There is no denying the charms of Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a beautiful town, nestled in the countryside of m...]]> Each year, far more tourists visit Stratford-upon-Avon than do Winchester. Why this should be so can only be because of marketing. Winchester has so much more to offer the visitor.

There is no denying the charms of Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a beautiful town, nestled in the countryside of middle-England. However England is blessed with many beautiful old towns and villages. The main reason that coach-loads of tourists descend upon the town is because of the life and works of one man; William Shakespeare. And, there is no doubting his importance in history and the great gifts of his writings. But, apart from the cottage of his birth and the cottage of his wife, Ann Hathaway, there remains very little left for the visitor to see, apart from the RSC theatre – the great majority of visitors never actually go inside, never mind watch a Shakespeare play.

In the south of England there lies another beautiful town; one that has far more history for the visitor to explore. The town is Winchester. It’s actually a city but its size and the compactness of its centre lend it a feel of no more than a country town.

Winchester cathedral is undeniably England’s most beautiful. Its setting is sublime, surrounding by parks. The present day plan of the cathedral was laid out in 1079 AD by Walkelin, the first Norman Bishop. The cathedral has witnessed the coronation, marriages and burials of many English kings and queens. The cathedral saw the coronations of Edward the Confessor (1043), of Matilda of Flanders as queen consort (1068), of Henry the Young King and his queen, Marguerite (1172) and the second coronation of Richard I of England (1194), as well as the marriages of Edward the Confessor and Edith (1045), King Henry IV and Joanna of Navarre (1403) and finally Queen Mary I and King Philip II of Spain (1554). King William II (son of William the Conqueror) is buried in the cathedral.

Winchester has had many famous residents but surely, its most famous of all was that of King Alfred the Great. It was this Anglo-Saxon king who withstood and then finally defeated the Vikings and saved the south from their pagan rule. He made Winchester his capital of England. He married, lived and died in the city. He was also much more than just a military genius; he was a codifier of law, a promoter of education and a supporter of the arts. He, himself, was a scholar and translated Latin books into the Anglo-Saxon tongue. He is the only English king ever to be given the epitaph, “the Great”.

Winchester had many other famous residents and visitors. St Swithin was Bishop of Winchester and was tutor to King Alfred the Great. Most of us have heard of the legend ‘that if it rains on St Swithin’s day (15 July), then it will rain for forty days’. The legend says that as he lay on his deathbed, he asked to be buried out of doors, where he would be trodden on and rained on. For nine years, his wishes were followed, but then, the monks of Winchester attempted to remove his remains to a splendid shrine inside the cathedral on 15 July 971. According to legend there was a heavy rain storm either during the ceremony or on its anniversary.
Keats and Trollope were just two of many writers who visited Winchester and based their works on the places and people they met whilst staying there. But perhaps the most famous writer to have lived (and died) in Winchester is Jane Austen. She was buried inside the cathedral. Today, a black plaque is to be found on the wall of the house in which she died; the house is a private residence.

Winchester has a rich history. Today, many Roman artifacts are dug up from the Roman period; Winchester being an important Roman town. Its past is clearly visible to the visitor today in its buildings. Within a five minute walk you can see beautifully preserved buildings from Anglo-Saxon through to Medieval, Georgian and Victorian. But Winchester is not a museum piece. The ancient buildings are still lived in and traded in. The city is a vibrant place that many people have discovered and some are lucky enough to call home.

Robin O’Brien is founder of Winchester Tourist Information that provides information of this beautiful, historic town. You can find walks, pictures, things to do as well as details of accommodation in Winchester.

Most New Zealanders would not like tipping to become the normal procedure. This could factor into yo...]]> Minimum wages in New Zealand are $10.25 an hour for a worker over 18 and $8.20 for under 18, so they are not dependent on tips to subsidize their income, as is the case in the United States.

Most New Zealanders would not like tipping to become the normal procedure. This could factor into your wages when negotiating for a job.
With a non-tipping society it also gives a better feeling when you have finished your transaction. You do not feel guilty about leaving the right tip, and do not feel like being held captive at a restaurant or cafe until the tip is paid.

One of the more common New Zealand tipping practices in New Zealand is to round up taxi fares to the nearest couple of dollars.
Restaurants, hotels or bars do charge an extra service charge on public holidays around 10%-20%. This is now a common public holiday levy.
If you get great service feel free to leave a tip, $5 would be a good tip and a nice way of saying thanks for going out of your way. It will be much appreciated, it is not expected.
Do not feel “cheap” if you don’t leave a tip, think “when in Rome”.

http://www.newzealandatoz.com
New Zealand AtoZ provides useful New Zealand information to travelers, including a full list of all New Zealand car, motorhome and campervan rental companies along with their daily hire rates
Your complete guide to New Zealand.

Swan Hill is one of the most prominent and fast-growing citi...]]> Located in the North West of the Australian state of Victoria, Swan Hill got its name from the famous explorer Thomas Mitchell. He named it so after experiencing a sleepless night when camping very close to a flock of noisy swans.

Swan Hill is one of the most prominent and fast-growing cities of Australia. With a population of around 16,000 people, the city is primarily focused on production and supply to the needs of people and businesses around the city.

Swan Hill gives you a unique experience with the combination of the relaxed lifestyle of the rural side and the modern, thriving facilities of the urban side.

Visitors throng to this city to enjoy its beautiful Mediterranean climate and take a scenic trip on the mighty Murray River aboard the historic Paddle Steamer (PS) Pyap. Its atmosphere is one that blends history with modernity. Major tourist attractions are the historic Pioneer Settlement, regional art gallery, and historic homesteads.

Swan Hill city has been an important tourist destination because of its proximity to the Murray River. The number of visitors to the city has been steadily increasing as this region plays host to a number of large-scale events.

Major tourist attractions in Swan Hill are the Hilltop Fauna Park, Tyntyndyer Homestead, Murray Downs Homestead, Raymer’s Lakeside Nursery and Gardens, and the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement. The city offers entertainment though its theatres and cinemas, and has state-of-the-art recreational clubs and sports centres. You will find its restaurants offering a range of delicious cuisines from local food to exotic Chinese and Italian style dishes at a price that suits any budget.

Enjoy the magnificent wide open spaces and the tranquillity of inland Australia while you visit an award-winning winery, or a fine restaurant featuring fresh Murray Cod, yabbies, avocado, citrus, stone fruits or vine fruits. Take in the beautiful surroundings at a golf course or explore nature’s remarkable features in one of many reserves and parks. Enjoy a river cruise or a houseboat holiday, or discover the fantastic festivals and events, arts and many unique family attractions.

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation in Victoria, then visit Simply Lush (http://www.simplylush.com) to check out our free reviews of only the very best accommodation in Victoria.