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Monthly Archives: January 2009

Romance in Yorkshire

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Posted by Paul on January 30, 2009 – 4:10 pm
Filed under Accommodation, Eating & Drinking

Who says that romance can only take place on 14th February? Love is in the air all year round at the Yorkshire Moors and Coast. The following romantic packages are all available to book now:

The White Swan – Pickering

Indulge your loved one with the ultimate pampering package at the White Swan in Pickering. A 16th Century coaching inn on the edge of the beautiful North York Moors National Park. Their Champagne Package treats guests to a chilled bottle of Champagne, chocolates and flowers in their bedroom on arrival, roaring log fires and candlelit dinners. What’s even better is that this break can be taken at any time of the year.

Offer includes:
• Accommodation room and breakfast for two nights
• Two evening meals up to the value of £70 per night
• A bottle of Champagne
• A bottle of specially-selected house wine
• Flowers
• Handmade chocolates

The Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa – Helmsley

Throughout February and March 2009 the world famous Feversham Arms Hotel situated in the picturesque market town of Helmsley on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park is offering a Suite Amour Package. The hotel encourages you to treat your loved one to a special weekend break. Stay any Saturday night in a classic or poolside suite during February or March and receive the Friday at half price.

Prices are quoted per room per night based on two people sharing on a dinner, bed and full Yorkshire breakfast, an early morning hot drink with your paper too!  Available on Friday and Saturday nights in suites only. Offer excludes 13th & 14th February and 21st & 22nd February.

Crown Spa Hotel – Scarborough

Love is in the air all year round at the Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough. The hotel offer a series of Romantic Packages throughout the year which include breakfast in bed for two, spa treatments and scented bath oils in your own double-ended bath.

Package includes:
• Petals:  sprinkled on your luxury double bed
• Scented bath oils:  in your luxury en suite with double-ended bath
• Chilled bottle of sparkling Chardonnay:  in your room on arrival
• Relaxation: unlimited use of the Crown Health Club’s Aqua Suite & Retreat Suite.
• Evening turndown: your room is prepared for sweet slumber on your first evening
• Lie-in: breakfast in bed for two on your first morning

Estbek House – Sandsend, Whitby

Start your special stay at the Yorkshire Coast with a little extra luxury. Estbek House is a wonderful restaurant with rooms at Sandsend near Whitby. Book a romantic weekend break in this magically hidden village and wake up to the sound of waves lapping the shoreline. To celebrate in style why not book one of three luxury packs as part of your break. The Special Luxury Package includes 1/2 bottle of Louis Roedere Champagne, dressing gowns, chocolates, slippers – all to ensure your stay is a special as they can make it!

Tees Valley Wildlife Reserve and Park opens

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Posted by Matt on January 30, 2009 – 9:53 am
Filed under Attractions

A new £7m attraction in the Tees Valley has opened, aiming to bring a £1m boost to the local economy.

Saltholme Wildlife Rreserve and Discovery Park is situated in the Tees estuary between Middlesbrough and Hartlepool. It is run jointly with the RSPB and expects to bring in 100,000 visitors a year, who will see all manner of bird and river wildlife in its natural environment.

Cornish Valentine offer – £185 for the week

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Posted by Paul on January 30, 2009 – 12:48 am
Filed under Accommodation

MaltstersHidden within a chocolate-box pretty cottage garden with your very own grape vine over the kitchen door, Maltsters Studio is situated right on the historic Saint’s Way at Little Petherick, Padstow. With lovely country side views and only ten minutes drive from seven of Cornwall’s most spectacular sandy beaches, Cornish Horizons are offering seven nights commencing 13th February for two people at Maltsters Studio for only £185.

UKhotel.com teams up with Venere

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Posted by Paul on January 30, 2009 – 12:05 am
Filed under Accommodation

We’re pleased to be able to tell you that we now have an affiliate partnership between UK Hotel and Venere who have been specialising in the European hotel market since 1995.  Their content enables us expand our price comparison service, particularly in the London area, and thus deliver still more competitive prices.

Support for the Scottish fishing village of Pennan

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Posted by Paul on January 29, 2009 – 12:50 am
Filed under Miscellaneous

It was a few years ago that I visited Pennan, a tiny fishing village in the north-east of Scotland, made famous for featuring in the 1983 film Local Hero starring Burt Lancaster.  I hadn’t realised but in 2007 it was struck by a landslide and has been in need of funding to protect it from similar disasters in the future.  BBC News is reporting that additional funding of £100,000 – on top of the Scottish Government’s promised £500,000 – has been secured through Aberdeenshire Council.  This is good to hear as it’s a beautiful little village – if you get the chance, do visit.

Flybe UK flight sale… bargains to be had on 10 million seats

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Posted by Paul on January 28, 2009 – 1:09 pm
Filed under Transport

You’re going to have to be really quick with this one! Flybe has slashed 50% off 10 million seats on flights across the UK, with prices starting from as little as £22 each way, including taxes.

The reduced fares are available until 3rd February 2009 on a wide range of routes. Some of the best availability is for flights from 1st April 2009.  Some examples:

Gatwick to Newquay… £22
Glasgow to Birmingham… £26
Manchester to Southampton… £30
Manchester to Inverness… £31

These fares will sell out quickly so don’t delay if you want to grab yourself a bargain.  The sale link is here.

It seems everyone’s atwitter about Twitter

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Posted by Paul on January 28, 2009 – 12:14 pm
Filed under Miscellaneous

With Twitter usage in the UK supposedly up a massive 974% in just 12 months, we thought we’d better take a look.  So far we’re adding a tweet here and there, using it to syndicate our blog posts courtesy of Twitterfeed, and seeing if we can help one or two people who are looking for help with hotels, places to visit, etc.  Having initially been a little wary with the seemingly all-too-common “what exactly is the point?” approach, we’re starting to see how it could have some potential.  You can follow UKseries on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ukseries

Frommer recommends Belfast for 2009

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Posted by Paul on January 28, 2009 – 11:50 am
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking

Frommer’s has published a ‘top destinations for 2009′ article with recommendations that range from Cartagena to Cape Town.  Among the 12 “top destinations” is Belfast which they say has transformed itself in the last decade.  Here’s the full synopsis on why they believe you should be heading to Northern Ireland this year:

In little more than a decade, Belfast has been transformed from fractured city into a hot city break destination, moving fast towards its 19th-century accolade of Athens of the North. Premier Victorian landmarks such as the City Hall, Ulster Museum, and Ulster Hall are reopening in 2009 after being given a makeover. But towering above the city, it’s the glass dome of the sophisticated new Victoria Square shopping centre that’s the real emblem of the city’s renaissance. The army check points that encircled the city centre during the Troubles are a thing of the past; today you can amble along the Golden Mile for relaxed drinks or enjoy Irish music in Cathedral Quarter bars. Try the Laganside for orchestral concerts at the riverfront Waterfront Hall and international cuisine from Teppanyaki at Harbour View to seafood at Tedfords. Or, for the ultimate treat, stay at the luxury Merchant Hotel, sip bubbly among the chandeliers in Cafe Vaudeville’s champagne bar and savor Michelin-starred dining at Deanes.

Premier Inn and Travelodge thriving?

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Posted by Paul on January 28, 2009 – 11:42 am
Filed under Accommodation

I would imagine that the well-known budget brands such as Premier Inn and Travelodge are rubbing their hands with glee during the current economic slowdown.  Whilst many businesses are struggling to make ends meet, these two should be prospering.  Individual travellers will be cutting back on more luxurious alternatives and opting in favour of good value brands.  Similarly businesses who send their staff up and down the Isles are reportedly cutting back on overnight expenses.  Interestingly also, I read today in Business Traveller that Travelodge might benefit from the struggling property market;  they have reportedly been offered more than 100 former residential sites for conversion into hotels since the downturn began.

UK dominates top ten museums in Europe

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Posted by Jennifer on January 27, 2009 – 10:51 pm
Filed under Attractions

Travelbite.co.uk has listed the top ten museums in Europe and it is interesting to see that three of them are here in the UK and all are in London. 

At the top of the list is Madame Tussauds dating back 200 years.  The worlds most famous celebrities are immortalized in wax and range from royalty to rock stars and actors to sporting greats.  The most recent addition is Barack Obama which was unveiled on the 15th of January this year.

Third on the list is The British Museum in London which is famous for its archeological and antiques collections.  It includes the Parthenon Marbles, the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.

Fifth on the list is The London Dungeon which dates back to 1976 and catalogues the most gruesome times in history such as the Jack the Ripper murders.

Each museum attracts thousands of tourist each year are the most famous museums in the world.