1576

December 2013 Issue 1576 tntmagazine.com

NH!IP IRS W EMBE

M FOR 8TH DAY ADVENTURE SOCIAL CLUB

STREET LIFE Help the homeless in this season of goodwill

CLIMBING EVEREST We get to first base with the mother of all mountains

COLD PLAY Our top five ski festivals

S A M T S I R CH N W O D T N COU g the party in y jo n e e ’r e f time, but w o t u o g in n n Santa’s ru

+ XMAS JUMPERS BRILLIANT BRAZIL FAIRYTALE IN NEW YORK WINTER SUN

ISSUE 1576/ £1.95

9 772051 605008

46

THIS MONTH LONDON DIARY

8

DRINK

16

EATS

17

CHATROOM

29

CHRISTMAS GIFTS GUIDE

31

24

TRAVEL TRAVEL REVIEW

34

DIARY

37

FESTIVAL: ST PADDY’S

38

UK TRIP

44

NORTH AMERICA

56

LATE DEALS

63

TIPS

66

HOTSHOTS

67

18

ON THE COVER CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN 18 Festive fun every day of the month

SPORT ROUND-UP

70

GOODBYE MARK WEBBER

72

2013 FLASHBACK

74

STREET LIFE CLIMBING EVEREST

40 46

Sun, sea and sand is three hours away

80

COLD PLAY

WINTER WORKOUT

82

Our top five ski festivals

CAMP AMERICA

84

BRILLIANT BRAZIL

MONEY

87

EXTEND YOUR STAY

88

RETURNING HOME

90

DESPERATELY SEEKING

98

CLASSIFIEDS

96

STUFF

74

Our writer achieves a life goal

WINTER SUN LIFESTYLE

24

Help the homeless this Christmas

50 52

We go nuts for this party country

FAIRYTALE IN NEW YORK

64

48 hours in the Big Apple – take a bite

XMAS JUMPERS Don a festive winter woolley

81

67

EDITORIAL Editor Caroline Garnar Contributors: Michael Gadd l Alasdair Morton l Rachael Getzels l Sean Martin EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES 0203 011 1066 To contact the various editorial departments via email please use the following email addresses: entertainment@tntmagazine.com lifestyle@tntmagazine.com sport@tntmagazine.com travel@tntmagazine.com SALES/MARKETING/EVENTS Sales manager Jaqui Ward PHONE 020 3137 5950 EMAIL jaqui.ward@tntmagazine.com Sales Executive Matt Syder PHONE 0207 9890491 EMAIL matt.syder@tntmagazine.com For all general enquiries please call 0207 989 0567 or email sales@tntmagazine.com DESIGN / PRODUCTION Head of design and production Lisa Ferron PHONE 01225 442062 EMAIL lisa.ferron@tntmagazine.com Design / picture editor Patricia Montenegro PHONE 0203 011 1066 EMAIL patricia.montenegro@tntmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS / DISTRIBUTION Manager Caroline Penn PHONE 01603 559004 EMAIL caroline.penn@tntmagazine.com ACCOUNTS Emma Overton EMAIL emma.overton@tntmagazine.com STARTRACK MEDIA LTD Directors Kevin Ellis, Ken Hurst Stuart Bidgood PUBLISHER Startrack Media Limited DISTRIBUTION Emblem Direct Ltd PRINTED BY Wyndeham Peterborough Limited NEWS AAP PICTURES Getty Images, TNT Images, Thinkstock TNT Magazine , 114 Coppergate House, 16 Brune Street, London E1 7NJ tntmagazine.com

WHERE TO GET TNT

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Editor’s image by photsolutions.me

FROM THE EDITOR Get your Christmas movie ending...

You had such good times together. You laughed, you cried, you loved. And then, one day, they disappeared out of your life. No explanation. No phone calls. Nothing.

But it’s Christmas time, and we all know this means there’s magic in the air. The snow is slowly drifting from the sky and sprinkling the streets (use your imagination, okay?), and you spy a seemingly glowing red box piled high with your favourite magazine (yes, it’s TNT). As with the last few issues, with hope in your heart, you flick to the back page, longing to be re-united with your lost love. And each time you’ve felt the fresh sting of rejection... until now.

This is it. This is the moment. Desperately Seeking is back! Let the church bells ring, let ‘All I Want For Christmas is You’ play on loop, let festive shoppers smile and skip.

Yes, you just got your Love Actually ending.

Fast forward five minutes, when you’ve finished reading the back page and your love affair is over (short but very sweet), it is worth flicking through the rest of the mag, as we have other returns worth celebrating: My London is back, and teamed with Try This... where each month we check out something different to the norm.

Your View is over on page 14, where we get you lot to tell us your thoughts and send in your pics, plus we look at what’s been happening on Facebook and Twitter.

Our Sports section is bigger, as is Travel, which now has a Festival Guide (it’s for St Patrick’s Day this month), plus we show you how to cram a holiday into 48 hours.

Oh and don’t forget to sign up for our five free weekly e-newsletters at tntmagazine.com. Yep, TNT is the gift that just keeps on giving. Feel free to send us presents to show your appreciation – we like anything with alcohol in it.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Caroline

caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com

In next month’s issue...

Australia Day carnage TNT Magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests. There is no business connection between the proprietors of this magazine and TNT Ltd, the worldwide transportation group. Copyright here and abroad of all original materials is held by TNT Magazine.

Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden, except with permission of the publishers.

Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office.

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THIS MONTH’S TOP PICKS GANACHE MACARON POP-UP

PIG’S EAR BEER AND CIDER FEST

Dec 2-8

Dec 3-7

Ganache Macaron will be returning to Boxpark to showcase its scrumptious flavours and offer half-priced macaron baking classes. Perfect for home-baked gifts.

Five years ago the capital had only three breweries, now it boasts 50-plus, with 27 of these being showcased at this festival. See you there.

£45

11am-7pm 2-4 Bethnal Green Rd, E1 6GY Shoreditch boxpark.co.uk

£4

12pm-11pm The Round Chapel, Powerscroft Road, E5 0PU Hackney Downs pigsear.org.uk

Shhh... SECRET LONDON 3D PRINT RECORD STORE DEC 13-14

3D printing freaks us out a little bit as it feels like it could be used for good or evil... luckily Bacardi Beginnings is using it for good by opening the world’s first 3D printing record store for two days. You can buy a brand new track by Kele Okereke (Bloc Party) and Bobbie Gordon, which has been recorded on 3D printed vinyl.

FREE

A new dimension: Kele & Bobbie

Times vary

The Vinyl Factory, SW3 2HP

bacardibeginnings.com

GET UP-CLOSE AT JUICY DATING

REBEL BINGO IS BACK!

WILD BOAR AT THE GRILL CLUB

HOT TUB CINEMA CLUB

Dec 5

Dec 6

Dec 9

Until Dec 10

With the tagline of ‘Sensual. Flirty. Real.

Playful. Intimate. Conscious.

Sexy. Deep.’, Juicy Dating goes beyond ‘normal’ dating nights or experiences. During these evenings participants will meet and flirt with each other using body language, movement, smell and touch. Interesting...

Warning: don’t bring your gran to this.

With a stage show, foulmouthed number calling and drunk people armed with marker pens, this partybingo fusion turns into absolute carnage. Go prepared to be turned into a human bingo card.

The Brompton Bar and Grill teams up with the recently launched London Shooting Club to host its latest installment of The Grill Club, this time with wild boar on the menu. The evening will have cookery demonstrations as well as lots and lots of eating.

Who wants to sit on an uncomfortable cinema seat when you can bubble away in a hot tub?

Don your swimmers and catch classics including Elf, Die Hard, Gremlins and, of course, Hot Tub Time Machine. And don’t worry, the tubs are inside.

7.30pm-10.30pm Dogstar, SW9 8LQ Brixton dogstarbrixton.com

8.30pm-late The Forum, NW5 1JY Kentish Town rebelbingo.com

7pm-11pm 243 Brompton Road, SW3 2EP South Kensington bromptonbarandgrill.com

Times vary Factory 7, EC2A 3LS Shoreditch High Street hottubcinema.com

£25

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Don’t miss out: The premiere of Missing

SATURDAY 26 APRIL

GLASGOW O 2 ACADEMY SUNDAY 27 APRIL

MANCHESTER ACADEMY TUESDAY 29 APRIL

NOTTINGHAM ROCK CITY

WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL

LONDON O 2 ACADEMY BRIXTON FRIDAY 02 MAY

BRISTOL O 2 ACADEMY SATURDAY 03 MAY

PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS

TICKETS: 0844 811 0051 GIGSANDTOURS.COM | GIGSINSCOTLAND.CO.UK

SCREENING OF MISSING Dec 9

Taylor Steele’s brand new film Missing puts Aussie ASP World Champion Mick Fanning in some of the most radical places on the planet alongside his good friends John John Florence, Jordy Smith, Matt Wilkinson and Tom Curren.

The premiere will be at the Genesis Cinema on December 9 at 7.30pm with a party afterwards. There will also be giveaways from top brands such as Rip Curl, Skullcandy, XSories and Live, Love, Care with EQ. £6

7.30pm 95 Mile End Road, Whitechapel, E1 4UJ

ANDY JORDAN ON TOUR

KIWIS IN LONDON XMAS PARTY

Dec 21

Dec 21

Everyone’s favourite Made in Chelsea star, Andy Jordan obviously, is heading off on a minitour. He’s not forgotten his curly roots however, as he’s singing some hits, as well as some of his own stuff, in London, joined by a host of special guests.

Whether you’re a Kiwi living in London, or you just want to know how well New Zealanders can handle their drink, then this is the Christmas party for you.

Three Kiwi DJs will be playing, and there will be food, NZ beer and prizes.

7pm-11.30pm Great Portland St, W1W 5PN Great Portland Street 229thevenue.com

7pm-late 1920s Bar, EC1V 0DR Barbican 19-20.co.uk

£9.50

words: Sean Martin. Photos: Getty

on.fb.me/1bGlbLI

£6.50

NEW ALBUM ‘FLESH & BLOOD’ OUT 03 FEBRUARY | JOHNBUTLERTRIO.COM A METROPOLIS MUSIC & DF CONCERTS PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CAA

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Our messiah: Brand is back!

Go on son!

12 Angry Men

Skull-duggery: You Blow My Mind exhibition

COMEDY NIGHTS

EXHIBITIONS

THEATRE

THE MESSIAH COMPLEX

WARP X TATE

MOJO

DEC 5 / 7.30PM / £51

DEC 6 / 6.30PM-10PM / FREE

UNTIL JAN 25 / 7.30PM / £10+

Russell Brand is back on tour, with prices higher than ever. The presenter-turned-comedianturned-actor-turned-comedian again raises as many laughs as he does controversial debates.

Late at Tate Britain presents a free evening of performance and installations from Warp Records and Jeremy Deller, inspired by Deller’s work The History of the World.

Seedy Fifties Soho comes to life in Jez Butterworth’s funny, foul-mouthed 1995 hit boasting a starry cast including Ben Wishaw, Brendan Coyle and Rupert Grint.

Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, W6 9QH Hammersmith hammersmithapollo.com

Tate Britain Millbank, SW1P 4RG Pimlico tate.org.uk

Harold Pinter Theatre Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN mojotheplay.com

THE BACK OF MY MUM’S HEAD

CHRISTMAS SALON

TWELVE ANGRY MEN

DEC 16-20 / 7.30PM / £25+

DEC 6-JAN 18 / 11AM-6PM / FREE

UNTIL MAR 1 / 7.45PM / £19.50+

Following a 2012 sold-out tour, the comedy giant – quite literally – Greg Davies, returns with his new interestingly titled show.

The sixth edition of the Christmas Salon will celebrate the work of all Eleven Gallery’s resident artists, as well as selling affordable art pieces.

A 16-year-old delinquent faces the death sentence in Reginald Rose’s compelling Fifties drama which never leaves the jury room.

Southbank Centre Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX Waterloo Road southbankcentre.co.uk

Eleven 11 Eccleston Street, SW1W 9LX Victoria elevenfineart.com

Garrick Theatre Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0HH Leicester Square nimaxtheatres.com

SEAN LOCK: PURPLE MAN IN A VAN

YOU BLOW MY MIND

DEC 19 / 8PM / £22

DEC 7-JAN 24 / 10AM-5PM / FREE

The 8 out of 10 Cats’ leading panelist is back on the stage, heading to Fairfield Halls near Christmas to make us chuckle. Which is nice.

Multimedia contemporary artist Lauren Baker presents coffins, hearts and skulls using neon, crystals and more. Sombre yet sparkly.

Fairfield Halls Park Lane, CR9 1DG. George Street fairfield.co.uk

Hang-Up Gallery 56 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 7PB Stoke Newington hanguppictures.com

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Piccadilly Circus

IN THE NEXT ROOM UNTIL JAN 4 / 7.45PM / £15+

A curious 19th-century wife discovers the possibilities of pleasure in American Sarah Ruhl’s quirky, paroxysmal and often touching comedy.

St James Theatre 21 Palace Street, SW1E 5JA stjamestheatre.co.uk

Victoria

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CLUB NIGHTS

GIGS

X & RESONANCE RECORDS

NOAH AND THE WHALE

DEC 6 / 10PM-8AM / £15+

DEC 10 / 7PM / £12.50

Resonance Records has once again teamed up with X to present some more of the finest names in house music. Riding the wave in this month’s X Party at Egg are guests such as Robert James, Mark Jenkyns, Patrick Topping and Cozzy D, with Citizen headlining. Whoever can make it through to 8am is a true hero.

Despite their Heart of Nowhere tour coming to an end, Noah And The Whale are set to play a one-off show at the Islington Assembly Hall. Front man Charlie Fink announced in a video, “We’re doing it just for our fans. We’ll be back, there’ll be another album.” In five years’ time?

Egg London 200 York Way, N7 9AX Caledonian Road egglondon.net

Islington Asembly Hall Upper Street, N1 2UD Islington islington.gov.uk/assemblyhall

SOUL TRAIN

GREATER THAN

DEC 7 / 10PM-6AM / £5

DEC 20 / 6PM / £60

The Bussey building presents another of its monthly Soul Train Nights, but this time it’s the Christmas special. Situated in the CLF Art Cafe in Peckham, the Soul Train has slowly been gathering momentum and its reputation continues to get stronger. A must-go for any funk and soul lovers in London over the Christmas period, and then over the course of next year.

Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Pete Tong, GTA and Danny Avila have teamed up for a five city tour of the UK and Ireland, heading to London on December 20. Harris and Tiësto collaborated on the song ‘Century’ in 2009, but this will be the first time the two have toured together, despite their 20-month residency at Hakkassan in Las Vegas.

CLF Art Cafe 133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST Peckham Rye clfartcafe.org

Earls Court Exhibition Centre Warwick Road, SW5 9TA Earls Court eco.co.uk

Words: Sean Martin. Photos: Getty & supplied

Greater Than: Calvin Harris

ANNIE MAC PRESENTS...

CRISIS PRESENTS...

DEC 14 / 10PM-4AM / £16.20

20 DEC / 6.30PM / £40+

Annie Mac returns to KOKO for Annie Mac Presents... The Xmas Party. The Radio 1 DJ and presenter is renowned for her variety of musical tastes playing an array of genres from drum and bass, hip-hop, disco and electro house. Held in the cool settings of KOKO, this is certainly a way of kicking off your Christmas celebrations in true party style. Just like Soul Train, this is a monthly event, and chances are once you go to Annie Mac, you’ll always go back.

Crisis Presents... returns for another year as the charity for homeless people announces a pretty hot line-up. Jake Bugg has been announced as one of the main acts, alongside Bastille, Michael Kiwanuka, AlunaGeorge and an Al Doyle of Hot Chip DJ set. More artists are set to be announced closer to the date.

Artists who have played previously for Crisis include Paul Weller, Tim Minchin and Miles Kane, to name a few.

KOKO 1A Camden High Street, NW1 7JE Mornington Cresent koko.uk.com

Eventim Apollo 45 Queen Caroline Street, W6 9QH Hammersmith crisis.org.uk

WATCH THIS

AT THE MOVIES...

Christmas is just around the corner, and that means all things warm and fuzzy are coming to a screen near you.

For the festive season, Pop-Up Screens (popupscreens.co.uk) has abandoned its outdoor screens and moved inside to 20th Century Theatre in Notting Hill. A fine selection of holiday films are being screened this month (The Muppets Christmas Carol for one), plus they’ve filled their little hideaway with snow, and the only entrance is through a magic wardrobe. Awesome. W London (wlondon.co.uk/en/screeningroom) is throwing in a bit of extra Christmas spirit with a full-service bar serving up special Christmas cocktails in its cosy, very cosy – 39 seats cosy to be precise – cinema.

Tickets for this are free, and they’ll be showing classics ranging from It’s A Wonderful Life to, er, South Park. The Prince Charles Cinema (princecharlescinema. com) has dedicated its theme to the ‘double bill’ season, so go in for one Christmas film, and stay for another, happening from December 18 right up until Christmas Eve. But that’s not all: head on down there on December 6 for a pyjama party and watch your favourite films in true slobout comfort.

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WIN MEMBERSHIP TO ACTIVITY AND SOCIAL CLUB 8TH DAY ADVENTURE 8TH Day Adventure is giving away five pairs of ‘gold’ memberships to the club, and for one lucky winner, an additional £100 of credit to put towards any of their events and trips, which include surfing, biking, hiking, coasteering, skiing, running, archery, riding and much, much more!

If you are looking to meet new people, try new things, expand your social circle and generally have a bit more fun and excitement in your life then 8th Day Adventure is for you!

Over 18’s only.

Enter at tntmagazine.com/competitions www.8thdayadventure.co.uk

PREVIOUS WINNERS WIN A GLOBALGIG DEVICE: JOANNE MAPP, JAMES WATSON, KAREN DUNSTAN, JONATHAN BULLEN, EMMA STEIGMAN

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MYLONDON

LONDONINSIDER

TRYTHIS Pub Yoga Dating With thoughts of balancing on one leg on a bar stool while trying to sip a glass of wine held between my toes, it was with some trepidation that I signed up for Pub Yoga. Particularly as it was organised by dating website DoingSomething.co.uk, meaning I was also hoping to meet the ying to my yang on my yogic adventure... not an easy feat in leggings.

My initial doubts of doing yoga in a pub soon subsided, however, as I realised how desperately I would need a glass (bottle) of wine after the class (which you do in a separate space to the bar by the way). With phrases such as ‘opening your heart’ and ‘connecting your vibrations’ being bandied about, I was tempted to let my vibrations buzz me straight back out the door.

However, as it turned out, getting into various bendy positions with a man I’d only just met wasn’t as awkward as I thought – and what I of course mean by that is most of the moves weren’t too intimate; they mainly involved being back to back or holding each other’s hands to balance – no downward dog(ing), which was a relief.

Although, admittedly, it was in the moments of ‘connection’ that I wanted to curl up into the child’s pose and die. A particular ‘highlight’ was the eye contact exercise,

when you had to hold hands and gaze into the eyes of someone you’d met mere minutes ago. Not easy, my friends.

But, in the spirit of DoingSomething’s policy of just having fun, I managed to relax and take Pub Yoga for what it is – a great, and somewhat different, way to meet new people, have some gentle exercise and finish off with a big glass of wine. Thankfully, not held between my toes. By Caroline Garnar Pub Yoga Dating with DoingSomething.co.uk, £12, every Monday, 7pm, at The Proud Archivist, 2-10 Hertford Road, NE1 5ET. TNT readers can sign up at DoingSomething.co.uk for a month for £12 (normally £29). Use the code: trial12 doingsomething.co.uk

MYLONDON When I want to chill out... I go to the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park. If you can catch it when there aren’t lots of people there, it’s a real oasis of calm.

Science Museum – to revive the kid in me – followed by a laid-back dinner with my mates, then drinks in a cool bar followed by some clubbing – ideally tech-house! Sunday is then resigned to a day with my mates in a pub having bloody Marys, reading newspapers and having hungover chit chat!

The most interesting person I’ve met in London is... my Dad. this may sounds cringey, but he is my business inspiration. [And] I briefly met legendary DJ, Norman Jay, which was a pleasure.

My plans for the festive period are... to spend some quality time with my family, and of course have my eyes glued to my emails as New Year’s Eve will be just around the corner – our busiest period.

My favourite place for a drink is...

Ruby’s bar in Dalston. It’s a true secret speakeasy without the pretence and has a wonderfully friendly team. The drinks are pretty special too!

For when you’re hungover in London you can’t beat... a fry-up at my local Jack’s cafe in Queen’s Park. You can often find me in there on a Sunday looking slightly green!

What baffles me about London is... why councils are trying to destroy the nightlife scene by taking away late licenses, not giving late licenses, and [their] crazy restrictions on honest and hard-working bar owners. Nightlife is one of London’s best attractions so why try and destroy it from within?

Five words that sum up London are... eclectic, vibrant, educational, surprising and fun. designmynight.com /

@DesignMyNight

My favourite spot in London is... Primrose Hill. I love scrambling up there with a coffee and just staring back at London.

My perfect weekend would be... taking advantage of everything London can offer, from some culture at Tate Modern, the Design Museum or the

NICK TELSON CO-FOUNDER OF DESIGNMYNIGHT.COM TNTMAGAZINE.COM

13

YOURLONDON READER’S PIC OF THE MONTH

YOUR VIEW We ask our readers what they’ve been thinking about this month...

YOU BET: Readers Jessica Haider (left) and Andrea Montgomery bet Phil Webb and Olly MacDonald that they could get into the media. Et voila. Phil and Olly, you must now take them to Gordon Ramsay’s Maze for lunch. Gutted!

STATUS UPDATE What’s been happening on Twitter this month...

A plaintive cry rang out spreading fear and panic among London’s Kiwis and Aussies. “Who ate all the pies?” went a terrible wailing usually reserved for fat referees. Our friends @kiwis_in_London started the Twittersphere stampede, asking if anyone had tried to “grab a pie at @jumbuckpies today?” Jumbucks had closed its doors without so much as a ‘Back soon’ sign.

“Did someone say no more pies!?” screamed @KSegedin. “Pie-mageddon,” she added, sobbing, we imagine. She went on more calmly: “Oh, such a shame – they kept me supplied with lolly cake ingredients.”

When all appeared lost, a seventh cavalry of TNT readers rode to the rescue.

“There are NZGourmetPies,” tweeted one, “the gang there are awesome.”

But they’re based in Newcastle. “I want my pies in London,” came the challenge. Maybe try @Piepai_London or the lady @Broadway_Mkts,” said someone else, adding the hashtag “piecrisis”. Oddest outlet of all, @LondonKiwiEmma reminded us, “The Imperial War Museum does Vili’s pies too.” Pie with a side of mass murder? Sounds a but Sweeney Todd to us...

Want to have your say or see your photo in print?

Email the editor at caroline.garnar@tntmagazine.com

UK Chauffeurdrive LTD Chauffeur driven for the price of a minicab!

To book call 020 8982 3630 or 07738 354490 E: wwcd@hotmail.co.uk www.Heathrowtransferuk.com 14

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Photos: Supplied

Airport transfer in a chauffeur driven Mercedes from London to Heathrow from only £39.

We are licensed by TFL, we specialise in airport transfer (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, City airport and seaports).

All chauffeurs in suit & tie, complimentary newspaper and mineral water.

I come from a relatively small city in New Zealand, especially by London standards, so I have never really had to queue for anything. This is probably why it is one thing about London that really annoys me.

Here’s why: 1. I always seem to choose the wrong queue. It is a guarantee that I will choose the queue with the slowest operator, the one with the customer who has forgotten something so runs back to get it, or the one who brings an item up with no price tag on it.

2. There is always somebody who tries to jump the queue. I have been pushed in front of by all types of people – other nationalities who do not understand the concept of queuing, old ladies or business people who are ‘too busy to queue’. It is not a British trait and those that cut to the front will be told exactly where the end of the line is.

3. Getting stuck behind/in front of a queue fidget. This is someone (and we are all probably a little guilty of it) who likes to demonstrate how frustrated they are at having to stand in line. They hop from one foot to the other, sigh and mutter comments under their breath while continuously checking the time on their watch or mobile.

Research suggests that the average British person will spend six months of their life in a queue, so I guess I had better find a way of tolerating it!

LONDONEATS

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BITE SIZE XXXXXX XXXXX NIGHT-TIME INDULGENCE The newly opened Hawker House Xxxxxxxx night market has top grub and drinks as[web] well as DJs until 2am, meaning you can kick back and relax well into the small hours. Food comes from XXXXX London’s Xxxxxxxx best street food traders, chefs and restaurants, including The Ribman, [web] Kimchi Cult, Vinn Goute and Gurmetti, with pint-sized cocktails too. The Street Feast team have been XXXXX taking over empty spaces in London Xxxxxxxx since summer last year, and this new endeavour is one of their finest yet. [web] streetfeastlondon.com

PARK YOUR ARSE HERE An east London car park has been transformed into the street food, experimental bar culture and nightlife hub Night Tales. Running Thursdays to Saturdays until December 14, there is a Mezcal bar, the finest ribs and pulled pork in town courtesy of US BBQ joint Smokey Tails, with the likes of Seth Troxler and Disco Bloodbath providing the sounds too at this ultra-hip little east-end project. backgroundbars.com/nighttalesldn

Photos: supplied

MEET THE MEAT Foxlow is a new opening from Will Beckett and Huw Gott, the team behind the Hawksmoor steak restaurant group. It takes a local and laid-back approach, and there is a global influence to the menu but, as you might expect, steak takes pride of place. And if you don’t fancy a steak, there is a wide selection of seafood dishes, too. Sign us up.

Soho good: top American-themed Soho Diner

SOHO BAR AND DINER FRENCH-AMERICAN

This American-style diner on Old Compton Street in the heart of Soho is a bustling purveyor of cocktails, French-American cuisine and a great buzz. The tables are packed in tight meaning the atmosphere is charged – even on a Monday evening when we visited it was packed to the rafters – and the gold and wood stylings give it a classic and yet contemporary feel. With the kitchen centred in the heart of the room, too, you always feel you are right at the middle of the action.

THE GRUB Calories be damned – the menu is too enticing so we jump in headfirst with little pause for our waistlines. My dining compatriot opts for the crab cocktail, which is a tangy delight. I plump for the raw veg and dips selection – it sounded like the healthy option that would leave me plenty of room for tackling the biggest, meatiest main I could find, but what arrives is a sizeable plate loaded three inches high with carrot, cauliflower, celery and more. Best plans may be out the window, but it is delicious. The Philly cheese steak sandwich is a gluttonous delight, and the cheese burger equally so, especially as I decide to take on the double burger incarnation, which is a towering concoction of beef, bacon, cheese, salad and a brioche bun. It is, quite simply, wonderful. With bellies full we decide dessert is not advisable, but then we cast our eyes over the menu and our best intentions go out the window yet again. Chocolate brownie it is and a smart decision we have made. Although the sticky toffee pudding is a close-run second.

BEHIND THE BAR Cocktails on tap such as Cosmopolitan and Ginger Collins are thoroughly ace and impossible to avoid, while beers include Curious Brew, Brooklyn Brown Ale and Flying Dog’s Snake Dog. BILL PLEASE Starters from £4; Mains from £7; desserts from £4; cocktails £6.50; draught beers from £2.50; bottled beer from £4; wine from £5 (by the glass).

VERDICT Great food, great service and great atmosphere in the heart of Soho – it is near impossible not to have a top night out here.

THE SCENE

foxlow.co.uk 19-21 Old Compton Street, W1D 5JJ

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COSY KETTLE BAR

Cosy Kettle is the new cellar bar hidden away beneath Somers Town Coffee House in Euston, which has hidden above it the Shhhh...Secret Supper Club.

This venue Jenga (without the collapsing part, hopefully) makes it the perfect spot for winter as you can head for dinner, coffee, cocktails and cake without leaving the building.

Despite being hidden away in the basement, this spot is far from dingy with bright lighting, white painted woods, floral wallpaper and potted mint plants on each table. Bar staff don bow ties and braces, adding a nice sense of occasion, while the ’90s tunes they were pumping out on our visit hinted that this is a far from pretentious joint.

THE GRUB One word: cake. In a bar? Yes indeedy. In fact, they are served in a combo with your cocktail so the flavours complement each other. Er, yum.

BEHIND THE BAR You can choose from something sweet, fizzy, long or stiff... these are drinks we’re talking about. They are expertly mixed, if a little stingy on the levels, but five espresso martinis later, we weren’t complaining.

BILL PLEASE Cocktails range from £8-12, with the cupcake included in the price.

VERDICT After a few teething problems are ironed out, this will be the perfect place to continue the night after visiting the Shhh... Secret Supper Club for dinner. And with a 3am closing time, those espresso martinis are practical as well as delicious.

THE SCENE

60 Chalton Street, NW1 1HS

3 OF THE BEST QUIRKY XMAS SPECIALS

King’s Cross St Pancras

Fancy: bow ties and braces add a sense of occasion

thesomerstowncoffeehouse.co.uk

’TIS THE SEA-SON

SQUARE MEAL

XMAS ON A STICK

Seafood isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of Christmas, particularly not oysters, but Gow’s has created a selection of the aphrodisiacs with cinnamon, apple and chilli to spice up those cold nights.

Square Pie is baking a special Christmas pie. Inside delicious flaky pastry you will find roast turkey, mini-roast potatoes, carrots and stuffing, all in a piping hot gravy. It also offers mini ‘cano-pies’ for your Christmas party. Love!

The Sterling Bar is offering Christmas on a stick, quite literally. With roast chicken and stuffing, a roast potato and a pig in a blanket all speared onto a kebab stick, get ready for some serious gravy dunking.

ballsbrothers.co.uk

squarepie.com

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Your Christmas Your advent calendar might treat you to a mouthful of chocolate each day this month, but behind the doors here you will find cocktail making, husky riding, mince pie eating and general merriment. Take that, pitiful mouthfuls of chocolate…

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UNTIL 4 JAN / 10AM-8.30PM / £26.25+

The London Eye is converting its pods into icy caves, with a special guide to tell you lots of wintry facts about London over a mint hot choc as you make your way up high to see the sparkling lights below.

Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB Waterloo londoneye.com/frostival

UNTIL 5 JAN / 10AM-10PM / FREE

Kick off the festive season with a magical ice kingdom, giant Ferris wheel, ice rink, Christmas markets and a not-veryfestive-but-freaky show, Zippos Circus Berserk, at this annual xmas extravaganza.

Hyde Park, W2 2UH Hyde Park Corner hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

WORDS CAROLINE GARNAR

LONDON EYE FROSTIVAL

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HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND

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SEVEN DIALS MARKET 5-9PM / FREE

Get your Christmas shopping done at Seven Dials and St Martin’s Courtyard on December 5 and get a 20% discount at more than 120 shops, bars and restaurants if you register at the website below. It’ll be busy, so get your elbows ready.

Covent Garden, near Monmouth Street, Covent Garden Sevendials.co.uk

WC2

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WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL 6-17 DEC / VARIOUS / £5+

Spitalfields Winter Music Festival is a series of concerts held in gorgeous buildings, such as the Bishopsgate Institute, and quirky corners of East London.

Jazz, folk and classical will all be played with a seasonal twist. See website for more info.

Various, East London Various spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk

BERWICK XMAS MARKET DAILY / 9AM-6PM / FREE

The historic Berwick market will be transformed into a Christmas Market this month. The sellers’ names alone are enough to lure us in: The Dark Knights of Cholesterol sell local artisan cheese, while Chai Me offers deliciously spiced South African tea.

16: Disappearing Dining Club party

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CRAFTY XMAS CARDS 9-15 DEC / 11AM-7PM / £3.75

Do you always end up buying a box of 20 cheapo Christmas cards with the same sad Santa on the front?

This year, stop by Rosie Wonders’ hand-crafted card pop-up stand at Boxpark, and get a temporary tattoo while you’re at it.

2-4 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY Shoreditch rosiewonders.co.uk

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Oxford Berwick Street, Soho, W1F Circus berwickstreetlondon.co.uk

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STAR GAZING 1-23 DEC / 3.30PM / £6.50

Enjoy a peaceful afternoon of gazing at the Christmas star and its festive friends in the Royal Observatory planetarium. There are also showings at 12.30pm and 2pm during the holidays and on weekends, but this way you escape the crowds.

Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich, SE10 8XJ Cutty Sark DLR rmg.co.uk

1: Winter Wonderland

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CAROL SERVICE 6.45PM / £15+

Taking time out from supping on Champagne, Made in Chelsea’s Fran Newman-Young is taking part in this carol service, among other semi-famous faces, to raise money for Canine Friends.

St Luke’s Church, Sydney Street, Chelsea,

Sloane Square SW3 6NH caninepartners.org.uk/carols

e advent calendar 2

CHRISTMAS PAST EXHIBIT UNTIL 5 JAN / 10AM-5PM / FREE

Each period room in this museum has been transformed into a middle-class English home celebrating Christmas through the ages, going back 400 years. See parlour games, old-school presents and traditional roasts. Fascinating and festive.

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CUFFLINKS WORKSHOP 6.30-9PM / £49

Stumped for an original gift to get your dad/brother/boyfriend?

Make them a pair of cufflinks! With materials supplied and one-on-one tuition at this workshop, you should create a pair of beauts, and if you don’t it’s the thought that counts.

Geffrye Museum, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA Hoxton geffrye-museum.org.uk

24 Florence Street, N1 2DX Highbury & Islington vannettaseecharran.com

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XMAS PUDDING RACE 11AM / FREE

Watch as teams raise cash for Cancer Research by donning fancy dress, racing around a course strewn with flour-filled balloons, foam jets and other obstacles, and all while trying to balance a Christmas pudding on a paper plate. Messy.

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 9DD Covent Garden xmaspuddingrace.org.uk

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9: Berwick Xmas Market

7 & 8 DEC / 4.30PM / £55.99+

The second night of Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball includes headliners Lady Gaga, Dizzee Rascal and Jessie J, alongside Little Mix, Rudimental, Lawson, The Vamps, John Newman and Jason Derülo.

Perfect for the teenybopper within.

The O2, Greenwich, SE10 0DX North Greewich theo2.co.uk

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PANTOS & SHOWS SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW

17 DEC-6 JAN / 2.30PM, 7.30PM (& 6PM SUNDAYS) / £20+

If you’re scared of clowns, best stay away from this one, otherwise this spellbinding production is well worth a watch. Award-winning and internationally renowned thanks to its combo of comedy and spectacular sets, you will end up smiling – and knee deep in ‘snow’.

Royal Festival Hall, South Bank, SE1 8XX Waterloo slavasnowshow.co.uk

PUSS IN BOOTS UNTIL 5 JAN / 6.30-9PM / £49 Among the other classic pantos set to hit the stage this year, we’re most excited about this one at the Hackney Empire. Given a ‘Hackney spin’, Puss in Boots is full of wise-cracks, singing and dancing, plus there will be some awesome puppets from Spitting Image puppeteer, Scott Brooker. Definitely a panto that us adults will appreciate as much as the little ones. Oh yes we will!

24 Florence Street, N1 2DX Highbury & Islington vannettaseecharran.com

THE SNOW GORILLA UNTIL 5 JAN / VARIOUS / £8+

A gorilla with the voice of Brian Blessed? This we’ve got to see, along with the acrobats, jugglers, contortionists and death-defying aerialists all taking part in this mystical show.

The Rose Theatre, Kingston, KT1 1HL Kingston rosetheatrekingston.org

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THE NUTCRACKER 4 DEC-16 JAN / VARIOUS / £48+

Even if you’d rather crack your nuts than watch a ballet, The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House will surely be the exception. It’s like Christmas in a tutu, and Tchaikovsky’s score is as gorgeous as ever. It’s already selling out, so grab your tickets quick!

Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD Covent Garden roh.org.uk

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CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL 13-15 DEC / 11AM-8PM (6PM SUN) / FREE

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Waterloo

XMAS DINNER MASTERCLASS 8 & 15 DEC / 7.30PM / £49

Christmas dinner? How’s roast goose with quince, bread sauce and stuffing? And for dessert? Why, mini trifles of amaretto-roasted fig and mascarpone of course.

Well, with a little tuition from The Recipe Kit...

Central Cookery School, EC1V 8AJ Old Street trkchristmas.eventbrite.co.uk

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DINNER DATING 7.30PM / £35

Find someone special to kiss under the mistletoe at DoingSomething.co.uk’s dinner dating night with Forza Win. Held in a disused pickle factory in East London (that’s all they will reveal for now), dine on amazing and festive Italian fare while making eyes at your potential date...

To be revealed

forzawin.com

12PM-5PM / FREE

For one day only, independent designers, illustrators, makers and artists will huddle into Stour Space in Hackney to sell their wares, making it the perfect spot to buy your east-end friend a present or two.

Create your perfect chocolate bar with ChocoMe, make salted caramel pecan brownies with Rachel’s Kitchen and indulge in Jaz and Juls’ award-winning organic hot chocolate. ‘Tis the season for indulging after all.

Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX festivalchocolate.co.uk

DESIGNERS’ MARKET

7 Roach Road, Hackney Wick, E3 2PA 13: Chocolate Festival

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DISAPPEARING DINING CLUB PARTY 16-22 DEC / 11AM-11PM /

£40+pp (GROUPS OF 10-20)

Get your team down to Boxpark for an hour of all you can eat and drink, cheesy Christmas tunes, crackers, a dress-up box and more. Just don’t expect a productive afternoon at work...

2-4 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY Shoreditch disappearingdiningclub.co.uk

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A CELEBRATION OF XMAS AT ST PAUL’S 6.30PM / FREE

Lest we forget what Christmas is actually all about – and where’s a better place to remember than the astounding St Paul’s Cathedral? Celebrity readers join the Cathedral Choir and City of London Sinfonia.

St. Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD St Paul’s stpauls.co.uk

Hackney Wick

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stourspace.co.uk

ICE SKATE IN A PUB 1 DEC-12 JAN / 5PM-9PM / £5

The Leather Bottle has opened London’s first pub ice rink in its garden – maybe hit the drink after your skate, rather than before. Open until 10pm on Fridays, 11am-10pm Saturdays and 11am-9pm Sundays.

Skating sessions are 20 minutes.

538 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW17 0NY Earlsfield leatherbottlepub.co.uk

WINTER TIPPLES MONTAGUE SKI LODGE Falling snow, pine trees, reindeer, twinkling lights and Christmas-jumper clad staff serving cheese fondue, festive vodkas and more.

15, Montague Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 5BJ

Holborn

montaguehotel.com

THE CHALET AT ARCHER STREET Sip on a Let it Sloe cocktail as you snuggle down in this retro ski chalet with dark woods, rafter boards and antique skis lining the walls.

3-4 Archer Street, Soho, W1D 7AP Picadilly Circus

archerstreet.co.uk

KING’S GINGER XMAS PARLOUR King’s Ginger cider brings an Edwardian Christmas to life in this pop-up being held December 5-8 in The Hoxton’s courtyard.

81 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HU Old Street

hoxtonhotels.com

FISH MARKET FUNFAIR Dine on alcoholic snow cones and gingerbread goldfish before having a bash at the tombola and snuggling under a blanket with a hot cider.

16B, New Street, EC2M 4TR Street

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Liverpool

fishmarket-restaurant.co.uk

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4: London Eye Frostival

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REAL FOOD MARKET 19-22 DEC / 11AM-8PM / FREE

The weekly Real Food Market turns festive for four days in the run-up to Christmas serving gourmet, seasonal fare, such as game, cheese, mince pies and mulled wine. And the best bit? Most stalls let you try before you buy.

Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX realfoodfestival.co.uk

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Waterloo

FESTIVE GIN TASTING 6.30PM / FREE

Every week, Charlotte’s Bistro in Chiswick holds a Gin School, and the one held on this night is full of festive flavours. Learn how to mix the perfect festive cocktail, all while sampling shots of gin, and supping on a cocktail, and all for free. That, people, is what we call a no brainer.

6 Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, W4 1QP Turnham Green charlottes.co.uk

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KEW AFTER DARK

1 DEC-4 JAN / 4.45-8.45PM / £12.50

Every Thursday to Sunday, Kew Botanical Gardens is taking visitors on a magical tour through the trees, which are lit up Avatar-style to guide your way. Wind your way over lakes, into secret gardens and through forests before hitting the Christmas market.

Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB Kew Gardens kew.org/christmas

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THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS 2 DEC-5 JAN / 10AM-5PM (TIMES VARY) / £22+

Had enough of Christmas cheer? Head to London Dungeon to take part in a grizzly ‘whodunnit?’. With guest appearances from Sweeney Todd, Jack the Ripper and Henry VIII, it’s the perfect antidote to festive fever.

Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB Kew Gardens kew.org/christmas

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XMAS CONCERT 6-9PM / FREE

Hear Christmas carols blasted out ‘oom-pah’ style by 10-piece brass band, Old Dirty Brasstards (points for the name lads). Taking place at pop-up mall, Boxpark Shoreditch, you can have a shop and a bite to eat while listening to the festive tunes from the trumpets and tubas.

2-4 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY Shoreditch olddirtybrasstards.co.uk

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PETER PAN CUP 9AM / FREE

If you need something to help wake you up on Christmas morning (particularly if you are feeling hazy from the night before), head to Hyde Park to watch the brave/crazy Serpentine Swimming Club take their early morning dip.

Serpentine Boating Lake, Hyde Park, W2 2UH Hyde Park Corner serpentineswimmingclub.com

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Go back in time: The Blitz Party

Dark side: Dark Circus Party

Firestarters: The Prodigy

And for New Year’s Eve...

THE BLITZ PARTY 9PM-LATE / £40

It may soon be 2014, but at the Great Suffolk Street Arches, it’s the 1940s. Party in this wartime shelter with a swing dance hall and a bunker complete with black-out curtains (no funny business – oh, go on then, it is NYE after all).

Ration books replace menus and live swing bands will have you rock and rolling all night. Gents, don your uniforms, ladies, draw a stocking line down your calves: it’s time to party like it’s 1939.

29 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 0NS

Blackfriars

theblitzparty.com

NYE DINNER DANCE ALL NIGHTER 7PM/9PM/11PM-5AM / £100/£30/£20

We love that Disappearing Dining Club’s event will have you partying until 5am. We also love that they are catering to all budgets: those feeling flush can drop £100 and in return they will enjoy welcome cocktails and dinner including fancy fare such as lobster, scallops and chocolate parfait.

If you want to rock up at 9pm you can still enjoy cocktails and canapes for £30, and if you are just up for a party, 11pm is your time slot and £20 is what you’ve got to cough up.

Red Gallery, 1-3 Rivington Street, EC2A 3DT Old Street disappearingdiningclub.co.uk

THE NYE LOVE BOAT PARTY 8PM-4AM / £15+

The Queen of Hoxton is full of nautical nostalgia 22

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this NYE. With retro cocktails, a ‘smooth and sleazy’ soundtrack and food on offer such as the ‘love truncheon’ and ‘pimp steak’, you can guarantee you will be saying “Hello sailor” all night long. With a ‘70s theme of Studio 54 glamour, don your flares or your sailor’s hat and climb aboard!

1 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX

Old Street

queenofhoxton.com

DARK CIRCUS PARTY 9PM-3AM / £40

Bring out your dark side by joining the freaky but friendly crew at the Dark Circus Party. Top hats and tails mix with corsets and saucy stockings in the red velvet big top, with gasp-worthy entertainment in the shape of aerial acrobats, a one-man freak show, contortionists and colourful characters from the Torture Garden (they’re friendlier than they sound – and appear). Music is a mix of burlesque tunes and party mash-ups, and dress code is costume or cocktail dress.

Camden Centre, Euston Road, WC1H 9JE Kings Cross St Pancras darkcircusparty.com

THE PRODIGY 8PM-3AM / £75

If you like nothing more than a huge concert with a guaranteed mosh pit, head to the O2 Arena to see dance/rock superheroes, The Prodigy. Joining them will be Rudimental DJs, the original ninja-DJ Jaguar Skills, north London dubstep-rock band

Modestep and Godfather of rave, Slipmatt.

It’s going to be noisy.

The O2, Greenwich, SE10 0DX North Greenwich theo2.co.uk

DISGRACELAND 8PM-4AM/ £15+

The noughties were naughty for a lot of celebs – as were the ’90s. And, so, to honour our scandalous superstars, The Book Club is encouraging you to dress up as your favourite shamed star and party in tack-land, with red carpet, glitter, and plenty of pouts this NYE. Faaabulous daaahling.

100, Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH

Old Street

wearetbc.com

PROHIBITION PARTY 9PM-LATE / £40

Get yourself in a flap this New Year’s at the Prohibition party. It’s the roaring Twenties and you’ve found a speakeasy the police are yet to uncover. Knowing this could be your last chance in ages to have a good time, you down cocktails out of tea cups, do the Charleston like your life depends on it and gamble your life savings away on the roulette table (try not to actually do that last bit). Top hats, flat caps, tassels and feather boas turn Bloomsbury Ballroom into a night of debauched decadence.

37-63 Southampton Row, WC1B 4DA Holborn prohibition1920s.com

Present

FRE ENT E RY

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Sunday 22nd December 12pm till late The Elk Bar - Fulham Live Music from Mike Gill Prize Giveaways

Best Christmas sweater wins a ÂŁ50 bar tab!

Craziness will be rewarded!

Mulled wine & mince pies Festive food & drink deals

The Elk Bar 587-591 Fulham Road, London Tube: Fulham Broadway

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Best medicine: Just a smile and a chat can make a huge difference

Bonding: Use your talents to help out

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Get out there and do your bit You don’t have to dig deep – you can help the homeless this year by simply running around the city dressed as Santa, clearing out your wardrobe or donning a chef’s hat WORDS RACHAEL GETZELS While you’re wrapped up warm this Christmas, more than 6,000 people in London will be sleeping rough. It’s a year-round concern, but when temperatures plummet and the rest of the city retreats to their living rooms and cosy pubs, just a few days of helping out can a make a world of difference to the thousands facing Christmas day freezing, alone and hungry.

Over the past two years, the number of people living on the streets has more than doubled in the UK. Volunteers are needed more than ever, and organisations across London are looking for people to help out. Leslie Morphy, chief executive of Crisis, which is the biggest homelessness charity in the country, explains: “Homelessness can be an incredibly isolating and lonely experience, but at Christmas it can be doubly hard. While families and friends are tucking into Christmas dinner, it can be a miserable experience for the person stuck out alone in the winter cold. With homelessness rising, the help of volunteers is needed more than ever.”

Read on to find out some of the ways you can get involved – from cooking in soup kitchens to making small donations – there are dozens of ways to pitch in for the season of goodwill. Go on, give a little.

boost during the tough winter months. And if you have your own ideas, suggest away – in past years they’ve had circus acts, bingo sessions, giant board games, manicures and more.

They also need help with cooking and serving food. All they ask is that you volunteer for two days during the Christmas

“

Help give those sleeping rough a boost during the tough winter months

”

campaign period, which runs from December 23-29. So wherever your talents or passions lie, get involved by calling 0300 636 1000 or emailing ccvolunteering@crisis and they’ll help place you.

If fashion is more your bag than cooking, volunteering at charity shops can be a fun way to give your time. The Salvation Army, which has stores all over London, is always ››

Volunteering Roll up your sleeves, put your chef’s hat on, and get ready for some cooking. Serving up a hot meal at soup kitchens can be a great way to help. There are centres all over the city and for some of the visitors it will be their first hot meal in months. The Soup Kitchen at the American Church in Tottenham Court Road takes extra volunteers over the winter. Last year celebrity chefs even got involved, donating proceeds from their restaurants and dishing out food at the centre. To find out more email soupvolunteer@amchurch. co.uk. It’s also good to keep an eye out in your area for soup kitchens – if you ask at local churches or drop-in centres, they'll be able to tell you the places that are in need of volunteers – and it's a good chance to get involved with your community and meet some new faces.

Each year, Crisis recruits thousands of volunteers for its diverse range of roles. This year, at its 10 London shelters, it is on the look out for hair-cutters, musicians, masseuses, medical practitioners and even dog handlers – all special services offered to help give those sleeping rough an extra

Can you cut it? Help give the homeless a boost this season

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FACE THE MUSIC – AND DANCE There are gigs and carol services all over London put on in aid of the homeless. Here are a few to choose from, but be sure to check out what’s going on around you too.

– Jake Bugg, Bastille and AlunaGeorge headline Crisis Presents at the Eventim Apollo, December 20, 6.30pm, from £40.

– Scratch That Hackney has a Xmas Party Fundraiser in aid of Cardboard Citizens at Hackney Picture House, December 6, 8pm, £6 advance, £8 on the door.

– Carols by Candlelight asks for donations at Union Chapel, December 15, 5pm.

– BBC Radio 4 is holding the St Martin-in the-Fields Christmas Appeal. See stmartin-in-the-fields.

Experience: Meet people from all walks of life

org/christmas for music schedule.

looking for people to help out – getting the early picks as you sort through donations is just one of the benefits (although don’t sneak any for free!).

The charity, Shelter, which campaigns on behalf of the 80,000 kids who will wake up homeless on Christmas day, is also particularly appealing for shop volunteers. To find out more go to england.shelter.org.uk.

Give a little: Donate clothes and bedding to help keep the homeless warm

Fundraising Ever run across London dressed as Santa? Thought not.

Swam in an outdoor pool in the middle of an English winter?

Again, probably not. This year, set that right with the many events and activities in aid of homelessness charities held across London. At 11am on December 8, hundreds of Santas will assemble at Victoria Park in Hackney for a 5km or 10km run. Costumes are provided, but you do the rest – raise money for any charity you please, so if you want to help the homeless this year then sign up at doitforcharity.com and get some sponsors.

If you’re more of an exhibitionist (as if running across London dressed as Santa isn’t showy enough) then you can bare it all for Crisis and take part in their annual midwinter swim at Brockwell Lido, an outdoor pool near Brixton, on December 14. It’ll be chilly, but fancy dress is encouraged. To get involved go to crisis.org.uk.

Woolly Hat Day on January 31 is another fun way to raise money for homeless charities. St Mungo’s (mungos.org/ woollyhatday) organises a sponsored hat-wearing day each year with proceeds going towards shelters and soup kitchens.

In fact, hats are big business in the homeless charity sector.

Homeless Beanies is appealing to keen knitters to send in their designs for its Christmas campaign where for every beanie sold one is donated to a homeless person. To send in your designs or to buy a hat go to homelessbeanies.org.uk.

Remember, it’s not just the big charities that need your help – if you ask around your local area you’ll quickly learn about community events in aid of the homeless. Christmas carol concerts abound and, on December 18, Union Chapel in Islington will be screening the ultimate feel-good festive flick, 26

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It’s a Wonderful Life, in aid of the homelessness project based at the church. For tickets go to unionchapel.musicglue.com.

Donating If you’re short of time this year but you want to help out, you can donate money, food or clothing to homeless charities. Centrepoint supports young people and teenagers who are homeless and you can help out by buying a virtual gift from its website (centrepointgifts.org.uk) – there are dozens of presents on offer, including £5 for a Christmas dinner, £20 for a health check or £75 for a study kit.

Another sure-fire way to make a difference is to donate your old clothes – and you get to clean out your wardrobe in the process. You may have to be brutal, but everyone will benefit when you make that final decision. Wrap up London, now in its third year, collects old (and new) clothes at tube stations across the city. To find out when and where its volunteers are collecting clothing, check the calender online at handsonlondon.org.uk/en/calendar.

Again, wander around your local area to help out in your community – pretty much every church, drop-in centre or even supermarket take donations at this time of year. No matter what you do, do something, and it will make a difference.

Become a myTNT VIP for access to fantastic freebies, huge discounts and heaps of benefits. For just £50, joining our new members club will give you the chance to do more in London and beyond for less. For full details see tntmagazine.com/myTNT-VIP

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WIN TICKETS & AN EXCLUSIVE BEHINDTHE-SCENES TOUR TO AWARD-WINNING SHOW BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL Get Into London Theatre, the West End’s fabulous annual winter celebration, returns this December offering tickets priced at £10-£40 to top London shows.

Offers are valid for performances January 1 to February 13, 2014, and booking opens December 10 via getintolondontheatre.co.uk or 0844 581 5050.

To mark the occasion we are giving away four tickets to see Billy Elliot the Musical, including a programme and drinks voucher per

person and exclusive behind-thescenes tour after the show.

Set against the backdrop of the 1984/85 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot the Musical is the inspirational story of one young boy’s struggle to realise his dream to dance against the odds.

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Kamp David

Following the release of their new album Westway to Vegas, we spoke to Aussie front man, Murray Golding

INTERVIEW SEAN MARTIN

How would you describe Kamp David in three words?

Trash electro rock.

Nice. What was the inspiration behind the name?

I started writing with Greg [Radcliffe, lead guitarist] years ago, and then he wanted to set up a band and I wasn’t interested, if I’m truthful.

I’ve been in bands before and they’re just a fucking nightmare. But he turned around and said, “You know what, if we do form a band, how about we just call it Kamp David?”. And I thought, “Ooh I like that. Fuck it, I’ll do it if we can call it that.”

Who would you compare yourself to?

Who are your inspirations?

I don’t compare us to anyone, but I was always inspired by Elton John and George Michael.

Elton John was the very first gig I went to in Melbourne, and I went on my own when I was 12. I got a ticket by the side of the stage and I only saw the back of him, excuse the pun.

Photo: supplied

But Kamp David’s music isn’t very George Michael or Elton John...

Well I met a friend called Nick Ravenswood and he got me into rock music. I used to love Guns N Roses, Motley Crue, Def Leopard, Skid Row. I loved In Excess.

It’s been two years since the release of Red Hotel; how much of that has been spent working on Westway to Vegas?

Too much fucking time. Westway To Vegas was a pure headache to put together. When we did Red Hotel, it was all done at Greg’s house and we did a bit of it in a studio, but it was really easy to record. But when we did Westway To Vegas and Zube [their record label] came on board, we wanted to do it properly and we wanted to record it in proper studios in Hackney.

But I had no idea what a fucking headache the album was [going to be] to put together because you spend forever-and-a-half just demoing the songs, trying to get everyone into the studio, and then you have to give it to the label who give it a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’.

If we were to record another album, we wouldn’t do it the same way. It’s a really good

album and I’m so proud of it, but it was just carnage to make.

Kamp David has a reputation for putting on fun, energetic shows. How important is it that the band is having a good time as well as the fans?

It’s very important. Playing live is hard bloody work – it’s a lot harder than I ever expected.

But when you’re on stage, I think it’s really important that you just think, “Fuck it, let’s have fun.” Have you ever watched those bands and just thought, “Oh my God, I’m so bored”, and they take themselves really seriously; but I just want to get on stage and enjoy myself and have a drink. I’m not interested in becoming one of those bands. I think, mentally, having fun is the most important thing. And the wine helps...

The whole band are great musicians and when I’m on stage I don’t really stress because they’re at the top of their game and I know I can trust them. I think when you know that you can trust a band then you can fuck about a bit more on stage and enjoy yourself because you know that they can carry on.

What are the main differences between the music business over here and back home in Australia?

It’s cut throat here in London; the industry [in general] is a lot like that, but even more so in London. London is a big old girl and it is so competitive over here, so it’s a matter of just buckling down really.

Do you have much of an Australian following over here?

Err... four Australian girls came to see our show.

We just ended up getting absolutely shit-faced with them after the gig.

Kamp David is a multi-national band, so do you all bring different influences and cultures to the table when writing?

Not different cultures, just different arguments!

What are the plans going forward for Kamp David?

We’re going to be promoting the album. We’ve got the album launch coming up at the Cuckoo Club, which will be really good. So we’re just going to be getting the word out there and letting people know about us.

Kamp David are playing in various London venues throughout December. Visit their website for details. kamp-david.co.uk

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TRAVEL LATE DEALS | HOTSHOTS | TRAVEL TIPS | TOP FIVE | TOURS | BIG TRIP IMAGE OF THE MONTH

WISH YOU WERE HERE? The water’s so nice you just have to plonk your chair in it at Pitangui Lagoon in Natal, Brazil. See p52 for more Brazil must-dos

Photos: Getty and Thinkstock

INSIDE

AMERICAN DREAM /56

HIT THE BEACH, NOW /46

UK WONDERS /44

We traverse the must-see spots in North America, from the Statue of Liberty to crocs in the Everglades to crazy Mexican wrestling.

Sun, sea and sand is a mere three hours away, even at this time of year. Just hop on a plane to the Canary Islands.

From the traditions of Oxford to the footie fanaticism of Manchester, there’s so much to explore on this little island.

WORLDREVIEW TRAVELREVIEW

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Great value: Barcelona’s Generator Hostel

A NIGHT IN BARCA FOR LESS THAN A BEER BARCELONA

A fiver can get you a couple of bus rides in London or maybe a drink if you’re lucky – but in Barcelona it can get you a bed for the night.

Generator Hostels are having a major winter sale on their rooms up and down Europe from December to February. So if Barcelona, with its famous architecture, free-flowing wine and tapas, and all-night parties is on your list, get booking. The hostel has hang-out areas and a trendy bar.

It’s also just 15 minutes from the beach and is located slap bang in the middle of two metro stops so you shouldn’t get lost.

And did we mention Barcelona hasn’t seen snow in 10 years? You’d be a fool to turn this one down. With beds going for £4.19 (5 Euros) you need to book between December 2-31 and stay before February 28. The deal is also on offer at Generator Hostels in Berlin, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Venice and Dublin (generatorhostels.com).

BECOME A SLEDGING CHAMP IN THE DALES UK

You may think sledging is kid’s fodder but you’re wrong – there is an art to it and mastering the various techniques is not for the faint hearted.

Famed for the winter sport (yes, we class it as a sport), Urra, which is one of the highest moors in the Yorkshire Dales, is zoned into three sledging areas allocated to different materials – ‘proper sledges,’ ‘bin bags’ and ‘miscellaneous’. So grab whatever you have to hand (dustbin lid anyone?) and get skidding. You’re living out the winter dream here so you may as well go the full mile and shack up in a 34

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School’s out: Aussie schoolgirls celebrate the end of their exams at a club in Kuta, Indonesia. Every year more than 3000 students descend on destinations such as Bali, Thailand, Fiji and Cambodia to make the most of their new-found freedom.

‘glamping’ pod in Hillcrest Park. In case you didn’t know, ‘glamping’ is glamorous camping and it’s all the rage. The pods, which are heated and have bathrooms, start at £19 a night (pitchup.com).

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT AT NIAGRA FALLS CANADA

See one of the world’s natural wonders in a whole new light – literally.

This year, Niagra Falls, which borders the USA and Canada, will be lit up with over three million lights as part of the Winter Festival, which lasts until January 31 (wfol.com). Imagine (and we’re not saying this is easy to do – although you could take a look at our picture above) what 2.2million litres of water crashing

over a cliff every second would look like illuminated in all the colours of the rainbow. It’s a spectacular affair. Trippy even. The annual festivities also include ice rinks set against the dramatic backdrop of plunging water, fireworks and a New Year’s Eve party. Flights to Ontario in December start at £541 (US Airways). See ontariotravel/net.uk to find out more about a trip to the falls.

MASTER CAMEL BACK RIDING IN MARRAKECH MOROCCO

They spit a lot and they’re known for their bad moods (sound familiar?) but riding atop a camel is the best way to see the desert.

For a taste of the exotic this Christmas

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MAD WORLD FEELING FLUSH INDIA

Twenty-four gold bars worth £620,000 were found stuffed down an aeroplane toilet by cleaners in Kolkata, India.

The Jet Airways plane had just returned from a trip to Patna in the east of the country and cleaners were carrying out a routine clean before the next flight. Airport director BP Mishra said the 1kg bars were found inside two bags that were left in the toilets of the plane. An airport official added: “They have not been claimed by anyone. No arrest has been made as yet.”

All lit up: Niagra Falls’ winter lights – and some winter sun – head to Morocco, which is only a few hours a way, but feels like another world. Most tour companies offer camel-back tours of the Atlas Mountains where you’ll be blown away by the desert night sky, which is extra clear at this time of year. You can camp out in the desert with Berber nomads or relax in guest houses in lush oases. Back in Marrakech market stalls line ancient alleyways, crammed full of lanterns, exotic spices and dusty silver jewellery. To tailor-make a camel trip go to wildmorocco.com. If you want a Christmas treat, stay at Dar-Aynin, a boutique hotel in the palm groves of Marrakech (dar-ayniwen.com). Flights from London to Marrakech start at £49 (BA).

FAST AND FURIOUS IN FINLAND

Photos: Getty amd Thinkstock

FINLAND

If you’re an adrenaline junkie then this is just the ticket – extreme driving on Finland’s winter tracks.

Drivers will be able to test themselves on tracks where Formula 1 racers and Rally World Champions honed their skills.

You will be taught how to control a car at high speed on an ice-covered circuit by four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen and his expert team. You’ll also have the chance to drive in a rally car with Kankkunen and experience the winter track at 220kmph – how’s that for getting the blood pumping? The driving park, Saariselka, is in Finnish Lapland, 250 miles from the Arctic Circle. For more

AN ICY COMMAND SWEDEN

Free lift passes: Davos information on holiday packages go to juhakankkunen.com. A day on the tracks costs £1174. Go on. We dare you.

GET LIFTED IN DAVOS SWITZERLAND

Skiing may not be a national sport back home but that doesn’t mean you can’t become a pro, especially if you’ve got a good deal to get you going.

A number of hotels and apartments in Davos in the Swiss Alps are offering free lift passes up until Christmas for every night you stay with them. That can cut some serious costs. The winter holiday resort of Davos Klosters has trails for skiers of every ability and you can also snowboard. To keep the cold at bay there are also dozens of apres-ski bars and restaurants so the fun never stops. For a list of hotels and rental agencies participating in the ‘Geschenkt’ sale go to www.davos.ch/en/holiday-shop/ skipass-geschenkt.html. The offer is good up until Christmas Eve.

A Swedish ice hotel has been ordered to install fire alarms.

Hotel bosses said they were a “little surprised”, but they will comply. Guests come from all over the world to stay on the -8 degree beds at the Icehotel, which is rebuilt from scratch each year in the Arctic town of Jukkasjarvi.

A BLOCKBUSTER TRIP WORLD

A travel company has created a trip to visit 20 of the most iconic film locations in the world, if you can spare £200k that is.

Lucky travellers will visit Ko Phi Phi Leh in Thailand where The Beach was filmed, the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan of Lawrence of Arabia fame, the Wudang Monastery in China where Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed, and dozens of other stunning film locations. Ten countries will be covered over three months, and it’s business class all the way. Quite right too for £198,000. (veryfirstto.com)

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ask askthe the expert expert

Colourful: China celebrates winter with sculpture

hit the slopes Craig Burton, managing director at Ski Solutions (skisolutions.com; 020 7471 7749), recommends the top ski resorts that you should check out this season.

Pila, Italy: This hidden gem of the Aosta Valley is the ideal choice for those looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of some of the better-known French and Italian resorts. Pila has more than 70km of well-groomed pistes catering to all levels, and its highaltitude position means that it enjoys sunshine but with a reliable covering of snow throughout the season.

Isola 2000, France: This is a mere twohour transfer from the Mediterranean and yet has one of the best snowfall records in Europe. Perfect for a long weekend, it offers great value for money and will keep skiers of all abilities busy.

Solden, Austria: With its lively aprèsski scene boasting numerous bars and clubs, Solden certainly knows how to party and is a great alternative for those who may have tried the infamous St Anton and said, ‘what’s next?’. Located in the Otz Valley, there is an extensive network of slopes with runs for all abilities and a six-day lift pass can be extended to include the neighbouring resort of Obergurgl.

harbin ice and snow festival China Harbin, the capital and largest city of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China, hosts the largest snow and ice festival in the world.

5 Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014, it’s one of the most eyecatching events you’re likely to encounter. For three days the city is taken over by snow and ice sculptures, often with dazzling light and laser shows, too. jAN

WHErE: Harbin, China WHY: It is a major national event with people descending from all over China and across the world. A winter spectacular with a plethora of events throughout the month, it shows another side of China to the one that too often takes prominence in the news.

sundance filM fest

USA

Robert Redford’s Utahbased film fest has been 16-26 championing independent film since the Eighties and is a great place to see the biggest movie stars in the world and the most important films that will be shaping the movie industry over the next 12 months.

DO IT BECAUSE: It will blow your mind.

When covered in snow, winter is beautiful.

Dress it up with intricate sculptures, artworks, vibrant lights and fireworks, and it’s like a man-made northern lights.

HOW mUCH: flights from £899. hrbicesnow.com

frozen dead guy day festival

USA

jAN

sundance.org

venice carnivale

Italy

This ominous-sounding festival takes place every 7-9 year in Colorado to honour the deceased Grandpa Bredo, who was frozen after his passing in 1989. Expect zombie parades, brain-freeze contests, coffin parades, parties and more. mAr

frozendeadguydays.org

holi festival

India This annual event sees the famed canals of this Italian 15-4 city come alive in a celebration of colour and music as colourful characters with often creepy-looking masks roam the streets.

FEB-mAr

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holifestival.org

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Photos: Getty and supplied

carnivale.venizia.it

This country-wide festival is held to forgive and forget, 17-25 and rid oneself of misdeeds, but it’s best known for its coloured powder-throwing shenanigans. mAr

FESTIVAL GUIDE

ST PATRICK’S

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WHEN? MARCH 17, 2014

Arrive in Ireland for St Patrick’s Day with a stomach of steel as you indulge in the most booze-heavy, merrymaking weekend of your life. You’ll be playing them at their own game – but we’re not saying don’t try. If you’re struck by the luck of the Irish you might just make it on until dawn with the best of ’em. If you’re not, well, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

St Patrick’s Day, held in honour of the patron saint of Ireland, takes place on March 17 and is a celebration of all things green, all things lucky, and, of course, all things Guinness.

Historically the festival was a religious feast day commemorating the arrival of Christianity in the country. Nowadays, it’s a somewhat more debaucherous affair as thousands take to the streets dressed as leprechauns and green fairies to cheer on their homeland and generally make merry.

The biggest St Paddy’s Day celebration takes place in Dublin where half the city plus thousands of Irish-loving pilgrims from all over the world show up for a week of festivities 00 38

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which culminate in a huge parade on March 17. Last year, for the first time ever, tourists were invited to lead the procession. Though this year’s hasn’t been announced, we recommend you iron your greens and grow out that beard, just in case.

There are St Paddy’s Day parades all over the world and immigrant communities are incredibly countryproud. In Chicago, which has one of the biggest Irish populations in America, they dye the river green, and in New York the US 69th Infantry leads the procession through the streets, which are lined with hundreds of thousands of revelers. But it’s Dublin where the party really sham-rocks. You may not understand a word anyone says (those accents can be tricky) but don’t worry – here, you will be speaking the international language of beer.

Aside from Guinness gulping, there will be street theatre galore, music (look out for Kilfenora, a 100-year-old travelling Irish dance band), a boat race, and even an interactive comedy event where the audience texts topics

to famous Irish stand-ups on stage. The Irish are famous for their droll humour so this might be the some of the best comedy you’ll ever see.

There will also be plenty of traditional food. We’re talking meat and potatoes here, but there’s nothing like a steak and Guinness pie to soak up a hangover – remember hair of the dog and all that.

Predictably, hotel prices in Dublin go up during March and the airport reaches standstill at the start and finish of the week, so book plenty in advance and prepare to be patient.

Most of the events are free so you’ll mainly be forking out for food and beer. You can buy a ticket that allows you to watch the parade from a seat, but the most fun to be had is out on the streets soaking up the party atmosphere with the merry crowds.

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CHECKING IN

WHY DUBLIN?

WHAT TO EXPECT

St Patrick’s is celebrated all over the world by Irish communities, but there is no country where the festivities are closer to the heart than Ireland itself.

Being a celebration of all things Irish, it makes sense that the country’s capital city, Dublin, stages the biggest party of all. It’s definitely one of life’s must-dos.

Here the music, food, and jokes are steeped in more tradition than anywhere else – you’ll see the best dance troupes, hear the most refined jig music and eat food straight from the Irish earth. You’ll also get the chance to visit some of Dublin’s famous pubs along the parade route making for an authentic and historically informed festival experience.

Thousands of people will fill the streets in Dublin. Most of them will be painted green. And all of them will be drinking.

You’ll have the most fun if you get involved so let loose and frolic like the little green man you always knew you were inside. No one will bat an eyelid.

There is an official schedule of events and it’s definitely worth taking part in a few. These include walking tours (“in the footsteps of St Patrick”) where you learn about the history of the saint, Irish river dancing and Gaelic singing. You’ll find the biggest parties around Temple Bar, which is an area packed full of – you guessed it – bars (not temples). Also expect to see a lot of green – the whole city will be festively lit up for the week.

Flights from London to Dublin cost from £45

Words: Rachael Getzels. Photos: Getty

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GET IN THE SPIRIT

WHAT ELSE?

If you don’t dress up for St Patrick’s Day, you may as well pack your boring little bags and go home. Do it or be damned (said in crazy Irish accent).

Even if you can’t bring yourself to go all green, at least don a crazy hat – most people go for a tall, green top-hat or a shamrock-embossed cap, but there are no rules. Hat vendors will help you out with a dazzling purchase.

Aside from pie and mash, you will also be faced with blood pudding, which isn’t to everyone’s liking. But you shouldn’t turn up your nose. If you want to get with the party, you’ve got to be the party. And don’t forget to say, “That’s grand” at the end of every sentence. You may not know what you’re saying but they’ll love you for it.

Dublin doesn’t only come alive at St Patrick’s Day. It’s an ancient city steeped in history and there is lots on offer.

It can be hard to escape the crowds and, given that it’s a national holiday, many of the museums will be closed.

However, you can still visit the stunning Trinity college and learn about the city in the days of yore. There’s also Dublin Castle to explore. And remember, the festivities take place all over the city – it’s not just the main drag. So do some exploring of your own. Ask some locals who might recommend side roads and alleys with private street parties and secret pubs where the beer is flowing like you would not believe. This is where you’ll learn the true meaning of “drink you under the table”.

CENTRAL HOTEL OVERVIEW Located in the heart of Dublin just 500 meters away from the Temple Bar nightlife district and a short walk to Trinity College and The Dublin Castle, you’ll have the city at your fingertips. And you won’t be compromising on style.

The rooms hark back to luxury Edwardian and the stunning Library Bar provides at atmospheric place to kick back with roaring fireplaces and deep leather armchairs.

WOW FACTOR As well as being one of the best places to enjoy an afternoon drink, The Central Hotel is also one of the best places in Dublin to eat. The hotel is connected to Exchequer, Ireland’s 2010 Gastropub winner, which serves up chargrilled racks of lamb and platters of oysters, scallops, crabs and prawns.

ROOMS The rooms are elegantly furnished with custom-made Irish furniture and velvet curtains. You can ask for double, single, and roll-away beds.

BILL PLEASE Rooms start at £64 per night.

1-5 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 centralhoteldublin.com

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Getting

HIGH

James Ingham makes the pilgrimage to Everest base camp on the adventure of a lifetime

It must be -20°C at the summit of Kala Patar. As the rising sun illuminates Everest, it creates a breathtaking view that I would capture on camera if only I could remove my freezing hands from my pockets. This is the coldest I have ever been, yet just yards away there is an Aussie stripping off his outer layers.

For a moment I’m concerned that the altitude has got to him, but then I realise it is something more serious. He is in love. Beneath his hiking gear he wears a dinner jacket and, as he turns to his girlfriend, he drops to one knee and proposes in what must surely be one of the world’s most beautiful settings.

There’s no denying the sense of romance that surrounds Everest, the world’s most famous mountain and also the highest, standing at 8,848 metres tall. First conquered 50 years ago by Kiwi explorer, Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, Everest is the ultimate goal for hard-core mountaineers. While summiting the majestic peak itself is beyond the ability and means of all but a few (the cost runs to many tens of thousands of pounds), trekking to Base Camp is a challenging but achievable alternative and

offers a glimpse of the enigmatic mountain, putting it high up on the wish-list for any keen trekker.

As a kid, I spent summer holidays walking in the Alps with my parents and dreamed that one day I would travel to the distant, far-away kingdom of Nepal to trek in the splendid isolation of the Himalaya. Arriving in Kathmandu, the first of many of my preconceptions is shattered. Instead of the remote, medieval town I had envisioned, I find a sprawling metropolis. More than 30,000 trekkers come to the Everest valley each year, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that its gateway city is filled with guesthouses, cafes, clothing stores, and everything else that this transient population needs.

Seeking more traditional Nepalese culture, I head to the Pashumpatinath Temple on the banks of the Bagmati River, where Hindu holy men, or Sadhus, with serene, painted faces and saffron-coloured robes meditate cross-legged alongside burning ghats. At Swayambhunath, or the ‘monkey temple’ as it’s commonly known, I photograph the famous stupa, which is painted in an almost childlike fashion with Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows, the Nepali symbol for unity standing in for his nose.

Monkey temple: Swayambhunath Stupa

Serene: A Hindu holy man, known as Sudu

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I meet my trekking group and we bond over a can or two of aptly named Everest beer and plates of steamed momo, the trekkers’ snack of choice. But this is all a prelude to the main event and it is with a sense of great anticipation that I board an 18-seater twin-prop plane for a 45-minute flight to Lukla the following day.

“

I experience a deep sense of achievement.

I’ve made it

”

If you have ever watched one of those ‘world’s most dangerous airport’ programmes, it is more than likely you have seen Lukla: a tiny airstrip perched precariously on the side of a mountain, on an incline. While the landing may be white-knuckle-inducing, the rest of the flight offers

incredible views of the Himalaya that leave me and my fellow trekkers in awe-struck silence. I only wish that I had been quicker off the mark when the flight was called, so that I might have nabbed one of the coveted front-row seats.

On arrival in Lukla, we meet our team of local guides and porters and without any further fuss we start our trek into the Khumbu valley, following the milk-white Dudh Kosi River to Phakding, where we stop for the night. It is a gentle introduction to the hard work that lies ahead. The next day, we set off bundled up in jackets and hats to keep us warm, but within an hour we are wearing T-shirts and slapping on the sun lotion. It is a beautiful walk as we cross spectacular white-water rivers on suspension bridges and wander through a succession of small mountain villages surrounded by pines. The terrain is what is known as ‘Nepali flat’ – which I soon discover means ‘not very flat at all’. Then we enter Sagamartha National Park to begin our steep ascent to Namche Bazaar, and that is when we get our first, tantalising glimpse of Everest. It is more than enough to spur us on.

At Namche, we acclimatise and stock up on supplies.

I have chosen to take a more challenging, remote route to

Jumping for joy: To reach base camp is to reach a life goal

Breathtaking: the view from Gokyo Ri

Ace of base: Everest’s base camp TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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base camp, via the Gokyo Lakes, and from this point on we leave the main Everest trail behind as we head further off the beaten path. The going is getting tougher and several of the group start to struggle with the symptoms of altitude sickness – dizziness, headaches and difficulty sleeping are becoming the norm.

I have been working hard at the gym in recent months to prepare for this and I don’t suffer too badly, but none of us get much sleep. It is not a good idea to drink alcohol once you pass Namche, and there is little to do in the evenings except play cards or write in a journal, so we are in bed at around 9pm each night, but the teahouses are dorm-style and if anyone is coughing or snoring, you hear it.

We continue towards Goyko, an old yak herding settlement.

This is now yeti territory and, while I don’t fancy our chances of spotting what I am pretty certain is a mythical creature, our Intrepid Travel guide urges us to look out for the red panda, a rare but apparently real animal that is native to the area. Then we reach the lakes: three vast, beautiful, turquoise pools which reflect the backdrop of snow-covered mountains.

Our teahouse is stationed beside one of the lakes, and if you

Meet the locals: a friendly mountain villager

Steamy: Momos, the trekkers’ snack of choice

Mountain village: Namche Bazzar

Photos: James Ingham, Thinkstock

want a room with a view (and yaks sleeping outside your bedroom), this is the place to stay. We stop for a day to acclimatise, but instead of resting, a few of us walk to the top of Gokyo Ri and we are more than amply rewarded with stunning views across the Himalaya, including the best view of Everest that we get at any point of our trek.

After the beauty of the lakes comes the biggest challenge yet; crossing the Cho La Pass. We are getting ever closer to Base Camp, and as we pass the occasional trekker who has already been there and is returning via the Gokyo Lakes route, we listen with excitement to their account of standing at what can best be described as the trekker’s ‘holy grail’.

After so much anticipation, when we reach Base Camp it is something of an anti-climax for some of my fellow trekkers.

There is nothing to see, just a sign and some prayer flags marking the spot. In fact, we are standing at just one of the Everest base camps; during the summit season (April to May, and again from October to November) another base camp is set up further up the glacier. Yet as I stand by the prayer flags, and pose for photographs in front of the base camp sign, I experience a deep sense of achievement. I’ve made it.

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The splendid isolation we enjoyed at Gokyo is a distant memory as we set off for the summit of Kala Patar at 3am the next morning, a procession of head-torches pointing the way to the top of the highest peak that we will climb.

By the time we reach the top, the sun is rising and as it falls across Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse, a triumvirate of stunning Himalayan peaks, that morning’s early start, the tiredness in my muscles, the freezing temperatures, the months of hard training are all forgotten as I am swept up in the romance of the moment. And in case you were wondering, the Aussie’s girlfriend said yes.

Intrepid Travel (0844 499 8487) offers a 20-day Everest & Gokyo Lakes trek, from £1,475pp including return flights from Kathmandu to Lukla, accommodation in teahouses, three breakfasts, a local tour leader, English-speaking local guides and local porters. A 15-day Everest Base Camp trek costs from £825pp. Intrepid Travel can also arrange flights. intrepidtravel.com

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Grand: Edinburgh Castle

The best of the UK UNITED KINGDOM

Surf spot: Newquay

BOOK NOW FOR 2014

Christ Church college: Oxford Do as Bob Hawke did: Turf Tavern, Oxford

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UKTRIP

On your doorstep The UK has a broad and diverse array of cities, scenery and things to do. Make the most of this always-surprising little island It may only be a tiny little island – or collection of tiny little islands – when compared to back home, but the UK has breadth and depth that belies its size and extends far beyond just London. The beauty of the coastline in the south, the Lake District in the north west, the lochs and mountains of Scotland, the cultural rejuvenation of the north of England, and cities all blessed with their own unique personality, history and culture – the UK has it all.

Best for sport: Manchester For a long time, one team in Manchester was dominant – Alex Ferguson’s Man United were the biggest, best, most successful team in the now Premier League. Then Sheikh Mansour dropped billions into Man City’s coffers and a new generation of rivalry began. While Ferguson may have dubbed them the ‘noisy neighbours’, the two are now on far more of an even pegging. Take an Old Trafford tour to hear about the Red Devils’ past or visit the Etihad up the road to discover history in the making. manutd.com / mcfc.co.uk Best for shopping: Leeds Often referred to as the ‘Knightsbridge of the north’ for its abundance of designer stores and shops in the Victorian Quarter – Selfridges, Vivienne Westwood and the first Harvey Nichols out of London to name but a few – this Yorkshire city is a must for those keen on retail therapy. Afterwards you can sit back, relax and reward yourself with a well-earned cocktail and dinner at one of the many restaurants and bars of the bustling Financial Quarter. visitleeds.co.uk

Words: Alasdair Morton. Photos: Thinkstock, Getty

Best for drinking: Oxford When you think of Oxford you might first think of the prestigious university, or punting down the river Cherwell, but it has another claim to fame. Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke set a Guinness world record for drinking a yard of ale in under 12 seconds back in 1953 at the Turf Tavern pub. Many truths and myths surround his act while studying at the uni from 1953-1956, one standout being he did it because, due to a breach of etiquette, he had to either beat the sconce master (the one holding the downing record) or face buying a round for all in the pub. He couldn’t afford the latter so did the former! theturftavern.co.uk

Best for history: Edinburgh Scotland’s capital city, a much-lauded world heritage site, is everything you would expect from a national capital, steeped in tradition, history, culture and more. There’s the impressive Edinburgh Castle, which still fires its guns every day at 1pm.

It also plays host to the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo (edintattoo.co.uk), a music and entertainment event that sees 220,000 people attend and is broadcast to more than 30 countries worldwide. Famed for its narrow, winding cobbled streets, Edinburgh is a city designed to be explored on foot, and there are all manner of tours on which to take

“

Newquay is a surf and party mecca

”

in its history, including a number of nighttime spooky walks to hear all about its grizzly past (auldreekietours.com). Of course Edinburgh is also known for its annual Fringe Festival (edfringe.com), which features the finest new comedy, theatre and performance every August. edinburgh.org Best for surfing: Newquay With winter rolling in, grabbing the board may seem a long way off, but when spring homes into view, get down to this Cornish town. A surf and party mecca, it is flooded in the spring and summer months with wave-seekers after that Atlantic fetch. It is about more than just catching a break though, with this small town perched on the western edge of England also home to those after good times and partying. With an array of beaches nearby it is a perfect launchpad to explore the most western Part two of our mustcounty of the UK, which read guide to the best even has its own destinations in the UK language, fact-fans. visitnewquay.org ❚

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You rock: Tenerife is pretty as well as awesome fun

The Canary Islands TENERIFE, LANAZAROTE, LA PALMA, GRAN CANARIA, FUERTA VENTURA

Dress up: Tenerife is all about being daft and drinking Peaceful water: Fuertaventura has a seriously impressive coastline

Double whammy: Tenerife (here and right) combines beaches with partying

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SHORTBREAK

Short-haul it to sunshine Escape the winter chill this year with a trip to the Canary Islands where the parties don’t stop and the beaches run for miles Talking about the weather isn’t going to change it. That’s the first thing you’ll learn in England. But getting up off your arse and doing something about it will. So listen up sun worshipers, beach-bums and party animals. This one is for you. The Canary Islands offer year-round sun and you don’t even have to leave Europe. December and January temperatures hover at around 20 degrees, which is nothing to scoff at for the price of a three-hour flight. So stop crying into your hot water bottle and get booking. You’ll come back a bronzed god/goddess, which will give talking about the weather a whole new meaning. Here’s a low-down of the top five islands in this winter oasis to get you started.

Best for: Partying Tenerife Famed lads-on-tour hot spot, this island is less busy in the winter but that doesn’t mean the music stops pumping. The nightlife here is the best in the Canary Islands with requisite foam parties and bikini bars, but it also has some world-class clubs such as Tramps, which hosts international DJs. There are also chilled bars for a more laid-back vibe and if you go further afield you can find traditional music. However, for the most ‘authentic' Tenerife experience we recommend you head to Lineker's Bar, owned by none other than former footballer and face of Walker's crisps, Britain's very own Gary Lineker. We’ll let you guess what’s in store. Most of the resorts and bars are found in the south of the island around La Playa de Las Americas, but there are also lush forests, towering mountains and older cities to explore.

Where to stay: If you're going with a group, renting an apartment is your best bet. Prices can start as low as £10 each a night. Check sites like holidaylettings.co.uk and tenerifeapartments-online.com. Las Piramides Resort is good if you want to be in the middle of the nighttime action and minutes from the beach. Prices start at £29 a night. The coastal resort areas are jam-packed with hotels so it’s best to choose where you want to be based and go from there.

smoother – perfect for swimming, diving, water skiing and even whale and dolphin watching. The north of the island is more rough with good surfing, windsurfing and sailing on offer. Some people say the surf is so good it rivals top spots in Hawaii’s share of the Atlantic. Whether that’s true or not, it’s definitely the best place in Europe for catching some waves. As well as good scuba diving, adventurous tourists can take a submarine trip to the bottom of the ocean. Lively nightlife can be found in the resort areas of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Tequise but all-in-all, it’s more laid back than it’s stag-do counterpart, with chicer bars and restaurants.

Where to stay: The budget, brightly decorated Casa de Hilario is located inland near the island’s national park and it has an outdoor pool. Prices start at £31. If you want to be beach side, you have to pay a bit more. Hotel Lancelot in the laid-back city of Arrecife has recently revamped rooms with sea front views and a rooftop pool. Prices start at £51 a night. Again, apartments are the cheapest option if ›› you’re with a group.

Best for: Watersports Lanzarote This island is considered the top destination in the Canaries for watersports because of it’s rugged coastline, good surf and warm seas. In the south of the island the water is

Pretty fly: Kite surfing in Lanzarote TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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biggest stretch of white-sand set against crystal clear blue sea, making it a popular spot for fashion shoots, sunbathers – and nudists. Fuertaventura is a good place to stay if you want to get away from the resort chaos of the other islands – its hotels are calmer and older but most of them have watersports, diving and boat trips on offer. Most people find hotels around Corralejo or Morro Jable beaches.

Where to stay: Surf Riders, costing £12 a night, is a true travellers’ hostel with a surf camp, chill-out lounge and outdoor pool. You can also get condos near the beach for £34 a night at places such as Morasol Apartments.

Best for: Hiking

Get wet: Aqualand Water Park in Gran Canaria

Best for: Theme parks Gran Canaria If it’s time to channel your inner child and spend a week feeding crocodiles and navigating water slides then this is the island for you. The nightlife may not be raging but the re-enacted bank robberies and hangings in the Wild West Theme Park offers a whole new level of fun. Aqualand Water Park is the biggest in the Canaries and is open year-round.

It has 13 rides and 33 water slides. There’s also a crocodile theme park, which shelters more than 300 who are fed three times a day in front of an audience. And if that isn’t enough, nearby Reptile Land has the largest komodo dragon in captivity as well as a seven-metre Chinese python. There’s also a huge zoo, complete with a piranha-infested tropical river and a traditional fun fair called Holiday World, which has more roller coasters than you can wave your hands in the air at. Besides 11 theme parks there are also beautiful beaches and resort areas with sea-front bars and restaurants.

Where to stay: There are fewer budget options here because of the family vibe, but you can get some serious bang for your buck. The historic five-star hotel, Santa Catalina in the palm-tree lined Parque Doramas is a steal at £60 a night.

Ideally located on Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas is NH Imperial Playa, which costs £41 a night.

La Palma Unexplored and rugged, this is the place for some winter sun shielded from the masses – although you won’t get the beach perks or party vibe. Instead it’s bursting with hiking trails over volcanic mountains and paths through cloud forests. La Palma is said to be the steepest inhabited island in the world with nausea-inducing switch-backs carved into the cliffs. If you ever make it to the island peak – a three hour walk with mules – you’ll reach the most important astronomical viewing observatory in the Northern Hemisphere, which is quite a claim. If the hike hasn’t taken your breath away, the view of the stars will. You’ll be brushing shoulders with world famous astrophysicists here so think before you speak. Constellation chat may have earned you your first kiss back in the day (smooth moves by the way) but it won’t get you very far now. There are lots of eco-hotels in La Palma hidden in the forests or nestled in picturesque fishing villages – it’s a much more subdued experience than the other islands but the scenery is dramatic and the view into the night sky will take your breath away.

Where to stay: La Palma has more ‘guest houses’ than the other islands – small hotels that are hidden away. The rural Rosaburiente Hostel, which costs £12, is a good place to relax in the gateway of the national park. Adjovimar Apartments are also near the park and boast amazing views with rooms starting at £35 per night.

Fuertaventura If Tenerife is the party capital of the Canaries, then Fuertaventura is by far the beach capital. With 152 beaches and the longest coastline of all the islands, it’s a sun worshiper’s paradise. There are stretches of unspoilt coast at every turn and in the old towns, the architecture rises up out of desert terrain, channelling areas of Africa’s North Western coast, which is only 50 miles away. Ajuy is one of the island’s most stunning beaches – and one of the most unique. It has pitch-black sand, due to volcanic residue, which clashes with the bright blue water – but it’s too rough too swim here so go purely for the views. Corralejo Beach has the 48

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Stunning: Hiking in La Palma

Photos: Thinkstock, Getty, Facebook. Words: Rachael Getzels

Best for: Beaches

f

Christmas andNew Year 07 DEC

Lille £49pp

07 DEC

Calais £35pp

14 DEC

Bruges £44pp

31 DEC

Amsterdam£110pp

Phoenix Tours’ ever-popular Christmas market coach trips prove a perennial favourite with our customers. Offering a fantastic choice of destinations across a number of weekends in the exciting run-up to Christmas. Our Bruges Christmas market coach trips are extremely popular, so book early to ensure your seat. Bruges Christmas market is something just a bit special. The picture postcard perfect cobbles and stunning architecture are truly wonderful to behold truly. With an active river taxi service cris-crossing the city’s intricate canals and waterways makes for a truly memorable experience. Our Brussels Christmas market coach trips make for a fabulous shopping experience. Host city of the European parliament, Brussels gives off an air of ultra-sophistication coupled with old world charm with its myriad cobbled streets and beautiful buildings. Brussels Christmas market sits cosily with that elegant boutique shopping experience that the city is rightly famous for. Finally, our Lille Christmas market coach trips are perfect for that French Christmas shopping trip.

The nearest of our fabulous destinations, Lille boasts a vibrant and busy shopping centre that is so typically French. Or if shopping isn’t your thing how about New Year Firework Show with free bubbly Champagne? Join us on New Year eve; and travel with us to celebrate the New Year in Amsterdam.

On top of the fabulous value these coach trips to these European Christmas markets represent, where time permits we also make impromptu stops in Calais, so customers may stock-up on fabulous wines and spirits to really make Christmas go with a swing.

Phoenix Tours exclusively uses P&O Ferries, which offer superior on-board facilities and the advantage of hourly crossings, to ensure that any delays in the busy cities do not result in overly long delays at the ferry port. Phoenix Tours – everything for a fun Christmas market day trip.

Get In Touch. Call us now on: + 44 (0) 20 7231 1118 Email us on: sales@phoenixtours.co.uk www.phoenixtours.co.uk TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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TOPFIVE

1

SKI FESTIVALS

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SNOWBOMBING

A skiing trip is awesome as it is, but throw in a huge festival on the mountaintop and you’re talking trip-ofa-lifetime territory. And there are plenty coming up over the next few months.

Snowbombing in Austria (April 7-12) is one of the biggest snow and music fests. With a 15-year pedigree cementing its place atop the snow fest tree, 2014’s week-long bash is going to serve up the biggest party yet, with more revellers and events than you can shake a ski pole at.

The self-styled “greatest show on snow” brings together some of the world’s biggest DJs and bands to the Austrian pistes. The Prodigy, the Chemical Brothers (DJ set), Four Tet, High Contrast, Chase and Status and DJ legend Carl Cox will be turning out in 2014 to play the vast variety of stages for which Snowbombing is known.

There will be parties in a hidden deep-forest location, a street party where festival goers and locals take part in a 5000-strong fancy dress event, an arctic disco that includes a mountaintop igloo and three 50 00

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ice sculptured bars, as well as the Backcountry Party featuring tunes and lumberjack competitions.

The Racket Club in the village is a 2500-capacity nightclub, and there will be the famous Mountain stage too, featuring DJ battles and more, alongside the much-loved Rampa’s Reggae Shack.

Snowbombing is just as much about the snow as it is the sounds, though.

Boasting the steepest slope in Austria, a 3286m glacier, the Mayrhofen ski area is well known as one of the finest in Europe. The Harakiri boasts slopes of up to 78% gradient – a true test for even the most plucky of snow hounds.

Other standout sights that make this spot different from the rest are a 300-year-old traditional wooden barn, and a nightclub made entirely from snow. Snowball fight anyone?

It’s not surprising Snowbombing has been a season favourite for a decade and a half. For the best bands, DJs and slopes, Snowbombing has it all.

Package prices start at £219. snowbombing.com

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MY EXPERIENCE

SNOWBOXX

THE BRITS

This new addition to the snow fest calendar only kicked off last year but was such a success it has doubled its capacity for 2014.

Snowboxx, taking place May 23-30, has a huge outdoor stage, five terrace parties and over 30 club parties, with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs dropping by as the week’s headline act.

In addition, there are 96km of pistes to play on. Accommodation, wristband and ski pass from £209.

This week-long party of snow, music and getting on it (Mar 30-Apr 5) takes place in Tignes, France.

It hosts the British Snowboard and Freeski Championships and bag-loads of freestyle demos from boarders and skiiers, as well as top runs for everyone from beginners to seasoned pros. There are club nights with international DJs and live bands too. Accommodation, lift pass and festival wristband packages from £270.

snowboxx.com

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MICHAEL O’BYRNE ON SNOWBOXX WHAT’S THE ATMOSPHERE LIKE?

Snowboxx had an incredible atmosphere from start to finish – the whole village had a brilliant buzz with people in retro ski gear and fancy dress.

WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS?

Events in Surf and Ciscos, which are incredible venues that played host to Brandon Block and Eton Messy respectively. Although the best event, hands-down, was the main party on the Panoramix Terrace, accessible only by a late-night gondola – on the mountaintop, it’s the best setting for a gig I’ve seen.

Photos: Getty and supplied

DID YOU DO MUCH SKIING?

ROCK THE PISTES

ALTITUDE

As the name suggests, this is all about the snow and guitars.

This five-day event (Mar 26-30) on the French-Swiss border enjoys its fourth year next March with concerts in some of the most beautiful locations throughout the Port du Soleil’s slopes.

With a lift pass (from £210), all the gigs are free too, with the line-up taking in the best French and International pop-rock acts. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and French metal group Mass Hysteria are already lined up.

This stand-up comedy festival in Mayrhofen, Austria (Mar 31-Apr 4) brings the laughs to the pistes as the self-styled “funniest show on snow”.

Curated by snowboarder and comedian Andrew Maxwell, this year’s event has John Bishop, Marcus Brigstocke, Daniel Sloss, Zoe Lyons, Craig Campbell, the fantastically named Late Night Gimp Fight and more, with some of the finest slopes to be found including a 3286m glacier – Austria’s steepest piste. Week passes from £155.

rockthepistes.com

I managed a solid week across the Vallnord areas.

There were DJs and freestyle displays on the slopes daily and barbecues at the various parties in the snow park as well as massive apres-sessions.

WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TIP?

Head for Surf restaurant, where you can get steaks the size of your head, and spend a few hours relaxing at the Princesa Parc Spa where you can ease your skied-out limbs!

altitudefestival.com

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A GUIDE TO | BRAZIL

Redeem yourself: Rio de Janeiro

It’s Brazilliant As the country gears up for the World Cup tournament next year, we find out what there is to do outside the stadiums...

Best for: Carnival Rio de Janeiro The Rio Carnival is the party to end all parties. During the six days, some two million people per day flood the streets to dance and drink the hours away like there’s no tomorrow.

Huge floats with women and men dressed in elaborate costumes, which take all year to make, lead the festivities with elite samba and drumming troupes tailing behind. And it’s not just the main drag that comes alive – every corner and alleyway of the city pulses with its own street party.

Carnival takes place just before lent; next year it begins on February 28. But the party gets started a few weeks before as the samba troupes rev up for the “greatest show on earth”.

You will leave broken but it’s one for the bucket list.

What else?

Rio is the most popular tourist destination in Brazil for good reason. Besides partying February away, you can visit the famous Christ the Redeemer statue, sip caipirinhas on the city beaches with the locals as they flood out of work (at about 4pm), and take a cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain, where the stunning views will take your breath away.

Best for: Street parties Salvador Partying is a year-round activity in Brazil and Salvador in the north of the country has some weekly street fun to rival 52

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FOOD TO TRY IN BRAZIL One of the best things about eating in Brazil is the many pay-per-kilo buffet restaurants. This means you can eat as much or as little as you want, or can afford, and you get the chance to try pretty much everything.

These fried dough balls are filled with spicy chicken or cheese and can be found on every street corner. They’re perfect hangover fodder.

COXINHAS

This is a legendary sorbet made from purple berries found deep in the jungle that will extend your life, brighten your skin and help you lose weight – well, so they say. But it’s worth a try!

ACAI

FEIJOADA One of Brazil’s national dishes, this beef, pork and bean stew is served everywhere; some restaurants dedicate one day a week to selling only this.

Mainly found in the north of the country, this slow-cooked seafood dish is as much about the fun of eating it market-side as it is about the flavour.

MOQUECA

This cachaca and lime cocktail isn’t technically food but you’ll learn quickly that it may as well be...

CAIPIRINHAS

the Rio shenanigans. The oldest city in Brazil pulses with louder, more traditional rhythms and the African influence is stronger. Every Tuesday the old city centre comes alive with music and market food, and down narrow cobbled alleyways the really raucous parties get started. There’s more of a mosh pit feel here, and some of the side street celebrations can get a bit menacing, but people say the music and dancing is the real deal thanks to the lower levels of tourism.

What else?

Salvador is the place to go for traditional food, art and architecture. In the lower half of the city (it’s separated by an elevator that you have to queue for to use) is the Artisan Market that sells everything from ultimate hot sauce to candomble (voodoo) accessories. You can also go to a candomble ceremony, which includes singing, dancing and, sometimes, people going into a trance. This has to be arranged by someone in the know – ask at your hostel.

Best for: Beaches Ilha Grande This island, with pristine white sand beaches and palm trees, is just a boat ride away from Rio, but you’ll be transported to a whole other world. The island, which was first a pirates’ lair, then a leper colony, and finally a prison, now has just one small fishing town, Abraao, where all the hostels and cafés are located. Cars are not allowed in town so the only transport is by foot or boat. The biggest and most popular beach is Lopes Mendes, which is a bit of a hike out of town but definitely worth it. In a nearby cove there’s a wooden boat bar where you can watch the sun set over the ocean.

What else? lha Grande isn’t just for the chillers – there are great hiking trails all over the island that take you to hidden coves and protected waterfalls that plunge into crystal-clear rock pools.

Feiticeira Waterfall is one of the most visited and there is an access point for rappelling. Most hostels can point you in the direction of the circuits and along the way you’ll likely see howler monkeys and colourful butterflies.

Best for: Wildlife The Amazon You can’t write about Brazil without mentioning the biggest rainforest in the world. With untouched wilderness that stretches for millions of miles, there is no end to what you will see. You can go as intrepid as you want, from hacking

Words: Rachael Getzels. Pictures: Thinkstock, Getty, Facebook

Step up: Rio De Janeiro is full of vibrant colour

AN INSIDER’S GUIDE Anneka White, 26, has lived in Brazil on and off for a year and she goes back whenever she can to dance capoeira and drink cachaca. Here are her top tips for what to do...

Cachaca Party, Paraty, mid-August This festival has amazing live music and you can try pretty much every flavour of cachaca (a sugar-based spirit). It’s really local and most of the alcohol is made nearby. We started with the caipirinha and moved onto the pure spirit mixed with honey and lemon. They also have the ‘carpeta’ which means ‘the devil’ and is basically impossible to drink.

The school of Mestre Bimba in Salvador I do capoeira in London and this is the best school in Brazil to take lessons.

The moves Mestre Bimba introduced are still practised and it’s amazing to see them in action. The academy is legendary. There’s nowhere better to learn some moves and the people I met there have become good friends.

Festa Juninha (June Festival) In Brazil I lived in a small village called Picinguaba for a while and one of my favourite things there was the annual summer fair – it’s basically the equivalent of an English fete. Really local, with young and old people and lots of live music and street food. They happen in most villages around June but they’re extra fun if you go with people that live there because you quickly get to know everyone.

Blue lagoon mud bath near Arraial d’Ajuda in South Bahia I only know about this from friends I visit when I go to Brazil. The town of Arraial is a bit touristy but if you get past the tat, there’s an incredible walk that takes you to a blue lagoon full of medicinal mud; you scrape it up from the water’s edge and bake under the sun – until you look 10 years younger (they say!). If you carry on past the lake you end up at a pristine white sand beach, too. Heaven.

through undergrowth to battling white water on rafts, while other jungle tours are more subdued if you would rather gaze at toucans from the top deck of a small cruise ship.

Your chances of seeing the most wilderness are increased the deeper into the jungle you go, but the lodges are pretty basic. Expect to see tropical birds, insects that don’t even have names, snakes, monkeys, alligators and more. It’s not for everyone though. You’ll get well acquainted with insects cosying up to your hammock and the bellows of bullfrogs – you think – keeping you up at night. Most tours leave from the city of Manaus, and can be booked through hostels.

What else?

Manaus is the most isolated urban area on earth – it’s the last portal into the Amazon, located deep in the jungle, and it’s a busy transport hub as rainforest stock is shipped elsewhere.

It’s a surreal city and you’ll literally feel like you’ve reached the end of the world because there is nowhere to go from there. There are markets and old churches such as the

Party town: Rio de Janeiro

Come on in: Ilha Grande Island

dramatic Sao Sebastiao, to explore – but don’t stay too long.

Jungle fever will hit.

Best for: Being a culture vulture Sao Paolo This city is the biggest in Brazil and is bursting at the seams with art and music. It’s not as laid back as Rio but there’s lots to do – the Art Museum of Sao Paolo has one of the biggest collections of Latin American art on the continent and the fusion restaurants are world famous. Sao Paolo is also full of graffiti so there’s great street exploration to be done. The nightlife in the city is legendary and it’s home to some of the best drum-and-bass DJs in the world who play at internationally renowned venues such as Love Club.

What else?

Brazilians live and breath football and in Sao Paolo, there is an entire museum devoted to the sport. At the entrance you will be greeted by Pele on a huge screen saying ‘hello’ in three languages. Football highlights play in loops along the walls and it’s jampacked with memorabilia and old trophies.

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Shake it: Carnival street dancers

GETTING THERE Fly from London, Heathrow to Sao Paolo or Rio, return with Tam Airlines. Tickets start at £600 tam.com.br GETTING AROUND

BRAZIL

BRASILIA

RIO SAO PAOLO

Brazil is a huge country so it’s not always practical to take coaches – but if you’re short on cash and have the time, some of the drives can be stunning (but long – we’re talking 20 hours and up here). Tam Airlines, Gol, and Avianca are the main carriers for internal flights and prices aren’t bad. Within cities the local buses are pretty good but if you’re lost in the urban jungle, hop in a taxi. Just watch your valuables and make sure you know from the start where you want to go, and how much it should cost.

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North America’s got talent From Miami’s muscle men to poker pros in Vegas to flamboyant Mexican wrestlers, North America gets a ‘yes’ from us

North America is the world’s third largest continent with a vast array of climates, cultures, and history waiting to be explored.

Here’s our rundown of the cities in North America you can’t afford to miss, from Miami to San Francisco, Mexico City and more.

New York City New York, USA

FACT BOX THE USA is such an amazing place, when IXPVisas.com asked 2,212 UK residents how far they would go to get a green card, this is how they responded.

I would...

Walk on my knees for a month, 31% Trade my degree for a Green Card, 27%

than the Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmusem.org). Not often would we recommend visiting a train station – Waterloo is not top of our London destinations – but Grand Central Station’s architectural splendour has to be witnessed.

Going out: Head down to the Meat Packing District to find the coolest boutiques, bars and restaurants on the lower west side, then wind your way to The Bowery to find the hippest clubs, bars and gig venues to sate your music cravings.

Stay: NY Loft Hostel – it’s more hotel than hostel. From £38pn. nylofthostel.com

Not wash or cut my hair for a year, 24% The Big Apple is a law unto itself. The Sleep on a bed of bricks for a year, 21% archetypal big city, it has a sprawling mass of Wear clown make-up for six months, 18% culture, history and, above all, attitude, and Listen to the same song on repeat all day at only six hours from London it can even for a month, 16% be done as a long weekend break away (see Wear embarrassing outfits for a year, 14% p64). Although really, you’d want more time Never speak to friends again, 9% to soak up all it has to offer.

Chicago Illinois, USA Spend six months in a prison (despite not Things to do: Once you land in Manhattan committing a crime) , 7% the first thing that strikes you is the height – The Windy City, or Second City, is the home skyscrapers claw their way up to the sky and of the skyscraper – the world’s first, the you feel like you’re on a movie set. A building worth checking 10-storey Home Insurance Building, was built here in 1885. out is the famous Flatiron building, built in 1902 and so Situated on Lake Michigan, which is so vast it looks like an named because of its curious street-corner-defined shape. ocean, Chicago is known for many things including mobsters such as Al Capone, the Chicago Bulls, and pizza.

There are the big attractions you can’t afford to miss: the view from atop the Empire State Building across Manhattan Things to do: Check out the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is amazing. Look north and you have Harlem and Central – it’s a sight you’ll know instantly from the movies – and Park, south and Midtown and the rest of Manhattan. Our Sears Tower which is the tallest building in town; the views tip – visit in the evening to avoid the heavy crowds or, from the top are stunning. The Museum of Contemporary Art alternatively, for views without the same queues, go to Top (mmachicago.org) is essential for culture vultures, so too is Of The Rock at the Rockefeller Centre, which has equally as Cloud Gate in Millennium Park (millenniumpark.org), which impressive views, and ones which include the Empire State is best described as a giant silver bean. Sports fans can catch Building as well as the newly built One World Trade Centre, a White Sox (whitesox.mlb.com) baseball game at Cellular which is on the site of the Twin Towers and formerly known Fields. Chicago even has 26 miles of public beaches, the as Freedom Tower. most famous being Oak Street Beach. Mind you, in winter, Another tip is don’t visit the Statue of Liberty itself. While temperatures can drop as low as -20°C, with giant chunks of it is an iconic New York landmark, once you land on Liberty ice – mini icebergs if you will – floating in the great lake. So if Island you can take in the statue but there is little else to do. it’s the beach you want, perhaps stick to the summer months.

It’s best just to take a close-up view from Staten Island Ferry.

Going out: Head to the north of the city, which is famed for Central Park is a colossus that simply demands to be its diverse music – everything from live jazz to punk and dub seen and strolled through, and Times Square is every bit as step – as well as some astounding bars and restaurants. glittering and indulgent as you would think from its many Stay: Wrigley Hostel in the party centre of town in big movie portrayals.

Wrigleyville offers dorm rooms from as little as £10 a night. ›› If you’re after some high-end culture, look no further wrigleyhostel.com

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Home run: Catch a White Sox game at Cellular Field, Chicago

Lucky escape: Alcatraz prison, San Francisco

Pretty girls: San Fran’s painted ladies

San Francisco California, USA Home to one of the most famous bridges in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge is as staggeringly impressive as you might expect. But the city by the bay offers much more than this architectural triumph...

Things to do: The home of counter culture – the hippies grew out of the burgeoning music and culture scene in the HaightAshbury district of the city in the Sixties – San Francisco is famous for its steep streets (as seen in iconic driving flick Bullit starring Steve McQueen), most famously the zigzagging, flower-lined Lombard Street and its Painted Ladies, the multi-coloured Edwardian and Victoria houses.

The Transamerican Pyramid is the city’s most iconic building, a towering creation that may well have inspired London’s The Shard, and the cable cars that weave their way across the city are a San Fran staple.

Alcatraz (alcatraz.us), the famous island prison can be visited, and you’ll wonder how anyone could ever escape.

Fisherman’s Wharf (fishermanswharf.org) is home to a waterfront market, and is one of the city’s most visited attractions, and Union Square (unionsquareshop.com) is a shopping haven.

No visit would be complete without venturing in the 24 blocks that comprise the city’s bustling Chinatown district, which has everything from street food, restaurants, shops, museums and markets to temples and, of course, lots of fortune cookies.

Going out: North Beach, which is not a beach at all actually but is located on the northern most tip of the city, is the best place to head for dining, especially with San Francisco being widely known and celebrated as the culinary capital of the USA. And if you are looking for nightlife action, the South of 58

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Market and South of Mission districts on the eastern edge of the city are the place to head for all the best clubs and bars in town.

Stay: Pacific Tradewinds Hostel is your best bet. It has dorm rooms from £18 a night, under-bed lockers so your gear is safe and a communal kitchen. Best of all, though, it is famed for its friendly and sociable team who organise communal dinners and pub crawls around the town. san-francisco-hostel.com

OTT: The Bellagio in Las Vegas

Words: Alisdair Morton. Images: Getty

Bean there: Cloud Gate in Chicago

Las Vegas Nevada, USA The Bellagio. The MGM Grand. Caesar’s Palace – Las Vegas casinos are known the world over, and while it is the global go-to city for gambling, there is more to this desert-based haven of decadence.

Things to do: That said, a visit to Vegas would not be complete without trying your luck at the tables. Whether you’re a seasoned poker pro, regularly scoring all your mates’ money on a Friday night, or a numbers-phobic newcomer, you have to jump in. As well as the above three, other top casinos to check out are the Mandalay and Luxor. Make sure you don’t lose all your cash in some rash ‘it’s my lucky night’ moment, though, as there are plenty of other ways to flash your cash.

Vegas is all about the glam and the tack. So while the fountains outside the Bellagio – yes, the one from Ocean’s Eleven – represent the super-cool chic, there are themed shopping centres that will ‘transport’ you to the canals of Venice at The Venetian and you’ll find everything from pirates and roman soldiers serving drinks at Caesar’s Palace.

Then there are the shows to be found, with everything from more, ahem, intimate performances to the big name mega-events that have seen the likes of Cher and Elton John perform Vegas residencies.

“

Chicago has 26 miles of public beaches

”

There is also a wealth of museums that take you into the history of this famous city – such as the Neon Museum (neonmuseum.org), which is full of old signs from ventures that didn’t last – and loads of exhibitions, some of which you would not expect to find in the desert at all, such as the Titanic: Artifact Exhibition beneath the Luxor. The point though is to get into the spirit and to always remember: ‘what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’.

Going out: You are spoiled for choice here and will find any cuisine for any budget, with nightclubs and bars galore.

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Fly by: Everglades National Park

Party time: New York’s Times Square at NYE The best night, though, is trying your luck at the casinos and exploring everything on The Strip.

Stay: Las Vegas Hostel may sound simple, but in true Vegas style it has a hot tub, swimming pool and loads of organised trips and activities, too. And, if you’re lucky, you can pick up a room from £10pn. lasvegashostel.net Mexico City Mexico The first thing that strikes you about Mexico City is its size – the largest in North America, it is a vast, sprawling city comprising 16 boroughs and 300 neighbourhoods with just shy of nine million people making it the largest Spanishspeaking city in the world. A city where the past and present combine, it is a thriving, passionate place to explore.

Things to do: History and tradition is everywhere to be seen in Mexico City, most conspicuously in the architecture that dominates the streets. The Plaza de la Consticución should be your first port of call: a vast square in the centre of the city that is referred to locally as Zocalo, or ‘base’. One of the largest public squares in the world, a single large Mexican flag stands proudly at its centre and it often hosts festivals and events in the city.

On the north side of the square you will find the Catedral Metropolitana (arquidiocesismexico.org.mx), an enormous cathedral that was built over the course of 250 years, and the Palacio Nacional, home to the offices of the president of Mexico; while the east side is famed for its Diego Rivera murals. A fantastic sight to visit is the Templo Mayor (templomayor.inah.gob.mx), which was discovered and excavated in 1978 when workers for an electric company stumbled upon an eight-tonne stone-disc carving of the Aztec goddess Coyolxauhqui.

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Get wet: Niagra Falls

Manly: Wrestling in Mexico City The Plaza Garibaldi is a great place to soak up some mariachi music, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes (bellasartes. gob.mx) is a white marble palace that acts as an arts and culture centre and concert hall, while the museum at the Antiguo Colegio de San Ildefonso is home to the best contemporary art in the city.

Going out: No trip to Mexico City would be complete without a spot of wrestling. The Arena Mexico (arenaciudad demexico.com) hosts weekly wrestling events in which colourful, character-laden luchadores compete either in oneon-one bouts or in tag-team events. It’s loud and impossible not to be swept up in the mania of this national pastime.

You would be well advised to check out Hosteria de Santo Domingo (hosteriadesantodomingo.com.mx) restaurant, which has been serving up Mexican fare since 1860, as well as famed hipster club M.N. Roy (mnroyclub. com) – located in a rundown terrace in the Roma district of the city and named after a founder of the communist parties in the city in the early twentieth century. Don’t get down there too early though as it doesn’t begin to get busy until the small hours.

Stay: Hostel Home is a 20-bed hostel housed in a Porfiriato-era building, which is located near to the Roma neighbourhood. Beds from £8pn. hostelhome.com.max Toronto Ontario, Canada Almost half of Toronto’s population was born outside of Canada, making the state of Ontario’s capital a truly multicultural hotbed. As the biggest city in Canada there is never a shortage of things to see and do in this bustling metropolis, from sport to art, culture, history and even natural wonders of the world.

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Brugge Christmas Market, Sat 7th & 14th December, Only £52.

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Things to do: One of the seven wonders of the world, Niagra Falls, is just a short drive from Toronto. Marking the border between America and Canada, it is a truly awe-inspiring sight to behold as more than 5.5 billion gallons of water pour over the falls every hour.

One of the best ways to take in its majesty is from aboard a Maid of the Mist boat (maidofthemist.com), which ventures close to the falls’ base. Whirlpool Jet Boat (whirlpooljet.com) tours take in the white water power of the falls, while the well-moneyed can even view it from a helicopter.

Ice hockey is more than just a sport in Canada, it is a religion, and catching a game at the Air Canada Centre, where the Toronto Maple Leafs play, is tough as most are sold out, but it is worth trying your luck. If you're not fortunate, then you can find out about the history of the sport at the Hockey Hall of Fame (hhof.com).

Great views of the city can be found from the CN Tower (cntower.ca). Standing 553 metres tall, it was the world’s tallest building for 34 years until the arrival of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, and it is one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations.

The Art Gallery Ontario (ago.net) and Royal Ontario Museum (rom.om.ca) will sate culture vultures, while

“

Niagra Falls is a short drive from Toronto

”

high-end and highly regarded leading luxury shopping destination, the Holt Renfrew (holtrenfrew.com), will do the same for shopping addicts.

The city has a strong Irish influence due to the thousands who immigrated there during the Great Potato Famine, and this is honoured in Rowan Gillespie's sculptures in Ireland Park (irelandparkfoundation.com).

Going out: No night out in Toronto would be complete without catching a gig, be it comedy or music. The city has an extensive musical history, with bands and DJs such as Metric, Crystal Castles and Deadmau5 calling the city their hometown.

Major venues see international acts drop by, and the smaller venues play host to the diverse local scene. Head to the West Queen West district where clubs such as Wrongbar (wrongbar.com) and the tres chic C-Lounge (clounge.ca) attract electro music seekers.

Famed for its large comedy scene, stand-up nights take place across the city, so check out some up-and-coming acts at venues like Yuk Yuk’s (yukyuks.com) and The Second City (secondcity.com), which has been running for some 50 years, followed by dinner at celebrated new restaurant Electric Mud (electricmudbbq.com).

Stay: The famous Global Village Backpackers hostel offers rooms from £10 a night, and is known for its lively – read: alcohol-fuelled – parties. globalbackpackers.com

Things to do: South Beach is the surf centre of the city, but it is also known for its art-deco styling, boutique shops by day and its transformation into a world-class partying hot spot with its bars and clubs in the evening.

Bal Harbour (balharbourshops.com) is famed for its shopping, and Coconut Grove is a bay-side village bohemia.

The Design District has more than 130 galleries and museums and hosts a bi-monthly art and design night.

Little Haiti neighbourhood is known for its Haiti culture and customs as well as its street food and has, in recent years, become ever-more popular with trendy hipster types.

Only an hour out of Miami and you'll find yourself at the entrance to the Everglades National Park (nps.gov.ever).

A World Heritage Site, it protects the tropical wetlands of the Everglades, which is a landscape that is home to numerous rare and endangered species, such as the American crocodile and the Florida panther.

Outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking and paddling are a great way to experience the everglades, as is the iconic airboat tour that takes you into the heart of the swamplands on board a boat powered by what looks like a giat fan strapped to the back.

Going out: Miami is known as a party city, and it is clear to see why. South Beach comes alive with bars and clubs such as LIV (livnightclub.com) and Mansion (mansionmiami. com) when the sun goes down. They’re all cocktails and international DJs, but there is more to the nightlife scene than this: Midtown and Wynwood are famed for their hidden speakeasy-style bars. Tobacco Road (tobacco-road. com) in the Downtown district is a must for the beer or cocktail aficionado, and Coconut Grove (coconutgrove.com) is loaded with college bars and so is perfect for a bar crawl.

Stay: Miami Beach International Hostel is affordable – rooms from £12 a night – NEXT MONTH and it has been voted the World’s We visit the Best Party hostel by CNN, telling nooks and you just what to expect. crannies of hostelmiamibeach.com

Bay watch: Welcome to Miami

Miami California, USA Nestled on the southern end of the state of Florida, this surf city is unlike many others. Renowned for its bikini-clad beach babes and muscle men as much as it is for its history – which is as much steeped in nearby Cuba and Haiti as it is the United States – Miami represents another side of North America’s vast and diverse past.

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Bliss: Arrecife in Lanzarote

DEAL OF THE WEEK SHARM EL SHEIKH Reaching temperatures in the mid-20s during January, catch some winter sun with seven nights on an all-inclusive basis at the Tamra Beach Resort for £322pp, departing from London Luton on January 10. Visit easyJet.com/holidays or call 0843 104 1000

£322

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MARRAKECH Depart from London Stansted on December 13 and spend three nights on bed-and-breakfast basis at the three-star Hotel Almas for £122pp. (Easyjet.com) COPENHAGEN Three-night break in Copenhagen with Qwerty Travel from £229. Includes B&B accommodation at the four-star Copenhagen Island Hotel and return flights from Gatwick, Stansted, Bristol or Manchester departing between December 1 and 21. (qwertytravel.com, 0208 588 9943) CYPRUS Fly from London Luton on December 8 and spend seven nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis at the fivestar Amphora Hotel and Suites in Paphos for £187pp. (Easyjet.com) ROME Depart from London Gatwick on December 10 and spend two nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis at the fourstar Esh Hotel for £117pp. The hotel is just five minutes from Vatican City. (holidays.easyjet.com) PRAGUE Take a short break to Prague for £127pp. Spend two nights on a bedand-breakfast basis at the Designhotel Elephant. Depart from Manchester on January 8. (holidays.easyjet.com)

£250 – £500 DUBAI Two nights at the five-star Amwaj Rotana, Jumeirah Beach Residence, is £476pp, based on two people sharing.

Return flights with QATAR from London, Heathrow to Dubai departing December 4. (expedia.co.uk, 0800 783 2384) LANZAROTE From £359 for sevennight all-inclusive holiday in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote with Qwerty Travel. Includes accommodation at the four-star Diverhotel Lanzarote and return flights from Gatwick, Birmingham, Luton or Manchester departing between December 2 and 14. (qwertytravel. com, 0208 5889943) TUNISIA Seven nights at the Sheraton Tunis Hotel is just £3766pp, based on two people sharing. Includes return flights with Alitalia from London City to Tunis departing on February 10. (expedia. co.uk, 0800 783 2384)

> £500 MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE 12-night Mediterranean cruise with Cruise Nation from an incredible £369pp.

Book by December 9 to save £530 per person on a full board 12-night Mediterranean cruise with return flights from London Gatwick. Departing on January 28. (0800 408 0758, cruisenation.com) BERLIN TO BUDAPEST Join Contiki’s 11-day Berlin to Budapest tour inc. Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest.

Departing on December 30, prices from £896pp. Use the discount code PPCLMD2026 to save £150. (contiki. com, 0845 075 0990) LUXOR Three-night hotel stay at Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor is just £569pp based on two sharing. Includes return flights with Egyptair from London Heathrow to Luxor departing on December 11. (expedia.co.uk, 0800 783 2384)

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48 HOURS

NEW YORK CITY

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YOUR WEEKEND IN NEW YORK CITY, USA Bella: Get a slice-a pizza pie-a in Little Italy

Big yellow taxi: Times Square

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DAY ONE MORNING Get your bearings and take in the stunning New York skyline with a walk along the High Line, a linear green park that runs along the lower west side of Manhattan atop an old railway line. You’ll end up near Chelsea Market where you can browse a mouth-watering selection of street eats and dip in and out of some trendy NY galleries before a short walk south, which will take you past the September 11 memorial, and on to the Staten Island ferry.

AFTERNOON The 50-minute round-trip boat ride (siferry.com) across the Hudson is free and provides a close up, perfect view of the Statue of Liberty, which otherwise can only be seen by queuing for hours.

The ferry is the only vehicular transport for people living on Staten Island and it runs 24 hours a day. If you’re feeling peckish this is a good place to get a giant soft pretzel or a classic juicy hot dog from a street stall.

You still have time left before dinner so hop on the subway up to Midtown where you can choose between the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), or a bit further up, The Met. You don’t have to spend hours here, but they’re main attractions in the city and worth a peek. For a whistle-stop tour of MoMA, head to the fifth floor where you’ll see Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ and a number of Matisses. The Met’s most famous collection is its renaissance art and, once you’ve seen these, you can tick some of the world’s masterpieces off your list.

Just a stone’s throw away is Central Park, made famous by Friends and the numerous celebs who go running there.

Stroll across the ‘wild’ green space to get to the throbbing heart of NY – Times Square.

EVENING Night is falling so you’ll catch the dazzling lights of Times Square in all their glory. Also the epicentre of New York’s Broadway, this is the place where dreams are made. Gawking

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tourists and yellow taxis jam the roads, but this is the Big Apple to the core. You may get screamed at for standing still for too long as you take it all in, but that’s half the fun. The famous Carnegie Deli is the spot for food before hitting a Broadway show.

We’re talking sky-scraper-tall pastrami sandwiches and baseball-bat-sized pickles – plus it’s been feeding the stars for almost 100 years. You can get last-minute tickets for shows at TKTS Discount Booths, which are all over the city (tdf.org). Shows don’t end until late so save the bar hopping for tomorrow and instead seek out NY’s best latenight cheesecake (we recommend Juniors, juniorscheesecake.com) as the stage actors head home – at this point in the night, there’s no telling who you’ll run into.

48 HOURS

Iconic: Brooklyn bridge

DAY TWO

Words: Rachael Getzels. Photos: Thinkstock, Getty

MORNING So, you’ve seen central Manhattan but there are five other boroughs to explore. We recommend spending the morning in Brooklyn, which is easily accessible and full of old NY charm.

Start out with breakfast at Bagel Hole on 7th Avenue. These doughy rings of goodness have been named the best in NY, which, believe us, is no small feat in a city where bagel eating is a national pastime.

Once you’re done here, head to Coney Island (coneyisland.com), which is a retro fairground on the ocean full of dinky little rides and popping neon signs. Strolling along the breezy boardwalk is a welcome reprieve from the concrete jungle of Manhattan and you can’t fight the charm. Helter skelters, candy floss and a minor league baseball stadium. It’s America baby.

AFTERNOON It’s time to head back to Manhattan – there’s still more to see. So hop on the subway to Soho for lunch and a spot of celeb spotting at trendy Balthazar, the current it restaurant that’s not too pricey (but make sure you book in advance, balthazarny.com). Soho is prime shopping and gallery territory, with everything from the post-modern Prada shop, to independent holes in the wall done up by street artists, so get exploring.

EVENING Just past Soho and Tribeca is Little Italy. NY has a huge Italian population and you’ll find the best pizza here; Lombardi’s on Spring Street is the oldest pie joint in the States. If you’re more in the mood for Asian food, then head to the hustle and bustle of nearby Chinatown. Even if you’re not eating here, definitely stroll the crowded streets – it’s one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world (outside China, obvs) and you’ll see all manner of curative herbs and love potions alongside steamed dumplings.

Just past Chinatown you’re in perfect bar-hopping territory having reached the Lower East side. Here you’ll find fine ales and finely mixed cocktails at a range of bars, sophisticated and down-trodden. The infamous Max Fish offers three dollar beers (we’re not kidding) and a pool. On the other end is the Experimental Cocktail Bar, which does exactly as the name says. You could easily drink away the night here, but we recommend you hail a cab to another busy nightlife area, The Meat Packing District, and take a lift up to Le Bain club (standardhotels.com) in the High Line Hotel for one of the best rooftop views of the city. As the lights of NY flicker below, you can retrace your steps over the past two days and see just how far you’ve come.

Standing tall: The Empire State Building TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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TRAVELTIPS

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READERS’ TIPS BACKPACKING BASICS TIP 1. Always pack a few extra OF THE clear ziplock bags in a few month sizes. You always need them at the airport for your carry-on liquids and they come in handy when other small bags break. Also those foldaway supermarket bags are great for taking to the markets.

2. Always ask someone on the train/bus when you get on if it is going to your destination. Before it leaves!

3. A big cotton scarf or light sarong can have multiple uses (towel, sarong, scarf, skirt, sheet, wrap or picnic blanket) and takes up very little space.

Work it: the NYE fireworks in London

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LAURA LINDSAY FROM LONELY PLANET

Hi! I’ve been living in London for six Q weeks and was wondering where I should spend New Year’s Eve? I’m happy to travel or should I experience my first NYE in London? Thank you!

Ashy Marciniec, via email has to be one of the world’s A London greatest party cities and no more so than

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5. Always try to ask a local for the best places to eat and go out.

6. Never underestimate the power of a smile!

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on New Year’s Eve. You will be spoilt for choice with the eclectic mix of parties, events and activities to ring in the New Year; it’s definitely the place to be to mark the start of 2014. Here are a few ideas to get you started...

The most iconic London New Year’s experience will be to attend the free firework display at the London Eye. Get there early to get a good spot as the designated viewing areas will fill up by around 9pm. Some of the best areas to view the display are on nearby bridges (the area around the London Eye itself is closed off for safety) – try Waterloo Bridge for a good view.

If the idea of standing outside in the cold for New Year’s Eve fills you with dread, there

are plenty of indoor options too. All of London’s major nightclubs will host ticketed parties – make sure you book in advance. It pays to do your research to ensure you like the type of music on offer, there’s nothing worse than being a raver in an indie club. For something very British and a bit different, check out The Blitz Party in Southwark. For £40 you can dance the night away war-time style; sandbags, oil lamps and Forties music set the scene. Be sure to book in advance for this popular event.

If night clubs aren’t your thing, consider one of London’s comedy clubs as there are a whole host of events across the city. There’s also a selection of boat parties on the river if you fancy a classy dinner on the Thames. Alternatively, you could go all out, glow sticks at the ready and dance the night away at The Prodigy’s gig at London’s hottest music venue, the O2.

On New Year’s Eve, public transport in London runs later than usual timetables and is usually free from 11.45pm-4.30am. Be sure to plan your route in advance.

For more NYE celebrations, see p22

4. Running, yoga, conditioning/ strengthening exercises (lunges, squats, push-ups), Tai Chi and pilates are all exercises you can do while travelling with no equipment required. Pack your running shoes!

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WINNER BELGIUM Ryan Patterson, New Zealand TELL US MORE “This photo was taken at the main stage at Tomorrowland music festival in Belgium. Worldrenowned DJs from all around the world come together for one big party of tunes.

Millions of people register and wait for hours to buy tickets online and I was fortunate to get hold of one. Taking this photo was not difficult at all. It was such a thrill to be there among other fans from all around the world.”

RUNNER-UP BRIGHTON Kristie Dack, Queensland, Australia TELL US MORE “My friends and I decided to head to Brighton for the day and we stumbled across this huge mural that caught my eye. There’s a story behind it, which I believe [promotes] peace and harmony among us. It was a bit difficult to take a full-length shot as it took up a whole wall, but I managed to get most of it in.”

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SPORT NEWS | FEATURES | GAMES TO WATCH | VIEWPOINT IMAGE OF THE MONTH

FEELING CONFIDENT? Australia’s Matt Scott (left), Brent Tate (centre) and Cooper Cronk (right) look out from the players’ tunnel at their training session in Old Trafford the day before the Rugby League World Cup final, ready to take on New Zealand.

Photos: Getty

INSIDE

HAVING A CHAT /70

A FOND FAREWELL /72

TIME GONE BY /74

We talk to former England captain and Sky Sports analyst Nasser Hussain to get his expert view on the Ashes so far.

We bid our goobyes to Formula 1 could-abeen champion Mark Webber, and reflect on his career and enduring battle with Vettel.

Remember when the Roosters defended their NRL title? We look back over 2013, remembering the highs... and the lows.

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SPORTROUND-UP

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FLASHBACK... 2006

Armless banter: Michael Clarke and James Anderson chatting

CLARKE’S BAT V BROAD VITAL FOR ASHES WIN CRICKET

The fiery Ashes series will be over before we know it, with four Tests between December 5 and January 7.

After the Aussies flogged England in the first Test, it’s well and truly game on. TNT caught up with former England captain and Sky Sports analyst Nasser Hussain to get his expert view of what’s going down Down Under.

The series in England was a lot closer than 3-0 suggested, but the first Test seemed a bit of a shock for everyone…

The result was closer than 3-0, but that is how it ended. Australia played some good cricket and I think we all realised that on their home patch it will be a lot closer. The result of the first Test surprised everyone, the turnaround from England on 130-6 was incredible, so Australia deserve the credit.

Is it time for England to worry?

Never write England off. They came back to win against India last year and history tells you they’ll fight back. It only takes one or two players to come in or out of form.

Mitchell Johnson’s performance was huge – is there a feeling that he is key to winning the series despite only Perth being as lively a wicket as Brisbane? There are plenty of keys, but Johnson gives Australia the x-factor they were lacking. He has extra pace on quick pitches like the Gabba and the Waca, and also got some useful runs. Extra pace does funny things to players, so any side with that in their arsenal has winning potential.

How big a blow is Jonathan Trott’s departure? Trott’s been there for England over the past four or five years, so to lose him is massive. He’s done a very brave thing and we wish him well. Bell or Root will step up, but don’t have Trott’s experience.

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“The greatest [Test] I have played in,” Shane Warne said after Michael Hussey hit the winning runs in the Ashes thriller at the Adelaide Oval in 1996/97. The Aussies smashed England in the first Test but the visitors hit back declaring 6-551 on day two. The hosts got similar in reply before Lee, McGrath and Warne rolled the Poms for 129, leaving the Aussies 168 to get in the last session on the final day. Hussey’s jump for joy came with 3.1 overs to go.

How important is Clarke’s batting form to an Aussie victory? With him on form, Australia’s batting goes from fragile to decent… his battle with Stuart Broad is key.

A lot’s been said about the Aussie’s sledging (England aren’t without blame either) – is the chatter putting a dampener on the series or is it all part of the fun? England weren’t happy about Warner’s comment off the field, and now you know why with Trott. However, they’re not complaining about what happens during the Test. The players are happy to give it and take it. The best watching has been Mitchell Johnson steaming into Joe Root, and Root smiling back. It’s always been the case in Ashes battles that there’s sledging, and sometimes a line is crossed, but that just shows you how important it is to both sides.

UNDER THE PUMP When Brisbane Heat unveiled Mitchell Johnson as their star signing for the 2013/14 Big Bash League, they didn’t bank on the left armer finding career-best form in the Test arena.

This means they’ll miss out on his services for much of their defence of the Australian Twenty20 series, which begins on December 20 and leads up to the final on February 7. The series will be broadcast on free-to-air in Oz (Channel 10) and on Sky Sports in the UK (check guides for times).

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Turnaround: Saracens’ Alex Goode in the London club’s loss to Toulouse

HIGHLIGHTS THIS MONTH

Wizard: Oz darts star Simon Whitlock

PREVIEW EURO RUGBY REBELS ON THE CHARGE HEINEKEN CUP LONDON CLUBS DEC 7, 14 & 15

Photos: Getty

The European Rugby Union, which runs the Heineken Cup, won’t exactly be cheering on English teams to win the coveted club trophy this year given Premiership Rugby is boycotting next year’s competition – but we say good on them for standing up to the man.

In this case the man is an organisation that’s not giving the English clubs a fair slice of the TV rights and other income pie.

The London clubs Saracens and Harlequins,

who we can see live this month, have some work to do to get through to the knockout phase and give themselves a chance of taking the title. Last year’s semi-finalists Sarries are London’s best bet at this stage, with a win and a loss going into Dec 7’s round three matches away and then home at Allianz Park (Dec 14) to Zebre.

Harlequins must win the rest of their group games to have a hope and should back themselves against Racing Metro in France before hosting them at Twickenham Stoop on Dec 15. For tickets to the London games visit quins.co.uk and saracens.com.

LET’S GET TRIVIAL | BBC award invaders The BBC Sports Personality of the Year award is handed to a Great British sporting hero on December 15 in Leeds and it’s almost certain to go to Andy Murray, the Scot who was the first Brit to win Wimbledon since 1936.

But spare a thought for Barry Briggs, the speedway legend who we should be outraged for after he came second twice in the fan-voted award, in ‘64 (to long-jumper Mary Rand) and ’66 (football’s Bobby Moore). The racer is the closest an Aussie athlete’s come to the award, won last year by Brad Wiggins after he became the first Brit to win the Tour de France. An international award is given too, won in the past by Shane Warne and Herb Elliott, but Briggsy nearly stole the big one.

3 EPL FOOT: Crystal Palace v West Ham 4 EPL FOOT: Fulham v Spurs 5-9 TEST CRICK: 2nd Ashes, Adelaide 8 EPL FOOT: Arsenal v Everton 9 EPL FOOT: Man City v Arsenal 10-14 TEST CRICK: NZ v West Indies 11-8 FOOT: World Club Championships 13-17 TEST CRICK: 3rd Ashes, Perth 13-JAN 1 DARTS: World darts champs, Alexandra Palace 14 EPL FOOT: Chelsea v Crystal Palace 14 HEIN RUG: Saracens v Zebre 15 EPL FOOT: Spurs v Liverpool 15 HEIN RUG: Harlequins v Racing Met 18 C-ONE FOOT: Spurs v West Ham 18-22 TEST CRICK: NZ v West Indies 20 T20 CRICK: Big Bash League begins 21 PREM RUG: Wasps v Northampton 21 RUG: Saracens v Leicester Tigers 23 EPL FOOT: Arsenal v Chelsea 25-29 TEST CRICK: 4th Ashes, Melbourne 26 EPL FOOT: Chelsea v Swansea 26 EPL FOOT: Spurs v West Brom 26 ODI CRICK: NZ v West Indies 28 PREM RUG: Harlequins v Exeter 28-JAN 4 TENNIS: Hopman Cup, Perth 29 EPL FOOT: Chelsea v Liverpool 29 RUG: London Irish v Gloucester 29 ODI CRICK: NZ v West Indies 29-5 TENNIS: Brisbane International 31 ODI CRICK: NZ v West Indies 1 EPL FOOT: C. Palace v Norwich 2-6 TEST CRICK: 5th Ashes, Sydney 5 PREM RUG: Wasps v Exeter

Crystal Palace’s Mile Jedinak

Close: Barry Briggs fixes his bike at a meet at Wembley

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True grit Aussie Mark Webber bowed out of Formula 1 last month as a coulda-been champion, but a legend all the same WORDS MICHAEL GADD Nine career victories to be 33rd on the all-time Formula 1 winners list – unremarkable in the context – didn’t alone merit the outpouring of admiration for motorsport’s faithful when Australian driver Mark Webber left the sport. The straightshooter from Queanbeyan, ACT, was more than that.

After 12 years and at age 37, Webber decided to give Red Bull Racing and the pinnacle of going fast on four wheels the flick. He was celebrated following his and the season’s final race in Brazil like he’d won and was going into retirement.

But the truth was neither. He’d finished second in the race, nothing to sniff at, and third in the driver’s championship behind mate Fernando Alonso and his fiercest rival, and teammate, Sebastian Vettel. And he is anything but retiring.

The next move for Webber is to lead Porche’s charge in the FIA World Endurance Championship, in which races are at least six hours long, including the holy grail 24 Hours of Le Mans, so it’s no picnic. Or as he’s said, “Le Mans is not an old people’s home.”

The new chapter and spending 12 in F1 is a long road from his arrival in the UK in 1995, when he was working for £43 a day at Brands Hatch race track and surviving on a £50,000 loan from Wallabies legend David Campese, a former club mate of his father’s in the ACT. Once he got a shot at the big time, he spent seven years being a tough driver in rubbish cars. Then, four months before Red Bull came to the fore and he got a chance in a competitive car, he broke his leg in a cycling accident. He gave teammate Vettel an edge that he’s never pulled back in his favour, and in all honesty probably never had a hope to.

The game changed and his old-school style didn’t suit.

Webber marked his first F1 win in Germany in 2009 and followed it up in Brazil, but finished fourth overall and Vettel finished second. That was the last year someone other than Vettel – Jenson Button – has won the driver’s championship.

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the team clearly backing Vettel, Webber still pushed him to the last. But it was a year that defined his career in many ways, with in-fighting within Red Bull and the experienced Aussie in the shadows of the precise, single-minded German.

“Fucking intense mate,” is how Webber described 2010, but he’s said that full details of the spats won’t come from his mouth – as Ron Burgundy would say, he’s stayed classy.

The fact was that new technologies, which Red Bull exploited better than other teams, asked Webber to do

“

Le Mans is not an old people’s home

”

the opposite of his instinct – he wanted to push it on fast corners, while Vettel’s strength was precision which was ideal on deliberately fast-wearing Pirelli tyres. The impact off the changes is clear when we see Webber sometimes able to beat Vettel to pole or get a fastest lap, but over the course of a race the four-time world champion is in a league of his own.

Such talent was no excuse for what happened this year in Malaysia though, when Webber was well ahead with only Vettel as his competition. Vettel was ordered by team principal Christian Worner to keep the order to save the cars any further exertion, but with Webber’s car set to the F1 equivalent of cruise control Vettel attacked and claimed the win. Bumbling apologies came later, some more convincing than others, but it all just dug into the wound that was their fragile relationship. “There are blinkers and there are blinkers,” Webber said on his way to almost defending Vettel as being not as ruthless as Michael Schumacher. “I saw Michael’s blinkers, and I don’t think Seb’s are as bad as that.”

No waste: Swig it, don’t spray it

Photos: Getty

Emotional: Webber can be excused this desecration of the national flag after his decades’ service to the sport

In words Webber might use, he was pissed off but not surprised. In the final wash-up the books will show his final season was winless – Malaysia could have joined Britain and Monaco as races he won twice. It seemed fitting, if not a fairytale, that Webber would finish behind Vettel in Brazil last month. And that he had to graft for second by winning a rivalry of a more healthy variety against Fernando Alonso.

“It was good to race you for the last time,” Webber told the Italian as they prepared for an even more lively podium presentation than usual. Alonso’s respect for him was clear.

“It was nice to be the man battling with Mark in the last race, we were chatting on the podium about this,” Alonso said. “We will remember this battle together.

“We will miss him. A great man, a great character, a driver of the old school, a lot of values in his personality.”

The last bit is maybe why he’s been so lauded on leaving.

Webber has never been afraid to speak up, whether against injustice in his team, against drivers, changes to the sport that are detrimental to the racing or human rights – he was the only driver with the guts to speak up about Formula 1’s eventual cancelling of the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix due to civil unrest. In 2012, before going to Bahrain, he said it was a missed opportunity from a powerful global brand. “F1 should have taken a much firmer stance, rather than constantly delaying its decision in hope of being able to reschedule the race,” he said. “It would have sent a very clear message about its position on something as fundamental as human rights.”

Despite living in the English countryside and driving millions-worth of machinery for a living, he remains humble (not sickly so) and blunt (but with charm). “Maybe I did not have the most absolute natural flair and talent, but I knew that if I grafted and worked hard I’d soon get awesome results,” he said before Brazil. “I also smashed guys who had more talent because they didn’t work as hard as me.”

AussieGrit’s his Twitter handle, and fair enough.

Rivals: Webber and Sebastian Vettel

Would be: Yohan Blake and Usain Bolt

RIGHT PLACE, WRONG TIME Mark Webber’s time to shine disappeared when Sebastian Vettel arrived and the German hasn’t given anyone a look in since. Sport has plenty of examples of those who could have been champs with better timing…

YOHAN BLAKE: In any other decade, the Jamaican would be the fastest in the world – but with Usain Bolt he’s not even the fastest in his country.

DANIEL KOWALSKI: A top middle distance swimmer if not for Keiren Perkins – silver in Olympics and World Champs. And once KP was gone, Grant Hackett arrived.

STUART MACGILL: Shane Warne’s shadow who was expensive but a prolific wicket taker and worthy of more than the 44 Tests he played for Australia.

CRISTIANO RONALDO: Some say Real Madrid’s star is even better than Lionel Messi, but Barcelona’s maestro offers more over all and has Ballon D’Ors to show for it.

GUY ANDREWS: Without Trevor Hendy the Uncle Toby’s Super Series of the late Eighties and early Nineties was all his. A five-season period saw Hendy win four to Andrews’ one – Andrews pegged it back though.

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SPORTFOCUS

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Best & worst ’13 Looking at the hits, misses, heroes and villains of the year, it’s hard to believe we – and the athletes – got out of it in one piece Awesome All Blacks

Soccer-boos

Happy team at Hawthorn

Our Team of the Year award must go the New Zealand rugby team – Ireland had a proper crack at ruining their perfect year, but somehow we always knew the All Blacks would find a way. That they levelled with a try from the last play and Aaron Cruden got a second go to clinch victory almost adds to their year’s stats: played 14, won 14. Incredible.

Australia places unfair expectations on its football team, but to lose 6-0 twice – albeit to Brazil and France, who are pretty good – makes it tough to sell the game to an already cynical public even if the A-League’s going gangbusters. Ange Postecoglou won his first in charge against Costa Rica, but captain Lucas Neill got booed. World Cup next year, eek.

Hawthorn had something to prove in season 2013 after going down to the Sydney Swans in last year’s grand final. Unlucky for Fremantle who suffered from the benefit of the Hawks’ experience and went down 11.11 (77) to 8.14 (62). Even more frustrating for the West Aussies is that if they kicked three straighter it was a different story. Buddy Franklin’s big money defection to the Swans is a down note.

HEROES

VILLAINS

HEROES

Clarke’s nasty nine

Roosters cockadoodledoo

NRL drugs scandal

Harsh to slam a team that just flogged England in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, but 2013 was a shocker for Michael Clarke and gang – with the exception of the captain himself until he got fined for politely warning James Anderson of the imminent dangers of a cricket ball. They lost 4-0 in India and 3-0 in England, not winning in nine Tests. Even David Warner admits he shouldn’t have tried to hit Joe Root.

The battle of the silvertails went to the right silvertails in the end, as the Sydney Roosters went on to beat Manly in the NRL grand final after finishing the year on top of the ladder, pushed to the last by former cellar-dwellers South Sydney. They were happy to be the villains with mercenary Sonny Bill Williams their ultimate weapon – winners are grinners.

Former Canberra Raiders and Penrith Panthers winger Sandor Earl was handed an infraction notice after he admitted to trafficking and supplying the banned substance CJC-1295, which triggers the release of growth hormone.

He’s stepped away from the NRL and is assisting with investigations. His wasn’t the only drug-related scandal in a dark 12 months.

VILLAINS

HEROES

ALLEGED VILLAIN

Wannabe Wallabies VILLAINS

Calling stumps: Lisa Sthalekar (with Ellyse Perry) retired after the Cup win

A bit of a shambolic year for the Australian rugby team, with their 2-1 loss to the British and Irish Lions the final nail in Robbie Deans’ coaching coffin and not much changing under new man Ewen McKenzie, with Rugby Championship losses to South Africa and New Zealand, and then England in the autumn opener. They’re a team on the up though.

Booed: Lucas Neill

4 Southern (super) Stars

Vettel’s bad PR move

Kiwis-Roos rule world

Let’s forget the multi-format Ashes series over a Test, one-dayers and T20 matches, the Australian women won the freaking World Cup back in January-February! If that’s not worth celebrating, James Anderson is as quiet as a church mouse on a cricket field. Jodie Fields’ crew were awesome in India winning their sixth 50-over title in the final over the West Indies, so we’ll forgive them the 12-4 loss to England.

Germany’s Sebastian Vettel added the 2013 Formula 1 World Driver’s Championship to his 2010, 2011 and 2012 titles with races to spare this year, so why is he a villain? Because despite being a freakishly talented racer, he made a dick of a decision at the Malaysia Grand Prix when teammate Mark Webber was leading and team orders said for him not to pass. TNT reflects on Webber’s immense career on P72.

After 25 games in the Rugby League World Cup we ended up with the same semi-final match-ups as we did in 2008. That’s not to say the tournament wasn’t a beauty, the work of teams such as USA, Italy and Tonga was gold, but we ended with the flag bearers of the code, Australia and New Zealand, in a sold-out final at Old Trafford. England will be hungrier than ever to get there next time.

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VILLAIN

HEROES

Words: Michael Gadd. Photos: Getty

HEROES

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Great Scott, good Day HEROES

World No 2 Adam Scott won the US Masters, something no Aussie had managed to do after choking a la Greg Norman previously – and he did it in a pressure-cooker play-off. Then he won back-to-back Australian Masters. And then, his Aussie teammate Jason Day won the World Cup at Royal Melbourne, and together they won the team title. Not a bad year then.

All but America’s Cup VILLAIN-ISH

As a contest, the 2013 America’s Cup was a certified cracker with Oracle Team USA coming back from 1-8 down to beat Team New Zealand 9-8 in one of sport’s great comebacks.

Shame for New Zealand, whose crew is largely Kiwi, up against Team US’s Aussie skipper and strategist, and drafted in Brit Sir Ben Ainslie from race six on. Just change the names to the sponsor and be done with it.

One more year: Kiwi Sonny Bill Williams is defending the NRL title with the Roosters

Go Wildcats!

Essendon bombs out

Handy Andy

The AFL London season had a stand-out club, the West London Wildcats, whose affiliate teams appeared in all three grand finals in August. Their Ealing Emus went down to the Reading Roos in the social division, but in conference their Shepherd’s Bush Raiders beat Regent’s Park and in the premiership the Wildcats were too good for North London.

The only victory the Essendon Bombers had this year was getting slapped with the heaviest ever penalty handed down by the AFL for bringing the code into disrepute.

The club also copped a $2million fine and was declared ineligible for the finals over their handling of a supplements programme.

Coach James Hird also got suspended for 12 months. Naughty naughty.

No pressure mate, but everyone in the British Isles will be very unhappy if you don’t win Wimbledon and end up a blubbering mess on centre court again. Phew. He won, beating Novak Djokovic in the final and becoming the first Brit in 77 years to win the coveted grass title. Shout out to Rafael Nadal’s comeback from injury to be World No 1, too.

HEROES

VILLAINS

HERO

NFL fever in Old Dart HEROES

So American football really is a thing in England, as proved by nearly 84,000 punters packing out Wembley, twice, to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers get beaten by the Minnesota Vikings in a thriller, and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the franchise touted most likely to shift if a franchise comes to England (some people believe it), get stuffed by San Francisco. A genuine phenomenon.

Cheers for tears: Andy Murray

Jamaic-ing me crazy VILLAINS

After six of the country’s top athletes tested positive for banned substances, Jamaica’s AntiDoping Commission’s entire board resigned.

Kiwis rule rugby HEROES Defect: Buddy Franklin left the Hawks for the Swans on a high

The Chiefs beat the Brumbies in the Super Rugby final plus New Zealand won the men’s and women’s Sevens World Cups.

Show time: NFL in London TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Perfection: The All Blacks after winning their 14th of 14 matches for 2013

Bad Blake out of the box

Froome’s yellow fever

Lance’s web of lies

Getting paid a stack to play rugby league for a living wasn’t enough for Blake Ferguson and his mate Josh Dugan, who were sacked by the Canberra Raiders for a series of indiscretions, mainly involving getting on the piss at the wrong times. Then Ferguson followed Quade Cooper and Sonny Bill Williams onto an Anthony Mundine undercard and did the unheard of for a pro footballer... lost.

Will Chris Froome serve as Bradley Wiggins’ workhorse again or defy team orders and go for gold himself? The question was a non-issue when Wiggins pulled out of the Tour de France and a win more predictable than helmet hair ensued for the 2012 runner-up. He’ll always be the second Brit to win Le Tour, but it shouldn’t lessen the achievement.

You better believe it, this nightmare went down this year even though it feels like it’s gone on forever. A hero to millions, Armstrong finally sat down with Oprah Winfrey in January to admit – and attempt to justify – his use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career. He’s now been stripped of his career’s achievements, including seven Tours de France.

VILLAIN

A tall glass of Porte HERO

One for the unsung heroes here with ‘Tasmanian Devil’ Richie Porte, the Aussie cyclist making our list mostly for his work in getting Team Sky leader Chris Froome over the line in the Tour de France. In the absence of Brad Wiggins and Froome, he also got the chance to lead Sky and win the Paris-Nice – for all the morons in sport, it’s nice there’s Porte.

Football match fixing VILLAINS

British journeyman footballers are accused of match-fixing in Victorian football’s second tier, allegedly orchestrated by a Malaysian betting syndicate. Surely this is as low as it goes.

Mundine’s money VILLAINS

No begrudging Anthony Mundine his victory over once great fighter Shane Mosley, but the whole lead-up was such a saga it left a bad taste.

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HERO

VILLAIN

Homeworkgate VILLAINS

This episode in India gets its own box, such was its all-round stupidity. Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja got dropped from the Test side because they didn’t do axed coach Mickey Arthur’s set homework where they had to suggest how the team could improve. Watson quit as vice-captain and buggered off home and Darren Lehmann was left to pick up the pieces.

Live-wrong: Lance Armstrong

Gai’s way in Melbourne HERO

The 153rd running of the Melbourne Cup made history, as it always does, with a win finally coming the way of Australian racing’s first lady Gai Waterhouse with Fiorente. Adding to the sort of narrative that only comes with racing, the Ireland-bred horse was the only Aussietrained runner in the first five and was ridden

by Damien Oliver for his third Cup win in his first ride since returning from a 10-month ban.

Finally: Fiorente and Gai Waterhouse

Check out TNT online for the latest news, gossip, gigs, bizarre headlines and awesome features

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T N T E R O M T WAN travel team! te ri u o v fa r you on offer from s t’ a h w f o te Here’s a tas

TRAVEL FEATURES & STORIES...

COMPETITIONS & TRAVEL OFFERS...

JOBS, JOBS & MORE JOBS...

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+ NEWS & REVIEWS

LIFESTYLE CAREERS | MONEY | LIVING | HEALTH & BEAUTY IMAGE OF THE MONTH

OH CHRISTMAS TREE, HOW YUMMY ARE YOUR BRANCHES Warburtons has created the UK’s first baked Christmas tree, using 2,500 baked goodies including bread, wraps, pancakes and crumpets. You can head to the Warburtons Facebook page to guess the gifts and win what’s inside (clue: we suspect you could cycle to work on the one to the far left).

Photos: Getty and supplied

INSIDE

JUMP IN AT CAMP /84

WINTER WORKOUT /82

RULE BRITANNIA /88

Spend your summer playing around outside and getting paid for it by joining the team at Camp America.

Yes it’s cold and miserable outside, but that’s no excuse to superglue yourself to the sofa and watch your arse expand. Get out there!

If your visa’s about to expire and you’re not ready to leave this green and pleasant land, we tell you how to extend your stay.

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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EDITOR’S PICK

LIFESTYLESTUFF

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Write your message on a piece of paper, take a picture and inky.com will send a card of your choice out with your message printed inside. Perfect for Christmas!

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HANDWRITTEN GREETING CARD APP

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RETRO IRECORDER SPEAKER

Add a personal touch to your cards to rellies back home. inkly.com – app is free to download

Be the racer or the cop in this revamped classic. origin.com

Plug your iPhone in the tape deck and press play! red5.co.uk

£59.95 FOUR IPHONE CAMERA LENSES Macro (10x & 15x), wide-angle and fish-eye your iPhone pics. olloclip.com

£0.90

FREE TELETEXT’S BAMBOOZLE QUIZ IS BACK

The yellow man has returned! teletextholidays.co. uk/Holidays/Travel/bamboozle-quiz

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£11.95 LOVE IS WAR: THE MODIMOLLE MONSTER Ina Bonnette’s harrowing but inspiring story is told. amazon.co.uk

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THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

GIOTECK GAMING CHAIR

Guilt-free and seriously tasty movie-time snacking. waitrose.com

This extended edition has nine hours of special features. amazon.co.uk

A beanbag with speakers for comfy and noisy gaming. gioteck.com

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Photos: Supplied

SWEET COCONUT AND VANILLA PROPERCORN

It’s Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on Friday December 13. Don your festive knit and donate £1 to the charity. christmasjumperday.org

£49.99

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LOOK COOL AND SAVE THE CHILDREN

BEWARE: PEOPLE WILL SQUEEZE HIS NOSE

CAN’T GET TO THE SLOPES? BRING THEM TO YOU

£25 from the sale of this retro knit is donated to the charity. johnlewis.com

Get snuggly with this friendly looking fellow. primark.com

Red, white, skis and fir trees? That’s Christmas on a jumper. jollyclothing.com

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HAVE AN AWESOME AUSSIE CHRISTMAS

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Bring some sun, sea and Santa to the UK’s chilly shores. britishchristmasjumpers.com

A dog is for life... and for your jumper. asos.com

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THE SENSIBLE OPTION

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You can quote from Elf all night long. “Santaaaa!” newlook.com

On the pull? Look cute and Christmassy in this sweater. fatface.com

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LIFESTYLEHEALTH CLASS OF THE MONTH

HULA HOOPING Thrusting my hips backwards and forwards is not something I usually choose to do in a room full of strangers, but that’s exactly what I find myself doing at the most recent Fitness Freak event.

Everyone else is doing it too, though, so that makes me feel somewhat better, as well as the fact that we are soon to add a hula hoop to proceedings, which is what our pelvic thrusting propels, or is supposed to... Lord knows how I used to do it for hours as a kid – hula hooping that is – and I’ve got hips now, which I thought might act as some sort of barrier between the hoop and the floor; they don’t. Completely addictive, I thrust until my stomach cramps and my back aches, desperately trying to keep my hoop going, hence why it’s such a great core workout. Add spinning hoops around your arms, hula-squats and general jumping around and you’ve got a sweaty exercise class on your hands – or hips – but one that will have you laughing, and thrusting, a lot. Run

by Marawa the Amazing (and she really is, she can hula 133 hoops at a time), head along to her next hula fitness event...

When: Dec 9, 6pm, 7.15pm & 8.30pm Cost: £12.50 Where: York Hall, Bethnal Green

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Get your winter workout on It might be dark and gloomy, but don’t leave your exercise routine out in the cold...

The UK’s dark and cold winter months probably make you feel like limiting your exercise routine to lifting the remote control and jogging between the sofa and the fridge. However, with the right approach, the cold months need not be a time to shun getting fit, and if you are training that means mince pies without the guilt. Try these top tips for keeping in shape...

Recreate summertime The lack of daylight during winter is as inspiring as beans on toast for dinner, but there are tricks to getting your body used to the change in season: “Change your alarm to specific wake-up songs – motivational, uplifting tunes to get you going in that first 10 minutes when getting out of bed,” advises Liam Barrett of London fitness trainers The Fit Scene (thefitscene.com). Also, simulate natural light by changing your ordinary bulbs to daylight bulbs as they give off much whiter light. “You will feel better living in

an environment lit by bright, natural-looking light, plus you will suffer less from eye strain,” tells Philip Brown at The Fit Scene.

Change your bed covers and curtains to a brighter, lighter tone in the winter months.

Surrounding your senses with a lighter environment will naturally make you feel more positive and energetic.

Keep yourself warm You’ve made it outside, but the cold air means that your lungs now hate you and you want to go back to your friend Mr Sofa. But don’t give up. “When you first step outside, try to acclimatise quickly by stopping and breathing a few short breaths before proceeding,” says Brown. “From then on concentrate on just breathing predominately through your nose – it will help warm the inspired air.” Also by wearing a moisturewicking neck warmer over your mouth it’ll not only keep cool air off your neck, but the gaiter also traps the natural water vapour

Rise and shine: Fill your room with light colours to recreate the feeling of summer

fitness-freak.com

Neck warmer: Keep the cold at bay 82

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LIFESTYLEBEAUTY PARTY TIME

Nail Santa Claus... with these festive stickers. £1.55 sparkly-nails.co.uk

you exhale, making the air you inhale moist and warmer, which is easier on your lungs.

Words: Ollie Stallwood. Photos: Thinkstock and supplied

Take it easy Base training is lower in intensity, tending to be easy and steady while constantly working for a longer period of time. Research suggests winter is the best time for base training, since building a strong core of fitness over several months will make your high-intensity training more effective.

“Base training is the foundation of any endurance athlete’s training cycle, run or swim and it mainly consists of long, steady work of increasing distance,” says Brown.

“For example,” adds Barrett, “if you feel you are pushing yourself on an average cycle at around 18mph for about 30 minutes and you want to build up, try reigning it in slightly at the beginning, taking a steadier pace at around 15mph but staying out longer than usual, perhaps 45 minutes to one hour.”

Eat well (between mince pies) Those stodgy pizzas and packet mashed potato may be winking at you in the winter, but eating well is the key to sustaining good fitness levels. You’ll be thanking us come summer time down Clapham Common.

“Eat more fish, such as raw sardines, salmon and tuna rich in vitamin D during the winter months, as when you have limited exposure to the sun, vitamins become even more essential,” explains Barrett.

Also make sure you have enough zinc in your system. It is a powerful antioxidant, which helps stave off illnesses, maintain ideal hormone levels and improve energy levels.

The richest food sources of zinc include beef, lamb, pork, salmon, beans, nuts and sunflower seeds.

Introduce interval training Look at winter as the time to maintain fitness levels but build up your strength.

Those of you who compete in endurance events will perhaps get less chance to pound the streets due to weather conditions, so use this time effectively and focus on strengthening your legs, core and flexibility.

Improving these areas over the winter months will greatly improve your running when spring rolls back around.

Interval training will also get you warmer quicker in the cold air and, because you’re going through numerous rounds of lower intensity and then higher intensity, you don’t need to spend as long doing it.

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Kiss under the mistletoe... with this hot red lipstick. £3.99 hm.com

Get ready to glow... with rain-resistant fake tan. £14 karoracosmetics.com TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Team America Do you have the enthusiasm to rival a sofa-bouncing Tom Cruise?

You could be perfect for camp in the US of A. Woop!

Lake-front wood cabins, sleeping out under the stars, marshmallows and camp songs around an open fire – this American dream could be yours for eight weeks next summer. To help, here’s everything you need to know about getting a job at a US camp.

What roles are there?

Wild Packs Summer Camp Placement takes on 1000 staff at 120 camps a year. Whether you’re into watersports, hiking, art, or simply want to be a good friend to the happy campers, they’ll find a match for you.

You can either be an instructor – which requires expert knowledge in a field, be it climbing, lifeguarding or drama – or a camp counsellor, who spends all day with their cabin crew going from activity to activity and are 84

TNTMAGAZINE.COM

often more of a shoulder to lean on.

As expected, Antipodeans are particularly desirable candidates, known not just for their enthusiasm and confidence, but also for their water skills and experience.

Camps range from the traditional – sports, art, and, of course, campfire sing-alongs – to the more specialised, where budding actors or fine artists choose to spend their summers, so if you have experience treading the boards or painting the walls (in a creative sense), then you could be suited for one of these spots.

There are also camps for disabled children or kids from disadvantaged backgrounds, though counsellors for these must have specific experience.

If kids aren’t your thing, there are also jobs working as cleaners, cooks or

in the offices, which obviously requires the relevant experience. Wild Packs and other placement agents will help match your skills to the most suitable camp.

What experience do you need?

When it comes to your background, enthusiasm, motivation and some experience working with kids are the most important factors. Although it doesn’t have to have been a life hobby, it is recommended you spend some time either babysitting or volunteering with a local Brownie or Scout troop before you apply.

Certification is required mainly in the area of watersports, but above all, past experience and a passion for the activities will get you the job.

“Motivation and passion are the biggest things we’re looking for,”

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Photos: supplied. Words: Rachael Getzels

explains Ella Breakfield, who works with Wild Packs and has spent four summers working at a camp. “If you go in with high energy, you’ll get that back. It’s an exhausting job but it’s completely worth it.”

CAMP SLANG Every summer camp comes with an encyclopedia of slang and in-jokes and by the end you’ll pretty much be speaking a new language. Here are a few of the more universal terms to get you started.

Bug juice: This is not actually insect poison, so drink up! It’s fruit juice all campers are encouraged to gulp down to stay hydrated.

Colour Wars: Not a historic conflict. Rather, a huge team game in which the entire camp competes against each other in matches, challenges, and massive cheer-offs.

S’more: A sticky, messy, melty marshmallow and chocolate sandwich. It’s a camp-fire favourite that will leave you wanting ‘s’more.’ Drool. Everywhere.

LIFESTYLECAREERS in order. They also cover your medical insurance.

Tying it in with travel

A chance to see the States is another great opportunity on offer.

Lots of counsellors What you get even end up staying in return with the families of their campers.

Pay is low but most A standard visa will camps offer enough allow you to travel for to break even – about 60 days before or after £1000 for the season, your time at camp. which covers flights Whether you want and then some. Some to travel across the camps will pay directly country, take a camper into your account van out West or party while others will help in Miami, this is a perk you set up with a local you’ll definitely want bank. While there you to take advantage of. won’t spend a penny as all food and If you tick the above boxes, bring accommodation is provided. The team on the ice-cold Buds and hot dogs, it’s at Wild Packs will help you get all your time to21:28:29 become part of Team America! paperwork visa and a police check 26/11/13 1-2 for pagea ad 176x124mm PRINT.pdf

ON THE JOB JAY BURGESSON CAREER Senior event planner at The London Kitchen AGE 25 LIVES Greenwich

How did you get your job? I did an events and hospitality management degree and my year’s placement set in concrete that event catering is what I wanted to do. After completing my course I moved to London to join The London Kitchen.

What’s the most rewarding part? The satisfaction gained from producing a client’s dream event – especially when it all goes to plan.

What’s the most challenging part?

I can have clients ringing me at midnight to say they have 100 guests the next day – but it’s good fun! thelondonkitchen.com

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RECRUITMENT

To advertise call 020 7989 0567 or sales@tntmagazine.com

SELECTA WWW.SELECTALABOUR.CO.UK

AVM Impact, the UK’s leading provider of audio visual, video conferencing and collaborative technologies is recruiting for top talent.

CALLING ALL TRADES & LABOUR We are now recruiting trades & labour for London & the South East.

We offer very competitive salaries. Immediate vacancies include Project Managers, AV Engineers, Commissioning Engineers, Designers and Pre Sales Engineers.

Applicants must have experience and qualifications in construction.

Please apply online now at www.selectalabour.co.uk.

If you are looking to work for a fast growing technology company and have IT, telecoms or electrical experience, please send your CV to jobs@avmimpact.com

For more information please call us on:

020 7231 1230

HAMPSTEAD NANNIES .

Professional Chef de Parties required for Event Catering companies within Central London. £9.00-12.50p/h. Weekly pay, flexible hours, 7 days p/w.

CV, Qual, Passport, Hyg Cert ess.

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Hampstead Nannies is one of London’s most professional Nanny Agencies, run by trained personnel with a wealth of experience in all aspects of childcare and education.

We are acknowledged as being friendly, reliable and highly competent in placing qualified, experienced and reference checked Live In/Daily Nannies, Mother’s Helps, Housekeepers and Maternity Nurses.

Barkat House 116-118, Finchley Road, London NW3 5HT. Finchley Road Tel: 020 7433 2525/6.

Tel: 0208 946 6342 or 0208 944 1609 Email: Claire@claireschefs.com (Agy)

www.hampsteadnannies.co.uk

ARE YOU JOB HUNTING? Visit tntjobs.co.uk for vacant positions in all industries across the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

At tntjobs.co.uk you’ll find out how to land your perfect job, an A-Z list of employers, job alerts, career news and information, visa advice and details of recruiters.

Solving your recruitment problems!

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CASH SAVERS

HOW YOU SPEND IT KEISHA HERBERT, 24

DREAMS COME BREW We all know that pounding headache from too much cheap bubbly the night before. Well this year your dream of waking up hangover-free can become a reality with 50% off a stellar bottle of champagne. Usually costing £29.75, Heidsieck Blue Top is £15 a pop at Asda. Or you can opt for a bottle of ‘I heart Prosecco’ for £9.99 from Budgens, Tesco.com, Rhythm & Booze or Londis.

Photos: supplied and Getty. Words: Rachael Getzels

A FIGHTING CHANCE The origins of the term ‘Boxing Day’ are undecided, but we all know it’s due to the punches that are thrown as eager shoppers try to get the best deals on the first day of major nationwide sales. Oxford Street will be prime territory with up to 70% off all high street brands.

Get ready to rumble.

SNAP IT UP Do some celeb stalking at super-star hangout Gilgamesh in Camden.

The famous restaurant is offering 50% off its £55 set menu through December. Just try not to tussle with the professional paps outside, waiting for a star spot.

See lastminute.com

LIFESTYLEMONEY

JOB Market researcher FROM Leeds LIVES Bethnal Green

How do you budget?

After monthly expenses and adding a bit to my savings, I try to set myself a weekly spending amount. It can be difficult when some weeks are busier than others, but I always try to go with the cheapest options.

Do you have any tips for saving money in London?

I try to take my own lunch into work but I don’t always manage that. A Taste Card

is really good for getting discounts at restaurants.

Last big blow-out?

I went to a second-hand clothes fair last month.

Instead of leaving with a few cheap bargains, I ended up spending a lot more money than I imagined! I spent the last week of that month on a very small budget.

What non-essential items do you spend money on?

Each month I get something new to refresh my wardrobe.

And if there’s a special occasion, that’s another excuse to hit the shops.

HOW THEY SPEND IT

Spend it like Beckham

You know when you buy a fancy new toy and don’t know where to keep it? David Beckham faced this conundrum when he bought a Miami football team for £16 million but couldn’t find a stadium for them. So he’s building one...

Beckham the big spender

❚ At least Beckham has earned his ridiculous fortune honestly – his old team, Manchester United, are the most valuable sports club in the world, clocking in at £1.4 billion.

❚ Basketball team Chicago Sky never have a problem finding someone to sing the national anthem given that former Destiny’s Child member, Michelle Williams, owns a share of the club.

❚ Nothing can get in the way

❚ Former basketball star Magic Johnson was part of a £1.2billion deal to buy the bankrupt LA Dodgers. That’s a hefty price for a team with no money. Sounds like he may have missed a trick.

of business for J-Lo and exhusband Marc Anthony. The divorced pair still co-own the Miami Dolphins. Looks like a sports team is for life, not just for Christmas.

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Wood and wool reindeer Not a tinsel type? This is perfect. burford.co.uk

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London love: We’ll give you this cupcake if you stay

We know, we know... extending your visa is not an easy process.

But we’re here to help Sadly, there is such a thing as overstaying your welcome in the UK. When this happens, they chase you out with British bulldogs and a fleet of Beefeaters. That’s not really true, but when your visa does run out, it becomes impossible to obtain a job, secure somewhere to live, or travel in and out of the country. In fact you become completely illegal on British soil.

Most Antipodeans in the UK arrive here on a working holiday visa – which lasts two years and allows you to get paid work – or on a student (Tier 4) visa. However, if you want to stay in the UK once these expire, you have to apply for ‘leave to remain’. This is a lengthy process which is entirely in the hands of the Home Office and is considered on a case-by-case basis. Once you have provided all paperwork, the government will decide whether you can stay and how long for.

If you’re thinking about staying, we recommend you thoroughly research what you need to do to extend your visa. There are many companies out there that can help you nail down the facts. Here we’ve provided some guidelines, but seeking professional advice is your best bet if you want to increase your chances of staying put.

Who qualifies

Christmas cushion cover Retro and festive – tick and tick.

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To apply for leave to remain, you must already hold either a working holiday visa, a tier 1 (entrepreneurial), tier 2 (work permit) or tier 4 (student) visa. You can move between categories depending on your reasons for wanting to stay. Visitors to the

UK, who are granted six months here, cannot apply for leave to remain.

If you are applying for a tier visa for the first time, you must apply for it from your home country. To apply for permanent residency, rather than leave to remain, there are different requirements – these include marriage to a UK citizen, five years working here on a tier 2 (work permit) visa, or 10 years legal continuous residence, made up of mix-and-match visas which you have been granted over that time. To check specifics, visit the UK border agency website, ukba. homeoffice.gov.uk.

What you need To make an application for leave to remain, you will need to make your case to the Home Office. Firstly, you will need to provide bank statements proving that you can afford to stay here. You will also need to include your qualifications and, if you’re applying to stay on the basis of work, you will need information and support from your job.

If you are applying to extend a tier 4 visa (student) you will need a CAS statement from your place of study. Australians and Kiwis are exempt from having to prove they speak English but South Africans are now required to demonstrate proficiency of the language. The UK border agency has a handy form finder on its website, which will help you get your paperwork together. However, it’s best to speak to a specialist during the process because the laws change so rapidly and good legal advice can really boost your

IMMIGRATION LIFESTYLELIVING PROBLEMS? Turn around! There’s hope yet – you may be able to extend your visa!

TIME RUNNING OUT? VISA EXPIRING?

EXCUSES, EXCUSES...

Conjuring up an excuse for overstaying? Don’t use any of these, which were all deemed invalid by the Home Office, unsurprisingly.

– I banged my head on a low beam and have lost track of time.

– My car broke down in the middle of nowhere and it took me three days to walk to the nearest town. I’ve been recovering ever since and haven’t felt fit to travel.

– I was a witness to a road accident so I’m waiting for the trial date to give evidence; after three years, still no news.

– I’ve become a religious leader and cannot leave my flock.

– I spent alot of money on my trip so I thought you’d be pleased about my overstay. application. Visa Inn provides a very useful ‘Ask Allan’ question and answer service with Allan Van, who is an immigration lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience. The Home Office website is also good for advice.

Photos: Thinkstock. Words: Rachael Getzels

Where to apply and what it will cost There are two ways to apply. You can either send off your forms by post or you can book a same day application at the Home Office.

A postal application for a tier 4 (student) visa extension costs £406. Same-day applications are more expensive – £100 non-refundable to book and £781 in person. Prices vary slightly depending on which type of tier visa you are extending. The benefit of a same day application is that the decision is made on the spot (we say that – what we mean is after

hours of queuing in the waiting room. Still, the process is more efficient).

Deadlines Most immigration lawyers would advise that you get your application sent off a few months before your current visa is due to expire. However, you can actually put your application in the post on the very same day your visa expires and you can remain in the country until you hear back from immigration (although you can’t do a lot while you’re here – legally anyway). Make sure you keep copies of all dated envelopes.

Refusal, rejection and appeals No one said rejection is fun, and this is no exception. The Home Office can ‘refuse’ your application outright. This is where the government has considered what you’ve asked for but has decided you’re not eligible for the extension. If your application is ‘refused’ you can appeal the decision within 10 days (plus two for postage) and you can remain in the country until a decision is made – this can often take up to six months!

A ‘rejection’ happens only when you haven’t included the correct information or paid the fees – in this case you can resubmit your application and are given an extra 28 days from when your original visa expired to get your paperwork in order again.

Remember, applying for leave to remain is considered on a case-by-case basis. Make sure to keep records of all correspondence and get in touch with specialists to increase your chances.

Allan Van As, Director of Visa Inn, has 23 years experience of making UK immigration simple. Allan and his team specialise in tailored advice for all cases.

For long term immigration planning and to ensure a stress free stay in the UK, call us today for a confidential consultation.

We specialise in all UK immigration cases: Ten Year Long Residence (Indefinite Leave) Applications Marriage and Relationships Human Rights Applications Business Visas (Tier 1) Work Permits (Tier 2) Students (Tier 4) Appeals

Confused? Ask Allan!

0203-5864035/6/7

07979987124 allan.immigration@gmail.com 79 college road, Harrow on the Hill, HA1 1BD

www.visainn.co.uk TNTMAGAZINE.COM

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Going home woes Thought leaving the UK would be all tears and beers? Think again. There’s a lot to do before you can make a safe exit...

You always knew the bitter-sweet day would come. You imagined pubs overflowing for leaving drinks, goodbye parties in the streets, crowds sobbing at the airport. What you didn’t factor in was the admin. To return home there are a lot of loose ends to tie up. But with this handy checklist you can spend less time panicking on the phone to the bank and more time sniffling into a tissue as a flag-waving mob cry their goodbyes...

Photos: Thinkstock. Words: Rachael Getzels

Find a job You battled hard for a job here – and of course devoured all of TNT’s handy guides. But now you’ve got to make some dosh back home and you’re feeling a bit out of the loop (does your mum even recognise you?).

Downunder.com is a useful resource for finding recruitment agencies in Australia for the recently returned and it’s a good idea to sign up early so you’re fully prepared when the job hunt begins.

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Shut down your bank account Granted, there are better ways to spend your time (especially if you’ve got a farewell fanfare trailing you), but this is vital. If you leave behind forgotten or empty accounts, you risk paper work or even surprise fees. It’s pretty simple – just walk into your branch and tell them you want to shut down your account. Remember, if you have an overdraft, you have to pay it off first.

Cancel your phone contract It’s time to trade your UK mobile for good-old Skype. Contracts can be tricky, charging hefty cancellation fees, so speak with your provider first. Some companies let you transfer the contract to a different name so you could pass it to a mate. You have to cancel in person at a shop, or by phone and some providers require 30 days notice.

Pay your bills This is pretty much a no brainer but we thought we’d include it anyway, just in

case you are a no brainer. Make sure all your bills – rent, water, electricity, parking et al – are paid, otherwise they will come back to haunt you. And with a hefty penalty fee.

Transfer your money You’ve obviously got piles of extra cash lying around after a year of living in London (ahem), so you’d better get it home sharpish. Try UKForex (UKForex. co.uk) to transfer large amounts abroad, as it offers better exchange rates than the bank, fee-free money transfers on amounts over £3,000, and you can do it all online. Simples.

Pay your taxes Most people have their taxes sorted by work, but if you’re self-employed or a freelancer, you’ve got to do it yourself. Figuring out how much you owe and what forms to fill out can be complicated. Thankfully services such as gosimpletax.com can guide you through filing your tax return online for free.

Check out TNT online for the latest news, gossip, gigs, bizarre headlines and awesome features

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SAY WHAT?!

And where would I even get access to a pig?

He wants me to cook for him, but I’m not going to transform into Moira Stewart overnight.

Train reaction: We sat opposite each other on the train from Lewes to London on 5th of Nov (Bonfire night!). You were with a group of friends, I was by myself reading ‘Great Apes’ by Will Self. Then you started a chat. Then I gave you my earphones. Then suddenly our train got cancelled in Croydon and I was left without your number or even a name. If you’re reading this and felt the same buzzing chemistry that night, please, reply.

bestie are heading to New York next month! Love you SamSam, from Alex!

Good plan: Happy birthday Jon, you little frizzy haired chihuahua man! Let’s get so drunk we can’t look each other in the eye for a week!

Ciao bella: To the Italian lady on the Bakerloo line. I wish I could speak your language so I could figure out if you and your boyfriend were making fun of me, or if

THINGS THE QUEEN SHOULD DO BEFORE SHE DIES There’s someone Mandela on the phone for you.

Nelson Mandela?

Yeah that’s the one.

Jonny, why are you fully clothed?

Foxes Eat meat?

Yeah...

Oh, I thought they ate berries.

Our problem is, we’ve got weak chin skin.

you wouldn’t know a nun if she sat on your face.

Good times: Remember when I got stung by a wasp on the neck and looked like the elephant man, and you were drunk and trying to catch all the mice? I miss our time together. Your little friend.

Lamp lady: I often find myself thinking about that time I saw you stood on the corner under that lamp post in Bishopsgate. Your eyes were so deep that I could see into your soul and feel your daddy issues. I wish we spoke.

Jealous? Oooooh me and my

you just wanted to add another member to the party ;) Walk like an Egyptian: Antonia, my little Kiwi fruit, I hope you have an amazing time teaching in Glasgow. Just do the Egyptian dance and they will love you! Mike Something fishy: To the Aussie fisherman that I met on the tube the other day, I wish I could go Down Under with you!

Crabby: That American girl who picked up the random crab on Peckham Highstreet was so brave.

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I’ll give you two options. No, wait, i’ll give you a couple.

Reveal that she is, in fact, Santa Claus. Weird.

Sorry to anyone close by when I screamed like a big baby.

Paint me like one of your French girls: Jermaine, remember when we used to get drunk every Wednesday and you would draw me in various situations? I miss that, let’s do it again sometime! Lots of love, Luke.

Puppy love: Has anyone seen my dog? He is a little shih tzu with HUGE eyes and he is my absolute soul mate! If you think you find him, his name is Alan and he is very friendly so make sure you talk to him lots and feed him well and give him a lot of attention before I come and pick him up. If he is sad at all, I will make you sad! Do you understand me?

Fill me up: To the South African girl I pashed at O’Neills in Soho on Friday night! Who are you? I think you swallowed one of my fillings!

Row your boat: Joleen, I really enjoyed our date the other night when we went to the beach and bought a rubber dinghy, even though it was freezing! Don’t think I didn’t notice that I was doing all the rowing while you were sat back eating fresh seaweed. Mark MILF: This is for the hot cougar I met in Clapham. You’re 46, I’m 23. Think about what those two numbers add up to. I hope to see you again my little prune.

Meet the parents: Laura I’m so happy we get to go meet your family in Australia! I really think they’ll like me and especially when they hear my accent! Throw another shrimp on the barbie!

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