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Catch a documentary or an arty film in the city which is famous for the industry – and in a movie theatre with more than a bit of history itself. It hosted the first Hollywood premiere in 1922 and although they’ve moved on to bigger premises since, the newly restored interior drips with movie glam.
Hollywood Boulevard
The 11 route takes commuters through the tourist heartland every 10 minutes or so. The route takes in Ludgate Hill, St Pauls, Bank of England, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Victoria Street, the Strand and much more. The cost is 90 pence (with an Oystercard) so is far better value than the tour companies.
The 11 route runs between Liverpool street Street and Victoria Station. You can get hop on from the Strand, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament Square and Ludgate Hill.
I've used them for transfers in both the winter and the summer and I've always found them to be very reliable. Its about the same price as the public bus, but it's much quicker and they take you straight to your door - much easier than dragging all of your luggage around a resort!
Set in the former Sierra Leone embassy (think shabby chic, imagine the history of this august building), every week tangueros turn up to roll back the rugs, exposing the wooden floors, and dance the night away.
There's a 1.5-2 hour beginners' class at 6:30pm, followed by a social dancing milonga until 11:30pm. The whole lot costs just £10 and there are snacks and drinks.
Great for a romantic evening, learning a new skill, meeting a diverse set of people with something in common, and exploring a new part of London. Who could ask for more?!
33 Portland Place; nearest Tube Great Portland Street or Warren Street.
Traditional Spanish tapas with a modern twist and great price. For less than €15pp we ate to bursting point. I'd especially recommend the goat's cheese toasts, steak with Iberian ham and salmorejo, and potatoes with apple.
Mmmmmmmmmmm.
C/Consitorio, in a little square just down from the Ayuntamiento/Town Hall
Give the touristy, overcrowded day trip from Oludeniz a miss and head down to Fethiye harbour at around 10am. Take your pick of the boats departing for a day's cruising around Fethiye's islands and inlets: around 4-5 stops for swimming and snorkelling, plenty of opportunity to sunbathe and a leisurely BBQ lunch in between. Easily the best 20TL (around £9) you'll spend all holiday. Don't forget to stock up on snacks and drinks at the supermarket beforehand as it'll save you ££s on board.
The busiest outdoor market in Europe, it's got more than 300 stalls - it makes a change from doing the normal tourist stuff!
De Pijp District
Sipadan and nearby Mabul offer some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the world. I stayed at Uncle Chang's which is actually on Mabul, so you can dive in and snorkel straight off the front of the dining room.
The dorms are basic, but there's a fantastic open-sided dining room/common area with the sea lapping against the supports. The food is good and plentiful, and the price is really good value (50 ringgit per night, full board). Make sure you book in advance though, and tell them that you want to dive at Sipadan, as there are only limited spots on the trip each day and people had to wait a few days if they had just turned up.
You can fly to Tawau from Kuala Lumpur, then a fairly expensive taxi ride to Semporna. The mainland office is next to the large Dragon Hotel on the sea-front, and the boat leaves for Mabul every morning. www.sipadanbackpackers.com/
Located in a beautiful building in central Singapore, having undergone massive redevelopment several years ago, this museum is a real must for anyone visiting the city. The exhibitions here are truly world class, presented in an innovative and interesting way, and provide a real snapshot into the Singapore of past and present. Entrance fees are minimal, and the staff on hand are plentiful. A must for old and young visiting the city.
93 Stamford Road, Singapore, 178897
web: www.nationalmuseum.sg/
It's the best idea I've seen in ages. A fully automated, no-nonsense hotel on the outskirts of the city. I mean 10 minutes' walk away. The single rooms cost just £29 per night but are very clean and tidy. Free broadband helps too.
This Athens hostel has a great location just minutes from the Acropolis. Dorm rooms are cheap, airy and modern. It’s a great base for exploring the historic sights of the city on a budget but also for making the most of the lively nightlife. The rooftop bar has amazing views over the famous ruins and cheap drinks. There’s no curfew so stay out as late as you like!
12 Makri Street, Makryanni, Athens
www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/greece/athens/5734/
You might remember the TV advert that claimed ‘the Danes hate to see it leave’ but they certainly don’t mind offering visitors the chance to drink it in their city. The tour offers some of the cheapest pints in the city as, after a brief look round, you can drink for an hour for free. The catch – it’s open until 4pm, so getting your money’s worth may feel a little indecent!
Gamle Carlsberg Vej 11, DK 2500
Cycling around Copenhagen is free… and a great way to explore the city! Simply put a 20 kroner coin in one of the many bike racks scattered around and enjoy. When you return the bike, you get your deposit back.
Full of character, situated in the trendy Jordaan area. Excellent Dutch apple cake, and a wonderful array of interesting lunchtime snacks with healthy options. Very reasonably priced as well. Sit outside on the canal and watch the world go by.
www.cafethijssen.nl/
Brouwersgracht 107, 1015 GD Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31(0)20 6238994
Google map: bit.ly/lJQBuN
This is the hotel we stayed in in Budapest. Really central and great value. You can book it on a number of websites such as the accommodation site of Ryanair.
IX. Ferenc körút 19-21
tiny.cc/oV0Fx
Inn at Delhi is a new luxury bed and breakfast in New Delhi.
We stayed there for three nights and absolutely loved the place. It is nestled in a place called Anand Niketan - right next to the embassy area. It is surrounded by three parks.
We loved it because:
- Rooms were larger than most accommodations which we have stayed in previous travels to Delhi. We import goods from India and therefore travel frequently.
- Surrounded by parks - good to de-stress after a day's work in chaotic Delhi.
- Excellent breakfast
www.innatdelhi.com
C-34 Anand Niketan
NEW DELHI 110 021, India
Tel: 0091-11-24113234,
Fax : 0091-11-24113233
Email : innatdelhi@yahoo.co.in
After traveling around the UK I finally made it to Birmingham. Hearing all the "Why go there?" from the Brits it made me want to go there even more.
England's second city does not seem to have a good reputation with British people. After visiting I thought it was great and also seems to have the best hostel in the UK. I can see that Birmingham and the hostel are both overlooked. The hostel had great beds, very clean and very funky decor. The common room is the best I have been to - it has a cinema, nintendo Wii, PlayStation, a small bar with beers from all over the world, books, and is very bright. An outdoor garden with too many plants, I think that is what I like about this place, they go over the top with everything, it is very welcoming.
I stayed in the 'pod' beds they have. They are very clean, you get a great night's sleep, your own reading light, curtains and I am told TVs and iPod stations are soon to be put in. I loved this idea.
What I liked most was the staff. They are very friendly and helpful - even after you have left you can always contact them for help and advice with British travels. There is a very homely feel to this place. The location is great even if the area does not look so good. They are located a street up from the National Express station.
Birmingham is worth visiting even if just for the hostel. But if you speak with the staff they will show you so much to do in and around Birmingham. Definitely an up and coming city and great if you love shopping.
58 Coventry Street, digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5NH 01216430033 www.birminghamcentralbackpackers.com/
This is probably the biggest tourist trap here into which many have fallen. Many of the shops on Nathan Road in Kowloon selling electronic products don't display the prices on the items. Many tourists have been scammed or cheated. One ploy is to give you an unbelievably good price, then after they have your money, they say they are out of stock, offering you another item but at an outrageous price. Some tourists have said that even calling the police did not help.
A lot of lower-end accommodation options in Kuala Lumpur for backpackers and people/families on a budget are quite poor (bed bugs being a common complaint). For £20-24 you can get a double room at the Swiss Inn, located right in the heart of vibrant Chinatown, close to Central Market and importantly, light rail inter-city transport links. It represents a great value option and comes with an excellent buffet breakfast. Room has TV and tea making facilities etc. Book online for some decent deals. No extra cost for children though they do not provide an extra bed.
Fourvière hill is where the Romans set up Lugnudum (their name for Lyon) and contains the treasures of Cathédrale St Jean, Basillique Notre Dame de Fourvière, Place St Jean, Rue St Jean and a Roman amphitheatre.
Just take the funicular from the bottom of Fourvière hill up to Basillique Notre or walk up from Cathédrale St Jean and lose yourself in the alleyways and squares of old Lyon.
Fourvière hill lies on the left bank of the Saone river opposite Presqu'ile. From Place Bellecour just follow the signs for Fourvière.
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