Easy To Use Travel Blog - Write Save and Share your travels.

If you didn’t realise Yorkshire had so much to offer, then you’re sure to be amazed. The region has so much more than just hills and holiday cottages and provides the perfect getaway for family breaks, romantic weekends and group holidays. Self catering Yorkshire style gives you the freedom to tailor your trip exactly as you wish. Confused by the massive choice of holiday accommodation on offer? Welcome to Natural Retreats, Yorkshire Dales. Our luxury self catering residences in Yorkshire Dales offer a different self catering holiday experience. One we think you’ll love. Our contemporary wood and glass eco-residences don’t compromise on style or comfort. With state of the art, highly furnished interiors, you can relax inside and when you open the door to your holiday accommodation, you have instant access to the living landscape. Set within 54 acres of unspoilt countryside and close to the historic market town of Richmond, there’s always something going on – in fact, you’re less than 50 minutes away from a whole weekend of fun. If you’re visiting Yorkshire because you like to get close to nature and breathe in fresh air, then the rolling hills, ancient woods and wildflower meadows at the Limetree Festival will blow you away. With its own stone circle and Iron Age round house, the Limetree festival from 27 – 29 August 2010 is a quirky, cool and friendly event that will appeal to festival goers who want to get back to the good old days before such events became expensive, commercial and corporate affairs.

 

With 3 stages featuring a top line up of bands, comedy, cabaret, street theatre, art and poetry – to name but a few – there’s something to appeal to all ages. At Natural Retreats we like the sound of the quality local foods and beer tents – there’s not an economy burger in sight but there’s no ridiculous prices either. There are also plenty of stalls with character and a healing area to rejuvenate mind, body and soul, so you can relax and be entertained from the second you arrive. If this sounds a bank holiday experience that’s just too good to miss then you’ll be pleased to hear we still have availability at Natural Retreats Yorkshire Dales. What’s more, if you book now you can take advantage of our stunning summer discounts! 7 nights luxury self catering for the price of 5 in August – whether you’re after a relaxing holiday, a cool festival, or both – it’s an offer not to miss.

Brooklyn, a huge district of NY, brimming with trendy neighborhoods that each have some special to offer including cheap accommodation that make vacations here affordable. They'll provide the perfect starting point to explore every fun nook and cranny that each neighborhood has to offer.

Downtown Brooklyn, much like other major cities, is filled with shopping experiences from department stores to boutiques as well as a train station, subway and bus lines ready to take you anywhere you want to go. You'll also find the Brooklyn Academy of Music and some of the best views of the New York skyline and the awe-inspiring Brooklyn Bridge. From downtown Brooklyn you can venture out to all of the trendy neighborhoods and really get a feel for the city.

The Williamsburg neighborhood has countless restaurants, a number of funky night clubs and a flourishing art district. It's one of the most popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn and reflects what Greenwich Village was once famous for including off beat bars, an eclectic art scene and restaurants that will suit every taste. The East Williamsburg area is the center point for a growing music scene and is home to Grego's, a famous swinger's club.

Cobble Hill is a peaceful neighborhood and an old fashioned Italian community with fun shops, bookstores and fantastic restaurants and stands selling Italian ices and some say the best pizza in New York. Besides a variety of restaurants there are several lively bars and cafe's dotting the charming streets. Brooklyn Heights is an upscale neighborhood filled will historic churches and exquisite buildings and offers gorgeous, panoramic views of the lower side of the Manhattan skyline. Its charming brownstones and fun shopping district give the neighborhood a splendid ambience.

Brooklyn's " DUMBO" is an abbreviation for "Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” and the hang out spot of choice for New York's wealthier, trendy crowd. The neighborhood's riverfront park is a fantastic place to take a walk and enjoy the one of a kind view of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges and the magnificent Manhattan skyline.

The Park Slope is one of Brooklyn's trendiest neighborhoods that puts off a fun, eclectic vibe that manages to provide an upscale yet laid back feel and is sometimes referred to as the "Berkeley" of New York City. It's filled with trendy boutiques, bars and café's, along with lush green parks filled with families flying kites and enjoying a free concert or two. Along with the cheap hotels, "the Slope" as it's called has its share of the trendy flats New York is so famous for along with stylish, tree lined streets, funky town homes, to urban mansions and plenty of great bars and restaurants.

Brooklyn really has it all from Brighton Beach and Coney Island to Brooklyn Heights and the famous Park Slope neighborhood. Booking one of the cheap hotels in NYC will make a perfect vacation experience and save money that will be better spent out on a night on the town.

Accommodation: Phuket Old Town Hostel 

To make reservations: +66 076258 27

 

       We spent two days and one night in Phuket as we transitioned to and from the beaches and 

islands further away. When I had told people that we would be going to Phuket, many people 

questioned why, as the beaches in Patong and the islands off the coast are much more well-known as 

tourist destinations. Although Phuket was not our final destination, we found our stay to be a cultural 

experience that we did not get in the more touristy areas.

 

       We spent the night at a great backpacker: Phuket Old Town Hostel in – you guessed it – Old 

Town Phuket. It cost 580 THB ($19) for a standard twin with A/C. This was a steal for being in peak 

season – clean, big, hot water, complimentary breakfast. We came after hours, and the staff was very 

accommodating in getting us set up. The women who work there were very friendly and helpful despite 

a small language barrier.  At one point, they went out of their way to help us call the travel agency that 

we booked our boat transportation with. Phuket Old Town Hostel sits in the best part of Phuket for 

exploring and eating at nearby Thai restaurants. 

 

 

       We had booked our bus and boat transportation out of Phuket to Ko Phi Phi through a travel 

agency that we got in contact with through our taxi driver from the airport when we arrived. It seems 

that there are many companies who offer services like this making it very easy to find transportation to 

any of the nearby destinations. If you do end up using a travel agent to very painlessly book 

transportation, we recommend making sure the people you are speaking with are registered as a 

company as a means of insuring you’re not getting ripped off. We found Thailand to be a very fair and 

honest place, but it’s always good to check. A large van full of other foreigners picked us up at the hostel 

the next morning (also a common scene in Phuket), and it was a seamless 2 hour boat ride to Ko Phi Phi.

 

       We did get an opportunity to explore the town on the back end of our trip when we returned to 

Phuket. We walked up and down the streets perusing through shops getting a different, less touristy 

glimpse into urban southern Thai culture. Keep your eyes peeled for lady-men, Thai pancakes, and 

souvenirs.  Food seems to be much cheaper in Phuket than in the resort areas. A big lunch with multiple 

drinks cost us 200 THB. There are plenty of markets to explore and scooters to rent. I would have 

wanted to spend one more day in Phuket (2 nights, 2 nights seems perfect) to get a good feel for it. I 

think there is a lot here culturally we did not have time to see. I'm glad we got a more realistic view of 

what less touristy Thailand is like.

Where we stayed:

Accommodation #1: Railay Phutawan Resort
To make reservations: visit http://www.railayphutawanresort.com or call +66 075819479

Accommodation #2: Garden View Resort
To make reservations: call +66 085885143

During our stay in Railay (in Krabi province of southern Thailand), we spent the first 3 nights at Railay Phutawan Resort. This resort is located on the East coast of Railay. Some people prefer the West coast because when the tide goes out during the late morning and afternoon hours, the East beach becomes somewhat unsightly with mud and some trash. However, we found that this was not a problem as it is very accessible to walk to the beaches on the West side. Railay Phutawan Resort is surrounding by breathtakingly beautiful rock cliffs and many of the rooms are tucked away amidst jungle scenery. We stayed in a standard double room that cost 1125 Baht ($36 USD) per night during peak season (half price in low season!). We were surprised that the wood paneling on the floor had gaps that allowed us to see through to the ground, and the top of the bathroom was separated from the open air by a screen. Despite the bug net surrounding the bed, we were still woke up most mornings with mosquito bites on our legs. The resort offered a delicious free breakfast in its dining room each morning. The shower did not have hot water, but most times of the year that's perfectly okay. Phutawan is also located RIGHT next to one of the best bars (Ya Ya Bar) and hang out spots in all of Railay, so it was a treat to be so near that. Despite the bugs and the cold showers, we enjoyed our stay here because it felt very exotic to be living in such a uniquely jungle-like environment. The staff was awesome.

Our last night in Railay, we moved to the Garden View Resort, also located on the East side. Though it required a bit of a climb to get there, the Resort had a beautiful view of the ocean from high up. We were greeted with bottles of water and complimentary tea, coffee, and cookies. The room was beautifully furnished and cost us 1250 Baht ($40 USD) per night. Rooms here were better insulated from the outdoors, allowing us to avoid bugs. This resort also provided a complimentary breakfast complete with eggs made to order. The staff was extremely helpful, directing us to the best modes of transportation to get to Phuket on our last day as well as hand delivering me a message from my family who had been trying to contact me during my stay. Overall, we wish we had spent more time at the Garden View Resort.

Activities in Railay, Thailand

Railay was a good change of pace from our previous two days in Ko Phi Phi. It attracts a more family-oriented crowd as well as single people looking to have a more relaxing, good time amongst the beauty of
Thailand. The rock climbing community flocks here because it's one of the best places to rock climb in the world. Again, the West side of the island is more known for its beaches. One of the beaches on that side is a private beach owned by a five star resort, and it's by far one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a few feet from beautiful cliffs bursting out of the clear water. Even if you are not a guest there, this beach is a favorite for soaking up the sun and grabbing lunch from the longtail boats that pull to shore selling food during the daytime. We rented a kayak for a couple hours one afternoon, which cost us 200 Baht. In these boats you can float around the various rock formations and explore the islands. We often had our lunch at the Walking Street, an open air laneway with restaurants that you can eat at while getting a front row beach view. Each night we had our choice of restaurants on the East or West side averaging about 200 Baht per person.

After spending several days on the island, we took a long tail boat to Ao Nang for 250 Baht per person. Although Railay is part of the mainland, it is blocked by mountains that do not allow cars to pass through. Therefore, the only way to get to in and out is by boat. In Ao Nang, we rented a motor scooter for 200 Baht for the whole day. With a map in hand (free), we explored inland for several hours, navigating the petrol station with non-English speaking locals. During our drive, we stumbled across an elephant trekking company, who allow you to take 3 hour elephant trekking tours for 900 Baht. Instead of taking the tour, we paid the owner 100 Baht to take pictures with his elephants, and we went home just as happy. Railay also offers beautiful hikes through the jungle or up to the viewpoint to give a full view of the island. These hikes are breathtaking, but take somewhat more than a beginner's skill level in climbing as the paths can be steep.

Although Railay is not as well known for its nightlife, there are two main bars, The Last Bar and Ya Ya Bar that host parties and events almost every night. We sat out on a deck over the water watching several main twirling fire lit batons. Though it doesn't define the town, Railay still has a very healthy nightlife.

Welcome to New Star hotel hanoi

The New Star Hotel hanoi is located in the very heart of the charming historic Hanoi Old Quarter, at 09 Hang Thung street, just few minutes from Hoan Kiem lake , our hotel is situated in a quiet peaceful street which offers you a perfect retreat from the vibrant and buzzing Old Quarter. It provides easy access to many famous attractions such as the Opera House, the Water puppet Theatre, the Temple of literature, Dong Xuan Market, the Vietnamese Art Museum, and St. Joseph's Catholic Church.   

 

         

All shopping and banking facilities, as well as eating and entertainment options are located conveniently on our doorstep or just a few minutes walk away. The New Star Hotel provides you with a comfortable and relaxing stay in well appointed rooms furnished with the latest facilities.

 

All the rooms in the hotel have wooden floors and are equipped with IDD telephone, air-conditioning, cable TV, refrigerator, comfortable bathroom, (bath-tub and shower), hair-dryer, coffee and tea making facilities, wifi for free.

Whether you are on a business trip or a leisure vacation, our 24-hour on duty courteous, professional and friendly hotel staff will take care during your stay to ensure you have a memorable time in Hanoi.

For those of you just passing through we offer a transit stop so you can securely store you pack while you wonder around Hanoi and grab a shower before leaving on night trains and buses for other exciting destinations.

 Please click here to know more information: http:www.newstarhotelhanoi.com

 For your convenience we offer free pick ups from Hanoi Train Station and can arrange airport transfers on request.

Mr Frank Bui – Sales Manager

NEW STAR  HOTEL HANOI

Mobile : (+84 – 4 ) 914258053

Phone : 04 3 9343608-39348501

Fax : (+84-4) 39348502

Email:          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website:      http://www.newstarhotelhanoi.com

                    http://www.asianlegendhotel.com

                    

 

Melbourne city is the place to be for a splendid time, with top class accommodation in luxurious and spacious apartments situated in locations that are simply breathtaking. The city offers an unforgettable experience, be it for those fun trips that are just for leisure, or business trips, you will feel right at home. The city has a vibrant and exciting atmosphere that one is sure to experience when they stay in apartments located in the CBD at the heart of all the action.

Undoubtedly Australia’s best destination for drinking and dining, shopping, entertainment and sports, Melbourne offers a dream destination. Melbourne accommodation CBD offers a wide range of serviced apartments to ensure that one will be spoilt for choice. With special corporate packages for those business trips, accommodation leisure packages, that give one the option to explore and enjoy their visit, or conference packages that give one conference facilities at subsidized prices, the place sure offers great possibilities. Other attractions that are not to be missed are the Block place, Cathedral Arcade, Royal Arcade, Presgrove place and the GPO precinct and centre place. What does Melbourne Accommodation offer?

Located at the center of the action, the apartments offer convenience, comfort and great value. Stay at the little Burke Hotel, to enjoy true hotel hospitality, with a selection of rooms that are tailored to suit ones needs. They offer added privacy and extra space. The architecture in the rooms depicts Melbourne’s great works of art, both in the interior and exterior sections of the hotel, with open plan designs and contemporary furnishings and designs, and not to mention comfortable and luxurious beds, where guests can choose between twin beddings or king beddings. The rooms also come as King or twin rooms, to ensure they match individuals’ needs. One will also receive an amazing array of inspired services and facilities like free internet. Some apartments in Melbourne also offer the convenience of cooking for oneself, and they come equipped with a full kitchen, giving one a home away from home experience; not only that, but you get a separate bedroom, with balconies and flat screen TVs to ensure you do not miss the action around the world. The apartments are also conveniently located to ensure ones doorstep is right in the middle of all the fantastic stores, funky coffee shops, diners and sports arenas, hip bars and clubs, historic laneways and arcades with beautiful architecture that are a must see, galleries and book stores.

The different nationalities that form part of Melbourne City are depicted everywhere one walks to give one a true appreciation of the city. With stores of some of the top designers and works of great artists, Melbourne Accommodation CBD is truly a place you will not strike out as a true holiday experience.