On this day in 1848, London’s Waterloo Station was opened. Today, it is the busiest and largest rail station in the United Kingdom. (It is spread across 24.5 acres and handles nearly 90 million passengers annually!)
Waterloo has everything a passenger could ask for. As far as shopping goes, you will find: Paperchase stationery store, Boots Pharmacy, WH Smith Bookstore, the Tie Rack clothing store and much more. There are also more than 20 restaurants and coffee shops located throughout the station, so Waterloo itself could be considered a tourist destination.
The station has been referred to in several songs, one of which is ”Waterloo Sunset” by the Kinks. It was also featured in a number of music videos, such as “West End Girls” by Pet Shop Boys. If that doesn’t impress you try this: Waterloo was the setting for several scenes in The Bourne Ultimatum.
Waterloo Station is conveniently located near major attractions including the London Eye, Westminster Abbey and Parliament. I have no doubt that on your next trip to London, you will be in the area. Why not stop by Waterloo and explore this historical station?
With so many cheap flights to Europe available, it’s hard to decide on just one vacation destination to talk about. However, one city stood out among the rest: Nice, France. So today, I will give you my top three reasons that you should visit Nice this summer.
Location, Location, Location! Nice is situated along the Mediterranean coast in southeast France. While its pebbled beaches may not be very comfortable for those who want to lay out, they are some of the most beautiful in Europe. The azure sea is perfect for water sports such as sailing and sea kayaking.
Fun Events for the Whole Family There are a number of festivals held in Nice during the summer. June offers the Nice en Roller, where hundreds of roller-bladers take over the Promenade des Anglais. This event features racing, freestyle demonstrations and even skating Disney characters! In July, the 60+ year old Jazz Festival takes place in the Parc de Cimiez; and Musicalia, a series of concerts featuring music from around the world, is held on the Promenade des Anglais.
Climate Year-round, the weather is as close to perfect as you could ask for, making any time a good time to visit Nice. Need I say more?
I am a bookworm. I admit it: I would rather spend my evenings on the couch with a good novel and my dog, Daisy, than almost anything else. Two of my favorite books in the classics genre are Wuthering Heightsby Emily Brontë and Jane Eyre written by Emily’s sister, Charlotte. Their other sister, Anne, was also an author who penned Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (I haven’t read either, but, but I’ll get around to them someday).
I am also a bit of a history buff with a love for old houses and antiques as well as books. This is why I was thrilled to learn about the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, England. The museum, run by the Brontë Society, was once the family home. Almost all of the Brontës’ belongings and memorabilia are still here and the home has been beautifully maintained in its original décor. You may visit the study of their clergyman father, Patrick, as well as his bedroom, the children’s study, the servant quarters, Charlotte’s bedroom and brother Branwell’s art studio.
The museum is located in the heart of Yorkshire county and costs very little to enter. If you love books and historical homes as much as I do, you must visit the Brontë Parsonage Museum during your next trip to the United Kingdom. Pick up a cheap rental car at the Manchester Airport and head to Haworth, which is about an hour’s drive north through the beautiful English countryside.
In many waterfront cities throughout the world, a fun and unique way to go sightseeing is by taking a “Duck Tour.” Not your normal tour, they are offered in several U.S. cities, including Boston, Branson, Hot Springs, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle and even here in Portland, Maine. The Duck is actually a DUKW, an amphibious military vehicle designed by GMC during World War II. DUKW is not a military acronym, but rather a manufacturer acronym coined by GMC: D – vehicle made in 1942, U – Utility, K – All-Wheel Drive, and W- two rear powered axles.
Across the Atlantic, London is among those who offer Duck Tours. And no trip to London is complete without a sightseeing tour, so why not make it an adventurous and unique one? All aboard the duck to see the most popular landmarks of London! While on land, you will be driven past important sights such as Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace before the duck takes a dramatic plunge into the River Thames at Vauxhall Bridge.
Once in the river, the tour will take you by Lambeth Palace (the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury) and the famous London Bridge. You will also see the Florence Nightingale Museum and Houses of Parliament, which are across the river from one another.
The London Duck Tour is a fun time for the whole family if you’re looking to see more of London together. Book this tour in conjunction with a cheap flight to London with 1-800-Fly-Europe. Call today!
With so many 
In many waterfront cities throughout the world, a fun and unique way to go sightseeing is by taking a “Duck Tour.” Not your normal tour, they are offered in several U.S. cities, including Boston, Branson, Hot Springs, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle and even here in Portland, Maine. The Duck is actually a DUKW, an amphibious military vehicle designed by GMC during World War II. DUKW is not a military acronym, but rather a manufacturer acronym coined by GMC: D – vehicle made in 1942, U – Utility, K – All-Wheel Drive, and W- two rear powered axles.
