If I could I’d spend a night with …
To round off the year we’ve been asking our customers and Twitter fans what British male from 2011 they would most like to spend a night with. The results are in and they’re interesting to say the least!
We’ve narrowed down the top 5, drumroll please …
1. Chris Moyles
You’ve chosen Radio One’s funny man Chris Moyles as the top British male you’d like to spend a night with. With over 7 million listeners tuning into The Chris Moyles Show every week, Moyles is a firm favourite with the Roomguide customers. As controversial as he is, you all agree that his sharp banter would liven up your evening and he’d be great for a cuddle!
2. Gary Barlow
You’d also like to spend the night with Take That star and X Factor judge Gary Barlow. 2011 has been the year for Mr Barlow and he’s now one of the most powerful men in the music industry. Mr Nice from Take That remodelled himself as Mr Nasty this year by taking Mr Cowell’s place as the head judge on The X Factor – but it’s apparent that the whole nation has fallen in love with this man.
3. Ricky Gervais
Comedian Ricky Gervais is at number three. It’s been another successful year for The Office and Extras star with a new series of An Idiot Abroad and a brand new series called Lifes Too Short. You’d like to spend an evening with this man for his sharp and witty humour and although he doesn’t class himself as a sex symbol, our customers disagree!
4. Robbie Savage
The Premier League ‘bad boy’ has been one of the most entertaining people on the box this year as he took to the Strictly Come Dancing stage. Robbie’s thrusting moves have certainly impressed you as he comes in at fourth place! In the words of the man himself, he has gone from being one of the most hated men in Britain to a loveable rogue!
5. Alan Carr
In fifth place, you’d also love to spend a night with stand-up comedian and chat show supremo Alan Carr. It’s been a great year for Alan with his hit tour Spexy Beast and the latest series of Chatty Man which has seen him hang out with the likes of Lady Gaga, Lee Evans, Ricky Gervais and Terry Wogan. There certainly wouldn’t be a dull moment in the evening with this man around!
Other bachelors that made the cut were Olly Murs, Vernon Kay, Simon Cowell and Russell Brand.
Manchester: Something for Everyone
When you’re heading off on a mini-break, you want to find somewhere that has something that everyone can enjoy. So, if you’re looking for a city that is cultural, quiet, lively, modern and historical all at the same time, Manchester is the perfect place.
Manchester is a city with pretty much everything: a big sports scene, fantastic music venues and plenty of culture. For this reason, it’s ideal for big parties looking for somewhere to keep everyone happy, as well as families and couples looking for plenty of sights to see. Here are a selection of areas to focus on in the ‘London of the North’:
Culture
Manchester has always been a creative city, and there are a number of galleries that offer a glimpse into the city’s artistic background. The Manchester Art Gallery is certainly the biggest, but the smaller Whitworth is also worth a visit for its dedication to up-and-coming artists. For theatre and film, the Cornerhouse Theatre is a great place for catching rare and independent films and director Q&As.
Sport
Football. You can’t escape from this particular sport in Manchester, most particularly on derby days when the city’s two biggest football teams go head-to-head in one of the most competitive matches you’re ever likely to see. It may be a good idea to find a hotel near Old Trafford to be even closer to the action.
Nightlife
Thanks to its lively student population (85,000 at the last count), Manchester’s nightlife isn’t just restricted to the weekend, most clubs open every night of the week. Head to the swanky Deansgate Locks for the trendiest bars, or for something a little more down-to-earth, try the Printworks (an ex-printing factory) for more pubs and clubs than you could ever need in a single night.
Food
Manchester has a large range of restaurants to suit every budget. For a reasonably cheap feed hit the Curry Mile, a long stretch of road filled with predominately Indian restaurants that offer authentic Indian cooking for a very fair price (especially if you’re prepared to haggle!). For something more upmarket, San Carlos does the best pizza in the north, and if you keep your eyes peeled you may see one of those footballers the city’s so famous for.
Shopping
Try the Arndale or Trafford Centre for almost every high street store in Britain, or treat yourself to a window-shopping session in Selfridges or Harvey Nicks (conveniently stationed right next to each other). For individual, cool and creative style, Manchester doesn’t disappoint: head to Oldham Road, a street filled with vintage and one-off boutiques with a distinctly retro slant. Make sure to find accommodation in Manchester that’s easy to get to when you’re weighed down with shopping bags!
One of the best things about Manchester is that there’s always something going on to get involved in. One of the best ways of seeing what’s coming up in Manchester (or any city, for that matter) is to use a dedicated website or tool, such as the HotelClub map of Events 2012. This website will help you plan when’s best to visit your chosen city, and will give you the lowdown on what you can expect from the time you’ll be spending there. With a big city like Manchester organisation is key, so look now and get planning your visit – you certainly won’t regret it.
Top 5 European Christmas Markets 2011
Tis the season for festive markets! We’ve looked at our top 5 Christmas markets in the UK but there’s nothing quite like an authentic Christmas market over in Europe. Some of the most famous European Christmas markets have been running since the Middle Ages and today they’re drawing in over two million visitors at a time! There’s something magical about these European cities at Christmastime – with historic squares full of fairy lights, quirky stalls and unique gifts, not to mention the aroma of roasted chestnuts, spicy gingerbread and mulled wine. Get in the festive spirit and book cheap hotels with Roomguide!
Here’s our top 5:
1. Vienna, Austria
Vienna’s prettiest squares transform into a winter wonderland from mid-November onwards. The city oozes nostalgia and romance and nativity displays, concerts and traditional Christmas markets make it one of the most visited markets in Europe. The ‘Christkindlmarkt’ in front of the magnificent Town Hall is Vienna’s classic Christmas market. Selling everything from hand carved toys and decorations to mulled wine and chocolate waffles, Vienna is a place of seasonal inspiration.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
The annual Christmas Market in Copenhagen takes place at Tivoli Gardens, Europe’s oldest amusement park. Twinkling lights, exciting rides, an outdoor ice rink and charming market stalls make this the perfect setting to get into the ‘Christmas spirit’. It’s also the ideal place from which to take home those stocking fillers and special Christmas gifts. Specialties at the market include Aebleskiver, traditional Danish apple slices usually dusted with powdered sugar and served with Glogg, a combination of hot red wine, aquavit, cinnamon and almonds.
Book cheap hotels in Copenhagen
3. Berlin, Germany
There are over 50 Christmas markets in Berlin making it a festive favourite in Germany and the rest of Europe. The most popular market in the German capital is the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market situated in one of the most beautiful squares in the city. Jugglers, acrobats, artists and choirs entertain the crowds whilst over 100 rustic wooden huts offer yuletide decorations, pretty ornaments, handmade jewellery and delicious Bratwurst.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
The Czechs certainly know how to celebrate Christmas if the Prague festive markets are anything to go by. The Old Town Square is transformed into a vibrant wonderland with a giant Christmas tree surrounded by red-roofed wooden huts selling everything from traditional Czech handicrafts to hot food specialties and refreshing Czech beers. There’s plenty more festive activity to soak up around Wenceslas Square, Havelska Trziste, Namesti Miru and Namesti Republiky.
5. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest’s Vörösmarty square dresses up in its finest Christmas décor from mid-November until the end of December. More than 100 wooden pavilions offer a unique selection of goods from folk artisans and craftsmen as well as a wide choice of traditional Hungarian foods like kürtoskalács (sweet Hungarian pastry), kenyérlángos (baked flat bread) and goulash soup.
Like us on Facebook where we are opening up our very own Advent Calendar this December revealing festive hotel deals across the world!
Roomguide UK - Top 5 Christmas Markets
With less than a month to go before Christmas, the festive markets, fairs and fetes are well underway and let’s face it, you can’t beat a good old winter fair to get you in the Christmas spirit! So that you have the best Christmas yet, we’ve got some great offers on cheap hotels in all UK cities and it just happens their Christmas markets are some of the best in Europe!
We’ve listed our top 5 Christmas Markets in the UK where you can fill up on roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and festive cheer!
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
When? 18th November – 3rd January
A visit to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit! With a Christmas circus, Christmas Ice Rink, Christmas Ferris Wheel and of course a huge Christmas Market, you can shop for quirky crafts and tasty treats in the sparkly surroundings of central London! A definite MUST this Christmas!
Bath Christmas Market
When? 24th November – 11th December
The quaint streets and square running from Bath Abbey to the Roman Baths is transformed into a truly magical setting at Christmas. 130 wooden chalets offer what can only be described as a Christmas shopper’s haven with unique and unusual gifts, pretty decorations and delicious food.
Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market
When? 17th November – 23rd December
Now in its 10th year, this is the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria. Combined with the city’s own Craft fair, there are over 180 picturesque chalets to explore offering everything from handmade jewellery and wooden toys to German beers and sausages.
Leeds Christkindelmarkt German Christmas Market
When? 11th November – 18th December
Christkindelmarkt in Leeds is one of the most established German Christmas markets in the UK. With twinkling lights, carousel rides and over 40 wooden chalet stalls there’s festive fun for everyone. Set in Millennium Square, visitors can enjoy handcrafted jewellery, Christmas cards, toys and speciality foods such as bratwurst sausages, goulash, schnitzels and gingerbread.
Edinburgh Christmas Markets
When? 24th November – 24th December
Edinburgh is recognised as one of the best cities in the UK to spend Christmas and with two Christmas markets, a Bungy Snowdome, Christmas Ice Rink, Christmas Carousel and the Edinburgh Wheel, it’s not hard to see why! The traditional German market has a mix of classic and contemporary gifts as well as a range of German food and drink and the Highland Village Christmas Market offers everything from Scottish foods to Scottish teddy bears!
We have cheap hotels in all of these festive locations, so plan your Christmas break now!
Christmas Events in Dublin 2011
Celebrate the festive season in style this year by booking cheap hotels in Dublin with Roomguide! There is so much going on in the Irish capital and with a number of exciting events planned to gear everyone up for Christmas 2011 we thought we’d share the best ones with you!
Festival of Light
Witness the streets of Dublin come alive as they transform into a winter wonderland of glistening LED street lights. On November 27th, the Christmas lights switch on ceremony will see plenty of entertainment preparing locals and tourists for the festive season.
Docklands Christmas Market
From December 8th until December 23rd the popular Christmas market returns to the Docklands. The charming yuletide event attracts thousands of visitors and draws its inspiration from German traditions which create a unique festive atmosphere.
7Up Winter Wonderland
7UP Winter Wonderland is Ireland’s newest and biggest FREE to enter winter park running from December 8th until January 8th at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. With a traditional Christmas market, an ice rink, a circus, rides and café bars – there’s festive fun for all ages!
Taste of Christmas
Taste of Christmas is a truly fantastic event where all ‘foodies’ can indulge in festive food and drink, sample signature dishes from Dublin’s top restaurants and be inspired by Ireland’s most popular chef talent. Running from November 25th- 27th, this isn’t one to be missed!
Take a look at all of our cheap hotels in Dublin and plan your Christmas break now!
