27
Mar
Posted on 2008 under Northampton |
Northampton is a large market town and the county town of Northamptonshire. It is in the East Midlands region of England, situated 108 km north of London on the River Nene.
During the 11th century the Normans built town walls and a large market grew under the stewardship of the Norman Earl Senlis. Later Northampton grew rapidly at the time of the Normans with the population reaching 1500 residents.
The town underwent rapid growth when new houses were built in housing estates at the beginning of the 20th century and by 1961 the population had increased to 100,000. Northampton Development Corporation was set up to increase the size of the town, targeting a population of 230,000 which was estimated to happen in 1981. But somehow the actual growth was much slower than they had planned for perhaps because of the emergence of its neighbor the new town of Milton Keynes.
Northampton is famous for Rugby, Cricket and Football. The league football club Northampton Town, also called as the Cobblers due to the town’s long association with shoe making. Northampton Town plays at their new stadium at Sixfields Stadium on the edge of the town. This stadium has both an athletics track as well as a football ground which are both adjacent to each other. Northampton is today better known for its Rugby, Northampton’s team is known as the “Saints.” Probably their greatest moment was when they won the Heineken Cup in 2000 at Twickenham Stadium, beating their opponent Munster 9 - 8.
One of the main tourist attractions is “Cottesbrooke Hall and Gardens” This is a fine stately home that was built in 1702 with the “Arts and crafts garden” which was added in 1930. The garden is known as the pattern for Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. Althorp pronounced as “All - Thorp” is the country estate of the Spencer Family. Princess Diana grew up there and her brother the Earl Spencer now lives their and manages the estate.
The house was made originally of red brick and but later in the 18th century many modifications were made when Henry Holland was paid a huge commission for the task. Kelmarsh hall is an 18th century house which is built in a beautiful set of Romantic gardens. It is wonderful place to be when the garden is open to the public. Because of Kelmarsh’s extensive parkland which is very attractive it is used for attractive outdoor events and shows.
Northampton is located near junctions 15, 15a, 16 of the M1 motorway. The 2 highways A45 and A43 go through the towns. The A45 goes through East Birmingham bypassing Coventry and Rugby. The A14 runs all the way to the port of Felixstowe.
In addition to great road connections Northampton has direct rail connections to London (Euston) and Birmingham. You can also get connecting trains to Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales, Crewe, Glasgow and the Lake District all on the West Coast Mainline.
I hope you enjoyed reading this tourist information and travel guide to Northampton. Please look out for the next instalment which will reveal some more interesting facts about my city.
26
Mar
Posted on 2008 under Cruise Holidays |
Cruise ship vacations certainly have appeal - they’re exotic, allow you to see multiple cities and ports, are almost all-inclusive and they offer a wide range of activities for family members of all ages.
If you’re curious about cruise vacations and cruise travel, but want to learn more about what you can expect, keep reading to find out the answers to common cruise ship vacation questions.
Are cruises really all-inclusive? Read more… »
26
Mar
Posted on 2008 under Safety Tips |
Traveling is one of the most adventurous activities in which you can engage. However just as you would want to remain safe at home, you should adhere to basic safety rules while you are away as well. That way you are able to enjoy your vacation and not need to concern yourself with all the possible negative incidents that can take place while you are away. There is always some risk you must assume when traveling to a location with which you are unfamiliar, so it is best to be prepared and comfortable with what you should do in case of trouble.
Start by planning your destination and preferred activities. In taking that initial step - which you should do regardless of safety considerations - you can then consider where the greatest risks are likely to be. For example, if you are headed to the islands for vacation, you should know that while the beaches are gorgeous and full of fun, they are also dangerous after dark. In tourist areas, there are people who prey on visitors because they seem to be naive and unsuspecting. Since you certainly do not want this to be your fate, by doing your research in advance on the areas you are visiting, you will know where and when not to go.
Second, never travel alone, especially at night. If you are vacationing by yourself this may be difficult, but you should avoid any desolate spots or areas where there is a high crime rate. It is certainly safer, when possible, to travel with even a small crowd. For example, though you might travel alone, find a group of people at your hotel with whom you feel comfortable to head out for some night life. If you do go alone, make sure to leave a detailed itinerary with someone in your family so they know where you are in case something nefarious happens to you.
While traveling, it is a good idea to keep a cellular phone on you at all times so you can call an emergency number if needed. Although 911 is a universal number in the US, it might not be everywhere, so always keep a record on hand of local police station numbers in case of an emergency.
As a last note of caution, hotels can be somewhat dangerous no matter where you stay. So, always keep your door bolt locked, and never open it for anyone you do not know. Store your valuables in your hotel room safe, and don’t leave money lying around even when you are in your room. Vacations can be quite pleasurable, and you want to make sure you keep it that way!
12
Mar
Posted on 2008 under Thailand |
A luxury vacation or trip is perhaps the dream of everyone. Just imagine if the trip is to such a destination that is a blend of modern and ancient and which offers an array of options to see and do. One such destination is Bangkok, situated close to the Gulf of Thailand, on the eastern banks of the Chao Phraya River, in the south-west region of Thailand.
Covering an area of about 1600 square kilometers, Bangkok is regarded as the gateway to the country, and is made up of about 50 Khets or districts. Founded as the capital of the country in 1782, Bangkok has now become a modern destination with towering skyline and well maintained establishments, al though retaining its ancient glories. No wonder why many tourist organizations as well as magazines have rated Bangkok among the top tourist destinations in the world.
Bangkok boasts of such a great number of attractions that it is quite difficult to list them all. Of which, perhaps the most noteworthy are exquisite palaces and ancient shrines in the region such as Grand Palace, which would be the first attraction that comes into the mind when one think about the city.
Suan Pakkad Palace, which served as the residence of Princess Chumphot; Wat Trai Mit, whose centerpiece is a golden image of Lord Buddha; Wat Mahathat, which is home to Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University; Wat Pho, the oldest as well as largest of its kind in the city, which is much famed for its mural paintings and inscriptions; Wat Arun, with a 79-metre-high pagoda; and Wat Ratchabophit, whose architecture is a blend of traditional and western styles.
A visit to Bangkok would not to be complete without taking a tour to some of the fascinating museums in the city such as National Museum, with a vast selection of items collected from Neolithic and Ayutthaya periods; National Gallery Museum, exhibiting both traditional and contemporary works created by Thai artists; Museum of Imagery Technology, the first camera and photograph museum in Asia.
Science Museum, with an interesting aquarium, a planetarium, and several other sections for entertainment and education; Philatelic Museum, which is a must-see for stamp collectors; and Royal Barge National Museum, which has on display an array of royal barges that were used during royal occasions.
Interesting attractions in Bangkok also include Dusit Zoo, boasting of more than 200 mammals, 150 reptiles, and 1000 birds; Pasteur Institute or Snake Farm, with an amazing collection of poisonous snakes; Thai Cat Palace, featuring several breeds of cats such as Siamese, white pure Maeo Khao Mani, and diamond-eyed cats. Thus goes on the attractions in the city.
Bangkok has something for everyone. For instance, if you are a shopping enthusiast, some excellent options are available in destinations like Chinatown, a business center packed with a plethora of shopping malls, Chatuchak Weekend Market, a huge open ground where everything from food and clothing items to handicraft items and pets can be shopped, and Pak Khlong Talat - the largest wholesale market in the country to shop all types of vegetables and cut flowers.
Likewise, while your stay in the city, take a cruise along the much celebrated Chao Phraya River to experience the majestic beauty of the destination. For fun and recreation, some better options are available in the form of Magic Land, Siam Water Park, and Dream World. Apart from these, there are a myriad of centers in the city presenting Thai cultural shows such as National Theatre, Thailand Cultural Centre, and Chalerm Krung Royal Theatre.
In short, Bangkok has everything to make your vacation truly unforgettable as well as enjoyable. A host of accommodation options, especially luxurious, are there for visitors who want to spend their vacation in Bangkok in style and elegance. Many of the five-star accommodation choices are based in the central Silom district of the city. Some of these hotels are attached with more than 700 rooms and provide options to choose from suites, standard rooms, deluxe rooms, and apartments that are suitable for long stays.
Further, many of the upscale hotels in the city are excellent dining facilities. Even some render superb choices for fitness and rejuvenation in the form of fitness centers and spa facilities. Apart from these, some luxury hotels in the region offer packages for such events as wedding parties.
Mostly, these hotels are in close proximity to some of the top attractions in the city. An added advantage is that many of them are within easy reach of almost all major transport system such as the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and the Saphan Taksin station of the Skytrain, which is the elevated metro system of the city.
Since many of the hotels have their own websites with rates and pictures of rooms, this allows you choose an accommodation of your choice and book it in advance via online. All you have to do is to let them know your preferences and rest they will take care!