Italy celebrates its past

It doesn't get much more historical in Europe than Rome's Birthday - hundreds of candles flickering over the Aventine Hill, a huge fireworks display over the River Tiber and a history that spans millennia. I couldn't miss it, I've been a few times before and every time I am reminded that this city has so much history.

I went last weekend and was lucky enough to catch most of the celebrations. From the traditional and solemn Palilia ritual ceremony to a mock gladiator show. I was even invited to The Convivium - a Roman style banquet with ballet performances. The following day's parade had hundreds of participants including soldiers, Vestal Virgins, emperors, and senators.

You could spend months in Rome and still have plenty to see and do. As weekend destinations go, you can't go wrong with Rome. Just don't try and pack too much sightseeing in - remember... Rome wasn't built in a day... (well, yes, ok, that was terrible...). What I mean to say is, take it slowly and enjoy it. You can always go back. I do, frequently!

So, if you are thinking of taking a city break, soaking up some historical culture and fancy Rome, have a look at our great Rome hotels here.

And don't forget we have great special offers, including lots of lovely free nights, in Rome here.

I especially like the Adriano for its location alone - right in the heart of the old town a stone's throw from the Spanish Steps. Ideal for a "Roman Holiday" (groan...) this summer, with 4 nights for the price of 3 for £162pp.

Also coming up in Italy is the historic football tournament held in Florence every year on the 24th June. Going back centuries, this tournament was even played during the siege of Florence, when the locals nonchalantly continued playing whilst soldiers entered the city. As a football fan I have to admire that level of commitment! These days the game is played in traditional costume and somewhat resembles rugby! Live it up in style in Florence for the tournament with 5 nights for the price of 4 at the prestigious Westin Excelsior for £648pp. Or check out the other special offers for Florence here.

But here at hotelconnect we're all about the bargains - just check out our special offers page!

Bangkok - get there if you can

In between my attempts to beat 29 seconds on that steal, save, splurge game (I am just a little addicted - can't seem to get away from it) I bumped into Jennie, a colleague of mine in the office, and supreme expert on certain destinations. We got chatting about places she'd been and I thought I'd let you in on what she said. Give you a bit of insider information on Bangkok. I once lost my passport there which meant I spent a bit more time there than originally planned, but that gave me a little extra time to explore the city and I can tell you I had plenty of fun on the way. Anyway that aside, here's what Jennie had to tell me:

"Love it or hate it - you will not be able to deny that Bangkok is a pretty amazing city!!! Personally I love it - in actual fact it is possibly one of my favourite cities in the world (and I have travelled a lot). Yes - you might wrinkle your nose at some of the smells whilst walking around - but it is at least a city that feels truly alive. I think it is the mixture of history, an ancient culture mingled with new high-rise buildings, ultra stylish bars, fab restaurants and luxurious hotels that adds to its appeal.

Things I love to do when I am in Bangkok... A must is to visit chatuchak weekend market (the largest market in the world with nearly 9,000 stalls - I am not joking when I say I spent about 7 hours there and had really not seen everything. It sells everything from the normal touristy Thai gifts, clothes, impressive artwork, beautiful and stylish furniture (which they will ship to the UK) and just for good measure there's a wealth of food stalls selling some excellent local cuisine along with a few interesting looking Thai delicacies (deep fried locusts etc etc...). There are also some amazing temples and palaces that are just so different to anything you see in the UK that alone makes them worth a visit.

I think I was also genuinely surprised to see how stylish some of the bars and clubs are when you get off the main tourist strips. A few that I can personally recommend are Q bar, a great place to dance the night away or maybe the bed supper club . Although I am not that way inclined I also had a fabulous evening in a gay bar called telephone - its amazing how much fun you can have when there is a telephone on each table so you can phone people you like the look of. Although I think some of the gentleman clientele were probably a little disappointed when they answered their phone and there was a me (a girl) on the other end!

If you want to treat yourself to a beautiful bed whilst you are there then choose the sumptuous Sukothai hotel - very modern and stylish with beautiful Asian influences and award winning restaurants. If you want something a bit more prestigious then try the Peninsula with its beautiful location on the Chao Phrya river. Of course it is nice to have a bit of luxury every once and a while but even on a budget there are some very trendy hotels in this town including the Bel Aire Princess for one. I have stayed there a few times and have nothing but good things to say about it and I would seriously recommend the half day Thai cookery course that they offer."

And at that point, Jennie went off to finish her cornflakes and get on with the job of finding more fabulous hotels in exotic locations, and I daydreamed about losing my passport once again. Oh and had another quick play on the steal, save, splurge game. Seriously it's pretty
good.

glug glug, chugga chugga, ooh la la

I'm not going to try and glamorise it...





it's a shameless bit of self promotion.


it's for my employers, HotelConnect.



but if I were you, i'd be wanting me to tell you about my exciting news. and then I'd be thanking me so much.

Let me continue before I have more personalities than Sylvia...


You can not only get addicted to this game ...click here.. it's lots of fun and the music cracks me up.... >


you can also win a trip to Paris, travelling FIRST CLASS on the Eurostar (don't mind if I do), with a bottle of champagne at the Champagne Bar in St Pancras first (pop! fizz...), staying in a luxury hotel for 3 nights!!


Sigh....



just play it and try and beat my fastest time of 31.23 seconds!!

Laters,

with RSI

Secret Agent

Crazy weather makes for crazy talk... In Bruges

Remember me telling you about my colleague Super? Well, his name is Andrew...

We got together for an incredibly strong beer during the snowy weekend. He said it was proper Belgian beer. I said it tasted like cherry cough medicine. He looked threatening. I said it was proper Belgian beer.

We got talking about Bruges. The film 'In Bruges' is supposed to be amazing - Colin Farrell, is in it, and directed by Martin McDonagh who normally writes plays (he's got four on at the moment in London - Four! If he was my mate I'd be calling him Billy. As in William. As In Shakespeare).

Anyway, talk of the movie, led to talk of Bruges (Super's favourite destination) and he has convinced me to go to Bruges. The way he started talking about it, I thought it was the beginning of a joke...

"... I love Bruges... the moment you step into the old city, the history, elegance and style really hits you. In fact i love it so much so that I bought a house there!

Cobbled streets, with something new and intriguing around every corner. Cute individual shops selling everything from designer clothes, hand made lace and the finest chocolates to some of the high end designer boutiques. Bruges has it all.

I love Bruges because it is a city that is easy on the eye, and if you get there, you'll know what I mean. Calming, relaxed and aesthetic. It is also a romantic city, attracting couples much the same way as Paris (but without the exorbitant costs).

Bruges is vibrant, alive and is sure to give you a real sense of vitality - it appeals to all ages, so I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick and cost effective break away. Easy to get to, You can drive over, train it over or plane it over and then relax in one of the lovely character hotels within the city.

One of the best reasons to go to Bruges is the food! To keep things simple, what is really nice (particularly on a cold day / night) and whilst taking a leisurely stroll through the city is stopping off at the "Groot Markt" at one of the "Friteurs" and treating yourself to a bag of real Belgian Frites dowsed in mayo, Ketchup and mustard as most flems tend to do, then (and only if there is any room left) you can treat yourself to a large fresh waffle with creme and cherries. Of course the diet needs to be on hold for this experience, but they do often say that the simple things are often the best!


Then again, more embarrassing than my Frites and Waffles experiences... I was contracting there a couple of years ago and caught the train over from Brussels. On getting off the train I noticed that I had put two wrong shoes on (one brown, one black)........ so I had to rush myself over to a shoe store, my brief case was dangling by my feet so no one would notice as I quickly scurried myself to a shop and then spent a fortune on a new pair of brown shows to match my suit! The whole thing left me quite traumatised!

Finding a favorite hotel in a city like Bruges is like asking to choose your favorite chocolate from a box of creme centres! I love them all. Of course I would seeing as I contract them, though what is important when selecting a hotel in a city like Bruges is ensuring that the overall quality and service match the destination type. Generic hotels have no place in a city like Bruges and as most of the hotels are small and intimate it is even more vital that the service given is of an impeccable standard.

One hotel that does strike me as impressive is the Walburg.

The building resembles a classic romantic film set with glistening chandeliers, imposing marble pillars and crisp white decor.

The hotel Walburg was even the setting for a famous Flemish soap opera a couple of years ago because of the hotel's impressive features. The rooms are spacious and as one would imagine, designed in period style with a service provided by the owners that is always impeccably professional. I think price wise the hotel hits the spot just right - high end it may be but well worth the price, with a range of free night stays thrown in during the year to give it that extra edge. It is really a hotel that will ensure your Bruges experience is made all the more special."

So, I don't know whether it was the beer, the talk of Colin Farrell, or the amazing sounding Bruges and Hotel Walburg, but - I'm booked, staying in the Hotel Walburg, and I'll be surveying the cinematic sights. You know, some people have said that I look like Colin Farrell (thanks Mum).

Another city, another place to get swamped by onlookers...



Laters,

Secret Agent.