|
| |
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Edinburgh - Best UK City!
Utterly captivating, it’s no surprise that 3 times Edinburgh has been voted best UK city by Conde Nast travellers. And for six years running this magnificent capital of Scotland received the same accolades from Guardian and Observer readers. Geared up for all year round visitors, whatever the weather, this city famous for its dramatic skylines has so much to offer for every age and every interest. Many of the museums are free. With a lively arts and culture scene and exciting nightlife, stylish and cosmopolitan restaurants, this is also a city bursting with history and heritage.
Think Edinburgh and festivals spring to mind, the most famous of which are the International and Festival Fringe Festivals in August. But visit in December and the streets are equally lively, even at night when you can join an organised ghost-walk. The shopping is world-class. Sundays are little different to any other day of the week, the choice of activities endless. But if bustle is not your choice, there are lots of parks and green spaces to marvel at and relax in , and a stiff climb up Arthur’s Seat, site of an extinct volcano, will reward you with splendid views over the city and Firth of Forth.
Looped around Edinburgh are the Lothians, Mid, East and West Lothian, all within a half-hour drive. Expand your horizons: enjoy a day at the seaside, a visit to a distillery or check out the controls of Concorde. Play a round of golf on one of the many golf-courses, enjoy the hills on horseback or travel back in history at Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Maybe even stay on a farm. Award-winning Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages, just half an hour from the heart of Edinburgh offer 3, 4 and 5 Star self-catering accommodation with built-in customer care.
Geraldine Hamilton, Crosswoodhill Farm Holiday Cottages ©
Northern Ireland
After 35 years of strife and war, Northern Ireland is flourishing like never before! New bars and restaurants are opening up all the time, shopping centers are to be found not only in the cities, and Lonely Planet readers have just voted its wonderful coast line the second most beautiful coastal route in the world! (No. 1 being the Great Ocean Route in Australia).
With only 1.7 million inhabitants and a capital city of just under 300 000, it is amazing what change has been achieved in just a few years. Whilst tourism now is a growth industry, the country is still relatively unspoiled, and most attractions can be visited without having to pay an entrance fee.
In Belfast alone, this includes the wonderful City Hall; Queen’s university; the Botanic Garden, Palm house and tropical ravine; the Ulster museum; Titanic Quarter and the then largest dry dock in the world, the Thompson dock.
Likewise you can visit the main cathedrals free of charge or walk along the roads learning about history and politics from the political wall murals, or follow the river walk along the Lagan and marvel at the great variety of public art; the choice is yours.
Out of the capital the coastal route is well worth a visit – and a stay if you have the time! See the romantic Glens of Antrim with the raised beach that is now coastal road. Visit the Carrick-A-Reed rope bridge where the salmon fishers bring in their catch. Visit Rathlin Island and the largest puffin colony on the British Isles.
See how whiskey is produced in Bushmills, the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Walk the Giant’s Causeway and listen to the mythology surrounding these famous octagonal stones. Visit Derry, the walled city or Enniskillen, the island town. Walk the Sperrins, the Mourne Mountains, or the Ulster Way – the choice is yours.
Seabreeze Cottage offers high class self-catering accommodation with great sea views only half an hour north of Belfast.
Anna Eggert, Seabreeze©
|
****
|
Self-catering cottages in these popular areas
Cottages in : Bodmin Moor Brecon Beacons Cairngorms Connemara The Cotswolds Dartmoor Exmoor Forest of Dean Cumbria
Cottages in : Forest of Dean Loch Lomond New Forest North Yorkshire Moors Peak District Quantock Hills Snowdonia South Downs The Broads Wester Ross Yorkshire Dales Channel Islands Alderney Yorkshire Dales
Cottages in : Isle of Man Yorkshire Leinster Munster Connaught The Highlands Argyll Orkney Isles of Scilly Guernsey Isle of Wight |
|
 |
| Latest Arrivals |
|
|
|
|
.jpg) |
|
| A newly renovated stone cottage sleeping 6, situated in an area of out...[More] |
|
|
|
 |
|
| The Studio makes an ideal small town holiday home. It is a quietly ...[More] |
|
|
|
 |
|
| Beechcroft House in Hampshire is a detached house located just ...[More] |
|
|
|
 |
|
| This charming 200 year old brick and flint cottage is located i...[More] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Cottages |
|
|
|
 |
|
| Treworgie Barton, a unique collection of grade 2 listed Cornish cottag...[More] |
|
|
|
 |
|
| 200 Year old character cottage in the Mid Norfolk village of Ashill.
...[More] |
|
|
|
 |
|
| Penally Manor, Tenby
Four Cottages with panoramic sea views are av...[More] |
|
|
|
 |
|
| Symondsdown Cottages are situated in six acres of ground within...[More] |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Do you have a holiday property to let ..?
You can add it to this site or we will do it for you . . .
[More]
|
|
|
|
Rent a chateau in France with
 |
|
