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Monthly Archives: February 2010

Top 10 ways to love Leeds more this Valentine’s Day

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Posted by Paul on February 5, 2010 – 8:35 am
Filed under Attractions, Events

Visit Leeds the city’s official tourism body, has released a top 10 things to do this Valentine’s Day:

1. Book a box at Leeds Grand Theatre for Opera North’s spellbinding performance of La Boheme.

2. Hold hands as you ice skate on the UK’s largest temporary ice rink The Ice Cube and warm up afterwards with a mug of hot chocolate!

3. Your funny Valentine will love nothing more than a few giggles at The HiFi Club comedy night.

4. Take half an hour out to visit the Elemis Spapod at Harvey Nichols. Highly skilled therapists perform power-booster facials in the world’s first intelligent massage chair.

5. For a special Valentine’s night treat pick up some lingerie at the risqué Agent Provocateur boutique in the Victoria Quarter.

6. If you’re thinking about popping the question visit the Amore jewellery showcase at Leeds Craft Centre & Design Gallery for unique, affordable pieces.

7. Raise a toast to yourselves at Epernay champagne bar. They stock an extensive range of vintage, rare and exclusive bottles and the stylish surroundings are perfect for sampling bubbles until the early hours.

8. Experience James Turrell’s Skyspace artwork at sunset followed by a delicious evening meal at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

9. If you fancy a romantic meal with lively entertainment book a table at Bibi’s Italianissimo restaurant and enjoy the 9- piece ‘Schwing’ band playing classic tunes to get you up and dancing.

10. Snuggle up with your loved one at one of the UK’s oldest cinemas The Hyde Park Picture House showing both the heart-warming French favourite Amelie and touching Norwegian vampire flick Let The Right One In over the Valentines weekend.

Why not book a short break in Leeds to make the most of all the events on offer?

The World’s Original Marmalade Festival, Cumbria

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Posted by Paul on February 2, 2010 – 11:51 am
Filed under Attractions, Events

Forget the Six Nations Rugby Union Championship. The World’s Original Marmalade Festival, a charity-focused event and competition held at historic mansion and gardens Dalemain, near Penrith, Cumbria, will have knowledgeable judges assessing the colour, set and taste of marmalades from all of the Six Nations countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy – and many more besides.

This international competition is playing on national pride and rivalry, by throwing down the gauntlet and inviting marmalade makers in the six nations to ‘win it for your country’.

The ‘your country needs you’ message has never been more apt for this fantastic marmalade contest, as this year’s marmalades will be in the media spotlight more than ever before.

A prize, as important for a marmalade maker as the Calcutta Cup is for an England or Scotland captain, is on offer from high-end retailer Fortnum & Mason. Any double gold winner in the artisan category of the competition can have their marmalade sold in the food hall of the Piccadilly store.

Visit Bath for the perfect romantic break this Valentine’s

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Posted by Paul on February 2, 2010 – 9:42 am
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions, Eating & Drinking

Bath offers the complete romantic package for couples searching for a Valentine’s break. As the only city in Britain to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath boasts splendid Georgian architecture set against a backdrop of some of the most picturesque countryside. In the 18th Century it became a magnet for fashionable society and is still attracting romantics from all over the country today.

Luxurious accommodation

With three quarters of the hotels in Bath offering four poster beds, there is no shortage of excellent accommodation in and around the city and with prior arrangement many will lay on extras such as flowers, chocolates or champagne in the room on arrival. For those really wanting to splash out, stay in one of the top suites at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel and have your very own butler attending to your every need. But if money is a consideration there are plenty of affordable options available. Brooks Guesthouse was recently redeveloped and now offers modern bedrooms, a warm welcome and an award winning breakfast, or book your very own apartment at SACO in the centre of the city. For a truly tranquil break stay at a self catering cottage in the nearby countryside, and after a day of exploring snuggle up in front of a roaring fire.

Candlelit dinners

Bath has a vibrant restaurant scene with a huge choice of eateries from Indian to Italian and Mediterranean to Moroccan; there is something for everyone, including a wealth of inviting restaurants to get all starry eyed and have an intimate candlelit table for two! For a special occasion where better than Martini’s on George Street for authentic Italian, the cosy Hole in the Wall for modern British cuisine or the Bath Priory Hotel for fine dining. For somewhere to eat followed by a leisurely stroll in the country, there are plenty of cosy country pubs nearby such as The Wheatsheaf in the picturesque village of Combe Hay, and all are within an easy drive of the city centre.

Lots of romantic things to do

Bath is brimming with things to do; visiting the famous Roman Baths or discovering about Bath’s most famous writer at the Jane Austen Centre, but for something different a boating trip on the River Avon couldn’t be more romantic, or the skyline walk with six miles of marked trails offering views of valleys, woodlands, patchwork meadows and beautiful Georgian cityscape is always a delight. For couples who prefer adventure to roses and Champagne, nearby Castle Combe Motor Racing Circuit is the ideal place to get your adrenalin pumping as you put pedal to the metal!

See the sights

What could be more romantic than strolling hand in hand through Bath’s Georgian streets? No visit to Bath is complete without seeing the iconic Royal Crescent and Circus as well as other architectural gems such as Pulteney Bridge and Great Pulteney Street. Explore the sights on the City Sightseeing open-top bus, join a walking tour, or take to the skies on a Champagne hot air balloon flight with Bath Balloons.

Keep warm in Britain’s only thermal waters

The Thermae Bath Spa is popular for couples who want to enjoy some relaxation time together. For the ultimate indulgence hire the Cross Bath at Thermae Bath Spa – an intimate open-air thermal bath in a stand alone building from the main complex that can be reserved for two people to bathe in the warm spa waters all alone! Or purchase the Spas Ancient and Modern package for £59 and enjoy entry to the ancient Roman Baths, a two hour session at the Thermae Bath Spa and a Champagne afternoon tea or lunch in the elegant Pump Room. Vouchers can be purchased from www.visitbath.co.uk/shop or pop into the Tourist Information Centre in Abbey Churchyard.

Useful links:
Bath hotels
Bath B&Bs
Bath self-catering
Bath attractions