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Thriller Nights – Ghostly School trips For Kids

Feb 022012

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I’ve always wondered what it was about horror movies and students. Why do they always take vacations in remote parts of the world and never think to leave enough gas in the tank to see them home? It’s obviously a thrill thing. If you’re planning school trips of your own this year, why not include a few of these on your itinerary and tap into your student’s love of suspense and excitement? Don’t worry; they are all educational so moms and dads can’t possibly object.

Haworth Cemetery, England

Not in the usual school trips to England and slightly away from the sights and sounds of London, this cemetery is where the Bronte sisters are buried – with the exception of Anne. The newly deceased used to be literally piled one on top of another in sets of ten in this eerie graveyard. And the water supply from the spring above used to flow to the town straight through the many corpses. What’s worse, the local public house used the same water supply to brew its own beer. A glass of Ye Rotting Corpse Ale anyone?

If you do head on out to the Yorkshire countryside, make sure you take a ghost tour of York to completely scare yourself silly. Join the Victorian guide in his frock coat and top hat as you stroll down the narrow cobbled streets and snickelways (a collection of small streets and footpaths) of this ancient city. Look out for the ghost of the headless earl and the grey lady – a nun who was walled up alive!

Mummified Monks, Sicily

Yes, it’s true. The town of Palermo on this little island off the southern Italian coast is home to eight thousand mummies. Eight thousand! That’s enough to give you the creeps just looking at them. Dating back to the 16th century and located under the Capuchin monastery, it was originally intended as a burial site purely for the monks but the rich and the famous of the town soon muscled in. Burial here was perceived as a must-have of the day. Burial clothes were designated in advance (always the most expensive of course) but there was a price. If the surviving relatives ceased to contribute to the upkeep on the catacombs, the mummy would be removed. Until only a few years ago relatives could still change the clothes of their relatives if they so wished. How terrible to think they may be out of fashion!

On certain days of the year they were also allowed to hold the hands of their dead relatives and pray. It is rumored that the Spanish painter Velasquez is buried there but no-one is quite sure where. The last person to be interred was a two year old girl whose body can still be seen eerily intact. Coffee lovers will be interested to learn that it was the Capuchin order of monks who gave us the cappuccino coffee.

The White House

Home to many American Presidents, the White House is also somewhere not to be visited late at night. It hosts ghostly as well as political activities. Did you know that Abraham Lincoln’s ghost supposedly makes random appearances to both visitors and household members, either gazing from the window, sleeping on the bed or even pulling on his boots in his old bedroom. Well, where else do you expect him to go?

President Andrew Jackson has also been spotted lurking in the shadows, as has Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams. While digging up Dorothea Madison’s rose bed, the gardeners were confronted by the specter of Dorothea herself, obviously unhappy about the desecration of her favorite flowers. Needless to say, it was left untouched.

So there are some ideas for school tours with a difference. Not only do you get your fix of terrifying yourself, your education is enhanced in the process. Just a word of warning, if you do venture out, please visit the gas station first – and always check in your rear view mirror!

Bonnie is a teacher in training with a passion for travelling and all things spooky

The Top 5 Things to do in Cornwall

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Dec 212011

Cornwall is a beautiful county in the south west of England. It is the only county that borders only one other, that being Devon. It’s been a popular location for family holidays, student breaks and change in pace of life if you work in a busy city like London. During the summer the population explodes with tourists looking to enjoy themselves. There’s plenty to do in the area but it can all be a little overwhelming, so here are five of the best things you can do:

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Land’s End – Expect a fantastic view from this picturesque part of the country as you stand on the most westerly part of the country. There are great views of the Atlantic Ocean to be had in a serene environment. This is one the geographical hotspots in the country that people love to visit, and of course it is free which is good for a low cost family activity holiday. There’s a selection of shops and restaurants in the area, so don’t think it’s just a baron area, because it’s far from it! It’s a great place to take the dog too for a run around.

Autospeed Stock Car Racing – If you want something a little faster faced, then going to the stock car races will certainly entertain. Expect to see a demolition derby and a host of other racers all with entertainment in mind. The kids will love it, and the action is not to be missed. The racing ring is well worth visiting if you want to keep your trip busy and full of thrills. Check in advance for the times and dates of the races.

Paradise Park – Into your nature and wildlife? Well this is just the place, and there’s something to do for the whole family. Bird lovers can expect to see rare birds of prey such as falcons and eagles, and there are also cockatoos and fun shows on to enthralled by. The kids will find an indoor play area to enjoy too, whilst the parents enjoy the surroundings activities. There is a miniature railway too with a house built in 1860 to add to the authenticity of the day out.

Glendurgan Gardens – You’re your keen to stay away from the beach and just get involved with the countryside then

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these gardens are for you. They were handed to the National Trust in 1962 and since then remain just as beautiful. The area stays relatively warm allowing the growth of exotic and rare botanies. Visit here in spring to see the gardens coming to life and to experience the full size maze in the flesh.

Eden Project – This huge complex houses some of the finest and rarest plants and flowers in the world, and is widely regarded as one of the must visits for any plant or natural geography enthusiasts. With different domes housing different plants under different temperatures there is literally so much to see if you’re on a holiday in Cornwall.

Cornwall is the perfect place for UK family holidays and dog friendly holidays. There’s always plenty to do and see for all the family.

Popular UK Coach Tours

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Dec 212011

In times gone by, there were not many travel options available to the British holidaymaker so when it came to holidays, the majority would simply pack their case and head to their nearest British seaside resort. Hard to believe, but even though nowadays we have an endless supply of travel options available to us from air tours to cruises, UK coach tour holidays and rail journeys, us Brits simply wish to stay in the UK and take a holiday closer to home. The main reasons for this change in holiday habits could be because the cost of living is continuously rising whilst salaries stagnate and holidaymakers are having to cut back on many luxury items including holidays to make ends meet. The civil unrest in Europe as well as the fragility of the Euro and the poor exchange rates is also deterring Brits from taken European or Worldwide tours. All of these factors have resulted in a surge of interest for holidays in the UK which is part of the reason why the great British seaside holidays is making a well-deserved come-back. With this in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some of the seaside destinations in the UK that have seen a surge in interest and have cherry-picked a few for you below….

Scarborough

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This beautiful little gem of Yorkshire was Britain’s first seaside resort and has been welcoming visitors to its shores for hundreds of years. There are many first class attractions to be found on holidays to Scarborough such as the Sea Life Sanctuary, Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Scarborough Art Gallery and the refurbished Rotunda Museum. Scarborough is also home to many wonderful festivals that the whole family will enjoy including Seafest, Bike Week, Scarborough Fayre and Scarborough Cricket Festival. Visitors to Scarborough are also able to enjoy a number of renowned theatres including the Stephen Joseph Theatre which is home to the playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Music fans should head over to the Spa Complex as this is home to the only remaining seaside orchestra. Whether you like Greek, Italian, Indian, Chinese or traditional fish & chips, you’ll find it all here in one of Scarborough’s many tempting eateries. Step back in time with a visit to Scarborough Castle, a 12th Century Roman Ruin that dominates the headland, learn more about the dinosaur coast and watch geology come to life at the Rotunda Museum or take a trip on one of the county’s oldest miniature seaside railways. One thing’s for certain, you definitely won’t get bored on holidays to Scarborough.

Isle of Wight

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Affectionately known as the ‘Diamond Isle’, the Isle of Wight is located just off England’s South Coast and is a favourite holiday destination for many families year on year. With one visit you’ll soon realise why this is a popular holiday resort from its award-winning beaches and over half the island is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Step back in time on holidays to the Isle of Wight and discover its fascinating past that features dinosaurs, Roman Villas, medieval castles and historic houses. Maybe go ghost-hunting as the Isle of Wight is known for the many thousands of ghosts, spirits, poltergeists and apparitions that haunt the island. Did you know that the Isle of Wight has attracted many famous visitors over the years including Queen Victoria, Charles Darwin, Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens and Alfred Lord Tennyson. There’s no end of carnivals and festivals that take place on this tiny island including the world famous Cowes Week. Where else in the world will you find: Needles you cannot thread, Freshwater you cannot drink, Cowes you cannot milk, Ryde where you walk, Newtown which is very old, Winkle Street where there are no winkles and Newport you cannot bottle?

Brighton

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Holidays to Brighton offer a treasure trove of things to see and do from the stunning heritage of the Royal Pavilion to Victorian Aquariums and all the traditional seaside fun of the famous Brighton Pier. Stroll along the bustling Brighton promenade, head into the city to experience the cosmopolitan atmosphere of its many funky bars and cafes, relax with a good book on the famous Blue Flag awarded pebble beach or take a dip in the sea and try out the many beach and water sports such as sailing, kayaking or beach volleyball. Once you’ve had your fill of beach activities, celebrate in style at some of Brighton’s fantastic seafront clubs and bars located beneath the Victorian beachfront arches or take a relaxing stroll along the pier and check out the fairground rides. For something a little more sedate, take the whole family to discover the ocean with a visit to Brighton Sealife Centre or take a look at the quaint boutiques to be found on walks through the city’s famous ‘Lanes’. When you stop and look around, it’s hard to believe that there is an abundance of green spaces to be found in Brighton from the calmness of the Royal Pavillion Gardens to the picturesque duck pond and the Victorian Clock Tower of Queen’s Park. Brighton has an impressive 98 parks and gardens with 6 of them being awarded with Green Flags. Entertainment for the whole family can be found at Brighton Marina which is one of the largest in Europe where you can find diverse

This article was written by Steve Grant on behalf of Door 2 Tour, one of the UK’s leading coach holiday firms.

Stony Grey Circles: The Mysteries of Stonehenge

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Dec 112011

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West of London, wispy white clouds embrace emerald green earth. This is where spiritual England lies and where ancestral voices still resonate. Stonehenge (for that is where we are going) is our greatest national icon – embodying mystery, might and just a hint of magic. These upright and ancient stones dominate the Salisbury landscape casting a surreal (and slightly disturbing) aura over the land. This conflicts somewhat with the hordes of weekend tourists that descend, like modern day druids on the place. But don’t let that ruin the experience! One of the wonders of the world, Stonehenge provides and a brilliant antidote to the hassles of London, as well as sparkling introduction to the county of Wiltshire and the old cathedral city of Salisbury.

On arriving at Stonehenge, you’ll quickly find that one of the biggest problems is finding

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somewhere to park – especially on a weekend. Sadly, Stonehenge is perilously close to the main road, so your first view will be that of convoys of cars hurtling towards history. But take a few moments to slip into something more spiritual by looking at the surrounding fields, stretching off onto the plains.

The first impressions are of eerie, earthy silence, punctuated only by the impish Wiltshire wind.Before long, the imagination wanders and dreams of Kingly druids cavorting in the Spring sunshine. Plan on at least an hour to wade into the spiritualism of it all.

Nobody knows exactly how, or why, Stonehenge was erected. Not surprisingly, it has spawned several legends and myths, ranging from the zany to the bizarre. Some believe it to be a monument over King Arthur’s grave, while other theories have attributed it to the Romans, Vikings or indeed visitors from other worlds – Take your pick! What we do know, is that it was built (in dribs and drabs) between 3000bc and 1500bc; in other words it was completed in the Bronze age.

Stonehenge, England, erected by Neolithic peop...

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One of the most popular theories concerning the origins of the monument points out that several of the stone archways seem to “line up” with the rising Sun on Midsummer’s Day, at the Winter’s Solstice, and at the Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes, and conclude that the monument, in addition to other possible functions, served as a sort of calendar, informing ancient farmers when to plant their crops.

Returning from the monument, through the tunnel into the carpark, the illusion is shattered. All the kitsch, tack and cheapness of the modern world descends. The Stonehenge shop does a nice line in towels, screensavers and t-shirts; while its spiritual cousin – “The Stonehenge Kitchen” serves such delicacies as “Stone cakes” and “Druid’s sausage”. Think again of screaming kids, hustle and hassle. But perhaps this is a small price to pay for a glimpse into England’s historical soul.

Don’t ignore Stonehenge’s spiritual sisters either. The (lonely and less visited) trunks of Woodhenge lie a 10 drive away, as indeed do a whole host of megalithic and stellar attractions.

The cathedral city of Salisbury is just a few moments away too, while the mystical Salisbury plain spreads out in all directions. To get the best out of Stonehenge, come early on a weekday to avoid the ravenous crowds. Reflect in solitude and then leave respectfully. Try managing without a Stonehenge screensaver too!

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Getting There

Stonehenge lies about 70 miles west of London and 10 miles east of Salisbury. It is situated about 2 miles west of Amesbury on the junction of the A303 and A344 / A360. The nearest rail station is in Salisbury – about an hour from London. South West trains provide a special bus link / package to the henge.

Samet Bilir writes about technology trends, digital camera reviews, and photography, such as best SLR cameras. To read more articles from him click here.

Yorkshire and the city of York

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Oct 252010

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If you’re going to Yorkshire, in the U.K., I’m sure that you would like to stay in a cozy hotel that has all the quality that you may eventually need. Try Knavesmire York Hotel for more information.

Yorkshire is filled by beautiful grasslands, farms, and farmhouses. In this shire you can find the city of York which was founded by the Romans in 71 AD. A lot of history lies there waiting for you to discover. Visiting the York minster is also advisable because it is majestic.

I’ve been in the U.K quite a few times and that wasn’t nearly enough to see everything interesting. This country is filled with history also because it has been one of the main countries of the world for a long time.

Hastings

Travel No Responses »

Oct 122009

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Hastings is a beautiful city located in Kent by the sea. Hastings is really beautiful and going there for a walk along the promenade is an excellent idea. Hastings has a pretty nice high street with some interesting charity shops. The beach is made of pebbles and it has a really extraordinary pier with shops and everything.

If you go to Kent you must visit this city because besides being beautiful it also has some cool pubs for you to spend some time, live concerts are common in there and if you get the chance you should go and have some fun.

In the area of Kent you can find many luxurious houses and many farms mostly producing fruit.

I hope that you go there and have some good fun.

Canterbury

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Oct 012009

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In Kent you can find a really nice city called Canterbury, this city has lots of tourists everyday because it’s so close to the border with France.

Looking at the shops of Canterbury a person can say that it has a hippie vibe, town center is inside the city walls and it’s very beautiful with really old buildings. I used to go a lot of times to Canterbury because of the pubs and the Turkish takeaway next to the old city entrance.

In Canterbury you can also find the cathedral which is very beautiful and filled with ancient history.

Canterbury makes part of Kent which is one of the wealthiest areas of the U.K.

In Kent you also have Hastings but I’ll write about that in another post.

Cornwall

Travel 1 Response »

Sep 152009

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Cornwall is another beautiful region of the U.K. Popular for the daffodils, the pasty, and the beautiful colored hills.

In Cornwall on the west side you can find lots of attractions by the shore line, you got for example the pinnacle theater and Land’s end which are very beautiful places to go and visit.

My favorite Cornish city is Penzance, it’s a very beautiful , old, and was one of the oldest harbors of the U.K. If you go to Penzance don’t forget to go to the main street and have a Cornish pasty, they’re really good there. The seaside at Penzance is very nice and the beaches are made out of pebbles. This city also has a harbor that’s worth visiting, just go for a walk along the shore line and you should find it.

Cornish people come from a Celtic lineage and they also have their own dialect.

Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

Sheffield

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Sep 102009

Sheffield is another place worth visiting, in there you can find really old factories since it was mainly industrial. Town center is quite nice especially the old market, if you go to Sheffield you can’t miss going to the market, it’s just filled with history.

In Sheffield you also get some cool pubs with live music, some of them have young people and others are for the older generation. Around Sheffield you got a lot of green and it’s really good to pick some mushrooms if you are there around November.

Since you are in the area I would also advise you to go and visit Manchester too, it’s quite a modern city filled with big buildings. At Manchester you can easily realize that a lot of things go on in there.

If you don’t go there in the summer make sure to take your coats as it can get really cold in the night time.

Cambridge

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Sep 052009

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Cambridge is a city that I recommend everyone to go to, it has beautiful parks all around the city. The city is filled with Victorian houses and in the town center they got really old buildings. The town center is very old, appealing, and you always get street performances.

In Cambridge you also find really old and big colleges, the buildings of the old colleges also are amazing.

The pubs are really cozy and always with a good vibe, I think Cambridge also is a very peaceful city.

In Cambridge you also get some channels and they do some canoeing competition in there, nice to watch if you’re into sports.

One park in Cambridge that I really enjoy is the one next to the bus station, if you want to relax that’s the place to go.

If you are into horses you can go to a place near Cambridge to enjoy some horse racing. The name of the city is Newmarket and in there you got one of the best tracks in the whole UK where some pretty high profile horses go to run.

www.tk-istraturist.com

Thriller Nights – Ghostly School trips For Kids

The Top 5 Things to do in Cornwall

Popular UK Coach Tours

Stony Grey Circles: The Mysteries of Stonehenge

Yorkshire and the city of York

Hastings

Canterbury

Cornwall

Sheffield

Cambridge

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