By Helena Iveson

Ah, Venice. The city which has enough romance and magic to entrance even the most hard bitten of tourists, travel fiends who've been around the block more times than you've had hot dinners. But while mind-blowing beauty is on every calle corner, tourists whom are entranced by anything served up at the city's notoriously bad and pricey restaurants are rarer than a cheerful gondolier.

Then Il Ridotto opened on the lively Campo SS. Filippo, and Venice-bound gourmets now have a dining destination that is as much an attraction as the churches and grand squares. If you're organised enough to book way ahead at this intimate and stylish restaurant run by Gianni Bonaccorsi (there are just 6 tables), you'll enjoy Venetian art on your plate.

The chef personally welcomes you to his pared-back refuge from the crowds and visits each table to explain the menu which changes daily, depending on what he found at the city's Rialto Market. After an amuse-bouche of a perfectly plump prawn on a bed of truffled mashed potato, the first course arrived without any fuss, and when we tasted the fabulously rich homemade tagliolini with a surprisingly light Fassone beef ragu, the fireworks began. The secondo (which incidentally is the same size as the first so pace yourself) was squid stuffed with scampi and prawns in a clam sauce and was as colourful as a Venetian carnival mask.

For dessert, the deliciousness of the chocolate tart with its oozing soft centre kept us digging in, even though we were as stuffed as the squid, and after that it was a pleasure to sit back at our table by the window and sit, Murano glass in hand, and have an unobstructed view of the kitchen at work. It was just Bonaccorsi and a younger apprentice, and there was no Gordon Ramsey-style theatrics, but instead a calmness and creativity at play that set the tone for the rest of the restaurant. Our bill for two was €100 with half a bottle of wine: for Venice and for this quality, that was a bargain.

Il Ridotto
4509 Castello, Campo SS Fillippo, Venice, Italy 30122; Tel: +39 041 520 8280; Web: www.ilridotto.com.

Photo Credits: Venetian Gondolas via iStockPhoto.com, Il Ridotto via www.ilridotto.com.

By Helena Iveson

"This is the Roman way, don't worry," Italian chef Daniela del Balzo said cheerfully, as she reversed her Fiat 500 the wrong way up a one-way street. Not that she could really see out of the window anyway, as the boot was full of delicious goodies that we were taking back to her stylish apartment in a ritzy area on Aventine Hill near the Colosseum to cook for lunch.

Daniela's irreverent charm made the time we spent with her, learning to buy and cook as real Romans do, the highlight of a recent trip to Rome. We'd just spent an hour in Testaccio Market, where generations of Italians have gone to shop since it opened in the 1800s, sniffing, tasting and elbowing the weak out the way to get the freshest and most perfect food possible.

The neighbourhood is a working-class stronghold known as Rome's stomach – it is here that you would have once found the city's slaughterhouses, but they've been closed down and transformed into chi-chi art galleries and apartments as the area undergoes galloping gentrification. Daniela explained that she'd recently taken celebrity chef Gary Rhodes around the market and he'd been poking and prodding the produce just like any good Roman housewife.

The market's 50 or so stalls include the freshest glistening fish on display at a fishmongers that proudly displays a picture of Italian legend Marcello Mastroianni, the stall holder's cousin; picture-perfect fruit and vegetables such as shredded chicory and ready-trimmed artichokes that looked as though they were dug out the ground that morning; plus one of the best selections of cheese, ham and meat that you will find in all of Italy.

After lugging our bags into Daniela's apartment, over espresso and biscotti and with Italian opera on in the background, she talked us through the menu which included both local and Neapolitan dishes from her hometown.

While Daniela poured us a generous glass of prosecco, we made some snacks to get us in the mood: bruschetta and prunes wrapped in bacon, a rich courgette frittata and slices of Bresaola topped with ricotta cheese and arugula. Daniela encouraged us to taste, seasoning and pouring on extra-virgin olive oil at will, which had been made from groves at her family's holiday home in Abruzzo. Then we started on our pasta course of fettuccine with artichokes and pasta with Broccolo Romano. The thought of the last dish did make my heart sink as the vegetable was described as a combination of broccoli and cauliflower which aren't exactly must-orders for me, but once it was braised with anchovies and made creamy with pecorino, I could have licked the bowl.

Our main course was Involtini alla Romana, strips of veal rolled up with prosciutto and celery and braised in a white wine and marjoram sauce. Oh, and tiramisu to finish, followed by more coffee, biscotti and chocolates. Or at least I think that's where we finished, as Daniela generously topped up our wine whenever we weren't looking.

After we bade farewell, with heartfelt kisses and thanks and promises to come again, we walked - or rather staggered - down Aventine Hill armed with our recipes, feeling like we didn't need to eat again until we next returned to Rome.

Testaccio Market is open everyday bar Sunday from 6.30am – 2pm.
For more details of Daniela's Cookery School contact Context Travel (www.contexttravel.com).

Iconic British handbag designer, Lulu Guinness, is being honoured at the Metropolitan hotel in London from 15th - 27th February with an afternoon tea inspired by her Autumn / Winter 2010 collection, "Kiss and Make Up".

Guests can look forward to lipstick cookies, make-up palette chocolate cake, and low-fat (fashionistas don't do fat afterall) cupcakes decorated with Lulu's famous lips and Pollyanna bags.

An even more delicious offer, for fashion-hungry travellers to London, is that everyone who has the "Lulu Tea" will receive 15% off all products in the Lulu Guinness Ellis Street store in SW1.

We like the look of this travel inspired canvas handbag (£225) as a super-chic hand baggage option.

The Lulu tea is available in the Met Bar from Monday 15th - Saturday 17th February 2010, from 3pm - 6pm. Price £25 per person. Reservations must be made in advance on +44 (0)20 7447 4757.

Metropolitan Hotel, London: Old Park Lane, London, W1K 1LB; Tel: +44 (0)20 7447 1000.

Lulu Guinness, Ellis Street: 3 Ellis Street, London, SW1X 9AL; Tel: +44 (0)207 823 4828.

London seems to have gone Lebanese food crazy. Since the last time I was in the UK's capital all sorts of mezze and falafel places have cropped up, notably a new chain called LebanEats, which seems to have outlets everywhere.

If you're after the seriously good stuff though you should head straight to Comptoir Libanais on Wigmore Street. There are other branches across the city, but this is the most centrally located.

Queue up at the deli counter for takeaway wraps, mezze, salads, tagines and drinks, or grab a table and settle in. The mezze platter to share - with hommous, tabbouleh, baba ghanuj, falafel, spinach fatayer, pickles and pitta - is a bargain for two at £9.50. The wraps, especially the falafel and the super garlicky chicken taouk, are less wallet friendly at £4.50, but also delicious. Highly recommended is the fab halloumi salad, which comes with all the usual trimmings and costs £5.50. Apparently you have to try the prawn falafel (£3.50) too, although sadly I didn't have the room.

If you're in need of a pitstop post-Selfridges shopping spree, or you want cheap eats before catching a concert at the Wigmore Hall then Comptoir Libanais is a great place. You can bring your own wine too and they won't charge corkage.

Comptoir Libanais, 65 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1PZ; Tel: +44 (0)20 7935 1110. For details of other locations please visit lecomptoir.co.uk.

Image via Comptoir Libanais on Facebook.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. To celebrate, Berlin is hosting an open-air concert and party tonight.

Over 1,000 colourful 8ft dominoes, along the former route of the wall between Pariser Platz and the Brandenburg Gate, will be knocked over to mark this important anniversary, and to raise awareness of walls around the world that continue to exist.

The last domino will trigger a firework frenzy over the Brandenburg Gate.

Dignitaries expected to attend Berlin's "Festival of Freedom" include U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Brandenburg Gate by wit.

It might be 20 years since the Berlin wall came down, but if you check into The Ostel, Berlin's new GDR-designed hostel, you'd be forgiven for thinking time had stood still.

Full of details to delight even the most ostalgic (nostalgic for life in the former East "Ost" Germany) of visitors, The Ostel cashes in on the trend for recreating aspects of daily life and culture of the former GDR.

Housed in an original Plattenbau, a typical East German building constructed of large, prefabricated concrete slabs, The Ostel offers dorm rooms, private rooms and a GDR Holiday Apartment that can sleep up to six. Rooms cost from €9 per person per night.

We can see The Ostel's Communist kitsch vibe and its proximity's to some of the best of Berlin's nightlife making it a firm favourite in the Berlin stag / hen repertoire.

If stepping back in time is your thing make sure you take a tour of Berlin in an old Trabbi - another East Berlin icon - to add to the GDR experience. Visit www.trabi-safari.de for more information.

The Ostel
Wriezener Karree 5, 10243, Berlin, Germany; Tel: +49 30 25 76 86 60; Fax: +49 30 25 76 88 07; Email: contact@ostel.eu; Web: www.ostel.eu.

Photo Credits: The Ostel ©OSTEL GbR; Trabant by Genial23.

Halloween is fast approaching and with it an increased appetite for all things spooky and paranormal. Have you ever done a ghost tour on your travels? You might turn your nose up and say it's all a charade, but ghost tours can be a great way to learn more about the history of a place, as well as upping your adrenaline levels by a notch or two. So what's there to lose? Here are our picks of three of the world's best ghost tours.

Mary King's Close and the South Bridge Vaults: Edinburgh, Scotland
Mary King's Close and the South Bridge Vaults form part of Edinburgh's historic underworld (both lie hidden beneath the Royal Mile). As you descend into the darkness and mystery of the underground closes and vaults your imagination will get a real work out as you listen to the stories of ghosts, murders, plague victims and witches.

Mary King's Close today is the remains of a mediaeval street buried underneath Edinburgh's City Chambers and the Royal Mile - the paranormal happenings that have taken place there are world renowned. When the Black Death hit Edinburgh in 1645 there were around 500 of the city's poorest people living and working in Mary King's Close; about half of them were dead or dying from the disease. The story goes that the city decided to act against further outbreak and the Close's inhabitants were quarantined in their homes and left to die. If you go down to the Close look out for a young ghost called Annie; she's been spotted by lots of people over the years and there's one room in particular that she is rumoured to haunt.

The South Bridge Vaults were built in late 18th century, and abandoned by the 1830s - the corridors and chambers are still unchanged. Burke and Hare, the body snatchers who sold corpses to medical schools, are rumoured to have hunted for victims in these Vaults.

According to The Edinburgh Ghost Project 2001 there abnormally high levels of paranormal activity in Edinburgh's Underground Vaults. As added testament to the ghostly goings on in Edinburgh's underworld, the "Most Haunted" TV team has staged one of its live shows in the South Bridge Vaults and Mary King's Close.

For more info about the Mary King's Close tour visit Mercat Tours. For more info about the Vaults tour visit Auld Reekie Tours.

French Quarter: New Orleans, USA
The French Quarter is the oldest and most famous neighbourhood in America's "Most Haunted" city. Here ghost stories and paranormal sightings mingle with the very real, and very macabre "City of the Dead": St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where you can visit the Queen of New Orleans Voodoo, Marie Laveau.

Laveau's former home at 1020 St. Ann Street is said to be one of the French Quarter's most haunted spots. People are said to have seen her spirit, along with those of her followers, engaged in Voodoo ceremonies there.

Another must-see spot for ghost-busters is Madame LaLaurie's house at 1140 Royal Street. She was responsible for the torture, mistreatment and death of many of her slaves, and apparently you can still here the screams of her victims today.

Visitors to New Orleans can take their pick from several ghost tours of the French Quarter, amongst the best operators are Haunted History Tours, New Orleans Ghost Tour, and Historic New Orleans Walking Tours.

Read more about New Orleans' most haunted destinations here.

Catacombs of Paris: Paris, France
The Catacombs of Paris (L'Ossuaire Municipal) houses a vast collection of human bones in a network of subterranean tunnels and caverns. The catacombs were created in the 1780s to house remains overspilling from the city's overcrowded and badly maintained cemeteries - it's thought that there are around six million Parisians buried in the catacombs.

Believers maintain that the way the bones were uprooted from their original resting spots and placed in the tunnels was disrespectful and this is what causes the paranormal hoo-hah in the catacombs. There have been reports of ghostly voices and moving shadows down in the underground tunnels. Are you brave enough to handle it...?

Find out more about the Catacombs Ghost Tour here.

Have you been on a ghost tour? Which one did you take and what did you think?

Photo Credits: "Ghost Tour" by thecnote; "Haunted? 1140 Royal Street" by raelb; "Catacombs" by jrmyst. All via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Angela Plumb, a tourist from the UK, captured this rare shot of a seven-month-old polar bear cub riding on its mother's back from a ship in the Svalbard archipelago - midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

The polar bear mother is wearing a radio collar, which prompted Mrs Plumb to contact Dr Jon Aars, from the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromso, to ask whether this was a common sighting.

"I hadn't seen this behaviour before or heard about it so I asked other researchers and found out it is something that has been observed but not frequently at all," Dr Aars says.

Via the BBC website.

A thirteenth century Norse "travel guide" advised Vikings against all but essential travel to Scotland, or Skotland, as it was then known. The Vikings were warned about dangerous natives, an incomprehensible language, and terrible weather; upon arrival, Norsemen had to be prepared to suffer instant attack.

A new interpretation of the medieval Icelandic Sagas (Íslendingasögur) - a literary phenomenon of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries – reveals that Scotland as worth a trip for marauding "Icelanders who want to practise robbery". However, Vikings were warned that a jaunt to Scotland might cost them their lives.

The chronicles, which were written were written on yellowed calf vellum 800 years ago, have been interpreted by Gisli Sigurdsson, a historian at Reykjavik University, who believes the sagas – part fiction, part fact – reveal how the ancient Norse were less bloodthirsty than legend has them.

One saga tells of a Scot called Grjotgard, a kinsman of Melkolf, King of Scotland (Malcolm II), who intercepted a party of arriving Vikings in a western sea loch. He warned: "You have two choices. You can go ashore and we will take all your property, or we'll attack you and kill every man we lay our hands on".

Unsurprisingly, the Norsemen were nervous about sailing up the west coast sea lochs which they dubbed the 'Scottish fjords'. Orkney, however, is described as a useful base for Vikings wanting to pillage Scotland – as is Fort Skardaborg, which is today's Scarborough.

Orkney historian Tom Muir said: "They picked weak targets, like monasteries. Some of the monasteries were basically unguarded banks of cash with a sign above them saying 'free money'. The truth is that there were raids both ways and that the Norse had every reason to fear their Celtic neighbours."

Though recorded in the 13th century, accounts in the Icelandic Sagas are based on events that happened 200 years earlier. The chronicles served as route guides for raiders, traders, crusaders and explorers, effectively a road map of medieval Europe and the Middle East. They have proved remarkably accurate, even helping archaeologists to pinpoint the remains of a Norse village in Newfoundland.

Photo Credits: Viking by chatirygirl.

German nudists are to get their own 18km (11 mile) long hiking trail in the Harz mountain range so they can ramble in nothing but their birthday suits, Reuters reports.

Campsite owner, Heinz Ludwig, who has spearheaded the project to create the nudist trail says: "I think it's a great way to promote tourism here, there's already been a lot of interest in it."

Running between the village of Dankerode and the Wippertal dam, the 18km naturist trail is marked up with signs warning clothed walkers that they might encounter hikers in the buff.

According to Reuters, one of the signs reads: "If you don't want to see people with nothing on then you should refrain from moving on!".

Since about the 1980s there has been an extensive removal of restrictions on public nudity in Germany, and Freikörperkultur or FKK (Free Body Culture) is a popular pastime.

Over in the Swiss Alps however, naked rambling has been banned. The Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden has made nude hiking illegal this year in response to an influx of FKK walkers, many of which were crossing over to the Swiss Alps from Germany.

Photo by ricardo.martins via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Hotel prices in the UK currently stand at 13% above the European average*. Though this statistic doesn't come as much of a surprise it's still beat-the-system exciting when you stumble across a unique UK accommodation experience that won't break the bank.

For travellers visiting England, the cities of London, Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Canterbury and Newcastle all feature on the typical travel itinerary; a way to ensure your stay in these destinations is truly memorable - without having to cough up the average of £116 per night - is to book into a University room.

Pick from historic colleges in Oxford and Cambridge, plus the Universities of Newcastle, Nottingham, Leicester, Kent in Canterbury, Durham, Sheffield, University College London, Warwick, and Plymouth. Rooms are clean and many have en-suite bathrooms, internet access and power showers.

Indulge any Brideshead Revisited or Chariots of Fire fantasies you might have and from £40 per night stay in Oxford colleges such as Jesus, Balliol and Trinity College, or from £34 per night in Cambridge colleges including Christ's College, St. Catherine's and Corpus Christi. You can follow in the footsteps of famous real-life and literary Oxbridge alumni and eat in college halls, wander through the quads and college gardens, try your hand at punting, and drink in the college bar.

Things really have changed since I slept across the UK on friends' University bedrooms floors. Even as an impoverished student I would have happily paid from £28 a night to forego the sleeping bag on the cold, hard floor experience.

For more information on booking University bed and breakfast accommodation visit www.universityrooms.co.uk.

Photo Credits: Bodleian Montage by Daveybot; Oxford Punts by slack12.

*Source: trivago Hotel Price Index (tHPI), 6 August 2009.

Brits have always been bonkers about bikes, and no-where is better suited to biking than Cambridge. It's the city with the highest level of cycle use in the UK, where spokes and students go hand-in-hand and locals prefer two wheels to four.

The ancient, tightly packed city is perfect for exploring by bike and it's a very easy ride out to the quiet river "backs" and water meadows of the River Cam.

One of the top cycling routes is Cambridge to Grantchester, a village immortalized by Rupert Brooke in his 1912 poem The Old Vicarage, Grantchester. It's a leisurely 30 minute cycle ride from Cambridge to Grantchester across meadows and along river banks. There are dozens of picnic spots en route, but make sure you save room for the famous cream tea at the Orchard Tea Garden or, for those in need of stronger stuff, a pint in the beer gardens of The Rupert Brooke or The Red Lion pubs.

With British "Bike Week", the biggest nationwide cycling event in the UK, coming up from 13 – 21 June, now is the perfect time to explore Cambridge by bike. And what better excuse than Bike Week to treat yourself to a cycle-themed break at the boutiquey Hotel du Vin Cambridge, right in the heart of the city's famous cobbled streets and college enclosures?

A two-night Summer Cycling Break at the Hotel du Vin Cambridge costs from £349 for two people (sharing) including 2 nights bed & breakfast accommodation, with supper in the Bistro on one evening, and a full days’ bike hire. Valid throughout summer 2009, subject to availability. To book, contact Hotel du Vin Cambridge on +44 (0)1223 227 330.

Photo Credits: Clare HDR by .mushi_king; grantchester by murasakinotori via Flickr (Creative Commons). HdV Cambridge Suite ©Hotel du Vin.

If your travels are taking you to London this summer enjoy a quintessential English experience with Pimms or a pint at The Carpenter's Arms on Whitfield Street.

Just off Tottenham Court Road, this pretty pub is home to a brilliant roof terrace that's the perfect spot for a tipple in the sunshine. If the terrace is full there are tables outside on the pavement, plus the pub's interior is light and airy if the London weather is a letdown.

If you're planning a get together you can hire out the roof terrace and the adjacent Belle Bar for a party (a minimum spend of £500 is required).

The Carpenter's Arms, 68-70 Whitfield Street, London, W1T 4EY.

Tel: +44 20 7580 3186; Website: www.thecarpentersarmsw1.co.uk; Opening Hours: Sun 12-10.30pm, Mon 12-11pm, Tue, Wed & Thurs 12-11.30pm, Fri & Sat 12- midnight.

Photo Credit: Carpenter's Arms, Fitzrovia, W1 by Ewan-M.

By Harriet Torry

The Channel Islands aren't usually on most travellers' radars when it comes to choosing a holiday spot. Generally, Britain's outlying islands conjure up images of offshore banking, dairy cows, Jersey potatoes and complicated residency rules.

But in my travels around the Channel Islands, most recently to Jersey, I've found it to be well worth a visit. Jersey's rolling fields of green, beaches, castles, and warm climate are all good reasons for a visit. The Gulf Stream means the islands enjoy a warm climate.

Other advantages are that it's well-connected to the UK, and the time zone and currency are the same as on the mainland. That's worth considering at the moment, with the poor dollar/euro to pound exchange rates.

A quarter of Jersey's work force is employed in the financial services industry, and that has two important effects on tourists: good hotels and restaurants. Two establishments have even been awarded Michelin stars.

I liked the The Terrace at the Grand Hotel (Esplanade, St Helier 01534 722301). The avocado and mango salad and crab sandwich on focaccia were both great. There's a large terrace with a good view of Elizabeth Castle, and the service is excellent.

Café JAC in the Jersey Arts Centre is also a nice spot for a latte (Philips Street, St Helier, Tel: 01534 879 482). The Museum Brasserie at the Jersey Museum (The Weighbridge, St Helier (Tel: 01534 633300) has a large courtyard and is a good place for lunch. Another great thing about Jersey is the ice-cream. The famed milk of the Jersey cow definitely lives up to its creamy reputation.

To get around, it's best to hire a car. The sights and beaches are spread around the island and public transport is limited to buses. There are a number of signposted bike trails – which is good as the vehicle roads can be very windy. Navigating the roads is terrifying enough in a car – even though the speed limit is only 40 miles an hour. A bike would not be for the faint hearted, so stick to the trails.

Jersey's main historical attractions are Mont Orgueil Castle and Elizabeth Castle. There are also a number of tourist attractions that tell the story of the five year Nazi occupation of Jersey from 1940 to 1945. The Channel Islands were the only part of the UK to be occupied during the Second World War.

A complex of underground bunkers, the Höhlgangsanlage, has been turned into the Jersey War Tunnels museum. There's a permanent exhibition at Ho8 on the life of Violette Szabó, a secret agent for Britain's Special Operations Executive during WWII. Szabó was executed in Ravensbrück concentration camp aged 23 and was awarded the George Cross posthumously. It was her daughter Tania Szabó who received the cross on her mother's behalf in 1949. Now a Jersey resident, Tania Szabó opened the exhibition at the Jersey War Tunnels in 2003. (Höhlgangsanlage 8, St Lawrence. Tel: 01534 860 808)

I stayed at the Hotel de France, St. Helier. It's a grand four-star hotel with a gym, sauna, infinity pool and a chic spa. My room was very comfortable, had a fine view of St. Helier, and staff were helpful too. The Hotel de France has had an interesting history, with various incarnations as a Jesuit College, a training school for the occupying German forces during the second world war, and twice as a hotel. It's about a 15 minute walk from town.

History, fine dining and beaches – Jersey has got serious holiday credentials.

Harriet Torry was guest of the Jersey Tourism Bureau. For more information about Jersey please visit their website at www.jersey.com

Photo Credits: St Brelade's Bay by Paul Hudson; Elizabeth Castle, St Helier, Jersey by Alex Fearn; View from Mont Orgueil Castle by paulafunnell; SOE Memorial, Albert Embankment by Loz Flowers via Flickr (Creative Commons).

If you've ever heard about or experienced the slow torture of queuing to buy tickets to the Vatican Museums then rejoice. It's now possible to book your tickets online.

The Vatican Museums are among the most impressive museums in the world. Founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th century, they include paintings by Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci's portrait of Saint Jerome and, of course, the Sistine Chapel.

The Vatican Museums have over 4 million visitors a year, so online ticket booking really is a blessing! You can access the booking site here.

Photo Credit: Rainy line to Vatican Museum by wfbakker2 via Flickr (Creative Commons).

With three weeks to go until Easter, now is the perfect time to snap up a last-minute deal to one of the world's top Easter holiday destinations.

To inspire you, we've put together a guide to the top Easter breaks for 2009. So stop planning this year's Easter egg hunt and start packing your suitcase for a fantastic Easter holiday!

ANTIGUA, CARIBBEAN:

What: Join Eric Clapton, Oprah Winfrey and Giorgio Armani this Easter and holiday in style on the stunning island of Antigua. What better place to put your Lenten restrictions behind you than on beaches of soft white sand, under a hot sun and in perfect azure waters? The average April temperature in Antigua is a gorgeous 26°C / 79°F.

Why: Jaw-dropping beaches, colonial splendour, wonderful weather and a fantastic atmosphere. Stick around for the week after Easter and ogle open-mouthed at the big, fat classic yachts as they come out to play for the annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (16 – 21 April).

Where: Stay at the super-stylish Inn at English Harbour hotel for the perfect blend of Colonial style luxury and contemporary comfort.

Wow: LHR – Antigua: 2 roundtrip tickets and 6 nights at Inn at English Harbour from USD 6697; LAX - Antigua: 2 roundtrip tickets and 6 nights at Inn at English Harbour from USD 5018; JFK – Antigua: 2 roundtrip tickets and 6 nights at Inn at English Harbour from USD 4886.*

OMAN

What: From souks to ancient sights to snorkelling to sandy beaches, Oman offers opulence, indulgence, adventure and luxury. Muscat, Oman's capital, boasts some seriously impressive hotels in stunning beach locations. Fashionistas and bargain hunters can go crazy in the city's markets, culture vultures can spend days soaking up the impressive sights and adrenaline junkies can dune buggy and scuba dive.

Why: There's something for everyone: jagged mountains, lush valleys, dramatic dunes, empty beaches, superb snorkelling, vibrant souks, camel racing and incredible history and culture. Easter temptation indeed...

Where: Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Muscat. Set against a dramatic mountain backdrop on 200 acres of private beach and lush green gardens, the Al Bustan Palace Hotel has a reputation as the best hotel in the Middle East and one of the finest hotels in the world.

Wow: Return flights from LHR – Muscat from USD 494 per person; from LAX – Muscat from USD 1558 per person; from JFK – Muscat from USD 1077 per person.*

PHUKET, THAILAND

What: One of the world's best known beach destinations, and dubbed the "Pearl of the South", Phuket is swanky and seductive in equal measures. It's a place to dive in azure seas, lounge at chic beach resorts, sip cocktails and soak up the glitz and glamour.

Why: Bargains are easy to find at Phuket's glam resorts and beachside villas and can be bagged, last-minute for hundreds of dollars less than their normal rates. If you're after a luxury Easter break on a moderate budget, this is the destination for you.

Where: If you want glitz on a relative shoestring then opt for Indigo Pearl. The resort offers very decent accommodation, great hotel pools and is located on Nai Yang Beach on Phuket's northwest shore. For a chic boutique hotel and trendy vibe opt for the ever-popular Twinpalms Phuket. Located right next to Thailand's 'millionaires' cove', the hotel's beach is a great site to spot celebrities.

Wow: From LHR – Phuket: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 5463 at Indigo Pearl and from USD 8994 at Twinpalms Phuket; From LAX – Phuket: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 3722 at Indigo Pearl and from USD 6844 at Twinpalms Phuket; From JFK – Phuket: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 8094 at Indigo Pearl and from USD 11638 at Twinpalms Phuket*.

SANTORINI, GREECE

What: Arguably Greece's most romantic and spectacular island, Santorini offers a very local and authentic Greek Orthodox Easter experience. Spend the days leading up to Easter on a private yacht and exploring the Santorini's famous volcano "the caldera". Join in with the islanders' Easter celebrations and processions. Enjoy the Easter feasting and taste the incredible local lamb. On Easter Monday make the most of the local flora and visit Santorini's local vineyards.

Why: Stunning scenery, amazing hikes, beautiful beaches and fantastic weather, plus the experience of joining in with local Easter celebrations and traditions.

Where: La Meduse Santorini. Bang slap on Perivolos Beach, the island's longest sandy strip, this whitewashed boutique hotel occupies a Cycladic-style property and boasts crisp, fresh rooms.

Wow: From LHR – Santorini: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation at La Meduse (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 1817; From LAX – Santorini: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation at La Meduse (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 4938; From JFK – Santorini: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation at La Meduse (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 3145*.

SEVILLE, SPAIN

What: Passion and devotion combine in this fiery Spanish city and Semana Santa (Easter week) is one of the most exciting times to visit. Seville has hosted Easter celebrations for four centuries, and they are universally famous. Around 50,000 parade through the city's streets in traditional costumes during Seville's 58 organised processions. Expect to be wowed by religious statues, music, embroidered cloaks and velvet tunics.

Why: It goes without saying that Seville is one of Europe's most impressive cities. Moorish architecture, flamenco and bullfighting take centre stage in this stunning city. A long Easter weekend in Seville promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Where: Hotel San Gil. Housed in a restored 19th-century building, Hotel San Gil's preserved mosaics echo Seville's Moorish past. Just one kilometre from Seville's historic centre, Hotel San Gil is perfectly located for all the Easter action.

Wow: LHR – Seville: 2 roundtrip tickets and 4 nights accommodation at Hotel San Gil (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 2205; JFK – Seville: 2 roundtrip tickets and 4 nights accommodation at Hotel San Gil (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 2388*.

We hope this answers your questions about what to do at Easter, where the best Easter holiday destinations are and how to plan an Easter trip. Have a great time!

*All prices correct at the time of going to print.

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 all via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Berlin's Tempelhof airport, once the world's largest, closes tomorrow following 81 years of service that witnessed the Soviet blockade, the Cold War and the falling of the Berlin wall.

British architect Norman Foster calls Tempelhof "the mother of all airports". Tempelhof, built by the Nazis as a gateway to the capital of the Third Reich, opened in 1926. It still ranks as the largest building in western Europe.

The airfield played a pivotal role during the Berlin Blockade (24 June 1948 – 11 May 1949) when it served as the Western Allies' gateway to Berlin as they airlifted in food and fuel to supply the city.

According to Bloomberg.com, a 1940s Douglas DC-3 and a Deutsche Lufthansa AG Junkers Ju- 52 of a similar age will be the last aircraft to take off from the airport shortly before midnight.

Photos:

flughafen tempelhof by fliegender via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Berlin Airlift by velodenz via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Nora Dunn

Whilst visiting Tokyo, you slip your taxi driver a small tip for taking you to your destination so promptly and courteously. Little did you know you just offended him beyond reproach. Or you get out of the cab in Mexico, only to find that you must have either over-tipped your driver or have entered the twilight zone because the serenade you are getting now seems a little over the top considering all you did was toss in the equivalent of an extra dollar or two. Or you walk out of a bar in Canada, wondering why the bartender ignored you for 10 minutes when you went to order your third drink – without tipping for any of them.

As with so many cultural idiosyncrasies around the world, tipping is a prevalent and ever-changing custom that differs as much with each country as the language or topography does. In North America, tipping is common, and in many cases downright expected. Servers and bartenders for example, often earn less than the minimum hourly wage, because it is expected that they will also earn tips that amount to 15%-20% of their customers' bills. In other countries like Australia, tips are lovely but not expected; and the servers and bartenders are paid an hourly wage to reflect this.

So while abroad, who do you tip and how much? Here is a small collection of tipping practices around the world you can use as a guide.

NORTH AMERICA

Arguably, North American culture dictates more tipping than anywhere else in the world. Make sure you have some extra cash handy!

Canada

• Restaurants and Bars: 15% (Hint: If you're at a bar, tip the bartender well on the first drink you order. You'll get great service for the rest of the night, and if you tip really well on the first drink you aren’t necessarily expected to keep tipping on every drink thereafter. If you wait until the end of the night you may be the victim of bad service.)
• Taxi drivers: No set formula. Usually just round up the fare a few dollars.
• Spas: 10-15%
• Food delivery: $2-5, depending on the weather
• Coat Check: $1 per coat
• Hotel bellhop: $5-10
• Hotel chambermaids: $2-5/day

USA

• Restaurants: 18-20%
• Bars: 15%
• Taxi: 10-15% of fare
• Spas: 15%
• Food delivery: $2-5, depending on the weather
• Coat Check: $1 per coat
• Hotel bellhop: $5-10
• Hotel chambermaids: $2-5/day

ASIA

In many parts of Asia in general, tips are welcome but ones that are extravagant can be seen as an insult.

Singapore

• Restaurants & Bars: Generally no tips are required. Upscale dining will auto-gratuity 10%.
• Taxis: No tipping required
• Spas: $2-4 Singapore dollars (hand it directly to the staff who served you). This applies to shampoo person and manicurist, but strangely the hair stylist rarely gets tipped.
• Hotel service staff: $2S, however often you will see "no tipping required" signs so you can use your judgement depending on the quality of hotel you are staying at.

Hong Kong As above.

China Tipping policies are non-existent. Foreigners are generally charged more to begin with.

Japan Don't.

LATIN AMERICA

Mexico Do! Tips are expected by pretty much everybody who services you in any way.

• Restaurants & Bars: 15%
• Taxis: Tipping is not necessary. Usually you have negotiated a flat fare that encompasses the tip.
• Spas: 10%

Brazil

• Restaurants & Bars: Look for the 10% service charge on the bill. If it's not there, then tip 10%.
• Taxis: No tipping required, but it's always nice to round up a bit if you can.
• Spa: 10%-15%
• Hotels: The service charge is usually included in the bill.
• Chambermaids: Only tip at luxury hotels: $1-$2

EUROPE

Germany

Germans are not big tippers in general, but tips are still welcome and, in some cases, expected.

Note: Look for the words "Trinkgeld Inbegriffen" on your bill… If you see them, it means that the service charge has been included already. No need to leave any extra!

• Restaurants & Bars: 10%
• Taxis: 10%
• Spas: €1-€2 will do for a hair stylist, and €1 for the shampoo technician. Tipping on other spa services depends on the cost and nature of the service; 10% is usually a safe bet.
• Hotel chambermaid: Only tip if you are happy with the service, and leave it in the room when you leave.
• Hotel bellhops: €2-€3

Switzerland Pretty much across the board, 15% tips are included in the bills. As in Germany, keep your eyes peeled for the words "Trinkgeld Inbegriffen" to make sure. If the service was outstanding and you want to tip more, then you can give up to 10% extra. Also if you plan to become a regular, this is a great idea!

France

• Restaurants & Bars: A service charge of 15% is usually included in the bill. You'll know if the words "servis compris" appear.
• Taxis: Drivers don't require or expect tips.
• Spas: Look for the service charge to be included in the bill. If it's not, then 10%-15% will do, and only if you are happy with the service.

Italy

• Restaurants & Bars: Tips are not expected. There are often cover charges or bread charges, which take the place of general tipping practices. If you really wish you can leave a small amount at the table.

Again, and as with so many European destinations, a service charge may be included. "Servizio compreso" will be your hint.

United Kingdom

• Restaurants: Tipping is not necessarily expected, but is very welcome. 10%-15% will do. Unlike many other European destinations, service charges are rarely included in the bill.
• Bars: Don't tip in cash. You can offer to buy the bartender a drink if you're happy with the service. They'll then add the price of half a pint on to your tab (sometimes they’ll pour the drink for themselves, but most times they’ll just keep the cash).
• Taxis: 10%

DOWN UNDER

Australia Tipping in Australia is almost non-existent. Generally speaking if you are happy with the service, nobody will say no or be offended that you want to give them money. They're just not expecting tips – at least not from the locals!

• Restaurants & Bars: If you thought the service was great, you can tip up to 10%.

New Zealand No tips are required. Service charges are almost always included in the bill.

MISCELLANEOUS

Egypt Tips in Egypt are most certainly expected, but the amount is at your discretion. When in doubt, tip like you do at home.

Russia Restaurants & Bars: 10% Taxis: 5%-10%

This is by no means a comprehensive guide to tipping around the world. Within each country practices can vary, much less within each geographical region. So how can you best be sure you are following customs and not offending anybody by being stingy, while not getting pinned as a naïve tourist by over-tipping? Ask! Most people will be quite honest with you about standard tipping practices. And if you’re embarrassed about asking your potential tippee what to do, then ask at an information desk at the airport or your hotel.

Happy tipping!

Extra Tipping Resources:

Political Calculations This site includes a chart of all the countries mentioned above and more with general guidelines for tipping and cultural practices.

International Business Etiquette Internet Sourcebook Here you will find links to sites for business etiquette tips around the world - a very useful tool, even if you aren't travelling for business.

Best Trip Choices A great resource for trip planning, from weather to ATM locations to travel insurance and more.

One of the best things about London is eating a grilled cheese sandwich from the Cheese Man in Borough Market. These sandwiches taste especially good when eaten in the gardens of Southwark Cathedral and accompanied by cider (also available at the market).

I don't know how the Cheese Man makes those incredible sandwiches, but he told me once that he invented his very own type of cheese, Ogleshield, to do it - perhaps he was pulling my leg.

He also makes amazing raclette - melted cheese scraped over a plate of potatoes, onions and gherkins.

(The Cheese Man is the one with the goatee)

Even from 6,000 miles away I crave those delicious sandwiches and will be making a beeline for his stall this Saturday.

Toasted Cheese Sandwich Innards by su-lin via flickr (Creative Commons).

Watching over the Raclette by su-lin via flickr (Creative Commons).

Yes you have read that correctly.

Today sees the annual World Bog Snorkelling Championships kicking off in the dense Waen Rhydd Peat bog in Britain's smallest town - Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

Competitors must "complete two lengths of a 60 yard trench cut through the peat bog in the quickest time possible, wearing snorkels and flippers (wet suits optional but advisable) but without using any conventional swimming strokes."

The world record 1min 35sec is held by Phillip John, marine and international swimmer.

Apparently, the championships were the brainchild of a drunken session in the local pub back in 1986 as a fundraising initiative. All proceeds go to charities and good causes in the region.

To enter for next year's event click here.

Bog Snorkelling by stepbar via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Bettina, a 48-year-old German woman, has been living at Palma de Mallorca's Son Sant Joan airport for 10 years.

According to The Guardian, Bettina possesses just three suitcases, a blanket, a pile of books and her white cat, Mumu. Airport staff refer to her as "the woman with the cat".

Asked whether she intends to return to Germany she replied, "No way. Life is better for me here."

The Guardian reports that airport authorities turn a blind eye to Bettina. "She has never bothered anyone and as this is a public building she can use the facilities - washing in the toilets or cleaning her clothes," said Marta Fernández, spokeswoman for Aena, the state company that manages Spain's airports.