Quote: davet "I'm going to be spending two and a half days in London at the end of this month. My girlfriend is American, and wants to see Buckingham palace, the changing of the guard and Westminster Abbey. I haven't spent much time in London myself, I will visit a museum or two and most likely the Tate Modern. Other than that I don't really know too much more about the city. I was hoping to walk to most places, as I think I will find a lot of nice spots in the areas between the 'bigger' attractions. Obviously I'll use the tube for the bigger distances. I was just wondering if anyone knows of any good places/things to do that are a little less well known. Is there anything that you would say is an absolute must see? Thanks in advance.'" Some ideas here: www.visitlondon.com/attractions/ ... ttractions

Quote: davet "I'm going to be spending two and a half days in London at the end of this month. My girlfriend is American, and wants to see Buckingham palace, the changing of the guard and Westminster Abbey. I haven't spent much time in London myself, I will visit a museum or two and most likely the Tate Modern. Other than that I don't really know too much more about the city. I was hoping to walk to most places, as I think I will find a lot of nice spots in the areas between the 'bigger' attractions. Obviously I'll use the tube for the bigger distances. I was just wondering if anyone knows of any good places/things to do that are a little less well known. Is there anything that you would say is an absolute must see? Thanks in advance.'" Some ideas here: www.visitlondon.com/attractions/ ... ttractions

I’m going to Berlin for three nights with the wife, like a lively and varied nightlife any tips would be appreciated. I have ideas for the days but again any tips I will take with me, cheers.

It's a great city but be prepared to do a lot of walking.

The Brandenburg Gate is a must see as is the Reichstag (get to that early to avoid huge queues). Not sure if the cupola (glass dome) on the roof has reopened but that offers excellent views of the city. Potsdamer Platz is very good for restaurants, cafes and shops.

Berlin Zoo is very good and be sure to visit the East Side Gallery which is a portion of the Berlin Wall around 1km long which has been covered in paintings by artists. There are plenty of excellent museums if you fancy a bit of culture including the very sombre but fascinating Jewish Museum.

Also visit Checkpoint Charlie with its famous signs indicating the former US and USSR sectors. Be prepared for large crowds there though.

In general I found the nightlife to be quiet, although I was there midweek.

Head up to St Pancras Station. Really beautiful building both on the inside and out and a tremendous feat of Victorian Engineering. The British Library is also next door. Neither cost anything to look around.

The zoo is great, isn't it?

If you're there for some time and fancy a trip outside town, there's Potsdam, with the royal palaces, including Frederick the Great's 'private' palaceette, Sanssoucci.

It is worth checking that places are open when you go, though: we've made the mistake more than once of just assuming everything is open all the time.

There's also Brecht's house in the old East (Chausseestrasse 125), and the cemetary next door (Dorotheenstädtisch) is full of interesting graves, and a few from WWII, of victims of the Nazis.

I'd swerve Covent Garden, except for the Transport Museum which is fun and not as geeky as you might imagine.
Avoid Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, both are crowded with people who are there just because they know its name.

The National Gallery is e-bleedin-normous, so decide what you want to see before you go, otherwise you'll just get art fatigue.
Actually, just around the corner is the National Portrait gallery, which is much more fun for a short visit. You'll know half the portraits. Come to think of it, the BP Portrait Awards will still be showing when you are there - that's unmissable and not so big that you get bored. Afterwards, there's a Sam Smiths pub (The Chandos) opposite, sells beer at Northern prices.

Similarly, whilst the British Musuem or the Victoria and Albert (The Morris cafe is amazing - for decor) are fantastic ... again decide what to see in there, otherwise you'll just wander and wander until you're sick of it.

If you fancy Greenwich and/or the Observatory, a river boat trip there will take the weight off your feet for a while ... or take the DLR to Island Gardens and then walk the foot tunnel under the Thames to Greenwich for Cutty Sark, Gypsy Moth IV, Observatory (and Greenwich Meridian, stand with one foot in today and one in tomorrow) Queens House, etc etc.

If you are going to do the London Eye, book in advance.

As you think you'll go to Tate Modern, I'd visit St Pauls Cathedral first, walk down to the river and cross the wobbly bridge to the Tate Modern.
But there's also Tate Britain in Pimlico.

In the evenings, I'd take in a bit of theatre off-West-end at the Barbican / National Theatre / The Young Vic / The Old Vic ... or maybe see what's on at one of the smaller (and cheaper) venues like The Tricycle or The Gate (just get a copy of Time Out for all the Theatre listings).

If you don't mind walking, there are loads of guided tours by London Walks, I have done a few of those and enjoyed all of them.

I second that.

Also, The Welcome Institute further along Euston Road often has some great exhibitions.

Berlin is great, but not the place it was before the wall came down. Used to be fun going through Checkpoint Charlie for real. Could have got shot once climbing on the barrier to photograpgh the Brandenburg Gate when it was between West and East if my German comrades hadn't have dragged me down. Sounds like the Zoo has improved - it was one of those awful ones when I went there.

Angel Islington is nice to sit and eat in the day, plenty of cafe's and restaurant/food places.

Nice hidden things, go to the monument in the city or the market close to Liverpool St Station, Barnes is good as is Richmond Park. Hire a boat on the Serpentine in Hyde Park try Harrods or Kew and there are plenty of Museums in Kensington.

Two questions folks
A nice place on the South Coast, picturesque yet busy with things to do, not Bournemouth, Brighton or Weymouth.

Anyone ever been on the Ffestinniog(sp) Railway, anyone recommend it and if so what stops to get off and site see?

OK this is a bit obtuse, but I've been tasked with finding accomodation for around ten males (why is it always me who has to do this bloody thing) who want to go walking in the Ingleton/Settle area in September, has anyone any experience of where such a party could stay, all of the pubs etc that I've looked at so far have a few rooms, most of which tend to be doubles, I'm sick of sharing a bed with my mates so just want twin rooms this year

Problem is that in that area there are no large hotel premises really, I'm at the point of kicking this one into touch.

There are alot more interesting places; alot more pleasant places; and alot better places to eat and drink in London. I would not advise a tourist with limited time to go there in preference to other places.

see proper London mate, it's as close as like to get to the east end

Oh, I don't know, depends on the tourist's interests.
With both The Red Lion and The King's Head pub theatres close to hand, plus Sadlers Wells as well, it's not too badly-off for culture.
Camden Passage for antiques.
Not only that but Upper Street is rammed with restaurants and pubs for all budgets and tastes, all the way up to the triangle.

Prague, anyone? Taking the missus there at the end of the month, never been before, heard good things!