Over the last few years it has become increasingly popular to choose to holiday in the UK. This has come about as a result of a number of changes in people’s attitudes toward long haul flights and paying for package holidays that don’t meet all of the customer’s expectations. The UK has many exciting places to visit and one of the most picturesque landscapes in the UK is in Devon. With many different natural features to boast of within the county there’s something to please everyone while you’re away and even more to discover.

There are many regions within Devon, each of which can offer different things to different visitors. Dartmoor is, for example, one of the most stunning places to visit in the whole of the UK and as a National Park is a perfect location for nature lovers. Of course, this varied and bustling county is also lucky enough to be surrounded on both sides (to the south and the north) by the sea and miles of spectacular coastline. So, if getting soft sand between your toes is the thing that you look forward to most when on holiday, choosing a holiday cottage in Devon that’s next to the incomparable Devon shoreline is a fantastic boon to any type of holiday whether you’re looking for an action packed break or some quality time with those who mean the most to you.

No matter what you want from your holiday in this fantastic county - or how many there are in your party - taking a holiday cottage in Devon allows everyone to settle in and feel at home before the adventures really begin. Staying at a holiday cottage in Devon rather than at a hotel gives you the freedom to explore this rich and welcoming county, and means you are not committed to any one else’s schedule. You and your party (even if it’s a party of two) can make your own agenda and truly experience the things you would like to explore without having to cut your day short in order to get back for dinner (and without having to cut your lazy morning short in order to get down for breakfast!)

Using a professional holiday cottage company is the best way to ensure your holiday cottage in Devon has all the features you and your party require and that it is a quality let. With most of the professional holiday cottage in Devon letting agents you can draw up a list of requirements that you and your party have so that you get the property you want, not just the property that’s available. Devon is a proud rural county after all but you don’t want to find your holiday cottage in Devon is actually more of a barn than a cottage with rustic charm or that the pool you wanted hasn’t been cleaned since last year!

Choosing a holiday cottage in Devon through a professional company means you can expect good quality and well-maintained facilities such as private grounds, tennis courts and - with holiday cottages in Devon that cater for larger parties - even a croquet lawn. You can also request romantic and serene settings for couples that range from gardens with fountains to locations only minutes away from the beach.

Visit Toad Hall Cottages for holiday cottages Devon. Permission granted to re-distribute this article granted as long as a link to our website remains.

Originally a large industrial city, Newcastle is now a booming, modern city with financial areas, shopping districts and a large nod towards tourism, which has seen several Newcastle hotels and accommodation being built in recent years.

Renowned for its educational facilities, Newcastle University is firmly established as a School of Medicine and Surgery and has been for over 150 years, winning the coveted award of ‘University of the Year’ in the past decade

Similar to the London Underground system, Newcastle has its own famous Metro system. Serving 37 million passengers each year, the Metro is a local transport link, opened in 1980. Covering a vast area, it provides a service in the City Centre to as far out as Newcastle Airport and along into neighbouring Sunderland. The main difference between the Newcastle Metro and any other similar system in the UK? It’s the first to be able to provide mobile reception when underground and through tunnels.

Whilst using the Metro when in Newcastle is a popular choice, getting to Newcastle can be just as easy. Road and rail provide direct links from all over the Country, whilst Newcastle International Airport provides access to and from over 90 destinations worldwide.

When in Newcastle, the things to do are endless. The first port of call for most is Newcastle’s famous shopping areas. Three major shopping districts exist, with the largest being Eldon Square. Incorporating many high street names, Eldon Square is home to often large variations of these stores. Fenwick department store is housed here, as is a large John Lewis and one of the largest and most profitable Marks and Spencer’s outside of the capital London. Getting to Eldon Square, you have to walk down Newcastle’s main shopping street, Northumberland Street. The high street names here are endless and there really is something for everyone. Fashion, food and music dominate the area, making it a popular area for all.

Newcastle’s nightlife doesn’t often require much explanation. The City is renowned for being fun and vibrant, with its many bars and restaurants often packed out every weekend, with both visitors and those who live in the City. The nightlife in Newcastle provides something for everyone, whether it’s the perfect place for a Stag or Hen party or a quiet, romantic meal. Catering for everyone’s tastes, Newcastle has every type of restaurant from Indian to Moroccan and even has its own Chinese Village, providing a selection of Chinese delights.

Whilst visiting Newcastle, it’s often recommended that if possible, you should attend a football match for the local team, Newcastle United at their stadium St James’ Park. Newcastle’s population has a famous sport following, with a local, friendly derby with Sunderland. If football is not a priority on your sporting calendar, Newcastle also has popular ice hockey, basketball and rugby union teams.

There is so much to do in Newcastle, the only way to see it all is to visit and take in everything for yourself. Stay in fantastic hotel, shop ‘till you drop and have a fantastic night out.

Open Roads offers a taste of modern living at one of the many Newcastle Hotels available for your holiday break.

Cornwall is the perfect holiday destination for those taking a break in the UK. It offers everything you could wish for; warm, dependable weather, beaches, temperate waters, beautiful scenery, historical interest, family entertainment, fine dining and much more. Holiday cottages in Cornwall are a great way to enjoy what this stunning part of the UK has to offer, allowing you the freedom to decide what you want to do and when you want to do it. You are not restricted by hotel meal times or being bothered by maid services – everyone can join in to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Finding the best holiday cottage for you means a little thought about what you and your friends or family want from your break.

Holiday cottages in Cornwall can be rented for a variety of reasons, such as family holidays, romantic getaways and even Stag or Hen celebrations. Your reasons for the trip can influence the type of accommodation you choose and even have a bearing on its location.

For family holidays, you will need to consider factors such as how many rooms you want. A holiday cottage can give you the privacy that hotel rooms do not, especially for parents with young children. If children are taking part in the trip, it is prudent to look for accommodation that is advertised as ‘child-friendly’; research things like whether staircases are unfenced, if any ponds in the grounds have safeguards and whether there are any child’s facilities for hire, such as highchairs and cots.

Having children present will mean that you might be wiser to select a cottage in or near a town, allowing you easy access to shops and other amenities. Some cottage providers offer groups of cottages which means that other families with children may be present and this can help to provide instant entertainment for the little ones; some of these even come with children’s play areas. If you have a pet, some cottages welcome animals, removing the costs of kennels from your budget.

Romantic breaks for two have different criteria; primarily, you are less restricted in your location. By stocking up on your treats for the week in advance, you can select accommodation on the strength of its character alone. There are many cottages tucked away in Cornwall’s beautiful countryside or by secluded beaches, offering tranquillity and complete privacy. You can find beautiful listed and farmhouse cottages that are designed for couples looking to enjoy each other’s company and forget the rest of the world for a time. If luxury is what you want, take the time to research the areas and types of building that would suit your requirements.

Stag or Hen holidays are increasingly common and many cottage-providers have a great selection of suitable accommodation. Depending on the plans for the celebration, you might want to choose accommodation close to a Cornish town, with easy access to bars and nightlife. Alternatively, you might want to look at places near the coast if surfing is on the agenda. Ensure that the building is large enough for your party. Seeking accommodation that is away from other buildings might be a good idea, as often the celebrations can go on into the early hours, which holidaying neighbours might not appreciate, especially if they have young children.

There are many types of accommodation on offer for practically all sorts of holiday. By doing a little homework first and thinking about what you want from your break, you can make it a holiday to remember.

Visit Toad Hall Cottages for holiday cottages Cornwall. Permission granted to re-distribute this article granted as long as a link to our website remains.

Engedras Tour Operator, owner of web and tourist portals www.sardegne.com and www.siciliae.com, was born in 2005. It’s based on the idea that the best way to plan an holiday is not to book our holiday in a wide portal like Expedia but in an more specilized web site. A destination portal where you can find all offer about a place together with the touristic information to know the beauties of the area. This fact together with the possibility to call for advice is the plus of our offers compared with the more general travel portal.

Engedras has just finished the third full tourist season and has become an important reality in the tourist panorama of Sardinia.

The Sardegne.com group, which at the beginning had 3 employees, employs at present 18 people between employees (14, including 11 women) and colleagues (4), with a firm preponderance of women (75%).

The multiligual booking and the technical and marketing areas are the most populated with an average age of 30 years and only one person with no Sardinian origin.

The 2008 figures are quite interesting: 1,000,000 visitors expected in the portal www.sardegne.com in the year 2008, and 200,000 visitors expected in the portal www.siciliae.com in the year 2008, and a decuplicated turnover in three years.

The Engedras proposal covers all types of facilities throughout Sardinia and Sicily in addition to additional tourist services (ferries, airplanes, transfers, excursions by sea, land etc). Holiday villages, hotels, popular hotels, residences, farm houses, bed and breakfast and a wide range of holiday homes in Sardinia, luxury, with pool, by the sea or hinterland, to satisfy any possible idea of vacation and plan it in a better way.

The Sardinia portal (www.sardegne.com) offers the possibility of finding interesting insights on everything that concerns the sardinian island itself: environment, archeology and history, architecture and museums, crafts, towns and villages, food and wine, sea, rivers and lakes, sports, traditions. A wide section, constantly updated, is dedicated to events such as folk festivals, sacred festivals and many other events. There are also useful information such as weather, transport, FAQ among other interesting things.

The Sicilian (www.siciliae.com) portal will soon be enriched with new useful information to design the holidays in sicily in the best way.

In Sardinia in 2008 the booking section has sold holidays in 470 different accommodation facilities involving 100 municipalities, coastal or in the hinterland.

More moderate data from Sicily, with 64 facilities in 32 Sicilian municipalities. In the present tourist season the business model successfully applied in Sardinia has been replicated for the holidays in Sicily with the portal www.siciliae.com.

In the tourist season 2009 it will also be replicated in Puglia (www.pugliae.com). The medium term objective of the Tour Operator is to become one of the specialized landmarks for different tourist destinations in Italy on the Internet.

These portals will have in the 2009 a specific associate portal with a luxury segment, only for Sardinia, in which to the traditional languages Italian, English, French and Spanish, will be added the Russian.

Paolo Pilia - sardinia travelling expert. Do you want to know about sardinia? Look at our web site to plan your holidays. More than 700 accomodations: hotels in sardinia, houses, residence, b&b and farmhouse in sardinia.

Wedding anniversaries, honeymoons or even an old-fashioned, romantic week away without the kids - there are many reasons for couples to want to take a break. A secluded holiday cottage can be just what is needed to bring a little romance into a holiday for two. Finding holiday cottages for couples needn’t be a problem either; many cottage providers have woken up to the fact that there is an increase in demand for small cottages for romantic breaks, especially across the South West and Cornwall.

Deciding on a holiday cottage for a romantic break will depend a lot on what you want from your holiday. The South West of England has everything you could want from a break, from surfing to scenery and from shopping to restaurants. The South West is an idyllic region and a little thought about what you want from your holiday can help you make an informed decision about where you’re going to go.

Many cottage providers offer holiday cottages specifically for couples. They tend to be picturesque and intimate; tucked away from the rest of the world. If you are intent on staying in and enjoying each other’s company, then the facilities of the accommodation might be very important to you. While it may not seem terribly romantic to check whether your destination has a washing-machine or microwave, neither is being stuck without a change of clothes or being able to rustle up a quick and convenient meal. Consider the home comforts that would make your stay an easy one and then check to see which places have them.

The location is obviously very important. Many couples just want to shut themselves away, but it is important to consider whether you will want to use local amenities, such as shops. It isn’t difficult to find cottages that offer privacy but that are also within easy reach of local facilities. The West Country also offers a great selection of restaurants and dining facilities, from rustic little restaurants to elegant fine dining. If treating yourselves to a meal out is on the agenda, then it is prudent to check out what pubs and restaurants are in the area and, if they are beyond walking distance, whether there are any local taxi firms in the vicinity.

Many couples enjoy walks or like to visit areas of interest and natural beauty. As well as researching what is local to the accommodation through the cottage provider, it can also be worth contacting or visiting the website of the area’s tourist information board. These sites can often uncover hidden gems that can help to make your break that little bit more special.

When you want to go is also an important factor. While for some of us, soaking up the sun with a loved one is all that is required, the idea of snuggling up in font of an open fire with a mug of hot chocolate after a pony trek may appeal to others. The time of year you choose to holiday can affect the cost of your accommodation, with ‘off-peak’ times being less expensive. Checking online to see if there are any local festivals or celebrations taking place at the time you wish to holiday can add another dimension to your time away.

Whatever your reason for taking a break for two, planning ahead will allow you to make the best of your time together and even rekindle the romance!

Visit Toad Hall Cottages for cottages for couples. Permission granted to re-distribute this article granted as long as a link to our website remains.

There can be a number of reasons to take a holiday with a large group of people. It might be a family holiday, a break with a group of friends or even a Hen or Stag holiday in advance of a wedding. Cornwall and the South West offer just about all you could wish for from a holiday destination in the UK: peace and tranquillity, sun, sea and surf, beautiful surroundings, family attractions, historical sites, busy towns, nightlife and much, much more.

Holiday cottages for large groups are the ideal way to enjoy the best that this region has to offer – without the restrictions imposed by hotels with inflexible mealtimes and intrusive maid services. However, holidaying with a large group of people can provide some problems, although these can be overcome with a little forward planning.

Most of the considerations revolve around practicality; you want everyone in the group to have a good time, so you’ll need to do a little research to make sure that all eventualities are covered.

The reason for your break may have some bearing on how you decide which location is best for you. A group of friends looking to catch up might want to be away from the crowds and just enjoy each other’s company, so a rural retreat might be the answer - great company with great scenery and little else to worry about.

Families might prefer to be closer to amenities like shops and within easy reach of family attractions or beaches, so a coastal cottage near to a town might be better. For Stag or Hen groups nightlife may be important, so being near or in a town could have its advantages.

Many of these breaks revolve around activities, such as golf or surfing, as well as celebration, so see if there are facilities for your chosen pursuits close to your accommodation. Stag and Hen weekends often include a great deal of revelry, so it might be worth trying to find a property that offers privacy as well as accessibility –you don’t want disgruntled neighbours asking you to ‘turn it down’ in the middle of your celebrations!

You will need to consider how many bedrooms you will need so that everyone is comfortable. Many properties advertise the ‘ideal’ number of people that they can accommodate, such as 4 people. However, if the description states ‘4 – 6 people’, you will need to find out exactly what this means; it may mean that 4 people can be comfortably housed, but the extra 2 might be on sofa beds. You may also wish to research the beds that are available; are they twins, doubles or bunks? If extra guests are a possibility, it may be worth booking a place that can take more people than you initially require.

It could also be prudent to think along the same lines where bathrooms and toilets are concerned – nobody wants to queue outside the only toilet in the house on their holiday!

Places to relax are an important part of any holiday, so it might be worth checking out the sizes of any communal areas such as lounges and kitchens; you want everyone to feel included and enjoy themselves.

For Hen and Stag groups, you’ll need to look at the details quite carefully; some properties don’t allow single-sex groups, so check in advance whether this is the case.

A holiday cottage for large groups can be great fun; planning and booking yours as early as possible can reduce any problems you might encounter and make the trip a holiday to remember for everyone.

Visit Toad Hall Cottages for holiday cottages large groups. Permission granted to re-distribute this article granted as long as a link to our website remains.

The Cape Grace nestled at the foot of Table Mountain

Namibia and South Africa are a great combination for a perfect luxury African vacation. The game viewing is superb and the cultural experiences unforgettable. The accommodation is of a very high standard, competing comfortably with the best hotels in the world. Whether you are planning a luxury African honeymoon, an intimate wedding anniversary, a once in a lifetime family holiday or just a bit of relaxation and pampering far away from the crowds; a personalised African travel itinerary, designed specifically with your interest in mind, is the perfect way to get the best out of your vacation.

The first known musicians of the sub Saharan region were the San people whose language is fille dwith the click sounds and who produced a variety of musical instruments. As the Western cultures settled in the area, different types of music were mixed to create what is the sounds of Afica today. The original music was not lost as it was passed down from one generation to the next and each ‘tribe’ in Africa still has its own unique musical sounds and history.

Namibia - The Himba People

Namibia has a diverse cultural heritage and is home to one of the most distinct African tribes - the Himba - a group of semi-nomads who live in the Kunene region. The women are easily recognised with their intricate hairstyles and traditional accessories. They also rub their skin with a blend of red ochre and fat which keeps their skin soft and protects it from the harsh desert climate.

One of their most notable rituals is the ‘okoruwo’ or fire ritual. Their belief is that the fire is a method of contacting the dead and it is kept burning until the death of a headman. When he passes his hut and the fire is destroyed and his family dance through the night in mourning. The following day a mopane tree is lit from the emebers of the old fire, and so the cycle of life continues.

The Serra Cafema Camp is a remote and luxurious camp that sits on the banks of the Kunene River and is often visited by the local Ovahimba tribes. It is the perfect location for those looking to combine a safari and cultural holiday as you will have the opportunity to gain a unique insight into the fauna and flora of the area as you are guided on your activities with an expert guide. You will also be able learn about the Himba peoplestraditional culture and way of life.

South Africa

Kwazulu Natal - Zulu music and culture

There are two distinctive styles of Zulu music. The Makanda - “the Zulu blues” - music of a man walking the long miles to court a bride or to meet with his chief. Music about real life experiences, the joys and sorrows of life and the world around him.

The beautiful music of Isicathamiya which gained international acclaim through the highly talented Ladsmith Black Mambazo’ collaboration with Paul Simon. This form of music takes the form of a call and response with a choir led by a main singer who is usually the composer of the songs.

Thanda Private Game Reserve is a luxury Lodge in Northern Zululand that focusses on giving you an authentic Zulu cultural experience. The highlight of which is the Impi dancing. It is a form of dance that is performed pre an dpost battle - a tradition that has been passed down from King Shaka Zulu.

Cape Town - Cape Minstrels’ Carnival - 2 January

The annual Kaapse Klopse (Cape Minstrels Carnival) is an annual New Years festival that celebrates the history of the Cape slaves and marks the one day in the year that the slaves were given off by their masters. It is a colourful and flambouyant parade with live music and entertainment. Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with a diverse and interesting mix of cultures and architecture and there is plenty to delight even the most seasoned of travellers throughout the year. The luxurious Cape Grace Hotel on the waterfront is the perfect base from which to explore this vibrant city and its beautiful winelands.

Mpumalanga

The Shangaans live in areas between the Kruger National Park and the Drakensberg Mountains. Their culture is celebrated at the shangana Cultural Village, a village between the southern Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon. The Shangaan people love music and have developed many musical instruments. A visit to this friendly village is a wonderful opportunity to experience the Shangaans culture and way of life. A night in Mpumalanga is perfect after a great safari experience at Londolozi in the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve.

Janie Harmsen is a dedicated specialist in luxury african safari travel (Safari vacation).

A vibrant city in Somerset, south west England, Bath is an idyllic place, steeped in history. A visit to the City is always recommended if staying anywhere in the Somerset county and it’s not difficult to see why.

Famous for its natural hot springs, they were taken advantage of in the Roman period, when baths were built over these springs, providing naturally created hot water and bathing areas, often used for social meetings. Becoming increasing popular once again throughout the Georgian era, people visited from distances as the City grew in popularity as a famous spa resort.

For those interested in architecture, Bath is a must visit destination. The Georgian architecture is still visible today, with many companies revolving their businesses in and around the beautiful buildings. For example, a large percentage of the 80 Bath hotels and bed and breakfasts are housed within Georgian buildings, making for an extremely unusual and individual place to lay your head at night. Furthermore, whilst the Georgian period is extremely prominent in the City of Bath, all major periods throughout the past 1700 years can be seen in the City. From the original Roman baths built in the early hundred years AD to the most recent Thermae Bath Spa, built after the last millennium, architecture of the years is in abundance here, and appears beautiful together.

A World Heritage Site for over twenty years, one of Bath’s main attractions is its awe inspiring Abbey. Known originally as The Abbey Church of Saint Peter, Bath, Bath Abbey is one of the most prominent examples of Gothic architecture available in the modern western world. With space for up 1,200 people, the Abbey holds a regular congregation for its frequent members, with it still being a popular place of worship to this day. A Grade 1 listed building; Bath Abbey has been restored several times, each time not detracting from its original Gothic beauty.

After visiting all of Bath’s many sites, a well deserved break is needed – and you don’t have to travel far to find some great food and a refreshing drink. With around 100 restaurants that provide cuisines from all around the world, there are reputed to be the same number of bars, pubs and wine bars, making you never more than a few steps from some good food and great drink.

Whilst Bath is soaked in history, many of its visitors come for the cultural side of the City. Since the 18th Century, Bath has been a major player in England’s cultural scene. Housing five separate theatres, they attract world famous companies and play-writes that come throughout the year, but more prominently at Bath’s annual theatre season. With its own historic musical past, Bath caters to all genres of music, from regular Klais Organ concerts at Bath Abbey to the ever popular Bath International Music Festival; an annual event frequented my many.

Bath is a City many consider a historic venue only – which is far from the truth. Its historic values are large, but its arts, music, food and shopping areas are becoming more and more popular year in and year out – making Bath a place to visit whatever your interest.

Open Roads offers excellent packages for Bath Hotels and a variety of other accommodations while travelling throughout the UK.

You may want to own a horse property because it offers you the ability to practice your favorite sport. But there can be other reason why you will like to buy this coveted real estate. Buying a horse property allows you to explore and enjoy the beauty of the rural environment in full.

The real estate trends show that horse-friendly properties are often bought as a second home (a vacation get-away), or as an equestrian bed-and-breakfast investment. Definitely, there are some solid returns on investment in horse riding facility market, as a lot of people evey year choose to spend their vacation in a remote, peaceful and quiet horse riding destination. If you look at the Californian coastline, you will find hundreds of such equestrian bed-and-breakfasts mostly concetrated in Central and South California.

If you buy the property for yourself, as the owner you will be able to ride as long as you want in the wild. You can go as far as you want on your land and in the process explore the beautiful scenery that rural America has to offer. You are not limited by any structure or rule - you just keep riding on and on. If you love the sport of riding, then this is your best place to be.

Hose riding is considered an environmentally friendly sport. You do not damage the environment in any way. Since there is no mechanical or motorized activity, you help protect the environment while at the same time pursing your sport.

For people interested in learning about the history of rural America, this is your obvious investment choice. Through your horse property they will be able to learn about the cultures and customs of the countryside notable Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, New Mexico and Wyoming. These areas are of interest to nature lovers too as they have lots of natural and raw land that have not been tampered with over the years. If you would like to watch gazelles, elks and antelopes in the wild, you can own a horse property in these rural states.

Moving to the countryside will let you meet new friends. You will learn about how people live in rural areas and what their interests are. You will notice the simplicity of lives and the ways in which they cope in areas without much of city conveniences.

If you love hunting, you can buy this property and then use part of your land for the sport. You can hunt deers, for example, where allowed.

But all said, how do you go about buying a horse property? What makes a property suitable for horses or other equestrian purposes?

Lots of space is very important. Horses like to roam. They want to be wandering up and down the ranch. Though they may be confined for feeding or rest, they mostly want to be roaming the ranch. If you have a small area, they can’t be able to roam a lot and will be quite depressed. Again, a large space will mean they can be able to graze well. Though you may occasionally supply hay, it is recommended that you give them the opportunity to graze. Lastly, the availability of space means they can be able to exercise their bodies.

The terrain is also important. You will need a land with gentle slopes. A land too flat reduces the aesthetics of the property. You need some flatness coupled with gentle slopes over which the horse can go.

The topology of the place also counts. It must be well drained and have enough vegetative cover. A large vegetative cover means you can control erosion and have greenery all over the place. Most importantly, you need to have some shaded tress around the property. They will provide both shade and protection against storms.

Of late it has becoming increasingly common to have a green property. A green property is a ranch that combines business with environmental responsibility. It involves making the place green and employing practices to conserve the environment. Some aspects of this include reserving some portions of the land, harvesting rain, reducing the use of synthetic materials on the property and planting trees.

If you would like to derive the most of your horse property adventure, you will need to put into practise, then above tips so you have healthy horses and well-kept property.

Martin Webbster is a writer for Horse Clicks - horse property classifieds of farms for sale, horse property for sale, ranches for sale and other horse real estate. Martin is also a featured author at www.ArticleKing.com

London is my favorite city on this planet. I first went there after graduating high school and for the past 20 years I try and visit at least every couple of years. Unfortunately, the exchange rate between the US dollar and the British pound has made visiting nowadays quite a bit more expensive than it used to be, but there are still plenty of free things to do in London. Here’s a list of some of my favorites.

London Museum Hopping

Most of the big museums in London are free to visit. So on each of my trips to London, I usually visit a couple and spend a few hours wandering the galleries and exhibits. Some of my favorites are the National Portrait Gallery just on the edge of Trafalgar Square; the Victoria & Albert (V&A) in South Kensington; and the Tate Modern on Bankside near the London Bridge.

Window Shopping and the Street Markets

There are so many cool shops in London, that I like to stay away from the chain stores. It’s more fun to putter around shops that aren’t just like the ones back home. My favorite location for window shopping is Covent Garden and the streets that run off of it. I usually duck into Neal’s Yard on Neal St, just a few blocks from Covent Garden, to treat myslf to some nice cheese at the Neals Yard Dairy. Sorry, the cheese isn’t free!

Other favorite puttering spots are Kings Road (starting near Sloane Square), and Carnaby Street. Some of the side streets in Soho also have some interesting shops and if you like books, Charing Cross Road and the streets that run off of it are fun to wander around.

Also, be sure to check out some of London’s most popular street markets. My favorite is the one at Portobello Road in Notting Hill for lots of cool second hand goods and flea market finds. There’s a market here six days a week! Sunday is the only day there is no market.

If it’s Sunday though, you can always head over to Camden Market. That’s the best day to go there anyway. As you exit Camden Tube station, just head north, but you won’t have any problem with getting lost because the place will be mobbed with people.

People Watching

No matter what time of year you visit, London is always bustling with people. There are some great locations in the city to just spend a couple of hours soaking in the flavor of the place. Piccadilly Square and Trafalgar Square are the more obvious spots, but I also like Covent Garden because it tends to be a bit quieter and they usually have street performers too.

If you find yourself wandering around on a Sunday and you aren’t in the mood for Camden Market, why not head over to Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park and see who’s decided to give a speech. Watching the audience that gathers is as fun as watching some of the more entertaining speakers.

Hopefully, I’ve helped you out with a few ideas of some of the different free things you can do in London. The city is such a vibrant and ever-changing place to be that I find just wandering in whichever direction I feel like turning leads to some exciting new place to be discovered. All you really need is a comfortable pair of shoes and maybe a pass for the Underground.

If you’re planning a trip to London, be sure to take a look at Where to Stay in London before you make your hotels plans. Also, find out how to get cheap London theatre tickets how to use London Underground Transport