Advantages: Good location, great food and memorable functions
Disadvantages: Might be too close to town, quite pricey

...The Bedford Swan Hotel Location The Bedford Swan Hotel The Embankment Bedford Bedfordshire Mk40 1RW Telephone: 01234 346565 Fax: 01234 21200 Distance from local towns Cambridge 25 miles London 50 miles Oxford 50 miles Distance from Airports Luton 20 miles Stansted 50 miles Heathrow 55 miles Car parking is available free of charge for 100 cars. www.bedfordswanhotel.co.uk info@bedfordswanhotel.co.uk The Hotel The Bedford Swan Hotel is located in the centre of the lively town of Bedford, occupying a great position on the banks of the River Ouse right next to the Town Bridge. The hotel was built in 1794 for the 5th Duke of Bedford and was acquired by Paten Hotels in 1916, who remain the long run owners to this day. The Hotel is the ideal base for exploring the local area featuring 104 Standard... Read review

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Advantages: One of the nicest pibs in York, live music, Millionaire, massive toilets
Disadvantages: A little bit out of the way

...Here's number 5 in my short series about my pubs in York. The Old White Swan is one of my favourites, and in my opinion I definitely under-use it. Firstly, how to get there. From my general start point of the fountain in Parliament Street, head north-east towards Efe's kebab van. If you have any sense, stop there and get some food, and your photo taken (which will be posted on the van the following week). Incidentally, I rate Efe's 6 out of 5 for food. Anyway, from Efe's, head east down the street containing the F1 shop, and Cappucinos. Continue past Wine Rack, past Boots, and thw Old White Swan is on the left. On Fridays, there will be 2 bouncers. The large one with the waxed head is Andy - he's cool. Enter. The Old White Swan has distinct areas. There is a nice courtyard with vines and stuff in the centre, which is excellent... Read review

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Advantages: Great local pub with an extensive menu
Disadvantages: Not suitable for people with disability

...One of my favourite ways to while away an evening with friends is to go out for a meal and a chat. Some years ago a group of us formed a little dining club and every couple of weeks we like to go out to dine in a range of restaurants within easy travelling distance of Ipswich. A favourite of ours for many years has been the Swan at Westerfield, in a little village just to the North of Ipswich. This little pub, affectionately known locally as the 'Westerfield Swan' was managed by the same people for many years but has recently changed hands so it was with some trepidation that I set off to dine there recently. I always worry that somewhere under new ownership may not quite manage to be as good as it was previously. Our party consisted of a mixed group of 5 people and we were seated in the main dining area on a rectangular table... Read review

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Advantages: Very tranquil, pretty setting and beautiful hotel
Disadvantages: Car park is about 500 yards from entrance - when it rains you get very wet!

...My partner and I stayed at The Swan Hotel in Newby Bridge last weekend and i felt compelled to share our experience with others... The hotel is located at the Southern tip of Lake Windermere and overlooks the River Leven. It is in an absolutely beautiful setting, is accessed via a small bridge and is set right back from the main road. I think in total it has 55 bedrooms, some of which are suites - but we opted for a standard double during our stay. We were in room 313 and this had a river view - as do all the odd numbered rooms i think. The room was very spacious and the bed was extremely comfy (although very soft). The bathroom was perfectly pleasant, although decorated in a slightly 'old fashioned' way. You get a few select Sky Channels in the rooms and also broadband is available. The minibars are well stocked but... Read review

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Advantages: Fantastic building and great service
Disadvantages: So popular that tickets get a bit scarce.

...I am surprised that no-one has reviewed one of the finest buildings in Prague. Thanks everyone, for leaving me with this massive privilege. 1 The Exterior If you look across the Vltava river from Prague Castle to the Old Town and the New Town, the dominant building is the Narodni Divaldo, or National Theatre. Its gold crest glints in sunshine on the crisp clear days we enjoyed in Prague this March. This golden glow made the rest of the building look very dark, almost black, from a distance, though close up it looks more like dark sandstone. It is discoloured by the city grime and weather, but sits beside the river as a vast object of visual delight. For those who understand the architectural issues, it is neo-Renaissance in style, and was built in the mid 1880's. It was designed by Josef Schulz and was paid for by private... Read review

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Advantages: Culture, history, beauty, weather
Disadvantages: Hassling

...at the carvings in the Temple of Khnum. We were patient with him until he got rather excited about a carving of a Pharaoh sporting an enormous black penis. He then suggested his penis was bigger than the Pharaoh's and how did Morty's compare. That was it for me! Off with him! Nevertheless, he insisted on payment not only for his services but for his seven children. From this moment on we decided to make use of organised trips to see the rest of the delights Aswan has to offer. So! They are more expensive than doing it yourself, but at least on an organised tour with an official English speaking Egyptian guide you get the freedom to concentrate on what you wanted to see and not forever doing deals. We were a bit 'Templed-Out' by now, as anybody who has ever been to Egypt would understand, so we chose a visit by Felucca to Kitchener's Island, also... Read review

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Advantages: Historically important, plenty to see and do.
Disadvantages: Can be crowded

....travel-hotels-europe.com/lothian-and-borders-hotels/linlit hgow-hotels-1.htm * FOOD and DRINK * Linlithgow is a typical medieval Scottish burgh, with a long High St which lends itself well to a pub crawl. Starting at the West Port, (where the west gate in the old town wall used to be) there is the imaginatively titled West Port Tavern, and immediately next door is The Black Bitch Tavern. Both are good pubs which also serve food. Further along are: The Swan Tavern, The Crown Arms and the Football & Cricketers Arms. These pubs do a more basic menu. At the cross are the Auld Hole I'Th'wa and The Four Marys. These are probably the best pubs in town with the 4 M's being particularly good. The food here is excellent with both bar meals and a very good restaurant, and it is famous locally for the range and quality of their beers. Towards the Low Port there is The Red Lion which is situated... Read review

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Advantages: You Will Get To See Animals You Normally Couldn't !
Disadvantages: Need To Have A Car To Get there !

...! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next section you come to is where the fowl are kept,including four Black swans,who decided to show off for us,by puffing up his feathers.These fowl are allowed to roam the park freely so they usually follow you around ,in the hope of another free meal. THE ALPACA! ~~~~~~~~~~~ The Alpaca can be confused with its close relative the llama! as they are just as tall and look very alike,only they are a chocolate brown in colour.They are just as beautiful to look at as the llama. THE DEER! ~~~~~~~~~ These beautiful creatures had a large paddock all to themselves along with a Stag,who would run away any time any humans came near the fence.We were blessed that one of the females decided she wnated a closer look,and came right up to us and let us feed her from our hands,it was the most exciting thing as they are known to be very shy and do... Read review

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Advantages: Some good food
Disadvantages: Quailty inconsistent, poor presentation, poor service

...Back in 2007 The Times ran a promotion whereby readers could enjoy specially priced two or three course meals at participating restaurants. Seeing that one of the restaurants taking part in our area was Black Door we collected the required four tokens with excitement. Black Door is one of Newcastle's leading restaurants, well-known for the high standard of cuisine often using local ingredients and with its premium prices it was understandable that we should jump at the chance of eating three courses there for just £20 as an average main course alone comes in around the £20 mark. As the instructions advised, we made our booking by telephone and the day before our visit the restaurant telephoned to re-confirm. We arrived at the restaurant and were invited to order an aperitif while we looked over the menu. We didn't actually open... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent hill walking, Low Key Ski resort in the winter
Disadvantages: None! well, its a bit isloated.... but that's good right?

...Well to start of i'll get it out of my system... im a quater german, that hails from the black forest town of Triberg (held the Ice skating winter olypics back in the 20's!). But being embarassed of my heritage is something I am most ceratinly NOT. The Black Forest is a Wonderful Place to go on holiday for the young and old alike. There's something to do for everyone. During the summer the blackforest is made up of rolling hills, beautiful fields of flowers and some of the most breathtaking scenary in the whole of Europe. It is EXCELLENT hill walking territory, with the guest houses FULL to the brim during the summer months. Excellent places to go include the town of Schonwald, which translates into 'Beautiful valley' which has an amazing view coupled with some of the best restaurants in the black forest. The black... Read review

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