CHEDDAR GORGE AND CAVES (GOUGH'S CAVE) WELLS UK

Cheddar Cove and Caves UK, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Some 300 million years in the making is the marketing slogan that the Cheddar Gorge and Caves use on their site and materials. It is actually quite hard to get one's head around the fact that what you are looking at is so very old.

Cheddar Gorge is huge. There is a long, steep and winding road that curves through a quaint town area right up to the top. Dotted along the road at the base of the gorge are small shops that sell all sorts of tourist bits and pieces, and then some more specialist shops with some very interesting gifts, real ale and the such.

The area is packed and hectic in the summer, and visiting it out of the season is a really good as things are quiet, you can get parking and you have the caves pretty much to yourself (versus the 2500 people that go through in one day).

The whole area is owned by the Marquis of Bath, but the revenues are used to fund the development and various conservation projects.

In Victorian and earlier times, people who travelled to Weston-super-Mare seaside resort would travel to the gorge and visit the caves. The largest and most impressive cave was found by a man and his family called Gough. He worked showing people around another cave lower down the hill, and at night he and his son's searched and then explored the caves that are now the main attraction. They dug deep and deeper and uncovered the most startling caverns and caves that had been worn through by water many years ago. The caverns were originally full of water from underground rivers which are now much lower, and are still being explored by (crazy) people who dive into them.

Some of the caverns were found by using explosives to get to them.

They are very impressive.

Today you get a audio guide that explains the caves, how they were formed and the history of how they were found and when. Including the skeleton of a man from about 10000 years ago. Inside the caves you also see where they still to this day store cheddar cheese (yes, cheddar cheese was originally made in the area but is now made all over the world).

Included in the admission charge you also get a bus ride up the road and back that explains more, entry to the prehistoric man museum (a slightly strange place that largely features history of early man sex and cannibalism) and up a viewing tower. The ticket is valid for a year.

We had a great day and to be recommended.

See a video of the famous Cheddar Gorge area and go into the Gough Cave by clicking here to see on YouTube or on the blog posting:

Cheddar Cove and Caves UK (2), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Cheddar Cove and Caves UK (13), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Cheddar Cove and Caves UK (3), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

TO SEE ALL MY PHOTOS: CLICK HERE

Visit the Cheddar Gorge and Caves website: click here

International Helicopter Museum (Weston-Super-Mare, England, UK): review, photos and video

International Helicopter Museum Weston-super-mare UK, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

I am a bit of a geek when it comes to travel and methods of travel. Therefore, I always get excited (sad but true) when I find that there is some travel related attraction nearby.

On a recent trip to the Bristol area in England, we went into the tourist information office in the UK seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare and came across a leaflet for the "International Helicopter Museum". With the sort of attractions that one usually associates with seaside resorts in England I was not optimistic. But was really pleased we did.

The museum was set up right back in about 1958 by a group of helicopter fans. Over the years they managed to collect a startlingly large collection of helicopters from various corners of the world, including some absolutely massive ones. I never knew just how large a helicopter can be! Then there are also some very small individual ones.

Personally I found the ones that used to be in the Queens Flight real trophies, and had at times been flown by both Prince Philip and Prince Charles. Another favourite was a huge passenger one in the colours of the Greek Olympic airlines that was owned by Aristole Onassis for a time. Then there are a series of impressive military ones.

There is a cinema area (with some plastic garden style chairs) that ran a film that was actually very interesting about the history of helicopter manufacture in the UK.

Overall the museum is quite "homemade" and clearly does not have a lot of funds to decorate and manage a highly professional exhibit (like say Duxford does), but as is run by people with passion there is a lot of care put into. It would be even better if there was a more slick approach to the exhibition and history, but you cannot fault the content as driven by people who love the topic.

In recent years they have received lottery funds to help with restoration of some of the craft.

I enjoyed the visit a great deal. It is not the scale of Duxford, but well worth a visit if in the area.

Visit the Museum website: http://www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk/ and to see all my photos then click here

International Helicopter Museum Weston-super-mare UK (10), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

International Helicopter Museum Weston-super-mare UK (5), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

International Helicopter Museum Weston-super-mare UK (3), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Hilton Cadbury Hotel & Spa Bristol UK: review, photos & video

Cadbury House is near Bristol, set up on a hill with a great view across the countryside towards Wales. There is what looks to be the old house and then a modern (and very functional looking) building that houses the bedrooms, restaurant and bar. While we were staying there we noticed that many "Doubletree by Hilton" signage started to appear around the hotel, and so assume that this hotel has become part of that group.

Overall we enjoyed our stay at the hotel, though think the secret to an enjoyable and quiet stay is going there during the week and not the weekend. During the week it was very quiet as regards the number of guests staying, and it looks like most of the business in the week are meetings and conferences. On the weekend it is clear that wedding parties move in, and we saw that even by the Saturday morning the nature of the hotel changed (like they moved to a buffet breakfast instead of taking orders).

We found the staff welcoming and friendly, although they did seem to get a bit harassed when trying to deal with multiple people. But we found service very good. We had a problem with the TV in the room when we got there, and someone was there fast and tried to sort it out and when could not moved us to the next door room.

The room we were staying in was one of their "Loft Suites" (403). These are showcase rooms that are very trendy and different. They are actually quite a clever idea as they are in the loft (hence the name) and only have one very small window. So to get over that issue they have created a "wow" room and use that as the selling point. So it is an open plan that has a bed with twinkling lights above it, a seating area with TV, small table to eat at, day bed and then the bath is in the room,a s are 2 basins and a 2 person shower. The toilet is in a separate room. Then the decor is dramatic with a rope curtain to split the room. So they overcome the lack of any light by making a feature. The room could be a bit oppressive if there for a while but was great fun and very different for a short stay. The room was a bit stuffy though as has less than great air flow. But was fine.

We had dinner twice in "TheRestaurant" and the food was excellent, as was the service.

The gym and spa is huge with great facilities and a large pool. The gym was busy but as there is so much equipment it was great to use.

Overall we had a great stay there, as we were there in the week - and so if you looking for a break that is the best time to go by far!

Watch a video of the Loft Suite (403) we stayed in on YouTube by clicking here, or on the blog posting:

Cadbury House Hotel Bristol UK Room 403, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Cadbury House Hotel Bristol UK Room 403 (6), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Cadbury House Hotel Bristol UK (2), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Marriott Royal Hotel Bristol UK; not recommended, unless you not looking to sleep!.

Marriott Royal Hotel Bristol UK Room 1267 (2), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Marriott Royal Hotel Bristol UK Room 1267, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

What a nightmare of a stay at the Marriott Royal Bristol, which ended up with the Night Manager agreeing to cut our room bill in half.

We were down at the hotel to attend a charity dinner but as the hotel runs many events, we found ourselves in a bedroom with a booming disco and very noisy party goers outside until past 2am. We asked for another room but they had none, and then as we could not sleep after to-ing and fro-ing the night manager agreed that to cut the rate in half. We were annoyed as the hotel knew there was an event running until past 2am which would be very loud, but had not mentioned it.

If they had at least we would have had the option to get another room when we checked in (as we had checked in at 2pm there must have been many options), try another hotel or even taken an option to buy a more expensive room further away.The hotel also lost 4 raffle prizes we had brought down and left with the conference team (they also had given one of the auction items to another event instead of the the right event, who had uctioned it off....)

On the positive side, the bedroom was a good size and bed comfortable (if there was no booming party). Though we could also hear the TV and music clearly from the room next door earlier in the evening too before we went out.

There is a large gym and pool area, though this is a bit dated and the gym was quite grubby.Breakfast buffet in the morning was good.

A terrible experience with noise from parties clearly and issue as there was more than just me complaining.
Watch a video I took of Room 1267 on YouTube by clicking here, or on the blog posting:

Hotel Barocco, Rome, Italy

Hotel Barocco Rome Italy Room 20, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Hotel Barocco Rome Italy Room 20 (4), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Hotel Barocco Rome Italy Room 20 (2), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

I stayed at the Hotel Barocco in Rome for just one night while in the city for work. It made a nice change from all the chain hotels that I usually stay in. Though not sure I would want to stay more than a night or two here. The hotel is in a good location right in the centre of things, but as the hotel is in an alley off the busy square (so can be hard to find!) it is very quiet. The staff are very helpful and friendly and speak excellent English, and so make visitors feel welcome. I was in the annex which is 2 doors down and up on the 1st floor. It seems that the block the annex in is an apartment block and they have a section of it that they have made into 4 or 5 rooms. The room was large and traditionally decorated with oil painting style pictures, big drapes and heavy dark furniture. It was classy. The bed is large but not that comfortable. The bathroom is huge with large bath and separate shower.

Internet access is available by wireless but very expensive at 8 Euros for an hour! There is a small breakfast room with a fairly good spread on a buffet and staff that was helpful and fast. I did find the room a bit oppressive as there is one narrow window onto the back of other apartments and so spending time in the room would not be that great. The central heating was a bit oppressive as well as only very hot even at lowest level. Overall a very cost effective hotel with good prices, very clean and smart. But for me fine for a short stop, but would not like to stay longer as felt a bit oppressive but if using it as base for sightseeing or business then is a good option.

Watch a video I took of Room 20 I stayed in on YouTube by clicking here, or on the blog posting:

Travel comedy: The very funny and talented Pam Ann

Pam Ann Global Alliance Video
All her air hostess characters in this short video, which looks was used as part of one of her shows.
Click here to watch on YouTube, or watch on the blog posting:




Pam Ann: Official British Airways Cabin Crew promo video Loved by many of the cabin crew when she performed a lot in west London, this funny video with her as a new BA cabin crew on her first flight is a scream..
Click here to watch on YouTube, or on the blog posting:



Pam Ann ad spoofing Virgin Atlantic airlines 25th anniversary TV ad, announcing her TV show
Click here to watch on YouTube, or on the blog posting:





Pam Ann channel on YouTube: click here

Travel comedy: A series of clips about 2 South African air hostesess on "Airfrikaans"

Came across a series of travel comedy clips on YouTube that thought would be fun to share.. the best ones do have a shred of truth and insight in them.

Here are 3 clips that I assume must come from some South African comedy show about 2 air hostesses on an airline called "Airfrikaans". Very funny

Clip one "Glass of water": click here to watch on YouTube

Clip two "Meal service": click here to watch on YouTube

Clip three "Hijacker": click here to watch on YouTube

Cunard Queen Mary 2 QM2 Crossing: a story of the trip in 10 minutes!

This is a video we made of us on the QM2 crossing in April. More about what we did than the ship..

Hilton Arc De Triomphe Hotel Paris France: Video, reviews and more

I have stayed at the Hilton Arc De Triomphe twice in the last few year, and really like the hotel.

It is an art deco style and inspired building with some nice touches and overall good decor. The lobby is quite impressive and striking, and the doormen and reception are friendly and helpful so from arrival you feel welcome.

The location of the hotel is fairly good as walking distance to the Champs Elysee, but not slap bang in the busy area so I think is a good balance of being handy but quiet and out of the madhouse.

The rooms are fairly large with big comfortable bed, good working space and then an unusual bathroom thing where the basin (an art deco inspired green basin) is in a small passageway which also has the cupboard. So it can be a bit clumsy. Then into the bathroom and toilet area. The water pressure is not great and the shower is okay buy not very strong.

There is a very large TV with a good selection of channels, especially for English speakers - though there are actually more english channels if you flick through the channels than rely on those listed via the menu as english language (there are BBC1, BBC2, CBBC for example also available but not listed).

The breakfast is a really good spread but costs 22 Euros if you not got it in your rate. But the service is fast and very friendly. In the evening the restaurant, which is very large, serves a good range of food with many very good fish dishes and nice wines. The staff again is attentive and helpful.

There is a fairly well equipped fitness centre that seems quite busy, along with a spa.

The hotel is very popular for meetings and during the day is full of business types.

I like the hotel a great deal, though the rack rates can be quite high. But worth checking out as an option for business or pleasure.

Watch the video of the room on YouTube click here, or watch on the blog posting:

Hotel Concorde La Fayette, Paris, France (Review, Photos & Video)

The view of the Eiffel Tower from a 28th Floor room (Room 2807)

View from Concorde Lafayette Paris Room 2823, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

This hotel stands tall on the Paris skyline as, at 33 or so floors, it is of unusual height for the city better known for buildings a few stories high. It also does not match the usual beauty of Parisian buildings, looking more like an ugly 70s style concrete office block.

The hotel is fairly well located as it is next to the huge Paris Conference Center (Palais de la Congress). It is convenient for the Metro which can be accessed via a shopping mall of great clothes shops which runs underneath the conference centre. It is a few short stops on the Metro or a doable, but fairly long walk, to the main stretch of the popular section of the Champs Elysées running south of the Arc d'Triompe to the gardens and the Louvre.

The hotel has been spruced up a bit but very much caters and is targeted at the conference and package tour markets seeking good location, suitable facilities and value. It is neither luxurious nor downmarket, and in almost everyway it is average. Not in a negative way but more in an unremarkable and very functional way.

You need to ensure that you get a room as high up as the one consolation for the averageness of the hotel is that the view across Paris from the rooms is beautiful. If you do not get a high room then make sure that you visit the Panoramic Bar on the top floor.

The bedrooms rooms are small with a large bed taking up most of it. On first inspection the room will look good, with a small sofa, big white duvet and functional bathroom. As you settle in you will find the room and facilities again average. The bed is not very comfortable and feels cheap. The sheets and towels are also not that high quality, but perfectly fine.

The breakfast is a strange set-up as it is on the First Floor across in what seems to be the hotel conference area and rotates through meeting rooms - I assume ones that are not booked for meetings. It is probably a cost effective way of running a buffet breakfast and is a good spread and selection, but there are usually queues to get your details and room checked before getting into breakfast.

The fitness room is small and hard to find on the first floor, but perfectly adequate. However, it can be frustrating as based on the huge size of the hotel is far too small as only about 5 or 6 people could be in there at one time. There is a massive Club Med Gym connected to the hotel that Club Room Guests can use but costs 25 Euros per visit otherwise.

One small touch that amused me is that they change the carpets in the lifts each day as the carpet says what day of the week it is in French and English.

Concorde Lafayette Paris Room 2823, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Take a look at a video of Room 2823:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAq01uEk368

ADDENDUM

It is a year since I last stayed at the hotel. This time I was in a Deluxe Room on the 30th Floor and had access to the Club Lounge.

The room was better although the overall hotel can never be that special. The Deluxe room was less shabby, and having the breakfast in the club lounge was good (and you also get free access to the gym) - and if you do both this works out better than getting a standard room and paying for all of this).

Video of the deluxe room 3004 (watch on youtube: click here)

FURTHER ADDENDUM: APRIL 2009 - MORE ABOUT THE REVAMP OF ROOMS!

Concorde Lafayette Hotel Paris Room 425, originally uploaded by garybembridge.

Concorde Lafayette Hotel Paris Room 425 (5), originally uploaded by garybembridge.

About a year or so I reviewed this hotel and was not very complimentary as the hotel rooms were shabby and old fashioned. That review and some pictures are one of the most viewed blog postings I have ever written, probably as this is a massive hotel that attracts many conferences (as next to the Congress Centre) and package tours, especially American.

I was, therefore, very impressed on staying here again. The hotel is going through a major revamp and refurbishment and while not all rooms done yet as time of writing, the rooms that have been done have the "wow factor". They have done a great job.

The new room look is contemporary, feels quality and is well done. The rooms are actually not very large but space has been used well.

The bathroom is very modern, with black slate wall tiles and light tiles on the floor. The bathroom fixtures are Villeroy and so quality. The whole look is stunning and good to use.

In the bedroom there is a decent sized desk to work at, trendy leather chair and large bed. They use 2 single duvets though that works less well to sleep under, and the linen is not as good as some chains - but that is me being picky than anything important...

There is a flat screen TV with a good range of channels, though for English speakers only news channels.

The building is I guess from the 70s or so, and there are some noises and such I think from the dated plumbing, but nothing too disturbing.

You can buy access to the gym under the hotel. It is a good gym but quite expensive and always very full, but at about 25 Euros a visit is quite costly, so if you want to use the gym check rates for room that give you gym access.

Breakfast is a bit of an ordeal as zillions of conference and tour groups and in what seems to be meeting rooms. But a good selection of food, though a bit stressful event for the morning!

In terms of service, it is pretty good. On checking in they made a fuss and someone from the corporate sales team came to greet me, saying how pleased they were to work with the company. Probably a bit over the top, but made you feel welcome in this massive and busy hotel where one could easily feel anonymous. So nice touch, though she did not upgrade me to a club room which would have been even nicer. But as above, I liked the room a lot.

Watch a video of one of the renovated rooms (room 425) on YouTube: click here

Here is a Junior Suite (Room 2807) which I stayed in October 2009, it is still one of the non refurbished rooms. Click here to see on YouTube or on the blog posting: