A free online lift-sharing service where you can offer or ask for a lift to a city or event in the UK or Europe.

freewheelers.co.uk

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Addo is an undervisited game park about an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth. A few years ago you would only have seen elephants, but now many more animals including big cats have been introduced. It's self-drive so that helps to keep the cost down. It's also malaria-free so no need to take those unpleasant tablets.

www.addoelephantpark.com

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A low-key, seafront hotel with high ceilings and a lovely terrace. Food is served by students at a local catering college and can be al fresco, weather permitting.

The village of Leni is pretty tiny, but if you're here to hike or stroll, it's a great family-run base. Rinella, where the ferries dock is not too far either. Try to bag a more spacious room on the ground floor. Doubles from 80 euros a night.

www.ahotelinitaly.com/hotel-lariana-leni-isola-di-salina/

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An agriturismo and working vineyard on the slopes of Mount Etna with comfortable, stylish rooms. Run by the noble family of the Baron Scammacca del Murgo - the hosts are full of character!

The estate produces very drinkable red and sparkling wines - tastings and tours available - and you can really taste the volcanic minerals in the red wine.

www.insicilia.it/sicily/farm_house_sicily_tenuta_san_michele.htm

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A relaxed beach resort on the stunning Matemwe Beach, which is affordable if you don't want to go all out for the top of the range Matemwe Beach Bungalows. Rooms are on the small side but at $200 a night including dinner, the four beautiful suites are good value. There is fabulous diving and snorkelling to be had on the nearby Mnemba Atoll and the on-site dive centre organises daily trips.

Staff are lovely and friendly, and the food is excellent. The local village is extremely poor, however, and the lodge could do a little more in terms of development work.

For accommodation:
www.matemwebeach.com/

For diving:
www.zanzibaroneocean.com/diving/divesite/mnemba/mnemba.htm

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An ornate and historic riad hotel in Marrakech's calmer Kasbah district, rather than in the very hectic centre of town. The decor can be a little OTT but the welcome is warm.

www.i-escape.com/hotel.php?hotel_key=MC028

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A super-stylish converted riad hotel down a quiet alley (but not far from the seafront) in Essaouira. Think World of Interiors or Elle Decor cover shots. It's also got a great roof terrace and rooms are spacious and not overpriced, though the rates do seem to be on the rise since I stayed in summer 2005.

2, rue Souss - Médina
44000 Essaouira
Tel. 00212 24 47 53 46
Fax. 00212 24 47 53 48
www.darloulema.com/

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A pleasant three-star beachfronter with well decorated airy rooms, many with gorgeous sea views (ask for one) and an excellent breakfast buffet, though you pay extra for it. The cafe/bar area also serves great tapas later in the day. The staff could be friendlier and it's a nightmare to park, either pre-book a space in the miniscule hotel parking lot across the street, or head to local parking garages or up the hill to the meters. It's a 10 minute walk along the promenade to the old town so it's much calmer and quieter on the weekend. A double room costs 108-128 euros depending on season

Calle Zubieta 56;
tel: +943 42 66 63;
email: niza@hotelniza.com;
www.hotelniza.com

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This free museum near the old town is worth a visit for its shady cloisters alone, but also houses a large collection of historical Basque artefacts including a terrifying birthing chair. The cavernous, atmospheric church is now being carefully restored.

Zuloaga Plaza;
tel 943 48 1580
www.santelmo.donostia.museum

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This is a big, friendly event - in fact it's one of Central London's largest environmentally-friendly festivals. It's held on the first Sunday of every June in Regents Park.

At the festival you'll find many stalls offering options for the environmentally conscious consumer, with everything from herbs to green electricity and eco-holidays. Another aim of the event is to reduce its environmental impact each year.

The Bikefest allows punters to try out all sorts of bicycles and find out about cycling activities going on in London.

Regents Park
www.camdengreenfair.ik.com/

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Tranquil and enormous, Thailand's oldest national park is now a UNESCO protected wildlife site and worth a visit (two hours from Bangkok depending on your transport).

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You couldn't get much more central in London than this hostel off Piccadilly Circus, meaning you can cut down on transport costs. Some rooms have been refurbished recently with new pod-style dorms, individually painted by selected artists. The style is eclectic but fun. Pod bed prices start at £12.

12 Sherwood Street, London W1F 7BR,
www.piccadillybackpackers.com, 0207 434 9009. Nearest tube is Piccadilly Circus

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A lovely low-lit restaurant just off Charlotte Street, serving top-end Chinese/Thai/Vietnamese food in a French colonial-style townhouse.

Not the cheapest but perfect date or anniversary territory.

1 Percy Street, London W1T 1DB

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A great reasonable restaurant with delicious traditional French food just off the Boulevard St Germain. Lovely atmosphere, good seafood and looks like it should be super-pricey but isn't.

Make sure you have plenty of time for your meal though - service is French-style.

31, rue Saint-Dominique, 7th arr.
Nearest metro is Miromesnil
+33 (0)1 45 51 09 03

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