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Las Vegas Concerts, Sirens And The Hard Rock Cafe

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The last time that I visited Las Vegas was at the beginning of August in 2004. It was very hot and dry there and in particular early in the evening. We spent most of the time walking underground in the huge shopping arcades underneath the hotel casinos. A quick burst of sunshine between hotels and then back in the shade.

Las Vegas is worth visiting once even if like myself you aren’t a gambler. It’s an amazing place and there are other forms of entertainment besides the huge casinos. One afternoon that wasn’t spent around the hotel pool, we spent watching flair bartending at an outside bar. We couldn’t believe how the barmen managed to serve drinks up while juggling the bottles and glasses and without breaking or spilling anything. I tried it myself at the bar I was working in at home and nearly got sacked!

We enjoyed visiting Madame Tussauds and taking snapshots of each other with our favourite stars. I was really disappointed not to see Arnold Schwarzenegger’s double, but then we caught up with him later on at Caesar’s Palace and I got my photo taken with him.

We stayed in the Excaliber hotel. A Disney like version of a fairy tale English castle. The rooms were great except for the lack of a kettle, tea, coffee and milk in them. Coca Cola does not taste as good as coffee when you first wake up. Apart from that they were clean, comfortable, well decorated and a good size. Breakfasts were buffet style and everything that you could possibly want to eat was waiting there for us to help ourselves.

The casino took up most of the ground floor and you couldn’t escape the constant noise of the slots. I actually spent $5 on them on our last day, that’s a lot for me! Our party was moved on by the doormen on a couple of occasions when we paused while walking across the casino floor to get to the lifts. That was because my 20 year old American nephew was with us. Ironic when you think that he had just returned from fighting and risking his life for his country in the Gulf war, yet he couldn’t be in a casino until his next birthday.

One evening we watched a show in our hotel called ‘The Tournament of Kings’ a strange story of King Arthur and Camelot, but we enjoyed it. My sister in Law and I discussed going to see another show that was on in the hotel called ‘Thunder From Down Under’ but that was vetoed in favour of the tournament. A pity, ‘Thunder’ was voted the best male strip show in Vegas last year.

Apart from breakfasts and the finger banquet that came with the medieval show we didn’t eat other meals at the Excaliber. That was because we wanted to dine at famous places like the Hard Rock Cafe, the Rainforest cafe and Caesars Palace Restaurant. Got to admit the most memorable meals were those Excaliber breakfasts.

One evening we were walking down the strip and saw that a show was due to start up outside the Treasure Island hotel and casino. The show, called ‘The Sirens of Ti” was basically about sirens luring sailors to their island and then battling with each other. Entertaining enough and even impressive when you see the scale of it and know that it is free to watch.

Our final evening was the most memorable. We went to watch Sir Elton John at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace where his Red Piano tour originated. I’ve never been crazy about Elton and his music but I was absolutely enthralled to watch him live. My favourite song that night was his performance of the Who’s Pinball Wizard.

Some really good memories there, and as we are going back again this year I expected to see a lot of changes when I was researching for our next trip online. I was wrong, everything that I have mentioned in this article is still happening in Vegas and that includes shows from Sir Elton John and Thunder From Down Under. – this time!

However, if we go a little later in the year we can see Celine Dion at the Colosseum instead of Sir Elton John and that’s a tough choice between 2 massive superstars who I know will blow us away.

© Patricia Jones 2012

It’s an even tougher choice when you see which other superstars are performing in Las Vegas Concerts this year. Just click on tickets online for the best seats for Las Vegas shows, Broadway, Sporting Events, Theatre, Concerts and London’s West End.

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5 Interesting And Fun Days Out In Yorkshire For Locals And Tourists

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Yorkshire is in the north of England and the biggest county. It’s that friendly place where Yorkshire puddings come from and where there is a lot of beautiful countryside and interesting places to visit. I’ve lived in Yorkshire most of my life and the following five places are the ones that my family and myself have enjoyed the most and I know are of interest to tourists.

Bradford National Media Museum

I love this place, 7 floors of interesting displays and activities and it’s free to go in. My family and I went there recently and the youngest was 5 and oldest mid fifties yet we were all entertained and could have stayed longer than the 3 hours we had allocated to the place.

Next door to the media museum is the ice skating rink and close by you will find the Alhambra theatre where we have enjoyed plays and pantomimes.

Leeds/Castleford Xscape Entertainment Centre

We have happily spent all day in Xscape when the weather hasn’t been too good and still we could go away leaving something to do that we haven’t had time for. Apart from shops, bars, cafes and many different types of restaurants the activities include a soft play gym, cinema, indoor snow slope for skiing and snowboarding, fake rock climbing slope, adventure golf, ice skating, bowling, laser games and much more.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Line

This heritage railway line for steam trains is 5 miles long and runs from Keighley to Oxenhope. Stops on the way include Ingrow, where you will find the Museum of Rail Travel and also at certain times in the year Thomas the Tank Engine. At Haworth you will find the Bronte Parsonage museum and items owned by the famous Bronte literary family. Haworth is very popular with tourists and in the summer we love to take a walk on the moors and picnic at Bronte Waterfall.

York City Walls

It’s good exercise for all of the family walking around York city walls and interesting what you can see and do within those walls. York Minster is magnificent but you have to be fit to climb all of those steps to the top of the tower. The other extreme is the York dungeons though the exhibits are a bit scary for youngsters. The York Castle Museum is an interesting place to visit and right next door you will find the York model railway. You can walk through the Shambles and check out those quaint looking shops, or take a ghost cruise down the river Ouse. Go to the races or visit the Jorvik Viking centre.

Hairy Bob’s Cave Scarborough

On the north Yorkshire coast Scarborough is a picturesque seaside town offering plenty to do for many days out. Hairy Bob’s cave is actually a metre deep man made hole in a rock at the foot of Scarborough castle, the only real thing of interest is guessing why it was made because nobody knows. When the weather is good there are lovely beaches to sunbathe and build sandcastles on, or you can go out on boat trips for fishing or leisure. There is a miniature railway and a sealife centre. The nighlife is great, we’ve had a lot of good times there and spent more than one day at a time in Scarborough.

There are a lot more interesting and fun to visit places in Yorkshire. For those who are taking a Yorkshire holiday, wherever you stay you will find easy to drive to days out in almost any direction. Or you might enjoy using our excellent rail and bus services.

You can find out a whole lot more about Yorkshire attractions and every other area in the UK by clicking on the UK Travel Guide

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A Wonderful Safari in Zambia

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lake tanganyika ZambiaI was fortunate recently to spend four nights on safari in Zambia, in the pristine splendour of the Lower Zambezi Valley.  It’s an area I know well, and I was returning to a lodge I had fallen in love with some years previously.  However the lodge had been recently taken over and completely upgraded into what I can now rank as one of the finest lodges I’ve ever experienced.  My business is in tourism so I have travelled quite a lot in Africa and have been privileged to have a taste of some of the best accommodation on offer.

My destination – Royal Zambezi Lodge – lies perched on the banks of the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi Valley, which is part of the Great Rift Valley of Africa.  This stunning, unspoilt area is the perfect place to chill out yet it’s only 30 minutes by light aircraft from bustling Lusaka.  And the lodge is only 3 km from the Lower Zambezi National Park, which is teaming with game. With the mighty river stretching out in front, the bush and the backdrop of the escarpment behind, the setting is perfect for a relaxing few days in the bush.

Accommodation is in super luxury “tents” on the banks of the river, where the dawn and the sunrise are your wake up call each morning.  The 8 rooms and 4 suites are very private, being surrounded by bush, so there’s no need to use the blinds, and an uninterrupted picture of sunrise over the Zambezi greets you every morning.

The suites are the last word in ultra luxury.  Here you get a private plunge pool, outdoor bath and shower (as well as an enormous indoor bathroom en suite) and a sala overlooking the river.  A sala is a secluded “gazebo” with a day bed – perfect for afternoon naps.

This destination is miles from “civilisation” as we know it – there are no roads, cars, telephones, cellphones – nothing but the sheer beauty of the African bush.  The silence is broken only by hippos grunting, birds singing and, if you are lucky, the sound of hyena and lion in the night.

Whilst this destination is the ultimate in luxury chill-outs, there are many activities from which to choose – game drives and walks, fishing for the fighting Tiger Fish, boating and canoeing.  There’s also a wonderful spa where you can be spoilt rotten with massages and beauty treatments.

The staff are incredibly good – charming, friendly, experienced and willing.  And the food is excellent too.  All in all this very exclusive hideaway will introduce you in the nicest possible way to the “real” Africa.  Such luxury comes at a price but, for a once in a lifetime experience of unspoilt Africa, this is definitely the place to indulge yourself.

British Airways conveniently fly from London direct to Lusaka three times a week, and Lusaka is also easily accessible from Johannesburg and Nairobi.  So it’s very easy for you to experience a safari in Zambia for yourself!

Jacquie Stafford has lived in Africa for over 40 years and has a passion for travel and wildlife.  She now designs personalised tours to some of Africa’s most exciting destinations. For more insights on safari life visit her website – http://www.kunjani.co.za

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White Water Rafting in Nepal

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21ugjs1neal_sl160_For me, initially springing to mind when I think of white water is automatically New Zealand or Canada, two countries generating hype for having some of the most ferocious and spectacular rivers in the world. It never crossed my mind that Nepal could offer amazing adrenaline pumping white water to warrant being rated along with some of the worlds finest.

Of course when you picture sublimely crisp alpine rivers kissed by the Himalaya, roaring into narrow gullies, along white sandy banks, through pristine jungle and quaint farm estates. It must be very hard not to want to take a peak yourself!

I was new to the sport of white water rafting when I first ventured to Nepal, and when my travel companion persuaded me into tackling a river she had ventured on twice and was completely in love with I was simply terrified. I didn’t know what to expect, and then there it was, my introduction to rafting and the mighty Kaligandaki River. At best a 3 to 4 grade, the river has some intense fast sections, holes to trap any raft and some fantastic rapids. It’s great for Kayakers, beginner rafters with an adventurous spirit, and those experienced rafters that just want to have some fun. Camping at night, with the sound of the river roaring along, camp fire alight, cosy tents and good company has got to be one of the best things to do on holiday.

Nepal not only has this fantastic river, but offers a multitude of rivers ranging from freakishly advanced to perfectly calm, for scenic enthusiasts that just want to cruise along and take photos with the occasional easy riding splish splash rapid. Some of the rivers Nepal boasts are as above the divine Kaligandaki, the wild Bhote Koshi and the gentle Trisuli, along with three very exciting and scenically spectacular river expeditions on The Karnali, Tamur and Sunkoshi. An absolute feast for any white water enthusiast, from first timer to advanced adrenaline junkie looking for the next rush.

There are two ways you can go about rafting in Nepal. If your one of those ‘do it when I get there’ types, it is easy enough to organise it once you get in to Kathmandu or Pokhara, the streets are lined with rafting and kayaking tour companies all looking for your business. Word of caution though, you really need to do your research before venturing in with blind faith, some companies aren’t too proactive with the moto “safety first” and tend to scrimp on equipment where possible. I remember my friend sinking rather than floating one time, after she fell out in a fairly intense little rapid, she later said her life jacket was like a led weight, rather than buoyant.

I now opt for a certified tour company that offers rafting trips as add on activities to their initial tours, have concentrated rafting tours, as well as include them in package tours with trekking and mountain biking (link below). At least I’m guaranteed they use approved equipment, and are insured, they have emergency evacuation procedures, qualified local guides, and are really well organised. It’s peace of mind and makes for an incredible and enjoyable experience.

The best times to go are between March to June, when the rivers are fed by the pre monsoon rains and September to October, when the rivers are fed by snow melt. Towards late October the rivers are lower, the holes are deeper, but the rapids tend to be in shorter bursts and give you time to recoup before the next onslaught. The weather gets cooler the further you get into October, so you will need to bring warmer clothes for the night time camping. Earlier in the year the Monsoon fed rivers can be a pretty intense time to raft, most rivers are swollen and running particularly fast, with not much break between rapids. December through to February tends to be quite cold, and getting wet is not very enjoyable, remember where this water comes from, it’s freezing! So in saying that, the river guides tend to become dormant throughout these months.

Most rafting companies in Nepal supply dry bags for clothes and sleeping bags, as well as iPods and other technological gadgets. I still recommend bringing your own dry bag for extra care. Companies like Sea to Summit do some great light weight ones in all sizes, and will easily tuck into the heavy duty dry bags the rafting companies supply.

I’m now an avid fan of rafting Nepal, and I hope I have inspired you to get out there and give it a go; it really is an incredible rafting adventure and a must do.
Enjoy

For more information about Nepal and rafting or Kayaking, you can visit our website www.dtoursoriginal.com

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Beat The Winter Blues With Winter Sunshine Holidays In Malta

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malta 698The trees have lost their leaves, it’s raining, the rare winter sunshine has to fight through grey skies and you’ve well and truly got the winter blues. Life doesn’t have to be dreary I’ve found – not when I can take winter holidays in Malta.

Malta is a small archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, close to Sicily and only 15 miles in length. Small in size but big in character, the Maltese Islands of Malta and Gozo are great places to visit all year round.

The climate in winter is one of the best in the Mediterranean, mild with some rain but a decent amount of sunshine and during the summer the island is hot and dry. So dry that Malta has an almost desert like appearance but visit in the winter and you will find a contrasting beautiful greener island with wild flowers in full bloom. It’s warm enough in the winter to be able to wear summer clothing during the day but don’t forget to pack some woollens and a coat for the cooler evenings. Sun tan lotion will also be needed but you don’t have to worry about mosquitoes in the winter.

Malta isn’t an expensive holiday destination and prices are very comparable with other Mediterranean destinations. As with other resorts if you take a vacation in Malta over Christmas and the New Year expect to pay premium rates for that 2 week period and off season rates throughout the rest of the winter. The cost of living is reasonable, I’ve gone there many a time on a scarily small budget and returned home happy and with money to spare.

What I love about Malta most are the welcoming Maltese people. Ever so friendly and helpful, I’ve been treated like an old friend almost from the first. I haven’t found it unusual to be befriended and taken about the island or invited into Maltese homes. I’ve even been offered free accommodation for my next visit from friendly islanders. Be careful though ladies – the hot Maltese men do like to flirt!!

During the winter the best places to stay are the towns of Sliema and St Julians because they are busier and livelier out of season. I like St Julians because of the nightlife, but Sliema is better for shopping and you can get the ferry to the capital Valetta from there. As they are not far from each other and it’s a nice refreshing walk along the coastline it doesn’t matter that much to me where I locate myself.

You will find accommodation suitable for all pockets – 5 star hotels, villas, guest houses, self catering apartments and even an all inclusive in Sliema. I’ve mostly stayed in self catering apartments because I like to do my own thing. Wherever I’ve stayed the accommodation has been clean, comfortable and problem free.

Although Maltese is the first language, English is so widely spoken that communication is no problem. I was astonished on my first visit 20 years ago to regularly hear phrases from popular UK TV programmes being bandied about. Imagine paying for a drink and the bartender saying ‘Lovely Jubbly’ when they hand you your change – that just seemed so surreal.

As Malta is now a member of the European Union the currency has altered from the Maltese Lira to the Euro. I’d best get myself some Euros now that I’ve written about my favourite winter destination and look online for a deal for another of my holidays in Malta. All I have to decide is when to go – off peak and save some brass or pay the full price for Christmas when it’s truly beautiful with glorious window paintings for decorations.

Patricia Jones owns the travel article directory Articles Abroad where you can find more information about holidays in Malta

Patricia also writes for the UK Travel Guide where you can search freely for the best hotel deals worldwide and find free downloadable UK travel guides with maps.

Celebrate At Singapore Festivals

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800px-Singapore_Skyline_Raffles_PlaceFor me there is a lot more to a holiday than just lying on a beach frying myself. I love to learn about different cultures and join in with local festivals whenever I travel and Singapore gives you plenty of choices to do just that. In this article you will learn more about the colourful Singapore festivals.

Despite its stoic buildings and busy streets, Singapore makes a point of celebrating its diversity in ethnicity, race, religion and culture. If you flip through history books of Singapore, you will probably see old photos of the river banks filled with people from all walks of life. There were native Malays, coolies from China, traders from India, Arab and neighboring countries, as well as the European colonialists and many more. With its strategic location at the tip of the peninsula of Malaysia and free port policy, Singapore was a popular stopover for ships traveling to or from China and India. This diverse make up of Singapore grew into a multiracial society as this island blossomed into a thriving city-state. As a sign of respect to the different communities that make up Singapore, some 10 annual festivals are celebrated in Singapore.

Visit Singapore around late January to February and the chances are you will be greeted with shops and buildings decked in red banners, lanterns and pictures of oranges. The Chinese New Year or Spring festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrating the beginning of the new year according to the Lunar calendar. Take a walk down Chinatown during this season to get the best deals in Chinese decorations and snacks. Keep an eye out for the lion dance where dancers mimic the movements of a lion in a long trail of lion costumes to the vibrant beat of drums and cymbals. These dancers will move from shop to shop to wish good luck, prosperity and longevity for the upcoming year as part of the New Year festival celebrations in Singapore.

The Muslims in Singapore, with Malays making up the majority of them, celebrate two main festivals namely Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid ul-Fitr, or commonly called Aidilfitri, it signifies the end of the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast with the hope to cleanse their body and soul. Throughout Ramadan, you will be able to get exclusive bargains on carpets, table tops, cushions, plastic flowers, accessories and the delectable spread of street food if you take a walk down Geylang Serai. The annual bazaar set up just for Ramadan is always buzzing with auctions, shows and performances. The second Islamic celebration, Eid al-Adha or Aidiladha, means the Festival of Sacrifice. It commemorates Abraham’s obedience to God to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. God accepted his willingness as true submission and replaced a ram to be sacrificed instead. During Aidiladha, Muslim pilgrims perform the Hajj at Mecca.

Deepavali or the Festival of Lights is a significant event for the Hindus. If you are a fan of Slumdog Millionaire or the Bollywood movies, you must take a trip down Little India during this season. Experience for yourself the captivating beauty of lights that illuminate the entire stretch of Serangoon Road. Take this opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Indian community in Singapore. You may want to purchase a sari (a female garment) or a kurta (loose shirt) at a bargain price and bask in the festivities of the Indian celebration. You may also want to pay a visit to the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple there and observe the praying rituals of the Hindus.

One article can never provide enough information about a country that you are interested in visiting. To learn more about Singapore holidays just click on the link.

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Start Scotland Tours With ‘Glasge’ Attractions

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800px-Glasgow_westend_(31)Luckily for Glasgow most of the main attractions are located around the subway circuit. There is always something to see within easy reach of the city centre. Because the city has many hidden secrets around every corner, not all of them are as obvious on the top of a tour bus and are best seen on foot.

The best place to start is in the heart of the city, Georges Square. This place is always a hive of activity and has different event going on through the year. During the summer it is a great place to lounge around and admire the architecture of city chambers. At Christmas time the square is completely lit up with Christmas lights and is home to it’s own miniature fairground with a small Ferris wheel and merry go round.

Throughout the year Glasgow hosts many festivals that celebrate all things arty after it was titled city of culture in the 1990’s. Every month there is something going on and is best know for it’s Glasgow comedy festival, Celtic Connections, the Merchant City festival and of course, Hogmanay. There are many other smaller festivals going on, such as an event celebrating Glasgow Subway. The city never stops!

All around the subway circuit there is something to see at almost every stop. Some of my favourites are Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis, Tenement house at Cowcaddens station, Scotland Street School Museum at Shields Road, Kelvingrove galleries at Kelvinhall subway, the Gallery of Modern Art in Merchant Square and the People’s Palace near St. Enoch are at the top of the list of places to see if you don’t go anywhere else.

Outside of the city centre circuit there are many more attractions that can be reached by bus. I find the best places tend to be in the Southside of the city but there are many more on the outskirts of the city. Some include The Burrell Collection in Shawlands, Pollok House and Country park in Pollok, The Glasgow Science Museum and Tramway gallery and gardens in Pollokshields.

There are also many parks around Glasgow most of which have Victorian glasshouses, housing aquariums and collections of exotic plants. The best parks to go are Glasgow Green, Kelvingrove Park in the west end and Queens Park in the south side.

Nights out

The city centre is mostly filled with clubs and swanky bars. Merchant city is the place if you’re looking for an expensive cocktail, where the more reasonable bars are along Bath Street and Sauchiehall Street. If you’re into your dancing the city centre has plenty of nightclubs to choose from. Most of them are along Sauchiehall Street some being Campus, Garage, The Classrooms, and the Savoy aka ‘Suave Sav’.

Personally I feel the best place to experience Glasgow is in its West End. I feel this is where the real Glasgow is, it is another world compared to anywhere else in the city. My favourite place to go is Ashton Lane. Close by to Hillhead subway lies a little cul-de-sac filled with award winning restaurants and bars. Favourites include Brel (where Billy Connolly often frequents), The Chip, The Loft, Vodka Wodka and a few others. During the summer this is home to Ashton Lane and the West End festivals and is the busiest, but best time to go.

If you’re looking for an evening of entertainment, Glasgow has many venues that offer a range of shows, gigs and concerts. There is the SECC, Braehead Arena, Carling Academy, The Arches and the Barrowlands where all types of artist perform, including many big names. If you’re looking for a show there is the Royal Concert Hall, the King’s Theatre and the Tron theatre with something different showing all the time. Glasgow also has two comedy clubs, one in the city centre called Joungleurs near Buchanan bus station and the other one in the West End called The Stand.

The author writes for  Glasgow tours where you can learn about UK destinations and search freely for the absolute best hotel deals worldwide.

Weather Glasgow, Meet Scotlands People And Enjoy Your Stay In The City Of Glasgow

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800px-Glasgow_westend_(31)Glasgow weather can be unpredictable but whether the sun shines or not on the city of Glasgow it’s an amazing place to visit or live in. Like most of Scotlands people Glaswegians are friendly and as full of character as the city itself.

Everyone I know outside of Glasgow asks me if I eat deep fried Mars bars for breakfast. To be honest, it’s not a part of my staple diet let alone that of most Glaswegians. I think this more of a myth, but I’m sure a few partake in one or two when watching Glasgow’s very own soap opera, River City.

I will never forget the first time that I met Glasgow. Walking through its city centre I felt like a borrower with the magnificent Victorian buildings looming over me. All around Glasgow there are many surviving buildings from the Victorian and Georgian era, surrounded by its modern age.

Once a ship building hub in the early twentieth century, Glasgow has taken a number of leaps and bounds to become what it is today. Titled ‘The second city of the empire’ during Queen Victoria’s reign, walking around you will quickly see why. There is plenty to see and experience in Glasgow, but this is what I want people to see. This is how I see Glasgow.

Getting Around

Glasgow is lucky enough to have its own underground subway system known as the ‘Clockwork Orange’ (appropriately named for its bright colours), which allows you to get around the city with great ease. You might feel as if you’re in a toy carriage and may get a face full of armpit but its quick and reliable, as they tend to run every few minutes until 11:30pm on weekdays and on Saturdays. I personally don’t mind the subway, but there are many that do. My advice is to hold your nose and hang on tight!

Our bus services are pretty reliable and fairly easy to figure out and especially good for those attractions outside the city centre. However make sure you get on at the right stop. I didn’t do this and ended up going on a two hour tour of the city, not knowing where I was and two hours late for work!

One thing I have found is that the bus drivers are among the friendliest I have ever encountered in the world. A few years ago walking from Queen Street Train Station to Buchanan Street Bus Station a kind bus driver carried my bags all the way up the hill, not taking no for an answer. Don’t be scared to ask them for directions, they don’t bite.

There is also a great network of train stations throughout the city, the main ones being Queen Street and Central Station. A great pointer; If you want to get anywhere quickly such as Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, Queen Street train station is your best bet.

The taxis in Glasgow are not badly either compared to most cities. The private cab companies are the cheapest but even the black cabs are reasonable. To get from Glasgow airport to the city center it will cost around fifteen pounds and even less than that for a private cab.
Glasgow Shopping

Glasgow’s main shopping district covers most of the heart of the city centre along Buchanan Street, Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street. It’s quite hard to get lost around there and pretty self explanatory – it only took me a day or so to get my bearings.

Here you will find anything from your everyday high street stores to the more posh and up market designer shops around Princes Square and Merchant City. All around the city centre are hidden gems that are often missed such as the Gallery of Modern Art in Merchant city and the Lighthouse hidden away on Mitchell Lane.

Entertainment

There is a lot of entertainment on offer in Glasgow but highlight of the Glasgow entertainment calendar is the annual Glasgow Comedy festival. In March 2008 there were over 350 shows to choose from! Glasgow is a must when planning your Scotland tours there is a massive amount on offer.

The author writes for Articles Abroad travel article directory the the creative writer where you will find lots of tips and information about writing and Scotland tours where you can search freely for the absolute best hotel deals worldwide.

Meet Scotlands People, Move to the Scottish Highlands and Islands

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There are many reasons why people relocate anywhere, so why the Scottish highlands and Islands? I myself am not a native Scot, but like many others have fallen in love with the place. I may moan about the rainy, windy days but I can’t imagine living anywhere else!

I have experienced both sides of Scotland from one of the remotest islands to Scotland’s largest city. Both are equally beautiful in their own way and have character like nowhere else I’ve lived.

Living in the Outer Hebrides completely changed my life. I had no idea such places hidden away in the UK existed (although it was marked on the BBC weather map all along!) It’s a shame not many people get to experience Scotland in its raw form and only get to touch the tip of the iceberg on what there is to see. When you finally move to Scotland, you loose that ‘touristy’ feeling and you become connected to the place in a completely different way.

Scotland is littered with places where you might consider moving and it can only take that one visit before you have your heart set on a place. Whether you’re looking for the good life on a croft or wanting the fast pace of a city there is something for everyone. I’ve experience both and have loved every minute of it. If only I could take what I have in the city to the Islands, then it would be perfect!

Schools

If you have children it is important to bare in mind the difference in the school system. The primary schools can work in two ways depending on where you are. Children start primary school at the age of 5 until the age of 11 (P1 to P6) to which they then move up to Secondary school. However in some highland and island communities they might combine the primary school with the first 3 years of secondary school (to S3) and pupils then move up to secondary school at the age of 14 instead (S1 to S5).

It’s a much simpler system I feel and saves a lot of moving around. From seeing my brothers experience of moving from England to Scotland, it was a much smoother transition between the schools as in the highlands and islands in particular they tend to be more prepared for pupils moving from a different curriculums. Personally, I had more problems moving schools within the same county in England. One thing to keep in mind; Scotland doesn’t have GCSE’s or A-Levels. Instead they’ve got Standard Grades and Highers!

Housing

In some parts of Scotland buying a house is quite different compared to the rest of the U.K. For the different laws that surround buying a house it is best to get in touch with an estate agent within the area that you are interested in buying.

In the highlands and Islands it is very common to croft your own land. My family does this to rear their own animals on a two acre plot of land right next to a loch overlooking the sea. It is also popular for to rent their land out to local farmers for keeping animals or growing certain crops. It doesn’t make you a great deal of money, but it is great for the local economy in the long run and it’s so nice seeing baby animals prancing around in the spring!

In Scotland it is very popular to buy and build your own ‘kit house’. Overall this is a cheaper way of getting yourself on the housing market. I have seen 2 bedroom one storey houses going from 30,000 (excluding the price of land) which is great because you can design it the way you want!

In the cities however, in recent years I have seen the price of houses creep to level with the rest of the U.K. Though cost of living seems to be less than I’ve experienced in England, everything else is pretty much the same. Glasgow and Edinburgh are the most expensive, but there are a lot of online forums which you can join to find the best areas of the cities to rent or buy and the council tax hot spots.

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Join Japanese Holidaymakers Visiting The Okinawan Islands

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Okinawa has always been a top holiday destination for mainland Japanese holiday makers to retreat to, and is also becoming a popular getaway for European tourists too. It attracts simply for its sandy white beaches, their fascinating culture and awe inspiring scenery filled with mountains and jungles.

Okinawa is made up of around 150 islands, which are most southern to mainland Japan. Though it is heavily populated for it’s size, it still maintains it’s tradition and is in contrast to anywhere else in Japan as their culture and language is almost completely different. Though these days islanders also speak mainland Japanese, Okinawan dialect is still widely spoken. You will notice also that the traditional dress is quite different in colour a style. In my opinion, more ornate and beautiful!

Getting there

To get to Okinawa there is a bit of hopping around to do, but it is completely worth it. Domestic flights come in every couple of hours from Osaka and it only takes a few hours to get there from mainland Japan. Or, if you want to really make a holiday of it you can take the ferry, which takes around 40 hours and only runs weekly!

Weather

Okinawan weather is very similar to that of the Fijian islands and Indonesia. It tends to be quite hot throughout the year and it never gets below 15 degrees Celsius during the winter months. However, the island is rife with typhoons during its rainy season (tsuyu) during months June through to October. In some parts of Okinawa it is common to not see milk or vegetables on the shelves if the planes and ferries can’t get in. This is not dissimilar to what I’ve seen in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland! The best times to visit are January until May as the weather is at its best and all the festivals kick off starting with the Sakura (cherry blossom) festival.

Things to do

Okinawa is best known for its snorkelling and scuba diving. Because there are so many islands that make up Okinawa, coral reefs are abundant and are home to rare tropical marine life. If you are a certified diver it will cost you around 15,000 yen (£70) for a day per person. If you’re not certified, snorkelling is just as amazing and is much cheaper.

If you manage to get flights for April/May time, definitely see what’s happening during Golden week. During this time most businesses close to celebrate four different holidays. The best of these I feel is Children’s day. The atmosphere is so electric its absolutely buzzing. Where ever you go streamers of different colours and kites fill the skies, and of course small smiling faces.

The Capital- Naha

Naha is the capital of Okinawa and where I was born. If you’re having trouble with your Japanese phrase book this is the place to be as most people here speak some English anyway due to it’s large American military presence from Kadena Air Force base near by.

This is home to Shuri castle and park. The castle and it’s grounds represents everything Okinawan and traditional. Walking around you can clearly see influences from both Japanese and Chinese cultures.

Okinawa world is another place to check out. It’s the main theme park on the island and is purely for the tourists, and is dedicated to Okinawan culture! There is something for all the family and as well as your usual theme park attractions there is also the Gyukosendo caves. This is one of many caves on the island and is simply breathtaking! The stalactites and stalagmites are an amazing sight to see and these caves are the second longest in Japan!

In Naha, International Street (known as Kokusai Dori in Japanese)is the place to go when you want to go shopping. It stretches for a mile and is packed full of souvenir shops, hotels, restaurants and bars. Around here you will definitely see the American military influence around here as the odd American chain store will pop up amongst the eccentric Hello Kitty merchandise.

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