Tagged With "Visit Britain"
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan 31, 2013: Lindisfarne, the Holy Island
Thanks for the interesting post, Mac! I love the old abbeys of Britain and Ireland. And perhaps most important is the valuable roll they played in preserving the written word and scholarly traits during the Dark Ages. I imagine that the Lindisfarne Gospels are a lot like the Book of Kells?
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Re: Visit Canada! Kiss a Canadian
I think there are three main problems Canadian tourism faces. 1) The weather. Very limited season, unless you want to ski. 2) Expensive airfares. In the last 5 years, air fares went from being competitive to being very expensive -- overly taxed, I guess. And predictably, when you charge more for something you get less of that activity. 3) Heightened border security between Canadian and US border can cause long delays and has greatly reduced cross border crossings in the past 15 years. It's...
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Re: Capital of Culture Series: Liverpool
Now there's another word with mixed definitions ! In Britain you would say "I like GarryRF's spirit" You may want to check out what your version means in England ! Like when I attend a party in America and I get "Pissed" (Drunk) And someone says "Why - who upset you to make you pissed?"
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Re: Google Relaunches Zagat, minus content and search
I know what I think: I think that the ads should be so distinct (and funny, or pithy, or whatever tone) that no one could ever mistake them for user content. I'd hate to have to explain over and over that no, Gumbo is NOT recommending luggage sellers or tour companies, or--for that matter--kitchen remodeling in Britain. The creep over the line is so evident in the newspaper sales pitches for "rare" coins and various remedies dolled up to look like news articles.
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Re: Banksy Opens up a Bemusement Park in England
One thing I know Disney is thinking of is their British fans. They are some of the most devout Disney fans I've seen. They go to the parks and bring back tons of merchandise and they return. If they filed a suit, I think they'd get a lot bad press in Britain.
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Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, November 28, 2014: Postcards from Morocco - the lamp shop
All the uses of recycle really derive from its use as a verb. 'Recycling,' in the instance you cite, is not really a noun, but a gerund, a verb form that functions as a noun. However, if I say that the Lamp Man "was recycling materials in his shop" we've an example of the present participle . The verb origin of 'recycle' also shows in your other example: 'recycled" functions as an adjective , but only works with the "d" at the end that marks it as taken from the past tense or possibly still...
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Re: Weymouth's tribute to the brave.
Together with the Finding Reiner series, this post helps remind us of the individuals and the effects on their communities. We've been seeing large and small memorials in France this past week. We were stunned, viewing the memorial in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, to note that there are over 100 names on the WWI memorial, many with similar, even identical names, contrasted with only a half-dozen or so from WWII, and then other numbers from other wars. The large losses in France in the First World...
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Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
If you take a look at http://prepaidgsm.net, you’ll see the reason for PortMoresby’s recommendation. It’s not the cost of the phone, it’s the cost of every minute, often many times that of a local SIM. For example, the Mobal SIM comes with a rate for Morocco of $1.50 a minute outgoing and $1.50 a minute incoming. Meditel, one of the Moroccan carriers, charges (depending on plan) about 10c a minute up to 40c a minute, and no charge for incoming. Mobal will sell you data at $28.99 for ONE...
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Re: Impression about Perth, Australia
" considering they're all descended from convicts " Very cruel DrF ! With the discovery of gold just outside Bathurst in 1851, the nature of Australian migration changed completely. People arrived in far greater numbers and from more varied backgrounds than ever before. Between 1851 and 1861 over 600,000 came and while the majority were from Britain and Ireland, 60,000 came from Continental Europe, 42,000 from China, 10,000 from the United States and just over 5,000 from New Zealand and the...
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Re: How to Irk the Brits
I find the guy bothered by people stopping to take photos a charmer. Hope I don't run into him over there, but I'm never without a camera when I'm abroad. When I see a tourist taking a photo either in Calgary or nearby Rocky Mountains, I'm always intrigued by what their subject matter is and the angle of how they're capturing the image -- that sort of thing. Hardly a bother!! I guess they don't realize how important we tourists are to the economy. According to Visit Britain website, tourism...
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Re: China amusement park gets full-size Titanic
I'm sure there is...they're proud of their shipbuilding industry. There's also a "Made-in-Britain" objection to one aspect of the project. It seems the new Titanic comes with a shake-and-rumble-and-flashing-lights simulator to give the feeling of hitting an iceberg and give visitors a fear they are drowning. Some descendants of Titanic passengers have objected ( MORE ). Su Shaojun, head of the group behind the project, said the aim was to “spread the spirit of the Titanic."
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Re: Top 10 Tourist Places In Kerala To Visit During Summer
Yes Kerala is the most visited place in India in all session. Its my favorite destination for honeymoon trip.
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Re: Top 10 Tourist Places In Kerala To Visit During Summer
It seems like Kenala is the most visited place especially in summer
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Re: It's Euro-official: No more time switches
It's interesting to me that the most vocal opposition has come in countries that are at the east and west of Central Europe, perhaps in part because they are the ones already living a bit out of their 'natural' space. Some opponents of switching, or should I say, of ending switching, have pointed out that a large majority of those who participated in the public consultation were in Germany; it's not only Britain where attention was apparently focused elsewhere!
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Re: Visiting and Then Moving to Sunny Brisbane
Where did you move from? Not yet been to Brisbane, but hope to see it someday. Some nice info there, thanks.
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Re: Visiting and Then Moving to Sunny Brisbane
Brisbane truly is an amazing city. I was there at Christmas time when the weather is really HOT. The beach is illuminated so the kids can have fun after sunset without burning their skin. The Drive Thru Bottle Shop. Santa Claus and his helpers all arrived on Harley Davidson motor bikes. Surfers Paradise and the Slots everywhere ! The Meter Maids in their Gold Bikinis rolling around on their skates adding quarters to Parking Meters about to run out. The Gold Coast is one of those places you...
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Re: Guide to Greek Holidays, Summer 2015-style
That's all good information, PHeymont, thanks. No one knows how the Greek people will react to this, but there is a possibility of riots and demonstrations. Perhaps violence -- there is no way of predicting. The crisis will have a major impact on the Greek quality of life. I've heard some estimates that if Greece makes a new currency, it will have only a fraction of the buying power of the Euro, perhaps 25 cents on the Euro. That will obviously not be at all well received but its much too...
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Re: France, Britain at swords points over croissants
Yes, that is a cappuccino with the curved croissant. Perhaps it's an indication of a closer alliance growing between French and Italian breakfasts as the UK and Britain negotiate over new treaty terms...
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Re: France, Britain at swords points over croissants
Perhaps that's a result of the U.S. and Britain sharing a "special relationship," which as Prime Minister Hugh Grant famously pointed out can be a "baaaad relationship."
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Re: Britain's #1 attraction: The British Museum
Another "Best of Britain" survey that doesn't see beyond London. The Albert Dock in Liverpool has 6.3 Million visitors per annum - and not a mention. The Albert Dock is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
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Re: I get to Boomerang to Spain ! Cheap !
Thanks for pointing this out! By the way, it is also possible to take a free stopover on the international end. For example, a couple of years ago, we flew from NYC to Copenhagen (the routing) but with a week stopover in Stockholm along the way. We've used that kind of routing a number of times. Adding to your point about Britain: Many of AA's European cities are actually served by their closely-tied partners, British Air and Iberia. With a little persistence, you can find flights that don't...
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Re: Not Again!? British Air Tax Increase confirmed
The ones who are hurt the most are people with family on both sides of the Atlantic; many families split between Britain and the Caribbean simply can't afford family trips because of it. And the British travel industry has complained of huge losses as well. Some of them have joined together to campaign against the APD and its constant rise, and they are asking the public to sign an online PETITION
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Re: A Visit to Ireland: (Part 10) Northern Ireland's Antrim Coast
To see the most remote and probably the most beautiful parts of NI you need to have a car. It's best to rent locally as a Ferry from Britain, and return, is quite expensive. If you just want a "Flying visit" to Belfast or Dublin you can catch a plane from Liverpool to either city for a bargain. Maybe stay a few nights in Ireland.
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Re: Looking for Historical Landmarks !
Long history of alliance is discussed, but don't think I've ever heard that count before. I used to point out that the Monroe Doctrine was based on an almost unintended alliance. In the wake of Spain's loss of American colonies, Pres. Monroe wanted to warn other European powers, France especially, from attempting to take them over, but lacked the military power to stop any attempts. And, only a short time after the 1812 war, there was still a lot of anti-British sentiment. But Monroe was...
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VisitBritain, British Air point out "undiscovered places"
The UK has been having a tourist boom, with record inbound traffic over the last 6 months and is looking to keep it going. The official tourist promotion agency and the "flag" airline have teamed up on a series of ads touting less-known attractions to...
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For those who hate Heathrow, Gatwick plans new allure
London's Gatwick Airport, second only to Heathrow in British air traffic, is in a hot competition with Heathrow for the right to build an additional runway to accommodate growing air traffic in Southeast Britain. Part of its strategy is to line up a...
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Scotland's vote may help ax high flying tax
The infamous British Air Passenger Duty, which can add as much as $450 to airfare for a family of four flying trans-Atlantic to or from Britain, may have met its match in the Scottish vote against independence earlier this fall. Seem...
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British Library Unites Last Copies of the Magna Carta
The British Library will unify the last four remaining copies of the Magna Carta on February 3 for the first time as Britain celebrates the 800-year anniversary of the constitutional charter. They handed out 1,215 tickets to see all four documents to...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec 20, 2013: Hot Horses - even horses need an ice cream sometimes....
Basking in the warmth of an unusually sunny and delightful English summer, there is nothing nicer, particularly if you are a hot horse, than being able to queue up for a cooling ice cream cone at the Winstones ice cream van parked up on Minchinhampton...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 15 2013: Blue Lady at White Waltham - retro-revival in England
Increasingly popular in England and throughout Europe are “Retro Revival” weekend gatherings featuring original 1950’s rock and roll bands and also some very good 2000’s Tribute Acts recreating the sights, sounds and styles of...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Feb 21, 2014: Hadrian's Wall, England
1,450 miles from Rome was the limit of the mighty Roman Empire in 122 AD when the Roman Emperor Hadrian came to Britain and took the decision to build this massive stone wall in order to consolidate his rule and the geographical extent of his Empire....
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Tea at Downton Abbey? Britain spends big to get you there!
Visit Britain, the government tourist-promotion agency and Expedia are putting up about $7 million each to get more Americans to Britain, building on the popularity of Downton Abbey, about to go into Season 4 on US TV. Most of the money will go for TV...
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British "Ramblers" celebrate 80 years
The Ramblers (formerly Ramblers' Association) has its 80th birthday this year, and is still going strong, with 114,000 long-distance walkers in chapters all over Britain. In its history, it has served as much more than a social connection for people...
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Where are Americans going? NYTimes has lists...
This week's NY Times travel section has compiled data from several sources for a Travel section article. Some surprises...some not. 1. The most popular domestic trips...California, Texas, Florida, New York 2. International...by a huge margin, Mexico...
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Tunis attack spurs both cancellations and support
In the wake of the terrorist attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunisia, in which 20 tourists were killed, two trends have emerged. MSC Cruises (most of the victims were passengers on the MSC Splendida) and Costa (a division of Carnival) have...
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Viewing the Northern Lights: Tips and Techniques
When you see the Northern Lights for the first time, they seem unreal. Almost magical, maybe even scary to some. The Aurora Borealis is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena you can observe and well worth a journey to the northern parts of the...
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Queen christens Britain's new biggest cruise liner
The Britannia, 11th in the world but biggest in the British cruise industry, has been christened by Queen Elizabeth and will shortly begin her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean. The ship can accommodate over 3600 passengers, and bears the name...
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Can Channel Ferries survive new rules?
A few weeks ago, we wrote about the continuing popularity of the Channel ferries between Britain and the continent ( HERE ) Now a new issue has made the outlook less clear. The British Competition and Markets Authority has ordered Eurotunnel to either...
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Britain's Flying Tax Gets a Shave
The much-hated British Air Passenger Duty (APD) which for the past several years has made flying in and out of the UK more expensive than many other routes, is getting some adjustments and reductions. British tourism and travel companies, as...
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Oh, to be in England! Now that April's...snowing!
Netweather.tv illustration from the Telegraph (UK) Robert Browning wouldn't be very happy with this week's April weather forecast for much of Britain. A "polar plume" is expected to arrive, bringing sub-freezing temperatures to Scotland and...
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Britain ends air passenger tax for under-12s
Today's the day Britain's Air Passenger Duty ends for under-12s in economy, reducing the cost of flying by £11-97 ($17-150) per ticket. The tax, hated by families and blamed by travel industry companies and airlines for shooing away...
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British Air adds year-round Iceland flights
British Airways will be flying Heathrow-Rekyjavik three times a week, starting October 25, becoming the first mainline trans-Atlantic carrier to offer year-round service. BA and others have operated summer services, but the winter has been largely...
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Britian's Famous Attractions Get Literal Chinese Names
VisitBritian announced the winners in their 'Great names for Great Britain ' campaign The campaign used the existing trend of the Chinese to give literal names to favorite celebrities, places and foods. Over 2 million Chinese visited the...
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Government St., Mobile: A Great Historic Street (Pt. 1)
I haven't heard anybody else say this, especially in the local area, but Government Street in Mobile, Alabama is one the most spectacular historic streets in the world, even today. I had a chance to walk a good portion of Government St. in March of...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 8, 2014: Hudson Bay Blankets, Banff
This past summer I'd spent a day wandering the streets of Banff with my dear friend, LestertheInvestor, and our lovely wives. Sylvia and I stopped by the Hudson Bay Co (HBC) store and spotted this clever display of blankets drapped over a canoe....
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Visiting Cuba pt 2. + more cars !
EXPLORING CUBA (Missed pt 1 ?..... http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/visiting-cuba ) Getting about in Cuba varies dramatically. In the populated areas they have regular buses. Out in the countryside you'll have to take a taxi or go on an...
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The Lure of Stonehenge
Kirsten Hines shares thoughts and memories, and great photos of a visit to Salisbury Plain.
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They've got a ticket to ride—to every station in UK
A British couple, looking for a cheer-me-up is spending 3 months riding to or through every railroad station in Great Britain.
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Visiting and Then Moving to Sunny Brisbane
A couple years back when I was first planning this simple vacation, I never thought it would be as life changing as it was. But life is unpredictable that way, and this story is definitely one for the grandkids. My husband and I were planning a short trip to Brisbane to get away from our 9 to 5 lives, so we booked a room in a hotel and went there for a few days. It was impossible not to fall in love with the atmosphere of the city on the very first day. My husband is a nature lover, so he...
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Red Squirrels
Ian Cook shares some great photos and a detailed natural history of the charming Red squirrel, whose population is declining.