Hotels and Travel

Manchester Summer Delights 2008

When the temperatures start rising summer in Manchester is set to be the perfect time to enjoy some of the best festivals and exciting events of the year.

From 28 June to 15 July Manchester will host the world’s first international festival of original new work from world-class artists. Over the three weeks festival goers can experience and enjoy world premieres at various venues and locations across Manchester, before going they go on tour to Tokyo, Paris and Berlin.

And that’s just the beginning, after the Manchester Jazz Festival which is held in July, August turns it's attentions to outdoor events with the 10th anniversary of the legendary D.percussion - the largest free music festival in the North of England.  This award-winning Festival features newly-written, one-hour plays in unusual venues. Platform 4 Piccadilly, is a new festival of outdoor performances that impresses with a mix of circus, dance, theatre and music. Summer’s climax is the world-famous event, ten-day extravaganza, Manchester Pride, which is held at the end of August.

Start booking your accommodation now and check rates at hotels in Manchester

Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel

Toronto’s Premiere Center Stage! 

The breathtaking renovations are now complete at Canada’s Flagship Marriott hotel. Progressive music sets the mood throughout this fabulous hotel. The interior design is now upmarket and intimate. Functional public spaces encourage guests to work, eat or meet in the renovated lobby. New and inspired menus feature mouthwatering cuisine are served by genuine and engaged staff. All of the 459 guest rooms have been completely refurbished and feature state of the art technology. Guests can enjoy the view from the floor to ceiling windows in the brand new fitness area.

At this hotel experience: 

• Newly renovated public areas
• Reinvented restaurant - Trios
• Toronto’s largest shopping mall connected to the hotel
• Situated in the heart of downtown Toronto

View more luxury hotels in Canada at Direct-Hotels.co.uk

What's On - Manchester - February 2008

Wheel of Manchester
Manchester's neweat attraction, the Wheel of Manchester, gives spectacular views of the city in complete comfort. The big wheel is 60m high and has 42 capsules, which can seat up to eight people. Each has wheelchair access, heating and air conditioning. Why not take time out from working, shopping, or clubbing and take to the skies?

Harold Riley: A Photography Retrospective 1943 - 2007
This amazing exhibition charts Riley's long and intruiging photographic career, starting and ending to date in Salford, whilst going via locations around the world. This show boasts images by figures such as Walker Evans and André Kertész, figures who Riley knew and whose work played a part as role models in shaping his own photographic 'eye'.

Tooth & Claw - Living Alongside Britain's Predators
How do we really feel about our wild predators in the UK and why? Love or loathe them, their need to kill other animals to survive seems to provoke extreme reactions in us. Through a series of case studies led by fantastic wildlife photography, this exhibition explores our prejudices, fears and inconsistencies and reminds us of our place in nature.  As we are also predators, it will explore our place in nature and consider the future of our relationship with our wild counterparts.

Other highlights in Manchester in February include Chinese New Year, Music concerts at the Lowry including Gabrielle, Boy George and Bjorn Again and not to be missed Strictly Come Dancing Live! at the M.E.N Arena.

Whilst in Manchester why not stay at one of the fashionable hotels in Manchester - these include the fabulous boutique hotels - Malmaison Manchester, the Hilton Manchester Deansgate - which is located in europe's tallest residential building or why not try the 'Leading Hotel of the World - the Lowry Hotel - all of these first class hotels are available to book at Direct-Hotels.co.uk

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Destination - Winchester

Winchester, one of England's most historic cathedral towns, was the capital of England in 9th century Saxon times, Venta Belgarum to the Romans, two city gates and parts of the wall are still intact.

Winchester is one of the country's best-loved cities. Popular for its shopping streets and architecture, its floral summer season and quirky open air events, England's ancient capital is most well known for its eleventh century cathedral and mysterious Round Table. Home of good food, birthplace of the modern game of cricket, resting place of Jane Austen and inspiration to the many artists who live here, Winchester is a destination for all seasons. One hour from London, this is England as it ought to be.

Home of Winchester College, founded in 1382, one the oldest public schools.
Winchester City Museum, The Square, local history, Roman mosaic, shop etc,
Winchester Castle, Great Hall, dates back from the 13th century, Raleigh tried and condemned here, and Kings Arthur round table.

Regimental Museums, trace the history of the Light Infantry Regiments, Royal Green Jackets, Royal Hampshire Regiment, and the Royal Hussars have their museums here, perhaps the most important is Gurkha Museum in Romsey Road, celebrating the history of the Gurkh's since 1815
Winchester Hat Fair - is Britain's longest running festival of street theatre, over 30,000 people flock to the city streets to watch this festival of street theatre which combines a mix of circus, clowning, outlandish performances, craft stalls, workshops and world music. Held the first weekend in July.

A paradise for shopping connoisseurs, Winchester boasts a tempting array of independent shops, boutiques and art galleries in scenic settings. The city's compact, pedestrian-friendly streets are a refreshing alternative to the large-scale malls found in other cities and its lively bustling atmosphere and colourful markets.

Winchester's many hotels, bars, traditional pubs and restaurants make dining a pleasure, and there are pretty riverside walks.

Drawing on its rural resources, the ancient capital of England enjoys a growing reputation for local produce and fine fare, endorsed by the size and popularity of its thriving monthly farmer's markets.
The Winchester District is home to a number of award winning restaurants and pubs, so once you've sampled the best of the city, be sure to follow your taste buds out into the surrounding villages for a complete gourmet experience.

Winchester has a good selection of city centre hotels. To view hotels in Winchester visit the Direct Hotels website

Destination - Southampton

Welcome to Southampton.

Southampton is a vibrant, modern city which offers a warm welcome to visitors from all over the world.
Southampton is a city rich in heritage from its time as a Roman seaport to today's modern, bustling, vibrant cosmopolitan city.

Whether you want to visit one of the best UK art galleries outside London or fancy catching a blockbusting musical, Southampton is place to come to.

The city is home to some of the region's best concert halls and venues, boasting three outstanding art galleries and two magnificent theatres.The Mayflower, the largest theatre is southern England, offers blockbusting West End musicals as well as ballet and operatic productions.

In the city centre, the Guildhall is a multi-purpose venue staging major rock, contemporary and classical music events.

Southampton has always been a city that has been proud of its close links with the sea. They boast a world class port that's not only the cruise capital of Europe, with over 240 cruise ship movements a year, but also one of the country's leading commercial dockyards.

Come and discover Southampton's Old Town, one of the gems of England. A place, with some unique features, that has played its part in the country's history and that, for diverse reasons, attracted the interest of William The Conqueror, Henry V, William Shakespeare, the Pilgrim Fathers, Isaac Watts and Jane Austen.

Walk in their footsteps seeing buildings that span centuries of time, be captivated by the spell of very impressive medieval town walls that rival any to be found in England and wonder at The Bargate, one of the country's finest medieval town gates.

In the heart of Old Town is historic Bugle Street with several public houses including the charming Duke of Wellington, dating back many centuries, which was built on 12th Century vaults.

The city offers the best shopping on the South Coast; you can browse small specialist shops, search out the ‘high street’ names or explore the three major shopping centres – WestQuay, Marlands and the Bargate centres. If you want fresh local produce why not visit Southampton's regular farmers market.
True to the Southampton spirit there is a wide range of the best in international cuisine. You'll find: American diners, Greek tavernas, Thai restaurants and some exceptional Italian and Indian eateries.

Southampton's exciting nightlife is renowned in the region. There are traditional and historic pubs and funky bars and music venues: everything from lounges where you can have an intimate drink to clubs where you can party late into the night listening to your favourite sounds.

Locate more Southampton hotels at direct-hotels