A jewel waiting to be uncovered. Switzerland is, of course a beautiful country with great planes and amazing mountains which gives fantastic panaramas unique to Europe. It has fantastic skiing opportunities, and leasurely biking and camping chances too.

From what we knew, we expected Zurich to be just a simple business working city. Boy were we wrong. Read on to see why.

Zurich has been permanently settled for about 7000 years. Originally it was funded by the Romans. Zurich is a leading global city and among the world's largest financial centres and as such, you don't expect to see much in terms of history and arts. Many of the banking giants and large financial institutions. And is world renound for low rate of tax which attracts overseas companies to set up their headquarters in the city.

Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. However, Zurich is predominantly German speaking (and a dialect called German Züritüütsch) with approximately 78% having it as their mother tongue. Don't worry if you're not fluent in German. As you would expect, since this is an international business oriened city, you usually find someone to understand you in English. That said, with our pidgeon-german, we got by as much as we can. As usual you tend to find if you TRY to use their language, they are very forgiving, and most will switch to English when they realise. The people themselves are polite, friendly, and helpful. Everything you would hope for in a country where you might be struggling for understanding.

Most of the sightseeing centres around the old town (Altstadt). For starters, an amazing array of museums and art galleries and churches can be found in the town, including the Swiss National Museum and the Kunsthaus. Zurich also hosts one of the most important theatres in the German-speaking world. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, and you can easily sit back and watch the world go by for days at a time. Although the city is in general a modern example of living, the architecture in the old town is beautiful . Some of which dates back past the middle ages and beyond. Beautiful facades an arches. Memorable monuments and walls. And finally, with the river Limmat running through the centre of the old town into Lake Zurich there in excess of 8 bridges, both modern and classical for you to investigate.

If you manage to get hold of a tourist map (most hotels in Zurich have them) you will find a walking route through the old town. As they say it: to experience sophisticated Bahnofstrasse, the winding narrow streets and artisan shops, historic buildings, cultural highlights, and the fresh breeze off Lake Zurich.

We stayed in the Crowne Plaza hotel, approximately 30 minutes from the old town centre. This seems a long way until you discover the first class network of trams and buses. I'm not one usually for using anything other than taxis and underground when in a new city, but this time I was elated that we even bothered. For 25.60CHF (£17.50) you can get a multiple day pass on the ZVV which allows you 6x24hour journeys. What's more, the wonderful lady at the kiosk explained to us (in English) that as long as the two of us stayed together, we could double-stamp the ticket and use two at once. This was ideal for the long weekend we had. Once we had them, from the bottom of the road where we were staying, it took approximately 10 to 15 minutes before we were placed right in the centre of the old town, and with a very interesting view on the journey too.

The icing on the cake for us, was to get the local 30 minute train up to the local Mount Üetliberg. The train takes you all but 500 metres to the top. With a small, walk for the rest to see a hotel with a beautiful panoramic view not only down on Zurich and the lake, but to the other side of the mountain too, to see its flowing gree hills. Even the least energetic of us should give this a go

I'd recommend everyone to visit Zurich, whatever age and interest. The only drawback unfortunately was the cost. Switzerland is not a cheap place to live. An average snack and drink for two people was around £15. And before you think about surviving on McDonald's, a BigMac meal costs 11.50CHF, or £7.80.

Amsterdam is known world wide for its romantic canals and its imposing architecture of the 17th century. Amsterdam is the heart of Holland and is set to get anyone's blood pumping.
The Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world. Fascinating stuff. If that isn't what is going to get your "blood pumping" then a few of Amsterdam's main attractions might. Amsterdam is a party town for all 365 days if the year and even though it is a historical city, the modern Amsterdam easily co-exists with its more historical aspects. The people who live within Amsterdam are very proud of their city and its exquisite city centre; the historic canals, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank's House and of course, Amsterdam's famous red-light district. Don't be afraid to visit the red light district, if you aren't interested in what it is famous for you can take a stroll down and the working girls and guys will be as nice as pie to you and won't hassle you (however they may want a chat with someone who isn't only interested in them for *cough cough* one thing.)

Something you must try if you haven't already ... Amsterdam mayonnaise and chips. Trust me, you haven't tasted anything like it before! it is UNREAL!


The summer weather in Amsterdam (June-August) is moderately warm but is rarely hot with the average daily high being around
22.1°C. The winter weather in Amsterdam (November-February) is cold. Very cold. The average high ranging from 5.8°C - 9.7°C so if you are planning on visiting in the winter ... bring your scarf and hats!

The astounding city of Pompeii is a partially buried Roman town near the more modern town/city of Naples which means you can hit two birds with one stone and visit both! 

You may not have heard of it, you may not even be able to say it but trust me this place is BEAUTIFUL. As you walk down to the city gates you get this overwhelming feeling of amazement only to reach its climax as you climb the brilliant city walls with their own unique view over the Mediterranean sea. You cannot help but imagine what it was like back in the days of old and what they must have felt like, Gods and Goddesses? Kings and Queens? I would. I have.
This city was described by Lord Byron as “The Pearl of the Adriatic”. Even though it has been under the protection of many vast empires it remained as one of the most independent and self-governing republics. The weather is hottest in July and August but is generally warm from May until October with a generally warm sea.
 Unfortunately there are few renaissance buildings that survived the Earthquake in 1667 but thank goodness enough are still standing to give an idea of the cities architectural heritage. Some that remain include; Sponza Palace (used to house the national Archives), Rectors Palace (Gothic-Renaissance structure that displays finely carved capitals and an ornate staircase), Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Franciscan Monastery (which coincidently are very close to one another).

Conveniently all of these places are within the city walls and are quite close together. If you get a decent hotel you can walk to almost all of them.

You cannot visit Rome without visiting the Vatican City! It is literally in Rome but its own country, Its amazing really. It is basically a walled enclave within Rome and is about 110 acres this makes it the smallest independent state in the world by both area and its population. 

Rome is the capital of Italy and has a history which spans over 2,500 years. Rome was the dominant power in Western Europe for over 700 years from the 1st century BC until 7th century AD and is known to be one of the birthplaces of western civilisation. It is home to many great man made sights including the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Gardens of Villa Borghese.
There are countless artists and architects such as Michelangelo, Bramante, Bernini and Raphael who have lived for a period of time in Rome contributing to its Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican city which is its own country within the walls of Rome and is a must see whilst in Rome.
The Colosseum is where the ancient roman’s held their entertainment including lion fights, gladiator fights and even roman games. It is one of the best attributes that Rome has, being built in AD 80 making it over 2000 years old and being in the condition it is now makes it one of the oldest things to see in such good condition.

 Rome has a Mediterranean climate which means that Spring and autumn are mild to warm and in the summer months it is easy for the temperature to climb to 30°C. January is mainly around 11.8°C however sub-zero lows are not uncommon. The summer seasons last for about 6 months (May-October) and are the best times to go.

Rome though is expensive being it is in Italy, and because it uses the Euro and exchange rates aren't the best right now. I don’t recommend it as a student holiday unless you have just got your student loan in. However there are certain places you can go if you want to save a bit of money. For example there are camping villages just outside the city centre that can be a lot quieter than the hustle and bustle of the city.
There are also various clubs, bars, cafés and restaurants around Rome and the main streets however the real treasures are the hidden ones in the alley ways where tourists tend not to go. This is where you will get the real Italian food with the freshest of ingredients and a really homely atmosphere. The best that I have been to was Fortunato al Pantheon, It had a lovely friendly service but was also very professional.

Paris is the capital and the largest city in France, located on the River Seine in northern France. The city has barely been changed since 1860 and used to be the largest city in the western world for about 1,000 years prior to the 19th century (and the largest city in the world in the 16th century). Paris is one of the world’s largest leading business and cultural centres and has a massive influence over politics, entertainment and fashion. The arts contribute to its status and one of the world’s major global cities, it is considered to be one of the greenest cities in Europe.

 The Château de Vincennes has a 52m high keep, was built between the 14th and 17th century and is considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Paris is also the home to the Eiffel Tower (known by the French as the La dame de fer – translated to the iron lady.) which has become a global icon of France and one of the most recognisable structures in the world. Standing at 324 metres the tower is the tallest building in Paris and is something definitely not to be missed when visiting as from the top of the Eiffel Tower you can see the whole of Paris. There are also a wide range of opera houses, the largest being the Opéra de Paris Garnier (classic ballets and operas) and more modern Opéra Bastille (mixed repertoire of classic and modern).

 With average temperatures hovering between 15 and 25°C in the summer and a fair amount of sunshine it is the best time of year to visit, however there are a few days where the temperature can rise above 32°C. In winter sunshine is scarce and days are cold but generally above freezing with the temperatures staying around 7°C, however night frosts are common and the temperature can dip below -5°C for a few days a year.

The old town of Barcelona's (Ciutat Vella) is at the centre of the now great city. There are many small neighbourhoods within, and all have their own special little character of olde-worlde. The narrow streets and overhanging buildings make it a delight to visit

And to give it a touch of bohemian atmosphere, it is populated by students, artists and foreigners alike. With its warm climate, being on the Mediterranean it is easy to see how and why this city thrived in the past and will thrive in the future.

Barcelona has a great sense of history, but don't be fooled into thinking it is only a place for hunting historical muse. This place has a copious amount of trendy bars, concert halls, and excellent restaurants serving food from round the world, and o course... being by the sea, plenty of fresh fish dishes to choose from.

My personal favourite area to give you a deep feel of the old town is Barceloneta (Little Barcelona). Just off the coast, this neighbourhood has apartments you can rent in some of the oldest (up to 7 stories high) apartment blocks in the city. This area was originally a fisherman's quarter. Since the Olympics in 1992 there has been much renovation and investment especially along the sea front, and this is an ideal place for a not too expensive break away.

Just along the road is the world renound Las Ramblas: a long and wide parade from Plaça Catalunya down to the sea front full of restaurants and shops, and art galleries. Just off La Rambla is the notorious red-light area, Barri Xines, the medieval Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) home to the cathedral, the very peaceful Plaça del Pi , art galleries and lots of cafes serving delicious hot chocolate. Further east is the Born market, in La Ribera district.
El Monumento a Cristóbal Colón - Christopher Columbus monument at Plaza Portal de la Pau. It has a small lift up to the small public viewing gallery at the top, and is well worth the visit.

Moving further north, and a must of a visit is the extraordinary Sagrada Familia This controversial church, still unfinished because of the untimely death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí, in 1926, has become the city's most visited monument. But they are still building it with charitable funds and entrance fees. You could spend a good half day in there and still be awed when you leave.

With the Mediterranean climate being so mild and the seas calm, you can sail and windsurf all year round from Port Olímpic. From the harbor can take sightseeing tours of the city's waterfront and nearby coastline. Of course the fishing district offers excellent seafood restaurants.

Still at the seaside, the modern Maremagnum has busy bars with outdoor terraces, discos, shops and cinemas. This has been pushed hard since the Olympics of 1992. You'll also find trendy open-air music bars in Port Olímpic in the summer.

I'm sure this is only part of what we saw when we were there. If you like the warmth of the Mediterranean and the feel of a cosmopolitan city next to the relaxation of the seaside this is a must for a weekend break, or longer vacation. Have a look for hotels in Barcelona.

Reims is in the North of France and the architecture of the major buildings reflects a more germanic feel. It is the largest city on the region of Champagne-Ardenne yet it is not the capital for the region. There are still some parts of the city walls to be seen - originally Roman, and rebuilt during the Norman invasion of France around the 9th Century. This city is a beautiful place to visit and relax in.
For culture, the must-see places are the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims - a Roman Catholic cathedral, and where the Kings of France were once crowned; Porte de Mars ("Mars Gate", so called from a temple to the Roman god Mars ); Palais du Tau (The Palace of Tau) - was the palace of the Archbishop of Reims; Saint Remi Basilica, an easy walk from the centre, taking its name from the 5th-century Saint Remi.
If that's not enough, then try sitting in the centre square at one of the fantastic cafe bars and watch the world go by (one of our favourite past times from The Hotel Club). The people are quite cosmopolitan in nature and in the summer months it is a very relaxing place. Don't let the historical culture fool you though. This is quite an industrious city in the area, and you'll be hard pushed to find something not available in the shops and amenities.
A specific favorite hotel, in the centre ville is the Holiday Inn Garden Court. Located smack in the centre, its an idea place to start your break, but there are plenty of others around that area, so shop around for the best prices.

Lyon is the third largest city in France, and a World Heritage Site. It has a population somewhere around 480,000. It not only has plenty of historical places and monuments, but also a great nightlife. This is a real working city. In the past it was renowned for its production weaving of silk. Nowadays it is know be the capital of gastronomy.

We would recommend at least a couple of nights in Lyon for a weekend break at least. Or as we did, use Lyon as a base for exploring the surrounding areas of France and stay a little longer. The people are friendly, and the food is great. And if you like shopping... you’ll be there a while.
And if you like heat but not to burn, then you’ll like Lyon, with its average maximum temperature of around 27 Celsius (80.5 Farenheit). Even in winter this is a great break from the misery of cold and rain in the UK.
Many of hotels of Lyon we’ve been in or seen have been Baroque in style, and their elegance gives you a feeling of importance.
If you're feeling the urge to get away to something cosy with the amenities you'd expect at home, then this is a great place to try. Check it out on www.TheHotelClub.co.uk.