Best Activity Weekends

Introduction: Florence is one of the most fabulous travel cities in Italy; and is full of religious and artistic attractions that often leave tourists struggling for words. The city is often called the ‘Cradle of the Renaissance’, due to its collection of various cathedrals, churches, museums, and stylish streets with various shops. Situated at bank of river Arno, Florence is famous for its art and buildings which date back to the age of Renaissance. Back in time, from 1865 to 1870 Florence was also the capital city of the kingdom of Italy. So book your Florence apartment, in this article, you can find top five tourist attractions of Florence in a glance.

1. Uffizi Gallery:
Galleria degli Uffizi or the Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest and most legendary museums in the world. The building palace was constructed in 1560, once it was the office of the Magistrate of Florence. Now it is the gallery of the world’s top paintings by famous painters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphel, Sandro Botticelli, Titian and many more. The fresco painting and statues are also featured attractions of this museum.

2. Florence cathedral:
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the world famous cathedral churches located in Florence of Italy. Located at Piazza del Duomo, it includes both baptistery and Giotto’s campanile. Arnolfo di Cambio was the chief architect, the churches construction was finished in the year 1436. As a tourist to Florence, the Basilica is very worthy of a visit due to its beautiful dome and various appealing interior designs, sculptures and paintings.

3. The Academia Gallery:
The Academy of Fine Arts or Academia di Belle Arti was the first art academy of Europe. You can see the most famous sculptures of Michelangelo Buonarroti, Francesco da Sangallo, Bronzino and many more from the 13th to 16th centuries. Michelangelo’s most famous sculpture David is located in this gallery; which is the prime attraction to many of the tourists. Apart from this, there are many famous paintings from the period of Renaissance also featured as attractions.

4. Palazzo del Popolo:
Palazzo del Popolo or Bargello is located near to the Piazza della signoria. In the past it functioned as a castle or prison until it was turned into a museum of sculptures in the year 1865. From the beginning, it has one of the world’s greatest collections of gothic and Renaissance period sculptures. The museum features a collection of various renowned masterpiece sculptures, which includes Michelangelo and Donatello’s works.

5. Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti or the Pitti palace is located on the south side bank of the river Arno. In the year 1549, the largest Palace was bought by the Medicci family. In the 18th century, it was a base camp for Napoleon. The Palace has it royal apartments, modern art galleries and museums. It became the footfall of every tourist to Florence due to its huge building size and vast art exhibits.

Conclusion:
Florence is a city of art, sculptures, paintings and fashion surrounded with various monuments, churches, cathedrals, and historical places. Florence is an important city of Italy for fashion, hotels and the tourist industry. Why not make a visit and book an apartment? and if you do, make sure you visit at least a few of the five attractions discussed in this article.

Introduction
If you are looking forward to an escape from the concrete jungle of high rises and neon lights, then go for a fun filled weekend break in the United Kingdom. Romantic gateways, adventure weekend trips, sightseeing breaks, and wildlife breaks, are some of the weekend breaks which are highly popular in UK.

Located in the lap of nature, The Lake District is one of the UK’s most spectacular spots. It has got everything – exotic locations, beautiful landscapes, lakes, mountains and wonderful fresh air that’s ideal for relaxing a weary soul. It is a fantastic holiday destination, ideal for carrying out general outdoor activities. The beauty and serenity of the region have earned it a unique position in the classical work of Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth, and this is the main reason why every year The Lake District is flooded with thousands of tourists, from all over the world.

Walking holidays:
The enchanting landscape of the Lake District, has greatly contributed in making walking holidays here famous all over the world. There are tracks suitable for lots of different age groups, as well as for people with varying fitness levels. There are no age limitations for going on walking holidays, and they can be enjoyed by families with small children, young adults keen to conquer the peaks and older people who’re just out for a relaxing stroll.

Visitors can choose from a huge variety of walks suitable for all levels. Cat Bells is ideal for beginners, while more serious walkers can try their luck with Skiddaw or Hellvellyn. To enjoy classic walking holidays, you can try the walk that culminates in the mighty Slab at Bowfell and admire the amazing views on display that you’re sure to remember for the rest of your life.

Mountain Biking:
If you are an adventure lover, mountain biking will surely appeal to your sense of fun and excitement. Beginners can try cycling in the lowlands or valleys, as compared to the mountain bike trails, they are much easy to ride. As local groups and regular walkers are quite concerned about the corrosive effect of mountain bike tyres on the ancient landscape – do strictly stick to marked trails in order to avoid any unnecessary hassle.

Fell Running:
As a part of your activity holidays during you stay at The Lake District, you can try a relatively new sport called Fell running. It is the art of traversing the fells of the Lake District on foot, at a considerable speed. During this sport when you will fall, you are supposed to allow your momentum to let you roll naturally to a point, where you can spring to your feet again and carry on running. It’s an exhilarating sport that requires stamina, bravery and dexterity in equal measures, and should not be attempted solo by beginners.

Other activities:
No walking holidays in and around the Lakes are complete without some “off days” – days where you stop walking and engage in other activities the countryside has to offer. Three of the most popular activities are-
• photography,
• painting
• And rowing.
The Lakes are justly celebrated for their grandeur and natural beauty. You can hire a boat and make the most of Coniston or Ullswater. You can also try pony trekking, or you may take your kids out for a day’s quad biking at one of the low lying farms, where the scenery is awe inspiring.

Things to remember:
• Please stick to documented waking routes and use the services of local guides where you feel it necessary.
• You should never go on a serious walk without the proper emergency equipment.

Author’s bio: Jerry Smith is an avid walker, who resides in the Lake District. He regularly reviews walking holidays and activity holidays for online press and local publications.

If you are planning that ultimate romantic weekend break there is nowhere more special than the Italian city of Venezia (Venice).

With all her canals, islands, gondolas and Palladian architecture Venice is one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe. Venice is also one of the most expensive as well, having the highest hotel room rates in Europe. There are ways to see Venice at its best, and not break the bank by doing so.

Unlike the Conde Nast Travel reader who seems to have no trouble spending £400 a-night for a hotel room, and a couple of hundred pounds for a nice dinner, I’m going to give you a few tips on how you can have that romantic getaway for a reasonable price.

With plenty of low-cost airlines now flying to Marco Polo Airport you have many of choices on how to get there, and if you were to book in advance can fly round trip for less than £100. Marco Polo Airport only has one terminal with arrivals on the ground floor, and departures on the first it is a very simple airport to navigate.

After arrival you have two options of getting into Venice, either by bus or by boat for me the boat is the best, and also the fastest plus you have come to see Venice for her canals so why not start the trip off right. Visit the Alilaguna boats website to buy your ticket online tickets range from 7€ to 15€ depending upon your destination you can also take a taxi but expect to pay close to 40€.

While in Venice the best way of getting around the city and visiting its island is by the Vaporetto (waterbus). Single trips can be expensive with visitors having to pay 6.50€ for only one journey it is much better if you plan on spending a weekend to buy a two-day pass which enables pass holders to use the Vaporetto’s as much as they want while you are in Venice. Passes can be bought online at Venice Connected; they have passes available for 24 hours, 48 hours or even seven days. A 48 hour pass costs 28€.

As mentioned at the start of this article, accommodation does not come cheap in Venice is accommodation. Staying in Venice apartments could save money compared to hotels. There are hotel bargains to be had out of season though and the best small hotel by far, and rated number two on Trip advisor’s website is Ai Tagliapietra with over 252 reviews and a price per night of 75€ which is a steal if you consider the number one ranked B&B is double the price at 150€ per night. The Ai Tagliapietra is also in a fantastic location for exploring the city, being close to the San Zaccaria waterbus stop, and only a five minute walk to St. Mark’s Square, and ten minutes to the famous Rialto Bridge.

Eating, and drinking in Venice is also expensive, so it’s advisable to avoid all the establishments in the tourist areas, and instead live and eat like a local. Take the Vaporetto (waterbus) main line to neighbourhood of Dorsoduro getting off at the San Basilio stop. Here you will find many trattorias that are festive, and inexpensive. A favourite of many locals is the Trattoria San Basilio owned by Brothers Roberto and Stefano who both speak perfect English so English speaking visitors will have no problems ordering the food they want.

Highly recommended is the Spaghetti alle Vongole, a meal which originated in Venice due to the abundance of clams, and is now considered a classic Italian dish of clams cooked in a dry white wine. In the Dorsoduro neighbourhood there are plenty of good inexpensive places to eat so you will be spoiled for choice, seafood of course is the local specialty but you can also find fantastic pizzas in abundance as well! The best time to visit Venice is in the autumn, hotels and holiday apartments are cheaper, it’s not too hot and the throngs of summer tourists have left which allows you to see Venice like a Venetian.

Image links:
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/papisc/2373611268/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Introduction
This article specifically focuses on activities for family weekend breaks in the city of Edinburgh. There are many attractions available in Edinburgh but many are not suited to family weekends. The article reveals five premier locations guaranteed to provide an interesting and rewarding family weekend with something to offer for all the family. For convenience the official website has been provided for each of the five activities to enable further research.

Activities
Edinburgh Bus Tours – What better way of seeing Edinburgh can there be than a city wide bus tour? These are extremely popular with tourists and offer good value for money too and make for an ideal travel video setting. Full information on tours can be found at http://www.edinburghtour.com/ A range of tours operate and tend to cover different attractions of the city centre of Edinburgh. At the time of writing the prices were £5 for children, £11 for Seniors, £12 for Adults and £28 for a family of two adults and three children. A range of combo tickets with bus tours and admissions can also be purchased.

Edinburgh Castle – Many would say that a visit to Edinburgh Castle would not be complete without a trip to the Castle. This is the number one visitor attraction in Edinburgh, the castle stands on a volcanic rock which looks over the city. Visitors can see the Scottish Crown Jewels and also witness the firing of the One O’Clock Gun (unsurprisingly at 1PM). Children under 5 are free, children are £8, adult concessions are £11 and full paying adult tickets cost £14. Family tickets and other information can be found at http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk

The photo above shows Edinburgh Castle, an ideal family activity.

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevgibbo/3379688475/

Edinburgh Zoo – The Zoo at Edinburgh is a great family oriented “day out”, it’s an ideal attraction if you have brought your children to Edinburgh with you. The Zoo has been open since 1913, has over 1,000 animals from over 170 species. Over 600,000 visitors per year see major exhibits such as Chimpanzees, Elephants, Giant Pandas, Koala Bears and Penguins. An ideal family venue, tickets are free for under 3’s, are £11 for 3-15 year olds, are £13 for concessions and £15.50 for a full paying adult. Visit http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk for further information.

National Galleries of Scotland – The National Galleries features four different galleries featuring a range of Scottish and international art. There are over 65,000 items on display that will appeal to people of all ages. Admission is free at all three sites which comprise the National Galleries of Scotland. Visit http://www.nationalgalleries.org/ for further information.

Scottish Seabird Centre – The Scottish Seabird is an award winning live cameras exhibit featuring the seabirds of Scotland. Visitors control the cameras to select what they see. Visitors can also opt to go out on any of four different boat trips to view seabirds in their natural habitats. The official website can be visited at http://www.seabird.org

The photo above shows the entrance to the Scottish Seabird Centre, near Edinburgh.

Image Courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyth123/221161021/

Conclusion
The activities above are just a start of your family weekend in Edinburgh. The city has masses more to offer for the family including other activities, restaurants and a large selection of shops to suit the entire family. Visiting all five of the listed attractions to make some great travel videos memories. Edinburgh makes for a hectic weekend but it is just about possible. Visitors wanting to see more of Edinburgh may be advised to spend 3-4 days to see more of what this fantastic and historic family has to offer the family.

The Costa Brava is one of the most popular summer destinations of Europe. It’s the coastal area in the north of Barcelona. Many tourist like to spend the holiday in Costa Brava because of the many beautiful beaches, many tourist attractions and the possibility to combine your holiday with a city trip to Barcelona. Below you find an overview of my top 5 destinations at this coastal area. If you’re planning a trip, please have a look at this Web-site with Costa Brava apartments for an affordable accommodation.

Roses
The town of Roses is a former Greek colony that stretches from the sea to the mountains. In Roses are several beaches and coves with rocky cliffs where you can practice water sports. Nearby the town are the natural parks of Cap de Creus and Aiguamolls de l’Empordá. On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea you will find an example of a Renaissance defensive structure called La Ciudadela.

Calella
Calella is a town about half an hour from Barcelona with a large beach of over 3 kilometers. There’s a small rocky area with the most amazing rocky coves. The golden sandy beach was awarded with the European blue flag of excellence. Calella has been awarded with the Family Tourism seal of approval and is therefore a great places for families with kids to spend a holiday. Also it’s a popular tourist destination for people practicing all kings of water sports.

Blanes and Lloret de Mar
The town of Blanes is in the south of the Costa Brava and has a 4 kilometer long coastline with cliffs and beaches. A famous tourist attraction in Blanes are the remains of the castle of Sant Joan. There are also two beautiful botanical gardens.
Just in the north of Blanes you’ll find the famous town of Lloret de Mar, popular by youth. The town is full of large discotheques, bars and nightclubs. It’s a paradise for youth celebrating the holiday season.

Tossa de Mar
Tossa de Mar is a town that lies in a valley and is separated from the other villages by the massive of Cadiretes l’Ardenya. The road north leads to Sant Feliu de Guíxols and the road heading south to Lloret de Mar. In the town you’ll find a medieval castle, called Vila Vella, which lies on the edge of the beach. At the foot of the medieval walls of the castle is the old port of the village. Tossa de Mar is one of most beautiful cities and very popular by tourists.

Empuriabrava
This town is located in the gulf of Roses and is part of the municipality of Castelló d’Empúries. Empuriabrava is also called “small Venice”, because you’ll find more than 23 kilometer of waterways. Rent a boat and navigate through the canals of Empuriabrava. The original plan was to build a water way to the town of Figueres, but to avoid damage to the landscaping of Aiguamolls de l’Empordá was decided not to build it. Empuriabrava is very popular by tourist from Germany and France.

Besides apartments you might also consider renting a Costa Brava villa, especially if you’re traveling with a group.

Introduction
There was a time in the not too distant past where families could rely on a camping holiday to save money. But with budget holidays, reductions for last minute bookings and the influx of affordable hotels and next-to-nothing hostels popping up, is a camping holiday any less expensive than say a week in a Barcelona hostel.

Of course there are many things to take into consideration. Camping trips in Europe for example have become increasingly popular among Brits since the introduction of the Euro, as the sterling pound does not stretch as far as it used to. And although the cost of campsites in Europe average around the same price as a cheap hostel, would you rather have the privacy of your own tent or sleep on bunk beds sharing a room with 11 or more strangers, at least one of whom will snore.

Camping Equipment on a Budget
What you must also consider, particularly if you are on a tight budget to begin with, is the cost of equipment. If you already own at least a tent and sleeping bag, buying equipment is not so much of a concern for you, but if you are starting from scratch, it could pose a few monetary problems. Remember though that camp equipment can be used for many years so you are making an investment. Before you rush out and buy everything however, consider whether camping is really for you. If you like creature comforts but are repelled by the thought of crawling out into morning dew it´s not for you.

Airbeds make sleeping comfortable, a gas stove is a necessity, together with torch, water canister, tin or plastic plates and a first aid kit, but other than that everything you need for camping is probably already in your house. Blankets, pans, cutlery, matches, a sharp knife, water proofs, tin and bottle openers do not have to be speciality items for your first camping trip. Alternatively look on the Internet for used camping equipment for sale.

Camping Rentals
You may even consider staying in a caravan, and particularly if you are holidaying overseas, check whether the campsite has camping tents for hire. Camping is so popular these days that specialist campsites offer luxury tents and the latest advancements in eco-friendly camping facilities, though these sites are more expensive than traditional ones.

If saving money is a priority for your camping trip, make sure you don´t pay for hidden expenses when booking your camping holiday online. Some “package” holidays either booked through tour operators or directly with the campsite have hidden charges included in the total cost such as Kiddies Clubs when you have no children or towel hire when you´ve packed half your airing cupboard.
Another almighty cost saver when you go camping as opposed to a city break is the number of activities you can do when you get there for little or at no extra cost. One of the most expensive things about holidays is not the cost of getting there, but the amount you spend when you´re there. It´s often the case that hostel travellers do nothing for most days of the week because of the expense accrued in a city.

When camping however, you are in the great outdoors and nature doesn´t cost anything to enjoy. Where there is a campsite there is nearly always, hiking trails, bike trails and water sport activities. Swimming costs nothing, nor does trekking other than maybe a nominal fee for a map. If you don´t have your own bikes or canoes they are not expensive to hire and fishing permits are also affordable.

So with a bit of creativity a well-planned camping holiday will save you money and can be a lot of fun!

Wales sits on the isle of Great Britain as part of the United Kingdom. On the borders lies England to the east and the Irish Sea to the west. In between is a wealth of countryside and history. Wales is a place you could visit for a night, a weekend or weeks and still never see it all. Take a quick peek at some of what Wales has to offer those seeking a fun Wales experience.

Get Back to Nature with Farm Stay Wales

Farms are where visitors can go to get a glimpse of the traditional Welsh ways. Farms Stay Wales is a membership of farms that opens the doors to travelers looking to spend a weekend getting back to nature. Many of the farmhouses serve as bed and breakfast establishments. During your stay, you can visit the local attractions, like national parks, but the true spirit of the country is on the farm and in the nearby towns. Many of the small communities still speak the native Welsh language and practice all the traditional customs.

Farm Stay Wales is an opportunity for historians to see the ancient architecture in towns, like St. David’s or Fishguard. A two-day Farm Stay Wales vacation might consist of one day enjoying nature and one exploring the Welsh traditions; all built around picturesque farm houses and native Welsh families.

Get Active with Coasteering

One key feature to see in Wales is the massive coastline. This is the place an active traveler can find some fun. Coasteering means moving along a section of the Wales coastline in whatever way you can find. You can coasteer in the water swimming or stay on the rocky edge and just hike. The only thing important about coasteering is that you are moving along the coast at sea-level.

Wales has miles and miles of coast for you to travel. Popular spots for coasteering activities include the Isle of Anglesey, Gower Pennisular and Pembrokeshire. Each has a different sea cliff view, beaches for rest and sunning and sea caves to explore.

Check out High Elevations on the Welsh Mountains

Wales is home to more than just farms and coasts. It is where you will find two of the highest mountain peaks in the United Kingdom. In fact, there are multiple mountain ranges to see while traveling through the country. The best place to find them is at one of the three national parks.

Snowdonia sits on the west coast and has 100 lakes and 90 peaks along with beaches and moors. In total, the park covers 823 square miles, all built around England’s highest mountain. Inside the park, you find picturesque villages for weekend stays such as Betws Y Coed and Beddgelert. You can explore the history of Wales at the study center or take a hike on one of the mountain trails.

Brecon Beacons National Park gives you a breathtaking view of the natural sand bluffs – 470 million years in the making. The Beacons is a place for activity. You can walk or bike along some of the most vivid and lush landscapes in Wales. In total, the park covers 519 square miles and contains the Black Mountains, FforestFawr, or Great Forrest, and dozens of walking, cycling and horse trails.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is a distinctive venue that covers primarily coastland. The park expanse is 240 square miles along the west coast of Wales. This is the place to go if you want to enjoy the beaches and water during a hiking or biking weekend trip.

Get Nostalgic with Historic Castles

Wales has more than just the outdoor life to offer a traveler. Wales has history. Part of that history is found in one of the dozens of castles seated in the Wales countryside. For a medieval adventure, visit the 30-acre Caerphilly Castle with its massive gatehouse. Those looking for a fright can spend a day or weekend exploring Bodelwyddan Castle and, if you’re lucky, see the occasional apparition floating through the corridors. Wales offers castles that are full of romance, history and scenery. The castles can provide a distinctive weekend of fun for the adventurous.

Get Crafty at Local Craft Centers

Wales offers landscape and history, but it is the people who make it the place to see. Sitting amidst the sights and sounds of the lands are centers and workshops where local craftsman sell their wares. You can see contemporary art at Craft in the Bay in Cardiff or shop for more traditional works in Caerwys, Flintshire. Throughout Wales, there are niche centers that showcase the talent of the locals. You can spend a weekend hopping through two or three different locals or take in one the workshops and try making something with you own two hands.

In Wales, visitors have a chance to see beaches, climb mountains, learn about the medieval history and appreciate the local artistic talent. In this one little piece of the United Kingdom, you can fill a lifetime of weekends.

Andy Johnson is an avid traveler and content creator for a local satellite tv company and lavender world.

From Belfast to Derry/Londonderry I’m so happy we did it. We were visiting Belfast, Northern Ireland for just 3-4 days.

It’s not enough time to fully enjoy this lovely city of Belfast! Just a walk through the river and a visit to the Belfast Museum occupied one full day. And then there are pubs, parks, the St. George’s Market… Wait, this post isn’t about Belfast. I’ll take you to an even more interesting and less popular place. Let’s go to Derry/Londonderry! We did it last year.

We just went there from Belfast in a single day by the train. It’s a lovely day trip for anyone who lives or stays in Belfast. If you are not familiar with the history of Northern Ireland you may wonder why I always write “Derry/Londonderry”. Well, this is the actual name of the city because the Irish nationalists and unionists can’t agree on a single name.

If you are interested to know more about this, there is an entire page on Wikipedia dedicated to the name dispute. It’s quite a dispute, you see. How to get there Getting to Derry/Londonderry from Belfast is very easy. Just take the train like we did – the journey is around 2 hours and the price is very affordable especially if you leave Belfast after 9.30 AM. You can also take the bus. I recommend you the train not only because it’s more comfortable but also because you’ll go through the coastal line. At times the rails go just by the sea, or by high rocks, or by a waterfall. The train journey itself is worth the experience.

If by any chance you have more time I think it’s a wise idea to drop at some of the towns on the Belfast-Derry line. Ballymena, Coleraine and Castlerock all look like lovely British towns, and each one is worth a visit for a day. We didn’t have this time so we went straight to Derry/Londonderry.

As you might have guessed by the name dispute, Derry/Londonderry is one of the hot spots of the troubled past of Northern Ireland. Even now famous guides like Wikitravel publish warnings saying that going to the city might be dangerous. We didn’t see any danger there except the two drunks at the rail station. But they were dangerous only to themselves. (This does not mean you shouldn’t be cautious however.)

The troubled past of the city has inspired the creation of the famous Derry City Murals – political and social murals on the walls of many buildings. The most interesting ones are at the entrance of Bogside and are visible from the old city wall. We went even closer near the entrance of Bogside where you can see them really well and take photos. Entering Bogside is not recommended especially at night. The old city wall is entirely preserved and goes through the entire central part of Derry/Londonderry giving you the opportunity to see the city and the neighborhoods. By foot you can walk over the entire wall in about 30-40 minutes or so. Perhaps Derry/Londonderry won’t be your entry point if you visit Northern Ireland for tourism. But it would be a shame to visit Northern Ireland and not go there for at least a day.

Are you interested in more ideas for “off the beaten track” trips? Check my backpackers blog where you can find out about the New Zealand Magic Bus and other great trips.

A weekend break in New York is certainly doable and for those on the go this can be the best way to experience such an action packed city. Flying from London to New York takes just 7 hours and if you time your flights accordingly there is no reason why you can’t wake up in New York on a Saturday morning and, after a couple of days of rapid fire sightseeing, touchdown in the UK early on Monday morning… just in time for work!

Top Attractions for a Whistle Stop Tour
If you’ve never been to New York before you’ll certainly want to make the most of your Saturday and stop off at all the top attractions synonymous with the big apple. Using Sunday to take in the culture and atmosphere is many people’s preferred option as they recover from the night before visiting the many attractions and venues that make New York the city that never sleeps.
The following should be on every first time visitor’s hit list for a whistle stop tour of the city.

Manhattan Skyline from the Empire State Building

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The iconic Empire state building is the gateway to one of the most spectacular views in the city. Gazing over the parks, buildings and waterways around the island many people feel a strong familiarity when they start to recognise the spectacular cityscape seen in so many popular movies. To reach the view you’ll take an elevator up, 1,050 feet, to the 86th floor when you will find the observation deck. Situated at 350 Fifth Avenue the Empire State Building, constructed in 1931, is the tallest building in New York and provided a beautiful panorama on the city sights below. The Empire State Building stays open late and many people like to visit whilst the sun is going down or later on when the lights of the city are shining.

Statue of Liberty

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Possibly the single thing most synonymous with New York the Statue of Liberty guides you into the city as you arrive and waves you goodbye as you leave. A historical landmark, which has been around for more than 125 years, the Statue of Liberty is certainly worth the short ferry ride to Ellis Island. A close up view is all most people want and currently this is the most you can get with the statue being closed until October 2012 whilst security improvements are made.

Central Park
The lungs of the city; Central Park is a massive 843 acres sitting smack bang in the middle of Manhattan Island. There are mini lakes, rolling hills and a great selection of walking paths to follow around the park. You’ll find plenty to keep you occupied as you stroll around Central Park, maybe on a Sunday morning, with memorials, the Zoo, Belvedere Castle and an ice rink to keep you busy.

Times Square
The place to be on New Year’s Eve is also alive with activity every night of the year. Times Square, lit up by the glowing bulbs of the large billboards that adorn the surrounding buildings, has much to offer including access to the must see performances to be found on Broadway, the wax works of Madame Tussauds and some fine dining.

To book your New York holiday now take a look at the deals to be had on American Sky.

London is an ideal destination to spend action packed weekends. Staying in nearby cities offers many opportunities for travellers to spend weekends according to their tastes. London has a lot of options for every visitor.

Visitors will have a choice of accommodation options including apartments and staying at a London hotel. There are a variety of holiday packages and sightseeing opportunities available for weekends. It is one of the best short break destinations for couples, singles and families alike.

You can select your kind of short break in London from a variety of activity types.

A Luxury Day Out in London

Indulge yourself in the best weekend ever with stunning restaurants, lavish spas and more.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast in order to prepare for the whole day luxurious pursuits. Visitors love to have the first meal of the day on the fifth floor of Harvey Nichols. The cafe overlooks Knightsbridge rooftops. Browse through the designer shops in the area. Few of the popular names are Tiffany & Co, Prada and Armani.

Head to Selfridges on the Bond Street for a luxury shopping experience. Wonder Room is the awesome place to be with high-end pieces and numerous unique items.

Shopping cannot wind up in few hours and this is the reason that suddenly you realise that it is already lunch time. A few minutes from Selfridges is Claridge’s offering Gordon Ramsay. Enjoy modern European cuisine in Art Deco aura.

Put your feet up at one of the luxury spa treatments in central London. Agua at Sanderson Hotel is a nice choice to make.

End your day with a show at Royal Albert Hall that is synonymous with Victorian splendour and hosts numerous events. A dinner at Bistro One Ninety at The Gore Hotel will be perfect.

A Day Our for Foodies
With stunning markets and some of the best restaurants on the globe, the capital city is surely a paradise for food lovers.

Sketch is one of the best eateries just off Regents Park. Master-chef Pierre Gagnaire is known for his Michelin starred restaurant in Paris. Have a sumptuous breakfast at Parlour Room.

Take a train or tube to London Bridge. Your will find borough Market under the railway arches. This is a perfect destination for foodies.

A foodie day out is incomplete if you merely focus on the meals and not on drinks. Your weekend break should include Vinopolis that offers a selection of wine tasting tours. The place lies a short distance away from Borough Market.

London is home to numerous Michelin-starred restaurants for dinner parties.

A Day out with Royal Attractions
Nothing can beat the royal weekend break in London. With steeping history, the city brags world-famous royal landmarks to allure travellers.

Start your day with a visit to top royal attractions like Buckingham Palace, the official home of the Queen. August and September months will offer you an opportunity to tour around the State Rooms. A visit to Tower of London is a way to relish a bloodthirsty morning as the fortress has some gruesome events in his history books.

Stop for lunch and have a royal meal at The Orangery in Kensington Palace. This is a beautiful 18th century structure and you can even enjoy a meal at the terrace if weather allows.

Spend your afternoon at Kensington palace and Gardens. It is a great delight to browse the bedroom of Queen Victoria, King George I’s staircase and long King’s Gallery.

You can end your royal dinner at Fortnum and Mason.

Select the way you want to spend your weekend break in London. Have a fun-filled trip in the royal city.

Author Bio: Abhinav Jain writes for Londonhotels4u.com. Select your kind of a London hotel for a weekend break to London.