The darkness that blanketed Lower Manhattan after Hurricane Sandy turned one of the most familiar cities in the world into something completely unfamiliar and eerie.
This video, a collaboration between Jared Levy, Michael Marantz and Already Alive, and posted on Laughing Squid, captures that strangeness beautifully.
Thinking of going on an amazing hiking break this winter or know a hiking couple who would love new boots for Christmas? We've teamed up with adventure footwear specialist brasher to offer one lucky AOL Travel user the chance to win a pair of men and women's hiking boots and socks.
brasher was recently given the royal seal of approval when it was the hiking boot brand of choice for Kate Middleton on her trip to Borneo with Prince William.
The prize includes a pair of men's Traveller GTX boots, a classic desert-style boot giving natural walking comfort anytime and anywhere. Featuring brasher's Travel Original sole unit with EVA midsole and a Nubuck leather upper, the boots are lightweight, waterproof and breathable. They are available in sizes seven to 12, including half sizes 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
You'll also get your hands on a pair of Journey GTX for women, a robust travel boot for wherever you're planning a journey. It features a Travel Original sole unit with EVA midsole and Nubuck leather upper. The boots are waterproof and breathable, and available in sizes four to eight, including half sizes 4.5, 5.5 and 6.5.
The winner will receive a pair of men and women's Travel Lite Socks to complement the boots. The socks have been specially designed to provide maximum comfort and performance when travelling. They're made from merino wool and feature Thermo°Cool technology, so they adjust to the temperature, keeping your feet cool in warmer conditions and providing warmth in colder conditions.
Cheapflights.co.uk is offering a seven-night break at the Vaboir Lodge in Bangkok from £562 per person. The city hotel has a game room, café, bar and restaurant and is in a prime location on the Sukhumvit road, close to a variety of shopping malls, department stores, bars and night spots. The offer includes room-only accommodation and return flights from London Gatwick for travel on 21 November 2012.
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A week on Egypt's Red Sea coast from only £475 per person
Red Sea Holidays (0845 026 5980) is offering seven nights at the Siva Grand Beach Hotel in Hurghada from only £475 per person. The hotel is situated on a gently sloping private beach, close to the original fishing village of Hurghada and boasts an extensive range of facilities such as snorkelling, beach volleyball and scuba diving lessons. The package is based on two adults sharing and includes all-inclusive accommodation with return flights from Manchester between 16 and 23 November 2012. London Gatwick flights are also available from £499.
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Kids ski free in the Austrian Alps
VIP Ski (0844 557 3119) is offering kids a free stay at the luxury Hotel Montjola in St Anton when there are two paying adults. Montjola is in a great location just above the two main lifts and the centre of the charming chocolate box Austrian town. Stay for a week on 13 January 2013 for £1,079 per person on a half-board basis including return flights from London and resort transfers. The offer applies to January departure dates and is based on a free child's bed. Subject to availability.
Whether the kids want to meet Santa, show off their ice skating skills or witness something new and exciting this Christmas, we've found three of the best festive family days out for all to enjoy...
Burning of the Clocks, Brighton
If you fancy taking the kids to see something a little different, taking part in the annual Burning of the Clocks parade in Brighton could be just the treat. The event invites everyone to celebrate the Winter Solstice (the shortest day of the year) on 21 December, when residents and visitors take to the streets holding handmade lanterns decorated with wishes, hopes and fears, before throwing them into a fire on the beach. To finish there's a big fireworks display so your Christmas celebrations can really go off with a bang!
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park, Yorkshire
In Yorkshire, stunning Stockeld Park hosts the magical Christmas Adventure, with plenty to see and do throughout the festive season. The four Adventure Zones (until 6 January) set within the beautiful countryside feature a maze, ice skating and the Enchanted Forest, which you can explore on foot or on Nordic skis. Visit Santa (10 November to 24 December) in his brand new luxury woodland log cabin and don't miss the pantomime (24 and 25 November) to get you in the festive mood. Why not pick up your Christmas tree at Stockeld Park too? The estate grows over half a million of them for you to buy from 28 November.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London
For a fun family day out in London, head to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland from 23 November to 6 January, and treat the kids to traditional winter attractions and entertainment in the city. Here you can find the UK's largest ice rink around the historic Victorian Band Stand with live music playing and 108,000 pea lights twinkling as you skate. The iconic Giant Observation Wheel offers views over the capital and the Angels Christmas Market features over one hundred chalets selling everything from ceramics to clothing. Do the kids like the circus? Head to the super-heated Zippos Circus tent to see world-class jugglers, clowns and aerialists. Entry to Winter Wonderland is free too so you can spend as little or as much as you like!
Browse more brilliant spots to visit with the family this winter...
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Originally designed as a tourist destination, Stowe’s temples, lakes and monuments remain as fascinating as ever through the seasons. The newly restored coaching inn is the perfect place to enjoy a winter warmer, from hot drinks to soups and main courses.</p>
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Six miles from Exeter, this relaxed 18th-century estate makes an ideal place to stop off for a few hours. Rare trees, woodland walks and a the quirky “Bear’s Hut” are just some of the highlights to be found outside. Pop into the Killerton Kitchen restaurant for a hearty meal, or take tea in the Stable tea-room. Award-winning Killerton cider, chutney, flour or honey can be bought here too as a tasty reminder of your day.</p>
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This former Ducal park is open all year and home to nearly 4000 acres of parkland and gardens, peaceful woodlands and open spaces to explore on foot or by bike.</p>
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Mottisfont contains the National Trust’s newest winter garden, and specialises in exploring the potential of plants that are at their most beautiful and interesting when other plants are in hibernation. It combines a number of unusual plants, but also some familiar species for visitors to view in a new light.</p>
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Magnificent 12th-century ruins combine with beautiful landscaped Georgian water gardens at this lovely World Heritage Site, which also boasts its own medieval deer park. To make a weekend of it, stay in one of the 11 holiday cottages here, including apartments in the luxurious Fountains Hall and five cottages converted from a group of eighteenth century farm buildings, there’s something for everyone.</p>
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This seven-acre winter garden is home to more than 700 different plant species and a further 1,600 shrubs to admire, providing plenty of colourful distractions from the cold.</p>
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Take in the fresh winter air surrounded by a world-famous landscape garden, where a magnificent lake reflects classic temples, mystical grottos and swathes of surrounding trees. Make a weekend of it at 89 Church Lawn: set at the entrance to the magical landscape garden, this pretty stone cottage is an idyllic country hideaway. Enjoy bracing walks around the ornamental lake before the crowds. Sleeps seven.</p>
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From the ruined castle to deer park and woodland, there is plenty to discover in this iconic part of the Welsh countryside. Visitors can enjoy walks, spot nature or simply take in the sights before warming up with fine local fare in the tea room.</p>
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Well worth a visit for its plethora of scenic delights, with statues and columns scattered across the atmospheric grounds. And the winter garden will be a delight for gardening fanatics, as it contains over 150 species of plants....</p>
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This beautiful 18th-century landscape park and nature reserve offers a taste of the country on the edge of the city. Discover fine Derwent Valley views, winding paths and refreshing open spaces to stretch tired legs while exploring elegant buildings and ruins. Escape along the avenue for miles of tranquil walks or enjoy family adventures at the woodland playscape and challenge trail.</p>
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If you're in need of a little entertainment next time you fly, why not try winding up the cabin crew?
The easiest way to do this is to click your fingers to get their attention. It's the most annoying passenger trait of all, according to a new survey of 700 air stewards carried out by Skyscanner.
Next, try nattering through the safety demonstration, and then asking for more blankets and pillows.
Make sure you cram too many bags into the overhead locker, and then complain that there's no space for your hand luggage.
There's a lot more you can do to irritate them besides this. Demand a specific brand of drink, and ring the attendant bell to complain about the temperature.
Oh, and at the end of the flight, make sure you stand up from your seat at before the seatbelt sign is switched off.
The list of irritating passenger habits is long and detailed - and it begs the question: is there anything we can do that will actually make cabin staff happy? According to the survey, the most perfect passenger of all is male, travelling for pleasure rather than business, in his 30s, and flying alone. Which means the majority of us have irritated them before we've even got on the plane...
How many of the traits above are you guilty of? And what annoys you most about cabin crew? Tell us below!
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Yes, according to a survey of <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Virgin+Atlantic/" target="_blank">Virgin Atlantic</a>'s cabin crew, this is the most frequent mad request they get... seems that a worrying number of us have a lot to learn when it comes to the basic science of aviation...</p>
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Speaking about their weirdest passenger requests to <a href="http://www.cabincrew.com/lifestyle/strange-but-true-weirdest-passenger-requests-revealed/1098" target="_blank">Cabincrew.com</a>, one steward said a passenger was worried about <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Heathrow+Airport/" target="_blank">Heathrow Airport</a> being so close to Windsor Castle as the plane was coming into London and asked if cabin crew could arrange for the planes not to fly over the castle in the future in case the Queen found it a nuisance. What a thoughtful flyer!</p>
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One Virgin Atlantic crew member was asked by a very famous celebrity, who pressed their call bell, to fix their hair. The flight attendant agreed to the unusual request and headed back to the galley to get a hair brush, comb and small can of hairspray. When he returned armed with the hairdressing equipment, the star roared with laughter and explained it was the AIR they wanted fixed and pointed overhead! The poor steward turned on the air vent and crept back to the galley. Cringe...</p>
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Er, we're hoping the passenger was't serious about this request. Another passenger asked: "Please can the captain stop the turbulence?". </p>
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While flying into Nice in the <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/south+of+France/" target="_blank">South of France</a>, one cheeky passenger asked a stewardess if the pilot could 'go a bit further down the coast so we can have a look at Monaco,' she told <a href="http://www.cabincrew.com/lifestyle/strange-but-true-weirdest-passenger-requests-revealed/1098" target="_blank">Cabincrew.com </a></p>
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We know they have some <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2012/05/01/virgin-atlantic-unveils-new-100-million-upper-class-cabin/" target="_blank">luxurious cabins</a> but we would have liked to see the face of the flight attendant who was asked by a passenger where they could take a shower on a Virgin Atlantic flight.</p>
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One flight attendant told <a href="http://www.cabincrew.com/lifestyle/strange-but-true-weirdest-passenger-requests-revealed/1098" target="_blank">Cabincrew.com</a> about an elderly man flying from Australia who was disappointed that the flight attendants weren’t attractive and sexy enough. He complained and said: "They were much prettier in the adverts, so the flight has not lived up to my expectations".</p>
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A stewardess told <a href="http://www.cabincrew.com/lifestyle/strange-but-true-weirdest-passenger-requests-revealed/1098" target="_blank">Cabincrew.com</a> that a traveller asked her: 'Why am I getting such a poor mobile phone signal? This flight is going to be really long and I’ll be bored if I can’t use my smart phone.' Oh dear!</p>
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One steward told flight attendants' forum <a href="http://www.cabincrew.com/lifestyle/top-10-funniest-airline-passenger-complaints/1085" target="_blank">Cabincrew.com</a> that one cheeky passenger asked them to get his blanket. He said: 'I once got asked mid flight if I could nip down into the hold and get a passenger his blanket out of his suitcase. After a full description of the bag I then explained this wasn't possible, to which he insisted he was going to go instead.'</p>
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Kiev, Ukraine. Rex
Ever considered visiting Valencia instead of Barcelona, Turin instead of Rome or Manchester instead of London? The winners of TripAdvisor's Choice Destinations on the Rise awards have been revealed and the results show some surprising up-and-coming cities for 2012.
The top European destination, which has seen an increase in positive feedback and interest from travellers year-on-year is the city of Kiev.
Capital of Ukraine, Kiev hosted the Euro 2012 Football Championship this summer and its significant presence in the ranking shows Eastern Europe is no longer off the tourist radar.
Moscow took second place and has experienced major tourism developments recently, with a number of airlines announcing new routes to the Russian city.
Third in the European list was Turin in Italy. There was encouraging news for Britain too, as Glasgow, Manchester and Belfast took sixth, seventh and eighth places, while Liverpool came 10th.
TripAdvisor spokeswoman Emma Shaw said: 'All winners should be incredibly proud of their award - not only has traveller interest in their destination increased, but each city has also seen an increase in positive feedback on their hotels, restaurants and things to do.'
The winners for the worldwide category saw Mar Del Plata in Argentina take the top spot, followed by Sao Paulo in Brazil, Kiev in Ukraine, Montevideo in Uruguay and Perth in Australia.
'For those unsure about where to travel next year, this list may offer welcome inspiration,' added Ms Shaw. 'With the hangover of the Jubilympics set to hit in 2013, it's great to see four UK destinations recognised in what may mean a great boost to the UK's tourism industry.'
Europe's top 10 destinations on the rise
1. Kiev, Ukraine
2. Moscow, Russia
3. Turin, Italy
4. St Petersburg, Russia
5. Naples, Italy
6. Glasgow, UK
7. Manchester, UK
8. Belfast, UK
9. Valencia, Spain
10. Liverpool, UK
World top 10 destinations on the rise
1. Mar Del Plata, Argentina
2. Sao Paulo, Brazil
3. Kiev, Ukraine
4. Montevideo, Uruguay
5. Perth, Australia
6. Mexico City, Mexico
7. Hobart, Australia
8. Guadalajara, Mexico
9. Moscow, Russia
10. Turin, Italy
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With canals, cobbles and culture, Utrecht is an ideal European city for a short getaway. Visit the gothic Dom Church, take in the historic surroundings on a cruise through the canals and check out the Saturday flower market along the Oudegracht canal. The Centraal Museum (centraalmuseum.nl) is a must-see for its permanent art collection of children's character Miffy (one for the kids and adults!)<br />
<strong>How to get there</strong>:Fly to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and get a direct train to Utrecht, which takes around 30 minutes.</p>
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As the capital of Switzerland, Bern is the home of the Houses of Parliament but has managed to retain the charm and uniqueness of a historic city. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and some of the must-see attractions include the Zytglogge clock tower overlooking the old town, the bear park (baerenpark-bern.ch) and the Garden of Roses.<br />
<strong>How to get there</strong>: Fly to Zurich and catch a direct train to Bern, which takes around an hour and 15 minutes.</p>
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As the oldest Portuguese city, Braga has plenty of historical sites for you to see. Highlights include the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary, which has a unique baroque staircase, the 19th-century, domed Sameiro Sanctuary and the beautiful baroque Raio Palace. Foodies should try the local specialities, like potato and cabbage broth, maize bread and the local hams.<br />
<strong>How to get there:</strong> Fly to Porto and Braga is around a 40-minute drive away.</p>
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Head to the Andulician city of Cordoba that was once the centre of Muslim Spain and where you can still find some remaining Islamic architecture, like the Great Mosque of Cordoba (pictured) and the fortified Calahorra Tower. The city is famed for arts and crafts, so if you're thinking of picking up a locally-produced souvenir, there's leather, silver and ceramics on offer.<br />
<strong>How to get there:</strong> Reom Seville, catch a direct train to Corboba, which takes around 45 minutes.</p>
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While most people head to Dublin, Cork has as tonnes to offer and is fast becoming one of Europe's hippest cities. Marvel at the gothic spires of St. Finbarre's Cathedral, visit the picturesque Blarney Castle and check out the bustling English Market. If you're staying for more than a weekend, explore the nearby fishing village of Blackrock for a refreshing day out of the city and to stroll along its tree-lined avenue on the edge of the River Lee.<br />
<strong>How to get there: </strong>Fly direct to Cork Airport.</p>
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The spa city of Karlovy Vary, with its wonderful hot springs, is a great alternative to Prague. As well as having a relaxing treatment in one of the city's spas, you won't want to miss a visit to the Moser Museum to see the glassmakers at work, the views of the city from the Diana Lookout Tower, and a taste of the herbal Becherovka liquor, which is only produced in Karlovy Vary.<br />
<strong>How to get there: </strong>Fly to Prague and get a bus to Karlovy Vary, which takes around two hours and 15 minutes.</p>
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or a mix of the old and new, the divided Cypriot capital Nicosia, allows you to get a taste of its Greek and Turkish influences for a varied break. Get world-class views of the city from the Ledra Museum Observatory, feast on mezze in the local tavernas, visit the 16th-century Great Inn with its courtyard cafés, galleries and souvenir shops, and relax with a Turkish bath at the Omeriye Hamam, where you'll be scrubbed down after sweating out in a sauna - all things you can fit in a weekend break!<br />
<strong>How to get there:</strong> Fly to Larnaca Airport where Nicosia is a 30-minute drive away.</p>
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Experience two thousand years of history in southern Germany's Bavarian city, Regensburg. The 850-year-old Stone Bridge is a medieval masterpiece at 330 metres long and is the oldest preserved stone bridge in the country. For a trip to remember, take a guided tour through the Prince Thurn and Taxis Palace Museum displaying history dating back to the 12th century, eat at the oldest sausage kitchen in the world, the Sausage Kitchen and stroll through the twisting lanes and hidden courtyards of the old town, where you'll find some charming independent shops.<br />
<strong>How to get there: </strong>Fly to Munich and catch a direct train from the airport to Regensburg, which takes about an hour and a half.</p>
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Fancy a boozy weekend with style? Reims in the north-east of France is the champagne capital and home to the Veuve Clicquot (veuve-clicquot.com) house, where you can learn the secrets of its champagne production and take a guided tour of the cellars. Other highlights include the Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral - known as the Westminster Abbey of France, the lively Place Drouet d'Erlon with its many bars and restaurants, and the charming sweet shops, like Chocolaterie des Sacres ( HYPERLINK "http://www.chocolaterie-des-sacres.com/" http://www.chocolaterie-des-sacres.com/) and Maison Fossier (fossier.fr), which is famous for its pink biscuits that you dip in champagne!<br />
<strong>How to get there:</strong> Travel by train with Eurostar from London to Paris, then Paris to Reims via TGV Est.</p>
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The baroque city of Turin is a must for architect lovers and is the car capital of Italy, being the home of Fiat automobiles. Around the city you'll find the towering Mole Antoniella building - a symbol of Turin, the spectacular Superga Basilica (pictured), which overlooks the city in the hills and a variety of historic cafés. Try Al Bicerin ( bicerin.it) for its delicious bicerin - a mixture of espresso, chocolate and fresh cream.<br />
<strong>How to get there: </strong>Fly direct from the UK to Turin Airport</p>
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Peter Allinson
Here's how to infuse the long winter months with colour, carnivals and adventure. We asked National Geographic editors to recommend their favourite trips for winter, spanning the globe and transcending the season....
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During the <a href="http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/winterlicious/2012/post.htm" target="_blank">Winterlicious </a>foodie festival (January 25 to February 7) you can nosh your way through Toronto's diverse neighbourhoods. Culinary events include affordable <em>prix fixe </em>menus at more than 100 of the city's top restaurants, such as Trevor Kitchen and Bar. Work up an appetite with an afternoon skate outside city hall at Nathan Phillips Square or at Natrel Rink at <a href="http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/skateculture/" target="_blank">Harbourfront Centre</a>.</p>
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Between mid-December and early March, Yellowstone is a winter wonderland best explored on foot, cross-country skis, or snowshoes. The park stays open all year round, but in winter most roads are closed to wheeled vehicles. <a href="http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/lodging-and-learning-193.html" target="_blank">Lodging and Learning</a> packages offered by Yellowstone National Park Lodges and the Yellowstone Association Institute make it easy to stay and play in the park. Guided winter programmes offer wildlife expeditions (view bison, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, coyotes and wolves), cross-country ski day treks, and Winter Wolf Discoveries.</p>
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Advent in Salzburg delivers a multi-sensory infusion of gingerbread-warm holiday spirit. Festivities begin in early December with informal and organised <em>Krampuslaufe </em>or Krampus processions. According to legend, the shaggy, horned demon Krampus frightens naughty children, while his benevolent counterpart St Nicholas rewards the nice ones. The town of Grodig is well known for its parades as well as its romantic holiday markets. Sip mulled wine, ices skate on the Mozartplazz, and ride Austria's oldest funicular railway, Festungsbahn, to view the surrounding snow-dusted panorama. After Christmas, from January 24 to February 3, there's the Mozarteum Foundation Mozart week, a classical music festival with opera productions, chamber music, soloists, and orchestral concerts.</p>
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The packed winter trails crisscrossing Chena State Recreation Area's 397 square miles of forests and alpine tundra are open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmachining, and winter mountain biking. On February 16, the final leg of the thousand-mile Yukon Quest international sled dog race runs through the recreation area along portions of the old Chena Hot Springs Winter Trail. Cheer on the teams, then stay at nearby <a href="http://www.chenahotsprings.com/" target="_blank">Chena Hot Springs Resort </a>and view the northern lights on the 13-passenger Snow Coach tour. </p>
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Carnival in Brazil's first capital (and former Portuguese colonial capital) is a cruising Afro-Brazilian dance party stretching mile after mile along city and coastal circuits. In 2013, Carnival runs from February 7 to February 13, but in Salvador, the partying continues through the morning of Ash Wednesday, when processions pulsate to Ondina Beach.</p>
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An 80-minute flight from Miami, the Caymans encompass three beautiful islands in the western Caribbean. On Grand Cayman, stroll along coral-sand Seven Mile Beach and swim with yearling green sea turtles in the saltwater lagoon at Cayman Turtle Farm. For an all-in-one Cayman getaway, make family-owned <a href="http://www.bracreef.com/index.html" target="_blank">Brac Reef Beach Resort </a>your home base for beachfront lodging, diving, snorkelling, kayaking and birding.</p>
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Located south-west of the Serengeti, the 7,809 square mile national park is an off-the-beaten-adventure-tour-track, offering a quieter, wider environment for exceptional game viewing and birding. January to April (the hot, short rainfall season) is considered the best time to view the park's more than 57 species. Book one of the eight luxury tents at secluded <a href="http://www.selous.com/jongomero-camp" target="_blank">Jongomero safari camp </a>for ranger-guided game drives and small-group walking safaris.</p>
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Hop on a high-speed bullet train in Taipei to zip across western Taiwan's valleys, plains and Central Mountain Range foothills. The Taiwan High Speed Rail western route runs over 152 miles of elevated rail from Taipei south to Kaohsiung. From February 23 to March 10, at the 2013 <a href="http://2013taiwanlantern.net/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41:the-information-of-2013-taiwan-lantern-festival-in-hsinchu-county-in-both-chinese-english-can-be-found-on-hsinchu-county-government-website-starting-from-oct-01-2012&catid=1:2012-08-29-02-41-09&Itemid=99" target="_blank">Taiwan Lantern Festival</a>, thousands of soaring and animated lanterns will illuminate the night sky of Taiwan's oldest city, Hsinchu County. </p>
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For exceptional sea kayaking and snorkelling along shallow reefs, secluded white sand beaches and unspoiled nature reserves, this reef system is perfect. <a href="http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/" target="_blank">National Geographic Expeditions </a>runs a small-group adventure to Belize which includes safari-style beach camping, snorkelling along the perimeter of the Great Blue Hole. Alternatively, book a private villa at all-inclusive <a href="http://www.turnefferesort.com/" target="_blank">Turneffe Island</a> resort.</p>
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Take a trip to Ice City, in the frosted reaches of north east China, to see the incredible ice sculptures. Huge palaces, pyramids, dragons mythical creatures, light and ice shows, ice skating and ice boxing championships are all there to dazzle you (and there are even frozen water slides to freeze your bottom on). The month long <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/heilongjiang/harbin/ice_snow.htm" target="_blank">Harbin Ice and Snow Festival </a>begins on January 5. Harbin is accessible via train or plane from Beijing or Shanghai.</p>
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Find out all the best places to go ice skating this season, from London's Winter Wonderland to Edinburgh's beautiful outdoor rink. We've teamed up with Visit England to find the coolest places around the country to get your skates on.
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24 November 2012 – 6 January 2013</p>
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<a href="http://www.theicefactor.co.uk" target="_blank">The Ice Factor</a>, York’s award-winning real ice rink, brings the Christmas magic back this season at York Designer Outlet. The Ice Factor becomes the centrepiece for Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland’s magical transformation. A giant 30ft Christmas tree will be in the centre of the ice rink as well as an illuminated reindeer forest. In addition to this will be an authentic British fun fair offering a variety of traditional fair rides, such as a chairoplane, a helter skelter and festive food and drink stalls, as well as the opportunity for children to visit Father Christmas in his grotto. Tickets cost £9.50 for adults and £8.50 for children. </p>
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22 November 2012 – 6 January 2013</p>
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If you need a break from Christmas shopping, this open-air ice rink is conveniently situated in the middle of Winchester’s Christmas market, next to <a href="http://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk/" target="_blank">Winchester Cathedral</a>. Glide and weave at leisure while the crowds mill about you and the Christmas lights sparkle overhead. To mark the opening of the ice rink, a spectacular lantern procession is led from Winchester’s Great Hall to the Cathedra on 22 November. The colourful paper lanterns, made from willow and coloured tissue paper, are lovingly made by families in workshops during the preceding weeks. Tickets cost £9.50 for adults, £5 for children and £30 for families. </p>
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1 December 2012 – 13 January 2013</p>
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With open-air ice skating, setting is everything. At Hampton Court Palace you can skate against a picture perfect backdrop and marvel at the famous maze and gardens all silvered with frost. The rink is just outside the West Front of the palace, so you can enjoy stunning panoramic views and an enchanting Christmas atmosphere. Tickets cost £12.50 for adults, £9 for children and £36 for families. <a href="http://www.hamptoncourticerink.com/">hamptoncourticerink.com</a></p>
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10 November 2012 – 20 January 2013</p>
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Following the huge success of previous years, the winter ice rink returns this year to the iconic setting of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion. This beautiful rink allows up to 250 skaters per session, with penguin stabilisers for younger skaters and a learners’ area for the unsure-footed. This year’s pop-up, rink-side restaurant will be Jamie Oliver’s ‘Fabulous Feasts’. Tickets cost £13 for adults, £8.50 for children and £34 for families. <a href="http://www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk/">royalpavilionicerink.co.uk</a></p>
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10 November 2012 – 24 February 2013</p>
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Skate with a star this festive season over six one-hour sessions with Susie Lipanova of ITV's Dancing on Ice at Newcastle’s Life (Life Science Centre). Susie will teach for 30 minutes leaving you the remaining 30 minutes to practice your moves and perfect your technique – with Susie on hand of course. Skate hire and a free cup of hot chocolate after each session is included in the price of the course. The course is suitable for participants of all levels, from total novices to people who can skate but are feeling a little rusty! A series of 6 skate sessions with Susie Lipanova costs £90.00 per person. Normal skate tickets at Life cost £7.95 for adults and £4.95 for children. <a href="http://www.life.org.uk/">life.org.uk</a></p>
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6 November 2012 – 6 January 2013</p>
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Celebrate the festive season in style at London’s most glamorous ice rink. Skate to a live soundtrack at one of the open-air Club Nights, back this year with an exclusive line-up of the hottest DJs around. Find your feet on the ice with Skate School and give your children their first glide on the ice with Penguin Club. Or simply soak up the atmosphere rink-side at Tom's Skate Lounge and pick up the perfect present at new pop-up shop, The Christmas Arcade. Tickets cost £15.55 for adults and £8.45 for children. Club night tickets cost £17 per person. <a href="http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink">somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink</a></p>
<p>
6 November 2012 – 6 January 2013</p>
<p class="p1">
Celebrate the festive season in style at London’s most glamorous ice rink. Skate to a live soundtrack at one of the open-air Club Nights, back this year with an exclusive line-up of the hottest DJs around. Find your feet on the ice with Skate School and give your children their first glide on the ice with Penguin Club. Or simply soak up the atmosphere rink-side at Tom's Skate Lounge and pick up the perfect present at new pop-up shop, The Christmas Arcade. Tickets cost £15.55 for adults and £8.45 for children. Club night tickets cost £17 per person. <a href="http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink">somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink</a></p>
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17 November 2012 – 6 January 2013</p>
<p class="p1">
Located in the moat and set against the magnificent fortress battlements, the Tower of London ice rink has surely one of the most stunning central London settings and is ideal for lunchtime skating, after-work gatherings, romantic dates and weekend afternoons out. Beautifully illuminated after dark, it makes a spectacular night time destination. Beside the ice rink, the Ice Bar & Cafe provides a welcome place to warm up after your skate, serving a selection of winter drinks and festive snacks. Tickets cost £13.00 for adults, £9 for children and £36.00 for families. <a href="http://www.toweroflondonicerink.co.uk/">toweroflondonicerink.co.uk</a></p>
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23 November 2012 – 24 February 2013</p>
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Set in a beautiful lakeside location, Trentham’s ice rink runs beside the mile-long capability Brown designed Trentham Lake. The ice rink complements the Winter Gardens, Italian Gardens and sweeping parkland of this 725-acre estate. Test your skills on the ice, take a bracing walk through the beautiful wintery scenery and then relax with a hot drink and snacks at the rink side café. Trentham’s picturesque ice rink is open from 23 November right through until February half term. Tickets cost £8.50 for adults and £6.75 for children. <a href="http://www.trentham.co.uk/">trentham.co.uk</a></p>
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2 November 2012 – 6 January 2013</p>
<p class="p1">
Make the move from the museum’s dinosaur skeletons to the ice rink quick enough and it’ll feel like a mini Ice Age! This 950-metre ice-rink is surrounded by some of London’s most iconic museums. Enjoy the Christmas lights above and the lively festive atmosphere of one of city’s most popular Christmas attractions. Tickets cost £14.85 for adults, £9.90 for children and £41.80 for families. <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/">nhm.ac.uk</a></p>
More than 60,000 people headed to beaches across north Queensland to witness the first total solar eclipse in the region for more than 1,300 years. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Clouds in the area had threatened to ruin the view of the amazing natural phenomenon, but huge cheers erupted when the clouds parted to reveal the total eclipse that plunged the area into darkness.
Starting just after dawn, the eclipse cast its 150-kilometre (95-mile) shadow in Australia's Northern Territory, crossed the northeast tip of the country and was swooping east across the South Pacific, where no islands are in its direct path.
Totality lasted just over two minutes from 6.38am local time.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.AFP/Getty
The stunning spectacle attracted thousands of eclipse tourists to Queensland with the state government estimating that 50,000 to 60,000 people made the trip.
According to the Daily Telegraph, they included three charter flights with 1,200 scientists from Japan, while six cruise ships were moored off the coast, hot air balloons dotted the skies, and people crammed on scuba diving boats and tour boats to get their pics.
One man, Hank Harper, 61, and his two children, flew all the way from Los Angeles just to see the eclipse, and thought the clouds would ruin their adventure.
The three of joined other tourists and staff from Hot Air Balloon Cairns, and held their breath for a great view.
He told the Daily Mail: "We gambled everything - drove through the rain and didn't even know if the balloon was going to go up. It was everything I could have hoped for."
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.AFP/Getty
Accommodation in the area was also solidly booked, from five-star hotels to campsites.
One tourist said: "It was absolutely nerve-wrecking right up until the last minute, and then Queensland delivered."
Another witness said: "Absolutely amazing, and then more. I think I just feel tiny. I feel like a little ant, insignificant. You know, you see the movement of the Earth, and it's just... wow."
And another onlooker said: "The oohs and the aahs, the tears and the cheers, it was absolutely everything we hoped it would be, so we're very happy."
An eclipse occurs when the moon passes in front of the sun, which darkens the sky and causes temperatures to drop.
See the time-lapse footage of the eclipse over Queensland here:
Weird weather and strange phenomena around the world
<p>
Tornados have been ripping through parts of the USA at an alarming rate during 2011. This example was captured on camera in Limestone County, Alabama, in April. A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air that it is contact with a cumulonimbus cloud and the ground. Also called twisters, they’re characterised by the condensation funnel that touches the earth, and are surrounded by clouds of dust or debris.</p>
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On 11 January, 2010, two pranksters decided to drive their car along the frozen Union Canal in Winchburgh, West Lothian, Scotland. Unfortunately for them, the thaw had already started to set in. The canal froze solid during he longest spell of freezing weather in the UK for almost 30 years.</p>
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This dust storm engulfed the desert city of Bikaner, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan on 2 April, 2010. The town was already broiling in temperatures of 39C. Dust storms happen when strong wind carries loose sand and dust away from one area and deposits it in another.</p>
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This image of the Northern lights was captured in the Takotna, Alaska checkpoint during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in March 2011. Occurring just within the Arctic and Antarctic circles, the Northern lights – or Aurora borealis, to give them their Latin name – are the light display in the sky caused by the collision of charged particles directed by the Earth's magnetic field.</p>
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This impressive rainbow resulted from a spectacular storm and was photographed in Brandon Hill Park near Clifton, Bristol, in the UK on 27 August, 2010. The rainbow seems to rise from the top of Cabot Tower - which is itself 105ft tall - showing its immense scale. Rainbows are an optical phenomenon that occur when the sun shines on to moisture droplets in the atmosphere. </p>
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</p>
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This set of footprints in freezing rain was snapped in Lexington, Kentucky, USA on 16 December, 2010. Rain that falls and becomes ‘supercooled’ when surface temperatures are below freezing point can freeze on impact with anything it touches, unlike snow which remains only partially frozen. The resulting ice is known as glaze. Freezing rain is one of the deadliest weather conditions, bringing down power line and causing numerous road traffic accidents and personal injury.</p>
<p>
This example of smog was pictured hanging over Moscow, on 7 August, 2010, and was caused by the billowing smoke from peat bog and forest fires. Smog was originally a description of the pollution resulting from factory smoke and fog in the 1900s. Today it’s more often caused when sunlight reacts with car exhaust, coal power plants or factory emissions and the compounds released from petrol, paints and solvents.</p>
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This crashing wave was caused by the approaching of the Hurricane Earl in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, in August, 2010. Earl battered some islands across the northeastern Caribbean with heavy rain and roof-ripping winds, rapidly intensifying into a major storm on a path projected to menace the United States. Hurricanes are triggered by low pressure areas forming over warm ocean waters.</p>
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In March 2011, the 'supermoon' was the closest it had been to earth for18 years lighting up the night sky from just 221,567 miles (356,577 kilometers) away. This snap was taken from Huntington Beach in Los Angeles.</p>
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Rainstorms come and go, but not usually as dramatically as this downpour which completely flooded the town of Wuzhou in southwest China on 9 June, 2010, proving that the trusty umbrella isn’t always protection enough...</p>
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Ash covered everything for thousands of miles after the eruption of Iceland's Grimsvotn volcano in May 2011 sent clouds of ash high into the air, carrying it toward the European continent on the wind, disrupting flights for the second time in less than a year.</p>
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This magnificent lightning strike hit a tower during a thunderstorm in Zurich, Switzerland on 12 August, 2010. Lightning occurs when the balance between the negative charge of storm clouds and the positive charge of the earth is redressed by a current passing between the two - with literally stunning results.</p>
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This halo around the sun was photographed on the island of Spitsbergen in the Arctic Circle on 19 April, 2011. These halos - spectacular and eerie at the same time - are caused by ice crystals in high clouds. They tend to occur during the summer months, during ‘midnight sun’ season in the Arctic and Antarctic Circles.</p>
Food poisoning, lost limbs and mental breakdowns are just some of the added "extras" you're warned about at the Hans Brinker Budget Hotel in Amsterdam, the self-proclaimed worst hotel in the world.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Its reverse-psychology advertising campaign includes slogans such as "It can't get any worse. But we'll do our best", and its website triumphs: "It's a cheap, dirty, cold, poorly lit youth hostel in Amsterdam.... It has been disappointing travellers for 40 years. Boasting levels of comfort comparable to a minimum-security prison"
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
The hotel, which claims to be a "cheap, dirty cold" youth hostel offering "mediocre, cheap accommodation" says it has "spectacularly un-spacious suites, each of which does not feature a flat screen TV, a double bed or free access to our non-existent swimming pool an spa area."
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Anyone in search of eco-friendly hotels in the city would do well to choose it, as it saves a bundle on washing. There aren't any towels; instead, guests are advised to use the curtains to dry off. And the fact that the lift is permanently broken means that lots of energy is saved there, too.
Critical acclaim on the site includes:
"What can I say? It was cheap. But not that cheap. I mean, a bus shelter offers the same facilities." - Charlotte, Texas.
"What is that smell? I demand to know what that smell is."
- Lisa, Oklahoma.
Amazingly, it looks like this "honest" approach works. The hotel says business is booming, with a high percentage of the hotel's 511 beds in 127 rooms occupied year-round...
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Worse still, a hell-raiser like Charlie Sheen on the same floor could cause you a sleepless night. At a 2010 visit to the Plaza Hotel, he hit the headlines for going on a drink-and-drug fuelled rampage involving a porn star and a trashed hotel room... Nice.</p>
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For some of us (especially those of us escaping from our children), a night in a hotel is the only chance we get for a good night's sleep, so it's annoying enough to be disturbed by any noise, but when you're being kept awake by sounds of screaming and/or gunshots, it's definitely time for an early check-out. One hapless traveller staying in a US hotel was woken by the sound of voices screaming 'Open that exit! Open that exit!'. She gathered her things and fled, only to find a class of flight attendants practising emergency drills in the corridor.</p>
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Organised murder mystery weekends at country house hotels are one thing, but when you turn up at a remote hotel and the manager proudly tells you about the famous ghost that haunts the premises, you might want to pack your bags. Although, according to <a href="http://www.paranormaldatabase.com/" target="_blank">paranormal </a><a href="http://www.paranormaldatabase.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s1">database.com</span></a> (and we'll leave it to you to decide how reliable a source of information that is), there's a hotel in Amersham in Buckinghamshire where the ghost of an old maid will actually pack your bags for you...</p>
<p>
Ah, the wonders of Photoshop... Many an innocent traveller has been lured into booking in to a stunning new hotel based on pictures that have conveniently erased all traces of the cranes and diggers which still surround it. One such guest recently stayed at the Ganjeli Plaza Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan (of recent Eurovision fame) to find it 'still being built, complete with drilling at odd hours' and 'terrifying electrics'. Our top tip? Check out Google Earth to see how it <i>really</i> looks.</p>
<p>
Obviously, we don't mean actual limbs (although this would, without doubt, be an indicator of a bad hotel), but when you can tell the previous guest's hair colour, nail length and type of contact lens from physical clues left in the room, leave. And don't get us started on hair. There are things that are meant to be hairy: cute dogs, Tom Jones' chest, Highland cows... and then there are things that just shouldn't. The bar of soap in your hotel bathroom is one of them.</p>
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I once stayed in a five star hotel in India to find a massive (small dog-sized) rat crouching behind my pillow. The fact that the complimentary fruit and chocolates had been nibbled by someone other than me should have been a warning. Eventually, housekeeping caught the gigantic rodent, but it didn't make for a great night's sleep.</p>
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</p>
<p>
It tells you a lot about a hotel's clientele when the establishment has obviously learnt by experience that anything not nailed down will be nicked. Like that they're probably more used to the environs of a prison cell than a hotel room. But even the best hotels are susceptible to the klepto customers - The Scotsman in Edinburgh reports clocks off the wall and coffee makers going walkabout...</p>
<p>
Hen and stag dos are great when you're actually on them, but for innocent bystanders caught in the vortex, they can be a living nightmare. A guest at the Andalucia Plaza hotel in Marbella described on TripAdvisor 'drunk men, shouting, swearing and shameful behaviour. The security guard dragged one male away after he was waving his little friend around at the pool side cafe.' It's enough to put you off your chorizo boccadillo. Avoid.</p>
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Staying in the same hotel as both Rihanna and Justin Beiber (who recently stayed in the same hotel in Sydney) may sound like a pretty thrilling prospect if you're a teenage girl or boy, but for the average guest sharing a roof with a huge celebrity, it just means manic security, hassled staff, crowds of screaming press and pre-pubescents - and the certain knowledge that someone else has bagged the best rooms.</p>
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When you arrive and the leering receptionist asks you how many hours you'd like the room for, you can be pretty sure it's not the classiest hotel in the area.</p>
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Have you stayed in this hotel, or are you thinking of booking in? Tell us your opinions below!
Already skied the Alps, Dolomites, Colorodo and more? Discover the places you didn't know you could ski, like Mount Etna, and other surprising ski spots below...
<p>
Not a destination for beginners or the faint-hearted, Kashmir in northern India offers some of the best adventure skiing on untouched slopes. Until recently it was off limits to tourists due to a long-standing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, but the region is now open and ready for action. The resort of Gulmarg is Kashmir’s ski hub and boasts the world’s highest gondola, whisking skiers up to the giddy heights of 13,400ft from where there are magical landscapes and challenges with sheer drops, deep powder and pine-littered terrain. Kashmir is no Val d’Isère and the ungroomed slopes do not have the same polish and infrastructure as most well-known resorts, but it is a wild mountain with extreme beauty in the land of snow leopards, monkeys and eagles, making it a truly unique spot for skiing. Book a trip with Asia travel specialists <a href="http://www.ampersandtravel.com/" target="_blank">Ampersand Travel</a>, which offers an Unknown Kashmir Ski package.</p>
<p>
Just over an hour away from the vibrant city of Beirut lies Lebanon's premier ski resort, Mzaar, which is spread across the slopes of Ouyoune El-Simane in the village of Kfardebian. The ski season is from December to March, like many European resorts; making it a great alternative if you've already skied Austria, Italy and France. Blessed with a high elevation of up to 2,465m, the resort has incredible snow cover offering 80km of groomed ski runs. Mzaar is also famous for its après-ski entertainment and nightlife and many Lebanese residents come just for the dinner and parties!</p>
<p>
You've probably never heard of this tiny country surrounded by South Africa, let alone its ski offering at <a href="http://www.afriski.net/#/home" target="_blank">Afri Ski</a>, which is Africa's premier resort. Located in the Maloti Mountain range 3,322 metres above sea level, Afri Ski offers stunning views of the sweeping African landscape below and a one-kilometre ski slope, plus a variety of accommodation, a ski school and equipment rental. What we love most is that it operates during its winter months of June to August so while there is little snow in Europe, you can head to Africa for summer skiing!</p>
<p>
In the land of endless possibilities, you can even ski in Dubai at the Middle East's first indoor ski resort, <a href="https://www.theplaymania.com/skidubai" target="_blank">Ski Dubai</a>. Located in the Mall of Emirates, Ski Dubai is an amazing winter wonderland (in the desert!) where you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing - or just playing in the snow. Probably the most fun place to hit the slopes, Ski Dubai also has a giant ball so you can roll down the snow, a ski lift for you to do a bit of sightseeing and even real snow penguins you can meet!</p>
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Looking to ski closer to home? Cumbria's <a href="http://www.yadmoss.co.uk/" target="_blank">Yad Moss</a> has up to eight runs (depending on snow cover), mostly graded blue with a variety of terrain and conditions that can make these some of the most challenging blue runs anywhere. The width of the ski area can vary from several metres to 500 metres in some places and it is served by a fast Poma button tow, which is unsuitable for inexperienced skiers. Who needs to catch a flight to the Alps when you can ski right here?</p>
<p>
The Mediterranean has plenty of wonderful beach spots but did you know you can ski in some parts too? In Cyprus, the mountain range of Troodos has four ski slopes on its highest peak Mount Olympus, with one reaching 6,400ft above sea level. Troodos stretches across most of the western side of Cyprus and is characterised by Byzantine monasteries and churches on mountain peaks, villages clinging to terraced hill slopes and picturesque mountains. Accommodation ranges from traditional guesthouses to five-star hotels, mostly in the village of Platres or Kakopetria.</p>
<p>
We bet you never thought you could ski down an active volcano. In Sicily, the infamous Mount Etna is a great spot for thrill-seekers, where the smell of sulphur and the heat near the crater add to the exciting experience. The volcano has two main ski centres, one on the south side (Rifugio Sapienza) with around five pistes and another on the north side (Piano Provenzana) with one piste. It's not the most obvious place to hit the slopes, but Sicily is a unique place to ski and when you've had enough of icy Etna, the warm coast of Catania is just a 40-minute drive away, giving you the chance to hit the slopes and beach in a day!</p>
<p>
Think of Morocco and you probably picture ancient architecture, large souks and the sweltering heat of Marrakech in the summer, but situated about 80km from the Red City in the Atlas Mountains is Oukaimeden, one of Africa's top ski resorts with the continent's highest ski lift reaching 10,825ft. January and February are the best months to ski in Oukaimeden. Once you've reached the peak of Jebel Attar, there are five runs to ski to the bottom (the longest is three kilometres) and a one-day ski pass costs just £7. It's not just about skiing either, as there is a large sledging area for families and you can take the ski lift to admire the magnificent views over the Atlas Mountains.</p>
<p>
Yes, you read that right and it is sand in the photo! In Namibia it is possible to ski on the sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Although it is less popular than skiing on snow due it being very difficult to build mechanised ski lifts on sand dunes, skiing or snowboarding on sand can be one of the most adventurous ways to explore the desert. <a href="http://www.ski-namibia.com/?" target="_blank">Ski Namibia</a>, set up by Henrik May, a Guinness Book of World Records holder for reaching the sand-skiing speed of 92.12km/h, offers downhill, telemark and cross country skiing in Namibia. The tours are run by Henrik himself and are tailored so you decide how many ascents you want to do and the number of kilometres you would like to cover.</p>
<p>
It may be better known for its rugged coastline and indigenous creatures, but Tasmania is also home to skiing - and it's a brilliant place for families. Ben Lomond is popular for its fantastic range of slopes and accommodation. At the top of the 1,500-metre summit you can see the contrasting beauty of the island while you ski down the mountain on what could probably be the most unconventional Australian holiday!</p>
Nine-night Canary Islands cruise from £499 per person
Virgin Holidays Cruises (0844 488 3084) is offering a nine-night cruise holiday on Norwegian Spirit from Barcelona to Funchal, Santa Cruz, Arrecife, Malaga and back to Barcelona from £499 per person. The price is based on two adults travelling on 3 December and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes flights from London Gatwick and resort transfers.
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Save 25 per cent on a winter sun escape in Bali
Hayes & Jarvis (0844 415 1918) is offering a seven-night break at the four-star Aston Bali Beach Resort & Spa in Bali available from £749 per person - saving you 25 per cent (£251 per person). The package, for a 3 December departure, includes B&B accommodation, return Etihad Airways flights from London Heathrow and transfers.
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Save £229 per person on a family Christmas break in Austria
Inghams (01483 791 114) is offering a festive family break to Niederau in Austria from £599 per person, with a saving of £229 per person. Nestled in the Wildschonau valley, the traditional village of Niederau boasts nursery slopes, free lift passes for children up to six years old and a range of activities including sleigh-rides, tobogganing and snow tubing. The package includes seven nights half-board accommodation at the 3.5-star Hotel Austria, departing on 22 December. The price includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, free après ski snacks and resort transfers. Flights are also available from Bristol, Manchester (+£19), Birmingham (+£39), Edinburgh (+£59) and Stansted (+£19).
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Livrario Lello, Portugal. Rex
From spiral staircases to Rococo style works of art, there's nothing like making a grand entrance. We've scoured the globe to find the stairs that will tempt you to skip the lift. Feast your eyes on the world's most spectacular staircases and tell us your favourite below!
<p>
This cool sculpture is a piece of art designed by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, which the office workers of global accounting firm KPMG in Munich can enjoy on their way in to work. The architectural staircase, called Umschreibung (Rewriting), is a nine-metre-high double spiral of sleek steel. While it doesn't actually lead to anywhere and cannot be climbed, it makes for a great view - especially when looking for a distraction from work!</p>
<p>
This impressive staircase can be found in Melk Abbey, one of the world's most famous monastic sites located above the town of Melk and overlooking the river Danube. The rooms of the castle-turned-monastery contain permanent exhibitions and visitors come from all over the world to browse its ornate library and famous frescoes by Paul Troger. Don't miss the marble hall, a stunning example of Baroque architecture.</p>
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The famous Chand Baori step well in the village of Abhaneri in Rajasthan, India, is one of the country's architectural wonders and one of the most intriguing staircases in the world. The step well is located opposite Harshat Mata Temple and was built in the ninth century with 3,500 narrow steps and 13 stories. With a depth of 100ft, it is the deepest step well in India and was constructed to try to solve the problem of water shortages in Rajasthan.</p>
<p>
One of the most exquisite bookshops in the world, Livrario Lello in the Portuguese city of Porto is home to this lavish red staircase, making its interior as stunning as its incredible Art Nouveau and Gothic Revival facade. Lello is one of the oldest bookshops in Portugal and opened in 1901. While the staircase is its centrepiece, with carved wooden banisters and glossy red steps, the shop also features a marvellous stained glass ceiling and ornate wooden shelves holding books from every era and genre.</p>
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China's piano style stairs built at Wulin Plaza in Hangzhou make the appropriate musical notes when stood on. The 54 steps were installed to encourage people to walk instead of lazily take the escalator. The only problem could be too much noise if everyone starts taking the stairs!</p>
<p>
The wonderful staircase at Hartenfels Castle dates back to the 16th century and resembles a snail's shell. During East German times it had to be closed to the public due to its decaying condition and in 1991 the first plans were initiated to restore the intriguing stairway made from sandstone and consisting of 53 steps. The stairs are around 20 metres high and are situated in the inner courtyard of the castle in Torgau.</p>
<p>
The Grand Staircase within the <a href="http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras" target="_blank">St Pancras Renaissance London Hotel</a> is known as one of Europe's grandest stairways and is among the most beautiful hotel staircases in the world. It has been the backdrop to films, such as Batman Returns, and the Spice Girls' music video for the song Wannabe. Blessed with a cathedral-like ceiling thanks to Sir Gilbert Scott's design it is now a stairway to explore and discover the Victorian age of industry and commerce.</p>
<p>
It may look like a rollercoaster but this unusual sculpture is in fact a staircase stretched through all kinds of curves. Located in Duisburg, Germany, the Tiger & Turtle - Magic Mountain sculpture is the creation of German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth. The interactive sculpture features 249 steps for visitors to explore in the day, when they can take in the views above the Rhine, and at night when the LED lights on the handrails illuminate the staircase. The loop is the only part that cannot be climbed and is closed off by a barrier.</p>
<p>
This Brazilian masterpiece in Rio is the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron who considers it as 'a personal tribute to the Brazilian people.' Selaron's Stairs, a mosaic staircase made from vibrant yellow, green and blue tiles inspired by the Brazilian flag, connects the neighbourhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa. The staircase consists of 250 steps and measures 125m long. Selaron began work on the stairway in 1990, creating a constantly evolving piece of art, which now has over 2,000 brightly-coloured tiles collected from over 60 countries. The 65-year-old claims 'this crazy and unique dream will only end on the day of my death.'</p>
<p>
The privately-owned Palazzo Biscari in Catania is home to this stunning white Rococo-style staircase decorated with stucco and beautiful frescoes above the door of the gallery. Built in the 17th century, the palace features a large double staircase in the inner courtyard, the Feasts Hall with a complex arrangement of mirrors, stuccoes and frescoes painted by Matteo Desiderato, plus a small dome for the orchestra. <strong>Image: </strong>Domenica Prinzivalli / <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/orpheus1974/" target="_blank">Flickr/Mire74</a></p>
<p>
This spectacular handrail designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932 is a masterpiece of the <a href="http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html" target="_blank">Vatican Museums</a> in Italy. It is unlikely that when commissioning it the Vatican expected the Simonetti Staircase to become one of the most photographed pieces in the museums - but it did! Made up of two wrought iron stairways (one going up and one coming down) that curve in a double helix, the Momo Staircase, as it is also known, was once used by all visitors to the museums on their way in but the entrance has been moved so it is no longer on the route. Be sure to stop and admire it on your way out.</p>
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Get ready to climb if you're visiting the Portuguese sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, as its monumental Baroque staircase is one of its best features, climbing 116 metres. The glorious ornamental stairway of granite and white plaster was commissioned by Braga's vertically challenged archbishop in 1723 and took 60 years to complete. Although there is no reason for its presence, the staircase remains the object of devoted pilgrimage and many penitents climb up on their knees.</p>
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The most prominent interior features of the <a href="http://assembly.state.ny.us/" target="_blank">New York State Capitol</a> building are its three major staircases, which were lavishly carved in a variety of stone. The Million Dollar Staircase, officially named the Great Western Staircase, took 14 years to construct, from 1883 to 1897. As you may have guessed by its name, the staircase cost more than one million dollars. It was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson and built by Isaac Perry, and is renowned as an outstanding example of American architectural stone-carving excellence containing 444 steps and reaching a height of 119ft. Over 500 stone cutters and carvers were employed at various times to complete the staircase and it features famous American faces, such as Lincoln, Washington and Grant, beautifully carved into the sandstone.</p>
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Located on the a man-made island in Doha Bay in Qatar, the <a href="http://www.mia.org.qa/landing/index.php/en/" target="_blank">Museum of Islamic Art</a> houses a collection of 4,500 pieces of Islamic art. The building's own masterpiece is its grand double staircase set below a geometric dome in the main entrance of the museum. The steps are cut into its underside giving the illusion of an upside down staircase.</p>
<p>
With striped stairs that create a dizzying effect when reflected in the mirrored walls and sparkly chandeliers, this staircase at luxury five-star Parisian hotel <a href="http://www.leroyalmonceau.com/" target="_blank">Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris</a> is the masterpiece of designer Philippe Starck who transformed the hotel in 2010 and created a sleek and stylish stairway. There's more to the hotel than spectacular steps, such as a cool cinema, 149 bedrooms reflecting Starck's fresh style and one of Paris's largest hotel swimming pools.</p>
<p>
Created by Irish ceramist Aileen Barr and mosaic artist Colette Crutcher, <a href="http://www.tiledsteps.org/" target="_blank">The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps</a>, tucked away in the quiet neighbourhood of Golden Gate Heights on 16th and Moraga, is a stunning work of art and one of San Francisco's hidden gems. The 163 steps contain 2,000 handmade tiles and 75,000 fragments of tile, mirror and stained glass, which make up scenes of the land, sea and sky. The project involved community workshops and donated tiles were incorporated into the design with over 200 local residents helping to create the panels.</p>
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In London, the elegant Tulip Stairs of the <a href="http://www.rmg.co.uk/queens-house/" target="_blank">Queen's House</a> in Greenwich were the first geometric self-supporting spiral stairs in Britain. Although the stairs are named after tulips, it is believed the flowers in the wrought-iron balustrade are actually fleurs-de-lis. The Tulip Stairs are the location of Rev R. W. Hardy's famous 'ghost' photograph, taken on 19 June 1966, which revealed what appeared to be two or three shrouded figures on the staircase.</p>
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Adorned with a plethora of arches and resembling the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the external spiral staircase of the small Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo in Venice is the building's best known feature. Known as the Scala Contarini del Bovolo (of the snail), the staircase leads to an arcade, offering a charming panoramic view over the rooftops of Venice.</p>
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Dame Zaha Hadid was the creator of the sleek, futuristic staircase at Rome's <a href="http://www.fondazionemaxxi.it/?lang=en" target="_blank">Maxxi - National Museum of the 21st Century Arts</a>. The architect used swooping curves, impossible angles and dramatic views to style the museum of 21st-century art's staircase in 2009. What's more, the extraordinary stairs were finished in the thick black primer used as an undercoat for new cars and they rise up through the lobby with bare metal treads, disappearing far into the museum. Stairs aside, the Maxxi National Museum consists of two museums - MAXXI art and MAXXI architecture and there is a large outdoor courtyard for large-scale works of art to be installed.</p>
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We're in love with this elegant staircase at the Electoral Palace in the city of Trier, Germany. The south wing stairway oozes rococo glamour and style, and was the creation of artists Johannes Siez and Ferdinand Tietz in 1756. The building is one of the last examples of German Renaissance architecture and was once the residence of the Archbishop of Mainz.</p>
Nearly half of Europe's commercial airline pilots say they have fallen asleep while in control of an aircraft, says a disturbing new report.
A study of 6,000 pilots, carried out by the European Cockpit Association (ECA), says that between 43 and 54 per cent had drifted off "involuntarily" while flying. And one third of these claimed they had woken up to find their colleagues were also asleep.
The ECA is campaigning to highlight the safety issues caused by long flying hours. It says that fatigue among pilots is a common, dangerous and under-reported phenomenon in Europe.
Speaking to the Daily Express, a spokesman for the pilots' group said: "Long duty and standby hours, night flights and disruptive schedules often result in long times awake, sleep deprivation and are followed by insufficient rest and poor sleep opportunities."
The Daily Mail says that around 75 per cent of exhausted pilots admitted that they would not declare themselves unfit to fly for fear of being stigmatised by their employers or left facing disciplinary action.
The results of the ECA study come at a critical time. Last month, the European Aviation Safety Agency published proposals for new rules on flight and duty times and rest requirements for pilots.
Under the new rules, pilots could be expected to land commercial jets after being awake for stretches of up to 22 hours.
The proposals have been criticised by pilot organisations including the ECA, which says they will cause "significant consequences" for passengers.
"Fatigue impairs the judgment and ability of air crews to react quickly - with potentially disastrous consequences, as demonstrated by recent accidents," said Philip von Schoppenthau, ECA general secretary.
Last month, a Freedom of Information request put forward by The Sun newspaper revealed that two pilots had fallen asleep while in charge of passenger planes. In both incidents, captains who had been on breaks had returned to the cockpit to find their co-pilots slumped over the controls.
Earlier this year, film maker Vincent Urban took a journey through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil in a rusty old landrover.
He and his fellow photographers captured pretty much every moment of their trip to make this incredible video. Combining bustling cities, starry skies, deserts, animals, people, waterfalls and much more, this Vimeo video is a delight that will stir the wonderlust in all of us...
Rude hotel guests beware: one travel industry worker as revealed the great lengths some staff members will go to exact their revenge on you.
Former hotel employee Jacob Tomsky has written a book, called Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotel, Hustlers and So-Called Hospitality, which details all the dirty tricks hotel staff use to give rude guests their "just desserts".
Tomsky worked in luxury hotels for more than a decade, from valet parking to manning the front desk, and has now decided to spill the industry's revenge secrets, which include "soiling" toothbrushes and minibar mayhem.
He revealed that wealthier guests are nearly always the rudest and, according to the Daily Mail, said: "A lot of people are watching Downton Abbey now, and they think, 'Oh, I've got servants, too!'.
"Especially the affluent, they treat people as they never would otherwise. Meanwhile, hardworking people - who might be getting screwed - won't say anything.
"It's the people who have way more money who want everything now, and they want it for free."
Find out five top hotel staff revenge acts below:
No room for an upgrade: If you arrive at front desk with an attitude, you could well find yourself in the worst room in the hotel. According to news.com.au, Tomsky says: "You probably could have had a really nice suite. And you'll never know it. I became the master of instant karma."
Toothbrush tainting: You might want to keep your toothbrush hidden if you've been rude to staff at a hotel, says Tomsky. Your pegs-polisher could find itself "fouled".
Glass half full: Of furniture polish, rather than soap and water... Apparently, it makes them sparkle.
Keybombing: According to the New York Post, Tomsky says if you've been having trouble accessing your room with your key card, it means you've annoyed someone at the desk, and they'll re-activate your key card when they see fit, in a move that's known as "keybombing".
Minibar misdemeanours: Remember to check your bill, as put-out hotel staff steal from minibars and deliberately up your costs.
According to the New York Post, Tomsky's book offers an "often hilarious exposé of unethical practices combined with sympathetic tips for you, the poor, hapless consumer."
The site says hotel guests also provide "comic relief" for hotel workers, who, as soon as you go out, may rifle through your room, sniff your underwear, and read your notes and faxes.
Staff also use vacant rooms to have sex in, sometimes just an hour or so before you check in. And guess what? It probably happened on top of your bed, and housekeeping was probably never called.
So how can you try and ensure you don't suffer any of this treatment? The obvious one is, of course, don't be rude.
Tomsky says the power of a tip shouldn't be underestimated, but, most importantly, be nice: remember names, make eye contact, say please and thank you.
He says: "There's nothing better than giving someone a great stay just because you like them.
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Worse still, a hell-raiser like Charlie Sheen on the same floor could cause you a sleepless night. At a 2010 visit to the Plaza Hotel, he hit the headlines for going on a drink-and-drug fuelled rampage involving a porn star and a trashed hotel room... Nice.</p>
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For some of us (especially those of us escaping from our children), a night in a hotel is the only chance we get for a good night's sleep, so it's annoying enough to be disturbed by any noise, but when you're being kept awake by sounds of screaming and/or gunshots, it's definitely time for an early check-out. One hapless traveller staying in a US hotel was woken by the sound of voices screaming 'Open that exit! Open that exit!'. She gathered her things and fled, only to find a class of flight attendants practising emergency drills in the corridor.</p>
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Organised murder mystery weekends at country house hotels are one thing, but when you turn up at a remote hotel and the manager proudly tells you about the famous ghost that haunts the premises, you might want to pack your bags. Although, according to <a href="http://www.paranormaldatabase.com/" target="_blank">paranormal </a><a href="http://www.paranormaldatabase.com/" target="_blank"><span class="s1">database.com</span></a> (and we'll leave it to you to decide how reliable a source of information that is), there's a hotel in Amersham in Buckinghamshire where the ghost of an old maid will actually pack your bags for you...</p>
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Ah, the wonders of Photoshop... Many an innocent traveller has been lured into booking in to a stunning new hotel based on pictures that have conveniently erased all traces of the cranes and diggers which still surround it. One such guest recently stayed at the Ganjeli Plaza Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan (of recent Eurovision fame) to find it 'still being built, complete with drilling at odd hours' and 'terrifying electrics'. Our top tip? Check out Google Earth to see how it <i>really</i> looks.</p>
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Obviously, we don't mean actual limbs (although this would, without doubt, be an indicator of a bad hotel), but when you can tell the previous guest's hair colour, nail length and type of contact lens from physical clues left in the room, leave. And don't get us started on hair. There are things that are meant to be hairy: cute dogs, Tom Jones' chest, Highland cows... and then there are things that just shouldn't. The bar of soap in your hotel bathroom is one of them.</p>
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I once stayed in a five star hotel in India to find a massive (small dog-sized) rat crouching behind my pillow. The fact that the complimentary fruit and chocolates had been nibbled by someone other than me should have been a warning. Eventually, housekeeping caught the gigantic rodent, but it didn't make for a great night's sleep.</p>
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It tells you a lot about a hotel's clientele when the establishment has obviously learnt by experience that anything not nailed down will be nicked. Like that they're probably more used to the environs of a prison cell than a hotel room. But even the best hotels are susceptible to the klepto customers - The Scotsman in Edinburgh reports clocks off the wall and coffee makers going walkabout...</p>
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Hen and stag dos are great when you're actually on them, but for innocent bystanders caught in the vortex, they can be a living nightmare. A guest at the Andalucia Plaza hotel in Marbella described on TripAdvisor 'drunk men, shouting, swearing and shameful behaviour. The security guard dragged one male away after he was waving his little friend around at the pool side cafe.' It's enough to put you off your chorizo boccadillo. Avoid.</p>
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Staying in the same hotel as both Rihanna and Justin Beiber (who recently stayed in the same hotel in Sydney) may sound like a pretty thrilling prospect if you're a teenage girl or boy, but for the average guest sharing a roof with a huge celebrity, it just means manic security, hassled staff, crowds of screaming press and pre-pubescents - and the certain knowledge that someone else has bagged the best rooms.</p>
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When you arrive and the leering receptionist asks you how many hours you'd like the room for, you can be pretty sure it's not the classiest hotel in the area.</p>
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Jakob Dahlstrom
The UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites gained 26 new places this year. We've selected 10 of the most wonderful attractions famed for their natural beauty and cultural significance. Have you visited any of these amazing sites?
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Grand-Hornu, Bois-du-Luc, Bois du Cazier and Blegny-Mine in Wallonia form a 170km strip crossing the east to west of Belgium and consist of the best-preserved 19th and 20th-century coal-mining sites in the country. The four sites offer an insight into all aspects of Wallonia's heritage and represent the intense migration flows involving Flemish, Polish, Italian, Spanish, Green, Moroccan and Turkish workers.</p>
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Older than the Himalaya mountains and recognised as one of the world's eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity, India's Western Ghats mountain chain includes some of the best non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests anywhere. Its high montane forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon weather pattern and moderate the region's tropical climate, representing one of the best examples of the monsoon system on the planet. The Western Ghats are home to at least 325 globally threatened flowers, plants, birds, reptiles and fish species.</p>
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The elaborately decorated farmhouses of Halsingland in central Sweden portray the region's timber building tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. They reflect how independent farmers used their wealth to build new homes which they styled using a fusion of folk art and design favoured by the landed gentry of the time, Baroque and Rococo. There are seven of the timber houses listed as a World Heritage Site, which were decorated by known and unknown artists.</p>
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Characterised by spectacular rock pillars that reach a height of 100m along the banks of the Lena River, the Lena Pillars Nature Park is less than a day's boat ride from the city of Yakutsk. The pillars were formed by the region's extreme climate, with an annual temperature range of almost 100C - from -60C in winter to 40C in summer! The park is also home to many Cambrian fossil remains of various species.</p>
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Extensively fortified from the 17th to 19th centuries, the town of Elvas in Portugal contains barracks and other military buildings, churches and monasteries. It contains remains dating back to the 10th century and its fortification began when Portugal regained independence in 1640. The Dutch-designed fortifications comprise 12 forts in an irregular polygon, roughly centred on the castle and making use of the landscape and hills.</p>
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This Baroque masterpiece in the town of Bayreuth was built between 1745 and 1750, and is the only entirely preserved example of its kind where an audience of 500 can experience the culture of Baroque court opera and acoustics authentically. Margravial Opera House retains its original materials, including wood and canvas, and was designed by renowned theatre architect Giuseppe Galli Bibiena. With a depth of 27 metres, the stage was once the largest in Germany until 1871.</p>
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Morocco's capital city Rabat features royal and administrative areas, residential and commercial developments, and the Jardins d'Essis botanical and pleasure gardens in the new town, which was conceived and built under the French Protectorate from 1912 to the 1930s. The older parts of Rabat date back to the 12th century and include the Hassan Mosque from 1184 and the Almohad ramparts and gates. Although often overlooked while Marrakech gets all the attention, Rabat has plenty to offer visitors who love a mixture of the old and new.</p>
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Water temples and rice terraces are the heart of the water-management system called the subak, which dates back to the ninth century in Bali. The cultural philosophy of the subak brings together the realms of the spirit, the human world and nature, and came from the cultural exchange between Bali and India over the past 2,000 years, which has shaped the landscape of the island. The democratic and egalitarian farming practices of the subak system have enabled the people of Bali to become the most prolific rice growers in the archipelago.</p>
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The UNESCO site in Rio de Janeiro includes some of the city's most famous landmarks: the Botanical Gardens established in 1808, the celebrated Christ statue, the Tijuca National Park's mountains down to the sea and the hills around Guanabara Bay. Rio has also been recognised for the artistic inspiration it has given musicians, landscapers and urbanists.</p>
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Dotted with 445 uninhabited limestone islands of volcanic origin, Rock Islands Southern Lagoon in Palau is a weird and wonderful site displaying unique mushroom-like shapes in turquoise lagoons. Its beauty is heightened by a complex reef system featuring over 385 coral species. A large diversity of plants, birds and marina animals, such as dugong and more than 13 shark species are found here. One of the islands' most famous attractions is the marine lake Jellyfish Lake, where you can find stingless jellyfish which are only known to Palau.</p>
Take a walk along Brighton beach and you can't fail to notice the long-abandoned burnt out pier floating the middle of the sea. In many other seaside towns in Britain, this would seem sadly symbolic.
But in Brighton, the demise of the traditional British seaside holiday hasn't left the city trapped in time.
Far from it, in fact. Brighton has a life of its own that doesn't depend purely on tourism. Thanks to great restaurants, a blossoming art and music scene and brilliant nightlife, this buzzing university town is still one of the most exciting weekend destinations in the country - even if you never lay eyes on its most famous tourist hotspot: the second, fully working pier at the other end of promenade.
How to get there
From central London you can get a direct train in around an hour from Victoria. By road, it's approximately 90 minutes (50 miles) depending on the traffic. Just take the A23/M23 south until you reach Brighton.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Getting you bearings
From the train station, it's a straight walk down West Street to reach the beachfront for some day time fun. Other key areas are all close to handL worth a visit include the Lanes, the Culture Quarter and North Laine where the night life is the most vibrant.
Where to stay
There are plenty of good places to stay in Brighton, including some excellent contemporary style hotels. Among our favourites is the Queens Hotel on the seafront. Clean, affordable and with its own spa and leisure club, it ticks all the boxes - including the possibly of a room overlooking the sea.
Day 1: Get some sea air
There's no point going to the seaside and not seeing the sea, so make your way down to Brighton's huge pebble beach for a little sunbathing or a brisk walk (depending on the season of your visit). As you'd expect, there's excellent fish and chips and the pier will enable you to tick off the fun fare rides, slot machines and coconut stalls that are a traditional necessity - meaning you're free to enjoy the more modern reasons to visit Brighton.
The ferris wheel is also worth a whirl, and the Volks Railway, the world's oldest operating electric railraod, along the seafront which runs all the way to Brighton Marina, is definitely worth a ride (but it's closed in winter).
Rock n roll lunch
Just a 10-minute walk away from the pier is The Basketmakers Arms on Gloucester Road, a pub which in the past was occasionally frequented by Joe Strummer and beloved of Brighton's music lovers (young and old alike). But even if you don't spot any rock royalty, the pub lunch menu is excellent, as is tucking into it in a cosy atmosphere with a (proper) pint of beer.
Speed demons!
After a relaxing day enjoying the sights, why not up the excitement stakes by taking advantage of Brighton's excellent go-kart centre? A 15 minutes drive away from the beachfront, TeamSport Indoor Karting, is a converted warehouse that offers the perfect adrenaline fix for adults and families alike where the staff, training and facilities are all top notch.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Day 2: Hit the Lanes
Having satisfied the speed demon in you, the following morning you might want to head for Lanes of a different kind. The Lanes area just north of the beachfront contains some of Brighton's best independent shops around a series of winding, car-free roads. Venture a little further uptown to find plenty of small markets and antique shops.
Get pampered
Brighton has a number of large spas and treatment centres, many of which can be quite expensive. A great alternative for anyone looking for a little TLC is The Lanes Health & Beauty salon where treatments start for as little as £20. This is no cut price massage though: the friendly service, beautifully-finished rooms and treatments are all of the highest standard.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Moshimo
A fish supper to remember
The beautiful thing about Brighton is the way it combines a traditional seaside atmosphere with modern urban options. Nowhere is this typified better than the fantastic Moshimo Japanese restaurant. What could be better than sushi a stone's throw away from the ocean? Moshimo is the sort of place you could enjoy a relaxed meal with friends or a formal dinner on a special occasion: the mixture of the conveyor belt of dishes and the softly-lit tables is pitch-perfect. But it's the quality and flavour of the dishes - from the freshest of fish to the succulent beef sashimi - that makes it so hard to leave.
Have you been to Brighton? Give us your tips below and we'll add them!
The countdown to Christmas is now well underway, and festive markets lighting up the skies and warming the hearts in cities all over Europe. So if you fancy a sneaky pre-Christmas break on the pretext that you can get all your shopping done, check out our faves for this season, below...
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Munich's festive market at Marienplatz is one of Europe's oldest - and it's big on keeping things traditional: Christmas shopping Bavarian-style is an experience to remember. <strong>Stock up on</strong> baked apples and spiced mulled wine, handmade pewter and straw decorations, wooden toys and gingerbread. <b>When:</b> November 30 to December 24. <b>Stay: </b><a href="http://www.louis-hotel.com/site/index.php" target="_blank">The Louis</a><a href="http://www.louis-hotel.com/site/en/louis-hotel.php" target="_blank"> Hotel</a></p>
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The people of Vienna know how to do Christmas markets - after all, they've had plenty of practice. The city has been running 'krippenmarkts' since the Middle Ages, when the city's citizens were first granted permission to trade. Every December, traditionalists gather around the City Hall, underneath a 40ft advent wreath, and warm up with toddies of gluewhien and roasted chestnuts. <strong>Stock up on </strong>hand-decorated Christmas candles, traditional basketware and hot punch. <b>When:</b> November 17 to December 24. <b>Stay: </b><a href="http://www.altstadt.at/de/altstadt-vienna/index.html" style=" " target="_blank">Altstadt Hotel</a></p>
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During <a href="http://www.christmasmarkets.com/France/lille-christmas-market.html" target="_blank">Lille's Christmas Market</a>, the square at Place Rihour is transformed into a winter wonderland dominated by an 18 metre high Christmas tree and a spectacular ferris wheel. <strong>Gorge yourself on </strong>crepes and chocolate doughnuts. <strong>When:</strong> From 21 November to 30 December. <strong>Stay:</strong> <a href="http://www.hotelup.fr/fr/" target="_blank">Hotel UP</a></p>
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Tallinn's Christmas Market is a child of the Noughties, having only been running annually since 2001. But with its Medieval architecture, Tallinn was built for Christmas card cosiness. More than 50 stalls pitch up in the Town Hall Square to offer traditional Estonian crafts and festive food. The likelihood is it will snow too! <strong>Stock up on </strong>quilts, sea-grass animal ornaments, felted hats and slippers. <b>When:</b> 1 December to 8 January. <b>Stay: </b><a href="http://www.threesistershotel.com/" target="_blank">The Three Sisters</a></p>
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Prague is icily spectacular in winter, and at night it lights up with brightly decorated wooden huts selling all sorts of traditional Czech products. <strong>Stock up on </strong>Bohemian Crystal, wooden toys, traditional puppets and hot wine (svarak). <strong>When:</strong> 1 December to 1 January. <strong>Stay: </strong><a href="http://www.clarionhotel.com/hotel-prague-czech_republic-CS004" target="_blank">Clarion Hotel Prague</a></p>
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Hosting one of the UK's largest Christmas markets, Manchester goes into full-on festive mode with several markets popping up in the city. <strong>Stock up on</strong> international food, traditional crafts, amber jewellery and ornaments. <strong>When:</strong> 17 November to 23 December. <b>Stay: </b><a href="http://www.abodehotels.co.uk/manchester" target="_blank">Abode Hotel</a>.</p>
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Bringing a touch of Alpine charm to the south west, <a href="http://www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bath Christmas Market</a> plays host to more than 120 little wooden chalets, brimming with locally made gifts and festive food. Set against the backdrop of Bath's Roman architecture, the city makes for one of the most atmospheric Christmas destinations in the UK. <strong>Stock up on: </strong>everything from pewter jewellery to embroidered children's books. <b>When:</b> 22 November to 9 December. <b>Stay: </b><a href="http://www.brooksguesthouse.com/" target="_blank">Brooks Guesthouse</a></p>
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Organisers of Budapest's Christmas Market are on a drive to give visitors the most authentic Hungarian experience they can. Expect local folk musicians, puppeteers and lots of traditional crafts. <strong>Stock up on</strong> hand-made festive decorations, local food. The grand dame of Budapest's fine cafes, the Gerbeaud, even turns into a giant advent calendar for the occasion. <b>When: </b>18 November to 30 December. <b>Stay:</b> <a href="http://www.lanchid19hotel.hu/" target="_blank">Lanchid 19</a></p>
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Take the fairytale romance of Hans Christian Andersen and all the fun of Europe's oldest amusement park and what do you get? Set in the faded kitsch of Tivoli Gardens amusement park, Copenhagen's annual festive market hosts around 60 stall holders. The thousands of fairy lights and miniature 'pixie land' really set the scene. <strong>Stock up on</strong> Danish souvenirs, food and plenty of glogg. <b>When: </b>November 16 to December 23. <b>Stay: </b><a href="http://www.tivolihotel.com/" target="_blank">Hotel Tivoli</a></p>
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Germany is famous for its Christmas markets, and the city of Cologne bursts into light every evening during December, with a total of eight festive markets altogether. Don't miss the festivities at the Alter Markt in the heart of the old town. <strong>Stock up on </strong>gingerbread, wooden handicrafts and mulled wine. <strong>When:</strong> November 26 to December 23. <b>Stay: </b><a href="http://www.stern-am-rathaus.com/" target="_blank">Stern Am Rathaus</a></p>
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At Christmas, the Slovakian capital<b> </b>comes into its own. The <a href="http://www.vianocnetrhy.sk/EN/" target="_blank">Bratislava Christmas Market</a> has all the hallmarks of a classic European one: the emphasis is firmly on celebrating local produce. <strong>Stock up on</strong> traditional honey cakes, strudel and mugs of mead. <b>When:</b> From November 17 November to 21 December <b>Stay: </b><a href="http://www.hotelmamas.sk/" target="_blank">Mama's Design Hotel</a></p>
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Set in Edinburgh's city centre against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the Christmas markets include the ever-popular Traditional German Christmas Market with its delightful gifts and treats, and the Highland Village Christmas Market which offers delicious food and lovely presents. <strong>Stock up on</strong> woolly hats and quirky clothes at the Highland Village Christmas Market and hearty sausages and potato cakes at the Traditional German Christmas Market. <strong>When:</strong> From November 29 to January 6. <strong>Stay:</strong> <a href="http://www.therutlandhotel.com/" target="_blank">The Rutland Hotel</a></p>
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Mixing a warm sense of tradition with contemporary Swedish design, Gothenburg lights the way to Christmas – literally. Liseberg Amusement Park hosts Scandinavia's biggest Christmas market decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights and with nearly 100 stalls for you to browse. <strong>Stock up on</strong> glogg, smoked sausages and reindeer meat. <strong>When:</strong> November 16 to December 23. <strong>Stay:</strong> Book a package with <a href="http://www.best-served.co.uk/" target="_blank">Best Served Holidays</a></p>
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Head to the beautiful town of Valkenburg in Holland and discover the unique Velvet Cave Christmas market. During the festive period the historic cave is filled with stallholders selling everything from Christmas wreaths to children's gifts. While you're there, check out the impressive mural paintings, sculptures and romantic 18th century chapel in the cave. <strong>Stock up on</strong> Dutch pancakes and mouth-blown glass decorations. <strong>When:</strong> November 16 to December 23. <strong>Stay:</strong> <a href="http://www.hoteltummers.nl/" target="_blank">Hotel Tummers</a></p>
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This year Exeter Cathedral will be hosting its first ever Christmas market on the Cathedral Green. There will be plenty of festive treats available, from handmade gifts to decorations and warm food, and although it will be inspired by Continental markets, it will represent the best of what Britain and the South West has to offer. <strong>Stock up on </strong>quirky Christmas presents and decorations.<strong> When:</strong> November 23 to December 16. <strong>Stay: </strong><a href="http://www.themagdalenchapter.com/" target="_blank">The Magdalen Chapter</a></p>
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With snow-capped mountains as its backdrop, Innsbruck plays host to one of the most magical Christmas Markets in Europe. The medieval Old Town provides the perfect setting with stalls laid out beneath Innsbruck’s famous ’Golden Roof’ and next to the giant, festively lit Christmas tree. Weave your way through the stalls to browse unique Christmas tree decorations and embroided table linen. <strong>Stock up on </strong>traditional wooden toys and gingerbread. <strong>When:</strong> November 15 to December 23. <strong>Stay:</strong> <a href="http://www.deradler.com/xxl/_lang/en/_area/home/index.html" target="_blank">Romantikhotel Schwarzer Adler</a></p>
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Held in Fusterie Square every year, the International Geneva Christmas Market features hand-made folk arts and crafts from all over Switzerland, as well as numerous tasty food stalls. The market is set in the heart of the city's central shopping centre among jewellery shops and chic cafes, and housed in quaint wooden chalets. <strong>Stock up on</strong> figurines, paintings and culinary specialities from around the world. <strong>When:</strong> late November to December 24. <strong>Stay: </strong><a href="http://www.bristol.ch/uk/hotel-luxe-geneve-official-site.php" target="_blank">Hotel Bristol</a></p>
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Savour a warm spiced mince pie and browse the traditional market stalls of Jersey. The Christmas markets showcase some of the best local arts, crafts, food and drink on offer. Enjoy a glass of hot mulled wine as you stroll through the Victorian market at Hamptonne in the heart of St Lawrence. <strong>Stock up on</strong> locally-crafted Christmas gifts and Jersey cider. <strong>When:</strong> December 1 to 16. <strong>Stay:</strong> <a href="http://www.theatlantichotel.com/" target="_blank">Atlantic Hotel</a></p>
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Few places scream Christmas like Stockholm. There are Christmas markets all over the archipelago and the best two are Skansen, with its cobbled streets, stocking fillers and stallholders dressed in 19th century outfits; and the old town’s daily Stortorget, a lantern-lit food fair with homemade sausages, spices, mustards and jams. Gorge on saffron buns, gingersnaps and glogg (mulled wine) as you go. <strong>Stock up on</strong> candy, cheeses and spices. <strong>When:</strong> November 24 to Christmas. <strong>Stay:</strong> <a href="http://www.berns.se/hotell?lang=en" target="_blank">Berns Hotel</a></p>
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Each winter the beautiful market square of Bruges is transformed into a Christmas market full of colourful lights and illuminating festive stalls crammed with festive goodies. Around 30 traditional stalls sell gifts, chocolates, sweets and unusual hand-made decorations and an open-air ice rink and Christmas Hobby and Toy Fair offer plenty of family fun. <strong>Stock up on</strong> Belgian chocolate! <strong>When:</strong> November 25 to December 31. <strong>Travel</strong> with <a href="http://www.eurostar.com/" target="_blank">Eurostar</a> from £81 return</p>
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Germany is rightly known for its Christmas markets and Nuremberg's 'Little Town of Wood and Cloth' is probably the most famous. Be among the expected two million visitors to <strong>stock up on</strong> bratwurst and gingerbread. <b>When: </b>30 November to 24 December. <b>Stay:</b><strong> </strong><a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/" style="font-weight: ; " target="_blank">Le Meridien Grand Hotel</a>.</p>
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Anyone in search of eco-friendly hotels in the city would do well to choose it, as it saves a bundle on washing. There aren't any towels; instead, guests are advised to use the curtains to dry off. And the fact that the lift is permanently broken means that lots of energy is saved there, too.
Livrario Lello, Portugal. Rex
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Moshimo
