No Ticket? No Problem! Enjoy the Olympics Outside of London on your UK Summer Holiday

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

Yesterday marked 100 days until the London 2012 Olympics, when the world will converged on the capital city and truly become a global city for the duration of the games. While most of the sporting events will be taking place in and around London, the organizing committee is keen to make sure that everyone around the country can get involved. Yesterday 22 ‘live sites’ were announced, where locals and visitors will be able to gather together across the UK to experience the excitement of the games.

Photo attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreynews/5863266743/

If you would like to be involved in the electric atmosphere of the Olympics but don’t fancy paying the astronomical prices that will be charged in London then these live sites are the way to go! Here you’ll get to mingle with local people and get swept up in the action shown on the giant screens.

With 22 live sites set up across the UK you are sure to never be very far away from the action while on holiday. Here are three great site locations to consider.

Plymouth, Armada Way

The historic town of Plymouth on Cornwall’s south coast was launched on the Year to Go milestone on the 23 July, 2011. As with the other screens, all of the Olympic actions will be shown during the course of the games, but there will more Olympic action for visitors to take part in on the run up to the Games. On Saturday 19th May the Olympic Torch will make its way from Land’s End, the extreme Westerly point of mainland Britain, to Plymouth where it will be used to light the Olympic Cauldron during the UK’s first London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Evening Celebration event. Live entertainment will also mark the historic occasion, which is sure to be something to experience!

 Belfast City Hall

The screen that will be used to show the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games has been live in the grounds of Belfast City Hall for almost a year now and has quickly become popular with Belfast locals and visitors of the city alike. The big screen has already been used to show coverage of major sporting events such as the men’s Wimbledon tennis final, as well as local cultural events like the Lord Mayor’s Parade. The Belfast live site has a capacity of 4000 and admission is free. Seating at the site will not be provided but visitors are welcome to bring their own chairs and spend the day soaking up the Northern Irish atmosphere, which is sure to be unlike anywhere else!

Derby Market Square

The screen in Derby’s Market Square has been a permanent fixture since 2007 and is regularly used to show sporting and cultural events from around the UK and the world. Coverage of the games begins in Derby on May 18th, with live coverage of the arrival of the Olympic torch in the UK from Greece, and on May 21st a series of movies will be shown to commemorate 100 Days to Go to the Paralympics. From Friday 27th July to Sunday 12th August Market Square will become Olympic Central and will broadcast all of the Olympic action, beginning with the Opening Ceremonies and continuing throughout the games.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that London is the only place in the UK to experience the Olympic spirit! With events being held up and down the country visitors can still enjoy what is sure to be the event of a lifetime, without paying above the odds for accommodation in London.

If you are planning to spend your summer holidays in the UK and are looking for reasonably priced accommodation then take a look at the holiday cottages offered by Sykes Cottages. With great holiday cottage options located throughout the UK and Ireland you are sure to find the perfect holiday accommodation for your UK summer trip, whether you are looking for one of the many picturesque Yorkshire Cottages or a secluded cottage in Cornwall.

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When Downsizing is a Good Thing

Packing light is trending with travelers all over the world. Not only can it save you a lot of money, but it can also save you time. Isn't it easier to just go from outside to the terminal and back again? No pesky stops at the front desk to check a bag and no annoying waiting around the baggage carousel praying that your luggage actually made it to your destination with you. If packing less is hard for you, how about just packing smaller items? Start with your 3-1-1 bag and work you way on to clothing, shoes and accessories.

My downsized makeup products

The sheer variety of items on the Minimus.biz site is what makes it number one on my list. It's your one-stop-shop for all things mini. You can find beauty items (shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, lotion), health products (aspirin, eye drops, toothpaste, antacids, antibacterial wipes), travel comfort stuff (eye masks, neck pillows) and food packets (salad dressing, ketchup, single-serve cereal). There’s almost nothing that you can’t buy on Minimus, and after you’ve loaded up your cart with awesome mini things – I mean, who doesn’t take BBQ sauce packets on all their vacations? – you can take advantage of their free shipping on orders of $20 or more. I have almost never seen a minimum order that low for no shipping fees. That makes them double cool in my book!

It's a little unfortunate that Minimus is only based in the U.S., but here's something amazing that can help my international friends with shipping from this company and many others:

Minimus has partnered with MyUS.com, where international customers can setup a U.S. mailbox, and have packages from a variety of companies shipped to their mailbox. MyUS will consolidate the packages and ship them to over 200 countries. You can save up to 80% off shipping costs. So, order your $20 worth of merchandise (which isn't hard), get it delivered to your U.S. mailbox for free and then pay for shipping from there, instead of paying double shipping and making it a complete waste of time and money. I'm sure there are other American companies you're dying to order from.

American Food Around the World

When my husband and I visit the UK or Europe, we find that we miss some of the things we take for granted here in America. One of these things is unlimited drink refills. Another is having enough ice in a beverage to make it cold. Having the ice melt from the warmth of your drink before it even hits the table can be frustrating, especially when you pay up to £4 for a soda or ice tea. When we need a bit of home, we hit up the place we know will be the same everywhere we go, whether it’s in San Diego, London, Paris or Rio de Janeiro. The setting may be different and the restaurant may be a different size with different décor, but Hard Rock Café is always on our list of dining venues.

As much as I love trying new cuisines and unique foods, there’s something to be said for having the opportunity at hand to enjoy something familiar. It’s not just the giant icy soft drinks that can be had a the Hard Rock, but the music videos, the cheeseburgers, the wait staff. Everything about it spells comfort for us and we know it can give us a bit of home. The food isn’t haute cuisine, but it is delicious and flavorful, as well as budget-friendly. No matter where in the world you visit Hard Rock, the prices are pretty similar, as is the menu. There are some of the same items on every Hard Rock menu and then their twist on local favorites. Americanized, if you will.

Eric's totally blissful over his monster icy Diet Pepsi

In Hawaii, we were treated to one of the locally caught fish as a yummy sandwich and you can get local specials at ever café from South America to Asia, making it a great stop for travelers and locals alike. Get something you are accustomed to or try something you’ve never heard of before. The portions are hearty, too, so if you aren’t starving when you get there, split an entrée. It’s certainly not uncommon to see diners sharing dinner and a dessert.

Everywhere we travel that a Hard Rock is available. We make a point to visit for lunch or dinner. In fact, in our travels, we've dined in the smallest Hard Rock - Cozumel - and the world's largest - Orlando. I’ve even joined the All-Access Pass membership. It enables us to earn points on dining and Rock Shop purchases, as well as priority seating with your membership card. You pay to join, but you also receive a credit on your card of almost the same value that you can use in the rock shop, the café or the online store. Many locations have live music as well. Find out everything you need to know, including the address and menu options on Hard Rock Café online.

Eric and I at the world's smallest HRC in Cozumel

Appetise: When Your Appetite is Talking

There are times, even on holiday, that I just feel like going back to my room and curling up with a book or in front of the telly. My feet ache and I’m sick of looking at people and I want to snuggle up in a blanket and wait to emerge until the next day. Of course, this isn’t useful if I’m also hungry. Usually, it means I have to pull on some decent looking clothes, look presentable and go out to get something. Do you ever have this problem? Cue Appetise. Browse hundreds of restaurants across the UK and order your meal right online. Convenient! You don’t even have to talk to anyone.

You can pay by credit card online when you finalise your order or pay cash when the food is delivered. It’s takeaway without the trouble! Some restaurants charge a small delivery fee, yet others charge nothing at all. On top of it all, Appetise is completely free to use. Restaurants are being added all the time and delivery areas are expanding as well. While you can easily order food in most regions, from Bath to Worcester, there are still some places where Appetise isn’t available…yet.

So, when you don’t feel like going out or just don’t feel like cooking, hop onto Appetise and search for some delicious takeaway from your favorite restaurants – or one you haven’t tried yet. Many restaurants offer specials and discounts, too, so no matter what, you’re a winner, and soon, no longer hungry.