Top Wedding Venues in Portsmouth
For its size, the city of Portsmouth has a surprisingly large number of wedding venues that offer a quality service and value for money. The following venues are all within a few miles at most from Portsmouth city centre, and are highly recommended.
This venue is well known as one in which everything is professionally arranged from start to finish. From personal wedding coordinators to professional wedding bands, they can arrange everything. The spacious banqueting rooms and parking facilities are among this venue’s attractions. Given the unique location at Portsmouth Football Club, their VIP stadium tours are one of their more popular attractions.
Portsmouth Marriott Hotel
From small intimate weddings to grand and showy affairs, the staff at Portsmouth Marriot Hotel pride themselves on attention to detail, and go out of their way to ensure weddings under their charge proceed smoothly and happily. The venue has excellent facilities, and the staff are friendly and helpful.
Cams Hall Estate Golf Club
The most instantly visible attraction of Cams Hall Estate Golf Club is the beautiful and tranquil scenery of its surroundings. The pleasing greens of the golf course, the picturesque lake, great food, facilities and professional service make Cams Hall Estate Golf Club a popular wedding venue choice.
For sheer opulence and grandeur, The Royal Marines Museum is hard to beat. Situated on the seafront just two miles from the city centre, this venue, once famed as the finest officers mess in England, offers impeccable service in an environment of splendour, rich in military history and tradition. Their excellent facilities and staff professionalism are renowned. In addition, the magnificent architecture of the building and the plush interiors make this venue well worth considering.
The Red Lion Hotel
This highly popular wedding venue has a warm and homely feel that is vibrant and welcoming. The venue is steeped in history, having originally been used as an 18th century coach house. Today, it continues to offer high quality service, facilities, wedding bands, food and drink, and all with a friendly and personal touch.
Related articles
- Top Wedding Venues in Southampton (bloglive.org.uk)
- Choosing Your Perfect Venue (goldenpalacefresno.wordpress.com)
- Get to Know a Wedding Photographer: Hardy Klahold (weddinglovely.com)
- Top Wedding Venues in London (blogaboutit.org.uk)
- The Wedding Venue That Could Double…Or TRIPLE Your Wedding Budget (hellobeautiful.com)
Famous Places to Go in Spain
When planning a holiday in Spain, the list of potential attractions can be long and nerve-wracking, with so much to see in so little time. However, there are some destinations that instantly rise to the top of the list and become a priority for many travelers. Scattered throughout Spain, these cities, landmarks, and beaches are the heart and soul of Spanish culture.
Madrid
The Spanish capital city might be the top destination for those looking to travel in Spain, and it’s not without good reason. Madrid’s diverse offerings span the gamut from educational and cultural attractions, to fine dining and a world-renowned nightlife.
The city is home to the 252-bedroom Royal Palace, built in the mid-1700s for Spain’s royal family. A section of the city known as “Old Madrid” offers travelers an old world experience with many small shops and historic buildings that harken back to a simpler time.
After exploring the city’s rich history and architecture, travelers can delight in Madrid’s excellent fine dining scene, full of innovative restaurants that offer everything from traditional Spanish foods like tapas to more exotic dishes. And for those who crave an adventurous nightlife while on holiday, Madrid’s club scene is second to none. Late nights await those who are up for the challenge.
Barcelona
Another of Spain’s major cities, Barcelona played host to the 1992 Summer Olympics and is generally the most modern of the country’s urban centers. For a glance at just how edgy this city on the French border can be, check out the Casa Batlo, an architecturally-intriguing structure that turns balconies and their supporting pillars into skull and bone sculptures.
Like Madrid, Barcelona is a city that shines with modern architecture during the daytime and comes alive with music, drinks, and dancing at nighttime. It isn’t until about 10 p.m. that things really get going in Barcelona, with restaurants filling up and revelers beginning to take on the night. With such a late start, it’s virtually a guarantee that you’ll be living it up in Barcelona’s bars and clubs at least until sunrise.
The Canary Islands
A more relaxing holiday for those looking to travel in Spain might involve the Canary Islands instead of the big cities. These islands on the coast of Spain have a little bit of everything — form their snowcapped mountains to their popular sandy beaches, tropical forests, and even deserts. Travelers will certainly enjoy the beaches, not to mention the added bonus of a simply stunning natural landscape to take in while they swim and sunbathe.
Pamplona
For those who don’t crave a dusk-til-dawn nightlife or a trip to the beach, Pamplona may be a perfect choice. It’s a favorite among adventurers who specifically schedule their holiday to coincide with the Running of the Bulls. Held each July during the city’s San Fermin festival, the even draws thousands of people from all around the world and dares them to outrun speeding bulls through the city’s streets.
The festival is an eight-day affair, and participants can participate in the Running of the Bulls each morning at approximately 8 a.m. Those who participate are required to be at least 18 years of age; the city also requires that participants run in the same direction as the bulls (who wouldn’t?) and refrain from enticing them. If you’ve been working on your sprint, this is the perfect way to show off while on holiday.
A holiday in Spain offers diverse choices that cater to each personality type. Adventurers will be drawn to Pamplona’s San Fermin festival and a race through the streets that they’ll never forget; night owls will love Spain’s major cities and the electric nights at clubs and bars; and those who simply want to relax will love the Canary Islands and their natural landscape.
Understanding How Tipping Works in Europe
When you are on holiday in Europe, one expense you’ll need to factor into your budget is tips. You’ll be interacting with a variety of people in different service positions, so here are some guidelines as to what to expect.
Restaurants
When you go to a restaurant, understand that tipping in Europe is not typically as generous as it is in America. If you were to venture to America on holiday, a tip of 15 to 20 percent would be expected, but in Europe, 5 percent is more the norm. Of course, if you are very pleased with your service, your waiter or waitress would be grateful for a more ample tip, but in most places, anything much beyond 10 percent would be considered over-the-top, as most wait staff receive generous wages to begin with. Casually give the tip directly to the waiter, and then you don’t need to worry about someone else snatching it when you leave the table.
Cabs
Many people use taxis to get around when they are in Europe. What a lot of people do to thank the cabbies for their services is round up to the next Euro or the next ten-Euro mark. For instance, if the ride cost 3.55 pounds, give the cabbie 4; if it was 36 pounds, give him 40. If he was very helpful, offering useful advice on the city or helping with luggage, give him a little extra, but there’s no rule saying you must tip a cabbie who is rude or taking a longer route than neccessary.
Other Services
Whenever you encounter someone in the service industry during your travels, a tip might be in order. Tour guides, hairdressers and maids are among some of those whose exceptional service may merit a tip. When you stay at a hotel, it is customary to give a Euro per bag to whoever brings your bags to your room, but generally speaking, tipping for these types of services is entirely at your discretion.
A better understanding of how tipping works in Europe will make your stay more enjoyable and possibly more economical as well. There’s no need to overdo it with the tips, but tipping those who make an extra effort is a nice way to recognize someone who helped to make your holiday more pleasant.