Also known as the Lang Toun because of its extensive seacoast, the history of Kirkcaldy dates back many centuries. Today it is made up of several former towns and the main street is four miles long.
It is said that the Battle of Raith was fought to the west of Kirkcaldy in 596 AD. The name of the town comes from a Celtic phrase meaning fort on a rocky hill, although one would assume it was associated with a church.
The history of Kirkcaldy involves coal mining, first started by the monks of Dunfermline Abbey in the 11th century. With a sheltered harbour, the town grew as a result of the safety it provided for ships and grew to become one of the most vital seaports in Scotland.
By 1820, it was an vital whaling centre and with the coming of the railway to quickly export the coal, the town was very prosperous indeed. Kirkcaldy is the birthplace of linoleum; a new flooring that became well loved all over the world in the 1960s.
Our most well-known forefather is none other than Adam Smith, author of The Wealth of Nations, the pioneering book on free trade and market forces, which has shaped the social values and economic beliefs of the western world.
Indeed Adam Smith is probably more well-known in America where his book has been instrumental in making their countrys value system.
Kirkcaldy is a large, growing and modern town which enjoys a commanding waterfront position in the heart of Fife. Sitting between two vital economic City Regions, these being Edinburgh and Dundee, Kirkcaldy offer residents, businesses and visitors a fantastic location with a superb infrastructure.
With brilliant connections into Scotlands strategic road, rail and broadband internet networks, Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy lies within an hour and a half travel of more than 75% of Scotlands population.
Kirkcaldy is looking to strengthen and develop its traditional position as the major retail and administrative centre serving the heart of Fife.
Golfers like the challenge of the Kirkcaldy Golf Club. This 18 hole course features challenging parkland in a rural setting where you can delight in the glorious scenery of the Firth or Forth.
More modern figures to have been born or spent time in Kirkcaldy are Gordon Brown which is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ewan McGregor the Actor and the well loved painter Jack Vettriano.
New housing developments are popping up across the town, the north of Kirkcaldy has been redeveloped and the seafront is due to be resigned over the next decade turning the area into one of Scotlands major tourist destinations. The future looks bright for the Lang Toun.

One of the most gorgeous and picturesque tows, Morzine is located in the centre of Portes du Soleil. One of the highlights of this region are numerous attractively designed chalets that run through the length of river Gorge with wooded slopes and allow skiing even in adverse climate. The route leading to this place is perfect to perfect the art of skiing. Quite a few families, particularly women and kids, can be seen enjoying their first brush with skiing here. This is one of the major reasons why resorts here are a favourite amongst visitors. The place also has enough to play host to expert skiers as well. Places like Avoraiz which are led by Prodains lifts are perfect for such people who can demonstrate their prodigious talent in the more challenging terrain here.

Morzine is also well loved with snow boarders and has played host to such impressive guests like European national teams and pro-riders. What is also fascinating to note here is the fact that Morzine has a very rocking night life as well which is a source of fantastic attraction for guests. Morzine is, therefore, liked both by people who want to spend some time away from the rush of the traffic congested city life as well as by people who want to indulge in their passion and delight in the attractive night life. No wonder there is such a huge rush to visit Morzine all the year round.

A quite place settled in the lap of nature away from the hoopla of any city, Morzine has some smashing tourist attractions to its credit. Not to forget the peaceful ambiance that acts like a balm to the fatigued visitor. Morzine looks even better if one has the pleasure of having one’s family with himself. Morzine has plenty of activities for women and children and can play perfect host to them. This is also one major reason why more and more people want to visit Morzine every year.

Activities like mountain biking, golf etc. keep the visitors glued to the place. Morzine has also played host to the grand finale of the first mountain stage of 2003 Tour de France, Stage 17 of the 2006 Tour de France that finished in Morzine. The place was also the starting point of Stage 18. These activities lead to quite a few enthusiasts longing to visit Morzine.

With so much for tourists available at one place, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that people queue every year to Visit Morzine, making it one of the most liked tourist destinations in the world.

One of the most-visited cities in England, Manchester is best known for its arts, media dominance and sporting culture. World renowned for its acceptance of gay culture, it is easily one of the most multicultural cities in Europe.

If you are a first-timer in this city, it is advisable that you carry a Manchester guide all through your stay here. Easily available online, these guides provide a detailed insight into all the vital aspects of this place. Visitors often use these guides before and during their tour of the city.

Guides on Manchester provide excellent information on how to get into the city. The Manchester International Airport is the centre-point for flyers. Located in the south of the city, it is the largest airport in the UK after London. Home to hundreds of international carriers, it connects Manchester to all major cities of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The airport station operates direct trains and taxis for the convenience of travelers.

The Manchester guide can be quite helpful for those who use trains to get into this city. These guides have detailed account of train timings and routes. Manchester is served by two major railway stations – Victoria and Piccadilly. Well-connected with various other cities of the UK, these trains are quite economical and safe for frequent travelers.

Tourists can also have a tour of the city in hired cars. Although an expensive option, it gives you the comfort of visiting places at your own pace. You can also use the public bus service here. The Chorlton Street Coach Station is the main coach station in Manchester. Reasonably-priced and convenient, this service connects the city to all major parts of the country.

Not just travel, Manchester guide is a must for those who want to know this city better. Be it is a list of well loved attractions, or the best theatres, these guides will help you learn the city without being hassled or seeking others’ help.

As one of the most well loved destinations for European tourists, Sardinia experiences a deluge of traffic through its three main airports every year. Situated in the south of this glorious island is Cagliari-Elmas Airport, the largest of the three. Last year it welcomed over 2.6 million passengers and was recently expanded to accommodate the increased masses that are expected to arrive over the next decade. Calgiari Airport has 2 runways, a 3 storey terminal building and offers direct flights to over 30 cities, including Barcelona, London and Madrid. Flights from the UK go from Edinburgh, Gatwick, Luton and Manchester and are provided by British Airways, easyJet, Lufthansa and Ryanair. The Cagliari Airport arrivals hall is on the ground floor and other then baggage reclaim, it houses a variety of bars and restaurants, a post office, bank, lost and found and police and customs offices. Business services are also on offer. On the second floor is the Calgiari Airport departures hall which features a fabulous shopping gallery, open all year round, as well as a chapel, Wi-fi internet points, airline counters and 2 VIP lounges with self service bar, satellite TV, Wi-Fi and flight information monitors, all of which are provided free. For onward travel, by far the most well loved choice of transport is the Calgiari Aiport hire car as it allows you to truly explore this fascinating region with its wealth of archaeological sites and awe inspiring beaches. The Cagliari Airport car hire firms are based in arrivals and are AM Service, Autoeuropa, Budget, Dollar/Thrifty, Easycar, Eurorent, Matta, Midarent, Pinna, Ruvioli and Sardinya. If you´re not hiring a car then here are several other transportation options available and if you determined to arrive at your destination in the holiday spirit, completely stress free and unruffled, then arranging one of the Cagliari Airport Transfers is your best bet. A driver meets you in arrivals and escorts you straight to your waiting car, or for a less expensive option you could always reserve a seat on a private shuttle bus from Cagliari Airport. Regular buses run every 30 minutes into the city centre and takes around 10 minutes. Tickets can not be bought on the bus but must be bought in the newsstand/bookstore on the ground floor and the bus stops are located outside arrivals and departures. Although there are no Cagliari Airport Trains, the bus terminal in Cagliari is right next to the train station. Taxis are always a fail safe way of getting to your accommodation as they take the least amount of pre-plotting but you can often end up paying for this as Italian taxi drivers frequently overcharge tourists. Cagliari Airport Taxes are situated outside arrivals.

There are a wealth of reasons to travel to the paradisaical island of Sardinia and the mesmerising turquoise waters and sandy beaches are just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you like to delve into the ancient past of a country, trek through unspoilt, wild landscapes, have a taste of a traditional way of life or throw yourself head first into an array of water-sports, shop til your drop and rub shoulders with the rich and well-known, the Olbia region of Sardinia has it all.  Olbia is the main port for tourists to Sardinia and receives ferries from mainland Italy, as well as having its own airport. As the gateway to the Smeralda Coast, one of the glitziest stretches of beaches and coves on the Mediterranean, Olbia Airport is very much in keeping, with a modern, airy terminal building renovated in 2004 Flights from the UK leave from Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Leeds and Manchester airports and are served by 10 low cost airlines including easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair. On landing you will come into the arrivals hall which has been specifically adapted for passengers with special needs. There are wheelchair ramps, fitted restrooms, elevators and telephones and outside the terminal are 40 reserved parking spaces for those with mobility problems. Based in arrivals is also the lost and found office, cashpoints, Internet kiosks and information desk which can provides advice on everything from accommodation to activities. Compared with some airports, Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport has really gone to town when it comes to shopping and restaurant facilities. Located both before and after security in the departures area are some fabulous retailers selling products from the traditional to the exclusive, as well as the usual stores such as a pharmacy, newspaper/bookstores and 2 banks. When it comes to refreshments, you´re even more spoilt for choice. There´s a wonderful open-aired cafe outside arrivals called the Kara Kiosk, which sells mouth-watering pastries and cakes as well as varying savoury snacks. A wine bar and a restaurant serving hot Italian dishes situated in departures before security and even an outdoor Smokers Garden Cafe, once you get past all the checks, for those who can´t resist a last cigarette before they board the plane. There is also facilities for businesses with large and small meeting rooms and a business centre. Most people travelling to Sardinia though haven´t come to hangout at the airport, so onward transportation is of prime importance. For most travellers, the preferred option is to arrange a Olbia Airport car hire. These are located in the arrivals hall and are AM Service, Autoeuropa, Avis, Easycar, Ellepi, Europcar, Eurorent, Hertz, Italy by Car, Maggiore, Matta, Midarent, Pinna, Ruvioli, Sardinya, Sixt and Smeralda Express. Each of them offers slightly different deals so make sure when you get a quote you know exactly what is included, as surprise additional charges at the collection desk can often make for a terrible start to a holiday. If you´re not hiring a car then by far the most convenient alternative is an airport transfer, where a driving meets you in arrivals and sweeps you away to your car without any needless hassle or waiting about, as can be the case when using the Olbia Airport taxis. A less expensive option is to reserve a seat on a private shuttle bus so the cost is shared with your fellow passengers. Taxis are located outside arrivals and, as an thought of how steep they can be, the fare from the airport to Olbia city centre just 3km away is €15.

Buses are always the least pricey option and the Number 2 and 10 buses leave every 15 minutes from outside arrivals and do a circular route through Olbia. For destinations further afield, including Nuoro, Calgiari and Santa Teresa di Gallura there are the Olbia Airport coaches. Although there is no train station at Olbia Airport, there is one at Via Gabriele DÁnnunzio, a stop on both bus routes.

How many times have you wearily glanced at a stack of paperwork or laundry, and sighed “I need a holiday”? Or sat at work daydreaming about the far-flung places you could go next summer, if you could just book the time off, save up some cash… learn a new language… and get those vaccinations sorted… make sure your insurance is up to date… and so it goes on.

A recent survey showed that 40% of Britons reckon holidaying is more stressful than a trip to the dentist. The sad truth is that worrying is one of our favourite pastimes, so even taking a break can be serious business! But there are ways to improve your holiday experience without adding angst.

One of the first things to consider is your mode of transport. Flying may seem simple and affordable, but when you factor in things like taxes and booking fees, getting to and from airports which are miles outside of the city, and the joys of checking in two hours before flights to sit around in a dingy lounge – often in the middle of the night, for ‘value’ fares – before getting crammed onto a plane; all the while hoping that crying toddler isn’t going to be one of your fellow passengers, it’s not always such a pleasant experience.

Naturally, air travel is a very serious cause for concern to anyone who cares about the planet, its heritage sites, plants or people. Aviation is the fastest-growing source of noxious greenhouse gas emissions, and also responsible for unlawful levels of nitrous oxide pollution. It’s increasingly obvious that ‘carbon off-setting’ is a dishonest, and ultimately pointless, red herring of an industry – as one environmentalist puts it:

“Off-setting doesn’t make flying ‘OK’ any more than giving to Amnesty gets you a licence to torture.”

Do read the science and reckon twice before you jet off – 45% of flights taken in Europe are less than 500km, or in other words, really unnecessary. If your destination is easily reachable by train or bus, which will take you straight to city centres or attractions and are about ten times less polluting, why glide?

If you do choose you need to glide, several options are available to make it a less personally stressful experience. Instead of driving, consider travelling to the airport by bus or coach, which can save you hundreds of pounds on long-stay parking. And instead of travelling all night to make an early-morning flight, you could book a night at an airport hotel, leaving you free to get there any time, relax and delight in a fantastic night’s sleep before you go. Many rates include airport parking, so this could be another money-saver.

The hotels aren’t all grim, identikit breezeblock scenes either; many are really luxurious and situated in gorgeous countryside to help you get into that holiday state of mind. In fact, many around the UK cater for those who want to stay in a relaxing environment. Scotland has some of the most attractive accomoation close to to major transport hubs, for example Aberdeen airport hotel to the north-west of the city, is an ideal starting point from which to explore the stunning Cairngorms national park, and there are several similar places near Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Who knows – once you’ve checked out Britain’s fantastic scenery, perhaps you’ll reconsider that choice to glide away after all!

Delight in the Quintessential British Experience at a UK Luxury Hotel

When you imagine getting away from it all and taking a break, you will no doubt envisage relaxation, fine dining and indulging yourself in luxurious surroundings. All of this is on offer and more when you book a stay at one of the luxury hotels in the UK.

If you are travelling from abroad to take advantage of the weak pound, or a British resident holidaying at home to help boost the economy, you are in for a treat – delight in the elegance and refinement of the sumptuous UK hotels that many try to emulate but few achieve.

There are locations around the world that can offer excitement – Dubai is flashy and glamourous, New York quick-paced and exciting, the Carribean gorgeous and relaxing – and they are all fabulous places to take a well-deserved holiday. Yet if you’re looking for something different, try the elegance and refinement of the beauty spots dotted around Britain and the silent, whispered luxury of the hotels in the UK.

The English countryside has a gorgeous landscape, and if this is your taste, deluxe country hotels are just the ticket. Base yourself in the Cotswolds and explore this fascinating area – returning to the comfort and relaxation of your sumptuous accommodation. Most of the luxury hotels in the UK offer spa’s for the weary tourist to truly unwind after a hard days sightseeing.

A visit to the capital, London, is understandably well loved with tourists – but this doesn’t have to mean a cramped city guesthouse – the UK has many luxurious hotels on offer for those looking for some action in the huge smoke. Boutique hotels have been well loved for many years, where brilliant service runs alongside the well-known British understated charm. London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the planet and after a day spent seeing the well-known sights, such as Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, you will be desperate for the oasis of cool available to you at your charming UK hotel.

Don’t forget the isles – Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh is regularly voted one of the world’s most gorgeous cities where you can gape at the castle as you stroll amongst the shops and cafes in the city centre. For accommodation that’s a small bit different, travel on to Ayrshire where one of the UK’s most luxurious hotels, Enterkine Country House, has come up with a uniqe way to excite their guests – offering deluxe garden sheds ‘bothy lodgings’.

So if you’re looking for history, class, and elegance in abundance, travel to Britain and delight in a stay at one of the UK’s luxury hotels

Dip into the wonderful waters which surround the Northern part of Dalmatia in Croatia.
Zadar is a place where you can easily sit for hours in one of the cafes and delight in the sun, the city, and the Croatian people.
Zadar is a university city home to the University of Zadar which was founded in 1396, making it one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest university in Croatia.
There is nowhere more relaxing to walk around than the ancient town of Zadar which looks out over a fabulous peninsula. There are more than 30 churches to be found in this part of the city and much can be learnt about Zadar’s history by visiting them. Some of those which are worth seeing are the church of Saint Donat’s, the church of Saint Simeon, the church of Saint Mary and Saint Simeon. Also of interest are the Cathedral of Saint Anastasia and the Roman Forum.
The Archaeological Museum is well worth visiting as is the Sea Organ on Zadar’s Riva which works with the motion of the waves and 35 pipes to make music.
When you are navigating your way around, having a car spares you from making the 15 minute walk from city centre to the bus and train stations. It is also far more convenient as taxis have to be called (970) and can take up to 20 minutes from the call to arrive. This can be even more in the busy summer season. The trains are also slow and take a long time to get anywhere, though the scenery is fantastic.
Other transport options in Zadar are to take the large Jadrolinja ferries which run every few days up and down the coast between Rijeka and Dubrovnik. They stop off at ports including Zadar as well as various Croatian islands along the way. There are also daily ferries throughout the summer from Ancona in Italy. It is also possible to Rent a boat and explore the stunning surrounding islands, especially Kornati.
Zadar is not a long car journey from the incredible Plitvice National Park. Plitvice National Park was place onto the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979 to protect its spectacularly gorgeous system of 16 interlinking lakes and wonderful forest. Having been inhabited by all sorts of races including Thracians and Celts the park became a major tourist attraction in the 1990s. But, Plitvice National Park, which is filled with gorgeous turquoise coloured lakes, was also where many mines were laid during the 1990 war.
There is an evening flight from Zagreb to Zadar. During the summer seasons there are also various tourist flights from several European cities. Cheap flights exist but may be hard to find. Ryanair has added low cost flights from London Stansted, Edinburgh and Dublin to Zadar.
In terms of food the Kornat restaurant near the harbour serves brilliant Mediterranean cuisine. You can also go to the adjacent Restaurant Nika, beside the harbour in the Puntamika district, which offers excellent food and service in gorgeous settings for low prices.
Some recommended places to drink in Zadar are The Garden which was opened by UB40 drummer James Brown and The Arsenal, a seventeenth century Venetian naval warehouse which is now a restaurant, bar and night club.
For those on a budget there is the Youth Hostel Obala kneza Trpimira in Borik, while mid range accommodation consists of the Hotel Kolovare in the city center and the three star Hotel Adriatic to the south of Zadar. As with car hire it is always a excellent thought to book your hotel well ahead of time as Zadar can get very busy during the summer months of June, July and August.

I like London, it is my kind of town. Now I know that to most people this would sound as if I am plagiarising some advertising copy for either New York or Chicago but in this case I truly mean it.

I have lived AND worked in London for well over 30 years and I have seen everything come and go, excellent times and terrible times.

From the terrible ancient days and the darkest hours of the terrorist bombing campaigns of the Provisional IRA in the 70’s and 80’s to the excellent times when the announcement was made that London had been awarded the 2012 Olympics and the Queens Jubilee. London has seen it all and treats both with the same respect.

I remember travelling through London to return home to Northern Ireland where I now live on the day the news broke that Princess Diana had tragically been killed in a car accident in Paris and the sense of grief and shock were overwhelming as total strangers just blindly made their way to Kensington Palace to lay flowers at the peoples memorial. Then at the other end of the spectrum you have London the day of the “Live 8” Festival in Hyde Park where the city centre was brought to a standstill with blaring rock music belting out across the entire City Centre.

There is so much history in London, real live, vibrant living history in London that sometimes when you live there it just passes you by and you take everything for granted.

Take the changing of the guard for instance. This happens everyday at Betty and Phil’s place at the end of the mall. OK I should be slightly less flippant. I am of course referring to Buckingham Palace, home of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh found at the end of the Mall. Perhaps the most notable of the Changing of the Guards in recent years was held shortly after the dreadful events of 911 when instead of playing God Save the Queen the band of the Guards performed what turned out to be quite an emotional performance (certainly for those visiting American tourists in the audience) of the Star Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States of America.

Perhaps the significance of this passed most of the on looking tourist by but it was a first in living memory that any other national anthem other than the United Kingdoms own God Save the Queen had been performed at the Changing of the Guards ceremony.

Perhaps it is small incidences like these that sum up exactly what a rich cornucopia of the historic and modern, the city of London really is. Unlike other major international capital cities, London may lack perhaps the historic grandeur of the Parthenon in Athens or the Coliseum in Rome but through out London you will find examples of perhaps a more modern architecture (though no less splendid and impressive) such as the mother of all parliaments, the Houses of Parliament in Westminster or the serenity of St Paul’s Cathedral a survivor of many centuries and in many ways every bit as impressive now as in the days of its design under the architect Sir Christopher Wren.

If nothing else the building of St Paul’s Cathedral is a testament to survival itself having both survived the Fantastic Fire of London in the 16th Century and then four hundred years later the Blitz in World War II.

Perhaps this encompasses the overall appeal of London, the historic blend of the ancient and the new.

Come and visit London, it won’t disappoint.

London is a fantastic place. Contrary to well loved belief this is not some feeble attempt at plagiarising advertising copy from other major cities in the world.

Terrible times and excellent, I have lived and worked in London through them all.

From the terrible ancient days and the darkest hours of the terrorist bombing campaigns of the Provisional IRA in the 70’s and 80’s to the excellent times when the announcement was made that London had been awarded the 2012 Olympics and the Queens Jubilee. London has had the experience and gravity to treat both with equal respect.

I remember travelling through London to return home to Northern Ireland where I now live on the day the news broke that Princess Diana had tragically been killed in a car accident in Paris. The sense of grief and shock were overwhelming as total strangers just blindly made their way to Kensington Palace to lay flowers at the people’s memorial. Then at the other end of the spectrum you have London the day of the “Live 8” Festival in Hyde Park where the city centre was brought to a standstill with blaring rock music belting out across the entire City Centre.

London is full of History. History that it would appear that most Londoners take for granted.

The changing of the guard is a perfect example of this sort of thing.Betty and Phil insist that this happens daily at their place at the end of the mall. OK I should be slightly less flippant. I am of course referring to Buckingham Palace, home of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh found at the end of the Mall. Tradition is such that occasionally it gets altered and none more so than when after the dreadful events of 911 the band of the guards performed the Star-Spangled Banner in front of visiting American tourists instead off the traditional God Save the Queen.

Perhaps the significance of this passed most of the on looking tourist by but it was a first in living memory that any other national anthem other than the United Kingdoms own God Save the Queen had been performed at the Changing of the Guards ceremony.

Perhaps it is small incidences like these that sum up exactly what a rich cornucopia of the historic and modern, the city of London really is. Unlike other major international capital cities, London may lack perhaps the historic grandeur of the Parthenon in Athens or the Coliseum in Rome but through out London you will find examples of perhaps a more modern architecture (though no less splendid and impressive) such as the mother of all parliaments, the Houses of Parliament in Westminster or the serenity of St Paul’s Cathedral a survivor of many centuries and in many ways every bit as impressive now as in the days of its design under the architect Sir Christopher Wren.

If nothing else the building of St Paul’s Cathedral is a testament to survival itself having both survived the Fantastic Fire of London in the 16th Century and then four hundred years later the Blitz in World War II.

Perhaps this encompasses the overall appeal of London, the historic blend of the ancient and the new.

There is absolutely no way a visit to London will disappoint