I Travel For....
The message is that whatever reason you travel for the Uk has so much to offer to satisfy every different kind of traveler. I have been to the Uk several times before and I definitely learnt a lot from my trip this time around courtesy of the Great Britain Tourism Board, Etihad Airways and the Claviger Middle East. A new perspective and a new take on why Britain is still one of the most competitive visitor destination.
The purpose of this familiarization trip was to give us an overall on the UK as a destination that has so much to offer to the travelers and to showcase other opportunities that travelers can explore on their trip to the UK. London is and will be the most visited city in the world. The idea is not to deviate travelers from visiting London but making it easier for visitors to travel beyond London and experience all the world class attractions that the UK has to offer.
Our fam trip itinerary was full on and started from the time we landed and checked in at the London Edition. The Superior Room had a cozy cabin like feel to it with oak panelled floors and wooden walls. The USP of this hotel is its location. It is located a few mins away from Oxford street and Regent Street which is well known for its shopping, nightlife and pubs and restaurants.
The lobby of this hotel is always buzzing with people and is the most lively at night. They have a lobby bar serving drinks all day and Berners Tavern, the all day dining restaurant which is the only F&B outlet in the hotel. They also have a Punch room which is very popular among the locals serving punches and cocktails in the evenings.
This hotel is most suitable for the discerning traveler mostly couples, singles and honeymooners who wants to explore the vibrant city life of London at their doorstep. We had an opportunity to have a site inspection of the penthouse and it was simply stunning with the skyline of London visible from the terrace.
After our check in and a quick lunch at the Edition we were transferred to The London Heli for a short helicopter ride for the most exciting way to enjoy breathtaking, uninterrupted panoramic views of London. I have been to London several times before and this time I was experiencing London with a different perspective soaring along the Thames at over 1000 ft in a Helicopter and experiencing some of the city's greatest landmarks as never before, including The Shard, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and St Paul's Cathedral. I was amazed to see how many green spaces there are in the city of London when you look from above.
The next day was spent exploring London by Big Bus Tour, London Eye experience and Madame Tussauds’ experience which TC Ted enjoyed to the max. We waved good bye to London and were headed to Manchester on the Virgin First Class trains out of Euston. The journey to Manchester from London is approximately 3 hours and if you have opted for a first class journey on Virgin trains you can access the first class lounge at the train station before boarding.
Welcome to Manchester! Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK right now. Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. We were put up at The Lowry hotel in Manchester for the next two days before our departure back to Abu Dhabi.
The Lowry Hotel is a five-star contemporary hotel where Salford meets Manchester on the banks of the River Irwell and is popular amongst the sports people including footballers, cricketers and celebrities. Offering 165 bedrooms, six suites and the Charles Forte Presidential suite with floor-to-ceiling windows all of the bedrooms have plenty of space, with a super-king-size bed or two singles dressed in a custom-made wool blanket with bathrooms in Italian porcelain. We had the opportunity to go on a site inspection of the hotel and The Charles Forte presidential suite is the ultimate penthouse: at 145 square meters, it is the largest, most luxurious accommodation in the city. There’s even a baby grand piano in the lounge-dining room. You can seat eight for dinner, and host a small gathering with the numerous sofas and chairs. In the adjoining bedroom you’ll find a super-king-size bed, vanity area, walk-in dressing room, and a bathroom in Italian porcelain with bath and double shower.
The two days in Manchester I learnt a lot about the history of Manchester and its plans in 2019 to make it one of the most popular cities to be visited in England. We visited the John Rylands Library, had a team building game at the infamous Crystal Maze and had a chance to go on a private tour of the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. We were also given an insight into the Miss Selfridges Premier Tax Free and Personal shopping experience which gives shoppers a hands free personalized shopping experience and they can also claim their tax back on the goods purchased in store at Miss Selfridges.
We had built quite an appetite after our visit to the Etihad Stadium in the morning and was thrilled to know that we were going to Mowgli Street Kitchen for lunch. I heard of Mowgli at our Travel Counsellors Conference in Glasgow last year from the founder of this Indian restaurant Ms. Nisha Katona who shared with us her inspiring journey of how Mowgli came into existence and her passion that led her to quit her full time job as a barrister and go after her dreams.
If you are ever walking around the streets of Manchester and find yourself craving for some home cooked Indian meal then head to Mowgli Street Kitchen that is conveniently located at the Corn Exchange within a few walk from the shopping area and Miss Selfridges.
Whether you’re seeking culture, nightlife, history, or just good fun, there are plenty of things to do in Manchester. Be absorbed by the beautiful attractions such as the gothic architecture at John Rylands Library and Manchester Cathedral; take in fine art at Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth; discover history, old and new, at Manchester Museum and the Imperial War Museum North