The town of Perth is also commonly called to as the  ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. Situated on the River Tay’s banks, the town of Perth was, for centuries, the capital of Scotland and during medieval times the bustling little town was known by local folk as St. John’s Toun or Saint Johnstoun. Perth’s name, or Peairt in the Gaelic, is derived from the Pictish word for a copse. Today  this idyllic little town is an excellent location as a base for a touring vacation with a large number of Perth bed and breakfast to choose from.

Whether stay for 1 week or 2 you will discover that there very many exciting things to do and see in Perth and the surrounding region. Tourist attractions include; shopping, restaurants, sport and leisure pursuits and historical attractions and other entertainments. It was not that long ago that the town was an extremely successful port chiefly involved in the export of whisky, leather, bleached products and linen. These days the tourist industry provides much needed wealth and much appreciated employment for the young of the area who are happy to take employment in the many guest houses and hotels in Perth and similar businesses.

One of the most famous attractions, which is easy to get to from Perth, is Scone Palace, one of the finest historical country homes to be found in Scotland. Here folk can learn about the very interesting history of Scone Palace, where at one time, Scottish kings were crowned for example, Robert The Bruce who took to the throne in 1306.

Approximately 3 miles away, from Perth, you will discover the 16th century Elcho Castle, which has the most glorious views over the River Tay. Elcho Castle dates back to around 1570 when the Wemyss family commissioned it’s construction who were it’s owners until the year 1929. Elcho Castle is now in the capable hands of Historic Scotland.

Only a small distance west of Perth can be found the fine medieval structure of Huntingtower Castle. Situated in stunning the castle has, over the centuries, undergone many  minor redevelopments and alterations. It began life as 2 separate and distinct towers however constructed pretty close together.

As well as the tourist attractions discussed above the town of Perth has many more, meaning that it is an awesome place for a vacation for you and your family. Other visitor attractions and places, worth seeing, to be found in Perthshire include the following; Kinnoull Hill, Perth Ice Rink (for curling etc.), Perthshire Visitor Centre, the Black Watch museum in Balhousie Castle and Perth Art Gallery & Museum.

If you are considering a weekend break in Perth you will discover plenty of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will discover a massive listing at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/

Dundee has been the site of a settlement for as far back as the time of the Picts. Dundee, the fourth largest city to be found in the nation of Scotland, has had a long association with trade and commerce. The 3 primary industries, in Dundee, were “journalism, jute and jam”.  Though the city can be described as city which is post-industrial it has an economy which is mixed and a large proportion of its inhabitants are employed in the manufacturing sector (compared to the rest of the country), about thirteen and a half percent. Recently the tourist industry has started to become a vital part in the economy of the city and there are a fair number of guest houses providing bed and breakfast in Dundee and in the text below I introduce readers to 3 attractions in Dundee; Verdant Works, Sensation Science Centre and Discover Point Visitor Centre:

Discover Point Visitor Centre

Discovery Point is a immensely interesting and award-winning visitor attraction in Dundee which introduces the tale of the most heroic  voyages of exploration ever done, the story of the famous Antarctic explorer, Captain Robert Falcon Scott, and the ship he used on his first voyage,  the RRS Discovery. the Discovery was launched on March the twenty first, nineteen hundred and one from the town’s Panmure Shipyard. Captain Scott and his crew set sail for Antarctica on August the 6th nineteen hundred and one, reaching there in January 1902. The RRS Discovery is the major element of the visitor centre having been fully restored from top to bottom. Steep stairs and narrow passageways can create problems in getting about for some, luckily, visitors will find there is an audio visual presentation on the dockside.

Sensation Science Centre

If you are in search of a tourist attraction which the whole family can enjoy, then Sensation Science Centre in Dundee is the ideal solution. Sensation Dundee is the only UK science centre which focuses upon the five senses of the human body. You can discover the miracles of sciences  through the use of the senses of the body with the aid of over 80 hands-on interactive exhibits. You will also find live scientific experiments and on the spot demonstrations, which demonstrate how common ingredients found in the home can be used to create amazing effects. Visitors interested in surgery are able to try their hand at keyhole surgery. Sensation brings science to life in lots of interesting ways.

The Verdant Works

Verdant Works  was, in the past, a working jute mill. At it’s height, in the 1860’s and 1870’s, the industry in Dundee employed around 50 thousand people in over sixty factories spread across Dundee. Nowadays,  Verdant Works brings this industry to life, by using a wide range of displays including, interactive computers, original machinery and film shows. This incredible museum was once home to 3 enormous steam engines which powered seventy looms and nearly 3,000 spindles.  There was also 500 people working there, spinning and preparing jute for it to be weaved across the road in a different factory. Restoration of the mill commenced in nineteen ninety two and it opened its doors to the public for the very first time on the sixteenth of September nineteen ninety six.

If you are planning a short break in Dundee you will discover a large amount of online hotels and guest houses offering bed and breakfast in Dundee. You will discover a comprehensive range of Dundee accommodation at http://dundee.hotelreservationhelper.com/

It may lie just seventy miles off the coast of West Africa. But the small Canary Island of Lanzarote is Spanish owned. And has long been a hot favourite with British and Irish tourists – who accounted for over one million visitors last year,attracted by a delightful year round climate, good quality holiday accommodation and the island´s unique volcanic scenery.

There is a wide choice of apartments in Lanzarote but if you prefer a more put your feet up holiday then the hotels in Lanzarote will also be to your liking.

At just four hours flying time Lanzarote is one of the closest winter sun holiday destinations to the UK. And is serviced by a number of the biggest low cost flight operators – such as easy Jet and Fly Monarch. Which means it is usually possible to pick up cheap flights to Lanzarote for as little as £200 return from all major UK airports.

Despite the number of tourists visiting the island there is only one international airport on Lanzarote – and it´s named after the nearby island capital of Arrecife. Although locals refer to it as Gaucimeta. Thanks to its central location and the small size of the island transfer times to the three main resorts are very quick. Averaging out at only twenty minutes.

The bulk of visitors to the island arrive on package holidays so will find themselves travelling to their resort on coaches organised by their tour operator. But for the growing band of independent travellers there is no shuttle bus service to the resorts. Which means they need to rely on either taxis – which are available just outside the main arrivals terminal. Or hire cars – which are also readily available at the airport.

Hiring a car in Lanzarote is surprisingly cheap in relation to many other holiday destinations around the world. As it is possible to rent a basic class C vehicle for as little as €20 per day. Whilst petrol is also much more affordable than in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

Around 40% of all visitors book hotels in Lanzarote. Which are of a high standard, particularly in the island’s newest resort of Playa Blanca in the south of the island. Where all establishments built over the last ten years are of a four star standard and above.

Whilst Puerto del Carmen is the spot to head for for those planning to book apartments in Lanzarote. As the islands oldest resort has the highest concentration of apartment complexes of any destination on the island.

Lanzarote also offers holiday makers plenty to do. As the island boasts lots of natural beauty – such as the Valley of 1000 Palms and the famous Green Lagoon at El Golfo. Along with some incredible man made attractions – such as the Mirador del Rio and the Cesar Manrique Foundation. Which was constructed by the island bon artist of the same name from five underground bubbles in the lava flow. And which is - by some distance – the most unique property in lanzarote.

For holiday information about the canaries in general visit Canary Islands holidays .

The city of Stirling has played an important role in the history of Scotland, especially during crucial moments. In and around Stirling has an incredible selection of excellent visitor attractions and a multitude of photographic opportunities. In the following article I introduce three places to visit in Stirling; Stirling Old Town Jail, Stirling Castle and Argyll’s Lodging:

Stirling Castle

Set two hundred and fifty feet above the city of Stirling, and surrounded on 3 sides by shear cliffs is Stirling Castle. The castle is very important in the history of Scotland, there have been several coronations within the castle, including that of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. The castle was also witness to a violent murder in 1452. The eighth Earl of Douglas was victim to James II in 1452. Stirling Castle is the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, although they are, unfortunately no longer garrisoned there. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, can be found within the castle.

Stirling Old Town Jail

The Stirling Old Town Jail we see today is not the first jail in Stirling, for four hundred years, Stirling’s prisoners were secured in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was awfully overcrowded, and smelled dreadful, with 24 prisoners to a cell, and no sanitary facilities. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, due to the inhuman living conditions there, and in 1847 the new jail opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial jail, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military jail in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a visitor attraction, and was only restored in the 1990’s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled lift that rises to a viewing deck at the top of the jail. From here you is able to look out across the Forth Valley, and gaze upon the Highland mountains.

Argyll’s Lodging

Argyll’s Lodging is found on Castle Wynd, situated in the middle of Stirling and is Scotland’s best existing renaissance house. The house was constructed circa 1630, by Sir William Alexander, originator of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, and was then appointed the first Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging became the property of the Argyll family on his death and was added to by the ninth Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the dining room, laigh hall, bed chamber and drawing room, have all been restored and furnished, as they would have looked when the ninth Earl lived there, around 1680.

If you are considering having a short vacation in Stirling you will find plenty of online Stirling hotels and guest houses and you will discover a huge range at http://stirling.hotelreservationhelper.com/