Archive for March, 2012

Buckingham Palace Named Top Tourist Attraction.

In a recent YouGov Survey, almost one third of voters named Buckingham Palace the Top Tourist Attraction in Britain.  The Palace is definately the focus of some major celebrations this year.  The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee being the big one.  It’s no wonder the voters think it’s the best landmark in the Country.  The Houses of Pariliament and Stonehenge were voted second best tourist attractions.

The UK does have many fun attractions, and many historical attractions.  With the Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics in July.  There will be even more reason to take a trip to London.  If you are traveling to the UK this Summer get the lowdown on cheap flight offers.  If you want to see a little more than London, here are a  few other great sites in the UK.

Other Top Tourist Attraction Named In The Poll.

The Tower of London.
The White Cliffs of Dover.
Edinburgh Castle.
Windermere, (a town in Cumbria, Lake District).

I would also like to add Westminster Abbey, London; Windsor Abbey, Windsor; Grand Opera House, Belfast.  The Royal Albert Hall, London; Warwick Castle, Warwickshire; and Albert Dock, Liverpool.

My personal choice would be to visit the regenerated site of the Harland and Wolff shipyard, Belfast, Northern Ireland.  “Titanic Belfast”, is being completed in time for the 100th anniversary of it’s sinking, on 15 April 2012.  See the Jump into Ireland special offer.

The new 3D release of the movie Titanic (originally released in 1997).  Is now showing at cinemas, I remember quite a group of us went to see it back then.  I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, it was a good night out at the movies.

If you agree with the YouGov voters in naming Buckingham Palace Top Tourist Attraction.  Don’t forget the Palace is open for tours.

Buckingham Palace Top Tourist Attraction Tour Information.

EVENT: Buckingham Palace Tours.
LOCATION: Buckingham Palace.
DATES: 31st July – 7th October 2012.  Close a few days in Aug & Sept check.
OPENING TIMES: 09:45 – 6:00pm.
ADMISSION FEE:  Adults: £18.00; Students & over 60yrs £16.50; Children under 17yrs: £10.25; and free admission for children under 5ys.

Photo by:DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0.

The Annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Sailing Week.

The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and  Sailing week is a very popular annual event among sailing enthusiast.  It takes place during the last week in April leading into May.  It is a five day event where you will find yourself wrapped up in  the excitment of a major water sports event.  You will see some of the worlds’ most exquisite yachts and sail boats.  The entries are usually beautifully designed yachts that specifically travel to Antigua to take part in the fun.  Sailors travel from all over the World to enjoy the competitive buzz that arises from this event.

This annual event is popular with celebrities and the rich and famous.  Don’t be too suprise if you spot the odd A-List celeb enjoying the activities.  The Regatta will be a blast this year, as it is celebtating it’s 45th year.  A seperate 1 day event is the World Round Antigua Race.  It will take place the day before the Regatta starts, on 28th April 2012.  It is a 50 mile race open to all yachts.  This will be an exciting kick-off to the start of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Sailing week.

Aside from the activities and glamour of the event.  The closest beach is Pigeon Beach, which is just a few minutes away.  There you will find nearby boutiques, cafes, a shopping centre and Restaurants.  There will be lots to do and lots of fun to be had all week long.

If you are a sailing or yachting enthusiast, this would be the perfect event for you to experience.  There is expected to be more than 100 boats and yachts entered into the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Sailing week.  If you have your own boat or yacht, one more entry, I’m sure would be welcomed.  If you want to enter into the World Round Antigua Race and win, you will have beat a time of 4hrs, 37 min, 43 seconds, which is the record.  Think you could beat that?  Sail over across the Caribbean Sea and stop over at Antigua for this fabulous event.

Details Of Events.

Event: Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Sailing week.
Dates: Sunday 29th April 2012 – Friday 4th May 2012.
Location: Nelson’s Dockyard Marina in English Harbour, Falmouth Harbour Marina, Antigua W.I.

Event: The World Round Antigua Race.
Date: Saturday 28th April 2012.
Location: Falmouth Harbour Marina, Antigua W.I.

More things to do in Antigua.

Photo by: John Nyberg.

The Cheltenham Festival starts today.

For those of you unfamiliar with horse racing, the Cheltenham Festival.  It is a great racing event held in the UK.  Essentially, it is the second biggest meet of  the National Hunt racing season, (Jump courses).  The Grand National being the first.  The best trained horses are entered into the races and the challenge of getting a winner is on.

I’m a little bit of a fan of the races, and I do love horses.  Takes me back to when I used to ride.  One of my earliest memories of learning about this exciting racing event, was through a movie.  It was called “The yellow Rolls Royce”.  Made in 1964, it was one of those multiple story movies, with a yellow rolls royce being the continuing link.  It starred Rex Harrison, Ingrid Bergman, Omar Sheriff, Shirley MacLaine, Joyce Grenfell and others.  The Rex Harrison story centered around his wife having an affair with a collegue, and his hopes to bring home the Gold cup.

Getting back to the 2012.  The Cheltenham Festival is called the jewel in the crown of racing, because it is the start of the JUMP season.  The horses jump hurdles around the course, a big prize money pay out and of course the prestigious Gold Cup for the winner.  This could be a very exciting day out for you and a group of friends.  Definitely worth taking a day off work, you never know.  You just might pick a winner.

The Itenary.

This is an exciting four day event, it runs from today (Tuesday 13th March 2012), to Friday 16th March 2012.  Each day has it’s own special theme, ending with the big race that earns the winner the gold cup.  If you want to know more about the whole event just visit the official website to get a full run down of each day’s activities.  In brief, it shapes up like this.

Tuesday 13th March 2012 – Know as Champion Day.  
This is where it all begins, thier under starters orders (as is sometimes said).  The gun is fired, the horse burst out of the starter cage and there off..  The crowd roars as the horses take their first strides and build up to into full gallop.

Wednesday 14th March 2012 – Ladies Day.
Tomorrow is Ladies Day. Get those hats out ladies and shine in the promised sunshine.  Watch the news tomorrow and you will get a mini fashion show.  Bright angled coloured hats, wide brimmed, a maybe a tower or two.

Thursday 15th March 2012 – St Patrick’s day.
On St Patrick’s day, this is the day of the World Hurdle race.  It is a three mile raced with twelve hurdles to jump.  It is only for horses that are four years old or above.  The grassed acreage of the racecourse supplies the traditional green for St Patrick’s day and  Labrookes state to give the best betting odds on all bets.

Friday 16th March 2012 – Gold Cup Day.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup Day is the highlight of the Cheltenham festival. The presentation of the Gold Cup to the winner and a big money prize to the owner of the winning horse.  The race for the gold cup is the biggest of seven races on the day, so there is plenty of action and lots of excitment to enjoy.

Unfortunately, tickets for Friday’s Gold Cup Day are all sold out.  However, tickets are still available on the day for all the other days.  From London Trains run from Paddington Station.  The gates open at 10:30am for a full day of great racing.

Photo by: lhourahane.

See The Great Works of Picasso.

If you are an art enthusiast then you may be interested in the great works of Picasso.  The Tate Britain is showcasing over 50 pieces of Pablo Picasso’s beautiful works.  This is a major exhibition that is running for a full 5 months.  It focuses on Picasso’s connection to Britain, going back to his first visit to London in 1919.

If you plan to visit London between now and mid July.  This is an exhibiton not to be missed.  I plan on visiting the Tate Britain myself in late Spring, so I will return to the subject and share my own views.  There is a Tate gallery shop as well as a Café, where you can have lunch or tea.  It opens at 10:00am everyday, and serves breakfast at the weekends.

This year, London is the center of two major events; the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee. With the Picasso exhibition, I would say there are now three major events in London.   If you are based outside the UK, check AA or BA for flights to London.

The exhibition’s theme is Picasso’s love of the of the UK and his influence on British artists and culture.  It will showcase over 100 works of art, including the works of British artists who were influenced by Picasso.  They include exhibits by Ben Nicholson, David Hockney, Duncan Grant and others.

I know many of you art lovers would visit London, for this exhibition alone.  The 1937 “Weeping Woman” and the earlier 1925 “The Three Dancers”, will be among the great works of Picasso on show.  The Tate Britian is based in London and more details are below.  If you want further details about this exhibition visit the Tate Britain website.

Great Works of Picasso Exhibition Details.

EXHIBITION: Picasso and Modern British Art.
LOCATION: Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.
DATES: 15th February 2012 – 15th July 2012.
OPENING TIMES: 10:00am – 6:00pm.
ADMISSION FEE: £14.00; free for Tate Members & children under 12 with an adult.

Picasso’s works were not just great, they were vast.  Hundreds of paintings, pieces of art, sculptures and drawings exsists today, so that we may enjoy them.  I’ll be viewing this exhibition in the Summer.

For more information about major exhibitions at the Tate Britain  Visit the official website.