Planning Ahead can Secure the Best Hotel Prices

Where else should you spend your next trip other than in England? The many attractions that it holds are worth your time and money, mind you. Visiting the place means obtaining both a historical and educational tour. There are several things and activities to keep you busy all day long. Go sightseeing and take pictures all you want day and night. Spend the night at the bars for some music and drinks. Dine at the restaurants and have a taste of the most luscious foods. Watch the sunset and be ready for the daybreak. All these and more are yours to experience during an England vacation! So why not consider this option for your next holiday break?

People simply need a break from their tedious daily activities. In fact, a lot of individuals save up their money for this much needed break from their daily routine. They look forward to their much anticipated trip and ready themselves for the fun that their destination promises. At the same rate, you should likewise feel the same. You have to value the time that you can get off your work or studies. Whatever it takes, seeing the wonders of England will give you the most memorable experience.

Where should you stay in England? Are there hotels that will suit your budget? This must be one thing that you have to prepare beforehand.

In truth, several people flock to England all year round. However, tourists have one major concern and that is with regards to an affordable place to stay in. The great news is that many of the hotels nowadays see the need to cater to a wider range of visitors. They truly wish that their businesses will flourish throughout the year. This will only happen if their prices will become pocket-friendly. To have their rooms fully occupied, they need to provide their potential customers with the best deals.

The best deals of course come through the form of discounts. The word discount is in itself such a broad term. Anyhow, the discount that the hotels give is not fixed. It changes from time to time depending on the season and demand. It depends on the rack rate that is presented by the hotel itself. Thus, if you research on the discount of the hotels, you have to find out their rack rates.

Simply put, the summer months are always the peak season. Therefore, if you want to be able to grab the best chances for low hotel rates you better hit the destination during the winter season. Likewise, weekends are also termed as the mini peak periods. They quickly become fully booked especially that several people are free to have a break at the end of the week.

One more effective method of getting discounted rates is that of finding the best travel agents that specialize in offering special tour packages. Oftentimes, the tour packages include the booking of the hotels and airline accommodations. In fact, there are agencies that also provide redeemable gift points if you book your trip with them. There are also cases wherein you can get some discounts when you have reached a certain number of persons and you book by groups.

As always, it follows that you book your hotel accommodation in advance. Don't burden yourself with this concern by cramming. Everything will go on smoothly if you know that each detail has been carefully planned. So, the more it is that your England vacation will be memorable!

Off-Season England Vacation – Tips and Tools

There is a good reason why off-season is considered "off". From November to March, the weather in England can be cold, snowy and rainy. And if you want to wear shorts and a shirt and don't like to get wet, these months are not for you. Some shops are also closed during off-season. However, as unorthodox as it may sound, scheduling your England vacation during these months is worth a shot. High-season may have the best weather and extra hours of sunlight but off-season presents a more relaxed atmosphere, fewer tourists and cheaper flights and hotels.

Why travel in the off-season?

Fewer crowd
Scheduling a trip to England during high-season can become a headache than a vacation. Why? Two reasons: one, many Americans schedule their England vacation during high-season which means crowded plane and hotels, and two, English, as well as other Europeans also schedule their trip during these months, which make the city streets of London and attractions across the country much crowded. So, if you are a kind of person who can do without crowd, then an off-season trip fits you.

Savings
The basic rule is; if there is a high demand the prices are much higher and if the demand is low, the prices go down. So if you decide to travel during the months when England cities are less visited, you can definitely save a lot on rooms and plane ticket.

Greater availability
Fewer visitors mean more available hotel rooms, car rentals and plane tickets. During high-season, hotel, rental and plane reservations should be made months in advance. Alternately, you can get a hotel or a plane booked and a car rented few days in advance if not on the same day.

Packing tips during off-season England trip
It is easy to pack light if your daily outfit is shorts and a shirt. But it is a different story when you pack for the rainy season and during the winter months. The key is wise packing. If you are going to stay 5 days in England, bring 5 sets of clothes (maximum). Include light undershirts, sweaters of varying warmth, long-sleeved shirts, a rain coat, a tie or a scarf, and a windbreaker. Sweaters are very bulky but there is a remedy. Purchase clothes compressor bags so you do not have to ask someone to sit on the suitcase while you latch it. All you need to do is to place your sweater in these bags, the air out and you will reduce the bulk out of your sweater by 40% to 50%.

More tips for off-season traveler

Be flexible. Just because it rains doesn't mean you should spend the rest of your day peeking through your hotel window and hope that the rain would stop. You can still go out and visit indoor sites such as historical museums or go to a popular café and enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Find other things to do if a particular attraction is closed. The thing is, there is more to England than the sites familiar to us. Do not be so confined with your itineraries. The best things are always found in unexpected places.

Travel just before the peak-season. If you want to enjoy high-season weather but not high-season cost, scheduling your England vacation a few weeks before the high-season changeover would be great.

Helpful Tips on Getting Most of Your England Vacation

England is a small country but its size can be deceiving. You might try to pack your day with many activities, spending your entire day hopping from one place to another. Take note that England roads are narrow and winding so travel time is much slower than you would have expected. Trying to do too much for too little time can be stressful and can definitely ruin your vacation. Limit your destination to a manageable level. Leave something for the next day.

No hotel for the first few hours

Upon arriving in London early morning (if you booked an overnight flight from the United States), you can stay at the airport for the first few hours, wash up and probably change clothes. Hotels charge the full amount regardless of the check-in time, heading towards your hotel from the airport can be very expensive (rooms are often unavailable until 3 in the afternoon). If you are renting a car, you can store your luggage in your car and head directly to your destination. If you are staying in the city, you can make arrangements to store your bags at the hotel until your room is ready. On the first day, keep your activities light. This is the best time to take the double-decker bus tour. Do not take a nap when the room is ready. What you should do is wash up, eat an early dinner, go to be early, and get ready for the second day.

Take the double-decker bus tours

This is the best way to go around the city of London. You can choose between the Big Bus Company and the Original Tour. Their buses are designed for sightseeing and touring the city.

Combine bed and travel

This goes to those who plan to visit other European countries aside from England. Sleeping while in transit is the best way to save travel time as well as money. However, this doesn't mean catching a few hours of sleep while on board a train or a plane. You can take inter-city trains that offer sleeping cabins for overnight trips. Make sure to take any available options when traveling long distances.

Do not spend your entire time in London

A week stay in London is long enough to visit most of its attractions, theaters, and museums, but it is a big mistake if you don't go outside the city. Not only you will miss lots of sights, you will also be limited to one part of the country. And since the best side of England is seen in the countryside and villages make sure that a good amount of time of your vacation is allocated in exploring the country.

What you will miss if you stay in London for your entire vacation: Roman Bath, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Lake District, York, Windsor Castle, Stratford-upon-Avon, and a lot more.

Rent a car

There is no better way to roam around England than by traveling at your own pace, eating whenever you like, stopping anytime to take snapshots of the countryside and staying where you please as long as you like. These things can only be done by renting a car.

Car rental is best if done with two or more people. And it is often the least expensive option especially if the expenses in gas, paying tolls, insurance and parking fees are shared.

Fun Activities to do on an England Vacation

Where are you headed to this year? Are you considering an England vacation? If you do, then it is one of the most promising tours that you can ever have. Being on a vacation is indeed a memorable event for you and your loved ones. So whether you are going out of the country with your friends or with your family members, there is one vital thing that comes around and that is your trip will involve spending money. However, you don't have to worry that much because whatever amount that goes out of your pocket is equaled by the most unforgettable enjoyment, fun, and thrill! After all, England is such a vast place that the attractions therein are worth visiting.

Fun Things to Keep You Busy during Your Stay

Alright so you are looking forward to your stay in England. Of course the best place to visit is the famous city of London. Here are the top ten activities that should make up your list.

Go to the British Museum. Whether or not you are a history bug, the British Museum will surely fascinate you. It houses more than fifteen million of artifacts so the visit will open your eyes to its rich historical accounts as well as provide you with an educational experience. Its numerous collections will never fail to perk up your mood and if you get tired, you can always head towards the museum café.

Capture the wonder of London Bridge by dusk. Being one of the renowned London icons, the bridge itself stands majestically across the River Thames. The river flows peacefully despite the traffic jam over the bridge. Take photos of it at dusk and you will definitely love the scenery!

See the Big Ben and the Clock Tower. The clock tower is considered to be the biggest four-faced chiming clock with a captivating structural design. The Big Ben on the other hand is the gigantic bell that is inside the clock tower.

See for yourself the changing of the Queens' Guards. Be sure not to miss this chance of witnessing the changing of the guards at the Buckingham Palace.

Tour the Westminster Palace. If you head to London on the summer months, you can grab an opportunity of getting into the palace and hearing of its educational and historical commentaries.

Go shopping at Harrods. Whether you want to buy or simply look around, this shopping place is truly worth your time. In here you will likewise see the memorial sculptures of Dodi Al Fayed and Princess Diana.

Walk around Trafalgar Square. You may not be able to feed the pigeons as it has been already banned yet the open square provides a great place for taking a walk.

Pay homage to St. Paul's Cathedral. The Gothic architecture may have been destroyed by the fire in the year 1710 but it currently stands beautifully with fantastic facades. Don't forget to pass by its Whispering Gallery too.

Visit the London Eye. Take a full view of the city as you ride this Ferris Wheel.

Sit and marvel at Shakespeare's Globe Theater. Plays and educational tours are offered therein so you may commemorate the historical essence of this place.

So, are you already up for the fun and adventure that an England vacation holds for you?

England Vacation: Traveling Solo

The words England, vacation and solo do not seem to sound good the first time you hear them used in one phrase. But who says that it is not okay to travel solo? If it is considered as a deep emotional and social problem, traveling solo that is, then it is still not your problem. Who cares if you will spend your vacation alone? So what if you stand at the sidewalk of the Westminster Bridge and take a picture of yourself? 'Solo travel', after all doesn't mean that you travel 'all by yourself, the whole time, always alone'.

Unless you are planning to stay away from all the human beings (which is not possible on an England vacation), you have all the time to mingle and meet up with locals and other tourists. So don't be afraid if you don't know anyone in England. What is important is you take this opportunity to be with your own company while giving chances of meeting others in the process.

Here are the simple reasons why traveling solo is cool and why you should try it:

• You are in complete control of your time – where to eat, what to eat, what time to eat, where to sleep, where to go and how long will you stay in one stop. You are the itinerary.

• You are in control of your budget. Meaning, you do not have to force yourself to pay for the attraction that you do not like.

• Making friends is much easier. If you travel alone, you are less intimidating and much approachable than couples or groups. The best thing is you can have as much friends as you want.

• Your friends and family back home are waiting for your stories. And since no one can check the facts, you can exaggerate stories at will.

• You are free to try something anytime you want. And you are freer to try it over and over again.

• You don't have to drag someone to a place you want to visit; and, no one will drag you either to a place you don't want to see.

• You discover new places, foods, pastime and skills that you might not have tried if you are with a companion.

• You can make last minute changes without having to consult someone.

• Finally, traveling solo rocks! Period.

ACTIVITIES, PLACES and ATTRACTIONS you can do and visit when traveling solo:

The British Museum – appreciate the art at your own pace; at your own time.

The London Eye – be marveled at the 360-degree view of the city on board London's only observation wheel.

Guided double-deck bus tour – the ultimate sightseeing experience with entertaining guides and curious seatmates.

The Buckingham Palace – if you can, meet the queen. If not, take a tour of the Music room, Throne room, Dining room, Royal Mews stables and Queen's gallery.

The Parliament and Big Ben – the signature architecture in London you can only see in postcards and photos. See them in real life, they are as impressive.

Thames boat tour – it is best if done at night. With calm water and the serenity of the surroundings, it is an ideal London date. Bring your newly-found friend for a romantic dinner.

Finally, try different kinds of afternoon tea and evenings at different pubs that wrap up your England vacation.