Fashion, Food and best brands in Selfridges

Futuristic Selfridges in Birmingham. Distance Arfin ©

Selfridges is some last-stop shop for fashion buyers. A small department store chain and fill in the UK, that's what you could get if you crossed fashionista style with the kind of buyer sooner Harvey Nichols Encyclopedia Harrods property. In addition, all Selfridges stores in the architecturally notable buildings.

What to buy in department stores Selfridges

Selfridges emphasizes the luxury and design, exotic food and a variety of brands in its stores in the UK. In it the latest UK and international fashion designers will stand beside names in the fashion established.

But the clothes are just the beginning. This is the kind of business which is a day trip in itself, with the fashion for men, women and children, jewelry, toys, household goods, beauty salons and nail bars, designer furniture, home and lifestyle products, technologies and equipment ,

540,000 square-foot flagship store on Oxford Street is one of the largest stores in the world where you can buy some potatoes books, you will find an exhibition of avant-garde art or invest in the first diamond embedded Bluetooth headset world.

All this and Food Halls are dying. With everything from the elegant French delivery and spicy Thai dishes Indians, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, beef, sandwiches, even in New York canned (corned beef call it here). And of course, if you prefer to cook yourself, you can buy all the ingredients that you need in a Selfridges Food Hall - fish, meat, poultry, pasta, game, fruits and vegetables, spices, you name it.

Too surprising Services

Selfridges has all the amenities that you would expect in a large high-Shop: Personal Shopper, change, beauty salon - actually several salons for men and women, as well as a nail salon and spa skin. But a quick whip through the list in alphabetical order of in-store services shows:

• Bicycle repair
• Piercings and Tattoos
• Restoration
• Walk-in Back Rub
• Lighting
• Made to measure, Jeans

Y!

You forgot to change money? No problem, all Selfridges boxes in stores now accept:

• US dollar
• Swiss Franc
• Euro
• Japanese Yen

Where there find Selfridges

This lower much effort. It is therefore only four branches. But no Selfridges worth a visit - even if all you can afford to do is take a look around. Found by applies to these links:

Let the Americans ...

... That's with this mixture also over-the-top winners. Selfridges was founded in 1909 by Wisconsin native, Harry Gordon Selfridge - formed Marshall Field in Chicago. For years, is part of Sears Holdings, another US company, Selfridges currently. By the Canadian Weston family, which also includes Holt Renfrew stores and Brown Thomas in Ireland belongs

Miss Selfridge, a spin-off of the store, with branches in every respect, we are no longer in the same company.

Selfridges - Favorite suffragettes

H. Gordon Selfridge founded his business as the women's suffrage movement was at its peak and the center line brought the ladies of the middle class, in the western suburbs of London. Buying a respectable leisure activity for women was new. Selfridge support independent women because he knew that the end would be their best customers.

It may seem strange today, but the women's fashion and feminine dressing was considered important, these suffragettes who Pankhursts, participation in Selfridges. H. Gordon Selfridge was an important supporter of the movement. He even refused to complain when a women's rights activist broke one of the glass plate 25 of the shop - then the largest in the world.

For easier and more convenient for women to shop, Selfridge opened the first coffee shops and restaurants and was the first business, public bathroom Women. Everything was developed, a day of shopping in the city something like a respectable lady would make haste Suburban.

What train? What hour? How much?

Alan Copson / Photodisc / Getty Images

National Rail Enquiries information - a source of timetables and fares for all:

National Rail Enquiries, the UK guide rail. When British Rail company was divided into many private, in 1980, found the service station, train stations, timetables, prices and connections, it was a nightmare. Before the service of the National Rail inquiries line when some information in advance - or wanted to know which station to put in place - I had to call and a long wait on hold or hours occupancy signals.

Luckily for the Internet.

National Rail Enquiries fasts official online source of information for the railway service, timetables in the UK, dates and more.

Using the information from the UK National timetables and fares:

The page is a page to functional research. In the upper left, you will find the trip. This is a really useful tool. Just put the "A" and "From" information, the date and time you want, whether you want a simple (one-way) or Return (return) trip and if you are willing to change or want to travel Direct (it is not always possible).

Search Select and after a few seconds, the screen displays a selection of travel options stop service.

What should I do?:

Select the closest distance when you want to fly and click on all the details. More details about the trip to appear, including the names of all the stations.

If you are planning a trip, or if you do not buy a BritRail Pass and a ticket, that's all.

If you want to buy or reserve a ticket, click rates. You can search by looking for the cheapest or fastest ticket limit. The system comes with more options and explanations, whose prices you can present yourself for the ride of your chosen application.

There is reliable information on National Rail Enquiries?:

As usuall. But if you are traveling on a British holiday, trains run to a different calendar, and is a good idea on a manned station, a day or two before to check your trip. Usually there are short lines at the box office advance.

In general, the information that the service status and updates, exactly.

The website also provides information about disabled access at stations, the rules for luggage and animals, information for families and all kinds of things that you never knew what you wanted to know about the British railway travel.

Can I buy a ticket on the website of National Rail Enquiries:

No, this is something that. Still in the hands of the individual tracks

Once you have selected your travel and check the price, select "buy a ticket" and a drop down menu with live links to all railway companies they appear. Make sure you note the details of your trip and the selected price because once you click on the link for a railway undertaking, disappear.

Well, here's the good news - one of the railway operators that sell a ticket for a trip, this trip operation or not. So if you have the website of National Rail Enquiries used all the hard work is done.

You may need a visa to travel to Britain

I ask: Do I need a visa for the UK?

I am planning a trip to England. I need a visa in my passport to enter the United Kingdom? How do I know if I need and where demand if I?

Answer:

If you are a citizen of the United States, Canada or Australia, or live legally in these countries, should not enter into a tourist visa to the UK. Granted for a stay of up to six months, as a rule at the entrance, if you show your passport, provided them with the immigration officer that the purpose of your visit respond UK Immigration Rules. There is no charge for visas issued at the entrance.

Here are some other points to consider about Visa:

• The same rules apply for citizens of most, but not all, South America and the Caribbean and Japan.

• Members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not require visas need to visit or live and work in the UK.
• The rules are to work for students of degree courses and people arriving in the UK (outside the EEA).

If your plans include more than just a party, it's a good idea to check online questionnaire British government practice I need a visa for the UK. And when you need it, you may ask, and usually pay for a visa online Visa4UK

Wimbledon Dos and Don & # 039; ts

Do not bring Munchies

Food and drinks are available in a number of different restaurants. But it can be expensive.

You can bring your own picnic or small amount of food and a bottle of wine per person or two cans of beer. But do not expect to consume alcoholic beverages or something more substantial than sandwiches in the stands. To properly picnic meals, not the picnic terrace with tables and chairs, if you're lucky to move place for a picnic on the grass, if you are not there.

eBags was isolated and similar discrete containers that summer bags and are just right for the job.

How to get tickets for Wimbledon in the last minute

As a visitor, it is always frustrating to not be able to get last minute tickets for concerts, sporting events and shows, what you just discovered when you have arrived. Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament on grass Grand Slam of the World is an exception. There are tickets available every day at Wimbledon. All you need is patience.

Easy

Time required: From a few hours at night

Here's how:

1. Anyone willing to queue to buy tickets on the day of the games. The atmosphere is in the queue friendly and visitors take the opportunity to meet and talk with other tennis fans.

   Every day except the last four days are reserved for sale to the public at the turnstiles 500 tickets for each center and courts No.1 and No.2. They cost between £ 27 and £ 72, depending on the day and court.

   Other consumption patterns 6,000 tickets sold every day. They are good for the yard and Rule 2 are unrestricted in the corner and 3-19 places. Tickets cost between £ 5 and £ 18, depending on the time and day.

2. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served, cash only basis at the turnstiles. In 2008, the process was slightly modified and the double tail has been replaced by a single queue at the door 3, Wimbledon Park, Parking 10th Park, personalities trailers (including supporters personalities night) progress through Wimbledon Park Golf Club, with security checks on a bridge and gate. 3

1. The lines are long. If you have a ticket for reasons several hours before the open country come at 10:30 clock If you show one of the entrances to the court, like fishing camp plan. People queuing to bring garden furniture, picnics and refreshments. Plan to bring rain gear - the snake along the lines, rain or shine.
2. When you go online, you will find a map queues dated and numbered, received to show their place in the queue. The winery is checked when you enter the park.
3. Bracelets also be set by the court, with a score of removable garden, if you arrive early enough to make a 1500 court submissions. If you give the credit union, you will get a ticket for the goods specified in the Countdown court received. Do not worry if you do not receive a bracelet and counting - you can still be able to get one of the tickets for entry Foreign 6000.
4. Camping in accordance Wimbledon in the past, if you wanted to get tickets a night sleeping in the queue for Wimbledon had to take their chances and your tent or near the tail.

   In 2008, the process was simple. Personalities support us now in Wimbledon Park Camp, near parking lot 10, where the tail begins. At about 06:00 Stewards you wake up, I ask you to dismantle your camping gear, move to park your car and do nearby in a tight formation to accommodate the glue in the day to tie. At 7:30. 1500 Commissioners specific reuse the head of the queue criminal bracelets.

5. Toilets not worry, facilities, Church Road and Wimbledon Park Road are open 24 hours a day.
6. However, people with mobility problems disabled Mobility nearby gardens await in the case are still in control board queue reservation number is. Make a butler for help and guidance to the nearest end of the tail.
7. The best way to Wimbledon by public transport. The trains leave Waterloo Station Wimbledon every 4 minutes there is a regular service district in the London Underground to the station. A frequent shuttle trips to the All England Lawn Tennis Club in the city. There is also a bus service Marble Arch in central London every 30 minutes.

   Whatever you do, do not try to drive in Wimbledon. Transport during the tournament is not possible, and you will not find anywhere to park.

Lunch in France Your UK tour? Drive only ...

Boarding Transport Car Euro tunnel like driving a large garage. Euro Tunnel Courtesy

General Information:

A faster - and cheaper - ways to cross the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel. If you Euro tunnel through the channel for a short vacation or a leg of a tour of European tourism, all take on board the shuttle and ready to use, 35 minutes later you are in another country.

I'm not a big fan of the tunnels, so I would be careful with the Channel Tunnel. But once to jump in the car transport light compartment with room and take a stretch, my partner had not even realized he had a tunnel.

Wallace the Westie, he slept all the way.

Key Facts:

• Where: The tunnel between Folkestone in Kent to Coquelles, just outside Calais. It has its own highway exit, the register directly at both ends.
  • France, take exit 42 of the A16
  • UK exit 11A of the M20.
• Book online on the website of Euro Tunnel or by phone:
  • UK - 44 0443 35 35 35
  • France - 33 (0) 810 63 03 04
  • outside Europe - 33 (0) 321 00 20 61
• Opening times: on windows can be booked up to four outputs per hour (round trip) 2 hours during the day.
• Prices: Single tickets start at £ 49 and return flights on the same day or short break as low as 23 € per car (see special offers). Moto travel at half price.

Register:

Arrival least half an hour before departure (not more than two hours) to allow time for the arrival, enter the fairway and go through security checks and the British and French borders. In addition to passport and visa (if required) for all passengers, also you need registration documents and proof of insurance for your car.

What if I see on the wrong side of the road?

No Chance. Yes, they drive on the right and left France, the United Kingdom, but the skillful engineers who designed and built this wonder of the world thought of everything - even how stupid some of us could be driving.

Above and below the Channel Tunnel, roads are designed to guide you through the right path. In the time that has passed through the customs control and the British and French passport and ready to leave the private road to Euro tunnel sites that is used on the right side of the road for the country where you are.

Can I go without a reservation?

You might be able to pay on board the next available transport in Pounds, Euros or credit card. But it is more expensive to book in advance and does not guarantee a place. During the peak hours of the day or early European school holidays, you could end up waiting a while aboard a ferry.

But you can still be spontaneous. Euro Tunnel shuttle through can be booked at least one day in advance as a rule.

The transmission is too much for cyclists:

Each Euro Tunnel shuttle can carry six cyclists. Bicycles are transported on a trailer on the road and cyclists in particular minibus. Book a bike transition, call sales support, weekdays 9: 00-17: 30 in 44 biking trails (0) 1303 282 201 must be booked 48 hours in advance. To learn more about cycles in Le Shuttle.

Cycles in a roof rack - Some cars in the shuttle bus two floors and some are single. If you can bring your bike on the roof of a car that makes the car more than 1.85 meters tall (about 5.15 meters), tell the agent when booking your trip so that you can assign appropriate transport.

The Euro Tunnel Experience:

I'm not the biggest traveler when it comes to long tunnels. I remember a long journey, white hinge on a bus for the Monte Blanc Tunnel on the way to a ski trip I do not want to repeat. So I planned my first trip through the Channel Tunnel with a little fear.

I was at the Euro Star, the high-speed train travels through the tunnel, without any problems, but I thought it was different. Finally, I would have gone on the subway and trains in the tunnel before.

Ultimately, proved to be the easiest, fastest and most convenient to cross the canal. The mission was a breeze. We arrived early for our train and arrived early departure. Drive transmission, Auto Transporter Euro tunnel was like driving into a garage.

The interior was painted a sunny yellow and the lights stayed for the whole trip. So bright, in fact, chatted with joy and my dog was snoring in the back seat, it took about five minutes to walk through the French countryside before we realized that the windows of cars was out of the dark tunnel leaving blue sky.

Pet:

The tunnel is the most convenient and human way to travel over the canal with a pet. Your pet stays with you all the way. When commuting to and from the UK with a dog or a cat, but the animal must be tested free of rabies, microchipped and for UK Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), which takes a little advance planning registered.

Enough to make cheap travel

Euro Tunnel is to promote a price to hikers and short trips - and it only takes 35 minutes. When you rent a holiday home in Kent, through jump on cheap wine and cheap beer, cigarettes refuel if you smoke, the best cheese and food to store your cupboards. Touring in southern England? Pop through the canal for lunch, a visit to the Normandy countryside and a change of scenery. And if you come from France, there is much to do in the tunnel terminal near Folkestone to do.

Insider Tip

I think that shopping and eating on the premises of the Euro tunnel equal to the duty to the airport - pretty standard. And once you have entered the Euro Tunnel site, you really can not leave without repeating the entire border security. So take your time to Calais first visit. See the statue of Rodin's Burghers of Calais and learn its heroic story, the mall hypermarket Calais for wine and good business, then take a final day of French country and head to the tunnel at Coquelles.

Can I spend euros in the UK?

Photograph / Getty Images

Question: Can I use my Euro remains in the UK?

I'll be traveling between the UK and Europe. Do I need my money ever happened in Europe in the UK to change, and I can spend my Euro in the UK?

Answer: The answer is neither, and - surprisingly - yes.

First the not: The official currency in the UK is the pound sterling. Shops and service providers who do not usually take Sterling. If you use a credit card, regardless of the currency in which you pay your bills, the card with the pound and a credit card final bill will be charged to reflect the change in currency and bank levies cool their stations currency.

And now, yes: Some of the larger stores in the UK, especially those who are attractions in themselves, have a couple of euros and other currencies (dollar, yen).

Selfridges (all branches) and Harrods both take their normal euro cash. Marks and Spencer accept no foreign currency in the cash register, but, like other shops popular with visitors, currency exchange - where you can easily exchange money - in most department stores.

Lately, I've also found that the pay-phone booths in London and other popular attractions, have begun to accept and Euro.

If you plan to spend the euro in London or elsewhere in the UK, note that:

• For cash transactions calculates the exchange rates, the euro may not be the beneficial wear and can be updated.
• Employees are not really used to take their currencies of transaction and may take longer than you want.
• These stores are in Euros only usually only take Euro notes - not to have currency.
• You have to pay for their goods in the currency or other. You can not pay for a portion of the purchase with euros and a part of it with the pound sterling.

Tilting in the UK - How, when and how

Choice RF / Getty Images Adam Gault / Photographer

Question: Tipping in the UK - When is expected and how much should I give a tip?

Wherever I go failover rules or "label" are different. I've heard that the tip is included in the bill in the UK? It is true? And if not, is, how much and when the peak to peak?

Answer: Tipping in the UK, such as tilting in most other places can be annoying and embarrassing if you are wrong. UK tilt if it is not also a factor that can add the cost of travel unnecessarily.

_{More answers to British currency puzzle}

To save money (especially if you are an American traveler and used by 20% of the works), and to ensure everyone gets a fair deal, here are a few quick tips, tipping in the UK.

Tipping in restaurants

Service charge (tip) of 12.5% to 15% can be added to your bill, but the practice is not universal in restaurants in the UK. And it's not always easy to determine whether. Some restaurants can print your policy service charge on their menus (long after the time gone you pay your bill), while others bear the brunt of the service clear to the account.

Do not be embarrassed to ask. And, not to be disturbed to read your bill. It is not uncommon for servers let the "total" white line on the credit card equipment, tacitly invites add a tip, if it has already been charged for the service.

If the service is included in the price, do not you should say something, but you can add additional attention a small amount of a particular good or service. If the service is not included, expect 12-15 percent tip.

Tips, pubs

You should not tip with cash for drinks at bars. When the waiter gives EXPECIALLY good service or fills several big orders for you, you can add a small amount (the price of a pint of beer, for example) has to offer, with the words "and have for you," or something similar. The barman (or barmaid) You can have a drink on-site casting or put money aside for a drink later.

If you do not on food in bars, to find either, but with the growth of gastro pubs, this has led to a kind of gray zone. If you feel the "pub", a restaurant with a bar of a bar, the food is served rather, you can like what you leave a tip at a restaurant.

Tipping taxi drivers

About 10 percent of the total cost is for licensees, taximeters together. Rural taxis and minicabs a fixed fee generally agreed in advance and many people do not add an additional tip.

Failover maids and assistants Hotels

Only personnel from the top of the hotel, if you do something special for you. Waitresses not inclined generally. You can help a one button or two pounds with your bags or a porter, suggest to take a taxi for you. Valet parking is scarce and, when available, is usually not a burden to them, so tipping is not necessary. Some hotels have begun adding optional service charge to the bills. This is in hotels with spas and gyms, where they expected to staff, additional services you perform frequently, and the employee is to be distributed. If you prefer to reduce the amount that you give them to control certain people you have charges removed from the bill.

Coach tips and guides drivers

At the end of the guided tours or guided bus tours, often results say: "My name is Jane Smith and I hope you enjoyed your visit." This is not a subtle to a peak. If you have a good time had, and you are well looked after and all entertain the guide device will give you a little something. Consider, £ 02.05 for a single traveler, 1- £ 2 per person for a family.

While traveling by bus or by bus, the driver often a container near the exit, where you leave the tip. If you have been to visit a few days, tip the driver of the car a lot, based on the number of days on the road (1-2 € per day per person) at the end of the trip.

To learn more about the world in tipping loads About.com Culinary Travel Tipping Worldwide Learning

Top 20 most popular places in the UK for ...

Newcastle-upon-Tyne began as a Roman fort defending the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall. The evidence is still there to Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum Reconstruction of the fort guarding the mouth of the Tyne, a museum full of archaeological site.

In the early Middle Ages, lived after the Romans left, the Venerable Bede, an Anglo-Saxon monk and wrote his stories Britain begin in Jarrow, just on the River Tyne Newcastle on the south coast.

Bedes World in Jarrow is a new museum and a candidate for the World Heritage Site, near the ruins of the Anglo-Saxon Bede Monastery.

Fast Forward

Newcastle is a good starting point for excursions to the North East of England, but not surprised, when people could care less than impressive history. They have their eyes on today and tomorrow.

Newcastle nightlife is legendary, spawning bands, performance artists and good times quantity. Lived back in the 1960s and busked in Newcastle Jimi Hendrix. It was discovered and managed by Chas Chandler, a musician with the band from Newcastle, The Animals. Dire Straits was a band from Newcastle and Sting is a Geordie boy. ("Geordies" Newcastle are). One of the main university cities in England, students to keep alive the music scene in Newcastle.

Since the turn of the millennium, the Newcastle / Gateshead Quays were in a futuristic and artistic landscape transformed. Newcastle / Gateshead Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian "drawbridge". Instead of sharing and openness, to facilitate the flow of tall ship basically by tables web platform to meet the arch, such as the opening and closing of the eyelids.

The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

Set on the seafront, is a great space for contemporary art - the largest of its kind showroom in the world. Was Prior to its transformation into a center for visual arts exhibitions of the art that a huge abandoned flour and milling. Not far away, The Sage Gateshead is a center of interpretation of the music and the ultra modern learning. Rock, pop, classical, acoustic, indie, couontry, folk, electronic, dance and music from around the world are welcome Sage bubbles in bright stainless steel and glass. Northern Symphony makes its home in Sage.

Geordies

The dialect of Newcastle, Geordie is unmistakable and one of the oldest in England. If you have ever seen the actor Jimmy Nail and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole, you heard that inimitable accent.

Electrical Adapters - to connect ...

Appliances in North America need help to work in the UK and Ireland. But before you rush out and stock up transformers and number of adapters and connectors parties mixtures expensive, the facts. For a short visit, dual voltage appliances may be all you need.

UK vs US power

Power is supplied from the power outlets in the UK about 220 volts supplied (in fact, 220-240). The AC cycle is determined at a rate of 50 Hz.

In North America, the power at 110-120 volts at 60 Hz and changes provided. Except for microwave devices, watches and products with sensitive synchronization mechanisms, most American appliances operate at 50 or 60 Hz. The tension is another matter.

If you equipment for use in North America that connect not only not designed, they may explode. At least, certainly trigger a fireworks very well before the destruction.

The two-voltage solution

You'd be surprised how many devices you expect to take on vacation is dual voltage. Hairdryer, electric shavers, travel irons and steamers all versions now available in two voltage they come off at 220-240 volts when packing. Laptops and other modern electronic equipment is usually made to work on both voltages, and will automatically change. And chargers for camcorders, CD players, mobile phones and other battery-powered devices connected to almost always (with an adapter) took the English, even if the devices are not even.

To be sure, check the rating, usually on the underside of the product or the AC adapter. If "Input: AC100-240V," he says, as the picture above, see use in the UK, you are you will need an adapter if they are to find cheap and easy to travel suppliers ...

Compare prices Adaptors Games.

Tipping in the UK - How, When and How Much

Adam Gault/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images

Question: Tipping in the UK - When is it expected and how much should I tip ?

Everywhere I go the rules or "etiquette" of tipping are different. I've heard that tipping is included in the bill in the UK? Is that true? And if it isn't, how much should I tip and when should I tip?

Answer: Tipping in the UK, like tipping in most other places, can be awkward and embarrassing if you get it wrong. UK tipping when you don't have to is also one of the factors that can add to travel costs unnecessarily.

_{Find more answers to UK currency puzzlers}

In the interests of saving you money (especially if you are a US traveler and used to 20% tips) and in making sure everyone gets treated fairly, here are some quick pointers about tipping in the UK.

Tipping in Restaurants

A service charge (tip) of 12.5% to 15% may be added to your bill but the practice is not universal in UK restaurants. And it may not always be easy to discover whether it is either. Some restaurants print their service charge policy on their menus (long gone by the time you pay your bill), while others make the service charge very clear on the bill.

Don't be embarrassed to ask. And don't be too flustered to read your bill. It is not uncommon for waiters to leave the "total" line blank on credit card devices, tacitly inviting you to add a tip when you've already been billed for service.

If service is included, you are not expected to add anything further but you may want to add a small sum for particularly good service or extra attention. If service is not included, plan to leave a tip of 12 to 15 per cent.

Tipping in Pubs

You are not expected to tip with cash for drinks in pubs. If the barman gives you expecially good service or fills several big orders for you, you can offer a small sum (the price of half a pint of beer, say), with the words, "and have one for yourself" or something similar. The barman (or barmaid) may pour themselves a drink on the spot or may put the money aside to have a drink later.

You're not expected to tip for food in pubs either but, with the growth of gastropubs, this has become something of a gray area. If you feel the "pub" is more of a restaurant with a bar than a pub that serves food, you may want to leave a tip similar to what you would leave in a restaurant.

Tipping Taxi Drivers

About 10 per cent of the total fare is usual for licensed, metered taxis. Rural taxis and minicabs usually charge a pre-agreed, flat fare and many people do not add an additional tip.

Tipping Chambermaids and Hotel Attendants

Only tip hotel staff if they do something special for you. Chambermaids are not usually tipped. You can tip a bellman a pound or two for helping with your bags or a doorman for getting you a taxi. Valet parking services are uncommon and, when available, there's usually a charge for them, so tipping is unnecessary. Some hotels have started adding an optional service charge to bills. This is most common at hotels with spas and gyms, where staff are expected to perform extra services for you, and is supposed to be distributed to staff members. If you would rather control the amount you tip particular individuals, you can have that service charge removed from your bill.

 

Tipping Guides and Coach Drivers

At the end of guided walks or guided bus tours, guides often say, "My name is Jane Smith and I hope you enjoyed your tour." This is a subtle pitch for a tip. If you've had a good time and you've been well looked after and well entertained, by all means give the guide a little something extra. Consider, £2-5 for a single traveler, £1-£2 per person for a family.

On a bus or coach trip, the driver will often have a receptacle near the exit where you can leave your tip. If you've been on a tour of a few days, tip the coach driver an amount based on the number of days you've been traveling (£1-2 per day per person) at the end of the trip.

Find out loads more about tipping around the world with About.com Culinary Travel's Guide to Tipping Worldwide

Top 20 Most Popular Cities in the UK for...

The Office of National Statistics, which keeps track of such things, has named the UK cities most visited by international visitors. You'd expect London to be number one and Edinburgh, coming in at number two isn't much of a shock either. But some of the other destinations in the UK Top 20 list, may surprise you.

London

Home of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, The British Museum and more British Icons, London is a world center of theatre, art, music, literature and culture.

It's also a city of colorful markets, great shopping, green open spaces and a cosmopolitan culture.

London is home to 7.5 million people, or 12.5 per cent of the UK's population. Not counting visitors, more than 1.5 million Londoners come from abroad. They speak 300 different languages. On top of its cosmopolitan locals, London welcomes more than 25 million visitors a year through its five airports, national rail stations and Eurostar terminal, the gateway to the continent.

Of course, London is only one corner of the United Kingdom. There is plenty more to explore and a lot of it is within easy reach of the capital. But, before you move on, do spend some time exploring the sites and experiences only London can offer:

And, before you book a hotel, read user reviews and compare prices on London Hotels

And All the Rest

Photo Credit: ©Ferne Arfin

Power Adaptors - Get Plugged In With The...

UK plugs, also used in Ireland, are large and have three, substantial, flat prongs. They are unlike plugs used anywhere else in Europe. If you use dual voltage appliances and devices, all you will need, throughout the UK, is a simple UK Adaptor Plug.

One feature of UK outlets worth noting is that they can be switched on and off at the wall. The "power point" on the left in the two point wall socket (bottom picture, above) is turned on, the one on the right is in the off position.

If your device doesn't work, make sure the power is turned on at the wall socket. 

Photo Credit: ©Ferne Arfin

British customs consultation presented with this ...

The last obstacle before entering the UK go through Customs and Excise. It's really not very complicated as you follow a few simple rules.

It is also faster than you'd expect. European Union (EU) are three "channels" for customs processing. If you come from another EU country, whatever passport have, select the blue channel, once you have collected your luggage.

If you come from outside the EU, choose the Green channel - if you have nothing to declare on the basis of the allocations described below - or the red channel if you have goods in the tax-free allowance.

Everything is on an honor system. But note that if you do not occur often, can green by a spot check and blue channels, and the penalties for violating the law are steep arrested.
First: What place in the UK from outside the EU

Photo Credit: Getty Images

12 & quot; Must-See & quot; Locations in United Kingdom

What's on the list of the most important tourist symbols of the United Kingdom of Great Britain "must see" a trip? Everyone has their own idea of the best places, people and things that are not unique pictures taken from real UK.

My own list includes places I would always go back for my foreign guests and enjoy to take call or remember fondly.

I do not understand all parts of London because London has many attractions, visitors enter, sometimes the other "must see" locations throughout the UK.

So this is my very subjective attractions of the best places to visit in the UK.

See what other people are "inevitable" in Great Britain.

Or vote for your favorite: Windsor Castle | Stonehenge | The castles of Scotland and Wales | Stratford-Upon-Avon | Something More

How to get from London to Oxford as a local

Jeffrey Zeldmanzeldman flickr.com Creative Commons License

The details on how to get from London to Oxford by various means of transport. Use this information resource for planning your trip.
Read more about London and Oxford.

London to Oxford by train

UK Travel Advice cheaper train tickets are called the "advance" - well ahead of the trip depends, as most railway undertakings offer advance rates on a first come first served. Presale are usually as a way tickets are sold or "easy". Whether Buy tickets in advance, the price for "single" ticket price compare for return or "Back", as it is often cheaper to buy two single tickets instead of a return ticket.

Trains leave Oxford station every 10-15 minutes from Paddington Station. The trip takes about an hour, with yields in advance £. 8

London Oxford Bus

UK National Express Travel Council offers a limited number of promotional tickets "funfare" are very cheap (6.50 pounds for a fee £ 39.00, for example). These can be purchased online and are usually on the site for a few weeks before the trip booked one month. It's worth the site to see if tickets "to Funfare" are in the selected flight route.

National Express Coach term frequent trips to the bus station in Oxford from the bus station to London Victoria most of the day.

The trip takes about an hour and 40 minutes, with return ticket costs around £ 21.50. Tickets can be booked online and there are usually 50pence booking fees.

Oxford-Meter is a very popular way to Oxford by bus. The company operates buses every ten minutes, 24 hours a day, with pick ups of several attacks in London and Oxford. The fare is £ 13 a return or £ 16 and there are various travel deals and rates for students, seniors and children. Check their website for a map of your choice and drop points.

London to Oxford by car

Oxford 62 miles north west of London on the M4 road, M25, M40 and A. It takes about an hour and a half drive. Note that the essence, the essence called UK is sold in liters (a little more than a quarter) and the price is usually $ 1 per quarter.

What train? What hour? How much?

Alan Copson / Photodisc / Getty Images

National Rail Enquiries information - a source of timetables and fares for all:

National Rail Enquiries, the UK guide rail. When British Rail company was divided into many private, in 1980, found the service station, train stations, timetables, prices and connections, it was a nightmare. Before the service of the National Rail inquiries line when some information in advance - or wanted to know which station to put in place - I had to call and a long wait on hold or hours occupancy signals.

Luckily for the Internet.

National Rail Enquiries fasts official online source of information for the railway service, timetables in the UK, dates and more.

Using the information from the UK National timetables and fares:

The page is a page to functional research. In the upper left, you will find the trip. This is a really useful tool. Just put the "A" and "From" information, the date and time you want, whether you want a simple (one-way) or Return (return) trip and if you are willing to change or want to travel Direct (it is not always possible).

Search Select and after a few seconds, the screen displays a selection of travel options stop service.

What should I do?:

Select the closest distance when you want to fly and click on all the details. More details about the trip to appear, including the names of all the stations.

If you are planning a trip, or if you do not buy a BritRail Pass and a ticket, that's all.

If you want to buy or reserve a ticket, click rates. You can search by looking for the cheapest or fastest ticket limit. The system comes with more options and explanations, whose prices you can present yourself for the ride of your chosen application.

There is reliable information on National Rail Enquiries?:

As usuall. But if you are traveling on a British holiday, trains run to a different calendar, and is a good idea on a manned station, a day or two before to check your trip. Usually there are short lines at the box office advance.

In general, the information that the service status and updates, exactly.

The website also provides information about disabled access at stations, the rules for luggage and animals, information for families and all kinds of things that you never knew what you wanted to know about the British railway travel.

Can I buy a ticket on the website of National Rail Enquiries:

No, this is something that. Still in the hands of the individual tracks

Once you have selected your travel and check the price, select "buy a ticket" and a drop down menu with live links to all railway companies they appear. Make sure you note the details of your trip and the selected price because once you click on the link for a railway undertaking, disappear.

Well, here's the good news - one of the railway operators that sell a ticket for a trip, this trip operation or not. So if you have the website of National Rail Enquiries used all the hard work is done.

You may need a visa to travel to Britain

I ask: Do I need a visa for the UK?

I am planning a trip to England. I need a visa in my passport to enter the United Kingdom? How do I know if I need and where demand if I?

Answer:

If you are a citizen of the United States, Canada or Australia, or live legally in these countries, should not enter into a tourist visa to the UK. Granted for a stay of up to six months, as a rule at the entrance, if you show your passport, provided them with the immigration officer that the purpose of your visit respond UK Immigration Rules. There is no charge for visas issued at the entrance.

Here are some other points to consider about Visa:

• The same rules apply for citizens of most, but not all, South America and the Caribbean and Japan.

• Members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not require visas need to visit or live and work in the UK.
• The rules are to work for students of degree courses and people arriving in the UK (outside the EEA).

If your plans include more than just a party, it's a good idea to check online questionnaire British government practice I need a visa for the UK. And when you need it, you may ask, and usually pay for a visa online Visa4UK

Lunch in France Your UK tour? Drive only ...

Boarding Transport Car Euro tunnel like driving a large garage. Euro Tunnel Courtesy

General Information:

A faster - and cheaper - ways to cross the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel. If you Euro tunnel through the channel for a short vacation or a leg of a tour of European tourism, all take on board the shuttle and ready to use, 35 minutes later you are in another country.

I'm not a big fan of the tunnels, so I would be careful with the Channel Tunnel. But once to jump in the car transport light compartment with room and take a stretch, my partner had not even realized he had a tunnel.

Wallace the Westie, he slept all the way.

Key Facts:

• Where: The tunnel between Folkestone in Kent to Coquelles, just outside Calais. It has its own highway exit, the register directly at both ends.
  • France, take exit 42 of the A16
  • UK exit 11A of the M20.
• Book online on the website of Euro Tunnel or by phone:
  • UK - 44 0443 35 35 35
  • France - 33 (0) 810 63 03 04
  • outside Europe - 33 (0) 321 00 20 61
• Opening times: on windows can be booked up to four outputs per hour (round trip) 2 hours during the day.
• Prices: Single tickets start at £ 49 and return flights on the same day or short break as low as 23 € per car (see special offers). Moto travel at half price.

Register:

Arrival least half an hour before departure (not more than two hours) to allow time for the arrival, enter the fairway and go through security checks and the British and French borders. In addition to passport and visa (if required) for all passengers, also you need registration documents and proof of insurance for your car.

What if I see on the wrong side of the road?

No Chance. Yes, they drive on the right and left France, the United Kingdom, but the skillful engineers who designed and built this wonder of the world thought of everything - even how stupid some of us could be driving.

Above and below the Channel Tunnel, roads are designed to guide you through the right path. In the time that has passed through the customs control and the British and French passport and ready to leave the private road to Euro tunnel sites that is used on the right side of the road for the country where you are.

Can I go without a reservation?

You might be able to pay on board the next available transport in Pounds, Euros or credit card. But it is more expensive to book in advance and does not guarantee a place. During the peak hours of the day or early European school holidays, you could end up waiting a while aboard a ferry.

But you can still be spontaneous. Euro Tunnel shuttle through can be booked at least one day in advance as a rule.

The transmission is too much for cyclists:

Each Euro Tunnel shuttle can carry six cyclists. Bicycles are transported on a trailer on the road and cyclists in particular minibus. Book a bike transition, call sales support, weekdays 9: 00-17: 30 in 44 biking trails (0) 1303 282 201 must be booked 48 hours in advance. To learn more about cycles in Le Shuttle.

Cycles in a roof rack - Some cars in the shuttle bus two floors and some are single. If you can bring your bike on the roof of a car that makes the car more than 1.85 meters tall (about 5.15 meters), tell the agent when booking your trip so that you can assign appropriate transport.

The Euro Tunnel Experience:

I'm not the biggest traveler when it comes to long tunnels. I remember a long journey, white hinge on a bus for the Monte Blanc Tunnel on the way to a ski trip I do not want to repeat. So I planned my first trip through the Channel Tunnel with a little fear.

I was at the Euro Star, the high-speed train travels through the tunnel, without any problems, but I thought it was different. Finally, I would have gone on the subway and trains in the tunnel before.

Ultimately, proved to be the easiest, fastest and most convenient to cross the canal. The mission was a breeze. We arrived early for our train and arrived early departure. Drive transmission, Auto Transporter Euro tunnel was like driving into a garage.

The interior was painted a sunny yellow and the lights stayed for the whole trip. So bright, in fact, chatted with joy and my dog was snoring in the back seat, it took about five minutes to walk through the French countryside before we realized that the windows of cars was out of the dark tunnel leaving blue sky.

Pet:

The tunnel is the most convenient and human way to travel over the canal with a pet. Your pet stays with you all the way. When commuting to and from the UK with a dog or a cat, but the animal must be tested free of rabies, microchipped and for UK Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), which takes a little advance planning registered.

Enough to make cheap travel

Euro Tunnel is to promote a price to hikers and short trips - and it only takes 35 minutes. When you rent a holiday home in Kent, through jump on cheap wine and cheap beer, cigarettes refuel if you smoke, the best cheese and food to store your cupboards. Touring in southern England? Pop through the canal for lunch, a visit to the Normandy countryside and a change of scenery. And if you come from France, there is much to do in the tunnel terminal near Folkestone to do.

Insider Tip

I think that shopping and eating on the premises of the Euro tunnel equal to the duty to the airport - pretty standard. And once you have entered the Euro Tunnel site, you really can not leave without repeating the entire border security. So take your time to Calais first visit. See the statue of Rodin's Burghers of Calais and learn its heroic story, the mall hypermarket Calais for wine and good business, then take a final day of French country and head to the tunnel at Coquelles.

Can I spend euros in the UK?

Photograph / Getty Images

Question: Can I use my Euro remains in the UK?

I'll be traveling between the UK and Europe. Do I need my money ever happened in Europe in the UK to change, and I can spend my Euro in the UK?

Answer: The answer is neither, and - surprisingly - yes.

First the not: The official currency in the UK is the pound sterling. Shops and service providers who do not usually take Sterling. If you use a credit card, regardless of the currency in which you pay your bills, the card with the pound and a credit card final bill will be charged to reflect the change in currency and bank levies cool their stations currency.

And now, yes: Some of the larger stores in the UK, especially those who are attractions in themselves, have a couple of euros and other currencies (dollar, yen).

Selfridges (all branches) and Harrods both take their normal euro cash. Marks and Spencer accept no foreign currency in the cash register, but, like other shops popular with visitors, currency exchange - where you can easily exchange money - in most department stores.

Lately, I've also found that the pay-phone booths in London and other popular attractions, have begun to accept and Euro.

If you plan to spend the euro in London or elsewhere in the UK, note that:

• For cash transactions calculates the exchange rates, the euro may not be the beneficial wear and can be updated.
• Employees are not really used to take their currencies of transaction and may take longer than you want.
• These stores are in Euros only usually only take Euro notes - not to have currency.
• You have to pay for their goods in the currency or other. You can not pay for a portion of the purchase with euros and a part of it with the pound sterling.

Tilting in the UK - How, when and how

Choice RF / Getty Images Adam Gault / Photographer

Question: Tipping in the UK - When is expected and how much should I give a tip?

Wherever I go failover rules or "label" are different. I've heard that the tip is included in the bill in the UK? It is true? And if not, is, how much and when the peak to peak?

Answer: Tipping in the UK, such as tilting in most other places can be annoying and embarrassing if you are wrong. UK tilt if it is not also a factor that can add the cost of travel unnecessarily.

_{More answers to British currency puzzle}

To save money (especially if you are an American traveler and used by 20% of the works), and to ensure everyone gets a fair deal, here are a few quick tips, tipping in the UK.

Tipping in restaurants

Service charge (tip) of 12.5% to 15% can be added to your bill, but the practice is not universal in restaurants in the UK. And it's not always easy to determine whether. Some restaurants can print your policy service charge on their menus (long after the time gone you pay your bill), while others bear the brunt of the service clear to the account.

Do not be embarrassed to ask. And, not to be disturbed to read your bill. It is not uncommon for servers let the "total" white line on the credit card equipment, tacitly invites add a tip, if it has already been charged for the service.

If the service is included in the price, do not you should say something, but you can add additional attention a small amount of a particular good or service. If the service is not included, expect 12-15 percent tip.

Tips, pubs

You should not tip with cash for drinks at bars. When the waiter gives EXPECIALLY good service or fills several big orders for you, you can add a small amount (the price of a pint of beer, for example) has to offer, with the words "and have for you," or something similar. The barman (or barmaid) You can have a drink on-site casting or put money aside for a drink later.

If you do not on food in bars, to find either, but with the growth of gastro pubs, this has led to a kind of gray zone. If you feel the "pub", a restaurant with a bar of a bar, the food is served rather, you can like what you leave a tip at a restaurant.

Tipping taxi drivers

About 10 percent of the total cost is for licensees, taximeters together. Rural taxis and minicabs a fixed fee generally agreed in advance and many people do not add an additional tip.

Failover maids and assistants Hotels

Only personnel from the top of the hotel, if you do something special for you. Waitresses not inclined generally. You can help a one button or two pounds with your bags or a porter, suggest to take a taxi for you. Valet parking is scarce and, when available, is usually not a burden to them, so tipping is not necessary. Some hotels have begun adding optional service charge to the bills. This is in hotels with spas and gyms, where they expected to staff, additional services you perform frequently, and the employee is to be distributed. If you prefer to reduce the amount that you give them to control certain people you have charges removed from the bill.

Coach tips and guides drivers

At the end of the guided tours or guided bus tours, often results say: "My name is Jane Smith and I hope you enjoyed your visit." This is not a subtle to a peak. If you have a good time had, and you are well looked after and all entertain the guide device will give you a little something. Consider, £ 02.05 for a single traveler, 1- £ 2 per person for a family.

While traveling by bus or by bus, the driver often a container near the exit, where you leave the tip. If you have been to visit a few days, tip the driver of the car a lot, based on the number of days on the road (1-2 € per day per person) at the end of the trip.

To learn more about the world in tipping loads About.com Culinary Travel Tipping Worldwide Learning

Top 20 most popular places in the UK for ...

The National Bureau of Statistics, which keeps track of such things, was visited by international visitors called the British cities. They expect number London and Edinburgh will come to number two is not much of a shock not. However, other objectives in the list of the top 20 in the UK, you may be surprised.

London

Home House of Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum and a number of British icons, London is a world center of theater, art, music, literature and culture.

It is also a city of colorful markets, department stores, parks and a cosmopolitan culture.

London is home to 7.5 million people or 12.5 per cent of the UK population. In addition to the visitors, more than 1.5 million Londoners from abroad. They speak 300 different languages. In addition to its cosmopolitan residents receives London more than 25 million visitors a year through its five airports, railway stations and national Euro Star terminal, the gateway to the continent.

Of course London is only one corner of the UK. There is much more to explore and a lot of it is in the vicinity of the capital. But before you spend some time exploring the sights and experiences that London has to offer:

And, before booking a hotel, read comments and compare prices on hotels in London

And everything else,

Credit: © distance Arfin

Electrical Adapters - to connect ...

Caps United Kingdom, is also in Ireland, they are big and have three substantially flat pins. They are different from the plugs used in the other parts of Europe. If you use equipment and dual voltage appliances, everything you need, in the UK, it is a simple plug adapter UK.

A feature of the UK points to keep in mind is that you can on and off the wall. The "point of power" on the left in the colon wall outlet (down, up) is activated on the right side in the off position.

If the device does not work, make sure that the camera is turned on in the socket.

Credit: © distance Arfin