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a feel good travel blog

5 Cities to Visit in the UK

6/27/2019

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The UK is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations with over 40 million visitors each year. Almost half of these people flock to London to visit historic sights such as Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. But there's more to Britain than the capital. Here are five more cities worth a visit:
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1. Manchester

Manchester is quickly becoming one of the UK's most visited cities, with a 10% rise in visitorsbetween 2016 and 2017.

It's a city that has it all – from brilliant museums and a fascinating history to a thriving nightlife. It's also easy to get to from anywhere in the world, with its international airport a short train ride from the city centre. If you're heading to the city this year, be sure to check out the Northern Quarter for quirky shops, street art and independent bars and restaurants.
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2. Bristol

Bristol is located in South West England, close to the Welsh border. It's a city of contrasts, where a rich, industrial history meets a relaxed and cool vibe.

The city is famous for its street art. Banksy was born here, and several of his pieces are spread around the city. It's a beautiful city to visit at any time of year, largely thanks to the stunning harbour and colourful, painted houses. And if you get bored of city life, some of the UK's most incredible countryside is right on your doorstep.
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3. Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland should be high on anyone's list when planning a holiday within the UK. It has all the usual things you would expect from a city break – history, sightseeing, shopping and delicious food and drink.

But Edinburgh is perhaps most famous for its festivals. If you can, you should aim to visit Edinburgh during Hogmanay or the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Both draw large crowds and, once you've experienced it for yourself, you'll understand why. Hogmanay takes place at new year, with the Edinburgh Fringe happening across the entire month of August.​

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4. York

The jewel in Yorkshire's crown, York is a city not to be missed. It's most famous for its history and is home to The Shambles - a well-preserved medieval street with buildings that date back to the 14th century.

It's also home to the UK's longest remaining town walls, which were first built by the Romans in 79AD. Most of the walls are still in place today and provide a fantastic city centre walk that allows you to take in all the sights. Once you've spent the day taking in the city's historic delights, you can relax and indulge in one of the many outstanding independent restaurants.
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5. Brighton

A guide to Britain's best cities wouldn't be complete without at least one seaside destination. Our favourite is Brighton, which sits on England's southern coast.

It's a diverse and lively city, with a relaxed and welcoming vibe that attracts over 10 million visitors each year, from across the UK and beyond. The waterfront is where it's at during the summer months, complete with its Grade II listed pier. Check out the rides and then enjoy a British staple – fish and chips – on the gorgeous pebble beach.

This is a guest blog piece and provided to The Lemon Tree. 

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Exploring Charles Dickens' London

1/1/2019

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For those who know me, know I love Charles Dickens. Why? It's because we share the same birthdate, February 7th. The more I got to know Dickens and his writing the more I realized that he and I have the same type of mentality, not only in the world of imaginative writing, but he also advocated for the poor. He analyzed the wealthy and the peasant cultures throughout London to inspire his writing and some of his greatest pieces of work.

Though he traveled throughout England for his stories, London is the hub for many of Dickens' inspirations. Here are some of the best places to explore Dickens' London. 

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Charles Dickens Museum
Welcome to 48 Doughty Street, the London home of Charles Dickens. This is the setting where Dickens wrote Oliver Twist, The Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby, and earned international fame as one of the world's best writers. Inside guests discover the private life of Charles Dickens' family home, exploring various rooms such as the dining hall and servants quarters as well as artifacts like Dickens' writing desk, hand-written letters and autograph copies of his books. 
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Dickens and his wife, Catherine moved into the home just before Queen Victoria took reign in 1837. Three of their 10 children grew up in this home, and Charles and Catherine hosted many dinner parties with some of the period's most prominent figures. Each room boasts the beauty of Victorian living. Out back guests enjoy coffee and cake in the Victorian courtyard. The
​museum is an international research center on Dickens and contains over 100,000 artifacts. Special exhibits and workshops occur year round. 
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Charles was a fascinating creature. He walked London in search for inspiration and to obtain qualitative analysis through observing the lifestyles between the rich and the poor. He often walked 10-20 miles at a time to gain a true sense of the sights, sounds and aura of Victorian London.  
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Fleet Street
While strolling along Fleet Street, stop at Ye Olde Chesire Cheese. Although not a cheese shop in Dickens' era, this building has been a pub since 1538. Dickens frequented this pub to observe the locals, which inspired his writing for A Tale of Two Cities. What makes this pub unique is that other novelists and writers such as Oliver Goldsmith, Mark Twain, Alfred Tennyson, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, G.K. Chesterton, P. G. Wodehouse and Samuel Johnson were regulars. Some claim the vaulted ceiling pillars date to a 13th Century Carmelite Monastery. 

Lincoln's Inn Fields
The settings and legal actions that occur in the Bleak House occur in and around Lincoln's Inn Fields, which is where the lawyer Tulkinghorn lived. "Here, in a large house, formerly a house of state, lives Mr Tulkinghorn. It is let off in sets of chambers now, and in these shrunken fragments of its greatness lawyers lie in maggots in nuts."

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Covent Gardens
Located at 26 Wellington Street is the Charles Dickens Coffee shop. Here is where Charles lived and operated his newspaper, All The Year Round, on the upper levels of this corner building. The blacking factory is where Dickens worked at the age of 12. This neighborhood inspired Dickens for many of his novels like Little Dorrit, where Arthur Clennam lives in a dingy flat like Dickens once did. Dickens notes Covent Gardens in Great Expectations, The Pickwick Papers and David Copperfield. But Covent Gardens didn't always look this way. It was once a market described by Charles as, "“strewed with decayed cabbage-leaves, broken haybands. . . men are shouting, carts backing, horses neighing, boys fighting, basket-women talking, piemen expatiating on the excellence of their pastry, and donkeys braying."

The Seven Dials
In Dickens' era, The Seven Dials was a cesspool of poverty and crime. Today, its chockfull of museums, pubs and an excellent neighborhood to people watch. Dickens describes the neighborhood best in Sketches by Boz, where fictional character Boz, roams London in observation of its neighborhoods, people and customs.  

While there is so much to see in Dickens' London, be sure to add Gray's Inn and Middle Temple on the list. A self-guided tour is possible, but if you want intimate details on Dickens' life, book a Dickens walking tour. There are many short and long tours available to suit your desires and needs. 

Whats' your favorite Dickens' site in London? 


This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Exploring Charles Dickens London. 

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Top 10: The Best Free Things to do in London 

12/6/2016

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London is not cheap, but it is still a budget-friendly destination. Like unpredictable weight loss, London is a place where it’s easy to gain and lose a few pounds. Whether you are looking for a walk, a garden or a museum, London offers plenty of free activities. If you are on a budget, look no further than these 10 free things to do in London. 
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Walk the Thames
The walkway alongside the Thames is one of London’s most bustling destinations. Begin at Big Ben, cross over the Thames and continue to walk on the same side as the London Eye. Along the Thames to the Tower Bridge, you’ll pass street side bookstalls, food trucks, skateboard arenas and street side cafes. The walk from Big Ben to the London Bridge is 2.3 miles. I recommend going to the next bridge, The Tower Bridge, crossing the river and heading to the Tower of London. 
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Museum of London
Discover the unforgettable past of London at this museum. Begin your journey by discovering the Roman and Saxon heritage followed by the medieval, Renaissance and Victorian past. Gaze at Lord Mayor’s carriage or read about the catastrophic plague, anything you’ve ever wanted to know about London you can find it here. 

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Walk a Bridge
There is no lack of bridge walking along the Thames. Luckily, you won’t need a tightrope, but you will need plenty of time. I recommend walking Millennium Bridge. It’s modern, abstract structure is trippy to the eye and “bridges the gap” between the old and the new. The pedestrian bridge connects Tate Modern and St. Paul’s to Shakespeare’s Globe in Southwark.
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Camden Stalls
Although shopping is not free, soaking up the eclectic atmosphere at the Camden market stalls is free. Here, you’ll discover cheap eats, everything from burritos to noodle dishes. The grunge vibe still exists, though its nothing compared to what it used to be. Today you’ll find cheap souvenirs all of which are made in China, Bangladesh or India. 

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Stroll through Kensington Gardens
Known as a “Royal Garden,” this Italian garden is home to Kensington Palace. Many come to observe the Peter Pan statue and to admire the Serpentine Gallery and Albert Memorial.  This is a must-see during the summer months. 

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Buckingham Palace – Gardens & Changing of the Guards
For the ultimate British experience, head to Buckingham Palace. Known as Guard Mounting, the daily changing of the guards begins at 11:30am and lasts for 45 minutes. The Queen’s Guard is the head-honcho and wears sashes alongside with the red tunic and bearskin hat. Once you bore of the arduous guard change, explore the Buckingham Palace Gardens. Sit on a bench, eat some ice cream or feed the ducks – the choice is yours. 

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Explore Churches
Britain’s dark religious past includes the battles between a Catholic to a Protestant nation. Notable churches and cathedrals include St. Paul’s, St. Dunstan’s, Southwark Cathedral, Holy Trinity and Westminster Cathedral.
 
Visit Art Galleries in SOHO
Art galleries in SOHO are an important aspect of the British art scene. Whether it’s paintings or digital art, the modern art scene boasts a variety of showings and events. Check out galleries such as Lazarides, Pace London, Sadie Coles HQ and Southard Reid. 
 
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British Museum
Rated five-stars, and one of the best museums in the world, The British Museum is a must-do on every London itinerary. Take a walk through human history as the collection spans over 2 million years of human history. Founded in 1753, this museum is notable for containing the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies and cultural artifacts. The museum does not feature air conditioning so expect a hot and sweaty summer visit. 
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National Portrait Gallery
Explore a myriad of collections from silhouettes to 16th Century Elizabethan paintings. With more than 200,000 portraits, it’s easy to spend an entire afternoon admiring some of the greatest works of art. Here you’ll find some of Britain’s most prominent paintings such as Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII, Katharine of Aragon, Coronation of Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley. The museum is free, but certain exhibitions charge an entry fee.

What is your favorite free thing to do in London? Let us know! 
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6 Markets for Cheap Eats & Veg Food in London

7/25/2016

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Are you looking to shed a few pounds while in London? Although London is expensive, there are many markets that offer cheap eats found throughout the city. Don’t think you’ll just eat peas and creamed corn; England has greatly advanced its vegetarian culinary scene. From food trucks to market stalls, these are the six best places for cheap eats in London.
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Camden Market
If you want to experience international cuisine hinted by the traditional 90’s British punk aura then head to Camden Town. The market stalls at Camden is a shopper’s paradise where you can find everything from handmade jewelry to vintage clothing shops. The Camden market stalls and locks offer plenty of international and vegetarian friendly food. It’s the best place to score a five-pound burrito or a plate of Asian food for under 10 quid. There are also several vegan and vegetarian restaurants just outside of the market.

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Southbank Centre Market
Located near the London Eye and the Waterloo tube station, Southbank is the perfect place for a mid-afternoon snack or lunch. Featuring everything from pastries to sandwiches to mixed drinks, visitors can explore authentic British and international fare. The market operates Friday through Sunday and is crowded everyday. One major component is the use of local and sustainable ingredients. There is no shortage of vegetarian or vegan food. From juices to vegan “meat” puff pastries, you can find something for every veg head. Besides Cambden, this is one of the best spots for vegan and vegetarian-friendly cuisine. 

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Food Trucks along the Thames River
Okay, this one’s not really a market, but it sure seems like it as food trucks are as plentiful as street artists. In between the Jubilee Gardens and Waterloo Bridge, visitors can find a series of food trucks along the Thames River. Not far from Southbank Centre Market, this is the perfect location for the mid-day lunch break along the most bustling boardwalk in town. Visitors can find everything from ice cream to taco to barbeque trucks. While eating, you can boat watch or dive into a used book sold by one of the many street vendors. I highly recommend the taco trucks.
 
Brixton Markets
Located in Brixton Village, this culinary market hosts a variety of international fare. From blood orange cake to Colombian rice and plantains, Brixton is the place where hipsters enjoy the diverse taste of life. You can find all sorts of tasty delights from Japan, Ethiopia and South America. On Saturdays, the market rotates a vintage, flea, craft and bakers market along with a farmers market on Sunday.
 
Broadway Market
Located in South Hackney, foodies head to this East London market to fulfill their mouthwatering taste buds. Here, the food vendors are serious about their ingredients to appease the hipster palate. Broadway is a mecca for all things culinary. Spices, Vietnamese coffee, organic veg burgers, cheese and freshly basked cupcakes - the choices are endless. Known for its chilled atmosphere, the market is outline by quaint cafes, music stores and small business fashion shops.
 
Maltby Street Market
This small but bustling weekend market is located nearby the Tower Bridge and Southwark. The biggest attractions include the Monty’s Deli sandwiches and St. John Bakery’s sourdough bread and fresh baked donuts. The market also includes the traditional produce, meat (sorry veggies L ) and cheese stalls. If you want the authentic European experience while saving money than buy a fresh-baked loaf with some English cheese and create an afternoon picnic on a nearby park bench.

What's your favorite market in London? Let me know! I'd love to check it out the next time I'm in London! Cheers!

This Lemon Tree article is now featured on GPSmyCity.  To download this article for offline reading or travel directions to the attractions highlighted in this article, go to 6 Markets for Cheap Eats & Veg Food in London. 

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Living the Dream with General Admission: Wimbledon’s Dirty Little Secret

6/29/2016

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Besides softball, tennis was the one sport I loved to watch and play. I took tennis seriously and spent many summer days playing, training and prepping for my high school (and hopeful) college career.
 
One of my dreams as a child was to visit all the Grand Slam events and stadiums. In 2005, I visited Rod Laver arena in Melbourne, Australia. At this time, I studied sport management in the US and the simplicity of Australian tennis and rugby facilities proved that the US treated sports like an amusement park.
 
One facility down, three more to go. While living in Germany, we planned a trip to London, not realizing that it was Wimbledon Finals weekend. Besides hotels costing around 300 pounds per night, we were destined to visit the arena. 

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I naively figured that the grand television and grassy knoll that you see on TV is outside of the arena. We trecked to the stadium, pouring sweat in one of the hottest weekends of the year.

Where’s the television? I wanted to do a quick photo snap and be on our merry way until we saw signs pointing to the General Admission line.
 
What is general admission? We didn’t really know, but we were told that we could walk around the stadium. Oh hell, for 15 pounds I might as well get as close to my dream as possible for at least one picture. I may not be able to sip tea and eat crumpets on center court, but I could at least experience Wimbledon.
 
After passing through security check, we were granted access into the stadium. 

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And holy shit, you can watch tennis matches? In America, you have to pay for everything and I assumed the general admission provided access to only the grounds.

Oh but we were so wrong. General admission allows you watch many lower level matches all for the price of 15 pounds! You can’t even buy a hot dog and a beer for that price in America. 
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Perusing through the “streets” dotted with purple flower hanging baskets, we quietly sat, “oohh and awed” and clapped at the Men’s Junior Final Matches.  Live tennis is exciting especially when the crowd naturally reacts with the same noise for every (missed) shot, Ace or lobby. 
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After the match, we meandered through court to find the grassy knoll with the Big screen TV. That’s where it is, inside! How clever. The television broadcasted the men’s final match played on center court. There is so much purple and green inside the stadium that the contrast feels soothes any unexpected sunburn.
 
The only downfall to the experience was that it was bloody hot as hell. A five-pound ice cream cone can only cool you off for so long, so it’s best to wear a sundress during hot days as your skin melts into the seats. 
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So, if you visit London during Wimbledon season, take advantage of the General Admission ticket. It’s well worth the experience.
 
And you can view some of the bigger matches and courts especially before the play time. And the security is nice enough to take a picture with you. Apparently, my American accent of saying, “Can you take a picture of us?” meant for my husband to take a picture of the security guy and me.
 
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Ahhh so one dream down......so many more to go!
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Have you been to Wimbledon? Who did you see play? What was your favorite part? 

Find a Lemon Every Now & Then....

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Calling all Readers, Writers & Reviewers: Finding Om at the London Book Fair - April 12 - 14, 2016

4/11/2016

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As a writer, and now author, I’ve always wanted to get involved with book fairs and connect with like-literary minded individuals. I am excited to announce that my book Finding Om will be present at the London Book Fair on April 12-14, 2016. 

Although I cannot make it to the actual event, copies of my book and promotional materials will be available at Author HQ area, 1D50 with the staff from Book Marketing Solutions. If you are a book reviewer, blogger, freelance writer, columnist or travel memoir enthusiast and will be at the LBF, please touch base with me at erkovar@yahoo.com for an exchange or a giveaway. Several copies will also be for sale. 

Today, as the world shifts and becomes more hectic and stressful, we are forced to find our “om” and look within for happiness. Finding Om dives deep into the journey of change, growth and expansion – all of which was found while being on the roads less travelled in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and India. 

Throughout my life, the world has been my greatest teacher. Seeing how cultures live and how people survive is what made me break my patterns, discover what I want in life and how to appreciate my homeland – something I’ve always struggled with as an over-worked middle-class American.  Like a therapist, traveling has given me the strength and power to overcome life’s obstacles and challenges. And there is no other way to realize this than to jump into a culture so different from the one where I was raised. 

Who would have thought that the first sip from a precious cup of chai would forever change my (and your) life? Discover, learn, grow and blossom with me as you journey through my tales of backpacking and studying yoga in India, solo.
Namaste, 
Elizabeth 


Food For Thought: Why London? I have a deep connection to London. Not only do I love the city, but historic writers like Charles Dickens inspired my writing. It sounds quirky, but after living in Europe, I realized that Dickens and I share a similar perspective on how we view the world and people. Part of this could be because we share the same birthdate, February 7th, so even as a kid I thought it would be "cool" to be a writer like Dickens and other notable February 7th writers like Laura Ingalls Wilder.
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    Author

    Elizabeth Rae Kovar is a Fitness Trainer, Author of Finding Om, Presenter, Yogi, Vegan & lover of the World. View her portfolio at www.elizabethkovar.comor health-based blog at mindbodysoul-food.com

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