The city of Stirling has played an important role in Scotland’s history, especially during important times. In and around Stirling has a fantastic selection of superb tourist attractions and masses of photo opportunities. In article that follows I introduce three places to visit in Stirling; Stirling Castle, Stirling Old Town Jail and Argyll’s Lodging:

Stirling Castle

Two hundred and fifty feet above the city of Stirling, standing guard, and surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs is Stirling Castle. The castle is incredibly important in the history of Scotland, there have been a number of coronations at the castle, including Mary Queen of Scots’ in 1543. The castle was also witness to an horrific murder in 1452. The 8th Earl of Douglas was victim to James II in 1452. Stirling Castle is home to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, although they are, unfortunately no longer garrisoned there. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, is situated inside the castle.

Stirling Old Town Jail

The Stirling Old Town Jail we see today was not the original jail, for 400 years, Stirling’s prisoners were secured in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was dreadfully overcrowded, and smelt disgusting, with twenty four prisoners in each cell, and zero toilet facilities. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, because of the awful living conditions there, and in 1847 the current jail was opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial prison, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military prison in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a tourist attraction, and was only restored in the 1990’s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled lift that leads to a viewing platform at the very top of the jail. From commanding viewpoint a person is able to look out across the Forth Valley, and glance across at the Highland mountains.

Argyll’s Lodging

Argyll’s Lodging can be found on Castle Wynd, situated in the middle of Stirling and is Scotland’s finest existing renaissance house. The house was erected around 1630, by Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who became Secretary of State for Scotland, and was then appointed the 1st Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging passed to the Argyll family on his death and was extended by the 9th Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the laigh hall, dining room, bed chamber and drawing room, have all been superbly restored and furnished, as they would have looked when the ninth Earl lived there, around 1680.

If you are thinking about having a weekend break in Stirling you will discover a large selection of online Stirling hotels and guest houses and you will find a broad selection at http://stirling.hotelreservationhelper.com/

The Peak district National Park attracts visitors from around the globe some of whom come to get out in the wilds and are happy to stay in one of the Peak district b&bs whilst other come to the area to visit many of the town and villages around the area many of which are home to Peak district luxury hotels.

One of the towns in the area is Bakewell in Derbyshire and it is right in the heart of the Peak District, is a small and extremely beautiful market town. Bakewell is positioned right by the river wye and traffic still uses the very picturesque 5 arched bridge which despite its thirteenth century origins is still in use today. Due to increase in traffic over the centuries it was widened in the 19th century.

There is a lot of history to Bakewell that a lot of people don’t know about, the town its self has even been mentioned in the Doomsday book as having two priests a church which signified importance all those centuries ago. The local grammar school was founded in 1637 by the marriage between Sir George Manners and Grace Pierrepont and the school is known as Lady Manners School.

The local church, All Saints Parish of which the majority stands now, dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, with fragments of Norman and Saxon stonework, again like the bridge considerable restoration work took place in the 19th century. The church is quite squat and wide in design but is complimented by the octagonal tower with its spire.

There used to be in the centre of Bakewell the White Horse Inn, which has been replaced by The Rutland Arms Hotel, with some other various buildings being demolished in 1805, to form Rutland Square.

Centuries ago, these would of catered for coach travellers who passed through the town, and it has always been reputed for the connection to Jane Austin, who was reported to have stayed at this hotel, whilst writing Pride and Prejudice, and that Lambton in the book has been identified as Bakewell.

Another truly great invention happened by accident at the hotel, and that is the famous Bakewell pudding known throughout all of the UK. The story is told, that when the cook misinterpreted the baking instructions, and pored the egg mixture over the jam instead of adding to the pastry what should have been a tart had now become a pudding.

There are numerous shops in the town centre where these puddings can be purchased.

Bakewell in the peak district is at the southern end of the Pennines in Central England, there are thousands of people who visit this beautiful area every year, probably making it the second most popular National Park in England.

There are some really beautiful and interesting places to visit on Peak District holidays especially in and around Bakewell. The area has something for everyone, whether you want a hotel, or a guest house, there are plenty to choose from, who all offer good food and quality Bakewell holiday cottages.

To find out more about this delightfull region visit the Peak District tourist information blog

London is one of the most fashionable short break locations in Europe and is possibly in the top 10 of the best selling international locations.

London offers everything any tourist could desire. If you are searching for a huge variety of shopping options in fact London has the largest amount of retail premises in the UK. Shopping options extend from designer shops to used deals on a marketplace stall. There are large famous department shops in the bustling principal streets.

During a busy days shopping you can take a break in one of the many coffee shops or a bottle of wine in one of the numerous pubs. After you have finished browsing you can enjoy some food in one of the legion of eating places. In London you will find a restaurant offering nearly every kind of cuisine you could imagine from each part of the world. London has a very diverse multi-cultural population and this allows visitors to try out contrasting types of culinary delights.

After dinner why not sample one of the many world class performances in London’s West End. There you will find numerous renowned actors and actresses performing in the latest shows. There are some travel companies that offer great theatre breaks deals, which include a top seat at a show of your pick and a hotel.

London has a huge number of accommodation choices of varying criteria from a simple youth hostel to five star plus luxury hotels. The cost of the accommodation you choose can be costlier if you pick a property in a busy region of London close to the main stores or theatres. A great idea for many individuals is to stay a bit away out of the center of London. This will save you cash and you can use the extensive underground network to get you around London.

Travelling to London is easy as there are London flights departing from most major cities in the world. You can normally get to London direct or by journeying via another major airport. Within Europe London is serviced by the umpteen low cost airlines offering seats as cheap as just 1 pound or less plus airport charges. A simple search on the net will help you find them.

If you dream of retiring in a private little paradise – a quiet community with no crime, where you can have your cottage by the bay, where you know everybody in town and people still wave as you pass each other in your pickup, well Hawaii is the best place for you.

In Hawaii, even if you’re broke, you can live off of fresh fish, coconuts and pineapples and you can sleep on the beach and bath in the 79 degree crystal clear ocean.  Hawaii has top-notch health care, loads of culture and lots of green space, truly one of the best places in the world to retire.The State of Hawaii is a state in the United States, located on an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of Australia. The state was admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959, making it the 50th state. Hawaii's capital is Honolulu, but you should know that from grade school.  It was from this point out that Hawaii become one of the best places to live in one of the best countries in the world – the USA. 

Only Hawaii and Alaska are outside the contiguous United States and do not share a border with any other U.S. state. This state encompasses nearly the entire volcanic Hawaiin Island Chain, which is made up of hundreds of islands spread over 1,500 miles (2,400 km).  The climate of Hawaii is typical for a tropical area, although temperatures and humidity tend to be a bit less extreme than other tropical locales due to the constant trade winds blowing from the east. That’s perfect for a human beings and a host of animals and plants that we humans enjoy.

There are beaches from white to black. Some are miles long, others hide in tiny coves. Long, beautiful water falls cascade down high cliffs and slip quietly into the sea. The place is paradise because of the beaches, the people  are made friendly to children and older folks.And it's a nice fact to know that people live longer in Hawaii than in any other state in the US. This makes it one of the retirement best places.

It's quite rare for anyone to have an experience with crime on the Big Island, seek emergency help if you happen to. If a visitor does have a bad experience, the Visitor Aloha Society Hawaii may be able to lend assistance.

Hawaii is an awesome place for hiking, with trails ranging from short, easy loops to demanding backcountry treks suitable only for experienced, well-equipped hikers. Make sure you have plenty of water and a cell phone. It's best to always hike with a buddy and tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.  Many visitors are drawn to the natural beauty found at higher elevations on Hawaii Island, such as on Kilauea, Mauna Loa or Mauna Kea volcanoes

Hawaii is also rich in culture and traditions. The hula is a beautiful flowing Hawaiian dance that tells a story. The music is comprised of repetitive chants, called mele, either alone or combined with music. The hula dance began as a form of worship back in ancient times. The musical instruments were often made of gourds, coconuts, or logs covered with shark-skin membrane – and of course, the ukelele. The movements of the body along with the facial movements help tell the story and give it full effect. The hula survives today through study, competitions, shows, and the dances for the visitors enjoyment.

The Luau is known as the Hawaiian barbecue - for good reason. It is normally a large party where the main course is Kalua pig. You will also find pupus (hawaiian appetizers), laulaus (meat, normally pork, cooked inside ti leaves), limu (seaweed), lomi-lomi salmon (salmon cooked with tomato and onion), and haupia (coconut and pineapple pudding).

It is also popular for Lei-giving. Leis have many meanings and uses; the maile lei is the traditional offering to Laka, goddess of the dance, which is one of the reasons the hula dancers are so adorned with them. Leis are given to people arriving and leaving Hawaii meaning love, or friendship.

A notable (and much-discussed) aspect of Hawaiian government and economy is its health care system, which insures over 95% of residents. Under the state’s plan, all businesses are required to provide employees who work more than twenty hours per week with health care. Heavy regulation of insurance companies helps keep the cost to employers down. If you want health insurance, Hawaii is one of the best retirement locations for it.

Due to the emphasis on preventive care, the people of Hawaii spend less on healthcare than most other states. Given these achievements, proponents of universal health care elsewhere in the U.S. have sometimes used Hawaii as a model for proposed federal and state health care plans.

Best Places To Retire

Panama is one of the best countries to retire in Latin American and the world.  Panama is a privileged country within Latin America. It is fast becoming a preferred location for a second or retirement home for North Americans.  It is quickly becoming one of the hottest real estate and retirement locations in the world. Many retirees are finding out about “the new Costa Rica”.There are dozens of reasons why Panama is growing with Americans and people all over the world looking to get a small piece of paradise.

Why is Panama one of the best places to live and retire?

For one, even nature has blessed Panama. Due to a unique geographical position, there are no natural disasters, no hurricanes or destructive earthquakes which plague its Central American neighbours.  It is in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica.  Residential environments drastically range from city, mountain, beach and island communities.Panama offers convenience, low cost and easy living, you can have a comfortable life cheaply. Panama’s cost of living ranks among the lowest in Central America – this is what makes it one of best places to retire cheap.

We would know that we have everything God needed to make paradise. Great farming, beaches, mountains, wildlife you wouldn’t believe…people so beautiful you could cry.  This could be the only reason why some people would want to call this place one of the best places to live in the world.

The number one country outside the United States for a second home-based on Panama’s outstanding safety, infrastructure, climate and beauty.

The Panamanian “Balboa” is actually the U.S. Dollar. Retirees love that they don't have to calculate conversions or learn a new currency.

Panama’s climate is as varied as any nation.  From hot, sunny lowlands to the dry, windy beaches all the way up to the cooler mountain climates of Chiriqui…there’s something for every retiree.

Panamanians are accustomed to foreigners.  The U.S. military had a major presence in Panama until the handover of the Canal and thus, the locals are quite accustomed to foreign ways and dealing with outsiders.The standard of life in Panama is high compared to other third world countries.  Thanks to the Canal, most products available anywhere can be found in Panama City and at real market prices.

The highways, phones, malls, hospitals and banks are all up to date with modern amenities.  Most foreigners are pleasantly surprised at how advanced Panama is, even in remote areas.

Panama is a country forged by various cultures and traditions that come together to create a unique complexity and exotic environment. The country’s ethnic diversity is reflected in the traditional products, such as woodcarvings, ceremonial masks and pottery, as well as in its architecture, cuisine and festivals.

Panama offers good-quality medical care and modern hospitals in its metropolitan areas. There is a great medical center with modern facilities in the city of David in the Chiriqui Province in the western region of Panama. Many Panamanian doctors are U.S.-trained, and the standards at the top hospitals compare favorably to those in the United States.

Private health insurance is available and much less expensive than insurance in the United States. Prices for prescription drugs are low as well, because manufacturers price them for the market. Plus, many drugs that require a prescription in the States are available over the counter in Panama.

Panama has the best incentive program in the world for foreign retirees or Pensionados.

Some of the benefits are importation of all your personal and household goods up to $10,000 tax free and the right to import a car every two years as well tax free.  These are just a few reasons why Panama is one of the best places to live and retire.  You'll have to decide for yourself and take a short trip there.

Asia Retirement

Asia is a great retirement option for those seeking affordable yet comfortable living, without compromising on natural beauty, entertainment and great food. Malaysia could be the place you’ve been dreaming about. If you’re not familiar with it, Malaysia is situated on the lower part of the Malay peninsula, just north of Singapore.

East Malaysia is situated on the northern third or so of Borneo – about 400 miles east of the mainland. Peninsular Malaysia is more developed, with all of the major cities, and East Malaysia is where you will find large expanses of jungle, many rivers, and some of the best diving in Southeast Asia.

Many people will find that Malaysia offers many places to live and some places just to visit for a few days.  If you want to retire to Asia, Malaysia is as good a place as any. 

Malaysia was a British colony until 1957, and has existed in it’s present form since 1963. English is spoken widely, although many other languages are spoken as well – various dialects of Chinese, Tamil (a south Indian language), Malayalam (another South Indian Language) and the national language, Bahasa Malaysia.

Malaysia is blessed with a pleasant, warm climate, inviting shorelines of white sands skirted by crystal clear waters. Lots of public and private hospitals, recreational/entertainment facilities and developed and quality education system are also available.

Malaysia is a tropical country, with high humidity year round. The monsoon season generally runs from December to March, and hits the East Coast hardest- although rain is year round. It can be very hot in northern Malaysia in the summer, and temperatures in the low-lying areas generally reach into the low 90sF at their hottest.

Crime is low but if helps to take the proper safety precautions. The best advice is "Don't Do Drugs!" in Malaysia. The people are very friendly.  This alone makes it one of the best places to retire in Asia.

You may think a US citizen visiting a Muslim country might experience some ill will, but if you show respect for the local cultures and religions it should rarely be a problem. The main everyday sign that this is an Islamic country is the head scarf that observant Muslim women wear, and the sound of the call to prayer from the Mosques.

People who want a little adventure in their retirement years, while still enjoying a decent standard of living would like living here. People who enjoy trying new foods – Malay, all sorts of Indian food, all sorts of Chinese food, fresh seafood all year would enjoy staying here. Same with those people who have decent health and who want to keep it that way by being active and curious.

Things are cheap in Malaysia so you do not need large retirement savings to live well here.

Fortunately Malaysia has an exceptionally low cost of living and is aided by a tax regime that is most welcoming to foreigners.  This is a good reason to retire in Malaysia.

Another benefit of retiring to Malaysia is the high quality, low cost modern health care facilities. Yet medical expenses and insurance can be very cheap and affordable compare to other countries.

Malaysia’s cultural mosaic is marked by multinational traditions, originating from China, India, the Middle East, Europe, and the entire Malay Archipelago.

New cultural influences from Europe and China mixed with Hindu and Islamic traditions later in history. A collective but distinctively Malay cultural pattern has emerged from this blend. You can see it in the literature, music, dance, and other performing art forms.

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, where more than a million work and reside, and functions as the center of Malaysia’s political, commercial and social life. It is a city of delightful contrasts. The favorable climate accounts for the lush greenery and profusion of tropical blooms in a riot of colors. The end result is a unique blend of age-old customs and traditions; colorful festivals, songs and dances and a rich variety of foods to tempt the palate.

Credit cards and travelers cheques are accepted at larger establishments. Most banks readily accept foreign currencies like the US Dollar, Pound Sterling, Yen, Deustchmark and Franc for exchange into Malaysian Ringgit.

Maybe old-fashioned games like connect the dots, word puzzles, mazes and tic tac toe seem obsolete to kids who grow up with game consoles and games on cell-phones, but children of around four and five years of age really enjoy such activities. Parents take advantage of such classic games to give their children an occupation during traveling. Various web pages represent the easiest source of printable travel games that can be included in the luggage for “boredom” sufferers, yet mention must be made that kids with carsickness should be distracted in different ways, as any attempt to watch a fixed point when the car is moving will only aggravate the sickness.

Some web pages actually specialize in printable travel games offering a wide selection range for family groups and preschoolers. Common sense tells every parent to pack some toys and activities to keep the children busy when traveling by car or flying. To support the use of printable travel games make sure you take everything necessary for their playing: make sure to take gel pens, markers and multicolored crayons. Moreover you can arrange the printable travel games into some plastic sheet protectors and bind them together with a three ring to create a nice trip memory book.

Nice printable travel games and coloring pages are available with Crayola.com a site that provides printable activities and design patterns for all the American states, thus, the kids can have fun learning about one state you are traveling through or another. Flowers, flags, maps, birds and even quizzes become meaningful and highly useful during the trip. One parent or an elder brother may have to watch over the activities of the little ones and see to their game, but they will probably have time too.

There are various kinds of printable travel games available for older children, but every parent will appreciated whether one activity or another suits the child’s age or not. You can even have the kid choose and see what kind of games he/she would like to play so that the contentment rate during the trip should remain optimal. The travel destination is also relevant for the choice of the printable travel games: in case you  will get to the ocean, marine life coloring sheets will surely raise the interest and the curiosity of the child, and the same thing works for trips in the mountains.

A travel game you should like that will save you money on your next vacation is My Airfare Secrets…

The holiday industry has been hit hard by the recession. One of the first high-profile companies to feel the punch was the tour operator XL and their have been many more giving up the ghost since. The first good news in a while however has been announced by TUI, Britain’s largest tour operator, who say that their last months sales show strong improvements.  Peter Long, chief executive of TUI put this down a regaining of people’s trust in the economy slightly and feeling better about spending their disposable income after the hyped mass hysteria about the credit crunch settled down. “Customers who delayed purchasing holidays in the early booking season have started to return to the market” the company said.

Another factor that is likely have an influence is low interest rates. Mortgage costs are lower than they have been in ages, food prices are back down to sensible levels and utility bills are pretty good as well. This adds up to quite a lot of savings and means people have more money to fork out for their leisure activities.People seem to be seeking the more relaxing environments at the moment, with Caribbean and Mediterranean holidays being amongst the top sellers. All inclusive holidays are very popular at the moment also.

Although the booking figures are still 7% lower than they were last year, they are definitely better than the 18% drop that they have been suffering from all year.  They have sold 93% of their winter holidays because despite the worst performing market currently being the Nordic region, holidays to Canada have been doing very well

TUI has said that this pick up represents a general improving trend in holiday sales. We are predicting that as the market claws back some of its strength, figures should begin to rise again back to what they were before the credit crunch hit.

For the best fly drive Canada holidays visit Canadian Sky

Staying in a one of the cottages in Ashford, a town which is located on the banks of the river is a great choice your Peak District holiday.It is located north of Bakewell and is a very unique part of Derbyshire as well as the Peak District so there is plenty to do in easy reach of the village.

Peak District tourism attracts millions of visitors to the area each year and Ashford should definitely be on your Peak District Accommodation shortlist.

There are many places that are worthy of a visit here such as the Holy Trinity Church which like many others in the region is centuries old. There are some spectacular places to visit while you are on holiday, such as The Holy Trinity Church. Some sections of the Holy Trinity Church date back to the 13th century. The church had to be rebuilt in the late 1800’s, but a few items of the past still survive.

The north arcade still stands, which originates from the 14th century. The west tower, south door, and lower section of the church still have the Norman tympanum which shows the tree of life with a hog and wolf face to face.

The church also has a number of artefacts that date from the 1600’s which include a chalice, a Jacobean pulpit, as well as a Perp style font.

An ancient custom from the 1700’s was to hang funeral garland made of white paper that had been cut into rosettes and attached to a wooden frame, then carried in front of the coffin in the funeral procession, then hung up on the roof of the church, which four of them are still hanging there today.

Ashford was once known as a village that made candles but that industry has long been obsolete and today, a house stands in place of the old factory that once stood, which is located on Greaves Lane.

One of the most picturesque things you will find here is the Sheep Wash Bride. Historically this was used as a packhorse bridge, and later on it became popular with sheep herders who were able to wash their flocks here before shearing.

Ashford has long been known for all of the black marble that is produces. Once the marble is polished to a shine, it is used in mosaics, jewellery, table tops, and clocks. You can find black marble tables in the Ashford Church and throughout the U.S., as this type of marble has become very popular.

One of the most fascinating features in Ashford is the revived custom of well dressing, which takes place on Trinity Sunday, this very special event has 6 wells that are dressed with layering leaves and many other natural objects in a bed of clay to form a picture. There are approximately 12,000 or so spectators that visit the church during Well Dressing Week.

There is also Ashford Hall, which overlooks a beautiful lake that is part of the River Wye. Ashford Hall was built in 1785 by Joseph Pickford of derby, and belongs to the Olivier family.

Just down the road from Ashford, you can also find a Georgian house that is T-shaped which is better known as Thornbridge Hall. Until the middle of the 20th century, the hall continued to be privately owned but has had a succession of roles being a college for teachers in training to an antique shop.

If your not staying at holiday at one of the holiday cottages in Ashford definitely make sure it is on your list of places to visit especially if you are taking a holiday during Well Dressing week.

Visit the Peak District Tourism blog for more Peak District Tourist Information

London, the capital of England, is nearly as famous for its amazing opportunities for shopping as it is for its varied culture and long history Folk from all around the globe travel to London to take advantage of the mind boggling selection of boutique stores, specialist markets and department stores. With the weak Pound and strong Dollar those folk visiting from America will discover goods are much less expensive as it has been, it is the same situation for those people arriving from other countries in Europe because the English £ is also weak against the Euro.

Famous Stores In London

Most probably the most well known London department store is Harrods department store in Knightsbridge the planet’s largest being 18,000 m2 of floor space.  The motto of Harrods department store is “all things for all people, everywhere” or ‘Omnia Omnibus Ubique’. Harrods has gained a reputation for being exclusive and luxurious and their food hall and toy department are extremely famous

Selfridges is another department store worthy of a mention.  situated on Oxford Street, the department store opened to the public for the first time in 1909. Named after, and built by the businessman Gordon Selfridge the department store had been carefully designed so that the goods on sale could be more easily accessible to the prospective buyer which had not been done before.

Key Shopping Areas In London

Covent Garden has become extremely well known for its unusual and specialist shops and is considered a hip place to be seen. As well as the amazing shops there are also a number of restaurants and eating places in Covent Garden.

Camden Market is another popular market in London. Although there have been a number of different markets in Camden over a long period of time the present market only appeared in 1974. The market is actually a collection of adjoining markets selling a variety of goods together providing an immense variety of wares.

London Streets Famous For Shopping

The main high street in Chelsea is the Kings Road which is one of the most stylish and chic streets, in London, on which to go shopping. The Kings Road was popular for clothes in the Sixties and Seventies and is closely associated with the Punk movement, these days the Kings Road is much quieter but still well worth visiting.

Another London road, with a strong association with shopping, is Sloane Street which is named after Sir Hans Sloane who bought much of the surrounding area in 1712.

Visiting London

Getting to London is incredibly easy, being England’s capital city transport links are fantastic and London’s underground rail network makes everywhere easily accessible.

London accommodation seems to be everywhere and is incredibly easy to find but sadly it can prove to be a little costly. It is usually the best idea to book your London hotels online and you will discover a huge selection of London hotels, guest houses and apartments at http://www.londonhotel4u.co.uk/.