Three Great Travel Apps for the UK

Even though Britain is not huge, it can still be tough to find your way around or plan a holiday without some help.

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What better help than Britain’s favorite footballer, David Beckham? Okay, there’s probably a lot more qualified travel advisors, but he’s a traveler and knows what he likes. He also loves his country enough to tell the Olympic coordinators that they should let an actual Olympian carry the torch instead of him. Imagine that! Beautiful and humble. Anyway, The Best of Britain App is a great download for those that want valuable information and also a peek at what Beckham loves most about it. His top 10 is only a small part of a very awesome app.

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Want to visit London without missing a thing? Then you’ll want to go download the free London Official City Guide App. Not only will it show you the best of the best in town, you’ll also get alerts on deals, special events and secret happenings going on. It’s like you’re totally in the know!

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Not specifically for the UK, the Arounder Touch App allows you to sightsee without getting off the couch! Of course, seeing the amazing places you COULD be going will be motivation enough with this app that gives you 360 degree views of famous visitor attractions. See museums, cathedrals, views from mountaintops and more, then start planning your own trip to go there or somewhere new that you can take your own videos of.

Do you have a favorite travel app that you’d like to share?

Visiting Shakespeare’s Globe

To go or not to go, that should not be a question. If you are a fan of the Bard, then the Globe should be on your list of attractions to visit whilst in London. Though the original Globe burnt down, the pallets that were undamaged were used to help build the one that stands today. Not only do they give amazing tours, but in the warmer months you can actually take in one of Shakespeare’s plays and view it just as they did in his time. Of course, the seating may be a bit more comfortable and you would actually be able to afford to sit on something, so probably not exactly the same, but similar.

Learn the ins and outs of the different levels of the stage and where royalty sat during performances. You will also be educated on the history of the theater and be shown things that were changed as safety regulations have come into play. Within the attached building, you can check out the exhibition. See a timeline of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets as well as paintings, books and a gift shop (because every good attraction needs one).

Once you exit the exhibition and tour, take a trip around the corner to the Swan and grab a bite to eat – either from the café menu or take in afternoon tea. If your plans include watching a production, make reservations for pre- or post-theatre dining and enjoy some very affordable and delicious dishes.

Calling All Science and Astronomy Lovers

If you get excited about the stars and the science of space, then the Royal Observatory Edinburgh should definitely be on your travel list. They have a vast collection of telescopes and specialize in technology and space science. The Fall season bring a series of writers talks that will only set you back £3 per person (£1.50 for children). If you’re really into the mysteries of the galaxy and everything related. You can purchase a season pass and attend any and all lectures for just £20/£10.

The Royal Observatory offers individual admission on Public Astronomy Evenings, where you can learn about the history of the Observatory and observe the night sky with your naked eye and with the use of their telescopes. You’ll also go on a tour of the Victorian telescope dome, learn a bit about meteorites and find out what is currently happening at the Observatory. There are year-round Astronomy Evenings held on Friday evenings where you will observe the Moon with their telescopes and the sun with the solar scope in the Summer and observe the stars and constellations in the Winter. You must book in advance and admission is quite affordable at £4/£3.

Your Passport to Budget Dublin

If you've been planning a visit to Ireland for years and have finally been able to make the dream a reality? If that's the truth, then you probably want to do as much as you can while you're there. I am a big fan of city passes, as they enable you to do a wide range of activities and see things you may not have considered before, or even heard of, like Casino, Marino or the Dublin Writer's Museum.

Get yourself a Dublin Pass. Not only is it a great deal if you plan to do a fair amount of sightseeing on the Emerald Isle, but it also it lets you skip the queues at the ticket booths. Your Dublin pass comes with an airport-city center transfer, entrance to over 30 top attractions, the Croke Park Experience (for those of you who are sports lovers), discounts on dining, shopping, and more, as well as unlimited public transportation! Purchase online before you go to save 20% off. Your Dublin pass is valid for 12 months from purchase and “activates” upon your first use.

Christ Church Cathedral

Choose from 1, 2, 3 and 6 day passes, each of which comes with a handy little guide book that gives you more details about each of the 34 attractions included with your pass and directions on how to get there. Convenient! Even more convenient, you can pick up your passes at the airport, the Tourist Centre on Suffolk Street or have them sent to you by post. You'll save so much, you might learn a jig just to celebrate.

Great British Summertime Escapes

This sponsored post comes to us from Web Cottages. A great resource for all your UK vacation rental needs. They have competive rates and lovely properties.

There is no better time to experience the wonders of Britain than in the summer. Blue skies and warm breezes make everything look even more beautiful and leaving you with memories that will last all year long.

There is nothing holding you back on a summertime trip to Britain, you can be on the beach in the morning, the city in the afternoon and the countryside in the evening, and all with a minimum of driving. This little country has so much to offer holidaymakers – you would have to try pretty hard to be bored on a summer holiday in Britain.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shapourbahrami/2089031297/

Coast

Take a nostalgic break at the great British seaside this summer. Britain may not be the first location you think of when planning a beach holiday, but some of the best beaches in Europe can be found along the coast of this little island. You’ll find the best of the best in the south west of England and Wales. Woolacombe in Devon and Polzeath in Cornwall are two to consider in England, while the four beaches surrounding Tenby in Dyfed Wales are great options for families. There are lovely holiday cottages to rent along the beautiful British coastline, just visit http://www.webcottages.co.uk/ to view a great selection.

If a beach holiday isn’t your style don’t worry, there are breathtaking coastal walks all over the country that are sure to dazzle and challenge. The Wales Coast Path is the newest coastal walking path in Britain and travels 870 miles around the coast of Wales. You can choose to experience it in its entirety, or just in parts.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ennor/4627944896/

Countryside

Filled with lush green fields, towering mountains, and ancient monuments, the British countryside is a sight to behold. There is no end to the activities available to you throughout the countryside regions of Britain, and really do range from the sublime to the ridiculous.

The Lake District is one of the great outdoor areas of the country and its beauty has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Spend your days boating or fishing on one of the lakes, walking through the countryside, exploring ancient monuments, or simply relaxing in a cafe.

For a completely different kind of outdoor experience, why not take the family on a Go Ape! adventure? Swing from tree tops, fly through the forest on a zip line, explore the forest floor on an all-terrain segway, or whizz down country trails on a mountain bike. These adrenaline packed tours are sure to keep the whole family entertained.

Photo Credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

City

Everyone knows what London has to offer travellers, but don’t let your visit stop there. There are great city breaks to be had throughout Britain, stretching from north to south, east to west.

Why not head to the north of the realm to have a truly unique holiday experience in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh? There is no shortage of things to see and do, from world class museums and galleries, to some of the best restaurants and nightlife in Europe. Don’t miss a trip to the Haymarket area of the city, filled with popular pubs and restaurants.

The famous university town of Cambridge is another great stop. This ancient city is a pleasure to explore on foot, and is filled with amazing architecture, stunning gardens, fascinating history. Take a guided tour through the hallowed halls of Cambridge University, or a punting tour along the River Cam.

Don’t spend your summer doing the same old, same old. Treat yourself to a summer escape to Britain, where there is something for everyone!

To find a vast selection of self catering holiday accommodation throughout the UK and Ireland visit Web Cottages today. Whether you are looking for a coastal cottage in Cornwall, or a rustic cabin in Scotland, Web Cottages will have the holiday cottage for you.

You can also find Web Cottages on Facebook | Twitter

Airport Reviews? Yes!

If you don't know the awesomeness that is Airlikes, please take some time to check out their site and help this fairly new website grow, which can only be achieved by travelers like you. Even if founder Nicolas Pellier hadn’t added a link to my blog on his website, I would have gladly given him a great review, because his website is innovative and something I find very useful for myself and potentially for many travelers worldwide.

Airlikes is like TripAdvisor for airlines and airports. Aside from being able to search for flights and hotels, the whole purpose of this France-based website is to give travelers information on airlines and airports all over the world. There are always readily available reviews for hotels and car rental companies, but not so much on airports or airlines themselves. With Airlikes, travelers like you can post reviews of both to help out other travelers booking their vacations and trying to avoid airports that are always busy or inconvenient or just figuring out how to lessen the stress of being there and making it easier to navigate. With all that going for it, you can also find news on airports and airlines, as well as weather conditions, general information on the airports and the airlines that fly there and also information about the country it’s located in. Pretty nifty. Check out this nice interview Nicolas did with tnooz, then go write a review of your home airport! 

Travel by Train and Save Big

Welcome to Shereen Travels Cheap UK, the official offshoot of Shereen Travels Cheap that focuses on all things United Kingdom related! Each post will bring you money-saving tips for travel to and within the UK and awesome places (activities, tourist attractions, restaurants, etc.) and products that will help you stretch your budget. Each week you’ll see three (shorter than my average) blog posts – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – that will enable you to plan a better and more affordable trip, get out on a “cheap” day trip or find something new in your own neighborhood. If you like what you see, tell others about it and subscribe via email or the RSS feed.

If you have photos you’d like to share, feel free to email me with a link to a Flickr, Picasa, Shutterfly or similar album. I’ll give credit where credit is due if I use them in a blog post! Bonus points if you also tell me about some great little place you visited and give me details on it. I want this blog to also be as interactive as possible.

For my first post, I found this fantastic website that saves you 50% off activities and more, just by presenting your train ticket! This is fab for those visiting other parts of the UK.

Who doesn’t love discounts? Unless you’re some fancy pants rich person who doesn’t need to save money, I think you’re with me in loving a deal. If travelling by National Rail, then you could get 2-for-1 discounts on top London attractions, theatres, exhibitions, restaurants and more cool stuff. How can that be? Days Out Guide has vouchers you can print out to get these amazing discounts, so you can holiday for cheap.

Using your vouchers are easy. Sign up for a free account on Days Out Guide. Search the county you are traveling in for the perfect activity and then fill out the short voucher application to get your discount! When you are able to print out your 2-for-1 voucher, bring it, along with your train ticket, to present at your attraction of choice and SAVE! Keep more pounds in your pocket, so you can do more or just travel for less.

What kind of awesome attractions are available? What about the London Eye, City Cruises, Benjamin Franklin House, Beatles Bus Tour and Dinosaur Isle? There are hundreds of choices throughout Great Britain, from Aberdeenshire to Yorkshire. Every time you travel, you can see new things for less money. Do the usual tourist stuff and then do some off-the-beaten-track activities your next visits. Pretty great, right? 

Do you experience with Days Out Guide? Did it save you a bundle?