Best day trips from Victoria Station.

Victoria Station is the gateway to London for millions of visitors every year. With its rail connection to Gatwick International Airport, the station receives close to 75 million passengers each and every year. Opened in 1860, it has been a vital part of the British capital transportation infrastructure ever since.

Photo credit: Lottie Griffiths on Unsplash.

Victoria Station has great connections to London's public transportation infrastructure, including the London Underground. But it's also a major rail station serving numerous cities throughout the UK, especially in the south of England. Plus, with Victoria Coach Station right across the street, it's possible to reach almost anywhere in the UK from this well-used station.

Drop off your bags at a Victoria station luggage storage, and you'll be able to pick from an astonishing range of destinations such as Bordeaux city break in France. The truth is, whatever you like to do on vacation, chances are good you can do it from here.

Photo credit: Peter Mason on Unsplash.

Dover

The first stop on our list of day trips from Victoria Station is the port city of Dover. It's just over an hour away by train, making it a perfect option for those who want to get out of London for the day without having to travel too far.

As the closest point to continental Europe, Dover has been a strategic location since Roman times. Today, it's best known as a gateway to the continent, with regular ferry service across the English Channel to Calais, France.

But there's more to Dover than just its ferries. The city is home to an impressive castle that was once used as a garrison by the famous Duke of Wellington. The castle grounds offer stunning views of the white cliffs for which Dover is famous.

There's also a lovely historic district with cobbled streets and quaint shops. Or you can simply enjoy a pleasant walk along the seafront promenade. Dover is surrounded by some of the most stunning natural scenery in England, and a walk along the white chalk cliffs is an experience you won't soon forget. That makes this a great trip for nature lovers and hikers as well as those with an interest in history or people who just want a day by the sea.

Canterbury

If you're looking for a day trip from Victoria Station with a bit more of a historic bend, then Canterbury is the perfect destination. Just over an hour away by train, this city was once the capital of England and is home to one of the oldest and most famous cathedrals in the world. The Canterbury Cathedral was founded in 597 AD and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK. It's also a World Heritage Site, and its Gothic architecture is truly stunning.

But there's more to Canterbury than just its cathedral. The city is steeped in history, with Roman ruins, medieval buildings, and picturesque cobbled streets. There's also a lively university town atmosphere, with plenty of cafes, shops, and things to do.

Whether you're interested in history or architecture, or simply want to explore a beautiful and charming English city, Canterbury is well worth a visit.

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Brighton

If you're looking for a day trip with a bit of everything, then Brighton is the perfect destination. Just over an hour from Victoria Station by train, this seaside resort town has something for everyone.

Brighton is best known for its lively seaside atmosphere. The beachfront promenade is lined with hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops, and there's always something going on. The town also has a large pier with rides and games as well as an aquarium.

The city also has a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries, museums, and theaters. There's also a lively nightlife scene, with plenty of bars and clubs to keep you entertained into the wee hours.

Whether you're looking to relax by the sea, enjoy some culture, or party the night away, Brighton is the perfect day trip destination from Victoria Station.

Epsom Downs

Fancy day at the races? Then head to Epsom Downs, one of the most popular horse racing venues in the UK. It's just a short train ride from Victoria Station, and there are races almost every day from April to October.

Epsom Downs is best known for the Derby, which is held here every June and is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. But there are also races throughout the year, including the Oaks (held in May), the Fillies' Mile (September), and many more. Even if you're not interested in horse racing, Epsom Downs is worth a visit for its stunning views. The Downs offer panoramic views of London, and on a clear day, you can see all the way to Windsor Castle.

Photo credit: Richard Brooker-Protheroe on Unsplash.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a historic city with a strong maritime heritage. It's home to the famous Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which is the largest of its kind in the world. The Dockyard is home to several historic ships, including HMS Victory (the ship that Lord Nelson commanded at the Battle of Trafalgar) and HMS Warrior (the world's first iron-hulled warship).

The Dockyard is just one of the many historic attractions in Portsmouth. The city is also home to numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters. And if you're a fan of shopping, then you'll find plenty of shops to keep you busy.

Portsmouth is also a great place for foodies, with lots of restaurants, cafes, and pubs to choose from. And, of course, no visit to Portsmouth would be complete without a trip to the seaside.

Whether you're interested in history, shopping, or simply want to enjoy a day by the sea, Portsmouth is well worth a visit.

Eastbourne

Eastbourne is a popular seaside resort town located on the south coast of England. It's just over an hour from Victoria Station by train, and it's the perfect place to enjoy a day by the sea.

The town’s charming seafront is fun to walk around and the beach views are lovely. Make sure to check out the 1930’s era bandstand. The town is also home to several museums, including the Towner Art Gallery that showcases modern British pieces. Don’t miss a trip to the Redoubt Fortress nearby. Built during the Napoleonic Wars, this military-themes gallery, museum, and theater has something for everyone.

Conclusion

So there you have it – six of the best day trips from Victoria Station. Whether you're interested in history, the arts, or just want to relax by the sea, there's sure to be something for you. Bon voyage!

High Season Luxury Travel Tips.

Booking luxury vacations to exotic locations in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Europe at a bargain price is possible. It keeps happening quite often but so many do not actually know how this is done. The secret is basically to know exactly what should be done to find discounts and bargains. Most travelers have commitments that they cannot get out of like school or work. Avoiding them is definitely a great idea but there are many other things that can be done.

Photo credit: London Perfect.

Avoid the hot travel months.
June, July and August are the most common travel months. You want to avoid them since they are almost always high season for the luxury vacations. Children do not have to go to school, weather is wonderful, and you can get rest and relaxation from work. The problem is that in most countries the school breaks happen at the exact same time. Hotel and airlines know that this happens and will always charge much higher prices. Prices are particularly high in Europe. You will want to put off the vacation or try to go on a vacation earlier. This can actually help you to save thousands. May and April are so much cheaper than July and June.

Avoiding international travel.
When we talk about luxury vacations we normally think about some exotic overseas destinations. They can be incredibly expensive. Instead of doing this, you can consider luxurious options that are located in the country where you reside. For instance, if you live in USA, people recommend this Miami fishing charter. You surely know about travelling to Las Vegas. The domestic flights will be really cheap and you can find some pretty incredible local deals if you just allow yourself enough time to search. When planning your next vacation, consider internal luxurious trips. You will be surprised to see how many great deals you can find right in the country where you live.

Proper budgeting.
If you want luxury vacations and you travel during the high seasons, never expect to pay a low season price. Prices are normally going to be a lot higher than you would expect simply because it is high season. That automatically means that an international trip will cost you more by at least $1,500. The 3 star hotels and resorts located in important tourist areas will expect you to pay the five star prices. The luxury resorts and hotels will be so much more expensive than what most people can afford. Because of this, you want to be sure you know exactly how much money you have available and you need to take advantage of the available early booking discounts, even when you travel during the high season.

On the whole, it is not that difficult to save money and afford some of the luxurious opportunities out there. Just be sure that you book in advance, research the deals available and seriously consider the possibility of travelling outside the high season months. Research is what helps you to be able to afford luxury travelling at great bargain prices.

Globe goes global with new international SIMs!

Great news for OFW families and Filipinos traveling abroad!

As more Filipinos fly to Europe, Globe Telecom continues to find ways for them to stay connected to their homeland by introducing in Italy and the United Kingdom (UK) its newest international SIMs with affordable call, text and surfing rates.

Globe local Italy SIM.

With the Globe local Italy SIM, Filipino travelers can keep in touch with loved ones back home using local rates. For just 10 euros or Php 620, subscribers are allocated with 1GB of mobile data, along with 240 minutes of calls to all networks in Italy, valid for 30 days. Using the Globe local Italy SIM, they can also call Globe and TM subscribers in the Philippines for only seven euro cents or Php 4.50 per minute. No other mobile operator in Italy offers these affordable rates.

Globe local UK SIM.

Meanwhile, Filipinos in the UK can enjoy 10 pence or just Php 7.50 for both calls and texts to Globe and also TM users in the Philippines to all networks in the UK. Mobile data costs only £1 (one UK pound) or P75 for 10 megabytes (MB) of data to power a two-minute video stream, 10 emails with attachments and 100 posts on their social networking accounts.

The Globe International SIMs are available at the Globe booths at the departure areas of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The SIMs can also be used with an open line handset. For more information, visit ukglobetel.com and globemobile.it.

Could happiness be just the thing to put a spring in the elderly’s step?

If you ask anyone of any age what they really want from life, the answer is likely to be 'happiness'.

And it seems that many Brits are well on their way to achieving this blissful state with recent research from the Office for National Statistics revealing that the average Brit rated their life satisfaction at 7.3 out of 10. This puts Britain in eighth place as the happiest place to live in the ranking of 27 countries in the European Union and also places it ahead of countries such as France, Germany and Italy.

Oxford Street in London.

The state of happiness is associated with a number of benefits for overall health and well-being, including helping to guard against conditions such as heart disease.

And the good news is that the benefits that happiness can provide aren’t limited to one particular age group. In fact scientists believe that being happy could be the key to staying healthy in your latter years.

Researchers at the University College of London have found that those people that enjoy life end up being happier and more physically active when they get older. Conversely those who were unhappy were at risk of a whole host of health and mobility issues. This group were also twice as likely to end up suffering more serious conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and arthritis.

The study of 3,200 people over the age of 60 found that happy pensioners didn’t have as much trouble carrying out daily tasks, such as getting out of bed, getting dressed or showering. The researchers also found that people that are happier throughout their lives do not decline in physical function as quickly.

Reaching later life
The research offers a ray of hope to those who are looking to take a proactive approach to their health as they age, and indicates that just having a real zest for life could put a spring your step as you enter your twilight years.

Whether you are 15 or 50 years old, it’s never too late to start making changes. Doing something different, such as joining a club, starting a new sport or travelling more could all have a huge impact on your quality of life later on.

Implementing even the smallest of changes whether you are in your 60s, 70s or 80s, such as those outlined by Action for Happiness, could all contribute to a happier, healthier new you – whatever your age. 

Homelift.

Increasing the amount of physical activity you do, as well as enjoying everything that life has to bring could have untold benefits for your well-being. Mobility aids such as home lifts from Stannah, could also help to ensure that you still have the energy to remain active and are able to move around your home freely. 

Ultimately, maintaining a positive attitude, making small changes to your lifestyle and getting the right support for your needs could all help to set you on the path to happiness and independence as you age. You never know, 60 could indeed be the new 30!