The Real Jurassic Park
Many of us will have seen Jurassic Park, the popular film in which an entrepreneur attempted to set up a dinosaur theme park. Away from the fiction, you could take a trip to find out what the Jurassic period was really like.
There's an area on the south coast of England that is known as the Jurassic Coast. Covering some 95 miles of coastline, stretching from Dorset to Devon, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the UK's lesser known gems.
This area has been given its name as a result of the age of the geology in the area. There are exposed rocks that date back some 250 million years - indeed, strictly speaking, they even pre-date the Jurassic geological period.
With such astounding geology on view, visitors will find that the scenery in this part of the UK is spectacular. The land has been shaped by millions of years of natural activity, with the forces of the Earth twisting and changing the landscape.
Today, the Jurassic Coast is known for its wonderful coastal scenes, with dramatic cliffs and rocks providing some great views. The region is perfect for those who enjoy walking, making the most of leisure time and discovering some of the country's most unspoilt landscapes.
Of course, one of the aspects that really attracts visitors to the Jurassic Coast is the thought of finding fossils. Many of the beaches and rocks in the area contain numerous potential finds for fossil hunters, including the famous fossil forest at Lulworth.
Local fossil finds have included various dinosaur parts, with exhibitions being available to help the dinosaurs come back to life for younger visitors.
The coast can be reached in less than 2 hours from London by car.
If you are interested in visiting the Jurassic Coast and are travelling from elsewhere in Europe, then you'll find that the airports at Bournemouth and Southampton are perfect, with the coastline being approximately an hour's drive from Southampton Airport (and considerably less from Bournemouth).
This is an area that is popular with so many visitors from different parts of the world.
Keith Barrett has written about all aspects of England, from Southampton Car Parking to national tourism. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.
How to save time at Gatwick airport this summer
As the school holidays are about to start and the masses flock to the airports in search of the sun, air passengers this summer are about to face up to the latest security measures designed to keep our airports safe. With the heightened security in the aftermath of the attack on Glasgow airport, air passengers are expected to encounter long queues and delays this summer.So what can you do to minimise your delays and the impact it will have on your family this summer? By following the advice below you should minimise your transit time through the airport and arrive at your destination relaxed enough to start enjoying your holiday immediately.
Travelling with children
If you are travelling with children (http://www.gatwickinformation.co.uk/gatwick-airport-BYL-travelling-young-children.php), make sure they have enough to keep them entertained if you do need to queue – books, comics or magazines and paper and colouring pencils generally work well. Make sure you have a drink and snacks available, however, you should bear in mind that due to restrictions in liquids these will need to be disposed of before you pass through security.
Advance check-in Check-in in advance - some airlines offer on-line check-in (http://www.gatwickinformation.co.uk/gatwick-airport-INF-information-online-checkin.php) up to a day in advance and by printing your own boarding passes you can save loads of time at the airport.
Hand luggage restrictions.
Be aware of the a latest airport security restrictions (http://www.gatwickinformation.co.uk/gatwick-airport-INF-information-security.php) passengers are permitted to carry ONE item of hand baggage each, no larger than 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 17.7 x 10 inches) including wheels, handles and outside pockets. Be aware that these dimensions are the maximum size you are allowed to carry - some airlines specify smaller hand luggage sizes and it is always advisable to check with your
airline. Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried but must fit within the single item of cabin baggage.
A laptop, if carried, must fit within the one item of hand baggage, or if carried separately will be regarded as the one piece of cabin baggage. Remember any gifts carried as hand luggage must be unwrapped and must fit within your one bag entitlement.
Restrictions on liquids.
Make sure you are aware of the hand luggage liquid restrictions (http://www.gatwickinformation.co.uk/gatwick-airport-INF-information-security.php) – in excess of five tons of liquids and gels are confiscated at the UK airports every day due to ignorance of the restrictions imposed last year.Liquids, gels and aerosols can only be carried in individual 100ml containers (larger containers, even if only partially full, will be confiscated) and should fit comfortably in a transparent, re-sealable bag measuring a maximum of 20cm by 20cm, with a capacity of no more than a litre. Where possible, it is advisable to put all liquids, such as water, drinks, creams, sprays, pastes and gels, in your check-in luggage. Don’t forget liquids
include all drinks, perfumes, mascara, liquid foundation, spray deodorants, toothpaste, hair and shower gel and sun cream.
Any questions connected with cabin baggage should be directed to your airport or airline before you travel.Medicines required during the flight Any essential medicines for the period of the trip may be permitted in larger quantities
than 100ml but will require authentication – passengers must have obtained agreement with the airline and airport prior to departure and must bring supporting documentation with them from a relevant qualified medical professional.Foreign currency Buy your foreign currency (http://www.gatwickinformation.co.uk/gatwick-airport-BYL-currency-exchange.php) in advance to avoid queuing at the airport – foreign currency can be bought on line and delivered for roughly the same cost as at a bank or high street travel agent.
Arrive early and stay the night before By booking a hotel near the airport for the night before you avoid the stress of worrying about traffic congestion and getting to the airport in time. Book a hotel near Gatwick airport (http://www.gatwickinformation.co.uk/gatwick-airport-LOC-local-hotels.php) or one at the airport, such as the Hilton Hotel at Gatwick airport south terminal (http://www.gatwickinformation.co.uk/gatwick-airport-SUB-hilton-hotel-gatwick-park-and-stay.php). Many airlines allow you to check in baggage the day before you travel and this will reduce queuing and time at the airport on the day you fly.Travelling to the airport / airport parking Most of the UK’s airports have increased security around the airport terminals and restricted vehicular access for dropping-off and picking up passengers. Designated drop-off and pick-up zones have been made available in the car parks which can add to the time it takes to reach the terminal building.
The UK’s airports are advising passengers to use public transport wherever possible. Using public transport with young children can be impractical and one solution is to use meet and greet parking (http://www.help-me-park.co.uk) Meet and greet valet parking(http://www.help-me-park.co.uk) has its own designated drop off zone and is great idea for parents with small children or travellers with heavy luggage who want to avoid the queues this summer. Cars are driven right up to the airport where a valet parking driver is waiting to collect your vehicle and park it for you.
On your return your car will be waiting for you outside the terminal building – you can be on your way home before your fellow passengers have found their cars.
Based near Gatwick airport, Paula Garrett is a frequent traveller and contributor to Gatwick airport information guide providing up-to-date travel information for Gatwick passengers.
Visit the Coliseum in Rome: one of the newly-elected ‘Seven Wonders of the World’
The eternal city of Rome provides the venue for many a romantic weekend or holiday break, offering a memorable mix of activities and sights guaranteed to keep even the hardest-to-please tourist happy! The capital of Italy is home to great designer shopping, a long impressive history and, of course, a gorgeous Mediterranean climate. Furthermore, Rome is currently in the news due to the election of the Coliseum - its iconic ancient stadium - as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
The Coliseum is Europe’s sole representative in the new Seven Wonders list, for which 90 million people voted in an online poll. The results, announced during a star-studded ceremony in Lisbon in early July, also revealed the remaining six of the new Seven Wonders of the World to be: the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Taj Mahal in India, Chichén Itzá in Mexico, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Brazil, and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. The poll has attracted criticism in some quarters, most notably by UNESCO who has its own list of wonders and argues that a popular vote is not the way to determine the world’s wonders.
However, whether or not you agree with the poll results, Rome’s Coliseum is undeniably an impressive ancient wonder. In its heyday it could accommodate 50,000 spectators seated over three tiers, many of which were witnesses to the incredible gladiatorial contests held therein. Opened in 80AD, this marvel of ancient engineering still stands proudly in the centre of modern-day Rome and draws millions of visitors each year. The Coliseum bears witness to the sheer opulence and decadence prevalent at the height of the Roman Empire, and leaves many a visitor awed.
There are other notable sights in Rome from the same age worth a visit, such as the ancient Pantheon with its massive dome - an architectural and engineering marvel. Other sites in Rome from a later age that should be included on a ‘must-see’ list are the Vatican City and the Trevi Fountain. Indeed, if you leave the city without throwing three coins into the fountain, legend dictates that you will never return.
Rome offers a varied range of hotels from cheap and cheerful all the way to top 5-star luxury. Those wishing to visit the Coliseum on a budget but not wanting to sacrifice comfort should consider renting an apartment in Rome, as such an option can offer an affordable alternative to expensive city centre hotels and are certainly more comfortable than budget hotels. You can rent fully-furnished, stylish apartments in Rome for stays of as little as one night.
But, wherever you choose to stay in the world’s eternal city, you must visit the Coliseum: one of the new seven modern wonders of the world.
