Not Just for Trainspotters

The Tornado - built by the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust at the National Railway Museum - has made it's maiden voyage from York to London. Prince Charles is arriving in York on Thursday, 19 February for the naming ceremony. Even if you're not a train or history buff, it is impressive and nostalgic - puts the "Great" back into "Britain"!

This brings me to the topic of The National Railway Museum . Which is a good afternoon out even if you're not a trainspotter. I always enjoy looking at the royal carriages - well, I am an American and we like this sort of stuff! Don't ask me why.

The museum is not too far out from the city centre, although not a very nice walk. The best way to get there is to hop on the "Road Train" which runs to the Museum's door from Duncombe Place (next to York Minster). This service runs will run from 14 to 22 February and 4 April to 31 October 2009 - 7 days a week from 11.00 to 16.30. It departs every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour from the Museum (last service from the Museum departs at 16.00) and from Duncombe Place every 30 minutes from 11.15 to 16.15.

York - A Very Romantic City

It was reported in the York Evening Press yesterday that York is the 5th most romantic city in the UK. Ranked 5th behind the Lake District, Cotswolds (can we be more specific please - these are areas not specific places?!) Bath and Edinburgh. Not bad I think.

We think Hodgson's Choice has the most "Romantic Room with a View" in York! Penthouse 80 has played host to numerous special occasions from marriage proposals and honeymoons to 50th wedding anniversaries and everything in between!

Well, have a look for yourself and let us know. Better yet, tell the Press! http://www.thepress.co.uk/

Hotel vs Holiday Rental - is there really a choice?

I always ask our guests why they choose self-catering/holiday rentals over hotels, b&b's or guest houses. And the response I receive most frequently is FLEXIBILITY.
Since running our own self-catering business, we too have gotten in the habit of booking a holiday home rather than a hotel room where possible, and I have to say, I now understand what "flexibility" means.
For us, it means we can have our favourite breakfast cereals and make our own pot of decent tea; we don't have to worry about waking the proprietor when we arrive back late from an evening out; we don't have to be out of the room for cleaning or come back early to discover it hasn't been done yet! This does mean we have to pick up after ourselves, but a small price to pay so we can go at our own pace!
The other reason we like self-catering is SPACE! Yes, space at a fraction of the cost. Now that our children are growing up, we all need our space or it just isn't a holiday! With holiday rentals there is room for everyone without having to double the cost.
It's also worth pointing out that most holiday rental businesses now offer short breaks - we offer a 3 night minimum so needless to say, consider holiday rentals the next time you are off on holiday.