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Taverna Alonia is a really friendly restaurant, with great food. Every year I meet so many people there who have returned to the island again, and seem to spend every night of their holiday in Alonia.
Molyvos, North Lesbos;
tel: 22530 71355
In and around Nuremberg, you'll find a festival most weekends celebrating local beer varieties, usually every weekend in the summer, and mostly every month in winter.
Last weekend in June:
Altstadtfest Lauf - local bands play for free, market, car boot sale, beer gardens, crafts fair,
www.lauf.de/index.php?goto=termindetails&tid=3838 (German language site)
First weekend in July:
Kunigundenfest Lauf - historic parade including local groups and associations, free school theatre event on top of the local hill, lots of horses and costumed school children, fireworks, beer gardens, and a funfair.
First weekend in August:
Altstadtfest Hersbruck - beer gardens with free gigs, antique fair, little marathon and donkey race.
www.altstadtfest-hersbruck.de (German language site)
Last Sunday in August
There is a flower festival and parade in Roethenbach, which is tremendous. Since 1929, local groups and associations have designed puppets and logos and decorated them with flowers.
www.roethenbach.de/cmsweb/index.asp?menu=c_1008&style=100 (German language site); There are pictures at www.roethenbach.de/blumenfest2005/index.htm.
The most impressive funfair is usually in Nuremberg, but the beer is expensive and the atmosphere is better in Erlangen. The flower festival is very impressive, whereas the costume-rich celebrations are nice for children to watch and participate in.
There are many more festivals in the region that go under the names Kirchweih and Altstadtfest. There is also a garlic festival northwest of Nuremberg.
All the parades and festivals are usually free, but unfortunately the beer is not.
Local trains leave from the main train station out into the countryside. Get the information on the festivals from the local event magazine Plaerrer (www.plaerrer.de - German language site) or the tourist information office: Hauptmarkt 18; email: tourismus@nuernberg.de (www.tourismus.nuernberg.de)
Nuremberg has a lot of small arthouse cinemas, a multiplex, a MAD simulation and a 3-D IMAX cinema. Most are owned by the same person Wolfram Weber.
The arthouse cinemas are now used more as cafes and pubs and places to hang out locally in a nice atmosphere, whereas the big one is more trendy and basically seems to support the little ones economically. Some nice arthouse cinemas are Casablanca, Meisengeige, and Metropolis.
There are no people inspecting tickets in Cinecitta, as this is done electronically. There is a foreign-language cinema for films screened in their original language at the Southern Cemetery, called Roxy.
And Nuremberg is also hosting annually the International Human Rights Film Festival: see www.fitame.de for details.
Filmhouse im KOMM has a filmarchive and makes them available for the public to copy and also to convert from US format into European format and similar, but it is pretty expensive.
Casablanca Cinema: Kopernikusplatz; tel: 0911 454 824
Cinecitta: various locations, see www.cinecitta.de
Meisengeige Cinema: Am Laufer Schlagturm 3; tel: 0911 204 724
Metropolis: Stresemannplatz 8; tel: 0911 538 848
Roxy Cinema: Julius-Loßmann-Strasse 116; tel: 0911 488 40; www.roxy-nürnberg.de; U-Bahn: Frankenstrasse; S-Bahn: Südfriedhof; Tram 8
Full cinema listings: nuernberg.stadtus.de/kino/kinoprogramm.html
It is a posh B&B in Bucks County, PA just outside Philadelphia. The owner Christine is a lovely proprietress of the establishment and she has overlooked no details (in addition to the usual LCD/Plasma TVs, you have the Egyptian cotton linen, Bulgari toiletries, period antique furniture hailing from different corners of the world - Louis XIV meets Pekingese wedding bed).
There are 3 main buildings which comprise this establishment - the 1740 Manor House, the 19th century stone barn and the Guest cottage. The property once belonged to George Kaufman and each room/suite is named after one of his plays. Kaufman used to entertain his guests here including John Steinbeck to name but one.
The view from the "Dancing in the Dark" suite was breathtaking. Breakfast was healthy yet hearty. With the exchange rate the way it is, with a little over 200 pounds, you can stay at a spacious suite with free drinks (soft/wine) and snacks galore - which is a bargain in these parts. The surrounding countryside is reminiscent of the Cotswolds - which is a pleasant surprise in the mall-ridden, heavily industrialised NE USA. However if it is the stereotypes you're after, there's mall shopping available within 15 minutes' walk in the town of Lahaska. For those with kids, the place is child friendly with farm animals and a junior Olympic size pool. Overall, a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Philly and New York with breathtaking European scenery and US convenience.
This private island resort is located in the Adirondack Mountains. They offer an array of things to do, from golfing, spas, tennis, lake activities and family fun.
110 Sagamore Road;
tel: (51)8 644 9400;
email: reserve@thesagamore.com;
www.thesagamore.com
Encompassed in an art deco building (built in the 1930s after a storm destroyed the original), the baths at Middle Brighton are home to get-fit enthusiasts and 'icebergers' alike. They feature a very large caged area for swimming with a sandy beach and have been used in many learn to swim arrangements. The baths also feature a modern fitness centre with gym and sauna.
251 The Esplanade (the beach road), Middle Brighton Beach;
tel: 9539 7000;
www.middlebrightonbaths.com.au
Well known by sports motorcycle riders for its location on the fabulous Reefton Spur run, the old timber pub has a good bar menu and an even nicer restaurant. The best spot however is sitting outside with a beer in ya hand.
McMahons Creek, on the C511 between Warburton and Cumberland Junction (n.b: Reefton is approximately 4kms downstream and Warburton is 15kms away);
tel: 5966 8555
Forget hands-on interactive high-tech experiences, this is a museum like they don't make them anymore. A charming and dusty old collection of fossils, rocks, prehistoric tools, etc, it feels like no-one but you has been here for years, which is possibly true. Watch out you don't trip over a dinosaur's tail.
This is a lovely, quiet corner of Lisbon to walk around, between São Bento and Bairro Alto. Ratton, a small gallery/shop selling hand-painted tiles by contemporary artists, including local hero Paula Rego, is at Rua Academia das Ciências 2.
Rua Academia das Ciências, 19; tel 21 346 39 15;
Tram 28 to Calçada do Combro then walk up Rua do Século, turn left into Rua Academia das Ciências;
www.ineti.pt/UO/UO/?UO=10716
Owned by the local council, Waves is just a great spot for the family to have a splash... or to use the sauna/spa. There is also a wave pool and a gym. Nice place to get healthy.
111 Chesterville Road, Highett 3190, near Southland Shopping Centre;
tel: 9559 7111;
plenty of parking (no public transport though);
www.kingston.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=403
No visit to Lisbon can possibly be complete without a trip to the Graça. The Graça has the feel of a small town that is separate from the city. It has lots of cheap restaurants and cafes and two patios that offer spectacular views over Lisbon.
Take the 28 tram from the city centre and travel through the narrow winding streets, past the Cathedral and the magnificent Church of São Vicente de Fora and the steep cobbles Rua Voz do Operário, then get off at the Largo da Graça and make your way to the outdoor cafe on the Miradouro da Graça.
If you're feeling a little more energetic, then take the 10-minute walk up to the Miradoura da Nossa Senhora da Monte - the view is reward in itself. Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll down to one of the many cafes and restaurants for an unbelievably cheap meal.
If you go on a Tuesday or a Saturday, then don't miss the Feira da Ladrã flea market that is held behind the Vicente de Fora church - you can even have a meal at the church's cafe, and eat on the roof with stunning views over the Alfama rooftops and the River Tagus.
www.golisbon.com/sight-seeing/graca.html;
To see photos go to flickr.com/photos/lusobrandane/76608466/
Right next to the Oceanarium is the Knowledge Museum which is great for kids of all ages - 3 to adult. It's a great day out, especially if the weather's poor (which is unlikely), and it’s easy to get to. It contains loads of hands-on, fun scientific experiments for people to try out like moon-walking, barfly jumping, bubble-blowing and how sounds have shape. Then, in the basement, kids can don hard hats and luminous waistcoats while they build their own house with foam bricks, cranes and trucks.
Parque das Nações, Alameda dos Oceanos, Lote 2.10.01;
Take the metro from Cais de Sodre station to the EXPO site (Parque das Nacoes) at Oriente. It’s also easy to drive to;
tel: 21 891 7100;
www.pavconhecimento.pt
This is my favourite Prenzlauer Berg Café. Sunny, green, ideal for people-watching, and child-friendly, and they sell great homemade Cornish pasties, Italian ice cream, homemade cakes, brownies etc. Plus, the English-speaking owners have a small B&B attached that is central, charming and cheap.
Cafe am Teutoburger Platz (Kunst+Eis), Zionskirchstr.75, Prenzlauer Berg;
tel: 030 44038577 or 0173 610 2523;
U-Bahn: Senefelder Platz, or turn left off Kastanienallee
Catch the popular 'Varieté Show' at Theatre Tigerpalast, a family-friendly caberet and Frankfurt institution. Tickets are not cheap and should be booked ahead, as the shows quickly sell out.
Fringe offers a variety of meals throughout the day, but I recommend their breakfast menu. Grab an early seat and watch what’s going on in St Kilda... and then head off to look at the other attractions in Acland St or St Kilda.
73 Acland Street St Kilda (cnr of Shakespeare Gve at the Luna Park end);
tel: 9593 8550;
Catch the tram from the city... it goes right past the door.
This small B&B plus apartment is in the village of La Roche Sur Foron, which is about 15 miles from Annecy.
Best thing is Marie Ammeloot, the owner, who has to be one of the nicest people we have ever stayed with. The sand pit in the garden for small children helped too.
La Roche is nice small town with an excellent swimming pool and mountain views
1 Route de la Bénite Fontaine, La Roche sur Foron;
tel/fax : 04 50 03 3116;
email : ammeloot@free.fr;
ammeloot.free.fr;
www.larochesurforon.com/index_en.htm
La Roche is 30 mins by train from Annecy and also an hour or so from Chamonix.
There are several of these apartments all over London. They are a very reasonable alternative to a hotel and can be booked for a minimum of one night. In addition to a separate bedroom, there is also a small kitchen and dining area which is a real boon when visiting with small children.
Gorgeous little village by the water with nice restaurants and even a little theatre, for a nice quiet time after the hustle and bustle of the big city. Only half an hour's drive, but a world away .
Take the Dollarton Highway or the Mount Seymour exit off the Second Narrows Bridge. If you stay on the Dollarton Highway it will lead you right into Deep Cove; www.deepcovebc.com
Free concerts and talks at The Central Library, including lectures in the Alice McKay room. (www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca)
Talks and lectures at the Simon Fraser University downtown campus (www.harbour.sfu.ca), and at The Carnegie Centre (www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/CARNEGIECENTRE).
Word on the Street at the end of September is day of free music, poetry and book reading by the authors and a giant booksale in one block of closed streets around The Central Library and the CBC (www.thewordonthestreet.ca/vancouver.php).
The Iguazú falls are stunning and breathtaking. My wife and I were there last year, it was truly spectacular and not to be missed.
Take a bin bag with you to put your clothes in and keep them dry. Then walk around in your swimming costume. It's hot and humid and there's a lot of spray so you can get soaked, but it's wonderful. When you've finished you have dry clothes to put back on.
Apart from the falls, check out the wildlife.
Shabusen Yakiniku House is an all-you-can-eat restaurant, with two central locations in Vancouver. It's got decent sushi, but the real experience is the Yakiniku (Korean BBQ) and Hot Pot options where you have a grill and/or a hot pot at your table and you cook your own food, be it meat, seafood or vegetables.
It's a tasty and fun experience. And it's only around £12 per person. It gets busy though, so either make reservations or be willing to wait a while (it's worth it!).
2993 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 737-6888
and
755 Burrard St, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 669-3883
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