Theatre Breaks – 5 Things You Need to Consider

Decide the answers to these 5 questions and you will find it much easier to plan your theatre breaks:

1. Which matters most to you the show or the dates? If you are keen to see a particular show but can be flexible about your dates then the front page of an agency web site is a good starting point. Click on the show you like the look of and then search for dates. This is often the best way to get the cheapest deal. Be sure to check for any special offers for your chosen show.

If your dates are more fixed, perhaps for a special occasion, and your choice of show is less important to you then you can usually use a calendar form on the site for to see what is available on your chosen dates.

2. How will you travel to London? If you choose to come by train you will probably want to check specialist agencies as they can save you up to 40% off normal rail fares when booked as part of your theatre break.

If you decide to bring your car to London then you need to be prepared to pay congestion charges or opt for a hotel outside the C charge area. You also need to be prepared to pay an additional fee for hotel parking (15 – 20 GBP)

3. Would you rather stay in the West End or further out? This is influenced by a number of factors.

My first choice would always be to go for a central hotel. Handy for the West End, restaurants, shops and other attractions, staying in a central hotel is a great way to make the most of your stay.

If you are bringing a car you might choose a hotel further out to avoid the C charge. However, you will then miss out on some advantages by having to use either cabs or the tube to get to your theatre.

4. How long should your break be? Many people find that they can add an extra night to their stay for a modest supplement. It ends up costing not that much more to stay 2 or even 3 nights. If you can take the time it is definitely worth extending your stay. You will never be short of things to do in London and an extra couple of nights can turn it into a real holiday.

5. What is your budget? The bottom line matters. It is useful to set a maximum amount you are willing to spend before you start the process. Try to set an amount you are comfortable with but build in a little flexibility, say 20 GBP per person. This helps you feel in control when booking and stops you agonising endlessly and, just maybe, missing out on great deals because you are not sure of your spending limit.

Having decided on your answers to these questions you will be able to make more informed choices. With this little bit of work done you can now start to explore one of the reputable agencies. You will be in a great position to act quickly to take advantage of the best theatre breaks.

London Theatre Breaks – Popular Choices

The top 5 shows that people we worked with chose for London theatre breaks in 2008/9 were:

1. We Will Rock You – a classic rock opera based on Queen’s hits
2. Dirty Dancing – the 80s film brought to the stage with great songs and, of course, stunning dancing.
3. Jersey Boys – Award winning jukebox musical, full of classic 60s hits.
4. Mamma Mia – 10 years and the Abba musical is still going strong. If you loved the film you will be blown away by this!
5. Hairspray – more 60s fun with lots of laughs

These shows were closely followed by a couple of classics.

• Les Miserables – the ultimate classy musical. Still great after over 20 years in the West End
• Phantom of the Opera – As fresh and thrilling as ever Phantom is a classic choice for theatre breaks.

I was a bit surprised because Hairspray has been a huge hit in terms of ticket sales. I thought it would have been higher up the list. Maybe people are a little more cautious when they are choosing a theatre break. Having said that Jersey Boys, although a new show, has quickly settled into a top 5 choice.

These are not the only shows on offer and lots of people went for other shows. Billy Elliot, Blood Brothers and Chicago are very good choices for people who want a good night out at a lower price.They may not be the most popular tickets but they are great for bargains.

It is obvious that Oliver! is moving rapidly up,an ideal choice for Christmas London theatre breaks. It looks like it is set to be one of the biggest hits of 2009/10.

Of course it is fun to try something totally new and exciting. Priscilla Queen of the Dessert has quickly established itself and keep an eye out for Sister Act too. (Nuns, dancing, comedy and great 1960s style songs, and Shelia Hancock. What is not to love about it?) The big new shows coming into the West End are Legally Blond and, of course, Love Never Dies (the sequel to Phantom of the Opera).

Booking a package is a great way to get into ’sold out’ shows

One last tip. You may not realise that even if you are already pretty sure what show you want is sold out it is worth checking the agency websites. The theatre breaks agencies often have London theatre breaks packages that include tickets for shows that are otherwise sold out.

Best of Berlin

Berlin is the capital of Germany since 1990. After making it trough two World Wars and a devastating dictatorship, the city recovered, ready to show the world it’s new image! After the fall of the wall, Berlin gradually reinvented itself, and the famous Film Festival is great example of the cultural influence the city has nowadays. A trip to Berlin will give you the chance to visit one of the many museums, and to get to know the warm and open culture of the German people.

The Alexanderplatz is one of the most popular squares in Berlin. Here we find business men, punks, tourists,.. In the times of the GDR, it was the hearth of Berlin. It’s not the most beautiful square in town but for sure the busiest, during day as well as during night. Here is where the node of public transport lies, Metro, trams and buses and avenues all come together here. The Berolinahaus and Alexanderhaus are two buildings preserved from the socialist times. Another curiosity is the TV tower, Fernsehturm, with it’s 368 meter it’s the second highest building in Europe, and it offers an amazing view of the city. On the top there is a restaurant, that slowly turns around to give you a view of 360 degree on Berlin.

Museuninsel Berlin-Mitte: the museum island, a Unesco world heritage site. This quarter is dedicated to culture since the 19th century, when the oldest museum in the city, the Altes Museum opened its doors in 1830. On this island we also find the Neues Museum, known for its Egyptian collection. It was seriously damaged after World War II, and was only re-opened for the public in March 2009. The most visited museum however is the Pergamonmuseum which consists of 3 buildings placed in a U-shape.

The Berlin International Film Festival or Berlinale is one of the biggest and most respected film festivals in the world. Every year in February, many movies are presented in this competition. The festival was created in 1951 by the allies, who wanted to present Berlin as a “window to the west” to the rest of the world. The festival shows current popular movies from different countries. It also represents the universe of cinema on the continents (India, Africa, America,…)

If you want to go out in Berlin, it’s difficult to choose! From the historic center of town, the Mitte district, to the famous alternative cultural centers such as the Tacheles or Coffee Zapatan, you will remember your evenings in Berlin forever. The Kitkat Club is known for its sexual liberalism and techno music. It is well known, but might not appeal to everyone. Dress-code is erotic, and inside sexual acts are allowed. Often they organise theme nights such as tantra, nudist, and others in the same style. The unusual Club Sage is located in a former railway station in the suburbs of Berlin, and not to miss if you want to go out in Berlin! In the middle of the Mitte district you’ll find a former power plant which now hosts the Tresor club, where the best deejay’s of the moment are spinning all night long.

From Black Squirrels to Sensible Shoes

Toronto holidays will take you to Canada and the edge of Lake Ontario which borders the state of New York. Toronto is known as the business, financial, cultural and entertainment capital of Canada, it is the most important city in Canada and holds the seats to the Ontario government. By the mid 19th Century, Toronto became a British Colonial City and is now home to more than 80 ethnic communities.

Toronto holidays could see you at the beautiful, bustling harbour front which attracts over 12 million visitors a year, with fashionable boutiques and craft shops which sell locally produced gifts and unique souvenirs along the waters edge. From the harbour, you can take a ferry to the beautiful Toronto Islands where you can enjoy stunning views of the city’s skyline, with Centre Island being the largest, and home to a picnic area, children’s farm and even an amusement park!

Toronto has over 32,000 hotel rooms so you will never be stuck for somewhere to stay, most offer a room only board basis, although some do breakfast aswell. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from so you’ll be spoilt for choice, whether it’s China Town, Little Italy or the Greek district you visit, there are so many mouth-watering menus to tempt you! If shopping is your thing, visit the exclusive shopping district of Bloor/Yorkville, home to a vast selection of designer shops and boutiques.

It is a common misconception that Toronto is cold all year round when in fact it has the mildest climate in Canada, summer temperatures are usually around 25

Witness the True Colours of London – City of London Festival

Culturally diverse and known as a traveler friendly city world over, London is fast earning a reputation of being a city of all races. While the classical architecture gives it a personality of its own, London has a certain elegance and class that most of us have known to expect from a city rich in culture and history.

Ranging from classical dances to grand scale orchestra performances, the City of London Festival stands out as one of the most prestigious and glamorous cultural festivals in the world. Unlike other cultural shows the City of London Festival does not confine itself to any sort of limitations. Founded in 1962 as a means of revitalizing the cultural vibrancy of London, this festival has many facets to it. Depending on the scale and the genre of the performance the venues too float to various parts of the city accordingly.

Although it is known for its indigenously English cultural value, this festival does not forget the large immigrant population that adds colour to its city and has a special place for them at this mega cultural event. The ‘trading place’ theme as its known gives the festival an international touch and certainly adds to its vibrancy. This festive season also involves a series of arts projects dispersed along the schools and community groups in the city. These events too have a special place in the City of London Festival as they are born from the local creativity and imagination of the people.

Lovers of the arts, of any energy level are sure to find this event an experience of a lifetime. During the three weeks of festivities audiences will be treated to seeing over a hundred and fifty performances in total of which most are free. Performances may vary from experienced soloists singing timeless classics to young, upcoming artists dancing with nothing but raw talent and the exuberance of youth.

While the essential purpose of this festival is to entertain travelers and the residents of this wonderful city, it does not fail to the capture the hearts and minds of fans around the world. To feel the true spirit of London be sure to catch at least a performance or two at the City of London Festival next time you are enjoying an English summer at a London hotel.

Enjoy a Weekend in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and offers a variety of options for those seeking a weekend getaway. If you fancy a quiet and relaxing break then you can find just what you are looking for, whereas if an action packed adventure is what you are after there is plenty to keep you busy.

If you are interested in Edinburgh because of its history and architecture there are a few spots you will not want to miss. Edinburgh has been the Scottish capital since the 15th century and has two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress, and the neoclassical New Town.

The fusion of these two contrasting historic areas, each with several important buildings and monuments, gives the city its unique character and rivals the architecture found in other European capital cities.

The Old Town stretches from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyrood. The street that connects these two Edinburgh icons is called The Royal Mile, or High Street.

Edinburgh Castle is a popular attraction and well worth a look for anyone with an interest in the history of the city. You can access the very heart of the castle itself and take a guided tour or wander around by yourself, marvelling at features such as the Great Hall which was completed in 1511.

At the other end of the Royal Mile stands Holyrood Palace, the official residence in Scotland for Her Majesty The Queen. The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and is the location at which she was married. This fine baroque building is closely associated with Scotland’s rich history and offers you a glimpse into the past of the city.

Other highlights of the medieval Old Town, which located to the south of the main shopping thoroughfare Princes Street, include St Giles Cathedral and the labyrinth of closes and lanes leading off the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh has several impressive museums and art galleries to visit. From the National Gallery of Modern Art to the Scottish Portrait Gallery, there are genres to keep everyone happy. Museum hotspots include the Museum of Flight, Museum of Costume and National War Museum. The Museum of Childhood is loved by those of all ages and offers a nostalgic look at the toys and games of times gone by.

Many Edinburgh hotels offer spa treatments so if you feel in need of a little rest and rejuvenation then investigate the options available.

For a walk by the water’s edge then seek out the Water of Leith. One of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets, this city centre river flows for twenty four miles from its source in the Pentland Hills, winding through the city to its outflow into the Firth of Forth at Leith.

You can also make your way to Portobello, an Edinburgh area which is home to an old fashioned promenade where you can savour old-fashioned fish and chips whilst gazing out to sea.

Making Your Time at Disney World a Fun Time For All the Family

Upon a visit to Disneyland, not only in Florida but also in Paris, one of the biggest gripes among visitors is that the amount of time spent in queues is beyond belief!

If you are to wait for a popular Disneyland ride you could wait for most of the day in a queue. So what if your vacation is only for a day or so? Obviously there is not the time to stand in long lines just waiting, so what is the answer to this problem?

In actual fact, its been proven that if you choose a certain queue over the other queue for the same ride (meaning either left or right side) you could save a lot of time. Furthermore, there are "secret" entrance ways that will save you a long walk and allow you to bypass much of the crowds.

Where do you get this information? Well, there is The Disney World Vacation Savings and Travel Guide which is a super source of all things Disneyland, or The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide by Beth Haworth is also full of hot tips for those venturing to Disney World.

Its a really good idea to get at least one of these guides because there is no where else to get the tips on offer in the guides. However, there is another way to skip the queue, so to speak, and that’s called "Fastpass"!

The Fastpass is free in that it comes within your initial admission fee but you are only able to utilize it once at a time, and a minimum of 2 hours have to pass since using your last one before you can attain another. So how best to make use of the Fastpass?

Obvious really – its good to find out beforehand which Disney rides and attractions you can use the Fastpass at and which you cannot. Try to get as many Fastpasses in as you can within each day you are at the park. If you use the pass wisely you can really do a lot within a short space of time!

Why Moving to Australia is a Great Option

There are a lot of people from different countries who are considering traveling to Australia not as tourists but as immigrants. In fact, the country is said to be one of the most suitable places in the world. In the past fifty years, more than five million people have chosen to live in this southern island-continent. These people coming from a hundred or so different nations traveled to Australia to seek change and to avail of jobs. Fact is that one could find too many reasons why the country is seeing lots of immigrants among this is the breathtaking environment, advanced health system, high literacy rate, and employment offerings. For instance, people from different parts of the globe look for top health care system with world class facilities. They also want access to affordable housing whose quality is rather similar to that of any developed country.

Feel free to get a professional advice about moving to Australia since this is a crucial decision you are making. It is important that your family knows and agrees with you to avoid domestic issues.

The first thing you have to prepare yourself is to learn English language. If you come from a country where it is a native language, you have no real problem. But lots of migrants come from non-English speaking nations. If this is the case, learning the language is important because this is how you communicate with the Australian personnel and, most importantly, with your soon-to-be neighbors. While there may be native languages in this country, it is your prime goal to speak English as fine as possible.

The climate of Australia is inviting and perhaps this is why lots of tourists are attracted to spend vacation in this country. One finds a vast expanse of varying landscapes from grasslands to savannahs to scrublands to subtropical forests. You can also experience different climate zones from tropics to the temperate subtropics as you move to south. One can enjoy lots of sunshine in this isolated island-continent. Do we have to mention the Great Barrier Reef? It is the largest reef system in the world and it is off the coast of Queensland, the northeastern state. This seventh wonder attracts millions of people each year, generating about AU$4 billion of revenue.

Generally, the country is not culturally selective, taking into consideration that the country itself houses diverse cultures. Furthermore, while Christianity is the religion of the majority, other faiths are Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. Since Australia is a free nation, one can practice his own religion and beliefs.

In addition, one may be faced by escalating crime rates in a lot of countries but this country is not bugged with this issue. Compared to most countries, Australia suffers less number of crimes; thus, it is considered safer than any other countries.

Perhaps one of the most amazing things about Australia is its population. Despite its huge land area, it only has a little more than twenty million citizens. The population density, therefore, is extremely low, about 345 people in every square kilometer. Somebody who lives in crowded New York would be envious of this. It’s one of the attractions. People who want to escape the ever pressing trouble of overcrowded cities in many developed nations could find a relief in Australia.

Emigrating to Australia can be the most exciting things to do but just like migrating to any country, this can involve you to a tedious process. Every country has its own policies and it is important to get familiar with it. Before you enjoy living in this southern country, secure a visa. You also would have to know your primary reason why you are moving in Australia for good. Many do it for employment purposes. Should this be the case, it would be rather advisable to seek out jobs first before troubling yourself with the travel promos and plane tickets. Moreover, it is worth reading about the general Aussie lifestyle to orient yourself prior to your stepping onto the Australian soil.

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