An Clachan is everything a cafe should be. Set in a (previously unloved) section of the beautiful Kelvingrove Park, An Clachan has really lovely home made cakes (the best chocolate chip cupcakes I've had), hot and cold food (again, home made), good coffee, great welcoming staff and healthy snacks and drinks for children. It's even near a small play park, and believe me, good coffee and kids play areas are rarely found together.

www.kelvingroveparkcafe.co.uk/
Kelvingrove Park (off La Belle Place), Glasgow, G3 7LH
+44(0)7846 463614
Google map: bit.ly/KSGHPF

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The Rustaveli Theatre is a stately, grand building set on one of the main tree-lined avenues that run through the centre of Tbilisi. The corner stones still bear a couple of bullet holes, remnants of the independence struggles of the early 90s. I was at the inaugural Georgian International Festival of Theatre in 1996, and remember jamming into the back of the circle, peering between the numerous decorative pillars, straining to see Vanessa Redgrave performing a one woman show. There is a huge tradition of theatre in Georgia, and the visual, imaginative productions of Shakespeare created during the Soviet Era made a huge impact at the Edinburgh Festivals of the 80s. The International Theatre festival's still going, now renamed the Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre, and you can still see international stars (such as John Malkovich) as well at the top national companies performing on the Rustaveli stage.

17 Rustaveli Ave, Tblisi
+995322726868
rustavelitheatre.ge
www.tbilisiinternational.com

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The building was discovered languishing as a council car park by Jim Smith, director of the Glasgow Jazz Festival in 1992. Since then the Old Fruitmarket has been reinvented as one of the most atmospheric venues in the UK. With its wooden boat-like roof, huge old clock and still retaining the old stallholders billboards from the time when it really was a market hall, the Old Fruitmarket is now a thriving venue for music, comedy and for festivals such as Celtic Connections and the Glasgow Jazz Festival. A refurbishment got rid of the cobbles that threatened many a high heel, strengthened the balcony, improved the heating and sealed the roof against the pigeon squatters, but did nothing to dilute its essential character. It's a large enough auditorium to hold 1500 standing, but still works cabaret style for under 100.

2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY
+44(0)141 353 8000
www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/oldfruitmarket
Google map: bit.ly/kpGXTm

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Castelo de Almourol is a small Knights Templar castle built on an island in the middle of the Tejo river. The only way to get to it is by small boat, ask at the cafe nearby if no-one's around. The boat will leave you for an hour or so to explore. It's remarkably intact for its age with battlements and towers to climb with viewpoints up and down the river, set in what resembles an overgrown garden.

www.igespar.pt/en/
Ilhota do Rio Tejo, Praia do Ribatejo - Vila Nova da Barquinha
+351 249 720 358
Google map: bit.ly/fRDDAx

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The Terrace Cafe is not only in one of the UK's most beautiful botanic gardens, but it also boasts one of the best views of Edinburgh. As you approach the terrace suddenly a panorama of the city appears in front of you. The cafe served the usual hot and cold, something-for-everyone fare. I had a memorable first date at the Terrace Cafe, escaping the bustle of the Edinburgh Fringe. Use the Arborteum Place entrance (West Gate) to the Botanic Gardens, which are about a mile from the city centre.

20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh
www.rbge.org.uk
tinyurl.com/2wquvg9

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Theatre of kinetic sculptures by Eduard Bersudsky. The models are made up of carved figures and pieces of old scrap which mechanically move to music in a short 35-minute show accompanied by classical and Scottish celtic music. Grotesque, Tim Burton-like figures and animals toil in their ceaseless lives. Quirky and unique, the joy is in identifying the "junk" - old typewriters, sewing machines, bottle openers - and watching the imprisoned mechanical mice, ever struggling. Children go free when accompanied by an adult.

Trongate 103, Glasgow, G1 5HD
+44 (0)141 552 7080
www.sharmanka.com

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