1. Getting into the building

The long queues at the Pyramid entrance in the centre of the Louvre are almost as famous as the museum itself. Getting in line for an entrance ticket at the Pyramid can sometimes take as long as an hour. That’s hardly surprising when 15,000 people a day visit the building. But did you know that there are four other entrances?

If you want to avoid the queues then try using the entrance at the Porte des Lions just east of the Pont Royal; at number 99 the Rue du Rivoli; at the Arc du Carousel or directly from the Metro station Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (platform on line 1).

You can escape the queues completely by purchasing your ticket in advance at FNAC or other department stores. There’s usually a small fee of a couple of euros per ticket for this service.

2. Good value tickets

Entrance to the Louvre is €9. If you head there after 6pm on a Wednesday or Friday, entrance is reduced to just €6 and the museum is open until 9.45pm. Entrance is free for under 26s on Friday evenings. On Bastille Day (14 July) and the first Sunday of each month entrance is free for everyone, all day. Be warned though, the galleries get even more busy at these times.

3. Get the view of an expert

The Louvre is massive. There are 35,000 works of art and 380,000 museum objects to see. It’s so huge that it would take you a whole day just to walk through all the galleries, never mind seeing any of the art.

In fact, a good way to get an overview of this enormous museum is to take one of the excellent guided tours, which depart from under the Pyramide throughout the day.

Tours are available in a variety of languages and are aimed at different levels, from first-time visitors to art experts. Tour times vary daily, so check the board when you arrive to see what’s on offer that day.

4. Check in advance

Of course, no trip to the Louvre is complete without seeing the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. The Louvre have a habit of moving these masterpieces around the building at short notice, so if you want to avoid wandering endless galleries needlessly, then take a quick look at their website before you visit www.louvre.fr.

5. Stop and recharge

With so many galleries, you’ll be in need of refreshment. There are good places to eat and drink in the Louvre, but be warned that the Café Denon and Café Richlieu are rather expensive. Better value can be had at the Café Mollien (on the first floor) which also has a summer terrace.

But if you want to escape the building, you can get good snacks and light lunches in the many cafés in the beautiful Jardins des Tuileries. Also look out for the mobile snack stands which serve good quality coffee at half the price of the museum cafés.

Photo of visitors queuing at the Louvre Museum, Paris originally posted by crabchick

1 Buying a ticket

Queues for tickets on the door at the Prado can be long. There are three ticket offices, but the Puerto de Goya is the best one to head to as the others often don’t give a full range of discounts for concessions.

If you want to skip the queues and don’t mind paying a few extra euros, you can book your ticket online in advance of your visit. The extra charge gets you free into some temporary exhibitions, so is often very good value. Be sure not to fold your printed e-ticket as they can get grumpy at the entrances with folded sheets of paper. And keep your ticket with you throughout your visit as the staff have a habit of asking to see it again once you’re inside.

Groups of more than six people must pre-book their tickets. Adult entrance is €9,50 (concessions available) and can be bought at http://www.museodelprado.es/en/ingles/

2 Get a good deal

If you are a bit of an art buff, or even if you’re not, and intend on visiting all three of the art museums on the Paseo del Prado (the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia National Museum Art Centre) during your visit you’d do well to buy the Paseo del Arte ticket. They don’t advertise it very well – because it’s such great value – but ask for it at any of the ticket offices. All three museums for €14,40.

You can escape the complicated ticket system completely by visiting on one of the free entry days: October 12 (Columbus Day), 19 November (Anniversary of the Museo Nacional del Prado), December 6 (Spanish National Holiday), May 2 (Official Holiday for the Region of Madrid) or May 18 (International Museum Day). Be warned, the Museum is very busy on these days.

Also, if you’re seeking good value, don’t forget that a regular ticket to the Prado also gets you free into the Cason del Buen Retiro, nearby. It’s where much of the Spanish art from the 1800s is displayed.

3 Choose your entrance

Getting into the Prado can be bit of a nightmare and the queues are often very long. There are three entrances:

Pueroto de Velasquez – the main entrance to the Museum

Puerta de los Jerónimos – enter here if you have tickets for temporary exhibitions.

Puerto de Murillo – officially for pre-booked groups only, but if you have individual tickets and smile nicely they’ll often let you in here as well. It’s worth it as it has much shorter queues. This entrance points you in the direction of the classical sculpture galleries and the Italian renaissance.

If you intend to bring a disabled vehicle to the Museum, they prefer it if you call in advance and let them know (+34) 91 330 2800

4 Get your bearings

This Museum is enormous. It’s well worth picking up a free paper map when you arrive. They are available at all the main entrances. All the rooms are numbered from 1 to 102. The rooms are all numbered in Roman numerals. You’d do well to swot up on your I, V, X, L and C.

5 A quick tour

There are many guidebooks to the Museum, available for sale in the two shops (upper and lower floors). The Prado have created a leaflet called the Quick Visit Guide – a selection of art objects to visit if you want to do the highlights of the Museum in a hurry. Alternatively, take an audio tour of the collection for €3,50.

If you don’t want to pay for the leaflet, there is a tour of the top 15 masterpieces in the Museum available on their website, which you can look at in advance: http://www.museodelprado.es/en/en/welcome/15-masterpieces/

6 Expert knowledge

If you want more information about the major artists represented in the Museum and their works, you can buy inexpensive booklets in the main rooms dedicated to Valazquez, Goya, Titian, El Greco and Bosch.

7 Avoid the rush

In the summer, especially, the Museum can become awash with tour groups who get in the way of the art and block the passageways. Remember though that these groups are often on a tight schedule. If an organised group is blocking your view of an art work, just hang back a few moments and they’ll soon be out of the way.

In general, the Museum is busiest between 10h00 and 12h00 daily. Remember, everything happens much later in Spain, including museum opening times. The building is open until 20h00, so my advice would be to leave the queues to die down and head there in the late afternoon/early evening.

8 Watch art in action in the galleries

The Prado Museum is proud of the fact that it allows access to its collection to art students and professional painters, giving them the chance to copy the art on display. You’ll see people in the galleries painting their own copies of the masterpieces and perfecting their own techniques. This activity is carefully monitored by the Museum though, so don’t bring your easel and paint along unless you have permission. Some of their work is amazing and it’s quite fun to watch them, deep in concentration.

9 A bite to eat

The cafeteria is located on the lower ground floor and is open until 19h30. It gets really busy at lunchtimes, but at other times can be a great way to sit and relax if you’ve taken in too much art.

10 Check out the bling

It’s almost a crime to make a trip to the Prado and not visit the underground vault containing the collection of jewels that belonged to the Grand Dauphin Louis, son of Louis XIV and father of Felipe V (the first Bourbon king of Spain). The collection comprises all manner of bejewelled extravaganzas finely decorated in rubies, diamonds, emeralds and other precious stones. It’s a feast for the eyes.

The Museum del Prado is open 09h00-20h00 Tuesday-Sunday and public holidays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing and the galleries are cleared 10 minutes before closing time.

Picture of Goya’s “Las Majas”, Prado Museum, Madrid originally posted by Lanpernas 2.0 

The V&A is so huge in fact, that to try and look at every room in the museum in any detail, you’d be there for at least week. If you’re on a tight schedule or are only visiting for the first time, here’s a guide of how to ‘do’ the museum in just two hours.

It’s worth pointing out that the V&A has nothing to do with Queen Victoria or her beloved husband Albert, but is the national museum of art and design.

To entice you there, it’s free and it’s helpfully located right by South Kensington tube station, just a few stops from the West End.

Tip 1 – get sorted, get a plan

You don’t want to be carrying your bags and coats round with you. If you come in the main front entrance, there’s a cloakroom on the right.

Decide where you’re going to go. Get a free map and take a moment to sit down and get your bearings. The museum layout is quite complicated and there is often building work going on, blocking off that vital staircase or corridor, so be patient. Also, take time to look at the screens in the front hall which display details of the free talks during the day.

To help with your bearings, remember that most of the museum is centered around a square garden in the middle of the building.

Tip 2 – first port of call

I suggest heading to the British Galleries first. They are close to the entrance (up and to your left when you walk in) and give a great overview of the history of British design. Recently redeveloped they are lively and well-presented. You can play interactive games as you go and email your own designs to yourself. The galleries are huge though, so don’t linger too long here.

Tip 3 – wow, that’s beautiful

No visit to the V&A is complete without seeing the monumental sculpture rooms. There are some huge pieces in here, including a cast of Trajan’s column from Rome (yes, all of it!) and a replica of Michelangelo’s David from Florence.

Tip 4 – see what you want to see

There is so much to see in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and so little time, so I suggest that next you choose just one or two rooms and go see them. Ignore the rest – there’s just too much. Whatever takes your fancy really – from medieval stained glass windows to 20th century design, from glittering jewelery to huge tapestries. Take your pick

Tip 5 – Eat and shop

The V&A café is just brilliant. It’s the oldest museum restaurant in the world, but visitors can choose whether they want to take refreshments in the old rooms or the ultra-modern new spaces.

The shop is also well worth a visit is great for picking up little presents, souvenirs and postcards to scholarly books or soft furnishings.

Tip 7 – see something different

The Victoria and Albert Museum has an excellent program of temporary exhibitions, some of which have an entrance charge. They are great, but often very large, so if the current display catches your eye, make sure you add another hour on to your visit time.

Tip 8 – visiting with a family

Near the entrance to the museum you’ll find a place to pick up a back pack, full of goodies and art activities for your visit. Plus there are often drop-in workshops and fun things to do. Check out a leaflet when you arrive or ask at the information desk.

If your little ones are bored, take them to the top floor of the Science Museum (located right next door) and play in the Launchpad area. Children and big kids alike will love it. The Natural History Museum is also nearby.

Our tour starts at St Giles’ Cathedral in the centre of town. Find the plaque commemorating the life of Robert Louis Stevenson (famous for writing Treasure Island). He was born in Edinburgh and attended the University here. His body isn’t here now though – he’s buried in Samoa where he lived the final years. The huge west window of the Cathedral is inspired by the works of perhaps Scotland’s most famous poet Robert Burns.

• Take a wander along to the beautiful buildings of the University of Edinburgh. Many noteworthy people were educated here since 1583, including some famous writers such as: David Hume (historian and philosopher), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes), J. M. Barrie (author of Peter Pan) and Robert Louis Stevenson (mentioned above). More recent graduates include Ian Rankin (the modern crime novelist and creator of the Inspector Rebus novels) and Anthony McCall Smith (writer of the best-selling No.1 Ladies Detective Agency set in Botswana and a newer series of books set right here Edinburgh.)

• Nearby on St Mary’s Street (other side of the South Bridge) is a plaque commemorating the visit in 1773 of Dr Johnson, the famous author of the first authoritative dictionary of the English language.

• Come back past the University and, nestled between Lawnmarket and the Mound, is the charming Lady Stair’s House and Writers’ Museum, so called because in 1719 it became the home of the Countess of Stair. It was presented to the city in 1907 and now houses collections relating to the lives and works of Burns, Scott and Stevenson.

• Take a walk down Chambers Street (also in the block behind the main University buildings) and you’ll find a plaque commemorating the birthplace of Sir Walter Scott in 1771. Famous for writing books such as Waverley, Rob Roy and Ivanhoe, Scott is perhaps the most celebrated Scottish writer in Edinburgh today. Scott never wandered far from here. He spent much of his childhood just a couple of blocks south of here at 25 George Square (also marked with a plaque) and then went to the University of Edinburgh.

• If you want to follow Sir Walter’s story around the city, take a walk up the hill, via George IV Bridge. On the way you’ll pass the National Library of Scotland. Stop in and take a look at the many original copies of important pieces of Scottish literature.

• Once you’ve found your way to the top, cross over Princes Street (one of the main roads of north Edinburgh) and find Castle Street. At number 39 is a plaque and a seated statue of Sir Walter Scott above the door. (If you take a look at number 30 you’ll also see a plaque commemorating the birthplace of Kenneth Grahame, author of The Wind in the Willows.)

• Back on Princes Street again you’ll find the road dominated by the huge monument to Sir Walter Scott. He’s shown with his dog under a 200-foot high canopy, surrounded by 64 characters from his many books. See, he’s everywhere!

• At the end of our tour, carry on down Princes Street and Waterloo Place until it turns into Regent Road. Here on the right we meet again Robert Burns and his memorial.

You’ll probably be tired after all that walking and hill climbing. Stop off in one of Edinburgh’s many bars or pubs for a dram of whisky and some haggis. If you’re visiting on 25 January, you’ll be able to celebrate Burns night with the locals.

Photo of Walter Scott Monument, Edinburgh originally posted by jig o’dance

By early March 1815 he had managed to escape the island and made it safely to mainland France. Of course, he was on his way to Waterloo where he would eventually meet his downfall, but on arrival back in France his progress was unhindered.

The route he and a thousand men took that week is known as the Route Napoleon, now a 325 km stretch of modern road, the N85 winding through the spectacular mountains of Provence.

It took Napoleon a whole week, but today you can drive the entire route in about eight hours. Perhaps you’ll want to split it up into smaller sections and enjoy the fantastic scenery over a few days.

Just follow the sign of the brown eagle on the roadside.

Here’s our guide of how to retrace his footsteps:

• After landing at Golfe-Juan, Napoleon and his men set up camp and marched to Cannes where they rested briefly on the beach. You can do the same, although the town is much more of a tourist destination today that it was in 1815!

• Napoleon’s men then turned inland and walked through the night, I suggest you take a rest stop at Grasse and enjoy the a glass of wine among the charming back streets and public fountains. It’s the home of French perfume, so take some time to choose a new scent. Grasse also has amazing grottos and caves, well worth a visit.

• The men didn’t linger there though. They stopped for a quick lunch break at St-Vallier-de-Thiey. If you choose to do the same, you should take a picnic and enjoy the amazing views over the valley from the picnic site.

• Further on their trip, the men were invited by the Mayor to spend the night in the Château de Brondet – alas it’s now close, so you can’t do the same, but you can drive past it.

• The men took refreshments in the small town of Logis du Pin. If you want to follow in their footsteps, I suggest skipping this town and waiting until you get to Castellane for lunch, where they also ate. Climb to the top of the Notre Dame du Roc to appreciate this beautiful place, including the appropriately named Napoleon Bridge. If you’re there on Saturday be sure to check out the local market.

• After a night stop at Barrême and an early start the group marched along a difficult mountain trail through the barren Pré-Alpes de Digne. Fortunately for us, this is now mainly the D20 road and you won’t have to get out of the car. Just enjoy the views.

• The next overnight stop took place the River Bléone at Malijai. Of course Napoleon didn’t sleep in the fields with his men – he spent the night at the Château. This is now the town hall and visitor centre – go in the check out the beautiful decoration and the exquisite and orderly French gardens.

• Braced for resistance from the locals, the men next entered the town of Sisteron, but were in fact not challenged. They took a break there and if you want to do the same be sure to see the Citadel Museum, or even the Baden-Powell Scout Museum. What this is doing in Provence, nobody knows!

• Later that night they arrived at Gap and set up camp. Apparently when Napoleon left Gap, the townspeople all went with him. The locals are indeed friendly today, but please try to leave as many behind for other visitors to the town.

• If you’re driving the route, you can then follow it on to the end at Grenoble, via Corps and La Mure.

These beautiful towns and villages are all beautiful and each has something individual about it. Enjoy the trip!

Photo of Route Napoleon, France originally posted by Teosaurio

While it’s no longer true that the British all down tools at 4pm to eat a delicate and refined meal with a cup of tea, it’s pretty clear they still have a passion for tea.

Afternoon tea is mostly between 3pm and 5 pm. If you’re a tourist and have been pounding the streets shopping, visiting museums and escaping people trying to get you to sign up as patrons of charities, you’ll have earned yourself a good sit down and a nice cup of restorative tea.

There are no set rules for what constitutes afternoon tea, but traditionally you’ll be offered

• a selection of teas, of course;

•  some small sandwiches, perhaps with their crusts cut off to make them more delicate;

• warm scones with clotted cream and jam;

• a choice of cakes, biscuits or pastries;

• and most importantly, a chance to stop for a few minutes and relax

The best place in London to take tea is at Buckingham Palace, but getting an invite to one of the annual summer garden parties is pretty hard work.

The major London hotels are famous for their afternoon teas – the Ritz, the Savoy, the Waldorf – but these are often incredibly overpriced. And once you’ve had tea, champagne and cucumber sandwiches in one glitzy hotel, you’ve had it in them all.

So, here’s a guide to the more affordable, and unique, ways to enjoy afternoon tea in London:

Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A is the national museum of art and design, so this is definitely one of the most aesthetically pleasing venues in which to enjoy afternoon tea.

Everything here is beautifully crafted, from the cups and saucers to the amazing tiles on the walls. And it’s completely unique – the V&A tea rooms were the first café in any museum in the world, ever.

Address: Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL

Underground: South Kensington

Fortnum and Mason

Fortnum’s is perhaps most famous as the store where Queen Elizabeth II does her grocery shopping. Of course, she doesn’t walk round picking up vegetables and bread herself, but this is where they come from for her personal catering.

The shop was founded in1705 and is still on the same site. The building itself is worth a visit, even if you’re not having afternoon tea. From the moment you walk in, it’s English class all the way.

There are four restaurants, all of which have recently been refurbished. Afternoon tea is available in St James’ restaurant from 2pm until 7pm.

The dress code is smart-casual, with no beachwear, and no shorts or open toe sandals for men.

It gets busy at Fortnum’s. If you’re thinking of heading there for tea on a weekday, it’s advisable to book the day before. If you want a slot on a Saturday, you’d better call them a few weeks in advance. +44 (0)845 602 5694

Address: 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER

Underground: Piccadilly Circus or Green Park

Waterstones Piccadilly

The largest book store in Europe is a great place to meet up in the centre of town. And it’s a perfect place to escape for afternoon tea if you’ve been visiting the Royal Academy of Arts, Fortnum and Mason, St James’ or the shops of Bond Street.

The view from the 5th floor bar over London is amazing, with views over the London skyline – the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.

Sitting in Art Deco surroundings you can enjoy delicious teas and cakes, or sample their enormous collection of European beers or their extensive cocktail list.

And as this is a book store visitors to the café can take in any book before making a purchase and flick through the pages. They also have a book club for those who want to discuss the literary world in beautiful surroundings.

Address: 5th view bar, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LE

Underground: Piccadilly Circus or Green Park

Patisserie Valerie

In the heart of Soho, you’ll find this hidden gem of chic coffee and gelato, popular with the locals for its grand, edible window displays.

In stark contrast to other classically English afternoon tea venues Patisserie Valerie is as much like being in a French café as you can get without going to France. Sipping your espresso – or tea – here, you can almost feel starving bohemians and creative minds of the past – it’s all very Toulouse-Lautrec.

If your time in London has seen too many afternoon teas already and you can’t take any more caffeine and saturated fat in the mid-afternoon, then leave your appetite behind and give your eyes a treat. Stop off at Patisserie Valerie and just gawp through the window at the amazing concoctions and creations before your eyes.

From sumptuous cakes and gateaux and speciality decorated mousses to hand-crafted chocolates, mountains of home-made gelato and marzipan animals

The original Patisserie Valerie first opened its doors in 1926, in Frith Street, when Belgian born Madam Valerie decided to introduce a taste of the continent to the English. Following recent expansion there are now a dozen stores across London, all with the same trademark quality.

Address: 44 Old Compton Street, Soho W1D 4TY

Underground: Tottenham Court Road

Photo of afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason, London originally posted by yisris

The Irish love to eat well and drink plenty. Local produce from the many farms in County Cork and the fruits of the sea nearby means everything here is fresh and tasty.

• Start with a hearty breakfast

A full Irish breakfast is certainly a hearty way to start the day. While the British and north Americans are accustomed to such huge meals in the morning, visitors from continental Europe are sometimes taken aback when presented with eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, black pudding, white pudding and bread (all fried, of course).

If you can’t stomach all that first thing in the morning, it’s worth remembering that it’s perfectly acceptable not to eat it all, as long as you ask for just a few of the items from the menu.

Black pudding is made from blood and fat and is quite an accustomed taste. White pudding is only made from bread and oats though – it’s an Irish speciality and certainly worth trying.

You can grab a good breakfast in most hotels or bed and breakfasts, or in any of the cafés in the city centre.

• Fresh ingredients

The English Market in the centre of town sells fresh fish, meat, vegetables, cheeses and gourmet food and is the perfect place to start any gastronomic experience in Cork.

It’s an experience to wander amongst the beautifully displayed stalls and sample the delights on offer – a feast for the taste buds and for the eyes. Either collect your fresh ingredients here if you’re going to be cooking, or grab a bite to eat on the run. The freshly prepared sandwiches make a tasty picnic for eating by the river or in one of the city’s many parks.

Open Mon-Sat from 8am.

• Brave second course

If you’re an experimental food lover who enjoys sampling new and interesting delicacies, you might want to try Drisheen, a local speciality. It’s a sort of sausage or pudding made from sheep’s blood, breadcrumbs and spices and traditionally served with tripe in a thickened milk sauce. You can buy it raw at the English Market, or ask for it with your cooked Irish breakfast.

A food museum?

The lush green fields surrounding Cork are prefect for cattle grazing, and as such the milk is thick and creamy. Nowhere is this better demonstrated than at Cork Butter Museum – Cork’s butter was once famous around Ireland and indeed the world, slightly saltier than most so that it could be preserved while being transported long distances.

Open: Daily, 10-5 in the summer. Entry, 3,50 Euro.

Website: www.corkbutter.museum

• Fine dining for lunch or dinner

Cork has so many great places to eat out it’s almost impossible to recommend where to go. If you want to take a wander and see what grabs your eye, head just south of the river and look down the back streets on either side of St Patrick’s Street.

One favourite of mine is Isaac’s Restaurant that offers contemporary Irish food in a classic setting.

The building was originally a warehouse in the 18th century and retains much of its charm today. It’s the kind of place you walk into and instantly feel relaxed. It’s always busy and even has a waterfall out the back. The French Onion Soup and fresh seafood dishes are highly recommended.

Rough guide to prices: Starters 10 Euro; main courses 15-20 Euro; wine 20-25 Euro (75cl bottle)

Address: 48 Mc Curtain Street

Website: www.isaacsrestaurant.ie

As well as good Irish cuisine you can find food from all around the world in Cork. There’s a guide to what’s available on the city website (http://www.cork-guide.ie/cc_rest.htm) or pick up one of the free listings magazines for more local restaurant reviews.

• And drinking?

The Irish love a drink. A trip to Ireland isn’t complete without at least a few pints of Guinness – world famous as the favourite drink of the Irish. You can find this tasty black drink in any bar, pub or restaurant.

But a trip to Cork also demands a pint of Murphy’s, the stout local to the city and the county of Cork. It’s been brewed there for over 150 years. If you find Guinness somewhat overpowering, Murphy’s has a smoother and more delicate taste.

Cork’s nightlife is enthusiastic to say the least. You’ve never far from a bar or pub, be it a traditional Irish drinking house or a modern vibrant venue. The area to the north of St Patrick’s Street is known as the Hugenot Quarter and has the highest concentration of bars, restaurants and charming, quirky shops but be wary of pickpockets on the back alleyways.

Photo of traditional Irish breakfast originally posted by JWynia

Manchester, UK is a city with much to offer the world – music, nightlife and a huge cultural scene – but it’s true it does rain there quite a lot. Here are five activities to keep you dry if it rains when you’re there:

1. TAKE A TRAM RIDE

Manchester city centre is quite compact and it’s easy to get around much of it on foot. But if the rain begins to fall it’s probably much easier to get around by tram.

The city’s Metrolink network of overland trams runs from the suburbs right into the centre of the city. And it’s a great way to see the sights of the central Manchester without getting wet.

Tickets are available at every stop and the automatic announcements tell travellers when the next trains are due. The main hub of the network is Piccadilly station in the centre of town, and it’s here you’ll arrive if you’ve come to Manchester via train from London or from the airport nearby.

2. ENJOY A CULTURAL AFTERNOON

Outside London, Manchester has the highest concentration of quality arts and heritage venues in one city. Here are a few highlights, all with free entry:

Manchester Art Gallery is based in the centre of the city. With a huge collection of British and international art, it is especially popular with schools. To avoid the rush of kids, visitors are advised that the gallery is quieter after 3pm on weekdays.

Address: mosely Street, Manchester M2 3JL

Open: Daily 10-5, closed Mondays

The Manchester Museum has over 4 million objects. There’s everything here, from Egyptian mummies and archaeological remains, to modern gadgets and even live animals. It’s especially family-friendly.

Address: Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL

Open: Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun and bank holidays 10-4

Boys old and young – and quite a lot of girls too – will enjoy the Museum of Science and Industry, with its huge collection of aeroplanes and amazing flying things and the giant steam hall, showcasing the industrial heritage of Manchester. Don’t miss the chance to creep through an original Victorian sewer!

Address: Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP

Open: Daily, 10-5

It’s also well worth a trip to Imperial War Museum North, an outpost of the main museum in London. Huge audio-visual presentations dominate the dramatic space on the hour and invite visitors to reflect on over a century of modern conflict. Although it sounds rather a depressing way to spend a wet afternoon, it’s truly worthwhile a visit.

Address: The Quays, Trafford Wharf Road, Manchester M17 1TZ

Open: Daily, 10-5 (10-6 in winter)

3. URBIS

This striking shaft of glass and metal rising from the ground is near to the epicentre of the IRA bomb which devastated parts of central Manchester in 1996. It is the highest building in the redeveloped zone of the city known as the Millenium Quarter and is a symbol of this regenerated and now proud area of the city.

Urbis isn’t a museum, more of a visitor centre with exhibitions and displays exploring the topic of urban life. Pollution, population, travel, law and order etc.

It’s a thought-provoking place, presented in a vibrant and accessible way. With plenty of touch screens and interactive games, it’s also a place for all the family. And it’s entirely inside so you can shelter from those Mancunian rain drops.

Entrance is free, but visitors are advised to arrive early.

Address: Cathedral Gardens, Manchester M4 3BG

Open: Sun-Wed 10-6, Thur-Sat, 10-8

4. SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP

Mancunians love to shop.

St Anne’s Street (next to St Anne’s Church) and King Street are home to the high-end outlets and the place to head for if you’re in search of designer labels. Harvey Nichols and Selfridges & Co also have stores nearby.

Also in the centre the former Corn and Produce Exchange has also been developed into an indoor shopping complex – the Triangle. If that’s not enough, the Trafford Centre is the largest shopping centre in the north-west of the England, on the outskirts of the city.

House of Fraser is perhaps the most famous department store in Manchester – until recently trading on the famous name of Kendal’s. It’s located on Deansgate, near to the main shopping area.

5. BRIDGEWATER HALL

Opened in 1996, this magnificent and imposing concert hall is home to Manchester’s world-famous orchestra, the Hallé. The hall also attracts international musicians, both classical and popular. Check the listings for what’s on.

It’s worth sheltering from the rain for a quick bite in the Bridgewater’s excellent café. The Charles Hallé restaurant (featured in 2008 Good Food Guide) also serves lunches daily 11-2 and dinner on concert evenings. Reservations are required.

The building is an architectural phenomenon – the core of the building is somehow cushioned on enormous spring-loaded foundations, allowing for the quiet calm of the concert hall itself to remain completely uninterrupted by nearby trams, trains or traffic. Soon after the hall opened one cleaner had been inside the hall quietly getting on with her work while the aforementioned bomb exploded nearby. She emerged completely unaware of what had happened. Now, that’s sound-proofing!

Visitors can take behind the scenes tours of this state-of-the-art building to see those giant springs and areas not normally open to the public.

Address: Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS

Photo of raindrops in Manchester, UK originally posted by BinaryApe

London, UK is not a city of sky scrapers. It’s mostly quite low rise. The majority of the city was built long before tall buildings were conceived. A few monstrously tall structures have risen up in the main financial district (known to locals as The City) and in the recently developed business sites at Canary Wharf in east London.

But these are hard to get into if you’re a tourist. Here are our top five places to view the London skyline from altitude:

1. From the air

If you’re coming in to land at Heathrow airport (London’s largest and busiest airport and indeed one of the busiest airports in the world) you’ll fly over the south of the city from east to west. When checking in at your departure airport remember to ask for a window seat on the right hand side of the plane – that way you’ll get a fantastic view over the centre of the city and the River Thames as you approach.

If you’re landing during the daytime, the sun bounces of the river and the golden dome of the Hindu temple at Neasden. If you’re arriving at night, the river is lit up spectacularly. Look out for Big Ben and the London Eye on your way in.

(If you’re landing at City Airport, either side of the aircraft is fine as most planes cruise over the Thames just before landing. Planes heading to London Stanstead or London Gatwick don’t generally fly over the city.)

2. From the London Eye

Standing proud on the south bank of the River Thames in the centre of London is the British Airways London Eye, the largest Ferris wheel in Europe. Visitors enter ‘pods’ and embark on a 30-minute journey, affording spectacular views of the whole of London.

Standard flights are £15.50 for adults, with concessions for kids. You can pay extra to jump the queue or take a romantic trip with your loved one and a bottle of champagne. Flights operate from 10.00am to 8.00pm or 9.00pm, depending on seasons.

My top tip is to take a look at what time the sun sets, and book a slot for about half an hour before that. London will light up in front of you eyes as the setting sun bounces off the rooftops and the river.

Address: The London Eye, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB

Underground: Waterloo or Westminster

3. From the top of a hill

To the north of the centre of the city, just beyond Regent’s Park lies Primrose Hill, a beautiful part of London famous for its film stars and celebrities. It’s gentle climb to the top of the hill is quite easy, only 256 feet (78 metres) high, but the views are worth it. Save yourself the entrance price to London Zoo by climbing this hill and peering over the fence to see the animals for free!

Underground: Chalk Farm or Belsize Park

Further north, Hampstead Heath is the largest open park space in London, including woodlands, hills, ponds, and even a stately home – Kenwood House. Toward the south side of the park lies Parliament Hill, which is one of the highest natural points in London and affords great views over the entire city of London

Underground: Hampstead or Tufnell Park

4. From the National Portrait Gallery restaurant

Founded in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) is the national collection of portraits. The oldest portrait, of King Henry 7th, dates from 1505, but this isn’t a musty old museum – it’s a beautiful space with clean modern lines and open, airy galleries.

Take a trip to the top floor (level 5 in the elevator) and visit their beautiful restaurant. One side of the space is glass and has views over Trafalgar Square with Nelson’s Column, the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

The NPG restaurant is open 10-10 daily, offering morning coffees, lunches, great afternoon teas and an acclaimed formal dining menu in the evening. It’s a great place to meet people; I can never tire of sipping cocktails or champagne while looking out over London’s skyline.

Address: St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE

Underground: Charing Cross or Leicester Square

Photo of London skyline originally posted by Ed.ward