Rome’s numerous landmarks are the main things that many tourists go to see, and they don’t disappoint. One of the first to see is the Trevi Fountain. One of the largest in the world, it was built in the 1700’s as part of a competition. There is a superstition that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you will be guaranteed to return to Rome. Every day, approximately 3000 Euros a day are thrown into the fountain, which is donated to help the needy living in the city.

The Colosseum, arguably Rome’s most famous landmark, is a truly impressive site. This enormous stadium was used by the Romans to stage the infamous gladiator battles, as well as mock animal hunts and other such events. Although much of the building has been ruined by earthquakes and stone-robbers, you can still imagine what it would have been like some 2000 years ago, with some seats and the arena floor partially restored. Due to its ruined nature, you can now also see under where the arena floor would have been. Here there are remnants of the area where the animals were kept, before they were raised up by mechanisms through trap doors to be slaughtered by the gladiators.

Of course, no trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Vatican, and after going through a mini customs (it’s a separate country from Italy), you can have a look around the Pope’s house. This is where a large majority of Rome’s art is kept, and the amount there is staggering. The Sistine Chapel is a definite highlight, and something that everyone should see once.

There really is so much to do in Rome. Whether you wander the side streets, eat at one of its many little restaurants, shop in anything from tacky souvenir shops to Gucci, or take in the sights and sounds on offer, just make sure you “do as the Romans do.”

Tom Roberts

We shall begin with the history. India gained its independence (and rather proudly so) in 1947; an event that preceded her most traumatic experience: the Partition of India and Pakistan. Even today, the disputed regions of Jammu/Kashmir regularly make the headlines.

In the time I spent in the capital, it became obvious to me that the country is still settling into its status, even some sixty years on. The economic changes are evident; with its expanding size and construction industry that is seemingly always at work. Some part of the huge sprawling city is always covered in scaffolding as it prepares to host the Commonwealth Games.

The social changes are less obvious. Buildings like the Rashpati Bhavan, and the Lal Kela (the President’s House and the Red Fort) add a sense of history to the city, whereas the endless stream of market stalls and dense forest of traffic bring it into the 21st Century. The simple truth of it is that even in the capital nobody follows any traffic laws and every taxi ride feels like it could be your last.

Kolkata, my second and final stop on this whirlwind tour is everything the country’s capital isn’t. The capital during the British Empire, it is at once both relaxed and hectic, more so than Delhi ever was. Ask any resident of the city, and they’ll be fiercely loyal to the place, choosing it over the current capital. It is easy to see why. I admit that as an ex-resident I am not impartial, but to all I am sure the beauty of the city is visible above the smells of sewage and the almost blinding pollution.

As in Delhi, there is a strong legacy of the British Empire in the city, with the Victoria Memorial as a unique building; places like College Street and Calcutta Medical College are hardly a surprise in a city that has produced 5 Nobel Laureates, including Rabrindanath Tagore, who has an almost religious status in the country, and of course, Mother Teresa. The city has also been famous for being among the first to showcase and stage plays; the Bengali film industry is well known and respected within the country.

During my time there, the city’s political allegiances were also made abundantly clear. I have always known there was a strong history of a Trade Union movement (the Communist Party of India has been in power for 40 years), but during my week-long stay there was a full out bandh (strike), with a place the size of London coming to a complete standstill for a whole 24 hours, over something as simple as price rises. Even the local branches of the national banks were on strike, simply because their colleagues were being transferred to another part of the country. Try and imagine that in the current British financial climate. I for one, can’t. But it happened. Now perhaps the next time someone asks you about India you may just have more to say!

With just a short drive from the airport we arrived at our hotel, with scenic views and in the midst of the city life. With 125 hotels to choose from and great prices of flights and accommodation it was the perfect weekend getaway destination. Even though I’m the type to say ‘once you’ve seen one cathedral or castle, you’ve seen them all’, I have to admit that the tourist attractions that were available were outstanding.

The Rosslyn Chapel, finished in 1482 was a building of awe and one of the many magnificent buildings of Edinburg; also, for film lovers it was the chapel that featured in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ book and film. Along with this, there is also the Lauriston Castle which is a 19th Century mansion built around a 16th Century tower, with 30 acres and parkland it is the perfect place for tranquillity. Also, the admission is free which an extra bonus is, of course!

However, you cannot, in my opinion visit Edinburgh and skip a visit to Edinburgh Castle; it is at the heart of the capital and built on the remains of an extinct volcano giving it a unique look which can be seen for miles around. It has attraction such as the ‘tiny room’ where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI of Scotland and I of England. Along with this there is the Great Hall.
If you are a fan of whisky, there’s a chance to explore its background and history on the Scotch whisky Experience which has been given a 5 star rating by the Scottish Tourist Board.

With flights from Birmingham International at great prices, Edinburgh is the perfect place to get away from it all and soak up the culture; admittedly the weather isn’t always guaranteed but there is plenty to do and see that the weather will be forgotten!

Rachel Martin

St. Albans is small city, with a population of about 60,000 but its impact on history should not be underestimated. We have schooled one Pope, Adrian IV, and Stephen Hawking was falling behind in his physics classes until he went to school there. Back when it was called Verulamium, it was burnt to the ground by Queen Boudicca and the Iceni tribe in Roman times and many of the remains of the old town are still visible today.

St. Albans was the site of a couple of battles during the War of the Roses and currently holds the honour of having the most pubs per person/square mile/dog/Carlisle fan in the country. The actual honour is up for dispute, but the gist is there is are a lot of places to drink. Oh, and we gave the world the tedious and turgid Enter Shikari. Sorry about that last one.

We’re a culturally diverse bunch, as evident by the huge amount of Fiats honking their horns throughout the night after Italy’s dramatic World Cup win in 2006. St. Albans is home to the Curry Chef of the Year® and much of the food around the place is top notch.

The local theatre, The Alban Arena, has had many famous and funny people perform on its stage. Great comedians like Frankie Boyle, Rich Hall and Dylan Moran have all entertained the masses, not to mention the sometimes torturous routines of Lenny Henry. U2 once graced the stage here and I personally believe that St. Albans gave them the bump they needed to go on and take over the world in the annoyingly self-righteous way they did. If that isn’t reason enough to come and visit the wonderful city of St. Albans, then I just don’t know what is.

Every morning, the people of St. Albans wake up to the sight of the Norman Abbey poking out through the mist and they thank their lucky stars that they don’t live in Hemel Hempstead.

Chris Aikman