Glastonbury Festival 2009
Glastonbury attracts thousands of music lovers every year. Tickets for Glastonbury 2009 have already sold out due to the huge demand. The event takes place from Wednesday 24th to Sunday 28th of June 2009. Each year the rumour mill goes into overdrive as to who is going to be performing at the event, this year some of the confirmed acts include Franz Ferdinand, Lily Allen, Bon Iver - some of the rumoured groups that could perform include The Killers, Led Zeppelin, Blur, Keane, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Jones! For confirmed appearances check out the Glastonbury website.
Glade Festival 2009
The Glade Festival is the leading dance music festival in the UK, and the event organizers have secured a new festival site in Winchester for the event. The event will take place from July 16th to 19th. Known as a major electronic musical festival in Europe, some 10,000 people flock to the event. The 2009 line up is not yet known but keep in touch at the Glade Festival homepage.
The V Festival 2009
The V Music Festival will take place on August 22nd and 23rd 2009 and tickets will be on sale in March 2009. The Festival takes place at two venues, Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in Staffordshire. The Festival Line up is not confirmed, but 2008 saw acts of the quality of the Kings of Leon and Amy Winehouse take the stage, so expect top quality performers! Find out more about the V Festival.
T in the Park 2009
This event takes place at Balado, near Kinross (just off the M90 near Loch Leven) Scotland, and takes place from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th July 2009. The Festival is now in its 16th year, and some of the acts confirmed for 2009 include Blur, Elbow, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Snow Patrol, Razorlight and Pete Doherty. Find out more about T in the Park.
Isle of Wight Festival 2009
This legendary music festival takes place at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight, a short ferry trip of the English Coast. This Festival will take place from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th June 2009. Some of the confirmed acts to perform this year include Friday’s headliners The Prodigy, plus Basement Jaxx and the Ting Tings. The renowned “Big Top” is expected to make a return this year, and the headliners on Sunday night at the 5,000 capacity circus like Big Top are Manchester indie veterans The Charlatans. Find out more about the Isle of Wight Festival.
Wychwood Music Festival 2009
This family friendly festival is now in its fifth year and runs from Friday 29th May to Sunday 31st May at Cheltenham Racecourse. It provides a fusion of world and roots music and raises funds for the Oxfam Charity. Friday night is headlined by the Super Furry Animals and Saturday by Supergrass. There is also a comedy tent with Mundo Jazz, Arthur Smith and Sol Bernstein amongst others. Find out more about the Wychwood Music Festival.
Reading Festival 2009
If you are into rock, punk, or indie music then the 2009 Reading Festival is a must. This Festival takes place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend from Friday 28th August to Sunday 30th August at Little Johns Farm, Richfield Avenue, Reading, in the Berkshire region. The Festival lineup is still to be confirmed, and tickets will be on sale in the coming weeks. Find out more about the Reading Festival.
Creamfields 2009
Now in its 12th year, The Creamfields Festival 2009 will take place from Saturday 29th to Sunday 20th August 2009 at Daresbury Estate, Halton in Cheshire. This is a huge event for the serious clubber with live dance music from top electronic acts from around the world. The 2009 Festival lineup is yet to be announced, however tickets are on sale at the Creamfields Website.
Big Chill Festival 2009
The Big Chill Festival takes place from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th August at Eastnor Castle, which is at Ledbury, Herefordshire. The event takes place at the fabulous Eastnor Castle, which has four lakes, woodlands and a marvellous garden area. The event offers concert goers a wide range of music from folk, African to Jazz music. The event offers lovers of all things culture the chance to enjoy art, films, poetry and cabaret. Some of the confirmed artists are dance combos Basement Jaxx, Orbital, and David Byrne from Talking Heads. Find out more about the Big Chill Festival.
Latitude Festival 2009
The Latitude Festival takes place at Henham Park Estate, Beccles, in the Suffolk Region. It will take place from Thursday 16th - Sunday 19th July. Enjoy an event that not only offers music, but arenas displaying art, literature, film and comedy, with workshops for event attendees also. Some of the many performers at this diverse festival in 2008 included Martha Wainwright, Elbow, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol and Beth Orton. The 2009 Festival line up is to be announced. Find out more about the Latitude Festival.
Mairead writes for Novacarhire.com - an independent car hire reservation website where you can book low cost car hire at over 5000 locations worldwide.
Visit Novacarhire.com’s Car hire UK page and get an instant quote which will offer you the best deals from top car rental providers.
An investment in the Crete property market implies promising returns: life in a better climatic zone; an entry to a more economical territory; and a relaxed lifestyle. Yet if you think you need to be convinced further, read on to know more about Crete: the largest Greek island, and decide for yourself, whether an investment in the Crete property market is for you.
Crete lies in the Aegean Sea, and is one of the thirteen peripheries of Greece. Crete has been blessed by nature in every way, which includes a beautiful countryside, mountain ranges, fertile plains, and sandy beaches. The climate in Crete is characterized with mild, rainy winters and long, hot, dry summers. The locals are friendly and welcoming and content with farming, which is the key occupational activity. The region grows almost all that it needs, in fact a Cretan diet has been considered as one of the healthiest in the world. So if you are planning to spend a few months every year in this paradise or figuring out a post retirement stay option, be assured of a quality driven lifestyle.
The cost of living in Crete is remarkably inexpensive and an income of £12,000 per year is all that it would take for a comfortable standard of living. The cost of Crete property is significantly cheaper than in the UK. The property market is young and growing, despite today’s depressing global economic climate, therefore the value offered in terms of property investment is definitely a serious motivation to invest in the Crete property market. Additionally, there are factors like tougher building regulations and better managed mortgage terms to attract overseas property investors. Serious developments in the Crete property market are around the corner, and the crux is, that by spending less, you can expect a better deal than if you were to buy a property elsewhere.
The next positive factor for investing in the Crete property market is Crete’s improved accessibility. It is now much easier to reach Crete from the UK. Air travel has been improvised with new routes offered by budget airlines. It is also easier to travel across the island due to Crete’s roads receiving a fair share of attention from the development squad. Moreover, about 1.6 billion euros are expected to be pumped into the development of tourism resorts and housing, which includes planned development of golf courses.
Crete is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination. In fact statistics suggest that over the last few years the Crete economy shows a drop in manufacturing revenues and a sharp increase in service industry contribution, with tourism as the most important component of the service industry. Moreover, Greece has managed to secure a slot in the ‘Top 10 Where To Go In 2009′ list, due to affordable holidays, delicious food, beautiful beaches, sunshine and more to justify the listing. But this is just an official stamp; Crete is a beautiful island and has a slow pace of life, which is certainly a gift every tired Briton deserves.
As you’ve just read, Crete has much to offer to an overseas property investor. When it comes to the time to buy your Crete property, it is advisable to seek professional legal advice because there are various steps and statutory checks that need to be carried out before a property purchase can be completed. This includes needing a Greek tax code. This is an officious process, but is necessary, and your legal advisor can assist you to help make the proceedings as smooth as possible for you to enjoy your great Crete property deal as soon as possible.
Dale Campbell wrote the Article ‘Do Not Miss Out On A Great Crete Property Deal!’ and recommends you visit http://www.homesoverseas.co.uk for more information about Crete property.
As the school prom season nears its final days, it has been yet another record year for school prom limo hire in the London area as indeed it has for the rest of the United Kingdom. There have been more limo bookings for school proms this year than in any other year. At one point limousines had to be drafted in from the United States to cope with the massive demand. This allowed the vast majority of school prom goers the chance to enjoy their most important day of the year.
The busiest school prom days particularly with the Manchester area were the 26th and 27th June, with the 4th July being a close second. Pretty much every limousine in England was rented out for a school prom on these days. Many limousine companies north of the border in Glasgow and Edinburgh were used to cover the demand.
The favourite of the limousines that were rented for school proms this year was undoubtedly the H2 Hummer limo. Black, white, yellow and pink Hummer H2 limousines were all hired as well as the massive 8 wheeler Hummer H2 in silver. Other popular limousines included the Audi limousine which made its debut this year, the Porsche Cayenne limo and Range Rover Sport limousine. Of the 8 seater limousines the Baby Bentley was far and away the most popular limousine, particularly the Baby Bentley limos equipped with Lamborghini doors. The Lincoln Town Car limos, Excursion limousines and Navigator limousines were generally only hired when the other more popular limousines such as the Hummers and Baby Bentleys were not available.
School proms are only a recent idea in the UK, adopted from the United States, but they are proving to be very popular and the busiest time of the year for the limousine industry. Limousines are synonymous with school proms and will always be popular as long as there is a school prom to go to. It will be fascinating to see which limousine will become the most popular next year and if there will be any new additions to hit the market. There is already talk of a massive 50 seater Party Bus limousine and the Audi Q7 limousine overtaking the Hummer H2 limo as the most popular. Watch this space.
In the mean time here are some top tips for school prom limousine hire.
- Always book your school prom limousine in as early as possible. Indeed as soon as you are given the date of the prom you should book the limo. Not only does this avoid disappointment but you may get a much better deal than if left last minute.
- Always try and ensure you have enough people to fill up the limousine. Some limos such as the Hummer H2 limo can carry up to 20 people. Therefore the price per head will be a lot less than if you only have 10 people.
- Make sure you double check a limo operator’s credentials. Is there a company number on the website and company address? Should a limousine company offer you a very cheap price be wary as they may let you down at the last minute should a better offer come along.
Finally have fun, this is the most important day of the year.
Limotek limo hire - providers of limousine hire to all areas of the UK including limo hire London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Midlands and Edinburgh. We also specialise in hummer limo hire.
Ratan Tata has finally made it. The man, who dreamed big to make a small car has achieved it and gave the cynics a halt that predicted doom on the project. Major competitors wondered in awe, a feat they thought would remain in paper. However, as the expectations from the Indian middle classes soared, the opinions resonated with global sentiments on the need for an affordable car that would carry the common people. The light has ultimately shone with Tata Motors realizing the dream into reality.
Tata Motors unveiled the Tata ‘Nano’, the cheapest car in the world at the Delhi Auto Expo, which was held recently in the Indian Capital city. There were mixed reactions among the global manufacturers with some looking at it with envy and some dismissing it to be yet another gimmick only to say, “Let’s see how long it lasts”. International Automobile giant Volkswagen was all praises for the car. All emotions taken into account, it was a red-letter day for Tata Motors, which entered the annals of history for having released the world’s cheapest car.
Ratan Tata drove the car to the podium amidst cheers and got down with a sense of satisfaction in his face. “A promise is a promise.” Ratan Tata spoke these words, when reporters quizzed him how he could accomplish this task in the specified time with many price fluctuations in the meanwhile. Well, the Nano has been priced at US $2500, which by any means appeals to the masses and this is evident from the thronging of the public at Tata’s marketing outlets. Despite many hurdles right from the politicization of the manufacturing facility at Singur, the car made its way to the public domain and was the cynosure of all eyes in the exhibition.
Technical Parameters
Nano is a two-cylinder driven car with an Engine capacity of 625 CC and a power of 33 BHP. The little wonder can travel up to 20 to 25 km per liter of petrol. The maximum speed it can cruise is 90 Km. The car is slated for release in Oct 2008 and comes in three colors viz. Red, Yellow and Silver.
Small it may look albeit; it has not compromised on road safety. Nano has passed the necessary rigors of testing such as the ‘Full Frontal Crash’, a test that determines the impact strength of a car. It has complied with Euro-4 emission norms for environmental qualification tests, which establishes that the car has undergone conventional checks required to ensure a smooth and safe plying on the roads.
People’s sentiments
People in India have already started bee lining in the showrooms to book the Nano. The reasons are more than encouraging, as the difference in price between Nano and other cars is wide. It also has struck a good balance in pricing when compared to motor bikes. What else would people require, when a small family of four can travel with comfort in a car, which offers them luxury and a status that was once considered the choice of the privileged.
The adage ‘Small is beautiful’ fits very well for Tata Nano. The efforts by the 500-member team, which developed the Nano is by no means a nano effort, but certainly a mega one. Now the challenge rests with the government to widen the roads and provide proper infrastructure facilities for an efficient and safe plying of cars in general. This issue comes to the fore, since the fleet of cars will suddenly increase on roads due to advent of cheaper cars.
There will be stiff competition among car manufacturers and one would vie with the other by slashing prices to keep pace with the market needs and competitive pricing for customers. The game has started. Now it is up to the government to keep the roads as fit as a fiddle and for the manufacturers to bring down the prices for a sustained share of their market.
About the Author
Venkat Ramamurthy is a Freelance Writer from India and writes on different topics. He has several published works to his credit. His maiden work ‘One Indian’s View of Diet: How Food Habits Can Make or Break a Person was published in ‘The Positive Health’ published from Portsmouth U.K. His travel articles ‘Legacy of City of Pearls’, ‘The Seat of Nawabi Culture’ and articles on social malice ‘Far from Maddening Crowd’, ‘Operation Crush’ were aired in the web portal hyderabadnews
Venkat Ramamurthy’s travel article Tranquebar- The Danish Connection can be viewed in http://www.worldpress.org in the Asia section.
He writes for interlinkcity and was selected as their Favorite Freelancer for the month of December 07. He has started submitting articles for articlesfactory.
He posts on health related information at http://food-health-lifestyle.blogspot.com
His contact e-mail is caduvetimurthy@yahoo.com
Manchester’s Gay Village, which is centred around Canal Street, close to the Chinese centre, has just about recovered from being featured in the popular BBC series ‘Queer as Folk’ when it became the destination of hen and stag nights, giving it almost a zoo like status. The reason it was chosen as the location, is that it has been around for quite a while and is a the gay party capital of the UK. There are so many clubs and pubs that there is very little room for anything else. If the canal were to freeze over, they would build at least 3 clubs on the ice.
Canal Street was a once prosperous site, situated alongside the Rochdale Canal, but when rail and then road took over as the preferred method of transport, it became a dark and run down area. Given that homosexuality was illegal until the late 60’s and then only legal in private if you were over 21 years old, it became a surreptitious area for cruising. Some say that it was first a big lesbian area. The Ogden Arms, then just a pub, was a prime meeting place. Now it is The Rembrandt, has a hotel, and is the favourite haunt of the leather and tattoo guys.
If you want to pay homage to its roots you should visit The Rembrandt, formerly the Ogden Arms, along with Napoleons, New York New York, Cruz 101 and The New Union as they were the beginning of the gay scene, when homophobic police raids were quite common.
Now the police have a more tolerant attitude and Canal Street is booming with pubs, clubs and restaurants, putting it on a par with London and Brighton. In fact some might say when it comes to clubbing, Manchester is the number 1 place to party. Some other bars of note are the Tribecca Bar and Bed, where the downstairs restaurant has full size beds, Cyotes and Vanilla cater to the lesbian crowd, though not exclusively, Spirit, Queer and Taurus are all worthy of a visit.
Manchester’s gay credentials are further enhanced by its annual Pride celebration, which is one of the best in Europe and that a survey by Diva magazine found the Manchester Metropolitan University is the most gay friendly university in the UK.
There are numerous gay friendly hotels in the Canal Street district, along with the new apartment hotels, which means that it is easy to visit from out of town, not that you will be doing much sleeping in this vibrant city, but it makes a good site for a holiday.
Manchester has so much to offer with its rich cultural heritage, particularly in music. Despite the Liverpool sound of the Beatles, Manchester had The Hollies, Herman’s Hermits and Freddy and the Dreamers who were big on both sides of the Atlantic. In fact the list of bands or musicians who have emanated from Manchester is long and illustrious such as The Smiths, Oasis, Elbow, Stone Roses, Joy Division/New Order, The Verve, Badly Drawn Boy etc., etc..
There is also an annual jazz festival plus the Hallé Orchestra and a thriving Opera scene.
Amongst the many art galleries is The Lowry, an amazing steel and glass building, rising over the old docks area, which displays the work of local hero LS Lowery along with other ventures catering for the visual and performing arts.
The theatre is thriving too, with many theatres showing a wide range of plays from the classics to the avant garde.
Manchester has its own International airport and good road and rail links, so it makes a good base if you want to visit Liverpool, the Lake District or Blackpool, which along with also having some great gay clubs, has a huge beach, the Blackpool Tower and some awesome roller coaster rides.
Sean C Lamb is a writer and photographer and is the web master of http://www.gayweddingessentials.com
Introduction
Vicenza is situated between Padova and Verona, in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It is known as the city of Palladio. The 16th century architect Palladio, who worked in the city, is one of the most influential architects of all time. It is one of the wealthiest cities in Italy.
Unique Points
Vicenza has one the highest concentrations of historic buildings of any Italian city. The influence of Palladio is significant in the city. His best known works include the Basillica, the Tetro Olimpico, the world’s oldest surviving indoor theatre, and the Villa Rotonda. However don’t be put off and think that this is just a city for architecture buffs. The city centre is fairly compact and it is a pleasure just to wander round and soak up the atmosphere. The city is also famous for goldsmiths who were first referred to in the city statutes in 1339. There are around 1000 local firms producing half of Italy’s goldware.
History
The town was declared a Roman municipability in 49 BC. It was referred to as the “mainland Venice” during Venetian rule between 15th and 18th century. It was occupied by the French in 1796 and the Austrians in 1797. In the period 1806 - 1813 it became part of the Italian state, then back to Austria before returning to the fold of a unified Italy in 1848. The city was the headquarters of the First Armed Gaurds in the First World War. The city was badly damaged by air raids during the Second World War, however it has been carefully restored to its former glory.
Getting there
Venice Marco Polo, Verona and Treviso are the nearest airports.
Vicenza is on the main rail line from Milan to Venice, so has a frequent train service.
It is easily accessible from the A4, the main Milan to Venice motorway. If you come by car, it would be better to find a hotel outside the city centre, as there are traffic restrictions around the city centre.
What to see
VIlla |Rotondo Palladio moved to Vicenza when he was 16. He was taken under the wing of Count Trissino, a great admirer of classical architecture. Trissimo even changed his protogees name from Della Gondola to Palladio in homage to the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Pallas Athene. Wealthy Venetians coveted residences in the quiet countryside as a refuge from Venice, and Palladio was able to service this need with the construction of his magnificent villas. The Bascilica was one of Palladio’s first major projects. His remit was to improve the old town hall. He achieved this by the addition of galleries around the buidling, open on one side supported by columns, known as loggia. The Palazzo Chiericati has been used as the civic museum since the 19th century. It houses an gallery dedicated to Vicentene artists. Teatro Olimpico was Palladio’s last project, completed after this death by his son and Scamozzi. Palladio once again sought inspiration from the classical period when he was commissioned to design a permanent home for theatrical performances. The Olimpico is the sole suriving Renassiance theatre in the world. It is still used for performances but only during the Summer as there is not heating in the building. T
The author and poet Anthony Fogazzaro was born in Vicenza. He originally trained and practised as a lawyer. His work focused on moral issues and the conflict between reason and faith. His best known book is the Patriot published in 1895.
The artist Tiepolo painted several frescoes at villas near Vicenza. Rich Venetians loved to have their villa walls adorned with colourful mythological scenes. The frescoes are unusual in that they were painted during the construction of the villa, rather than as a later addition.
Where to eat
Baccalla a la Vicentina, dried cod cooked in milk, is the best known dish of the region. There is a website listing restuarants which serve this speciality on their menu.
If you are looking for a fast cheap meal self service, Righetti (Piazza duomo 3, tel 0444 543135) is close to the cathedral. It is very popular with locals, always a good sign.
The Agli Schioppi is close to the historic centre and offers typical Veneto cuisine.
Day trips
Bassano de Grappo is a lovely small town around 35 kms north east of Vicenza.
Verona lies approximately 60 kilometres west of Vicenza. It is easy to reacH Veron by train from Vicenza.
Treviso is a beautiful small city lying 50 kilmetres west of Vicenza.
You can the full guide with photos and a selection of accommodation at http://www.europealacarte.co.uk/Italy/vicenza.html
Karen Bryan is a UK based independent travel consultant and writer. Her website Europe a la Carte, http://www.europealacarte.co.uk, features less well known destinations in Europe. Karen believes that if you venture even slighly off the beaten tourist track that you will see more of the real Europe.
With Valentine’s Day just a few short weeks away, are you considering a romantic break overseas? Looking forward to whisking your loved one away to another world for a weekend, or longer?
If so, then lucky you! Even in these troubled times, the world is a treasure trove of wonderful destinations guaranteed to make Valentine’s Day a special day to remember.
We must start with Paris, city of lovers, and the first choice for many when it comes to planning an intimate Valentine’s Day getaway.
After dark, Paris is known as the “City of Lights”, with it’s tree lined boulevards and cafes brilliantly illuminated, making a stroll down the Champs Elysee an enchanting experience. Sharing the view from the Eiffel Tower, or enjoying a candlelit dinner cruise on the river Seine……moments of pure romantic escapism!
Dinner and cabaret at the Moulin Rouge is regarded as an unmissable experience, but also consider the Paradis Latin nightclub, considered by the French themselves to have the best cabaret in the city.
Paris will provide you with many magical moments to treasure.
The Italians believe they invented love, so a visit to an Italian city for Valentine’s Day has to be a good choice!
After the recent floods, Venice is again keen to welcome visitors, and does anything conjure up a more romantic image than a gondola ride through the canals of the city?
Considered by the cynics among us to be over hyped and expensive, it is something you simply must do if you are in Venice with a loved one!
Away from the canals, Venice has a multitude of places to explore, old palaces, small intimate restaurants, and wonderfully romantic hotels.
The Italians do know how to celebrate love so they will make sure your Valentine’s Day will be extra special!
Want to consider something really different? Then it has to be Morocco.
Lying at the base of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is without doubt one of the most exotic and fascinating cities on the planet, with the added bonus of having excellent weather for Valentine’s Day!
It is like going back in time, with bustling souks and markets that don’t appear to have changed in hundreds of years, and snake charmers and street entertainers in the main square, Djemaa el Fna, the focal point of the city.
Be sure to take a carriage ride around the pink walls of the city at sunset. This is an absolutely magical experience that will make the 21st century temporarily disappear in a romantic haze!
Finally book a table for dinner at the La Foundouk restaurant, where you can eat on the outside terrace and enjoy the sights and sounds of this fabulous city.
Treat yourself and your loved one to a break in any of these great destinations, and you will have memories to cherish for the year ahead!
Patricia is a member of http://newbieplace.co.uk, the Internet Marketing resource centre for Real Beginners.
For more Travel hints and tips visit http://www.wizco.co.uk/travel/index.html
Whether or not you believe in astrology, thrive on adrenalin highs, think you are just born lucky or are scared of your own shadow, the hard reality is that we earth-bound mortals never know what is around the next corner. Making decisions based on your daily horoscope prediction could be very unwise. Who compensates you when the airline loses your luggage, or helps when your travel documents and cash are stolen in a foreign land? If that horoscope prediction for ‘a good day to travel‘ proves to be false and it turns into one disaster after another, who do you turn to - your astrologer or your travel insurer?
The Chinese tend to be superstitious and are very fond of their horoscope. In 2009 Barack Obama, born in the Year of the Ox, was elected as President of the United States in the Year of the Ox. The ox is a beast of burden, hard working and dependable with great strengths and qualities of leadership. The ox can become so caught up in important matters that he may neglect to take care of life’s mundane chores and leave it to others to worry about matters like insurance. His wife Michelle, a Rabbit, is the perfect match and likely to be the one to take care of details. President Obama was born on August 4, 1961 under the star sign Leo, symbolised by the lion - born leaders of men - as well as king of the beasts. Those born under the sign of Leo are said to be ruled by their spine and can be prone to back problems. Who is going to pay for the cancelled trip if a Leo becomes bedridden with excruciating back pain, or requires an air ambulance to fly him home from his holiday? A Leo definitely needs travel insurance!
Twelve years ago, in 1997, during the last Year of the Ox, Tony Blair was elected for his first term as Prime Minister. He is a Snake in Chinese Astrology. Snakes are said to be deep thinkers, wise and intuitive, but with a tendency to be lazy and a love of affluence. They are also said to be loners and not easily trusting of others, so are unlikely to leave their fate in the hands of the gods. The best partner for a snake is an Ox, Rooster or Dragon (Cherie is a Horse). Other famous snakes include Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy. Tony Blair was born on May 6, 1953 under the Star Sign Taurus, symbolised by the bull. Bulls are noted for their love of the good life, food, wine and excess. They are willing to work hard, however, to reap their material rewards. With such a love of the good life, Snakes and Bulls definitely need to put down the champagne glass long enough to take out travel insurance and cover their valuable assets and exotic travels.
Former President George W. Bush was born on July 6, 1946 as a Dog in Chinese Astrology. A Dog is said to be a fairly uncomplicated type, friendly to humans, attached to home, family, and physical and emotional safety. They are also said to be great worriers - so are unlikely to leave anything to chance or go on a trip without making sure their travel insurance is in place. Many Chinese consider Poodles to be especially lucky dogs. Other famous Dogs include Bill Clinton and Sir Winston Churchill. Dubya’s star sign is Cancer - a water sign symbolised by the crab. Crabs may have formidable claws and a tough shell but still need the protection of travel insurance for their water and land-based activities when on holiday.
The mouse is one creature absent from the Chinese horoscope yet, according to Robert Burns, ‘The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry’. He had a point there. Do you know your star sign or animal? Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? No matter what sign you are it is never a good idea to leave your luck to a horoscope prediction. Whether or not you believe in astrology, or just read the horoscope for fun with your morning coffee, this is one time to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and your head out of the stars. No matter how accurate your horoscope may appear to be, will it really predict when disaster is about to strike? What would you do if you found yourself in need of a helping hand in a foreign land, miles from your daily horoscope? Would you call an astrologer - or the 24-hour assistance number provided under your travel insurance policy?
Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for Travel Insurance Agencies Ltd who offer great deals on Travel Insurance and Ski Insurance.
Value for money, a co-operative, skilled and enthusiastic workforce keen to see investors doing well, have combined to make Northern Ireland an attractive option for both public and private sector relocations. Its an equalling appealing choice for the kind of internationally mobile, high skills level individuals who are considering a move.
This region, once marred by its history of political instability and violence, is developing a new designer appeal. It is starting to draw in the kind of internationally mobile, high skill level businesses and entrepreneurs with whom it seeks to build a more positive future.
Invest Northern Ireland, the local enterprise agency, points out that it has helped to secure annual investments of over £150 million, well above the level one might expect for a population of just 1.7 million people. Its a persuasive combination which has encouraged many investors such as Halifax, Regus, Prudential and a network of national government benefits offices to establish and grow significant back office operations in the region.
Why has it been so successful? One very clear reason is the price of prime office space. In Belfast, the rental figure is just £12.50/$24 per square foot against, for example, Glasgows £22/$41 or Birminghams £28/$52. Wages, too, are lower by about nine per cent on average and Watson Wyatt research reveals that a senior programmer costing $120,000 in New York or San Francisco and $105,000 in London will cost just $70,000 in Belfast.
For young graduates, the gap may be as much as 29 per cent while for more senior staff, it may be even wider. From the perspective of incoming labour, this is not necessarily a disincentive since the cost of property, telecoms and travel are lower while the quality of life is excellent.
Operating costs and sick leave absence run at lower levels too. Northern Ireland also enjoys an excellent historic record in industrial relations terms with strikes and associated activities a rarity.
Public sector incentives are providing appropriate training and incoming companies can anticipate considerable support in up-skilling staff through the Training and Employment Agency.
In a world where the quality of the labour force is becoming ever more important, Northern Ireland excels. The workforce is younger than the rest of the UK with almost 60 per cent under the age of 40 and the exceptionally high standards in the education system provide a strong pool of available talent. Northern Ireland’s schools boast a higher level of university entrance than anywhere else in the UK with over 60 per cent of school leavers achieving two A levels at grades A to C.
Innovation, education and dynamism are the key strengths. There two major universities spread across several campuses from Belfast to Londonderry and Coleraine. The Queens University of Belfast is much older and one of the original four universities on the island designed by the Belfast-born architect Sir Charles Lanyon in 1845. Its intention then was to encourage higher education for Catholics and Presbyterians as a counterpart to Trinity College in Dublin. Now it is a centre of excellence in both the Arts and Science as well as new technology and cutting-edge computer development.
The University of Ulster grew out of the Ulster Polytechnic, established back in the 1970s, and now has a superb reputation across the fields of business and new technology.
Both institutions have globally recognised research centres across a whole range of disciplines, and both are spinning out products, services and inventions for which there is a keen commercial market. They are aggressively capitalising on these opportunities.
Technology transfer is now the key driver when it comes to relocation: knowledge based sectors accounted for 76 per cent of all foreign direct investment last year. Call centres and contact centres are flourishing - global blue chip names such as Microsoft, Oracle and Yell have a presence, and other world class companies are present in sectors such as engineering, health technology and aerospace.
Another key sector earmarked for further growth is tourism. An end to ongoing political violence has provided a boost for an industry that struggled seriously under the pressure of relentless news reports depicting bombs, shootings and street violence. Yet Northern Ireland has a wonderful array of coast and country, city and hamlet, mountains and lakes.
The re-emergence of tourism has once again opened up Northern Ireland to the world. Visitors are amazed by the variety of its beauty, from the Glens of Antrim to the Fermanagh Lakelands so beautifully depicted in the art of TP Flanagan. There is the fabulous walking and climbing of the peaks of the Mourne Mountains spread across County Down and made iconic in that traditional song by Percy French, Oh Mary this Londons a wonderful sight, With people here working by day and by night but for all that I found there, I might as well be where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea. A significant number of decisions on relocation have been taken after senior executives of companies have come to see the quality of life for themselves.
Business infrastructure is also excellent. Any knowledge economy relies on telecommunications as its backbone, and Northern Ireland can now boast 100 per cent broadband coverage. Across the border in the Republic, telephone services are still seen as being second class. This is true much more in the perception than in the reality, but old habits die hard and the fact that Northern Ireland is now universally wired for online access gives it a distinct business advantage.
Of course, not everything in the garden is rosy. Communications between north and south are good - the trip from Belfast to Dublin takes only two hours or so by road and there are trains every half hour - and the Republic has become an economic powerhouse in recent years. Blue chip names which have invested south of the border include Microsoft, Google and Dell, and the Dublin government provides incentives such as a low rate of corporation tax, which the north, with tax rates set by the UK Treasury, simply cannot match. The Republic is also in the Eurozone which is seen by inward investors as a distinct advantage, not least because it virtually eliminates transaction costs.
Faced with these challenges, Northern Ireland has become more determined to succeed. There is better co-operation between north and south now, particularly in areas such as technology and tourism and pragmatism sometimes dictates an all-Ireland approach is most appropriate.
The island of Ireland has tended to be perceived, like Scotland, as peripheral to Europe. Its an unfair perception since there are good air connections from Belfast and Dublin plus of course frequent ferry connections across the Channel and to the UK mainland. Destinations throughout Europe and direct flights to the States make Ireland no more difficult than anywhere in the UK to travel to and from.
in relative terms, Northern Ireland is quite a small area, accounting for about a sixth of the whole island or 14,139 sq km. Its diminutive size brings with it certain advantages - there is less traffic and less congestion, for instance, as well as more open areas and unspoilt country and coast. Roads are good, the residential property market is booming but still affordable and the range of leisure and shopping options is excellent.
Add in generous levels of financial assistance, a pro business climate and a committed population determined to achieve success, and it’s easy to see why it’s a good place to locate a business.
[CASE STUDY]
Citigroup
The worlds largest financial services company, Citigroup, set up a technology centre of excellence in Belfast just over a year ago. It will create up to 375 jobs and contribute some £65 million to the local economy over the first five years.
Bill Mills, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroups Global Corporate and Investment Bank, said: Citigroup has ambitious growth plans which depend on developing the technology platforms supporting each of our business areas. The Belfast Centre will play a significant role in this, enhancing our cost competitive position and offering us the opportunity to grow resource levels quickly.
Citigroup brings together banking, insurance, and investments under one umbrella, employing 275,000 and managing 200 million customer accounts across six continents in more than 100 countries.
As well as creating high value jobs the investment will introduce new investment banking technology and skills to Northern Ireland strengthening the regions attraction for other potential inward investors.
Invest Northern Ireland will contribute over £7.6 million towards the investment.
Leslie Morrison, chief executive of Invest NI, described the investment as a significant affirmation of Northern Irelands capability. The establishment of a technology centre of excellence fits very well with Invest Northern Irelands focus on developing the software and financial services sectors and encouraging R
The biggest and best of all the themed limousines has to be the superb Party Bus limousine. Very popular for hen nights, school proms, birthdays and even weddings; this astounding limo can hold up to 28 people in some cases. Limo hire London has got the biggest at 28, with limo hire Birmingham having the 16 seater version. All the Party Bus limos have excellent extras inside them including karaoke machines, smoke machines, bubble machines, touch screen music systems, on tap bar facilities, poker dens, playboy dens, dance pole, colour changing disco ceiling, strobe lighting, fibre optics and even a courier service to bring your drinks to you.
There are a vast range of different themes to the Party Bus limos throughout the UK; this can include the Pink Panther Party Bus, the New York Party Bus, the Simpson Party Bus and many more. In some cases the Party Bus limos is not actually a bus at all but a converted van. Always been aware of the limousine you are renting, if the limo is advertised as a Party Bus make sure it is the one you want as it could be a van.
Some of the Party Vans are very good such as the Simpsons Party Van, equipped with sweet machines and DVD players blasting out episodes of the Simpsons. But if you want a real Party Bus then the Pink Panther Party Bus, New York Party Bus and the black Party Limo Coach have to be the ones to go for.
Limotek.co.uk limo hire - providers of limo hire to all areas of the UK including limo hire London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Liverpool.