Stranraer is a town located in southerly Scotland in the district of Dumfries & Galloway, it is most widely known for it being where it is possible to sail to Belfast in Northern Ireland. Regrettably the largest numbers of tourists fail to see some of the tourist attractions in and around Stranraer. This fact is something of a puzzle, if you arrive at the town, and book a room in a Stranraer bed & breakfast, a day early you can get to see a couple of the local attractions before sailing to the city of Belfast.

There are a selection of things to see and do in the town including the medieval tower house of the Castle of St John situated in the centre of Stranraer. The castle was built in 1510 as a residence for the Laird of Wigtownshire, Ninian Adair of Kilhurst. The castle underwent restoration, during 1988/89, in 1988/89, by Wigtown District Council who made it available to the public in 1990.

Another attraction close to the town is the gardens at Castle Kennedy. The castle is the centrepiece of the gardens which are situated, between 2 lochs, on a hill (it is important to know that you are not allowed to visit the ruins. The castle’s gardens extend across 75 acres. You can purchase plants from a store which has grown them from seed and plants in the gardens.

A further lovely visitor attraction worth seeing is Glenluce Abbey, about seven miles from Stranraer. Although Glenluce Abbey is ruined (actually the most ruined of a trio of Cistercian monasteries found in the South West of Scotland) it has an incredible fifteenth-century Chapter House. Other places worth consideration include, the Machars, Port Logan, Portpatrick and the Mull of Galloway.

If you are thinking about taking a vacation in Stranraer you will be pleased to learn that there is a reasonable selection of Stranraer hotels. Please take a look at our extensive listings of Stranraer hotels and guest house accommodation.

There are people who don’t have all the physical features of ordinary human beings. Some people won’t have their legs or they may have the legs but they won’t be working properly.

Then there are also people who don’t have very useful arms. The former are the people who suffer the most. They suffer more because they are not able to move on their own. Mobility becomes a problem in their case.

When the various companies design variety of products and services and buildings they don’t take into account these disabled people who are traveling. Even after the invention of the wheel chairs disabled people are not able to move with a lot of freedom. They always require a person to place them on the chair and remove the person from the chair.

These days there are a number of holiday homes and villas which have been designed to allow these disabled people to use them with ease. These villas would be just like the ordinary villas with bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, terrace, veranda and the other features of any ordinary villa but also help in accommodating disabled people.

These villas also have Jacuzzi which is user friendly for disabled person. It is designed in such a way. The villa also has a bed that can be adjusted electronically. Then there is the shower with propelled wheel chair. Then there are also grips of high quality on the bars of the bathroom.

The transportation provided by these cottages is also great. They use vehicles that are fit for use by the disabled people. They have separate entrance for disabled people. It is of much lower height than the other.

There are almost as many different types of wheelchair as there are different types of  disability. Today many disabled people want their independence. Many disabled people will  have limited mobility or will want to travel unaccompanied and for these people a light  wheelchair is a must. Walking long corridors such as from airport check in desks to airplane  departure gates can become a massive problem for those unable to walk huge distances, but  with the purchase of a wheelchair this problem is easily overcome, and the wheelchair is  easily stored on arrival.

Lightweight travel wheelchairs are superb for travelling in because they typically weigh no more than about 10kgs and can be folded and stored in very small spaces. They are absolutely ideal for fitting in the luggage compartments of cars. They can also be taken out of cars easily and can be assembled by almost anyone very quickly and safely.

Something that is even more amazing is that these lightweight wheelchairs can hold the same weight as a conventional wheelchair. A lightweight wheelchair will often be kept in a car of someone who does have partial mobility just in case they need assistance during a journey that might be undertaking

Mobility impaired travelers are now also able to use most forms of public transport. Not only are the wheelchairs light and easy to handle but the various forms of public transport are also geared to helping those with wheelchairs and most have seats near the entrances and exit doors reserved for the elderly and disabled and with easy to get to storage space for a wheelchair. This allows for the disabled person to explore much more than he has ever been able to do before.

A reduction in the weight of wheelchairs has been considerable in recent years. A wheelchair now on the market weighs a mere 6kgs! The wheelchair is still strong enough  to take the weight of a 90kgs person. It still has all the standards such as breaks and foot  rests that come with more standard models.

All over the world cities, towns, hotels and tourist attractions are assisting wheelchair bound or mobility impaired people. Disabled people are no longer locked into their own homes because they do not have the equipment to travel freely. Lightweight travel wheelchairs have changed so much in recent years that they are now cheaper and much more affordable. Ten years ago no one would ever have dreamed that a wheelchair would weigh only 10kgs.

People with limited mobility are finding that elevated ramps, curb cuts, automatic door openers and wider doorways are now the norm. With few obstacles in their way and public transportation now offering features for handicapped riders, a wheelchair is not the impediment it once was. Advocates for the disabled lobbying for increased accessibility have paved the way for a new generation of wheelchair travelers.

Thanks to them, traveling people in wheelchairs are able to live their lives to the fullest and see the wonderful world that’s waiting for them. Having said that, people of limited mobility still have to plan their holidays more carefully than others. Despite these societal advances, people who must travel in their wheelchairs still need to do some advance planning to ensure their comfort and safety, especially when planning vacations in foreign countries.

Particularly if the holiday destination is in a third world country or remote area such as in parts of Africa, the destination should be scouted out. Check out the hotel and the airlines. What other facilities are in the area that you may need. Where are the hospitals and can you easily fill any prescriptions you might require.

It’s a great idea to speak directly to a person at your hotel rather than making your reservation online. They can answer questions about the widths of the hotel room doors and confirm that there are ramps to the front doorways and elevators with sufficient space for a wheelchair. As with anyone who travels, get a confirmation number for your reservation. You may need proof that you did indeed make a reservation at that hotel, especially during the busy season.

Services for disabled passengers vary from airline to airline. Make phone calls to check on provisions made by the airline for wheelchairs. Ensure that you can access the plane in your own wheelchair, or if not, what type of service do they provide. Will they stow your wheelchair in the luggage compartment and what assurances can they give you that your chair will not be damaged? Find out what the airline’s policy is for lost or stolen luggage, which may include your wheelchair.

Does your airline require a doctor’s note listing the prescription drugs that you’re taking? This would be a smart thing to do regardless of the airline’s policy. This is also important when crossing international borders. If certain medications are found in your possession, especially powerful prescription drugs, having a letter from your doctor may save you from embarrassing interrogation.

Make sure you have proper travel insurance. This can’t be emphasized enough. People in wheelchairs can often be more vulnerable to viruses or have delicate digestion. Should you have an accident and fall from your chair, what coverage do you have and for how long. A little advance preparation will make all the difference between a nice holiday and a great holiday!

But what makes it dry, given that Dry Tortugas National Park is surrounded by the waters of the crystal clear blue Caribbean? The name comes from when the Spanish settled the group of islands, and they soon figured out that no fresh water springs existed there. So the islands came eventually to be called the Dry Tortugas, or “dry turtles.” Even now, because the islets are a popular tourist destination, visitors must bring their own water.

First named a National Monument in 1935 by FDR, Dry Tortugas was designated a national park in 1992 at the end of George H. W. Bush’s term right before Clinton won the November election. The home of the previously unfinished Civil War era Fort Jefferson, a brick structure later used as a prison to house accused conspirators in President Lincoln’s assassination, the strip of sandy beaches and shallow, colorful reefs has become a destination for 80,000 tourists each year. Everyone leaves in amazement at the fascinating history of the former fort originally thought of as a defense against the real pirates of the Caribbean.

Visitors can now enjoy all sorts of fascinating and recreational activities at Dry Tortugas park, from a historical tour of Fort Jefferson, to relaxation on the sandy beaches, to an absolutely memorable snorkel expedition to see the amazing sea life.

Of course, visitors can only arrive by chartered boat of sea plane. So if you want to book a trip, a Dry Tortugas charter will be necessary. There are some great discounts available on Dry Tortugas charters, Key West hotels, Key West snorkeling, and other recreation packages at Gold Card Key West.

Because of the great distances, there is no way to explore the Outback in a few days. However, those who don’t have much time should start their trip in Alice Springs, as there are many well-known tourist attractions near this city. If you want to see more than the famous Uluru, you should make time to visit the whole national park where Uluru can be found, Alice Springs Desert Park.

Undoubtedly the greatest tourist attraction on the Australian continent is Uluru (Ayers Rock), and Alice Springs sees so many tourists because Uluru is relatively close to it. However, many tourists fail to make a correct estimate about the distances in the Australian Outback: ‘close’ means Uluru is 450 km away from Alice Springs.

Those who make the trip from Alice Springs to Uluru should visit the Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. Kata Tjuta is really close to Uluru: one must drive only 50 km. The third important tourist attraction is Wattarka – Kings Canyon. This is a national park little bit further away, at 300 km from Uluru.

Besides the top three tourist attractions, there are a lot more to see. One place to visit is the West MacDonnell Ranges, and the East MacDonnell Ranges. Palm Valley, Hermannsburg, Chambers Pillar are also beautiful places in the Alice Springs area.

Those who choose to drive all the way from Alice Spring to Darwin must prepare for a really long journey. Those who find inspiring the endless horizon, great open space and ever changing landscape will enjoy the trip. However, a lot of people are unhappy about the journey, saying that the drive is too monotonous, with few tourist attractions on the way.

One beautiful place on the way to Darwin is Devils Marbles, 393 km north of Alice Springs. 600 km from Devils Marbles there is Mataranka, and from here it is only 105 km to Katherine George, one of the greatest places in Australia. Darwin itself is a tourist attraction, and there are several national parks in the north of Australia: Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park are the favorite.

Those who choose to drive south from Alice Springs to Adelaide, will reach an opal mining town called Coober Pedy. This town is very different from other Australian tourist attractions: some people love it, others hate it.

For those who are looking for real adventure, there is the Outback of the Australian Outback, the Kimberley region in the remote north-west territory. This is the place where most of time 4WD jeeps are the only means of transportation. Among the must see thing there is the Great Northern Highway from Broome to Kununura, the Gibb River Road, and countless waterfalls, rock pools, secret fishing spots, national parks and one of the world’s top 5 beaches.

Isabella Olsen is a travel writer who has toured major destinations worldwide, including many European countries by car. To book a car rental Montenegro, or learn more about cheap car hire worldwide, visit www.zencarhire.com

It is possible you may never have heard of Campi Ya Kanzi which is in the Chyulu Hills state Park, but this would be the perfect place for a luxury African safari. 

Campi Ya Kanzi means ‘Camp of The concealed Treasure’, but effectively for you the hidden treasure is the sheer quality of this luxury tented safari camp in Southern Kenya, which is sort of in the shadow of Mt.  Kilimanjaro which is only 35 miles away, and it lies within a 400 square mile non-public ranch. 

There are superb features concerning Campi Ya Kanzi making it an excellent base for a luxury African safari and some of them are. 

The maximum number of guests is restricted to 14 in six thatched roof tented cottages, and the two suites called Hemingway and Simba.  Each tented cottage is formed of stones fabric and wood. 

The tented cottages all have different perspectives and are extremely private, only one reason that Campi Ya Kanzi is a complete must visit on a honeymoon in Kenya. 

The apartments all feature a king size bed, a dressing room, and the bathrooms have double wash hand basins. 

The cottages have either twin or king size beds, and have like the apartments a fullsize bath, shower, bidet, flush toilet and cold and warm running water.  Electricity is supplied by a solar system to each cottage. 

style is added to by the proven fact that the plumbing fixtures are brass, and fresh flowers are replaced each day. 

Each cottage as Camp Ya Kanzi has a wide veranda with superb views of Mt.  Kilimanjaro and the Tsavo Hills. 

Each guesthouse has a designated Maasai attendant, and at night the camp is patrolled by guards so you can feel safe and totally secure at Campi Ya Kanzi. 

The meals are all served at Tembo House which is the clubhouse at the epicentre of the camp.  Like the cottages it is created of local materials and thatch.  It is open to the outside and the views of Kilimanjaro from the patio are to put it softly spectacular.  It also has a huge lounge for relaxing reading and having a quiet drink. 

Tembo House is more like being a guest in a friend’s home than an hotel.  Even dining is at a large wooden family dining table, set with expensive china, silverware and crystal to further this impression, and food which has an Italian theme, and is naturally home cooked by specifically trained cooks is amazing, but stands alongside local and international dishes, and veggies from the plant garden, local fresh milk and eggs from the chickens. 

Campi Ya Kanzi has 2 goals, the first of which is to help the Maasai preserve their wildlife heritage.  The second is to give you the most memorable vacation of your life. 

Your safari day will commence with tea or coffee brought to your cottage by your Maasai attendant, and then after enjoying the view from the verandah you may have a morning game drive, or if you would like a walk.  Breakfast follows with fresh local fruit, then doubtless an escorted safari on foot.  Campi Ya Kanzi is famous and correctly so for its foot safaris.  The Maasai game trackers will go out first, then you’ll follow in your own auto, getting close enough to whatever game you have indicated you need to see.  It is then on foot, with your armed pro guide and the trackers.  In this manner you will get close and personal, whilst remaining safe at all times. 

All of this is as far as you can get from the mass car pursuit of animals in the Masai Mara, and indeed you’ll never need it another way in the future. 

all of the activity in the bush is what you want and not part of a rigid program.  You will almost surely see all the big 5, but on foot, and what could be more exciting than that. 

if you’d like to take a luxury African safari, or have your honeymoon in Kenya, then Campi Ya Kanzi might be the best solution and the fact each buck you spend helps the Maasai preserve their wildlife heritage.

Journey around the world by visiting famouswonders.com and while you’re at it, also check out Mount Kenya National Park.

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.

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.

You will find Birmingham in the county of England called the West Midlands  and the inhabitants of the city are referred to as being “Brummies”. The accent of Birmingham sounds like many other northern English dialects and it is rather tricky to understand fully what is being spoken a struggle which is exaggerated if if you are new to such accents. Thankfully the vast majority of Brummies are extremely polite, helpful and kind and do their utmost to help you understand so if the need arises don’t be afraid to approach folk about directions and help or guidance in locating  bed & breakfast in Birmingham.

The city has  a superb collection of places to visit and things to do including some interesting and informative galleries and museums, for example the Barber Institute of Fine Arts and the new museum in the Eastside called Thinktank. The city of Birmingham also features an impressive number of hectares of woodland and parks, Sutton Park being the largest with 2,400 acres making it the very largest urban nature reserve in the whole of Europe.

The city features a varied and vibrant nightlife with many restaurants, cafes, wine bars, bars and nightclubs. You will find most in one of the city’s squares, Victoria Square, Centenary Square, St Martin’s Square, Chamberlain Square, the historic Old Square at Corporation Street, Rotunda Square and the Gas Street Basin. Gas Street Basin is the central hub of the city’s canal system. Birmingham has about 32 miles of canals with between eight canals which were built in the 18th century and continued being used until the late twentieth century. Today the Gas Street Basin has been renovated and regenerated and is now a rather nice tourist attraction.

As an alternative to a hotel why not think about apartments in Birmingham. If you If you are considering a Birmingham vacation you will need to know that the closest airport is approximately eight miles east of the the city center just off the A45 and near the M42 (junction 6). You will find there is a useful number of guest houses and hotels close to the airport.