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Ask Shaun
Published on February 25th, 2008.
Hey everyone! Your favourite UK explorer is back, and this month, I’m taking things in a rosier direction. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this Casanova is going to give you the inside scoop of some of the most romantic attractions in the UK! But first, let’s answer a few reader questions!
Samantha Asked: If we buy a BritRail London Plus Pass and use the Heathrow express ticket only on the 1st and last day, are these days counted on the pass?
Answer: Using the airport express trains does not use a day on the pass; the coupons are used separately.
Bill from Ridgewood, NJ Asked: Concerning the 2008 London Plus Pass, will the Airport Vouchers be usable from Luton Airport?
Answer: Good question Bill! The airport vouchers that come with the London Plus Pass can be used on the Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted Express. Unfortunately it cannot be used at the Luton Airport.
Anonymous Asked: Can I purchase the BritRail London Plus Pass in my country?
Answer: So long as you aren’t a resident of the UK, you can purchase and use the BritRail London Plus Pass.
So is it just me, or were there a lot of questions about the London Plus Pass? Well regardless, they were all great questions and I’m sure they’ll help all the readers! But enough questions, onto the romantic side of the UK!
If you and your sweetheart are in London for Valentine’s Day, I’d suggest checking out the London Eye. Now, I know some of you must be wondering what is romantic about a 135 meter-high observation wheel, but trust me, there is more than meets the eye here (yes – pun intended). From the 8th to the 17th of February, you can book an intimate ‘Cupid’s Capsule’ which comes with a red rose, a bottle of Laurent-Perrier champagne and a luxury box of Charbonnel et Walker pink champagne truffles served by your very own private waiter. Now picture all this in a 360 degree panoramic capsule which slowly ascends into the clouds, providing a breathtaking view like no other! Sounds pretty romantic to me!
Private Capsules are available daily from 10.00am to 8.00pm or from 12.00pm on Sundays and Good Friday. On Valentine’s Day, 14 February, the Cupid’s Capsule will be available from 10.00am to 10.00pm.
If heights are not your thing, then may I suggest booking one of Bateaux London’s enchanting Dinner Cruises? You’ll enjoy exquisite food and wine, all while gently gliding past London’s most famous sights. Then, when your meal is done, grab your loved one and share an unforgettable moment on the dance floor, as the live band plays into the night.
You can book one of Bateaux London’s Dinner Cruises at www.BritRail.com
I could go on and on about the UK’s romantic possibilities, but I’m afraid that’s all we’ve got time for in this issue!
Remember, if you have any questions about the UK or BritRail, you can send them to AskShaun@BritRail.com. I hope everyone has a great Valentine’s Day and we’ll see you all again in March!
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BritRail’s “Wild and Wacky Luggage” Contest
Published on February 18th, 2008.
BritRail is on a quest to find the wildest, wackiest and most unique set of luggage out there! So people, it’s time to fight your way to the back of the closet, grab that “out of style” old eye-sore you call a bag and display it proudly! The contestant who sends the picture of the craziest, most original piece of luggage will win two 4-Day, 1st Class BritRail FlexiPasses! Feel free to decorate it even more!
Hint: Bonus points to entries with British or Rail themes!
To participate, please send your picture to photocontest@BritRail.com. Contest ends March 31st, 2008. For rules and regulations, please visit www.BritRail.com.
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Oyster Cards
Published on February 11th, 2008.
Planning on gallivanting around Britain’s most famous City? Well, with so much to see and do in London, it can become quite costly just getting from place to place. But, fear not travelers, because we have 2 words that will make all those problems go away – Oyster Card!
The amazingly flexible Oyster card provides access to the majority of London’s transport services. With it, you can ride the Tube, Docklands Light Railway and the bus and tram! But wait, there is way more to the Oyster Card than that! The card comes pre-loaded with £15 of pay as you go value: ready to use, so no need to queue up at stations. Best of all, the Oyster Card is reusable; you simply add value to your card whenever you run out!
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The BritRail Guest Pass – Perfect for Valentine’s Day
Published on February 3rd, 2008.
This Valentine’s Day, BritRail wants to help out all the star-crossed lovers out there, who have someone special waiting for them in the UK. To make reuniting that much more special, you can use the BritRail Guest Pass and travel the UK with your British flame!
Valid on BritRail and BritRail England Passes, the Guest Pass Discount not only provides 25% off each pass, it is also the only way a UK resident can take advantage of BritRail’s amazing product line. And, as if we weren’t generous enough, BritRail is going one step further:
New, in 2008, if you’re a resident of Australia, New Zealand, India or South Africa, you and your travelling partner will receive a whopping 50% off each pass instead of the regular 25%.
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Because Everyone Loves Something Free!
Published on February 1st, 2008.
This month, North American consumers will get a FREE DVD gift with the purchase of any of our rail products.
To do this, we’ve teamed up with PBS-TV’s fantastic travel show, Passport to Adventure, to offer an entertaining destination DVD. You’ll join hosts Julie Conover and Mark Jennings as Passport to Adventure explores the world’s most exciting, adventure travel destinations in this hour-long video, featuring in-depth, insightful travel guides to Wales and more!
Hurry, because this offer ends February 29th !
For more information on Passport to Adventure, you can also check out www.PassportToAdventure.com
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Ask Shaun
Published on January 31st, 2008.
Shaun here, the newest (and coolest) addition to the BritRail Newsletter team! You’ll be hearing from me in each newsletter as I roam and report on the various Must-Do’s and Must-See’s of the UK. From historic museums to happening night-clubs and everything in between, I’ll be your guide to all things British!
But enough about me let’s look at the January report! My hotspot pick of the month is (drum roll please) ….Cornwall!
Why Cornwall you may ask? (Or you may not, but I’ll answer anyways). Cornwall is home to this fantastic and unique attraction called the Eden Project! Dubbed an unofficial Wonder of the World, Eden is as its name suggests, an expansive garden housed in enormous, funky, futuristic biodomes that rest in a crater the size of 30 Football fields!
Fun for the whole family, this small patch of paradise examines the links between flora and fauna and how, basically, we need these plants to survive (so do your best to not pollute, like take a train instead of a plane… cheap plug? Maybe, but hey, it’s the truth!).
Take a stroll in the Humid Tropics Biodome, which, FYI, is the world’s largest greenhouse, and discover all the wonders of the Rainforest – minus all those pesky poisonous frogs. After, pop over to the Warm Temperate Dome where trees of oranges and lemons mix with olive groves. The other biodome is actually roofless and shows off more local greenery like sunflowers and hemp.
Trust me, the Eden Project is not only fascinating, it’s also really informative and educational – a perfect outing for… well, just about anyone!
For more information on the Eden Project, just visit their website at: www.EdenProject.com
Ok folks, that’s it for this month’s newsletter. If you have any locations you’d like me to review, attractions to cover or just have a general question about anything British, email me at AskShaun@BritRail.com. Who knows, maybe we’ll see your inquiry in an upcoming newsletter! See you all next month!
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Go Green – Go BritRail!
Published on January 28th, 2008.
The fact is, your choice of transportation greatly affects the environment. All mechanized modes of transport, especially planes, emit large amounts of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), which is one of the leading green house gases that damage the Earth’s climate. The railways of Britain understand the need to do their part in helping protect the environment and are committed to ensuring they remain one of the greenest forms of transportation!
Environmental Initiatives:
In 2006, the train operating companies of Britain conducted an award winning Sulphur Free Diesel program which led to a reduction in harmful gases that trains emit. Now, they are taking this one step further by testing a blend of low Sulphur fuel with alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, which will decrease the trains’ Carbon Foot Print even more.
A number of British trains now use Regenerative Breaking. This new technology returns approximately 20% of the energy trains dissipate when braking back into the National Grid as re- usable energy. Initiatives are in place to apply this technology to Britain’s entire fleet.
Train conductors are also taking “Eco-Driving” lessons in simulators in order to learn how to maximize energy efficiency.
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All Aboard for a Royal Cruise
Published on January 21st, 2008.
While we’re on the topic of Scotland, we’d like to cordially invite you to climb aboard our newest travel product, The Royal Yacht Britannia. Docked in Edinburgh, this beautiful behemoth has played host to some of the most famous people in the world but, above all, she was a home-away-from-home to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family! Now, this amazing ship is open to anyone interested in seeing just how the Royals lived when out at sea.
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Introducing the NEW BritRail Central Scotland Pass!
Published on January 14th, 2008.
Even though the UK has so many amazing places to visit, we know some travelers like to focus on specific regions and really delve into local cultures. That’s why we’ve introduced the new BritRail Central Scotland Pass. If you’re only going to visit Scotland and are planning on sticking around Edinburgh and Glasgow, then this is the best pass for you! Oh, did we forget to mention, the pass also lets you ride the Glasgow Underground for free?!
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See London and its Surrounding Cities
Published on January 7th, 2008.
London’s calling…but so are Bath, Bristol and a number of other must-see cities, which is why we’ve improved our BritRail London Plus Pass! We won’t argue that London is truly special, but we do suggest that you take a few days-out trips and see some of the other exciting cities just near by! We’re so adamant about this, that we’ve extended the boundaries of our London Plus Pass to include Bristol, Bath and Stratford-Upon Avon. But that’s not all; the pass now comes complete with 2 vouchers for any of the Airport Expresses (Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted) – We just couldn’t bare the thought of you dealing with insufferable London traffic!
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