One of the very best things to do when you come to Wales is to visit Dolgellau in Gwynedd. A picturesque town of traditional architecture, Dolgellau is a historic town that lies at the foot of the Cader Idris mountain and beside the River Wnion, a tributary of the River Mawddwch. It dates back to the pre-Roman Celtic period and currently has a population of 2678 (2001 census). Ship building, the wool industry, printing and the gold rush all weave a colourful tapestry throughout the town's history.
Today tourism is the town's major industry. Considered to be the gateway to the Snowdonia National Park, Dolgellau, and it's surrounding area, offers stunning scenery and a spectacular landscape. Waterfalls, mountains, shorelines dotted with nature reserves and forests. This natural beauty encourages walkers, climbers, bird watchers and mountain bikers from all over the world.
There are many places to see and activities to take part in. Here are just a few of the attractions enjoyed by tourists who visit this unique and beautiful place.
Climb Cader Idris (2927 feet) and you will be rewarded with a panorama of stunning scenery. There are two routes to the summit. The Minfordd which is 6 miles/10km and the Pony Path which is 9 miles/14.6km
Want to enjoy the forest? Five miles out of the town, Coed y Brenin Forest Park, is a forest developed for the sport of mountain biking and has a network of routes suitable for both families/novices and experienced riders. Plus several all-ability walking trails so everyone can enjoy the forest. Facilities at the centre include bike hire, bike wash area, visitors shop, cafe and picnic sites. Additionally, in the heart of the forest you will find the Go Ape tree top adventure. Get an adrenaline rush with a great outdoor adventure of high wires and zip wires.
The Mawddwch Trail is a 9.5 mile footpath and cycle route that winds itself along a disused railway track offering the opportunity to be at one with nature. The trail starts at Dolgellau and finishes when you cross the iconic railway bridge at Barmouth. Essentially flat, it is suitable for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.
Portmeirion is a popular tourist village built in the style of an Italian village which served as a location for the 1960s hit show The Prisoner. The stunning architecture and beautiful gardens boast a hotel, cottages, restaurant, shops and cafes. The village is also surrounded by 70 acres of exotic woodland with easy to follow trails and coastal walks.
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is an education and visitor centre and major centre for environmental inspiration. With an eco-shop and vegetarian restaurant on site, the centre also runs courses and hosts residential educational trips. The centre is located between Dolgellau and the town of Machynlleth.
Shell Island located at Llanbedr, is famous for shells washed up by the winter storms. 450 acres, of which 300 acres are for camping, it's Europes largest campsite with excellent facilities including bars and a restaurant and 3 bathing beaches.
Twenty miles from Dolgellau is the town of Harlech. Harlech castle, built by Edward 1st, is constructed at the top of a cliff once close to the sea and is noted for its massive gatehouse. The town of Harlech with its winding streets and stone buildings has cafes and small shops.
King Arthur's Labryrinth is an underground, story telling adventure in Corris, near Machynlleth. Sail through the great waterfall and deep into the spectacular labryrinth of caverns while you enjoy tales of king Arthur and other Welsh legends. At the nearby Corris craft centre, where talented craftspeople can be seen producing a range of quality items, there are workshops packed with unique, handcraft gifts.
The Ffestiniog railway is a narrow gauge heritage railway and a major tourist attraction within the Snowdonia National Park. It runs from the habour at Porthmadog to the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog through mountainous scenery.
Discovering Dolgellau is fun for all the family and one of the best things to do and see when you visit Wales.
Travel and Leisure Headline
Ideas for a Memorable Activity Holiday
If we look at the official definition of the word holiday, we will get to know that it is such a period that enables a person to be excused from any kind of work, business activity or duty. At the same time, many people define the word holiday as the time for relaxation, entertainment and fun. The people who are aggressive and active have totally different meaning for holidays. For such people, holidays mean doing something different from monotonous routine life, enjoying some kind of adventure, going and doing something outdoor. It should be remembered that in such cases, holidays turn to be termed as activity holiday. There is a wide range of such holidays available for rejoicing as well as for the entertainment of people that are fed up of their day to day routine matter life. Let us have some ideas for such holidays that are full of action.
• Skiing: If you have decided to go for activity holiday, then planning to go for skiing is one of the best ideas. It is also one of the favourite holidays for people of all ages and from all walks of life. This type of holiday not only keeps the body active but also gives people to gather many unforgettable memories.
• Cycling Holidays: Going for cycling holidays is the ultimate choice of athletes to enjoy their vacation but it does not mean that general people cannot enjoy such vacations. This holiday will not only enable you to be involved in physical exercise all the time but will also provide you a chance to explore every part of the new destination easily. In case you are a beginner then flatter destination will be a better option for you. These places include Netherlands while there are many other challenging routes available for the experienced cyclers too.
• Walking Holidays: These types of holidays are known to be a new type of holidays under the banner of activity holiday. It is the best way to be close to nature as you will be walking on your feet and will be able to see each and every landscape during your walking holiday. These days, we find many tracks that are built to entertain the people who love these holidays.
• Thrill Seekers: This type of thrill holiday is best for those who want to enjoy every moment of their recreational activities. These holidays mostly include adventurous activities like hiking, hill climbing and rock climbing etc.
In short, planning to go for activity holiday has a wide range of options and all one has to do is to make a choice from the provided list. The purpose of all such types of holidays is to give people a chance to relax their minds along with their bodies from the hectic schedule of the work environment. They provide an opportunity to a person to enjoy every moment of the holidays at its full. All one has to do is to do a complete home work before making any such plan.
• Skiing: If you have decided to go for activity holiday, then planning to go for skiing is one of the best ideas. It is also one of the favourite holidays for people of all ages and from all walks of life. This type of holiday not only keeps the body active but also gives people to gather many unforgettable memories.
• Cycling Holidays: Going for cycling holidays is the ultimate choice of athletes to enjoy their vacation but it does not mean that general people cannot enjoy such vacations. This holiday will not only enable you to be involved in physical exercise all the time but will also provide you a chance to explore every part of the new destination easily. In case you are a beginner then flatter destination will be a better option for you. These places include Netherlands while there are many other challenging routes available for the experienced cyclers too.
• Walking Holidays: These types of holidays are known to be a new type of holidays under the banner of activity holiday. It is the best way to be close to nature as you will be walking on your feet and will be able to see each and every landscape during your walking holiday. These days, we find many tracks that are built to entertain the people who love these holidays.
• Thrill Seekers: This type of thrill holiday is best for those who want to enjoy every moment of their recreational activities. These holidays mostly include adventurous activities like hiking, hill climbing and rock climbing etc.
In short, planning to go for activity holiday has a wide range of options and all one has to do is to make a choice from the provided list. The purpose of all such types of holidays is to give people a chance to relax their minds along with their bodies from the hectic schedule of the work environment. They provide an opportunity to a person to enjoy every moment of the holidays at its full. All one has to do is to do a complete home work before making any such plan.
How To Save On Flights While Getting A Better Seat
Did you know that more than 85% of all people overpay for their seats on airplanes? This is a scary statistic but the fact of the matter is it is true and the number is only getting higher. What most people don't understand is you don't have to pay full price for a good seat, you can get a good seat just by being patient.
One way that you can save money on your flight and get a better seat is by booking the best seat you can find at least a month in advance. From here you will check the online seating chart every few days to see if you can find a better seat than the one you are currently sitting in. One thing you need to know is that the closer you are to the front of the plane the more likely you will be able to get a first class seat for a huge discount. The reason why you want to get closer to the front of the plane is for a couple reasons, the space right after first class (bulkhead) has the most legroom and is where most people prefer to be. The other reason why you want to get closer to the front of the plane is because flight attendants can move people around once on a plane in order to fit handicap people and parents with children and being that this is the biggest section of the plane you will most likely be asked if you would kindly move up to first class in order to accommodate the others. So now not only do you have a great seat, you also have a cheap seat.
The next thing you will want to do is call into the airline every couple days within 2 weeks from the departure date so that you can see if there are any better seats you could switch to or if there is a cheap first class seat. If you get all the way to the departure gate without a change then that is fine, you still have a chance of getting a better seat. All you have to do now is ask the people at the counter what seats they have available to switch to and what it would cost you to switch. The one thing you need to remember here is that you must always present a frequent flyer number in order to get the best deals. The nice thing about frequent flyer numbers is they don't cost anything and you don't have to fly that much in order to get one.
One way that you can save money on your flight and get a better seat is by booking the best seat you can find at least a month in advance. From here you will check the online seating chart every few days to see if you can find a better seat than the one you are currently sitting in. One thing you need to know is that the closer you are to the front of the plane the more likely you will be able to get a first class seat for a huge discount. The reason why you want to get closer to the front of the plane is for a couple reasons, the space right after first class (bulkhead) has the most legroom and is where most people prefer to be. The other reason why you want to get closer to the front of the plane is because flight attendants can move people around once on a plane in order to fit handicap people and parents with children and being that this is the biggest section of the plane you will most likely be asked if you would kindly move up to first class in order to accommodate the others. So now not only do you have a great seat, you also have a cheap seat.
The next thing you will want to do is call into the airline every couple days within 2 weeks from the departure date so that you can see if there are any better seats you could switch to or if there is a cheap first class seat. If you get all the way to the departure gate without a change then that is fine, you still have a chance of getting a better seat. All you have to do now is ask the people at the counter what seats they have available to switch to and what it would cost you to switch. The one thing you need to remember here is that you must always present a frequent flyer number in order to get the best deals. The nice thing about frequent flyer numbers is they don't cost anything and you don't have to fly that much in order to get one.
Cheap International Flights Are The Way To Go
Cheap international flights, even in a time of high fuel costs, long lines at security check points, and international terror are still able to be found at affordable rates from numerous airlines. There are several ways to go about looking for discounted tickets and a few things to know before you get started looking around the web.
First of all, newspaper ads with specific travel agencies, last minute tickets and discounts are often found in newspapers and should be an option for hunting in addition to the web. These ads are put out by agents who know the airlines well and get good deals. You can usually get a very good discount.
Before you begin to consider shopping for a flight, there are some concerns you should have and some homework you should do. You need to know if you intend to travel on a specific airline. You should contact that airline first to see what they have available. Find out if any price shown includes taxes or not. Since 911, airport taxes are now approximately one-third the total cost of the trip, added on. A flight for $300 quickly becomes $400 and much more when dealing with larger sums. Be sure to ask, read the fine print before booking or you may be surprised.
Travel agents offering cheap fares are often quite good value particularly if they specialize in a particular region, especially an exotic one where you would not find common airport or tax knowledge from an online discount site. It is often worth it to pay a tiny bit more for that expertise. They will also know more about last minute deals to their countries. Where at all possible, speak to them on the phone. Find out how they take payment and what kinds of conditions are in place if any for airport tariffs on top of your ticket.
On the web, there are numerous search engines available to find comparative pricing on airline ticketing. The price shown usually does not include tax and you will find out how much you are really paying when you book the ticket. It's a good idea to take non stops where possible, or on overseas flights, one stop to stretch your legs. The one stop will be less expensive than the non stop.
Less expensive trips leave at strange hours and you often cannot get flights for the times you want. It's best to check several sites, and if you have the time, wait a week and look again. If you think you have a flight and an airline, call them directly.
Often the sales person makes a commission over the phone, or will accept mileage points to lessen the price. They may also say that its cheaper to get on line to buy the ticket, but they can help you to arrange seating, know how full the plane is, and whether the airline is offering future specials.
Many people fear buying anything online, but these sites, which traffic in large sums of money for airfares are secure and they do a lot of business. You can arrange your entire trip and bundle your airfare with cars and hotels if that is your need. There is no more reason to presume a mix up than with dealing with the airline. Make sure your flying points are accepted on the cheap international flights you are traveling with.
First of all, newspaper ads with specific travel agencies, last minute tickets and discounts are often found in newspapers and should be an option for hunting in addition to the web. These ads are put out by agents who know the airlines well and get good deals. You can usually get a very good discount.
Before you begin to consider shopping for a flight, there are some concerns you should have and some homework you should do. You need to know if you intend to travel on a specific airline. You should contact that airline first to see what they have available. Find out if any price shown includes taxes or not. Since 911, airport taxes are now approximately one-third the total cost of the trip, added on. A flight for $300 quickly becomes $400 and much more when dealing with larger sums. Be sure to ask, read the fine print before booking or you may be surprised.
Travel agents offering cheap fares are often quite good value particularly if they specialize in a particular region, especially an exotic one where you would not find common airport or tax knowledge from an online discount site. It is often worth it to pay a tiny bit more for that expertise. They will also know more about last minute deals to their countries. Where at all possible, speak to them on the phone. Find out how they take payment and what kinds of conditions are in place if any for airport tariffs on top of your ticket.
On the web, there are numerous search engines available to find comparative pricing on airline ticketing. The price shown usually does not include tax and you will find out how much you are really paying when you book the ticket. It's a good idea to take non stops where possible, or on overseas flights, one stop to stretch your legs. The one stop will be less expensive than the non stop.
Less expensive trips leave at strange hours and you often cannot get flights for the times you want. It's best to check several sites, and if you have the time, wait a week and look again. If you think you have a flight and an airline, call them directly.
Often the sales person makes a commission over the phone, or will accept mileage points to lessen the price. They may also say that its cheaper to get on line to buy the ticket, but they can help you to arrange seating, know how full the plane is, and whether the airline is offering future specials.
Many people fear buying anything online, but these sites, which traffic in large sums of money for airfares are secure and they do a lot of business. You can arrange your entire trip and bundle your airfare with cars and hotels if that is your need. There is no more reason to presume a mix up than with dealing with the airline. Make sure your flying points are accepted on the cheap international flights you are traveling with.
9 Great Facts About London Stansted Airport
London Stansted Airport has tended to be a major hub for low-cost airlines from across Europe. It is Ryanair's largest base with over 100 routes served by the airline from London Stansted Airport.
The airport was first used in the Second World War as RAF Stansted Mountfitchet by the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force as a major maintenance centre and a bomber airfield.
The airport began commercial operations in 1966 and was given to BAA to control, and Stansted was mainly used for holiday charter airlines who could make the most of cheaper costs as opposed to using Gatwick and Heathrow.
It is London's third largest airport, after Heathrow and Gatwick after the British government in 1984 approved a plan to develop the airport in two phases to ease pressure from Heathrow and Gatwick. The plan was for an airport that could handle up to 15 million passengers a year with a new terminal building that would be built in 1991.
The main terminal building that was built, is an oblong glass building designed by the world renown architects, Foster & Partners. The design of airport provides an unobstructed flow for passengers to arrive at the short-stay car park and move into the check in hall, through security and to the departure gates which are all on the same level in the airport.
It has one passenger terminal and three passenger satellites where the departure gates are located. One of the departure gates is connected to the main terminal by an air-bridge and the other two are connected by the Stansted Airport transit System people mover.
The airport is connected to London by trains from Stansted Airport railway station which run hourly to London Liverpool Street station, and regular coach services to Stratford, Golders Green and London Victoria. It is also located close to the M11 motorway which connects London to Cambridge and is about 30 minutes drive from London, to give quick links into the capital.
London Stansted Airport only has one runway which serves the airport. There have been plans for a second runway but these have been postponed because of protests from residents of nearby villages.
London Stansted's air traffic control tower is one of the tallest air traffic control towers in Britain and is located at the north east end of the airfield. It is so tall because it needs to be able to view satellite 3 clearly as that is where most of Stansted's aircraft movements occur.
The airport was first used in the Second World War as RAF Stansted Mountfitchet by the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force as a major maintenance centre and a bomber airfield.
The airport began commercial operations in 1966 and was given to BAA to control, and Stansted was mainly used for holiday charter airlines who could make the most of cheaper costs as opposed to using Gatwick and Heathrow.
It is London's third largest airport, after Heathrow and Gatwick after the British government in 1984 approved a plan to develop the airport in two phases to ease pressure from Heathrow and Gatwick. The plan was for an airport that could handle up to 15 million passengers a year with a new terminal building that would be built in 1991.
The main terminal building that was built, is an oblong glass building designed by the world renown architects, Foster & Partners. The design of airport provides an unobstructed flow for passengers to arrive at the short-stay car park and move into the check in hall, through security and to the departure gates which are all on the same level in the airport.
It has one passenger terminal and three passenger satellites where the departure gates are located. One of the departure gates is connected to the main terminal by an air-bridge and the other two are connected by the Stansted Airport transit System people mover.
The airport is connected to London by trains from Stansted Airport railway station which run hourly to London Liverpool Street station, and regular coach services to Stratford, Golders Green and London Victoria. It is also located close to the M11 motorway which connects London to Cambridge and is about 30 minutes drive from London, to give quick links into the capital.
London Stansted Airport only has one runway which serves the airport. There have been plans for a second runway but these have been postponed because of protests from residents of nearby villages.
London Stansted's air traffic control tower is one of the tallest air traffic control towers in Britain and is located at the north east end of the airfield. It is so tall because it needs to be able to view satellite 3 clearly as that is where most of Stansted's aircraft movements occur.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)