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Monthly Archives: January 2010

Unique golf coaching breaks launched in County Durham for 2010

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Filed under Accommodation

The award-winning country house hotel, Headlam Hall, is to be the base for a range of Golf Coaching Breaks and Holidays this year.

Guests will have the chance to improve their game whilst enjoying a relaxing short break at Headlam Hall, one of the north east’s leading country house hotels. Headlam has a £2.5 million Spa, tennis court, croquet lawn, and is situated in 250 acres of rolling Teesdale countryside, near the market town of Barnard Castle.

Headlam Golf Course, which lies adjacent to the hotel and spa, is a superb USGA specification 9-hole course set over mature rolling pasture land, with an abundance of natural features. There is also a 10-bay covered driving range, a chipping area and practice putting green. The resident professional is Steven Carpenter, who has been qualified and teaching for over 20 years in both the UK and Germany.

The two night Golf Coaching Package is available throughout 2010, and includes accommodation in a double or twin room, full English breakfast daily, two-course a la carte dinner each night, 3 ½ hours’ golf tuition, and unlimited use of the excellent 9-hole course and the hotel’s spa facilities. The tuition can include long game, short game and putting, and 9 holes on course with the Pro for visualisation, golf strategy and shot execution, is per couple and is taken in 30-minute sessions.

Prices are £170 per person for the two night package, based on accommodation in a Headlam Classic Room, and £195 in a Deluxe room.

Walk like an Egyptian at Chiddingstone Castle

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Filed under Attractions, Events

Chiddingstone Castle near Edenbridge, Kent, opens its doors on Monday 15th February 2010 for a very special event where families are invited to travel back in time to explore the daily lives of the Ancient Egyptians. Discover a world where you can use your senses to explore life in ancient Egypt, taste the food and uncover the customs lost in the sands of time. Explore the fascinating artifacts used and made by the Ancient Egyptians and find out what clothes they wore and what jobs they did 5000 years ago. Learn about their festivals and customs and make your own Egyptian objects to take home. The event takes place between 11am and 5pm.

Fat-Free Eggs from The Dorchester this Easter

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Filed under Accommodation, Eating & Drinking

The DorchesterThe Florist at The Dorchester, located at the iconic London flagship of the Dorchester Collection, is delighted to announce the launch of Fat-Free Eggs as an alternative gift for Easter, priced from £100.  Conscientious on two counts, the eggs are calorie-free and can be made with Fairtrade roses. Constructed of tightly bunched roses arranged in the shape of an egg (silver base optional), sizes range in price from £100 to £575 and can be delivered anywhere in the UK.

Also, as a Suite Treat from The Dorchester, a complimentary Fat-Free Egg will be given to guests staying in a suite over the Easter Weekend; suites are priced from £565 accommodation only (valid 28th March – 11th April 2010).

The Isles of Scilly – a top destination for 2010?

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Filed under Miscellaneous

Voted one of the top global destinations to visit in 2010 by Frommer’s (published in December 2009) the Isles of Scilly lie just just 28 miles off the southwest tip of Britain, the UK’s only island archipelago and the UK’s most Westerly holiday destination. Mile after mile of white sandy beaches, acres of stunning natural landscape to explore, and a rich and fascinating history, combine with a wonderfully safe environment and a list of things to see and do which is too wide to list.

On the Isles of Scilly the skies seem bigger, the horizon is further away, the climate milder due to the Gulf Stream, making the Islands home to a wide range of flora and fauna that would not survive on mainland UK. Why don’t you pay a visit in 2010?

4 great reasons to visit London in 2011

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Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Events

The Royal Wedding

One of the biggest events in London’s calendar for 2011 is of course the Royal Wedding. Prince William and Kate Middleton will tie the knot on 29th April 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

New hotels

With the London 2012 Olympics taking place next year, there are lots of new hotels springing up in the capital.  Notable new openings in London will include a the 5 star Renaissance St Pancras, a new W hotel in Leicester Square, and 45 Park Lane from the Dorchester Collection.

New exhibitions

London will host some world class exhibitions in 2011. These include the medieval Treasures of Heaven at the British Museum, displaying treasures rescued from the National Museum of Afghanistan, the Miro show at the Tate Modern, and Bridget Riley is at the National Gallery.

New shows

The West End promises a great line-up of shows this year, including Shrek the musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Wizard of Oz, Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Ghost the musical to name just a few.

Useful links:
Hotels in London
B&Bs in London
Self-catering in London
Tourist attractions in London

Love is all around Scotland in 2010

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Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking

The resting place of St Valentine, the marriage location for many celebrities, and the home of romantic poet Robert Burns; Scotland can easily be described as one of the most romantic locations in the world. February 2010 will be no exception with plenty of great deals on offer to tempt Casanovas into wooing their love!

In keeping with tradition, hotels, restaurants and attractions across the country have organised a host of romantic things to see and do, a selection of which are listed below:

Dalhousie Castle Hotel, Bonnyrigg
A fascinating 13th century fortress set within acres of wooded parkland on the picturesque banks of the river Esk, Dalhousie Castle can offer a magical ‘ring delivery’ at a proposal or wedding where one of their Tawny Owls will fly down to the proposer or best man (who is wearing a falconers glove) with a little pouch holding the all important rings. This is a particularly unique and hugely romantic way to deliver engagement or wedding rings.

Gleneagles, Perthshire
When there’s so much to say, nowhere says it better than Gleneagles. Nestling in the heart of the beautiful Perthshire countryside, this romantic break includes a gourmet dinner, sumptuous breakfast and divine accommodation in one of the world’s great resort hotels. Guests will also enjoy dancing to a live band and a ‘sweet treat’ on their pillow as they retire for the evening. So stay at Gleneagles and fall in love all over again. Saturday 13th February 2010. From £355 per room, per night is a Classic room.

Or stay in the hotel’s magnificent top floor Blue Tower Suite. It is split over two levels and boasts two elegant bedrooms, a luxurious bathroom and steam shower room on the lower floor. A beautifully crafted spiral staircase winds up to a sophisticated living area in the original tower, the most secluded place to unwind. A stay in the Blue Tower Suite is the ultimate romantic break in Scotland.

• Valentine’s Day at Blythswood Square, Glasgow
Enjoy Valentine’s Day with your loved one at Blythswood Square. A dozen red roses, chocolates and a bottle of champagne on arrival sets the mood for an indulgently romantic 2 night break. On Valentine’s night, a special Valentine’s cocktail is the perfect starter for your 3 course dinner at The Restaurant at Blythswood Square. Breakfast the next morning can be taken in the restaurant or in bed, if you want a more leisurely start to the day. Priced from £630 per room for a 2 night stay. Available on the 13th & 14th of February or 14th & 15th of February 2010. Package includes: 2 night’s luxury accommodation in an individually designed bedroom, a bottle of Champagne, luxury chocolates and a dozen red roses on arrival, Valentine’s Cocktail before dinner, 3 course dinner on Valentine’s Day, and breakfast each morning served in the restaurant or in your room.

Channings, Edinburgh
Whisk a loved one away for a luxury romantic break at Channings, Edinburgh’s friendliest hotel. There is a constant, inexplicable air of romance within Scotland’s ancient capital city that sets the atmosphere for a wonderful weekend and will entice you to return time and again. Channings is the perfect setting to relax and spend time with someone special. You will enjoy country style tranquillity in a city setting. The Romantic Package includes: 2 nights luxury accommodation in an individually designed bedroom, Champagne breakfast in bed on each morning, bottle of Champagne and flowers in your room on arrival, lunch served in Channings’ Restaurant, candlelit dinner in one of their private dining rooms including a glass of Champagne, Jo Malone Bathroom gifts for him and her, half day romantic themed City Tour Guide and late check out. Available on the 13th -14th of February or the 14th -15th February 2010. Priced £399 per room for a 2 night stay.

The Balmoral, Edinburgh
Throughout February, The Balmoral will be offering a range of Valentine’s inspired offers. Indulge the senses at the Balmoral Spa, relax in a candle lit relaxation suite, rejuvenate with a spa heat experience followed by a glass of champagne in the stylish Balmoral Bar. Or how about Valentine’s Day at Michelin Star Number One – where award-winning chef Craig Sandle has created a romantic Valentine’s Day menu. At The Balmoral Bar, there will be a Sharing Tasting Menu where couples can work their way through a four course menu of romance-inspired cocktails, for just £19 per person.

Stobo Castle, Peeblesshire
There’s something indescribably magical about a Scottish Castle. Perched on a hill amongst rolling grounds, shaded by trees and set around a picturesque loch, Stobo Castle effortlessly sets the scene for an experience less ordinary. Stay in the Cashmere Suite – Scotland’s most opulent suite. Chill and relax at Stobo with this special offer: 1 night luxury accommodation, dinner, bed and breakfast, unlimited use of the spa facilities, a range of fitness classes and a treatment. Offer during January and February 2010. Priced £119 per person.

• The Sheraton, Edinburgh
What better way to spend Valentines than with a relaxing day at the Sheraton’s One Spa. Together, why not enjoy the unique heat and steam treatments in the Thermal Suite, before taking in the dramatic views across the city with a romantic swim in the iconic rooftop Hydropool.  Afterwards, get down and dirty with the soothing ‘Serail Mud Chamber’ where the combination of radiant heat and the application of body and face mud creates a rejuvenating yet relaxing treatment. To finish enjoy the pure relaxation of the Essential Body Massage in the new double treatment room. Here partners can chat together, or simply drift away, both lost in their own thoughts.
This special Valentine’s Spa Day package costs only £195 per couple and is available from the 13th – 15th February 2010 only.

• The Hermitage, Dunkeld
This woodland walk is situated just beside Dunkeld, and is a National Trust for Scotland property on land which stretches up the River Braan from just off the A9. Follow in the footsteps of notable visitors of the past including Wordsworth, Mendelssohn and Turner as you wander around this magnificent designed landscape with its dramatic natural features. Once part of one of the most important 18th century picturesque landscapes in Scotland, an attractive woodland walk leads though spectacularly large Douglas firs to the amazing folly, Ossian’s Hall, overlooking the Black Linn waterfall.

Fife Coastal Path
Enjoy a walk along Fife’s Coastal Path and relax with the sound of waves and the sea breeze. Fife is home to four of Scotland’s five Blue Flag beaches – ideal for romantic strolls and cosy picnics. Stop off at one of the charming pubs along the way, including The Ship Inn at Elie to enjoy a hearty meal by the fire.

• Valentine’s Day Cookery Course, Edinburgh
The Edinburgh New Town Cookery School is running a Valentine’s Day cookery course for couples or singles wanting to impress which will take place on Saturday 13th February 2010. Dishes which will be cooked are Oyster Rockerfeller (served with a glass of champagne), Grilled Marinated Honey and Lime Salmon and Chocolate Panna Cotta with berry compote.
The course starts at 9.45am and finishes at 2.30pm on Saturday 13th February. For each couple this would cost £200, or £100 per person.