46 days without…

Hope all of you had your favorite foods and a big batch of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, since lent started on the 22nd of February. Why giving up something for lent? Originally it is to remember ourselves what Jesus had to go through when he crossed a path in the desert for 40 days. It is to teach us self-discipline, but nowadays it’s more become of a challenge among friends and family. You give up the thing/things you would miss the most and have the hardest living without, such as: chocolate, meat, seafood, carbs, fast-food, cigarettes or alcohol.

But there is one significant difference of this lent compared to other years, this lent is for 46 days. So what do you do? Start 6 days later, finish 6 days early or use all your self-discipline and do the whole 46 days? If so, you have 6 weeks to go and we hope you all can do it, because doesn’t it make you feel good during Easter that you could do it. You have proved it to yourself, your friends and family. It makes you feel unstoppable or really desperate for what you have been giving up. Good luck!

 

Afternoon tea anyone?

What can be more British than afternoon tea? Yes of course there is the Big ben, the eye,
Harrods, Tower bridge, Double deck buses and the Thames, but all of these except
for the buses are all just in London. Wherever you are, if you are happy or
sad, if its’ sunny or cold someone will be there with a pot in there hand
offering you a cup of tea.
The list of tea places in London are long and if you have the chance explore and find your
own tucked-away café or bakery, but if you want to visit the most famous ones
there is one rule to follow: book beforehand. Some of these places are so
well-known that if you are coming for a weekend the first table available is 2
months from now. If you are planning or have already booked your stay at Burns
hotel, London, you should already book your afternoon tea.
This website has links directly to the most famous afternoon tea places in London, and you
can book with them online.

London – Make it your own

Just one day in London? That’s impossible! If you want to explore the
whole spirit of London you have to book more than just a daytrip to visit the ‘mustsees’
such as: the London eye, the Tower bridge, house of parliament, Big Ben,
Buckingham Palace and do some amazing shopping at Oxford street, or enjoy the
luxury of Harrods.

Those sightseeing places are famous and very impressing but the real pearls
of London are those who aren’t famous. Visit a pub and watch a Chelsea match
with some fish ‘n’ chips and beer, try a full English breakfast with French toast,
sausages, bacon and beans, and do not forget the afternoon tea.

Have one day of mustsees and then take a day to discover your own
favorites and make your own memories. Take a minute to stop and just enjoy the atmosphere of London.

Celebrations for a Dragon

The year of the dragon is considered the most auspicious zodiac sign in Chinese culture. What to expect this year? Another baby boom, a 5% increase in population just in China, and babies born associated with good fortune, intelligence and believed to be destined for success. Not having a baby this year?

Then join Burns hotel at the festive celebrations this Sunday at Trafalgar square and China town. The celebrations will begin at 10am with a parade around the West-end with its final destination of Trafalgar square at 12pm. Here the official opening ceremony will be held followed by speeches from special guests. Two stages will offer Dragon dancing, music and performances until 6pm. Take the chance to visit Chinatown from its best with Lion dancers as well as a range of stalls selling traditional foods throughout the whole day.

London Art Fair 18th-22nd January

Been to London or not I believe most people would agree that London is a city of diversification and that there is something to do for everyone. The Burns Hotel shout out to all people with an interest for art in all shapes, tomorrow is the start of this year edition of the London art fair at the Business Design Center in Islington. It presents over 100 galleries featuring this century great names in British art and contemporary work with a mix of leading figures and developing talents. One of the most popular sections is the “Art Projects”, this segment displays new and emerging talents and selected projects from galleries in London, New York, Germany and Ireland. For more information

Events in London in January 2012

January is a great time to come to London. The sales at all the major stores are in full flow, midweek theatre prices are amazing value and there are quite a few events happening. The Burns Hotel is ideally located in London, whether you are coming to shop, enjoy the theatre or attend one of the events.
The Burns Hotel is only a few minutes walk from Earls Court & Olympia Exhibition centre and you can see all their events listed here http://www.eco.co.uk/ . If you want to try something different, why not attend one of the events at the London International Mime Festival and you can find the information about that here .http://www.mimefest.co.uk/

Christmas at Covent Garden from now until Jan 4th

Covent Garden’s Xmas displays are bookended by a British-grown Christmas tree on the West Piazza and a 15-foot-high topiary reindeer on the East Piazza. Decorating the market building are giant red baubles and mirror balls, with festoon lighting illuminating the market arches. Martha Fiennes’ SLOimage has created an animated nativity scene, which slowly changes during the course of each day. On Saturdays, London choirs sing traditional carols. Saturdays (every Sat noon-5pm) also see Santa’s trusty sledge-pullers touch down for reindeer-petting sessions. Covent Garden Christmas Food Market (Nov 24-Dec 24 Thur-Sat) sees the usual top producers in attendance, selling seasonal goodies. Handmade crafts and collectibles for Christmas are on sale daily in the Apple Market building. To find Christmas lights all around London see www.timeout.com/xmaslights

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 18th November until 3rd January, London

Every year the Winter Wonderland takes over Hyde Park with Christmas spirit. There are many attractions and various rides that everyone can enjoy. This includes a Giant Observational Wheel where you can soar 60 meters into the sky while comfortably in an enclosed pod. There will be two family friendly circuses put on by Zippos Circus. Zippos Christmas Circus is a family favourite. Their performance follows the story of Santa and his reindeer. There is also the Zippos Cirque Extreme show that you can catch. This spectaular includes contortionists, aerialists and acrobats so be ready to hold on to your seats. There are also a number of rides for those seeking a thrill.

There are also activities that are more relaxed. The Samsung Galaxy Ice Rink is the largest outdoor ice arena in the UK. Enjoy the crisp winter air as you make your way around the ice rink and take in the Christmas surrounding. There is a Victorian bandstand on the ice rink so you can also enjoy so festive live music as well. And do not forget to explore Santa land and visit Santa. See the workshop, meet the elves and enjoy rides that make you feel like you are at the North Pole.

It is free to enter the Winter Wonderland but some of the attractions you do need tickets for. To find out more about this event or for ticket information visit the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland website http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/.

Relentless Freeze Festival 28-29 October 2011, Battersea Power Station, London

Returning to the iconic Battersea Power Station for the fourth time is UK’s only snow, ski, and music festival. The Relentless Freeze Festival 2011 brings the ultimate Apres Ski Party of the winter. For this event a 32 meter high jump is constructed and 500 tons of real snow is brought in. International skiers and snowboarders show up to do some of the most amazing stunts. Some of the biggest names in British music line up to perform on the Main Stage.
To learn more about the event you can visit the Relentless Freeze Festival Website http://www.relentlessfreeze.com/. There you can see the schedule of ski and snowboard heats, the lineup of musical performances, as well as a video of the construction of the 2011 jump. This may be only a two day festival but it is filled with events that you will not find in the same place at once anywhere else in the UK. Tickets are on sale now and selling out fast so get yours now http://www.relentlessfreeze.com/tickets.

Bloomsbury Festival 21st – 23rd October, London

The Bloomsbury Festivals returns with many fantastic cultural events to brighten up autumn in London. Over 150 free events will take place in over 50 different venues across the square mile of central London. The Bloomsbury Festival offers beautiful art, great music, fascinating walks, perceptive poetry, creative crafts, amazing dance, and delicious food. All these events are fit into one weekend and gives a look inside the cultural life of central London. This festival brings together an incredible diversity of people that live and work in central London.
The festival is run by the ‘Hidden City’ committee. The committee includes the Bloomsbury Colleges, the School of Advanced Study, UCL and Wellcome Collection. You can find the entire programme listings for Bloomsbury Festival at bloomsburyfestival.org.uk.