Welcome to our official TripAdvisor UK blog. This is where we aim to share our thoughts, quirky updates, new research and anything else we hope you will find useful and interesting.

Wednesday 12 October 2011

TripAdvisor launches free Mobile City Guides for Android


 
TripAdvisor has launched a series of free Mobile City Guides for Android. The new apps, available for 20 popular world cities, provide detailed destination information including traveller reviews on hotels, restaurants and attractions, as well as suggested itineraries and offline-accessible interactive walking tours.

The Mobile City Guide apps are automatically synced with the freshest TripAdvisor content available so users can access the latest traveller reviews and opinions on the go.  They also offer walking tours and insider tips that can be viewed on the app without a data connection, including in-depth information on neighbourhoods, history, culture, architecture, weather and transportation. Access to offline information is particularly useful for travellers abroad, who can download the apps before they go, sparing them from expensive roaming charges.

The Mobile City Guides’ interactive walking tours and suggested itineraries offer detailed city insights from TripAdvisor travellers as well as professional writers, publishers and destination marketing organisations.  For example, in Florence, a traveller can follow the best way to see artisan workshops of the historic Oltrarno Quarter, according to a local TripAdvisor Destination Expert, complete with a map, photos, tips and suggestions.

TripAdvisor Mobile City Guide apps are currently available for the following destinations: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Florence, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Orlando, Paris, Rome, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, and Washington D.C.

“We think travellers are going to love the comprehensive information our free Mobile City Guides provide in popular world cities,” said Adam Medros, vice president of global product at TripAdvisor. “A tremendous complement to our popular TripAdvisor site app, these guides offer even more city detail, including itineraries and interactive walking tours.”

More information about the TripAdvisor mobile offerings can be found at www.tripadvisor.co.uk/mobile.

Tuesday 4 October 2011

York beats London to be crowned the UK's best food destination

York and Edinburgh European Winners in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Food and Wine Destinations

TripAdvisor today names the winners of its Travellers’ Choice Food and Wine Destinations awards, as decided by travellers themselves.  In a nod to the UK’s culinary prowess, two British destinations made the European top 10 – York and Edinburgh – placing fifth and tenth respectively, while London was conspicuous in its absence.

Italy dominates withfive of the top 10 spots, including Florence in first place.  Spain boasts two cities in the list, while the time-honoured food and wine capital of the world, France, only has one entry with Paris.  

“These awards recognise Europe’s best food and wine destinations according to millions of TripAdvisor travellers.  With tough competition from destinations renowned for their culinary expertise, the UK should be proud to claim two top 10 spots, with York now well and truly establishing its place on Europe’s gastro tourism map,” commented Emma Shaw, TripAdvisor spokesperson. 

York Flies Foodie Flag for UK
Taking fifth place in Europe, York claims Britain’s top spot in the gastronomy stakes.  Its annual York Food and Drink Festival, celebrating local food and good wine, this year brought in approximately half a million visitors, cementing York as a true foodie destination. 

Gillian Cruddas MBE, Chief Executive of Visit York said, “We are delighted by this news.  York really is a foodie haven with so many quality local producers, award winning restaurants and speciality markets.  We have just enjoyed the city’s most successful festival of food and drink ever, where we had everything on the menu from Yorkshire reared venison with chocolate sauce to mouth-watering Wensleydale cheeses.”

“We are delighted with this accolade which is a tribute to York and Yorkshire’s great food producers and chefs.”

Enticing Edinburgh
Proving that Scotland clearly has more to offer than haggis and deep-fried Mars bars, Edinburgh is officially named one of Europe’s ten best cities for food and wine.  Scotland’s capital is a foodie haven, offering cuisines from all over the world and good restaurants to suit any budget.

TripAdvisor’s 2011 Travellers’ Choice Food and Wine Destinations – European Top Ten:

1.    Florence, Italy
2.    Paris, France
3.    Rome, Italy
4.    Sorrento, Italy
5.    York, UK
6.    Siena, Italy
7.    Bologna, Italy
8.    San Sebastian, Spain
9.    Barcelona, Spain
10. Edinburgh, UK

“Britain can now lay claim to two of Europe’s best food and wine destinations. For years other nationalities have derided Britain’s gastronomic credentials so let’s hope this marks the demise of the outdated bad food reputation. With world-famous chefs, cuisines from all over the planet and restaurants to suit every budget, Britain has earned its stripes as a foodie haven.”

TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on the millions of reviews and opinions from travellers around the world.  Winners were determined based on the most highly rated food and wine destinations by travellers in TripAdvisor reviews.