Author: News Team
As the country marks the day 60 years ago the Queen found out she would be ascending to the thrown, it has be unveiled that more than a million people are expected to line the River Thames for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee river pageant. The celebrations will fall on the Bank Holiday weekend from June 2 to 5 will be focal point of the 2012 Jubilee celebrations. The Queen’s 60-year reign will be marked with a river pageant featuring 1,000-strong flotilla on the River Thames. It has been predicted that at least a million people will line to river to…
The UK’s place as a top tourist destination has been firmly cemented as figures reveal that foreign tourists spent a record £17.7bn in 2011. Last year also saw a record number of visitors to the UK for holidays, rather than business trips or those visiting family, a massive 12 million people, according to the Tourism organisation VisitBritain. Totaling a massive 30.61 million visits to the UK by overseas residents, with the majority of these visiting in the first three-quarters of 2011. This was a rise of three per cent on last year, and the highest level seen since 2008. Last…
Although Carnival and Mardi Gras are synonymous with Rio de Janerio in Brazil and New Orleans in the United States, the festival has its roots elsewhere. French for “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras is a major tourist attraction in any city where it is celebrated. HotelTravel.com Chief Information Officer Olivier Dombey said: “This is traditionally a wild event known for its flamboyant costumes, festive balls, loud music, and all-night partying, but it actually draws its cultural origins to rituals and traditions that date back thousands of years. For travelers suffering from a case of Carnival and Mardi Gras fever, here is…
An American Court has thrown out animal rights campaigners PETA’s controversial case against San Diego’s SeaWorld, after allegations that they ‘enslave’ whales. A Complaint made by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claimed that the popular attraction was in breach of the 13th amendment, which outlaws involuntary servitude and slavery. Allegations stated that five of the parks whales – Tilikum, Katina, Corky, Kasatka and Ulises – were forced to perform daily and live in tanks. District Judge Jeffrey Miller dismissed the case against SeaWorld, but according to Fox News he was the first judge in history to listen…
When it comes to popping the big question, it seems the rugged landscape of England’s largest National Park is more popular than anywhere else in the UK. The Lake District has been revealed as the top place for getting down on one knee, beating capital cities Edinburgh and London. The Lake District was the only place in the top five that was not a city destination. According to the research by eHarmoney.co.uk, the park was followed closely by Brighton, the bohemian sea-side city. Dr Gian Gonzaga, relationship scientist and senior director of research director of the online matchmaker said: ‘Brighton…
A study has revealed that parents find Scottish airports the most family friendly, with Edinburgh being rated the best in the UK, followed closely by Glasgow. As part of the study, Skyscanner asked parents to rate airport facilities for children allowing them to establish which airports best catered for families. Airports were rated on children’s play areas and facilities, food options for children and the efficiency of the security process. Edinburgh Airport – which caters for more than 9million passengers each year – was praised for its family friendly restaurants, which provide a wide choice of food. Parents recommended the…
As Valetine’s Day approaches, a pair of smitten lemurs are proving that it isn’t just humans who want to spend some alone time with their partner during the season of love. After spending the chilly winter months keeping each other warm and getting to know each other at West Midlands Safari Park, this loveable pair of black and white ruffed lemurs only have eyes for each other. Named Romeo and Juliet by park staff who love nothing more than a romance between their animals, the lemurs even have their own love nest – with rangers hand delivering the lovey dovey…
The giant panda’s presence at Edinburgh Zoo has increased visitors by 200 per cent. Tourist numbers at the Scottish attraction have increased massively, and its all thanks to two very cute pandas. The pandas named Tian Tian and Yang Guang, have had around 70,000 visitors since they arrived in December. Increasing visitor numbers three fold compared with the same time last year. Yang Guang, the male, who is also known as Sunshine, has been exploring his new home and spending hours in full view of the zoo’s keepers. Tian Tian (Sweetie) has been more reserved and shy, hiding from the…
The top three emerging destinations for 2012 may surprise you: Sudan, Greenland and Mongolia. Voted as top up-and-coming destinations in a recent survey, the unlikely locations are part of a list of ten. As part of this years Readers’ Travel Awards, Wanderlust’s poll found a number of unexpected destinations on traveller’s wish lists. Including destinations that have seen recent political and social turbulence; Tajikistan, Pakistan, the Cook Islands, Taiwan, Lebanon and Fiji. In last place was Iran, a destination it’s hard to imagine many tourists choosing to visit as tensions with the West continue. However Wanderlust said that many adventure…
Almost nine million Brits have already booked their main holiday for 2012. A further 8.9 million have started looking at deals but haven’t booked yet. Research by Direct Line travel insurance shows that the January sales aren’t just for clothing and home furnishings, with many people in the UK taking advantage of discounts on flights, hotels and package holidays to organise their main holiday early in the year. Nearly 20 per cent of those who have made plans for their main holiday have already booked either short- or long-haul travel arrangements, while another one in five are still weighing up…