Arriving in Paris you will probably want to check into your Paris 5-star hotel first, but the city will draw you out into the streets in short order. Choosing a central hotel may be more expensive than somewhere at the end of the metro line, but being right in the midst of the famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre has a lot going for it. Whatever your budget think carefully about your Paris apartment location, it will make a big different to your holiday – especially if you are on a limited budget

Another must-see sight is the Champs Elysees or the Elysian Fields. It is considered as the most beautiful avenue in the whole world which started as a plain field but later on converted into a pathway lined with trees. It runs from the Concorde Square up to the equally famous Arc de Triomphe and became one of the attractions and features of Paris. It is one of the most famous streets in the whole world.

The Arc de Triomphe is another must see in Paris. It is a large arc which serves as a roundabout a meeting point of more than twelve avenues in the whole city of Paris. It stands as a commemoration of the great victories of Napoleon. The viewing platform at the top of the Arc has a great view: the 284 steps will make you work for lunch. It is one of the main landmarks of the city.

The selection of building, museums art galleries and fantastic shopping make Paris one of the best tourist cities in the world. The catacombes, Saint Chapelle and Tuleries Gardens should all be on your must-see list. Still, there are other landmarks that you can visit when you plan a vacation in Paris. These places will make your stay in Paris memorable and will make your sleep in your Paris lodgings as peaceful and as dreamy as ever.

Whilst visiting the peak district area, if you pass the sign for Ashbourne, turn the car around and go and visit this beautiful town. The place is one of the finest old market town’s around the area, though it must be said, there are still a lot of other beautiful places around the peak district.

If you are basing your Peak District holidays here, then there is a delightful array of comfortable Peak District holiday cottages for you to choose from , but many get booked well in advance so book early to get the best choice. Also as would be expected the area has a number of luxury hotels if you prefer the more pampered style of holiday.

The town, dating back to the Georgian period, was a highly fashionable and busy place for the wealthy all those centuries ago. Whilst walking around and looking at the buildings, which are truly magnificent, you can imagine, long ago, all the ladies walking around in all their beautiful finery.

With mellow town houses, and resplendent coaching inns, there is a truly unique atmosphere about this small town. Taking a stroll along the main street, you will come across historic alms houses and the 16th century old Grammar School. On a beautiful day, you can also take a walk along the Heritage Trail which takes you around the town.

Being a fair trade town means fair trade products are available in the restaurants, cafes, and shops, and there is still the local market which takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the year with tradition going as far back to 1257.

Accommodation is widely available in and around Ashbourne. In the central area of Ashbourne, there is the Beresford Arms Hotel, which offers accommodation and breakfasts. It all depends on the individual couple, or families as to what type of accommodation they require.

Outside of the town, there are farms to stay at, or privately run guest houses; some dating back to the 19th century. What ever the choice, there will always be something to suit everyone, whilst exploring this lovely town and the area around.

It must be remembered while visiting or holidaying in or around Ashbourne, right on the door step is the beautiful Peak District which offers something for everyone. For the avid walker, there are some truly amazing and beautiful walkways.

It is always good to have good rambling boots, which are also great for climbing. Walking and climbing are available provided local knowledge and advice has been found.

There are also numerous caves in the area, so if you are felling really adventurous ask about pot holing. There are many, many things on offer around this beautiful area, so it is well worth having a camera at the ready for snapshots of the scenic views and any animals you may come across.

Ashbourne is simply the perfect choice for your Peak District holidays.

Colchester is the largest of all the settlements in the County of Essex in England. The town actually claims to be the oldest one in Britain and is certainly the oldest recorded Roman town in England. Because of its history, there are plenty of Colchester attractions, which one can enjoy whilst visiting the town. In this article, we’ll take a look at some that should be on your shortlist when you visit Colchester.

1.  Balkerne Gate – The most complete Roman gateway in the country and it is thought to have been built in 55 AD. Years ago, the gate was part of the main route into the town but over time was then transformed into a triumphal arch instead. Then, later, the gateway was merged into the town’s walls then in 465 AD it got blocked up to help improve the town’s defence system. The actual gate itself was only uncovered some 100 years ago which is why it’s been so well preserved.

2.  Charter Market – The oldest recorded market in the United Kingdom has been a regular feature of the town for over 800 years. The market was granted a Royal Charter in 1189 by King John and this is where its name originates from. Today markets are still held here on a Friday and a Saturday and there is a wider than normal variety of goods as no two stalls can sell the same items. 

3.  Colchester Castle – This Norman castle is built on the foundations of what was the Roman Temple to Claudius. But, the Roman temple was smashed to pieces in 60 AD when Queen Boudica razed the town to the ground in order to get the Romans to leave. The actual stone that was used by the Normans to make the current castle is in fact much of the materials used to build the Roman temple. 

This castle now has one of the oldest and largest of all castle keeps to be built in Europe and inside the walls of the castle there is much to do and see. The castle houses exhibitions, which span more than 2,000 years of British history and there are interactive displays to keep your youngsters busy. While you look around the castle you can learn more about Matthew Hopkins the Witch finder General who used it as a jail at the times that the trials were taking place.

4.  Colchester Zoo – One of Europe’s finest zoos located a short drive from Colchester. Located in around sixty acres of English countryside the zoo is home to over two hundred different species for you to view. Naturally, the elephants can be found in Elephant Kingdom, there are the chimpanzees in Chimp World to enjoy. Also you’ll find the other bits of the zoo just as enthralling. As with any zoo, you’ll almost certainly find yourself spending lots of time here.

Check out this list of Colchester accommodation for your next visit.

The Peak district National Park attracts visitors from around the globe some of whom come to get out in the wilds and are happy to stay in one of the Peak district b&bs whilst other come to the area to visit many of the town and villages around the area many of which are home to Peak district luxury hotels.

One of the towns in the area is Bakewell in Derbyshire and it is right in the heart of the Peak District, is a small and extremely beautiful market town. Bakewell is positioned right by the river wye and traffic still uses the very picturesque 5 arched bridge which despite its thirteenth century origins is still in use today. Due to increase in traffic over the centuries it was widened in the 19th century.

Un beknown to many people is the history of Bakewell and how old it acually is. recorded history dates back to the first century so it was a very important village even back then. The local grammar school was founded in 1637 by the marriage between Sir George Manners and Grace Pierrepont and the school is known as Lady Manners School.

The local church, All Saints Parish of which the majority stands now, dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, with fragments of Norman and Saxon stonework, again like the bridge considerable restoration work took place in the 19th century. The church is quite squat and wide in design but is complimented by the octagonal tower with its spire.

There used to be in the centre of Bakewell the White Horse Inn, which has been replaced by The Rutland Arms Hotel, with some other various buildings being demolished in 1805, to form Rutland Square.

Centuries ago, these would of catered for coach travellers who passed through the town, and it has always been reputed for the connection to Jane Austin, who was reported to have stayed at this hotel, whilst writing Pride and Prejudice, and that Lambton in the book has been identified as Bakewell.

Another truly great invention happened by accident at the hotel, and that is the famous Bakewell pudding known throughout all of the UK. Folklore has it that the cook mixed up the ingredients and instructions resulting in the egg being poured over the jam instead of being mixed with the pastry, the result of which was naturally a pudding.

There are numerous shops in the town centre where these puddings can be purchased.

Bakewell in the peak district is at the southern end of the Pennines in Central England, there are thousands of people who visit this beautiful area every year, probably making it the second most popular National Park in England.

The area around Bakewell has some delightfull and interesting locations you can visit if you are in teh Peaks on holiday. The area has something for everyone, whether you want a hotel, or a guest house, there are plenty to choose from, who all offer good food and quality Bakewell holiday accommodation.

To fine out more about this delightfull region visit the Peak District tourism blog

When it comes to booking yourself Cambridge vacations, you can visit this very historic town at just about any time of year you want. Certainly, there is plenty for one to do and see why visiting this University town. It's easy to get to Cambridge. The city has good connections by road, rail or even air. You can fly in to Stansted airport and reach Cambridge in around twenty minutes.

That said, don't think that you will manage to take in all the different things of interest in as short as one day. Allow yourself several days for a full exploration of the city. If you've seen everything you want to in Cambridge city, then you can always start to explore the myriad of places that are within easy reach.

Whilst visiting Cambridge, which inspired the great minds of Charles Darwin and also Stephen Hawking's, you should make time to visit one of the oldest universities in England. During 2009 the university will celebrate 800 years of existence and events will be taking place throughout the year.

Along with wandering around the grounds of the various seats of learning in the city, there are plenty of other things that one can do. There is a top class shopping centre together with a wide range of bars, cafes and restaurants. There is accommodation available to suit all budgets. Cambridge is home to everything from luxury 5 star hotels right the way through to welcoming guest houses and bed and breakfasts. Plus if your budget is really limited, there are hostels and campsites also.

As well as many historic buildings to view, there are plenty of festivals and events taking place in the city, throughout the year. The gardens of the college see the Shakespeare Season in the summer. At other times of the year, you can hear recitals or listen to concerts in various churches and college chapels.

If you're looking for "culture" during your vacation, you've come to the right place. However, you can have a more active time at one of the city's many sports and leisure centres. For a leisurely or competitive game of golf, there are at least two top quality golf courses for you to test. For golfers, you can choose from the Cambridge Lakes Golf Course and the long established Gog Magog Golf Club.

Don't worry about taking children into the city with you - there are lots of things that they can enjoy too. Just a few miles away from Cambridge is the Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey. It is a great fun day out for all and will show you how farming technology has developed and the way in which farming has changed.

Above we have looked at few attractions and things that one can do when you stay in Cambridge. If you only stay for a weekend, you'll likely find that you won't have time to visit all the different historic places that Cambridge has to offer.

Check out a wide range of Cambridge hotels here.

Though it may not be as cheap as Spain and Morocco, Greece has still managed to capture the hearts of many to spend their retirement in its notable historical places. Though some historians have considered Greece as the smallest and less important nation in Europe, no one can still deny the fact that Greece is one of the best places to retire-with those known exciting and very alluring island on Piraeus, some parts of Athens, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete, Lesbos, Corfu, and many others.

Located in southern Europe, Greece forms an irregular-shaped peninsula in the Mediterranean with two additional large peninsulas projecting from it: the Chalcidice and the Peloponnese. The Greek islands are generally subdivided into two groups, according to location: the Ionian islands (including Corfu, Cephalonia, and Leucas) west of the mainland and the Aegean islands (including Euboea, Samos, Chios, Lesbos, and Crete) to the east and south. North-central Greece, Epirus, and western Macedonia are all mountainous. The main chain of the Pindus Mountains extends from northwest Greece to the Peloponnese. Mount Olympus, rising to 9,570 ft (2,909 m), is the highest point in the country.

The climate is predominantly Mediterranean. Hot, dry summers alternate with cold, rainy winters.

Surprisingly, Greece offers affordable but first class tourist destinations. For retirees who seek affordability but great comfort, Greece is recommended as one of the best places to retire. Internationally known beaches or resorts in Rhodes and Corfu allow tourists, visitors and expatriates to spend around $500 a month with much relative comfort and so much leisure.

Greece may be one of the best countries to retire because of its imposition law on taxes and the determination of the Greek government to be one of the best places to retire in Europe.

Food prices are low from bread to vegetables, which are all low-priced in any place-with Greek oranges about a penny apiece. Butter is cheaper than those in the United States. Almost everything is available at lower prices. And the bonus is, on the island of Rhodes, there are no import taxes, as part or most probably the result of a government measure to attract tourists and consequently as means of bargains for those who want to spend their retirement in Greece. No wonder why for the last two decades, Greece has been consistent in the lists of the best places to retire in the world.

Greek houses and apartments are cheap as well for it is not up to the American standards. Most of the local folks and residents are still dwelling in houses erected five hundred years ago.

Everyone will agree that apart from cheap prices this place unfolds many scenic spots with its charming island, pleasant people, and of course, the overlooking town of Rhodes, which is considered to be the most beautiful city in the world.

History or even Plato, Homer, Aristotle, and Sophocles would remind us that this city highly popularized in the epic Trojan War is indeed a beautiful place to live in. The walls that still surround it are in good shape or even strong enough to face another siege at this point in time.

What most tourists or visitors and expatriates would really like about Greece is the atmosphere of Rhodes being ancient and highly a semblance of the place or house of Gods. Its streets are still in cobblestones and you can find shops here were you could buy the best and durable kind of bread, wine and olive oil, and little taberna for a glass of beer or retsina wine.

Rhodes’ parks are more beautiful than they seem to be, with parks that surround the moats of the fortress walls are abloom with flowers all year around and are particularly heavily splashed with reds.

Greece has a government-funded healthcare system, and government policy and the provision of public health services are key drivers in the demand for medical equipment. The public sector accounts for 70 percent of total medical purchases in Greece, mainly by public hospitals.

This is just a small sample of what makes Greece a fixture on those “best country to retire” lists.

The town of Keswick is situated between Skiddaw and Derwentwater and is one of the major locations where tourists to area will often stay. Because of Keswick's popularity, there is a wide variety of attractions for visitors young and old. There are plenty of hotels and guest houses in Keswick.

The market town of Keswick was first granted its market charter back in 1276 by Edward I and even today, a market still takes place in it every Saturday. Many years ago, when Keswick was first starting to be settled, it was based around Crosthwaite, which is now at the western edge of the town. Originally built in 553 AD, Crossthwaite Church was initially called St Kentigern. In more recent times, the co-founder of the National Trust, Canon Rawsley, was vicar of the church between the years of 1883 and 1917.

Today you will notice that much of the land that now surrounds the town of Keswick is actually owned by the National Trust. This is one of the reasons why the town and the surrounding area has not altered greatly throughout the intervening years. There are many attractions across the town, including the famous Pencil Museum, as well as other attractions in the surrounding area. Here are some of the better known.

1. Ashness Bridge - this appears on all sorts of places and is probably the most-photographed place in the Lake District. From here, you can see right the way across Derwentwater to Keswick and on to Skiddaw. if you can, do your best to visit at sunrise or sunset. You'll miss most tourists and get the best views. This will provide you with a much more dramatic photograph to take.

2. Castlerigg Stone Circle - this is one of the most visited and easily accessible such circle in the Lake District. Of all the stone circles to be found in the area of Cumbria, England this is the most popular and dates from around 3,000BC. By why the circle was built is still unclear today but many people have come up with many ideas. Some believe it is a burial site whilst others believe it was built to be used as an astronomical observatory. However, the reason why most people enjoy visiting this location is because of its peace and tranquillity.

3. Derwentwater – This is a 3-mile long lake situated close to Keswick and probably the best way to enjoy it is by either hiring a rowing boat or hopping on one of the motor launches. The tours on the launches are run by Keswick Launch and take you to Ashness Gate, Loddre, High and Low Brandelhow, Hawes and Nichol End. If you want to see the lake from it's shores, there are a wide variety of well marked paths for you to enjoy.

Here, we'll take a look at some of the most popular tourist attractions near Keswick. However, there are plenty of other fascinating and interesting places for one to visit as well as things to do whilst staying in Keswick.

Paris the French capital, is one of Europe’s perennially popular destinations and has some of the biggest name attractions of any European city.

Whether your perfect base in Paris are a funky Paris hotel choose something memorable for your stay.

Choose the neighbourhood that works best for your trip. Arty Montmatre, the laid-back left bank or something further out on the Metro line they all have their advantages. A self-contained Paris apartment all offer something - decide what is important to you before making a booking.

Here are some suggested must-sees for a first time visitor to Paris. The extensive, reliable and cheap metro makes it easy to get around Paris regardless of where your hotel is located
Remember to hold onto your wallet tight, especially when the hoards descend on you trying to sell the usual tourist junk at popular locations such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre|Notre Dame Cathedral.

River Seine
The River Seine is an excellent place to start your Paris break. From the Seine you can take in the heart of the ancient city of Paris and provides easy access to many of Paris’s most famous attractions.

Champs-Elysees
Although an attraction in itself, the long and wide Champs-Elysees boulevard is often a pleasant departure from the more built up areas of the city. Tourists are unlikely to find a cheap Paris hostel along here, however. However the many luxury 5 star hotels are nearby.

At one end of the Champs-Elysees is the Arc de Triomphe: one of the city’s must-sees, honoring the soldiers that fought in France’s wars. It can also be an amusing place to watch cars carefully navigating the bizarre Charles de Gaulle roundabout (nicknamed L’Etoile, or star), one of the world’s worst roundabouts. As a predestrian avoid death and take the underpass.

The city of Carlisle is the largest of all settlements that you will find in Cumbria, England. Along with being the administrative centre for the city and the County of Cumbria, it also houses the main campus for the University of Cumbria. A vacation in Carlise is ideal for anyone who wants to find out more about this ancient city.

It’s really easy to get to Carlisle from almost anywhere in the UK. The city is well linked with the rest of the country. The M6 motorway provides easy access to the South of England whilst the M74 motorway provides good links with Scotland. However, actually getting around the city itself in a car can prove quite eventful especially when the rush hours are in full flow.

If you do not intend driving to the city then there are regular train services that come directly in to its railway station. Trains not only arrive from London, but also from Newcastle, Leeds and Glasgow. However, the train that comes from Glasgow does come via the town of Dumfries.

When you actually arrive in the city for your vacation, there is plenty of things for one to do and see whilst staying there. Carlisle is famous for both it’s castle and the cathedral.

The castle has been situated at the Western end of the city on the Anglo Scottish border for more than 900 years. It has witnessed many conflicts and even been subject to the occasional siege. Today, these are but memories as you tour the dungeons, stairways and chambers. The legendary “Licking Stones” can be found in the dungeons. Legend has it that Jacobite prisoners were so thirsty that they would lick the stones in an effort to get some water to help keep them alive.

As for the Cathedral this was founded in 1122 and remains a dominate feature of the city’s skyline when you look from anywhere across the city. Not only is beautifully decorated but a visit down into the crypt and you will find a display which looks at more than a 1,000 years of Christian history relating to the county of Cumbria.

For those looking to liven up their visit to Carlisle, you should time your trip to coincide with one of the regular race meetings. Carlisle racecourse can be found just on the edge of the city. When the weather is with you, you’ll find the views of the surrounding countryside breathtaking. Throughout the year top quality horse racing events take place with the National Hunt ones taking place between September and April and the flat races taking place between April and August.

Carlisle vacations are ideal for those who are looking for a quiet romantic time away with their partner. But they are also the place for families who are looking for a little adventure and fun during their Carlisle holiday.

Peterborough is a historic city which can trace it’s fenland roots back to before the Bronze Age.

Staying in Peterborough is a good way to base an exploration of the city and surrounding area. Originally built in 655 AD, the cathedral has since been rebuilt on various occasions. Parts of the current building can be traced back approximately 900 years. Unfortunately, the cathedral wasn't chosen as one of the backdrops for Harry Potter's films. Which is a shame as it's gothic style of architecture would have fitted in well.

Evenings in the city can be livened up by the local music scene, which caters for everything from the usual pub and club discos, through to acoustic and electric sessions from local bands. Some venues offer the opportunity of an "unplugged" session, so you can enjoy a peaceful time. You should be able to find local bands playing somewhere in the city most every night.

Several times a year accommodation in Peterborough is worth booking ahead as the city is the venue for various events such as CAMRA's beer festival. The city is also the site for the annual East of England Show. Be sure you book your accommodation ahead if your stay coincides with these events.

There are lots of different places to eat out in Peterborough. You can dine in Chinese, Indian or Italian restaurants. In recent years, the city has also seen an increase in Polish restaurants.

Spring and summer in the city feature regattas and the chilly month of February sees a river race on the river Nene.

If you're fit enough, you could even decide to run in the Great Eastern Run. This is a half marathon attended by over 3,000 runners through the streets of the city.

Whatever your reason for staying in Peterborough, you’re bound to find a warm welcome in one of Peterborough’s hotels and guest houses. There is accommodation available to meet with all budgetary requirements, from small family run guest houses through to the larger Peterborough hotels.