Eyewitness guides are characterised by their colour, which differentiates them from most other travel guides. Maps, photos and diagrams light up the pages and bring to life what can be experienced when travelling. Information in other guides may be more precise, detailed and comprehensive, but readers who enjoy Eye Witness Guides do so because visually they are stimulated and excited by what they see on the pages.

Great Britain – An Eye Witness Travel Guide begins with an introduction containing maps, information about society, politics, culture and the arts, and history. To whet the appetite further, the history of gardens, stately homes, heraldry and the aristocracy, rural architecture, the countryside, walkers’ Britain, the traditional British Pub and British Food, are all colourfully explained and illustrated so that the reader is provided with an idea of what is essentially British.

The remainder of the book is divided into a sections related firstly to London and then to Southeast England, The West Country, The Midlands, the North Country, Wales and Scotland. Each section is comprehensively covered, and significant cities for example Bath, Oxford, Glasgow and many, many others, are given special attention. Every so often the reader will come across a snippet of information such as Beatrix Potter and the Lake District, punting on the Cam in Cambridge, the stained Glass of York Minster, building with Cotswold Stone, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Edinburgh Festival and the Bronte Sisters which serves to put these things into their geographical context.

Information about major streets, usually shown as a conventional map, frequently appears in Eye Witness Guides as an overhead drawing often in 3D. Noteworthy buildings such as Blenheim Palace are presented in the same way. It is much easier to visualise than a conventional map or plan. And while this may reduce the accuracy of the information provided, it is more useful for the tourist who is probably after impressions rather than detail. And if detail is required other avenues to obtain it can readily be sourced. (more…)

Family travel guides and family travel tips are especially useful when travelling with children of any age.

When we as adults think back to our childhoods we usually don’t remember the things we owned or the clothes we were wearing. What we remember is the time we spent with our loved ones. So when you are travelling with your kids you are creating memories that will last them a lifetime.

The importance of planning your perfect family holiday in advance

Travelling with your family is a quality time like no other, even if there are some unavoidable “ups and downs” along the way. However the better you prepare in advance, the more you should enjoy your family holiday.

Planning a family holiday with children of any age is different from planning a holiday for adults only. Children have different needs and ability, depending on their age and development. When planning your perfect family holiday, the most important thing is to keep the needs and ability of all family members in mind.

What is the best age to travel with children?

There is no one best age to travel with children. Each age group offers different delights and challenges.

Many parents feel the best time to travel with young children is when they are babies. Healthy infants tend to be very adaptable, as long as properly fed and are clean and comfy.

Travelling with toddler is considered by many parents the most demanding time to travel with a child. It can still be enjoyable experience, you just need to prepare accordingly and don’t forget to pack your patience – and lot of it.

Many parents consider travelling with school age children not only easiest but also the most enjoyable. School age children show more interest in their surroundings and are old enough to remember the trip.

There is though no reason why travelling with teenagers isn’t as enjoyable as travelling with school age children. Teenagers can be excellent travel companions as they are mentally and physically as fit as their parents, if not fitter.

Well prepared family holiday should help you to enjoy travelling with your kids – no matter what age they are. (more…)