Family History Glasgow Break

Our Local Expert Says:

FREE high speed internet throughout the hotel!

Description:

This architecturally striking hotel accommodation in Glasgow, Scotland offers 250 comfortable guest rooms and suites with high-quality amenities, such as heated bathroom floors and mirrors. Rooms at this Glasgow accommodation feature three enticing design styles: City, Modern and Nordic. Every room is equipped with space-saving towers, as well as Free high-speed Internet access. Guests seeking added space and extra comfort can choose among 20 Business Class rooms, 12 Junior suites, three corner suites and The Apartment, which offers the ultimate in luxury.

This architectural gem enhances the prime Glasgow city centre location it resides in and is just across from the city's main rail station. A combination of art, luxury and convenience for for business and leisure travelers alike. The Radisson Glasgow is conveniently close to the financial district and is within walking distance of some of the best shopping in the United Kingdom. Places such as  the hip Princess Square or Argyll Arcade, which specializes in fine jewelery. Popular Glasgow attractions like the Burrell Collection, Glasgow School of Art, Holmwood House, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and The Lighthouse are also nearby. Best of all high speed internet is free to use in all areas of the hotel!

Our Local Expert Says:

The web is littered with companies charging for these types of services. Starting off free and then getting discounted paid help... if needed, merits a NileGuide award!

Description:

The archives and special collections area in the Mitchel (on Level 3),  provide a guide on how to research your family tree and regularly hold family history talks and workshops. They also hold a vast collection of documents, databases and web resources for your use, whilst carrying out your family history research. Be sure to phone phone for dates and times. The librarians are extremely helpful and friendly, they also may undertake some limited research on your behalf. Best of all all their services are FREE!

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Gandolfi Fish has a fantastic selection of fresh local seafood. The bright, sunny atmosphere will entice you to pull up a chair whatever your plans were. If you don't enjoy seafood there are other dishes, as well as a nice cocktail selection.

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Mercat walking tours offer a spooktastic Horror Walking Tour. The tour guides channel the macabre of Glasgow with tales of ghosts, murderers, and body snatchers. The tours last for an hour and depart from the Tourist Information Centre at George Square. There is also a Discover Glasgow tour for those who can't handle ghouls and goblins.

A one hour costumed tour around Glasgow Cathedral precincts and graveyard – full of fun and frolics. Let our guide take you around this oldest part of town and relate tales of Murder, Death & Disease, Gruesome Entertainment, Bloody Battle, Bodysnatching and Witchcraft. Who knows who or what you may encounter along the way!!!

Our Local Expert Says:

Often cited by Italian newspapers as one of the best Italian restaurants outside of Italy!

Description:

This remains the favorite fine-dining Italian restaurant in Glasgow, providing a cosmopolitan and Continental atmosphere. A well-established, quarter-of-a-century-old business of the Giovanazzi family, Parmigiana is often recommended for its fish and meat dishes, whether grilled salmon with honey-roasted vegetables, pan-fried pork cutlet with caramelized apple, or roast breast of guinea fowl stuffed with porcini mushrooms. A highlight of the pasta options is lobster ravioli with basil cream sauce.

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The vibe and superb music attracts people to Blue Dog, one of the coolest spots in Glasgow. The wide range of music that playing here is the secret behind the vivacity of this hip joint. There is a decent choice of originally blended cocktails. The "Blue Violet" or the "Smokey Monkey" won't be a bad idea for experimenting. The ultra cool ambiance of the place attracts a lot of trendy teens to this place.

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Find out where your family came from at the Strathclyde Area Geneology Centre. On arrival you will be offered a computer with access to the National Index in Edinburgh. Microfiche readers are also available as necessary. Bookings are by appointment only, and the fee is £14.00 per day.

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Gamba primarily serves terrific tasty fresh  seafood served by a highly trained, professional staff. In fact it has a reputation as being the best seafood restaurant in Glasgow. The décor is stylish with a Mediterranean feel. Although specializing in seafood, Gamba also serves premium beef from the Buccleuch Estate and offers vegetarian options. Indulge in the a la carte menu, lunch menu or pre and post theatre dining. The superiority of Gamba has been widely recognised over the years by a variety of consumer and trade awards:

The 2007 Restaurant Guide compiled by Tatler  – the only Scottish restaurant included in the fish section and one of only 3 Glasgow entries.
2003 & 2004. Restaurant of the Year and winner of "The List" magazine Glasgow Restaurant of the Year
2000 & 2001 - 2 AA Rosettes, Auchentoshan 'Spirit of Glasgow'

To sum up you can visit many times many times & never be disappointed, every time it will feel like a special occasion even when it's just a quick pre-theatre. But go for the midweek, theatre or lunch deals if money is tight.

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The People's Palace in the  Glasgow Green features an array of artifacts, paintings, photographs, film and interactive displays that explore the stories and social history of the people of Glasgow from 1750 to the end of the 20th century. Admire the exotic palms and plants of the nearby Winter Gardens and snap a picture in front of the restored Doulton Fountain, the largest terracotta fountain in the world.

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Here you'll have a chance to board one of the last remaining Clyde-built sailing ships, the SV Glenlee. Built in 1896, it circumnavigated Cape Horn 15 times. Restored in 1999, the vessel is one of only five Clyde-built sailing ships that remain afloat. You can explore the ship and, while onboard, take in an exhibition detailing Glenlee's cargo-trading history.

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The Ubiquitous Chip is located in the heart of the charming cobblestone Ashton Lane. It has become a Glasgow institution  with a passion to bring Scotland's cooking out of the home and into the restaurant. It is hailed by many loyal returning customers as  the best restaurant in Scotland. The main restaurant is split into two main rooms, very airy with lots of greenery and a domed roof. The lesser known 'Upstairs at the Chip' is an upstairs Brasserie style extension of the restaurant that offers the same type of wonderful food at more modest prices.

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One of those pubs with a unique Glasgow atmosphere, Blackfriars has around 60 different European beers, live music, good food, a comedy night and friendly people propping up the bar. During the day, meals are available in both small and large portions to suit all appetites. After 6pm, the bar starts to fill up with business types who need to unwind and the menu available from then on is mostly bagels with a variety of tempting fillings.

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Step aboard the Waverley or Balmoral pleasure steamers and enjoy yourself on a cruise into history. The two historic vessels, recapture the essence of old Great Britain and provide its patrons with some of the best views along the United Kingdom coastline. Departing from ports and piers around the UK throughout the months from Spring to Autumn, Waverley & Balmoral Steamers will surely leave you with a trip to remember. Ticket prices vary from specific points of departure, see website for further information.

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Number 16 is a favourite  with locals and travellers alike. The place can be described as intimate but not claustrophobic. It is run by an experienced lively team. The bistro sits in a busy part of the West End and can be easily missed  due to it's size. There is a French-influence to the regularly changing menu that makes the best of seasonal local ingredients and they excel at fish dishes!  You can select from lunch, pre-theatre and a la carte menus.

Our Local Expert Says:

Gorgeous views through the trendy Princes Square

Description:

This is a stylish cafe-bar that attracts a stylish crowd - Princes Square shoppers predominate at weekends and younger business people during the week. Weekend evenings are popular with the pre-club crowd taking advantage of the drinks promotions. There's a good range of cocktails and the menu includes sandwiches with various breads and fillings as well as substantial portions of pasta and burgers. Sunday brunch features a full Scottish breakfast, lashings of irn bru and pitchers of Bloody Mary - the perfect hangover cure before a spot of recuperative shopping downstairs.

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Anyone with a serious interest in Jewish history in Scotland or indeed social history in general will be fascinated by the contents of these archives. The center is housed in Garnethill Synagogue, which opened in 1879 and is the oldest in the country. The collection includes mounted displays as well as the historical database of Scottish Jewry, which has information on more than 16,000 people, making it a valuable source for those who are trying to trace their roots. It's only open by prior arrangement so phone before you visit.

Our Local Expert Says:

Culinary delights with a Scottish flavour

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Unless you're actually staying in one, it's easy to forget about hotels when it comes to choosing a restaurant. However, Cameron's supplies several good reasons why it should be remembered. Not least of these is the elegant surrounds - wood paneling and marble columns. The contemporary menu changes monthly, offering an excellent range of local delicacies along with more imaginative cuisine. Travelers may enjoy the six-course Taste of Scotland menu while vegetarians will be delighted to discover a separate menu accommodating their tastes. Complementary canapes are served while you peruse the menu.

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The Tenement House shows how Glaswegians lived in the 19th century and onwards, in tenement houses (otherwise known today as flats). This museum features old fixtures like coal fireplaces, gas lamps and other historic furnishings and memorabilia preserved by its former owner Miss Agnes Toward.

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Another of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's designs, this building, commissioned by the local school board near the beginning of the 20th century, celebrated its centenary in 2005. Given that it is surrounded by light-industrial parks and faces the M8 motorway, it seems an odd location for a school. But that's only because all of the surrounding apartment buildings were torn down, which is why the school had only about 90 pupils when it closed in 1979. The museum that occupies this admittedly lesser work from the great architect is devoted to the history of education in Scotland, with reconstructed examples of classrooms from the Victorian, World War II, and 1960s eras. It also has displays of Mackintosh's design for the building.

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Built in 1842, the Virginia Mansion has played host to countless banks and even the High Court over the years. Now, restored to its magnificent former glory, it houses Corinthian - complete with exclusive members-only bar (Ewan McGregor drinks here), restaurant, public bars and even a nightclub on Friday and Saturday. Superb pianists create a wonderful atmosphere on a Saturday night and Sundays are woken up with live jazz music. One of Glasgow's more upmarket venues, the toilets are even staffed by a personal assistant offering help, chocolates and mints.The main bar is spacious and ornate with high ceilings, comfy chairs partitioned in wood and surrounding mirrors. The smaller saloon is in the style of a 1920s piano bar with plush red leather bound sofas and huge mirrors. An excellent selection of bar and main meals is available, pricey but worth it. Food is served all week from noon-9p. An wide range of wines and cocktails is on offer with prices reflecting the upmarket atmosphere.

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This Glasgow-based company provides specialist tourism and corporate support services. Some of the services offered for business parties are itinerary advice, planning and organization, tour guiding, courier services and training. Not to forget daytrippers, Scotguide run Discovering Scotland coach trips, ranging from Stirling and the Trossachs to Glencoe and Fort William. Include the ferry and be transported to the scenic Isle of Arran, known as the Mystic Island. They also run open-top double decker bus tours around the city. These operate on two routes and one ticket allows people to hop on and off buses on both routes as they please for 24 hours, the perfect way to see the whole city without breaking into a sweat. A local guide provides a commentary on the various sights as you pass them. Buses leave from George Square every half hour but you can start the tour from any of 16 stops and pay as you board.

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This community museum is outside the city centre and off the tourist track. Springburn is one of several old industrial towns that now make up North Glasgow. The emphasis in the museum is very much on the social history of the area, which was once the world's biggest centre for railway manufacturing with nearly 10,000 men in four railway works building and maintaining steam locomotives and carriages. It details the decline and fall of the area throughout the industrial revolution, with exhibits on housing conditions, the technology of the time and the lives of the residents of 19th century Springburn. Admission is free.

Description:

The staff here are consistently friendly and attentive, even when you've ordered the all-you-can-eat buffet and found that your eyes are much bigger than your stomach. The buffet is good value at £15.90, even when you can't manage it all - choose from dishes like the classic beef chow mein, delicious prawns in batter and a delicate won ton soup from 6.30pm-10pm Wednesday-Friday. If your appetite isn't up to this, try a few plates of dim sum. A huge fishtank keeps diners entertained, as do the activities of the Chinese babies and toddlers who frequent this bustling, airy restaurant with their appreciative parents.