The Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in Paris (standing at 324 metres, roughly about the same height as an 81-storey building) and the most-visited paid monument in the world; with millions of visitors year round.

Nicknamed La dame de fer or “the iron lady”, the tower is a puddle iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris.

Not only has it become an icon for Paris, but for the whole of France – and a visit to Paris without seeing the Eiffel tower just doesn’t seem right.

From being a structure that was planned to be torn down, to having become one of the most recognizable structures in the world, this historical structure has a fascinating history.

The Eiffel tower scam with Victor Lustig is my favorite story, where he actually managed to “sell” the Eiffel tower for scrap metal – twice!

Some are happy just to see it from underneath, take a photo of it and one with yourself jumping in front of it (you will see everyone doing it when you get there..!), others climb the tower to see the views, and a few go all the way out and dine inside the tower.

Yes, the Eiffel tower actually has two restaurants.

Eiffel Tower Restaurants: At the first floor is the Le 58 tour Eiffel, a restaurant seating as many as 200 people and offers traditional French cuisine – it is not easy to get a table there, so we suggest you book at least two weeks early.

Le Jules Vernes  is the second restaurant and is located on the second floor, with its very own private lift.

The restaurant is run by the world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse who is the only chef to hold 19 Michelin stars throughout his career.

The restaurant has a view of the city to die for, and funny enough it was featured in the movie “A View to a Kill” with Roger Moore.

Eiffel Tower Tickets: With the tower having three levels for visitors, tickets can be purchased to ascend, by stairs or lift, to the first and second levels – to skip the long lines at the gate, you can buy tickets online from the official web site.

Stairs Entrance Eiffel Tower Tickets: This is the cheapest type of ticket available (4.70 Euro) and will give you the opportunity to explore the Tower on foot.

However, it gives you an access only up to the second floor – you can’t get on the top level with this type of ticket.

Lift Entrance Eiffel Tower Tickets (2nd floor): A bit more expensive than the Stairs Entrance (8.20), this type of ticket will also take you only up to the second floor – however, you are allowed to use the elevator instead of the stairs.

Lift Entrance Eiffel Tower Tickets (to the top): The most expensive of all tickets (13.40), this is the only ticket that gives access to the top of the tower.

A little warning though; since it’s so high up top, landmarks or monuments are hardly seen, but definitely worth it if you like heights.

So now you know everything you need to know about a visit to the Eiffel Tower - have you ever been? if so, what did you think?

(photo credit: 1 - 2)

Visiting The Eiffel Tower In Paris - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

When you think of Thailand, I bet one of the first things that come to your mind are long, white sandy beaches and those beautiful long-tail boats with colorful cloths tied to the front.

You would be forgiven to think that life is a beach in Thailand, but there is so much more to the country than the beach.

In Thailand, we had some of our most memorable experiences inland, and while a visit to the beach is almost compulsory when visiting Thailand, I really think a trip inland is a must, and then I don’t mean a short visit to Bangkok.

Some people choose to take one of those great Thailand tours which takes them all over the country without them having to worry about a thing, but if you’re in for something more challenging and if you want to choose your own schedule, I would suggest doing it alone.

We chose to travel through Central and Northern Thailand by train and bus, and while we saw far from every place, here are a few places we recommend which are ”off the beach radar” and still easy to reach:

LopBuri

This place is often overlooked because it doesn’t have any huge attraction, but there is something about this town which I really think deserves a night or two.

The place is overrun with crazy fun monkeys, and it’s pretty interesting to see how instead of finding a way of ”getting rid” of the monkeys they have chosen to play by their rules and put bars over their houses and windows to avoid the monkeys from coming inside their homes.

The vibe here is relaxed, the people are friendly, and everything is a lot cheaper than elsewhere in Thailand.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai has the most fascinating and beautiful historical park in the country, and it’s easy to get stuck there for a while.

Many people would recommend Ayutthaya, which is also a nice place and very close to Bangkok.

It’s great fun during one of the many festivals there, but if there is nothing special going on at the time you travel, skip that and choose Sukhothai instead.

It’s more beautiful and personally I think everything there was better, from the accommodation and food to experiences.

Chiang Mai

People fall in love with Chiang Mai for different reasons – some like the cooler climate, others the extrordinary food, or the cheap accommodation.

Chiang Mai is a great place to base yourself in and take small day trips to surrounding villages and towns.

There are tons of activities and tours to choose from, like cheap cooking courses, zip line adventures and Elephant camps, but also just hiring a scooter and driving around the outskirts is a great option.

Chiang Mai is also famous for its abundance of temples. If there is any place in Thailand where you can get “templed out”, it’s here.

From here you can find buses to Chiang Rai, Pai, Lampang and even Mae Hong Son, which are other interesting and fun places to visit.

These are just a few places away from the beaches in Thailand that are worth exploring, but you could spend months in Thailand exploring villages and cities without ever even see the water.

Which are a few of your favorite places to visit away from the beach in Thailand?

How To Enjoy Thailand Without Visiting The Beach - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Just a hop, skip and a jump from Bristol, after a night at one of the many Bristol Airport hotels and you will find yourself in Edinburgh to start your journey through some of the must see places in Scotland.

Here is a list of 10 awesome places to visit in Scotland: 

1. One of the many cathedrals and chapels of Edinburgh, particularly Rosslyn Chapel, made famous, perhaps mostly by The Da Vinci Code novel.

2. The Abbey and Palace of Holyroodhouse, a royal residence that is host to the Queen’s Gallery which contains art from the Royal collection.

3. Walk up Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that offers a incredible panorama of the city from the summit.

4. Edinburgh in the summer, is often called the city of festivals. Edinburgh is home to over ten festivals during the summer, including the Fringe Festival, the International Festival, the Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh International Film Festival to name just a few.

5. The Tall Ship, or the Glenlee, which was built in 1896 and is one of the only five Clydebuilt sailing ships left in the world that are afloat and restored.

It is now berthed at the Riverside museum which is part of Scotland’s Museum of Transport and Travel.

You can explore the Tall Ship and of course the museum as well.

6. The Edinburgh Zoo, particularly to watch the Penguin parade.

7. Take a walk along the Glasgow Green which was founded in 1450 by a royal grant and is home to Nelson’s Memorial, The Peoples Palace and The Doulton Fountain which is the largest terracotta fountain in the world.

8. Take a ride on the West Highland Railway, you can go from Glasgow to Crianlarch and back.

One of the most beautiful train rides in the world, you’ll see castles and meadows and the River Cylde, you’ll pass under Erskine Bridge. The train ride also takes you past Loch Lomond and Locklong.

9. A short day-trip from Glasgow, the Isle of Arran is often considered to be Scotland in Miniature and allows you to enjoy gardens, Brodick Bay, a castle and a variety of archaeological artifacts that are around the island.

10. Visit the city of Stirling which is considered the spiritual home of Braveheart, you’ll also want to check out the castle while you are there.

To make your return trip easier and less stressful, stay at one of the Edinburgh Airport hotels and get a good rest the last night before an early morning flight, but if you’re sleeping at one of the Glasgow Airport hotels  be sure to call ahead to ensure your reservation is completed correctly…

Have you been to Scotland? What were a few of your favorite things to do there?

Top 10 Places to Visit in Scotland - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

The city of Dubai, the jewel of the Emirates, is renowned for its futuristic architecture, all year-round sunshine and shopping – you could be forgiven for wondering what else there is to do in this popular travel destination.

The answer is – plenty! The city is surrounded by the stark beauty of the desert waiting to be explored, and in the city you can find fascinating history and culture beneath the glossy modern surface.

Desert Safari

One of the most popular activities for visitors to Dubai is to take a Dubai Desert Safari in a 4×4 vehicle.

You could choose an afternoon and evening tour and be back to your hotel by 11pm or you could camp out overnight under the desert stars.

Exploring the desert in a 4×4 vehicle is a lot of fun as you take a rollercoaster ride over the sand dunes, dipping down into the deep hollows and rising high on the peaks, and the safaris are always timed to give you the unforgettable experience of a glowing desert sunset.

Most safaris will take you to a Bedouin campsite where you can experience all kinds of fun activities like sand boarding or camel riding.

Many tours also have belly dancing shows or a barbecue and give you the chance to get traditional henna tattoos, dress up in typical Arab costumes, or smoke an authentic hubbly-bubbly pipe.

Exploring The City

For something completely different, why not take a hop-on hop-off Dubai tour – personally I think it’s one of the best ways to get to know all sides of this amazing city.

Jump on or off as often as you like to see the sights, dine and shop.

One of the most fun things to do in Dubai city is to do some retail therapy at the Burjuman, Deira City Centre or Wafi malls, which is more of an experience than just shopping, or explore historic Dubai Creek, a busy waterway with many dhows and abras (water taxis) plying their trade.

To learn more about the city’s history, make a stop at the 18th century fort (Al-Fahidi Fort) that now houses the excellent Dubai Museum.

For sheer ‘bling’ make sure you stop off at the Gold Souk, Dubai’s most famous market.

Explore the narrow alleys lined with shops full of glittering gold jewelry, and remember to haggle!

(photo credit: 1 - 2  - 3)

How To Spend A Great Weekend In Dubai - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Whether it’s the east coast, west coast or in the middle of the country, there are some outstanding cities in USA that know how to party.

Here we have listed our favorite cities that can guarantee you an unforgettable night:

New York

The best thing about the nightlife in this city is that there is such a huge variety of options.

There are a million ways to spend your evening in New York, from sipping Cosmos in a trendy bar to grabbing a beer in a small corner-pub listening to live-music, or even spending the evening at a dazzling Broadway Show.

The great thing about New York is that it’s easy to get to from almost anywhere.

These days you can find really cheap flights to New York even from as far away as Europe, and today many Europeans take longer weekend trips to New York and enjoy some of their famous partying, something which was very unusual just a few years ago.

Miami Beach

This place is as known for its beautiful beaches as it is for its beautiful people, and they all love to shake what they’ve got in the clubs.

Day and night you will hear the beats pumping loud out of the speakers, and bikini parties are more of the norm than something unusual.

People here are dead-serious about partying, and not only do they see it as their human-right but as their duty to party for days.

Las Vegas

”Vegas baby Vegas!” is the infamous quote from the film classic ”The Swingers” and it sums up Vegas pretty well, in other words, you don’t have to explain to people what Vegas has to offer – after all, it’s Vegas!

Las Vegas is many guys dream destination for their bachelor party, and people fly in on cheap flights to Las Vegas every day of the week – no matter which day you go out – it’s saturday every night in this city.

You know you’re visting a crazy party place when the city’s slogan is ”What happens in Vegas … stays in Vegas”.

This place knows how to party like few other cities, and only the toughest can last more than a couple of days in this city which seems to never have heard of the word ”sleep”!

This city knows no boundaries and seems to love taking things over the top, from roller coasters going through the hotel receptions, to feathered show-girls and the ”kaching!” sound coming 24/7 from the Casino’s, there is simply no ending to it.

Austin

Austin has self-proclaimed its title as the ”Live Music Capital Of The World”, and it might not be far from the truth.

Austin has some awesome music festivals during the year, and the event calendar is jam packed with fun music events and shows all throughout the year.

You’re guaranteed at least one big event or festival every month of the year, and you can always spend the rest of the time bar hoping between pubs and music venues.

The city’s motto pretty much sums up the quirky attitude of the city: Keep Austin Weird…

The great thing about the US is that you can live in one part of the country and easily find many last minute flights to all of these major cities so you can actually fly in for the weekend and spend two nights partying before heading back home.

But be warned, you might still want to take two days off from work to simply recover..! Which cities would you add to this list & why?

(photo credit: 1 - 2 - 3)

America’s Best Party Cities In 2011 - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

There are many things to do in York, a city which can certainly be a captivating place to visit whether on a weekend city break or as part of a longer vacation. However, you shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking that once the sun goes down that means the fun is over for the day.

In fact, York can be an even more illuminating destination at night-time and you will certainly not find yourself short of things to do and places to visit in the North Yorkshire city during the evening.

And if you’re keen to start off your evening with a few drinks and something to eat, York will certainly not disappoint.

Just outside the city is the Black Swan at Oldstead restaurant, which was awarded three AA Rosettes in January 2011. As the only eatery in Yorkshire to be given such an accolade, this could be the perfect place for a spot of dinner before heading into York and checking out its various night-time attractions.

Most York hotels have a restaurant, however if you’re looking for a place where most of the tables in the bistro offer views of the stunning York Minster and have been given two AA Rosettes then you should try the Dean Court Hotel’s dining establishment.

Alternatively, the Biltmore provides a choice of two restaurants – one that serves contemporary French and English cuisine and the other that specialises in pizzas and seafood.

Should you be keen to check out some of York’s public houses, why not visit the Judges Cellar Bar? Thought to be one of the oldest beer and wine dispensing cellars in the city, not to mention one of its last independent pubs, here you will be able to sample a variety of locally-brewed ales and hearty British cuisine.

Judges Cellar Bar is situated in an 18th-century grade one Georgian townhouse, built on the site of St Wilfrid’s Church, so a visit here means you may not only get to try some fantastic food and drink but also have something of a history lesson!

For an equally historic drinking experience, you might also wish to visit the Old White Swan pub. Situated in a 16th-century building, the public house not only provides a range of cask ales for you to sup but also has regular live music and quiz nights. As with many other drinking spots in the city, you can be sure of receiving that warm, friendly welcoming atmosphere that Yorkshire pubs are famous for.

But if you wish to really make a night of it, you can dance into the early hours of the morning in York’s numerous bars and clubs. Many of these are open during the week as well as at the weekends, so whenever you decide to go on a holiday to York you can certainly have a great evening out.

If you prefer spending a night watching some live bands than you might wish to make Fibbers your first port of call. Situated in Stonebow House, the venue regularly puts on gigs and club nights encompassing all kinds of genres of music.

The Duchess and Stereo are just two of the city’s other live music venues, so whatever your tastes there should be plenty of opportunity for you to get to a gig. Meanwhile, a trip to The Basement on Sunday will give you the chance to take in some stand-up comedy.

If you’re something of a culture vulture, and would like to find some cultural things to do in York, you could be well advised to spend at least one evening watching a performance at the York Theatre Royal. A range of theatrical, comedic, musical and dance shows – as well as children’s events – are held here all year round. The building consists of two venues, the 100-seat capacity Studio and the Main Auditorium – which seats 847 people and is said to have a resident ghost.

The Grand Opera House - which is situated a ten-minute walk from the train station – also showcases a wide variety of performances throughout the year. Morecambe and Wise, Charlie Chaplin and Vera Lynn are among the big names to have trodden the boards over the years with many of the largest stars in the UK entertainment circuit regularly performing at the opera house to this day.

With so many things to do in York during the evening, you will certainly not find that you are bored during a holiday to York. In fact, the range of attractions and activities on offer means that you may want to spend a few more city breaks in York just to take everything in!

(photo credits: Sheffield Tiger - Tim Green aka atoach - Pilot Theatre - deargdoom57)

Things To Do In York – Nightlife Guide - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Dublin has the best of both a small town and cosmopolitan city: It has the great easy going people you can only find in small towns, but the variety of nightlife you only find in big cosmopolitan cities.

You can easily spend a week here strolling around, talking to people and enjoying the ‘happenings’ in town – which seems to be every day.

There are heaps of things to do in Dublin, both for those who enjoy pub culture as well as literature and history.

Getting Around:

Dublin is a fairly small city, which makes it perfect for sightseeing. You rarely need to take the bus or “luas” (tram), but they do run frequently and are cheap if you’re lazy

Things To Do:

• Visit The Medieval Part of The City:

The medieval part of Dublin dates back to 11th century, and is a nice part of town.

Bring a picnic or buy some takeaway food, join the locals down in St Patricks park and watch time fly by on the clock of the beautiful St Patricks church.

Christchurch cathedral is also located in the medieval part of Dublin, it’s a really old cathedral, founded in 1030 it is one of the oldest buildings in Dublin. It costs 7 Euro to go inside, but there are free concerts quite often which are worth a visit.

• Walk The Golden Mile

Pub crawl is very popular in Dublin, but you don’t have to do it with an organised tourist group. Locals do it every weekend along the Golden Mile.

The real name of the street is “Victoria Street”, but it has been nicknamed “The Golden Mile” because there are countless of bars along the street, and it has become somewhat of a local tradition to try to drink at every pub in one night.

Few people have ever made it to the end of the Golden Mile: will you?

• Get To the Bottom Of The Stout and Whiskey History:

Alcohol is an important part of Irish culture, and the tour of the Guinness Storehouse is the most popular thing to do in Dublin. If you’re a big fan of beer or Guinness this is definitely worth a visit, and for the 15 Euro entry you get a free Guinness to enjoy with the best view of Dublin.

Jamesons Distillery which produces the Irish Whiskey also has tours for visitors, and they cost around 13 Euro.

However, those who aren’t very interested in beer and Guinness often don’t think it’s worth the entry fee. We didn’t go there ourselves for that reason, but thought it would be good to mention it since it’s so popular.

• Visit Trinity College

50% of the population in Dublin are under 25 years, in other words, there are a lot of students in this city, and Trinity College is the most sought after place to study.

This is for a good reason, as this college educated some of the most famous Irish people ever – Samuel Beckett (winner of the Nobel Prize) and Jonathan Swift for example.

It’s a beautiful college with amazing buildings, and the old library (where you’ll find the book of Kells) and a sports arena where they often have games.

Because there are so many young people living here many of the things to do in Dublin are perfect for a younger crowd.

Places to Eat:

- Leo Burdock Fish and Chips - oldest place in dublin. They serve big portions with the thickest french fries. Outside their door is a long list of hundreds of celebrities who have all bought fish n chips from there – be one of them!

- Eddies Rocket – This restaurant have a really cool interior designs a la 50′s style, with a juke box and everything – who doesn’t want to have their burger in the 50′s?!

- Gallagher’s Boxty House – This place sells Irish traditional food. Their Irish style pancakes with filling are awesome, around 16 Euro.

- Lolly and Cooks – A visit to George’s Arcade is a fun thing in itself. You’ll find stalls selling lots of fun things like hand painted converse shoes, and, best of all – the best cupcakes ever. Lolly and Cooks is a little stall there which specializes in cupcakes. They cost about 2,5 pounds each (box of 6 for 12 pounds) and come in all colors and flavors.

- Walk Inn Noodle Bar –  Many pubs and restaurants will blow your food budget, but this little take away show sells noodles for 4.50 and spring rolls for 2.50.

Places to Drink:

• Fitzsimmons Sport Bar – The Irish are as crazy about sport as the British, this place gets packed with sports fanatics and a great atmosphere whenever there is a game on.
• Stags Head – this is the oldest pub in Dublin, which is worth a visit for that reason only. It was featured in Guinness 250th anniversary ad
• Shebeen Chic – quirky pub with live music, great people and fun interior and things hanging on the wall to look at.

Budget Shopping:

With all its pubs Dublin can easily blow your budget, so it’s good to know where to get the cheaper things in the city.

• Cheap Clothing: If you need some cheap clothes Penny’s is where you should be headed. It has really nice clothes for a good deal.
• Cheap Beer: If you want to bring some beer to the hostel, Londis is the place which has the cheapest beers.
• Various Things (hygiene, umbrellas, food): Camden Casket is a shop selling everything you need and don’t need. Toiletries, drinks, candy, underwear, can food etc. It’s all found here, and often for a quarter of the price.

Where to Sleep:

Times Hostel at Camden Place offers some great accommodation in a perfect location.

The rooms are cosy and clean with private bathrooms, and there is a big kitchen with all tools you need to cook your own food.

The staff are very friendly and easy going, you can ask them about anything and they’ll try their best to help you out (plus free calls!).

The best thing about the hostel however, are all the events they have during the week; pancake mondays, pub crawls, pool competitions, ice cream days etc.

Hope you have a great time visiting Dublin!

(photo credits: lyng883 - infomatique - twicepix)

Things To Do In Dublin – Mini Guide - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

Foodies going on weekend breaks to Italy will certainly find that the European country offers something that tickles their taste buds.

Italy’s rich culinary history means that wherever you go you can be confident of sampling some fantastic food, whether it’s in a high-end restaurant or from a bustling market stall.

Here, we look at 5 cities in Italy that food enthusiasts should be sure to visit:

Naples

Pizza is perhaps Italy’s most famous culinary export, so make sure you visit Naples, the city where the dish was first created.

While it was initially sold by street vendors to the working classes, pizza’s status and popularity quickly spread when baker Raffaele Esposito created one for the Italian royal family which was very well received.

If you’re in the mood for pizza, you’ll certainly be in the right place to indulge in the famous dish by going on holiday to Naples. Pizzerias can be found throughout the city – not to mention the rest of Italy – but you may want to visit the family-run Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba, thought to be one of the oldest eateries of its kind in the country.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit Da Michele. Operating since the 19th century, this traditional restaurant only serves two kinds of pizza (Margherita and Marinara) although both are extremely tasty.

Florence

But there is much more to Italian cuisine than just pizzas, something that you will certainly find to be the case if you visit Tuscany.

Extra-virgin olive oil, bread and grilled meats are staples of Tuscan cuisine, so a trip to Florence – the region’s capital – could be a great place to sample specialities such as calamari in zimino (stewed squid) or Florentine chicken, which is a concoction of chicken breast, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, celery, spinach, onion, paprika, cream cheese and garlic powder.

Ribollita - a vegetable and bread soup – is also one of Florence’s most popular dishes, so be sure to ask for this when visiting one of the city’s many restaurants.

Milan

Milan should also feature in the list of places that foodies on Italy holidays should visit. Cuisine in the northern city and the rest of the Lombardy region is heavily centred around cheese, with gorgonzola and mascarpone among the varieties produced locally.

Visiting Milan will also give you the chance to sample a range of other dishes including risotto, cassoeula – a type of meat and vegetable stew – and panettone, a traditional cake.

This is the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee, so following an afternoon of sightseeing why not head to a cafe to grab a slice and an espresso?

Some of the world’s leading chefs – including Michelin-starred Gualtiero Marchesi – were born in the city, so you can be sure of being able to try some of the best cuisine Italy has to offer when you visit Milan.

Venice

Foodies should also stop by Venice. Not only is the city famous for its network of canals but it is also a great place to sample what cuisine the Veneto region has to offer. Venice’s location near the Adriatic Sea means that most of its dishes are heavily influence by seafood.

Baccala mantecato is one such speciality, which consists of codfish cooked in garlic, parsley and olive oil before being creamed in a blender and served with polenta.

And if you’re keen to sample some Italian wine you could hardly be in a better place to visit than Venice. Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio are among the varieties of grape that are produced in the Veneto region.

Rome

For a classic Italian foodie holiday, make sure you visit Rome. The capital is home to a wide range of eateries, so there is bound to be something that suits your budget and tastes.

Pasta is a particularly popular dish here – you can even visit a museum dedicated to it – so why not follow the example of the locals and order a bowl of spaghetti during your stay?

Bruschetta and spaghetti alla carbonara are among the other culinary specialities that you can try here. Italy really is a foodies’ paradise, so you can be sure of sampling great cuisine wherever you go!

What are some of your personal fav. Italian dishes?

(photo credits: L.C.Nøttaasen - avlxyz - hebdromadaires)

5 Italian Cities You Must Visit If You Love Food! - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

When it comes to beautiful scenery and stunning vistas, the UK has much to offer drivers.  From the spectacular lakeside scenery of Cumbria’s Lake District, to the visual feast of Dover’s white cliffs and everything in between, there are many scenic drives awaiting you.

If you fancy getting into your car and heading off on a road trip within the UK, here are my top drives to excite your eyes:

Black Mountain Road (Powys, Breacon Beacons National Park)

Arguably one of the most stunning drives to be found in the UK, a short but beautiful 5 mile stretch running through the Black Mountain Range and giving drivers elevated views of the surrounding countryside.  The Breacon Beacons National Park in it’s own right is well worth a visit if you want to experience some of the UK’s best scenery.

At its highest, the road reaches 1,617 feet above sea level and there are of plenty of places to stop for some truly spectacular photos.

Lake District (Cumbria)

The Lake District has to be one of my most favourite places in the UK.

The lakes are surrounded with beautiful green fell land, a spectacular array of Flora and Fauna and with an air of tranquillity that could calm even the most stressed of soles; it’s easy to see why it’s been labelled as an area of outstanding natural beauty and receives hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.

For a truly scenic and memorable drive, take the circular route which begins in Kendal (on the A5284) and passes through Ambleside, Keswick and Windermere, taking in the variety of lakes to be found in the area.

Highlands (Scotland)

With many a quiet and solitary glen, loch’s galore and scenic roads a plenty, the Highlands should definitely be on your wish list.  After all, who hasn’t heard of Loch Ness (and the Loch Ness Monster)?

There’s plenty to see and do; castles and forts, fascinating hydro-electric power station’s and dams, and scenic road after scenic road awaits you.

To really experience the changing scenery from bustling city to isolated wilderness, take a drive from Glasgow on the A9, through to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

Snowdonia (Wales)

The Snowdonia National Park contains some of Wales’ most spectacular scenery and many picturesque villages can be found whilst you wind your way through the area on its scenic roads.

To experience the best North Wales has to offer, why not start your journey at Conwy Castle on the coast and make your way through the winding A & B roads, passing through Snowdonia (why not stop to take the Welsh Mountain Railway to the summit of Mount Snowdon), the beautiful village of Betws-y-Coed and travelling on to the spectacular tourist village of Portmeirion (once used as the film set for The Prisoner).

Cheddar Gorge (Somerset)

The second greatest natural wonder in the UK, Cheddar Gorge is a spectacular cleft in the landscape caused by melt water flooding during the last ice-age.  The scenery is quite literally other worldly as you drive on the B3135 that passes through the gorge.

Also home to a spectacular cave system and visitor centre (definitely one to bring the kids along for), it’s well worth a drive through the gorge to take in the 27 cliffs, steep green slopes and variety of wildlife to be found there.

This guest article was supplied by the travel insurance team @ Money Supermarket.

(photo credit- Ed Callow - llamnudds – lju photo - DaveOnFlickr - Rob Young)

UK’s Most Scenic & Interesting Drives - As We Travel - Travel Videos & Travel Blog

When my boyfriend and I decided to venture to Namibia Southern Africa I was more than a little concerned about what I was going to eat, being a vegetarian.

Like any devoted carnivore my boyfriend attempted to quash my fears with the ‘they’ll always be salad’ argument, which made me even more irate.

But I shouldn’t have been so worried, there were hundreds of amazing food places in Namibia. Although undeniably meat orientated, many of the restaurants had a large vegetarian section, so vast in fact that I often found it difficult to choose!

One restaurant I would recommend in particular is Homstead in Windheok. As long as you’re not indecisive (the menu is one of the most diverse I’ve seen) then this is the perfect place for all tastes. The food is also pretty unusual, my boyfriend had a crocodile fondue for example, while I went for a deliciously flavoured vegetable curry dish.

The herbs and vegetables used were all freshly grown in their garden, and the restaurant had a very wholesome, earthy vibe. The setting was beautiful, you could either sit in their idyllic garden and bird watch while you ate, or dine in the historical house built in 1906. They even had a wine cellar and some interesting liquors to sample, though be warned they can be pretty strong!

For a more international flavour I would recommend O Portuga restaurant, also in Windheok. These dishes are based on Portuguese cuisine and the flavours are absolutely out of this world!

My boyfriend had a mammoth meat kebab, which literally towered over us! Apparently it was one of the best kebabs he’d ever had, and he doesn’t praise meat lightly.

In an attempt at bravado, he also tried Piri Piri (a really fiery flavoured chilli).

If you like chilli these are something else, but if you’re only trying to be manly avoid them at all costs, it was great entertainment for me though.  For my main meal I decided on the salmon steak cooked in mixed vegetables. Although I usually try not to eat fish I could not help sampling this delicious dish, and the guilt was well worth it, the fish was succulent and the flavours were stunning.

For pudding we shared the petite gateaux, which had the perfect ratio of chocolate to vanilla ice cream, and was warmed to perfection. It was so heavenly in fact that we soon found ourselves fighting over the last morsel.

Although I was initially skeptical about what the food in my destination Namibia might be like, I was quickly won over by its deliciously exotic flavors. Unfortunately for my waistband, I never even contemplated a salad!

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