Aug   19
2009

Known as the Gateway to the Highlands, Stirling is Scotland youngest city, yet also steeped in some of the country most colourful and glorious history. Situated on the River Forth, 40 minutes from Glasgow and 50 minutes from Edinburgh, the city enjoys breathtaking views of the Highlands, Loch Katrine, the inspiration for William Blake, The Lady of the Lake, Campsie Fells, and the Highlands large loch, Loch Lomond. Stirling offers a wide range of places of historical interest, activities, quality hotel reservation and great shopping and dining, which attracts over one million visitors a year.

Places of interest:

Stirling is home to the magnificent Stirling Castle, where ruling Scottish monarchs resided for over three centuries. King Kenneth McAlpine battled and conquered the tribe of the Picts in 843 to form the Kingdom of Scotland within sight of the Castle, and over one thousand years later, William Wallace triumphed over King Edward army at Stirling Bridge in order to gain freedom from the tyrannous English for the Kingdom. The battlefield of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce defeated the English in 1314 to be crowned King of Scotland is nearby, and the creative, optimistic, and possibly occasionally foolhardy, nature of the Scottish people is captured in John Damian attempt to fly from the battlements of Stirling Castle, with wings made from hen feathers!

Open year round, the National Wallace Monument stands 220 feet above Abbey Craig, as testament to and in honour of the life and achievements of one of Scotland greatest heros, William Wallace. The monument offers a living history introduction to Wallace’s life, bloody and glorious campaign for Scottish freedom, betrayal, trial, and gory death.

Things to do:

There are loads of things to do while in Stirling. From fantastic shopping centres to fun amusement parks, Sterling provides entertainment for everyone.

The Thistle Centre is one of Scotland’s premier shopping centres, home to a plethora of high street names, including Marks & Spencer, Monsoon, Next and the Virgin Mega store.
There are a number of popular bike rentals, mapped cycle routes and guide led cycle tours for all ages and abilities, taking in the historic town and beautiful surrounding areas.
The Safari and Adventure Park in Blair Drummond, near Stirling, is great for kids, entertainment and home to elephants, rhinos, giraffes, tigers, bears, camels to name a few species of wild fauna, and with an Adventure Park, Pets Farm and performing sea lions indicates on offer for all round amusement.
For some fantastical and supernatural entertainment, the Doon Hill Fairy Walk is a must for a guide led walk exploring local legends of Fae folk, or for the brave, the Ghostwalk with Jock Rankine’s Spirit Guide meets at the Stirling Town Hall.

Food & Drink:

Dining in Stirling is an unforgettable experience. No matter what pleases the palate, Stirling’s fine dining sites can satiate anyone’s appetite.

With traditional, home cooked food on offer, local mother and daughter run Victoria Coffee Shop is a great bet for lunch on the go and casual family dining.
Recommended by EatScotland.com, The Birds and the Bees offers a lively atmosphere, national and international dining in an authentic farm steading conversion.

For a refined dining experience, the four star Jekyll Restaurant at the Queen Hotel is recommended for traditional dishes for beach hotels luxury Hermann Brasserie is recommended as a staple of Stirling’s dining experience. Featuring a unique fusion of Scottish and Austrian cuisine, it is also famed for its warm and hospitable atmosphere.
Reservations are recommended to experience the sophistication and world class cuisine of The Heritage in the sophisticated Park Lodge Hotel.

Stirling Hotels & Accommodation:

There is a wide range of last minute cheap hotels and Accommodation available to suit all requirements and budgets in Stirling, from traditional, family run bed and breakfasts to dependable national chains to lavish high end hotels.

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Aug   12
2009

An oasis in the Sonoran desert plain, Tucson, Arizona, is a haven for residents and a year-round wonderland for tourists. Tucson’s picturesque beauty belies its growing high-tech industry and its nickname as “Optics Valley.” Nestled amongst five mountain ranges (the Tucson Mountains, Rincon Mountains, Santa Rita Mountains, Tortolita Mountains, and Santa Catalina Mountains), Tucson is home to a half million people, with many more wintering in the area. At the heart of Tucson, though, is the University of Arizona. Established in 1885 and located in midtown, the University of Arizona enrolls over 37,000 students.

Whether you’re visiting a University of Arizona student, in town for business, or have chosen Tucson as your vacation destination, the city offers something of interest to virtually everyone. Every December and March, for example, the Fourth Avenue Street Fair is home to craftsman and artisans indicatecasing and selling their sculptures, candles, pottery, and other art. In February, the city now hosts Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, drawing visitors from dozens of countries around the world.

May’s Tucson Folk Festival is free to the public and illustrate stories local and regional musicians on several stages throughout the area. It also features workshops and sing-alongs, as well as food and craft booths. Rodeo Week, or Fiesta de los Vaqueros, is immensely popular with locals and visitors alike, while events like Tucson Meet Yourself and the All Souls Procession embrace the diversity of cultures in the area.

When it comes to Tucson lodging, visitors have a variety of alternatives s. While a Tucson hotel or last minute cheap hotels might appeal to some, others enjoy the more intimate feel of a Tucson, AZ, bed and breakfast. The welcoming ambience and personalized service of a Tucson bed and breakfast are unparalleled, and many visitors enjoy staying in luxury hotel reservations that is within walking distance of the University of Arizona, the shopping district, the zoo, and the botanical gardens.

Due to their historical nature, some last minute cheap hotels locations truly give guests a sense of place and time. Some of these upscale boutique inns, such as those located in the West University Historic District, can date back to 1899. The owners delight in sharing the home’s history with guests, and can frequent chronicle the chain of ownership with historical documents and anecdotal evidence.

The guest rooms in these beach hotels luxury are often as unique as the home’s history. You may, for example, have the opportunity to choose from among several types of room decor, ranging from Zen and Safari to Country Spring and Antique. That doesn’t mean, however, that you won’t have access to modern amenities. At the right B&B, you’ll found that most of the rooms have exterior archways, making it a breeze to come and go as you please, and all have modern kitchens.

Whether you’re spending the weekend in luxury hotel reservations or are in the city for an extended stay, a Tucson bed and breakfast can make your visit richer and more memorable.

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