Gap year travel: what to put in if you plan to take a year out

A well-planned gap year is great way to impress potential employers. So what do you need to know before you go ? and what pitfalls should you avoid while there?Until now, most young people have regarded taking a gap year between school and higher education as a well-deserved period of rest and recreation after four years of exams.But not any more: the near trebling of tuition fees by many colleges and universities from October 2012 ? combined with escalating unemployment ? means that many aspiring students can no longer take time out.Because of the threat of higher fees, the number of people applying to defer a university place dropped from 16,000 in 2010 to 6,000 last year.Among those who still aimed to take time out, American Express found that 43% planned to earn money and gain work experience, while less than one in five thought they could spend the time relaxing.Research for gapyear.com found that 63% of HR professionals thought a year spent volunteering or gaining work experience overseas made a job application stand out, while 85% agreed relevant work experience was more valuable than the average non-vocational degree.Tim Fenton, general manager of gapyear.com, says: "Interest in volunteering or working abroad is definitely on the rise, as are more challenging destinations like south-east Asia and South America."It is important when you sit down in front of a prospective employer to have a good story to tell and a well spent gap year is a great way to create that story."Why you need incomeStudents who have scrambled to get their university applications in to Ucas by the 15 January closing date face another, much bigger, task ? to ensure they have enough money to see them through their chosen course.From September 2012 the government will offer two types of loan.New full-time students in England and Wales will be able to borrow up to �9,000 for tuition fees in the 2012/13 academic year. They can also take out maintenance loans for living costs of up to �7,675 (for those living away from home, and studying in London).But while the loans on offer to this year's students have an interest rate set at 1.5%, those starting in September 2012 will accrue RPI plus 3% from the point at which they take out the loan until April 2016.From that date they will be charged RPI if they earn �21,000 or less. If they earn more than �21,000 their interest rate will taper upwards. It is capped at RPI plus 3% once they reach �41,000.Graduates currently start repaying their student loans once they earn �15,000, continuing for a maximum of 25 years. Any debt left after that is written off. But those on courses starting after 1 September 2012 will start repaying when they earn �21,000. It will be at the rate of 9p in every �1 earned over �21,000 until the debt is repaid, or 30 years have passed.This prolongs the agony, but makes the monthly payments more affordable: a graduate earning �30,000 would pay �112.50 a month under the old scheme, but �67.50 under the new.Maximise savingsOlibray, posting on gapyear.com, recommends seeking work in Australia: "You will earn 30% more than in the UK, that could make quite a dent on the fees next year."You won't necessarily want to choose the places you travel to according to how much you can earn, but there are still things you can do to maximise the amount you save.? Choose the best credit card if you're abroad for any length of time, choose a debit or credit card that doesn't charge 2.75% every time you make a transaction. Metro Bank's current account has no minimum monthly funding requirement and offers debit and credit cards with no overseas charges on purchases or cash.The Norwich and Peterborough building society current account comes with a debit card with no foreign transaction fees. It is free if you pay in �500 or more a month, otherwise there is a �5 monthly charge. This will be worth paying if you are using your card overseas.The Halifax Clarity credit card has no overseas charges. Sainsbury's Finance gold card has a �5 a month charge but no foreign charges and includes comprehensive travel insurance.It's essential to set up online banking before you go so you can manage your money while abroad. And make sure you advise your bank and card providers that you will be travelling: they are likely to block your accounts otherwise, suspecting fraud.? Consider a pre-paid card, says Bob Atkinson, travel expert with Travelsupermarket.com, recommends pre-paid cards from Fair FX and Caxton."These can be used to pay for goods and withdraw cash with minimal (if any) fees, are pin protected, backed by either Visa or Mastercard, and can be topped up online as you go along," he says."You cannot go into debt and they can be replaced if lost or stolen. You can top up from your current account online."However, he has a warning about using pre-paid cards when checking in to a hotel or hiring a car."They will have an amount pre-authorised by the hotelier or car rental company."That locks the funds, even if they don't need to charge you. Use a credit card, instead," he says. ? Make sure you know what visa you need, especially for working, says Atkinson. Organise this before leaving the UK. "There are companies who arrange gap-year travel 'experiences' or 'work'," says Atkinson. "However, they can overcharge for something that you can arrange more cheaply independently." ? Shop around for your air fare. It pays to get advice, says Atkinson, as a clever consultant can shave hundreds off itineraries, especially when complicated. ? Acquaint yourself with the tax regime at your destination to ensure you don't end up overpaying.For example, gappers going to Australia should apply to the Australian Taxation Office (ato.gov.au) for a tax file number before they head off down under ? this is essential to avoid paying emergency tax at 48% when you arrive.In the US, exchange visitors only pay federal and state taxes, not social security, but still need to apply for a social security card. For information on a wide range of tax regimes, Lonely Planet recommends visiting the international section at taxsites.com. ? Buy adequate insurance. For trips longer than one month you may need a specialist policy, and you should also consider whether you are likely to do riskier activities such as bungee jumping, water sports or skiing and ensure your chosen policy will cover these.Check that your policy covers you while working or volunteering, especially if you are doing any manual labour, as this is often not covered by a standard policy. Visit Moneysupermarket.com. ? Don't go mad on your mobile phone. Although the cost of calls, texts and mobile data roaming are capped in Europe, there are still hefty charges elsewhere in the world. Many readers have been shocked to receive bills costing hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of pounds after internet browsing.Mobile providers typically charge per megabyte but some do offer a set amount of data allowance for a one-off cost.Examples of data usage are: web browsing for one hour = 1.5Mb; downloading/uploading a quality jpeg/image = 2Mb; music downloading = 3.5Mb per track; opening emails = 1Mb per 20 average-sized emails.Don't forget Turkey is not yet part of the EU: making a call there with Vodafone can cost as much as �1.65 a minute, while receiving a call can cost a hefty �1.50 with T-Mobile.Elsewhere, data roaming can cost a substantial �8 per MB with Orange. Vodafone applies a cap outside of the EU, putting a block on accessing data when the bill reaches �100.You can cut the costs of calls and texts outside the UK by arranging with your provider to opt-in to a specific add-on. Vodafone, Orange and O2 offer the best deals, according to Mike Wilson of moneysupermarket.com.Before you go Check your passport is valid, ideally for a minimum of six months after the date you plan to return to the UK. You should also check whether you require visas for the places you plan to visit.Bear in mind that these can take several weeks to arrange and are rarely free. Check with the relevant embassy/ies and start the application process once you have booked your flights.Budgeting is boring, but necessary, if you don't want to run out of money half way round the world. Decide on a total that you are looking to spend, including your air fare and taxes as well as transfers, accommodation costs and food. Remember extras such as souvenirs and sight-seeing.And don't forget to let people know where you are ? the Foreign and Commonwealth Office operates a scheme called Locate at fco.gov.uk.You can register your contact details before travelling, enabling the FCO and your family to track you down in the event of an emergency or disaster. The same website also has lots of general advice for travellers including those taking longer gap-year style trips.Consumer affairsTravel insuranceInsuranceBanks and building societiesInternet, phones & broadbandGap year travelGap yearsStudentsJill Insleyguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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European Group Attempting Takeover of Australia?s Hotham and Falls Creek Ski Resorts

Falls Creek, Australia - The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Europe?s Merlin Entertainments Group has initiated a AUD$140 million cash takeover bid for Australia?s Hotham and Falls Creek ski resorts.



Mt. Hotham
The resorts? current owner, Living and Leisure Australia Group (LLA), has recommended that shareholders accept the offer, which represents a 157 percent premium over the share closing price immediately before the bid was initiated. The company?s three largest security holders, who own nearly 88 percent of the company?s securities, reportedly support the plan.
LLA also operates the Melbourne Aquarium and Underwater World in Queensland.� Merlin Entertainments Group is a leisure attractions market leader in the UK and Europe and second only to Disney worldwide, according to the company, and owns 77 sites in 17 countries across�four continents, including Sydney Aquarium, Oceanworld Manly and Sydney Tower Eye and Skywalk in Australia.

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World Champion Skier Guay, Auto Racer Villeneuve Go Head to Head on Racetrack
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: From steel town to scenic city

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, Food and Drink, North America, United States, NightlifeWhile many people still visualize Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to be an old steel city, the hilly town has certainly changed a lot in the last 30-40 years. My first impressions when arriving were that the lit up hillsides, public art, modern architecture, colorful bridges, scenic rivers, diverse restaurants and lively club scene made Pittsburgh seem a lot more eclectic and trendy than industrial. If you're visiting Pittsburgh, here is a guide to help you navigate the best the city has to offer based on your preferences.

For a mix of history and food

Visit the Strip District. The area was home to many industrial innovations (it's where Andrew Carnegie began doing business in the iron and steel industry) as well as a once booming produce industry, a legacy that can still be tasted through ethnic food shops, cafes, markets, and restaurants. Use Penn Avenue as your main focal point, and veer off as necessary. Make sure to stop in the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. for traditional Italian groceries and natural alternatives to processed cheeses, sauces, soups, and meats, as well as Mon Aimee Chocolat for unique varieties of organic and artisanal chocolate. For those who love vino, Dreadnought Wines offers glasses and accessories as well as specialty wines and educational classes, like "Cooking with Wine" and "High Brows and Low Brows- Can You Taste the Difference?". A stop in Penzeys Spices is a delight for the nose as visitors can walk around and sniff the many herbs and seasonings out on display, as well as ask questions about the products and get free recipes. Want to educate yourself on the city's history and culture? A visit to Senator John Heinz History Center allows you to explore Pittsburgh's past and present through six floors of exhibits on local sports, companies, heroes, innovations, artifacts, and more. My favorite parts were sitting in an old-fashioned trolley and walking through a life-sized replication of a traditional early-1900's home.

For a list of businesses in the Strip District, click here. To keep up to date with events in the area, click here.Continue reading Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: From steel town to scenic cityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania: From steel town to scenic city originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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It's Dumping in Snowbird

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I Heart My City: Matt?s Washington, D.C.

Hello city-lovers! Today we’re exploring our own backyard with an�I Heart My City guide to Washington, D.C. Today’s tour comes courtesy of travel blogger Matt Long,�Editor-in-Chief and creator of LandLopers.com and co-host of the D.C. Travel Tweet Up (In the D.C. area? Join the Tweet Up tomorrow night!).�Get Matt’s insider’s take on the nation’s capital,…

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Win a year's supply of beer at the Whitefish Winter Carnival

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, North America, United States, VideoFor more than five decades, the Whitefish Winter Carnival has been an annual tradition in Whitefish, Montana. The 2012 edition of the event takes place next weekend, and will once again feature parades, ski competitions, a dip in the frigid waters of the nearby lake, and prankster Yetis out to kidnap the Snow Queen. The Carnival will also play host to a unique, one of a kind, competition known as the Black Star Barter, which asks competitors what they would do - or trade - for a year's supply of beer.

On Saturday, February 4th, a group of daring, wild, and downright crazy contestants will gather at the Great Northern Brewing Company, where they'll be given a chance to convince a panel of judges that they deserve to win 52 cases of Black Star Beer. They'll show off amazing hidden talents, offer up prized possessions, and generally try to charm the judges into awarding them the prize. Competitors will be rated on creativity, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and overall awesomeness.

Last year, more than 1000 spectators gathered to watch the Barter, which featured a five-year-old harmonica player and his singing dog, a man who turned his nose into a piggy bank, and a family of four who were willing to part with their two egg-laying chickens and a hog. In the end though, the year's supply of beer went to a creative duo who came up with a series of hilarious radio commercials extolling the virtues of Black Star.

So, what would you be willing to trade or do to win a year's supply of beer? Do you have an impressive talent or precious item you'd be willing to give up for 52 cases of Black Star? If so, there is still time to get yourself to Montana in time to compete in the 2012 edition of the Barter. You just might go home with enough beer to stock your fridge for months to come.




Win a year's supply of beer at the Whitefish Winter Carnival originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Island Cocktail: The Ultimate Recipe

MAKES 1 COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS
1 � oz. Appleton Estate Rum 3 oz. POG Juice � oz. cura�ao � oz. Goombay Punch Few dashes Angostura Bitters Rhum Barbancourt float Lime wedge, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine the Appleton Estate rum, POG juice, cura�ao, and bitters in a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake and strain into an ice-filled glass.
2. Top with the Goombay punch, a splash of Rhum Barbancourt, and a spritz of lime.
To learn more about the around-the-world ingredients in this cocktail, see our gallery of World's Best Island Cocktail Ingredients �
This article first appeared in the January/February 2011 issue of ISLANDS Magazine.

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The wildlife and nature of Tasmania

There was something in the air that told me I was going to like it here.

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In the footsteps of Wilfred Owen in Northern France

Return to the forestIf Wilfred Owen could return to the house in the forest near Ors in Northern France, where he and his comrades sought refuge from the battlefield, he would see an amazing change.� But if he went into the cellar, where he spent the last night of his life on November 3rd 1918 he would instantly recognise the spot where he felt so content in the company of his men.?There?s no danger down here, or if any, it will be well over before you read these lines.� I hope you are as warm as I am, as serene in your room as I am here, and that you think of me never in bed, as resignedly as I think of you always in bed.� Of this I am certain, you could not be visited by a band of friends half so fine as surround me here.� Ever,� Wilfred x ?This was the letter he wrote to his mother, which arrived on November 11 after the armistice had been declared.� He had been killed on November 4th just a week before it was ?well over?.Every death in war is a tragedy but for this brilliant 25 year old poet to die almost at the end of hostilities was such a loss.Lieutenant Wilfred Owen MC, 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment was instructed to take his troops across the Sambre-Oise canal at 05.45 on November 4th 1918 to capture a farm in German held territory about 1 kilometre away.� It was foggy and as the mist lifted the men crossed the narrow canal on improvised rafts.� The Germans had been expecting the attack and hit the Manchesters with terrible effect.� It was while he was crossing the water or as he reached the far side that Owen was killed.� That attack failed but later the same day the farmhouse was captured.� Four Victoria Crosses were awarded as a result of the great courage shown by the officers and men.A PoetWilfred Owen was born in Oswestry in 1893 and he decided to become a poet at the age of 19.� At the outbreak of war he was a private tutor in France but felt compelled to enlist.� He joined the forces in October 1915 and arrived in France at the end of 1916 ready to do his bit.� He was wounded and spent his convalescence in Edinburgh where he met Siegfried Sassoon.It was from Sassoon that he gained his poetic inspiration.� Back in France in September 1918, he won the Military Cross for capturing a machine gun post.� Owen was close to his mother and wrote hundreds of letters to her; every one was preserved.He is regarded as the greatest war poet of all time and his writing reflects the terrors of war, the physical and psychological shock of conflict and traumatic personal experience.VisitorsInterest in Northern France and First World War battle sites first grew about 25 years ago.� Museums were established, battlefields signposted and tourist trails set up.� In the little village of Ors, the Mayor Jacky Duminy noticed that more and more UK visitors were arriving to find out about Wilfred Owen, so the local council decided to provide suitable plaques to commemorate the poet.� On a bridge over the Sambre-Oise canal is the plaque where the trail starts and 500 yards along the bank is the spot where the troops crossed.In the village cemetery Owen?s grave stands alongside those of his comrades. The library and school study centre has a section dedicated to Owen?s work and a short drive away is the renovated ?Maison Foresti�re?, where he spent his last night.� While the cellar remains unchanged the exterior is painted white with a circular ramp leading down to the original troops? shelter.� The project, undertaken by the artist Simon Patterson at a cost of 1.5 million Euros, can best be described as a place of homage rather than a museum.� It?s a place to contemplate and to read and listen to Owen?s words in the house's interior. The glass-clad walls carry the words of 'dulce et decorum est' and� the unmistakeable voice of Kenneth Branagh recites his poetry.The house is right beside the route 959, very near a delightful restaurant called L?Estaminet de L?Hermitage.� Enquire here about visits to the house and read about Owen before your visit.� There are no guides or books available.Places to VisitThe region abounds in First World War cemeteries beautifully maintained by The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.� If you are trying to trace a relative killed in World War One, just go to the website http://www.cwgc.org/ type in a name, answer a few questions and you?ll find where the grave or, if unknown, an engraved name can be located.In Le Cateau Cambr�sis there?s a magnificent art gallery founded 50 years ago by Matisse.� Situated in the Renaissance Town Hall his 82 works were given to the town?s people as witness to his life devoted to painting.In Caudry the lace museum has giant looms thundering away producing the intricate lace, some of which was used for Kate Middleton?s wedding dress.� A display of fashions over the past 50 years provides an enjoyable view of what we used to wear.Tank in a Barn - In Flesqui�res, in a barn behind a shell-splintered wall, there?s a treasure trove of WW1 objects.� A field gun, a truck, piles of rusty shells and war debris surround a tank which was excavated from a nearby battlefield.� There are plans for a permanent museum for ?Deborah? the tank and it?s hoped that it can be registered as a national monument.� The story of the six year search for the buried vehicle by Phillipe Gorczynski, after he heard about it from a ninety two year old local, is quite fascinating.� Phillipe tells visitors about the Cambrai attack using 476 tanks to breach the Hindenburg line in 1917.� Although tanks made their first appearance on 15 September 1916 at High Wood on the Somme, they had never been used en masse.� Over 150 tanks were lost on the first day of the battle but the strategy worked.� Mark 4 tank Deborah had a crew of 8 and 5 died during the advance.� All are commemorated with photos alongside the tank.�� Where to stayCambrai is a good base from which to visit Ors and other interesting places.� Close to the town centre and a short walk from a supermarket is the pretty three star Hotel B�atus at 718 Avenue de Paris. In a public room is a display showing the discovery of the tank at Flesqui�res. Hotels in Cambrai start from ?44 for a double room per night. Where to eatCambrai has a great selection of restaurants and bars but for an extra special dinner try the cellars of the Ch�teau de la Motte Fen�lon just to the north of the town.For more information on the Nord Region visit www.tourisme-nord.com and the Wilfred Owen Association Getting thereWe took the ferry from Dover to Calais on the Spirit of Britain, the new �150 million ship that P&O Ferries added to its fleet earlier this year.� We dined in the brasserie on the way out and we settled ourselves in the club lounge on the way back.� Fares for a car and up to 9 passengers are from �50 return. Cambrai is under two hours? drive from the Port of Calais.� If driving on motorways can ever be a pleasure, then the journey on the A26 was traffic free, extremely smooth and relaxing.� Tolls cost around 10? each way.DFDS Seaways also has ferries from Dover to Dunkerque, which is about 1h30 drive from Cambrai.Eurostar operates up to 9 daily trains from London St Pancras to Lille with the journey time of 1h20 and return fares from �65. If you are flying, the nearest airport is Lille (70km, 1h from Cambrai). Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Brussels International Airport are both about 150km or 1h40 drive from Cambrai.
14 January 2012
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ACTA to censor Internet worldwide

And we thought SOPA was shady doings.

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10 art maps to inspire your next adventure

Filed under: Arts and Culture, GearWanderlust is a condition afflicting many of us here at Gadling. But what's a world traveler to do when she or he is in homesteading mode between trips? Start planning the Next Big Adventure, naturally, with the help of some cartography-inspired home art.

The following ten art maps have elevated the art of cartography with screen printing, line drawing, quirky takes on familiar forms, and creative use of typography. Most are handmade by designers and travel aficionados around the world, which allows room for customization. And since the majority of the map prints cost less than $50, you won't have to dip too deep into the travel fund to pick one up.

Gallery: 10 art maps for the home

[image via artPause]10 art maps to inspire your next adventure originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Bungee jumper survives after cord snaps

Erin Langworthy's cord snapped as she leapt from a bridge over a gorge 111 metres above the Zambezi riverAn Australian tourist survived after getting more thrills than she had bargained during a bungee jump in Zambia when the cord attached to her feet snapped, sending her plunging into fast flowing rapids below.Footage of the incident shows Erin Langworthy, 22, leaping from a bridge which crosses a gorge 111 metres above the Zambezi river at Victoria Falls, the world's largest waterfall.It shows the cord snapping as she reached the bottom of her descent, when she was still around 20 metres above the water, the Zambia Post reported.With her feet still tied, Langworthy plunged head first into the Zambezi before swimming to the side of the river."It was quite scary because a couple of times the rope actually got caught on some rocks or debris," she told Australia's Channel Nine television network."I actually had to swim down and yank the bungee cord out of whatever it was caught on to make it to the surface."Channel Nine reported that Ms Langworthy, a backpacker from Perth, spent a week in hospital following the incident, which happened on New Year's Eve.Officials in Zambia have since launched an investigation into the incident and have said they believe the bungee jump remains safe.The country's tourism minister, Given Lubinda, told the Lusaka Times around 50,000 people made the leap each year at the world-famous tourist spot.He said: "The bungee has proven to be a very viable operation considering that more than 50,000 tourists jump on it every year."It has been in operation for 10 years. This is the first time I am hearing of an incident. The probability of an incident is one in 500,000 jumps."Hundreds of tourists a week each pay around �80 to make a bungee jump at Victoria Falls from the British-built road and rail bridge.The Zambian tourism board's website describes the experience as "the highest commercial bridge jump in the world in the most spectacular setting"."This must be the ultimate adrenaline rush, as you leap into space, free as a bird, saved from the swirling water below by the rebound of the cord, then hurtled upwards again at great speed," it adds.ZambiaAfricaAustraliaVictoria FallsAdventure travelBen Quinnguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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A ten-step guide to eating Vegemite

Lie and say you hate it.

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Great Fun English Holidays

Individuals living in the UK who are ready to take a few UK vacations can do so without having to travel far from home Taking a few trips in the UK won't be as expensive as vacationing in some distant land You'll be able to enjoy a nice holiday right here, while getting away from your problems at home

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Pacific Islands Mystery Sale FAQ

�         Is $1000 for two people?
o        Yes 
�         Can I cancel my trip before my destination is revealed?
o        Yes, you can cancel any time before your destination is revealed for a full refund of $1,000.
�         Can I cancel after my destination is revealed?
o        Yes, but you only have 2 days to cancel. After that you will lose $1,000.
�         Can I travel alone?
o        Yes, but there?s no discount from $1,000.
�         When will I know which destination/vacation package I purchased?
o        Your destination and detailed itinerary will be reveled two weeks prior to departure.
�         Can I depart from another country or city?
o        No, you itinerary starts from Los Angeles International airport. You?re responsible for your own transportation to LAX.
�         Can PacifcIslands.com arrange my transportation to LAX?
o        No, Pacificislands.com will not be able to assist you in arranging your transportation to LAX.
�         Do the vacation packages include meals?
o        Some of the vacation packages include breakfast. See the list of packages fordetails.
�         Can I refuse to accept my vacation package?
o        Yes, you can refuse the vacation package assigned to you, but you can?t switch to another one.
�         Can I exchange my package/destination?
o        No, you can?t request a different package, but you can refuse to accept our offer and withdraw from the Mystery Sale promotion.
�         Can we bring our children with us?
o        No, the package is for 2 adults traveling together. Even at extra cost, we won?t be able to accommodate your children.
�         Can we take another couple with us?
o        Yes, but at the full price of $5,000 or more.
�         Can I extend my stay?
o        No, the vacation package can?t be extended or shortened.
�         Can I modify my itinerary (request a different hotel, change the number of nights, etc.)?
o        No, your itinerary can?t be modified.
�         Who will I receive $250/$500 coupon from PacificIslands.com?
o        Everybody who registered  for Mystery sale, but didn?t get the opportunity to purchase  a Mystery vacation
�         When do I receive my $250/$500 coupon?
o        I f you registered before the first round of Mystery sale, you will receive your coupon via email within a week after the first Mystery sale date. If you registered after the first Mystery sale date, but before the second one, you will receive your coupon within a week after the second Mystery sale date, and so on. 
�         Does the coupon have an expiration date?
o        Yes the coupon is valid form the date it?s sent till Mar 31, 2013.
�         Does the coupon have any black-out dates?
o        No, but your travel dates might be restricted by air and hotel availability.
�         How do I redeem my coupon?
o        Save the email containing the coupon. When you ready to redeem your coupon, just send us your travel request along with that email.
�         Can I give my coupon to someone else?
o        Yes, but you will need to send us the email containing the coupon and request to use it towards someone else?s travel. 
 

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Photo of the day: Playing Chopsticks

Filed under: North America, United States, Photo of the Day
If you can think of a movie scene set in a toy store, odds are it's the Chopsticks scene at New York City's FAO Schwarz from Big. Though the movie is now over 20 years old (!), few can resist sliding across the big keyboard and recreating Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia's duet medley of "Heart and Soul" and "Chopsticks." Today's Photo of the Day by Flickr user snowjumpr shows how fun it can be to play in a toy store, no matter how, er, big you are.

Have you recreated any movie moments on your travels? Add your photos to the Gadling Flickr pool to be chosen as a future Photo of the Day.Photo of the day: Playing Chopsticks originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Bali: laid-back luxury ? and adventure

A small chic hotel chain in Bali offers luxurious villas and adventurous tours to remote corners of the island. It's a winning combination, says Nell Card"How many steps back up is it ? just roughly?" I ask Argus, our guide."About 600," he says.My travel buddy Nicole and I are lying flat-out on our sarongs. We've hiked for three hours through villages, across savannah-like terrain and down a vertical cliff path to get here. And now, in the shade of a boulder on Nyang-Nyang beach ? a vast, isolated stretch of coast on the southernmost tip of Bali ? we realise it's going to take us another three hours to get back.At least Argus has packed provisions. He hands out bottles of Pocari Sweat (the Indonesian equivalent of Lucozade) and parcels of noodles, tofu and boiled eggs wrapped in banana leaves.After lunch, we swim in the bubbly waves of the Indian Ocean. "It's OK," says Nicole, staring up at the cliff from the sea, "I think I can see a handrail."But there is no handrail. There isn't even a path. The route back up the cliff is a terrifying vertical scramble. Hearts racing and knees shaking, we scrabble over boulders, down gullies and through thick, tropical foliage.We recover in a nearby warung (a roadside shop and cafe). Newborn chicks scamper around our feet as Argus shares a selection of dragon fruit, pineapple and passion fruit.Next stop: Pura Luhur, an 11th-century Hindu temple overrun with thieving monkeys. Filthy, sweaty and sunburnt, we return to our hotel at dusk. We are staying at the ultra-luxurious Alila Villas Uluwatu. There are four Alila properties in Bali, each offering guests "a total destination experience" ? a chance to discover Bali via a choice of guided tours or "journeys" that introduce you to local life, taking you to rural and remote parts of the island. Our six-hour endurance test was the first of many incredible journeys we sampled during our 10-day visit to the island.To celebrate our safe return from the hike, we are served champagne (all part of the "journey" package) in the sunset cabana ? a bronze and wooden jigsaw structure that protrudes over the Bukit peninsula.The hotel was designed by Singapore-based architects WOHA and has received a slew of architectural and environmental awards since opening in 2009. It has 84 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas built from local rattan and recycled wood and clad in flat lava rocks, which absorb the heat and camouflage the villas. A screen door behind the bed opens up on to a private, planted courtyard with an outdoor rain shower (which is also a night-time hangout for copulating frogs). Another screen door enables you to plop into your own plunge pool straight from the sofa. Outside, angular frangipani trees artfully shed their flowers on my sun lounger. There's even a private cabana constructed of flat black lava slabs. It's like sunbathing inside a giant Jenga game.On day three, we reluctantly pack up and head west. The hotel provides a taxi service between resorts (public transport on Bali is virtually nonexistent and the roads are unruly and overcrowded), so we're driven the 50km to Alila Villas Soori near Kerambitan, a discreet complex of 44 beach-side villas.The landscape is equally rural here: bristling green rice paddies tickle the glittering black coastline. We wander down to the beach."It's like walking on a giant eyeshadow," says Nicole as we scrunch up our toes in the compact, black sand. We're watched by young, chestnut-coloured cows as we explore the rock pools and intricately carved Hindu temples on the shoreline. In the shallows I find a small, hand-formed red clay pot, which I take home with me.That afternoon, we arrange our next Alila adventure: a cycle tour of the villages of Tabanan and Kerambitan. Tabanan is known locally as the rice bowl of Bali. Ancient irrigation systems lace the fields and black, bird-shaped kites soar high above the crops. A young boy wrapping the string of his kite around an old flip-flop waves as we pedal down the narrow lanes that separate the tiny plots of land.The Balinese still widely worship Dewi Sri, the pre-Hindu era goddess of rice and fertility. Every paddy has its own temple, where handmade offerings ? tiny morsels of rice and bright petals arranged on origami-like banana leaves ? are left. You see these offerings scattered all over the island. Later, we stop in the shade of a hairy old banyan tree to examine a little heap of offerings which include a lone cigarette and what looks like a handful of mini Ritz crackers.Beyond the rice paddies, we come to our first village, Tabanan, home to the Pande clan. In Bali, all blacksmiths originate from this clan and the craft is handed down from generation to generation. Our guide introduces us to Wayan, a blacksmith who makes knives and agricultural tools with his wife. His home is a row of single rooms built in the 1950s. Some of the rooms are open platforms; others are shut behind intricately carved doors. Three generations live and work here, and they all come to watch us drink a young coconut in the shade of their open living room. In the workshop next door, Wayan and his wife hammer white-hot metal into tools.From Tabanan we scoot through the village of Pejaten, famous for its red clay ceramics. After another 7km we reach the village of Kerambitan. The area was once home to one of Bali's most important royal families ? great patrons of art and culture who commissioned local craftsmen to kit out their palaces and temples. Our tour ends at Kerambitan palace, built in the 17th century. The eighth royal generation still lives here. We snoop around the peach plastered buildings. The walls are inlaid with dozens of painted plates and each pillar is swaddled in multicoloured fabric. We find miniature stone gods in sarongs, black and white portraits of kings and a pair of red and gold thrones within reach of a fridge full of Bintang beer. We are sorely tempted, but we get back on our wheels and pedal home to raid our own mini bars.Ubud in central Bali is the island's second tourist destination (after the beach resort of Kuta). In the 1930s, it attracted European bohemians; now the city's sprawling "art villages" sell nasty teak carvings (think life-size, muscular unicorns) and stoneware. After two nights at Soori, we check into Uma Ubud, a boutique hotel on the outskirts of town surrounded by jungle-like gardens. Our colonial-style room is thatched and smells deliciously of damp straw, and the communal areas are furnished with huge pieces of Balinese furniture: beautiful antique wood carvings and two-metre deep sofas carved from teak.Uma is a 30-minute drive from Mount Batur, an active volcano that serves as an adventure playground for tourists. It, too, offers a range of guided tours and we agree for Anom, our guide, to lead us on a 40km freewheel from the summit. Before we begin, he decides we need a caffeine hit and takes us to an organic coffee farm in Kintamani, a crater-top town."Come and taste the civet coffee," he urges, ushering us through the coffee plantation to a makeshift kitchen.Civets are mongoose-like creatures that steal coffee cherries from the trees. The beans are partially digested before being pooped out whole, collected, washed and ground. The end result is a Balinese delicacy called kopi luwak: one of the world's most expensive coffees."It's, um, kind of sour ?" I politely suggest."It tastes like shit," whispers Nicole. We're both fighting a creeping sense of nervous hilarity. On the drive up, Anom had told us that the ride down would be pretty fast ? "Ready for the big downhill?" he shouts. With sour tongues and jangling nerves, we let go of the brakes.The fertile flanks of Mount Batur are intensely farmed. Orange and passionfruit groves separate leafy fields of potatoes and chillies. A truck of bouncing cabbages rolls by. The tarmac lanes are bustling. Women fry tempeh (fermented tofu) on the roadside and palm sugar rice cakes bake on the pavement in the morning sun. Men groom their cockerels in preparation for their next fight while school children in peach uniforms overtake us on mopeds. We see a procession of women and girls on their way to a Hindu ceremony dressed in jewel-coloured sarongs and sashes carrying multicoloured, handwoven baskets on their heads."I want one of them!" Nicole hollers as we zip by. Towards the end, some school kids race out of the playground and line up on the roadside to give us a high five. It's the only point I take my hands off the brakes for the entire ride.Saddle sore, we take the next day off and treat ourselves to a Balinese massage at the sprawling Como Shambhala Estate (cse.como.bz) on the outskirts of Ubud. The mother of all wellbeing retreats, this estate is built in a jungle clearing on the edge of a ravine overlooking the rapid Ayung river. We explore the spectacular gardens before being stretched and pummelled back into shape.Our final hotel, Alila Manggis, is on the east coast of the island. Compared with its glamorous sisters, Uluwatu and Soori, the accommodation is lacklustre and the surroundings less spectacular. That said, it offers great value for money and the choice of "journeys" sound just as promising. We sign up for our final outing ? a journey to the Bali aga (ancient village) of Tenganan, an isolated community famous for its double ikat ? a rare fabric which is produced by dyeing both the warp and weft threads, then painstakingly weaving them into symbolic motifs.We leave the bikes this time and trek to the roadless village on foot. The walk begins in Kastala and quickly rises through verdant rice terraces. ("This is our Old Trafford," boasts our guide.) Mount Agung, Bali's highest mountain, dominates the skyline as we make our way along the edge of a mountain spring used by locals to irrigate the fields. The countryside is one giant tropical fruit bowl: red pineapples grow in the hedgerows and we walk in the shade of jackfruit, durian, snakeskin fruit and cashew nut trees.We edge across a precarious bamboo bridge and find, all on its own, a table-top stall of handwoven goods. I buy a selection of beautiful little rattan boxes for about 30,000 rupiah (�2.10) each ? perfect Christmas pressies. After another hour or so we reach the outer walls of Tenganan.We step through a narrow gateway, and it feels as though we're entering a new zone in the Crystal Maze. Sacrificial water buffalo drink from troughs in the central square and fluorescent cockerels in handmade cages ? dyed green and orange by their owners ? guard the gates. Economically separate from the rest of the island, Tenganan is a fiercely private community. We're told that a village official sweeps away the footprints of strangers at the end of each day.Our guide introduces us to a weaver with cloudy eyes who takes us into his workshop (the Indigo Art Shop) and drapes me in an incredible piece of double ikat. He explains that these fabrics were traditionally worn during ceremonies and rites of passage: for weddings, tooth filings (the Balinese file the teeth of adolescents to rid them of invisible forces of evil), or during a child's first haircut. He is only one of about 15 people in the village who still weave on small makeshift looms and his wares grace the homes of Prince William and Mick Jagger, so we're told. I deliberate for an hour, then he whips out a card reader and I leave �160 poorer with a unique piece of double ikat I will forever have to rescue from behind the back of the sofa.Outside, dusk has fallen and the villagers are preparing for a celebration at the temple. As we step through the gates of the village, I look back and see a group of men roasting spices over an open fire. Two suckling pigs have been caught, their legs tethered to sturdy stakes. They are preparing babi guling, a spicy pork Balinese delicacy served at ceremonies. The buffalo lurk nervously. In the gloom, I think I can make out the shape of a man sweeping the sand in the central courtyard ?BaliIndonesiaLuxury travelHotelsAdventure travelNell Cardguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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Superb UK Vacations To Enjoy

People living in the United Kingdom may want to get away from their home without traveling too far to do it Traveling to someplace cool in the UK will allow them to leave their normal everyday routine, without leaving the country or spending a lot of money As a citizen of the UK you may not always have the funds to travel to far away countries, so here are some awesome UK vacations that you can take

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ISLANDS Photo Contest Picture of the Day: "Dhow at Low Tide"

The chalk white sands and crystal waters of Zanzibar provide a dry, cool texture in Adrienne Abiodun's unique beach shot. 
See all of the latest photo entries �
 
� Enter your best island photo for a chance to win a 7-night Tahiti cruise, a 7-night Star Clippers Caribbean cruise, and more amazing prizes! �
 *Note: Our picks for Picture of the Day have no bearing on the final judging of the ISLANDS Photo Contest. Read the full contest rules here.

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Fitness bootcamp in Italy

Six hours of intensive workouts ? followed by a sumptuous meal and wine. This is a fitness boot camp, Italian-styleI've never been so relieved as when Dan, one of the muscle-bound personal trainers on the Fitscape week-long holiday in northern Italy, said I could bunk off on the first day.Arriving catatonically knackered, barely able to utter a syllable, I was in terror at the sight of the programme: dawn runs, at least five hours' cardio a day, an alarming amount of "burpees" (squat thrusts). So when Dan said I should "listen to my body", I did just that and slept for 17 hours.After that, though, on Fitscape there's no escape. Fitscape is sister company to the better-known In:spa (inspa-retreats.com) ? but here the focus is on fitness, cardio and strength rather than detoxing and yoga. It is sort of like a boot camp, but without the deprivation ? I was going to say without the unpleasantness, but that's not exactly right. You stay in gorgeous hotels. I was at the Rosa Alpina, in the Dolomites, with large rooms, plump cushions, thick duvets, good toiletries, nice view. The food is delicious ? big breakfast buffet, vast lunch, afternoon snacks (fruit, nuts and seeds) and tasty, gigantic, three-course dinners. That's three courses including dessert. With bread, if you want it. And wine, if you'll pay for it.So there are no former soldiers screaming at you to work harder, and no starvation rations, and no chores. You can even choose not to take part in sessions.But the schedule is intense, and you're encouraged to join in: a run first thing, boxing classes, circuits every day, lessons on running technique, core stability workouts, endless mountain hikes (admittedly through mountains and forests; the area is used for skiing in the winter, when Fitscape also runs skiing-training holidays). From day three to day five I was so stiff I found walking downstairs almost physically impossible, despite the stretching sessions at the end of each day.It was, though, a lot of fun; especially the dance classes, which were a special request of the group since one of the trainers had spent time being a dancer in the West End show Stomp. His routines, from hip?hop to 70s disco, were a highlight, if not the hardest workout of the week. In fact all three experienced trainers were excellent, and gave lots of attention to each guest; they worked hard with us on our programme and our motivation. The well-heeled, mostly female guests got on well, and there was much encouraging of each other alongside the racing each other. The last-night celebration was a delight, and all that exercise lent a sort of pheromone-heady euphoria to the whole experience. I loved it.Some of my fellow guests felt, in fact, that it was too much fun ? there is a conflict between all those puddings and all that working out, and the people who enjoyed it most were those who came to exercise, and to get out of their heads, rather than with specific ideas about losing weight. (No one is going to force you to do the classes, and no one is going to tell you not to eat.) Over such an intense week you get a real sense of your fitness improving quite dramatically, and Fitscape is excellent if you want to get your fitness regime back on track: when you've been doing five or six hours' hardcore exercise each day, then squeezing the odd hour in when you get home really doesn't feel like much at all. Do it!? Fitscape fitness retreats (020-8968 0501, fitscape.co.uk) cost �1,695 per week, including accommodation, all meals, fitness sessions, personal fitness consultation and airport transfers. Locations for 2012 include the Italian Dolomites, Andaluc�a and Provence. As a special offer, anyone who books before 31 January will receive a free flight to any Fitscape destinationHealth and fitnessItalyShort breaksLearning holidaysHealth & wellbeingFitnessKatharine Vinerguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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Deals: Where to Stay in Montreal

From the January/February issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.

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Sri Lanka levies tourist visa for visitors

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Where to Ski This Weekend

Storms are slated to drop feet of snow in the northern part of the country and the Dew Tour is coming to Killington.

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Guide to wine tasting in Thailand

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Food and Drink, Asia, Thailand, Budget TravelWhile Thailand isn't typically thought of as a destination for wine-lovers, there are actually various opportunities in the country to experience vineyards, wineries, and tastings. Whether you want to explore a Thai vineyard on the back of an elephant, try a one-of-a-kind local wine, or have a sommelier guide you through a 10-course wine pairing under a candle jungle waterfall, you can use this guide to help you find the best in vino that Thailand has to offer during your next visit.

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard

Located on a former elephant corral, the fertile sand, slate, and cool ocean breeze make this a prime area for grape-harvesting. Huan Hin Hills Vineyard rests peacefully in a hill and jungle setting, close to the Myanmar border and a convenient stop on the way to the Huay Monkol temple and the Pala U waterfall. In you are staying in downtown Hua Hin, the vineyard operates a daily shuttle that leaves from Market Village at 10:30AM and 3PM (about $9-$10 round-trip).

The vineyard takes up over 560 acres, and produces an array of Monsoon Valley vino varieties, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Muscat, Tempranillo, and Sangiovese. In fact, Hua Hin Hills is the only vineyard in Thailand to harvest the Sangiovese grape, which has hints of red berries. There are a few different ways visitors can sample the wines. First of all, there is the The Sala Wine Bar & Bistro, which features wine and food pairings as well as educational opportunities to learn more about winemaking. The other option is to sign up for a wine tasting experience, which starts at about $9 to sample 3 wines, and goes to about $41 to try 5 wines and pair them with tapas. Other unique and fun vineyard experiences offered include painting wine bottles, playing Pétanque, or exploring the vineyards via elephant, mountain bike, or jeep.Continue reading Guide to wine tasting in ThailandGuide to wine tasting in Thailand originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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#FriFotos: Huli Wigmen Take New York

This week’s #FriFotos* theme is EXOTIC, and New York City recently was the exotic playground for two visitors far, far away from home. To a Huli Wigman of Papua New Guinea, the streets of Manhattan have got to seem pretty exotic. And vice versa. Even among the blas� denizens of New York, the warriors manage…

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Mancuso Rocks Whiteface GS for 11th Career Title

.....Lake Placid, NY (Ski Press)-Three-time Olympic medalist Julia Mancuso captured the 11th U.S. title of her career with a victory in the women's giant slalom to close the 2010 Visa U.S. Alpine Championships at Whiteface Mountain Tuesday."I actually haven't skied giant slalom since the Olympics, so it was nice to get back on my GS skis," Mancuso said.Mancuso was also the giant slalom champion in '09, '05, and '03. With 11 titles, she now moves past U.S. great Andrea Mead Lawrence for the most titles of any American male or female, breaking a record that has stood for 55 years.The weekend brought some closure to a season�in�which�Mancuso had long worked hard ."Coming back from a back injury I always had the goal of getting ready for the Olympics. Even going into last season it hurt. I wanted to keep trying. Just being able to see the reward of the plan paying off was really amazing," Mancuso said.Second place for the day went to Laurenne Ross (Klamath Falls, OR) who produced the fastest second run. Ross was also third in the super G and second in the combined at Whiteface.Malin Hemmingson of Sweden was third followed by U.S. downhill champion Leanne Smith (Conway, NH).The top U.S. junior was Julia Ford (Plymouth, NH) out of U.S. Development Team, though the fastest junior was Erin Mielzynski of Canada. J-2 Foreste Peterson (Berkeley, CA) of the Squaw Valley Ski Team was the next fastest U.S. junior followed by Abby Ghent (Edwards, CO) of Ski and Snowboard Club Vail.The USSA Western Region took the 2010Tom Garner Regions Cup with 2,903 points, followed by the East with1,869 and Rocky/Central with 986.Tuesday also marked the final race for Kaylin Richardson (Edina, MN), a two-time Olympian and seven-year member of the U.S. Ski Team. She ran both runs of giant slalom in a puffy red one piece ski suit circa 1980, with her parents making the trip from Minnesota just to see their daughter's last event.Numerous athletes, including Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) now move directly to Cochran's Ski Area in Richmond, VT for the annual charity slalom hosted by two-time Olympian Jimmy Cochran tomorrow.OFFICIAL RESULTS2010 Visa U.S. Alpine ChampionshipsLake Placid, NY - March 22, 2010Women?s Giant Slalom1. Julia Mancuso, Olympic Valley, CA, 2:07.522. Laurenne Ross, Klamath Falls, OR, 2:08.113. Malin Hemmingsson, Sweden, 2:08.254. Leanne Smith, Conway, NH, 2:08.985. Megan McJames, Park City, UT, 2:09.17

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UK places to stay: special occasions

You need to book early if you want to find somewhere to stay to celebrate Valentine's Day, Christmas or New Year's Eve in 2012. Here's our pick of the best holiday accommodation Family places to stayPlaces to stay on special occasionsVALENTINE'S DAYWestcroft Guesthouse, Kingsand, CornwallIn picturesque Kingsand, a salty little village on south-east Cornwall's Rame peninsula, Westcroft is a quirky Georgian house overlooking Plymouth Sound, with three gorgeous rooms. Think antique beds (one four-poster), hand-painted murals, candlelight and the sound of sea lapping at shingle. ? Doubles from �90 a night B&B (01752 823216, westcroftguesthouse.co.uk) Austwick Hall, Yorkshire Dales An impressive country manor house of medieval origin, Austwick Hall is big on log fires, flagstones and oak. The five romantic bedrooms offer floor-scraping curtains, double-ended baths, antique rugs, half-tester beds and views. The food is good, too. ? For Valentine's week, doubles cost a special winter rate from �99 a night B&B (015242 51794, austwickhall.co.uk)The Love Shack, Windermere, CumbriaThe Love Shack, a neat, timber-clad eco-cabin, is set in its own secluded piece of woodland overlooking Windermere. The interior uses local reclaimed timber, natural wallcoverings and organic paints. There is one double bedroom, an en suite with a square bath, a wood-burning stove in the open-plan living room and a firepit on the deck. ? Four-night midweek breaks or three-night weekends (Valentine's Day is still available) from �430 (015394 41242, lakedistrictloveshack.com) South Croft, Durness, SutherlandThis is a funky curve of a house in an awesome location near Cape Wrath, overlooking Loch Eriboll. At the north-western tip of Scotland (100 miles from Inverness), the area is all lonely beaches, wildlife including red deer and grey seals, and rugged mountains. The glass-fronted lodge is not cheap ? but how many holiday lets offer a solar-heated alfresco bath tub? ? Available for Valentine's week (11-18 February at �1,100 through Under the Thatch (0844 500 5101, underthethatch.co.uk/shore)Kemp Townhouse, Brighton, East SussexOn a Regency terrace in a quiet Kemp Town backstreet a whisper from the sea, cool, sophisticated Kemp Townhouse is one of Brighton's finest boutique hotels. A five-star treat of dreamy beds, chandeliers and snazzy wet rooms, it's often rammed at weekends, but is available from 14-18 February. ? Small doubles from �125 including breakfast, or choose a four-poster with sea views from �195 (01273 681400, kemptownhousebrighton.com)The Pig, New Forest, HampshireFor country-house splendour without the grand prices, go for the The Pig. Within the New Forest national park, a mile from Brockenhurst, the former shooting lodge is a feast of rough-luxe decor, wellies, wood-smoke, organic wines and a home-grown menu supplied by foragers, kitchen gardeners and livestock (the Pig has pigs). ? Snug rooms cost �125 but it's worth splashing out on a decadent Stable Yard suite (from �165). Breakfast not included (01590 622354, thepighotel.co.uk)Portmeirion, Gwynedd Romantic Portmeirion, the mock Italianate village created by eccentric architect Clough Williams-Ellis, overlooks the Dwyryd estuary on the coast of Snowdonia national park. Book a contemporary room in Castell Deudraeth just up the hill or a traditional room in the beachfront Hotel Portmeirion. Or you can stay in one of the pastel self-catering cottages which characterise the village. ? Doubles in hotel and village from �109 a night B&B; Valentine's package includes champagne and dinner, from �175 per couple per night (01766 770000, portmeirion-village.com) Roulotte Retreat, Melrose, Scottish BordersCuddle up in a roulotte (a French Gypsy caravan with knobs on) in a burnside meadow in the wilds of the Scottish Borders close to Melrose and the Eildon Hills. The Roulotte Retreat's four beautiful bohemian glamvans include Devanna (Indian silks and shades of peacock) and Karlotta (art deco meets Marrakech), each offering a bedroom, bathroom and salon with woodburner and kitchenette. ? From �205 for two nights through Canopy & Stars (01275 395447, canopyandstars.co.uk)CHRISTMAS BREAKSThe Flete Estate, near Plymouth, DevonThe Flete Estate on Devon's south coast offers a collection of eight properties, including three coastguard's cottages (sleeping six) and Plamflete House (a Grade II-listed manor house sleeping 12, with room for a further six in the East Wing). The estate is on the Erme Estuary, south of Dartmoor national park, and has its own beach at Mothecombe Bay. One of the most popular properties is Nepean's Cottage, a charming Gothic number in private woodland sleeping eight in four bedrooms. ? Christmas week (21-28 December) is available at �1,523 (01752 830234, flete.co.uk) Gairlochy Bay, near Fort William, HighlandScottish Country Cottages suggests Gairlochy Bay, a romantic log cabin on the shores of Loch Lochy. Sleeping eight, it offers views of snowy Ben Nevis, walks on forest tracks from the door and fishing from the deck. For a day out, take the steam train to Mallaig from Fort William. ? Christmas week (22-29 December) is available at �1,327 (0845 268 0801, scottish-country-cottages.co.uk)10 George Street, YorkAccording to Alistair Sawday's Special Self-catering Places, 10 George Street in York is a "shrine to Victoriana" (cosy fires, swagged drapes, peacock and ruby colours, candles, carved wood and high-class clutter). A former lodging for brewery workers, the Georgian townhouse is inside the historic city walls, close to Minster and Shambles, and sleeps six in three double rooms. ? Christmas breaks cost �690 for three days or �960 for five days (01484 841330, sawdays.co.uk/self-catering)Pavilion Cottage, East Cowes, Isle of Wight This cottage in the grounds of Queen Victoria's Osborne House near Cowes, is a contender for Britain's most popular holiday let (with July and August already solidly unavailable and bookings running into 2013). Run by English Heritage, the two-bedroom bungalow, built in about 1900, was once the cricket pavilion for the Royal Naval College. It sleeps four in two double bedrooms and offers exclusive access to Victoria and Albert's private beach. ? Christmas week (22-29 December) is available at �1,339 (0870 333 1187, english-heritage.org.uk)NEW YEAR BREAKSThe Balancing Barn, near Walberswick, SuffolkThis mesmerising long silver structure hanging off the edge of a slope is part of Alain de Botton's not-for-profit holiday letting venture, Living Architecture. The idea is to sell the delights of 21st-century modernist living and, judging by the weight of bookings, it has clearly struck a chord. It sleeps eight in a series of architect-designed spaces. ? From �759 for a four-night midweek break; New Year costs �2,761 for five nights from 28 December (living-architecture.co.uk)Brook House, near Malvern, WorcestershireTypical of the Welsh borders, Brook House is a half-timbered beauty ? a geometry of posts, beams and old oak. It's one of three holiday cottages at Netherley Hall, a 700-acre farming estate on the western edge of the Malvern Hills. The house, which sleeps 10, is an easy drive from Malvern, Hereford, Worcester or Cheltenham. ? A week at New Year costs �2,059 (0845 268 0760, cottages4you.co.uk)The Mission, Isle of WightA classic "tin tabernacle", the Mission is a former chapel, built from timber and corrugated iron in about 1895 and converted into a roomy holiday let for eight. There are four bedrooms (two of them floating atop a nifty mezzanine gallery), tongue-and-groove panelling, a Charnwood woodburner, retro furniture (cinema seats, a 1950s kitchen) and a bath sunk into an old baptismal font. ? Available for a week over New Year at �1,725 through Vintage Vacations (07802 758113, vintagevacations.co.uk) The Quarry, Ifracombe, DevonSet into a wooded hillside overlooking Ilfracombe harbour, the Quarry is a big, bright Victorian villa with seven bedrooms ? perfect for groups or extended families with children ? a terrace with panoramic views of the north Devon coast, Sky TV and Wi-Fi and easy access to Exmoor or the surf beaches of Woolacombe and Croyde. ? A week at New Year (from 28 December) costs �3,500 (07979 306079, bighousedevon.co.uk)United KingdomChristmas and New YearShort breaksHotelsSelf-cateringLesley Gillilanguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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Snowbird Delivers for Subaru Freeski Championships

..... Salt Lake City, Utah (Ski Press)-The 2010 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour came to a close today, on Snowbird?s North Baldy venue at the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships. The crowd surpassed Saturday?s semi-final by two fold; there were rows upon rows of dug out snow benches, the smell of burgers on travel grills and the random toots from horns and megaphones, all in support of the remaining athletes that have made it through the Tour gauntlet. The Super-Finals, were a collection of the top five women and 12 men from the Finals, and it was definitely a stomp to win situation on North Baldy, considering the level of skiers in the mix. For the men, an East coaster won, Lars Chickering-Ayers, of Mad River Glen, Vermont, skied a fast, aggressive line, getting huge air off of Flying Squirrel Cliff and then straight-lining it to a double-drop in the Amphitheater, earning him a combined score of 125.57. Following Chickering-Ayers in second was Drew Stoecklein, of Snowbird, Utah, with 121.37, in third was Oakley White-Allen, of Snowbird, Utah, with 119.5, in fourth, Nick ''little buddy'' Greener, of Snowbird, Utah, with 117.5, which also earned him the coveted Backcountry.com Sickbird Award. For the overall Tour standings, Arne Backstrom, of Squaw Valley, California, who took ninth today, hung onto to his season-long Tour Leader title, winning the coveted McConkey Cup. Of those that stomped hardest and landed, for the women, Angel Collinson, of Snowbird, Utah, was the definite leader, earning a combined score of 104.23. Collinson?s aggressive skiing and strategic double cliff drop in Amphitheater, not only earned her the top spot for today, but also was enough to push into the lead for overall Tour points, who also took third in Revelstoke, Canada and fourth in Crested Butte. Colorado. ?I went for it, because this isn?t about winning, it?s about skiing,? said Collinson of what she was thinking before dropping in. For her stellar skiing, Collinson was awarded the McConkey Cup, in honor of the man who not only pioneered big mountain skiing, but also started the International Freeskier Association. As we approach the one-year anniversary this week of the sports founding father's untimely death, it is only fitting that the overall championship award be dedicated to none other than Saucer Boy. "He is the overall, leader and inspiration of freeskiing," said Event Director Bryan Barlow, "It was Shane's vision to create a freeskiing competition, to bring the world's best skier to one place and demonstrate the progression."His legacy will continue to live on through the spirit of the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and through the athletes that earn his Cup. We know he?d be proud of the progression all the athletes displayed today.? For a complete results, photos, videos, athlete profiles and more, please visit�www.freeskiingworldtour.com

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Costa Concordia cruise ship runs aground

The Costa Concordia luxury cruise ship overturned off the Tuscan Coast�last Friday only two hours after it set sail. Four thousand people were on board when it was grounded.Today�five people have been confirmed dead and a further�three survivors have been found, including a South Korean couple on their honeymoon. Forty people are yet unaccounted for and�seventeen are thought to be missing.Police divers and a flotilla of rescue crews are circling the wreckage off the island of Giglio in search of survivors. The ship had listed so quickly, it has made evacuation difficult and it is currently 20 metres submerged. Some of the lifeboats were put out of actions and some passengers were forced to jump from the ship.It is thought that the cruise ship started taking on water after it hit a rocky reef.The Captain francesco Schettino has been arrested on suspicion of causing deaths. Prosecutors say he left the ship before evacuation was complete. He defended himself today by saying "the problems were not detected by the navigation system. On the nautical chart the rocks were not shown and was shown as water".The chief prosecutor in the city of Grosseto told reporters that Capt Schettino "very ineptly got close to Giglio", according to Italy's Ansa news agency.British Foreign Secretary William Hague confirmed today that all British passengers and crew on board the ship were safe - 12 crew and 23 passengers.Concerned family and friends of passengers who were on the ship are urged to call the Foreign Office on 0207 008 1500 or the British Embassy in Rome on (+39) 064 2200 001.
14 January 2012
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Viewfinder competition

Name the place and win a �150 voucher from Hotels.com

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ISLANDS Photo Contest Picture of the Day: "Maldives Afternoon Storm Brewing"

Paula McCalester caught this breathtaking image of a coming storm while on her honeymoon in the Maldives. The intense colors and ominous clouds remind us of nature's beauty?and her power.
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Sled Dogs

Recently the dog sled sport and tourism activity has been under a lot of scrutiny. At present there is no law enforcement who inspect, license or regulate companies that offer sled rides (although several organizations recommend food, water, exercise and kennel size standards). Many operators are pushing for new legislation that enforce an industry standard.So are there reputable dog sled companies out there? Should the industry be banned? What type of conditions are sled dogs kept in? Are the animals healthy and happy? Do they enjoy their work? With my nine year-old niece in tow, I set out to Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains to discover more about dog sledding operations. Dog sledding was a popular activity at this historic hotel until the 1940s when the U.S. government confiscated the dogs to help with the war effort. And it wasn't until last year ? almost seventy years later ? that the sport returned to the Pocono Mountains through a contracted Colorado-based company, Snow Caps Sled Dogs.We arrived at the property on a thirty-degree morning in February. Owner Jared O'Neill greeted us, presented waiver forms, and introduced us immediately to the dogs. There are twenty-four pure-bred Siberian huskies on site at this Pennsylvania-based location, and all of them were transported from Breckenridge at the restart of the Skytop Lodge program.Classified as a member of the Working Group by the American Kennel Club, the Siberian husky has a desire and willingness to work. It's believed that huskies originated from within the Chukchi Tribe off of Siberia. These dogs have a soft, silky undercoat and coarse top layer of fur. "Huskies can withstand temps to sixty, seventy below ? really that extreme," Jared told me. "But like any dog, they're going to adapt to their surroundings. If I brought them inside too much, their coats would thin out ?�they would adapt to being in a warmer climate. Then it wouldn't be fair to have them out in the cold. The reason that they're so well-suited for this is because they live outside, and Mother Nature prepares them for whatever season is around the bend."A high-energy animal that requires stimulating daily activity, huskies have been historically linked to the dog sledding sport. "This is a dog that really needs exercise," owner Jared said as he prepared the sled for our ride. "That's why these guys are in shelters all the time... people get them and then don't run them. Huskies are easily bored because they're so intelligent... they're notorious for chewing up the house. Here's a dog that you can't just put in the backyard to tucker himself out... you literally have to put them in a harness and have them pull you in a bicycle for five miles. That's the proper way to own this type of dog."According to Jared, their AKC-registered huskies have diverse bloodlines. "When we breed, it's always about the health and brains of the dog," Jared said. Even at quick glance, it was obvious these huskies weren't bred for show-quality characteristics, as several had bi-color eyes and one displayed floppy ears...The male and female huskies at this facility live in outdoor separate, fenced areas, as most of them are intact. In each enclosure, the dogs have their own roofed house filled layered straw bedding. The dogs were chained to a center pole secured just in front of their house. This pole had a rotating top, allowing the dog to move in all directions without entangling its chain. All the huskies seemed healthy. Their eyes were clear, coats were shiny. They were full of energy and personality. Jared told us that a veterinarian examined them just two days before. Perhaps most of all, the dogs adored people ? so much so, in fact, that they licked my niece's face and cuddled into our open arms...When conversation turned to the Whistler event, Jared commented that "it's truly unfortunate that kennels out there would do such a horrific thing. The best thing for our guests to do is to come out and see how we operate because the health and happiness of our dogs is our number one priority. Just one tragic incident shouldn't taint all the quality businesses out there ? we are raising pet-quality dogs. They retire and become house pets. We would never think of destroying one of our own kids."Retired Snow Caps dogs, according to Jared, are always adopted by the public. Period. "We make sure they're friendly, socialized. We train them with positive reinforcement, and they learn to love their work and love people. At around eight to ten years of age they retire," explained Jared. If a dog is not adopted, for whatever reason (which has yet to happen in Jared's experience), he said that he'd take ownership of the animal himself. When a husky is up for adoption, Snow Caps sets up a meeting with the potential owner to determine if the dog and individual are a good match. There is no adoption fee, but owners are required to return adopted huskies to Snow Caps if they need to relinquish the animal at any time. ?As Jared determined the six dogs to join our sled team, the facility became alive with barking and howling, as if raising their voices to volunteer. The dogs are rotated on runs, and only a few display the Alpha leadership required to properly guide a team from the front. The chosen animals, harnessed two-by-two ?�Diesel and Simba in the lead, followed by brothers Gimlei and Sherpa, and then Mongo and Sumo ? were anxious to get moving down the trail.Unlike some other companies, Snow Caps allows guests to drive the sled dogs yourself. Dog sledding involves lots of balancing and, at times, breaking. While I had anticipated calling out "Mush!" to the team, the huskies in fact follow other commands: hike (go), haw (left) and gee (right). "These are all commands used for draft animals ? this dates back to the Gold Rush," Jared explained. I found my equilibrium on the sled, just as excited as the huskies to get started. I was unsure how fast they would run and relied on my balance beam experience as a youngster to keep me steady while on the move. Even with both feet planted firmly on the brake, the dogs were collectively strong enough to drag me an inch or two while we waited for our command.The snowmobile in front of us roared to life, and Jared called out "HIKE!". Each husky broke into a run, and I felt an immediate inclusion in the pack mentality.As they ran and hugged the curves, slopes and straightaways of the trail, I bent at the knees, shifting my weight with theirs, tightly grasping the sled's worn wood handles to avoid tumbling off...These particular dogs seemed to love their work. As a dog lover and owner of two adopted pooches myself, I kept thinking how much my Shepherd/Lab/Rottweiler cross would enjoy pulling a dog sled. After a few short-distance runs rotating between myself and my niece as musher, the huskies were given a break to rehydrate and rest. In total, the sled dogs ran about three miles during our ride. When we returned to the main base, the dogs were given about 2 cups of high-carb broth and beef soup, which they happily slopped up. Learn more about the Siberian husky and the 1,150-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. And check out this amazing photo of a Husky in Iceland. You can also go visit these dogs and Snow Caps Sled Dogs at Skytop Resort. Photo Credits: Jodi Kendall, Royce RazgaitisVideo Credits: Jodi Kendall, Royce Razgaitis

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Learn from a MasterChef at a Cornwall cottage

Watching the new series of MasterChef? Fancy having a go ? without the pressure of actually being on telly? Then put your skills to the test with a new cooking challenge in CornwallMasterChef has given us so much: the idea that shouting at each other from close proximity is a reasonable way to debate, the phrase "cooking doesn't get tougher than this", and now the chance to take part in a holiday 'cook-off' in the style of the TV show.Lee Groves, a 2010 semi-finalist in MasterChef: The Professionals, and head chef of Seagrass Restaurant in St Ives, has teamed up with the owners of Lanyon Holiday Cottages in Hayle, near St Ives, to offer competitive cooking afternoons for groups of friends. You don't need to go through X Factor-style auditions to give it a go either ? just round up a group of friends.We stayed in Coswyn Barn, which was once a grain barn for the Elizabethan estate and is now a luxury holiday let for 14, with underfloor heating, quirky period details such as an old stone fireplace built from reclaimed medieval slabs found on the estate, a snug lounge with open fire, and an outdoor pool. Despite being ancient and historic, it's one of the greenest buildings in the area, with a ground source heat pump buried in the field and a wind turbine beyond it.The competitive cookery afternoon goes like this: Lee introduces us to a table piled high with local delicacies in the style of a Ready Steady Cook reveal. Everything ? from the gleaming hake and hand-dived scallops to the enormous leg of lamb, plucked pheasants and lamb sweetbreads ? comes from within a 30-mile radius of the Lanyon estate. Then he divides us into pairs, sets a timer and tells us to start cooking.It's a pretty nerve-wracking experience. We have two hours to devise and cook a main course. And just as we're starting to get the ideas together, he throws in another challenge: to add a fish dish to the menu as a little nudge ? intimidated by the hake's tiny triangular teeth, we had all avoided the fish in favour of pheasant and lamb. And then, later, another: to construct a dessert from a set of ingredients that he's weighed out for us. This dessert, it turns out, is the one that got him to the MasterChef semi-finals and went down a storm with sweet-toothed judge Gregg Wallace.Spending the afternoon cooking with friends is not usually as stressful as this, and when a local cameraman turns up to film us for the holiday cottages' website it gets even more like the real thing. I no longer wonder why MasterChef contestants seem to sweat so much: when you're in a confined environment cooking with lots of people, it's really hard to keep cool. My glasses fug up immediately.At the end of two hours comes the judging. Lee, along with his restaurant's owner, Julia, and Marie from Lanyon Holiday Cottages, try to be nice about what we've made. None of us gets it spot on, but that's part of the fun. Lee's advice and comments are constructive, and it's certainly more enjoyable than any other cookery lesson I've ever had.We walk off the food by rambling round the estate, which extends a mile in every direction from the Elizabethan manor house, and driving to sand dunes for a sight of the sea at Carbis Bay.It's not right to visit Cornwall without having a cream tea and a pasty, even if you are a fine-dining MasterChef fan, and thankfully St Ives delivers on both fronts. We think about paying a visit to Lee in his restaurant to judge his food in a reciprocal manner, but are diverted by the glorious cakes of the Tate St Ives cafe. The Black Rock restaurant, also in the centre of St Ives, is worth booking in advance ? they serve fish caught from their own boat and wild foods foraged from nearby hedgerows. It's too rainy to visit Porthminster beach cafe, St Ives' other foodie claim to fame, but fans might like to know that a more easterly outpost is opening this spring at Mawgan Porth, just west of Padstow on Cornwall's north coast.Returning to these parts to open a restaurant seems a very long way off for us. But if we ever did, the cook-off victors Harriet and Jo would be serving up a winning combination of seared scallops topped with sweetbreads and pink micro herbs, along with pheasant cooked two ways (roasted leg and pan-fried breast), served with parsnip puree and carrots. All that remains from me to say is that, in the manner of all losers in telly cook-offs, the experience has made me stronger and I'm going to carry on cooking anyway.? Lanyon Holiday Cottages (01872 242166) has a two-night break in Coswyn Barn, sleeping 14, from �1,260, and a week from �2,156. Prices start from around �65pp for a Chef Challenge class at Lanyon, plus cost of ingredients. Chef masterclasses and private dining, with dishes cooked by Lee, are also available. Lanyon Holiday Cottages and the Chef Challenge can also be booked through premiercottages.co.uk CornwallFood and drinkUnited KingdomFood & drinkLearning holidaysShort breaksguardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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10 tips for doing a homestay

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Food and Drink, Africa, Asia, Ghana, Thailand, Budget TravelDoing a homestay in another country is a great way to get to know the culture from a first-hand perspective. By living with a family, you get to see how a local's daily life is, from what they eat, to how to they dress, to what their before-bed ritual is. With such a unique opportunity being given to you, it's important to get the most out of the experience while also being respectful. To help, here are some tips on how to enjoy a successful homestay.

Try new foods

When I did a homestay in Ghana, Africa, there were many meals that I was less than thrilled about. As a health-nut, I never would have made fried chicken a normal part of my diet, and eating (or drinking) rice water for breakfast left me less than satisfied. However, instead of getting upset about the food situation think about how much effort your host is putting into making your stay with them pleasant by spending time cooking for you and letting you stay in their home. Thank your host for every meal, even if you don't like it. And if there's something you really can't stomach, find a way to make it edible. With rice water, I learned to add chocolate powder and stir it into the mix. Moreover, to help myself feel better about eating fried foods I began going for morning runs, which also gave me the opportunity to see the village market stalls being set up in the morning, something I usually would have slept through.Continue reading 10 tips for doing a homestay10 tips for doing a homestay originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Photo Contest Picture of the Day: "The Loneliest Mangrove"

We love the contrast of textures in this entry by Dustin Sept. Can you guess which island this was taken on? Hint: It's a Pacific Island.  Get the answer here.
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Famous holiday destinations in Mauritius

Mauritius now tops the list of popular choice of tourists The virgin beauty of different holiday destinations and tourist spots of the island is dedicated to give the utmost feel of lying on the lap of nature earth

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Sri Lanka levies tourist visa for visitors

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Superb UK Vacations To Enjoy

People living in the United Kingdom may want to get away from their home without traveling too far to do it Traveling to someplace cool in the UK will allow them to leave their normal everyday routine, without leaving the country or spending a lot of money As a citizen of the UK you may not always have the funds to travel to far away countries, so here are some awesome UK vacations that you can take

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Where to eat on London's tourist trail

Don't get stuck in Starbucks or a pricey London museum cafe. Follow our guide to good-value places to eat and drink round the corner from city's's top sightsBuckingham PalaceGoya (34 Lupus Street, 020-7976 5309, goyarestaurant.co.uk) is about 15 minutes' walk from the palace but its fantastic, authentic tapas (from around �5, mains from �14) and atmosphere is well worth the stroll. If you fancy something heartier, L'Arco (79 Buckingham Palace Road, 020-7834 1151, larco.co.uk), a family-run Italian restaurant, is much closer and has a delicious, big-hearted menu with lots of choice outside the pizza and pasta remit (starters from around �6, pizza and pasta �8, meat and fish �12). Hidden at number 14 on quiet, nearby Eccleston Street is Jenny Lo's Teahouse (020-7259 0399, jennylo.co.uk). Its colourfully painted windows obscure the busy cafe within, but venture inside for the fresh, mainly Chinese menu (mains around �8) with some nice surprises such as Sichuan aubergines and Vietnamese cold noodles.St Paul'sIf you're visiting St Paul's during the week, expect to queue for food at lunchtime ? suited city workers throng every cafe and restaurant from 1pm-2pm. But if you eat a little earlier or later, there are plenty of options. Tsuru Sushi (15 Queen Street, 020-7248 1525, tsuru-sushi.co.uk) is a great spot for varied Japanese food ? the sushi is practically flapping it's so fresh, and the selection of hot bento boxes is great. Its most popular dish is a chicken katsu sandwich, which is almost worth travelling across town for. There's a great selection of sak�s, too. Exmouth Market (exmouth-market.com) is about 30 minutes away on foot. Here, as well as popular bars and restaurants such as the ever-brilliant Moro (020-7833 8336, moro.co.uk) there is a lunchtime food market from noon-3pm Monday-Friday where you can eat anything from Ghanaian street food to crepes, Bangladeshi lunchboxes and salt-beef sandwiches from about �5.Tate Modern If the sandwiches in the Tate Modern's cafes leave you feeling flat, Elliot's Cafe (12 Stoney Street, Borough Market, 020-7403 7436, elliotscafe.com) is a bright, hip eatery about 10 minutes' walk away. It offers an exciting array of regularly changing dishes from about �5, shaped by what's available in the market ? think terrines and fresh, interesting salads alongside heartier fare. You eat around a big communal cast-iron table, which is fun, although it can mean space is a little limited if you're with a brood. For somewhere a bit more family-friendly, The Table (83 Southwark Street, 020-7401 2760, thetablecafe.com), a modern canteen-style cafe that serves excellent brunch (try the knockout sweetcorn fritters at �10) until 4pm on Saturdays, is a good bet. The Refinery (110 Southwark Street, 0845 468 0186, therefinerybar.co.uk) is also a winner, with great sharing boards and a robust selection of salads. Mains around a tenner. If you just want a drink, its cocktail menu is one of the best in the area.Harrods If you're looking for a little haven away from the tourist throngs around Harrods, Zia Teresa (6 Hans Road, 020-7589 7634, ziateresa.co.uk), a charming, family-run Italian is it. There's no haute cuisine here, but it's the better for it: the food is fresh, the portions generous and the house speciality, piccantina siciliana (veal in a sharp, sweet orange sauce, �16) is a thing of sticky wonder. Everyone needs a drink after being in Harrods for too long, and the bar at A-list restaurant Zuma (5 Raphael Street, 020-7584 1010, zumarestaurant.com) is the perfect place to sit with a cocktail and watch the movie stars and supermodels flock into the restaurant. And what cocktails! There is a mind-bending selection of spirits available, including 40 varieties of sake, and unpronounceable Japanese-themed libations. Small plates from the Zuma kitchen are also available.London DungeonBermondsey Street, a mere five-minute walk from the Dungeon, has become a foodie mecca over the past few years. Jos� (104 Bermondsey Street, 020-7403 4902, josepizarro.com/restaurants/jose), an intimate tapas bar run by chef Jos� Pizarro (previously of the mega-successful Brindisa chain) is a must-visit. It doesn't take bookings, but the top-quality food (around �5 a dish) is worth any wait. Order from the specials board for dishes such as fresh-off-the-boat sardines on toast or grilled razor clams, washed down with a glass of excellent fino sherry. If you can't get in there, he's just opened a bigger place, Pizarro (194 Bermondsey Street, 020-7378 9455, josepizarro.com/restaurants/pizarro) offering similar small-plate fare (starters around �6, mains �15) just down the street. Then there's Zucca (184 Bermondsey Street, 020-7378 6809, zuccalondon.com), acclaimed chef Sam Harris's hugely popular modern Italian restaurant, offering terrific, unfussily presented food that won't warp your credit card (starters around �5, mains �15). It's almost worth going for the bread selection alone.London EyeSweeping views across the river make Skylon Grill (Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, 020-7654 7800, skylon-restaurant.co.uk/grill) the best choice of restaurant for maintaining the buzz of being on the London Eye, and the food's not bad either. It's the less-fussy offshoot of the fancy Skylon Restaurant and by far the better option for a relaxed meal, offering pre-theatre meals for �22.50. Eat from the grill (steaks, spatchcocked poussin, lemon sole) or choose from an all-day menu of dishes such as roast cod with chickpea and chorizo ragout. Burgers are exemplary, too, as is the kid's menu.WestminsterFor �25 (for three set courses), you can enjoy a fantastic lunch at the Northall restaurant in the grand Corinthia Hotel (10 Northumberland Avenue, 020-7321 3100, thenorthall.co.uk). The room is a show-stopper: ceilings high, tables immaculately dressed and the best-of-British food affordably luxurious. The nearby Royal Horseguards hotel (2 Whitehall Court, 0871 376 9033, guoman.com), has a great Anglo-French restaurant, One Twenty One Two (named after Scotland Yard's old phone number), with two courses for �15 at lunchtime, and a lovely terrace. For something less formal, take a short, scenic walk to St James's Park and Inn The Park (020-7451 9999, peytonandbyrne.co.uk/inn-the-park/index.html). You can't miss it ? it resembles something between a Swiss ski chalet and a potting shed. The menu is simple, with a strong focus on British produce.Trafalgar SquareTerroirs (5 William IV Street, 020-7036 0660, terroirswinebar.com) is the best lunch spot around here. Its simple, smart French cooking ? terrines, rich stews and hearty salads ? allows quality ingredients to shine. Its a small-plates affair (from �6 each), so you can easily nip in for a nibble. You should book at peak times, but if you show up for an early lunch midweek you'll almost certainly get a table. The wine list is extensive, and often cited as one of the capital's best. A five-minute walk into Covent Garden will bring you to da Polpo (6 Maiden Lane, 020-7836 8448, dapolpo.co.uk), restaurateur-of-the-moment Russell Norman's most recent Venetian bacaro joint. Like many places, it doesn't take reservations at dinner, but the small plates costing about �5 (think squid-heavy fritto misto, pizzette, meatballs and arancini) are worth a short wait in the bar. They do, handily, take reservations for lunch.British MuseumYou might walk straight past Abeno (47 Museum Street, 020-7405 3211, abeno.co.uk). Its plain frontage doesn't say much, but inside, you'll eat some of the best, most authentic Japanese food in central London. It's always full of young Japanese people who come for the Abeno speciality, okonomiyakis (savoury pancakes, from �8.50). The drill is simple: you pick your ingredients (pork, squid, bacon, prawns, vegetables, cheese) which are added to a batter base with ginger and spring onions before being entertainingly tossed around on a hotplate in front of you. Their yaki-soba noodles are also delicious. For a post-museum drink, try the terrace bar at the Montague Hotel (15 Montague Street, 020-7637 1001, montaguehotel.com). It's a classy yet relaxed old-school drinking den (tartan walls and soft leather armchairs) and does the best classic cocktails in the area.British LibraryThe area around the British Library and Kings Cross is dominated by chain eateries and greasy kebab shops, but in the smaller streets there are some gems, like Sichuan restaurant Chilli Cool (15 Leigh Street, 020-7383 3135, chillicool.com). It's not for the faint-hearted: this is complex-flavoured, nose-to-tail eating with a serious chilli hum (mains from �6.80). If you've not eaten Sichuan before, expect tingly, numb lips from the Sichuan peppercorns. If you're in the area from Wednesday-Friday, the new Eat St Market (Kings Boulevard, behind King's Cross station, eat.st/kings-cross) has mobile merchants serving delicious food from around a fiver: banhi mi, slow-cooked pork yum buns and burritos. Walk your lunch off along the canal ? Camden is 20 minutes away.Science Museum/Natural History Museum /V&AThe great tapas (from �3.75 a plate) at Casa Brindisa (7-9 Exhibition Road, 020-7590 0008, brindisa.com) aside, the restaurants on Exhibition Road near the big museums can be a little uninspiring. Head round the corner to Le Bistrot at the Institut Fran�ais (17 Queensberry Place, 020-7589 9996, institut-francais.org.uk) - a smart, monochrome hideout that is more St Germain than South Kensington. A big self-service buffet (don't be put off) has delicious quiches, charcuterie, soups, patisserie and over 15 different salads, from �6.75. You can just pop in for a drink ? there's a robust wine and spirit list. Watch out for the coffee: more than one cup and you'll sprout wings and fly home.Oxford StreetMeat Liquor (74 Welbeck Street, 020-7224 4239, meatliquor.com), a burger joint just north of Oxford Street (a hungry skip from Selfridges) was one of 2011's most hyped openings. Nestled below an ugly car park, it ain't smart: exposed light bulbs and graffitied walls give a grungy Lower East Side feel. But that's part of the appeal ? you will not get a better burger in London, full stop (from �7). Predictably, they don't take bookings, but hang around ? it doesn't take that long to eat a burger. For something cleaner, head for Soho and Koya (49 Frith Street, 020-7434 4463, koya.co.uk), a tiny Japanese noodle house. Its speciality is udon (from �6.70), made on the premises the traditional way (kneaded by foot) and served either cold with dipping sauce, or in big bowls of delicious broth. Daily specials are brilliant: look out for "fish and chips" ? tempura monkfish with lotus root chips.CamdenIf radioactive orange Chinese food isn't your thing, steer away from Camden Market for something to eat. The Crown & Goose gastropub (100 Arlington Road, 020-7485 8008, crownandgoose.co.uk), away from the main tourist crowds, is a good choice. Framed butterflies create a backdrop to a well-stocked bar with a great selection of British ales, continental beers and whiskies, and staff that favour 1960s psychedelia and soul on the music system. The food's decent, too ? fish and chips �11, burger, salad and fries �10.50. If you're in the mood for something more exotic head over the road to Le Mignon (98 Arlington Road, 020-7387 0600) a great little Lebanese restaurant with mains from �9.50, and try its kafta khashkhash (minced lamb with herbs, garlic and spices, grilled on skewers).LondonUnited KingdomRestaurantsFood and drinkBudget travelDay tripsCity breaksFamily holidaysOlympic Games 2012guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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