Oxford has had a market for hundreds of years, and it is still thriving. Now there are more and more coffee-shops and upmarket retailers, but still just about enough butchers and fresh produce stalls to keep it interesting. Don't miss Brown's Cafe, where they make tea in proper teapots, with leaves, not bags. The rock cakes are good, too.

Accessible from High Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street Map and virtual tour at: www.chem.ox.ac.uk/oxfordtour/coveredmarket/

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The People's Palace is Glasgow's social history museum. It tells the story of the city through its people, and not just the great and good. You can listen to examples of Glasgow speech, and see a reconstructed tenement 'single-end'. It's also free, like all of the City of Glasgow's 13 museums. Unmissable if you're a resident or expat Glaswegian, and still good even if you're not.

Glasgow Green, Glasgow, G40 1AT; Tel: 0141 271 2951; www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=9

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A real Bostonian restaurant, opposite the fake Cheers, in every sense. Supposedly famed for the surliness of the waiting staff, but they were perfectly civil when I was there. It's popular, crowded, and you will probably have to queue to get in. Once inside, expect to be seated at a large table wherever there's a space. It may not be ideal if you're shy and retiring, but it's a great way to meet people if you're not. Good old-fashioned food like Yankee pot roast, cornbread and, of course, Boston baked beans.

340 Faneuil Hall Market Place, Boston; Tel: (617) 227-2038; www.durgin-park.com

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Accommodation in London is notoriously expensive, but if you're happy with basic facilities, student accomodation outside of term-time can be very good value. The LSE (London School of Economics) has several halls of residence in central locations, starting at £26 per night for single rooms. Only a small number of en-suite rooms are available.

www.lse.ac.uk/collections/vacations/default.htm

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One of the lesser-known Smithsonian museums, containing American crafts and decorative arts from the 19th century to the present. Much smaller and less crowded that the main Smithsonian museums on the National Mall, the Renwick is on Pennsylvania Avenue, not far from the White House. It also has one of the classiest gift shops going.

americanart.si.edu/renwick/index.cfm Nearest Metro stations Farragut North (Red Line) and Farragut West (Blue and Orange Lines)

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