july-2011

TEXT: SOPHY GRIMSHAW AND CHRISTOPHER COOLEY
FOR OUR FULL ROUTE MAP VISIT WWW.RYANAIR.COM Ryanair two-minute guides
UK
NUMBER CRUNCHER
70 million
BRISTOL
EAT: SWINKY SWEETS
A dinky café specialising in handcrafted
treats and sundaes. This summer’s
cupcake collection is inspired by
cocktails – our favourite is the Pina
Colada. There’s also a shop selling US
imports such as Lucky Charms cereal.
20 PARK STREET, TEL + 44 (0)117 929 7512,
WWW.SWINKYSWEETS.CO.UK
DRINK: JOE PUBLIC’S
At the heart of the nightlife district
between Clifton and Park Street is this bar
and live-music venue. We love the faux
aeroplane décor that will transport you to
a late-night landing over a metropolis –
especially after a glass or two of
Champagne. Get there around 11pm,
when it starts to fi ll up.
3 QUEENS AVENUE, TEL +44 (0)117 973 1249,
WWW.JOEPUBLICS.COM
STAY: LUXURY ROOMS
These luxury serviced apartments
overlook the harbour and come in various
sizes from studios to three-bedroom
pads. There’s a minimum stay of two
nights. Doubles from £98 (€98).
CANON’S WAY, TEL +44 (0)1173 306850,
WWW.LUXURYROOMSBRISTOL.CO.UK
VISIT: AVON GORGE
The Avon Gorge is a Bristol icon and
at night it’s beautifully illuminated
(pictured). By day, take a fascinating free
guided tour at the weekend, setting off at
3pm from Clifton toll booth.
BRIDGE ROAD, TEL +44 (0)117 974 4664,
WWW.CLIFTONBRIDGE.ORG.UK
FLY TO BRISTOL FROM 30 DESTINATIONS,
INCLUDING KNOCK AND LANZAROTE
The number of natural specimens in the collection at the Natural History
Museum, ranging from microscopic slides to mammoth skeletons
EDINBURGH
EAT: UNDER THE STAIRS
Make yourself at home in the shabby-chic
surroundings of this bar-restaurant
(pictured), where the menu is dominated
by British and Mediterranean classics.
There’s a chilled-out atmosphere that
makes it all too easy to linger from lunch
until late into the evening.
3A MERCHANT STREET, TEL: +44 (0)131 466
8550, WWW.UNDERTHESTAIRS.ORG
RELAX: THE MEADOWS
Make the most of the Scottish summer
sunshine at The Meadows, a much-loved
public park kitted out with tennis courts,
cricket pitches, a free-to-play pitch and
putt course and more.
NEAR MELVILLE DRIVE
STAY: CEILIDH DONIA HOTEL
At this family-run hotel a warm Scottish
welcome comes free of charge. Located
close to the centre of town, it offers
quality and comfort with a personal touch.
A good fi nd. Doubles from £110 (€110).
14-16 MARCHHALL CRESCENT,
TEL: +44 (0)131 667 2743,
WWW.HOTELCEILIDH-DONIA.CO.UK
VIEW: CAMERA OBSCURA
See the city in more ways than you ever
thought possible with the old-fashioned
camera obscura beside Edinburgh castle.
As well as some unique city views, you
can experience other optical illusions
and technical wizardry.
549 CASTLEHILL, TEL: +44 (0)131 226 3709,
WWW.CAMERA-OBSCURA.CO.UK
FLY TO EDINBURGH FROM 37
DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING BRATISLAVA
AND MEMMINGEN (MUNICH)
LONDON
DRINK: PROUD2
The capital’s newest super-sized club
is Proud2, housed within the vast The
02 venue. Downstairs there’s a 1960s,
Warhol’s Factory feel, while upstairs
there’s the art deco-inspired lounge plus
more rooms, tunes and drinks to discover.
THE O2, PENINSULA SQUARE, LONDON SE10,
TEL: +44 (0)20 8463 3070,
WWW.PROUD2.COM
EAT: WATERLOO BAR AND GRILL
Hidden behind a bustling front bar is
this serenely calm dining room, serving
European classics including quality steak
and pasta dishes. Minutes from the South
Bank and the National Theatre.
119 WATERLOO ROAD, LONDON SE1,
TEL: +44 (0)20 7960 0202,
WWW.WATERLOOBARANDGRILL.COM
SHOP: DISNEY STORE
This brand new branch (pictured) has
everything a Disney fan could wish upon a
star for. There’s a massive Princess Castle
with a magic mirror, a high-def Disney
cinema and much more.
350 OXFORD STREET, LONDON WC1, TEL: +44
(0)20 7491 9136, WWW.DISNEYSTORE.CO.UK
SEE: THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE
This darkly comic play was such a hit
in 2010 that the Young Vic theatre has
brought it back. The tale of an Irish
mother and daughter has been showered
with awards. From 20 July – 3 September.
YOUNG VIC, 66 THE CUT, LONDON SE1, TEL:
+44 (0)20 7922 2922, WWW.YOUNGVIC.ORG
FLY TO LONDON (GATWICK, LUTON AND
STANSTED) FROM OVER 100 DESTINATIONS,
INCLUDING PERPIGNAN AND SALZBURG
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