Vacation Home Rentals

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jul 13

I was able to take a trip to London, England when I was 16 years old. I wish there was some way I could convey to you how truly awesome it was. Fortunately, I had a camera and some money with me, and was able to leave with some great memories, photos, and souvenirs. Although I had to deal with finding a missing passport and going through tons of electrical adapters trying to find the right one, I left London not only vastly inspired, but also armed with some of the most amazing experiences I have ever experienced.

The Tower of London is a popular British Landmark located in London. Probably most well-known as a place or torture and a royal prison, the Tower of London holds centuries of history that are made available to you and your family when you visit. I spent an entire day walking around learning all the stories and seeing for myself just how the Tower worked. Probably my favorite part was seeing the ravens. These huge black birds strut around the lawn, eyeing  visitors with their black eyes. The ravens have been residents of the Tower for generations, as a superstition states that if they ever left, the kingdom would fall. In respect of this superstition, the ravens have their very own living quarters and their own personal handler.

Everyone knows Big Ben as one of the most iconic monuments for London. Movies, stories, and art have been representing Big Ben for many, many years, and seeing it for yourself will show you why. I also recommend that you visit Parliament. This is where laws, bills, and other legislation takes place for the government of London, England. I’ve really never been interested in the workings of government, but seeing it in action is pretty inspiring. Getting to see the “behind the scenes” government action was really special, and it amazed me how accessible it was.

As cliche as it is, I had to see the Changing of the Guards. Although I didn’t try to make him laugh or kiss him or anything, they are armed after all, but I did get my picture taken. But who knows? If I go back, maybe I will end up kissing one. Many different locations have a Changing of the Guards, and I recommend seeing one for yourself if you are in any of these locations. The plethora of gardens and parks located in London is unbelievable. Huge plots of flowers of every color roll on the landscape, surrounded by swans and beautiful artistic sculptures. Since it is free, and since it makes walking anywhere amazing, I definitely recommend going.

London shopping is unlike any other. All you need is a purse with plenty of money, and don’t forget your passport, and you are set. Camden market is any teenager’s shopping heaven, and some of my favorite souvenirs were purchased there. From classy boutiques to a punk rocker’s paradise, there is something for absolutely everyone, and it is almost impossible not to be walking away with armloads of stuff.

London really has so much available for everyone in your family to experience. Some of my greatest memories come from my London trip, and I hope that I will be able to go back someday. Even having to deal with a missing passport was worth the trip. If you have never been to London, I highly recommend going. You will not regret it.

For more information about applying for or renewing your passport before your trip, visit www.uspassportnow.com.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Jul 13

Fortunately for our community, there are simply tons of gay travel in Europe destinations. As a much more progressive country, Europe offers the gay traveler everything from clubs to eateries to family friendly hotels. There are many destinations that do not expect you to be closeted or even subtle, which for those coming from some of the more repressed destinations can be quite liberating.

Hot spots for gays like London–Soho are great for those that want to experience all of the gay culture in Europe all at once. The entire area is like a town dedicated to family, and thus can be one of the more exciting destinations for those who have become fed up with self editing trips that require discretion.

European towns and cities are generally open, as tolerant travel has become ever more important throughout the countries that comprise Europe. With the increase in friendly atmospheres, local and tourists alike have found the violence is down. Intolerance and preaching is down. There are more friendly destinations here than just about anywhere else.

This means that the fight for equality and tolerance has already been fought. While there will always be intolerance, many of these countries and cities are more open than most of the states.

There are many destinations within Germany for gays that offer an open atmosphere to give you a full vacation without the complications of intolerance. Many pubs and eateries throughout Europe cater to everyone, and there can be no distinction between a gay friendly establishment and any other establishment. There you can find the tolerance you deserve without worrying about social relevance.

If you aren’t completely sure about the gay friendly destinations versus the less than friendly destinations, simply check out a tourism guide from a family focused travel agency. There are many agencies which have put together gay packages to help our community find open environments in which to take our vacations. The best memories are made when we are free to be ourselves, and our vacation destinations are no exception.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Mar 8

With millions of residents packed into this vibrant cultural melting pot, London is always bustling with activity, regardless of the day of the week or the month. Before you arrive there, it is worth making a list of the what you want to see and do, so that you don’t miss out on any of the highlights.

Take the time to see Westminster Abbey, the Tower Of London, and the Houses Of Parliament. You can take guided tours of each of these, so you can learn about their colorful histories, which will give you an even better appreciation of what stands before you. Also, be sure to find time for the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the accompanying clock tower. Locals sometimes call it St. Stephens Tower just to make a point. Everyone else affectionately calls it Big Ben.

There are various palaces and historical buildings spread around the city. The most famous of them all is Buckingham Palace, home of Her Majesty The Queen. Outside of Buckingham Palace you will see the famous guards clad in their red and black uniforms. You can take your picture with them, and even watch them run through some drills, which is a truly memorable sight to behold .

There is a great transportation system in London, so you can easily and safely travel to all the sights that you want to. If you are only going to be in London for a day or so, it might be easier to go by way of taxi. One thing that always stands out in pictures of London is the double-decker bus. They tower over traffic and are as reliable as public transportation can be. Take a ride just for the heck of it. Next time you see a double-decker in a photo, you can say, “I did that”. Also, spend some time getting out and about on the underground train system.

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This article is sponsored by ‘Cheap London Hostels‘.