The best things in life aren't free!

We were driving from Dorset to North Wales, possibly heading for Ireland, it depended, on how we felt, on how much time we could afford away from the farm; we had cover but it was costing us hundreds by the day, and weren?t sure even as we left whether we would cut it short or long. By the time we saw the mountains of Snowdonia we knew it could be a week. We have stayed in Snowdonia many times before and one particular Snowdonia Hotel called Dolseau Hall Hotel which is a romantic hotel is a stunning setting. We got engaged there.

But as for this trip, we hadn?t booked anything, and for the first time ever, we felt like taking the best luxury hotel we could see. We found a mountainside hotel 10 miles from Bangor, it had views, but was lacking in luxury. An evening stroll, a reasonable meal, a good night?s sleep and the next morning we found ourselves at sea, heading for Dublin.

When we worked in London, we?d often be abroad, staying in luxury hotels in Paris, luxury hotels in New York, and had gotten so used to the high standards and ultra-professional service it became the norm, but never something you could quite take for granted. Although it would always go on the company?s expense account, it still felt like an expense, a treat of sorts.

It was a late, sun-kissed afternoon that graced Dublin?s inspiring, ?on the move? ambience. We chose a hotel near Phoenix Park, and while the views were just about satisfactory, the interior and atmosphere was perfect; it allowed us to completely escape and inhabit a world far away from the daily life on the farm, although I sensed that by the end of the week, we would miss our home, despite our relaxing and welcoming surroundings.

Apart from Paris and New York, I couldn?t exactly compare our hotel to a Florence luxury hotel or even a luxury hotel in London, as our city jobs didn?t really focus on Europe. This was only my second trip to Ireland and it was so far, very unlike the previous stay in an remote holiday cottage in Cork. The paintings, classical interior decoration, and beautifully presented gardens, together with certain aspects of the Dublin skyline, was enough to make you think you were in a luxury hotel in Rome.

The food was served with impeccable courtesy and looked expensive, tasted expensive, and was expensive. It wasn?t worth it of course, but then holidays are often a surreal time, when money takes on a different value and you almost are resigned to going over budget.

In the event we stayed just three, yet pleasant and rejuvenating days. A luxury hotel almost tires you out with it?s abundance of staff, facilities, and gadgets constantly there to save you time and energy and nearly any type of hassle you?d usually take for granted.

As we headed back for the ferry and then the rolling hills of Dorset I remembered how little I really noticed when staying in luxury hotels in New York or Paris, and how much more I appreciate now I?m living the rural life.

Airport Parking

Walking around the art galleries of Paris seemed an extraordinary, unnecessary and pointless ordeal. It?s not that I don?t like art, or her friends, but if I didn?t go then I?d only be at home sat around feeling miserable and missing her. My girlfriend of the past 6 months didn?t deserve a loner antisocial boyfriend, so I decided to do my best and walk around some cultural landmarks of France feeling miserable and missing home.

Another downside of this most definitely nightmare journey was the melee of friends she was bringing. Jane from Cardiff, Sarah from Glasgow, Chloe from Leeds, Jess from Bristol, Emma from... whatever happened to just having friends from across the road? Surely there could be some kind of friend swap system online, it would make things a whole lot easier on the environment.

Then there was the monetary cost. Ok, so she offered to pay for my flight from Heathrow Airport, parking included possibly, on a non-budget airline, which means I should be able to get a coffee without doubling the price of my plane ticket, but what about getting to Heathrow? She was flying from Leeds-Bradford airport, parking her car there. So I was to drive 2 hours to Heathrow, parking my car there. How much would fuel and airport parking cost? It seemed there was a whole mini-industry around these airports determined to fleece you every step of the way.

I sat there and looked out across the valley and thought why bother? The apparent futility of looking at pictures that I could just see in a book or online seemed a picnic compared to the stress and financial decimation of a 5 hour ?journey? consisting of traffic jams, plane rage and getting jostled by screaming hordes of tourists in Paris.

Instead of trying to look on the bright side ? baguettes, cheap wine, the vague amusement of looking at things on buildings but it being spelt in a foreign language ? I then worked out how much this whole trip was going to cost everybody and what more meaningful alternative was available.

Oh I forgot, that busybody Mary who I sincerely believe hates me for ever having the audacity to associate with her friend is flying from Newcastle airport, parking her car there. I?m losing count on the number of friends, was there a Ruthy or Amy? What?s that one with the back combed blonde hair that always seems to be on her way somewhere else when she?s just arrived at a social gathering? Ok, to go on the side of caution I make it seven of us, then multiply that by what I imagine the costs for each will be, and it comes to a number which, given the lack of proper research, I give incredible and faith and respect to.

It?s a vague and possibly wild guess at the cost of flights, airport parking, drinks and meals, but I arrive at a vague and possibly wild figure that amazingly comes to the exact amount needed to buy me a 250cc Vespa scooter and a full tank of petrol to allow me to drive off into the distance and never be seen again.

I grow less enthusiastic at this prospect as it dawns on me that I eventually would meet someone new in some far off place beyond the mountains and lakes that I would merrily drive by, and then be coerced again into trips to art exhibitions and museums.

Its not that I don?t appreciate culture, or even going abroad, I?m just not particularly partial to spending prolonged periods of time in the company of my girlfriend?s friends while they get all excited over some drawings. I like to shoot through galleries, you could call it speed-culture, and others might just call immaturity and impatience. I should learn some virtue, but I feel I would need it in the first place to get more of it.

Outside it?s a bright sunny day, and this supposedly ideal holiday weather translates to me the hideous concept of sitting in traffic jams with searing heat and choking smog. I add another hour to my drive time to the airport parking lot to allow for the inevitable delays, wrong turns and motorway tailbacks.

It?s nearly time to book my ticket and arrange the Heathrow airport parking online, so I call her to check the weekend break is still on and there hasn?t been some sort of collective despondency and desolation akin to mine on the part of her friends... and of course there isn?t. I try one last polite, understated course of evasive action by implying that since all her friends would be flying from different airports it might be tricky all meeting up. She replies firmly that that wouldn?t be happening since we?d all been booked into the same hotel. She cheerily adds: ?I?ll be using the Edinburgh airport parking, it?s simple and straightforward, why don?t you use the meet and greet parking at Heathrow??

I sense a faint glimmer of hope in this seemingly disastrous escapade ? yes I suppose I could pay more money to make travelling less inconvenient, even though I could save a lot more simply by not going away at all.

Yet I find it difficult to find a reason not to agree, which makes me feel miserable and helpless as it increasingly becomes apparent that I am fixed on a path to art gallery and theatre going oblivion. I look again for a bright side, but the light at the end of the tunnel is a fluorescent energy saving light bulb that hangs over a watercolour by Monet.

She detects, or guesses, an element of discouragement in me, so then encouragingly adds: ?It?ll be a great experience baby.?

?That?s what scares me,? I think to myself.

After I put the telephone down I consider why I?m actually going. I guess whatever it is we?d be doing together, it?s not the hassle of flying and finding the East Midlands airport parking or whatever, it?s being with her that really counts.

Purple Parking are currently working on a new website which will go live in March 2008. I have been given access to review the site and here is the video:

Rome and its luxurious past and present

Rome is called the Eternal City and is truly a city with eternal delights. Do you bear a love for history? Are you interested in ancient architecture and temples? If so then you need to explore the ancient lands of Rome.

Rome's palaces, museums and ancient historical monuments are so countless that even Rome?s locals have not seen all of its many treasures. As one of the world's most historic and ancient cities, Rome plays host to millions of tourists each year. From the old world opulence of the Roman Forum and the Catacombs to the serene natural beauty of Villa Borghese, Rome oozes grandeur.

The central attractions of Rome are the Palatine Hill and the Forum. Via Del Corso is located north from the Forum to Piazza Del Popolo, accompanied by Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain on the east. The Vatican is situated northwest of the Forum, across the River Tiber in Rome.

The Colosseum is a reigning symbol of Ancient Rome and one of the city's flagship monuments. One must view the Colosseum not just as a hallmark of Roman architectural prowess but also as the venue of lavish public spectacles and gladiatorial combat. For nearly 500 years, the Colosseum was used as the site of gladiatorial games, mock sea battles, animal hunts, dramas based on Classical mythology and executions - maintaining its status as a prime feature of the greatness of the Roman Empire and an enduring symbol of the power of the Emperor.

Another Roman ruin that draws the fascination of thousands of tourists every year is the Baths of Caracalla. The baths incorporate a complex that covers approximately 13 hectares and could accommodate up to 1600 bathers in its prime - more of a luxury leisure complex than a simple series of baths. As well as a range of temperature controlled bathing rooms and pool areas, the Baths of Caracalla also incorporates a public library and a shopping centre - indicative of the Baths' status as one of Rome's most indulgent hotspots.

The abundance of Renaissance and Baroque architecture in Rome is also a prominent indicator of its affluent heritage, with the Piazza del Campidoglio often cited as the most impressive example of Renaissance creation in the city. Designed by Michelangelo, the piazza was initially constructed as a symbol of the new Rome in 1538, in order to impress Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor.

Other marks of Rome's grand Renaissance period include the Palazzo del Quirinale (now the seat of the President of Italy) the Palazzo Venezia and the Palazzo Farnese - all of which were opulent palaces built by Rome's most famous aristocratic families. Additionally, the Fontana di Trevi acts as Rome's most enduring representation of Baroque architecture, and is one of the city's most cherished monuments by residents and travelers alike.

For a true taste of Rome?s grandeur and luxurious past, there are plenty of luxury hotels and boutique hotels to choose from located in the heart of this historic city. This way, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of high quality accommodation while exploring the magnificence of the city's most famous sights at the same time - the perfect recipe for a true understanding of Roman luxury!

What is a boutique hotel?

The term boutique hotel originates from North America to describe intimate, usually luxurious or quirky hotel environments but what specific attributes qualify a hotel for the term ?boutique hotel? and what makes one hotel a boutique while another is not?

There are a few distinct characteristics that contribute to qualifying to be a boutique hotel and these are as follows:

1. The first factor is size and a boutique hotel should have no more than 100 rooms.

2. Boutique hotels differentiate themselves from larger chain or branded hotels by providing an exceptional and personalized level of accommodation, services and facilities.

3. Boutique hotels often have a theme or style of their own.

4. Room amenities include Flat screen TV?s with cable/Pay TV, telephone and Wi-fi Internet connections and honesty bars.

5. 24 hour guest services by hotel staff.

6. On site dining facilities, and the majority offer attractive bars as well as lounges which may also be open to the general public.

Atmosphere is considered the sum total of the physical facilities and all the intangibles that comprise a memorable hotel experience. This above all things will set the hotel apart from a normal hotel and will include interior decoration, hotel ambience, customer service and the attitude and professionalism of management and staff. All these ingredients must be combined to create a genuine sense of intimacy.

Where there is an atmosphere of intimacy without familiarity then the hotel is on to a winner and is well along its way to be claimed a boutique hotel. What do we mean by intimacy when we talk about hotels? We define intimacy as caring, warm, personalised, yet totally professional. Familiarity involves using guests? first name, friendly hugs and hand shakes and other physical contact.

The boutique environment also includes anticipating guests? needs and desires rather than simply responding to a request. Knowing what a guest wants, when they want it, and how they want it is a major difference between good service and great service. The goal of any fine hotel, boutique or otherwise must be great service but as with many intangibles, boutique hotels like beauty may be in the eye of the beholder.

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