Travel News

Putting the 'malt' in Malta this year is the annual Farsons Great Beer Festival taking place at the end of July.

Get sizzled - and sozzled - in the glorious Mediterranean sunshine at Qu'Tali Park with 15 bars, over 40 live performances and a tasty array of food stalls.

As well as the local Cisk lager, visitors can sample special beers sold exclusively at the festival including Farsons Strong Ale, Cisk XS and Cisk Red. Embrace Maltese heritage further by enjoying special brews, such as Blue Label and Hopleaf Extra Smooth and Creamy.

International brands including Budweiser, Carlsberg, Corona, Guinness, Newcastle Brown Ale and Kilkenny will also be widely represented.

Kids meanwhile can be entertained at Fantasyland - the festival's fun and games centre. Local pop and dance acts also provide an enjoyable distraction.

The festival fun continues on the island with Gozo's Nadur Carnival and the parade in Valletta next spring.

Few countries in Europe know how to work the spa break quite as well as Sweden - from far north health suites under the midnight sun, to magical massages enjoying the enchanting landscape of Gotland.

For another unique experience, mix the best of Scandinavia with a touch of the Japanese Far East at Yasuragi Hasseludden.

The first Japanese spa in the country, it offers all the elements of the Asian country's traditional bathing ceremony set among Swedish pines in delectable hot springs.

As well as the usual treatments, there are also meditation classes and an attached sushi school for some kitchen calmness.

Spa users can visit without staying overnight, but the east-meets-west fusion decor and food of the hotel rooms and restaurants make staying here a treat. Standard rooms boast enormous wooden or tiled bathtubs, Japanese design elements, balconies with ocean views and the choice of a futon bed.

For a more traditional Swedish spa experience, try the northern Riksgränsen Alpine Spa or Stockholm's Centralbadet.

For fish dishes that will have you hooked, Edinburgh's acclaimed Mussel Inn on Rose Street is a real catch.

With an outlet in Glasgow too, the eatery has become somewhat of an establishment in the country and the reputation is hugely deserved.

Traditional favourites like King scallops are served chargrilled, skewered, pan-fried, breaded or stir-fried, while their crustacean cousins mussels come in natural, shallot, tomato, lemon, Moroccon or blue cheese variety.

The choice is just as bewilderingly large when it comes the inspired selection of dips on offer, but they help set off the ocean feasts fantastically and are mostly sourced from home-grown produce.

The atmosphere is informal with diners enjoying a relaxed city vibe on simple wooden tables around the bustling open kitchen.

Cafe Royal Oyster Bar offers another venerable seafood supper in the city with silver service and a great menu.

London's giant riverside Ferris wheel has topped a list of the British capital's most visited paid-for attractions.

The London Eye, standing at 135 metres tall, has 32 passenger capsules allowing visitors views for more than 25 miles over the historic city.

It made top spot in a 2007 poll by private firm Visit London, closely followed by the Tower of London and Kew Gardens.

Among free attractions the British Museum and art galleries Tate Modern and the National Gallery proved most popular in 2007.

A spokeswoman for Visit London says: "Visitors to London benefit from the breadth and diversity of things to see and do in the capital, both modern and historic."

The London Visitor's Survey of the first quarter of 2008 found overseas tourists are more likely to spend longer in the city, with a third devoting eight or more nights to sightseeing in the capital. In comparison, more than three-quarters of Britons spend just one to three nights there.

Shop until you drop in style at Berlin's exclusive Departmentstore Quartier 206 on Friedrichstrasse.

The gorgeous glass-and-marble retail complex opened in 1997 and draws gasps as much for its incredible design as luxury stores.

It was built by the firm behind Paris' iconic Louvre pyramid and boasts as much French influence inside with a string of big-name Gallic fashion brands including Yves Saint Laurent.

Label-conscious bargain hunters should pay a visit to the basement where seasonal designer merchandise is sold at great discounts.

As well as the finest couture, the department store also boasts flowers, art, books, cosmetics, interior design and a good restaurant, all of which shoppers can peruse away from the crowds.

For another credit card workout head next door to Galeries Lafayette for elegant French designs and even a French library. The store is also renowned for its gourmet food basement featuring imported wines, premium meats, cheese and other delicatessens.