Try before you buy Britain

Listen to the grandfather clock chime in Anne Hathaway’s cottage, take a leisurely stroll on the beach at Durdle Door, or enjoy the choir singing at Rosslyn Chapel. These are just some of the things tourists can now do in Britain - before they even arrive.

The national tourism agency, VisitBritain, has commissioned a series of immersive 360-degree experiences giving overseas visitors an opportunity to step inside some of Britain’s most-loved attractions.

As part of its government’s 'GREAT' tourism campaign, this activity aims to drive more international visitors out across the nations and regions of Britain. 

The entire panoramic series, and much more inspirational content, can be found on its new site. The panoramas were created by 360-degree specialist Rod Edwards. 

Not only will this immersive experience allow potential visitors to snoop around some of our greatest tourist attractions before they arrive, but it will inspire and motivate more travel across the country.

London is a huge asset for Britain – a dynamic, cosmopolitan and well-connected city that visitors aspire to visit. The challenge is to encourage visitors to explore even other destinations like Wales and Scotland during their holiday and making sure they know how easy it is to get around.

Moscow worst city for visitors, Mumbai for overall experience: TripAdvisor

It may have a rich history but Moscow has received the unwelcome honor of being voted the worst city in the world for visitors. Travelers planning a break to the Russian capital should expect locals to be unfriendly, hotels to be awful, a scarcity of shops and everything wildly overpriced, says TripAdvisor.

According to its annual 'Cities Survey', which collates the opinions of more than 54,000 travelers on the top 37 urban tourist destinations around the world, Moscow came in last.

Though on the topic of “best overall experience” it only came third-last, the city was second-last for family-friendliness, restaurants and shopping, and rock bottom for helpful locals, taxi services and drivers, value for money and hotels.

Mumbai was voted the worst city for overall experience and came in last on clean streets and ease of getting around.

The survey also ranked the cities that came out top in each category, with Tokyo as the best destination for tourists overall and New York being number two.

London missed out overall, coming 11th, but achieved second place for nightlife and third for shopping, coming behind New York, and Dubai and New York, respectively. London’s worst performance was in value for money – visitors voted it 34th in terms of how far a pound will stretch.

Other high ranking cities included:
Singapore: Number one for comfort traveling alone and second for taxi service, cleanliness of streets, ease of getting around and family-friendliness
Rome: Topped the list of things to do and culture
Dubai: First for shopping and hotels

Guest post: Christmas lights in London

Tis the season to be jolly. It's when all the lights and the decorations from last year are taken out and put up. 

A lot of people plan their holidays around this and visit destinations that are known for their Christmas lights and decorations on the streets and in the shops. I was lucky enough to have to visit London on work around this time and witness the city's Christmas lights. 

Here are some of this years snapshots of what London looks like this December. And it was pretty as hell!

A London street

Leicester Square

A pretty cafe in Leicester Square

A pretty Christmas tree on Regent Street. The out-of-focus shot is due to...er...windchill 

A cafe in Covent Garden

Covent Garden

A clothing shop on good ol' Linking Road

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The contributor wishes to remain anonymous on grounds of possible defamation by the owner of this blog and much against her wishes. But it must be said that 'he' is an avid hockey and footballer player and a budding photographer. He constantly struggles to maintain his work-weight balance. To pass on useful tips on any of the above, you can write to me and your message shall be delivered.

**Sweet revenge, thou art mine!**  

Do you have a humerus?

Are you a bag of funny bones?  Do you enjoy the frequent bon mot and are ever ready to share a moment of mirth with fellow human beings? Good. Then you have the capacity to fight any problem. For humour, as they have said, is our defense against the universe.  

Whether it is slapstick or quick wit, a repartee or irony, humour has forever found a special place in the history of mankind. It can connect two people, like it connects two drinkers. It can improve your mood and definitely your face.     

Humour can be your savior, your strength, your edge, your style. God knows how Mumbaikars need it simply to survive in the city. I met up with a really close friend after almost five years the other day. He was in transit – in Mumbai for two days – on his way to London. Into our second mug of beer, he remarked that I still hadn’t lost my sense of humour, even after all those years. And I realised that I couldn’t afford to, at least not while I was still living in this city.

Unfortunately, London’s frigid weather had not done him any good.