Posts Tagged ‘Spring’
Daria Visits Venice
I was lucky enough to explore the iconic city of Venice and meet some of our lovely new and existing partners. I arrived at Venice Marco Polo Airport early in the morning and took a bus no. 5 to Piazzale Roma and then a Vaporetto (water bus) no. 2 to San Marco. This is the quickest way to get to Venice by public transport, but I’d recommend taking an Alilaguna water bus (blue line) instead. It takes slightly longer, but it’s a direct water bus from the airport to Venice city centre so it’s much more comfortable, especially if you’re travelling with luggage.
I checked-in at the 4-star Hotel Kette where I was treated to a Superior Room with a Canal View. This elegant hotel is in a perfect location and is just a 5 minute walk from St Mark’s Square. It’s situated on a quiet side street, yet it’s still right in the heart of the city with amazing attractions on your doorstep. The interior is decorated in classic Venetian style with dark wood, Murano glass, marble floor and charming, traditional guest rooms. The hotel staff were incredibly friendly and helpful which made my stay all the more special!
After a quick break, I headed out to visit some of our featured hotels. I have to admit that I was slightly concerned about getting lost in the narrow streets and bridges of Venice… but it’s actually a very easy city to get around! Its a lot smaller than I had thought, so it was super easy to wander around.
On day 1 and 2 of my trip, I visited the following hotels:
- 5-star Baglioni Hotel Luna
- 5-star Hotel Metropole
- 4-star Hotel Kette
- 4-star Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal
- 4-star Hotel Ai Reali
- 4-star Splendid Venice – Starhotels Collezione
- 4-star Hotel Savoia & Jolanda
- 3-star Unahotels Hotel Ala Venezia
- 3-star Hotel Firenze
- 3-star Hotel Flora
After the site visits on day 2, I treated myself to some mouthwatering gelatos at Gelateria Paolin dal 1760, and it didn’t disappoint! With outdoor seating, it’s perfect for sunbathing and watching the world go by while you enjoy your lunch or gelato.
In the evening, I strolled along the canals to Ponte dell’Accademia bridge and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and watched the sun setting behind the buildings of Venice, it was truly unforgettable.
On day 3, I headed to St Mark’s Square for a guided tour of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. A guided tour is a great option to load yourself with historical information you wouldn’t hear otherwise and to bypass the entrance queues. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and informative and the tour itself was absolutely fantastic.
After the tour, I had a tasty lunch by the Grand Canal, then went back to the hotel to collect my luggage and headed back to the airport after a wonderful adventure.
The city is packed full of charm, I really fell in love with it. From its rich history and beautiful architecture to its picturesque bridges and canals at every turn. My best advice would be to just wander…and no matter which street you go down, you’ll always discover something incredible.
To find out more about my visit to Venice or if you’re interested in a similar trip,
give the team a call on 0131 243 8098 or send us an email.
Spring into Amsterdam!
Amsterdam has a unique charm at any time of year, but it really comes into its own during the spring months. Experience the wonderful canals of Amsterdam and vibrant flower markets which colour the entire city!
Amsterdam is an exciting destination brimming with culture, world-class museums and historical gems. On a typical spring day in Amsterdam, tables and chairs appear on the pavements and squares, and the sun glistens off the canals, whilst market stalls overflow with an array of colourful blooms. What’s amazing about this city is that there’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking for an intimate boutique hotel such as the Hotel Estherea or a peaceful, family friendly one like the Owl Hotel. This is also true for what’s on offer in Amsterdam – continue reading to find out what you can do in this beautiful city this spring!
Blooming Lovely
From 21 March to 12 May, the Keukenhof Gardens are in full bloom, with 800 varieties of tulips covering over 32 hectares and various themed gardens and sculptures, it’s a sight you can’t miss. Just 30-minutes from Amsterdam, tours to the gardens depart several times each day from the city centre. Our tour package to visit the bulb fields can be added onto any Amsterdam package which includes return transfers and some free time to roam around – a day well spent in Spring!
Cruising Around
No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a canal cruise where you can truly see local life unfold before you and the fragrance from the springtime flowers trace your journey. Explore this lively city from another perspective and relax as you cruise the UNESCO canal district of merchant’s houses, fascinating façades and historic landmarks.
Quintessentially Dutch
The best way to experience the beauty of spring is to get out into the countryside! Visit some of the Netherland’s most charming villages on the Marken, Volendam & Windmills tour, including the windmill village of Zaanse Schans and perhaps try some Dutch cheese in Volendam. Alternatively visit the miniature town of Madurodam and the famous pottery town of Delft as part of the Grand Holland tour.
Relaxing Outdoors
For relaxing days in Amsterdam take a visit to the magical Vondelpark made up of vast, lush greenery, ponds, footbridges and winding footpaths. On a warm spring day, the park evokes a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for a leisurely stroll, or how about cycling through on a hired bike like the locals? Your love for Amsterdam will surely blossom with so much to see and do, especially in the springtime.
To find out more about Amsterdam or any of our other 60 destinations call our City Break Specialists on 0131 243 8098 or request a tailor-made itinerary online.
Our Lisbon & Porto Twin Centre Adventure
Lisa and Lawrence feeling on top of the World at The Santa Just Elevator, Lisbon, Portugal
Day 1 – Lisbon
Ola from Lisa and Lawrence in Portugal! We arrived and it was just such beautiful sunny day in Lisbon! Read the rest of this entry »
Eating their way through Copenhagen!
Sarah & Nathalie in Väkst Restaurant
Nathalie our Product Manager and Sarah our Marketing Manager were the lucky two that managed to escape to Copenhagen for a couple of nights to sample the food, drink, hotels and just about everything Scandic! Find out what they got up to during their trip last week. Read the rest of this entry »
Top 5 Must See Cities for 2017
Cityscape panorama of Arno river, towers and cathedrals of Florence
With over 60 destinations to choose from how do you pick where to visit in 2017? We’ve compiled a list of our ‘Top 5 Must See Cities’ for the year ahead, including some of our newest additions such as Porto and Tromsø! It covers a bit of everything from the picturesque and cosmopolitan to the historical and vibrant. Read the rest of this entry »
Our French Riviera Adventure
Lisa & Emma at the Hotel La Perouse, Nice, France
We ventured to the beautiful French Riviera for three nights – two in Nice and our last in Cannes.
As soon as we stepped off the plane the warm weather hit us – we were officially on holiday! We headed straight to our 4-star Hotel La Perouse in Nice from the airport where we were staying for the first part of our trip. Our sea view room couldn’t have been any more perfect – from the fresh pastel colours to the incredible private terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We could have stayed here all month! Read the rest of this entry »
City Parks You Must Visit
Central Park, New York. Credit: ‘Wouter de Bruijn’ from Flickr
When you think of a city break you automatically think – beautiful buildings, fantastic shopping and wonderful food and quite rightly so. However with it now coming into spring, some cities hold fantastic outdoor parks, all of which are best enjoyed over the warmer months. Many are full of attractions, wildlife and plenty of places to grab a drink or have a picnic. Read the rest of this entry »
Best Hotels to Visit in Spring
From the warmer temperatures to classic annual events there are plenty of great reasons to take a city break in spring. This season also sees some fantastic hotels come to life – so we have chosen some of our finest springtime hotels that really are best visited during this flourishing season of the year.
Barcelona, Grand Hotel Central – The famous rooftop infinity pool
Rooftop Pool & Sky Bar, Grand Hotel Central, Barcelona
Why take a City Break this Spring?
Berlin, Brandenburg Gate. Credit: Visit Berlin
As the weather becomes warmer, attractions come into full bloom and with plenty of bargains to be snapped up you really have no excuse! Here’s a few of the best motives to take a city break in spring with some great example destinations. Read the rest of this entry »
Springtime in Florence
Hilltop view, Florence, Italy
No need to wait for summer, we’ve decided to bring the heat and sunshine a little closer this year with springtime in Florence, Italy. Regarded by many as the best time to visit this prime city due to its quieter atmosphere and warm climate. Below are some of our must see and do’s for visiting this elegant city in spring. Read the rest of this entry »
