Just down the road from Pike Place Market, this is an American Burger chain and diner with a kitsch fifties spin.

For cheap eats in Seattle, you can't go better than this blast from the past - the mock up fifties diner is surprisingly well done, with bright red booths, a jukebox you can request rock-n'roll tunes from, and perky staff who break into jive routines in the middle of a shift.

Kooky touches include old Coca-Cola ads on the walls, ketchup splodged into a smiley face on your plate, and a long bar for sipping shakes and malts, and watching the behatted chefs flip burgers.

Of course the main draw here is the food - all of it highly calorific but delicious fare. Oreo milkshakes so thick you're straw will get stuck (use a spoon, and don't be ashamed to drain the last dregs from the metal 'shaker' that comes with your glass), mountainous BLT's and oozing chili dogs. The burgers are even better; thick and juicy and come in all shapes and sizes, from the gut-busting Bacon Cheddar Double, to the 'Route 66' - complete with mushrooms, grilled onions and mozzarella cheese.

These burger's separate the men from the boys - don't even think about ordering a salad. After eating here, you'll never be able to face a McDonalds again.

Pacific Place
600 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98101

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Riad Maizie is a stunningly restored riad in the heart of the Marrakech medina owned by the author Miranda Innes. It is five minutes' walk from the main souks and 10 from Djemaa Fna, and is the perfect tranquil spot to retreat to after a long day of shopping and sightseeing. The English manager James was very helpful and very knowledgeable about what to do in Marrakech (and how much to pay).

They have five beautiful rooms to stay in, a lovely roof terrace and the traditional Moroccan meals were very good (especially the lamb and prune tagine).

Riad Maizie
95 Derb al Kadi
Azbezt
Marrakech Medina
www.riadmaizie.eu
+212 (0) 24 38 59 28

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you travel on a budget, like I do, finding a place to eat in London can be a nightmare. That's why I recommend you take the tube to the nearest Ikea and dine in its restaurant.

Meals start at an amazing price of 1 pound and the prices almost never rise above 5 pounds! Breakfast starts at 95p (Sausage, bacon, scrambled egg, hash brown, beans, and tomato). Swedish meat balls start at 3.25 pounds, you can refill your drinks and coffee for free, they have special meals for kids etc.

One might forget about an option like this but Ikea restaurants are always a good place to eat when travelling on a budget.

www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=7&catalogId=11001&langId=-20&StoreName=localfood

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I travel a lot and I like to stay in hostels, because you usually get better quality in a nice hostel than in a cheap hotel. Truly one of the best hostels in Europe is the Lisbon Lounge Hostel.
Stunning, stylish. Everything is brand new and you’ll enjoy your stay the most. Check the pictures and you'll see I'm not overstating!

www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/portugal/lisbon/4765/
www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/portugal/lisbon/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Big Apple Greeter is a voluntary organisation which was set up to give visitors to NYC a personal insight into the Big Apple.

A Greeter meets you at your hotel and you get an hour's walking tour of your chosen neighbourhood, and it is all free. You even get a subway pass for the day. We had a great time. Check the websites for details.

www.bigapplegreeter.org/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Want to go to Venice but afraid of the hotel prices there? Stay in Mestre and commute to Venice each day. We did and found it fascinating to jump on a bus each morning and go to Venice with the workers. The view of Venice from a bus on the causeway is certainly different.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A great restaurant chain for tapas and larger raciones. They don't do just ham, as the name might suggest, but all sorts of food. Calamares, Tortilla and gambas al ajillo are excellent. Prices are very reasonable. You can eat at the counter or in the salon (waiter service is a little dearer). They have restaurants in Puerta del Sol and on the Gran Via. They also do excellent three-course menu for under 10 Euro.

La Puerta Del Sol
or La Gran Via

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

So-called restaurant in Placa Reial. Rude service, hardly any Spanish staff or proper food, below-average food quality (pork undercooked, veg swimming in grease), not worth the minimum 40-minute wait. Such a shame as a great location. Avoid this place if you want service with a smile and decent Spanish/Catalan food. Never before not left a tip anywhere. Here was a very sad first, but well-deserved.

6 Placa Reial, Barri Gotic

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Great price, period look and very central.

www.odapartment.eu

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I spent a few days in Valencia in March. If you haven't been to "las Fallas de Valencia" you don't know what a party is!! They burn huge monuments made of wood and cardboard in the middle of the streets. There are thousands of "Fallas", firecrackers, and festivals everywhere!!

My friends and i stayed in Red Hostel and saved a lot of money for going out. The hostel staff told us where to go, how to get to parties and even a handsome receptionist went out with us to the beach!!

They have internet, air conditioning, kitchen, shared and private rooms... It's open 24/7 and waiting for us after party. Our rooms were coloured painted and we saw the river of Valencia by the window!! Best holidays ever had in a lovely hostel!!

Plz/Tetuan,5 46003 Valencia Spain
www.purplenesthostel.com
www.nesthostelsvalencia.com
Tel: +34 963 532 561

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Buquebus offers ferries to/from Buenos Aires and Uruguay (Colonia, Montevideo) in combination with coach transportation within Uruguay. Very easy to book online, very reasonable rates (my roundtrip ferry/bus fare was less than $100). The ferry is comfortable, as are the buses. For pictures and full description go to www.travelmusings.net

www.buquebus.com/cache/HomeARG.html

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

It is a 3 star hotel right in the city centre. If you are planning a trip to Dublin it is worth basing yourself there. It is 3 star so you get what you pay for (we only paid €70 for the room) but the location is great. We were able to do our shopping head back and drop off the bags and head out again. The staff were always friendly. Thumbs up.

www.ripleycourt.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A modern, stylish but affordable hotel in the centre of Valencia.

Staff were helpful and friendly - rooms well furnished and spotless, with all of the expected facilities. Good value.

L'Abadia de San Martin 3, Valencia 46002

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Best location on the strip. Directly across the road from the Mirage and the Bellagio and next to the Flamingo. It is excellent value for money.

www.imperialpalace.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Great for those who always want what everyone else has orderd, this Italian 'tapas' restaurant offers a tasty selection of small bites. Plates are priced around the £2/£3 mark, so you can easily get carried away. Best to go in a large group to make the most of the spicy meatballs, calamari and miniature pasta dishes.

115 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2NW
0161 831 9930

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you are staying at a hotel in LA they can organise for one of the many bus companies running shopping trips to Mexico to come and take you for the day. It's a long day out for the return trip to Tijuana, Mexico.

Cost?
Varies but allow USD$40-$50 return

Why go?
Tijuana is a paradise for bargain shoppers! Browse for leather goods, clothing, jewellery, pottery & more.

Note - a multiple-entry visa and passport are required for non-U.S. or non-Canadian citizens.

Tijuana Mexico - south of the border

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Spaghetti Factory is a quirky restaurant that is excellent value for money - a loaf of freshly baked sour dough bread, free refill soft drinks, starter, ice cream and tea and coffee, are included with the price of your main course. Fantastic for feeding a whole family!

The restaurant itself is a treasure trove of Tiffany glass panels and lights, mismatched furniture means you may be seated on a grand wooden throne or inside a reclaimed streetcar, and should you glance up check out the many artefacts and trinkets that adds to the family atmosphere.

#54 The Esplanade
Toronto, Ontario
M5E 1A6

(416) 864-9761

Parking available; Meter & pay parking

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Recently opened hostel in the centre of Valencia with air-conditioning in each room. Wonderful place for backpackers. It even has its own bar.

Plaza Tetuan, 5;
tel: (+34) 963 532 561;
www.nest-hostels.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A superb 'genuine' Italian coffee shop - in Melbourne – where you can get homemade biscuits, cakes, sweets and confectionery to go with your coffee, and for the kids - gelati. This little cafè has become a fave with the local Hamptonites. The name Amaretto? From the Italian liqueur.

565 Hampton St, Hampton, Victoria 3188;
www.amarettoonhampton.com/menu.html

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu is both expensive and difficult to book beforehand. Rather than taking the train to Aguas Calientes it's possible walk an alternative route. Take an eight-hour bus to Santa Maria and hire the services of local guides Lorenzo or Johan. They'll take you to Santa Teresa, stopping at beautiful hot springs on the way. On day two you can walk to Aguas Calientes. After visiting Machu Picchu it's possible to take a one-way train back to Cuzco or walk back to Santa Teresa and then catch a bus to Santa Maria before returning on the bus to Cuzco. This route requires more time, but is very friendly on the wallet.

lorenzocahuana@hotmail.com; johancc3@hotmail.com; Both are in Santa Maria

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends