Uncover London’s Signature Sporting Event at the Iconic Wimbledon Championships

Tipped to be the most coveted sporting events in the British calendar the grass lawn Grand Slam that is Wimbledon is no ordinary summer tennis tournament in merry old England. Holding the distinct honour of being the oldest tennis competition in the globe the Wimbledon Championships as it’s officially known is also the most prestigious tennis event of the calendar year. Often compared to the Olympics due to its rich history and grand traditions, winning a trophy at this iconic event is the dream of many a tennis player regardless of nationality and age. As the only major Grand Slam that is played on grass courts Wimbledon differs from the three other majors in the tennis year, the Australian Open, US Open and the clay court Roland Garros tournament also known as the French Open.

The 2014 installment of this renowned championship will be the 137th in the event’s history as the first tournament was organized by the All England Club which still hosts the competition, as far back as 1877. Conducted in the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club the contest includes men’s, women’s and doubles contests, taking place across two weeks during the latter half June and the first weeks of July. As the only tournament in which the game is played on the original surface of what was then known as “lawn tennis” Wimbledon is considered the most challenging of the four Grand Slams.

Complete with a strict dress code for players, tennis games at Wimbledon are also synonymous with royal patronage and attendance as well as the consumption of strawberries and cream by on-looking fans.

The reigning champion this year is none other than Britain’s own Andy Murray who claimed the title for its native country after a drought of decades in which the championship was won by tennis greats from other nationalities including U.S’s Pete Sampras and Switzerland’s Roger Federer who both secured the men’s singles title a record seven times.

Boasting the largest prize money for a tennis tournament the Wimbledon championships dispended a whopping total of £22,560,000 in 2013. The 2014 contest is due to kick off on the 23rd of June,2014 and the tournament will conclude on the 6th of July crowning new men’s, women’s and doubles champions.

Travellers on the lookout for luxury 4 star UK hotels should look no further than the elegant rests of the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK group. Offering guests a variety of UK hotel specials for business and leisure travel this reputed name in the hospitality industry pulls out all the stops when it comes to unforgettable holidays in England.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Witness the World’s Finest Set Sail at the Annual Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta

Regarded as one of the most coveted sailing competitions in the world, the Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta is a world class event conducted in the scenic surroundings some of Britain’s most iconic waterways. Organized annually the open contest is a joint venture by Royal Greenwich, Cornwall, Falmouth and London and one of the few competitions in the world that takes places exclusively on English waters. The three day event in Falmouth welcomes more than 40 sail training vessels that hail from various countries around the globe while the town will also come alive with activities and shore side events associated with this yearly contest.

Due to take place from the 28th to the 31st of August, 2014 the parade route of this year’s Tall Ships Regatta takes the breathtaking sailing vessels across some of the most stunning landscapes of the British Isles. Starting their journey on 31st August the ships will sail the calm waters between the St.Mawes and Pendennis castles which were Tudor residences of none other than Henry the VIII. The Parade of Sail will then continue on to the starting line located at iconic Falmouth Bat where they will set off eastward towards the finish line located near the famed Isle of Wight. The participating sailing vessels will then head on to the British capital London where they will sail across the iconic River Thames to the final port in Royal Greenwich. Local celebrations continue on for 5 days after the arrival at Royal Greenwich in a community festival like no other.

The Tall Ships will occupy Falmouth from 28to 31st August while the race for the finish line takes place from the 31st of August to September 2nd. The cruise then follows from the 3rd-5th September with the Royal Greenwich portion of the regatta taking place from 5th to 9th September.

Festivities held in conjunction with the Falmouth Tall Ships Regatta include live musical performances and art showcases. Street theatre events and dance performances are also organized at the town festival which also markets maritime and nautical themed souvenirs and keepsakes.

Travellers in search of the best UK hotel specials available this season should loot to the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK for the most advantageous deals in town. Providing guests with a range of 4 star UK hotels across the country this renowned name in global hospitality pulls out all the stops when it comes to luxurious vacations.

 

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.Google+

FA Cup Final – The Grandest Stage in English Football

Football is a sport that connects communities and countries and is seen as one of the more engaging sports in the world. From the FIFA World Cup to the UEFA Champions League which sees the cream of football’s giants gather to showcase their skills, football has etched its presence as a global language that continues to draw in hordes of passionate followers. English football for that matter is held in high regard as it never fails to enthral viewers who eagerly await the dawn of every new season.

The FA Cup is rated as the oldest football cup competition in the world and has seen the ‘underdog’ triumph on many an occasion over the more illustrious and rampaging teams. Evidence of this fact was revealed at last year’s final where Wigan Athletic secured a 1-0 win over their much fancied opponents, Manchester City. The event which was first played in the 1871-72 season has now entered its 133rd year and will no doubt aim to emulate the feats of the past where wonder goals were scored, tackles made, penalties saved and a whole lot more.

This year’s final is scheduled to take place on the 17th of May 2014 at the new Wembley Stadium and will be sponsored by Budweiser. Currently the round robin matches are being contested by teams in the Barclays Premier League and all those in the lower tiers of English football. In order to catch the magic of this showpiece event, booking your tickets early would ensure that you do not miss out on the thrills and spills that are sure to surround the Grand Final.

With leading names tipped to take their places in the knockout stages of the competition, fans are in for a right royal treat of dazzling football within the cauldron of Wembley Stadium. So if you are thinking of heading over to England during this period, make sure to lookout for 4 star UK hotels to stay in. Offering pleasing accommodation and great sightseeing opportunities, any property of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK would be the best bet. In addition to UK hotel specials, these abodes are known for unsurpassed luxury and memorable getaways.

Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Free Spirit. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.

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Y Prog Festival, Sheffield – A Thrilling Weekend Of Rock And Roll

Rock music has always been a special genre of music that a certain crowd enjoys, and since the 60s, there has been a significant rise in the number of people who appreciate rock music. Rock music is now more varied than before; it has branched out into several categories like classic rock, alternative rock, hard rock and heavy metal. Much of the appeal for rock music lies in the dissenting nature of rock lyrics and rock musicians. Usually rock groups are declaring a war against lies, injustice, norms and conformity to societal roles.

This draws the attention of listeners who are unsatisfied with what they experience in life and the disappointments they have had to face. The modern world is complex and increasingly confusing and at times when nothing really makes sense rock music helps us cope with it. There are several mainstream rock bands which we all have had the opportunity to listen to if we tune in to a rock radio station. However, the other bands that don’t really make headlines are generally the voices that are unheard.

The Y Prog festival was organized to give voice to those bands that we don’t get the opportunity to listen to. Progressive rock, which is what Prog really stands for, is a subgenre of rock music that is aimed at bringing in more musicality to rock songs. Prog emerged in UK and it is a type of rock music that combines jazz and classical music in its compositions. It places an emphasis on the musical elements of a rock song and is considered to be more sophisticated than regular rock music. Prog rock is mostly experimental, as Prog rock musicians dapple with new forms of music and instruments to produce something out of the ordinary. Prog rock like most rock music is criticized and people don’t really pay much attention to it since it barely gets any airtime on popular music shows. So if you want a taste of rock music that is different, then the Prog Rock festival in Sheffield is the place to go to.

The Prog festival in Sheffield has grown in popularity and there’s a large crowd of people from across the world that come to listen to the bands play. Since there are a lot of people in Sheffield at the time you should make arrangements for your accommodation beforehand. 4 star UK hotels offer the best deals for rooms and if you want to enjoy a luxurious vacation you should book a room in one of them. There are several UK hotel specials offered for rock music fans who want to attend the festival so be sure to check them out. For great rooms, customer service, and fabulous deals, check out the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK.

 

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Manchester Pride 2013 – A Colourful Celebration

The Manchester Pride is an annual festival that celebrates gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual life. The festival has been held for many years, although it only started to gather steam in 2003. Since then, the event has raised over one million pounds for a variety of charitable causes. It is a fun, energetic event and all those who happen to be in the region should try to attend it.

In 2013, the festival will last eight days. As usual, the annual event will feature the Big Weekend and a colourful parade (on the twenty fourth of August). One need not purchase tickets to watch the parade as it is open to everyone. This year’s parade theme is ‘Acceptable in the 80s?’, and will focus on LGBT rights and HIV activism as well as the decade’s iconic films, fashions, television and music. One can check out a parade route map on the event’s official website to find the best places to view the show. Those interested can even apply to take part in the parade itself, regardless of orientation.

The Big Weekend will last five days from the twenty third to the twenty sixth of August. The weekend will be jam-packed with parties and musical events. On these days, visitors will be able to enjoy the hottest DJs and the most popular musicians on the planet. Taking place at Manchester’s Gay Village, the Big Weekend is the long and exhilarating climax to the Manchester Pride. The Gay Village is renowned for its nightclubs and bars, and all party lovers are sure to enjoy the energetic vibe here.

Those planning a tour around the UK should consider acquiring accommodation at a renowned hotel chain such as the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK. Not only does this assure the same facilities and standard of service, it also gives travellers something familiar to look forward to in a new place. Their chain of 4 star UK hotels come with all the latest modern amenities and boast central locations, reducing the distances that guests have to travel. One can also take advantage of the UK hotel specials found on their website to make the most of one’s vacation.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+

The Coronation Festival – The Investiture Jubilee

Six decades ago, a young, enthusiastic and vibrant member of the royal house ascended the throne and continued as the monarch, watching her children and grandchildren grow up and prepare themselves to become rulers of the most celebrated imperial family. This year, the Buckingham Palace, the home of Queen Elizabeth, who celebrates sixty years of being at the helm, will open its doors to the public and convert its grounds to a dais upon which the United Kingdom portrays its originality and uniqueness to the world.

The Coronation Festival 2013 is scheduled to take place from the 11th to the 14th of Julyand will be the epitome of British flair, local artistry, handicrafts and quintessential cuisine. This festival will showcase the advancements in British technology over the last sixty years, the excellent interior and home designing styles of the British, live demonstrations of the British culinary arts, music and dance. Those present will also be able to learn about QEST, the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, which propagates local crafts with both modern panache and ancient intricacy.

Visitors can purchase day tickets and stroll through the sprawling grounds, observing the exhibits, basking in the beauty of the lush greenery and intimating themselves with the lesser known facts of England and the royal family. However, those who wish to watch some classical music, theatrics and dance performances should choose to procure tickets for, what is known as the ‘Evening Gala’, which is on from 6.00 pm. Local artists Laura Wright, Katherine Jenkins, the national youth orchestra and even international soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will perform at the Buckingham Palace Gardens promising an unforgettable evening of entertainment for young and old alike.

This absolutely special occasion in the Buckingham Palace has made all the 4 star UK hotels put on their thinking caps and initiate some amazing deals. Be sure to check on the UK hotel specials before you hop on board an aircraft and make your way to the royal house in time for the pomp and pageantry. Opting for majestic abodes such as those offered by Millennium and Copthorne Hotels UK would be an ideal way to celebrate this regal event.

City Of London Festival 2013 – A Celebration of London Culture

The City of London Festival, one of the UK’s premier art events, was first held in 1962 to rejuvenate the English capital’s cultural life. The grand festival is held every summer at high profile destinations throughout the city and lasts about twenty one days. Featuring an eclectic line up, many of the festival events are free to the public. The sheer diversity of events ensures that one will definitely find something interesting. The festival is a celebration of the city and is one of the biggest events on the calendar so tourists in London this summer should definitely try to stop by.

The 2013 edition of the City of London Festival will take place between the 23rd of June and the 26th of July. The three themes for this year’s festival are trees, with sustainability being highlighted at major events; city walls, a look at famous walled cities; and conflict resolution. The programming for the festival is highly eclectic. It will feature concert performances by renowned artists as well as the London Symphony Orchestra; lectures and debates that revolve around the main themes; and a mobile orchard- a moving orchard featuring real and artificial trees that will go around the city.

Just like the past few years, the festival in 2013 will feature over a hundred free events. The top free events include the Blue Trees, an art installation by Konstantin Dimopoulos; Peacock Angell, a musical performance inspired by everyday life; an organ recital by James Vivian; and Urban Picnic, which will take place at Finsbury Avenue Square. The list of venues this year will include London landmarks like the Bank of England Museum, the Festival Garden, Guildhall Art Gallery, Canada Square Park and Devonshire Square.

Tourists planning on visiting London for the festival should book their accommodation well in advance as they tend to fill up pretty fast. The Millennium & Copthorne Hotels UK is a good place to try. They operate a chain of 4 star UK hotels and they all come with all the latest modern amenities. Those interested can visit their website to take advantage of their UK hotel specials.