Manchester has always held a special place in my heart, so i was excited to have visited again over the weekend. My friends and I managed to travel first class on the Virgin Pendolino service from London Euston, which gets you into Manchester Picadilly in around two hours. Luckily, one of the travelling party works for Virgin, so our upgrade was on the house.

Now first class isnt really what you’d expect. There isnt any silver service or special treatment. Instead, you just get a less crowded carriage and free food/drink service. Id give it a 6/10. We did get a couple of passes from the drinks cart, so made full use of that!

Our friend Tony the snowman..

Most of the weekend was spent catching up with old poker friends – although the snow made it quite difficult to move around, we did have time to make a few snowmen. I called this guy Tony. He seems to have a problem with smoking.

We arrived into Manchester around 9pm on Friday and went straight out to revisit some of our old student haunts. We ended up at 42s (aka 42nd Street), which is a pretty dingy nightclub that plays mostly indie music and serves very cheap drinks. 3 double vodka and red bull and 3 beers for £15 – cant complain.

My old poker chums from university

The main event of the weekend was Saturday night. We decided between us weeks in advance that we would be playing poker games throughout the night at our friend Fionn’s flat in town. Mixed with a liberal sprinkle of booze this ended up taking us to 4am in the morning. We played the normal games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, but also blind mans bluff and other crazy games when the booze kicked in. Overall, I ended up with a nice little profit for the night too, so it was a good weekend overall.

Poor Fionn had too much of a good time.

Our host for the night Fionn may have had a little too much for the evening so he ended up out for the count later on in the night. Luckily i got a very flattering picture of him comatose on the table. He seems to have a habit of falling asleep on his chips. Luckily for him that prevents him losing any more money than he had already for the night.

Sunday really was a tough time for all of us. Emergency breakfast was needed immediately to revive us all.

And as soon as it started, my weekend in Manchester was over, with an 11am train back to London closing up the trip. If you are travelling from London, i would say the first class upgrade isnt really worth it. Just book plenty in advance on Trainline to get a cheap advance ticket.

This weekend i am off up north to the wonderful city of Manchester. It’s a city i know and love well, so i will write up a little trip report when i am back.

Much of the weekend will involve reliving some of my studenty days, so i expect to sink a few B52′s and have hangovers a plenty. Til’ next time!

Europe’s recent economic woes haven’t been easy for anyone, but some have suffered more than others. Spain, a nation with a staggering trade deficit, plummeting real estate prices, and record unemployment has been especially hard-hit If a silver lining exists, it must be the booming tourist-trade. In 2011 and 2012 it was the single fastest growing industry. Spain’s future as a significant player in European affairs depends on its ability to reverse recent economic trends, and it is no exaggeration to say that the tourist industry may make all the difference.

For many tourists, especially in the UK, the quintessential European holiday is a visit to the Mediterranean coast, to soak up sun, history, culture, and cocktails. In recent years budget conscious travellers began seeking bargains on the beaches of Turkey and North Africa; bad news for traditional destinations. Political unrest has now reversed this trend, as pleasure-seekers shy away from danger and discover that prices have plummeted in Spain. Many who never dreamed it now find the coast of Spain within their budget, while veteran travellers have a good excuse to go back and stay longer.

The beautiful Andalusia shore is the home of the Costa del Sol, a region whose economy is overwhelmingly dependent on tourism. Far from feeling jealousy or resentment at the relative prosperity of travellers from the UK and beyond, the residents of the “Coast of Sun” are extremely grateful for these visitors who bring an infusion of capital to the local economies; tourism means the difference between thriving and merely surviving for the residents of this region. Historic resorts like family-friendly Benalmadena, exciting Torremolinos, and charming Estepona are heavily dependent on tourists, and the money spent at their restaurants, bars, and shops is the lifeblood that allows these towns to survive.

The expansion of the tourist economy has also allowed diversification along the Costa del Sol, with options available for all budgets and style of travel. From high-end luxury to family friendly resort holidays to worry-free and all-inclusive packages, it is now possible for anyone to experience Spain in their own way and at their own pace. There are also a dizzying array of options for planning and booking, from old-fashioned tourist agencies to cutting-edge online planners. Most travellers feel safer sticking with licensed travel groups like TUI Travel PLC, which has many reliable affiliates, like First Choice, a company that specialises in All-Inclusive bookings. You can see their latest deals on Costa del Sol holidays by clicking here.

All-inclusive means just that; booking in this way means your holiday package includes flight, lodging, transportation, meals, excursions, entertainment, and even drinks. These holidays packages are a smart move for travellers, but also good news for Spain’s economy; relationships with local business and knowledge of the area means tourist money goes to better restaurants, safer lodgings, and honest bars, shops, and taxis. All-Inclusive means a better, safer experience, which leads to repeat visits and good word-of-mouth; everybody wins. Spain’s economic future remains uncertain, but cautious optimism is in order. As long as there are holiday-seekers interested in affordable luxury, Costa del Sol’s tourist industry will thrive, and that may make all the difference for Spain.

There are now so many options for cheap weekend breaks across Europe that unforgettable adventures are accessible to everyone. No matter your budget, your age or your interests, you can be sure to find a city break to suit you – have look on Superbreak.com for some pointers. But when you venture into a foreign city, it is very important to be aware of local customs, rules of etiquette, and key phrases in the local language in order to make the most of your stay. A city such as Madrid can be a wonderful destination for a weekend break, but most first-time visitors can be shocked at how different it is to the more tourist-driven Barcelona. Here are some tips to help you enjoy Madrid like a local.

Adjust your body clock

Madrid is a 24 hour city. After the citizens of the Spanish capital take their afternoon siesta, they are recharged and ready to take on the night. Dinner is typically a late affair and nobody eats before 9pm. Unless you want to be the people sat alone in a restaurant, it’s recommended that you stave off the hunger pains with a few bites of light tapas in the early evening before enjoying your main meal later in the night. If you feel like enjoying a night on the town, make sure you’re well rested so that you have plenty of stamina for staying awake until the early hours. When the clubs close in the UK, they open in Spain, and the music will keep pumping until daylight breaks and beyond.

Indulge in Spanish tapas

The Spanish love their food, and at every little bar on the winding streets of Madrid you will be able to find delicious tapas dishes.  Some tapas treats you should definitely try are patatas bravas (potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce), shrimps cooked in garlic, calamari, and, of course, no trip to Madrid would be complete without consuming plenty of Spanish tortilla or omelette. If you don’t feel like walking from bar to bar, then head to Mercado de San Miguel where you can find many reasonably priced tapas all under one roof.

Brush up on your Spanish

Unlike Barcelona, there is little English spoken in Madrid. So in order to make the most of your city break, it’s advisable to learn a few key phrases in advance. Politeness will get you a long way so make sure that you know how to say please (por favor) and thank you (gracias). And of course, it never hurts to know how to order a couple of beers. To order two beers, just say, “Dos cervesas, por favor” to the bartender and you’ll have two cold ones right away. Sorted.

Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city – and it could be the most charming too. Today, Waterford is a blend of old and new, classic and contemporary – and it’s hard to believe that this industrious city was first settled back in 853 by Viking raiders. But that’s where it all began – and its base on the River Suir led to it becoming a prosperous city of great importance throughout the ages, flourishing in various industries from shipbuilding to glass production.

Waterford is justifiably proud of its heritage and wherever you turn, you’ll be confronted with a piece of its fascinating past. The city’s story comes to life in its ancient architecture such as the iconic Reginald’s Tower – a 13th century defense tower and a timeless landmark of Waterford. It’s also the oldest monument to retain its Viking name. You can find the magnificent tower in the Viking Quarter and explore its past through an on-site museum.

(Waterford Quay at night. Source: Wikipedia)

And as museums go, this fascinating city has certainly got the lion’s share. The Waterford Museum of Treasures features three museums, each focusing on different ages and chronicling over one thousand years of history. Treasures of Viking Waterford is the Reginald’s Tower museum as mentioned earlier, and is home to a magnificent collection of historic and archaeological artefacts dating back to the Viking era. The other museums in the collection include the Treasures of Medieval Waterford, situated between Cathedral Square and the Bishop’s Palace, and the Treasures of Georgian Waterford based at Waterford’s Mall.

Today, Waterford is celebrated for much more than its rich heritage. It has a thriving crystal trade – a legacy of its former glass-masking industry, a flourishing arts scene, a lively nightlife with live music almost every night and a bustling event calendar, with diary dates ranging from arts and street festivals to culinary celebrations and of course, a St Patrick’s Day parade.

Whether you’re planning to explore the city’s past or join in the annual St Patrick’s Day festivities, there are a number of accommodation options available. Travelodge Waterford offers a convenient location just outside of the city centre, away from the hustle and bustle yet close to the major road networks. It’s also a cost-effective option – perfect for a city break with a difference that won’t break the bank.

So what’s stopping you? Get your stay booked and discover the charm of Waterford. With hundreds of years of history, a lovely riverside location, a bubbly nightlife and a friendly welcome, you’ve got all the right ingredients for a cracking weekend getaway.