travel – FLAWLESS EMPRESS TRAVEL

Pet Friendly Hotels

All of you who love your pooches and never wish to leave your puppies when vacating then look no further there is a chain of hotels that allow you to bring your pet along with you on your UK breaks.

First of all there are numerous benefits to bringing your pet away with you, no pet sitting fees, knowing that your dog is comfortable and having a fun time with you whilst away and of course they’re not missing you therefore more contentment for you pet.

You may have never thought of it before or you may take your pet away with you regularly whether you are a newbie or an accustomed to staying away with your pet you will be glad to know that Britannia Hotels do offer a pet friendly service and with 48 hotels to choose from you will surely be able to find an ideal retreat whether it be a fine country hotel or a beach resort. It will be an easy process for you and your pet however I have listed some pet etiquette guidance below.

Please see the pet friendly procedure for bringing your your pet with you to Britannia Hotels: https://www.britanniahotels.com/pet-friendly-hotels

There a few notes to make dogs are charged at £10 for first night and £25 for the stay, they are not allowed in the restaurant area and hotels do not provide food for pets. Please see link above for more rules and procedures. You may also want to look at pet etiquette tips online if you have never travelled with a pet before. So what are you waiting for book your pet friendly stay today, please click link below.

Canary Islands, Tenerife

Tony Higset, Fanabe Beach Tenerife
Copyright: CC-BY-SA 3.0

Summer is calling and what better way to spend a week away than visiting the Canary Islands which should be on everybody’s bucket list, whether a young or experienced traveller, this holiday destination has it all. From snorkelling & scuba diving to mountainous volcanoes. There will be certainly something for everybody to enjoy whether that be having shrimp and a glass of vino by the beach, shopping, or visiting the zoo. The Islands have a lot to offer.

So where do we start exploring of these seven Canary Islands, let’s start with Tenerife, a warm island both in nature and temperature. A great place to stay are the Royal Palm Apartments, Los Cristianos which are private hosted apartments and you can book via trip advisor. If you are looking for a nice relaxed romantic getaway, this is surely a great apartment, it is located at he top of a small hill therefore the views are fabulous especially when sitting on a balcony at sunrise or sunset. It is a very quiet located close to the beach.

Creator: Diego Delso
Copyright: CC-BY-SA 3.0

There are many bars and restaurants in Los Cristianos and if it is nightlife you are looking for Los America’s is only a ten minute walk via the beach. The monkey zoo is a day excursion which can be booked via trip advisor and if you love monkeys this zoo has a enclosure with which you can literally walk through with the monkeys by your side. There is a local aqua park for the children and a local market which you can take a coach tour from your hotel, the Los Cristianos market offers lots of unique handmade crafts.

If you feel a little more on the adventurous side then why not visit Mount Tiede where you can climb an historic, active volcanoes. The drive up to the top of the volcanoe is most spectacular with far fetching views that surpass expectations, it is not for the faint hearted as the elevation is nearly 4,000 metres high. You can also choose to hike Mount Tiede, the highest peak in Spain but a permit is required of which you can apply at Mount Tiede National Park. Once you arrive at the top of Mount Tiede on the coach tour there are numerous experiments and a fine dining option.

There are boat tours and dolphin excursions which you can purchase by the hour, of which can take place on the catamarans or other smaller boats which will take you out for hours on the sea. Depending on the excursion time some even include a spot of light lunch and if you are lucky you might even spot a great white. If sun, sea, and sangria is what you are hoping for then the Canary Islands are a must.

Peak District National Park, Eyam and Castleton

Rick Harrison, Grinds Book, Kinder Scout

All you need on a nice summers evening is a fire pit, and a nice view, if it is hiking breaks that interest you then look no further beacause the Peak District National Park has all you need to fulfill your zest for life. There are many guided walking tours available and you could also enjoy a walk on your own or a group depending on the level of terrain. The Edale to Mamtor Tour circular is approximately 8 miles. You can find more about walking tours here: https://www.myguidedwalks.co.uk.

A walk which Is historically profound involves spendings time in the historical village of Eyam, a small village which in 1600’s where a plague broke out in 1665-1666 and Eyam villagers quarantined themselves for a year. The plague was concentrated in London but spread to this little village where there were only 87 survivors and recent studies have shown that the survivors survived because they had a genetic mutation known as delta 32. A great starting point from a learning perspective would be to visit the Eyam museum https://www.eyam-museum.org.uk.

To a much more exciting prospect there are numerous places to visit such as the Peak Cliff Cavern which is famous around the world for its collection of Blue Johnstone and is home to some of the most alluring cave formations in the U.K and is home to a gift shop where you can buy some Blue John stone in the form of jewellery. It’s deposits are over 250 million years old.In 1865 the first ever underground photo was taken here.

Pieces of Blue John at Treak Cliff Cavern, Derbyshire, England. Andy Mabbett

If you would like to make the most of it an stay overnight there are numerous glamping sites with pods and pitch ups. I found the Peak pods in Bakewell an interestin choice with family sized pods and en suite bathrooms. These wooden pods will add that little bit of pizazz to you vacation. Campfires are allowed and there are electrical stations with bluetooth speaker and barbecue facilities. If you would like to browse please visit https://coolcamping.com/glamping/uk/england/east-midlands/derbyshire/bakewell/334-peak-pods# where you will surely be able to find a glamping facility that is extraordinarily different. You can also buy gift vouchers for an extra special treat.

Bakewell Camping pods: https://coolcamping.com/glamping/uk/england/east-midlands/derbyshire/bakewell/334-peak-pods#

If glamping is not your forte then there are many guest houses available, of a particular interest to me is high tea at one of the many tea rooms. Eyam Tea Rooms offers overnight apartments for stays also. If you are going to put your walking boots on and carpe diem. Then look no further the Peak District National Park has lots to offer. Please abide by rambling rules of courtesy whilst here and you will be sure to have an excellent time.

Pet Friendly Hotels

All of you who love your pooches and never wish to leave your puppies when vacating then look no further there is a chain of hotels that allow you to bring your pet along with you on your UK breaks.

Please see the pet friendly procedure for bringing your your pet with you to Britannia Hotels: https://www.britanniahotels.com/pet-friendly-hotels

Adamton Country House Hotel ~ Ayrshire Scotland

Set in an idyllic remote location is the Beautiful Adamton Country House Hotel which is set in 19 acres of immaculate grounds. Located near to Loch Lomond and surrounded by natural beauty.

If breathtaking scenery is what your holidays are all about with amazing views then try the prestige Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National park famous for its forest, lochs and glens set in 1865sq km, which is a great visit for walkers and wildlife enthusiasts

Adamton Country House Hotel has links to the late Elvis Presley who on tour touched down at the local Prestwick airport which is close by and stopped at the hotel to telephone his wife Precilla Presley. There is a great photo opportunity for tourists and Elvis fans alike.

Why not try trumps impressive golf course which is approx 21 miles away. Donald’s Trumps golf course is located in Ayrshire, the Tunberry Golf course has been owned by the Trump family since 2014. Trump has links to Scotland via heritage, if Golf is your forte there are many golf course close to Adamton Country House. The very first British Golf open Championship was hosted at Prestwick golf course in 1860, located 4 miles away.

Adamton Country House Hotel was built in 1865 as a country house for William Baird. It was built in the Jacobean style which was not unusual for this era and has a number of distinctive features. In 1942 the house was requisitioned for the war efforts and later became an officers club from 1951-1967. In 1987 it was bought by British Aerospace and became a Flying Training School. It officially opened in 2002 as a hotel.ttp://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB52302,52302 cc

If shopping is what you love to do then Largs is located about one hours drive along the Ayrshire Coast. There are many local shops which sell the Arran wool which Scotland is famous for. You can be sure to spor a nice coat or scarf. There are a couple of bars on the sea front but if you venture in the winter the tides are in and the wins are quite fierce. However if you wish to buy your spouse a nice gift, there are a couple of ecclecict jewellery and gift stores.

On your way home why not stop at the infamous wedding destination which has a tourist gift shops and is home to Gretna Green which is known for young love to be married here at the mere age of 17. Glasgow is also a drive away which is Scotland’s Capital City which is host to the Glasgow Christmas markets and an array of attractions, shops and bars.

The bar at the hotel is superb and the staff are excellent, the breakfast is self service and there are a choice of options on the menu each evening. The rooms have views of the grounds and you are sure to be welcomed.

Chester & Queens Hotel

The entrance is enticing with magnificent splendour as you walk through the revolving doors into the lobby. At first glance you can feel a certain ‘je nai said quos’. Eagerly anticipating the stay, after a late 3pm checkin, we headed up the grandiose stairs surounded by artwork and statutes pertaining to royalty, the fitting statue of Genghus Kahn was monumental to say the least. With statues surrounding the venue, the royal courtyard and a wedding suite to match. This would surely be a hotel to look at on a wedding venue list.

What a fabulous city and a stunning hotel, this 4* beauty is located just a 5 minute drive from the centre. Close to the railway station near to the canal. A walk up the canal will bring you to Chester River Cruises at mill point, which entails a three course dinner and music on a river cruise on a beautiful setting. Not a far walk is the old hakers arms, set on the riverside is a casual setting for a spot of brunch or afternoon lunch. A cool atmosphere on a hot summers afternoon.

If you take a stroll down the canal you will arrive at Chester Shopping centr and Chester Walls. Chester is a stunning city which has a lot to offer. Chesters shopping district is Upmarket with a great range of shops and a couple of bars, not to mention the famous Royal Ascot which is within walking distance, the Queen even races her horses here.

Due south is Chester Cathedral which is free to enter and even offers a Swarovski crystal last supper masterpiece. The cathedral is spacious and shrouded in history, you will be sure to enhance your knowledge with a visit here and if you need a last minute gift or two, the Chester Cathedral souvenir shop is the best place to buy ornaments, stones, beads and much more. The pieces are made with love, light and good intentions at heart.

LONDON CALLING

Today we take a tour of London, England’s capital city. With an array of culture at your fingertips this is sure to be crossed off the bucket list. From Buckingham Palace where the Queen herself is enthroned, to Trafalgar Square, a tourist hotspot close to the tube.

A walk to 10 downing street, the Prime Ministers abode is surely on your to do list. Boris himself could even make an appearance, if you miss Boris at his Prime Ministers residence you can be sure to see him and the roayals at Madame Tussaud’s, an excellent and vast array of celebrity waxworks are avalable and its perfect for a picture moment. For young and old alike you are sure to see your favourite hollywood icon or superhero. A totally interactive experience that should not be missed.

Why not hop on the tube with direct links Hyde park with picnic baskets at the ready as with all of the exploring you are sure to be wanting a bite to eat. If you arrive early you are sure to catch the changing of the royal house guards and may even catch a parade of the Calvary possibly on the mall if there is a royal ceremony of course.

Ok, that’s enough excitement for the day, or is it? Why not head to the entrance of Hyde Park, after the picnic of course and hop onto a tour bus (prebook here) for a day/ weekend pass which you can hop on and off the tour bus at any tourist destination places you have only seen on the monopoly board. Last but not least if you are not the picnic type then you may prefer to head to Chelsea or Mayfair to the many bars and restaurants available.

#London #Tussauds #Buckingham palace