De Kas – This hip eatery has a reputation for using truly fresh ingredients in all of its dishes. It’s so dedicated to doing so, in fact, that its vegetables and herbs come from nearby greenhouses and its meats come from animal-friendly producers. Located in a 1920s-era building, De Kas boasts a tented glass ceiling; with 1-course meals including smoked halibut, grilled veal and other mouth-watering options, it’s little wonder that it’s so popular.

Bordewijk – The opportunity to enjoy a delectable meal on a canal-side terrace is reason enough to include a visit to Bordewijk during your holiday in Amsterdam. The offerings here are wonderfully unique, boasting French classics that are infused with Asian and Mediterranean touches. The bouillabaisse Marseillaise is to die for, and a topnotch wine list has something for everyone. Round out your meal with a sampling from the extensive cheese selection, and you’ll surely leave satiated.

Fifteen Amsterdam – Jamie Oliver brings his unique style and talent to Amsterdam with this ambitious and ultra-chic restaurant. Fifteen Amsterdam boasts an extremely attractive waitstaff; diners tend to be similarly good-looking. It’s the food, though, that makes this place a hit. The restaurant portion of the establishment offers tempting dishes like seafood risotto and pan-fried calves’ liver; the more laid-back trattoria serves up simpler fare. Although it’s pricey, a meal at Fifteen Amsterdam is definitely worth it.

Hotel de Goudfazant – For people with simpler palates, the unpretentious – yet delicious – food at the Hotel de Goudfazant is sure to please. It’s located within walking distance of many Amsterdam hotels and its menu offers simple classics like roasted chicken. Situated in a massive industrial space, the Hotel de Goudfazant boasts a unique atmosphere along with topnotch food. Its proximity to many hotels in Amsterdam makes it an obvious choice for visitors to the city.

One of the most noted cultural venues is the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery (1). Located only about 800 meters away from the heart of the city, it contains Bristol’s best art collection focusing on modern paintings, contemporary artwork but also works by the old masters. This is a must-see and on the itinerary of most any visitor to the city.

Taxidermies find display in the natural history gallery while a Bristol biplane replica hangs above the museum’s main hall. Chinese ceramics and Egyptian artifacts round out this amazing cultural gem that has a little something for every cultural taste. The visitor whose holiday takes him to Queen’s Road will not be disappointed in a visit. Just make sure to come between the hours of 10am and 5pm.

Another must-see venue is the Glenside Museum (2) on the campus of the renowned University of the West of England. It combines artifacts from the arguably darker history of British psychiatric treatment with some breathtaking artwork prepared by a resident patient. Although only a minor player among art lovers, its cultural significance makes it nevertheless an important stop on any tour.

What of the holiday makers who would like to stay closer to their hotels? Bristol’s best art is sometimes not in large museums but unassuming buildings that the average visitors just as soon pass by. Take for example the Red Lodge (3); it is on Park Row – near the Colston Hall and a wide array of hotels in Bristol – and only opens its doors Saturday through Wednesday from 10am to 5pm.

On its two floors it maintains breathtaking Tudor and Georgian displays. An Elizabethan-style knot garden features plants that were common in country gardens around the year 1630. The interior showcases numerous works of art as part of the overall décor. Look for the tell-tale red door that allows entry; the building is quite easy to miss next to its taller apartment building neighbors.

Amsterdam walking tours are as varied as the city they focus on. An oft forgotten, yet crucial, aspect of the city is that much of it lies below sea level, earning it its nickname of “Venice of the North.” Not only is Amsterdam built on a swamp, much of it was built centuries ago using a canal system that was impressive for its day. Walking tours are available that will not only visit such remarkable canals as the Signel and the Herengracht, but will also divulge their histories as a medieval moat and the city’s first major canal, respectively. On these tours, you can learn what prompted Amsterdam’s daring construction and the technology that made it possible.

Amsterdam is well-known for its coffeehouses and the cannabis they sell. Of course, many of the tourists who visit Amsterdam have never smoked in public before. Their inexperience makes buying the drug in Amsterdam both awkward and intriguing, a combination that makes a guided tour of the adventure worthwhile. While touring the coffeehouses of Amsterdam, you’ll be able to talk with shop owners while under the direction of a knowledgeable guide.

A vacation in Amsterdam is not complete without a visit to the infamous Red Light District. There are many walking tours available that offer a unique perspective on this historic area and the even more historic profession that sustains it. Such tours will visit the pubs and coffeehouses that line the Red Light District. Some will even give you a glimpse of the inside track of the prostitution business by arranging a question and answer session with a former prostitute and a visit to the prostitute information centre.

Walking tours are the best way to experience Amsterdam. The numerous hotels in Amsterdam can offer information on many more walking tours. In fact, Amsterdam hotels are conveniently located to take advantage of these tours and the personal perspective they offer.

Going antique-shopping and dashing in and out of copious vintage clothing stores has become a pastime for many a tourist and shopkeepers are happy to oblige. Authentic members of Brighton’s vintage scene do not even have to advertise anymore; word of mouth is sending scores of bargain-searching holiday makers to their doors, where unique and rare finds rub elbows with kitsch and priceless gems. Separating wheat from chaff is half the fun of the experience.

“To Be Worn Again” is the premier name among the vintage scene. Operating multiple locations at 51 Providence Place (a must for shoe fiends) and 24A Sydney Street, the mod or fashion maven in need of 60s, 70s or 80s attire must stop here. Inventory changes rapidly, so buying decisions must be made on the spot.

A hop, skip and a jump from there is Hope & Harlequin at 31 Sydney Street. This is a luxury boutique for the holiday maker with a slightly more adventurous budget and a taste for the lost glory of the 20s, 30s and even 1940s. Accessorizing is easy, since the shopkeepers offer the kind of hands-on assistance that is sorely lacking in larger venues.

If clothes are not the kind of vintage the holiday maker has in mind, then Paros Antiques is sure to fit the bill. Find this incomparable store located at 34/35 Upper Saint James Street in an unassuming building. Enter and be rewarded with Parian rarities, Art Deco finds, rare books, cultural memorabilia and even furniture.

Visitors to Brighton hotels near 15 Montpelier Place must pay homage to the Studio Shop. It is a curious combination of goods, merchandise and rotating art pieces that stem from the professional relationship of a curator and a vintage merchandise shopkeeper.

Most all the concierges of hotels in Brighton know about this small storefront and can gladly guide the curious guest to its whereabouts. Although vintage is mixed in with modern and made-to-order, the whirlwind of incoming and outgoing merchandise makes each visit to the Studio Shop a new experience.

The Zoo is designed as a loop, with the Coral Café conveniently situated near the halfway mark, making it an ideal stop for lunch. Through the main entrance and left down the Top Terrace, your journey takes you first past the colorful flamingos, the majestic Asiatic lions, the red pandas, and the Livingstone fruit bats. The Twilight World on the Terrace is a fun display of nocturnal animals in their active nighttime environments.

Next along the path come the giant tortoise, the reptile house full of cold-blooded creatures of slime and scales, and the aquarium, loaded with fish. Then, just before the Coral Café is Bug World, home to most of the creepy-crawly invertebrates in the Zoo.

After lunch, take a jaunt past the children’s play area and spend some time in the Activity Centre at the middle of the Zoo, where Bristol offers face painting, brass rubbing, and crafts designed to educate children about animals and habitats. Then, a slight backtrack will put you back on the loop and take you to Gorilla Island.

Unique among Bristol’s breeding collection include the aye aye lemur native to Madagascar, the western lowland gorillas, and the unusual zebra-striped okapi with its stunning red coat, all in the vicinity of Gorilla Island. Just past the gorillas you’ll find the Pygmy Hippo House on your right,, and the Seal and Penguin Coasts tucked in the corner of the Zoo on your left. Take a WC break before winding your way through the last portion of the loop, including the aviaries, Smarty Plants display, and Butterfly Forest. Once again past the flamingos and you’re at the entrance, ready to relax in one of the many hotels Bristol has to offer.

One way to maximize your visit to Bristol Zoo is to review the Zoo map in advance. Many hotels in Bristol can help you find a map in advance, so that you and your family can plan your visit around the exhibits that interest you the most.

Piazza San Marco, or St. Mark’s Square, is referred to as the heart of Venice. Having long been a meeting place for city natives, it was referred to as the ‘drawing room of Europe’ by Napoleon. St. Mark’s Square is the quintessential postcard image, complete with thousands of pigeons dotting every visible surface, as well as the sky; and possibly housing half the population of Europe, too. Try to visit in the off-season to really have the opportunity to enjoy the majestic beauty of the square.

Sitting within the Piazza San Marco itself is St. Mark’s Basilica, or Basilica di San Marco a Venezia, which is the most recognizable and influential Catholic church in Venice. A masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, this cathedral dates to 1063 A.D. and purportedly houses at least some of the remains of its namesake. While visiting the basilica don’t miss a visit to Doge’s Palace, once the judicial and political hub of Venice, which is just adjacent to the church. Now an art museum unto itself, it’s worth a visit just to get a glimpse at the priceless collection within.

Given that Venice is quite literally a city built on water, plan to set aside time to see the series of breathtaking, expansive bridges over the canals that link the small island city together. Of particular interest are the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge. Just adjacent to the canal, tiny artisanal shops sell everything from Murano’s famous glass to intricate hand-made lace. After a full day of shopping in Venice, visitors will be ready for a night in to relax in one of the many sumptuous Venice hotels and inns. Delightedly, there is no shortage of customer-appointed hotels in Venice and its surrounding villages so guests won’t be disappointed. If visiting Venice at the right time of year, after a good night’s rest, visitors can start a new day at Carnevale, which is Italy’s original version of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras pre-Lenten celebration.

1. Habana – This hip spot has appeared on several “best of” lists and is considered to be one of the very best gay pubs in the city of Edinburgh. An elegant glass brick bar and the patronage of young, hip, gay clubbers help lend Habana a distinctive and unforgettable air. Be sure to include it on your list of “must see” gay nightspots when in this exciting city.
2. CC Moons – Ask just about any gay or lesbian in Edinburgh where to go for gay-friendly nighttime fun, and they’re bound to recommend CC Moons. In general, it serves as a bar; however, it transforms into a nightclub for several nights each month. Its basement dance floor is something that you definitely don’t want to miss.
3. Claremont Bar – There are many loud, crowded and thrilling gay bars and clubs to visit when in Edinburgh. If you’re looking for something a bit more low-key, though, the Claremont Bar might be right for you. Its men-only nights – which are held on the first Saturday of each month – are tremendously popular. If you’re going to be in Edinburgh and are a gay man, try to visit the Claremont Bar on the first Saturday of the month – you won’t regret it.
4. Club Java – Gay people of all backgrounds and sensibilities will find plenty to do in Edinburgh. If you’re a lesbian, you should hit up Club Java when in this fast-paced city. Best known for its popular women-only nights, there’s never a dull moment at Club Java. Better still, it is quite close to many Edinburgh hotels.
5. Blue Moon Cafe – Start your night of clubbing off right by stopping in for a drink at the Blue Moon Cafe. Several hotels in Edinburgh are within walking distance of this popular Broughton Street institution, and its vibrant and fun ambiance will surely win you over.

One of the best and least expensive ways to experience all that London has to offer is to purchase a travel package. There are numerous travel agencies that offer affordable packages that typically include transportation, hotel accommodations, dining, and access to various attractions. Some even include deluxe tours of one of the most famous cities in the world. These tours will typically take visitors to all the most famous sites around the city. Having an experienced tour guide rather than trying to see everything on your own can save time, and when the tour is booked with a travel package, it can also save money.

For those who prefer to have more control over the individual elements of their London holiday, it is also possible to save money while paying separately for each element. When it is necessary to fly, booking airfare as far in advance as possible can typically save a significant amount of money. Booking a flight during the late fall through early spring can also save travellers money because most airlines offer cheaper rates during the off season. Many hotels and attractions also offer lower rates to attract customers during the off season as well. No matter when you travel, careful research can lead you to cheap hotels in London, and there are plenty of inexpensive things to do in the city. Activities such as window shopping at the finest shops and studying the architecture of the city can even be completely free, and they can be part of a wonderful London experience.

No matter what your budget is, it is completely possible to do London on the cheap. Whether you choose money saving travel packages, travel in the off season, or do careful searching to find the best deals, you can enjoy a memorable holiday in London without breaking the bank.

A trip around the Norfolk Coast is both rejuvenating, scenic, and altogether delightful. The winding roads quickly give way to a series of nearly private beaches, whose uncorrupted, natural beauty will remain in your mind long after you’ve dusted the last bit of sand from your toes. If you prefer the deep calm of a woody glen, you’ll be happy to know that some of these beaches border beautiful forests and marshes. The local villages are bastions of fine English country living, with cottages, pubs, and one of a kind old fashioned shops, selling a wide variety of local arts and crafts.

When planning your road trip, you can find cheap hotels almost anywhere you look, although calling ahead never hurts, especially if you plan to travel from Leeds to the Yorkshire moors. This route, which combines the urban excitement of Leeds with the awe-inspiring, if somewhat chilly moors, is wonderful for those who wish to sample both sophistication and rustic beauty in the same trip. The moors, site of innumerable dramatic novels and plays, provide you with the perfect place in which to indulge your inner poet, while Leeds, with its pulsating nightlife, allows you to work on your dance moves.

If you want to experience one of the most beautiful places in the U.K., plan a trip through the Cotswalds. With a slew of vine-covered discount hotels, celebrity sightings, and legendary scenery, the Cotswalds is the perfect place for a leisurely drive of exploration. Explore the remarkable sights of Gloucester before making your way to the A429 road, a route that supposedly has been in existence since the days of the Romans. No matter where you end up traveling in Britain, enjoy the ride!

Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives

Although the famous Tate Britain and Tate Modern museums are located in London, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives are both very fine art museums that stand proudly on their own. The Tate Liverpool museum is well known for its collections of contemporary and modern art and frequently features exhibitions that are on tour from all over the world. The Tate St Ives museum, on the other hand, has more of a focus on contemporary art on display through the museums relationship with Cornwall. An excellent sculpture garden is one of the museums permanent installations, and themed collections from Tate rotate through the museum seasonally.

Royal Museum and Art Gallery

Located in Canterbury in south east England, the Royal Museum and Art Gallery has a stunning collection of top decorative arts and portraits primarily dedicated to collections of historical merit. The Royal Museum also features a permanent gallery dedicated to Thomas Sidney Cooper, an artist famous for his pastoral works.

Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum

For travelers who have an interest in furniture making and metalwork, the Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum deserves special interest. Large portions of this museum are dedicated to items created during the Arts and Crafts Movement, and these collections are considered to represent some of the finest creations of the movement in the world. Rare Dutch paintings and pottery from ancient China and early England are also on display.

Fitzwilliam Museum

Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum is the perfect destination for art lovers who are in search of a comprehensive collection of painting representing artistic movements ranging from early antiquities to Post-Impressionism. Some of most interesting works in the museum include paintings by William Blake, Titan, Ingres and Turner.

No matter where your travels take you in search of art in the United Kingdom, there are cheap hotels available throughout the country to suit tastes ranging from luxury accommodations to a modest hotel perfect for travelers on a budget.