UK TOUR OF SHAKESPEARE

Whilst not excluding stand-alone individuals and small private groups, I would like to focus on niche market tours that offer people something out of the ordinary that can enable them to enjoy a specific interest. Take Shakespeare as an example – “The UK TOUR of SHAKESPEARE” could include the following:

·        Return business or economy flights to London - book on line

·        Accomodation in 4* hotels - book on line

·        Daily breakfasts

·        Shakespeare City Walk around London

·        Madame Tissauds to see the bard in wax

Anne Hathaway's Cottage

Share on gmailShare on facebookShare on twitterShare on hootsuiteMore Sharing Services

·               
       
    Visit to the Globe on the Thames by river boat with Theatre production and tour of the theatre

·        Stratford on Avon to see Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Nash’s House, New Place, Hall’s Croft, Shakespeare Centre

·        Open Top bus Tour

·        Holy Trinity Church and burial place

·        Swan Pub

·        Dinner at Othello’s Bar followed by Royal Shakespeare Theatre for production by the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Similar niche tours could be organised for Robbie Burns in Scotland, Jaguar Factory, Porche Tour, Gardens of England, Ferrari Tour.

Visit to Lords/Arsenal/Wembley/Twickenham/watch a Premier League game at the Emirates, Ryder Cup/US Open/British Open, Wine Tours of France/Germany, Sherlock Holmes Tour, etc.

EXERCISE OR TRAVEL ?

As I was lounging about in bed preoccupied  with the affairs of the world, I quickly realized that I don't actually give a rat's-ass:

1. If running and cycling is good for your health, all postmen would live for eternity.

2. A whale swims non-stop, only consuming fish, drinks unsullied water, and is still gargantually obese
3. A rabbit jumps and hops and only survives for 15 years.
4. But the steady, lazy, laid back tortoise doesn't run and does no exercise, yet it lives for 450 years!

So don't exercise BUT go for organised travel instead:-

If you are one of these so called “wealthy”people, you may be tempted to join the international travel brigade. Your forte may be spending your money on touring with all its concomitant advantages and pleasures. Visiting your friends and family overseas is the way to go and it is easy to arrange everything by booking on line has many advantages. 

Remember that

By selecting a holiday, booking flights and hiring cars through a reputable travel group you can eradicate many difficulties because if the group is worth its salt, you will get instant gratification:

• Travelling independently can be fun, especially if you have pre-booked everything on line. Sort out your route, select and pick your hotels, find the sights you want to see, without fighting your way through timetables and opening times.

• At first your holiday may seem cheap but as you progress hotels, tips, car rental, taxis, petrol, parking, entrances, etc. all escalate dramatically - so sort it out beforehand on line and you know what you are in for.

• Find accommodation of your choice easily and on line with the click of a button.

• Find the car of your choice at budget prices - on line.

               

And you instruct me to workout?? I don't think so.

Rather take a holiday!

Zulu (1964) PL

FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY

HEROES OF NOTE

Treat yourself to a wonderful, fascinating time by touring the battlefields in northern Kwa Zulu Natal. Hundreds of Welsh people visit these battlefields every year!

FUGITIVE's DRIFT LODGE is the place to go to but if you can't get in there, many other outstanding lodges are available. You will be able to have a guide who will be a raconteur of note and extremely knowledgeable. Hire a car and spend about 5 days exploring the area.

Of primary interest would be the Battle of Isandlawana which took place on  22nd January 1879. Here the Zulus bloodied the nose of the powerful British army, giving them the biggest hiding ever inflicted in the colonies. This battle was over in hours and what was exceptional was the fact that there was an eclipse of the sun at the height of the battle. Eerily the sun went as dark as night. Here is a picture of the Last Stand made by the 2nd/24th Welsh Regiment. This picture hangs in the museum at Fugitives Drift Lodge. In the background is the Isandlwana mountain, looming over the battle. The soldiers are fighting for their very lives as well as protecting the Queen's Colour, fluttering in the background. This colour was saved by Lieughtenants Melville and Coghill who escaped with it on horseback to Fugitives Drift. Colonel Durnford made his famous last stand but all was in vain. 1774 officers and men were almost completely wiped out by an army of 25000 Zulus.

Today the battle site is scattered with hundreds of white cairns, beneath which lie the bodies of 35 soldiers.

Later that day, a party of some 4000 Zulus disobeyed their King and marched off to Rourke's Drift where they attacked the British Post there. Rourke's Drift is a fascinating place, where some 139 officers and  men fought desperately for 12 hours through the night from behind maize bags to keep the Zulus at bay. 17 men were killed and 9 wounded. Altogether 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for bravery after the battle. There is a fascinating museum at Rourke's Drift.

Those who were lucky enough to escape the massacre of  Isandlawana escaped to safety by crossing the Buffalo River at Fugitives Drift. Not so Melville and Coghill who lost the Queen's Colour in the flooded river. They were both killed whist climbing to safety on the Natal side of the river. In a remarkable story the Queen's Colour was found and retrieved, thereby restoring the Regiment's honour. This is a memorial to the two valiant officers at the place where they fell.

These battles were not the only one's in the region, as there were also battles at Ntombe River, Hlobane, Khambula, Eshowe and Gingingdlovu which the soldiers named Gin Gin I Love you!

The piece de resistance to the entire episode was the death of Louis Napoleon, the Prince Imperial of France. Thus ended the Napoleonic Dynasty in a dusty Zululand donga.

Sunset at Fugitive's Drift with the mountain of Isandlwana looming in the background.

THE FASCINATING WORLD OF ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES

ANTIQUES FOR AN ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT

  

The world is crazy for alternative investments and antiques slot in here. It is historically proven that whenever we have tough times, antiques will hold their worth, especially if they are quality and have a scarcity value like the 1933 car above. Their minimum appreciation is about 10% per annum. Antiques are not as risky as the stock market. For example the Standard Bank has large collections of valuable art in their corporate collection.

Earmark a special line in collecting and buy the very best you can afford. Make sure that you protect your items against theft in South Africa as this can devastate your best intentions. Hold onto your investment for the medium to long term and see the value of your investment appreciate. Get to know the dealers and visit antique fairs. Keep records of when and where you bought an item and get a written certification of the item's value. Keep the item insured and keep it in pristine condition. Enjoy your collection at the same time.

Traditionally, art has seen the biggest returns but other areas that you can dabble in are:-

1. Investment quality glass
2. Antique furniture and silver
3. Royal Doulton
4. Boer war and Afrikaner antiques
5. Stamps are portable and robust in the international market
6. Books, prints, maps and militaria

PERHAPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO TO EUROPE TO SEE THE ANTIQUE ANTIQUE CHRISTMAS MARKETS?

SHOWCASING BUSHVELD TRANQUILITY

One day the time will come when you just want to wrest yourself free from everything: society, politics, sitting in traffic every day, and followed by almost of 90% of your life spent at work. So why not go on an South African safari? With the exchange rate as it is, this must be one of the cheapest holidays in the world - besides being extremely exciting!

Back to basics...

"Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe" and what better to do your wandering in the wilderness of the Pilansberg in South Africa.  Focus on being eco-friendly, which means that for the next few days you will experience life without electrical lights, air-conditioners or television in your tented camp at Bakatla. Perfect! Although some might say that it's not extravagant enough for them, it's what you'd rather refer to as "homespun lavishness".

From anywhere in the world you can effortless fly in to Johannesburg, South Africa and catch hire a car. When you first arrive at the safari camp, you will be met a comfortable yet profound tented room, which although it is uncomfortably hot outside, is very refreshing. After unpacking all your clobber you will be able to set off on your primordial game drive.

What will you see?

The bushveld truly is nature unlike any other, and the Pilansberg is one of three alkaline volcanoes in the world. Erosion over many millions of years has stripped away the mountain and we are left with a huge part of a 250 000 ha pristine game reserve, covered by captivating bushveld.

You will see an enormous range of wild animals, mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, arachnids and trees. you are likely to come across herds of Buffalo. The downright size of buffalo and prodigious strength will never cease to amaze you. 

Of course, the piece de resistance would be a pride of lions. Lions are adapted to prey on large herbivores such as buffalo, zebra and giraffe. As king of the bushveld they really do seem to fear nothing or no-one. You may be a bit nervous being close to these terrors. However unless provoked, they really do not put an ounce of effort to hunt or attack during the day. There are four prides in the Pilansberg and their territories overlap in the central valley around the Mankwe Dam.

Bushveld Simplicity...

Sitting around the campfire with your comrades, sharing stories of the day, will be your opportunity to gaze into the eyes of nature. In the distance you will be able to hear every little while, a hyena's giggling, idiotic, haunting laughter. You will never feel lonesome as there will be too many friendly faces around the fire with you, to allow such feelings.

The essential beauty of the bush will make you feel how you would find it difficult to live anywhere else in this world. The beauty and lifestyle of Africa is one that you can unite with easily.

While sitting around the campfire you will become hypnotized by the flames and you will lose track of time. Your narcotic trance will be what you wanted - relaxation and space to regain understanding of what seems vital in life. And as you taste your cup of freshly brewed coffee, you will feel contempt of your life and thrilled about the next few days' game drives!

Mark Twain said " Twenty years from now you will be disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the ones you did do. So throw away the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover"

http://youtu.be/kdHYOHEkzQA

TIRED OF LONDON - TIRED OF LIFE

"If you are tired of London, you are tired of life" is a famous saying by  Samuel  Johnson and it is even more relevant today. Around almost every corner, there is something exta-ordinary new for you to see.

London oozes history, stuns your mind with new facts, stimulates your very being, reveals many stunning locations and gives you with a beautiful experience that will remain with you forever. Make sure that you know exactly where you want to go as there is such a lot to see and do in the city. It is built around the famous River Thames.

You will meet numerous first time and regular tourists in the London every day. Planning is very important, so book your hotels on line.

How to travel within the city?

The city has a wonderful transport system that is easy to get to and the service is phenomenal. Where ever you look there are London buses, Underground trains, British Rail trains, Docklands Light Railway, Riverboats, taxis and Trams for you to catch. You certainly don't need to hire a car but if you travel outside of the city you should do so on line. Make sure that you have a London Mini Map and an Underground Tube Map. Once you get the hang of it the vast maze of routes is fun and quite easy.  

A must for you is to get an "Oyster Card" as this will enable you to pay for transport wherever you go! For a mere £5 refundable deposit which you have to top up, the city vitually opens to you like an oyster.

Boris, the charismatic Mayor of London has made bicycles very popular and it is fun to get around like this.  Bicycle ranks are almost everywhere.

Taxi drivers have to learn a huge amount of information to get a licence to operate, so you can interact with them to know more about the city, restaurants, cafes, hotels, lodges and lots more.

Accommodation

There are a good number of hotels, guest accommodations, accommodation agencies and campuses available in London. You can check online for the best way of accommodating yourself depending upon your affordability and comfortability.

Major attractions:

There are lots to be covered in this aesthetic city and you must make sure not to miss out on any of them if your trip is not too short. The best thing to do would be to plan an aerial view of London from the 'London Eye' first and plan your next spot based on your convenience. There are many free attractions in the city ranging from green parks to historic places and art galleries. Other experiences not to be missed are the London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and Madame Tussauds.

Get stunning inside information on how to get to London by clicking on our banners. Hire cars and book into hotels.