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Castle Douglas is found in Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway. In the 18th century the town of Castle Douglas had something similar to a makeover by a local boy called William Douglas who wanted to make his town into a commercial and industrial center of note. Unfortunately the scheme failed, but Castle Douglas benefited a small amount with some notable buildings constructed from a mixture of red sandstone and gray granite and a straight main street named King Street. As Castle Douglas is only about 18 miles from Dumfries it has countless tourist attractions and places of interest and we introduce 3; Threave Castle, Threave Gardens and Castle Douglas Art Gallery:

Threave Castle

situated on an island in the middle of the River Dee, is the breathtaking Threave Castle. The journey to the castle itself is incredibly thrilling. First one has a ten minute walk over farm land and through woods, where one comes upon a jetty, at the river’s edge. Here you will discover a brass bell that is the signal for the boat man to come and transport you across to the castle. Threave castle was constructed in the 1370’s by Archibald Douglas (Archibald the Grim), soon after he became Lord of Galloway. Threave remained his strong hold until his death in 1400. The origin of the name Threave comes from the ancient Welsh word for Homestead, ‘Tref’.

Threave Gardens

A businessman from Liverpool, William Gordon, acquired Threave House and estate, as a summer dwelling for his large family, in 1867. The twenty four acre Threave Gardens were developed alongside the house, and today are a popular tourist attraction. The National Trust for Scotland continue to maintain and develop the house and gardens, as well as running the tourist center. There are a variety of gardens around the estate, including the
Peat Garden, Woodland Garden and Secret Garden. In springtime, the displays of daffodils are wonderful, and attract visitors from far and wide. A favorite of children who visit Threave Gardens is the Discovery Garden. It was devised to inspire children, with its mown grass paths twisting through meadows of wild flowers.

Castle Douglas Art Gallery

The Castle Douglas Art Gallery is an excellent venue, which regulary hosts an array of crafts and arts throughout the year. Many touring exhibitions are displayed regularly, as well as temporary exhibitions, all running from Easter to Christmas. The gallery started life in 1938, and was donated to Castle Douglas by the artist, Mrs Ethel Bristowe. In 1996 the gallery was upgraded using funding given by the National Lottery. A lot of the displays in the gallery, including photographs, are for sale. Not far from the gallery, are two other attractions, Threave Garden and Threave Castle. These are to be found no more than a few miles away.

If you are planning on taking vacation in Scotland and you plan to base it in Castle Douglas you may wish to book your accommodation online and you will discover listings of Castle Douglas accommodation and hotels at http://castledouglas.hotelreservationhelper.com.

Everyone loves a freebie, but can you really get one for travel or a vacation? We have all seen the offers from various businesses. This marketing tool has been around for decades and you can decide if this method of increasing business is right for you. This Article is being brought to you by montagu accommodation

The most infamous of all “free vacations” is the stay at a resort where you are required to attend a time-share presentation. Actually, these are great offers if you don’t mind sitting through a high-pressure sales presentation for 2-3 hours. For many it is worth it. But if you do decide to take advantage of one of these offers, leave your checkbook and credit cards at home because the salesmen in this industry are very good at what they do.

Just go in with a firm resolve that you are not going to buy anything and give the salesman their due respect, they are just doing their jobs and after all you made a deal! You knew what you were getting into, so pay the piper, do your time and enjoy the vacation. Ever thought of montagu accommodation

One of the most popular offers used by off-line and on-line businesses is the “vacation certificate”. Even though these are presented as free, there are costs involved. But if you understand these offers and how they work, they can be quite lucrative in helping expand your business and make you clients very happy also.

Here are some things to look for before purchasing any of these certificates. Blackout dates-they are in the fine print and read them carefully. Some are reasonable some are not. Blackout dates between December 1, and January 15 are fairly common as most certificates won’t allow travel during peak holiday seasons. Also, try to stay away from certificates that specify or restrict travel to certain day of the week.

Make sure the “lead time” or advance notice for the reservations do not exceed thirty days for a short 3-day vacation or 60 days for an 8-day vacation.

The hotels, knowing in advance from previous trends when they will have vacant rooms that will not be sold, make almost all of these vacations possible. The hotels figure the room is going to stay empty anyway, so why not invite a guest to stay for free with hopes that they will spend money in their casinos, restaurants and shops. If the traveler enjoys their stay they may even come back or extend their vacation at the resort.

You do not get to choose the destination property, as this would defeat the purpose of this system. However, industry wide, there are very few complaints about accommodations and you can expect to stay in a 2-4 star property in the location of your choice.

Most travel incentive certificates require a small processing fee, usually around $10.00 to $15.00. Also, almost all will require the traveler to pay the room taxes that would run about $12.00 to $18.00 per night for a 3-day vacation. For longer 8-day vacations the cost could be as much as $300.00.

Consumers love these deals, and many businesses thrive on bringing in new business with these vacation certificates. Another aspect is the good will you can create with your current customers or clients.

Only you can decide if giving away an almost free vacation to your potential clients or customers is a good idea. One of the best features of these certificates is that they are very inexpensive. Some companies even let you print them yourself for a small one time licensing fee. This article was brought to you by montagu accommodation

A vacation is really a combination of many items. On the surface, it seems that a vacation is little more than a destination. This is of course not an accurate assessment. Vacations are more than just the geographic area one visits. After all, the vacation does have to include lodging and accommodation in addition to a host of other items as well. Most people do realize this and that is why they seek a complete vacation. Unfortunately, they sometimes go about it by putting together a vacation on an a la carte basis. This is a huge mistake for several reasons. Instead, it would be much wiser to purchase a vacation package that encompasses everything.

The most common items that are required for a complete vacation package are airline tickets, hotel accommodation and car rental. There might be other specifications as well such as a hotel that accepts pets, a car that can accommodate six passengers etc for instance montagu. But, on a baseline level, a vacation must include a way to get to the destination, a place to stay and a way to get around. The way travelers put this together however, can sometimes be flawed.

For example, many people will try to purchase all these items separately. They will buy an airline ticket, call their favorite car rental agency ad book a sedan and the look for a hotel they like and book that as well. Now there is nothing wrong with this method. However, it can be quite costly. Remember, such a process involves piecing together parts of a whole from companies that are operating independently of each other. As such, the ability to put together a discount package deal is impossible.

When you purchase a vacation that includes all three previously mentioned items, you will usually receive them at some sort of discount. This is often facilitated by the travel agency (both online and brick and mortar) as an incentive to purchasing the package. After all, if not additional benefit was provided to purchasing a package deal most people would probably not seek them. Also such a purchase saves a lot of time. Instead of having to deal with various companies, the vacationer only has to deal with one. If there is a problem, it can resolved by contacting one agent, instead of three.

Really, it is a far better idea to stick with package deals rather than trying to put together a vacation on a piecemeal basis. Vacations should be enjoyable and not stressful so leave the designing to the pros. Visit montagu accommodation for more information

This Magic Mountain can be seen from many different view points in the city of Barcelona and looks particularly striking at night when it is lit up and shines like gold.

The Mountain of Tibidabo is 512 metres in altitude and is the highest point of the Collserola hills. Up until recently the amusement park there was in disarray but has recently been restored by the Generalitat of Catalunya. Famous for its hall of mirrors, it’s old charm and the fact that it was created 100 years ago, Tibidabo amusement park now has new attractions such as; the Plane, the Carrousel, the Automata Museum, the Talaia, the Panoramic and three children’s rides Les Llaunes, Pony Rodeo and Río Grande.

There is also a 12minute film, subtitled in Spanish and English in the Cel building which tracks the history of Tibidabo over the years starting from the 1920’s to the present day. It primarily celebrates the 100th anniversary of Tibidabo and shows its close links to the history of Barcelona. The amusement park dates back to 1899, to the founding of the “Tibidabo Company” by the pharmaceutical pioneer Salvador Andreu. One of his aims was for people to have somewhere in the city where they could come and relax and thus created this special recreational area on the hilltop.

After leaving your apartments Barcelona or hotels Barcelona, make your way over to Tibidabo by train (L7) to “Av Tibidabo”, then take the funicular, Tramvia Blau or Tibidabo Bus up to the top. You can also catch the Tibibus from Plaça Catalunya, which runs from 10:30 everyday. The Blue Tram and the Funicular were inaugurated on 29th Oct 1901, and shortly afterwards the first attractions were installed on Tibidabo. The park still conserves some of the most significant ones that have filled it during its hundred years of existence: for example, the Castle of Terror and the Big Dipper. One of its most unusual items is the aeroplane, which dates from 1928 and is a replica of the model that made the first flight between Barcelona and Madrid.

If you want to see a bit more than just the amusement park, Tibidabo is home to other interesting sites such as The Fabra Observatory and the Experimental Physics Museum.
As well as this, the two buildings erected between 1901 and 1905: the first by Camil Fabra, the Marquis of Alella, who built the astronomical observatory which bears his name, designed by Josep Domènech i Estapà, and the latter, nearby, in 1905, built by Ferran Alsina; the museum of experimental physics named “La Mentora”, which, due to the great interest of its collection of scientific apparatus of the time, has been conserved to the present day. Finally, in 1908 the slopes of the mountain were converted into a municipal park and it is lovely to take a walk here and leisurely make your way back to your accommodation Barcelona.

Are we there yet?” “Mom, he’s touching me!” “Well, she’s looking at me!” “Are we there YET?” “I’ve gotta go!” “Aren’t we THERE YET?”

It’s phrases like these that drive fear into a parent’s heart, and make you wonder why you ever thought taking a family vacation was going to be “fun!”

So what is a parent to do? Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be a bad experience. Instead of deciding to leave the kids home for the next “family” vacation, relax! You can make traveling with the kids an enjoyable and stress-free experience by following these simple tips:

1. When possible, travel at night and let the kids sleep. But be cautious, because it’s easy to get tired. If you find yourself getting sleepy, roll down the windows, play music, or better yet, find a safe place to pull over and take a 20 minute nap.

2. Plan your trip during the day with stops about every 90 minutes. By planning ahead, and using travel planning software, online trip planning sites or travel associations, you can find — and stop at — kid-friendly places such as parks with playgrounds, historic monuments or view areas where everyone can get out and walk around for a few minutes. Giving the kids even a 15 minute break will give them a chance to “get the wiggles out” and work off some energy.

3. Bring along some sing-along music. Although your kids may groan at first when you start singing, they’ll soon join in, especially if the songs are either well-known, absurd or “gross.” Think of your own childhood favorites, or camp songs. Singing can really help to pass the time, and creates happy memories later on. To help cut costs, you can even record your own CDs? If the kids don’t know the words, create sing-along books for everyone by typing them in your Word processing program and printing them out.

4. Create a goodie-bag. Good ideas are travel toys and games, bubbles, inexpensive art books and pencils, even the latest in collectible cards or action figures. (To save money, look for seasonal sales or buy something every payday.) To cut down on arguments about sharing, you can set a time limit for playing with each game, before everyone has to switch. Individual presents can be wrapped or not, and given out at whatever schedule fits your needs and your kids’ boredom levels. You can even choose particular games for particular stops, such as bubbles, Frisbees or small balls, which will encourage running off energy.

5. Bring along individual “quiet time” activities. These could include an art box (keep the supplies inside an inexpensive plastic shoe box), postcards or writing paper, or even a journal given to each child at the beginning of the trip. Encourage them to write letters, or record their thoughts and feelings. You can also bring along hand-held games, or inexpensive CD players and earphones, so that everyone can listen to the music or books of their choice. Depending on the space you’ve got and the length of time you’ll be gone, each child could have their own box or backpack, to keep their things organized and accessible.

6. If your trip is going to include a lot of sightseeing, pack a backpack with sweaters, hats, swimsuits (if in season), extra socks and even towels, in case anyone gets wet — accidentally or on purpose. Keep the backpack in your trunk, so you can just grab it and go. Most kids, if given the chance when near water, will really enjoy getting wet, and it saves on the wear and tear of your vehicle if you plan ahead. Also be sure to pack extra water and travel snacks such as energy bars, nuts or travel mix. You can add to your child’s enjoyment if you also include things such as a magnifying glass, binoculars, a disposable camera and their own travel map.

7. Include a “kid’s activity” at least once every day. This may be something as simple as going for ice cream after visiting a museum, or going to a water or amusement park. There are often lots of great free or inexpensive activities in most places in the States. To find them, you can check ahead of time with local Chambers of Commerce, on city Websites, or with your travel agent. To help keep the expenses down, don’t forget to check for “two for one” coupons, or discount tickets that are often available at local fast food restaurants or in local papers. Also, many family style restaurants offer a “kids eat free” night, which could be a special treat.

8. Don’t forget about the travel games you probably played as a child. There is “Letter Bingo” where you look at road signs and billboard ads to find the letters of the alphabet, or “License Plate Alphabet” where you go through the alphabet in order. You can also create easy bingo sheets that you print out with clip art of common sites you’ll see on your trip. Your kids will be more inclined to play along if they know that your parents used to play the exact games with you. (Grandparents are SO much cooler than parents are…) Have you tried Shark Cage Diving

9. Let your kids help to navigate, narrate and create information about your trip. There are so many great resources online these days that can help you make your trip even better. Letting your kids get involved helps to make it more enjoyable for them. For example, let one child be the “trip navigator” each day. They have the responsibility of looking at the map, and making sure that the right exits are taken, or how much farther to each destination point. (If you really want to get creative, the navigator could wear a special hat or badge; the narrator could have a “press badge” or carry a reporter’s notebook, etc.) Older children can create written entries into a journal or even in a Blog, talking about the daily activities and sights. Another option is to bring along an inexpensive tape recorder, and let each child record their impressions of the different places you see or things you do. Younger children can draw pictures, or use a disposable camera.

10. Start collecting postcards. Postcards are inexpensive, and your kids will enjoy getting to send them to their friends or other family members. Postcards are also a great addition to your family photo album after the trip. You can cut them up, or even write about specific experiences on the backs of them, to help everyone remember what you did and where you went. Have you tried Shark Cage Diving

11. Create a scrap book at the end of each trip, using the postcards and pictures the kids took. Letting them help to decorate and put the journal together is a fun after-the-trip activity.

12. Above all, give yourself a break. There is no such thing as a “perfect” family vacation. Inevitably there will be things forgotten, things broken or other “unexpected” problems.

By planning ahead, and making every effort to get your kids involved in the trip, and giving the things to do to keep them occupied and interested, there will be less stress and everyone will have a better time. Have a great trip! Have you tried Shark Cage Diving

The Alaska Purchase was completed in 1867 and one hundred years later the city of Fairbanks built its “Alaskaland” park as part of the Centennial Exposition in the city. In 2001 the city renamed the area “Pioneer Park“, because it is a community park as well as a tourist destination. Within its forty four acres are many separate neighborhoods and regions, each with a specific purpose.

One of the most frequently visited areas is the “Gold Rush Town” which is made up of thirty five, fully restored buildings from the city’s historic past. Within Gold Rush Town is the Palace Theatre. Here thousands of visitors travel each year to see a showing of the famous “Golden Heart Revue”.

The comical story of an early 1900s prospector, the musical show was composed by Fairbanks native, Jim Bell, and is a wonderful tribute to the people and many characters of the era.

Near to Gold Rush Town is the wildly popular Alaska Salmon Bake Restaurant, and most theater goers make a point of taking the brief stroll into “Mining Valley” to enjoy the hearty Alaskan fare specially prepared at the restaurant. In fact, the combination is so popular that plans to enjoy both the show and dinner is a “must” for those hoping to truly experience the best that Fairbanks has to offer.

An opportunity to take a family vacation should include activities that all individuals will enjoy. This means coming up with a few creative ideas that are both relaxing and fun. Those who stay in a major city, for example, have found both features when taking a professional tour of the area.

If your vacation plans include San Franciso during your next trip to California, keep reading for an overview of some of the most popular tour companies operating in the area.

Super Sightseeing Tours (415) 353-5310

Super Sightseeing Tours is a fairly standard tour company offering a variety of San Francisco tours choices. Their trips range from basic half-day tours around the city to full-on explorations of Northern California, from the redwood forests to wine country.

Their rates are a little high, but they offer air-conditioned buses and multi-lingual guides. Their 3.5 hour tour of San Francisco costs $45 per adult, which is fairly high for a standard bus tour. Meanwhile, their 8-hour tour that takes you through the Redwoods of California along with San Francisco city center is $78.

Electric Tour Company
415-474-3130

The Electric Tour Company is unique because they conduct their tours on Segways - these are, essentially, stand-up scooters. They offer four basic tours - the San Francisco Day Tour, the Advanced Rider Tour, the San Francisco Night Tour and the Sausolito Day Tour. Each of their options costs $70 and includes training on how to ride the Segway and use of it throughout the tour.

One of the best things about their tours is that they’re limited in the number of people they can take. The maximum number of people you’ll see in any tour group is 10, which is great and offers a very personal and engaging guided experience. Their guides are also very personable and friendly.

Local Tastes of the City Food Tours (415) 665-0480

What sets this tour company apart from the rest is that they focus on the food of San Francisco, not the sights. They have three major tours - a Chinatown tour, a North Beach/Little Italy trip and a night excursion. Each tour takes you through the city’s coolest eateries and into back rooms to see how it’s all done. The best part? You get to eat.

The tours last between 2 and 3 hours and span no more than 8 blocks. The majority of time is spent at about 8 or 9 restaurants and venues, so it’s not overly strenuous or taxing. For this popular tour, book early and expect to pay just under $60 for a ticket.

San Francisco Fire Engine Tours and Adventures
415-333-7077

If you’re a big kid at heart and have a soft spot in your heart for giant, red fire trucks, then this is the tour for you. It’s also great if you’re looking for San Francisco sightseeing tours that you can do with the kids. Their prices start at $25 for kids under 12 and go up to $45 for adults over the age of 18.

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?

Typically, no - cruises are not all-inclusive. A ticket on a cruise ship usually includes your cabin, meals and some drinks. In addition to these costs, you will need to pay for any shore excursions, alcoholic drinks, spa treatments, extra snacks, certain special activities and your transportation to and from the port of departure.

Do I need to carry cash?

Normally, you can enjoy a cruise line voyage without concern over whether your MasterCard will work or of carrying lots of cash or traveler’s checks. Most cruise vacations allow you to sign and bill most items to your account.

At most, you’ll need a small amount of money for daily tips and services, though even this is rare as most ships have shifted to digital invoicing technology.

Can I come and go as I please?

For the most part, no - you’ll be beholden to the ship’s shore schedules and dining times. However, while many ships have set dining times and activity schedules, other lines - like Norwegian - offer freestyle cruising that allows you to eat when you please and engage in entertainment at your leisure.

Whether you’re on a freestyle or scheduled cruise destination, you will be restricted as to how much time you have at each port of call. Typically though, travelers are given one or two days at each land destination.

How do I find the right cruise vacation for me?

First, ask yourself who’s going on the cruise? Are you looking for a romantic anniversary celebration or a family fun free-for-all with all the kids?

Some cruises cater to children and families while others focus on seniors. Some center around singles while others attract couples. You get the idea - whatever your demographic, there’s a cruise for you.

Cruises also cater to interests. If you’re passionate about rock climbing, there’s a cruise for you and if you love golf, well then there’s definitely a cruise for you. Theme cruises are another great way to find an almost all-inclusive vacation that fits your interests.

If you are looking for a luxury weekend break in Guernsey then one of the best hotels to visit would be La Fregate Hotel situated in the stunning harbour town of St. Peter Port in Guernsey.

La Fregate, one of the most recently appointed 4 star hotels in Guernsey, blends the charms of a cosy 18th Century manor house with all the amenities of a modern business and leisure hotel.

The hotel also boasts the highest 2 rossette standards of cuisine and luxury four star hotel service on the island of Guernsey.

Set in it’s own private grounds with charming gardens, the hotel is 2 minutes walk from the centre of St. Peter Port, the shops and the harbour.

All 22 bedrooms have a spectacular view over the harbour and the neighbouring islands of Herm, Sark, Jersey Alderney and even France on a clear day.

The restaurant is well known all over the island as being one of the best and is often frequented by celebrities staying on Guernsey.

Take the opportunity to really get away from it all and enjoy a few lazy days on a really beautiful island. Why not pop across to one of the neighbouring islands? The quiet, tranquil islands of Sark and Herm are a great place to escape to where cars are not allowed and the scenery is breathtaking.

With such spectacular coastline and countryside, the islands offer enough walking routes to last holiday after holiday. Qualified guides can help you uncover the islands’ secrets, or alternatively, just grab a map and head off yourself.

With an environment that’s as conducive to outdoor pursuits as ours, it’s not surprising that a range of sporting and other activities is available on the islands, including cycling, diving, angling and sailing. Guernsey’s west coast can also provide excellent surfing and windsurfing conditions. And nature lovers are in for a treat with plenty of bird watching opportunities on all of the islands. However you decide to spend your time in the islands, one thing’s for sure – you’ll want to come back for more.

As well as all the sporting activities all year round, there are also several food and drink related festivals taking place throughout the year. The famous ‘Tennerfest’ sees the best restaurants and establishments proving a sumptuous meal for a tenner!

So if you are looking for a Guernsey weekend break or indeed a holiday at one of the best luxury hotels in Guernsey, then check out the Guernsey special offers at La Fregate Hotel.

If you’ve never been to Germany, then you’re probably as confused as I was before I ventured there the first time. I did wander if all they did over there was drink beer, eat frankfurters and wear their hair in buns; I couldn’t have been more wrong. I knew that Berlin had an amazing history and that culture in the city was thriving, but what I didn’t know was the extent to which the potency of this culture would affect me on my visit. I had one of the best trips of my life so far in Berlin and so have decided to part with my wisdom and tell you where I consider to be the places where everyone should go to drink, eat and shop in the capital of Germany.

Eating

Being a major European city, Berlin has no shortage of eateries. You can eat cheap, expensive, good, bad, big and small, from any genre you could think about. From Mexican and Italian to Asian and Portuguese, you can take your pick from whatever takes your fancy. Alternatively, you could go for something a little more traditionally German, as you are in Berlin after all. My recommendation would be Entecôte Fred’s on Schuntenstrasse. Ok, not traditionally German, but you can get a good steak and chips for a good price, with great service and it’s just a few steps away from Checkpoint Charlie, so great if you’ve been busy soaking up the city’s culture.

Drinking

Watering holes are a plenty in this city; whether it be a pub, a bar or a chic cocktail restaurant, there is something on each corner that is sure to suit everyone. The old tradition of afternoon Kaffle und Kuchen, that’s coffee and cake to you and I, still fills the cafés during the afternoons. Make sure to go to Prenzlauer Berg for some boho, after dark thirst quenching. This area is the trendiest in the city and can be found to the north-east of Mitte. Don’t forget that a trip to Germany, especially its capital is not complete without trying some of Germany’s finest beer. Be warned though, they have quite a few.

Shopping

As well as having a wide variety of up-market department stores and commercial centres which boast every big international chain such as Zara and H&M, Berlin’s logistics allows for its back streets and little alleys to be filled with quirky one-off, designer boutiques. This individuality gives the city’s commercial aspect a real charm. I encourage anyone who wants to do a bit of shopping in Berlin to hit the backstreets and discover a world that rather resembles an indie art film scene.

Make sure to book your Berlin accommodation (alojamiento Berlin) in advance and make the most of a city often overlooked. For quiet accommodation, I recommend an apartment (apartamento en Berlin) in Prenzl’berg anf for a central hotel (Berlin hoteles), Mitte is the best option.