When I was a little girl, my grandparents used to tell me fairy tales. I loved sitting on my grandmother's lap in front of the crackling fireside... Thinking of that makes be nostalgic.
My favourite stories were, of course, those in which something scandalous happened.

There were stories my grandmother had to tell me over and over again. I couldn't get enough of them. One of those was the story of the Monster of Loch Ness:

Three brothers who are living nearby the lake of Loch Ness win their bread by going fishing. One day - the sun burned hot- they decided to refresh themselves in the cool water. Only the eldest stayed in the boat looking after the nets.
Suddenly, a big shadow covered the boat and within seconds, it disappeared. The other two swam back to the banks as fast as they could screaming loudly. They survived, but James has never been seen again...

Of  course, the shadow was Nessie - in that point all historians agree!

Now, I'm 20 years old and still wondering if the myths are true. However, last summer a dream came true, when I finally visited Loch Ness. Standing on the banks where every second a monster could appear was a strange feeling.
This trip, which amongst other things included sightseeing in Edinburgh and a visit of Glencoe, the Highlands of Scotland, was organised by gift-tours.com. I really loved it!
In the end, I am glad that I booked a trip with this online company. Otherwise I would have missed many beautiful places of Scotland's extraordinary landscape.

But discover yourself what gift-tours.com provides!

As a departed swede I try to adapt to the culture over here in the UK and to not to be such a patriot just because I’m away from home. But how can I put it; you can take the girl out of Sweden but you can never take Sweden out of the girl? I can’t help it. I have a tendency to notice and to promote things that have even the slightest connection to Sweden. And so when I got to choose between which of the 4 arenas of the London 4 All Seasons Pass I wanted to visit to do some research for the blog, I went straight for the Wimbledon Arena. Why? My god people, haven’t you heard of Björn Borg? He won the Wimbledon five years in a row back in the 70’s, and went to the finals in the sixth but lost to the angry John McEnroe. 

Stepping into the arena is really impressive. You can almost hear the spectators’ excited cheerings and smell the sweat of hundreds and hundreds of athletes that have been competing there over the years. With the 4 All Seasons Pass you’ll get a guided (and actually awarded as well) tour around the arena and its environment such as the No. 1 Court, The Millennium Building, the water gardens and the Press Interview Room, only to name a few! You will also get to see the Science of Tennis on a 200° Cinema with amazing GI technology and experience the interactivity of the world-class Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. 

The other 3 arenas you get access through with the 4 All Seasons Pass is Lord’s Cricket Ground, Chelsea Stamford Bridge Stadium and Twickenham Stadium. The price is only £45 for adults and £32 for children. Take a look at our website for online booking and more information about the guided tours for these arenas!

Famous for Shopping, Arts, Dining or Clubbing, today's London is plainly one of the hot spots!
Though, the metropolis has to offer plenty of important historical places. As I went to London for the first time, I immediately stepped back into the most interesting place of royal London: Hampton Court Palace. Just a quick ride south west of the City, you'll get a feeling of being placed back into the 15th century. Sounds like a nice break from the rush of the 21st century, doesn't it?

Not just because English History is my subject and I am nuts about it, really, I can promise you'll definitely miss out an extraordinary part of English history if you don't visit the palace! Inhabited by the Tudor, Stuart and Hanoverian dynasties and restored during the reign of Queen Victoria, real time history is present as never before. Beyond words, the palace's private rooms lively convey the daily grind of the Tudor Society.

If you still can't call yourself 'Histomaniac', Hampton Palace is announcing stunning exhibitions from January 2010 - court comes to life when the 'Heads and Hearts' event allows visitors to keep track on Henry VIII's sensational relations to woman besides other hidden royal secrets.
Forget about dreary guided tours- feel real kingly attending one of the most famous UK Tours!

Are you done with the sights and sick of crowded high streets?
If you want to get away from the touristy odds and ends and rather feel like a real Londoner, one of the best ways to do so is stepping into the East End!

Last Sunday I sallied out from Bethnal Green Road discovering London's multicultural streets once more! Catch up with real time history and contemporary street arts in Brick Lane before you spot urban chic off Commercial Street at the Spitalfield Markets.
There is nothing to deny- I already reached heaven when discovering the square rife with private stalls putting up outstanding clothes, jewellery and craftworks for sale!
Hungry but don't want to spend a fortune on authentic East End food? Famous for their BBQ burgers and homemade wedges is Cafe 1001, where you will not only satisfy hunger but put up with the trendy London scene.
Later that day, I could not resist checking out the latest fashion trends in one of the insider second hand stores along the road- paradise for every fashion victim in search of something unique!

Are you more of an art freak? Well, you will never run out of options in this neighborhood. Smudge Gallery offers a wide range of young artists and brings them together with their supporters. Open 7 days a week, the venue provides perfect East End flair...

By now you can either call it a day and book in a London hotel or start off checking out the countless bars and restaurants eastwards. Try an original Indian curry before Cuban barkeepers are crushing ice for your Mojito in one of the secret Latin- American spots.
Sounds like quite an exciting change to London's posh West End, doesn't it? Give it a try and you'll see London with new eyes...

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This week’s search is spawned from our need for Thai cuisine. After scouting several streets and areas, we came across the Blue Elephant Restaurant...   more »

Gift-Tours has found a restaurant that might just make it happen: Nordic Bar and Restaurant...   more »