Ideas For An Extended Easter - Royal Wedding Holiday

By Harvey McEwan

While many special 'Royal Wedding deals' offered by travel agents will have been snapped up by organised travellers, it's not too late to organise your own special getaway.

The excitement generated by the Royal Wedding in 2011 has been twofold in the UK. While many people seem to be excited about Prince William and Kate Middleton's impending nuptials, the extra bank holiday that has been granted on their wedding day means that people across the country will also get to enjoy another day off. What's more, the placement of the holiday directly after Easter weekend means that it creates two consecutive four-day weekends, timing that has convinced many to take an extended Easter break.

So if you're thinking about taking a longer holiday over Easter thanks to the Royal Wedding, you're not alone. And while many special 'Royal Wedding deals' offered by travel agents will have been snapped up by organised travellers, it's not too late to organise your own special getaway, whatever your budget.

If you're keen to spend your Easter-Royal Wedding break abroad but can't afford to go too far, Barcelona and its surrounding attractions could offer the ideal solution. A long-held favourite with British holidaymakers, Barcelona is not Spain's capital but is perhaps its most culturally vibrant city. If you're interested in art and architecture, you'll find the unique buildings of Antoni Gaudi - which include the iconic Sagrada Familia and the serene Parc Guell - fascinating. What's more, the city is also home to galleries dedicated to Spanish maestros Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro, while its many world-class restaurants and bars will keep travellers merry throughout the night.

Alternatively, if your prefer to spend your holiday time outdoors, Barcelona does not disappoint. Amazingly, it has a vast beach right next to its city centre. The area, known as Barceloneta, has in the past been associated with the very poorest elements of Catalan society but has been regenerated since the 1992 Olympic Games. Today, it's a favourite with locals and tourists alike and is home to some of the area's best seafood restaurants. Of course, the extended length of this year's Easter weekends means that you'll also have plenty of time to explore the sights around Barcelona too. Indeed, it's the perfect opportunity to rent a car and drive to the beach at nearby Sitges, visit the celebrated Salvador Dali museum in Figueres or travel north to the Pyrenees, which overflows with spectacular hiking trails and mountain scenery.

If you can afford to go a little further, New York City could provide you with that breathtaking holiday you've been dreaming of. New York is beautiful at the end of April, with the severe winter weather having eased off and the balmy days of summer yet to come. What's more, the tourist rush isn't yet in full swing so its main attractions - like Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Staten Island Ferry and Central Park - won't be as packed as they will be in July and August. And while there's plenty to keep visitors to New York occupied for a week or more, make sure you make the most of your extended break and explore the city's surrounding areas too. Popular trips include those to Long Island, the beaches at Jersey Shore and even neighbouring cities Boston and Washington D.C.

For those that can't afford to stray far from home during the Easter break, rest assured that there are plenty of holiday options within the UK. If you live in England, for instance, a trip to Scotland won't require a visa but culturally, you'll be in a different country altogether. Luxury weekends in Edinburgh promise plenty of indulgent fun for people who love city breaks, while country lovers won't be able to get enough of the stunning scenery offered by the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Moreover, golf lovers shouldn't miss a trip to one of the country's many excellent courses, for which hotels in Edinburgh, Fife and Aberdeen provide convenient accommodation all along the east coast.

Harvey McEwan writes to offer information and advice on a variety of areas, from technology to holiday destinations. Read through Harvey's other articles here to find out more.

Celebrate the Royal Wedding in Bath

By Thom Sanders

Unless you have been living on the moon for the past six months you will have heard of the forthcoming royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton which will be taking place on the 29th of April this year. Due to it being such an important and glamorous event cities and towns all throughout the country will be celebrating and putting on many different events.

One city that will be putting on numerous events to mark the royal wedding will be Bath in the South West. Many people will be flocking to the city to take advantage of its royal roots and it's very well organised festivities throughout the year.

Bath's Fashion Museum is hosting several special tea parties leading up to the royal event, visitors to the very popular and interesting museum will be able to learn all there is to know about royal wedding dresses through the ages. The tea event will also include free entry to the 'What will she wear?' exhibition, featuring some of the most glamorous and expensive wedding gowns and dresses to have been seen in the city.

Numerous venues in and around the city will be hosting traditional royal themed garden parties; traditionally these events include plenty of Earl Grey tea and rich and fruity wedding cake.

Past visitors to Bath will more then likely have visited the wonderful museum based at the city's architecturally famous Georgian building 'The Crescent'. The Georgian museum will be holding an exhibition between April and May which will give people the chance to explore everything they ever wanted to know about weddings during the Georgian period.

Bathcertainly has a lot of royal connections and links that date back to its very beginning. Legend has it that the city was first founded by an exiled prince that was cast from his kingdom as he had a form of leprosy. As the story goes he bathed within the natural springs that surfaced from the area and was cured. By means of gratitude the king began building what is now known as Bath.

Another connection between royalty and the city of bath is that the first ever king of England's coronation took place within the cities abbey. Visitors to the city can view the 'Edgar window' in the abbey that shows and depicts the event along with a plaque to commemorate the occasion.

As you can see Bath is the ideal choice of location to enjoy and celebrate the royal wedding this year with plenty going on over the period.

Thom Sanders writes on behalf of the Royal Hotel Bath, the best choice of Bath Hotel for your Short Breaks Bath.

Things to Do During the Easter Holidays

By Jenny Oneills

Easter holidays offer a nice break between the winter and the summer holidays. Many people love to relax and get ready for the coming spring. One idea is to take a trip to the beach. Even during the cooler spring months of March and April, a stroll along the beach is relaxing. The crowds are usually much smaller than during the summer months. When no on the beach, it is a good time to walk the shops and see what they offer. Many vendors have great sales this time of year. Getting out of the city and getting to the beach is something you can enjoy.

London is a great place to be during the Easter holidays. You can go to Easter services at Westminster Abbey or St. Paul's Cathedral. You will also find orchestral and choral music throughout the holy week in both locations. For an Easter egg hunt, consider Kew Gardens. You can also enjoy a trip up on the London Eye to catch the views of the London skyline and surrounding counties. You will find some museums offering discount or free admittance. You and the entire family can find many things to do on the holidays.

You might consider a trip to a theme park or two over the Easter holidays. If Lancashire is close to home or somewhere that sounds different, you should visit Camelot Theme Park. You will find knights battling and wizards dueling. Another option would be Chessington World of Adventures. With a mixture of roller coasters, rides, and wildlife, this theme park offers fun for people of many ages. It is a popular destination any time of year. The best part is that it is only a short distance outside of Central London. It is a good place to go if you do not want to leave the City.

If you want to get away from the house, but do not have a great deal to spend, consider taking a stroll among the hundreds of woodland sites available across the country. They are free and accessible from anywhere. Many of these sites offer activity packs for the children to keep them occupied. Another cost effective option is museums. Most museums are open free. They range from natural history to science and history. These are just a few of the options you should consider when thinking about your Easter holidays. What do you want to do?

Jenny Oneill is a freelance travel writer who is currently researching the best places for Easter holidays