Overnight Stay At The Abbey Hotel In West Midlands
We had a lovely overnight stay recently at The Abbey Hotel in Redditch when we visited family in the Midlands for the weekend. The hotel is super convenient being located just off the M5 and is situated on a 175-acre estate with a spa, swimming pool and 18 hole golf course. Our boys loved the swimming pool but unfortunately we didn’t have time to enjoy the spa or golf course, but from what we saw they both looked lovely and would happily…
There are two types of holiday generally speaking – either an activity/sightseeing based holiday or a relaxation based holiday. However, I was intrigued recently to read about a third alternative known as a ‘slow holiday’ which offers holidaymakers time to relax and breathe in the experiences you enjoy on holiday. This might involve a walking, cycling or maybe a carefully…
Innsbruck in Austria is best known for being a World famous ski resort, yet there’s much more to see and do away from the ski slopes making it a popular all year round destination. Here at Travelphant we’ve handpicked ten things we recommend you see and do whilst you’re in Innsbruck. 1. Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen The Innsbrucker Nordkette is a cable…
Alveston Manor Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon
Last weekend we journeyed up country from Cornwall to Shakespeare country to visit my family and stayed at Macdonald Alveston Manor Hotel, an historic Tudor house hotel dating back to the 1500’s set in the heart of picturesque Stratford-upon-Avon. The gardens boast an ancient Cedar Tree under which rumour has it, the first performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was given. We love hotels that mix the old with the new, and Alveston Manor Hotel does it beautifully. The Grade II listed building…
Paros in Greece is a beautiful place full of interesting historical sites and open beaches perfect for soaking up the sun. Paros offers something for everyone, whether you enjoy exploring the streets of the little Greek town of Parikia or enjoying time on the water, Paros offers many fun outdoor activities for all ages. Here’s our choices for the top…
So you’ve worked like crazy, saved some money and now you’re all geared up for the long vacation you were planning to take. The destination is decided, the tickets are booked and all you have to do is to pack your bags and leave. Seems like you have already finished with all the hard parts, right? Well, you are wrong.…
Top 10 Ski Apps and Gadgets
If you’re a keen skier who fantasises about fresh powder and adrenaline fuelled rushes, you’ll know there’s a mountain of tech you can use to get every last inch and exhilarating moment out of every run. It’s easy to get lost in an avalanche of gimmicks but don’t despair as you get ready for your next trip, here are ten top gadgets and apps that’ll elevate your descent this year. Ski tracks Nowadays, skiing tech is everywhere on the slopes.…
The Mediterranean’s best kept secret is the diverse island of Corsica. It has a wondrous amount of geographical diversity where its beautiful landscapes dazzle with crystal clear coastlines and beaches to its breath-taking valleys of forests and hidden hillside villages. Corsica is incredibly varied and appeals to all travellers but I’d say Corsica is best conquered with an intrepid traveller…
New York at Christmas is so magical. This city lived up to all the hype and more, from the very moment we took a yellow cab from JFK into Manhattan and for the 4 days we walked into this movie set of a city with Santa Claus as the producer and director. The Americans know how to put on a…
Why Les Arcs is a great choice for a family ski holiday
My wife and I love skiing, well she ski’s and I snowboard. We got engaged on a ski holiday in Lake Louise in Canada back in 2002 and we now have two boys who love skiing too. We took them to Whistler a few years ago for their first ski holiday where they learnt to ski and this winter we booked a family ski holiday a little closer to our home in Cornwall. We are going to Les Arcs in France. Les…
The best train tours include winter wonderlands, autumn colours, summer holidays, interesting events, iconic train journeys and winter sun destinations. Here are Great Rail Journeys top picks for each month: 1. January – China Visit the fascinating Japanese event with the Harbin Ice Festival tour. 13 days on this spell binding tour starts from £3,395 per person. Guests will discover…
If you love travel and a good scare, there are a few creepy destinations to add to your wish list. Drop the costume and pick up your passport, because it’s time to travel in creepy style, check these five out. ISLA DE LAS MUNECAS, MEXICO The Island of the Dolls is unlike any other place in the world. It also…
Top 10 highest hotels in New York
Showcasing the top 10 highest hotels in New York City. These tallest New York hotels offer amazing views of the New York skyline to gaze in awe from the comfort of your hotel bedroom. Starting with the tallest and working down, the tallest hotel in New York is…. 1. Four Seasons Hotel 208 metres or 682 feet 52 floors Built in 1993 Rising over Manhattan’s premier shopping and business district, between Park and Madison Avenues, the Four Seasons features stunning…
In 2015, Spain topped the list of the most common tourist destination in the EU for those travelling abroad for their holidays. With so much culture and history, not to mention the temperate climate, it’s easy to see why Spain is a popular destination for tourists. But where are the best places to visit? With so much choice in this…
Just off the coast of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight has been a popular destination with British tourists since Victorian times. It is especially popular with those who like the outdoors because of its stunning scenery and coastline. The Isle of Wight has an array of sights and activities to see and do, making it the perfect destination for a…
Sponsored Video: Experience the famous cherry blossom (hanami) in Tokyo
Amongst Tokyo’s many claims to fame, cherry blossom season (hanami) is high up on people’s bucket-lists as a must-see when in Tokyo. Every year, you can feel the excitement as the pink petals known as sakura fill the city in a picture-perfect welcome to spring and parks fill with revellers armed with tarps, blankets, bento, beer and sake to enjoy cherry blossom viewing season. Despite being a huge city, Tokyo is full of beautiful hanami spots. Here’s what you need to know…
Sometimes, it’s easy to plunge for the first deal you see online, especially if you’ve been trawling through hundreds of websites to get to it. However, with a few savvy shopping skills, getting the best deal for your money doesn’t need to be that hard. Below you’ll find some easy-to-follow tips that’ll make sure you’re getting the best holiday for…
Kyrgyzstan may not be the first place to come to mind when planning an adventure holiday, but this is exactly why it should be considered. This Central Asian country is somewhere that many people are completely unaware of – these lesser known parts of the world are intriguing and usually somewhere that is very different to what we know. This…
The Best Cities in the Pacific Northwest for an Adventure Holiday
If you like action and adventure with your vacation, you might want to consider a trip out to the epic Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The States are best known for amazing cities like New York and Los Angeles, but it is also an incredibly beautiful and diverse land. This is particularly evident in the Pacific Northwest where you will find lush green spaces, towering mountains, sparkling streams and a stunning coastline. It also has a handful of…
These days, it’s all about online casinos. Instant access and gratification being the order of the day for most. Still, there’s nothing quite like the buzz you feel when walking into a premium land-based casino. Here in the UK, we’re lucky to have some of the most incredible casinos in the world. If you thought the action was limited to…
The small city of Cairns in the far North of Queensland is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations and for a very good reason – there is so much to do. Its warm tropical climate and amazing natural wonders draw people here from all over the world, with everything from Great Barrier Reef tours, to tropical beaches and amazing…
Infographic of the best driving roads in Europe
I’m a big fan of scenic driving routes, road trips and all things adventure related so when I recently came across this infographic of the best driving roads in Europe created by YourParkingSpace.co.uk, I wanted to share it. From The Highlands to The Alps, this infographic features some of the most stunning and challenging roads in Europe including the Stelvio Pass, Susten Pass and Route 500 through the Black Forrest in Germany. Drive on!
Where is the coolest place to stay and see the Northern Lights? Travelphant’s vote goes to Hotel Igloo Village Kakslauttanen in Finland. The Northern Lights can be seen anywhere above 60 degrees north latitude but to see them from this igloo village would be an amazing experience. Don’t worry, special thermo glass prevents the igloos frosting up to ensure clear…
I recently read an article on the UK’s best beaches and it got me thinking that there are some truly amazing beaches this world has to offer, but some of them are more spectacular than others. If you want to have a truly amazing seaside experience, we highly recommend that you take a look at some of the beaches on…
5 Things To Do in Orlando for Less Than $100
Orlando is widely known for being the home to Universal Studios and Disney World, and every summer families from across the country make the trip to see these incredible theme parks. You don’t have to spend theme park money to have a great time in Orlando, though. If you want a Florida vacation but don’t want to drop the dime on Disney, then take a look at five awesome things you can do in the city for less than $100.…
Eating out in another country is always a great experience. There are literally thousands of great restaurants around the world that offer amazing dining experiences and gastronomic delights, but only a select few are able to offer a view to match. Here we showcase are 10 cool restaurants featured in an Audley Travel article back in 2010 offering mouth watering…
A collection of the highest bars in the world offering the best skyline views from around the world including bars in Bangkok, New York, Berlin, Chicago, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and more. State Tower, Bangkok (63 floors) Visit Website The Dome at State Tower looks gorgeous because of its heady height and stunning colour effects from where you could catch…
10 quirkiest places to stay in the world
Next time you’re thinking about where to holiday, forget the unremarkable and predictable hotel chains and opt for a one-of-a-kind place to stay. From tree-houses and survival capsules to luxury camping, make your accommodation part of the holiday fun! We love cool hotels and these are our favourite 10 quirkiest places to stay around the world. 1. Spherical Tree House, Vancouver Island, Canada Not quite tree houses exactly, but more like pods that are suspended from the thick forest trees…
Switzerland is a fascinating country with so much history, culture and of course natural beauty whilst being a major European travel hub home to several key airports that connect the country to the world. The main airports are Zurich Airport (ZRH), Geneva Airport (GVA), and Basel-Mulhouse Airport (BSL/MLH), each serving a vital role in international and domestic air travel. Zurich…
As Australia’s most urbane, largest and oldest city, beautiful Sydney indeed has something unique to offer every tourist. Picturesque sandy beaches and lovely cruises make the Harbour City the ideal holiday destination for tourists in search of fun in the sea and on the sand. First-class shopping, dining and cultural and historical institutions such as the amazing Sydney Opera House…
6 Top Beaches in Australia
Australia is the world’s largest island and smallest continent and is also a land of amazing beauty and places with breathtaking views. It is also home to some of the most rare creatures and destinations in the world. It is also famous for major tourist attraction sites such as The Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge, Hunter region and the Ayers rock. It has become over the years many tourists’ dream destination. The country also has many amazing Islands and…