With only a couple of months until the world’s most famous tennis tournament is hosted in the UK capital, now is a perfect time to book a city break in London so that you’re not left without accommodation for the biggest event in the tennis year.

People from all over the world will be flocking to the city to catch a game, set or match and will, obviously, be needing somewhere to stay. While some will have the spare cash to flaunt on expensive boutique hotels, unfortunately we’re not all so flush. There are plenty of affordable hotels in the area though, which will ensure you’re a stone’s throw from Wimbledon and don’t have to pay extortionate costs for a comfortable room. It’s expected that demand will be high, so book your stay sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

Taking place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club between the 24th June and the 7th July, Wimbledon 2013 will attract thousands to its courts as we see world-class players battle it out to win the coveted championship titles.

Defending champions, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, will be there to guard their titles, as spectators watch on while tucking in to a classic bowl of strawberries and cream.

The prestigious event has been hosted by the club since 1877 and, along with the Australian Open, French Open and US Open, forms one of the four majors that make up the Grand Slam tennis tournaments. As the only one that still plays on grass, Wimbledon has been set aside as one of the most successful tournaments in the world and a huge summer attraction for London.

Of course, you don’t have to go to London to enjoy the event. Thousands of people across the UK and beyond are content with watching it on the television (some even booking their annual leave to coincide with the championship), but there’s nothing quite like the atmosphere that you will be able to experience when you’re on site.

There is usually a strict dress code, with people expected to arrive in smart-casual attire and with 19 tournament courts available during the championships, that’s a lot of spectators!

Will we see one of our home-grown talents winning the coveted title this year, or will the reigning champions hold on to the top spots once again? Start organising your accommodation and buy your Wimbledon tickets today, and you will be right there in the heart of the action to find out.

Take a look online at the excellent value hotels in the heart of the capital, which will guarantee you a city break in London to remember. Combine your Wimbledon trip with the chance to appreciate what else the city has to offer and you can enjoy a well-rounded visit that you will remember forever.

Prepare yourself for a day of incredible atmosphere, disappointments and jubilations as Wimbledon takes full force. Catch it in person or on the television from June 24th 2013.

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What do you call someone who speaks two? Bilingual

What do you call someone who speaks just one? American or British

You often hear travellers proudly proclaim: “I speak English, so I don’t need to learn a foreign language”. Whilst it’s true that English is the most widely spoken language, its 480 million speakers only represent seven percent of the world’s population!

A traveller who can speak the local language gets to travel deeply and experience a culture intimately. It allows you to join the party rather than snap photos from the sidelines.

 The benefits of learning a language abroad include the following:

• You’ll learn the language a lot faster when you’re surrounded by it. You’ll also learn to love the culture of the place you’re in.

• Learning a language abroad helps you step off the tourist trail and discover far-flung local destinations for yourself.

• Studying a language will help you make friends with locals and with your international student colleagues.

• A new language can open unexpected career doors further down the line.

So, where are the best places to study a language? Some might argue that the question should in fact be: which are the best language programmes offered across the globe.

It’s true that you should always look out for respected organisations, such as Clic in Spain (www.clic.es). However the place you choose to study in provides that all important backdrop that will frame your learning. With this in mind, here are the ten best places to learn a language in.

1. Seville – Spain

At the heart of Andalucía, Seville is Spain with duende: heat, passion, flamenco, tapas and history.

2. Shanghai – China

As the most dynamic city in the world’s fastest changing nation, Shanghai offers an exhilarating experience of what will be, whilst never fully forgetting what was.

3. Paris – France

Paris has more familiar landmarks than any other city but this does not diminish the visitor’s sense of magical grandeur every time they’re approached.

4. Milan – Italy

Milan wears its history on a very well-tailored sleeve. Ancient churches, contemporary cafés and the cutting edge of fashion keep Milan a la mode.

5. Tokyo – Japan

Tokyo’s restless quest for the new offers an exhilarating and thrilling ride for those who can keep up with the pace.

6. Freiburg – Germany

A beautiful student eco-city in the stunning surroundings of the Black Forest, Freiburg’s relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place to learn German and just be.

7. Antigua – Guatemala

Surrounded by dormant volcanoes, Antigua cannot fail to enchant with its Mayan culture, laid back vibe and the chance to learn Spanish without the accent.

8. Buenos Aires – Argentina

Gourmet cuisine, top-notch shopping, non-stop nightlife; all make Buenos Aires the cosmopolitan metropolis you fall in love with. Even the downtrodden areas seem to add to its appeal as an elegant, seductive place with a ragged edge.

9. Vienna – Austria

Do not let all those historic edifices fool you, but do let them entrance you. Vienna is actually one of Europe’s most dynamic urban spaces and has been a cultural pioneer for years.

10. Saint Denis –La Réunion

Strange but true, this beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, situated off the coast of Madagascar, is a French Department. There are beautiful beaches, inspiring mountains, fantastic hiking, awesome waterfalls, and active volcanoes. Of course, there could also be you learning French. Pourquoi pas?

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You can see Arizona this summer without melting.

If you think of Phoenix when you think of Arizona, you’re not alone. And, if Phoenix makes you think of triple digit temperatures and cringe? You’re still not alone. The aptly named Valley of the Sun hits and maintains temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit from May to October. Did you know, though, that there’s a lot more to see in Arizona? The Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon and Sedona all feature excellent camping (or hotel accommodations), beautiful scenery, exciting activities and reasonable temperatures.

If you’re flying into town, consider car rental options carefully. Many of the best campsites and destinations require driving on some rugged terrain. Whatever the actual demographics, it seems anywhere you go in Arizona, you’ll see an inordinately large percentage of cars are white pickup trucks. Why are Phoenix Ford dealers doing so well in the white truck market? Pickup trucks have a higher clearance than most cars and the white paint job helps keep the car cooler in extreme summer temperatures. A subcompact won’t get you through a dry creek bed to a quiet campsite.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is at an elevation of roughly 7,000 feet.  This means that the heat of Phoenix and the rest of southern Arizona won’t stand a chance of hitting you while you’re camping.  It does mean you should pack for cool to cold evening weather. Novice and car campers can opt for reserving a campsite with facilities and trash removal. More adventurous and practiced campers can find free camping off the beaten trails in the Coconino National Forest.
Look to camp near the Mongollon Rim, or at least visit it for a hike. At its highest point, the MongollonRim offers dazzling views of the entire forest surrounding you. It’s also high enough that you can see off into the desert. If you have a good pair of binoculars, you may be able to see clear up to the Grand Canyon. The real treat in Flagstaff, at least for city dwellers, is stargazing. You can visit the Lowell Observatory or just find a piece of open sky and enjoy the view.

The Grand Canyon

Sure it’s a big hole in the ground. But it’s a really big hole: a mile deep. That’s something worth seeing. You can experience it via train, hiking, camping, mule riding, white water rafting and more. The canyon has two rims. The south Rim is the most popular. Secluded and more rugged, the North rim is open from May through October. From the south rim you can hike down to the bottom of the canyon on a well-maintained trail of switchbacks. It’s approximately a 16 mile round trip down and back, so don’t try to do it in a day. If you can get to Havasupai to see the breathtaking blue-green waterfalls, do. Unfortunately, access is limited. Wildbackpacker.com has a great guide to Havasupai.

Sedona

The red rock of Sedona is breathtakingly beautiful, as is the clean and fresh air. Beyond the hiking, which is excellent, Sedona has a vibrant arts community. Be sure to explore downtown Sedona between hiking Cathedral rock or Fay Canyon. Sedona is also considered a spiritual hot spot. New age shops abound without dominating the culture of the city. Several areas are listed as vortices, places where spiritual or metaphysical energy is heightened. Whether you’re a believer, or not, it’s hard to avoid a feeling of peacefulness as you gaze on the lush landscape and majestic red rock.

Where’s your favorite Arizona destination? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

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The “star place” to taste the many varieties of this brandy is the Buda Castle, specifically in the Hunyadi courtyard, where major and small pálinka producers and family-run distilleries show all varieties of this liquor that both locals and tourists try. From classic pálinka, through craft brandy and even more innovative flavors, we can can be test up to 300 different types of pálinka during the festival.

Of course, the festival is not only focused on liquor, but also in the Hungarian cuisine and food. For example, local fruit is particularly important since it is used to make the pálinka. Also, if you are hungry or have drunk too much, you can also find stalls selling local cheese, sausages and chocolate.

The big news this year (and what makes it special) is that 2013 is considered the Cherry Year, so you can guess the star flavor. In addition, many distilleries offer special flavors and limited cherry editions of pálinka. The festival will take place from May 16 until Sunday 19.

Since attendees receive a small special glass to taste the liquor in the best way, do not forget to consider some tips when drinking it: pálinka should be at room temperature so that it retains its flavor and fragrance, its most remarkable characteristics. This brandy can be drunk before or after a meal, but it is recommended to take it after since it works very well as a digestive.

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Brisbane, Australia, is a tourist hot spot for people from all around the world. This city is home to an abundance of popular tourist ‘must do and see’ attractions of which, some are listed below.

Sandgate

You must check out this Brisbane area. There are many things you can do in Sandgate, but one activity you must try is kite surfing. If you have never tried kite surfing, then there are plenty of places in Sandgate that can teach you how to do it. If kite surfing is not your thing, then make sure to try paddling or even windsurfing. While you’re there, it’s definitely worth staying at one of the local sandgate accommodation providers in Sandgate to wake up to the morning sunrise over the water foreshore.

Alma Park Zoo

Pay a visit to Alma Zoo, as it is a gorgeous place with more than 100 different species. The 20-acre rain forest that is located under a canopy is worth checking out, especially if you are a nature lover. Visitors to the zoo can see animals such as Koalas, and they can also have the opportunity to pat the Koalas and even photograph them. You will also be able to observe more than five different types of primates, including Spider Monkeys and Ringed Tail Lemurs. Spot animals that are native to Australia as well as South America, and there are plenty of reptiles in the zoo too.

The Queensland Museum

The Queensland Museum is a must see while in Brisbane. The museum will give you a glimpse of the people who inhabited Brisbane in the past and the present. Take a look at the cool exhibits and learn a lot about the city of Brisbane. Make sure to be prepared to spend an entire day here though, because there is a lot to see. In matter of fact the museum operates four different campuses.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens And Mount Coot-tha

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens can be found at the foot of Mount Coot-tha. The Brisbane Botanic Gardens is one of the most gorgeous gardens in the entire world. After spending an hour or two at the gardens, go and hike up the mountain and check out the lookout spot. The lookout spot offers you amazing views that will take your breathe away, and you can grab a bite to eat at the cafe or restaurant located at the lookout spot. A gift shop where you can pick up some cool gifts can be found on the lookout spot.

The Wheel Of Brisbane

This is no ordinary Ferris Wheel, and is located right along the South Bank Parklands. Enjoy taking in views from almost 200 feet high. The construction of the Ferris wheel was completed in 2008. You don’t have to worry about being too hot inside of it, because each of the capsule is air-conditioned. After riding the Ferris Wheel, make sure to take a walk along the river and take in all the sights.

As you can see there are quite a few unique spots that you must visit while you are in Brisbane. After you have done all of the above things, make sure to take a trip to the center of the city, where you can spend an entire day or evening shopping, dining and everything else the great city of Brisbane offers.

The post Things To Do And See In Brisbane appeared first on Tourist Eye - Travel Blog.

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We have cleaned and simplified our current logo.

And far behind is our first logo. You can see clearly that it was not made ​​by a designer!

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• In London, the Chelsea Flower Show takes place from 21th to 25th May. Besides this important floral festival celebrates its centenary this year.
• The Cheese Rolling Festival is an annual event held on the last Monday of May in Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester district.
• Puebla, Mexico celebrates (May 5) the defeat of France in the Battle of Puebla in 1892.
• For horse lovers, in Louisville is celebrated the Kentucky Derby on May 4th, one of the most famous horse races in the world.
• Port Douglas, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, celebrates the Port Douglas Carnivale from 17th to 26th May.
• If we are lovers of the ancient Asian cultures, we cannot forget to take a boat to Cheung Chau and its Bun Festival (14 -18 May) to enjoy the cultural showcase, with Taoist dance and ceremonies.
• Baltimore celebrates the 4th of May, the 15th annual Kinetic Sculpture Race, in which participants run and sail in the Inner Harbor mounted in their own amphibious creations.

• Cagliari is known for hosting one of the largest religious processions and colorful as the Festival of San Ephisius, the pattern of Sardinia, which takes place from 1st to 4th May.
• Ouazazate, hidden among the Atlas mountains and the Sahara, has been since colonial times, the seat of the Rose Festival in Morocco, (8 – 10 May) and it is based on Berber singing and dancing and of course, the flower markets.
• In Ottawa, Canada, is also celebrated a spring festival, in this case the Canadian Tulip Festival (3- 20 May) which attracts more than 500,000 spectators to the nation’s capital to see the millions of tulips that adorn the city along with fireworks, music and street performances.

• One of the oldest and most cherished traditions of Cornwall is the Furry Dance held on May 8th in Helston, in which the inhabitants will dress in historical costumes while dancing to the rhythm of the orchestra.
• ArteBa is an art fair held annually in the city of Buenos Aires, this year will take place from 24th to 27th May and it will highlights the work of some of the best art galleries in South America.
• The May 6 marks the World Day of Organ at the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris with the great cathedral organ as the centerpiece of a concert that will last for more than 24 hours and which will include pieces by churches and concert halls across five continents. You too can sign up here to this global symphony.
• Beer is the national drink of the Czech Republic and therefore the Beer Festival in Prague (May 17- June 2) is one of the most awaited festivals, where you can sample more than 70 types of national beers and local food.
• AfrikaBurn is a sort of Burning Man Festival held in the middle of South Africa (1 – 6 may), in which the participants can enjoy art, thematic costumes, music and performances.

• The 66th annual Cannes Film Festival is scheduled to take place in Cannes, France from 15 to 26 May 2013.
• The famous Tulip Festival, known as Keukenhof, takes place in Lisse,  Netherlands until May 20.

And you, do you know any event celebrated in May that we have forgotten to mention?

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