[جتستّرسبلوغ]

منازل بريطانيّة [ستتلي], حدائق وتاريخيّة موقعات خصوم

زائرات أمريكيّة إلى بريطانيا يستطيع استمتعت مدخل مطلقة حرّة إلى ثقة وطنيّة منازل تاريخيّة, حدائق, قصور, [نتثر رسرف] وعالم ميراث موقعات, [أس ولّ س] خصوم على فريدة [سلف-كترينغ] تكييف, فقط ب يتلاقى الملكيّة بلوط أساس.

الملكيّة بلوط أساس ال [أوس] شريكة من ثقة [نون-بروفيت] وطنيّة من إنكلترا, والز و [نورثرن-يرلند]. ب يتلاقى الملكيّة بلوط أساس مع عضوية يسعّر في $55 سنويّا, أو $90 لأسرة, سيستمتع أمريكيات [هدينغ] إلى بريطانيا مدخل حرّة إلى أكثر من 350 وطنيّة ثقة غايات. هذا يقارن إلى المعتادة [أوك] وطنيّة ثقة عضوية رسم ال £46.

The National Trust is the steward of the some of the greatest country houses, gardens, historic sites, and coastlines in Britain, preserving them for future generations. مبادرات ركّز على على مناخ تغير و [سوستينبيليتي] [س ثت] البلد ميراث طبيعيّة سيكون حوالي دائما, ل كلّ شخص.

وطنيّة ثقة يتضمّن موقعات [سسّينغورست] في كانت, الحدائق من سابقة مقيمة [فيتا] [سكفيلّ-وست]; [بوديم] [موأتد] قصر في [سوسّإكس], واحدة من ال أكثر [ولّ-برسرفد] قصور في البلد; الطفولة منازل من بول [مكّرتني] وجون [لنّون] في ليفربول; وكثير من بريطانيا [نتثر رسرف] قديمة, موقعات ساحليّة وعالم ميراث موقعات.

[إين دّيأيشن تو] انضمام حرّة في [تروست بروبرتي] وطنيّة, يستفيد أعضاء من يخصم معدلات في فنادق وعطلة كول عبر البلاد. الميزانية نهبت مسافرة لإختبار مع الصف ضخمة من عطلة كوك يمتلك بالثقة وطنيّة - كلّ ليلة معدلات الى حدّ بعيد منخفضة, مع يتساوى خصوم بعيد ([أوب تو] 30%!) لملكيّة بلوط أعضاء.

يسلّط البلوط ملكيّة أساس يساند وطنيّة ثقة حفظ ويقدّم [سري] المحاضرات وأخرى جمهور برامج في الولايات المتّحدة الأمريكيّة مدائن على مواضيع بما في ذلك تاريخ بريطانيّة, الهندسة المعماريّة, حدائق, الدقيقة وفنون زخرفيّة - [أس ولّ س] أخرى برامج في بريطانيا. As a U.S. not-for-profit organization, membership dues and donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Website: www.royal-oak.org

Quality guaranteed when staying at old English inns

There is good news for American travelers who are seeking authentic English history combined with great value for money on their next vacation. ‘Old English Inns’ now have all of their characterful, traditional inns quality assessed by VisitBritain - the tourist office for England Scotland and Wales.

The star ratings indicate that each inn has been visited by an inspector, and the gradings give an idea of the level of comfort one can expect. The agency promotes more than 60 inns and hotels, many located in small towns and villages.

To celebrate, ‘Old English Inns’ are offering special discounts when bookings are made online using the code “VB08″ which gives up to 30% saving on bookings made through the end of April 2009 These traditional-style inns offer a neat alternative to hotels, often boasting centuries of history and country settings. Rates vary, starting from only £19.95 per person per night.

Website: www.oldenglish.co.uk

Exhibition by artists Inspired by Robert Burns

A new exhibition is set to pay tribute to the incredible influence that Robert Burns has on Scottish culture today. ‘Inspired’ will open at the Mitchell Library in Glashow on April 4, 2008, running through September 20, 2009. It marks the 250th anniversary, in 2009, of Burns’ birth, and will be one of the signature elements of Homecoming Scotland 2009.

The exhibition will feature work from almost 40 contemporary artists from across the world who are presenting their work inspired by the life, poetry and songs of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national Bard. Among his compositions is Auld Lang Syne, thought to be the second most recited song in the English language (after Happy Birthday).

The new work, by artists including Tracey Emin, Fiona Banner, Roderick Buchanan and Ken Currie, will be displayed alongside a small collection of previously unseen Burns artifacts. ‘Inspired’ represents a fascinating and unprecedented way to convey the influence and relevance of Robert Burns’ work in the present day.

The Mitchell Library is home to the largest collection of Robert Burns’ work in the world, containing more than 4,000 exhibits. It is one of the largest public reference libraries in Europe with 1,213,000 volumes in total.

Homecoming Scotland 2009 is an 11-month-long celebration running from January 25 through November 30, 2009 across Scotland with a series of cultural and heritage themed activities and festivals.

Websites: www.artruist.com

www.homecomingscotland2009.com

20 free things to do in Wales

The tourism experts at Visit Wales have compiled a guide to the top 20 free attractions in Wales. When combined with some great value accommodations such as small hotels, inns or bed and breakfasts, these top tips make Wales the perfect vacation choice for Americans looking to discover a relatively unknown, but immensely interesting, destination.

For accommodations, savvy travelers should check out ‘Great Little Places’ online at www.little-places.co.uk

 This agency lists 57 specially-selected accommodation options across Wales. For example, the Courthouse bed and breakfast - a former Victorian police station and courthouse in the picturesque town of Betws-y-Coed - has four rooms, all with private bathrooms and views of the river or mountains.

A room for two people, including breakfast, costs from £62 to £84 ($124 to $168) a night. Another example is Allt-y-Golau Uchaf bed and breakfast located in Carmarthenshire. This delightful farmhouse dates from 1812 and has three rooms each with a private bathroom; the cost is from £60 ($120) for two people with breakfast a night.

For the top 20 list of free attractions, check out www.travelwales.com/thrifty

The tourist board suggests visiting free museums: the National Museum and Gallery in Cardiff; St. Fagans National History Museum; the National Wool Museum; the National Slate Museum; National Roman Legion Museum; the Big Pit National Coal Museum; and the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea also has free entry, as does Dyffryn Gardens. Or explore the country’s stunning National Parks and renowned walking trails.

Another tip from the experts is to drop in to a male voice choir rehearsal; the website - www.homecomingwales.com - gives details of more than 80 Welsh choirs with rehearsal times and locations.

To get around Wales, 1car1 is offering special deals for American travelers on car hire. They have depots in Cardiff and Swansea in Wales as well as at UK airports, so collecting your car is a breeze. They are offering a week’s rental of an economy vehicle for $199 all inclusive.

The deal is valid through the end of 2008 and can be booked by calling toll-free (866) 362-3121.

In addition, 1car1 offers their North American customers a ‘free additional driver’ with each booking, as well as a 10% discount for rentals of two weeks or more.

Websites: www.travelwales.com/thrifty  www.little-places.co.uk; www.1car1.us

Peak District National Park setting for The Duchess movie

Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, England - Keira Knightley has returned to The Peak District to depict one of Eish history’s most notorious women in a movie currently scheduled for release in the U.S. in September.

The star of Pride & Prejudice - much of which was filmed in The Peak District and Derbyshire - Knightley plays Georgiana Cavendish (born Lady Georgiana Spencer) in a big-screen adaptation of the book Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, by Amanda Foreman, who appears as an ‘extra’ in the movie.

The Duchess also stars Ralph Feinnes as the Duke of Devonshire, Charlotte Rampling (Lady Spencer), Hayley Atwell (’Bess’ Foster), and Dominic Cooper (Earl Grey).

Georgiana herself lived at Chatsworth, following her marriage to the 5th Duke of Devonshire.

 Scenes here were shot in the Private Gardens and The Chapel. An exhibition about the life of Georgiana is scheduled to go on show in the house in 2009.

Another ’star’ of the movie is Kedleston Hall, built for the Curzon family between 1759 and 1765. The Marble Hall, Saloon, Library, three State Rooms, The Drawing Room and exteriors were all used during filming, with Kedleston taking on the role of the Spencer’s family home of Althorp.

An exhibition about the filming of the movie at Kedleston – including clips, still photographs and special interpretation panels - will go on show in the Hall from August.

Knightley, meanwhile, stayed at Hurdlow Grange Cottage, with boyfriend Rupert Friend. Hurdlow Grange is a self-catering cottage in the Peak District village of Longnor, and is one of several cottages the owner operates within the region.

‘Visit Peak District & Derbyshire’ will be launching a new Movie Map, focusing on Keira Knightley and The Duchess, to help visitors follow in the footsteps of the stars.

 It will also highlight all of the other movies and TV productions, shot on location in-and-around the region in recent times – including BBC TV’s adaptation of Jane Eyre, the award-winning Pride & Prejudice, and The Other Boleyn Girl.

Georgiana was a fashion icon of her day, a celebrated beauty and a socialite, who gathered around her a large circle of literary and political figures. It was Georgiana who introduced the Duke to his mistress and second wife-to-be, Lady Elizabeth (’Bess’) Foster.

While Georgiana both tolerated and enjoyed this ménage-a-trois for many years, she herself formed a relationship with Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, by whom she had a daughter – Eliza Courtney (an ancestor of Sarah, Duchess of York).

 Georgiana was famous not only for her beauty and sense of style, unusual marital arrangements and political campaigning, but also for her love of gambling.

She was reported to have died deeply in debt (to the, then, huge sum of £20,000).

Website: www.visitpeakdistrict.com

Zoom flies to London from San Diego & Ft Lauderdale

Zoom Airlines - who already operate low-fare transatlantic flights from New York JFK to London Gatwick Airport - are now offering flights from two of America’s hottest cities: San Diego and Fort Lauderdale.

Service from San Diego started in June 2008, with twice-weekly flights departing on Mondays and Fridays at 4.25pm, arriving in London at 11.10am the following day; return flights depart from London at 11.00am on Mondays and Fridays, arriving in San Diego at 2.40pm the same day.

Twice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale started in May 2008, departing on Thursdays and Sundays, becoming the first scheduled service in years to Europe. The flight arrives in London’s Gatwick airport, which offers easy connection to downtown London with the Gatwick Express train. The seasonal route is operating through mid November.

Website: www.flyzoom.com

French champagne, helicopters and penthouses … calling 007

The Pearl South Pacific Resort, Spa and Championship Golf Course, Fijis’ ultimate stylish boutique resort is offering a sensational new deal.

Enjoy a free one-way helicopter transfer when you spend 5 nights in a luxurious penthouse. Each of the six beautifully appointed penthouses has an individual theme and offers the perfect romantic escape.

For sale to 30 September 2008 and travel from 1 September to 31 March 2009 packages include return airfares with Air Pacific, pre-payable airline taxes, 5 nights accommodation in a Garden View Penthouse suite, breakfast daily, French champagne and hand-made chocolates on arrival and airport/hotel transfers.

5 night packages start from:

• $3989 departing Brisbane

• $4025 departing Sydney

• $4289 departing Melbourne

Prices are per person twin share, conditions apply.

To book

contact Island Escapes on 1300 305 870.

Interpretation Centre at Cardiff Castle

A Historic Castle goes Multimedia

A new Interpretation Centre has opened at Cardiff Castle, one of most popular visitor attractions in Wales.

The £6-million centre is a steel, glass and wood addition to the castle, and offers visitors the first multimedia tour of the castle and its grounds.

During its eventful 2,000-year history, Cardiff Castle has been a Roman fort, a Norman stronghold and a Royalist garrison during the English Civil War.

In Victorian times it was transformed into a gothic fairytale fantasy by the 3rd Marquess of Bute.

Reputed to be the richest man in the world, in the mid-1800s he created lavish and opulent interiors for Cardiff Castle adding murals, stained glass, marble, gilding, elaborate wood carvings, Mediterranean gardens and Italian and Arabian decoration.

At the new centre visitors can see a film presentation and the recently exposed original Roman Wall, then take a 60-minute multimedia tour of the castle grounds.

This project has been supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Visit Wales.

Cardiff Castle is open daily 9am–6pm March–October and 9.30am–5pm November–February.

Admission £8.95 adults, £7.50 students and senior citizens, £6.35 children

Accessible Hotels in London

Visit London has launched a guide to more than 800 accessible hotel rooms. The innovative online guide provides detailed and comprehensive information on 114 hotels in the capital.

It is based on an independent audit of every hotel, and describes the visit from arrival by car or public transport to reception, the restaurant, other public areas and the rooms and bathrooms.

The guide also notes services such as low-level counters, hearing induction loops, facilities for visually impaired guests and adjoining rooms for carers.

Photographs for routes through each hotel are featured. They show, for example, how to get from the car park to reception, or from reception to the rooms or the restaurant.

Alongside the photographs are details of surfaces, distances, light levels, signage and door widths.

Visitors can search for a hotel by general area (north, south, east, west and central London), by postcode or by hotel name, or search for specific facilities and services.

The London Development Agency sponsored the research and Carolyn Smith, LDA’s director of visitor economy says: ‘As host of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we want London to be a truly accessible city, and to provide complete reassurance to our disabled visitors.

The best way to do this is to give them a completely objective assessment of facilities which leaves nothing to chance and makes their visit as stress-free as possible.’

Website: www.visitlondon.com/accessible

www.visitbritain.com.au

English Stately Homes on Screen

The Duchess, a new film released later this year, stars Keira Knightly as Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, Ralph Feinnes as the Duke of Devonshire, Charlotte Rampling as Lady Spencer – and two English stately homes as themselves.

Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire was born in 1757 as Lady Georgiana Spencer. She was a fashion icon of her day, a celebrated beauty and a socialite. She was also an active political campaigner a century before women’s suffrage. The film based on her life features two key locations in England’s Peak District, both open to visitors.

Kedleston Hall is a neo-classical 18th-century mansion designed by Robert Adam and set in 330 hectares (820 acres) of landscaped gardens and open parkland. Visitors to the house’s state rooms can see the original collections of paintings and sculpture. An exhibition about the filming of The Duchess will be on show from August.

Chatsworth House is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, where Georgiana lived following her marriage to the 5th Duke. The house has one of Europe’s finest private art collections and is open between March and October and 1 November to 23 December. An exhibition about Georgiana and her life is scheduled planned for 2009.

Kedleston Hall
Derby, Derbyshire DE22 5JH
Tel: +44 1332 842191

www.derbyshireuk.net/kedleston_hall.html