Posts Tagged ‘UK’
From classics to recent released Hollywood films, London cinema theatres which are known for comfort, style and service play all kind of films. If you try to find out cinemas all over Greater London, you will surely encounter numerous multi-screen venues. Cinemas around Leicester Square offer you great options for first-run and independent films.
Odeon Leicester Square
The Odeon Leicester Square is a cinema theatre stands on the eastern side of Leicester Square, London. Built on the site of Alhambra Theatre, Odeon Leicester Square is black polished granite building and is by blue neon. It is one of the most renowned cinemas in Europe and is popular for playing many European and World film premieres. With ticket prices ranging in between 14 and 19, it is considered to be the most expensive theatre in the world. The Odeon Leicester Square is the largest single screen cinema in UK. With all modern technologies, the cinema has the seating capacity of approximately 1700 people and is arranged in Royal Circle, Rear Circle and Stalls.
Odeon West End
Odeon West End was built in 1930 on the south side of Leicester Square, London and was known as the Leicester Square Theatre. Until 1988, it operated under the name of Leicester Square Theatre. In the year 1968, it was renovated and the stalls and the single circle were remodeled. Today, the Odeon West End theatre features two screens, one with 500 seats and the other with 832 seats. The cinema theatre is often used for smaller film premieres and also for hosting the BFI London Film Festival.
Empire, Leicester Square
The Empire is a large cinema which is located on the northern side of the Leicester Square, London. The Empire Theatre was designed by Thomas Verity and first opened on 17th April 1884 as a theatre as well as ballet scene. It was renovated by MGM and opened in 1962 with three screens. Later two more screens were added to the theatre and are equipped with latest sound and light systems. The theatre is used for film premieres and first runs.
Prince Charles Cinema
Designed by Carl Fisher and Associates Architects, the Prince Charles Cinema was opened in 1962. It is located in Leicester Place in the West End of London. The price of the tickets for the shows in Prince Charles Cinema starts as low as 1.50. It plays all kinds of films from classic to recent released Hollywood films. It plays 10 movies on a single screen in a week. The single screen has the seating capacity of 472 seats.
National Film Theatre
National Film Theatre now known as BFI Southbank is located on the southern end of Waterloo Bridge, London, UK. The BFI is operated by the British Film Institute and specializes in showing classic, independent and non-English language films. National Film Theatre was opened in 1951 on occasion of the Festival of Britain. In 2007, the National Film Theatre was re-launched in a larger premise. The site of BFI Southbank now includes three pre-existing cinemas, a studio, a mediatheque, a shop and a bar and restaurant.
London IMAX
London IMAX, designed by Avery Associates Architects, stands on the South Bank district of London, UK. Completed in May 1999, the London IMAX cinema is operated by the British Film Institute. London IMAX in the South Bank is renowned for featuring the largest screen in Britain and also has the seating capacity of 500 people. It has also been awarded with a Design Council Millennium Products Award, Civic Trust Award and several other awards after its opening. The cinema is located just north of the Waterloo Station thus making it easily accessible. The other IMAX cinema is at the Science Museum in South Kensington/ Albertopolis.
London has a fantastic array of cinema theatres. People of all genres can visit the theatres and have a far better experience of watching cinema in London.
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At HotelHippo.com, travel is our trade, and so we know how stressful planning and travelling for a trip abroad can be. To help relieve those holiday worries we’ve put together our top 10 travel tips, so you can make the most of your time away.
1. Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visas, if required.
Imagine, you’re at the airport, you’re about to check in, and you notice your passport has expired! Your holiday is over before it’s even begun. Avoid this disappointment by ensuring your passport is up to date. In most cases you’ll find that your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay. If you don’t have a passport, your current passport has expired or is close to expiration, we recommend applying for one now. In the UK it is recommended that you leave at least a month between applying for your passport and arranging travel – this time period may be longer in other countries. Also bear in mind that during summer months your passport office will be inundated with applications, and this may cause a backlog. Be sure to apply for your new passport in plenty of time if you wish to travel during this period.
Also consider the length and type of your trip. Many countries require that you hold a valid visa to work or take an extended stay, and you may find that you are breaking your host county’s laws without one.
2. Read the Consular Information Sheets, public announcements or travel warnings for the areas you plan to visit.
Be sure to read up on the areas you plan to visit with these resources to help ensure your personal safety and make the most of your trip.
3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are travelling.
The last thing any of us want while enjoying our travels is to be seen as an obnoxious tourist. We all know the type, and it’s not a good look. This can be easily avoided by finding out about the customs of the country you intend to visit – perhaps even learn a bit of the lingo. Some knowledge along these lines will surely be welcomed by the locals and will help you to enjoy your surroundings that little bit more. Also ensure you’re aware of any differences in local law to your home country, as when you are abroad you are subject to the rules of your host country, and ignorance is rarely accepted as an excuse.
4. Make 2 copies of your passport identification page.
This will help if your passport is lost or stolen while you are away – usually a complete nightmare, but made so much easier just by following this little tip. Leave one copy at home with friends or family, and carry the other with you in a separate place to your passport. Do NOT carry it with your passport.
5. Leave contact details with friends and family so that you can be contacted in case of emergency.
Life at home doesn’t stop while you’re away, and you may need to be quickly contacted by friends or family should there be an emergency. Make sure they can do this by leaving your travel details (address & telephone number of your accommodation, email address & travel itinerary) with selected friends and family.
6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas. Do not accept packages from strangers.
With all the security measures currently in place in public areas such as airports and train stations it is essential to ensure that you keep hold of your luggage at all times. If you’re asked to hold an item for a stranger, politely decline.
7. Avoid being a target of crime. Avoid wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewellery, and carrying excessive amounts of money, credit cards or gadgets.
Travellers and tourists are obvious targets for foreign criminals – they usually stick out like a sore thumb and carry plenty of cash and gadgets such as digital cameras, camcorders & iPods. Reduce your chances of being a victim by dressing appropriately and only taking what you need – travellers cheques are much safer than cash, and if you wish to take any pictures or listen to music while you’re out, keep your devices out of reach and out of site!
8. To avoid violating local laws, deal only with authorized agents when exchanging money or making sizable purchases.
The old adage is right – it something’s too good to be true, it usually is. If you’re offered an amazing exchange rate or investment opportunity from a stranger with no credentials, walk away. Even if they seem able to prove their identity or position, remain cautious, and trust your instincts – get out if you feel at all uneasy.
9. If you get into trouble, contact the nearest embassy for your country.
Your county’s embassy is the place to turn if you find yourself a victim of crime or in trouble with the law. If you are a citizen of the EU and your country does not have an embassy, contact the nearest EU member embassy and request guidance from them. Many of them will provide some level of assistance in an emergency.
10. Above all, have fun!
With all the planning that is required for a successful holiday, it can be easy to get bogged down and forget to have fun and relax! With some simple preparation before you go, you can enjoy your holiday with minimum fuss while there. You deserve a break – make sure you get it!
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Why not start your gap year off by discovering more about the British Isles. It may not strike you as an exotic location, compared with Thailand, but knowing more about the countries closer to home will help your future employment chances. Employers love to have intelligent, curious workers who have an interest in what makes their economy, and therefore business, tick. Ireland offers a wealth of landscape, industry, history and politics as well as music and entertainment too. Here are some great tips for travelling to, and around, Ireland on your gap year.
Flying into Ireland from the UK is easy. Aer Lingus, the national carrier of the Republic operates from nine airports in the UK and nine cities across Europe. Dublin, Cork and Shannon are all only an hour from the UK and Dublin is the main airport for the Republic of Ireland. There’s a frequent bus service from the airport to the city centre so transport to your accommodation should be easy. Flights from outside of Europe are frequent, although often involving one change at a continental European airport.
The alternative method of reaching Ireland from other European destinations is by sea ferry from the UK or France. If there are a few people travelling in a car or camper van, this can be a very economical way of getting there. The high speed ferry from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leary) takes only 90 minutes. Other ferry services run from Fishguard, Pembroke and Swansea in Wales. You can also travel from France to Rosslare or Cork.
If you are planning on travelling around Ireland, then a car is a good idea. The roads can be rough and difficult to navigate in rural areas. You drive on the left in Ireland. However, if you only want to stay in Dublin, owning a car can be more of a nuisance than it is worth.
The bus service in Ireland is good value for money and runs between all major destinations. Rail is another way of travelling around, and both rail and bus networks are run by CIE. At Dublin airport you can buy prepaid, advance and discount tickets from the CIE information desk. You can also pick up maps and information too. DART is the Dublin Area Rapid Transit transport network. It covers 25 railway stations in the county. Dublin Bus (Bus Atha Cliath) is an economical way of getting around the city. There is an airport link from the city centre every 20 minutes from early morning until 11pm. You can also buy advance tickets from Dublin Bus Head Office on Upper O’Connell Street. An alternative to public transport is using specialist backpacker tours. The best known of these is Paddywagon, but they all offer slightly different packages, depending on the kind of travel experience you are looking for.
Expect to pay between 10 – 20 for a room in a hostel or dorm, depending on when you go. If you are planning on staying in Dublin for a longer period of time, think about alternatives to hostels. Be aware that short term rented accommodation is not easy to come by, and keep an eye out on noticeboards at the university or in bookshops. The situation is particularly difficult at the start of the university term in September time. Hostels in Dublin in the summer are very busy, so you will need to prebook to be sure of having somewhere to stay when you arrive.
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Weather in South Africa
South Africa’s hottest and busiest time is during the UK winter months of November to March.This is also the busiest period for tourists and locals.For a cooler temperature and less busy period, the UK summer months of July and August are a good time to go.When I visited South Africa in July and August the weather was mainly sunny and warm but not too hot so this was the best time for me to travel.It was perfect for all activities.It was nice and quiet at this time too, and this is the cheapest time to visit South Africa. I made sure I read a lot of South Africa Travel Tips before I travelled to ensure I travelled at the best time for me, which was July and August as I prefer the milder temperatures.
How to get to South Africa
The main airports are Johannesburg International Airport and Cape Town International.Flights normally take 12 hours.I flew from Manchester to Amsterdam to Johannesburg on the way there, and on the way back from Cape Town (extra 50 and extra 2 hours) to Johannesburg, to Amsterdam back to Manchester.On the way there this took about 12 hours and was all during the day so left first thing in the morning and got there in the evening, but on the way back I spent about 36 hours getting home as I had long delays between my different connections.I found Johannesburg very busy and had in fact managed to collect a lot more luggage than I started out with, but there is a place to store your luggage in the basement so you can wait for your flight without carrying all your bags around with you.
Getting around South Africa
As a general guide, public transport in South Africa isn’t very reliable but the roads are good so it’s easy to hire a car, or the Baz Bus is a very affordable hop-on-hop-off bus service for backpackers which is an excellent way to meet like minded people.You can also book an organised tour which can also be very economical.I used all three methods of transport during my travels.I started off with an organised tour which was a great way to ease me into travelling alone as you get to know new people really well, then I used the Baz Bus and met hundreds of people all travelling the same route as me, then I hired a car with 2 of the people I had become friends with on the trip.This was a great way to see South Africa by splitting the cost and having more freedom to go where we wanted to in South Africa. The best South Africa Travel Tip I can give you is to make sure you trust people before putting yourself in vulnerable positions.
Time Difference in South Africa from the UK
South Africa is 2 hours ahead of GMT and 1 hour ahead of BST, so when I travelled in the summer, I only had a time difference of 1 hour.That was excellent as it meant no jet lag!
Currency in South Africa
The South African currency is the Rand (R).At the time of writing the Rand is weaker than the pound, Euro and Dollar which means you get a lot for your money.Eating out, accommodation and top attractions will be very affordable.Credit Cards can be used in most areas.I remember staying in the most beautiful hostel in the Drakensburg Mountains having a room to myself with gorgeous views, all for the equivalent of about 3 per night.There are many hostel reviews online you can read to decide where to stay.I ate out most nights and the quality of food was excellent in most places for very little money.
I hope these South Africa Travel tips will help you to plan the holiday of your dreams.
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Introduction to India
No one ever goes to India and comes back un-moved – anyone who says a trip to India “was OK” is lying. That is not to say India is always wonderful, but it is always totally in your face, completely fascinating and totally and utterly different from anywhere else you have been.
I left India knowing that if I didn’t leave I would have a complete screaming fit at the next person who asked me my name, I also left knowing that I would have to return – the place is just indescribable. I think what makes India different is that English is still the lingua franca of the country. You can easily communicate in English a circumstance you may begin to regret after the day’s 25th conversation about your age, marital status, number of children and projected annual income. This hub is designed as only brief introduction to India for the traveler – the Lonely Planet’s current guide to India is a very thick book and India is a very large country! India is the seventh largest country in the world with 1,000,000,000 people and an area of 3,287,590 sq km (1,269,338 sq miles) It would take several years to see everything and and probably a year to see most of it but that is one of the joys of India!
A note on place names. Ever since the British left in 1947 the Indians have been reclaiming their place names to the local form I have tried to used the current common usage with the old name in brackets e.g. Mumbai (Bombay).
India’s Highlights
Although India is huge and varied and complex there are a handful of highlights that most tourists head for, and with just cause. Delhi, Rajasthan, Agra
New Delhi is India’s capital and a major airline gateway. It is also conveniently located near to both the famous desert region of Rajasthan with its ex-princely towns of Jaipur and Udaipur and India’s most visited attraction, the famous Taj Mahal at Agra. Expect to see lots of beautiful building and desert landscapes. Best time to visit in the winter when it’s cooler, November to February. Southern India, Kochi, Hill Forts, Goa
Southern India was Christian before the British arrived giving the area a totally different feel to the Hindu north. Includes historical Kochi (Cochin), the temples of Mysore and the ex-British Raj at Pondicherry and Ootacamund. The beaches of Goa (which was a Portuguese possession until the 1960′s) have been a favourite since the hippies discovered them. Best time to visit November to May avoiding the monsoon. Northern Hills Ladakh, Dharamsala, Shimla
The remote mountainous area of Ladakh is only accessible once the snow melts in June. Dharamsala is the home of the Tibetean Dalai Lama in exile and has a large Tibetean population which makes the town unique in India. Shimla (Simla) is an old British hill town at the top of the hill served by a British era narrow-gauge railway. Both of these get cold in the winter so are best visted in the warmer months, May to Septemer.
Type of Trip
India has a happy combination of well-developed local tourist infrastructure and a very good value for money destination. This means for the same daily rate as a self-drive, stay at Motel 6 trip in US or Europe, in India you could hire a driver, stay in 4 star hotels and eat in the best restaurants. One of the delights of India is whether you are chilling on the beach in Goa or staying at Maharajah’s palace in Rajasthan you can still be having a good time at all different levels of expenditure.Pre-Booked Holiday
With many European budget airlines flying direct to Goa from the UK and Europe there are numerous options for that week in the sun for vitamin D starved Europeans! Alternatively there are numerous tours typically 2 to 3 weeks long with well-known operators such as Intrepid. These tours offer a comfortable and easy, though not cheap, way to experience India. Tip: even if you don’t intend to travel with them, a large tour operators brochure or website will give you great ideas for your own trip planning!
India itself has many tours for local tourists ranging from a day’s city tour of Delhi to week long trips, sometimes with a religious (Hindu) theme to them. This would certainly be a lot cheaper option than going with a well-known western company. For example India Rail offers a 4 days Delhi – Shimla return trip for approximately US$190 including accommodation, train and bus travel and some meals. It is likely that your fellow travellers will be middle class English speaking Indians so it could well be a more interesting experience than travelling with your fellow compatriots. Independent Travelers
It is sometimes suggested that if you do not arrange all your hotels, tours and ground transport before leaving home you are a backpacker surviving on US$10/ day (still possible in India BTW). In fact in India, in particular, its very easy to organise a much more comfortable trip for yourself including first class train travel, the occasional car and driver and a comfortable middle of the range hotels and restaurants may cost you $30-$45 / day per person. The trick to organising your trip yourself is to be informed but to not over-book. A good guidebook is useful but don’t be totally dependent on it- a recommendation in a book with huge pulling power can rapidly lead to a decrease in quality and an increase in price of the “recomendee”! Be aware of any major festivals or holidays that will make it impossible to get a train ticket or a hotel room, but don’t try to plan every last detail. The number one thing you can do in India to be miserable is to try to do too much too quickly or travel too fast. It doesn’t really matter how much you need the train or bus to leave on time- it will leave when its ready to leave!
Travel Tips for India
Pre-departure
As for any overseas travel have a medical/dental/optical check-up to avoid nasty surprises on the road. Have any recommended shots for India: a minimum is usually a booster to Tetanus and TB and a hepatitis shot if you don’t have a current one. Check with a specialist in travel medicine. Bring your glasses /contact lens prescription with you and pick up a spare made in India for the fraction of the cost at home.
Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date in India and that you have enough spare pages for visa stamps. Arrange your Indian visa and take out adequate travel insurance.
Bring as little as possible – ideally a carry on bag should be sufficient unless you are planning a serious trek to the Himalayas or many stays in up market hotels where you will be expected to dress for dinner. You can buy almost anything in India, tampons being a possible exception outside the cities. On Arrival
India’s time zone is GMT/UTC +5.5 so flying from almost anywhere in the world you will probably be jet lagged. Try to get onto India’s time zone as soon as you leave home, try to eat and sleep on Indian time. Its easier if your flight arrives late in the day as you will probably want to sleep anyway. If you arrive early in the day try to stay awake and get out in the daylight – it helps the body’s internal clock to reset. Have a short nap if you must but try to stay awake until about 8pm before crashing.
Get the equivalent of $100 in rupees cash before leaving the airport. Taxis don’t take US$! You cannot legally import or export Indian currency.
Book a hotel for the first night. Use an international consolidator such as Hotel Club who offer good deals. Even on a low budget give yourself a nice hotel for the first night, 2 nights if arriving late, it allows you to ease into India. Take a pre-paid Taxi from the airport. Again there are cheaper ways to do it – but this stops the arguments about prices and meters.
Chill out – don’t try to sight see and shop on your first day – relax wander around – try to get your head around India – practice crossing the road (see the video first!). When in India
Accept that you are going to be the centre of attention where ever you go – you may think you are an olive-skinned brunette – but in India you will be immediately recognised as white. You can however make it easier on yourself by dressing conservatively or dressing like a local.
Remember that he concept of personal space is a western one and doesn’t apply in a crowded country like India. You will be stared at and spoken to, they are curious not intrusive.
You will rarely see members of the opposite sex touch or hold hands in India, in contrast you will often see young men or women holding hands with the same sex. Kissing and being obviously affectionate in public is considered rude.
Cover your head (sometimes) and remove your shoes (always) before entering a temple or other religious building – this includes Christian churches.
If the touts get too much hire one, then the others will leave you alone. If you get a good one rickshaw wallah or guide doing this its probably a good idea to hang onto him for the rest of your stay in that town – you can be sure that he will suggest it! Travel within India
The main international airports in India are: Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta) and Chennai (Madras).
Although Indian Airlines are the main internal carrier, India now has an open-skies policy which has led to many new cut-price airlines starting up and in some cases folding, stick with the better known ones.
India was built on the railway. Its is still the main form of long-distance transport in the country. There are numerous classes and trains varying from historic steam trains, quaint wooden narrow-gauge hill trains to sleek, ultra modern expresses. Basically the slower the train the less you pay – but all of them are great value. The system, though often described as a study in bureaucracy, is surprisingly efficient and now features E-tickets when booked over the Internet. Trains often have tourist and VIP quotas so you may often get on a “full” train when a local will not. A trip to India is not complete without a train ride.
There is also an extensive bus network with again buses ranging from super-deluxe to ordinary (very). One of the problems with the super-deluxe buses is the super cold air conditioning (bring a jacket) and the obligatory Hindi dance movie (at least you don’t need the language to follow the plot, you’ve seen it before, as in Romeo and Juliet). Keeping Safe
Despite the warnings of foreign governments regarding safety, India is a very safe destination. There are terrorists and bombings and disputed areas but these tend to occur near the Pakistani, Chinese and Bhutanese borders, areas where you won’t often be allowed to go as a tourist anyway.
Petty theft is common and the pickpockets are very,very good. Do not carry large amounts of cash in your wallet or a back pocket. Do carry enough for a day or so expenses in a wallet in a front pocket and keep most of your wealth hidden. Be aware of who is watching when getting money from ATM’s. Theft at knife or gun point is lot less likely than in countries such as the US or UK.
Although women may get stares, rude suggestions and the odd grope, you will be unlikely to be seriously threatened. If you get uncomfortable appeal for help from couples or women – the haughty “you talking to me” attitude is usually effective.
In cheaper hotels check that your windows and doors are secure before you take the room – you make want to bring your own padlock for added security.
The most dangerous thing you will probably do is take a bus or cross the road – watch the video if you don’t believe me!
Summary
With apologies to Dickens: India is the best of places, the worst of places. India is special, its just as gorgeous and just as ugly as the photos and videos accompanying this story suggest. You may not enjoy every minute there but you will come away with memories that will last you a lifetime. If you have the chance go – you will not regret it.
Lis Sowerbutts has been traveling since age 7, and has to date travelled to over 55 countries. She firmly believes that traveling is too good to be left to the young and you are never too late to start traveling