(Trip quest) Your Visit to Plymouth
No commentsBy Lance Rush
Plymouth is the vibrant regional capital of Devon and Cornwall. It is a thriving modern city, a historic seafaring port and holiday centre with something for everyone. When you want to escape the bustle and find a little peace and quiet, Plymouth is the perfect place to start. With a unique waterfront ambience and its spirit of the sea, Plymouth encompasses great local and international cuisine, superb entertainment and all weather activities throughout the year.
Places of interest:
There is plenty to do for all ages in and around Plymouth. A great place to start is the Plymouth Dome, where you will learn the history of the city. Then you can explore the Victorian Crownhill Fort, with great cannons, underground tunnels, ramparts, barracks and a massive dry moat. The state-of-the-art National Marine Aquarium is one of the country’s premier tourist attractions, or you can enjoy one of the other indoor attractions are on offer such as ten pin bowling, laser games, ice skating or even an indoor beach at the Pavilions Fun Pool.
The Merchant’s House is where you can learn all about the trading that plays a major part in the history of Plymouth’s past.
Plymouth Dome, sited in front of Plymouth Hoe, overlooks the great natural harbour of Plymouth Sound. This high tech interactive visitor centre on the Hoe, takes you on an extraordinary journey through the fascinating history of this great city.
National Marine Aquarium offers a really amazing experience, where you are taken on an unforgettable journey through the oceans of the world. You will encounter brilliantly coloured fish, delicate seahorses and awesome Caribbean Sharks.
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery is the place to experience and enjoy engaging exhibitions, fascinating collections, first rate services and exciting special events. The City’s Art Collections includes the nationally designated Cottonian Collection, or you can experience what the people of Plymouth do for pleasure in the social history displays.
The Barbican village is an essential port of call for you during your visit. It is a maritime treasure trove. It is where Drake and Raleigh once weighed anchor, and today you can find a bustling community of specialist shops, restaurants, cafs and world-class attractions, all in a picturesque harbour setting.
Things to do:
Plymouth is where the coast and countryside are on the doorstep for you to explore. You can take a trip on the Cremyll foot ferry to the gardens and parkland of Mount Edgcumbe or visit stately homes like Saltram House with its Great Kitchen, Buckland Abbey, once home to Sir Francis Drake, or the 20th century Lutyens designed Castle Drogo. A train ride on the Tamar valley or South Devon railway, through the counties beautiful countryside or a trip up river or across the bay is a relaxing way to enjoy the local scenery but if you want excitement there are adventure parks at Dobwalls or Woodlands, both offering thrills and spills galore. For a more sedate trip the Waterfront Walkway, combines modern art with spectacular views. Plymouth, with its great natural harbour, is made for those who love the great outdoors; and of course for real family fun, nothing beats a sunny day on the beach, with a choice of secluded coves, or simply relax on the waterfront and enjoy the stunning views across the harbour.
Mount Edgcumbe House is the former home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe. Set in Grade I Cornish Gardens within 865 acres of Country Park. It has been restored to the 18th century style, in keeping with the furniture and family treasures it holds. Features include paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Gerard Edema and William van der Velde, Irish Bronze Age horns, 16th century tapestries and 18th century Chinese and Plymouth porcelain. The Country Park was the earliest landscaped park in Cornwall and comprises of Grade I listed gardens and fifty-five other listed structures.
Buckland Abbey was originally a small but influential Cistercian monastery. The house, incorporating the remains of the 13th-century abbey church, has rich associations with Sir Francis Drake and his seafaring rival, Sir Richard Grenville. Take a voyage of discovery to 13th century Buckland Abbey and enjoy the story of this medieval monastery, which was uniquely converted into a Tudor home. You can also learn about the legendary life of Sir Francis Drake, his circumnavigation and the story of the Armada
Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum is where you can discover the story of Kingsbridge in their 17th century schoolroom. There is also a complete walk - in Victorian kitchen, Edwardian pharmacy and a large farm gallery.
Buckfast Abbey is a living monastery in the beautiful Dart Valley. There is a magnificent Abbey Church, tranquil gardens and three unusual shops selling produce from Buckfast and other European Abbeys.
Food & Drink:
When the sun goes down, it’s time for the bright lights. International cuisine or traditional cooking, fine wine or real ale, it’s up to you.
Artillery Tower is a most unusual and intimate restaurant. It is set facing the sea and is one of the oldest military buildings in Plymouth. Initially built to defend the realm, it now houses a fine dining-room offering a modern, fresh style of cooking, but with respect for traditional stocks, sauces and pastries.
Bistro Ben is a licensed waterfront restaurant in the Barbican. A haven tucked away in the middle of a bustling city, offering a superb choice of mouth-watering dishes in a relaxed, charming and intimate atmosphere.
Tanners Restaurant is known throughout the region for fine quality and attention to every detail. The best of local produce, prepared with style and flair, mixed with that special ingredient that only the Tanner Brothers are capable of producing. Tanners Restaurant is housed in the oldest surviving domestic building in Plymouth, the Prysten House.
Admiral Macbride is close to the Mayflower Steps Memorial and reputedly built on the site of the original Steps, the Macbride was predominantly a fishing man’s pub until the fish market and boats were relocated. Now it caters for locals and tourists offering food and for most of the day. There is a large main room with a small alcove at one end of the bar.
Plymouth Hotels & Accommodation:
From four-star luxury to rustic bed and breakfast, Plymouth and its surrounding area has accommodation for all tastes and budgets.
Copthorne Hotel Plymouth
Best Western Duke of Cornwall Hotel
Novotel Plymouth
Jewell In Plymouth Hotel
Grosvenor Hotel
Holiday Inn Plymouth
Rosaland Hotel
Riviera Hotel
Sunray Hotel
Moorlands Links Hotel
The New Continental
Elfordleigh Hotel
The Royal Fleet Club
Quality Hotel Plymouth
Entertainment:
For an evening out you can choose from a West End preview at the Theatre Royal, a concert or comedian at Plymouth Pavilions, or the latest blockbuster at one of the multi-screened cinemas. If you prefer an active night out there are plenty of dance venues and sporting facilities in the local area.
The Cooperage is Plymouth’s premier venue if you like your music live. Located on Plymouth’s historic Barbican, the Cooperage has recently undergone extensive renovations. Free to enter, there is a great atmosphere where you can find a diverse range of music and dance on offer.
Plymouth Arts Centre has been around for over 50 years, and offers some of the best exhibitions by local, national and international artists in a dazzling array of mediums. They also show the best ground-breaking independent and foreign films in their cinema; and a vegetarian restaurant can also be found in the building.
The Theatre Royal in Plymouth enjoys a mixed programme of drama from pantomime to ballet and also incorporates the Drum Theatre.
Whatever you enjoy, it is yours to discover in Plymouth all year round. With a strong maritime history and exciting coastline combined with the rugged scenery of Dartmoor, this thriving city can keep you enthralled for ages.
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Is It Better To Rent Or Buy Camping Equipment?
By Lance Rush
Are you planning on taking a camping trip in the near future? If this is your first time going camping, you will need to get camping gear to take with you, as you may not already own it. While your first impulse may be to head on down to your local sports store, did you know that you have another option as well? You do. In addition to buying your own camping gear, you may also be able to rent it.
When it comes to determining whether you should buy your own camping gear or just rent the camping gear that you need, you may have a difficult time deciding what to do. If you are wondering what you should do, you will want to continue reading on. Below, the pros and cons of both buying your own camping gear and renting your camping gear are outlined.
As for buying your own camping gear, you will find that the biggest con or downside to doing so is the cost. Depending on what you need to buy, it can get pretty expensive to purchase your own camping gear. With that in mind though, there are a number of camping gear equipment pieces, like camping tents or sleeping bags, that can be purchased for affordable prices. If you are looking to camp on a budget, you can still buy your own camping gear, but you just need to know where to look.
Although there are a number of downsides, like the price, to buying your own camping gear, you will also find that there are a number of pros or plus sides to doing so as well. One of those plus sides is the fact that you will own the camping gear in question. This means that you can use it as little or as often as you would like. If you are planning to take a number of camping trips in the future, you will find that it is easier, as well as cheaper in the long run, to buy your own camping gear.
It is also important to mention the freedom that you have, when buying your own camping gear. When buying your own camping gear, you can buy basically whatever you want. For instance, if you would like a camping tent that is the color black, you are free to do so. When you buy your own camping gear, you have the ability to be picky if you want to be. With a large selection of camping gear pieces to choose from, from a number of different retailers, the decision as to what you want to buy is yours to make.
If you are unable to buy your own camping gear or if you would prefer not you, your other option is to rent your camping gear. When it comes to renting camping gear, you will also find a number of pros and cons. As for the cons of renting your camping gear, you may find that you are faced with a limited selection of camping gear pieces to choose from. Many camping gear rental stations only carry the basic items, like tents, hot plates, and coolers. While you may have some choices, you will mostly find that your selection is limited.
As for the pros or plus sides to renting your camping gear, instead of buying it, you will find that the cost is much more affordable. Despite being relatively affordable, different camping gear rental stations charge different rental fees. You will also find that camping gear can typically be rented for as little as one day or as long as a couple of weeks. Renting your camping gear is nice if this is your first time going camping and if you are unsure as to whether or not you would be interested in doing so again.
As you can see, there are a number of pros and cons to both buying your own camping gear and renting it. In addition to the two above mentioned options, you may also want to think about borrowing camping gear from someone that you know. You may even be able to do so free of charge.
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Where to Stay on the Beaches of San Diego
By Lance Rush
San Diego California is famous for its beaches, and laid-back tranquility. Keeping this in mind it’s hard to visit San Diego without going to, at least, one beach. The only thing that would make for a better visit is finding a place to stay in San Diego that’s right on the beach. This article will be focusing on places to stay in Mission Bay, and Pacific Beach hotels.
For many businesses and hotel’s one of the most important aspects is location, location, location. The Dana on Mission Bay is the place for an unforgettable stay in San Diego. With a picture-perfect waterfront setting on Mission Bay less than a mile from the beach, The Dana offers everything for the perfect stay. They are the closest hotel to SeaWorld and within minutes of San Diego’s most popular things to do, and attractions including the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, and Balboa Park! Shuttle service is available for arriving and departing guests to the Airport, Amtrak, and Cruise Ship Terminal. SeaWorld shuttle service is also available, and the schedule varies based upon park hours. All shuttle service is limited, based upon availability, and is subject to change. The Dana on Mission Bay offers beautifully appointed rooms and suites nestled among tropical landscapes in the heart of San Diego’s Mission Bay Aquatic Park. A wide variety of accommodations and amenities are available and you’ll find that the staff is ready to assist you. After all, service is what they’re known for and they want your visit to San Diego to be everything you hoped for.
With all the places to stay in San Diego you can hope for the best, and be prepared for it. Experience the beautifully reborn Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina. A stunning $65 million transformation brings the epitome of California coastal chic to our San Diego hotel, with incredible ocean views, waterfront dining, a contemporary poolside lounge, an eco-friendly spa, and redesigned guest rooms and meeting rooms. Delight in a water playground with three new pools and multiple water slides, waterfront health club, and a full-service marina with jet skis, sailboats, kayaks, sports fishing and whale excursions - everything you could wish for in a San Diego California hotel. Coupled with our premier location close to famous sights, our luxurious new hotel in San Diego, California has become the unparalleled choice for discerning travelers.
Relaxing and rejuvenating by day, the Pacific Terrace Hotel is conveniently located near some of the finest oceanfront dining, shopping and entertainment that San Diego has to offer, providing an ever-enticing nightlife or an uplifting day-around-town. Overlooking the white sandy beaches of San Diego, the Four-Diamond Pacific Terrace Hotel stands between the sun and the surf, and strikes the perfect balance between comfort and luxury, serenity and inspiration. This Hotel has got all the extra amenities you’d expect from a San Diego luxury resort, like gated underground parking, complimentary wine reception in the evening, complimentary continental breakfast in the morning, and an outdoor pool with a spa and an expansive sundeck adjacent to the ocean, a calm and private setting where you can watch the ocean while you sunbathe or have a massage.
With a breathtaking view and well-groomed, spacious bedrooms you can’t help but enjoy the Ocean Park Inn. Whether you bask in the sun at poolside or walk a few steps to one of San Diego’s finest beaches, you will see why so many people vacation here.
Ocean Park Inn is conveniently located near La Jolla a city world renowned for its unique shopping treasures. La Jolla is also noted for its fine galleries and quality restaurants for every preference. Enjoy dining in one of Pacific Beach’s quaint seafood restaurants or hit the town for a dining experience to remember. Ocean Park Inn is located just minutes from Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, downtown San Diego and the San Diego International Airport. So whatever the reason for your visit find your place to stay at the Ocean Park Inn.
For many people who decide to travel getting away from it all starts with taking away all of the stress that drove you to a vacation in the first place. The Catamaran Resort & Spa offers casual elegance in a tropical paradise, with acres of exotic trees and plants bordered by a white sand beach at the edge of Mission Bay. The Catamaran’s spacious rooms are decorated in a Tropical decor. All of these rooms offer a patio or balcony, and include refrigerators, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards, in room movies & video games, and high speed internet access. Resort Amenities include the award winning Atoll restaurant, Moray’s cocktail lounge, a large heated pool & Jacuzzi, full service water sports rental department, bicycle rentals, and the Catamaran Resort Spa, a world class health and wellness facility.
Not everyone has seen pictures of Southern California in movies to posters sent just about every television station out there. If that’s the kind of vacation you’re looking for then Paradise Point Resort & Spa may be for you. It’s Southern California, just as you’ve pictured it-blue skies, towering palms and a landscape exploding with color. And it’s all here outside your plush bungalow. Step onto your lanai to find cloudless skies, lapping waves, soft sand beaches and lush gardens. Sound like paradise? You may just have found it at Paradise Point Resort & Spa-a private 44-acre island tucked away on Mission Bay, minutes from the heart of San Diego. Maybe your idea of the perfect vacation is simply stretching out next to a pool with a refreshing cocktail and doing little else. Or perhaps you’re an explorer, eager to soak up as many Southern California experiences as each day allows. From spa services to water sports, the resort alone provides enough activities to keep every type of traveler happy.
For those travelers who believe that a vacation just isn’t a vacation, without falling asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore, the Pacific Shores Inn has the answer. The Inn is just steps away from the glimmering Pacific Ocean at Mission Beach and Boardwalk, San Diego’s most action-packed area with over two and a half miles of shops, restaurants, and nightlife, with plenty of places to run, jog, roller blade and bike ride. Each of their rooms and has been newly updated, and all rooms include refrigerators, microwaves, cable television with HBO, and a variety of other amenities. With their cheerful and contemporary decor, you’ll either feel right at home, or as far away from it as you like. Hotel amenities include an outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast, complimentary newspaper, and outdoor grill and patio for all of our guests to enjoy. Their friendly staff and comfortable accommodations will make you feel right at home.
Rates are subject to change.
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Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 3:30 pm and is filed under travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
