Fab City Mobile App

Hg2 app on the iPhone. Photo credit: Hg2 app.

City traveler? If you use travel apps, then you might fancy Hg2 | A Hedonist’s Guide to…, Hg2′s city guide mobile app designed for the iPhone, iPad and iPad mini.

In the app, the cool city guide company covers 40+ cities and ski resorts, highlighting the “most exciting and interesting” hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, sights and spas.

Berlin on the Hg2 app on the iPad. Photo credit: Hg2.

Features of the Hg2 app include:

Eight categories with images;
Dual development for iPhone and iPad;
Maps of where’s hip and where’s not;
Itineraries to plan your trip;
Trip diary to keep track of your favorite places;
Inspired Search to define your style according to your taste (examples: achingly hip, neighborhood vibe, old school), your budget or the type of venue;
Image Search for a photographic search of a city;
Reviews and ratings and a rating system and comment boxes to share with other users;
Social media sharing on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn and
City Utilities with city info such as emergency numbers and a currency converter.

The Hg2 app on the iPad. Photo credit: Hg2.

City destinations covered by the Hg2 app include:

Almaty
Amsterdam
Astana
Baku
Beijing
Berlin
Beirut
Bogota
Buenos Aires
Cape Town
Chamonix
Chicago
Courchevel
Damascus & Aleppo
Dubai
Havana
Istanbul
Johannesburg
La Grave
Las Vegas
Lisbon
London
Los Angeles
Madrid
Marrakech
Megève
Miami
Milan
Monte Rosa
Moscow
Mumbai
New Orleans
New York
Paris
Prague
Rome
San Francisco
St Moritz
Stockholm
Sydney
Tallinn
Tel Aviv
Tokyo
Toronto
Val d’Isère
Verbier
Zermatt
Zurich

Wales, The Beauty Of The Place

We’ve blogged about blissing out in Wales to walking holidays there.

And we’ve shared beautiful Wales travel videos by Hannah Maia Taylor of Maia Media - A Welsh Sea Kayaking Adventure and Contemplating Autumn. Now we’re pleased to shared this charming TV advert by Visit Wales.

5 Growing Travel Trends

From Retreating to Spain: DDG Retreat in Andalucia, Spain. Photo credits: DDG Retreat.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” ― Henry Miller

Travel is learning. That’s how we approach travel and every travel experience from train rides to mountain hikes to gourmet meals.

Whether we’re taking a bike trip through Tuscany or a tour with our friends at SmoothRed, who specialize in wine tasting tours across Europe, we always seek to learn from every travel experience.

From A Season In Champagne-Ardenne: The Champagne Route. Photo credit: Tourisme Champagne-Ardenne.

More and more travelers we meet are seeking to travel and learn more. According to travel company GoLearnTo.com, there is an increasing demand for learning holidays.

The learning holiday specialist offers a diverse range of 1,000+ holiday courses in 37+ countries worldwide. GoLearnTo.com’s Vanessa Lenssen predicts these Top 5 Travel Trends:

From Foodie Holiday From Hell: Chef Richard Kearsley + Wild Food Expert Rachel Lambert, leader of the Wild Food Foraging Break. Photo credit: Hell Bay Hotel.

1. Cooking holidays that go beyond the kitchen

“As trends towards local and sustainable food sweep the UK, travelers too are looking for culinary holidays with a greater focus on sustainable produce. From meeting the local food producers, to foraging for seasonal ingredients themselves, people are after a more unique firsthand experience of the provenance of their food.”

From Sweet Solo Traveler Cottage: A one-person self-catering cottage. Photo credit: Premier Cottages.

2. Making your own way

“A large number of our solo travelers are at a life stage where they feel they’re being ‘boxed in’, with society labeling them as ‘on the shelf’ or ‘over the hill’ when in actuality they’re at their hungriest for new life experiences. Learning holidays give them the freedom to broaden their experiences, enrich their lives and reject being pigeonholed.”

From Detoxing In Thailand Holidays. Photo credit: ABSOLUTE SANCTUARY.

3. Life transforming retreats

“People are after a holiday that puts more zest in their step. They want to come home feeling 10 years younger without the surgery, and with the skills, knowledge and motivation to make real changes to their lifestyles for the long term, not just for a week’s holiday.”

From Real Venice Art Holidays: Learning mosaics from the masters. Photo credit: Orsoni Glass Mosaic Foundry.

4. ‘Create your own’ courses

“Create your own’ holidays pay for themselves, the skills you learn last a lifetime and you save on buying expensive items back home.”

For The Love Of Tuscany: Borgo Finocchieto in Tuscany. Photo credit: Borgo Finocchieto.

5. One-of-a-kind accommodation

“More than ever people are looking for high quality accommodation that offers something truly unique and memorable.”

What Makes Yorkshire Special

Planning a trip to Yorkshire, England? Then you might fancy a look at this fun infographic What Makes Yorkshire Special.

Exploring London By Bike

The Sparta X2 electric bike. Sleek, economical and fast for reaching the peaks of Richmond Park without the strain. Photo credit: www.justebikes.co.uk.

Kate Marillat wrote this guest post about Exploring London by Bike - Countryside, Castles and Camden. A London-born blogger dedicated to her bike, she writes about green transport solutions.

Cycling through London sucks you into the lifeblood of the city, pulling you along to its rhythmic ebb and flow.

In the winter, it’ll keep you warm at night and reward you with illuminated views of the city as you pedal over Millennium or Tower Bridges. In the summer, cycling keeps you cool and out of the sweaty Tube.

However, cycling through London is not for the faint-hearted. Ensure you’ve got the kit: helmet, lights, gloves and ideally a high visibility jacket. Research the right route and avoid commuter hotspots or difficult junctions.

The chain guard home for the rechargeable battery by Sparta. Photo credit: www.justebikes.co.uk.

Whether you are hunting out history, countryside or an urban edge in London, here are 3 Great Routes for Exploring London By Bike:

Finding the Country in the Capital – Richmond Park

Richmond Park is a cyclist’s heaven. It offers idyllic English countryside only 20 minutes train ride from central London. You can hire bikes at the station and then pedal your way into the 2,500 acre park and nature reserve. The Royal Park is home to 650 deer, has a low speed limit and perfect cycling terrain. Alongside the wildlife, there are breathtaking views across London, where on a clear day you can see St. Paul’s Cathedral. Download the map and plan your lunch at Pembroke Lodge which is next to the Isabella Plantation: a stunning enclosed nature reserve within the walls of the park. If you want to keep up with the kids and enjoy cycling without the puff, consider an electric bike to go the full distance.

Cycle to a Castle

It’s only an hour from Richmond to Britain’s Hampton Court Palace, once home to King Henry VIII. Cycle over Richmond Bridge where you’ll join the Thames Path. Along the Thames route, you’ll see swans, sparrows, and plenty of pubs. Pedal past Teddington Lock, and when you reach Kingston Bridge, push the bikes over it and take the path on the other bank. When you reach Hampton Court Palace, that’s an adventure by itself with its symmetrical lawns, maze and gargoyles.

Urban Chic – Camden Lock Down

Camden gives you a market, a lock, a canal, a world famous music venue and a multicultural atmosphere to get lost in - Jamaican jerk chicken, Moroccan couscous, tie-dyed bags, and vintage clothing, records and people. Once you’ve finished pottering in the market, you can hire a bike and cycle towards Regents Park alongside the canal (albeit not in rush hour as you’ll be fighting for a space). This will then take you past London Zoo where you will be able to see some tropical birds and wild boars without paying the admission fee. Cycle over to Little Venice where the canal ends and great restaurants and pubs abound. A central place to start another cycling journey is towards Limehouse in the east or St John’s Wood to the North. If you’re an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad user, try the Cycle Hire App for detailed routes.

Green Photos: Christmas

From Christmas Markets In Germany: Ludwigsburg Christmas market in southwest Germany. Photo credit: tourismus-bw.de.

We love to wander Europe’s local Christmas markets and events in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

In this Green Photos, we’re sharing these holiday spirited photos from Europe:

From Green Photos: Frankfurt: Frankfurt Christmas Market. Photo credit: Frankfurt Tourism.

From Christmas Markets In France: A Christmas market in Colmar, France. Photo credit: Tourism Alsace.

From Green Photos: Slovenia: The Spirit of Advent and Winter. Photo credit: Slovenian Tourist Board.

Glasgow Loves Christmas. Photo credit: Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

From Fab Christmas Crafting Tips. Photo credit: Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair.

Who doesn’t love Santa on the beach? From Santa And Sandcastles In Europe. Photo credit: Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel.

Keep Merry

Keep Merry and Holiday On from www.TravelingGreener.com!

3 Green Activities In Northumberland

Hadrian’s Wall: The wall looking east from Housesteads. Photo credit: Bryn Pinzgauer.

Lauren Witts wrote this guest post about the best green activities in Northumberland. She is from Late Lettings which provides last minute holiday cottages in the UK and beyond.

Northumberland has been growing in popularity as a holiday destination over the last few years due to its scenic beauty and rich historical significance. It’s home to many impressive castles, dating back to its time as a battleground for the conflict between England and Scotland. The county also played a key role in important historical periods such as the Industrial Revolution, with many rich coal mines being sited there.

These days though, the times of battles and mining are long gone and there are many other great activities to be enjoyed in the county instead. Here are 3 Green Activities in Northumberland that are kind to the environment and great fun too:

Hadrian’s Wall. Video courtesy of Visit Northumberland.

Walking

Walking is the ultimate ‘green’ activity. It gives time for exploration and relaxation and poses minimal impact to the environment. The great news is that Northumberland has no shortage of great spots for a stroll. One of our favorites is detailed on the Visit Northumberland website and takes you on a circular walk along and around Hadrian’s Wall - Park at Steel Rig and turn right out of the car park, following signs towards Hotbank. When you reach a second footbridge, continue along the path to the right towards Hotbank Farm. This will take you onto the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail. Follow this until you reach the Farm and then turn right and follow National Trail acorn signs all the way back to Steel Rig. This is a fantastic walk, which offers beautiful panoramic views and a wonderful encounter with the ancient Hadrian’s Wall. Plus during the summer months, if you want to make your visit even greener, you can access the walk by public transport on the Hadrian’s Wall Bus.

Wooler, Northumberland. Video courtesy of Visit Northumberland.

Cycling

Northumberland has endless opportunities for cycling, with off-road routes to suit keen mountain bikers and on road options for those who prefer a smoother ride. Our favorite cycle is about 22 miles long and takes you into the heart of the Cheviot Hills. You can do this route in one or split it in two and enjoy the long freewheel home the following day. Turn left out of Padgepool Place Car Park, Wooler and continue along the road until you get to Kirknewton. Cross over the Bridge, turn left when you arrive at Westnewton and enter into the National Park. From here, take a left behind the farm buildings and follow signs to the Mounthooly YHA. The views on this route are out of this world, with plenty of great vantage points along the way. Once you reach the top, turn around and enjoy the long easy ride home!

Seahouses, Northumberland. Video courtesy of Visit Northumberland.

Nature Watching

With all the stunning natural landscape in Northumberland, it comes as no surprise that there’s also some fantastic nature to be found there. We think that nothing beats taking a boat trip to the Farne Islands to see the breeding seabirds and the hundreds of grey seals that make their home there. The islands are home to some 23 species of seabirds and make a very unique experience for a visit. Boat trips leave for the Islands daily from the pretty coastal town of Seahouse and must be pre-booked to avoid disappointment.

There are heaps more activities to get up to in Northumberland and this is by no means an exhaustive list. If you fancy a break in Northumberland this winter it’s not too late – take a look at last minute cottages in Northumberland online. Late deals in Northumberland often offer you an even better rate for visiting this beautiful part of the UK, so what are you waiting for! – get out there and see what wonderful green delights await!