Most people who visit London for the first time are hard-pressed to find a traditional place to eat and drink like the English. In fact, most of the Brits are more likely to have a curry or a Chinese takeaway than the expected fish and chips of old. International flavors all seem to settle now in the capital city, and that leaves tourists with one last guaranteed “English experience” – and that’s a trip to the pub.

The “local” or “public house” (from which pub is taken) has been a second home to many in London, and has been for years. It’s not surprising to find three generations of the same family all relaxing at the same time, since people grow up knowing that their friends, families and neighbors will be the ones sharing a drink with them when they enter. Meals are simple and rustic, and you can actually find quite decent fish and chips at most pubs. (Also, be sure to try a hearty and traditional Sunday roast dinner there, where a little more quiet crowd may be found reading the papers and watching the games on TV). Over one hundred years ago, painted signs hung outside pubs to identify the establishments to the patrons who were unable to read. Anyone could say “Meet up tonight at the Frog and Boot” because everyone could recognize a sign featuring (you guessed it) a frog and a boot. Fascinating combinations of names, all filled with meaning years and years before, continue to be found all around London: the Hope and Anchor, the Swan and Sugarloaf, and the Bull and Bush.

Pub etiquette is usually lost on the uninitiated. You need to step up to the bar and place your order; no one will serve you at your table. One of you should buy the drinks at the often-crowded bar while the rest go and find a table. As with everything else in London, there is a queue, so you must wait your turn to be served. You can size up the situation pretty well as you approach the bar, and the bartender is usually good about seeing who is next. You should pay for drinks when you receive them, although many places will also let you run a tab if you’d like. Good news: there is no need to tip when ordering drinks at the bar! If you’d like to, though, you’re welcome to buy the bartender a drink (or offer the equivalent amount in cash). If you accidentally spill someone’s drink, offer to buy them another. Drinking in the street is usually prohibited by law, but you can easily tell if it’s okay when there are tables outside or if others are nearby on the sidewalk near the entrance.

Basics on ordering drinks: Real ale is stronger than ale (or bitter), and ale is stronger than light ale, and lager is much more what we’re akin to in the US. Stout, like Guinness, is also popular. The phrase “ice cold beer” is not usually found in Britain, so beware. You can order either a pint or half-pint. Of course, you can also order wine and many different mixed drinks. If you want something different, try a cider (which is exactly what it sounds like, only alcoholic) or a shandy (an unbelievable mixture of beer and lemonade). Pimms is a popular gin-based drink in England, and you can have it mixed into a Pimms cocktail or Pimms & Lemonade. Traditional bar snacks include crisps and pork scratchings which, to the Americans, are simply potato chips or pork rinds.

Currently you may smoke in certain areas of London pubs, but new legislation may make 2006 the last full year you’ll be able to do so. Another new law came into effect late in 2005 making it possible for pubs to apply for 24/7 licenses, and many pubs have done so. The legal drinking age is 18, although 16 and 17 year olds can drink beer, alcoholic cider or wine with a table meal as long as they’re accompanied by an adult. Even children are allowed in pubs, provided they are with an adult and they don’t drink! Don’t be afraid to ask if you’re uncertain. Because of the easy availability of taxis and public transport, it is easier to prevent yourself and your companions from drinking and driving. Public intoxication does happen, but it is strictly dealt with by police.

Finally, if you’re looking for history along with your pint, seek out one of the oldest working pubs called Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Located in Fleet Street, it originated in the 1500s and was rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666. Dark and gloomy, as it was centuries ago, you can hoist a drink just as Dr. Samuel Johnson and Charles Dickens did years before you. If you’re lucky, escape downstairs into the often-closed cellar rooms and do some exploring at the below-stairs bar.

Brighton Rocks…

Forget kitsch stereotypes, Brighton offers a truly unique and cosmopolitan city break…

With the advance of low-cost airline travel and cheap last-minute deals, many holidaymakers are opting to jump across to Europe for a week and embark upon the increasingly popular ‘city break’. But how about reducing your carbon-footprint and visiting one of the UK’s most cultured, cosmopolitan and unique cities, all from the luxury of your holiday home? With a vast array of houses, apartments and cottages to suit every need, a break in Brighton makes a refreshing change…

Forget everything you think you know about the seaside. Sticks of rock, arcade machines, piers, inflatable dinghies and buckets and spades are all well and good when stereotyping the average British seaside holiday, but are becoming increasingly out-dated as Britain’s seaside becomes more cultured, classy and cosmopolitan. Brighton is one such example, a leading light of seaside towns and a truly unique place possessing a blend of cultures, history, nationalities and attractions into one thriving and chic urban playground.

Brighton offers one of the best nights out in England. Possessing a wealth of pubs, bars and nightspots (nearly 200!), whether you’re after a quiet drink visiting friends, a night of glamorous cocktails or an all-night clubbing experience, Brighton has something for you. Its nightlife is renowned, with several famous DJs regularly spinning records at the city’s bars and clubs, including Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox and Felix Da Housecat.

If your appetite gets the better of you, you’re never far from an unrivalled choice of restaurants and eateries. Whether it’s fish and chips on the beach, or a night of fine wining and dining, there are well over 200 destinations, catering for every taste bud! Brighton is also home to leading restaurants catering for those with special dietary requirements. ‘Food For Friends’ is one such example, a fantastic restaurant offering a wheat-free and vegetarian menu, which is well worth a visit, vegetarian or not! Alternatively, there is an abundance of shops selling locally grown and organic produce, enabling visitors to truly taste the diverse culture and rural heritage of Brighton and the rural tradition of the surrounding coastline and countryside.

This cosmopolitan seaside city also offers some of the best shopping in the south of England. The Laines are famous for their unique atmosphere, culture and array of shops, boutiques, stalls, markets and cafes. From huge bric-a-brac goldmine, ‘Snoopers Paradise’ to vintage clothing shops, organic food stores and inspiring art galleries, the Laines have something to offer everyone.

Whilst the city’s hotels offer tourists pleasant accommodation, the best way to experience Brighton’s unique culture is to fully immerse oneself within the city’s thriving heartbeat. Brighton boasts an impressive assortment of self-catering houses, apartments and cottages, and all of them afford you the freedom to explore this wonderful city at your own accord. So what are you waiting for? A warm welcome awaits every visitor to Brighton, and a thousand treasures are waiting to be uncovered!

It’s hard enough to find a seat in most bars, but fresh air is a rare commodity.

It happens some time in April usually. A splash of blue sky, the temperature approaches the mid 60s and instinctively, the British masses are possessed by the sun god, casting modesty by the wayside and stripping off to expose the maximum surface area of skin that British law allows. And it’s then that we suddenly desert the basement bars for which London is famed in desperate search of the open air. But the crowded capital is not overabundant in grassy gardens, so with a bit of careful investigation, we’ve put together a selection of the tastiest terrazes in the capital and some refreshing cocktails to melt you into the sunset.

93 Feet East

A cobbled bricked up courtyard which catches the sun in mid summer, attracting the indie label-spinners and DJs who flock to Whitechapel for cheap drinks and good company.

Alfresco area holds up to 200-250

Babylon

Delicious almost unbelievable roof gardens cover acres of space and incorporate ponds, luscious growth, real flamingos and one of the most unreal experiences in all of London.

Alfresco area holds up to 150

Bush Bar

A tiny outdoors area with just a couple of tables & benches and precious few hours of sunlight, but hidden away from Shepherds Bush, it’s extremely popular and the only summer cocktail option for miles.

Alfresco area holds 30-60

Cave Austin

In the luxurious landscape of Blackheath, Cave Austin offers a small, but delightful landscaped garden with running stream and luscious greenery. There’s not enough room to swing a cat, but a great space for cooling off from the busy cocktail bar inside.

Alfresco area holds 60-70

Century

Chic private members club in the middle of Shaftesbury Avenue reported to be part-owned by Robbie Williams with a roof-top lounge for private cocktail parties and evenings of true comfort.

Alfresco area holds up to 100

Coq D’Argent

The city restaurant and bar considered to be one of Conran’s greatest successes, Coq D’argent offers a high-up seated balcony which overlooks the City of London with a solid drinks menu ranging from great wines to quality cocktails.

Alfresco area holds up to 50-100

Cubana

A great Cuban restaurant with a decent sized front courtyard where the local after-workers gather in scores to stand and drink Havana cocktails and lime-doused beers through the close evenings.

Alfresco area holds 30-40

Pug

Way out in Chiswick, Pug offers a huge furnished patio with mushroom-heaters to extend the season by a few more weeks. Popular enough in winter, but come summer and you’ll need to diet just to squeeze in.

Alfresco area holds up to 50

Rockwell

High above Trafalgar Square and offering one of the best views in London, the Rockwell’s roof terrace has been sheltered by a modular marquee and heated internally to keep the experience fresh throughout the year.

Alfresco area holds up to 50

Vibe Bar

Another Brick Lane favourite, the expansive courtyard in front of the Old Truman Brewery is a bustling affair come sunshine with regular parties throughout the summer and always full of hip music industry bods and generally creative creatures.

Alfresco area holds up to 100

Zigfrid

The heterogeneous, but harmonious design of Zigfrid spills out onto the front patio in the alfresco months offering the über-hip Hoxtonites the only outdoor seating space in the area and a welcome alternative to battling with grass stains and dogs litter in the square itself.

Alfresco area holds up to 40

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Here follows my guide to the five best cafes in Leeds. Heyup, is that Freddie Flintoff over there behind the mashed potato?

Panini Sandwich Bar

Fill up your panini with any number of rare and imaginative fillings – dependable brie, ostentatious smoked duck, and the real melt in your mouth alpine salami and tomatoes with shredded basil and just a drizzle of olive oil. This place does the simple sandwich a real favour and pepps it up, just for you. Mmm!

Wrapid

Bang in the city centre is the Mecca for all things flatbread. Fill it, fold it, heat it, seal it, get it down your throat! You can charge up on all kinds of meal-based flat fillings like chilli con carne, curried chicken, or even just a simple lemon and sugar pancake. The point is that this place offers something unique and appetizing which you won’t forget in a hurry. Make the pilgrimage.

Philpotts

How fat is your wallet? Don’t worry, it needn’t be bulging, but if the tummy’s rumbling and you don’t mind treating it to finer fodder at the cost of an extra quid or two, then this is your lunch date for today. The sandwiches are custom tweaked to suit your taste. The fillings work well together. The staff know what they’re doing, and know how to advise someone who can’t make their mind up because frankly there is too much yummy gear on offer. Spend a few extra pennies, you won’t be disappointed.

Salvo’s Salumeria

A salumeria is literally a ‘cured meat shop’. Italians love this kind of a sign on a street, because it tells them this is a delicatessen of the highest order. If they are Sicilian, as is the case of the owners of this wonderful café on the Otley Road, then they will know they are dealing with the pinnacle of fine foods, because Sicilian food is quite simply the best. Top off your fresh lasagna or pollo al linguine with caffe and biscotti, or if you’re feeling really dangerous (no horse’s heads) a glass of sweet Marsala.

Harvey Nichol’s Espresso Bar

WAG watchers’ heaven. Painful though it may be to advertise a place that belongs to a large chain, in this case there is no other option. Harvey Nicks is where the most beautiful vulgarity in all of Leeds is most commonly on display. So whether you’re drumming up bravery to go and ask someone who looks like Jermaine Beckford’s wife, or just fancy a delicious Danish and coffee while your heels and Gucci handbag take ten minutes off, you’ll enjoy a lovely gossip in stylish surroundings and service from the top drawer.

Drinking enthusiasts in Britain often come across a problem when faced with the range of bars and pubs to choose from in London: not only is the decision to choose a drinking establishment overwhelming, but it can be hard to sift through the bad to reach the good. But sometimes, the best bars in London can be found in places that both residents and tourists might not think to search. Belgravia, for example, is a district in Westminster that is more famous as a residential area or a purveyor of exclusive boutiques (Harrods is located in the neighbouring borough of Knightsbridge). But Belgravia also boasts its own unique variety of bars and pubs that visitors in the area are sure to find appealing.

Belgravia’s various luxury hotels, in particular, are home to some of the area’s best bars and cafes. When you’re in Belgravia, make sure you visit the Library, in Lanesborough Hotel, Hyde Park Corner. This special bar is known for its dedication to service, with its majestic nineteenth century décor and imposing grandeur. In fact, the hotel itself is given depth because of its historic status, since it was originally built as a hospital. The Library boasts a range of vintage cognacs, an excellent cocktail selection and a variety of champagnes, wines and beers. Guests are even given complimentary canapés with their drinks – so your experience at the Library bar is sure to be pleasant.

And when you’re next looking for trendy bars in Belgravia, make sure you visit the Blue Bar at the Berkeley Hotel, a deluxe hotel on Wilton Place. The visually stunning design of the Blue Bar makes it a popular location for people looking for bars in Belgravia; particularly famous for its Champagne and complimentary snacks, the Blue Bar is sure to provide people looking for sophistication with what they’re looking for.

Beer has been a staple in England for centuries, dating back to the days of Chaucer. The most popular type of beer in England is ale. Ale is a type that is brewed using hops and malt, making it strong and rather bitter. The English prefer ale (darker beer that uses more hops) to lager type, which is popular in America.

In England, beer has traditionally been kept in the cellars of the many pubs. Although not refrigerated, the temperature is cooler than room temperature. The English prefer their beer to be only slightly cool, while those in the United States drink beer as cold as possible.

English pubs also sell a good amount of stout and porter. Stout is a darker, heavier hopped ale that has a creamy head when poured into a glass. Porter is a dark beer, which was often known as the workingman’s drink.

In the past, English pubs were tied to specific beers because they were owned by that brewery. In recent years the laws have relaxed, allowing pubs to offer many types of beer. Still, many of the local pubs are owned and operated by breweries. The most popular of these are Whitbread, Bass and Guinness.

In England the term “light beer” is used to refer to a pale beer, such as a light colored lager. Beer is made using hops. The dried flowers of this plant are used to impart a slightly bitter flavor to beers and ales. In England, hop shoots are widely available and are cooked and served as a vegetable.

Stout is a dark beer that originated in the British Isles. Stout has a strong hops smell and is made with dark-roasted barley which gives it a deep dark color and slightly bitter taste. Pale Ale is also common, which is a slightly lighter in color. The darker the color of the beer the more hops and barley have been used in the brewing process.

Beer does not age as wine does and is best consumed as fresh as possible. Beer is usually low-alcohol, typically less than 5% by weight. Water makes up most of the beer or ale, so the taste of the water used will make a distinct difference in the taste of the finished product. This may explain why people often prefer the beer brewed closest to their home.

The charms of Prague are hard to deny and there are plenty of things to do in the Czech capital. But the following things must be experienced by all who visits the city for the first time:

A lovely walk through time
Walking into the old town or the royal route to the castle gives you the opportunity to see the city throughout its many different golden eras. Prague was a city spared from the brutal devastation of World War II and has gone to great lengths to ensure that the charm of the city has been maintained to this day. Taking a trip outside of the very central downtown area will also give you the opportunity to see what the city looked like before its more recent face lifts. If you make it far enough from downtown, you will also see what the city looked like during the socialist times in Prague.

One beer, two beers?
With very cheap drinks, almost no closing time and some of the most liberal laws in Europe, this is a renown party destination. There are clubs, pubs, beer gardens, cocktail bars, wine bars for every taste. This is a city that almost never sleeps, allowing you to enjoy the history by day and the beer by night.

International atmosphere
But it’s not only history and nightlife. Prague has developed into a cosmopolitan city. Walking through Prague, you will hear countless languages, when you check in at your hostel and sit down for dinner, there will most likely be people from every end of the earth alongside you. The popularity of the city allows you the chance to meet many interesting people.

Holidays that put you in control

The thought of taking a nice, quiet break somewhere can often seem quite appealing, especially when exploring parts of England previously unvisited. However, check-ins, organised tours, group outings and timetables for every day can quickly turn a relaxing break into feeling like a rushed school-trip.

The ideal solution to remedy this problem is to take a self-catering holiday, where you are in control of where you go, what things you do and what time you come and go. With an array of apartments, houses and cottages to suit every requirement, taking a short break in beautiful Sussex has never been easier, more affordable, or more appealing!

Sussex Downs

Sussex is home to the South Downs, showcasing some of England’s finest scenery, ranging from beautiful countryside to spectacular cliffs and coastlines. Beachy Head possesses some of the most tranquil and breathtaking coastal scenery that the county has to offer and offers visitors a truly unique walk.

Devils Dyke is another area of outstanding beauty. Britain’s finest Anglo-Saxon earthwork of its kind runs for nearly eight miles presenting an awe-inspiring countryside walk that has been trodden for centuries.

These are simply two examples of the broad spectrum of country walks, pubs, sights and views available along the South Downs Way, and make up part of a rural heritage that can’t all be appreciated in just the one visit!

History and Culture

If you’re looking for a more historical day out, why not visit one of Sussex’s several famous castles or forts? Bodium and Arundel castles are two prime examples of majestic buildings brimming with history, beauty and plenty of things to do, all set within beautiful rural areas and villages.

Hastings offers a glimpse into English history having hosted quite an event in 1066. The battle is chronicled in museums, buildings and the battlefield itself, with plenty of opportunities for visitors to complete the whole 1066 experience.

Sussex’s beautiful countryside is home to and indeed inspires, many talented artists. The county boasts many galleries, ranging from large, exhibition-hosting venues down to small village outlets where local craftspeople hang their wares. If you’re looking for history and culture, then look no further than Sussex and the English coast.

Eating

What holiday would be complete without food and drink? Taking a self-catering holiday home affords you the luxury of substituting mediocre hotel cuisine for award-winning local restaurants and local produce.

If you fancy a quiet night in, there is an abundance of quality locally farmed produce available throughout Sussex’s towns and villages. If a night of wining and dining suits your fancy, then there is a simply limitless array of options to suit even the most discerning taste-buds, whether it’s a local eatery showcasing the best in home-grown and local cuisine or a range of cosmopolitan fine restaurants located in a city. Sussex boasts all of these, as well as some of the finest fish restaurants available on England’s coastline.

Urban Chic

With all of the rural countryside and natural beauty of Sussex, it’s easy to forget that we’re also home to Brighton, one of the country’s most cosmopolitan and fashionable cities. Brighton has excellent transport links to most places in the county and offers a wealth of sights, sounds and activities for your holiday.

Brighton is home to some of the most varied and interesting shops, boutiques and markets in the south of England. The Laines offer a truly unique and independent range of shops, stalls and restaurants which are packed full of colour, character and charm, ensuring that you’ll definitely find something to take back your friends, and plenty more besides!

Brighton Marina naturally affords people boating access, whilst a casino and several restaurants have made this part of the city a very glamorous night out. From yacht hotels to moorings for your own vessel, the Marina offers yet further options to your holiday experience.

Add to this a huge shopping centre, great restaurants and a fantastic array of pubs, bars and nightlife, and you’re never short of somewhere to go or something to do, all within cosmopolitan Brighton!

Accommodation

The final piece of your holiday jigsaw falls into place with the selection of accommodation. The best way to explore our vast and beautiful county is at your own leisure, and nothing offers you this freedom like a self-catering holiday home. There are a broad range of cottages, houses and apartments based in a variety of locations to suit your needs exactly, and ensure that your holiday in Sussex is enjoyed exactly how and where you want it to be.

The days of the perception of Irish cuisine consisting purely of potatoes can now be finally put to rest. Any visitor to Ireland’s main cities will of course be aware of the numerous bars, cafes and slew of dining options covering every conceivable type of cuisine on the planet.

What might surprise the average visitor though is the wonderful dining options that can be found outside the main cities, in seaside towns and small country villages. Many small villages and towns are now following suit on towns such as Kinsale in Cork, the gourmet capital of Ireland.

The latest town to tempt our taste buds is Doolin, located in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. This harbor town is a jump off point for the ferry to the Aran Islands and its principal draw for decades has been the authentic Traditional Irish music that can be heard nightly in the bars in this picture perfect town. More recently though, visitors are being drawn to the culinary options in Doolin from its restaurants, bars and hotel restaurants.

For seafood lovers, Cullinan’s Guesthouse and Restaurant in the village provides a memorable dining experience with a great selection of dishes making the most of the locally caught seafood. The service is professional and the owners have added some special touches, such as choosing dessert wines to complement your desserts, which you would not find in many restaurants of the region.

A fine dining experience is available at Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel and Restaurant. Indeed there is a wonderful blend of the plush dining room decor, the exquisite food, the panoramic views of Galway Bay and all set with the backdrop the 15th century castle which forms the backdrop to the hotel and restaurant.

If you are unsure of what type of dining option you and the family wish to take then a visit to the Aran View House Hotel just north of Doolin village has plenty of options. The completely informal option is to take the bar menu and enjoy the views out to the Aran Islands. Note this is a hotel bar so is definitely family friendly. The adjoining restaurant also caters for standard and a-la-carte dining options for a proper sit down dinner.

And finally, for those seeking pub fare in an authentic Irish pub, then stop by McGanns Pub and Restaurant or O’Connors Pub in Doolin village to enjoy wholesome fare with menus full of delicious seafood chowder and Irish stews, amongst other Irish favorites. Just make sure to get along before the music starts as both these pubs are meccas of traditional Irish music so the bar fills up quickly most evenings.