Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland, in relation to the city’s population size. Since the mid 18th century Aberdeen’s buildings have been built using local grey granite and the city benefits from its sandy coastline. This has led to the city being nicknamed the Granite City and also the Silver City with the Golden Sands. However more recently the city has also gained the nicknames of the Oil Capital of Europe or the Energy Capital of Europe due to the discovery of oil in the North Sea. The city of Aberdeen has benefitted greatly from the oil industry and the support industries. Today the city is thoroughly modern and incredibly vibrant with a wild nighlife.

Aberdeen hotels are often inhabited by people visiting on business but also by many other types of folk keen to take advantage of the many tourist attractions Aberdeen has to offer. Below you will read details of three; Satrosphere Science Centre, Duthie Park Winter Gardens and Aberdeen Maritime Museum:

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Aberdeen’s Maritime Museum is found near to the harbor, at the legendary Shiprow. There are breathtaking sights across the harbour from the museum. The Maritime Museum occupies a small number of buildings, which include a former church and one of the oldest dwellings in Aberdeen. The museum has exhibits that cover everything to do with the seagoing environment, from fishing boats to the oil industry. In essence, the museum tells the  story of the city’s long relationship with the sea. Some of the collections contain ship plans, models, photographs and paintings from the most major of Aberdeen’s shipbuilders.

Duthie Park Winter Gardens

Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston,in 1881, gifted 44 acres of land, to the council. The land for the park was purchased, as a lasting memorial to her brother and uncle. In 1899, when the gardens were completed, they opened up to the public. However, in 1969 disaster struck and the greenhouses had to be demolished and reconstructed. This was due to horrendous storm damgage. Today, one of Scotland’s favourite garden attractions are the David Welch Winter Gardens at Duthie Park, and also the largest indoor gardens in the whole of Europe. Each greenhouse has an important collection such as, the Tropical House, Fern House, Victorian House, Temperate House, Japanese Garden and Corridor of Perfumes.

Satrosphere Science Centre

In Aberdeen, the Satrosphere Science Center was one of the first science and discovery centers in Scotland. This interactive, hands-on science center, has over fifty exhibits and live science demonstrations, and opened its’ doors to the public in 1988. Although the center is aimed at primary age children, the appeal of the exhibits is universal. The center is found in the old tram sheds, near to the sea front, on Constitution Street. The purpose is to inspire youngsters to become scientist’s, as entry into science courses in universities, is in decline. One of the favorite exhibits at the center is the famous giant soap bubble, where each child can be encompassed within a magic bubble.

There are many more tourist attractions in and about Aberdeen which are worthwile visiting and the 3 above were randomly chosen. If you are planning to visit Aberdeen, Scotland then you will discover numerous quality hotels in Aberdeen, or many other forms of accommodation, available to book online.

Posted: October 25th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
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England is a most wonderful country in which to take a vacation. There are a large number of| tourist attraction|places of interest well worth a visit which cater for all tastes. For instance|One such place is the historical city of York which has been inhabited since Roman times, Liverpool, and Torquay known as the English Riviera. One place, in England that you really must visit is London the capital city of the United kingdom of Great Britain

photo credit: neilalderney123

London is an astounding place to visit, maybe for just a weekend or, possibly for a longer period. You would be surprised at how many people who live in the UK who have not yet visited London, this is especially surprising when you ponder on the fact it is usually top of the majority of visitors lists (of the most enjoyable places they went to).

There are a multitude of things to see and do in London that it is not possible to list them all at once. Surprisingly one of the newest attractions in London also happens to be one of the most popular - The London Eye. Another popular attraction nearby to the London Eye is Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. However, one place which must not be missed is Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace is England’s most famous Royal residence, possibly because it is home to the Queen of England. Buckingham Palace is is situated in the heart of London which makes it the perfect focus for tourists. The daily pageant of ‘Changing of the Guard’ is very fascinating to witness and amazingly English.

Buckingham Palace was originally named Buckingham House. It was originally a large town house, constructed in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. It is actually the townhouse that forms the main core of the palace as we are familiar with today.

Throughout the subsequent 3 quarters of a century Buckingham House was increased in size by the addition of 3 wings creating a central courtyard. The main architects responsible for these additions were Edward Blore and John Nash. John Nash was also responsible for the interior design of the monumental staterooms.

The well known architect Aston Webb was responsible for the building of the principal facade of Buckingham Palace which he re-designed in 1912. Webb along with Sir Thomas Brock, the sculptor, were the winners of a competition to design a memorial to Queen Victoria. This memorial still exists today.

The Queen has a selection of royal residences other than Buckingham Palace. Each and every year the Queen stays, at Sandringham House in Norfolk, over the Christmas period. Sandringham House is actually privately owned by the Queen (classed as a private royal residence.

A further private residence is Balmoral Castle, found in Royal Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The Queen was in residence at Balmoral Castle when she was told about the tragic incident involving Diana (the ex-wife of Prince Charles).

If you would like to take a break in the UK then you might be surprised to learn that it is possible to find cheap hotels in London without any great difficulty, on the other hand you may want to stay in more luxurious surroundings and the fine selection of boutique hotels in London should more than satisfy.

Posted: October 10th, 2008 under Travel Destinations.
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The capital city of England is London, which is as famous for its shopping as it is for its history and culture. People from all over the world flock to London to sample the wonderful stores and markets on offer.

Covent Garden has become known for its unusual and specialist shops, and has become a very hip place to be seen. There are a number of excellent restaurants in Covent Garden not just excellent shops. Until 1980 the Covent Garden market had many stalls selling flowers, vegetables and fruit its roots can be traced to the middle ages.

Camden Market is now one of the most popular places to visit in London. There has been a markets here in Camden for a long time, but in its present status only since 1974. The market is actually a group of adjoining markets selling wares of most things one could possibly think of.

The Kings Road is known as Chelsea’s high street, and one of the most chic and stylish streets to shop in London. Back in the 1970s the Kings Road was closely associated with ‘Punks’, who proved to be an attraction in London themselves. However, the Kings Road is more subdued these days and no longer just a haunt of the followers of the anti-fashion era.

Sloane Street is a street in London which runs north to south, and takes its name from Sir Hans Sloane, who purchased the surrounding area in 1712. Sloane Street has has long been a fashionable shopping district, but is probably just as well known for lending it name to the ‘Sloane Rangers’ in the 1990s. The name Sloane Ranger was applied to the stereotypical young upper class English ladies seen in the area during this time. (One famous woman often referred to as a Sloane Ranger was Lady Diana Spencer)

Harrods department store in Knightsbridge is the worlds largest department store standing on 18,000 m2. The motto of Harrods department store is “all things for all people, everywhere” or ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’. A very exclusive and luxurious department store, Harrods is famous the world over for its food hall and its toy department.

Another famous London department store is Selfridges in Oxford Street. Selfridges opened its doors to the public in 1909, and was built was the entrepreneur Gordon Selfridge. When it opened Selfridges set new standards for the retailing business. The reason being that each of the floors were designed so that the shopper was able to access the goods on sale more easily.

The shops in London offer as much diversity as its culture and no matter how bizarre ones shopping requirements, it can be found in London. Whether you like to shop in department stores or prefer to rummage through the markets, London has it all.

If you are planning a shopping trip to London you will find plently of cheap London hotels listed at www.londonhotelhelper.com

Posted: October 6th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
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