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Tag: unesco world heritage site

  • German tourism continues to get over flood damage

    Good news for visitors who prefer to visit Destination Germany within the coming weeks – it’s back to business as usual as flood waters continue to recede and the worst of the floods seem to be over. 

    Through the flood-hit cities and towns along the Danube, Elbe, Mulde and Saale rivers, transport and other essential infrastructures are yet again running as normal and despite about a local restrictions, visitors would be ready to enjoy each of the attractions and activities Germany has to give. 

    Towns corresponding to Passau, which was considerably affected, has now been given the all-clear; the historic centre of Regensburg, Germany’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site, was spared by floods and although the realm at the river bank directly across the visitor centre and ancient Steinerne Bridge was in peril, it’s miles now out of danger. 

    The situation across the flooded areas of the Elbe have improved significantly because the water levels in northern Germany continue to abate, but some warnings do remain in place where river dykes became heavily saturated and can pose a risk.

    Some river regions, similar to round the Moselle and Saar, were completely unaffected by the flood situation and continued to function as normal inside the crisis; within the south and east of Germany, the clean-up operation is nearing completion. 

    Along the Danube, Neckar, Elbe and Saale rivers, rail travel was initially affected and a few restrictions are still in place; full information may be obtained from the Deutsche Bahn website.

    Shipping traffic is likewise subject to partial delays on this region and recreational activities similar to cycling were temporarily suspended – some routes remain partially closed. 

    Cross-river ferries in these regions are still susceptible to restrictions and cars are being diverted.

    In Saxony, within the east, 95 per cent of obtainable accommodation is open for business and most sights and attractions are fully operational. 

    There aren’t any tourism restrictions in Upper Lusatia, in Saxony-Switzerland, within the Erzgebirge or Vogtland and surrounding landscape of the national park which borders the River Elbe. 

    The city of Dresden and its treasures were spared from the flood; the historical and delightful city centre, with its shops and famous attractions remains fully open and visitors looking ahead to seeing the Semperoper, Zwinger, Hofkirche, State Art Collections and Royal Palace (as only a few examples) will encounter no problems.

    In Saxony-Anhalt, the tourist region of Harz within the west was completely spared from the flood, but elsewhere, restrictions do remain in place. 

    However, the affected cities have taken great measures to give protection to the cultural heritage of the region; in Wittenberg, the historical city centre and the Luther memorials were unharmed by the floods, as were the cathedral treasures in Merseburg and Naumburg. 

    Hotels and leisure facilities are all welcoming visitors as usual and any remaining road diversions are clearly signposted, enabling visitors to enjoy their time in Saxony-Anhalt with minimal restrictions. 

    Due to severe flooding of the Elbe, areas in Brandenburg are still affected, particularly within the north west of the region. 

    However, because the weekend, the all-clear was given to a few of the river ways throughout the Spreewald, as an example, where visitors can once again benefit from the traditional and timeless pleasure of discovering this unique network of waterways by punt.

  • Britain’s parks attract overseas visitors

    National tourism agency VisitBritain has released research which reveals that a staggering £7.8 billion was spent by tourists enjoying a garden within the UK, with a big chunk coming from younger visitors.

    A VisitBritain study identified that of the 31 million those that are likely to visit Britain annually, around a 3rd (11.1 million) enjoy a park or garden, with around 2.4 million aged between 25-34 against just 1.4 million aged between 55-64.

    There were 2.1 million visits from those aged 35-44 involving parks or gardens, while nearly three-quarters of one million were aged 65+. Overall those aged under-35 were particularly more likely to visit a park or garden, with 41% of visits doing so in comparison to 33% of visits from those aged over 35.

    The latest figures confirm that going to a park or garden is without doubt one of the most excellent activities for our overseas guests, accounting for 36% of all visitors, placing only behind eating out, going to pubs and shopping. It means visitors are surprisingly likely to spend time in a park or garden than a museum, castle, historic house or art gallery.

    Over half all ‘holiday’ visitors (54%) explore our green surrounds every year, a favorable indication that admiration is growing internationally for Britain’s attractive scenery and wonderfully crafted gardens. It remains an activity which visitors can enjoy whatever their age group, from Bodnant Gardens with spectacular views across Snowdonia to the intriguing Muncaster inside the Lake District or the realm famous world-famous historic gardens at Inverewe within the Scottish Highlands. London has also just celebrated 100 years of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and is home to 8 Royal Parks and the globally acknowledged UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kew Gardens.

    Unsurprisingly the most well liked time of year to go to gardens is the summer months, with July to September accounting for 4 million of the yearly tally. In contrast, just 1.6 million visited gardens within the first quarter of 2011.The rationale visitors come here plays a powerful role in determining what they do during their trip with tourists on ‘holiday’ making up the majority of visits (6.4 million) followed second by those here to work out their family and friends (3.2 million).

    The French, as our largest market, appear to prefer our parks and gardens over the other country with 1.25 million visits, spending £406 million inside the process. Visitors from America are second within the table with 1.23 million visits, but they spend nearly triple the volume of the French during their visits, at around £1.1 billion. Completing the highest three are the Germans, 1.15 million were enchanted by our array of natural beauty and likewise spent more within the UK than top placed France at £629 million.

    Looking at length of stay and propensity to go to a garden produces similarly interesting results. We discovered that almost all of visits are by those holidaying in Britain for between 1 and three nights, but that the longer the duration of stay, the greater the chance of a trip to a garden, with 56% of 15+ night stays including time in a garden or park.

    The Brazilians (61%), Russians (51%) and Chinese (45%) have among the highest propensity to go to our gardens than any market, which shows the growing and prominent interest from Britain’s increasingly important BRIC markets.

    Recent post-2012 Olympic Games NBI research seems to back up the claim that our parks and gardens are as popular as ever. In a study where Britain’s ‘Overall Nation Brand’ and ‘Welcome’ saw significant improvements, much was also said about tourists now desirous to see ‘more than simply London’. A staggering 75% of respondents the world over agreed that the Games coverage made them desire to venture out and make the effort to go to other parts of the rustic. In a separate question a big 70% of respondents claimed that once watching the Olympics, they agreed that Britain had ‘lovely countryside’.

    In an Ipsos MORI study for VisitBritain in 2013, work was done to evaluate the impact of Britain’s GREAT image campaign internationally. Findings indicated that the activity helps showcase the entire of england. Across all the survey cities, many respondents strongly agreed that the promotional work made them wish to visit places outside of London, and to enjoy our natural scenic beauty.

    Sandie Dawe, Chief Executive of VisitBritain said: “We’ve completed three big pieces of study which all indicate that our parks, gardens and natural beauty are a valuable tourism asset, admired internationally and enjoyed by our visitors.

    “It’s hugely encouraging to work out our gardens are as well liked by the more youthful generation as they’re with 55-plus age groups. Post-Games perceptions of england have shifted for the easier and time spent in any of our glorious parks is something to be cherished- especially when the sun is out.”

  • Overseas visitors to Britain’s parks and gardens spend £7.8 billion

    With the sunny weather set to continue and Britain’s gardens well and really in bloom, the national tourism agency has released research which reveals that a staggering £7.8 billion was spent by tourists enjoying a garden within the UK, with a big chunk coming from younger visitors

    A VisitBritain study identified that of the 31 million people that are likely to visit Britain annually, around a 3rd (11.1 million) enjoy a park or garden, with around 2.4 million aged between 25-34 against just 1.4 million aged between 55-64. There have been 2.1 million visits from those aged 35-44 involving parks or gardens, while nearly three-quarters of one million were aged 65+. Overall those aged under-35 were particularly prone to visit a park or garden, with 41% of visits doing so when compared with 33% of visits from those aged over 35.

    The latest figures confirm that going to a park or garden is definitely one of the leading activities for our overseas guests, accounting for 36% of all visitors, placing only behind eating out, going to pubs and shopping. It means visitors are surprisingly prone to spend time in a park or garden than a museum, castle, historic house or art gallery.

    Over half all ‘holiday’ visitors (54%) explore our green surrounds every year, a good indication that admiration is growing the world over for Britain’s attractive scenery and wonderfully crafted gardens. It remains an activity which visitors can enjoy whatever their age group, from Bodnant Gardens with spectacular views across Snowdonia to the intriguing Muncaster within the Lake District or the realm famous world-famous historic gardens at Inverewe within the Scottish Highlands. London has also just celebrated 100 years of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and is home to 8 Royal Parks and the globally acknowledged UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kew Gardens.

    Unsurprisingly the preferred time of year to go to gardens is the summer months, with July to September accounting for 4 million of the once a year tally. Against this, just 1.6 million visited gardens within the first quarter of 2011.The explanation visitors come here plays a powerful role in determining what they do during their trip with tourists on ‘holiday’ making up the majority of visits (6.4 million) followed second by those here to determine their family and friends (3.2 million).

    The French, as our largest market, appear to prefer our parks and gardens over some other country with 1.25 million visits, spending £406 million inside the process. Visitors from America are second within the table with 1.23 million visits, but they spend nearly triple the quantity of the French during their visits, at around £1.1 billion. Completing the head three are the Germans, 1.15 million were enchanted by our array of natural beauty and in addition spent more within the UK than top placed France at £629 million.

    Looking at length of stay and propensity to go to a garden produces similarly interesting results. We discovered that most of visits are by those holidaying in Britain for between 1 and three nights, but that the longer the duration of stay, the greater the chance of a trip to a garden, with 56% of 15+ night stays including time in a garden or park.

    The Brazilians (61%), Russians (51%) and Chinese (45%) have many of the highest propensity to go to our gardens than any market, which shows the growing and prominent interest from Britain’s increasingly important BRIC markets.

    Recent post-2012 Olympic Games NBI research seems to back up the claim that our parks and gardens are as popular as ever. In a study where Britain’s ‘Overall Nation Brand’ and ‘Welcome’ saw significant improvements, much was also said about tourists now eager to see ‘more than simply London’. A staggering 75% of respondents internationally agreed that the Games coverage made them desire to venture out and make an effort to go to other parts of the rustic. In a separate question a major 70% of respondents claimed that once watching the Olympics, they agreed that Britain had ‘lovely countryside’.

    In an Ipsos MORI study for VisitBritain in 2013, work was done to evaluate the impact of Britain’s GREAT image campaign the world over. Findings indicated that the activity helps showcase the full of england. Across all the survey cities, many respondents strongly agreed that the promotional work made them wish to visit places outside of London, and to enjoy our natural scenic beauty.

    Sandie Dawe, Chief Executive of VisitBritain said: “We’ve completed three big pieces of study which all indicate that our parks, gardens and natural beauty are a valuable tourism asset, admired internationally and enjoyed by our visitors.

    “It’s hugely encouraging to look our gardens are as well liked by the more youthful generation as they’re with 55-plus age groups. Post-Games perceptions of england have shifted for the easier and time spent in any of our glorious parks is something to be cherished- especially when the sun is out.”

  • Britain in bloom as guests flock to UK parks

    With the sunny weather set to continue and Britain’s gardens well and really in bloom, the national tourism agency has released research which reveals that a staggering £7.8 billion was spent by tourists enjoying a garden inside the UK, with a huge chunk coming from younger visitors.

    A VisitBritain study identified that of the 31 million folks who are likely to visit Britain per annum, around a 3rd enjoy a park or garden, with around 2.4 million aged between 25-34 against just 1.4 million aged between 55-64.

    There were 2.1 million visits from those aged 35-44 involving parks or gardens, while nearly three-quarters of 1,000,000 were aged 65 or over.

    Overall those aged under-35 were particularly more likely to visit a park or garden, with 41 per cent of visits doing so in comparison with 33 per cent of visits from those aged over 35.

    The latest figures confirm that going to a park or garden is likely one of the leading activities for our overseas guests, accounting for 36 per cent of all visitors, placing only behind eating out, going to pubs and shopping.

    It means visitors are surprisingly likely to spend time in a park or garden than a museum, castle, historic house or art gallery.

    Over 1/2 all ‘holiday’ visitors (54 per cent) explore our green surrounds yearly, a favorable indication that admiration is growing the world over for Britain’s attractive scenery and wonderfully crafted gardens.

    It remains an activity which visitors can enjoy whatever their age group, from Bodnant Gardens with spectacular views across Snowdonia to the intriguing Muncaster within the Lake District or the sector famous world-famous historic gardens at Inverewe within the Scottish Highlands.

    London has also just celebrated 100 years of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and is home to 8 Royal Parks and the globally acknowledged UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kew Gardens.

    Unsurprisingly the preferred time of year to go to gardens is the summer months, with July to September accounting for four million of the once a year tally.

    By contrast, just 1.6 million visited gardens within the first quarter of 2011.

    The reason visitors come here plays a powerful role in determining what they do during their trip with tourists on ‘holiday’ making up the majority of visits (6.4 million) followed a far off second by those here to work out their family and friends (3.2 million).

    Sandie Dawe, chief executive, VisitBritain said: “We’ve completed three big pieces of analysis which all indicate that our parks, gardens and natural beauty are a valuable tourism asset, admired internationally and enjoyed by our visitors.

    “It’s hugely encouraging to determine our gardens are as well liked by the more youthful generation as they’re with 55-plus age groups.

    “Post-Games perceptions of england have shifted for the higher and time spent in any of our glorious parks is something to be cherished- especially when the sun is out.”

  • Focus: European City Breaks by Train – and never the same old Suspects!

    Taking a city break, to enjoy just a few days of sightseeing and relaxation in a thrilling setting, has long been a favored solution to spend the weekend. And what finer strategy to travel than by train

    Of course, you are take away by the undeniable fact that lots of the train deals appear to visit the usual places that you’ve already been to 3 times. Fear not, however; there are new city breaks by train which are certain to yield up some unique memories.

    City Breaks to Avignon
    Instead of doing the usual thing in Paris, why not take the train for a city break in Avignon Famed for its Papal Palace, Avignon is without doubt one of the most lovely locations within the south of France.

    Located at the River Rhone, the town is surrounded by perfectly intact stone walls. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the world’s largest Gothic palace, too. In case you take a walk along town walls, you’ll be capable to visit a couple of museums along the best way.

    City Breaks to Lille
    If you’re searching for a cultural overload, the town of Lille is the only in an effort to visit. It enjoys a very unique cultural mixture of Flemish, Burgundian, French, Dutch, German and Spanish influences.

    It makes for an appropriate city break because it is found only two hours clear of London. There are three very accomplished museums, incredible Flemish cuisine and stunning architecture.

    City Breaks to Delft
    Instead of compacting past the hordes of visitors that flock each year to Amsterdam, consider visiting the house of the Dutch Royal Family in Delft. It’s a far prettier city than Amsterdam can claim to be.

    Delft is extremely, really easy to get around. Nearly your entire sights are within walking distance of each other. Delft is additionally in a major location for tourists, as other Dutch attractions are placed quite within sight.

    City Breaks to Lucerne
    The Swiss city of Lucerne is a perfect destination in the event you and your partner would like to stroll around an exquisite lake while taking within the sights, enjoying the timbered houses and Medieval architecture.

    The museums and art galleries will certainly keep you busy over the weekend. If you’ve had your share of the local culture however, you are able to always visit Mount Pilatus, a 2,100m tall mountain that overlooks Lake Lucerne.