Europe a la Carte Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour 22 July – 1 August 2009
Written by Karen BryanEurope a la Carte took to the skies visiting five cities and towns across England, Northern Ireland and Wales between 22 July – 1 August 2009. The Europe a la Carte UK Summer 09 Blogging Tour was powered by bmibaby, who provided my flights from Edinburgh to Birmingham, Newquay, Manchester, Belfast and Cardiff. I asked for tips on what to do and see in each of my destinations on the blog and on Twitter to help me plan my itinerary.
I arrived in Birmingham late on the evening of 22 July, with accommodation at the Staying Cool penthouse apartment on the 20th floor of the Rotunda. The next morning I met up with Jon Bounds who accompanied me on a circular trip on the city’s number 11 bus. I spent the afternoon in The Jewellery Quarter, squeezing in a quick visit to The Balti Triangle and The Electric Cinema before meeting up with Nicky Getgood and Karen Strunks for an evening in the Digbeth area of Birmingham. On the morning of 23 July I visited Back to Backs, a reconstruction of courtyard life in the past. I was very impressed by the friendliness and helpfulness of Birmingham residents.
Birmingham city centre by night
Then it was on to Newquay in Cornwall, arriving early evening on Friday 24 July and staying at the Pure Shores Lodge. On Saturday I walked along the Coastal Path taking in several of the beautiful beaches along the route from Towan Beach to Watergate Bay. The next day I met up with Ben Ridding of Surfing is Therapy before heading to the Kahuna restaurant at Tolcarne Beach for lunch. My recommendation for the best cup of tea with a view is the Headland Hotel at Fistral Beach.
Whipsiderry Beach, Newquay
I touched down in Manchester very late on Sunday 26 July and made my way to the Abode Manchester Hotel. On the morning of 27 July I met up with Chris Norwood who took me to a Manchester off the Beaten Track walking tour. In the afternoon I was on the hoof again, this time on an Urbis Combination Tour. In the evening I had dinner with local writer and blogger Carolyn Hughes. I spent the next morning in the Northern Quarter, starting at the Pop Boutique and Mod Pop Cafe before going round the corner to meet up with family travel blogger Susie Stubbs for lunch at the Cup Cafe, where I also bumped into local poet Carol Batton.
Manchester through the centuries
Belfast was next on the itinerary. I arrived there early evening, lodging at the Malmaison Belfast. That evening I visited two contrasting bars, the modern Apartment and the traditional Crown. On the morning of 29 July I made the trip out to the Ulster Folk Museum, then it was back into the city for a look at the Botanic Gardens prior to a ride on the Belast Wheel. Next I walked down along the River Lagan, admiring the art installations of which the Water Feature at Custom House Square was my favourite. The next day I went up to the observation gallery in the dome of the Victoria Square shopping centre, lunching at La Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant.
Water feature, Custom House Square, Belfast
Cardiff 30 July – 1 August 2009
Cardiff, the capital of Wales was the final stop on the UK Blogging Tour, where I stayed at the Parc Hotel. Friday 31 July was taken up by a See Wales sightseeing day tour with visits to The Big Pit National Mining Museum, Brecon Beacons National Park and the Penderyn Welsh Whisky Distillery. I was up early on 1 August to catch my flight back to Edinburgh.
Cardiff Castle
The UK Summer 09 Blogging was a great adventure for me and thanks to everyone who made it such an interesting trip.
Europe a la Carte Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour sponsored by
Sounds like fun! ;-) Looking forward to it.
Andy – Yes the Blogging Tour will be fully documented on the Europe a la Carte Blog, maybe not instantly, depending on time (the old dilemma of how much time to spend online when you’re travelling), and availability of internet connection.
Karen,
while you are in Belfast I’d recommend stopping by An Culturlann http://english.culturlann.ie/
it’s in the 200 block the Falls Road, a short walk from city center. old church which has been made into center for Irish language community in west Belfast, bookstore, tourist point, lovely people, frequent music events, cafe. unfortunately the people I used to know don’t work there now, but, everyone is very friendly and helpful.
Kerry – thanks for your recommendation. I’m going to write a “Readers Tips” post for each destination to feature any recommendations I receive from readers, with links back to the contributor’s blogs/site. This will provide a useful resource for other readers planning a trip to that city/town.
i think i’ve surfed that beach in newquay – will you be donning a wetsuit karen?
Andy – No I don’t think I’ll try my hand at surfing, I don’t think I’m fit enough, I’m accident prone and I’m not a good swimmer. Think I’ll stay on terra firma and take some videos of surfers.
[...] recommendations from readers on what to do and see in Birmingham during my visit to the city on the Europe a la Carte Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour. I’m also looking for volunteer guides to show me around. I arrive in Birmingham at 20.30 on [...]
[...] Content member, Europe a la Carte, will be traversing England, Wales and Northern Ireland on the Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour calling at Birmingham, Newquay, Manchester, Belfast and Cardiff between 22 July – 1 August [...]
Cool Idea.
Enjoy your UK tour !
[...] recommendations from readers on what to do and see in Manchester during my visit to the city on the Europe a la Carte Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour. I’m also looking for volunteer guides to show me around. I arrive in Manchester at 23.15 on [...]
[...] recommendations from readers on what to do and see in Belfast during my visit to the city on the Europe a la Carte Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour. I’m also looking for volunteer guides to show me around. I arrive in Belfast at 17:10 on [...]
[...] to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Cardiff, in Wales is the final stop on the Europe a la Carte Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour. As I arrive in Cardiff at 21:00 on Thursday 30 July on the bmibaby flight from Belfast and I fly [...]
[...] on an “Manchester Off the Beaten Track” walking tour during my Manchester stop on the Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour. He spoke to me outside Odd in the city’s Northern Quarter at the end of our [...]
[...] September 2009: After my ten day Summer 09 UK Blogging Tour I’m now of the opinion that travelling with my netbook is definately a blessing. I was able [...]
[...] on a B&B basis in the Malmaison Belfast. I stayed at the Malmaison when I was in Belfast on the Europe a la Carte Summer 09 UK Blog Tour. Their Twitter stream is at [...]