This accommodation at university residences is only available June - early September. In June 2007 it cost £24 a night for a single room with shared bathroom. It's a beautiful location by Holyrood Park with free car parking, and it takes around 20 minutes to walk to Princes St. The self-service breakfast is excellent.

Book online at:
www.laterooms.com/en/p1025/hotel-reservations/84026_edinburgh-first-hotel-university-edinburgh-edinburgh.aspx

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Cheap especially for a single room. I paid £24 for a single ensuite room. Centrally located, 10 minutes walk from Waverley rail station and Princes St. Breakfast not great, but good if you want budget accommodation with your own bathroom at a cheap rate.

Book online at:
en.venere.com/hotels_edinburgh/hotel_minotel_osbourne_hotel.html?ref=1234

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It's right in the centre of the town. It's a new hotel with bright spacious family rooms that sleep up to two adults and two kids. It cost from just £19 a night if you book online on the non-refundable saver rate at least three weeks in advance.

The Ginnel, Harrogate HG1 2RR

Book online at:
www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=1586&id=74798

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It's centrally located just off the Royal Mile and you can find rooms from just £19 a night if you book online at least 3 weeks in advance on the non-refundable saver rate.

30 St Mary's Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TA

Book online at:
www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=1586&id=74798

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Great for lunch. Go to the deli section, order a pie, sandwich, coffee etc. They have Greek, Italian, Vietnamese - you name it. Then find a seat in the alley out back and they will bring it to you. It is a sunny spot if the weather is fine. Afterwards you could stock up on bargain souvenirs to take back home. There is often some kind of street theatre going on too. It is a lively, vibrant place and definitely should be included on a visit to Melbourne.

A city tram drops you near to the market.
www.qvm.com.au

Google map: tinyurl.com/nncs2n

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The toy/mountain train from Siliguri to Darjeeling is surely one of the great railway journeys of the world. But, unless you're a real rail enthusiast, nine hours on an uncomfortable train, which travels at less than walking pace, is a little bit too long.

We got a jeep up the mountain from Siliguri to Darjeeling, which cost about 300 Rupees (£4) each. The share jeeps are very regular and, although they're pretty crowded, are way more comfortable than the train.

You can then take the highest altitude part of the great rail journey from Darjeeling to Ghoom, to visit the famous Ghoom monastery. It takes about 45 minutes and is probably more romantic and comfortable than doing the hard 9 hour slog from Siliguri.

Just make sure you book the train on your first day of arrival in Darjeeling. You can't book the train from anywhere else and there is a fair wait for tickets (a few days). There is plenty to do in Darjeeling in the meantime, including the Everest museum, one of the better Indian zoos, Glenary's cafe and lots of trail walking and shopping.

Don't even bother with the tourist ride unless you've money to waste, it's a complete rip-off compared to the Ghoom trip - about 10 times the price.

Nathmulls in Darjeeling has to be the best tea shop in the world. Really helpful staff and a great range of teas to test (local of course!). Well worth a visit when you're up in the mountains.

Get to Siliguri train station, then ask a cycle rickshaw to take you to where the jeeps go from. Then just climb in a jeep and wait for it to fill up.

Nathmulls is in Rink Mall, Darjeeling, next to Cafe Coffee Day.

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We went to Prague as two couples and booked accommodation in an apart-hotel just off Wenceslas Square - €160 for the four of us for the two nights! The apartment was really nice, clean and more than what we expected or needed. This also included breakfast in the cafe down the road - which is great value - included in the price. It is also very central, we walked everywhere. Approx. 15 minutes' stroll away from Old Town Square, yet close to all the clubs and pubs at night (5 minutes). Would definitely recommend this accommodation and would stay again.

www.booking.com/hotel/cz/jepaparthotelprague.en.html - The picture on all the sites of the pink and white building is not it - or if it is I didn't see this part of it! It is just off Wencesles Square - down a lane to the right of Scorpio Restaurant - this is on the Marks and Spencers side of the road and approx. 200/300 metres up the road towards the museum.

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The Galleries Lafayette is a stylish department store in Paris. By taking the escalator to the top floor and then walking up the single flight of stairs from the restaurant, you can walk out on to the roof terrace and get a splendid view over Paris.

The height is about the same as the first level of the Eiffel Tower - but you won't have to queue, you can stay as long as you like (so long as the shop is open!), and it's TOTALLY FREE!

Galeries Lafayette, 40 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris 75009

Nearest Metro: Chaussee d'Antin Lafayette

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Fishs Eddy is a fantastic store near Union Square selling all sorts of good quality dinnerware and glassware at bargain prices. Stock includes unused items from restaurants and even cruise ships, as well as new designer items.

889 Broadway at 19th Street, NYC 10003
+1877 347 4733
www.fishseddy.com
Google map: bit.ly/j32XgC

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I stayed in a youth hostel in Paphos some years ago now, but my best tip when I was there was to walk. The hostel was a good 20 minutes walk from the beach but it was just right to set me up for the day and the sights you see while walking among the locals cannot be beaten and you certainly won't get them by sticking to just the tourist areas.

Obviously get a good map and get your bearings in the day when you can judge whether an area is safe or not. Saves you some pennies too!

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Friendly, cheap café on the side of the bassin de la villette. Not too 'bobo'. Drinks are cheap, you can help yourself to snacks - chorizo, crisps, marmite (yes, really!).

In summer you can borrow a set of balls to play pétanque. Has been non-smoking for years before the smoking ban.

68 quai de la loire, metro jaurés, 75019
barourcq.free.fr/

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The new tram has finally arrived in Nice. It runs eight km from Las Planas to Pont Michel, stopping in between at Gare Thiers, Jean Medicin, Place Massena and up to Place Garibaldi.

The cost per journey is a standard fare of 1.30 euros. You can also get a day pass for four euros entitling you to unlimited travel for the day. You can buy tickets at any of the self-service stations where you catch the tram.

The journey from Place Massena to Pont Michel takes approx 16 minutes and there is a tram every four minutes during peak times and every eight minutes off-peak. Trams run from 4 am until 2.30 am the next morning.

For more information go to:
www.tramway-nice.org
www.lignedazur.com

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S1 bus tours the main areas of the city, the waterfront (Pier Head/Albert Dock/King's Arena), the two cathedrals, the university and links up with the main transport centres in the city.

Buy an Arriva Day Ticket (£3 at present) on the bus and you can hop on and off at the places you really like and you can then use your ticket on any other of the Arriva services around the city. A Saveaway ticket bought from numerous outlets can be used at off-peak times.

Numerous stops around the city but notably Queen Square/Pier Head/King's Arena/Hope Street/Lime Street.

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Off the beaten backpacker trail, this truly unique, extremely well-equipped backpacker accommodation is located on the idyllic East Cape, just a ten-minute drive to art deco Napier, Hastings or sleepy Havelock North.

With only 11 beds, it is important to book ahead but well worth a few days' stay to relax and enjoy the surrounding award-winning vineyards.

Those who enjoy cycling and wine (or even just a good day out) should book themselves on the 'on yer bike' wine tour for a unique and entertaining wine tasting experience (bookable through the hostel). The relaxed owners with a small, toy, farm holding and soon-to-be vineyard are a pleasure.

Birdwatchers, or those who enjoy another good day out should try Gannet Beach Adventures to get a background to the area, excellent views and a chance to see around 17,000 gannets.

www.bbh.co.nz/ for the hostel
www.gannets.com/index.html

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Part of the Liverpool Cultural quarter,
William Brown Street is the only UK street to consist of only museums, galleries and libraries. The road consists of great neo-classical buildings and leads to the Steble fountain and Wellington Column. It also hosts World Museum Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery and Liverpool Central Library.

William Brown Street, Liverpool. Nearest station - Liverpool Lime Street.

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Part of National Museums Liverpool, it sits in a splendid building on William Brown Street. Its Neo Classical building holds one of the largest art collections in England outside of London. The gallery holds the John Moores exhibition every year as well as temporary exhibitions.
Open 10am - 5pm daily

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker,
William Brown Street, Liverpool,
0151 478 4199

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A cosy little cafe in the heart of the city. A great place to go for lunch if you enjoy veggie and vegan cuisine. Very friendly staff, freshly cooked everything and all very cheap! If you are lucky you may even meet their resident harpist.

Just off Renshaw Street, behind Stanley Casino.

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A seaside town a train ride from the city centre. Very old fashioned, donkeys, bouncy castle, ice creams, chips from The Marigold Cafe before coming home.

Take a picnic, enjoy sand, windsurfers and, on a good day, jaw-droppingly lovely views of the Welsh coast and Hilbre Island. Only walk to the island if you know what you're doing as the tide comes in fast, often behind you, and it is easy to get stuck!

West Kirby is on the Wirral Peninsular at the end of the M53.Trains every 20/30 mins from Central Liverpool.

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A relatively modern hostel right by the Albert Dock.

Excellent value for money, offering private ensuite facilities if you book well ahead. Good basic restaurant.

Secure, free car park on site.

Ideal for Albert Dock, Slavery exhibition and city centre.

25 Tabley Street, off Wapping
Liverpool
Merseyside
L1 8EE

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A local, classy, delicious and inexpensive (at least at lunchtimes) restaurant with very nice waiting staff.

Calle Dean Palahi 26, La Laguna, Tenerife
osteriadaandrea@hotmail.com
tel 922.260501

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