With forethought and a little imagination your camping trip can be very enjoyable and a bit of an adventure. Before I go off on holiday I always have a practice in my garden and make sure I can remember how to put my tent up. When my tent is erected this also gives me the chance to check that all the pieces are there and in good working order and I can also make sure my tent is waterproof. If I have bought a new tent then this will give me the chance to familiarise myself with it before I venture out. Just think how embarrassed I would feel if I arrived at my beautiful destination and didn’t know how to assemble my holiday accommodation!

When I have chosen my destination and found my camping site I think facilities, do I want to have them readily available or do I want to ‘rough it’. If I were a happy hiker and carrying my tent and equipment in a rucksack then depending on where I stopped for the night I may have to forgo some of life’s little creature comforts. I would also be limited to how much I can physically carry so I would have to remember to take this into account when packing.

If I were travelling by car or van then obviously I can take more equipment and can travel further afield. There are many organised camping sites available world-wide. They vary from basic sites with water and toilet facilities to ones that also include a swimming pool, shops, restaurants and entertainment. Costs will vary immensely so I always weigh up my options before I decide. Do I want peace and quiet and open spaces, basic facilities or a more sociable and busy holiday full of entertainment, the choice is mine.

I really do think it is a good idea to make a list before I embark on any trip. For camping you really do need to remember the basics. A drinking vessel, water, plate, cutlery, pot for cooking and heating water in, a torch and of course a warm sleeping bag are a definite must as is the one thing most people forget – a can opener! On a personal level, I always think it is also a good idea to take along my own toilet roll. A camping bed or blow up bed are also a must so that I can hopefully have a good nights sleep off the lumpy ground. I also take warm clothes even if I am travelling in the summer as night time can be decidedly chilly in a tent.

Normally when camping I cater for myself so I obviously will need some sort of cooker. I could by a small gas or petrol stove and can choose between single ringed stoves or larger double ringed cookers. It may take skill and ingenuity to cook a three course meal on them but they will do the job of heating or cooking my basic food. Opting for nostalgia and lighting a fire is always a last resort as my surroundings might be dry and a spark could easily set dry undergrowth alight. Apart from the safety aspect fuel would have to be collected for the fire, not easy if there are no old branches or pieces of wood in the near vicinity.

Careful thought goes into what food to take. If I only have one cooking ring then there is no point in taking food which needs to be oven cooked! Unless I can buy fresh food daily then tinned food is ideal as I won’t have a fridge to keep perishable food in.

Most importantly remember to do as I do and leave my camping site as I would wish to find it, clean and tidy, I remove all my rubbish and leave it looking as if I was never there.

Cambridge combines the best of traditional and modern life in one city. The towers, quadrangles and gardens of its 31 colleges create the Cambridge’s spectacular landscape. At the same time, visitors enjoy the best in theatre, music and live entertainment in Cambridge’s many festivals and theatres. A great spot to visit all year round, Cambridge is host to many thousands of visitors, and endures as one of England’s most popular places to visit.

Places of Interest

On every corner of the city, there is at least one building or view that is worth visiting and exploring. There are also places off the beaten path that are definitely worth a short excursion.

The University—take a guided tour of Cambridge’s 31 famous colleges. You can spend time investigating these colleges for a day or for weeks.

Moggerhanger Park—This Georgian Grade I Historic house is a jewel in the Bedfordshire Countryside. It has undergone a gradual renovation process, and fits the striking and original design of Sir John Soane.

Cromwell Museum—Sir Oliver Cromwell, born in 1599 attended this former school along with Samuel Pepys. Now a museum, this collection features objects once belonging to the former Lord Protector and his family.

Fenner’s Field—Have a pint, some crisps and watch a cricket match in the University’s cricket field. You can view a match in April, May or June.

ADC Theatre—The oldest theatre in Cambridge, this venue is home to the finest student productions as well as community theatrical projects.

Things To Do

Whatever your interests, you can find a variety of activities in Cambridge. Whether music is your passion or you prefer taking a nature hike, there is always something going on in Cambridge, regardless of the season.

Corn Exchange Festival—In the summertime, Cambridge is home to one of East Anglia’s finest events during which you can experience the best in every genre of music, comedy and drama.

Cambridge Folk Festival—described by the Daily Telegraph as Europe’s most celebrated folk festival, this frequently sold-out event features folk music from every corner of the world.

Fireworks Display—Cambridge hosts the largest free fireworks display in England, and along with the impressive show, there is also free, live entertainment and a bonfire.

Debenham’s—no trip to England is complete without a shopping excursion at one of the most frequently visited department stores in the country. Whatever you are looking for, you will find it here.
Roman Road Walk—take a stroll back in time on a circular Roman road that will lead you through local fields and villages.

Food & Drink

In addition to visiting Cambridge superb sites, you will also need to grab a bite to eat now and again. Whether you prefer a formal meal, a light snack or a traditional English tea, you can easily find a place in Cambridge that suits your appetite and your budget. If you fancy a pint, there are many pubs to choose from as well.

Red Lion-16th century country pub in the lovely village of Hinxton serves traditional English fare and drinks.

Bun Shop—if you are looking for a restaurant and pub with a Mediterranean flavour, enjoy the tapas, the continental food and the Flamenco dancing at the Bun Shop. There is also a Quiz Night every Tuesday.

Maharaja Indian Tandoori—This is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in Cambridge, and it serves traditional Indian favourites, including Madras, Tandoori and Bhajis as well as piping hot vindaloo.
The Anchor—This classic English pub has a riverfront terrace and serves English breakfasts as well as Sunday roasts.

Tatties—A good place to grab a quick bite to eat, this charming establishment specializes in jacket potatoes, snacks, coffee and tea and has a great selection of vegetarian dishes.

Hotel & Accommodations

Whether you are looking for a five-star hotel or a budget bed and breakfast, it is quite easy to find what you are looking for in Cambridge. There are many medium-priced Bed and Breakfasts or Guest Houses which are family run and provide amenities such as cable TV, quality bathrooms and showers, and hot beverages. Many offer free continental breakfasts or low-cost English breakfasts. For the adventurous, there are many camping grounds located outside of the city centre if you are keen on renting a caravan. For those who prefer self-catering, there are many houses and apartments available to let by the week.

Aylesbray Lodge
Brooklands Guest House
Sorrento Hotel & Restaurant
Cambridge Garden House Moat House
Centennial Hotel
De Vere University Arms Hotel
Royal Cambridge
Acorn Guest House
Best Western Gonville Hotel
Ashtrees Guest House
Arundel House Hotel
Carolina Guest House
Sleep Inn Cambridge
The Meadowcroft Hotel
Best Western-Connoisseur, Cambridge Quy Mill Hote
Kirkwood House
Hotel Felix
Express by Holiday Inn Cambridge
Dresden Villa Guest House
The Cambridge Belfry
Alpha Milton Guest House
Cambridge Apartments Ltd
Black Horse Motel

Entertainment

Theatre has a long and well-respected tradition in Cambridge, and it is in this city that many of today’s popular entertainers made their foray into the performing arts. The Corn Exchange Theatre is the largest venue in the city, and hosts operas, large-scale professional productions and stand-up comedy. It is also worth investigating student talent as well, and the ABC, the oldest theatre in Cambridge, is worth a visit. The Mumford is the legendary student theatre in Cambridge and is the largest student venue. Drop by the Corpus playroom, which features student productions throughout the year.

If you prefer cinema, visit the Arts Picture House, which features foreign and mainstream films and also sponsors children’s programs. The Vue Cinema has an 8 screen selection, with enough choices to suit every film fancier.

There are several notable festivals in Cambridge during the summer. The Cambridge Folk Festival is the finest of its kind in Europe and features an impressive and eclectic mix of traditional music, from Irish favourites to American blue grass. At the Corn Exchange Festival, you can hear any style of music that suites your taste. There are also comedy programs and theatrical productions on the schedule.

Regardless of your interests or the time of year you are planning to visit the city, Cambridge an outstanding array of nightlife, dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options. Even if you stay for months, it is unlikely that you will be able to experience everything Cambridge has to offer, so a return trip to this fantastic city should definitely be in your plans.

During the last few years, many small companies have popped up like mushrooms in popular business destinations such as Barcelona & Madrid, all promising to be the best at renting out business apartments. So how do you choose between them? What should you be looking out for? What should you try and avoid? How can you be sure that the business apartment you are renting out isn’t miles outside of town in a place that even the taxi driver hasn’t heard of? How can you be sure that you haven’t just rented out a holiday apartment on the Costa Brava?

What you are looking for which sets the business apartment rental industry apart from holiday rentals is a certain degree of professionalism. You want and need a rental company which does what it says. You need to be able to rely upon check in times & dates, apartment costs, rental availability, extra services and furnishing quality. You don’t want your company staff or guests, staying in a place with rats and cockroaches, any less than you want them staying in a place without the advertised wireless Internet connection, without the promised telephone line and without the washing machine and tumble drier to get those shirts ready for that next-day important meeting.

Look for a company that has a good reputation. Speak to people who have used these companies. Check out their web sites. Do they have a good image? Do they instil confidence? You can’t always judge a book by its cover, they say. But if a company can’t get a simple thing like a web site working properly, can they really provide all that is necessary to rent out professional business apartments?

Take a look at customer testimonials, but most importantly, try actually speaking to someone at the company before you go ahead and book the apartment online. Whilst you may never be able to go to the place in person before the planned business trip, there really is no substitute for speaking to a real human being. So pick up the phone, give them a call and ask them all the questions you have in your mind. Chances are that if they cannot answer all your questions and make you feel happy and confident, then you have chosen the wrong place. Customer service is paramount these days, and a good business apartment rental company will be aware of this. The decision making is then up to you.

Whether you are visiting for business, to work on a project, to attend a congress, to give a course, to take a course, or maybe you start living there and building up the next step in your life, and you require temporary housing, you need to concentrate on a company which focuses on professionals.
With all these issues in mind, there are a few things you should ask for:

Are there basics such as a sofa, bed, TV & bathroom facilities?
How far is the apartment from the centre of town or the place of your business meetings and/or conferences?

Will there be someone who can be contacted at all times during the stay, who speaks your language?
Do they offer a taxi service and/or airport transfer?
Are there extra services such as a cleaning service, catering & baby care facilities?
Is there flexibility regarding your length of stay, in the case that you might need temporary accommodation whilst looking for a permanent place to live?

Is there flexibility in payment methods?
Is there a safe place for your belongings?
Are there any hidden costs such as agency fees?
If you have an emergency, will someone be there to help you out?
Who takes care of the small daily incidents you may encounter, such as a blind that gets stuck, a washing basin that suddenly starts leaking or if you happen to lock yourself out?

At the end of the day, you want to find a business apartment that suits you, one where you will feel at home. Not exactly like your own house, of course, but pretty close – a nicely decorated place, cosy, pleasant, where you can keep your clothes, books, music, sit down in the sofa and watch a good movie or check your emails on your laptop on the terrace, prepare the meeting for the next day while you cook your own meal. You want to be able to invite people over for dinner or to stay for the weekend. You need a place to stay where you can feel relaxed and do as you wish.
Of course, the final decision making is up to you. But you can make this process far easier by simply doing some investigation first.