Barcelona and Amsterdam are Outtraveller's top European picks for gay travellers in this year's best international destination awards category. Buenos Aires pipped both at the post internationally, however, for its burgeoning gay bars and clubs, street cafes and legalised gay unions. Outtraveller was so impressed the capital of Argentina even clinched destination of the year too.

Outtraveller is a popular gay and lesbian travel magazine and issued the results of its fourth annual online Reader's Choice Awards recently, which generated twice as many votes for best in gay travel than last year. Its European hot favourites have been on the gay and lesbian map for quite a while but are still proving popular.

Barcelona

Barcelona was second place for the second year in a row to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The gay and lesbian district here is called L'Eixample and hosts loads of gay-friendly bars and performers. The main nightclubbing area of Las Ramblas runs from the port to the centre of town and stops just short of the gay village, where men and women will often be seen holding hands without anyone else batting an eyelid.

To show its commitment to being a gay-friendly city, the local government recently became a full member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association with gay rights protected by law. As Gay Barcelona says "This isn't just lip service to gay culture ... this is how it should be! Come experience it!" Look for the best hotels in Barcelona to make your stay a memorable one.

Look for a friendly hotel in Barcelona from where you can explore the gay scene. Remember in Spain everyone eats out at 22:00, enters the bars at 0:00 and head to the nightclubs at opening times of 03:00.

AmsterdamAmsterdam is so gay and lesbian friendly the city has monuments dedicated to homosexuality as well as a packed gay scene. Many foreigners have historically been attracted to this city for this precisely this reason. Its culture is laid back and fancy free with more than one hundred gay bars, discos, restaurants and hotels. The range of affordable accommodation in Amsterdam is healthy. This city came third in Outtraveller's rankings of best gay destination this year.

Don't miss the Homomonument in Westermarkt on the Keizersgracht, which is dedicated to gay visitors. There will be plenty of volunteers nearby to answer your questions about the capital city, including which hotels in Amsterdam to stay in. The monument's advice bureau is open every day from 12:00 until 18:00 GMT.

For gay and lesbian areas, check out places across the whole of the city. However, many bars and clubs are clustered around the Rembrandtplein square and the Reguliersdwarsstraat, via Halvemaansteeg along the Amstel. Also talk a walk along Warmoesstraat, which is a parallel street to Damrak. Look out for names like Bar Prik, which has a mix of gay and open minded people with cocktails and snacks, the Queen's Head near Centraal Station and Exit.

Madrid

Making third place on Outtraveller's international destinations was Madrid with its gay Chueca neighbourhood. Like Barcelona the party scene is late with discos opening around 04:00, so book one of the best hotels in Madrid. Our list provides a few pointers of where to start if you are looking for a hotel list for Madrid.

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Amsterdam is a mecca for first and second-hand clothes. But do not just jump at the first area you see, some precision planning could have you staying in a shopping mall hotel, cycling round the sites, visiting a huge outdoor market and going into the best second-hand shops, and the rest.

Fill your breaks in canal side coffee shops by the quaint shopping area around Nine Streets, grab a handful of bulbs to take home at the end of a kilometre-long road of shops Nieuwedijk-Kalverstraat, which is open on Sundays and buy 50s bric-a-brac chic in some of the city's best-loved stores.

Stay in a shopping centre

For serious shop-a-holics this Amsterdam hotel is in a shopping mall and would be a perfect place to stay. You do not need to leave the 301-room complex at Hotel Okura to browse jewellery, souvenirs, leather and chocolate in the ground-floor gallery. There is also a health centre, so guests can pamper themselves in five-star style as well as eat the Japanese food on offer in one of the two restaurants.

Location, location, location

De Negen Straatjes or Nine Streets shopping centre is a great place to go purchasing because it is in the central canal ring, making the experience more picturesque for that coffee break. De Jordaan is recommended for second-hand wear and antiques while Dam Square has a range of boutiques. Nieuwedijk-Kalverstraat by Central Station is a great kilometre stretch for clothes, finishing in a burst of colour with the Kalverstraat flower market on the Muntplein. You can buy Netherlands tulips here, which are a great gift to take home as bulbs.

Cycle round

Stay at the Bicycle Hotel, which rents bikes for a small charge. Located in multicultural De Pijp, it is one of the cheap hotels in Amsterdam, and there's plenty of world food around the corner. The staff will provide you maps and tips of the best places to shop and visit.

Best outdoor market

The best outdoor market is the 100-year-old Albert Cuyp, which has hundreds of stalls, selling everything from syrup waffles to antiques. Goods on show include vegetables, cheese, fish, spices, cosmetics, pets and beds. Although Albert Cuyp is open on Sundays, a lot of shops in Amsterdam are shut. Exceptions include the Kalverstraat, Damrakl and Leidsestraat and near Noorderkek.

Go retro

This second-hand clothes shop has proved so popular it has opened branches all over Europe. Episode in Amsterdam sells an amazing array of used goods and has stores in Antwerp, Brussels, London, Rotterdam and since August, Paris. Find the first store in Waterlooplein, which hosts one of Amsterdam's largest second-hand markets. It sells vintage, lingerie and retro clothes.

50s to 80s chic

Meanwhile, retro clothes shop Zipperis tucked away in the heart of Nine Streets shopping area. The shop specialises in 50s to 80s clothes, including unique cut Levi jeans and cool vintage coats among other retro items and accessories.

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Amsterdam is a city of canals, coffee shops, historic galleries and museums. Staying in cheap hotels in Amsterdam, such as house boats, can keep costs down. Eating the local pancakes saves money. There are free concerts in the large city park and free entry to many of the attractions. Some of the sights are included in the price of special tourist cards. There are discounts for a lot of the transport too, but much of it is free, and the city is perfect to explore by bicycle, the traditional way to get around in Amsterdam.

Accommodation

There are plenty of cheap hotels in Amsterdam to choose from, including top-rated Easy Centre Apartments Amsterdam. You can also stay in a boat on one of the city's many canals cut price. Spend a night in the Houseboat under the Mill, for example. The low season for discount rates starts this month, which also signals the beginning of Amsterdam's cultural season,

Transport

Jet2 and easyJet are among the cheap airlines flying to Amsterdam Schipol Airport. There are trains every ten minutes from the airport. Avoid getting short-changed at the ticket office, which charges for use, by carrying the correct coins for a ticket. Ferries are free between city centre Amsterdam and the north of the city and you can get a great view of the waterfront. Alternatively, bicycles are cheap to hire from €8 (£6.33) each day.

Special deals

The Museumboot ticket incorporates city transport and sights for €14.25 per day. It's a cheaper alternative to the I Amsterdam cards, which cost €33 for 24 hours. However, as well as including transport and entry to museums, the cards also allow visitors to enjoy a roll, coffee and liqueur free. The Van Gogh Museum is a calibre attraction that can by enjoyed free by buying into the deal.

Eating out

For budget eating, try the variety of sandwiches on offer at Amsterdam's burgeoning small cafes. If it's something more traditional you're after, try a snack from one of Amsterdam's pancake houses. They are nothing like their American counterparts when it comes to the widely-known eggs, flour and milk recipe, but pannekoeken comes in many varieties and make moderately priced meals. For reasonable international dishes, try the Leidsplein district of the city. Cones of chips with mayonnaise and herring is the favourite fare here.

Sightseeing

Among the free sights in Amsterdam is the Historical Museum, which displays portraits and the Kalverstraat gate. There is also no charge to wander round Beginhof 14th century housing estate, which incorporates Amsterdam's oldest house. The community was kept for women only and some still live here, so guests are asked to keep the noise down. The sculptures, bushes and hedges of the Rijksmuseum Gardens are free, despite the renovation of the nearby museum. See statues, fountains, ponds and salvaged Dutch architectural pieces.

Entertainment

There are free concerts in Amsterdam from October every Tuesday at the Boekmanzall room in the Muzietheater, commonly known as the Stopera. These are performed by some of the city's greats, like the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Choir of the Netherlands Opera and the Netherlands Ballet Orchestra. Pack a picnic and wander round the city's largest park Vondelpark, which attracts more than 10,000,000 visitors a year. In the band shell jazz, classical and other kinds of music play out, usually for a donation of no more than €1. If you are lucky you may also catch dance, theatre, cabaret and comedy too.

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Santa Claus and his helpers kick off the festive season by landing in Amsterdam by boat.

The Netherlands celebrates the start of the festive season early – which means extra presents.

During the festival children leave out their shoes alongside carrots and hay for Santa's horses, which are filled with gifts by his helpers.

There are no reindeer here. When Santa disembarks from his boat in Amsterdam he mounts a grey or white mare to Dam Square.

Fan fare from church bells mark the ceremony, which takes place this year on November 16th.

There are also brass bands, parades, clowns, street performers and much more.

Book into one of the best hotels in the capital to get the best view of Santa and his helpers.

According to legend in the Netherlands Santa Claus was actually a third century bishop called St Nicholas.

He dedicated his time to the poor and needy, who are helped at hospitals, schools, shops and restaurants throughout Sinterklaas Season.

This lasts for three weeks up until St Nicholas's birthday on December 6th.

Controversy has recently surrounded the festival, however, over Santa's helpers, who are known as black Peters.

Race relations groups have urged people to boycott the festival over concerns the occasion harks back to the slave trade

When photographer Audrey Corregan wanted to portray freedom, she decided to take shots of the backs of stuffed birds.

Not something every observer would have chosen, but something in the plume of the birds touched the 28-year-old.

The exhibition entitled Obviously at Amsterdam Photography Museum from September 5th to October 22nd is described as showing birds as if they "seem to breathe softly, captivated by something we cannot perceive".

However, some critics have said it is a rip off of Marjaan Kella's Reversed Portrait series, which shows the backs of people's heads.

Check into one of the cheap hotels in Amsterdam and take time deciding what you think as well as wandering through the galleries of other photographers.

Malick Sidibe shows off shots of events taken around Bamako, including weddings, Christmas and football matches until October 15th.

The Museum itself is commended for its architectural excellence. The 150-year-old structure combines chrome and glass to show off young talent.

Curators have teamed up with MTV to display up and coming young people's art.

Corregan was born in France, but now lives in Amsterdam. She began studying photography at Vevey School before finishing at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam.

She was recently asked to exhibit at this year's Hyeres Festival International de Mode & de Photographie.

Cinekid Festival 's programme is so special it is being kept under wraps until September 15th, but expect a very good show from this year's professional guests.

The venue has just got bigger as the old gas factory or Westrgasfabriek takes over from Leidseplein which hosted Cinekid for ten years.

Now there are more clubs, more restaurants and more space for the 35,000 children who come along each year.

Cinekid involves feature films, documentaries, short films, animations, TV series, plays, multi-media productions, interactive exhibitions and workshops.

Satellite festivals number almost 30 around the Netherlands as small towns set out to mimic this popular city event.

Plenty of the affordable accommodation in Amsterdam has deals for children, so why not take them to the main event?

Tickets to Cinekid International are €40 (£31.52) which includes entrance to meetings, screenings and seminars.

For professionals, Cinekid is touted as the place for anyone and everyone involved in films for children.

Cinekid runs from October 19th to 26th with the professional part of the production from October 23rd to 26th.

There are prizes for the best films and TV shows and there are new awards for CDs and websites for some of the 200 media productions.

Amsterdam hosts one of the world's hottest dance events in October.

More than 400 DJs play 40 venues for 45,000 visitors during the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) from October 22nd to 25th.

The event comes in two parts – there's a conference for industry insiders and a huge music festival showcasing the ideas.

Networking, schmoozing and keynote speakers are part of the conference itinerary while green-faced act Dr Lektroluv from Belgium kicks off the performance side of the proceedings at the official opening party on October 22nd.

The festival is held in association with a foundation dedicated to supporting Dutch music copyright across all genres, Buma Cultuur.

It's mainly electronic and dance on the menu for clubbers with new tracks from up and coming artists as well as classics from old favourites.

World famous DJs have also been captured in action by dance-enthusiast and happy snapper Krijn van Noordsijk who has photographs on display for a second year.

Dutch legends Kraak & Smaak host a funk night at Hotel Arena on October 23rd and there is a DJ and producer talent seminar for musical debutantes.

Book a night in one of the cheap hotels in Amsterdam then go out and party!

Travel News brought to you by Eurobookings, the experts in cheap hotel bookings for all major European cities including Amsterdam.

Even jazz musicians have after-show parties, and the capital of hedonism does not plan to see its day of concerts close downbeat at the Seven Bridges Festival.

Uptempo parties are planned in venues across Amsterdam in the Netherlands after a string of performances from celebrated jazz musicians.

Last year's timetable ran from 15.30 to 24.00 on September 1st with jazz's answer to midnight mass in Cafe Krom.

Performers included the likes of Wouter Hamel, Bik Bent Braam, The Ploctones, Izaline Calister and Roy Ayers, who closed last year.

Venues are many and various, including indoor and outdoor arenas, comprising the Bimhuis and Bitterzoet.

Most events will be outside on three stages around the Reguliersgracht with spectacular vistas over Amsterdam's trademark canals.

Last year's event was free and offered all kinds of food and drink stands, including grills on the bridge across Herengracht and a bar in front of Herberg Hooghoudt.

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Treat yourself to one of the best hotels in Amsterdam. Because you deserve a break.

Travel News brought to you by Eurobookings, the experts in cheap hotel bookings for all major European cities including Amsterdam.

Why not make yours a healthy break this autumn by taking part in the largest run in the Netherlands?

Amsterdam's celebrated Dam tot Damloop has proved so popular in previous years that there are 5,000 more places for people who want to join in.

Usually the race attracts more than 30,000 competitors, including children, from all over the globe.

Whether you are a professional or novice, if you enter you are in with the chance of winning a share of €11,000 (£8,600) for coming in the top three.

Registration for the 16km race is for as little as £4.75.

The route goes from Dam Square via Zaandam and through the IJ-tunnel to Peperstraat.

Support has been estimated at 200,000 in previous years.

You'll also be cheered on by fanfares from orchestras and bands that turn out along the way.

This year's road race takes place on September 21st and includes shorter distances for beginners and children.

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Ready for the holidays? Browse cheap hotels in Amsterdam.