TURNING TRAVEL DREAMS TO A REALITY: Westminster Abbey

TRAVEL DREAMS TURNED INTO REALITY

Most people, visit Europe to see the famous sights they've always heard about. But an equally important part of any travel experience is to savor the real flavor of the city or country. Stay where the Europeans stay, eat where the European eat, and share the European view of Europe.
Europe is known for its cozy little inns, its family-run pensions, and its bistros and trattorias tucked away on side streets. These establishments offer all the charm and atmosphere of Europe, and, not surprisingly, they cost a great deal less than big, fancy hotels and restaurants.
We call this, traveling "European Style".

More than one-third of all people traveling are single or traveling alone. So the best thing to do is to get an alternative for single room supplement and get reservations on a "guaranteed share" basis, where they charge the basic price and match up singles of the same gender in twin-bedded rooms. For mutual comfort, a no-smoking rule in shared rooms are being adopted.

For single travelers who prefer the privacy of their own room, single room accommodation can, of course be reserved.

The Tour Director : Because the person you are most likely to remember from your travel experience is your tour director, we go to great lengths to find the most professional guides. All native Europeans they deliver commentary in English but are able to speak at least one other language, so that they get around with ease in multilingual Europe.

They often have bright, witty personalities, and love to share anecdotes and chit-chat with "their family". They can fill you in on a quaint little bistro, just a block away from your hotel or suggest a shop where you'll find the best buys in Swiss watches. They handle the red tape with border guards and will clarify for you the nuances of Italian cuisine, so that you don't confuse spumoni with rigatoni!

These very knowledgeable, delightful professional can truly make your European vacation a breeze. They ensure that you don't only see the sights of Europe, but that you experience Europe through European eyes.

This is my way of sharing to you on how to discover the best ways to explore Europe. So, come on, join me!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a living Church, part of the Church of England: a House of God, where almighty God is worshipped daily, continuing a 1400 year tradition in this place. Every day of the year (except Good Friday and Holy Saturday) the Eucharist is celebrated at 8.00 a.m. Almost every day the Abbey’s world-famous choir sings one or more of the daily services. You can find details of the worship elsewhere on the website. Whether you are Anglican (Episcopalian), or of another Christian Church or of another faith, or seeking or doubting, you are warmly welcome to attend any service.

Westminster Abbey is the House of Kings, where the coronation of Kings and Queens has taken place since 1066, and where many of the Kings and Queens of England and of the United Kingdom are buried. Principal among them is St Edward the Confessor, King of England from 1042 to 1066, whose shrine is at the heart of the Abbey Church. Beside and around them are buried or memorialised many of the great men and women from almost every century of these islands’ history: statesmen and politicians, lawyers, warriors, clerics, writers, artists, musicians. Westminster Abbey is a Royal Peculiar, whose Dean is directly answerable to the Sovereign.

Besides the Abbey Church itself, within the Abbey precincts you are welcome to visit St Margaret’s Church (the Church of the House of Commons), the Great and Little Cloisters, the stunning Chapter House and Museum, and, on several days of the week, College Garden, an oasis of calm at the heart of the City. Specialist visitors are welcome by appointment to the Library and the Muniments Room. In the precincts are also Westminster School, strongly associated with the Abbey, and Westminster Abbey Choir School, which educates the Abbey’s choristers

Entrance of Westminster Abbey

Each year the Abbey welcomes visitors, worshippers and pilgrims from all over the world and tries to ensure that the needs of everyone are met.

Inside Westminster Abbey. One of its cloister.

Kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers; poets, priests, heroes and villains - the Abbey is a must-see living pageant of British history. Every year Westminster Abbey welcomes over one million visitors who want to explore this wonderful 700-year-old building. Thousands more join us for worship at our daily services. The Abbey is in the heart of London. Once inside audio guides are available in eight languages or there is the highly-popular verger-led tour.