Appart'City, Blois

Advantages: Price, self-contained professional apartments, high quality accommodation
Disadvantages: Slightly cramped, a little way out of town

...We booked Appart'City for a 3 night long weekend in July, through Eurostar. At the time we booked, it was one of the cheapest options available. We knew it was a little way out-of-town, in the Madeleine district, but we decided that was an acceptable price to pay to get good quality accommodation at a low price. If you're travelling light, it's easily walkable from Lille Europe, otherwise hop on the red or green tram line (access underground at Lille Europe), and hop off at Romarin - one stop up the line. We found it difficult to actually find the building, and locals couldn't give us directions - it's not obvious that the building is a hotel, even when you're standing in front of it. Appart'City is basically a modern block of apartments which are probably mostly aimed at business travellers, but also available for tourist breaks. So... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lots Of History
Disadvantages: Not Free To Look Around

...Castle passed to his Son, another William who was also Earl of Surrey until his death in 1138. The title, along with Conisbrough Castle then passed to yet another William who died in 1147. The first three Williams were all very closely related to the Kings of England but they were also closely linked to the Royal Nobility of France. The second William married Isobel, Daughter of Henry the 1st of France. When the third Earl died in 1147 he left no Male Heir, only a daughter Isobel. She Married William de Blois, Son of King Stephen but he died a few years later without any Children. Another Marriage was arranged for Isobel to Hamelin Plantagenet, the illegitimate Half-Brother of King Henry the Second. It is known that Hamelin spent a lot more time at Conisbrough Castle than any of the previous Earls. He held the Earldom for almost forty... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Pretty Market Town
Disadvantages: House prices!

...----Introduction------- Alresford is a pretty Georgian market town in Hampshire, England that lies about 7 miles East of the cathedral city of Winchester. The town centre is full of pretty colour washed Georgian houses. The population is around 5000 (2001 census) Alresford (pronounced Allsford) apparently means 'the ford over the river where the alder trees grow'. There is an Old and New Alresford. (Although New Alresford came into existence around 1200 so is not that new!). For this review when I mention Alresford I will be referring to New Alresford. Alresford came top of the SE regional list in Country Life Magazine's "Favourite Market Town" award and was a runner up to Hexham, the winners, in the final five! ---Brief History-------- Henri de Blois, brother of King Stephen and Bishop of Winchester, is credited... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful