Travel Vacations tips

Archive for January, 2010

Planning A Trip This Summer? Why Not Consider Coach Travel?

There are various ways to get to your holiday destination this summer. But with all the advantages of coach travel including low costs increased comfort and the ability to see more why choose any other means of travelling?

Anyone who opts for coach travel this summer is in for a range of pleasant surprises including the opportunity to get more out of their trip. For instance while coach travel may take longer than travelling by aeroplane it also allows you to see more along the way. You can sit back relax and enjoy the scenery of surrounding towns and countryside. Moreover coach travel is typically less expensive than either planes or trains so if you’re trying to cut corners on the overall cost of your holiday coach travel is the way to go.

But just because coach travel is cheaper doesn’t mean comfort is compromised. In fact coach travel can be much more relaxing than either planes or trains. To begin with coaches tend to have a lower likelihood of experiencing delays which are almost inevitable with lowcost airlines. And in terms of comfort on your trip many modern coaches are now fitted with roomy leather seats and panoramic windows for you to enjoy the views. Coaches also take frequent breaks in rest areas so you’ll be able to stretch your legs on a regular basis. And you’ll even be able to find coach services which offer passengers free onboard WiFi access so you can take your laptop with you to work or simply surf the internet during your journey.

Another advantage of coach travel is that you won’t have to manoeuvre around ‘peak time’ prices which is often the case with plane and train fares. You can find various coach companies which offer the same price for a journey no matter what time you travel. So you can book your travel ticket based on what’s most convenient for you not the price of the ticket. Moreover arranging coach travel is simple with options to book via the web over the phone or in person.

There are many coach operators like National Express which travel to countless destinations across the UK and Europe. So no matter where you’re planning to go this summer you’ll have the perfect means of getting there. Moreover if you book your transport early you’ll usually be able to bag some great deals on tickets meaning your holiday travel will be even cheaper. After all with optimum comfort fantastic views and unbeatable deals what’s not to love about coach travel?

About the writer:  Adam Singleton is an online freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer from Scotland. His interests include travelling and hiking.

The City In The Heart Of The Natural Gas Fields

Groningen is the capital city of the province of Groningen in the Netherlands.Today it is an important industrial and commercial centre. The city sits at the heart of one of the world’s largest natural gas fields. This region has a largely flat terrain and agriculture is the main occupation.

The Heerestraat is Groningen’s biggest shopping street and all the famous brands and shops can be found there. A more recent shopping area is Westerhaven and for those more unusual purchases try the Folkingestraat or the Oude Kijk in t Jastraat. Once the cornerstone of Jewish Groningen the Folkingestraat is now one of the most diverse shopping streets in town. Nearly every day is market day in the city.

The city centre boasts no fewer than on hundred and sixty bars cafes and discotheques and scores of openair terraces on which to enjoy a summer evening.
Grote Markt is the main square of the city.

The Grote Markt the Vismarkt the Poelestraat and Peperstraat are crowded at night especially on Thursdays and Fridays when some bars do not close until 7 in the morning. Nightlife centre is not very big but offers plenty choice for everyone.Groningen’s nightlife is due its students population and cultural scene.

Groningen’s Flower is on every Good Friday when Dutch flowers are at their best a long row of market stalls winds through the centre of Groningen for the flower market with it fantastic cacophony of colour and smells.

The train station was built in 1896 and designed by L. Gosschalk. Its Jugendstil. In the 60s the building was renovated and rebuilt to the standards of the time.

Groninger Museum is an attractively designed modern building. We spent a few hours looking through the exhibits there are 3 floors to the museum and the exhibits are all attractively displayed. Exhibits included photography paintings and an exhibition called Services and Silver an exhibition of silverware dominated by tea and coffee cups and related works

The Gold Office is located just behind the Town Hall. It was constructed in 1635 and was originally intended for use as a tax office. Over the years the building has seen many uses having been a test bureau for gold and silver works a naval museum and a home for the tourist office. Today the building houses a restaurant. The paint work has been restored to the original colours red ochre and gold colour scheme.

About the writer:  Douglas Scott writes and works for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Groningen Rental Site

Restaurants In Korat City

Korat is not a major tourist destination and there are relatively few expats living in this area of Thailand so please do not expect an overwhelming selection of restaurants which serve western style food.

I would however like to point out that there are definitely a number of excellent restaurants in town which are well worth visiting. If you ever do visit Korat then please do try and visit one of the excellent establishment listed down below.

Chez Andy

This well known Swiss Chef operates restaurants in both Koh Samui as well as in Nakhon Ratchasima. His local establishment is located within walking distance of the ever so popular night market and serves high quality European and Asian dishes. It is also one of the only venues in the area where you can get high quality Japanese beef and it is also home to one of the best wine collections in town.

Dr. Pizza

I really enjoy good pizzas and if you are looking for a place which offers them then do visit Dr. Pizza which is located on the outskirts of town in the Choho area. It has a proper Italian brick style wood oven and the owner uses only the best and freshest ingredients. What I also like about this dining venue is the fact that it has a lovely and relaxing terrace where you can sit and enjoy a nice cold drink and a bite to eat.

Amporn Restaurant

My favorite place for European food is Amporn which is also located in the center of Korat. This lovely dining establishment is owned by another Swiss fellow and Gaston certainly knows how to spoil his customers. They also have a large screen where you can watch live sporting events and they also have daily live folk music.

The Frog

One of the newest restaurants in town is The Frog. It is owned and managed by a Thai chef who worked in various leading New York hotels. The menu offers both Thai and European dishes and the price to quality relationship is simply outstanding. It is open daily from 10:30 until 20:30.

Big Chili

One of the most popular places in town is Big Chili which is the only Mexican restaurant in the region. Although the eatery is owned by a Thai couple the food is surprisingly authentic and outstanding.

About the writer:  James is travel consultant living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for information about Phuket then be sure to visit his Phuket guide which includes an excellent section on Phuket Activities.