Euro Travel & More

The Brown’s Hotel in London was one of the very first that I had stayed in many years ago. But at that time it was under another management . .another owner. It is a very charming and intimate hotel and as one can expect . .it is very English like in decor and everything else. The Brown’s Hotel shouts respect .. and distinguished.

Located in Mayfiar on Albermarle Street, The Brown’s Hotel is actually one of the most historic hotels as it was the first hotel to be opened in London in 1837. Within a short walk from Bond Street where you can get all your exclusive handbags and shoes and clothings.

They had 29 luxurious suites and more standard rooms in Brown’s and I was privileged to have stayed in one. Each suite i learned later .. that they were individually designed with a sophistication that has become the trademark of The Rocco Forte Collection. Of course, the service staff goes about their work quietly and never disturbing your peace. The people in the hotel were friendly.. but not over hospitable I have to say. They do keep a distance.. and talk when spoken to.

Even if you didn’t get a chance to stay at the Brown’s Hotel, one must try going to the famous English Tea Room. Relax to the sounds from the Baby Grand Piano and indulge in Brown’s award-winning Traditional Afternoon Tea which consists of a choice of 17 teas, including Brown’s own blend, along with succulent finger sandwiches, an assortment of delicate pastries, fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, as well as a choice of freshly baked cakes from the trolley.

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Paris has the Eiffel Tower, New York the Empire State, and London of course has the London Eye to be proud of. It is the world’s largest observation wheel offers a spectacular way to take in over 55 of London’s most famous landmarks in just 30 minutes! Located at the Westminster Bridge Road, about 12 pounds, it took 7 years.. hundreds of ppl from 5 countries to make the London eye a reality. I was really privileged to be one of the very first to take a ride when it was first opened. Was i scared..?? nah.. !! it was like going on a ferris wheel.. like the one in Japan.. Tokyo. But it was a breathtaking view.. and exhilarating nonetheless. The ones in Singapore .. now reminds me so much of the one in London.

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As an Asian it would be uncommon if you haven’t traveled to your nearby neighborhood destinations for a short getaway.   Some even just go across the border to Malaysia, Vietnam or especially Thailand, touted to be a man’s paradise, for the weekend.  In Asia, flights out of the country to places within Asia are relatively cheap and people just pack up and leave without a lot of planning.  Just grab a carry-on luggage and off they go to the airport.

If you are like myself and the spouse and love to go on spontaneous getaways, you will also know that getting a good set of luggage is important.   The  Hartmann Intensity makes use of materials that are used in military bulletproof vests, therefore it is a tough cookie and great for avid travelers like us.  No worries about knocking it around a little (or a lot).  But the spouse loves to bring along his Hartmann belting leather because of its ID window for his driver’s license.  My grandmother used to say you pay for what you get, so frequent travelers and flyers like ourselves make sure we get a good getaway luggage because you don’t want it to fall apart on you in the middle of a vacation.

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For every vacation that we take, even for business trips, the accommodations are one the most important things that we take care of first.  After all, you can’t go for a vacation and not have somewhere nice to stay in right?  The Best Western is a name I am very familiar with because I’ve stayed in many of them. It is a name synonymous to affordable, clean and safe accommodations.  Not only are they usually strategically located,  they are usually easy on transportation too.  Plus each Western Zoder’s Inn has its own parking lot so we need not worry about having to look for parking or any extra costs.

Being one of the finest Gatlinburg resorts at the Smokey Mountains hotel, one can expect to feel pampered and relaxed as well.  The Best Western Zoder’s Inn In Gatlinburg is conveniently located and is within walking distance of a great shopping are or for visiting galleries. There are also some very good restaurants, so food is never a problem.   Beautiful mountain streams surrounding its property also help you to feel absolutely relaxed.   They have cabins and hotel rooms of different sizes to accommodate everyone’s needs and more.  Make your reservations directly online or check on your reservation dates easily to make sure everything is all set.  Plus you can cancel and rebook anytime you need to.  No pets allowed though, so little fluffy man have to stay at home.

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Yes… for those who keeps asking me.. “really..?? you flew air canada to London or Franfurt??”  Really..!! i did..!! in fact .. Air Canada had been flying Europe for some time now.  I fly the Executive First Suite .. it’s like business class .. and instead of the what Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific first class, this is like an in between of business class and first class of the other 2 airlines.  I really don’t mind not flying first class .. even on long haul now albeit being alot narrower than I had expected, the passageway.

It was overall comfy and i had that lie flat seat where you can control it from your seat and adjust accordingly .. without worrying for the person behind you. Highly commendable were the mood lighting .. and the personal video screen although a wee bit bulky in my opinion.  I also like the washroom.. and it’s full length mirror.

I wouldn’t say that the food was great.. but definitely interesting.. if you asked me.  Although i liked fish.. i didn’t think i need 4 different types.  But it was food.. and it was good enough ..just before landing.. at the Heathrow Airport.

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Yes..! the Fryer’s Delight is the much talk about .. when it comes to fish and chips in London. If you wanna eat real fish.. head to Holborn, very near to the British Museum, you can’t missed it. From the outside and the inside. .it is nothing fanciful.. i’ll have to warn you .. but you are afterall, there for the food eh.

Busy, busy .. it’s always busy. During the day.. Fryer’s is packed with office workers.. and at nite.. you have cabbies coming in for take outs. Everything is fried.. and greasy.. do not expect healthy eh. Besides the fish and chips.. you can find pies.. pasties.. sausages..fries, cheese onion pies and anything and everything fatty. Food are cheap and good here. Great for ppl on a low budget.

The no nonsense counter.

And the menu.. Cheap eh..?

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The Rock & Sole Plaice, London didn’t really get good reviews.. when i was looking for a good place to eat.  But they really looked good.. and smelled nice.. when i was queuing.. and plus they had a really long queue.. so i didn’t think i could go too, too wrong.  Located at Endell Street, I’ll have to say . .it didn’t taste the way it smelled.  The batter was kinda thick.. and kinda hard . .and the chips although was hot was quite hard too. .and tasted abit like cardboard.  If you were having it as a take away maybe.. it would be better because with a good vinegar dousing.. it might just make the cardboard feel work.  The selection of fish was good though, but i was disappointed.

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The Tower Bridge is not the London Bridge but it is often mistaken for it .. the actual London Bridge is just up the stream… not too far away from the Tower Bridge. It is over River Thames and a combination of a bascule and suspension bridge. It looks alot prettier at nite.. i assure you. The name derived from being close to the Tower of London .. and it is now an iconic symbol in London. This bridge is owned and maintained by City Bridge Trust, a charitable trust.

Built in the 1870s .. the Tower bridge connects Borough to the heart of the City’s Financial district. This bridge is currently one of the busiet .. that abot 40,000 people crosses it everyday. The bridge will be getting a 4million pounds facelift .. for the next 4 yrs. This summer .. if you are in london.. just be sure to expect work to be done on the bridge.. and road closures will be inevitable..at some point of time. It is hope that the completed work will last for the next 25yrs.

The Tower Bridge at nite, it was truly a fabulous sight.

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London Borough Market is one of my favourite farmer’s market that I try to do whenever I get a chance to be in London. For those who knows me, you’ll know that I love good cheese .. and the free samples that they give out were great. Of course they have more than cheese at the Borough Market, smell the aroma of grilled meat.. and oysters.. and olives .. i can only eye them .. and drool.. and sample.. because my trip usually consist of a week or so.. therefore bringing them home is not feasible.

There were grilled sausages in toasted bread roll .. i think they called it a bap. How about some mushroom pate..?? And yummy aparagus..! they are awesome..! i usually spend half a day at the Borough Market.. and still didn’t get to see everything and taste everything. Sad eh..? Everytime i am there.. I will tell myself.. i’ll stay a little longer the next time.. but there is just too much to see and try.  London’s oldest food market, for 250 yrs.. it has occupied itself on the same site.. so i donch think they are going anywheres.  Don’t forget to visit when you are in London.

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Going on vacation whether with the family or not needs alot of planning and organizing. Hotels are great but for the convenience of being able to cook or BBQ or inviting friends over for a visit, I strongly recommend vacation rentals instead. It is awesome to know that Destin resorts includes the best Destin homes, condos, villas, hotels and bed and breakfast or even cottages to suit your needs.

I like the fact that one can have a full kitchen and all the amenities you cannot get in a hotel and paying much less, alot more affordable and they are children friendly if you decide to bring the kids along for the vacation. The resort is near the beach, therefore the sun and the sea, and most importantly a romantic sunrise or sunset is there anytime you choose to see it. Plus they do try to make you as comfortable as possible. Enjoy the pool, hot tub, jacuzzi and all the air con you need. Relax, rejuvenate and get well rested. Check out their Kissimmee vacation homes for your Disney vacations with the entire family as well as their Puerto Vallarta hotels, for your Mexico vacation that even caters to the entire wedding entourage if you choose to have your wedding there. For more holiday accommodation options, don’t forget to give Rentalo.com a try.

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