touch down in…

by Paul Steinberg

Aberdeen, SCOTLAND
From the airport The airport (www.aberdeenairport.com) is located just under two miles (3km) northwest of Aberdeen. Public transport: Buses to the city centre depart every 30 mins at peak times, every 40 mins off-peak. Approx 40 mins, fare £1.20. Taxi: Approx £10 to the city centre. Go here The original shell of the Aberdeen Carmelite (below) may date back to 1820, but a £2.5 million facelift in 2006 has left this boutique hotel looking distinctly stylish and of its time. Choose an executive suite with rolltop bath and plasma screen TV, or a unique themed suite such as The Japanese or The Antique, oozing individuality and class. Best of all, you can order a mani and pedi direct to your room, or get your pampering fix in the form of a back massage or hair styling before that big night out! www.carmelitehotels.com Did you know? The intimate stage at The Lemon Tree (www.lemontree.org) is the venue in town for catching cutting-edge gigs and comedy. Catch MySpace darling Kate Nash on 28 October.

Amsterdam, HOLLAND
From the airport The airport (www.schiphol.nl) is located 9 miles (14km) from the city centre. Public transport: A shuttle service runs between the airport and city centre every 20 mins from 6am to 9pm. Approx 30 mins. Trains run between the airport and the city 24 hours a day. Approx journey time 20 mins, fare €3.60. Taxi: Approx €40 to the city centre. Go here For a glamorous, Moulin Rouge-inspired evening, head over to Cineac on Regulierbreestraat (Tel: + 31 (0) 20 530 6888), a bar/brasserie/cocktail lounge that’s spread over four floors in a former cinema dating back to the 1930s. Open until 4am at weekends, this is the perfect place to see and be seen. Did you know? Amsterdam’s Vincent Van Gogh Museum (above) holds the largest collection of the artist’s work in the world. Open daily from 10am to 6pm (8pm on Fridays), it has a fantastic shop selling high quality prints, souvenirs and books about Holland’s most famous son. www.vangoghmuseum.nl

Alicante, SPAIN
From the airport The airport (www.aena.es) is located 7 miles (11km) southeast of Alicante. Public transport: Buses to the city centre depart every 40 mins from 6.30am to 11.10pm. Approx 40 mins, fare €1. There are also regular buses to Murcia and Benidorm. Taxi: Approx €12 to Alicante and €55 to Benidorm. Go here Set back from the Mediterranean and clustered around the central Cathedral are the narrow streets of the old quarter, El Barrio. Here you’ll find some of the best nightlife and places to eat, including the all-veggie, all-female run Tabule (Tel: + 34 (0) 965 133 445), offering a delicious five-course set menu that changes each week. Open for lunch (Mon–Sat) and dinner (Wed–Sat). Did you know? Relaxation is the key word in Alicante, which has some of the cleanest beaches in Spain. Head a few miles north and you’ll find the long, uncrowded Playa de San Juan, renowned for its fine sands, great cafés and watersports. If you’re feeling a little more daring, head to one of the more secluded coves such as Palmera or Cantalares for a spot of nudist bathing – great for that all-over tan!

Barcelona, SPAIN
From the airport The airport (www.aena.es) is located 12 miles (19km) southeast of Barcelona. All bmibaby flights depart from terminal A. Public transport: Buses to the city centre leave every 7–15 mins from 6am to 1am. Approx 40 mins, fare €3.75. Trains to the city centre run every 30 mins from 6.30am to 11.30pm. Approx journey time 25 mins, fare €2.20. Taxi: Approx €20 to the city centre. Go here The Joan Miró Foundation (www.bcn.fjmiro.cat) at the Parque de Montjuïc boasts a fantastic collection by the 20th-century master. Set up in 1971 by the artist himself, the gallery also plays host to temporary exhibitions and a basement, Espai 13, dedicated to showcasing the stars of tomorrow. Did you know? No stranger to the fun of the fiesta, September sees Barcelona’s annual Fiesta de la Merce (above), culminating on 24 September. One of the city’s most popular (and rowdy) annual festivals, this knees-up celebrates its patron saint and protector, the Virgin de la Merce. Many of the city’s squares host spectacular parades, dances, sports contests and firework displays – and you’d be mad to miss the bizarre human tower building competition!

Belfast, NORTHERN IRELAND
From the airport The airport (www.belfastairport.com) is 18 miles (29km) northwest of Belfast. Public transport: The Airbus service to the city departs every 30 mins, Monday to Saturday, and every 30-60 mins on Sundays. Approx 40 mins, fare £5. Taxi: Approx £25 to the city centre. Go here Music (and history) lovers should head to the BBC’s Last Night of the Proms in September (below). Taking place for the first time ever in magnificent grounds of Carrickfergus Castle, this live concert will feature the Ulster Orchestra before making a live link-up to the Royal Albert Hall for the traditional rousing finale of Rule Britannia, weird waistcoats and silly hats. www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2007 Did you know? The quirky Bittle’s Bar (Tel: + 44(0) 28 9031 1088), located at the historic Victoria Square, used to be known as “The Shakespeare” in recognition of its literary past as the watering-hole of choice for theatregoers and local authors. Belfast’s only “flat-iron” building, the pub opened in 1861 and is the perfect place to sample some classic Northern Irish pub grub.

Bordeaux, FRANCE
From the airport The airport (www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr) is located 7 miles (11km) west of Bordeaux. Public transport: Buses to the city centre depart every 45 mins from 7.45am to 10.45pm. Approx 40 mins, fare €7. Taxi: Approx €30 to the city centre. Go here Grand by name, grand by nature, the immense Grand Barrail (below) is an opulent hotel-spa retreat, located in magnificent grounds only 40km from Bordeaux. Set in a chateau dating back to 1850, it boasts a spa, outdoor heated pool, state of the art gym – even its own helipad. In October, a special “half board” offer includes a superior room, buffet breakfast, plus a meal in the gourmet restaurant, from €155 per night. www.grand-barrail.com Did you know? As well as being a wine-lover’s paradise, Bordeaux is hugely popular with shoppers. In the heart of the city lies Europe’s longest shopping street, the Rue de Sainte-Catherine. This 1.2km long stretch of shops and cafés is entirely pedestrianised, making it pure boutique heaven! Start at the Place de la Victoire and head towards the Place de la Comedie.

Cardiff, WALES
From the airport The airport (www.cwlfly.com) is 12 miles (19km) west of Cardiff. Public transport: Airbus Xpress buses run to the city centre regularly from Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays. Approx 40 mins, fare £3.70. Taxi: Approx £20 to the city centre. Go here In 2004, the curtains rose at the world-class Millennium Centre (above), home to the Welsh National Opera. With its awesome glowing copper roof, the building alone is worth a visit. This September, the Centre will be home to a giant tent featuring a futuristic vaudeville circus show. From trapeze artists without a safety net to mind-blowing contortionists, this will be a circus like no other. www.wmc.org.uk Did you know? In 1810 Captain Robert Scott sailed from Cardiff in the “Terra Nova” on his ill-fated voyage to the South Pole, after a hearty farewell dinner at the Royal Hotel (www.theroyalhotel.cardiff.com). Now beautifully refurbished, this boutique-style hotel, featuring glamorous bedrooms with spectacular views across the city, still retains “The Scott Room” for meetings and conferences, in memory of poor old Bob.

Cork, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
From the airport The airport (www.corkairport.com) is located 5 miles (8km) southwest of Cork. Public transport: Buses to the city centre leave regularly. Approx 30 mins, fare €3.80. RoadRunners, an airport-to-city shuttle, departs every 30 mins, fare €5. Taxi: Approx €15 to the city. Go here Ranking alongside Cannes, Venice and London, the 52nd Corona Cork Film Festival (below, www.corkfilmfest.org) is one of the world’s oldest film festivals. As one of Ireland’s most impressive cultural events, the festival is a hit with locals and visitors alike. This year it takes place from 14–21 October and features an eclectic mix of drive-in movies, gala performances in the stunning Cork Opera House, and short films. Did you know? Cork has many regional dishes to look out for (or avoid!), one of the most famous being “drisheen”, a type of black pudding made from sheep’s blood. Head to the bustling Farmgate Café (Tel: +44 (0) 21 427 8134) at lunchtime to sample this and other, less intimidating, local specialities. One of Cork’s most famous eateries, the Café is set in the heart of the city’s historic English Market and only serves food that has been bought there daily. You can’t get fresher or more local than that!

Faro, PORTUGAL
From the airport The airport (www.faroairportguide.com) is located 5 miles (8km) out of Faro. Public transport: Buses to the city centre depart regularly. Approx 20 mins, fare €1. Taxi: Approx €10 to the city centre. Go here Even if you’re only passing through Faro on your way to the resorts of the Algarve, it’s well worth stopping for a while and taking in this charming and colourful university city. Head to the old town for some leisurely shopping along the Rua Santa Antonio and the Rua Francisco Gomes, where you can pick up local specialities like wine, basketware and handmade clothing. Did you know? The Algarve has so many beautiful resorts, but for the perfect combination of history, nature, exquisite beaches and clear waters, it’s hard to resist the charms of Castro Marim (above). About 60km north along the coastline from Faro, this coastal resort was once the headquarters of the Order of the Knights Templar, made famous by Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.

Edinburgh, SCOTLAND
From the airport The airport (www.edinburghairport.com) is located 8 miles (13km) west of Edinburgh. Public transport: Express buses to the city centre depart every 10 mins from early morning until after midnight. Approx 25 mins, fare £3. Taxi: Approx £15 to the centre. Go here Standing next to the Royal Scottish Academy and affording amazing views of Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle, the National Gallery on the Mound (www.nationalgalleries.org) is well worth a visit for art lovers. Check out the new Andy Warhol exhibition (4–7 October) – the largest collection of his work ever to be displayed in Scotland. £6, entry to the permanent gallery free. Did you know? JK Rowling, author of the hugely popular Harry Potter books, wrote her first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (right), in Nicolson’s Restaurant, whilst on the dole. The café has since been replaced by a Chinese all-you-can-eat restaurant, much to the confusion of Potter fans desperate to trace the place where the magic began.

Glasgow, SCOTLAND
From the airport The airport (www.glasgowairport.com) is located 8 miles (13km) west of Glasgow. Public transport: Buses to the city centre depart regularly from early morning until after midnight. Approx 25 mins, fare £3.50. Taxi: Approx £20 to the city centre. Go here Make the most of the rich variety of Glasgow’s cultural landscape at the Merchant City Festival (below), which takes place from 20–23 September in the city’s growing Arts Quarter. Showcasing the newest talent in fashion, film and comedy, along with established names such as Scottish Opera, this exciting four-day festival is the perfect way to experience Scotland’s vibrant performance scene. (www..merchantcityfestival.com) Did you know? The commercial and residential district of Merchant City is one of the oldest parts of Glasgow, or “Clasgua” as it was known back in medieval times. Like the rest of the modern city, this area is enjoying a renaissance thanks to considerable regeneration, and is host to an ever-growing cluster of galleries, as well as being home to Glasgow’s gay village.

Ibiza, SPAIN
From the airport The airport (www.aena.es) is 4.5 miles (7.5km) south-west of Ibiza Town. Public transport: Bus No 10 leaves every 30 mins to Ibiza Town, from 6.30am to 11.30pm. Taxi: Approx €10 to the Town. Go here Ibiza’s nightlife is world famous, being home to some of the world’s biggest and best clubs as well as a huge selection of bars which stay open till the early hours. For panoramic views of the San Antonio bay, check out the Coastline Café, a restaurant-cum-bar that’s proved a hit with celebs and discerning clubbers since opening last summer. Offering chilledout daytime dining, as well as a more upbeat pre-clubbing atmosphere after dusk, this is the perfect spot to hang out before hitting the island’s superclubs. www.coastlinecafe.com Did you know? During summer, Ibiza’s “Discobus” service runs daily from midnight until early morning, taking clubbers on a continuous circuit between the major clubs and hotels in Ibiza City, Platja d’en Bossa, Sant Rafel and Sant Antoni. At just €2.10, it’s the cheapest way to get from one side of the island to the other. www.ibizabus.com

Knock, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
From the airport The airport (www.knockairport.com) is located 4 miles (6km) from Charlestown in County Mayo. Public transport: Buses to Charlestown depart regularly. Taxi: Approx €25 to Knock, Tel: +353 94 9367222. Go here Head south to Galway for the world-famous International Oyster Festival (27–30 September). Now in its 53rd year, this is both a fun festival and a serious string of dining opportunities, celebrating the mysterious luxury and passion of the humble oyster. Even if you can’t stomach the idea of slurping a plateful, make your way to Eyre Square for midday on Saturday 29 for the outlandish opening party, featuring live music and lashings of Guinness. www.galwayoysterfest.com Did you know? Knock used to be called An Cnoc (“The Hill”), but is now more commonly known as Cnoc Mhuire, (“Hill of Mary”) because, according to Catholic belief, on 21 August 1879 the Virgin Mary appeared to local people. Ever since, the small town has become one of Europe’s most important shrines, with over 1.5 million visitors annually. www.knock-shrine.ie.

Lisbon, PORTUGAL
From the airport The airport (www.ana.pt) is 4 miles (6km) from the city centre. Public transport: Aerobus No. 91 to the city centre departs every hour from 7.45am to 8.15pm. Fare €3.10, valid all day. Taxi: Approx €15 to the city. Go here St George’s Castle (below) is perched on the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills and can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. Once occupied by Romans, Visigoths and Moors, it was dedicated to St George in 1371 to mark peace between England and Portugal. Climb the towers to take in panoramic city views from its ramparts, or relax in the gardens surrounded by ducks and even peacocks! Open daily, admission free. www.atl-turismolisboa.pt Did you know? In 1755, the Great Lisbon Earthquake destroyed much of the city and killed many of its citizens. The man charged with rebuilding the city, Marques de Pombal, decided to use the innovative method of imposing a “chessboard” grid system on the new downtown area (“the Baixa”), making it unique amongst the old quarters of European cities for its simplicity – and ahead of its time in making it easier for confused tourists to find their way around!

Málaga, SPAIN
From the airport The airport (www.aena.es) is 6 miles (9km) south-west of Málaga. Public transport: Buses to the city centre depart every 30 mins from 7am to midnight. Approx journey time 45 mins, fare €1. There are also buses to Marbella; times vary depending on season. Approx 45 mins, fare €3.65. Trains to Málaga depart opposite terminal two from 7am to 11.45pm, fare €1. Taxi: Approx €15 to Málaga and €50 to Marbella. Go here The Casa Natal de Picasso (left) on the Plaza de la Merced exhibits ceramics and graphic works by the great artist, as well as showcasing contemporary local talent. www.fundacionpicasso.es Did you know? Malaguenas are mad about fish. All along the Costa del Sol, fish is king, especially pescaito frito (whole fried fish). Try Sal Gorda (Tel: + 34 (0) 952 600 031), a tapas restaurant specialising in seafood. Owned by the family of local matador Javier Conde, its walls are festooned with memorabilia relating to famously hunky local matador.

Marseille, FRANCE
From the airport The airport (www.mrsairport.com) is located 18 miles (30km) from the city centre. All bmibaby flights operate from the mp2 terminal. Public transport: Shuttle buses to the city centre run every 20 mins from 6.30am to 10.50pm. Approx 25 mins, fare €8.50. Taxi: Approx €50 to the city centre. Go here Make your way down to le Vieux Port (the old harbour, below) in the warm sunshine of the evening for an experience you will never forget: watching fishermen selling their stock by auction. The Vieux Port is the hub of Marseille, lined by its quais, filled with fishing boats and yachts, and surrounded by tiny streets swarming with seafood restaurants, cafés and shops. Did you know? France has long had a reputation for a more relaxed attitude to smoking in public places. Yet now that England has gone “smoke-free”, there are moves for France to follow suit. Recent legislation has banned smoking in public indoor spaces, although restaurants, bars and nightclubs (even those inside hotels) are not required to enforce this law until 1 January 2008.

Manchester, ENGLAND
From the airport The airport (www.manchesterairport.co.uk) is 10 miles (16km) southwest of the city centre. All bmibaby flights operate from Terminal 3. Public transport: Skyline shuttle buses to the city centre depart every 30 mins from as early as 3am. Approx 40 mins. Trains depart for the city centre every 10 mins. Approx journey time 15-20 mins. Taxi: Approx £20 to the city. Go here Tucked away off the city’s main high street is Affleck’s Palace (www.afflecks-palace.co.uk), Manchester’s “alternative” shopping emporium, housing more than 50 stalls over four floors in a revitalised city-centre building. A veritable treasure trove of everything from vintage wear to rare film posters, Affleck’s is also a platform for upcoming designers, experimental fashionistas and Manchester’s alternative music scene. Did you know? Only 30 miles west of Manchester lies the increasingly vibrant city of Liverpool, currently experiencing an impressive renaissance as it gears up to take its place as European Capital of Culture 2008. This year is also the city’s 800th anniversary and an exciting cultural calendar of events will mark the event, including, from 19 October, the famously controversial Turner Prize, presented at the Tate Liverpool (above) for the first time. www.tate.org.uk

Murcia, SPAIN
From the airport The airport (www.aena.es) is located 30 miles (48km) southeast of Murcia. Public transport: Bus No. 73 to the city centre departs at 5.45pm, 7.15pm and 10.45pm. Approx 45 mins, fare €7. Taxi: Approx €42 to Murcia. Go here Drive 40 minutes south-west of Murcia towards the spa town of Alhama de Murcia, where you’ll find the Parque Natural de Sierra Espuña (above). This beautiful area is a magnet for hikers and climbing enthusiasts, with 240km of unspoilt pine forests, limestone formations and rare Barbary sheep. Did you know? All of Murcia’s sights are within walking distance of each other, mostly between the river and the university, so remember your comfy shoes. Well worth a visit is the lively market located between Calle Verónicas and Calle Plano San Francisco, which offers some great delicatessens and some tasty local produce.

Newquay, ENGLAND
From the airport The airport (www.newquay-airport.co.uk) is located 5 miles (8km) north of Newquay. Public transport: Summercourt Travel provides an on-demand shuttle service to Newquay. Buses must be pre-booked and run every day the airport is open, at times to suit flights. Fare £10, £5 for two people and £3.50 for three or more. Tel: +44 (0)1726 861108 Taxi: Approx £10 to the city centre. Go here Think of the British seaside and you’ll inevitably conjure up the sight (and smell) of fish and chips. Newquay isn’t your average seaside town, but amidst all the surfing and partying, there’s still ample opportunity to sample the best the sea can offer. Head down to Newquay Harbour for the recently established annual Fish Festival (14–16 September) where you’ll be able to sample local seafood, enjoy cookery demonstrations or just lie back with a beer in the late summer sunshine. www.newquayfishfestival.co.uk Did you know? Less than 20 miles away is the must-see Eden Project (right, www.edenproject.com) with its famous biomes, where you can explore man’s relationship with all things environmental and green. Open from 9am-6pm daily, tickets are £14 for adults and £5 for kids.

Nottingham, ENGLAND
From the airport The airport (www.eastmidlandsairport.com) is located 13 miles (21km) southwest of Nottingham. Public transport: Skylink buses to the city centre depart every 30 mins. Approx 45 mins, fare £5. Airline shuttles to Derby run hourly, fare £2.60. Taxi: Approx £26 to Nottingham, £24 to Derby and £33 to Leicester. Go here Put on your rollerblades and prepare to sing and dance the night away: Starlight Express (below), the futuristic musical extravaganza featuring mind-blowing choreography is skating into town for three weeks only. After a staggering 18-year run in London’s West End, the play comes to the Royal Concert Hall (Tel: +44 (0) 115 989 5555) from 11–29 September. Did you know? Westfield Eagle Centre is a state-ofthe- art retail park close to East Midlands airport. Reopening in October, the centre offers all you could ask for by way of shopping/eating/ entertainment under one roof, from department stores to independent boutiques. And if the sound of ringing cash registers gets too much, make your way to the 800-seat food court or the brand new 12-screen “Cinema De Lux” (opening early 2008). Traditional high street shopping suddenly seems so last century. www.westfield.com

Nice, FRANCE
From the airport The airport (www.nice.aeroport.fr) is located 4 miles (6km) west of Nice. Public transport: Buses to the city centre take 15 mins and cost approx€4, while buses to Cannes and Monaco take 50 mins and cost €12.40 and €14.10 respectively. Trains to the city centre leave from the Gare Nice St. Augustin (500 metres from Terminal 1). Approx 15 mins, fare €4. Taxi: A taxi to the city centre costs approx €25, €70 to Cannes and €75 to Monaco. Go here The Promenade des Anglais (above) is Nice’s signature attraction and a favourite with locals and visitors alike who are drawn in by its charm and relaxing vistas. Nestling along the stunning Mediterranean coastline, the promenade stretches for about 7km around the Baie des Anges, its characteristic royal blue sunchairs lining the shore, providing the perfect vantage point to take in the vast expanse of crystal blue sea stretching as far as the eye can see. Did you know? If you feel a photo coming on, head uphill to the prestigious Mont Boron quarter – most of the postcards of Nice sold in tourist shops use the stunning view from here, and several celebrities, including Elton John, own homes up there.

Palma de Mallorca, SPAIN
From the airport The airport (www.aena.es) is located 7 miles (11km) southeast of Palma. Public transport: Buses to the city centre depart every 15 minutes from 6.10am to 2.15am. Approx 15 mins, fare €1.85. Taxi: Approx €17 to the city centre. Go here From Palma, travel 15 miles west along the coast to the stunningly beautiful beach cove of Illetas. Stay at the luxurious Hotel Bon Sol (www.ila-chateau.com/bonsol), set on a clifftop overlooking Palma bay. The hotel offers two pools, a gym, superb restaurants and its own private beach, enabling residents to dine right next to the sea. Perfect for a relaxing break and as a base to explore the island. Did you know? If you feel like doing the “tourist track” for a day, it’s well worth taking advantage of the Palma City Sightseeing bus (no. 50 on the EMT bus maps). The double-decker, open-air bus does a circuit of Palma that includes tourist attractions like Pueblo Español, as well as the ferry port (right). A basic audio tour is free with the tickets (adults €13, children €6.50) which are valid for reboarding as many times as you like within 24 hours. www.citysightseeing.com

Rome, ITALY
From the airport The airport (www.adr.it) is 20 miles (32km) from the centre. Public transport Buses depart every 30 mins from 6.37am–11.37pm. Approx 40 mins, fare €3. A direct, non-stop train to Roma Termini station leaves every 30 mins during the day. Approx 30 mins, fare €8.80. Taxi Costs approx €40. Go here It may be one of Rome’s most popular (and crowded) tourist attractions, but no visit to the city would be complete without a trip to the world-famous Colosseum (below), which was given a much-deserved facelift back in 2000. The biggest Roman amphitheatre ever built, it once boasted a colossal (hence the name) statue of Emperor Nero. It’s now open daily from 9am, closing an hour before sunset. Entry €9, www.romaturismo.com Did you know? If you shrink in fear at the elevated price tags in Rome’s more exclusive boutiques, than fear not; designer pieces are still up for grabs at a more palatable price at McArthur Glen factory outlet, Castel Romano. Shop here for vintage Salvatore Ferragamo slingbacks and still have change for the latest in CK Jeans. www.mcarthurglen.com