Enjoy Britain This Autumn with Holiday Inn

I just spent an enjoyable weekend at the Holiday Inn in Shepperton to the southwest of London near the River Thames. I booked an Executive package which included a bottle of real champagne on arrival (no vin mousseux substitute), full buffet and cooked breakfast and use of the leisure suite which comprises a pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and gym. There is also an exercise studio and beauty salon but I did not have time free to enjoy those.


The room was large and very comfortable, even with two single beds for my children. Most hotels just offer a sofa bed but the Holiday Inn gave two proper beds, all with Hypnos mattresses. We also had a mini-bar, trouser press, TV with multi-channels, CD player, a safety deposit box, iron and ironing board. There was even a "pillow menu" with a choice of five types of pillow.


We had a lovely three course meal in the restaurant on the first night and pub snacks on the second as we had been out for lunch. Kids have a choice of five dishes and KIDS EAT FREE when aged under 13 accompanied by an adult. Yummy food with some healthy choices and no chicken nuggets in sight! They also had a placemat with a pirate trail to solve whilst waiting for their food. By the way, KIDS STAY FREE if under 18 and sharing a room with adults.

The breakfast buffet included fresh fruits, yoghurts, cheese, cold meats, cereals, full English breakast plus hash browns, griddle pancakes, five juices, Danish pastries and tea or coffee. It was delicious.

Holiday Inn in the UK have a great autumn promotion on for stays from 20 October until 14 December. At selected hotels, including Shepperton, they are offering two nights B&B from £25 per person per night or include dinner from just £50 per person per night. Prices are based on two people sharing.




To make the weekend even more enjoyable, Holiday Inn UK are offering a free glass of wine and late check-out when you join them for Sunday lunch. Unfortunately, we had to leave before lunch.

We had a lovely weekend and the cost was very reasonable. I thoroughly recommend the Holiday Inn.

Eurostar Service Restored After Tunnel Fire

I am sitting on the wooden floor in London St Pancras waiting for the Eurostar to take me back to Brussels. There was a fire in the tunnel a few days ago whilst I was in London so I wondered what I would do if service was not restored. The last time I looked at flights between London and Brussels, they were quite expensive and it is such a hassle travelling to and from the airports.

Also, my annual travel insurance policy expired last week and I had not renewed which means that if I had to find alternative travel, I would be paying!

Fortunately, Eurostar service was restored on Sunday morning although there is a restricted service and trains are running more slowly. This means that my departure is 28 minutes later and the journey time will be 2 hours 19 minutes instead of 1 hour 51. Oh well, at least I can go home today.

Meanwhile, they are advising passengers to check in early so the whole waiting area is full. There are no seats left but at least I am delighted to find that FREE WiFi is available. I plugged my electricity lead into a socket and here I am, sitting on the floor.

EasyJet Sale

EasyJet are giving you up to 20% off every seat, every route, every day for travel between 01 October and 17 December 2008, including half term! So whether you want to visit friends or family or simply fancy escaping for a few days, they have the flight for you.

And remember wherever you travel, unlike other airlines they don't have a fuel surcharge.

This sale must end midnight Tuesday 2 September, so book early to avoid missing out on these fantastic prices!

Visit the easyJet sale now!

Need to book a Quality Hotel in Europe?

The InterContinental Hotel Group represent the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn, Starbridge, Indigo and Candlewood Suites. All of these groups offer quality and excellent facilities.




How about treating yourself to some luxury with a stay at the London InterContinental?

Day Trip to France for just £2

Enjoy a fantastic day out in France this summer for an unbelievable £2 per person* with P&O Ferries. Simply take a foot passenger day trip from Dover to Calais, departing Monday to Thursday. You can also travel at weekends, though supplements will apply.

Whilst onboard the ferry you'll find plenty to entertain the whole family, with a superb choice of bars and restaurants - as well as some great offers in the onboard shop.

And if you're travelling with children, you'll be pleased to know that during the summer holidays, the Junior Crew Kids' Club will be onboard to entertain them with activities such as face painting, balloon modelling, drawing and many other arts and crafts.

So why wait, book now with P&O Ferries!

Travel Monday to Thursday, departing and returning the same day. Travel after 8.25am and return before 9pm the same day. Supplements apply to travel Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Book by 29th September 2008 for travel by 30th September 08.

Visit European Travel blog and EuroTravel the one-stop site for travel to and within Europe.

Win a Stay in a London Design Hotel

Eurostar Hi-speed train service from Paris or Brussels to London are running a competition to tie-in with the 6th London Design Festival from 13-23 September 2008.

For the 10 days of the London Design Festival, London lives and breathes design. All over the city, exhibitions, projections, seminars and other events are held, such as David Adjaye's American Tulipwood pavillion at the Southbank Centre and Jamie Haydon's architectural project in Trafalgar Square.

1st prize:
A stay in London for 2 people, worth up to €1,085.35 including:

* a return journey on Eurostar in Leisure Select
* a night at the myhotel Bloomsbury
* entry to the Design Museum with an exhibition catalogue included.

2nd prize:
A set of Miniature Chairs worth £80: Miniature Panton Chair Set.

3rd prize:
A set of 2 books: "Wall and Piece" from Banksy and "Tiger Seen On Shaftesbury Avenue" from The National Gallery, worth £23.94

If you are not fortunate in winning the 1st prize, you can still book a Return trip on Eurostar from €80 per person in Standard class, subject to availability.

Visit European Travel blog and EuroTravel the one-stop site for travel to and within Europe.

Anyone for Tapas?

Spain has it all.

In Spain, tapas isn't just a way of eating - it's a way of life. Sampling a delicious selection of tastes with a glass of wine, sherry, beer or my favourite Tinto de Verano (refreshing red wine with lemonade) whilst walking around going nowhere in particular. Sharing tapas with friends is a great way to relax and reflect on the day in the sun.

Maybe it was a day on the beach, or playing golf, playing tennis, shopping, visiting cultural or historical sites or how about pampering spa treatments?

Right now, Late Rooms are offering tremendous deals on hotels in Spain.

Average temperatures reach 30-31ºC and 11-12 hours of sunshine. That is a whopping 1,300 hours of sunshine more than the UK!

Visit European Travel blog and EuroTravel the one-stop site for travel to and within Europe.