Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for england
Rail Group Investigates Value for Money
By Linda Tancs
Anyone who has traveled by train in Britain (whether short- or long-haul) has experienced those heart-stopping fares. I’ve often wondered why rail travel is so darned expensive–or is it just my imagination, coupled perhaps with a bad exchange rate? Apparently, my thoughts are well justified. The watchdog group Passenger Focus has released a report this month analyzing such variables as local travel, long-distance travel, comparative rates in other countries and value for money perceptions. Among the many findings: Londoners have a low perception of value for money, soft factors such as cleanliness of trains and well-lit stations inform overall perceptions as well as pricing, and continental comparisons illustrate a general comity among frequency of service although journey speed is more highly rated in continental Europe. Generally speaking, Britain fares (no pun intended) better with pricing for advance bookings than with restricted or unrestricted day returns. Want to learn more? You can download the 38-page report.
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Pancake Fests Mark Shrove Tuesday
By Linda Tancs
The day before Ash Wednesday is popularly known as Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday is a more ancient term, referring to the confession of sins to be shriven, or absolved, from them. In England, Shrove Tuesday is celebrated as Pancake Day–a moniker having its origin in the days when sinfully rich supplies of fat, butter and eggs were used up in preparation for the fast and abstinence of Lent. Over time, this tradition has evolved to the running of pancake races, where women sporting aprons and wielding frying pans make a mad dash for the finish line while flipping those flapjacks in the air. The most popular race takes place in the U.K. in Olney, Buckinghamshire. More than 500 years old, the 400-yard competition takes place at 11:55 a.m. between the market square and the church. Best time? 63 seconds in 1967.
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UK Eyes Travelers
By Linda Tancs
Corresponding to yesterday’s report about the ESTA registration process for travelers to the US, the Sunday Times reported that the UK will keep its own database concerning the travel habits of its citizens. Amidst a host of privacy concerns, the Home Office deems the action necessary in its continuing fight against terrorism, illegal immigration and other crimes. In an unrelated move, the country’s environment czar has proposed limits on Brit travel to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Pity the wanderer among you!
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Rollin’ On the River
By Linda Tancs
They say the wheels of progress move slowly. The problem is when they stop moving at all. In Singapore, the city’s observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer, stranded almost 200 tourists riding in its capsules overlooking Marina Bay for six hours last month due to a fire in the control room. This isn’t the first mishap for a giant ferris wheel. The London Eye likewise stranded passengers a while back due to a mechanical fault. The good news is that the error there was fixed in an hour. The Flyer has been closed for evaluation since the incident. Hopefully, it will open again in time for New Year’s celebrations in February. The Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest observation wheel at a whopping 541 feet, followed by the London Eye at 443 feet and Australia’s Southern Star in Melbourne at 393 feet. With a little tweak here or there, let’s say good things come in tall packages.
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Of Gladiators and Chariots
By Linda Tancs
You know the old expression, “everything old is new again.” Now that applies to gladiators and chariots, too. In Rome, city representatives are contemplating an authentic re-creation (read: no puppet shows) of gladiator battles at the Colosseum, less commonly known as the Flavium amphitheater, in an effort to bring ancient Rome back to life. In another resurrection planned for over a decade, the O2 in London will present Ben-Hur, complete with its signature chariot scene made famous by Charleton Heston, in September. Presumably the show will tour Europe if all goes well in London.
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Cine City
By Linda Tancs
For those who haven’t heard, the U.K.’s Swindon Film Festival (which had been scheduled for 14 November – 22 November) has been cancelled this year. Don’t despair. Head on over to Brighton on 20 November for the film fest scheduled to run (at least for now) until 7 December. This year’s convention is set to open with Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona and includes the recently confirmed addition of Milk, starring Sean Penn. There’s even an animation minifest. Have a reel good time.
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Bridgwater Readies Its Squibs
By Linda Tancs
A carnival atmosphere returns to Bridgwater in Somerset, England tomorrow night for the annual Guy Fawkes Carnvial. Guy Fawkes was a Catholic co-conspirator who attempted to blow up Parliament in 1605. The foiled plot is celebrated every 5 November with fireworks and bonfires. As early as the 1700s according to historical records, Bridgwater has fervently commemorated the event with a nighttime carnival on the Friday following Guy Fawkes Day. The festivities include the parading of squibs (mounted fireworks) in the High Street. Check out the Spirit of Carnival statue unveiled in 2005 at the spot where it all began over 400 years ago.
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Stansted to Share No. 2 Spot
By Linda Tancs
Despite some opposition from environmentalists, Stansted’s airport expansion is set to move forward, making it Britain’s second largest airport along with Gatwick. The move means an increase in passenger travel from 23 million to 35 million. The number of planes allowed to fly in and out will increase from 241,000 to 264,000. Currently, 184,000 planes use the airport. The expansion follows a study showing a shortage of runways in the Southeast. Whether the move will mean a shift in passengers’ airport of choice remains to be seen.
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Believe It or Not, It’s Open
By Linda Tancs
In September Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum finally opened in the heart of Piccadilly Circus. Given its bohemian nature, the location is quite fitting for the self-described odditorium. Where else can you see shrunken heads, crystal cars and a portrait of Diana made of laundry lint all under one roof? Open every day, now you have something to do on Sunday.
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An Icy Reception
By Linda Tancs
“Put it on ice” takes on a whole new meaning at London’s Ice Bar in the heart of Mayfair. As the city’s first permanent watering hole made of ice, it’s outfitted with tables, seats, wall hangings and drinking glasses made of pure ice. Of course it’s cold, kept at minus 5. The thermal cape and hood ensemble helps block the freeze, but the gloves aren’t enough to keep your hands from numbing after about a half hour. Good thing visits are limited to 45 minutes. Find your inner polar bear and give it a try.
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