OUR DESTINATIONS
Let us help you find your perfect holiday by phoning us on
We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- Hartford
Hartford
Hartford, the state capital of Connecticut, is often
overshadowed by its more prominent neighbours, New York and Boston,
or by the more 'touristy' destinations of New England, though the
city sees multitudes of business travellers. It sits at the end of
the navigable portion of the Connecticut River, and this waterway
shaped the city's evolution into the 'insurance capital of the
world'. Its location made it an important trading centre, and when
groups of merchants began to share risks, the Hartford Insurance
Company was born. It still operates in Hartford today, along with
many of the nation's largest insurance corporations.
However, Hartford has much to offer those visitors with leisure
in mind. Greater Hartford is home to more than 200 cultural, arts
and heritage organizations. The Hartford Stage Company, one of many
venues for live musical and theatrical productions, has been
recognized by the Tony Awards and the OBIEs. During the warm summer
months, many outdoor concerts are staged downtown, and various
festivals, sporting events and performances are held at the new
Riverfront Plaza throughout the year. The Riverfront stretches
along seven miles (11km) of pristine shoreline and encompasses 148
acres of park grounds with walkways, biking trails and water
activities. The state-of-the-art Connecticut Convention Center is
also located here.
For history buffs, Hartford lives up to its responsibilities as
one of the oldest cities in the nation. At the State Library,
visitors can view the Fundamental Orders adopted in Hartford in
1639, the first document in history to establish government by the
consent of the people. A few blocks away, the entertainment
district begins west of Main Street, offering visitors no end of
dining, pub and club options. Sports fans can revel in University
of Connecticut basketball; year after year, the UConn Huskies are
contenders in both the National and Big East Championships.
Information & Facts
Climate
Hartford has four distinct seasons. New England springs tend to
be fleeting, arriving in early May and soon giving way to summer,
which is warm, sometimes hot and humid. Autumn is chilly, but the
landscape is at its most beautiful. Winters are quite cold, and
snow is common.
Getting Around
Walking around the downtown area is possible, although visitors
now have the option of taking the new Star Shuttle, a free shuttle
service that loops the central business district, making 13 stops
near hotels and major attractions. It operates Monday through
Friday, 7am to 11pm, and Saturday, 3pm to 11pm. CTTRANSIT bus
services operate regularly; standard fare is $1.25, but various
passes are available.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.