Blame it on hyperbolic forecasts of economic doom and gloom, the implosion of the media and a sense of ennui when it comes to conventional nights out, but it seems like London is looking to the past for inspiration with a new (or maybe old) wave of retro-themed events hitting the capital. The 1930s and 1940s might seem like an unlikely era to emulate when it comes to partying, but the combination of swing music, kitsch Union Jack-bedecked decor and the chance to dress up in polka dots, stockings and pin-up icon make-up provide a hip escape from the monotony of daily life and drum and bass music! From cabaret bars to big band dances and interactive cinema, here’s a brief introduction to the retro revival evoking the romantic spirit of Blitz-era London.

The Blitz Party

Smudge on some red lipstick, paint on your stocking seams and grab a man in uniform for the Blitz Party, a 1940s-themed knees-up that kicks off at set dates in the suitably atmospheric Arches in Shoreditch. Jazz bands, cabaret acts and eye-poppingly co-ordinated swing dancers set the pace amid World War II posters, sandbags and provisions tins, with Union Jacks and bunting galore streaming above the dance floor. After having steadily grown in popularity throughout 2011, the recent New Year’s Eve event was packed out with hipsters putting their best foot forward in tea dresses, victory rolls and military threads, proving that the coolest way to spend a Saturday night is now more likely to involve Glenn Miller tracks and jitterbugging than dubstep and class A’s. Other swell touches included of-the-moment drinks like the Spitfire, an outdoors hog roast and newsreel and movie montages flickering across the brick walls – our tip is to grab a gin and a friend and emulate the semi-professionals waltzing across the floor. You’ll most likely look like an un-coordinated pair of toddlers spinning about, but letting go and getting in the mood (as Mr. Miller himself would have it) is what the Blitz Party is all about!

The next Blitz Party event takes place on Saturday 28th January, with tickets priced at £20 each.

Secret Cinema

What started out as a niche idea has now grown into a huge production spanning almost two months, with a massive cast and thousands turning up to participate in interactive screenings of movie classics. The unpredictable nature of Secret Cinema means that you could well end up in the future rather than the past, but the last few efforts from the SC team have centered around black and white cult favorites like The Red Shoes and The Battle of Algiers. Keeping the main event shrouded in secrecy until the reels start rolling, ticket-holders instead receive drips of information through mystic missives with only a few 0bscure clues to work from. Perhaps one of the most impressive elements of Secret Cinema is the covert collaboration between those who have been to keep it a surprise, and I’m certainly not going to be the one to lift the veil – suffice to say that the current production involved getting dressed up in 1940s gear, exploring an incredible 5 floor building with meticulous sets and actors merging in with the nervous crowds, and delving into a hidden world of murder, double-bluffing and smuggling. After getting chatted up by a Soviet officer, trading bottles with waitresses and singing happy birthday to a bemused lecture room within the first 15 minutes, I can safely say it’s one of the more unusual and memorable ways I’ve spent a Saturday night in recent months. One thing to remember is to throw yourself into the confusion, invent an alter ego (or three) and talk to everyone you bump into – spend the night at the bar and you’ve missed the point entirely!

Secret Cinema runs until the end of January 2012. Tickets are £35 each or £25 concessions.

Cellar Door

A sense of the clandestine and risqué permeates the atmosphere at Cellar Door, a tiny cabaret bar hidden near the Aldwych Theatre in the heart of the West End. Situated beneath the bustling pavements of Theatreland, Cellar Door used to be an infamous gentlemens’ public toilet reputedly frequented by Wilde, Gielgud and Orton, and whilst the interior has now been suitably jazzed up with mirrored walls, a stellar cocktail bar and a series of glamorous cabaret singers and burlesque dancers, it retains a theatrical and uninhibited ambience that makes you feel like you’ve stepped from 2010′s London into 1930′s Berlin in the blink of a false eyelash. Vintage dress is not compulsory but it will help you get into the swing of things, as the ‘Fallen Angel’ performers belt out stage and old-school classics whilst pawing unsuspecting customers and pin-up burlesque dancers pep up the evening with a shower of sequins and feathers. Audience participation and singalongs are almost mandatory, so be prepared to come out of your shell! Old fashioned glamour aside, the bar is arguably one of the best in the city – choose from spirits classed as a Von Teese, Page or Monroe on an imaginative cocktail list that makes deciding a tricky process. I recommend the quirky Breakfast Martini (gin, marmalade, Cointreau and lemon juice), sipped from an idosyncratic china teacup and saucer.

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About The Author:  Olivia Squire is a London-based writer who currently writes for TubeHotels.com, a price comparison site for hotels in London, and in particular hotels near tube stations.
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New York
The managers of New York HI love Christmas and New Years, they say it’s the best time of the year to enjoy the city. They put on three festive activities a day for guests from mid-December to early January, including guided tours of the New York illuminations, trips to enjoy the Christmas carols at the Harlem Gospel Church and welcome parties with free cocktails. They’ll also help you on your mission to spend New Year in Times Square or in a nightclub with your fellow travellers.

Prague
Sir Toby’s Hostel invites all guests to cook and eat a great Christmas dinner together for free. Their large kitchen is perfect for communal dining and you’ll get to meet some great people around the Christmas turkey who are sure to have some interesting travel stories to tell. Whoever is so inclined is then encouraged to enjoy Midnight Mass in English at the nearby Anglican Church.

Sydney
Blue Parrot is the best place to spend a social Christmas in Sydney. The inn is run by two sisters who know how to create a warm, family atmosphere. They’ll be giving out little Christmas presents to everyone staying on December 25, and they’ll also be the opportunity to join in the “Secret Santa” by offering a small gift to another traveller. Customers can also enjoy a tradition Christmas dinner menu, which includes turkey, pudding and also a barbecue with grilled kangaroo. At New Year the sisters will bring their guests to watch the Sydney Harbour fireworks from the comfort of a small park known only to the locals after a day of picnic relaxing under the sun of the Australian summer.

Rome
The B & B Smart in Rome has got some exciting things planned for Christmas and New Year including traditional Italian Christmas decorations, champagne and delicious lunches and dinners cooked especially for the occasion. Afterwards you can enjoy the evening fireworks held in the city or, for anyone wishing to attend the Christmas Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, it’s within walking distance.

Amsterdam
Cocomama Youth Hostel is offering a delicious hearty dinner on Christmas Eve with games and films to be played afterwards. On New Year’s Eve customers can join the employees on foot to the nearby Museum Square where the concerts and NYE activities takes place.

London
The Generator Hostel celebrates Christmas in true English tradition from 24 December 26. During the day, Christmas films will be broadcast and in the evening they’ll be holding a lottery where you can win bottles of champagne. A free cocktail is offered to anyone in Christmas-themed dress. On New Year’s Eve the Generator is holding its own party featuring a DJ and karaoke and with many prizes and a glass of champagne for each customer.

Get Christmas dinner at the Clink Hostel in London on Christmas Eve with lollipops and wine. Then on Christmas morning guests can come to a pyjama party where you can get breakfast until noon and then play billiards, quizzes and games and on Boxing Day, you can join in with a fun game of bingo.

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About The Author:  Shing Mon Chung | Online Marketing Executive | HostelBookers.com Ltd  e: ShingMon.Chung@Hostelbookers.com | t:+44 (0)20 7406 1800 | f:+44 (0)20 7406 1801
a: 52-54 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6RL
Registered Number: 2841908 England
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Photo Credit:  HostelBookers.com

Winter is the perfect time to visit the ‘big smoke’ with the numerous shopping streets selling everything from sweaters to mulled wine, and for its historic and infamous Theatreland. The options of shows are boundless, with classic musicals such as Wicked, Billy Elliot and The Phantom of the Opera being permanent fixtures in the city, as well as long-lasting plays like Mousetrap and The Woman In Black. If you are looking to see a show that is directly geared towards Christmas, however, then here are some to check out.

Christmas with the Rat Pack is coming back to London for another season, playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre from 20^th December until 7^th January. The show transports audiences back to the 1950s and 60s where Frank ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin’s smooth vocals lifted any mood and entertained millions throughout the world. The essence of these legends of the music and movie industries is brought to the stage, wowing audiences and getting even the most Scrooge-like person in the mood for Christmas with seasonal greats such as White Christmas, Silent Night and Baby It’s Cold Outside. A favourite with anyone who appreciates these classic songs, Christmas with the Rat Pack is wonderful for those who want to sit back, relax and be carried away by the suave vocals.

For those who are interested in seeing a dance show with beautiful music, then Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker at Sadler’s Wells is a great choice for the Christmas season. Having been absent from the London stage since its 2003/4 sell-out run, the show is back for a limited period from 6^th December until 22^nd January. The fresh and reimagined version of the Tchaikovsky classic features Matthew Bourne’s pathos and wit, as well as beautiful costumes and sets from Anthony Ward and brilliant choreography. The show is a traditional favourite during the winter season and is a popular choice.

If you are coming to London to see a show with young children, then The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre is an excellent choice and will have the kids in amazement long after the curtain has closed. The show is usually on the Christmas calendar every year and is a great mixture of dance, stagecraft and music, featuring the haunting ‘Walking In The Air’ performed by a live orchestra. The Snowman is sure to put the whole family in the mood for Christmas and is also a fantastic selection for a first-time theatre performance. It is booking until 8^th January 2012.

If none of these shows are whetting your appetite and you fancy yourself as a bit of a Scrooge, then why not see A Christmas Carol at the Arts Theatre? Written by Charles Dickens, the story takes the audience through Scrooge’s past to his future, going through dark, creaking houses, cosy firesides and creepy graveyards. Producer Simon Callow returns to the show to create a funny, heart-breaking and celebratory piece of theatre that is perfect for Christmas. A Christmas Carol will show from 8^th December until 14^th January.

There is something for everyone this Christmas in London, whether you are coming with the children or taking a quiet weekend break away. London will never disappoint when it comes to theatre, and with its rich history, beautiful historical buildings and wide variety of shows, you are sure to have a memorable trip.

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Alice Bzowska is a London-based writer who currently writes for London Theatre Tickets website, Theatre Tickets Cheap.
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The Air France Holidays package includes roundtrip airfare, flights from Paris to Rome, plus 6 nights hotel with continental breakfast.  Naturally there will be various terms and conditions and additional misc. taxes and fees.  And if Rome is not your desired destination, there are also $999  packages for Paris plus London, Prague, Amsterdam or Florence.  The sale is valid for travel dates through the end of March.

Faites un bon voyage!

Images: Air France Holidays

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of their joint transatlantic partnership, British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia Airlines have launched a terrific winter sale. 

Don’t you just cringe when you see that little * asterisk sign?  It means whatever the ad is saying they are about to introduce so many term, conditions, and fees that you won’t recognize the original offer!  Well this sale while it is a step in the right direction does indeed come with a whole host of restrictions and additional government taxes.    Your final ticket price will likely be hundreds of dollars more by the time all the taxes and fees are added in.  The British Airways sale uses the Fare Basis OKXNAJB.  A travel agent can easily help you identify days that this fare would be available and what the final ticket price will be.

Tickets for the Europe sales must be purchased by November 15, 2011 for travel between November 8th and May 21, 2012.  All travel must be completed by June 15, 2012.  The least expensive days for travel to Continental  Europe are Sunday through Thursday, and Monday to Wednesday are the least expensive travel days to the UK.

Once your tickets are secured, you will no doubt want to look into finding a cheap car hire and good hotel deal.  If you’re like me, it’s been way too long since you’ve roamed cobbled stone streets and sipped an espresso at a chic sidewalk cafe.

photo credit – flickr: Trodel

ROME – Hotel Dama  This property was renovated in 2011 and is located 10 minutes from Termini station with restaurants and shops close by.  Ensuite rooms are nicely furnished with every modern comfort and are now 40% off.

LISBON – Lisbon Calling  This new hostel is located in the heart of the historic city center, close to major tourist attractions, shops and nightlife and has been fully renovated.  This is one of HostelBooker’s top selling properties at regular prices and now they are offering 40% discounts.

DUBLIN – The Jacobs Inn  A short stroll from Trinity College, Temple Bar and located in the city center, this inn features free events like dance parties, movie nights, salsas nights, and walking tours, as well as free Wi-Fi, Playstation, pool table and more.  It’s definitely a place to make friends.  Discounts for the summer sale are 20% off.

PRAGUE – Plus Prague Hotel  This is the choice when you want ALL the amenities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, late night bar and family Italian restaurant.  There’s even a girls only area featuring oversized bathrooms with cosmetic tables, huge mirrors and ample hairdryers.  The summer sale discount is 30% off.

BARCELONA – Be Hostels Mar  Located in the heart of the trendy Raval neighborhood, this hostel is close to art galleries and an easy 10 minutes away from famous Las Ramblas.  Top attractions like the Picasso Museum, the Gaudi cathedral, beaches and the harbor are all within walking distance.  Rooms during the sale at 20% off.

Amsterdam Beer Bike

1.  Amsterdam: Maybe not the first place you think of for a “different” getaway. Make this weekend your own, however, by skipping the same busy clubs and coffee houses and try a new way to consume lager–the beer bicycle! This giant contraption is part bike, part bar, and all fun. It seats 8-18 people, and comes with a driver to transport you around Amsterdam. Pick your locations if you have somewhere in particular you’d like to visit. Nothing makes an entrance quite like 10 lads on a beer bike!

Bratislava

2.  Bratislava: Not only will a weekend here be cheaper than many other destinations, you can surprise the groom-to-be with a pretty remarkable experience. Get great seats to mud wrestling between bikini-clad babes, and watch them duke it out over drinks. Just when you think it can’t get any better, toss in the stag to join the action!

Croatia Yachting

3. Croatia: For a more laid back Stag do, try sailing in Croatia. The utmost in lazy vacations, you can climb on board in Split, Croatia with nothing but a spare t-shirt and have everything taken care of for you. Imagine: a private boat filled with only your best mates, the captain, and a chef. Sail from one island to another in the Adriatic, taking time to swim and enjoy water activities.

4. Newcastle: Don’t feel like flying for a weekend stag do? Stick closer to home with a party in Newcastle, but skip the overdone club scene and try something a little more unusual this weekend. Suit up for a gladiator duel between you and your mates and take it out on that one guy who is really getting on your nerves. Nothing relieves pre-wedding stress like battling it out!

5. Bristol: For a stag activity you’ll never forget, try the Somerset Challenge. The challenge consists of 7 crazy activities where you compete against each other for points, and ultimately, the title. Challenges include a cider run, drunken pub skittles, and welly wanging! If you’re not drunk enough by the time you’ve finished the challenges, a barbecue is provided at the finish complete with beers for all!

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About The Author: This article was contributed by the folks at Redseven Leisure.  “Redseven is quite a diverse, unconventional, innovative travel company based in Brighton, UK.  We believe in making a difference, and empower our staff to help make that difference – especially for our customers.”  It is clear from visiting their site that they are tops in planning unforgettable Stag and Hen getaways for prospective bridges and grooms.
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Who says you can’t afford a super trip to Europe this year? We’ve found some amazing tour offers that make a trip to Europe affordable even in prime season.  Have a look at these great travel deals to Europe:

France Vacations invites you to Discover Loire Valley Cuisine with a 3 night stay in a  famed French Chateau along with three nights in Paris from $1115 ppdo.  This amazing package includes daily breakfast, a gourmet dinner at the Chateau de Rochecotte, plus a gourmet dinner in Paris, entry to Loire Valley Chateaus, wine tasting, 4 day rental car and much more.

Sceptre Tours is setting the bargain standard for traveling to Italy with your family. They’re offering an 8 night Tuscan Castle and Roman Villa Vacation with prices starting at $1,119 ppqo.   The fab Tuscan escape offers 6 nights in a two-bedroom Castle accommodation outside of Florence, 2 nights in a Roman Villa Hotel, round-trip economy airfare, and 1 week rental car.  Prices are based on quad occupancy.

Trend setter Virgin Vacations likes to lead the pack with great prices and their London 6 Night Special Package from $799 ppdo is a prime example. Tour Company, Go-Today, offers this package for fall travel starting in September.  The package with prices starting at just $799 (ppdo) includes round-trip airfare on Virgin Atlantic, 6 nights in a London hotel, daily continental breakfast, and a pub pass.  Cheers!

How about a Romantic Two Week Cruise from Athens to Rome?  Here’s one deal I may go for myself! Voyages of Antiquity a cruise line that specializes in is offering in-depth cultural information on their cruises, has a special 16 day “Sicily Is The Key To Everything” itinerary that includes free airfare and transfers from many airports in the United States, no single supplement, stateroom savings up to $3,000, 2 night Athens pre-cruise hotel, shore excursions, wine with dinner and on-board gratuities..  Fares from $3,950 per person include over 2 weeks of luxury, learning, and Latin memories.

Europe here we come!

Being an island nation our seafaring past is still evident in our ferry ports and the numbers of people who choose to travel to the continent by ferry. The ferries are used for day trips to the continent, two night mini cruise getaways, or simply to transport holidaymakers and their cars across the sea ready for the onward journey to their holiday destination. Travelers going to Holland, Belgium, Germany and even further inland into Europe can do so from Hull. Luxury cruise ferries sail overnight between Hull, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge, which allows travellers to sleep through the crossing and arrive refreshed and ready to explore once they disembark.

While the Hull ferry port is a no-frills port it does have toilet facilities and disabled access. The ferry to Rotterdam departs daily at 9pm and arrives at Rotterdam at approximately 8am during the week and 9am on weekends. There are excellent facilities available on board and it is equipped with comfortable ensuite cabins. There is entertainment such as a cinema, casino or shops to browse around as well as a choice of dining experiences.

On arrival at Rotterdam you will find that there are many things to see in the town and its surrounds, the problem will be deciding where to go first. There is Arnhem, the site of much fighting during the Second World War, with monuments to the fallen and the allied forces who helped to liberate the region. Then there is the De Efteling theme park which makes fairy tales come alive for children and offers live music to suite many tastes. Or go even further and see the tulips in May and the iconic Dutch windmills and canals.

Alternatively, take the Belgium ferry to Zeebrugge, the home of delicious chocolate and incredible cakes and pastries. Zeebrugge is not far from the well known Belgium coastal towns of Ostend and Blankenberge and the famous Bruges, a quaint medieval town with its cobbled streets and exquisite lace. Travel further inland to Brussels, the capital and also the head of the European Union, with its medieval character and its cosmopolitan atmosphere. Further in is Luxemburg with its picturesque scenery and many historical buildings. Visit Ardennes a region predominantly in Belgium which also touches Luxemburg and France and the site of the Battle of the Bulge. The region is famous for its game, pate and Trappist beers.

What could be more idyllic than combining a favored holiday in London with a min-cruise to Holland, Belgium and beyond?

Let’s see… April in Paris, spring blossoms in Brussels, Royal celebrations in London, you bet – take it all in thanks to Rail Europe.