Millionaires and Pancakes in Amsterdam

Everyone keeps talking about something or other "Crunch" - must be a new breakfast cereal?! No idea what they mean, I'm a strictly Weetabix man myself*. Anyway, people have also been talking about tightening their belts and saving money. Well, I'm all for saving money, which is why I've been looking into living the luxury life for as little money as possible!

My greatest discovery so far has been Amsterdam. They have a Millionaire's Fair "Miljonair" - http://www.millionairefair.com/ - where, for just 35-75 Euros, you can experience true luxury lifestyle. With exhibitors in this world tour of exhibits including: Cartier, Maybach, Bentley, Chopard, Remy Martin and Bang & Olufsen, you can tell that this is going to be how the other half live!


My recommendation - enter EVERY competition there is! Imagine what you could win! And sample all the delicious treats on offer!


I've always firmly believed that with a little careful consideration, you can lead a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget. Why miss out on those little treats? Life's too short!


Whether you go to the Millionaire's Fair or not, Amsterdam has built a reputation as a perfect weekend/short break. Being close to home, it takes just 1.5 hours by plane or 5 hours in the comfort of Eurostar to the centre of Amsterdam. There are all the usual touristy yet satisfying things that you should do if this is your first time in the city: river cruises are a nice way to get acquainted with the city; bike riding; the Van Gogh Museum; Anne Frank's House. Not to mention pancakes... mmmm!

For something a little bit different, try out the flower auction - it is said that almost every cut flower sold in the world (from the sublime, to those garage forecourt ones) come through this enormous auction house at some point. It's an early start, but the sheer number of flowers and the excitement of the bidding is worth it. http://www.vba.nl/

We've got great deals on popular Amsterdam hotels this December, and as usual, all these hotels have been personally inspected by me and the team to make sure that they are what we say they are. Not many do this, but we do, because it makes sense.


Family owned, the 3 star Citadel Hotel Amsterdam's location in the centre of the city (just 8 minutes from the Central Station) make it highly popular. The hotel has simple, clean, comfortable rooms. With a cosy bar and lounge and yummy Dutch breakfast, this hotel is a great budget option. Friendly staff and atmosphere.



The Citadel Hotel Amsterdam has a nice choice for all bargain hunters - 4 nights for the price of 3 £141pp or 3 nights for the price of 2 £94pp throughout November and December.



The 3 star Avenue Hotel Amsterdam consists of 9 buildings, some parts dating back to the 17th century. There is a nice personalised service here. The rooms are pretty much all unique in decor. A lovely little touch is the activities ideas that the staff leave for you at breakfast. Great location for sightseeing and for local restaurants and bars.

Get a night free at the Avenue Hotel Amsterdam throughout November and December. 3 nights for the price of 2 from £94pp.




Leidse Square Hotel Amsterdam is perfectly located for Amsterdam nightlife, but is conveniently tucked away in a peaceful little street. The 'Museumplein', with Holland's most renowned museums, is just down the road and music venues such as the 'Melkweg' and 'Paradiso' are located around the corner from the hotel. Rooms are of a good size and nice and cosy - great for a winter break.




You can get 3 nights for the price of 2 at the Leidse Square Hotel Amsterdam in December, from £98pp.



*other breakfast cereals are available

Christmas Markets - the new way to Christmas shop!

Christmas???? What???? I can't believe we're using that word already but how time flies when you're having fun and boy have I been having fun. Following my little Irish trip where I must admit I did indulge a little too much in my favourite tipple Guiness, I have now set my mind to the up and coming yearly excitement of Christmas Markets!

Now you know when people say that it's just as rewarding buying the presents as receiving them - well I always thought that was absolute tittle tattle. I always much preferred getting those lovely knitted wonders from Great Auntie Beryl than seeing her sour face when I gave her her traditional pair of socks (I thought she liked socks). Anyway I soon learnt last year that actually when I visited a Christmas Market in Prague, and gave her something a little different - a hand made necklace - her whole face changed and I was suddenly her favourite great nephew. Plus old cousin Hamish was pretty grateful for the slivovice plum brandy - a Czech deliciously warming tipple - I bought him. Got me in the good books I must say and actually I did feel all warm inside watching them open them and getting such a surprise.

So, that all goes to show - Christmas Markets really are a fantastic treat - treat for you and for your friends and family - you get to go on a little trip, all to find your loved ones that original festive giflt and hopefully have a pretty good holiday while you're there. Often the prices at the markets mean you save a whole load on Christmas shopping too - it's a great place to find some bargains.

Last year, as I mentioned, I went to Prague. There are two - one at the Old Town Square and one at Wenceslas Square. You'll need to take a warm coat and a scarf, but that all adds to the Christmas atmosphere and I honestly felt like Father Christmas was just around the corner. Lots of brightly coloured stalls with oodles of ideas for you. And while you're there you can warm yourself up with hot food & drinks from the stalls there too. Prague Christmas Markets start on 29th November and we have plenty of cosy hotels for you to relax in after all that shopping! The Residence Mala Strana Prague - a 3 star superior - a great base to discover all the attractions of Prague - all rooms are tastefully decorated and all have a kitchenette - although the hotel also has a breakfast room. There is a special offer on during the Christmas Markets too - 3 nights for the price of 2 from £56pp. Valid from 1 nov - 25 nov. Pretty good!
Another good value for money hotel is the Kavalir hotel Prague - with trams just outside you can get to the centre of Prague in just 15 mins. From £16pppn.

The Duo hotel Prague is an excellent option - it's well known in Prague for it's low prices and amazing facilities - with a swimming pool, bowling alley, hairdressers, shop, internet desks & lobby bar. From £18pppn this is a real find.

Honestly I recommend these Christmas Markets - they're fab and they have so many lovely hotels in these cities they are really worth a visit! Choose from antwerp, berlin, bratislava, bruges, brussels, budapest, copenhagen, dusseldorf, frankfurt, stockholm or even london and manchester plus loads more. See here for more details.

Happy shopping!!!

Kicking up the leaves in Ireland

You know how I'm always planning ahead? Well I've been thinking about a nice Autumnal break in Ireland. The leaves are starting to turn, there's a certain nip in the air and I'd just like to get out into the country and kick leaves around - I like it because it's a little destructive but people you're with will just think you're a big kid at heart. Little do they know that really you've got a thing against those pesky leaves...

Anyway, enough of my irrational hatred of leaves... At the moment the other guys in the office are looking at best kept secret hotels, and this got me thinking. Where are some of the best little gems (and don't say in Sainsbury's with the other lettuces, it's not funny) in Dublin and Belfast? I'm after great value weekends away. Fab little bases from which to explore the glorious Emerald Isle. And I did pretty well (did you expect anything less dear reader??).

From 2nd - 5th October in Belfast Botanical Gardens are putting on "Enchanted Evenings" - performance artists, puppeteers, lights, and music. Think I'll wrap up warm and see if I can get a hot chocolate at that one! Anyone in need of a laugh should head down to the Empire Music Hall in November, this long-running comedy club has a host of comedians. And the Giant's Causeway is a spectacular natural feature of the area. So where to stay in Belfast....?

The 3 star Days Hotel Belfast is extremely popular with guests for its great value and . It is modern, has a nice historical element - you can see one of the wall murals that Belfast is famous for. Great hospitality and a nice hearty breakfast to set you up for the day ahead. Sounds good to me!

The Days Hotel Belfast also has a special offer in November - 3 nights for the price of 2 from £78pp. Bargain!

The 4 star Europa Hotel is also well recommended - if it's good enough for Bill Clinton...! Very good standard of rooms and places to sit and 'be' (a very nice pastime!) - the lobby bar, Piano restaurant and the brasserie. Located right in the centre of Belfast, all the major sights are within walking distance. Very stylish rooms too - with Ralph Lauren fabrics.... oooh!

Europa Hotel Belfast from £53pppn

And if, like me, you sometimes want lots of luxury and peace and quiet, the 4 star Slieve Donard Hotel County Down will fit the bill. This imposing red brick Victorian hotel effortlessly mixes old and new. The lobby, reception and restaurant are traditional, while the spa, bar and breakfast room are strikingly modern. The rooms are a happy blend of both. Venture outside and be overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of the County Down countryside.

Slieve Donard Hotel County Down from £70pppn

You're probably more than aware that Dublin is the 'home' of Guiness, so pop into the Guiness Storehouse, which will tell you everything you need to know (and don't) about Guimess! Or soak up the atmosphere at the nightly performance of Irish music, song and dance, with optional dinner! Sounds like a nice way to spend an evening, that doesn't involve Guiness (don't worry, you can have some with your meal!).

Above all, get out in the fresh air and do a tour of the Dublin Castle and Bay to work off all those calories from all the Guiness you'll have quaffed. I like Guiness. Can you tell?

Lots of bargains to be had at Dublin hotels too. My pick of the best are (cue Top of the Pops style intro music):

Cassidy's Hotel Dublin is a 3 star superior, family-run establishment housed in 3 traditional red brick townhouses. Inside the decor is that lovely mix of contemporary and classic. Bedrooms feature flat screen TVs (so cool!) and really comfy beds. I love the bar here - very classical styling with wood panelling. Very chic.

Cassidy's Hotel Dublin 4 nights for the price of 3 (from £165pp) in October, and in November you can get 3 nights for the price of 2 (from £94pp)

If you're looking for a longer break - there are plenty of things to do in the area, so I can promise you won't get bored - try The Morgan Hotel. A boutique hotel in a central position. A very sophisticated hotel. The bar's really trendy, which I like. Great if you're after a bit of nightlife as well as country walks.

The Morgan Hotel Dublin 7 nights for the price of 6 from £534pp

And as a wildcard, check out the exotic reception at the Trinity Capital Hotel. I think the designers had obviously been on a time travel world-tour - colonial meets eastern with safari inspired furnishings and spicy colours. A real feast for the eyes. Rooms are more toned down (thank goodness!) with a very high standard of furniture - walnut and leather desks anyone? Plasma screen and a welcome tray of goodies. I don't think I'd want to leave the room!

Trinity Capital Hotel Dublin from £60pppn

Tennis ball biceps inspire a trip to NYC!

Glued to the set I was last night.

Andy Murray.

Muzza.

A-Mu.

The Scotsman with the tennis balls in his biceps...

is in the final of the US Open.

He beat Rafa Nadal - who in comparison has rugby league sports equipment for biceps. But see where that gets you huh? Oh yes, us chaps with the slim physiques know that it's not just all about muscle it's also about technique.... sorry, I digress....

I was watching the game, on the edge of my seat, swiping at every ball for Murray, pumping my fists and cheering, and I, it must be said, got a real hankering for New York.

Why? Well, I'm sure it's a mixture of a few things. Jealousy of my cousin Hamish going over there... Hamish said he was going to hit a few balls with a friend of his as a favour... and also just seeing Flushing Meadows on television has reminded me what a great city New York is.

So, on a whim, I'm nipping over there for a few days. I'm booked to stay in the New Yorker Hotel.

It's a great three star, at a great price.

I'm all for 5 star hotel stays, but there's no need when the New Yorker is on offer.

It's just across the road from Madison Square Gardens - central central location!! And the building itself is a local landmark. It has 40 stories of classic art deco architecture and gives guests (me!!) fabulous view across the city.

You can book it here - with a 5% discount if you book online.

Bring it on. And hopefully with a nice British victory to go with it.

Not that I am one to who likes to brag, but I may have to get onto the courts myself to show those New Yorkers that we Brits can play tennis with the best of them!!

Laters

Secret Agent