See and Do Green Things on an England Vacation

Do you want to do something different during your England vacation? Apart from taking long walks and pictures of the captivating sceneries, there is something else that you can try. That is, seeing green and doing green things. You might be very curious now, right? What is this article all about? What does it mean by seeing green and doing green things? Read on and find out what worthwhile, fun-filled, and satisfying activities you may get your group engaged in. After all, England has a lot of places and goings-on in store for each and every visitor.

Be a volunteer in England. Volunteering will surely provide a different experience on your visit to England. As you go on a volunteering break, you will be given the chance to work with the experts and the rest of the volunteers on some special project like organizing special affairs with regards to wildlife conservation. The National Trust is the charity group that opens hundreds of historic gardens and houses as well as industrial monuments all over the country. The members of this group work around 450 Working Holidays all year round. For a minimal fee, anybody that is aged over 16 years can join in the Working Holidays that range from about 2 up to 7 days. Food and accommodation are already included in the package.

Day Volunteering. If you are on a short visit, you can also try the Day Volunteering job. It is being run by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. It takes place for a day during the week and weekends. You need not book in advance since you simply have to come to the meeting venue. The tasks range from that of tree planting, dry stone walling, creating wildlife habitats, up to footpath construction. Those who are under the age of 18 will require a parental consent. No experience is needed because the tools are provided and the experts will guide you.

Go and see the green attractions. There are a couple of green attractions that you will surely love.

The BeWILDerwood in Norfolk is a family oriented theme park that is built using the sustainable materials.

The Eden Project that is found in Cornwall is a home to the largest species of Biomes. This tropical rainforest lets you feel the virgin rainforest of Asia and Africa along with the natural climactic conditions of California and the Mediterranean.

Go Ape! is the renowned high-wire forest course that features rope bridges and the Tarzan swings and zip slides that goes up to 40 feet in the air.

The Gulliver's Land is both fun to experience and educational by nature. There are interactive rides and activities that children will surely enjoy.

The London Zoo on the other hand includes the Butterfly Paradise and Gorilla Kingdom.

Seal Spotting is a boat trip at the Herne Bay which involves spotting the playful seals.

The Living Rainforest features a unique live rainforest with piranhas, giant water lilies, dwarf crocodiles, and Goeldi's monkeys.
Meanwhile, the Tree House at Alnwick Garden houses the biggest wooden tree houses in the world. They are all designed and built using all natural materials.

And of course, you can get to experience the Titanic Spa which is Great Britain's very first eco spa. The spa itself makes use of a 100 meter deep water bore hole that is regulated by means of utilizing salt water. Meaning, it is free from chlorine.

Here are the places and activities that will surely bring you closer to nature. Thus, you can always make your England vacation a memorable trip!

Romantic London, England Vacation

No, it is not Venice and certainly not Paris, but it definitely can make lovers fall in love all over again, this time, not only to each other but also in the place. London, England is one of the best places to experience the love in a unique way. You can forget about Rome and the beaches of the Caribbean and the Maldives. If you are looking for a total romantic vacation, England covers it all. So schedule a romantic England vacation, book a flight, reserve a hotel room and head to the airport.

The romantic journey starts the moment the plane takes off. A flight to London can take at least 8 hours so you have more than enough time to enjoy each other's company. Since pottery-making is impossible, you can take this opportunity to reminisce the first time you meet and the good memories you have.

Arriving to at the Heathrow or Gatwick Airport marks your first day in London. Hail a taxi or board the 'tube' that will take you to the city or to your hotel. I suggest that you take the double-decker bus tour right at the start. If the weather permits, sit at the upper deck. The views are great. Having fun starts right here. Bus tours can get you acquainted with the streets of London and can help you point out the sights you should visit later that day or the next day. Go to distinguished London sites.

A visit to the official residence of the royal family, the Buckingham Palace, can be very romantic in the afternoon. Take a tour of the Music room, Throne room, Dining room, Royal Mews stables and Queen's gallery. Then, take a tour to the Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the queen. Here you can see the works of Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Holbien as well as the beautifully crafted French and English porcelain and furniture.

If fun and romance is your cup of tea, then the Alton Tower is an ace. No, it is not a castle; it's a theme park. But before you think twice, let me tell you that the Alton Tower is a place for all ages. So whether you are on your seventies celebrating your golden year or newlyweds on a honeymoon trip, then this is a place to be.

Other places in London that are the Tower Bridge, the St. Paul's Cathedral, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square.

If you want something more private, then choose between Surrey and Shere. Surrey is located just outside the city of London and sits right at the heart of the rolling Surrey hills. Its 12th century village church was the star in the movie "Bridget Jones' Diary. Surrey is known for its dock pond, pretty pub and a top-notch B&B accommodation.

Shere is just 30 miles outside London and the set of the movie, 'The Holiday' (Kate Winslet and Jude Law). Take a trip 8 miles from Shere and you will reach the largest vineyard in England.

The London Eye is a sure winner if you want to see the city in a different perspective. It is London's only observation wheel and the most popular paid attraction in the country. On a Valentine's Day, you can rent and have a private gondola for that unique romantic experience.

England would not be considered as one of the most romantic places in the world for no reason. The places, and attractions mentioned above are just a small number of things you can do, see and visit on your romantic England vacation. So take your pick and explore the country, then, fall head over heels with the most important person in your life once more.

Planning for a European Vacation

We should discuss this first as your budget for the entire trip as well as how you are going to spend your time in England are dependent on date of your vacation. The country is relatively small but one place experiences a slightly different weather from its neighbors. In general, high-season runs from the month of July to September. Because these months offer extra daylight and a tourist-friendly weather with the least chances of rain, visitors flock to the cities and towns of England.

High-season offers higher plane ticket prices and expensive hotel accommodation. Off-season runs from, November to May. You may get cheaper hotels and plane tickets during these months but traveling can present extra challenges because of the weather. If you are unsure of weather pattern, do your research online or check with your travel agent for advice.

Set your budget
Decide how much you are going to spend in your vacation. Include plane tickets, hotel accommodation, transportation (train, taxi or car rent), fees on tourist attractions and souvenirs. Food is much expensive in England than in the United States. A regular meal can cost up to 50 Euros per person. If you are traveling on a budget, consider taking package tours or all-inclusive. If you are planning to go flexible, take the last minute booking and go to hotel as walk-in (if it is off-season). Check the current exchange rate to give you a clear idea of the cost of your trip.

Pick a destination
There are lots of places to visit in England, and in most cases, tourists cannot visit them all in one trip.  Pick places that are close to one another. Plan your routes in such a way that the trip is relaxing.

Since European cities are just hours apart, consider visiting at least 2 more cities. For example, you can visit London, Paris and Rome.

How do you like to spend your time?
Do you like a guided tour or do you prefer doing your own thing? Do you like water or the mountains? shopping or visit historical sites? Adventure or historical museums? Such things should be considered when planning for your trip. Take note of the things you want to do and places you want to visit while in England. Do your research online.

Get organized
Traveling can become a headache more than a vacation if you do not get organized. Trip-planning software is a popular tool you can use but creating a checklist will do. Do not forget your passport, an identification card, 2 credit cards, ATM cards. Set specific dates for booking a flight and a hotel room, renting a car, exchanging money to local currency, etc. Find out if getting a travel insurance works to your advantage.

Travel light
Packing should be taken seriously. Do this several days prior to your departure. Do not carry things you do not need. Pick clothes that are comfortable to wear but are not too bulky. Don't worry too much if you forget something, you can get it once you reach your destination.

Finally, have fun!
Planning is the key to a memorable England vacation. If you have planned well, you will be able to relax and enjoy while on the trip. Still, you have to open yourself to things you have not planned. As they say, "go with the flow". Many seasoned travelers would say that the best vacations are the ones when the unexpected happened.

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.