After the incredible sporting success of the Beijing Olympics, it is the turn of London to host the most spectacular and captivating sporting event on the planet. Having won the 2012 Olympics, London is in full swing to prepare, and spectator accommodation is already getting booked up. With an action packed two weeks in Summer 2012, lasting from the 27th July, marked with a lavish opening ceremony, to 12th August 2012, when the torch is handed over, coming to London next summer is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience.
The majority of events will be held within Greater London, using such iconic locations as Horse Guards Parade, Wimbledon, Wembley Arena, Lords, The Royal Artillery Barracks and Regents Park, a holiday in London in 2012 will not only be a magnificent sporting experience, but an unrivalled way to see our wonderful capital at is absolute best. However, there are events being held at venues throughout the country. The football will be played at venues from Old Trafford to Hampden Park, the Millennium Stadium to Villa Park, whilst the sailing events will be staged on the south coast.
Keukenhof? That’s the place to see spring blossom. The park is unique, world famous, and has been one of the most popular destinations in the Netherlands for sixty years now. Haven’t seen Keukenhof? Then you haven’t seen the Netherlands. You won’t find such an abundance of colours and fragrances anywhere else. More than seven million flowers form a glorious decor for the most beautiful photos. Come to Keukenhof and enjoy the ultimate spring feeling, the wonderful works of art, the surprising insipration gardens and the many flower shows.
Enjoy the Spring
After the dark and dreary winter, everyone yearns for the spring. Slowly but surely, the cold, grey days make way for the sun and warmer weather. Suddenly, the first tulips begin to emerge… The world comes back to life and takes on new colour. It is time for spring, time to fall in love! At Keukenhof, the park with a royal appeal, you can experience the spring in all its glory: you can smell it, feel it, see it. Welcome to the most beautiful spring park in the world!
Keukenhof is one of world’s top destinations for 2012 by CNN
Flower lovers who flock to the country’s stunning fields of tulips and who have made the colorful Keukenhof to one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands declared that Keukenhof is the top destination in 2012 to visit.
Opening times: 22 March to 20 May 2012
open from 8.00 a.m. to 19.30 p.m. daily
Teviotdale House is a splendid Victorian guest house located 10 minutes from Edinburgh city centre. We offer excellent accommodation in a friendly environment.
Teviotdale House is a guest house located in Edinburgh, south of the city centre. The building is a fine example of a Victorian Edinburgh town house, built in 1890. For many years it has provided first class accommodation and we aim to make your stay a very pleasant one. It is an ideal choice for sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, business and seminars.
In our guest house you will be able to relax and unwind after a busy day. There is a calm and soothing atmosphere here and you will feel perfectly fresh after a good night‘s sleep at Teviotdale House. Situated in a quiet street in a beautiful conservation area called ‘The Grange’, Teviotdale House is conveniently located for the city centre, with good bus links a few minutes away. A bus will take you to the city centre in 10 minutes. It is also possible to walk to the Royal Mile, in the heart of the Old Town, in 25 minutes. This is a very pleasant walk that we always recommend.
Our breakfast has a wide variety of options to give you a great start to the day. We use the best fresh local products we can source for you and cater for vegetarian and lactose free diets.
We are trying to do our bit for the environment. We recycle paper, plastic, cardboard, glass and metal and recently we have started recycling organic waste in our compost bin. We also try to use less energy without sacrificing comfort, so we have low energy lighting in place and have plans to take other measures.
The Inn at 202 Dover is an historic mansion built in 1874 and is an integral part of the historic fabric of Easton. Providing luxurious travel accommodations just a short block from downtown shopping, art galleries and theatre, the Inn has been referred to as Easton’s “Inn of Distinction.” There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the grace and dominance of the building itself.
Each of the five accommodations at our Maryland bed and breakfast is unique. All of the guestrooms are furnished with a combination of antique and authentic antique reproduction furniture, gorgeous fabrics, European pillow top mattresses and luxurious linens. Everything has been done to provide you with a memorable experience.
In restoring the Inn we have also included all modern conveniences including air jet tubs and steam showers. Cable TV, high-speed Internet access, and telephones are provided in each accommodation.
Let us pamper you during your stay at the Inn at 202 Dover, our Maryland B&B, where the amenities leave very little to be desired.
When you enter your suite at our Eastern Shore bed and breakfast, you will find sherry awaiting you to take the edge off your day. Housekeeping is provided twice daily. Each evening, when you return to your room, you will find clean towels, your bed turned down, fruit, home baked cookies, and chocolates to help lull you to sleep. If you wish, visit the coffee room where you’ll find a coffee maker (or tea), soft drinks and ice in the fridge, and energy or breakfast bars for your enjoyment. You can always enjoy a bottle of wine, champagne or cocktail from our restaurant. And, we will provide room service during the hours our restaurant is open.
Enjoy a steam shower or simply unwind in your air jet tub. If you feel the need to check your e-mail, you can either plug into a high-speed connection or simply pick-up on our wireless. Flat screen television in each sitting room provides the ability to play DVDs if you have a favorite movie you’d like to bring with you or choose one from our library. HBO is an integral part of the television package as is commercial free music. Sherry is also available in each suite.
And, if you really want to relax, we will arrange for a full-spa package right in the privacy of your own room. We offer a full range of massages: Swedish massage; deep tissue massage; hot stone massage; and, reflexology.
If you need something washed or pressed simply let us know, and we’ll be happy to oblige at no additional cost.
The sum total is that our mission is to pamper you and help you forget yesterday.
Like everywhere else in the world, we love to celebrate New Year’s Eve in London. The first thing you want to do is book a bed and breakfast in London.
Note, Trafalgar Square used to be the focal point for New Year’s Eve celebrations but nothing happens there anymore although there will be a large screen to see the fireworks happening the South Bank.
Fireworks Display
The big event for New Year’s Eve 2011/2012 is the free fireworks display at the London Eye on the South Bank. The display will start after Big Ben chimes midnight and will last for 10 minutes. Its popularity means it gets very crowded and will be limited to 250,000 people in the viewing areas. The best spots to watch the fireworks are from Westminster Bridge and the north embankment of the River Thames, opposite the London Eye, but they will be visible from across central London, as well as being broadcast live on BBC1.
Clubs and Bars
As you would expect, tickets for London clubs are more expensive on New Year’s Eve. Also be aware pubs often charge an entrance fee to try and control the numbers. It is best to plan ahead and get tickets in advance.
Following the huge success of last year’s NYE event, belowzero and IceBar London are hosting Keep Calm and Party On. Tickets start from £39.
River Cruises
A luxury river cruise along the River Thames can be a romantic way to bring in the new year. Most boats plan to moor in sight of the London Eye fireworks at midnight so you will get the best view.
Also, R.S.Hispaniola is a ship permanently moored on Victoria Embankment.
The Art-Deco inspired London Eye Barracuda will journey along the Thames, taking in breathtaking views of the London skyline from the cruiser’s stylish upper and lower decks. With intimate booth seated dining, mirrored 1930′s bar with decorative iron grille facade, tan leather sofas and chaise longues lends itself perfectly to a night of luxury and glamour. A delicious selection of mouth watering eats will be served in the lower deck then dinner partygoers can dance their way through the night, celebrating the start of 2012.
Of all the countries on the planet, none have quite mastered weaving the art of showmanship together with the ability to throw a great party quite like what you’ll see when it’s time for New Year in the United States. Truth be told, its position as one of the last places to celebrate gives it an advantage: seeing what everyone else has done allows Americans to kick it up a notch or two when their turn comes!
Over the years, particularly as television became a more integral part of the average household, Father Time switching the calendar at the stroke of midnight has grown in stature. In 2011, for example, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve will celebrate its 40th anniversary – tens of millions will witness the ball drop in Times Square from their own living rooms before carrying on with home-based parties. And, the next morning, they will hunker down on the couch for a long day watching the Tournament of Roses Parade before a bevy of football games take place on the gridiron.
Thinking about taking a trip to the USA for December 31st? Here are a few suggestions:
If it were possible, you would want to fly cross-country to take in the very different celebrations between the Big Apple and the United States’ western capital of star power. In this sprawling metropolis, you will find live music and entertainment are the most sought-after features of New Year’s Eve. Thanks to the wide number of excellent local bands trying to “make it” and the City of Angels’ tendency to attempt to do everything bigger and better than the rest, chances are good you will end up witnessing quite a show at midnight – and beyond.
Some could argue this is the granddaddy of them all – and with good reason. As mentioned before, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Manhattan are beamed all over the world, making it a traditional favorite for more than just those who live in the United States. Whether or not you choose to pile into Times Square, you can be certain there are plenty of places to partake in the revelry. Even the Empire State Building gets on the act, offering visitors the perfect view of pyrotechnic displays from all five boroughs.
The east coast home of Mickey Mouse and all his friends has far more to offer than just kid-centric entertainment. Each of the theme parks (Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World) has a celebration of their own featuring a huge fireworks display, but those looking for something geared for adults will find plenty, as well. There are rock concerts and live hip hop shows, plus a few seats at ICEBAR, a watering hole in which the furniture is carved from blocks of ice.
I first made this festive breakfast pie when entertaining friends on Christmas morning. Each year I was asked to make my famous ‘Christmas Morning Pie’ and the name stuck! But because of its great flavor, I make it year-round.
Ingredients
1 pound bulk pork sausage with sage, cooked and crumbled
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shells
6 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
Directions
In a bowl, combine sausage and cheese. Place half of mixture in each pastry shell. Combine eggs, milk, onion and peppers. Pour half over sausage in each shell. Bake at 350 degrees F for 55-60 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.
This is an all time, excellent, every time recipe. It is very simple, and so well loved by many. It has always been raved about – even by kids. This is a large quantity, but you will end up making this size batch more than once. You can also make muffins and small loaves using this recipe; bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
Ingredients
3 cups canned pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 cups white sugar
6 eggs
4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 9×5 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, oil, sugar, and eggs. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; stir into the pumpkin mixture until well blended. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The top of the loaf should spring back when lightly pressed.
Variations
Add raisins, mini chocolate chips (the best), pecans, or walnuts.
Let the Candlelight Inn, a bed and breakfast on the New Jersey Shore near Cape May, provide the perfect setting for you to make memories every day of the year. Vacations or romantic getaways spent at our Victorian Inn in North Wildwood are always remembered as special. The Candlelight Inn is our small piece of the New Jersey Shore that we would like to share with you and your special someone.
We hope you will consider our bed and breakfast as a wonderful break from the traditional lodging found at hotels and motels. The Candlelight Inn, just three blocks from the beach, is is located in a lovely residential area of North Wildwood, NJ. It is a charming Queen Anne Victorian home that will take you back to a simpler time. The accommodations, however, will provide you with all the modern amenities that you need, including double whirlpool tubs, gas or electric fireplaces, flatscreen TVs, and wireless Internet access throughout the property.
Your time at the Inn provides a peaceful rest while a variety of wonderful activities await you only minutes away. From the beach to the boardwalk with rides and attractions, to the bay with kayaking and canoeing; the Candlelight Inn is moments from where your perfect vacation begins. The beaches in the Wildwoods are wide, and the sand is soft to the touch. For sunning, tanning, surfing, or swimming on the New Jersey Shore, there is no equal. No beach tags are required.
To complete your vacation package, wonderful restaurants, shopping, cultural and historical activities are within a short drive of our bed and breakfast. Whatever your pleasure, it’s here at the Candlelight Inn or just a few minutes away. It’s for you to decide and for you to enjoy.
The Bentwood Inn was recently honored by admittance into Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America, the premier innkeeping association in the United States and Canada. Member inns must meet the rigorous standards of a Quality Assurance program, and represent the most prestigious establishments of their type.
Out of the thousands of inns in North America, only an elite few are invited to join Select Registry each year. The Bentwood Inn has now joined with more than 400 other exceptional properties that are already members of the Association.
Founded in 1972 as the Independent Innkeepers’ Association by Norman Simpson, “the Father of Country Inn travel in America,” Select Registry is an offshoot of Simpson’s popular and pioneering book, Country Inns and Back Roads. The name and logo of the organization were changed several years ago to reflect the group’s approach to marketing its selective and distinguished member properties.
A marketing association, Select Registry partners with other brands and organizations — such as BMW, Karen Brown’s Guides, DiRoNA, UK Tour Operator Select Vacations, PhoCusWright, Ontario’s Finest Inns and the American Heart Association to name a few — to promote its members to target audiences.
Its celebrated guidebook, now in its 20th Edition, is distributed each year to nearly 400,000 guests throughout North America. The organization also maintains a critically-acclaimed website, supervises gift certificate and loyalty programs, and organizes promotions for its members, including last year’s inaugural “Inn-credible Breakfast Cook-off,” a breakfast recipe culinary competition that produced nearly 30 million media impressions.
The Bentwood Inn exemplifies the high quality and service championed by this Association,” says Select Registry Executive Director Keith Kehlbeck. “Select Registry assures the traveler that each of its inns is regularly inspected—anonymously and with an overnight inspection that measures the quality of hospitality, as well as the physical plant. Our members share a high standard of excellence, and each of our country inns, luxury B&Bs, and unique small hotels has its own distinctive character.”
