If instead of turning to right at Hauptbahnhof, you go straight and cross the tramlines and you get to Rembertistrasse (the street under the autobahn) you will find the Tower Club (on Herdentorsteinweg). This is a place decorated in a Gothic Style with old walls and little light. It has two floors: downstairs one can also dance and upstairs one can play some table football. As I was told by one of the bodyguards, the music is better upstairs, but there’s a dancing floor only downstairs. This is the perfect place for rock (softer, not very hard…), alternative, new wave, crossover, and hardcore music genres fans. Sometimes it also has house parties. The place is especially popular among students because on Tuesdays it has Student parties with free entrance and Foster’s beer at half price. Even if you are not a gothic fan you might want to drop by if you do not have anything important to do on Wednesday morning and have a chat with some students.

The first club on Rembertistrasse is Rosige Zeiten. This is again a mostly house club, but on some occasions they also have 70’s parties. It has got a pretty impressive reddish decoration. Unfortunately in the last years the club has lost it’s popularity and if you go there before 1:30 you will find very few people. Entrance costs about 5 euros and it is useful to ask how many people are in (because sometimes there are quite many, especially when DJ-s from London come there).

The next club on Rembertistrasse is Neue Welt also known as nine-nine-one (on Fridays). On Fridays the main genre played is trance and other non-commercial techno genres (but not house). The atmosphere is not spectacular and there are not too many people on Fridays. On the other hand, the club seems to be totally different on Saturdays when the music played is varied (mostly charts). The place even seems too crowded and small and the people seem a bit too immature (starting from 14 year old people). Personally, when I was there on a Saturday with Akhil, Azim and Timur we felt that it was not the place for us…but maybe it’s not like that every Saturday… From 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning the place reopens for the Morning Beats trance party (Sunday morning, entrance 5 euros). So, if trance is your religion you might want to try this.

Walking further on Rembertistrasse, you will get to Woody’s. They put all kinds of music, anything that is in vogue for any taste (less house). The entrance is 3 euros, the average age is 18 (it means there are also people who are 15 and people who are 25) and the drinks are pretty cheap. It has got one floor and nothing too spectacular.

The most famous club on Rembertistrasse is Stubu/Coconut. This is the club about which you will hear most things from the other pioneers. Some of us went there so many times that we are disgusted when we hear the name of the place but we still go there…I don’t know why but the place is a magnet. It probably owes it’s popularity to the fact that it is open all week, entrance is only 3 euros on Friday and Saturday night and free on the other days. You won’t believe but there are actually parties everyday there. The student party is on Thursday when the place gets sometimes as full as in the weekends (also because of the happy hour- drinks at ½ price till 10 o’clock). It has two floors: Stubu-mixed, charts, techno, German Schlagers and Coconut-hip-hop, RnB. There’s a great variety of people you can meet here: from students to factory workers, all races and different nations.

On the other side of the Hauptbahnhof if you are a trance fan you could go to Schlachthof and if you like house more you might want to try Swutch Club.

Closer to the city center, near the banks of River Weser (on Schlachte Street) there are several good clubs and restaurants with foreign food. One of the good clubs is Rio where they occasionally have Latino parties, like the one called “36 Grad” (the place to practice your salsa, merengue, cha-cha-cha, mambo and rumba skills).

On the same street you may find on the Weser a boat where they hold parties: Shark Lounge. It is mostly famous for the student “pa:ti”-s which take place about once a month. The main genres played are house, UK Garage, Hip-hop, Latin House and some house/RnB mixes. People are also very select, clean and decent. The entrance fee ranges between 5 and 7 euros (might be up to 10 for very, very special occasions). A small advice: Check online if the place is open on the day you want to go there because it is not open every weekend.

The biggest multi-taste disco inside Bremen is Modernes. This is the place for many motto parties (Studio 54, Heartbreaker’s ball, Robbie Williams Night, etc.). These motto parties are guaranteed to bring more fun because people are dressed up, there are movie projections, games, live stage entertainment. The entrance costs from 4 to 9 euros. The dancing floor is among the biggest I have seen in Bremen, although there are much bigger places outside the city.

There are also two very big clubs in the Sebaldsbrück area, close to the Mercedes-Benz factory but these ones are more specialized. Their names are Aladin and Tivoli and they are right one next to each other. This is a big advantage on special occasions when the walls between them are removed and everything transforms into a huge 4-floor party complex (with a yard where one can breathe some fresh air). During normal weeks (weekends and some working days) Aladin hosts parties for rock, hardcore, alternative, hard rock, heavy metal, punk and related tastes while Tivoli hosts parties for Trance & Techno fans (entrance 10 euros). However, Tivoli does not get full during normal weekends. One can have the best time partying in Bremen at the big Jungle, Old Skool, 2step, Drum ‘n‘ Bass and House events. These happen about once a month or once in two months. This is when the two clubs (each one having two floors) unite giving birth to an impressive complex with floors for all tastes.

Usually at these parties there are about 15 to 20 DJs and 5-6 MCs (famous ones, from Germany and England) and also 2-3 LJs (for all the lasers, vortexes and projections). This is why the entrance price is situated around 20-25 euros (depending on the number of celebrities), but one can get a 3-5 euro rebate if the tickets are bought before the event (Vvk. i.e. Vorverkauf). Even before opening at 10 o’clock one can see long cues at the entrance and the place gets full in about one hour. Dreamland and Junglemania are two famous events that take place several times a year. Personally, I have had my best clubbing time at these parties, so if you enjoy the genre you should not miss it! Remember a thing: Good parties don’t take place too often! (That’s why it might be a good idea to put some money aside some time before.)

To sum up, I may say that Bremen is not a huge night-life center like Frankfurt, Berlin or Hamburg but still for a busy IUB student trying to forget for a few hours a week about assignments, study and student jobs, there are enough places to acquire new memories and experiences. I am telling you this because after you will graduate you will have less free time than you have now. We will all be preoccupied by career and then family, we will be really mature people and we will be fully responsible for our actions. And then we will ask ourselves: Didn’t I miss anything from the beauty of being young and restless? So, my advice would be study hard and learn well but don’t forget to chill out a bit because Bremen is not a village after all J!

So, Viel Spass!

Article written by a student from Bremen. More information and details available at http://clubbingpocketguide.blogspot.com Useful information and tools for people around Hamburg: http://www.amigomo.de

The night is alive in Blackpool, one of the best clubbing venues in the north as well as a favorite destination for fans of live music and live theatre performances. The club scene is electric in Blackpool, with the resort town offering hot dance music, pop and old school tunes as well as R’n'B every night of the week.

Located in central Promenade, the Palace is probably the hottest club in town, with a full capacity of 3,200 clubbers swinging and swaying to its stylish tunes on Fridays and Saturdays. The drinks may be a tad expensive, but the spaciousness and elegance of the venue as well as the quality of the dance music make it worthwhile.

The beach bar/club Linekers is near the Palace and can comfortably accommodate about 300 guests. Top 40 chart music is played here throughout the night. The much larger Jellies Nightclub along the Promenade plays the same kind of music but it boasts of three dance floors and five bars spread over two floors.

Club One Eleven on Central Promenade is the venue of choice for serious clubbers and it can accommodate as many as 1,100 of them at a time. The speakers blast out house and old school music all night long. Meanwhile, die-hard dancers converge at two other clubs nearby: Heaven & Hell on Bank Hey Street and Rumours on Talbot Square.

Over on Church street is the Syndicate Super Club, which has been officially named as the UK’s biggest club. Its three levels can house more than 5,000 people. Top guest DJs regularly perform here to the delight of delirious crowds. Right above the Syndicate Super Club is Status, a new nightclub that targets the 25 and above set.

Liquidlounge on Topping Street is best known for its futuristic style interiors and is favorite haven of the ultra hip and sophisticated. It usually plays sexy, non-commercial music.

Flares Nightclub on the Promenade is the home to the Saturday Night Fever crowd that love to dance the night away. The top dance hits of the 70s are brought back to life here while clubbers strut their funky stuff.

There are two other nightclubs of note on Promenade: Time and Waterfront. Time caters to the 25 and above set and plays everything from cheesy classics to indie tunes. Waterfront caters to the below 25 set and plays modern chart music.

Rock and heavy metals fans usually end up on The Tache Rock Venue on Cookson Street, which has been entertaining this crowd for over 13 years. Thursday is student night.

When it comes to live music, Blackpool has plenty of venues that play everything from jazz and blues to classical and opera. There is also a lot of pop and rock and plenty of opportunities to cross paths with a famous or rising pop star or band.

Blackpool’s theatres are the main venues to see big-time celebrities. The Winter Gardens, which has excellent venues such as the Spanish Hall and the Pavilion Theatre, usually host pop acts like Scissor Sisters and instrumental artists like Tommy Emanuel. The Opera House, which is also part of the Winter Gardens complex, has featured major stars such as Katie Melua, the Beach Boys, Status Quo, Jane McDonald and Daniel Bedingfield.

The Musical Hall Tavern on Church Street is an excellent venue for live music in a traditional club atmosphere. It was awarded second place in the Variety Club Category during the 2002 Blackpool Tourism awards. Pianist Andy Knight regularly thrills the crowd at the Music Hall Tavern.

Situated on Church Street, the Musical Hall Tavern was runner-up in the variety club category in the Blackpool Tourism awards in 2002. This venue plays host to many different acts, including Andy Knight, who wows the crowd with his piano classics. The neighboring K2 Bar offers a more contemporary live music menu, mainly focusing on dance tunes.

Scruffy Murphy’s on Corporation Street has live Irish folk music during weekends, while bands at The Kite Club on Talbot Road play blues and rock and roll. New and up and coming musical acts are regular features of the Galleon nightclub on Adelaide Street.

Theatre lovers absolutely adore Blackpool because it has four main theatres and is one of the best venues for musicals, drama and a wealth of other shows. Not only that, the theatres are highly regarded historical institutions as well.

The Grand Theatre on Church Street is the finest and most famous theatre in Blackpool. Located at the heart of the town’s tourist area, the Grand Theatre offers an array of shows each year, including classics like Ken Dodd to performances by the English National Ballet.

The Opera House at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool’s oldest theatre, opened its doors in June 1889 and is still going strong today.

The Pavilion Theatre, which is also within the Winter Gardens complex, has undergone many changes since it was built in the 19th century but today features plays, musicals and dance shows.

The North Pier Theatre features many great musical acts as well as cabaret performances. It provides the most intimate theatrical experience among the four.

Article by Susan Ashby of Blackpool Singles. To read more articles like this or for dating in Blackpool visit htpp://www.Blackpool-singles.co.uk

The town was once a small fishing village with a pretty harbor and a few local shops tucked away a few kilometers from the bustling resort of Protaras. The harbor is still there and now it is home to a host of pleasure craft as well as the little fishing boats. If you don’t wear yourself out clubbing you can still catch the fishing boats as they return in the morning and maybe even pick up some fresh fish too. Another great feature of the harbor area are the many restaurants where you can relax and watch the world go past whilst enjoying a huge range of cuisine including surprisingly, fish!

The beaches in Agia Napa are amoungst the best in the area perfect for bathing or sun bathing with plenty of beach front bars and restaurants to escape to when the sun gets too much for you. Nissi beach is another beautiful stretch of coast with plenty of water sports and facilities for all the family. There is a great paved walkway that runs along the coast from Agia Napa harbor right through to Nissi beach which is a great way to walk off those hoiday excesses and take in the beautiful coastal scenery at the same time.

The town has more than enough shops and supermarkets of every conceivable type so you won’t go short of any of those holiday essentials either. Bars, how many do you want? Even if clubbing doesn’t float your boat it’s still worth paying a visit to the famous Agia Napa square home to all the top clubs and bars. Bearing in mind that things don’t get going properly until about one o’clock in the morning the bars are already bustling from around 9pm. So why not take justa little peep and maybe indulge that hidden party animal just a little. There are even several clubs that play the nostalgic music of the 70′s 80′s and 90′s so even the mums and dads be able to sing along.

If you are looking for a Cyprus holiday that’s suitable for families you will find that Agia Napa has everything you could want. There’s plenty of family resturants including K.F.C. and a Macdonalds too so the kids will be easy to please. The accomadation in all parts of Cyprus is clean and modern so you can expect nothing less in Agia Napa too. The resort boast several top class hotels 5 star and above if you want to be pampered to death or modern apartment complexes if you prefer to please yourselves. Whatever you decide you can be assured that Agia Napa will be a Cyprus holiday to remember and it’s a great place to start if you want to explore more of this beautiful Island paradise.

With so much to offer to such a wide range of Cyprus holiday makers it’s no wonder that families and couples return to Agia Napa year after year and recommend it to their friends and family. If you want to sample the best of Cyprus you won’t go far wrong choosing Agia Napa as your holiday destination. If you don’t find everything you expect for a great family holiday in Agia Napa Cyprus the chances are you won’t find it anywhere. Enjoy Agia Napa and Cyprus!

Kevin Moore owns several Cyprus web sites and writes regular articles about Cyprus holidays and Cyprus property so take a look for yourself here Cyprus Agia Napa

A lot depends on whether this is your first visit or indeed you first time in Asia. If so then you need to get a real flavor of the city by visiting some if its famed temples, historical sights and shopping opportunities.

If your time is limited to a 24-48 hour stopover the best way to do this is by taking two half day tours – a morning tour of the Grand Palace with its famed Emerald Buddha and an afternoon boat trip down the Chao Phraya River on a traditional rice barge. There are many similar tours available and can be booked either from your hotel or the plethora of tour operators scattered along the main streets. These tours usually last around 4 hours, giving you time to rest before taking on more of Bangkok’s exciting sights and sounds (and shops.)

The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha

The Grand Palace, a former home of the Thai Royal family has been portrayed in many a Hollywood movie and is breathtakingly beautiful, with its Golden Cheidi, Pantheon of the Chakri Kings and Eight Colored Towers. In the palace grounds is the Wat Phra Kaew temple, which houses the much revered Emerald Buddha, considered to be the protector of the kingdom and is the holiest Buddhist site in the country.

Make sure you have your camera with you and dress respectfully. You can be refused entry if you are wearing slip on sandals, shorts or sleeveless tops, as the Grand Palace has a strict dress code policy. Should you be refused entry then go across the road to the many tourist shops and they will rent out shoes etc, or you can buy cheap clothing to cover up any offending parts! The same applies for men, no sandals, vests or shorts.

If you have time, then walk around the corner to Wat Po, Bangkok’s oldest temple with its huge reclining Buddha – a great photo opportunity. It is also the home of the famed Thai massage school, where on a longer stay you can take their course in Thai massage, a Wat Po massage certificate is one of the most widely respected in the world.

A Rice Barge on the Chao Phraya River

An afternoon boat trip, setting off from the River City complex on the banks of the Chao Phraya gives you a great chance to see some of Bangkok’s historical monuments in the shortest space of time, whilst giving you an authentic slice of Bangkok life, weaving in between the many houses along the city’s klongs (waterways) and passing some of the amazing temples including the magical Wat Arun – Temple of Dawn, the most photographed temple in Bangkok. The tour will take you up river by long tail boat and you will return on the more sedate rice barge, where you will get the chance to sample some of Thailand’s delicious spicy cuisine. Be warned, the long tail boats can go at quite a pace, especially if your pilot is intent on racing other boats up river!

Shop Til U Drop

Following our 24 hour stopover theme this then leaves you plenty of time in the evening to explore Bangkok’s many shopping malls and markets. Shopping in the city can continue until late into the night with most shopping malls closing around 9pm but smaller stores and markets will remain open longer, especially in tourist areas.

Depending on your taste then a trip to the tourist night market in Patpong is an experience. You might have to run the gauntlet of touts try to entice you into the many girlie bars in this area, but this can be fun if you are a first time visitor to Bangkok, as you get the chance to experience its more infamous side. For a quieter, more sedate VIP night market try the Suan Lam Night Bazaar, near Lumpini Park. There are also many eateries here and if you are lucky you can take in some live music.

Some of the best of the shopping malls are The Siam Paragon and Central World Shopping Complex. Or, if you prefer a more upmarket choice then Gaysorn Plaza and The Emporium are at the exclusive end, with their world famous fashion house stores. The Siam Paragon also houses a huge aquarium, which is also worth a visit. If it’s Thai silk you are after then visit one of the exclusive Jim Thompson Stores or the popular Thai chain called Naraya Phand, which is famous for Thai handicrafts.

Restaurants and Bars

After your shopping trip you many want to sample some of the many restaurants and bars. Food is everywhere in Bangkok, all hours of the day and night – eating seems to be the Thai national pastime. Some good eateries can be found around the shopping mall areas of Siam Square (Siam Paragon), Sukhumvit (The Emporium) and Chidlom (Central World) so pick your area and then do a bit of reading up. Famous bars and nightclubs with a more exclusive feel include Sukhumvit’s Bed Supper Club, with, as its name suggests, beds suspended from the walls. This amazing designer lounge has an all white interior and plays funk and techno music. The Q Bar, also in Sukhumvit is themed around a New York style club and plays the latest sounds from the west. Instead, you may be interested in sampling some Thai culture with a formal Dinner and Thai traditional dance show; this can be booked through a tour operator.

Extra Time

If you have more time to spare then a visit to Jim Thompson’s House near the National Stadium skytrain stop is a good way to experience some traditional Thai architecture and learn more about the father of the Thai silk industry and his mysterious disappearance in the Malaysian jungle in 1967. There is a lovely quiet café here where you can sit and enjoy the garden. Then of course there are the myriad of Thai spa’s – take in a Thai massage before your ongoing flight and pamper yourself with some herbal beauty treatments, all at a fraction of the cost of back home.

Bangkok is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, rich in history. Whilst a short stop over is nowhere near enough time to take in all its temples, cultural sites and shopping opportunities, some of these suggestions will give you a taster for your return trip next time!

Gill Hart is a freelance article writer and journalist in her spare time. She is also an English teacher and has worked in many countries including Thailand, Turkey and the Middle East.

Following are the “five” sins that can destroy and indie artist which are listed below:

Lack of Humility – You get more doors open by being humble with what you are attempting to do and your music. Humility actually will protect you from the industry “sharks” that lurk in the background. They look for unbalanced artists and promise them the world and artists with the big head usually fall head over heels and get stung in the end. Why? It’s because the artist has no humility! All humility means is having a balanced perspective, a reservedness with confidence and being honorable.

Circle of Friends – You don’t need friends that hinder your progress or that are going to introduce you to things that are detrimental to your career. You need honest feedback and for friends to tell you that you are going down the wrong road. You don’t need lackeys! When the money and the fame are gone, the so called lackey friends are gone too! Strive to have quality people on your team that are striving to be balanced and well-rounded!

Groupies – The universe is full of music and everyone on Earth carries a musical vibration which means that as a musician, you are going to have groupies that have higher vibration than other people! You cannot bed every groupie that comes to you! Many careers have died over the “groupie” syndrome and artists getting involved with several groupies. Keep things in perspective! Know that you are making a statement in what you are doing and many people just want a piece of you. Thank them, be kind but be very watchful. Don’t let this destroy your career!

No vision of musical growth – You’re doing rock today but will you be able to do the same thing ten or even 20 years from now? Where you start is not necessarily where you will end. Do you have a career progression chart that states where you want to be at in the future? Your plans should read something like this:

“I am a rock singer that wants to write symphonic music ten years from now for films, symphonies and stage performances”.

Draw out where you want to go across your musical landscape. Embrace diversity in your musical career!

And finally….

Not Understanding the Music Business – This is 2006 so the indie artist has information at his/her fingertips about the music industry that they’ve never had before. It’s now the artist responsibility to understand publishing, mechanical licensing, performance rights and copyrights. Yes, you will probably need an entertainment lawyer but its nice know that when someone is talking about these things that you have a basic knowledge of what they are saying.

Keep your career out of hot water. Avoid the five sins of the indie artist!

Greg Aldrich is the CEO of InBlaze Entertainment, and owner of the Indie Update blog, IndieUpdate.com. He has a passion for helping independent artists and getting the word out about great indie music. This is a sample article from one of the Indie Update bloggers, Brooke.

Sightseeing Attractions
Around the city’s center, you’ll find the remains of two once-important Hamburg structures: the bishops tower, built in the 11th century, and the Hammaburg fortress, built in the 9th century. Hamburg’s city hall is an impressive structure and is surrounded by other notable buildings such as Rathaushof and Rathausmarkt. Around St. Nikolai, you’ll find Hamburg’s oldest remaining bridge, the Zollenbrücke from the 17th century, and the remains of the church itself are a sight worth seeing, especially the Vierländerinbrunnen fountain that sits in front of the ruins. Finally, the Auswandererhalle is a major sight for its historical notoriety.

Museum, Theater, and Outdoor Attractions
Hamburg is home to several world-renowned museums, some of the more notable being Deichtorhallen, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, and Kunsthalle. Hamburg is also a city that is heavily influenced by theater. There are many fantastic theaters scattered throughout the city, including Deutsches Schauspielhaus, the Ernst-Deutsch Theater, and the Laeiszhalle. There are several beaches in the area between Övelgönne and Blankenese, and these are nice places for a swim or a picnic in the summer. Additionally, Hamburg has many fantastic parks. Some of the more popular include the Alter Botanischer Garten, Planten un Bloomen, Ohlsdorfer Friedhof, and Hagenbecks Tierpark.

Nightlife
Hamburg’s main shopping district runs along the Mönckebergstraße in the city’s center, though the Schanzenviertel has recently been gaining popularity for its boutiques. Dining establishments are not hard to discover in Hamburg — they can be found on just about any corner, offering traditional German dishes alongside other worldly cuisines. Nightlife is fierce in Hamburg. In fact, Hamburg’s Red-Light District, the Reeperbahn in Sankt Pauli, is world-famous for its party scene. In this district, you’ll find hundreds of bars, pubs, and nightclubs, offering everything from live bands to DJ-controlled techno music, traditional German beers to unique cocktails with liqueurs that are found only in Germany. Prostitution is legal and abundant in this district, and sex shops are scattered around the streets. Overall, it’s the location of the best party scene in the city.

Jessica Elliott is a freelance writer for Directory of Hotels.com – Hip Cool Hotels. For travel to this region, she recommends staying at any one of these fine Small Hotels in Hamburg.

Group founder and lead singer Emanuel Lundgren says he took the influence for the name from the favoured catchphrase of Manuel, the incompetent Spanish waiter (played by Andrew Sachs) in the iconic ’70s British comedy TV series, Fawlty Towers.

Imagine how fitting it was then when Lundgren gathered up the “I’m From Barcelona” troops to play a show as part of the Primavera Sound Rock Festival in 2006 – located, as luck would have it, in the heart of Barcelona!

Lundgren is not the only musician to have embraced the name and spirit of Spain’s second largest city through his art, however. Barcelona was also the lyrical theme (and title) of the second solo album to be recorded by the late Queen frontman and singer, Freddie Mercury. The song of the same name went on to become one of Mercury’s biggest solo hits when it got a posthumous release to coincide with it being chosen as the theme song of the 1992 Olympic Games.

So not only is Barcelona apparently quite appealing to the musician in a literal sense, but also more and more in a physical sense, with the city playing host annually to two major music events during the summer months – the aforementioned Primavera Sound Rock Festival, and the Sonar Music Festival.

Each festival is quite distinctive in its musical tendencies, and often the two will appeal to and cater for completely different audiences. Primavera Sound tends to lean towards post-rock and more avant-garde and underground acts, and was headlined in 2007 by The White Stripes, The Fall and Sonic Youth, who played their seminal 1988 album Daydream Nation in its entirety. Other underground heroes such as Melvins, Slint, Dirty Three and Blonde Redhead were also present at the festival, along with more traditional rock acts such as Billy Bragg and The Good, The Bad & The Queen.

href=”http://photobucket.com” target=”_blank”>Alternatively, Sonar tends to focus on more electronic forms of music such as dance, drum ‘n bass, as well as hip-hop, and saw high profile sets this year from Beastie Boys, Chemical Brothers, Bjork and LCD Soundsystem. As opposed to many other large European festivals, Sonar is ideal for those who are prefer sleeping in a comfortable bed, rather than under canvas in the great outdoors as the event is solely city based; the hotels in Barcelona range from the cheap and cheerful, to the outwardly extravagant, and are perfect for those festival-goers not so keen on the more traditional forms of music festival accommodation.

Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.

Music fans visiting Montreal should make the Place-des-Arts their first stop in the city. The cultural epicentre of classical music and art, as well as the heart of many of Montreal’s summer festivals – the Place-des-Arts is a large open-space square in downtown Montreal, surrounded by a complex of different concert halls and theatres – including Montreal’s Musee d’art contemporain and the headquarters of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO). Musical performances, operas and other forms of classical performance from around the world are held at the Place-des-Arts every day, so you’ll likely have the opportunity to see the best that Montreal has to offer in classical music during your visit.

In recent years, Montreal has also become the focus of emerging bands in the popular music sphere, with the highly acclaimed alternative outfit Arcade Fire arguably leading the way. Artists like The Dears and Wolf Parade – grown from Montreal’s hotbed of musical talent – have received much praise and developed devoted fans across the world. Montreal’s dance music scene has also been pumping hard, with the influence of acts like Tiga and A-Trak felt far and wide.

And if you’re hoping to go clubbing in Montreal, rest assured you won’t be disappointed! The most active neighbourhoods when it comes to Montreal’s vibrant nightlife are St-Laurent, Downtown, Plateau Mont-Royal and Quartier Latin. The city is also becoming increasingly known across the globe for its mainstream rave festivals – such as the Black and Blue Festival and Bal en Blanc, held every Easter.

The Bal en Blanc (http://www.balenblanc.com ) – also known as Montreal’s White Party – is now in its thirteenth year, with over 15,000 ravers flocking to its festivities annually. Featuring DJs from all over the world, this mega party consists of two separate rooms – one for house music and the other for trance. It attracts both gay and straight clubbers and usually lasts for over 14 hours!

Montreal also hosts the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Montreal Francofolies – a festival of French-speaking musical artists; so whatever your musical tastes, Montreal is sure to cater for you. If you’re keen to sample some of the best that the music world has to offer, you’ll find frequent flights to Montreal from London offered by a variety of airlines, so there’s no excuse not to go. Fly to Montreal on your next holiday – and get the party started!

Parties and performances last on resorts all day and night long; therefore it is easy to lose the sense of time and reality in an impulse of impetuous fun.The world capital of party-tourism is considered to be the Spanish island Ibiza situated in the southwest of Mediterranean Sea. Here gather groups of teenagers and the Dj-s from all over the world in search of entertainment and amusement.

The cleanest beaches with white sand, the tender sea, the green meadows and foothills, the freakish and tiny architecture make this island one of the best resorts of Europe.The life of the island twists around the life of the clubs, which number is way bigger than the number of municipal buildings. Loud lively music of any kind is heard here literally from each corner, and discos are organized directly in the streets.

The tourist season proceeds from May till October, but even in winter there are enough foreigners on Ibiza. The opening of club season takes place at the end of May in the club “Es Parades” and abates only to the beginning of September. By and large the amateurs of quiet beach rest have no reasons at all to come here during summer: in the crowd of inveterate party-goers they will obvious be outsiders.

August is the season’s peak. This is when on the island begins a real chaos among tourists for whom there would not be enough taxis, or hotel rooms, or cubic meter of fresh air. Besides the August prices are ruthlessly overestimated, and the queue in clubs last on tens of meters along the coast. If time and money are precious for you and you are interested to find out whether there is life after Ibiza, then go there at the end of June, in July or at the beginning of September.

The majority of night clubs opens at midnight and work till morning. Officially the entrance in a club and the sales of alcoholic drinks are permitted only to the persons who have reached the age of 18, and usually this rule is strictly followed.

The entrance ticket costs from 30 to 60 euros, the cheapest cocktail – somewhere about 10 euros, water and beer – 6 euros. So do not hope that the fifty euros grasped in a hurry will suffice you on having a good time. A quite good way to cut corners is to book a ticket beforehand or to reserve a flyer: it assures you with a discount of 5-6 euros and one free drink.To bring in club your drink it is strictly forbidden: infringers would have to leave the place and to enjoy in his number the alcoholic drink, bought in Duty Free (as alcohol drinking in the street is punished by the law). The dress-code and a face-control are missing here, but especially extravagant characters can enter free of charge in some clubs.

Musical bars (the entrance here is free, binge is cheaper, and music is the same) and the musical beaches representing huge dancing floors on seacoast are considered a healthy alternative for clubs. Perhaps, most worthy of them are the beach Playa den Bossa, located in 5 minutes of driving from the city of Ibiza entirely surrounded by bars and cafes. Very popular among skilled the club -goers is the tropical bar Bora-Bora. The prices here are way not modest, as the public itself: in a separate part of club for visitors’ «dirty dances» huge wooden tables are shifted.

Right in the centre of Playa den Bossa is situated the night club “Space», which organizes at 8 o’clock in the morning something like an after-party for the most firm party-goers who have danced all night long without a break and are ready to take a second turn. The Tahiti Bar Is worth paying attention to, its main sight is considered to be a huge sprinkling hose from which the dancing crowd is poured with cold from time to time.

And here is one more important detail. Contrary to common opinion, the alcoholic-narcotic orgies on Ibiza are a rare phenomenon. Police squads pretty regularly arrange «tours» in the clubs and on the beaches, therefore for driving a car being drunk, not mentioning having used drugs one can easily get in the local prison.

Iuri Tarabanov writes about interesting travel experiences. His Discount Travel site is http://www.travelime.com

L.A. is the epitome of big, bold and beautiful – and most of the hobbies in this town hover around “the scene”. So, if you’ve had your share of the beach, head inland to tour the star-studded Sunset Boulevard or Melrose Avenue – and keep your eyes out! Since the restaurants and bars drive the social hustle n’ bustle, you’d better allow yourself that afternoon power-nap if you want to keep up with the cool kids.

Remember: the stars come out at night – this is LA after all. This town seems to shimmer after sundown… you can rock it out on the Sunset Strip or club it up in Hollywood. So, if you like your bars cool, your martinis dry, and your restaurants scrumptious, make sure you’ve got your wallet, your appetite and your energy for your night on the town Hollywood style.

Here’s our insiders guide to some of the best restaurants and nightlife options. Know this: fights broke out between our editorial staff when somebody foolishly suggested we limit our journeyPod Picks in L.A. to only 10 Restaurants and 10 Bars. We had so much fun tearing it up in Tinseltown that we had to go with 15 selections in each category. Of course, another fight ensued when we tried to assign numbers to all of these hotspots — so cooler heads prevailed and we have since removed the rankings.

Be assured of one thing… all 30 of these places are ridiculously fantabulous and require your own A-game. Maybe even after a night on the town, you too will understand why even people in the biz think “Entourage” seems so real…

Bars & Nightlife

1. The Derby: (Los Feliz) “Swingers” wannabes hoping to catch a glimpse of Vince Vaughn or Jon Favreau join swing fans in this hotter-than-ever dance hall. With 1940′s decor, live music (seven nights a week) and dance lessons, your whole posse will have a blast! FYI: The Derby was named a historical/cultural landmark by the Los Angeles City Council in May ’06. Located at 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. (and Hillhurst Ave.).

2. LAX: (Hollywood) We’ve all been introduced to DJ AM by Nicole Ritchie – but he now needs no introduction! Known as one of the most sought out DJ’s, DJ AM (a.k.a Adam Golstein) opened this first-class airport-themed lounge for all the L.A. jet-setters. Located in the heart of Hollywood, this destination hotspot boasts mirrors in the shape of airplane windows and metal hangar doors. The dance floor often gets cramped (similar to dancing in an airplane cabin), but it’s tons of fun in a “Mile High Club” kinda way! LAX is located at 1714 Las Palmas Ave. (and Hollywood Blvd.).

3. Forty Deuce: (Melrose) The small parking lot across from Paramount Pictures houses this modern institution that’s been transformed into a retro-cool lounge reminiscent of a 1920′s speakeasy. The parlor-style seating, burlesque shows (strutting to the rhythm of a live jazz band) and fine cocktails keep the Hollywood crowd happy and partying until closing time. Located at 5574 Melrose Ave. (at Beachwood Dr.).

4. Barney’s Beanery: (West Hollywood) In L.A., most people think that nothing can get better with age. But the city’s third-oldest restaurant (located at 8447 Santa Monica Blvd. near La Cienaga Blvd.) manages to prove everyone in Hollywood wrong. Since opening its door nearly 90 years ago, it has attracted celebrities to regular Joe-shmoes who crave good ol’ comfort food (your choice of 150 different burgers, 65 chilis and 90 omelettes). While many may refer to this as just a “dive”, the good food and cheap drinks keep this Beanery jumping nightly. (Just make sure you bring your I.D. – even Johnny Drama got carded here recently!).

5. Stone Rose Lounge: (West Hollywood) This recently opened LA version of the NYC nightspot houses itself in the redone Sofitel Hotel (at 8555 Beverly Blvd., near La Cienaga Blvd.). A destination for young starlets (and the guys who want them) boasts a 5,000 square foot lounge and outdoor patio. While it’s not your usual L.A. nightlife scene, this laid-back atmosphere with refined martinis and the outside fire pit cabanas are well worth visiting.

6. Social Hollywood: (Hollywood) What’s old is new again! This place used to be the massive Hollywood Athletic Club and now boasts a lounge, restaurants, games rooms with PlayStations and Xboxes, a screening room and a private club. The Moroccan-inspired venue features food that has been strong right off the bat and a social scene which has won over the cool kids. Located at 6526 Sunset Blvd. (at Schrader Blvd.).

7. Sky Bar: Tagged as one of L.A.’s hottest nightclub spots since the day it opened, Sky Bar is open, airy and makes you feel like you’re floating up in the clouds atop the Mondrian hotel (located at 8440 Sunset Blvd.). Boasting some of the most beautiful views in all of L.A. (along with its trees, pool and candlelight) and the cities most fashionable set – please don’t let the long lines and bouncers deter you. If and when you do get past the red tape, please don’t stare at that hunk that regularly appears on the pages of US Weekly and People!

8. Formosa Cafe: (West Hollywood) An area classic (served as the location for the movie L.A. Confidential), this Chinese-themed dimly-lit hotspot features red leather booths and a bar that serves intoxicatingly powerful martinis. Known as one of the movie industry’s watering-holes, Formosa features autographed shots of Hollywood stars lining the walls (and you may even be lucky enough to spot Bono or Beck in one of the booths). Better for drinks than dinner (and make sure you dress the part to avoid hassles at the door). Formosa Cafe is located at 7156 Santa Monica Blvd. (between La Brea and Formosa Ave.).

9. Privilege: (West Hollywood) Madonna isn’t the only one who knows how to reinvent herself. Nightlife guru Sam Nazarian knows all too well about reinvention. Before its new look and name, this club was known as a gothic playground called Shelter, a Nordic lounge, a St. Tropez-style resort and a mock construction site. Now Privilege is a sensuously white-on-white oasis that has the feel of a South Beach resort (sans the humidity and sand in between your toes). Saturdays are tough since Brent Bolthouse (godfather of celebrity events) hosts parties here – so if you can, opt for a weekday visit. Unless of course, you can get your name on the guest list or finagle past the ear-plugged security guards. Privelege is at 8117 W. Sunset Blvd. (and Crescent Heights Blvd.).

10. Guy’s Bar: (West Hollywood) Ever wonder where the stars go for karaoke? You’ll find the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Ritchie at this intimate and exclusive WeHo club. Guy’s is a simple mishmash of cushy couches that’s mostly reserved for private industry-related events. However, try this place on a Saturday (promoter-run) night when the door policy is a bit more relaxed (and yes, do show some leg!). Guy’s Bar is located at 8713 Beverly Blvd.

11. Tropicana Bar: (Hollywood) Old Hollywood meets New Hollywood at this bar in L.A.’s Roosevelt Hotel – where you’ll find stars lounging in style at an outdoor patio that boasts a 60′s vibe with cozy plush seating and a glowing pool. A typical hipster joint, the bar is also a tropical oasis with neon-illuminated palm trees, private bungalows, a fireplace and linen-covered chaise lounges. If you’re in no mood to rub elbows with the nighttime fashionista/glamourista crowd, Tropicana Bar is ideal for sunny CA afternoons. Just don’t forget to notice the David Hockney blue-wave mural at the bottom of the pool at 7000 Hollywood Blvd.

12. The Bar: (Hollywood) Not just a bar, The Bar! Nestled between a gas station and a seedy hotel (5851 Sunset Blvd. and Bronson Ave.), this place is easy to miss. But those who find their way to one of Hollywood’s hottest revamped watering holes will see newly renovated digs and eye-catching patrons. Some days you’ll hear a rock n’ roll jukebox blast the sounds of the Ramones, other days you’ll find local DJ’s spinning old and new pop. For those who feel like a cig, some air or just a break from the sounds, cram your way outside to the bamboo-lined smoking alley.

13. Mood: (Hollywood) This 6,500 square foot former office building at 6623 Hollywood Blvd. has been transformed into a tropical Garden of Eden – think South Pacific! The club’s Balinese design boasts sensuous colors/textures and in-the-flesh trumpeters and bongo drummers that accompany the hip-hop and rap sounds that you’ll hear. Stocked with exotic treasures made from bamboo, batik and carved wood, Mood draws sexy young Hollywood socialites and other glitz and glam from Tinseltown.

14. The Lounge: (West Hollywood) Okay, so here’s the lowdown…This sexy Miami Beach-style club draws a great crowd with its borderline location (WeHo and Beverly Hills) and open-door policy. The Lounge boasts a main room with bar and dance floor, and a spiral staircase that leads up to a swanky lounge area filled with comfy booths and table service. DJ’s here spin a dance-party mix of hip-hop, R&B and house music favorites. The Lounge is located at 9077 Santa Monica Blvd. (and Doheny Dr.).

15. Key Club: (West Hollywood) A state-of-the-art live music venue (located at 9039 Sunset Blvd. and Doheny Dr.) with futuristic audio, video and lighting technologies, Key Club is one of WeHo’s most popular spots. The VIP area downstairs, called the Plush Lounge, is typically crammed with the Hollywood “It” crowd. A full restaurant and menu is also available on the second floor (reserving a table there is the secret to actually getting in on busy nights). Key Club features a few bars and plenty of ways to get your drink on – a perfect place to either start or end your night out on the Sunset Strip.

journeyPod.com is the only place you need to visit for information on the trendiest bars and restaurants, the most luxurious hotels, and the most exclusive parties and shops for discriminating travelers. Visit journeyPod.com for the lowdown on where to go in Atlanta, New York, Miami, LA and other major cities around the world, and listing to our monthly travel podcast for the best in upscale travel and entertainment. If you like the finer things in life, journey to journeyPod.com!