Travel News

Chelsea fans can look forward to seeing two of Europe's most picturesque cities after being drawn against Roma and Bordeaux in the Champions League.

The Blues, under new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, are looking to break their duck in Europe's premier club competition, having lost to Manchester United in a penalty shootout in last season's final.

Scolari will no doubt be happy with the draw for the group stage, which has kept his side apart from the continent's best clubs.

Chelsea will open their campaign at home to Bordeaux on September 16th, before travelling to Romania to take on CFJ Cluj on October 1st.

The toughest section of the group for the west London club will come with the double header against Roma, at Stamford Bridge on October 22nd and Stadio Olimpico on November 4th.

Travelling Blues fans will find there are a range of low-cost flight services between London and the Italian capital, while cheap hotels in Rome are plentiful.

Chelsea then head to France on November 26th for a clash with Bordeaux that could well decide whether they progress to the knockout stage of the competition.

Affordable accommodation in Bordeaux starts from €40 (£33) a night, but there are few cheap flights from London to the French city.

Scolari's men complete their group campaign with a home match against CFJ Cluj on December 9th.

Liverpool face a tough task to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League, but at least Reds supporters can look forward to trips to Marseille, Madrid and Eindhoven.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez is under pressure to deliver a trophy this season following two consecutive glory-free campaigns.

The Spaniard guided Liverpool to success in the Champions League in 2005 and his team has since looked much more likely to repeat that feat than to challenge for the domestic title.

If they are to add a sixth European Cup to their trophy room, the Merseysiders will first have to negotiate a group that promises to be tricky on the pitch, but simple for travelling supporters.

Liverpool begin with a trip to Stade Velodrome on September 16th to take on Marseille.

Low-cost flights are available from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to the south of France and supporters who want to extend their trip to take in some of the region's many sights will find there are some cheap hotels in Marseille.

The next trip for the Reds is to the Spanish capital to take on Atletico on October 22nd. Both Ryanair and easyJet operate flights from Liverpool and as the city is a tourist hotspot, there is plenty of affordable accommodation in Madrid.

Benitez's men end their group campaign by taking on PSV Eindhoven at the Philips Stadion on December 9th. The city is difficult to reach direct from the UK, but a regular train service runs from Amsterdam.

Manchester United fans can look forward to trips to Denmark, Scotland and Spain as the Red Devils attempt to defend their Champions League title.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side secured a third European Cup in dramatic circumstances in Moscow in May, defeating domestic rivals Chelsea in a penalty shootout.

United are among the favourites to win this season's competition and have been given a straightforward looking draw for the group stage.

They begin with a home game against last season's Primera Liga runners-up Villarreal on September 17th, before heading to Denmark to face Aalborg 13 days later.

A Battle of Britain double header is up next for United, taking on Scottish champions Celtic at Old Trafford on October 21st and at Celtic Park on November 5th.

Celtic fans will find reaching Manchester by coach, train or plane is simple, but that getting home by public transport after the game is more difficult.

Travelling supporters may want to consider booking affordable accommodation in Manchester in advance.

The situation will be the same for United diehards who head north for the second game between the clubs, but there are plenty of cheap hotels in Glasgow for them to consider.

United play at Villarreal on November 25th. Accommodation for visitors is in short supply in the Spanish town and many fans of other British teams who have played there in recent years have opted to stay in either Valencia or Benidorm.

The champions complete their group programme against Aalborg at Old Trafford on December 10th.

Arsenal fans can look forward to trips to Portugal and Turkey if they choose to follow their team in this season's Champions League.

The Gunners are still looking for their first European Cup triumph, having lost to Barcelona in the 2006 final, and the draw for the group stage has been kind to them.

Arsene Wenger's men begin with a trip to Dynamo Kyiv on September 17th and then entertain Portuguese champions Porto at the Emirates Stadium 13 days later.

Arsenal's double header is against Turkish Super Lig runners-up Fenerbahce, in Istanbul on October 21st and London on November 5th.

Several airlines operate routes between the two capitals and Gunners supporters who choose to attend the away match will find that rooms in the best hotels in Istanbul can be booked for as little as €115 (£93) a night.

Those who are not keen to travel to Turkey may find the prospect of a trip to Portugal to watch Arsenal face Porto on December 10th more appealing.

Low-cost flights are available direct from London to the city and affordable accommodation in Porto is plentiful, meaning it could be a relatively cheap break.

Before heading to Portugal, the Gunners host Dynamo Kyiv on November 25th.

Ryanair has announced it is to commence flying from London Luton Airport to Kaunas in October.

The move is likely to open up the Lithuanian city as a holiday and short-break destination for people based in south-east England, according to the airport's marketing director Natalie Raper.

She added: "The airline's decision to expand the number of destinations served from London Luton reaffirms the airport's ease of use with great transport connections and close proximity to London."

Those who choose to take a chance by trying Lithuania for a weekend away are likely to find it is a low-cost option.

Double rooms in the best hotels in Kaunas start from around £80 a night, while a meal at one of the city's top restaurants costs around £25 a head.

There is plenty of sightseeing to do in the city, with the highlights of the old town including a 13th century castle and Vytautas Church.

The new town contains several museums and galleries, and is linked to its older counterpart by Laisves Avenue, a one-mile tree-lined pedestrian-only street that is home to a wide variety of restaurants and shops.

No trip to Kaunas is complete without a ride on the funicular up the slopes of Aleksotas for a magnificent view of the city.