One of the greatest highlights of Christmas is Santa Claus whose legend turned him into a magical kind-hearted, noble, and generous “good fairy Godfather” today!

Santa was originally a Bishop who after his death became the legendary Saint Nicholas. Here is something that you may be surprised to know. He was Greek and Greek speaking! He is believed to have been born around 280 AD in Patara near Myra. Originally Saint Nicholas was the Christian Bishop of Myra (today known as Turkey). Back in those days Myra was predominantly populated with Greeks. The Turks didn’t arrive until the 11th century AD. This Bishop was a generous and kind-hearted man, devoted particularly to children. In 340AD after his death in Myra it is said that sailors stole his remains and took them to Bari, Italy where he remains today in the beautiful Basilica of Saint Nicholas specially built to house him. Medieval people believed relics of Saints had healing powers and every church had a store of them. The sailors increased his popularity in Europe with stories of his kindness and generosity which lead to increased devotion with stories of miracles.

St Nicholas became so popular, loved and adored by the people that he was honored as the patron Saint of just about everything! He was indeed the national Saint of Greece and Russia where churches were named in the thousands after him. Known by his red cape, flowing white beard and Bishop’s miter he also become the patron Saint:

- in Greece of sailors

- in France of lawyers

- in Belgium of children and travelers

In other lands he was patron of merchants, judges, paupers and just about everything else you can think of!

An official church holiday was created in St Nicholas’ honor some time around the 12th century. This was a time when thousands of churches across Europe were dedicated to him. A Feast Day in his honor on the 6th of December become the official day of his celebration and is the day of the anniversary of his death. In the early days of celebrations it was considered lucky to make large purchases or to get married on his Feast Day! Traditionally the day was honored each year with celebrations and marked by gift giving and charity.

How did his name transform from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus? Some say it started from the Dutch naming of him. After the Reformation, European followers of Saint Nicholas dwindled but the legend was kept alive in Holland. Dutch children have a magical tradition where they excitedly leave their wooden shoes by the fireplace and “Sinterklaas” would reward good children by placing treats in their shoes. The Dutch colonists brought this fun tradition with them to America in the 17th century where the spelling of his name “Sint Nikolaas” was eventually and affectionately transformed to “Sinterklaas”. Hence the Anglican name “Santa Claus” emerged which is now the most popular name he is known by today! However others suggest the Anglican name comes from the Germans. As “Santa” is said to have come from the word “Saint” and “Claus” is an abbreviation for the name Nicholas in Germany.

What did he look like? Originally he appeared in Bishop’s robes holding a Bishop’s miter. When first arrived in America Santa didn’t look like the figure we know today. He was a thin, sad faced old man wearing a fur-trimmed knee-length coat. Santa’s back in the old days were usually dressed in blue, green or black with no red and white we see today in sight! It was by the mid 1850′s that the red and white fat jolly version we know today gained popularity.

The American image of Santa Claus developed from the Dutch austere Sinterklaas; a bishop in a red bishop’s costume who rode a white horse. Washington Irving in his comic “History of New York” is said to be the first to describe him as plump and jolly. The evolution of the image of Santa Claus continued in 1823 with the publication of the famous poem by Clement C Moore “A Visit From Saint Nicholas”.

In England by the mid 19th century Santa was a fat, red faced, jovial character who wore glasses and a crown of holly on his head. He appeared almost always tipsy accompanied by a steaming bowl of punch with either a glass of punch or ale in his hand. We know that around the world Santa has been depicted in many shapes and forms including the most popular being tall and thin or short and fat.

How did he become so famous? A transformation onto paper leads the way! Dr Clement C Moore (an Episcopal Minister) in 1822 described Santa Claus as a benevolent plump jolly man in a red suit. He originally wrote the famous poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” for his 3 daughters after an inspirational moonlight sleigh ride home from the market after buying a Christmas turkey. It was not published for another 20 years. Then fame didn’t take long to spread to children and adults around the world. It was much loved for its sense of fun and magic. This poem helped to popularize the idea of Santa Claus visiting on Christmas Eve.

Tours of England are becoming an increasingly popular form of travel for many who decide to vacation in this magical and historical isle. With a large amount of quality accommodation those on tours of England are spoilt for choice when deciding where to rest their weary travel legs. Majestic castles tours can include the very best that England has to offer, showing the unbelievable history of this fiercely independent island.
Most people with a passing interest in history will know that England is a country full of castles, a fact that stands testament to the troubled and often violent history of the island. Thankfully the castles now have a more sedate purpose, that of accommodating the many travellers who choose to spend time on tours of this brilliant nation. For travellers who want luxury, the chance to stay in a castle complete with four poster bed and stone walls should not be missed. Here are some of the best castles to include on your tour, in locations all over the country.
Long’s Park Castle in Wiltshire is a great inclusion of tours around the south of England that transports the visitor back hundreds of years. A Grade II listed building it sits within sumptuous grounds containing trees that are over half a millennia old. Inside the rooms are fantastic beamed ceilings and welcoming open fires. The castle combines the old with the new; with technology such as keyless room entry and automatic lighting. Long’s Park is not just about the rooms however, present is a banqueting hall that regularly hosts medieval events as well as a lounge with comfortable arm chairs and a games room with pool, darts and air hockey. For a weekend escape, or even a stay to break up tours, it is ideal.
Nearby is the Bath Lodge Hotel, a historic castle just seven miles away from Bath city centre. The hotel is ideally placed for tours to Longleat Wildlife Park and Stonehenge and offers timeless charm and elegance. The site has been converted into a tastefully decorated hotel with romantic rooms and cosy lounge areas. Once again beamed ceilings are prominent, as are four poster beds and open fires. With attractions such as a waterfall, or simply watching the sunset from the battlements, for a romantic stay it is unrivalled.
With a range of luxurious apartments Watermouth Castle is a hotel that combines historical style with an unbelievable setting. The castle overlooks beautiful cliffs and a quaint bay in a Devonshire inlet. The castle itself has an indoor swimming pool and its own museum meaning that the chance to relax and learn is prevalent. While the castle is not medieval, instead being constructed in the Victorian era as a folly, it still offers visitors the chance for that fairytale setting, in one of the most stunning regions of the country.
Naturally a stay in a castle without ghosts would be a crime. Thankfully the rich history of Chillingham Castle in Northumberland has led to a number of spectres inhabit the walls. The castle’s history can be traced back to the twelfth century when it was a military stronghold; in fact the dungeons and torture chamber still remain and certainly add to the ghostly appeal of the site. In terms of haunting, one of the most commonly seen spooks is the ‘blue boy’, who moans from midnight onwards near a walled hallway. Most travellers who stay see this ghost, so much so that it led the owners to excavate the wall. A gruesome discovery awaited them; they found skeletal remains of an adolescent with shards of blue clothing, definitely a spooky place to stay.
No matter what your reasons for tours of England, the castles of this country can offer you an original accommodation choice that is guaranteed to enthral and amaze. These examples are just a snapshot of the wondrous castles present in England, with a little research it is assured that tourists will be able to find their fairytale paradise.

The charisma and aura of the European country Scotland is unknown to none. It is the land, which was a surface to numerous significant historical battles, is the mother of cherished sport ‘golf’ and is globally appreciated for its Balmoral Castle (a vacation spot for Queen Elizabeth and her family) and Scotch whisky. Scotland is blessed with a rich history, culture and scenic splendor. It is one amongst the most admired places on the globe today. Geographically, Scotland is bifurcated into three regions- Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands and Highlands. These regions adjoin different places and comprise of different landforms for instance by way of river valleys the Southern Uplands act as a link between the country’s central plain and England border.

The Scotland Activities

• Since time memorial golf is an immensely crucial activity in Scotland. Infact the golf sport originated from this very European country. The Highlands region of Scotland nestles some of the prominent golf courses in the world. There are around 540 golf courses in Scotland. These are variously scattered in Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Historic Heartland and Central areas of Scotland.

• Cycling and bike riding is another cherished pastime in Scotland. The enthusiasm for cycling is such that many tourists hire bikes to explore this divinely beautiful place. The Glencoe, Galloway region and the Isle of Skye are perfect spectacular riding places.

• The exclusive Scotland attractions are the Heavy and Light Athletics. Heavy Athletics includes games that demand muscle. These games are stone, weight and hammer throwing, sheaf tossing and so forth. Dancing, sprinting, running and jumping are the light athletics sports that basically require an impregnable stamina.

City LookThe capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh is a perfect blend of contemporary and archaic Scotland. The traditional Scotland is reflected from the ancient Edinburgh castles and buildings. While the marvelously constructed hotels, restaurants and thrilling nightlife are the emblems of present-day Scotland. Edinburgh is swarming with people every year for more than one reason. The foremost attractions are the museums of this place. The Royal Museum that houses the first cloned sheep named Dolly, the National Gallery of Scotland along with quite a few national museums are paradigmatic cases in point. Next there are the famous Edinburgh castle, the Royal Mile Street that conjoins this castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the garden of medicinal plants i.e. the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Princes Street, worldwide famous for shopping.

If you want to experience the mind-boggling Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, the city of Glasgow is a place ideal for that. Apart from being a home for some of the most noteworthy Scot museums such as St. Mungo Museum Religious Life, the largely acclaimed Museum of Transport and the Scotland Street School Museum; Glasgow is endowed with ample of other lures to woo its visitors. For instance there are primitive constructions like The Pollock House, the Country Black, the Glasgow Cathedral and the Bothwel Castle. These places hold immense significance not just as tokens of an abundant history but also in incurring tourist wealth. Not to forget are Glasgow’s eminent pedestrian shopping streets- Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street etc.

Some nitty-gritties

The best feature of Scotland is an easy access to it. Americans can throng this place without any passport. April to September are the ideal months to visit Scotland. So make sure that you get your reservations done beforehand. Scotland does not accept Euro currency. The visitors must get it exchanged prior to their visit.

Have you ever been to Isle of Wight? If yes, you cannot forget this peaceful and relaxing feeling. Just being inside the green and comforting scenery of the wonderful Isle of Wight`s landscape, creates a feeling of life within you. The charming atmosphere helps you to meditate and contemplate your inner essence. You can stop for a while from the rapid running of your life and think about everlasting values like love, freedom, happiness etc. If not, then do not lose an opportunity to visit this splendid part of the world. Island of conciliation, quiet and its first beauty will remain in your memory forever. Whether you are a Londoner or a foreigner, just leave your work for a while, put aside all your cares, troubles and bustle of everyday life and take a nice trip to the enchanting island. The hospitable island waits for you with open arms.

There are so many attractive places to see.

The Island has a great and rich history. Every town and place has its own story. The Island`s holiday resorts have been famous since Victorian times. The renowned British poet Alfred Lord Tennyson was born on this island. Due to natural unspoilt beauty, island became the summer residence for Queen Victoria. She often visited her favourite Isle of Wight and beloved Osborne House very much. The Island is the home for world famous Cowes Week annual regatta. The first and most famous hovercraft in the world was built on the island. Now you have a nice occasion to get to the island on by hovercraft, running on the world`s oldest hovercraft service. Construction and testing of the British space rockets was also performed on Isle of Wight. Its Cultural life now reflects the development of vibrant hosts such as the Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival, Rock Music Festival, Bestival and many other exciting events are held nowadays to entertain people. Visit, have fun and enjoy a very pleasant experience! The island has a very extraordinary wildlife. It is one of the richest fossil places for dinosaurs in Europe.

Islanders may feel proud of their exceptional history and past times. If you fly round island, you will see that it is diamond-shaped. If you want to get more excitement, take a drive trip around the Isle of Wight. It takes you approximately one day to see the main towns, but be sure that it will be an inspired walk as island`s scenery is remarkably diverse. Due to its rich heritage, kept traditions, natural beauty of wildlife and seaside resorts, Isle of Wight attracts many holiday-makers. Tourism is the largest industry. The main towns are Newport, Ryde, Cowes, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor. Every town and village has hotels, hostels or B & B services where you can stay. The Isle of Wight hotels` doors are always opened for you.

The Isle of Wight offers a stress and pressure free opportunity as well as providing you with the sense of calmness and serenity. The Island is a very popular destination for the whole family holiday all year round. Sandy days, high cliffs and sheltered creeks fringe the Isle of Wight. Inland the River Medina flows through a gently sloping down land, dotted with farms, woods and attractive little villages. There is a fine selection of museums portraying life through ages as well as castles, forts and working watermills. A superb and colourful trip is guaranteed!