Ibiza Night View by Teosaurio August 22, 2009, on Flickr via Creative Commons

The word party is almost synonymous with Ibiza. The small island is not only the party capital of Spain, but one of the entire European continent and even the world. Ibiza clubs attract the best DJs and sound mixers in the world to perform for thousands of party goers and vacationers each year. Many people opt to stay the whole summer and live in many of the Ibiza apartments available so that they do not to miss even a second of the fun.

Ibiza is pretty small and you can get around well in taxis or public transport. There are hundreds of establishments catering to you on the beach and off. The Mediterranean sun might be one of your main reasons for visiting, but unlikely! If you’re in Ibiza it’s for the night! After pre-gaming at bars or at your apartment or hotel so as not to go bust, you’ll want visit the best of the best, Amnesia. You’ll find Amnesia in the middle of Ibiza. It is the club that offers you the best dance music and a long list of top international known DJs. To accompany the tunes, you’ll have ton of effects for a full sensory experience!

If it’s electronic music you’re after, a season in Ibiza is not complete without a tour of one of DC10’s all-night raves. You’ll recognize DC10’s iconic symbol as the crazy clown, an apt symbol for a rave venue if ever there was one. There’s nothing quite like seeing the wee hours of the morning glow into view once the rave has finally come to a close; however it’s easy to lose track of time!

Ibiza 2008 by Simon Welsh June 22, 2008, on Flickr via Creative Commons

Possibly the most popular club on Ibiza is Pacha. It has been around longer than any of the others and its experience has allowed it to grow internationally. However, the Ibiza location is the original and flagship set-up. Today it attracts the hottest artists in show, with names like Jay Z and Dr. Dre throwing the party. This place is particularly fun if you plan on playing the VIP!

You’ll find the next great club in San Antonia, right on the water. Es Paradis is one of the oldest clubs on the island as well, and its time has seen transformations that have made it one of the most attractive clubs on the island. This place is noted for its elaborate interior design and the strange water parties it throws.

The Ibiza scene might be crazy, but thanks to its fabulous location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, the days allow for a refreshing way to relax the hang over away with a cocktail on the beach. The large clubs are that mainstay of Ibiza, but you could always opt to spend your party season lounging around beach bars and smaller clubs.

Meet the Author: Madeleine Wilson Madeleine is a travel writer and currently the editor of the HostelBookers blog. Her articles have been featured on Lonely Planet and The Huffington Post.

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fresh fish n chips by f10n4 via Flick and Creative Commons

Minus the sea breeze in your hair, London knows how dish up a decent portion of fish and chips. There are a number of upmarket options should you prefer to sit in but if you enjoy mobbing up your chips in newspaper, a couple of take-aways really stand out from the shoal.

Sutton & Son’s

White tiled walls and chunky wooden tables give the place a refined canteen-style affair with daily specials chalked up on the blackboard. Fish is locally sourced – from their very own fishmongers across the road! They also offer a free delivery service (no deliveries on Fridays) on orders over £15. Traditionalists can enjoy a battered Mars bar or Snickers for pud.

Cod and chips: £6.90

Interesting alternative: Kennedy’s Pies

Alcohol served? Yes

Address: 90 Stoke Newington High Street N16

Tel: 020 7249 6444

Fish Central

A golden oldie that opened in 1968, the area is now primarily residential and a firm favourite with locals. There is real thought going in to this place with chargrilled swordfish paella for the more adventurous and deserts of fruit salad with banana leaf and mango sorbet to really cleanse your palette.

Cod and chips: £9.55

Interesting alternative: West Mersea rock oysters

Alcohol served? Yes

Address: 149-155 Central Street, EC1V

Tel: 0207 2534 970

Nautilus

Large portions are made more manageable with the Jewish-style matzo meal instead of standard batter. This makes your fish and chips deliciously light. The interior is not going to win any style awards – it has been owned by the same Greek family for over 50 years – but you are here for the great quality food and enthusiastic service.

Cod and chips: £7.50

Interesting alternative: A battered sausage is always going to be interesting

Alcohol served? No

Address: 27-29 Fortune Green Road, NW6

Tel: 020 74352532

Fish and chips de panais by balise42 on Flicr via Creative Commons

Brady’s

Buying direct from Grimsby and Cornwall, they sell nothing but fish. It is often bustling inside and I suggest you indulge in a few fishy starters to make the most of the variety on offer including half pints of prawns, cockles and sweet herrings. I doubt you will get this far but the puds are homemade.

Cod and chips: £7.50

Interesting alternative: Cockles

Alcohol served? Yes

Address: 513 Old York Road, SW18

Tel: 020 8877 9599

Geales

With chips priced at £3.45, you know you are in for a fancier affair at Geales. It was proudly established in 1939 and touches like a scoop of blood orange sorbet with your desert, set this Notting Hill venue apart. All from sustainable resources, you can tuck in with a clean conscience too.

Cod and chips: £15.20

Interesting alternative: Geales fish pie or sweet corn and coconut

Alcohol served? Yes

Address: 2 Farmer Street, W8

Tel: 020 7727 7528

Sea Fish

Previously the Trawlerman, this is a great option if you are struggling to find a budget place to eat on Islington’s pricey Upper Street. It is nice and bright inside with bare brick walls and a chandelier for the full delusions of grandeur effect. They have a great lunch time deal of fish and chips for a fiver.

Cod and chips: £7.95

Interesting alternative: Spicy seafood soup

Alcohol served: No

Address: 205 Upper Street, N1

Tel: 020 7354 0276

HostelBookers is a budget accommodation specialist with some great cheap hotels in London  accompanied by customer reviews and ratings.

Meet the Author: Madeleine Wilson Madeleine is a travel writer and currently the editor of the HostelBookers blog. Her articles have been featured on Lonely Planet and The Huffington Post.

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Image is Property of Guest Author

Many people that travel to Britain make a point of heading to Edinburgh. Why? Well, it’s a city rich in culture, heritage and history and there are countless attractions to go and visit. There’s also an abundance of affordable hotels in Edinburgh near to all the major sites, which makes it even more of an appealing prospect for tourists.

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Image property of CiskLager.com

Type: Beer – Lager
Name: Simond Farson’s – Cisk
Price: $1.79
Made: Mriehel, Malta
Alc/Vol: 4.2%

“A golden, bottom fermented lager with a well balanced character and a rich hop aroma.”

After a recent guest post: My Blind Date with Malta I was excited to try this beer that Author Louis Jobin described as “a sweet, cheap and delightfully refreshing local beer that was well-needed after another hot day of gorgeous weather.” I’ve never tried Cisk or been to Malta but I was excited to place myself right next to the author as I re-read his post.

So what was my take on this beer…

The scent had a touch of grains and malts, which is very typical of a lager nothing outstanding. There was a little bit of sweetness in the nose, but it was subtle.

Down the hatches it went and I do have to say it drinks smooth, light and almost creamy in texture. However, there isn’t much in taste, not even in the finish, but it’s likable. I could see enjoying this on a nice hot day with a hearty rabbit meal or stew. Or at least that’s what seems to be a traditional dish in Malta.

As I continued to drink this beer down there was a faint hint of hops that were noticeable, but more so the malts, without being malty that is. (Hmm Malta’s malty malts – hehehe)

The one peculiarity about the beer was that it leaves only the tip of my tongue feeling dry. Overall it doesn’t leave much of an impression. It is drinkable, I could drink these all night and it was cheap as Jobin stated, even as an import. Yet it doesn’t give you enough of anything to be craved, missed, reminisced, or in other words its forgettable. Maybe if I was sitting on the shores of Malta enjoying this beer after scuba diving it would leave an impression. Yet that would be the scene not the beer that puts me there, but then again that seems to be common for beers from hot climates.

Overall, I give this beer 2 1/2 out of 5 bananas. It was middle of the road good, which is more than I can say about a lot of beers.

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Having scoured the internet for my next destination to explore, I stumbled across mydestination.com/Prague and was immediately sold on visiting the city. Combining my love of history, traditional food and drink and the hundreds of fantastic sights, I set off, bound to have a fabulous time.

An absolute must see is Prague Castle. The castle itself is a huge complex, with lots of different rooms, palaces and churches dating from all different periods with diverse styles, something guaranteed to suit every taste. My favourite parts, which I’d thoroughly recommend, are the Lobkowicz Palace and the St. Vitus’s Cathedral. The palace houses a huge museum taking you through all of Czech history and also has a great traditional restaurant. The restaurant is on a balcony overlooking the castle district, a stunning view, and the palace also hosts daily concerts, the perfect setting to enjoy Czech food (which is amazing by the way) and well worth a visit!

The Cathedral is the biggest in the country and is hugely important in the country’s history, being the coronation and burial site of many kings and emperors. A great example of Gothic architecture, the cathedral draws thousands of visitors daily and once you see it you will know why. The cathedral, and the palace district in general, should certainly be on your to-do list if, like me, you’re at all interested in history or just immersing yourself in Czech culture. Hours, even days, can be lost wandering around the beautiful gardens, courtyards and palaces in this area of the city, and I really can’t recommend it enough – the perfect way to see most of the major sites of Prague in one convenient area.

Another fantastic area worth a visit is the Old Town Square, the centre of the city from the 10th to the 20th century. The square has many bars, restaurants and other shops, and though they are more expensive than other areas of the city, I think it is well worth eating outside in the square just to enjoy the scenery and watch the hustle and bustle of the city go by. Personally the highlight of the square for me was the clock tower where every hour a fanfare plays and colourful carvings of skeletons and other figures come to life to ring the bells. Climbing the stairs to the top of the tower also gives amazing views of the city- just don’t look down!

When looking for food and drink in Prague bars and restaurants are never far away. Prague has a growing reputation as a destination for stag weekends, and whilst I’m all for a wild night on the town, everyone needs down time, and Prague definitely caters for those looking for a more traditional or sophisticated time. The wonderful Vinograf Wine Bar in the centre of the city is a great example. The staff made me feel so welcome and obviously know so much about the wine they are selling and the bar itself is a small quaint little place, full of the character and charm that makes Prague unique. My nightlife highlight though has to be Stredoveka Krema, a fantastic medieval tavern complete with a roaring fire, sheepskin draped across the chairs and candles lighting all the old wooden tables. I honestly felt like I’d travelled back in time, sitting in a dark tavern in the shadow of the castle drinking traditional beers and eating national dishes of pork, duck and fish and I really couldn’t recommend this tavern enough.

All in all I can’t believe I never visited Prague before now. From beautiful architecture and amazing historical sites to fantastic traditional taverns serving great food and drink there’s something to suit every taste. Prague is perfect for anyone like me out for an adventure, with great food, great people and great sights; it’s definitely a place I’d recommend to anyone.

Meet the Author: Alex Sayers Alex Sayers from England dreams of travelling the world on a cultural odyssey, seeking out new adventures, fantastic experiences and seeing all the sights one exciting country at a time!

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