Jan 18

Assistance For Travelers With Disabilities

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If you or someone close to you is disabled, you may have been put off the idea of traveling because of the increased difficulties. If you have ever wondered if travel aids for disabled people exist, the answer is a qualified yes.

Airlines, for example, will normally offer services to help disabled passengers. But the passenger needs to confirm exactly what is available. In addition, the airline needs to be contacted ahead of time and made aware of what is needed. You must be clear about the exact nature of the disability.

Among the services airlines often offer are a wheelchair loan, extra help getting on and off the plane, a separate room for security checks, and more. Wheelchairs and other disability aids do not usually count towards the passenger baggage allotment.

While many accessible hotels have ramps and elevators for easy access, this needs to be checked before making your reservation. If they offer airport pickup, you should confirm that you can easily board the transport. If not, ask them to provide appropriate transportation for you.

Some countries, like the United States, require access for the disabled. But not every destination will have that type of law. Therefore, it is very important to get confirmation of all services at each destination.

When it comes to the mobility aids, it is probably a good idea to bring your own rather than rely on rentals. That way you know what you are getting and that it is something you can use. There are a variety of travel wheelchairs available, for example, that are much easier to stow than the normal variety.

Fortunately, there is more awareness in the travel industry of the needs of disabled travelers. Facilities, especially at tourist spots, are making themselves more accessible. You can also find travel agencies that devote themselves to disabled clients. These people already know where the best service is going to be for your needs, so you may want to start there.

There are many websites are devoted to giving the disabled traveler advice. Especially interesting are the blogs from disabled travelers themselves. These offer many personal tips to making your travel as best an experience as you can.

For anyone who has put off traveling because of a disability, there is no time like the present to take your vacation. With a little research, good organization and patience you can find the travel aids for disabled people that you need. The trip of a lifetime awaits you.

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Jan 06

A picture of Alnmouth

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Video of beach and estuary at Alnmouth

First impressions of Alnmouth are usually those from the railway line or parallel road when approaching from the south.  Green meadows and ripe corn fields flow down to its broad river estuary, the other side of which lies a cheery terrace of colourful painted Victorian cottages. Each ebb tide strands the fleet of small boats moored in the estuary on the sand where they lie until the water rushes back in again from the sea. The sky and the sea act as a sapphire canvas for the picture of the brightly painted houses.In any circumstances almost no one passes who does not comment on the view.  Legend has it that when Queen Victoria was on her way to Balmoral she would have the engine driver slow down the train when they reached Alnmouth so she could enjoy the vista.
Alnmouth owes its almost unique geographic situation equally to the sea and the River Aln, as both have shaped the surrounding land leaving it sitting on a narrow peninsula of land parallel with the coastline.Alnmouth is more than a mere village and would be boasting to call itself a town but it does contain all the best bits of Northumberland coastal ‘life’.Traditional coastal architecture, without the usual tacky seaside add-ons, all bounded by white sand and in a pretty rural setting.   It only lacks its own castle but there are plenty of world-beating ones in very close proximity – Warkworth, Alnwick, Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh to name but a few.  Add to this mix a handful of cosy pubs, couple of interesting shops and some eating places proudly serving local fresh produce and you have the recipe for a wonderful holiday or short break.
Located on the main east coast railway and just off the A1 between Newcastle and Berwick, Alnmouth can be used as the perfect base for the whole of Northumberland and Scottish Borders.  Alnwick with its world famous castle and gardens is just three miles away, where you will also find the amazing Barter Book Store in the old railway station.You can a few likely looking books and then retire to the ‘waiting room’ to sample a few pages whilst enjoying a fresh coffee in front of the open fire.

Holiday accommodation in Alnmouth is mainly B&Bs or self catering cottages, of which there are plenty but they are also pretty busy even in winter and so advance booking is advisable. Visitors looking for a more active holiday can join in inland and offshore sailing, diving, surfing, mountain biking, shooting, fishing and golf!

By car Alnmouth is five miles off the A1, it has its own station on the East Coast mainline railway and North sea ferries arrive from Norway & Holland into Newcastle, which also has its own airport.  Car hire is available at all these points of arrival.

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Dec 05

Amazing Vacations In York

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Many folk are deciding to take vacations closer to home this year. For the majority of us it is to cut costs but is this a wise decision or a terrible mistake? Frequently many of us fail to see the many local tourist attractions but they are frequently brilliant and far better than those we see somewhere else. Folk resident in the UK have a mindblowing list of vacation destinations each of which has a massive selection of top class visitor attractions to visit. In the following article I introduce the English city of York and hotels in York.

York is situated in the English county of Yorkshire and was, hundreds of years ago, the capital city of a huge kingdom covering most of northern England. In such an ancient city it will not be an enormous surprise to discover a large collection of incredibly old buildings, but you might not expect the astounding sight of the 12th century Gothic York Minster.

The earliest incarnation of York Minster was a humble church of wood in which the Northumbrian King Edwin was baptised in 627. It wasn’t until the time of the Norman Conquest that the earliest sunstantial construction made from stone appeared on the site. Constructed by Thomas of Bayeux, a Norman Archbishop it was extended by Archbishop Roger who constructed a north transept and a south transept. Following many more alterations it was declared complete and consecrated in 1472. Inside has the biggest medieval stained glass window in the world. York has other places to visit including; the National Railway Museum, the Jorvik Viking Centre, Barley Hall, The Shambles, York Castle Museum and York Dungeon.

On top of all of the incredible historic and ancient tourist attractions introduced above, York is an exciting place to go out partying in or experience live music, the opera or theatre. It that doesn’t thrill you then you could visit a pub instead there are certainly plenty to choose from, including; Old Star Inn, Oscars Wine Bar, The Bluebell Inn, the Slug and Lettuce and The Royal Oak, and, lastly, the Black Swan. Of all of them the Black Swan is probably the finest with a superb atmosphere and sometimes having live music.

B&B Accommodation In York

Like many other UK cities you will find a massive variety of York bed and breakfast accommodation ranging from cheap and cheerful guest houses to first class hotels. The Middlethorpe Hall hotel is just two miles from the city centre of York but provides superb accommodation with it’s own private gardens, gym, sauna and steam room, and it also offers massages. Other top York hotels include; Marriott on Tadcaster Road, Hotel du Vin and Bistro, Parsonage Country House Hotel and Bishops at 135 Holgate Road and one of the best guest houses is Crossways on Wigginto Road, or if you are looking for something different why not consider Marmadukes Boutique Hotel.

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Oct 14

Plymouth Weekend City Breaks and Visitor Attractions to Visit

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Vacations in the UK appear to be increasingly popular at the moment, most probably due to the economic downturn and the low value of the pound Sterling. The United Kingdom has many top vacation destinations including London (the capital city of England) and other fascinating cities plus a fine collection of seaside resorts such as; Blackpool, Bognor Regis, Bournemouth and Brighton. One town commonly overlooked is Plymouth in the south of England.

When you first arrive Plymouth appears a little plain and primarily modern, but investigating a little deeper and you will very quickly find that the city of Plymouth has a rich history and a deep association with the sea. As far back as the 16th C the town has had a busy port. In fifteen eighty eight Francis Drake embarked from the port to successfully defend the English from the Spanish Armada. Another historic moment occurred in sixteen twenty when the Pilgrim Fathers embarked from the port.

It is possible to enjoy inexpensive Plymouth weekend city breaks by booking Plymouth bed and breakfast rather than booking rooms in a overpriced hotel. A simple online search will reveal that rooms are available from as little as £29 a night and many guest houses have reasonably priced dinners also, commonly equal to, or less costly than local restaurants.

Tourist Attractions In Plymouth

There are a great many interesting places in the town which are worth a visit. Popular visitor attractions include; Smeaton’s Tower and Plymouth Dome, the Barbican district, the Elizabethan House and the Royal Citadel. A boat cruise around the waters of the port is an interesting way to spend some time but if you find that you have more time why not take a day out to places outside Plymouth, such as; Saltram House, Mount Edgcumbe or Buckland Abbey.

Saltram House is a lovely Tudor Mansion which is situated 2m east of the town of Plymouth, Mount Edgcumbe is another Tudor house with parklands, coastal paths and landscaped gardens, and Buckland Abbey, approximately 6 miles from Plymouth, is a Cistercian abbey which was at one time by Francis Drake and was at a later date converted into a family home.

If you and your family are currently considering spending a few weeks in the city of  Plymouth it is crucial that you book your  lodgings at the earliest opportunity because, sadly hotels in Plymouth tend to be surprisingly busy and are commonly fully booked well in advance. If you are travelling in a group you may find that Plymouth apartments are a reasonable option to Plymouth bed and breakfast accommodation. If you are visiting the United Kingdom from abroad then you could consider making a reservation for a room in hotels in London to take in the attractions of the English capital too.

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