Country Vacations & Resorts

I’ve been anticipating this new season of Downton Abbey almost like a kid who can hardly wait for Christmas morning!

Here’s a sneak preview of the upcoming season!

UPDATE: January 9th…It was worth the wait! Streaming here for anyone who might be interested…

Take a closer look at Highclere Castle, home of the “Grantham” family…

Thinking of planning a visit? You’ll have to wait until after Easter 2012, but here’s a map of the castle’s location…

Interesting trivia: Maggie Smith was just as funny as “Lady Trentham” in the 2001 film – “Gosford Park.”

What’s to stop you from planning a trip to London this year?

The London Pass is a sightseeing card which gives holders FREE ENTRY to over 55 sights and tourist attractions in London.
Simply pay the one-time price for the London Pass of your choice, (there are 4 durations to choose from) and then enter as many of the tourist attractions included on the pass as you wish, without paying anything else!

5% off All Orders of London Pass Tickets

Some of the most popular attractions which can be visited free with the London Pass are the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle, London Zoo, the London Aquarium, and Shakespeare’s Globe – to name but a few.

The London Pass is an ideal addition to a family holiday, romantic weekend or group trip – in fact, anyone who is travelling to London can enjoy and benefit from the pass. Customer survey results show that over 95% of London Pass users are more than satisfied and would recommend the pass to others.

This year will be an exciting one for the United Kingdom:

There’s the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Held from June 2 – 5, 2012.

Or the London 2012 Olympics from 27 July to 12 August 2012.

And there are a few other corners of the UK you just might want to see…but you’ll need a place to stay. You can build your own “UK cottages” portfolio right here and begin to plan your Summer 2012 travel!

After posting the article last week from My Favourite Holiday Cottages regarding the movie “War Horse” which was filmed in Dartmoor, I decided I had to see. I’m glad I did.

Although some of the scenes were a bit rough for a person as sensitive about animals as I am, the film tells a great story not only about the bond between the horse and the human or about the horrors of war, but about having determination and strength of purpose.

The surrounding scenery from the film made me want to pack my bags and move! You can quickly see why this southwestern area of rural England is a prime tourist destination. Discover more about Dartmoor National Park.

Coming up January 8th, 2012 is the return of “Downton Abbey.” We’ve covered the area nearby the gorgeous Highclere Castle – home of the fictitious Lord Grantham and his family here.

I found a 10-minute preview of Downton Abbey, Season Two for you. Season One is also available streaming between now and the January 8 release date of Season Two.

Movies and films often provide us with a glimpse of a new destination we’d love to visit. “War Horse” and “Downton Abbey” are certainly prime examples…

UPDATE: January 8, 2012…

Pictures of Prince William and his wife Katherine, Duchess of Cambridge at the “War Horse” premiere, London – January 8, 2012.

Here’s another guest post from our Spain insider – Jay…

Who wouldn’t like to live in Spain?

The weather is great, the country is beautiful, the big cities are impressive, there is a lot of culture, and there are many beautiful beaches. In other words, it is the ideal country to follow an education. On top of that, Spanish is beautiful and the third most spoken language in the world. But before thinking about studying in Spain, there are some aspects you need to consider. Below, I will explain the procedures of studying in Spain to help you decide if this actually is the right choice.

Is a study in Spain expensive?
One of the first things you need to know before considering an education anywhere is: Is it affordable?

Many countries in the world charge such a high tuition fee that students are bound to borrow money and get high debts. The United States is one of those countries where education is so expensive that you need to get a scholarship or a loan to get a proper education. Some countries support students through scholarships and Government financing.

Luckily tuition fees are relatively low in Spain compared to other countries. One year of study costs around a 1000 Euro a year. Compared to 15000 a year in the USA and 4000 in the Netherlands, this is quite cheap. Although in the USA it is possible to earn a scholarship and in the Netherlands, the government supports students financially for 4 years.

What requirements need to be met?
For locals, studying at a Spanish university is no problem. They only need to graduate high school. But for foreigners there are some requirements. Foreigners need to pass an entry test for foreigners and a Spanish language test to make sure you have no problem following classes. In some regions in Spain you may also be obligated to take language courses.

What are the formalities?
In general, students from inside the European Union are allowed to study in Spain. There are a few formalities however. Students are exempted from university entry tests provided that they comply with basic entry requirements. After this, the Universidad Nacional a Distancia will check student’s eligibility.

There is also an ERASMUS program in Spain. This gives students from other countries the chance to study in Spain by receiving 1000 Euros for the tuition. Degrees obtained here are also valid in other countries via the European Credit Transfer and accumulation System (ECTS).

Outside the EU
If you want to study in Spain from outside the European Union, first you need to get your diploma recognized by the Spanish ministry of education. If you pass the Spanish University entry test, you are then able to carry out a pre-registration to the University that you want.

Students from outside the EU must apply for a D Visa if you are planning to go to school in Spain for longer than 90 days. An application should be send from outside the European Union to a Spanish embassy or get one at a consultancy abroad. Make sure you have 3 passport sized photos, proof of enrollment and a medical certificate, health insurance, a financial statement and proof of payment of tuition fees ready to show the Embassy. Once you are in Spain, you have 90 days to apply for a resident permit. You can get one at the police station when you show your student visa. Once this is all taken care of, there is no problem studying in Spain.

Is a Study in Spain Recommended?
Even though the circumstances in Spain are ideal for doing an education, this does not mean it is a good idea for everyone. Before considering an education in Spain you have to check how the level of education is in that particular country.

Spain is the one of the few EU countries who did not implement the Bachelor-Master system yet. So this means they work with old degrees. Not only that, the difference between the vision of education between the Southern Europe and Northern Europe is different. In Northern Europe the focus lies on experience and in Southern Europe on theory (instruction).

In general Spanish people speak very little to no English. In my opinion, it is important to learn proper English. Spanish Universities don’t tend to value team work or simultaneous assignments and their curriculum is somewhat below average. In many cases, and depending upon your educational focus, other countries may be a better choice.

If you do come to Spain I recommend a study in Barcelona. That city is the most impressive one of all. It has the beach, culture, and the big city.

Article written by J.Besters, blogger and writer for apartime.com provider of Barcelona properties.

Here’s a guest post for you with a definition of “Boxing Day,” for those who still think gloves may be required, and also some info on the new jewel in the crown of UK vacation cottages, Emmett’s Grange…

Thanks to Dan at My Favourite Holiday Cottages!

With the previous British celebrations of Bonfire Night and Halloween out of the way, we’re now looking ahead to Christmas holidays and with only 6 weeks to go, time seems to be flying by.

The traditional festive period in England consists of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day celebrated on the 26th of December.

The main difference between an American and British Christmas is Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a public holiday named after the old custom for tradesmen to collect Christmas boxes of money or gifts for their good service throughout the year. Nowadays it is treated as a simple bank holiday where people go for family walks and continue to eat the leftovers from Christmas Lunch the day before.

With all these things to look forward to some people still haven’t decided on the one big question for Christmas – where to stay? Should it be a Christmas at home, visit with relatives, or to go on vacation instead?

So, if you are looking to getaway for the holidays, the perfect property is the stunning Emmett’s Grange.

Newly added to the self-catering market, Emmett’s Grange is a luxury Georgian Farmhouse located in the middle of Exmoor National Park in the South West of England.

The house is among the most stunning properties in the National Park, sits in the middle of its very own 900 acre (3.6km2) estate, and has some of the most exquisite views of the moorland.

The house itself is over 170 years old and contains everything you could need for a Christmas vacation property.

Sleeping 10, the house boasts a full size farmhouse styled kitchen, games room, dining room, music room, bar area and drawing room – which with a brilliantly warming log fire is perfect for cold, snowy nights. The house will soon be decorated throughout with a full size Christmas Tree to make the property even more special during the festive season.

During the day, the estate is perfect for walking the dozens of trails and paths which cross the moor, with plenty of chance to see red deer and other rare birds. Plus, if the snow does fall over the Christmas period, the gentle sloping fields make an ideal place to go sledging and have plenty of snowball fights.

If the London Olympics, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and rumors of a royal birth have you interested in visiting the UK in 2012, Emmett’s Grange is definitely worth a closer look for an idyllic accommodation. Review our UK Vacation Cottage of the Month series for other great recommendations.

Work, work, work…that is all many of us seem to do these days.

If you’ve worked in information technology as I have, you’ll know that non-retail employers often plan computer and software upgrades over holidays when internal employee computer usage is slow to none. I’ve had more than one holiday season shortened to the point of only the actual holiday “day” being away from work.

You can use this to your advantage if work tends to interfere with holiday planning.

Reward yourself with a long weekend. This is a great time to choose bed and breakfast accommodations. You’ll likely find a little extra personal attention and pampering – often available at short notice – and in almost every destination you can imagine.

Plan your trip right before or right after the traditional holiday dates. I’ve found some great deals at bed and breakfast inns – because I’m not looking to stay on their busiest nights of the year. B&B owners usually do a fantastic job of decorating their inns for the holiday – Christmas trees, roaring fireplaces, great (often homemade) food…

I can still partake of the festivities the week after Christmas or the week before. It’s hard to feel sorry for yourself for having a work-shortened holiday when you plan this kind of escape! Here are a few special deals for the 2011 holiday season…

Get a FREE $50 B&B Gift Card!

Bed and Breakfast Holiday Deal Center – Free Shipping on Every Order!

Shop for International Bed and Breakfasts on BedandBreakfast.com

Do I still have to remove my shoes?

That’s all most travelers will want to know about this new program from our friends at the Transportation Security Administration. Good luck finding out any real new or useful information about this latest “pilot” process from the TSA.

Frequent fliers on the Delta and American Airlines programs departing from:

~ Atlanta – Hartsfield-Jackson
~ Detroit – Metropolitan Wayne County
~ Miami International
~ Dallas-Fort Worth International

…can take part in this latest rendition of “Who are you, where are you going, and why?” invasion of personal space.

Apparently, members of the Customs and Border Patrol’s “Trusted Traveler” program are eligible. There is also another category you can try to fit called “Known Traveler.” TSA reminds us that this PreCheck program is new and that even if you manage to slot into one of their “trusted” categories, you are always still prone to “random” searches based on some unknown “screening” parameters.

Are you confused yet?

Try reading it for yourself direct from the TSA. Maybe you’ll have better luck in comprehension than I did.

Governmental mumbo-jumbo makes it hard for anyone to know for sure what is acceptable these days and what is not. Some clear information would be far more welcomed than just another “program” that adds yet another layer of “Who knows?” to travel. I appreciate that transportation is prone to terrorist activities and understand the level of scrutiny required. But just set and maintain one set of rules – not ten.

For the moment – still plan on removing your shoes…

Here are some tips for European travelers heading for the United States from our guest poster, J.Besters, blogger and writer for apartime.com provider of vacation rental apartments in New York City.

Next week we’ll read some tips for Americans heading to Europe…

Traveling to the United States is for Europeans always a great experience. But still there are some facts Europeans should know before traveling to the United States.

6. Sports
Soccer is the most popular sport in Europe. But don´t expect to watch a European-level soccer match in the United States. Americans are into sports that are only big in the United States. Examples are American Football, ice hockey, baseball and basketball.

5. Shopping malls
The first thing a European should remember before traveling to the United States is to bring a lot of money. The shopping centers in the United States are huge. I guarantee that every European that sees a big American shopping mall for the first time is shocked. I could not believe my eyes when I saw an actual rollercoaster in a shopping mall in Florida. Not only are most malls much bigger in Europe, the prices are much lower too.

4. Drinking age
If you are between the age of 16 and 21 and you love to party, you are up for a big surprise. Where it is legal to drink under the age of 21 in Europe, this is strictly forbidden in the United States. So make sure that when you party, you are at least 21 years old, you have no problem having a good time without the liquor, or do what I did when I was 19 years old and living in the US, let other people buy liquor and run when you are about to get into trouble.

3. Every state is different
In Europe, there are hardly any differences within a country. But in the United States I get the feeling that whenever I enter a different state, I enter a different country. So when traveling through the United States, prepare yourself for different scenarios. Because when it is 25 degrease Celsius in Texas, it could be snowing in New York.

2. Fast food
When traveling to the United States, don´t be afraid there won´t be any food you like. There are much more fast food chains in the United States than there are in Europe. Many Europeans only know the fast food chains Macdonald´s, KFC, Burger King and Subway. While in the United States there are dozens of fast food chains with all types of food.

1. Traveling distance
When you are planning a road trip in the United States, you will be amazed how long you will have to drive to get to the next big city. In Holland I used to think a 2 hour drive to the other side of the country was awful. That was before I experienced an eight hour drive from San Angelo Texas to Houston.

These are things Europeans have to consider when traveling to the United States. If you have any comments on my advice or experiences, I would love to hear them.