood daily. The value is superb; especially considering that Table is located in one of the classiest Hotels Brighton has to offer. Diners who order the Sunday Pot Roast will leave wishing every day was Sunday.

London’s Most Expensive Dining Experiences

Filed under: London, Restaurants — admin @ 2:22 pm

If you’ve ever eaten at a well-known posh restaurant, then you know what it is like to pay a pretty penny for a meal. On the high-end facade of London, it is not difficult to drop £100 simply by wandering around the Old Smoke. So if you fancy what are typically considered the most valuable dishes in London, be prepared to pay a gracious amount for them.

If you happen to find yourself in Oxford Circus, you’ll discover a restaurant by the name of Sketch — The Lecture Room and Library, by chef Pierre Gagnaire. While there, you will likely be paying over £100 for dishes like the John Dory and scallops, or goose aguillette. The ‘new French’ style of cuisine has held its excellent reputation for several years.

World-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay also appeals to the costly pallet. This fine dining establishment offers a famous fillet of turbot with cep sauce, or a roasted loin of Highland venison. As expected, this feast of an experience will also likely leave you at least £100 less than before. Forget cheap hotels, Gordon also holds the rights to one of London’s other most expensive restaurants, at the Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair. Here you can take in a Casterbridge beef carpaccio with horseradish ice cream, or a cold malt chocolate fondant.

Another famously high-priced dining location is Le Gavroche, also in Mayfair. Le Gavroche is a highly-respected location, known for housing an elegant style and the offering the very best of French cuisine. For upwards of about £95 per person, you can order a foie gras with a crispy pancake of duck with cinnamon, or roasted pineapple with vanilla and rum, over white pepper ice cream for dessert.

Further down the road, of the Mayfair area, you’ll find Phillip Howard and Robert Weston’s The Square. Also being previously rated one of the best in London by several notable critics, you can find yourself spending also between £100 and £160 on each person dining. While there, you may order the terrine of foie gras with rhubarb and orange, and a brillat-savarin eheesecake for dessert.

So if you’ve got a taste for the finer things in life, a cheap hotel may be required in your next London stay. And although there are plenty of high-end shops, hotels, & fine dining experiences around town, most of these restaurants are among the finest in the world.

March 18, 2010

Discover the Lake District by Bike

Filed under: UK Holiday — admin @ 1:56 pm

You haven’t really seen the Lake District until you’ve experienced it from a bicycle. Cycling is an immensely popular pastime in this stunning section of Britain, and you don’t have to load yourself down with equipment in order to take part. Whether you enjoy mountain biking or more leisurely cycling, it’s easy to find a cycle hire shop that can fit you out with something perfect. If you’ve been thinking about going on holiday in the Lake District, learn more about hitting the area’s many great trails, cycleways, bridleways and country lanes by reading on below.

Getting Started

Regardless of where you’ll be headquartered during your Lake District sojourn – whether it be Windermere, Keswick, Lakeside or any of the other popular places in the region – you’ll find that it’s wonderfully easy to hire a bicycle for the day, or even for the week. Several cycle hire shops can be found at Windermere, for instance, and several of them are located at Lakeside or Newby Bridge. With this sort of convenience, there’s no need to worry about packing up your own bicycles for your Lake District adventure.

Cycling Trails in the Lake District

There are many phenomenal cycling trails to enjoy in the Lake District. A few top choices include:

  • The C2C Cycle Route – The C2C, or coast-to-coast, cycle route is one of the best-known in the UK; a very scenic section of it cuts through the Lake District. At 85 kilometres in length, only the most ambitious cyclists will want to take on the whole thing – but shorter sections are just as enjoyable.

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  • The Keswick-Ullswater Loop – With its prime location in the heart of the Lake District, the Keswick-Ullswater Loop is a great choice for beginners and more advanced cyclists alike. This extensive loop measures approximately 65 kilometres in total, which takes an average cyclist about four hours to complete.

    • Mountain Biking Trails in the Lake District

    The Lake District is a mountain biker’s dream; two prime mountain biking trails can be found in Lake District National Park:

  • Altura Trail – Experienced mountain bikers will get a thrill by hitting this 19-kilometre-long trail. When you’re done with it, you’ll want to retire to your last minute hotel for a bit of rest – it’s a grueling trail.

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  • Quercus Trail – You can choose to cycle the full 7.5 kilometres of the Quercus Trail, or just 3.5 kilometres of it. Several Lake District hotels are nearby, making it a convenient choice.

    • London’s Longest Running West End Shows

    Filed under: London — admin @ 1:55 pm

    One of the best ways to enjoy yourself in London is by taking in a West End show. New productions are being unveiled on the West End all the time, but there’s something to be said for attending the performance of a veritable West End institution. Several West End shows have been thrilling audiences for decades now; these perennial favourites are undoubtedly must-see attractions. Learn a little bit about the three longest-running West End shows below:

  • The Mousetrap – More than 25,000 performances of this murder mystery play have been put on since it premiered back in 1952. The Mousetrap has been a fixture on the West End for almost sixty years now; audiences never seem to tire of the intriguing production, which was written by Agatha Christie. If you’d like to see what all of the fuss is about, head over to the St. Martin’s Theatre when in London.

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  • Les Misérables – As the West End’s longest-running musical, Les Misérables holds a special place in the hearts of Londoners. More than 9,500 performances have been put on to date, demonstrating the enduring popularity of this show based on the Victor Hugo classic. If musicals are your cup of tea, you simply can’t go wrong with Les Misérables on the West End.

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  • The Phantom of the Opera – For many, The Phantom of the Opera is the definitive West End production. It’s been playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre since 1986, and has proven to be Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most popular musicals. In fact, The Phantom of the Opera is considered the most popular and most-seen musical in the world. If you only have time to attend one performance on the West End, this is one tried-and-true option.

    • Hit The West End When On Holiday In London

    London may be a rather pricey city to visit, but you can cut the costs by booking cheap hotels in London – and by choosing one especially memorable show to attend on the West End. If the examples highlighted above don’t suit your fancy, other long-running West End shows include Blood Brothers, Cats and The Woman in Black. There’s a reason these shows have lasted so long: They have it all. Buy tickets to one of them – and book a stay at one of the many excellent, cheap London hotels in the area – and you’re certain to have a phenomenal, low-priced holiday.

    London’s Best Night Walks

    Filed under: London — admin @ 1:54 pm

    There’s nothing more romantic and invigorating than a night walk through some of London’s most remarkable neighbourhoods. Luckily, there’s a trail that offers such an experience, which is the Jubilee Walkway. This trail is by far the easiest to follow and best maintained in all of London. Directional discs lead the way and panels will offer information on various sites. The trail was originally built in 1977 for the Queen’s silver jubilee. Now anyone can enjoy the trail during the day or at night. While it’s fascinating during the day, it’s even more beautiful at night, when all the attractions are lit up.

    A night walk on the Jubilee Trail offers several options. Those who are into fitness and can opt for the 9km Western Loop Walk or the 8km Eastern Loop Walk. Anyone interested in a moderate walk can do the 5km Camden Loop. And for those wanting to enjoy a leisurely stroll, they can choose either the 3km City Loop or the 3km Jubilee Loop Walk. Each option provides terrific scenery. If visiting, there are many cheap London hotels in close proximity to the Jubilee Walk.

    The Jubilee Loop Walk stretches and winds through many terrific neighbourhoods, which include Camden, Lambeth, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, and the City of Westminster. Each of these neighbourhoods offers something unique. The infamous Camden Town, as well as many celebrities, can be found in Camden. Lambeth is the most populated and culturally diverse borough, as well as the home of the Vauxhall Bridge, which could be as old as 750 B.C. Southwark is London’s former trading centre from Anglo times. This is a great place to visit if into history. Tower Hamlets is home to the Tower of London, which can be seen beside the River Thames. And the City of Westminster is home of the UK government, as well as theatreland, and Buckingham Palace.

    Any loop and every neighbourhood on the Jubilee Walk is sure to provide amazing sites and seemingly endless anticipation of what might be around the next corner. Since there are so many cheap hotels in London, there’s no reason to miss out on a visit to this wonderful city, as well as such a breathtaking night walk experience.

    London Celebrity Spotting

    Filed under: London — admin @ 1:53 pm

    For many people, celebrities are endlessly fascinating and larger-than-life; the opportunity to see an actual celebrity in the flesh is something that many people are eager to have, and London presents plenty of chances for doing just that. Simply roaming the streets of London in the hopes of spotting a celebrity, though, isn’t terribly realistic. To maximise the odds of spotting a star, you need to know where they hang out – then go there. There are several bona fide celebrity haunts in London; a handful of the top choices are listed below.

  • Nobu at the Metropolitan Hotel – Sushi is hot right now; when something is terribly trendy, you can bet that celebrities are going to adore it. In London, the chicest spot to enjoy topnotch sushi is Nobu. This celebrity hot-spot is located in the Metropolitan Hotel; if you’d like to see what all the fuss is about – and rub shoulders with some of the most illustrious celebs around, including Kate Moss – be sure to make reservations well in advance.

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  • The Ivy – In London, it doesn’t get much swankier than The Ivy. The crème de la crème of the A-list crowd frequent this posh restaurant; on any given day, you might spy George Michael or Elton John noshing on its sumptuous fare. If you’d like to join them, you’ll need to make reservations at least six months ahead of time; another option is staking out the entrance, along with the ever-present paparazzi.

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  • New Bond Street – With its glamourous, well-appointed shops and boutiques, New Bond Street is often bursting at its seams with celebs who want to see and be seen. You won’t find any cheap London hotels along this glitzy corridor, but you will have a lot of fun trying to spy famous folks. Book a stay at cheap hotels in London just a few blocks over, then hit this shopping district as frequently as possible while on holiday in the city. Chances are, you will strike celebrity-spotting gold.

    • March 4, 2010

    Heathrow’s Best Clothes Shops

    Filed under: Shopping, UK Holiday — admin @ 11:41 am

    London Heathrow Airport has a great number of shops in its five terminals. The airport is known for its duty-free selection of merchandise. Value Added Tax is not charged on the merchandise sold at the airport. BAA, the company which owns the airport, has guaranteed that airport prices will not be more than they would be on High Street in London.

    Many of the shops at Heathrow sell clothing. Heathrow’s best clothes shops are the ones that offer the highest quality merchandise for the price. Travelers shopping for clothes will be likely to find anything they want. Many of the clothing shops at Heathrow sell brands that are considered quality merchandise.

    Designer clothing shops at the airport include Burberry, Escada, Hermes and Versace. Burberry has men’s clothing, women’s clothing and accessories. Escada offers scarves and women’s clothing. Hermes sells silk scarves. Versace has a collection of luxury fashion items.

    The airport has a Harrods department store and a Harrods store. Harrods sells designer clothing including Ralph Lauren. Ermenegildo Zegna sells dress and sports shirts for men. This store is known for selling elegant attire. Hugo Boss offers some of the latest items for men. There is also a Hugo Boss store for women in the airport. The first Paul Smith airport store in the world is at Heathrow. This store sells jeans. Salvatore Ferragamo has scarves and ties for sale. There is a Reiss store in the airport which sells clothing. Reiss clothing is considered high quality. Ted Baker sells men’s and women’s clothing. Thomas Pink has shirts and ties. Timberland sells jackets and boots.

    Other clothing shops in the airport include Austin Reed and Tie Rack. Austin Reed sells leisure clothing and business wear. Tie Rack offers silk ties and scarves.

    Travelers who stay at Heathrow airport hotels will spend less time traveling to the airport for return flights. They will have more time shop in Heathrow’s best clothing shops. Deals on these hotels can be found at lastminute.com hotels.

    Shoppers who want to save money on quality clothing will be able to do so at Heathrow’s best clothing shops.

    Detailing London’s No-Go Zones to Avoid on Holiday

    Filed under: City Guide, UK Holiday — admin @ 11:40 am

    London is a beautiful city with a variety of compelling attractions. For the holidaymaker, exploration makes travel enjoyable. However, there is a degree of danger to be considered when planning the daily itinerary. Most major cities have certain neighbourhoods that suffer with high crime rates. London is no exception to this rule. As a result, safety threats might be found during an evening trip to the wrong borough on public transport. When evaluating current crime statistics, specific areas of London should be considered no-go zones.

    High Crime Rates Indicate No-Go Zones

    Some of London’s highest crime rates are found in the Borough of Westminster. However, Covent Garden and Leicester Square are considered safe despite their location in this rowdy neighbourhood. For those that intend to traverse Westminster, extreme caution should be taken. According to a report by the Metropolitan Police, Westminster experienced 63,655 reported crimes in 2009.

    Many consider the Borough of Southwark to be among the more dangerous places in London. The Metropolitan Police reported 30,755 crimes in this neighbourhood in 2009. While renovation efforts might make Southwark safer in the distant future, it contains rough patches that should be considered no-go zones. For example, Peckham is known to be a particularly troubling area of Southwark.

    Crime Rates Are Not the Only Indicator

    There are dangerous neighbourhoods that don’t generate such threatening statistics on government reports. Brixton has a reputation for its local gang culture. Street toughs battle over black market disputes in this location. Poverty and political strife affect the Borough of Hackney. While these areas might not present frightening demographic data points, locals know the perils created by warring gangs. When planning a holiday schedule, avoid these risky locations.

    Smart Planning Yields a Safe Holiday

    London is a safe and exciting city to visit on holiday. However, every urban area contains hazardous neighbourhoods. For safety purposes, choose London hotels in upmarket areas. Exercise caution when using public transport. Favor attractions in tranquil parts of London when building an itinerary. While dangers lurk in dark corners of every city, a little research will help holidaymakers avoid the most troubled boroughs.

    When shopping between the luxurious hotels London offers, consider the safety of surrounding neighbourhoods. The path to rail stations might involve a walk through the city. While an evening walk through beautiful London is an incredible experience, specific no-go zones should be excluded from such plans.

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