Travel News

Rome was voted second best city in Europe by 32,633 people who answered a poll by publisher Conde Nast. Italy featured heavily in the survey with Florence in the top spot followed by Rome then Venice, which came joint third with Salzburg.

Stay in one of the hotels by Ciampino or reserve a room by Fiumicino airports for the first night from a long-haul flight and plan your trip around the capital city from there. Here is our definitive guide to some of the best sights by the affordable accommodation in Rome:

Villa Borghese

One of the best and cheapest sights in Rome is the Villa Borghese, a park covering an area of 5km. The park is a perfect place to relax with a picnic and visit the stalls, cafes, museums and zoo. To look at some of the hotels by Villa Borghese check out our list. The park was created in the 17th century and is a masterful mix of roads and landscape.

St Peter's Basilica

A core attraction for Christian families is the Basilica di San Pietro. Stay in one of the hotels near the Vatican City to peek inside this monumental building, which dates back centuries. It has been described as the world's largest church building with the biggest basilica dome.

Explora museum

The Explora is the first Rome children's museum. Children up to three years old can get in free with the admission for older children and adults €7/6 (£5.53/4.74) respectively, bookings should be made in advance. There is a play-town for youngsters who can explore four main sections: society, the environment, communication and I. It's location is not far from the Villa Borghese and many of the cheap hotels in Rome.

Bioparco

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Guardian and Observer readers have voted Krakow the best city to visit in Europe and the second best in the world. The poll, which is in its 22nd year, saw the city jump from tenth favourite city in the globe to second. A total of 17,000 readers from the UK took part in the vote with the winners announced at a ceremony held in Fes, Morocco. Stay near the sights in Krakow to take in architecture, culture and its somewhat sinister history.

The acting director of the Polish National Tourist Office Ewa Binkin said: "Although the Guardian thinks Krakow is a surprise at number two, it’s certainly no surprise to us. It exudes nobility on one hand and warmth and 'creative tension' on the other."

Cracow History Museum

By staying in a hotel near the Cracow History Museum you can take a proper look around. The building is a work of art in itself, having belonged to a marshal of the crown. Inside Cracow History Museum there are more treasures on offer, ranging from suits of armour to a model of the city in medieval times. Around this time of year be sure to see the Christmas crib competition from the affordable accommodation in Krakow you choose to stay in.

Krakow Old Town

In 1038 Krakow took up the mantle of being Polish capital with monarchs taking residence in Wawel Royal Castle. The area is home to some of the best hotels in Krakow, famed for its medieval architecture, including Grand Square, arguably Europe's largest in the Middle Ages. It has been the centre for Krakow's many changes - from a quiet town in the 19th century to communism. This area is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site for culture.

Kazimierz Jewish District

A trip to this city would not be complete without paying a visit to the Jewish quarter of Krakow where people settled in their droves. The migration to a safe haven raised the population to 4,500 by 1630. read more

British women find German men the sexiest, a poll from lastminute.com has revealed. According to the Press Association, British men favour women from Croatia who came top for the male portion of the 5,000 Europeans who were quizzed.

The study also showed British people knew more about world cities, flags, landmarks and cultural icons than any other nationality, scoring 65 per cent, with Germany in second place at 52 per cent and Spain, third, with 46 per cent.

We explore the most romantic places to go in Germany and Croatia as well as the best spot for people to go on a stag party as voted by the Brits.

Women's favourite

Hitch a lift with a local to travel the Romantic Road from the River Main in Germany 220 miles to the Alps. Start your journey in a room by the River Main and make sure you stop off at the hotels on the Romantic Road to sample the scenery, cuisine and ambiance at a leisurely pace.

Apart from a night in one of the best hotels in Frankfurt, highlights of the trip would include Noerdlingen's Reis Crater, where astronauts from the United States trained for their moonwalks, the medieval town of Rothenburg, Weikersham baroque gardens and Ludwig II's fairytale castle. You and your partner can go skiing, hiking and sailing along the way.

Men's favourite

The island of Hvar was voted sexiest island by American publishing and media company Forbes and British men think the same of the island's Croatian population too. Described as attractive in summer and winter thanks to the prevailing Mediterranean climate, this island in the Adriatic Sea is the perfect hideaway for gents who like fishing and unspoiled surroundings.

Nestled off the Croatian coastline are pristine beaches, secluded coves and hills smothered with lavender, rosemary, fig trees and olive groves. Hvar culture dates back to 3,500BC with plenty of historical artefacts on display made by people from the pre-Illyrian times. Book one of the best hotels in Hvar with your partner, hire a car or a boat and enjoy the sunshine. Look for the read more

The ghost of Lady Isabella Shaw is said to walk the boards at Ballygally Castle in County Antrim near Belfast. Visit near October 31st if you are brave enough.

Born Isabella Brisbane, she was imprisoned after marrying James Shaw for giving birth to a girl and not a boy. Legend has it that she jumped - or was pushed - from the parapet of the castle built in 1625 for her and her husband, clutching her baby girl. Since then her ghost is said to wander the halls of the four-star hotel, knocking on doors and holding her crying baby. Guests have reported hearing strange sounds and seeing an eerie green mist over the castle.

The parapet

Those that dare stay in this 17th century mansion, which became a hotel when it was sold to Cyril Lord in the 1950s, will be able to see some of the old features built for the unhappy couple. They include thick walls for defence, a steep roof and loopholes for muskets. The castle was built with inner and outer courtyards including stables, coach houses and brew house and stayed in the Shaw family for generations.

Renowned hotel

As well as being one of the most haunted hotels in the UK, Ballygally Castle has picked up more run-of-the-mill accolades as part of the award-winning Hastings group of hotels. The chain boasts about the ghost on its website, inviting all guests to inspect Ballygally's 'ghost room' in one of the towers.

Spooky surroundings

The Ballygally Castle hotel is 20 miles from the best hotels in Belfast and only a short drive from the beaches of Ballygally Bay and the famous rock formations of the Giant's Causeway, that were formed by giants crossing from the Emerald Isle to Scotland as the tale goes. There are plenty of remote coastal and glen walks with golf at the Cainrnhu Golf Course and Royal Portrush.

Frightened back to Belfast?

Take a breather at the cellar bar at Belfast Castle, which has been reno ... read more

Memorabilia from the European Capital of Culture 2008's football heavyweights Liverpool Football Club and Everton FC is displayed at World Museum Liverpool this month to March 1st. It's Only a game? will show four Uefa cups and items from George Best, Franz Backenbauer, Bobby Moore and Petr Cech. Stay in one of the cheap hotels in Liverpool to find out more.

Uefa trophies

The Uefa European Championships and Uefa Champions Leagues trophies go on show with the Uefa Cup and Uefa Cup Winners' Cup at the World Museum Liverpool. However, four Uefa trophies will only be together on certain dates, please check the Only a Game? website for exact times.

President of Uefa Michel Platini and three times European Footballer of the Year, said: "I am delighted that Uefa is bringing this exciting exhibition to Liverpool during its Capital of Culture celebrations, a city that loves its football and plays such a big role in Europe's fascination with the game."

Liverpool Football Club

Sleep in a hotel by Anfield to experience the home of one of Merseyside's top clubs. According to the Stadium Guide, Anfield has a 45,400-seat capacity and record attendance of 61,905.

Of the exhibition, Liverpool player Steven Gerrard said: "There is no city in Europe where football means more than it does to the people of Liverpool. So I think it is great that we are having a European football exhibition as part of Liverpool 08."

Everton Football Club

Memorabilia from Everton FC's collection will also be on display in the exhibition, which traces European football back over 50 years. Europe started with Everton in 1962 against Dunfermline in the Inter-cities Fairs Cup.

Check the hotels by Everton football ground for a more extensive look at Goodison Park. The ground is a short ride from Queen Square Bus Station in Liverpool city centre.

Exhibition goals

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