Hidden Dublin: Cool 8 Things to do While You're in Town

Dublin is a small capital but has many to offers. If you are coming for a week-end you might want to add a little bit of craziness and unusual experience to your planning. Here is a list of 8 cool things to do while you’re in Dublin.

 Have a drink in The Hacienda

The hacienda is a local treasure, a good place to order a pint of “the black stuff”. It is decorated with the face of famous persons that had a drink there. It is a nice place if you want to have a chat with the local but before you must ring the bell outside so they let you in!
 

Pick up some antiques at the Brocante market

Spend a great morning roaming through an abundance of vintage delights. The Brocante Market is open the first weekend of each month and propose a large selection unlike anywhere else. Each real-vendor as his own style and unique items. It is easy to spend time finding exciting goods with a funny story behind, don’t hesitate to ask! 

Grab a breakfast burrito in K Chido Mexico

Grab your breakfast out of a funky vintage Citroen HY. You will enjoy authentic Mexican food in a food truck atmosphere. Product are locally sourced and served by friendly staff! It is the perfect spot for a lazy Sunday.

See a movie in the Lighthouse Cinema

This is probably the Dublin’s most loved independent cinema. The Lighthouse showcase the cult classic and lasts releases in contemporary style rooms. A great place to go on a Saturday evening or even an afternoon. 

Sit by the Hungry Tree

Yes you read right, Dublin host an hungry Tree, and it is slowly eating the iron bench next to him. Considered as capital’s trees heritage the plane tree is about 80 years old. Located nearby the Constitution Hill, get the right angle and you will see its hungry face.

Visit the Sunday market in the People’s Park

A great escape to the city and only 30 minutes away, Dun Laoghaire offers a nice day strolling at the park and enjoy the market. You can buy food and have a picnic on the grass. After than we suggest you to walk along the pier and take the view of the beautiful Irish Sea.

Head to the Meeting House Square in Temple Bar

Another place for foodies is the Temple Bar weekly food market. Fresh bread, cheese, vegetable…and to eat on the go there is many freshly prepared food stalls.

See an exhibition in the Science Gallery

The science Gallery of Dublin host many exhibitions. There are always interactive and fun, a great way to have a taste of science. The Gallery is also exporting exhibition around the world and has a serious reputation! Check the program on their website.

So, are you ready to add a little bit a spice to your plan? Visit the o callaghan hotel and Use the #ocallaghanhotels on Instagram so we can follow your adventure!

Popular Art Exhibitions in London

London is home to a number of world class art galleries which all offer a regular and exciting programme of special exhibitions.  Whilst many of these art galleries are well worth visiting year round, with the vast majority also offering free admission to members of the public, the special exhibitions also often come highly acclaimed with a number offering the chance to see works of art which are not usually on display.  Whether you are just beginning to plan your trip to London or you have one coming up in the next few months, here are some popular art exhibitions in the city which are well worth taking the time to see:-

Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts is all about showcasing new talent and contemporary expressions of art be that through painting or printmaking, film or photography.  The Summer Exhibition runs until the end of August and will feature over 1,200 works with the best of up and coming talent alongside more established artists.

Grayson Perry at The Serpentine Gallery

The Serpentine Gallery is just a 20 minute walk from The Shaftesbury Premier London Paddington Hotel and situated within the confines of Kensington Gardens it is well known for its contemporary and temporary art exhibitions.  This summer Grayson Perry showcases The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! which explores the ways in which contemporary art can address a diverse cross section of society.  The interesting thing about Grayson Perry is that he works with a variety of different mediums from ceramics to printmaking, tapestry to cast iron and he draws inspiration from his own childhood and life as a transvestite whilst also tackling wider social issues such as politics and the class system.  Although it is free to see the exhibition, numbers are limited so expect to queue when you arrive at the Gallery.

Monet at the National Gallery

Although this exhibition will not officially open at the National Gallery until April 2018 it is already garnering much interest and is expected to be a very popular show.  Monet & Architecture will feature more than 70 paintings which were made throughout this renowned artist’s career from the mid-1860s right through to 1912.  There are a variety of works of art; some showing villages and rural settings and others his exploration of modern cities.  These works have been drawn from various public and private collections from around the globe.  If you want to experience this exhibition and not pay through the nose for a hotel then we suggest you get searching for budget hotels in London as soon as possible so you don’t miss your chance to see what may be a once in a lifetime exhibition.

Amy Winehouse at the Jewish Museum

For something slightly different, you might be interested in visiting the Jewish Museum London and seeing Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait.  The Jewish Museum is located just 3 minutes walk from Camden Town underground station and this exhibition is a must-visit for any fans of the London singer-songwriter who sadly passed away in 2011.  The exhibition will feature Amy’s record collection, some of her more notable fashion outfits, and family photographs and provide a behind the scenes look at Amy’s life both as she was growing up and once she became famous.  The exhibition has been co-curated with Amy Winehouse’s brother Alex and her sister in law Riva and will be on display until the end of September.

Painted Hall Ceiling Tour at the Old Royal Naval College

A truly once in a lifetime opportunity, visitors on the painted ceiling tours will have the chance to ascend 60 feet and see the UK’s largest painted ceiling up close as it is renovated and restored for the first time in almost 50 years.  The Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College is a Baroque masterpiece and was created between 1707 and 1726.  It is home to a number of surprises; these hour-long tours will offer you the opportunity to discover just some of those mysteries from the special observation deck which has been created.

Harry Potter Graphics at the House of Minalima

Harry Potter celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017 so it makes sense that a number of exhibitions relating to the famous boy wizard should crop up around the city.  Minalima is located in Soho and has given over a number of rooms to showcase graphic art from the Harry Potter films as well as Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, with a number of limited edition re-produced art prints for sale too.  The collection features items such as the Marauder’s Map, Daily Prophet newspapers and some authentic film props which have been received on loan from the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour.  Any Harry Potter fan will absolutely love this insight into the movies so be sure to get down before the exhibition closes.

Rachel Whiteread at Tate Britain

Rachel Whiteread was the first woman to win the Turner Prize and is one of the UK’s leading contemporary artists.  This exhibition at the Tate Britain is the most comprehensive exhibition of her work to date and spans her 25 year career of creating sculptures from plaster, concrete, resin and rubber.  The show will feature some of her most well known works such as Untitled (100 spaces) and Untitled (Staircase) alongside new pieces which have never before been exhibited.

Basquiat at the Barbican

Drawing from private and international museums, Basquiat: Boom for Real is the first large-scale exhibition in the UK of the work of American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.  The show will feature more than 100 works and bring to light the amazing story of this self-taught artist who first rose to fame in 1978 after teaming up with a fellow classmate to graffiti statements across New York.  He tragically died at just 27 years old but is remembered as one of the most celebrated artists of his generation.

Top Hotels In Bayswater To Stay With Your Family

Oh you are in London and worried about the accommodation part? Just sit back and relax! You must not worry at all when you are in this amazing city. In every nook and corner of the streets, you are sure to get a whole lot bunch of hotels, starting from various ranges and suitable for anyone. Due to the different attribute of London, this city is thronged by thousands of visitors every year. And, you can very well relate to the rush that this city witness. While the weather of London is pretty unpredictable in nature, this also cannot stand as a barrier when it comes to the enthusiasm of the people travelling from different parts of the world.

While it is for sure that the hotels in London are not as big like the hotels of the United States, however, if you are opting for some of the luxurious ones, you are sure to get all the facilities. London has many different places for stay apart from the hotels. But this can be perfect for just an individual. When you are planning your trip to London with your family, you will definitely need some good family hotels in London, which can provide you with all the warmth and hospitality.

No matter, where you are heading to or planning to get a hotel, you just need to browse the internet a bit and make a pre-booking. Now, if you are thinking about the need of a pre-booking, then note that London is always crowded and you will not like to roam here and there with your family and that too with your luggage just to find a suitable place to stay, isn’t it? So, while you make advance bookings, you are assured to get the rooms as per your specifications. All you need to do is search for the specific area. Well, let’s talk about Bayswater, a happening place of London. There are an array of hotels that are situated in an around this particular area. So, while you will be searching, just type in ‘Bayswater accommodation’ and this will redirect you to some of the awesome hotels in and around Bayswater.

Family-Friendly Hotels in Bayswater

So, what’s next? Just go through the reviews and select one of the best hotels, were you can stay conveniently with your family. Well, you can also check out this list, where some of the best such hotels have been mentioned for your convenience.

Park Grand Paddington Court London

So, if you are looking for an accommodation in Central London, then this hotel is your perfect abode. The design of the hotel is such that it will at once give you the feel of London. While the exterior is designed in an Edwardian style of architecture, the interior is pretty elegant and follows the contemporary sophistications. The bedrooms are designed in a way so that you can get every form of comfort. The amenities of this hotel are also at par with mini Bar, Wi-Fi, internet, tea or coffee making machine, and even a fitness center. Along with the facilities of the room and some complimentary benefits, you can also enjoy some of the authentic English or continental dishes for your breakfast. This hotel also houses a bar, where you can have some time and relish the exotic servings of drinks.

Park Grand London Paddington

This is yet another hotel, which is located in the heart of the city. Although the classy atmosphere of this hotel is the main attraction for which visitors like this place, its proximity to some of the attractions also makes a booking in this hotel a good decision. Some of the places like the Hyde Park etc are just a walk away. In fact, the connectivity to other places is also very convenient owing to its closeness to the Paddington Station. So, just walk around the streets of Central London or grab some food in the restaurant, everything will sum up to give you an amazing experience. There is a list of complimentary things that you can avail once you are there. The interior is decorated beautifully with fresh bouquet of flowers and the chandelier combines together to greet the visitors just in London’s royal way.

The Metropolis London Hyde Park

Another grand hotel, which can take you back to time, with its impeccable Victorian style of architecture! Well, not only the elegance and style of this hotel, the comfort that you get there is something to be talked about. While the architecture of the building may indicate the Victorian times, the interior and the design of the rooms are just opposite to it and follow the latest and contemporary designs. In this hotel too, you can get wide range of amenities like free internet, mineral water, TV, Wi-Fi, fitness center etc. this hotel is definitely a perfect place for the families to stay and the pastel color of the rooms adds to the softness of the rooms. Well, you can even access the Club lounge and experience some high definition pampering. And the serving of English or Continental breakfast from the restaurant is delicious too!

Park Grand London Hyde Park

Located in the Paddington area and in close proximity to the Hyde Park, this is yet another grand hotel, which is just perfect for a stay with your family. You will be awe stuck with the choice of rooms. Right from single occupancy, triple, quad to duplex and an attached kitchen, you can just feel like home there. On arrival, the visitors are given a good pampering in the form of complimentary things such as Wi-Fi, broadband, Plasma TV etc. for the club lounge visitors, there are a little extra bit of pampering with slippers, bathrobes, mineral waters and a basket of fruit. The interesting thing about this place is the mood lightning feature, which you can avail in the evening and just unwind a bit.

With so many good hotels and so many options, looking for an accommodation in London is definitely not a very tough thing to do, isn’t it?