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UK Travel Basics - Plan Your UK Trip

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Whether it's your first time or your fiftieth, these handy tips will help you plan your next trip to the United Kingdom.

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Ferne's United Kingdom Travel Blog

St Patrick's Day All Over the Place

Tuesday March 16, 2010
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Everybody's Irish tomorrow. And in case you doubt that, Bernd Biege, our intrepid Ireland guide has been on the case, finding all the celebrations around the world. Boston may be a given but Greece? Italy? The Caribbean? Brazil? Shanghai?

Check out Bernd's latest St. Patrick's Day Blog Carnival. All the UK St Patrick's Day celebrations are included, including Birmingham's mega St. Patrick's Day parade.

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Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

No Daffs This Month? Honor Mum Again in May

Monday March 15, 2010

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Cold weather meant daffodils, usually available and cheap enough to buy by the barrowful by now, were in short supply for Mothering Sunday (British Mother's Day), yesterday.

Not to worry. It's a great excuse to honor your mother all over again for Mother's Day, celebrated in America on the second Sunday in May. By then, not only will flowers be in bloom, but some of the best flower shows in the world will be in full swing in the UK.

Surprise Mum and buy some tickets online now. Find out more about:

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Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Illuminating Hadrian's Wall: Celebrations East and West

Wednesday March 10, 2010
Exciting - free - public performances and events are planned to punctuate the historic illumination of Hadrian's Wall on Saturday. If you can make it up to the North of England, here's what to expect:

The Launch

The line of light across the country along Hadrian's Wall will be ignited at Segedunum Roman Fort, the easternmost fort on the wall, in Wallsend, near Newcastle on Tyne. First, at 5:15p.m. international company Theater Anu will stage a colorful performance based on "the almost lost myth of the winged boy." Then, at 5:45p.m. the flame will be ignited to begin its journey across the country.

Welcoming the Light

The light is expected to reach Carlisle at 6:40p.m., just under an hour after ignition. The people of Carlisle will already be preparing to Welcome the Light as it passes through the city en route to the West Coast. (That's where I'll be joining in - so expect pictures soon)

Planned events include a torchlight parade led by street band Tongues of Fire, "fiery engines" and the mysterious Heliosphere.

The parade forms up outside the tourist information center on English Street at 5:30p.m. Earlier, from 10a.m. to 4p.m. University of Cumbria costume students will hold a free, drop-in costume workshop there for participants who are planning to "glow".

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Illuminating Hadrian's Wall - A Fiery Spectacle Coast to Coast

Wednesday March 10, 2010
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This weekend, for the first time since the Romans left Britain, fiery torches will march the entire length of Hadrian's Wall. Illuminating Hadrian's Wall will create a spectacular line of light along the 84 miles of Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail, with torches coming to life every 250 meters.

Hadrian's Wall marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire. Though the British became independent of the Romans 1,600 years ago in 410A.D, their wall, snaking across northern Britain from coast to coast, still ignites the imagination of visitors and Briton's alike.

Thousands are expected to brave the cold, at large public events, hikes and cycle rides on Saturday night to see it glow with fire for the first time in 1,600 years.

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CGI Image Courtesy of Hadrian's Wall Heritage Ltd

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