Guide to Best UK Destinations for a Weekend Break

Weekend breaks are great ways to relax in between longer holidays. However, you may need a few ideas on where you can get away for a few days. One of the first places to consider is the New Forest. Created in 2005, it is one of the newest National Parks in the UK. It is less than two hours away from the heart of London. There is regular train service to the Forest from London Waterloo station. You can also get there on the M3 or A31. A few highlights of the New Forest include the Beaulieu Estate, the marina at Buckler's Head, or Lymington Quay. You can get maps and other information at the New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst.

Another popular place for weekend breaks is the Cotswolds. Located mainly in the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, this area is one of the Areas of Outstanding Beauty. With rolling hills, dry stonewalls, sleepy villages, and market towns, this area of the UK is both a national and international favourite. Take a turn on the 102 mile long Cotswold Way. You might try the town of Broadway for a wonderful view of the countryside while strolling through shops, cafes, and art galleries. For a bit of Harry Potter or Pride and Prejudice, you might visit the village of Lacock where filming happens quite often.

If you want a place of ancient history outside of London, you should consider taking one of your weekend breaks in York. York is a two-hour train ride out of London. You can start at the largest medieval cathedral in England, the York Minster. There are tons of historical streets to wander through. You can find entrances to the 13th century walls at each of the medieval city gates, known as York's Bars. You can catch a performance at the York Theatre Royal or take a riverboat tour through the town.

If you want to take one of your weekend breaks in another city, you need to consider Manchester. This town has just about everything you would need for a weekend. Some of the best restaurants in the UK sit in this city. There are tons of stylish places for nightlife. Those that love romance will love to stroll along the streets of the 19th century heart of the city. A typical train ride from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly takes around 2.5 hours. These are just a few ideas for getting away for the weekend.

Laura Samuels is a travel advisor who is currently researching the best locations for weekend breaks.

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A Luxury Traveler's Tipping Guide in France

There seems to be increasing confusion about appropriate tipping behavior while traveling. This type of travel etiquette is a source of many travelers concerns -- from staying in hotels to traveling on luxury barges or cruise ships. Small cruise ship tipping, including riverboat cruises, is based on industry standards and also our two decades plus experience in this business. Luxury travel comes with all the extras included in the experience, dining, locales, and especially service.

On Riverboat Cruises, the following applies:

For the Cruise Director: We recommend 3 Euro's per day, per passenger.

Example: 6 (passengers) x 3 Euro's = 18 Euros

Multiply this by the # of days for the cruise: 18 Euros x 5 (days) = 90 Euros

For the Crew: 12 Euro's per passenger, per day.

Example: 6 (passengers) x 12 Euro's = 72 Euros

Multiply this by the # of days for the cruise: 72 Euros x 5 (days) = 360 Euros

When traveling aboard Barge Cruises, which range in size from 4 - 24 passengers, industry standard is 5% of the total cruise price paid directly to the Captain.

But the mode of travel throughout France is only one area of tipping that travelers should be aware of; there are other areas the prepared traveler would be interested in. When you travel to France or plan a holiday in France, you will have to dine, stay in a hotel, occasionally travel by taxi, and take tours.

Almost all restaurants prices will include applicable taxes and a 15% service charge or service compris. If you find the service has been more than expected, indeed exceptional, leaving another 2-3% is customary, and so is leaving the waiter the small change from your bill when paying in cash. When service is not included or service non compris, a 15% tip is appropriate.

For hotels you should tip porters around 1.50 Euro per day for each bag, and chambermaids 1.50 Euro a day. "A Travelers Passport to Etiquette" explains that every time a service is performed, you need to tip, "That's part of the cost of travel," says author Lisa Mirza Grotts. You should pay a tip of 10-15% of the metered fare to taxi drivers; hairdressers should receive 10%, and assistants 5%. Smaller tips of around 1 Euro are reasonable for cloakroom and washroom attendants, ushers, and museum tour guides.

When going on excursions, it is standard practice to tip tour guides and bus drivers 1.50 - 3 Euro, dependent on your level of satisfaction of the service. It is suggested for hotels that travelers consult with the front desk to see whether tips are customarily left behind for each service provider or given to the front desk; policies vary.

Hopefully these tips will help you focus more on your travel and less on the sometimes complicated etiquette of tipping when you travel. Including your tipping expenses in your budget when you travel makes you an informed and organized traveler.

Chrissy Bryant is in charge of Marketing and PR for two luxury small cruise ship companies: http://www.francecruises.com/ and http://www.wlcvacations.com/. Both provide travelers with an unparalled experience on their boutique, small-ship riverboat cruises or luxury barges. From custom-made itineraries for no additional charge to themed cruises that range from art to wine, World Luxury Cruises Vacations is the luxury travelers one-stop-shop.

Original article

A Guide to Taking a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Cruises are a favorite amongst those who are looking forward to relax and rejuvenate while on vacation. A peaceful cruise down a beautiful sea or ocean can calm your nerves and make you feel fresh and energetic again. However there are many cruise lines in the sea and selecting one may be a difficult job. The Caribbean islands are an extremely popular destination for singles, families and kids! The highlight of holidaying around Caribbean islands is the cruises which are known to be extremely romantic and amorous!

If you decide on taking the Royal Caribbean Cruise you must have a look at its website. There are many things that you may not be aware of while you narrow in for this as an option. The website is extremely informative and may help you make some wide decisions while on it.

The royal Caribbean cruise may be quite expensive for some; however you can consider renting smaller cabins to save on money. Smaller cabins are obviously cheaper than the large ones with panoramic views of the sea. You do not have to be in your cabin all day. It is just a place to retire to at the end of the day. Most of the fun takes place on the deck. You can book online and advance to save the trouble during the rush hours and day! If you are looking for a calm and peaceful experience chose the off seasons which may have fewer people around and will be less noisy and busy. You can look for the best deals on line. The cruise occasionally offers package deals which may be able to make you more comfortable! You need not have a long stay on board. A day and a night will be able to give you the entire experience without you having to burn a hole in your pocket.

Original article

Easy Cabo Museum Guide

Cruise deals for Cabo, Mexico are now becoming popular not only for its climate but also for the places that you could get to see and visit. If you are looking for cruise deals that would give you a one of a kind experience, this is the place for you. The history of this city extends during the 1800s when English explorers and American authors popularized the city for its glory days.

Nowadays, Cabo is known for its warm waters and exotic dishes. For those looking for a glimpse of paradise, this is the place you want to visit. Situated near the sand and sea, you could definitely enjoy the taste of tropical living when you visit this place. Mexico has a great number of beaches and nowadays, this city is becoming popularly known for it too.

But what makes the city different from other places in Mexico are the historical sites and museums worth visiting. Through the different museums and galleries around the city, you could get educated by the rich history of Cabo. Through this short list, you will have an easy guide towards the different galleries and museums out there.

Huichol Museum

Located in Boulevard Marina, this museum is of great interest to those people looking to learn about het traditional Mexican lifestyle. From the colorful arts created by the Indians to the yarn paintings that dates years back, this is a place where you could visit for a few bucks.

The Huichol Museum opens from Mondays to Sundays. It opens 10am to 5pm during weekdays and from 12noon to 7pm during the weekends.

Museo De Las Californias

This is located in Avenue Cabo San Lucas, this museum features exhibition spaces for artifacts, photographs and paintings related to the long rich history of the Baja Peninsula. Relatively new to the number of museums in the area, this is a place is a must see as you get to be charged only by a minimal fee. The museum opens Tuesdays to Saturdays from 8am to 3pm.

Pasado Marina De Museo

Better known as the fishing museum, it pays tribute to the trade which made the city popular all over Mexico. From specimens of large fishes from Tunas to shark, you get to find the best of the different species you may never get to see elsewhere. Aside from enjoying the specimens, you also get to enjoy the art of taxidermy with their specimens suspended along the ceiling of the museum. Being free of charge, don't miss this on your visit. It opens from 8am to 10pm.

Visiting museums may leave you educated over a short period of time. If not for the museums, you may not be able to find interest over the culture and the rich history of the place you are visiting. Through museum visits, you will be able to have a deep understanding of what the place is all about.

They say that the quickest trip to a country's culture is through its lights and sounds and through its museums. Visiting the different museums of the city may be an experience to remember for a tourist. If you want to enjoy the best of what cruise deals could offer in Mexico, make sure that you visit the different museums out there.

John Michael Jayme is a traveler who sees Cabo resorts as the pride of what Mexico could offer.

Original article