Travel News

Enjoy a girls' night in with a difference at London's luxury Churchill Hotel.

Splashing out on a Pyjama Party Package could see you and your friends enjoying a chilled bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries on arrival before settling down to a selection of the world's greatest chick flicks on DVD.

If that warms you up for a night out on the town, make sure you indulge in some last minute beautifying first with a mini manicure or pedicure before stepping out.

However, there's no need to splash the cash in London's West End when you can have delicious cocktails brought straight to your bed courtesy of some fabulous vodka barmen with a portable bar.

Also included in the package is a selection of hot and cold canapes to nibble under the sheets wrapped snug in the Cath Kidston pjs provided.

Other special offers at the Churchill include shopping deals and a theatre rate offering two top priced tickets and pre-show dinner at The Montagu.

From mid-afternoon coffees to two-course dinners or cocktails on the dance floor, Iceland's Vegamot can accommodate most dining and drinking needs.

The two-floor venue is located in the heart of the capital on busy Vegamotastigur and serves as a cafe/bistro by day before transforming into one of the hippest clubs in the city after 10pm.

Food-wise, Vegamot is famed for its fresh fish and decadent desserts, all served from lunch hour onwards.

In summer outdoor dining becomes an option with tables set out on a cosy terrace.

Later on however, the action is all inside as clubbers file in for fabulous vodka cocktails and bottled beers while top DJs do their stuff on the turntables.

For other multi-purpose venues in Reykjavik, Hverfisbarinn transforms from a cultured coffee shop to cutting-edge club in the space of 12 hours every day. Located next to the National Theatre, its sexy interior boasts the best in Scandinavian design.

For one of Europe's most amazing marine wonders, head to Sardinia's Grotta di Nettuno.

The caves can be reached by boat or down a steep cliff-side staircase of 656 steps. From there, follow the natural entrance to a vast internal salt lake stretching 120 metres across.

Continuous sea movements in the caves have formed mysterious chambers and caverns around the lake but the water feature itself is worth a look for the unusual columns rising out of it.

In the 18th century the complex was discovered and used by local fishermen. It was also the home of the rare monk seal, now extinct.

All visits to the Grotta are part of hourly tours lasting approximately 45 minutes. They include English and Italian commentary and occasionally French and German translation too.

For other sightseeing ideas in Sardinia, pay a visit to Alghero's medieval walled centre and splash out on a horse-drawn carriage tour of its picturesque narrow streets.

Ditch Pizza Hut staples for a slice of the real deal in one of Naples' prestigious pizzerias.

First stop should be Antica Pizzeria Brandi, the home of the Margherita since 1889. Now a little touristy, the restaurant still offers great pizzas as well as a huge variety of other Italian classics.

Diners with an appetite for tradition should try Da Michele, often touted as the best in the city. Choice is restricted to pizza marinara, Margherita or the baked cheese calzone, but lack of range is more than offset by the finely tuned flavours.

For the pizza of presidents, head to Di Matteo - the restaurant picked to serve Bill Clinton during a state visit.

Perfect pizzas are matched by prime location on the main street of the old city and the menu also boasts a good selection of nibbles to sate hunger during the restaurant's busiest hours.

As of this summer, Naples' famous Pizza Napolitana will be officially recognised by the European Union as a "regional speciality", much like French Champagne and German beer.

Spend your summer enjoying a Baltic beach party off the picturesque Swedish coast.

Gotland - the largest of the country's many islands - boasts 50 miles of coastline and a host of unspoilt white-sand beaches.

Soaking up Scandinavia's long daylight hours on Kallbadhuset is a great way to spend the afternoon, with resident DJs providing a soundtrack to your summer from the nearby bar-restaurant complex.

In the evenings swap flip-flops for dancing shoes in Visby's old town. The plethora of great bars and clubs here attract hoards of Stockholmers too, especially during vacation period in July.

Top venues include Burmeister and Gutekallaren.

Away from the party scene, Visby offers a good selection of sights for culture vultures too. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town is surrounded by a magnificent three-kilometre wall dating from the end of the 13th century. The beautifully preserved medieval churches inside are definitely worth visiting.