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July 23rd, 2010Buying and relaxation in London
July 22nd, 2010As Peter and I went to bed earlier the previous evening, we had a good and sound rest and managed to wake up very early on the next day. We’d a great breakfast in our London flat terrace and right after 2 cups of hot coffee we headed towards the Oxford Street, at the Westminster area. I have to say that i am very grateful that my life partner enjoys shopping, as I realize most of other guys dislike this.
Therefore, along with Peter hand in hand, we visited a number of major department shops, and also manufacturer stores. We invested most time in Selfridges – the 2nd largest shop in the UK, and Marks & Spencer retailer shop where we bought a few clothing. Peter also visited the large Nike store, whilst I examined the brand new collection of Zara.
With hands full with bags we used the subway to our London holiday apartment, where we had a quick nap and a shower. In the early afternoon we went to see the St. Paul’s Cathedral which was close to our holiday flat in London and after that went to the Hyde Park where we enjoyed the whole afternoon, because it was too hot to go on visiting sites trips.
Our final night in London was very nice. Peter discovered a little and really romantic eating place, where we had a meal and a few glasses of wine. Following that we proceeded for a stroll along the south bank of the Thames River. It turned out this is very a nice place at night with lots of street performers, traditional pubs and cafes. The area is also great for making photos, which we did and for relaxation and contemplating the river and the party boats floating by. After that we crossed the river using the Tower Bridge and took the metro back to our London holiday flat.
One day at London museums and galleries
July 21st, 2010We had an excellent rest at the London flat and on the next morning Peter woke me up with a light breakfast and a hot cup of coffee and we been able to make plans for the remainder of the day. We had a good guide and made a wonderful stroll to the British Museum, where we decided to be our first stop. This specific museum absolutely astonished me with its amazing variety of objects. Peter read that there were shown approximately seven mil art pieces that originate from all continents. He liked most the initial reading room, which is right now surrounded by the Great Court. We devote good time in every one of the departments in the British Museum and my favourite one became the Department of Africa, Oceania and Americas, while Peter loved most the Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan. Because it was already lunchtime, we dined at the museum onsite dining place and the meal was great and at a sensible cost.
Soon after lunch time we went to the National Gallery, which is placed at the Trafalgar Square, near the Nelson’s column with its 4 lions at its bottom. Just before stepping into the gallery we created some pictures of the monument of this great soldier. Peter said that it is here that locals rejoice the New Year’s Eve and promised that we will return one day to be part of this party as well.
At the National Gallery we discovered pictures from amazing artists such as Cezanne, Giotto, Velazquez, Titian, etc. Peter recommended we ought to purchase a few souvenirs for friends and loved ones from the gallery’s shop and we did so, which turned to be a great idea, as afterwards everyone liked the present.
Our last stop for the day was the Tate Gallery, in which we saw some present-day art pieces. The day was very prolonged and tiring, so we spend the evening in our London holiday dwelling and went out just for a small walk immediately after dinner prepared by me.
Honeymoon time in London
July 20th, 2010After Peter bought me a ring for engagement in the Greek capital a year ago, I had no clue that things will advance so rapidly and I appeared to be very astounded once he said to me that he wants us to organize the wedding ceremony as soon as possible, without any delay. Therefore, we started planning the wedding ceremony and I spend some days reserving the honeymoon as well, as Peter was extremely busy with work. When I recommended London as our first family getaway, he told me this isn’t the typical romantic getaway, however when we went there he was disproved.
I enjoy to go to London, as I adore its fantastic setting, the friendliness of the locals, the fantastic memorials and the active cultural life. This was my 3rd time in the capital of the United kingdom, but first for my husband Peter. Just as we arrived at our London residence and left the bags, we had a quick sleep and went for a stroll. We had many days and nights to spend here, so we weren’t in a hurry. That very first day I took Peter to the Tower of London, one of the key sights of the city, set on the northern bank of Thames River. We needed an hour and thirty minutes to look at the exhibit there and make photos, then we went out, bought fish’n’chips with beer and sat on a bench, eating and looking at the Tower Bridge, which I find one of the most fascinating places in this large city.
Peter loved it in London and particularly enjoyed our walk down to the Big Ben and the Westminster Abbey. Since we were quite worn out after that long walk we made, we took the subway and went back to our London city holiday apartment where we had the opportunity to take a long sleep and a shower, before we went out for a nice evening meal in the area, as well as a stop by to the London Eye where we saw the city flooded with lights from above.
Dining out with your kids in the capital of Scotland
July 19th, 2010We were dwelling in a pleasant and completely set Edinburgh residential home placed in the centre of the Scottish main city and my wife usually made the breakfast, however in the course of the day we were out and kids wished to try the fast-food obtainable. Of course my spouse was against that and to be honest me too, since we insist on giving our children with ecological and organic meals, thus we did our very best to get them veggies and fresh fruits as well and therefore to compensate the sandwiches bought on the street.
We avoided the eating places along the downtown zone, the Grassmarket area and the Royal Castle, because we have read they might be very pricey since they are oriented directly to the vacationers, but we enjoyed to dine out in the West End area and the Leith area. In the evenings we generally visited the pubs down the pedestrian Rose Street that goes parallel to the Princes Street and that offers lots of cafes offering great food. These pubs were further close to our Edinburgh accommodation too and this made the walk back easy and quick, which helped when the children were tired and falling asleep in our hands.
We frequently ordered fish and chips, deep fried pizza which is a true Scottish delight. I was into the Black Pudding that is deep fried and is good with draught beer, while my spouse preferred the haggis meal, also deep fried.
Needless to say, I wished to go to a bar or two, but with the kids this was difficult to accomplish. Therefore, I bought a lot of beer from the supermarket, stored it in the fridge and with my wife we enjoyed a few drinks on the terrace of our Edinburgh property soon after the kids when to bed.
Edinburgh for children
July 18th, 2010After the festive days, I was accompanied by my lady and little ones and we all got accommodated in a larger Edinburgh vacation apartment, yet again set in the central area of the destination and providing much more facilities and extras as opposed to studio residence in Edinburgh I had been renting during the festival.
This was the very first time my wife and I brought the kids with us and I was scared they might be bored, however actually it ended up that the Scottish capital is a great spot for kids, since it’s simple to walk around and has numerous sights and amusement places to keep them entertained.
Throughout our family trip we were taking it easy, got a lot of rest, nice breakfasts in our vacation dwelling in Edinburgh and still had plenty of hours to enjoy the sights. The places we brought our kids to included the Royal Mile, where our kids played around the alleys between the Holyroodhouse Palace and the Castle which they loved to explore. Another landmark they liked a good deal was the Arthur’s Seat, where we made an open-air picnic with the sandwiches my spouse made and spend some time contemplating the nature and the town beneath.
On another day we visited the Camera Obscura at the Outlook Tower, where the boys enjoyed the periscope and searched for the sites around Edinburgh. The same day there was rainfall in the afternoon and we spent it at the Museum of Childhood where the kids were satisfied by the antique games and toys.
The last 2 days we’d in the city we spent in the Edinburgh Zoo, which is outside the centre but still easy to get at from our Edinburgh holiday accommodation and in the Princes Street Gardens where the children had so much space to run and have fun.
Fun days in the capital of Scotland
July 17th, 2010I adore celebrations and that’s why Edinburgh is the city I adore. The very first time I have been to it was many years ago, after that I haven’t missed a summer. This year I travelled for the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August and as usual I accommodated myself in an Edinburgh short stay apartment I have picked several months ago, as I knew the organization of the accommodation throughout the event days wasn’t possible.
My vacation home in Edinburgh was located in the center, close to all tourist destinations and the specific zones where the festive days took place. I was fascinated to find out about the fresh literature tendencies and to hear excerpts from books that were meant to be bestsellers. The training courses were quite interesting as well, but almost all of my free hours were spent in the massive bookselling tent where I acquired several novels from the authors presented on the event and then waited for signing tables to exchange a few words with the authors I was mostly impressed by.
Right after a brief sleep and a dinner in my Edinburgh holiday apartment, I was ready to appreciate my most favorite time of the day and to get a pint at the Spiegeltent, where I took part in the open discussions during which I normally met numerous new friends.
The other celebration I like to visit is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival which is the largest alternative shows event on the globe, which celebrates fine art and music. This festival could be attended by everyone who wants to present oneself and one’s art. The art performances are being arranged in all theatres in the city, but as the competitors are many these activities could be organized in clubs, halls, etc. During the Fringe Festival there are further many free shows and exhibitions, which I want to go to too.
Visiting sites and eating out in Amsterdam
July 13th, 2010The final date in Amsterdam began well, since we woke up early and headed for a breakfast and a cup of coffee in the close by cafe that was a second aside from our Amsterdam flat. And then Michelle suggested we need to check out on a special trip, identified here as Walking Over Water Tour, that took more than three hours. The trip was really worth it, since we watched the old center of Amsterdam with the leaning homes and the sea dikes, and then we went towards hidden monasteries and the lost city walls. I was excited by the execution sites that were once used, while Michelle was amazed by the Red Light District in which we saw a few ladies positioned on show in store glass windows. At noon we had a light lunch at one of the many small restaurants along one of the lovely canals and we tested out a new local kind of beer that was really great but I do not remember its name.
In the afternoon we returned to our Amsterdam vacation dwelling, as it was very hot to keep outside. Following that we traveled to visit the Maritime Museum and the most ancient church in the city – Oude Kerk, but we left the windmills De Otter and De Gooyer for the next day, prior to the flight.
Afterwards on our final night in the main city of the Netherlands, we went to a stylish bistro that attracted us with its fluorescents lighting and captivating signs. The meal was great and so was the wine, that set us into the feeling of going to a club. Michelle loved the enchanting atmosphere of this spot and I was surprised by the friendliness of all these people. We had several beers and cocktails and enjoyed the music. Late at night we returned to our holiday apartment in Amsterdam and fell asleep instantly.
Time for museums and galleries in Amsterdam
July 9th, 2010Due to Michelle I got up the next morning by the scent of a hot cup of coffee and a good breakfast, that she created in the cooking area of our fitted Amsterdam apartment. This helped me a great deal, as I had a lot of beers the night before and to be honest, I am not used to that much alocohol consumption.
Michelle had organized this particular day for visiting the Amsterdam galleries and we went towards our first stop – the excellent Rijksmuseum, being the national museum of the state. The subsequent stop on our list was the specific Van Gogh Museum that maintains the greatest variety of art works globally from this excellent painter. This occurred to be my location in the city, nevertheless Michelle liked best the Amsterdam Tulip Museum with its multimedia presentations presenting the historical past of the tulip, that was close to the House of Anne Frank which we went to before that. The last place we discovered was the Sexmuseum.
I become really worn out from going to galleries, therefore I really loved the lunch which we had in one of the little eating places near the Van Gogh Museum. Right after the prolonged daytime I was truly happy to return to our Amsterdam getaway flat where we had a very good and sound sleep. When we got up, I proposed Michelle to visit a cozy restaurant close to a canal in the area, where we had a typical local dinner and had some beer. We agreed that Amsterdam is amongst the most stunning and romantic spots on the continent and is also a city of diversity and tolerance. We were looking at all these happy people, driving their bikes, going in and out of cafes and discussing everyday problems and in a way we felt as part of this. I think at that second we fell in love with the city and promised to return when we can.
First moments in Amsterdam
July 4th, 2010Michelle and I were with each other for 12 months by now but have not been on a true holiday. As a result, for the one-year celebration I wanted to surprise her and got seats for all of us for Amsterdam. Prior to accomplishing that I made a research and knew Michelle has not been there but the capital of the Netherlands was involved in her wish list.
As I expected, she was really happy and she couldn’t cease laughing and planning throughout the meal we had in one of the adjoining eateries. The instant we returned to our house she began exploring the internet and shortly she showed me a long list of sensibly charged Amsterdam flats for rent, which had excellent central position and were completely furnished and fitted. We selected one that most appealed to us concerning location, inner surface and price and completed the booking form. The next day we had a confirmation and began doing our visiting sites programme.
The town welcomed us sunlit and welcoming and we located our Amsterdam holiday apartment really quickly. Once we left the bags, Michelle took the map and we headed for a short stroll along the canals. I may say that the most pleasing spot in the main city of Netherlands is the old city, that is established in a kind of a semicircle with five waterways and the Main Station. We made various photos in the Rokin and Damark areas and the River Amstel. Actually, equally me and Michelle lost track of time, as we were strolling along the small narrow roads and were looking at the historic houses and the little islands, all linked by bridges. I was surprised how relaxing life is here and we liked that atmosphere while eating in a little restaurant, nicely organized with flowers. The beer in Amsterdam is excellent and I had a few more than I should have, so we went back to our Amsterdam apartment and immediately went to sleep.