TNT Magazine / Issue 1439

INSIDE ■ YOUR FREE 18-PAGE GUIDE TO NEW DESTINATIONS Live, Work & Travel

March 28-April 3 2011 Issue 1439 tntmagazine.com

OUT OF THE ORDINARY Stay in the world’s quirkiest hostels

URBAN ART WHITEWASH

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Will Olympics sound death knell for graffiti?

Treasure Islands Sailing and scuba in Fiji

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this week March 28-April 3 / Issue 1439 Free every Monday tntmagazine.com

Front Cover: Getty images

EDITOR’S LETTER Chances are you walk past some type of graffiti every day in London. How do you view it? Read our feature on P10 and let us know if you’ll be sad to see it cleaned up for the Olympics.

If you’ve been on the receiving end of street harassment, help is at hand, with the launch of a new movement – see P14. If you’re wondering where to go for a big trip this year, turn to P73 for our expert guide to new destinations – you’re bound to find something to suit.

68 Discover the magic beneath the sea in Fiji

53 TRAVEL

CAROL DRIVER

62 Not your average dorm

53 Global Vision 55 JUMP START: Get your kicks coasteering in Pembrokeshire 58 Late Deals 59 TNTT Weekender: Champagne 60 Hotshots 62 QUIRKY HOSTELS: How to pimp up your accommodation 64 Travel Tips 65 Travel News 66 On The Road 67 Top Five 68 MISLES OF SMILES: Go deepsea diving and explore Fiji

34 NEWS & SPORT

DESTINATIONS NEW

34 World News 36 GONE VIRAL: How video clips are reshaping the media landscape 38 Australia News 39 New Zealand News 41 Our View: Sex after marriage 42 Sport: best of the week 45 Sport View: Should Ponting retire from One Day Internationals?

46 THEN THERE WERE EIGHT: A preview of Champions League quarter finals

TRAVEL ROUND-UP: Flights, tours and experiences MIDDLE EAST: Why you should go there now WHAT’S HOT IN 2011: Travel experts reveal their tips

8 LONDON 8 London Life 10 WRITING’S ON THE WALL: Graffiti faces Olympic whitewash 12 Food & Drink 14 HOLLABACK GIRL: Campaign to end street harassment 16 Spotted 18 Silly Buggers

21 ENTERTAINMENT 21 22 24 25

Celebrity News Look Who’s Talking: Simon Calder Cinema Culture

26 MUSIC & CLUBS 26 29 30 32 33

Music – album of the week Gig previews Music Listings Clubbing Listings Clubbing

49 CAREERS & MONEY 49 Careers 50 Money

REGULARS 4 Letters 6 Wins 130 Desperately Seeking 88 2011: the year for a full moon party in Thailand

10 Graffiti in London: art or an eyesore?

YOUR SAY EDITORIAL Editor Carol Driver Content Editors: Travel Janine Kelso Entertainment Alison Grinter News & Sport Tom Sturrock Web Frankie Mullin Features/editorial assistant Rebecca Kent | Inger Smith Sub Jahn Vannisselroy

Not all sport is ‘sexist’

In reply to Claire of East London (Sexist Sports 1438), this summer the Australian National Tag Rugby team (Oztag) will be touring the UK for a series of matches against Try Tag Rugby England.

One of the division’s played will be mixed.

Whilst Tag Rugby is not a professional sport, there will be a number of former professional and semi-professional sports men and women in both squads.

On another note, did you know that in mixed Tag Rugby, male tries are worth one point whilst female tries are worth two? It would be interesting to see what the PC brigade think of this!

Alistair Davis, Southwark

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Head of design and production Jon Cooke Graphic design manager Astrid Breacker Design and production executives Justine Mackay | Laura Doyle Picture researcher Laila Pacheco DIGITAL & IT Head of digital marketing and development Syed Ahmad IT manager Stephen Dann SALES Head of Sales and Marketing: Jim Zambrano Acting Sales Manager Jaqui Ward Portfolio Manager Stephen Warman Sales Executives Matt Syder | Tyler Harrison | Eddie Clinton | Thomas Wheeler Sales Administrator Abby Nightingale MARKETING & EVENTS Marketing and Events Executive Domenica Ribaudo Marketing and events assistant Phoebe Cherrill Social media co-ordinator Daniel Cape ACCOUNTS Finance director Nick Crampton Accounts Margaret Roberts | Ewa Marks TNT PUBLISHING CEO Kevin Ellis Chairman Ken Hurst Receptionist Lisa Lowe TNT Publishing Ltd Emblem Direct Ltd PRINTED BY St Ives Web Ltd NEWS AAP SAPA NZPA PICTURES AAP AP Alamy Getty Images NZPA PA Photos Photolibrary.com Pictures Colour Library Reuters Rex Features Robert Harding SAPA TNT Images PUBLISHER

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Your careers article (1438) suggested lap dancing, stripping and pole dancing.

These ‘careers’ are only to titillate men and are not only degrading and objectifying women as ‘sex objects’ but downright insulting!

Do you not think most us aspire to higher goals than ‘getting our kit off’ even if we are guaranteed safety working in strip clubs and the sex industry?

J Finn, via email

parcels which would have included butter no doubt.

When this advert was first broadcast Country Life was genuinely surprised that research showed 39 per cent of people buying Anchor think the brand is British.

Well, nearly two years down the track, if the Great British public still doesn’t get the message I would suggest dropping butter out of their diet entirely and switching to smart drinks.

Peter Hansen, via email

BEWARE EMAIL SCAMS TIME TO CHANGE THE RECORD MR ROTTEN I’m a bit tired of hearing Johnny Rotten’s adverts on the radio everyday sledging NZ butter.

If Mr Rotten was the patriot he claims to be he would know that NZ not only helped militarily in WWII but also sent war-ravaged Britain food

NEXT WEEK IN

Thanks Emma (letters 1438) for pointing out about the property scam – I’d never heard of that one before.

Although I have received emails from various far-flung countries (apparently), asking for my bank details so they can transfer hundreds of thousands of pounds into my account. It’s amazing that they

Entertainment

We chat to DJ Bob Sinclar

choose me – how lucky I am.

I feel privileged. I did reply once, and got a swift answer, asking for all my personal details so that the sender “could trust you fully”.

Needless to say, I didn’t respond – but it’s shocking to think some people do.

Sue, Clapham

MEAN NOT TO GIVE TO ‘CHUGGERS’?

There are so many ‘chuggers’ collecting for charities on my way to work, that I’ve decided not to give to any. Is that mean?

James H, Shepherd’s Bush

WIN!

letters@tntmagazine.com

letters@tntmagazine.com Letter of the week wins a three-day tour of Ireland from Shamrocker (shamockeradventures.com), valued at £119. Letters may be edited.

Prize is not transferable. Your Say is a reader forum and does not represent the opinions of TNT or its staff.

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Learn to cook gourmet nosh

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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.

A women’s Six Nations match between Ireland and England

LAP DANCING NOT A GOOD CAREER CHOICE

LETTER OF THE WEEK

LONDON LIFE

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S STILL E C A P S BLE AVAILA A portrait of Natalie Portman as she appears in Black Swan

PREVIEW: MARIE HARNETT DRAWINGS For most of us, film trailers serve as a sneak preview for the main event. But for emerging artist Marie Harnett they can be an end in themselves, providing the inspiration for her detailed, minuscule drawings – mainly of Hollywood actors and actresses.

Harnett watches the trailers online without sound or colour, frame by frame, until she sees something that inspires her.

She rarely watches the entire movie, preferring

instead to invent her own story for the characters she draws.

The former film student has drawn portraits of Penelope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tilda Swinton, Adrian Brody and many more. No wonder she is in hot demand for private commissions.

Her first solo exhibition will showcase 80 of her drawings from 2007 to 2010.

» Alan Cristea Gallery 31 Cork Street, W1S 3NU (alancristea.com) Green Park. Until Apr 21. Free.

Harnett’s drawing of Sienna Miller

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BILBAO BBK LIVE FESTIVAL TICKETS Enjoy great live acts at Spain’s Bilbao BBK Live this summer

TNT has teamed up with the Bilbao BBK Live festival in Spain to give four lucky readers a pair of three-day camping tickets each.

Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, Kasabian, The Black Crowes, Kaiser Chiefs, Blondie and many more are set to perform at this year’s festival, which will be held on July 7-9.

Coinciding with the Running Of The Bulls, and just an hour away from Pamplona, the Bilbao event is fast becoming a must-go in the international travelling circuit, so come and join the fun at the Bilbao BBK Live festival this summer!

Enter at tntmagazine.com/ competitions.

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LONDON LIFE

WHAT’S ON Tom Sturrock PICKS THE BEST OF LONDON THIS WEEK

LONDON

POLE TO POLE FREE WHAT: A collection of satisfyingly spectacular photographs from the Arctic and Antarctic taken by veteran snapper Sue Flood. Charting the polar regions took 15 years and involved living a “macho icebreaker life”, says Flood, whose work took her Russian icebreakers on trips to the North Pole and diving with leopard seals in the Antarctic. It paid off.

WHEN: March 17–April 9.

DO IT BECAUSE: The Polar landscapes are epic, stark and beautiful. It will remind you why you love travelling.

8

» Getty Images Gallery, 46 Eastcastle Street, W1W 8DX Oxford Circus (gettyimagesgallery.com).

Ramp it up on the South Bank

Capital idea: South Bank skate park While the Dogtown renegades were bailing out swimming pools to skate the concrete waves in California during the early 70s, their London counterparts were discovering their own unintentional skateboarding mecca.

Located in the dimly lit Queen Elizabeth Hall undercroft, the graffiti-covered concrete ledges, stair sets and smooth banks combine to create London’s most distinctive spot.

In 2008, Downing Street

announced plans for new restaurants and shops in the area. The skateboarding community stepped up with the “Save South Bank” campaign. Recognising the positive impact it has on London youth, the government stopped its plans to renovate the undercroft, saving South Bank – for now, at least.

BRITISH STEEL FESTIVAL £15

HEAD OF THE RIVER FREE

Heavy metal and thrash bands belt out the tunes while London’s headbangers have their annual mash-up. Hit the mosh pit this weekend.

400 teams from all over the world race from Mortlake to Putney. It’s been going since 1926 and is a great excuse to get drunk by the river.

» 174 Camden High St,

» River banks between

NW1 0NE Camden Town (myspace.com/britishsteel festival). Apr 2

Mortlake and Putney Hammersmith/ Putney Bridge (horr.co.uk). Apr 2

Way better than Poohsticks

ERIN CHACK

» Under Queen Elizabeth Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XTB Waterloo

BRITAIN EXPLAINED LONDON BY NUMBERS

345bn GDP, in pounds, of London – the highest of any city in Europe

During the Second World War, British codebreakers worked out of a stately home, called Bletchley Park, in the English countryside. They achieved one of the war’s most crucial intelligence victories by deciphering the codes used by Germans.

The Germans thought their code, with 150 million million million combinations, was unbreakable. But by 1945, there were 10,000 linguists, mathematicians and chess

champions decoding up to 18,000 messages a day.

They used machines – called Enigmas (below),

which looked like old typewriters – that ran through large numbers of possible positions in a short time.

Their work paved the way for the invention of the modern computer and the intelligence they gathered, codenamed Ultra, is often lauded as having shortened the war by several years.

Winston Churchill referred to the staff as “the geese that laid the golden eggs, and never cackled”. TS

Getty Images

Source: Pricewaterhouse Coopers

THE ENIGMA CODEBREAKERS

A LIVE NATION & DF CONCERTS PRESENTATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH CAA

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WEDNESDAY 01 JUNE

Cool collection: Flood spent 15 years on the project

AT HOME IN JAPAN £5 Japanese homes have been fetishised by the West for their supposed minimalism and ‘otherness’. This exhibition looks at the reality of how contemporary Japan lives.

Get a mate to bring the sushi and make a day of it.

FESTIVAL OF GARDENING £6

» London Wetland Centre,

Rd, E2 8EA Old St (geffryemuseum.org.uk). Til Aug 29

SW13 9WT Barnes (wwt.org. uk). Apr 2-3

Laugh at Jo Brand for charity

Sue Flood/Canon/Getty Images

Jo Brand hosts a night of stand-up comedy for Mencap, featuring Harry Hill, Lee Mack, Al Murray, Miranda Hart, Sean Lock and Lucy Porter. Get along and laugh for a good cause.

» HMV Apollo, Hammersmith, W6 9QH Hammersmith (meanfiddler.com). Apr 1

0844 847 2405

BUY ONLINE AT LIVENATION.CO.UK

Walks, talks and workshops on all things gardening. Find out how plants can heal, learn to grow veggies or just chill out in the beautiful rain garden. Great for greenthumbs who need a few tips.

» The Geffrye, 136 Kingsland

APRIL FOOL’S DAY COMEDY £40-60

LONDON HMV FORUM

THE PALE BLUE DOOR £35 Artist Tony Hornecker transforms his studio into a restaurant/art installation.

A three-course meal will be served by glamorous trannies in a magical setting. Promises to be an experience.

» Secret Shoreditch location Dalston Junction (tony hornecker.wordpress.com).

Until Apr 10

THE ALBUM, `COSMIC EGG´ OUT NOW THROUGH MODULAR / UNIVERSAL MUSIC WWW.WOLFMOTHER.COM WWW.MODULARPEOPLE.COM

Graffiti could be erased permanently as London spruces itself up for 2012.

TNT asks, is it art or an eyesore? WORDS JAHN VANNISSELROY

W

hen it first emerged, the graffiti movement was one of the four pillars of hip-hop. Along with breakdancing, MCing and DJing, it combined to form the artistic expression that sprung from the streets of Seventies’ New York to arrest the world’s attention and never really let go – hitting London in the Eighties.

Today, along with street art – a newer phenomenon with a more commercial motive – graffiti is undergoing a renaissance, largely thanks to Banksy.

But not everyone is a fan. Keep Britain Tidy is calling for a zero-tolerance approach, insisting: ‘Graffiti is not art.’

And, as London mayor Boris Johnson strives to clean up London ahead of the Olympics, he’s launched a ‘Love Clean London’ app, with which graffiti can be reported and its clean-up progress tracked.

So, as the push for colour-free streets continues, TNT talks to the people behind the spray cans about how important artistic expression is on the streets.

Wayne Anthony runs LSD (London Street-Art Design) Magazine. One of the acid house scene’s original members in the late Eighties, he says the renaissance of graffiti/street art is the most inclusive movement he’s seen.

“People see a Banksy and they all gather round to talk about it. They’re all from different classes, creeds, race and religions. When I first saw that, I realised this was something special,” he says.

Anthony calls urban art “one of the last true acts of freedom”, adding: “In a time when our rights and civil liberties are

These artists “ are really very bright people ” .

being eroded, there’s not many things left where you don’t need permission to do them. It’s one of the last places you’re going to get uncensored messages that aren’t trying to sell you anything.”

Ever the trendsetter, London attracts the best artists from around the world.

“Anyone who is worth their weight in paint is coming here,” Anthony says.

tntmagazine.com

Rich Simmons puts the final touches to his mural for the upcoming royal wedding

And what about the people behind the art? Are they all jobless vandals as the stereotype purports?

“These artists are really bright people,” Anthony says. “Many of them work across different mediums and different styles and have a strong voice and a message to convey. I’d say in many cases they’re smarter than the people judging them.”

East London-based graffiti artist Busk agrees. Involved in the London scene since its genesis in the Eighties, he has seen artists come and go, styles change and the internet widens the scope of its appeal.

“You’re basically redesigning a letter form. You need to be a graphic artist, an architect, a 3D modeller and you have to get your brain around all that,” he says. “It’s not easy.”

For Busk, the early days of rolling The street art scene is growing in London

URBAN CANVAS The Brick Lane Gallery: While Brick Lane itself is a walking street art exhibition, this gallery showcases some of the best.

196 Brick Lane, E1 Aldgate East Price: Free See: thebricklanegallery.com

»

»

Graffiti lessons Andy Seize teaches the techniques behind tagging, shading, and drawing with aerosol paint.

Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 Waterloo Price: £45-150 See: graffitilessons.co.uk

»

Signal Gallery This venue embraces urban and street artists in an effort to push their creative boundaries.

32 Paul Street, EC2A Old Street Price: Free See: signalgallery.com

TNT mages, Getty Images

»

with a graffiti crew were all about fun, danger, painting and breakdancing.

“It was a movement, an all-consuming lifestyle. You’d meet your mates at night, go out tagging. There was a whole camaraderie to it ... and that camaraderie has still kept me going.

“We never really saw it as illegal. We weren’t thinking of going out and destroying people’s property.”

Busk came to grips with the illegality of the act after he was jailed for his art.

“It did take a couple goes,” he laughs at having been sent to prison twice.

Not only is there rivalry between the authorities and artists, but also between the graffiti and street artists, who are keen not to be bunched together.

Busk considers street art a watereddown version of graffiti but he is philosophical about its place on the streets.

“We’re all artists. For me it’s always

been about longevity. I’ll always be an through using art as a therapy. I can use artist so whether I’m in fashion, or in the the gallery shows and the money that I galleries or not, is never an issue.” make now to boost Art Is The Cure Rich Simmons is one of the new breed (artisthecure.com), run workshops and of urban artists. offer my studio space Younger and to them to up-andwithout the old coming artists,” he school links to the says. But it’s not all street, he’s using his serious for Simmons, creativity to especially with his publicise his main work on the street. passion – using art “I get to put my as a therapy. personality out there.

While he agrees I get to tell jokes, put many street artists across my sense of One artist makes his view clear are only interested in humour. It’s all about furthering their own telling little stories careers, using an through imagery. The English are a very urban canvas as a quick way to a gallery, prudish people. We don’t like controversy he’s adamant he has much. If I can change people’s perspective a genuine interest in helping others. on how they see certain things then that’s “I can use my art to benefit their lives where I get my kicks.”

tntmagazine.com

LONDON

London Street Art Tour Because tags and graffiti are constantly being drawn or destroyed, this is the best way to see London’s rawest works.

84-86 Great Eastern St, EC2 Old Street Price: £15 See: streetartlondon.co.uk

11

FOOD & DRINK

BAR REVIEW The Chamberlayne ★★★★★

LONDON

83 Chamberlayne Road, NW10 3ND (thechamberlayne.com) Kensal Rise

THE SCENE Commanding a corner of a street Vogue deemed the hippest in Europe, this is a refined gastropub in a comparatively pared-down,

12

open-plan space, so the old boys are equally as comfortable here as the beautiful young trendies.

THE GRUB A carnivore’s dream. Twenty-eight-day-aged steaks and cote de boeuf and he like are cooked to mouthwatering perfection.

BEHIND THE BAR A passion for whiskey runs through the heart of its drink selection. It’s

also got an exhaustive bunch of wine and a variation of beers on tap.

BILL PLEASE A pint will set you back roughly £3.30 and wine from £4.80, but food is the snag. You’ll get little change from a £20 for most mains.

VERDICT There’s an obvious pride in the food, plus you feel trendy just being here.

REBECCA KENT

Restaurant Review Sheba

★★★★★ 136 Brick Lane, London E1 (shebabricklane.com) Liverpool Street

ROOFTOP BARS Skylon This swanky South Bank bar offers an unparalleled view of London’s iconic skyline.

Come for the great cocktails, but be wary, it’s a long way down if you have one too many. skylon-restaurant.co.uk

Roof Gardens

Sheba: not an identikit curry house

chilli, African chilli and green chilli. My naan bread was hot and fluffy and the Sulemani Chicken was tender and aromatic.

BEHIND THE BAR A range of

international beers and wine.

BILL PLEASE Main meals start from ÂŁ7.50.

VERDICT Stand out food at affordable prices in a convivial setting. JANINE KELSO

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Towering 30 metres above High Street Kensington, this rah-rah DJ bar has three mightly impressive roof terraces complete with flamingos. roofgardens.virgin.com The Clarendon Because London’s weather is what it is, this secluded Notting Hill spot has a heated terrace and umbrellas, too. theclarendonlondon.com

TNT images

ZZZ XNVSXU FR XN

5510S

THE SCENE Set amid the buzz of curry lovers’ paradise Brick Lane, this long-running family-run restaurant bustles with families and groups of friends. Sheba stand outs from the area’s identikit curry houses that lure people in off the street with promises of cheap fare or free booze. On the Tuesday night when I visited, the place was packed with diners who’d actually booked a table.

THE GRUB Specialities include Lobster Bengal Special, Goan Chicken Xacuti and Roopchanda, queen fish from the Indian Ocean marinated in lemon juice. If you want to clear your sinuses, opt for the fiery Bollywood Blast, infused with naga chilli, Mexican

Mad Men’s Joan was admired for her considerable assets

HOLLABACK GIRLS

Subject to cat calls for decades, women are now reclaiming the streets WORDS REBECCA KENT

Hollaback! cards for helpful retorts

P

sst, hey sexy, looking good. Can I get your number?” Sound familiar?

Lewd and unwanted attention on the street from men is a grindingly familiar reality for between 80-90 per cent of women, research shows.

The routine response has been to ignore the harassment and walk on, suffering in silence – until now.

A movement called Hollaback! has thrust the issue into the spotlight, encouraging women to make as much noise as the unwelcome whistles, jokes, jeers and obscenities that greet them sometimes on a daily basis.

ZERO SUCCESS Having struck a chord with women from Mumbai to Montreal and many cities in between, a Hollaback! group has sprouted in London.

Already it has a small army of followers, exemplified by

the posts on its website, where victims can anonymously sound off about their experiences.

A submission from ‘Libs’ reads: “Walking down the road at 3pm and some guy hisses ‘you’re gorgeous’ at me as he passes. Do I care what some leery guy thinks of my face? No. “Do I want random men hissing at me when I walk past? Nope. Was I likely to turn and run after this guy and ask him to go for a drink so we could discuss my gorgeousness further? No! All in all it made me feel just a little bit shitter as I walked home.”

Libs gets it in one. As man’s success rate is approximately zero per cent, so why do they cat call at all? After all, it will never be returned with: “You think I’m hot and you want me to sit on your lap? OK, let’s exchange numbers.”

The Hollaback! movement has come out of a realisation that street harassment is now a social and cultural norm, with women made to feel like taking action only escalates the situation.

But if perpetrators are not held accountable, they will continue to do it.

Another Hollaback! forum member relayed a time she was ‘holla-ed’ at while

evidently walking with her father.

Normally armed with a witty retort, this time she was muted by the shock of the culprit’s flagrant disrespect.

THE POWER OF A MAN At a Hollaback! meeting last week in east London nail salon WAH (We Ain’t Hoes).

Attendees –young, attractive women and a handful of men – conjectured that street harassment has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with power.

Far from being interplay between man and woman, the behaviour is a study in males asserting their masculinity among each other.

Robert Phoenix, 31, from Tooting went so far as to say hollering was an unconscious action. ‘’There’s a total lack of comprehension from men about what they are doing,” he says. “The fact is that they are social idiots who, rather than being told to stop this behaviour, need to be told how it makes women feel. You don’t want to make it an issue to a point where they are too afraid to talk to women at all.’’

CROSSING THE LINE Phoenix has hit the nail on the head. It’s not that women don’t enjoy a compliment, they just don’t enjoy it when it makes them feel intimidated.

Women have even told of mapping a new route to work to avoid undignified

Tool s, prepare for a drilling

SAY CHEESE Two Kiwi girls (pictured) took to the streets of LA with a hidden camera in their back pockets to catch men staring at their backsides.

The result was an entertaining and enlightening video entitiled Rear View Girls, which caught skateboarders, guys and their girlfriends and even a ‘Jesus’ ogling at them.

Ignore that this was a surreptitious

bellows from a construction site. There is a fine line between flirting and harassment, but where it lies, is a grey area.

So, an admiring wolf whistle is not just a bit of harmless fun? Not according to Hollaback! London founder, Julia Gray, 23.

“Critics will say we’re over-sensitive but what we object to is the frequency of this behaviour. If you allow one form of sexual harassment it escalates, so we want to see an end to all forms of it.”

Hollaback! is not a group for angry feminists, Gray assures. Men are also championing the movement. They have a responsibility to.

TOOLS IN THE TRADE Ask any woman and they’ll tell you marching by a construction site can be an ordeal. Building sites are synonymous with lewd behaviour.

But a building site supervisor in Westminster, who didn’t want to be named, argues that’s in the past. “There’s still an

element of it that goes on, but now, with sexual harassment laws so strict, all the boys are told in induction that if they’re caught, they are red-carded immediately.

“I’m an old school boy. If you saw a nice young lady walk past you’d say ‘how you doin’, darling?’, but unfortunately all we can do is have a look and button our lips.”

TACKLE IT HEAD ON While the birth of Hollaback! is positive for victims, it will be some time before this deeply entrenched social issue is stamped out completely.

In the meantime, women are advised to tackle street harassment as it arises.

Going straight to the boss if it’s on a worksite should serve the perpetrator some comeuppance. Otherwise, advice swings from ignoring it, to putting them in their place completely.

One Hollaback! user told how she shouted abuse in the “cowardly face” of a man who pinched her on the bum in Leicester Square. “I was completely sober, completely dressed, and completely in power.” Men, you have been warned.

» See ldn.ihollaback.org

tntmagazine.com

LONDON

MAD BEHAVIOUR Viewers of Mad Men, the BBC drama which looks unflinching at the world of advertising in the Sixties, may recognise the theme of women being objects of desire.

“What do you do around here besides walking around like you’re trying to get raped?”, the boys at Sterling Cooper hiss at Joan, the voluptuous secretary.

The fact we’re still talking about it more than 50 years later indicates that this is a stubborn issue. Though it should be pointed out that not all men are guilty.

advert for Levis jeans (they owned up a week after it was launched). The video went viral, demonstrating that in this big brother state of ours there’s dubious fame to be achieved for perverts.

Mario Valdivia, 51, found some when Nicola Briggs, an American tai chi instructor, posted a video of her screaming at him after he rubbed his penis up against her.

Valdivia ended up in jail, the video became an internet sensation and Briggs was hailed a model for women who want to reclaim the streets.

Hollaback! began in New York after a woman’s photo of her harasser ended up on the front page of a newspaper because the police did nothing when she reported it.

Now, a Hollaback! app enables a victim to snap their harasser on the spot, write about the experience and post the details to the website, with the location pinpointed on its online map.

15

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LONDON

Call us on 020 7960 6008 or come down to the TNT office so we can ID you.

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16

GIGALUM Clapham, Sunday, March 20 Photos by: Nicola Bellinfantie/TNT Images

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He stayed at home.

But the money made it to Australia – at the touch of a button.

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LONDON

SILLY BUGGERS

18

I had a holiday fling with a guy and he wants to pick it up here. On the last day away, though, he admitted to peeing in the ocean. I think that’s gross. Is it a dealbreaker?

Q

A

I think you’re being a bit of a prude. In any truly erotic relationship, you need to love each other’s bodies and a bit of pee is just a natural function of that.

In fact, I actually employ a little test along these lines when I’m with a new guy. The morning after I’ve blown his mind in the sack, I’ll ask him to take a shower with me.

While I’m washing his back

TOOL OF THE WEEK The St Kilda schoolgirl

river, the Candiru follows the stream back to the culprit and then swims up into the urethra, where it lodges itself with backward-pointing spines that protrude from its gills.

The Candiru then begins feeding on blood and tissue, devouring its host from insideout. I saw men beg for their dicks to be amputated, so intense was the pain caused by the vile, parasitic Candiru.

What more evidence do you need that God doesn’t want us peeing in his waterways?

» Got a sex or relationship dilemma? Email dearreuben@ tntmagazine.com

THINGS THE QUEEN SHOULD DO BEFORE SHE DIES

# 421

FOLLOW HER LIFELONG DREAM OF BECOMING A GAUCHO – OR COWBOY – IN URUGUAY

Silly Buggers™

Thinkstock, Getty Images

She’s been at the heart of the scandals that dominated the Aussie rules off-season.

She can’t be named because she’s underage, instead being referred to as ‘the St Kilda schoolgirl’, but she generated a series of controversies by releasing nude photos of St Kilda players and apparently entering a sexual relationship with 47year-old player manager Ricky Nixon.

Now she claims she’s being pursued by producers to appear in a movie. Your 15 minutes is over, sweetheart.

A

I spent some time living with my favourite lavender among the jungle tribes and kiwifruit body scrub, of Brazil and they strictly I like to pee on his leg. forbade urinating in the river.

It is, literally, the ultimate Not because of hygiene, but litmus test for any budding out of fear of the Candiru, the relationship. Rather than vampire fish of the Amazon. testing for pH, like in Year 10 The Candiru is related to the science, I’m checking whether catfish but looks like a silvery my new man is adventurous eel and can enough for grow to about another shot two inches in at the title. length. The Maybe Candiru is your boyfriend addicted to was doing the the taste and same thing. smell of Sounds like human urine you failed the – if someone test, Little Miss Love me? Love me not? pees in the Vanilla.

TRAVELLING TO TURKEY FOR ANZAC DAY? New Zealanders travelling to Turkey for Anzac Day should check out www.safetravel.govt.nz for all the security tips and advice you need for a great, safe trip.

visit:

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come celebrate

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Drinks specials (one free SA drink before 2pm)

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STAR SPOTTING Inger Smith WITH THE LATEST FROM THE WORLD OF SHOWBIZ

NEW ZEALAND

SAVED BY THE BLING: Aussie actress Abbie Cornish has described how a single hair extension saved her from sustaining horrible injuries.

It was during the filming of her new movie Sucker Punch that a co-star accidently knocked her on the head with a WW1 rifle, which had a steel bayonet on the end.

Talking on US show Jimmy Kimmel Live she explained: “The metal hair clip really did save my life, and all I have now is a little scar.

She added: “I kind of liken it to the old Bible in the left pocket story.”

➩

Abbie Cornish at the premiere of her new film Sucker Punch

UNDERCOVER BROTHER

A GOOD WEEK FOR

After a fouryear-long house-hunt, Russell Crowe has finally found a place to call home.

Having inspected a long list of properties (one costing £31.5million), Rusty has now settled for a £6.3million pad.

Getty Images

➩

A BAD WEEK FOR

I Love You Phillip Morris star Ewan McGregor has announced his retirement from nude scenes. Apparently the Scot reckons he’s too old to strip off on-screen. Never too old for your birthday suit Ewan!

It’s true! Prince William really is one of us – a man of the people ... Well, he might not shop at Asda anytime soon, but rumour has it that the prince was flying cattle class on his recent trip to NZ.

According to The Telegraph Wills apparently travelled under a pseudonym in economy (along with his security team) on an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Christchurch.

So what was his Royal

Highness to be called on his airborne journey?

Opting for something a bit more creative than the usual royal names of Edward, Henry, Charles and Richard, he’s said to have gone under the name of .... Pinkerton Smith.

Air New Zealand, however, said they could not comment on whether Prince William had used a false name or not.

So, ‘Pinkerton Smith’: much more fun hanging out with the cool crowd at the back, isn’t it?

SAY WHAT?

”Nothing like a live chainsaw to motivate you to run faster.”

Renee Zellweger talks about the best five-week workout plan of her life: 1994 flick The Return Of Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Woman’s Weekly: Former news presenter Judy Bailey steps back into the spotlight to raise funds for the victims of the Christchurch earthquake; plus former All Black captain Reuben Thorne talks about his escape from the quake and tsunami in Japan.

AUSTRALIA New Idea: Aussie model Megan Gale seems to have lost a lot of weight – but has Megan gone too far asks the mag?; New pics of Liz and Shane in LA – seems she’s giving him another chance.

Woman’s Day: Controversial politician Pauline Hanson reveals what makes her kids cringe – their mother belting out tunes in a karaoke bar.

SOUTH AFRICA Heat: Playboy South Africa’s first cover girl Tracy McGregor tells the mag why she decided to shed her clothes; plus check out all the best and funniest Heat moments of the last seven years.

You: The Bold And The Beautiful actor Rick Hearst talks about the best seven weeks in his life – the time he spent in South Africa 23 years ago.

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ENTERTAINMENT

CELEBRITY NEWS

GLOSSY GOSSIP FROM HOME

21

ENTERTAINMENT

LOOK WHO’S TALKING

Simon Calder The Independent’s travel editor and prolific broadcaster shares some of his invaluable wisdom and advice ...

INTERVIEW ALISON GRINTER

22 Your Sunday LBC Travel Show is moving to the new time of 7-9pm – why is that?

Travel expert Simon Calder

Because LBC wants to make the programme as accessible as possible for travellers. Research showed, perhaps unsurprisingly, that a significant number of prospective listeners were missing out because they were away, often on a weekend trip from London.

On the show you help travellers who phone in with their travel queries.

What’s the most unusual question you’ve ever been asked?

Unbelievable but true: “Where can I go where I won’t meet any Australians?”

I can only guess she had had an unhappy relationship with an Aussie, and didn’t want to be reminded of it when travelling. I told her that Australians were great travellers, and therefore it would be tricky to avoid them, but (and this was shortly before the current turmoil) she could try Libya.

In a faceless “ hotel, you’re on your own

”

What the most popular destinations amongst listeners?

Turkey and Egypt are firm favourites, mainly because they offer excellent deals.

But they’re also a long way to fly, and with fuel prices rising, that’s increasingly significant. If you want exotic culture, then Morocco is much closer; for great beaches, Spain and France are brilliant.

And if you’re seeking great value, then Portugal is difficult to beat.

What’s your top travel tip?

Don’t change money at a UK airport! The

rates are so appalling that you’re giving money away. For euros and dollars, shop around at London bureaux de change; for any “exotic” currency, such as the Turkish lira or Egyptian pound, wait until you touch down in the destination.

You once said, “The thickness of the mattress is in inverse proportion to the proximity of the people”. Does that mean the less comfortable your travel the more interesting the experience?

It’s more that if you choose budget accommodation, especially backpacker hostels or a room in someone’s home, you are likely to have a much more enriching experience because of the people. In a faceless hotel or motel, you’re on your own.

Your top 11 destinations for 2011 were surprisingly unexotic (the Algarve, Tasmania, Anglesey)...

I dare you to suggest to a local in the Algarve, Tasmania or, indeed, Anglesey, that their location is “unexotic”. The world is full of fascinating corners with interesting people, and you need not travel far to find them. For example, I’ve been hitching around Atlantic France for the

past few days, meeting salt farmers, clambering up ancient lighthouses and feasting on fruits de mer. That’s exotic enough for me.

Your policy has always been to “Pay your own way” so you’re not tempted by junkets with five-star hotels?

Gosh, what a terrifying prospect – I wouldn’t know where to start or how to behave in a five-star hotel. I started writing for The Independent in 1988, when it had a strict “no freebies” policy, and I have stuck doggedly to it ever since – which is why I’m talking to you from La Rochelle airport about to board a Ryanair flight that I hope will get me back in time to present next Sunday’s programme.

TUNE IN FOR TOP TIPS What The LBC Travel Show with Simon Calder, a travel phone-in programme for listeners to call, text, email or tweet for travel advice, information and inspiration.

When Every Sunday 7pm to 9pm Where LBC 97.3 FM, online, on digital, Sky 0112, Virgin Media 973.

“With a deadpan expression breaking out into gleaming wickedness ... he has the audience in fits with his resonating observations of common experiences.”

The Scotsman

10-21 May £15

Box Office: 020 8237 1111 www.riversidestudios.co.uk

CINEMA Source Code

SCREEN TEST:

Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan

ENTERTAINMENT

STARRING:

24

CERT: 12A RT: 93 MINS

JAKE GYLLENHAAL

★★★★★

You have to feel for Duncan Jones. Not only does he have to escape the shadow cast by dad David Bowie but there’s also pressure on the director to follow up award-winning debut Moon with a film that proves he’s not just a flash in the pan.

Unfortunately for Jones, Source Code leaves you with more questions than answers about his ability.

Yes, it’s well paced and well acted but it also features some of the clunkiest exposition you’ll experience all year.

The plot sees airman Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal) wake up on a Chicago-bound train inside the body of another man. A big explosion later, Stevens discovers he is part of a US military initiative that – thanks to something called the source code - can place a soldier inside someone for the

1 Jake Gyllenhaal made his film debut aged 11 – name the movie.

2 Which family member appeared alongside him in Donnie Darko?

3 In Brokeback Mountain he played a gay cowboy opposite which actor?

4 In Jarhead Gyllenhaal’s character is based on a real life Marine – name him.

5 His dogs are named after characters in which book?

Michelle Monaghan and Jake Gyllenhaal

last eight minutes of their life.

The airman’s mission is to discover who is responsible for blowing up the train and stop them. Making things more complicated is the presence of sexy fellow commuter Christina (Monaghan) whom

Colter falls for. With Gyllenhaal in fine form, Source Code is a decent enough ride until revelations about what the “source code” actually is quickly derails the film.

GOOD FOR: Blowing stuff up.

PIERRE DE VILLIERS

ESSENTIAL KILLING CERT: 15 RT: 83 MINS

Vincent Gallo

★★★★★

Without uttering a word Vincent Gallo puts in a powerful performance as an Islamic fighter on the run in Eastern Europe after he escapes on the way to a detention centre, in an impressive return for Jerzy Skolimowski. Despite some holes in the plot the director’s effective, minimalist style makes this a riveting film.

GOOD FOR: Gallo fans PDV

ORANGES & SUNSHINE CERT: 15 RT: 105 MINS

★★★★★

The horrific story of children being deported from England to Australia in the 50s and 60s is told with restraint in Jim Loach’s drama. The slow pace might put some off but there are wonderful performances

by Emily Watson – as social worker Margaret Humphries – and Hugo Weaving as a man looking for his long lost mum.

GOOD FOR: Truth seekers PDV Emily Watson

tntmagazine.com

Getty Images, 2010 Summit Entertainment/ Jonathan Wenk

Hugh Jackman’s upcoming Wolverine sequel will be delayed in the aftermath of the earthquake in Japan.

The film will see the hunky Aussie actor reprise his role as the superhero for a sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The departure of director Darren Aronofsky was an early setback for the project, and now filming in Japan, where most of the movie is based, will have to be postponed following the 9.0-magnitude quake and tsunami earlier this month.

The events in Japan are also said to have delayed work on James Cameron’s Avatar sequel.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS 1 Billy Elliot 2 Stephen Daldry 3 Geoffrey Rush and Russell Crowe 4 Jimmy

5 Spies on them. LAST WEEK’S WINNER Lesley Perry

THE REEL DEAL Shooting for The Hobbit, the hotly anticipated prequel to The Lord Of The Rings trilogy finally began in New Zealand last week.

The £30.7million two-film production has been beset by problems, including a spat between director Peter Jackson and NZ’s actors’ union. There was also a race row after a would-be extra was told she was too dark to play one of the pintsized creatures.

But the film, starring Martin Freeman, pictured, Cate Blanchett, Sir Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood is back on track with filming under way in Wellington.

To win a copy of The Gathering starring Christina Ricci and Ioan Gruffudd, out on DVD on Mar 28, email answers to grabs@ tntmagazine. com with ‘Gathering’ in subject.

WIN

CULTURE FLARE PATH Terence Rattigan’s Centenary celebrations continue with Trevor Nunn’s exemplary revival of his 1942 WWII drama centring on a glamorous actress (Sienna Miller) torn between her former filmstar lover (James Purefoy) and the boyish RAF officer she married on the rebound.

The stress of young men sent out on mission after mission, the tension of the wives waiting back at base and the stiff upper-lipped austerity of wartime Britain are all truthfully captured.

There’s humour, too, from a Polish Count whose

ENTERTAINMENT

SEE THIS: Theatre eagerness to kill Nazis far exceeds his command of the English language.

Sheridan Smith is particularly affecting as his cheery ex-barmaid spouse, but there’s fine acting all round in this moving study of emotional conflict caught up in the wider context of war. LOUISE KINGSLEY

25

» Theatre Royal Haymarket, SW1Y 4HT (trh.co.uk) Piccadilly Circus. Until June 4. £17- £50

TNT online For more London theatre reviews see tntmagazine. com/londonlife Mark Dexter and Sheridan Smith

WORTH A LOOK Michael Grandage directs Derek Jacobi as the crazed monarch in Shakespeare’s King Lear » Richmond Theatre, The Green, TW9 1QJ

•An elliptical triptych Wastwater is a snapshot of three

Richmond (ambassadortickets.com) Mar 29-Apr 2. £12.75-£35.50

different couples facing difficult decisions » Royal Court Theatre, SW1W 8AS

EXHIBITION OF THE WEEK

BOOKS OUT THIS WEEK

THE CULT OF BEAUTY: THE AESTHETIC MOVEMENT 1860-1900

art movement. This era resulted in some of the most sophisticated and sensuously beautiful artworks of the Western tradition.

Feast your eyes on lush paintings by Whistler, Rossetti, Leighton and Burne-Jones, as well as architecture, ceramics, metalwork, furniture, costumes and photographs, from this revolutionary period.

A RED HERRING WITHOUT MUSTARD

THOSE IN PERIL

Alan Bradley

(Macmillan) MAR 31

(Orion) MAR 31

The mega-selling African author returns with his latest novel about an oil heiress whose daughter is kidnapped and held to ransom by pirates.

Can maverick security contractor Hector Cross help?

» The V&A, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RLX South Kensington (vam.ac.uk) Apr 2-Jul 17. £12

UNTOLD STORY

With our botox and boob-jobs we think being obsessed with beauty to be a fairly modern phenomenon.

But it turns out the Victorians liked a bit of eye candy too.

And they had more of a reason. Facing the industrial ugliness and materialism of the Victorian age, they set about creating a new kind of art and beauty which found expression in the Aestheticism LaingArtGallery, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museum; Johan Persson

Sloane Square (royalcourttheatre.com)Mar 31-May 7. £10

Former University of Saskatchewan professor publishes his sequel to Bottom Of The Pie. This time eleven-year-old sleuth Flavia de Luce gets a tip-off from a mysterious gypsy.

Wilbur Smith

Monica Ali

KATY PERRY: CALIFORNIA GURL

(Doubleday) MAR 31

Jo Berry

The Brick Lane author examines the nature of celebrity as she explores how Princess Diana’s life might have panned out if the tragedy in the Alma Tunnel, Paris, had never happened.

(Orion) MAR 31

TV and film critic Jo Berry charts Perry’s rise from Christian gospel singer to sexy billion-selling pop superstar and tamer of notorious comedy lothario Russell Brand.

MORE EXHIBITIONS Student protests are explored at

Possible Damage: The Inivators With Tania El Khoury » Rivington Place,

EC2A 3BA (rivingtonplace.org)

Shoreditch High St. Until May 14.

•

Free

SE7EN features emerging artists » Red Gate Studio And Gallery,

SW9 8RU (redgategallerylondon.co.uk). Until Mar 28. Free Laus Veneris by Edward Burne-Jones, 1873-78

tntmagazine.com

MUSIC

MUSIC & CLUBS

ALBUM OF THE WEEK

Arcade Fire, Mumford And Sons, The Vaccines Hyde Park, June 30 (0870 264 3333). £48 Belle & Sebastian Roundhouse, May 29 (0844 482 8008) £25

BRITNEY SPEARS

Bon Jovi Hard Rock Calling, Hyde Park, Jun 25 (hardrockcalling.co.uk). £66

Femme Fatale (RCA)

26

FAST FORWARD

★★★★★

Make no mistake: If we ever send examples of perfect pop tunes into outer space for our alien brethren to sample then Britney’s Toxic, Baby, One More Time and Womanizer will be among them. But Britney’s albums are often padded with fairly forgettable fillers and Femme Fatale is no exception.

Producer Dr Luke promised

“Who fluffed?”

Britney’s not a fan of the dutch oven

a “harder” deeper “electronic” sound for Britney and Femme Fatale’s best songs, such as the driving dance number Hold It Against Me and the experimental How I Roll, make good on this

pledge. But there’s too much sub-Lady Gaga (Drop Dead, Beautiful Lady) or Ke$ha-lite (Seal It With A Kiss) for Britney’s true original pop brilliance to shine through. Enjoyable but not her best. ALISON GRINTER

ALSO OUT MARY BYRNE

VICES & VIRTUE

SNOOP DOGG

Mine & Yours (Sony) The gutsy X-Factor finalist belts out classic diva tracks You’re My World, The Way We Were and more.

Panic! at The Disco (Atlantic) Las Vegan emopopsters turned alternative rock duo return with their third album.

Doggumentary (Priority Records) The Doggfather continues to mine his gangsta rap roots with 11th LP featuring a host of stars.

MUSIC NEWS Snoop Dogg has teamed up with a puppet called Rico in a video to promote Kiwi national carrier Air New Zealand. (Yep, we double checked it wasn’t April 1 too).

Wearing an All Black-jersey the hip hop star appears with Air NZ’s controversial fanged mascot in the rap video entitled Hello New Zealand.

In previous ads Rico has attracted criticism from the public for being sexist. He and the Doggystyle rapper clearly have a bit in common, then.

Perez Hilton continues to throw his weight behind

CHARTS

Snoop Dogg

Auckland singer-songwriter Zoe “Zowie” Fleury. This time the influential celeb blogger, who accurately predicted Lady Gaga and Katy Perry’s ride to stardom, invited Fleury to perform at his showcase at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas last week.

“He asked us to play and it was a really good show. He

Perez Hilton singles out Kiwi muso

was standing at the side of stage singing along the whole time,” Fleury said.

Hilton tipped Fleury as one of his top five artists to watch last year and posted her debut single Broken Machine on his website last year.

The artist formerly known as Bionic Pixie is currently signed to Sony Music NZ.

NEW ZEALAND

SOUTH AFRICA

UK

No 1 single On The Floor, Jennifer Lopez Ft. Pitbull No 1 album Glee: The Music Volume 5, Glee Cast

No 1 single Love, Love, Love Avalanche City No 1 album In The World Of Light, Tiki

No 1 single Rolling In The Deep Adele No 1 album TBC

No 1 single Don’t Hold Your Breath Nicole Scherzinger No 1 album 21, Adele

tntmagazine.com

John Butler Trio Shepherds Bush Empire, Jul 6 (0844 477 2000). £20.

Cloud Control XOXY, Apr 13 (livenation.co.uk). £8.50.

Deadmau5 Victoria Park, June 11 (0870 264 3333). £39.

R. Kelly Hammersmith Apollo Apr 9-10 (0844 844 4748). £30 Fleet Foxes Hammersmith Apollo, May 31 (0844 844 4748). £23.50 Kylie The O2, Apr 7-9, 11-12 (0115 993 4166). £65-£85 Lenka Borderline, May 11 (0844 811 0051). £10.

John Mellencamp Hammersmith Apollo, Jul 2 (0844 844 4748). £30-£75.

The Naked And Famous Shepherds Bush Empire, May 20, (0844 844 0444). £14.50.

Pulp Wireless Festival, Hyde Park, Jul 3 (0871 230 1094). £50 Peter, Bjorn and John Dingwalls, Mar 30 (0870 264 3333). £12.

Springbok Nude Girls Shepherds Bush Empire, Jun 4 (08444 77 2000). £18.

Sufjan Stevens Royal Festival Hall, May 1213 (0844 847 9911). £17-£24.

Suede Brixton Academy, May 1920 (0844 477 2000). £29.

Tame Impala Roundhouse, Jun 22 (0844 482 8008). £15

Getty Images

AUSTRALIA

Jimmy Barnes Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Jul 2 (08444 77 2000). £27.

London’s largest Anzac Ball Celebration at

Australia House

Book now to avoid disappointment Pre-book tickets at www.tntmagazine.com/anzacball Tickets ÂŁ60* Include: t Kier Royale & CanapĂŠ reception t 2-Course sit-down meal

t Charity Auction t Commemorative Ceremony t Live music evening entertainment

"VTUSBMJB )PVTF t 4USBOE t 8$ # -"

'SJEBZ "QSJM t QN o .JEOJHIU Tube: Temple Legacy continues its work supporting ood victims throughout Eastern Australia, ďŹ re victims in Western Australia and Earthquake victims in Christchurch New Zealand.

MUSIC

GIG GUIDE MUSIC & CLUBS

Alison Grinter PICKS OUT THIS WEEK’S BEST LIVE MUSIC

GIG OF THE WEEK ELBOW From their lush, menacing debut album Asleep At The Back through to their recent, more-stripped-back-than usual longplayer Build A Rocket Boys!, Manchester’s Elbow have ploughed a musical furrow that is uniquely their own.

Since winning the Mercury Prize and a Brit Award off the back of their brilliant 2009 album The Seldom Seen Kid, the band now have no problem filling arena-sized venues.

They are one of those band’s you’ve just got to see play live before you die, so get yourself down to the O2 this week.

29

» The O2, Peninsular Sq, SE10 0DX

North Greenwich (0844 856 0202; theo2.co.uk). Mar 28-29. £30.

Guy Garvey of Elbow

THE KILLS

PATRICK WOLF

Between Alison Mosshart’s moonlighting for The Dead Weather and Jamie Hince’s impending marriage to Kate Moss it would be easy to overlook the fact that the dirty blues duo are due to release their fourth album Blood Pressures next week. Their first LP since 2008’s Midnight Boom it gets a preview in town this week.

Returning with his sixth album in eight years, you could hardly accuse radical, eclectic multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wolf of resting on his laurels. And with the release of Lupercalia, and the news that Lady Gaga is a recent convert to his music, Wolf seems set to move from cult status to the mainstream sometime soon.

» Heaven, Under The Arches, Villiers Street, WC2N 6NG

» Koko, 1a Camden High St, NW1 7JE (0870 264 3333)

Embankment (020 7930 2020) Thur, Mar 31. £12.50.

NEW BAND ALERT

Mornington Crescent. Tue, Mar 29. £17.50.

FESTIVAL WATCH Tickets on sale now...

Bilbao BBK Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Amy Winehouse and Chemical Brothers confirmed.

Bilbao, Spain (bilbaobbklive. com). Jul 7-9. £96

Miles wished he’d never put that party invite on Facebook

Cashier No 9

Getty Images

THE BUZZ SO FAR The Belfast five-piece and recent Bella Union

signings owe their sound to Manchester’s baggy era and early 90s psych-rock-acid-house; case in point their new EP Goldstar was mixed by Hugo Nicolson of Screamadelica fame.

THE CRITICS SAY “They weave layer upon layer of melody together to create an unforgettable tapestry of noise. Every song could be a hit single.” BBC THE PLUG Playing Club Fandango @229, Great Portland St, W1W 5PN (229thevenue.com) Great Portland St Wed, Mar 30 £6.

Blissfields Frank Turner, Andy Burrows, Gold Panda, Man Like Me. Winchester (blissfields.co.uk), Jun 30-Jul 3. W/e tickets £65 Camp Bestival Blondie, Mark Ronson And the Business Intl, Clare Maguire.

Lulworth Castle, Dorset (campbestival.net). Jul 29-31, Weekend tickets £170 Download Festival System Of A Down, Linkin Park, The Darkness.

Donington Park, Leicestershire (downloadfestival.com).

June 10-12. W/e tickets £180

Latitude The National, Suede, Anna Calvi, Everything Everything Chapel Club, Paolo Nutini.

Henham Park Estate, Suffolk, (latitudefestival.co.uk). Jul 1417. W/e tickets £155 Lovebox The Wombats, Bag Raiders, Snoop Dogg, Scissor Sisters.

Victoria Park, London (lovebox.net). Jul 15-17. Day tickets from £28.50 Spring Festival Caribou, Crystal Fighters, Jungle Brothers DJ Yoda.

Graz, Austria (springfestival.at).

Jun 1-5. 4-day pass £80.

Reading/Leeds Festival My Chemical Romance, The Strokes, Muse, Beady Eye, Janes Addiction. Reading/ Leeds (meanfiddler.com).

Aug 26-28. W/e tickets £192.50

tntmagazine.com

MUSIC LISTINGS Paul Weller

Lucy Rose Indie-pop from the London-based singer-songwriter.

Kings Place, York Way, N1 9AG (020 7520 1490). £9.50-£26.50.

Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8EH (0844 482 8008). £10.

Unkle, The Duke Spirit

Atmospheric hip-hop from the American outfit. Relentless

Wishbone Ash Classic blues-rock

London-based experimental electronica and trip hop duo.

Garage, Highbury Corner, N5 1RD (0870 060 3777/ cc 0844 847 1678). £12.50.

O2 Academy Islington, N1 Centre, Parkfield St, N1 0PS (020 7288 4400/ cc 0844 477 2000). £18.

MONDAY 28

MUSIC & CLUBS

CunninLynguists

30

from the twin guitar-led veterans.

Dive Dive, Chris TT Indie-rock with a punk flavour from the band from Oxford. Hoxton

Big Audio Dynamite

The 69 Eyes, Hardcore Superstar Gothic rock from

outfit reunite. O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8TT (0905 020 3999/ cc 0844 477 2000). £28.50.

the Helsinki-based outfit.

Elbow Guy Garvey’s

Electric Ballroom, Camden High St, NW1 8QP (020 7485 9006). £15.

Attab Haddad Quintet London-based acoustic experimentalist. The Green

Sq, SE10 0DX (0871 220 0260). £27.50.

Hot Club Of Boisdale Parisian swing inspired by Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. Boisdale Of Belgravia, Eccleston St, SW1W 9LX (020 7730 6922). £12, £4.50 before 10pm.

The Longest Day, The Lonely Cardinals The band fuses indie and classic rock.

Dublin Castle, Parkway, NW1 7AN (020 8806 2668). £6, concs £4.50.

Rumer The soulful vocalist

TNT’S TOP BOOKING

JAPAN DISASTER BENEFIT: PAUL WELLER, MORE Brixton Academy, 211 Stockwell Road, SW9 9SL (gigsandtours.com) Brixton. Sun, Apr 3. £40 Some of Britain’s finest music acts including Paul Weller, Richard Ashcroft, Graham Coxon and Primal Scream will perform to raise money for the British Red Cross’s Japan Tsunami appeal.

WEDNESDAY 30

performs soft rock. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (020 7960 4200/cc 0844 875 0073). £25, concs £12.50.

Will Sheff Indie and folk-rock from the singer-songwriter and frontman of Okkervil River. St Pancras Old Church, Euston Rd, NW1 2BA (020 7388 1461). £17.50.

Yoruba Women Choir Funmi Olawumi leads the ensemble for traditional Nigerian gospel.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (020 7960 4200/ cc 0844 875 0073). £20, concs £10.

TUESDAY 29 Cee Lo Green Leftfield soul from the American singer-songwriter and Gnarls Barkley vocalist. O2

BB Brunes The French band

Zoot Money The resident bluesman performs standards.

Bull’s Head, Lonsdale Rd, Barnes, SW13 9PY (020 8876 5241). £10.

London-born veteran rock ‘n’ roll singer and guitarist Cadogan Hall, Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ (020 7730 4500). £28 & £30.50.

Kyuss Lives! Three original

Ether 2011: Killing Joke

Rd, NW5 1JY (020 7344 0044). £19.50.

Pioneering post-punk and industrial music by Jaz Coleman and his colleagues. Southbank

Dennis Locorriere The Dr Hook

Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (0871 663 2500 /cc 0844 875 0073). £15-£25, concs £7.50-£12.50.

Silver St, N18 1PJ (020 8807 6680). £20.

Kate Nash The London-

W12 7LJ (020 8222 6955). £15.38.

The Manfreds Veteran 1960s pop

Gary Numan, John Foxx, Motor Electro-rock veteran.

Chixdiggit, Billy No Mates, Mike TV The Canadian four-piece plays pop-punk.

Relentless Garage, Highbury Corner, N5 1RD (0870 060 3777/ cc 0844 847 1678). £12.50.

Electroacoustic works from the contemporary composer and sound artist. Cafe Oto, Ashwin

vocalist Daryl Palumbo leads his post-hardcore outfit. HMV Forum, Highgate Rd, NW5 1JY (020 7344 0044). £20.

Bush Empire, Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8TT (0905 020 3999/ cc 0844 477 2000). £14.

Brooke Fraser Folk-pop from the Australian singer-songwriter.

New York Dolls Glam punk-rock from the American band. The Old Vic Tunnels,

Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, N1 2UN (020 7226 1686). £17.

The Kills Indie-rock from Alison

Steve Roden, Robert Curgenven, Fourm Avant garde sound installations by the Los Angeles-based artist. Cafe Oto, Ashwin St, E8 3DL (020 7923 1231). £10, adv £8.

Eric Prydz, Adam Beyer, Funk D’Void The Swedish DJ

Arena, Arena Sq, HA9 0DH (0870 060 0870). £14 & £29.50.

and producer plays cuttingedge house, progressive house and techno. O2

Daniel O’Donnell The Irish singer performs classic and new songs from his album Peace In The Valley. Royal Albert

Academy Brixton, Stockwell Rd, SW9 9SL (0844 477 2000). £25.

Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP (0845 401 5045). £25-£35.50.

Paradise Lost The five-piece

The Vibrators, The Bram Stokers. Freedom Faction, 16 Guns Classic punk-rock

Mosshart and Jamie Hince, promoting their fourth studio album, Blood Pressures. Heaven,

Luan Parle, Clive Barnes

band from London. The

Acoustica from the Wicklowbased singer-songwriter. Irish

Grosvenor, Sidney Rd, SW9 0TP (020 7733 1799). £10, adv £8.

Charing Cross Arches, Villiers St, WC2N 6NG (020 7930 2020). £12.50.

Cultural Centre, Blacks Rd, W6 9DT (020 8563 8232). £15, concs £12.

Clare Maguire Alt pop from

Reuben Richards & Soul Train Blues, funk and

the powerful singer-songwriter.

King’s College London Students’ Union, Macadam Building, Surrey St, WC2R 2NS (020 7848 1588). £12.

Taylor Swift: Speak Now

soul from the seven-piece.

hip-hop from the MC and collective. XOYO, Cowper St, EC2A 4AP (020 7729 5959). £10.

Ether 2011: Burger & Voigt, The Field, Walls Experimental

songwriter leads his nine-piece in playing a groove-laden fusion of funk, soul and Brazilian rhythms.

electronica from the German duo. Southbank Centre, Belvedere

Toby, CoZyMo, Delphi

Me Vs Hero, Save Your Breath The Blackpool-based

Soulful rock and roots from the Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist. The Good Ship, Kilburn

Wembley Arena, Arena Sq, HA9 0DH (0870 060 0870). £28.

The Hideaway, Stanthorpe Rd, SW16 2ED (020 8835 7070). £14.

five-piece plays pop-punk.

High Rd, NW6 7JR (07949 008253). £5.

Payback The nine-piece

Transamba Brazilian

plays soul and funk. Dover

dance music from the combo.

and Jamaican singer-songwriter perform hip-hop and reggae and promote their collaborative album Distant Relatives.

Dizraeli And The Small Gods, Chris Wood Folk-influenced

Kita Steuer & Samba Soul Transatlantico The bassist and

0DX (0871 220 0260). £29.50-£37.50.

Nas & Damian Jr Gong Marley The American rapper

SUNDAY 3

Boisdale Of Belgravia, Eccleston St, SW1W 9LX (020 7730 6922). £12, £4.50 before 10pm.

Jewish Cultural Centre, Ivy House, North End Rd, NW11 7SX (020 8457 5000). £10, NUS £5.

St, EC2A 4AP (020 7729 5959). £15.

experimental folk musician.

Cafe Oto, Ashwin St, E8 3DL (020 7923 1231). £10, adv £8.

plays doom and Gothic metal.

World Tour Pop and country from the Grammy Award-winning starlet. O2 Arena, Peninsula Sq, SE10

three-piece. XOYO, Cowper

William Tyler, Michael Chapman The US-based

HMV Forum, Highgate Rd, NW5 1JY (020 7344 0044). £22.50.

Tally Koren Electroacoustica from the London-based singer-songwriter. London

Younger Brother Alt electronica

Troxy, Commercial Rd, E1 0HX (020 7748 2728). £27.50.

Chart-topping pop from the boisterous four-piece. Wembley

Jesca Hoop Alt pop from the

Dingwalls, Camden Lock, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AB (020 7428 0010/ cc 020 7428 5929). £12.

W12 7LJ (020 8222 6955). £12.50.

St, N18 1PJ (020 8807 6680). £19.50.

McFly: Above The Noise Tour Deerhunter American indierock four-piece. O2 Shepherd’s

Glassjaw American

band. Millfield Arts Centre, Silver

St, E8 3DL (020 7923 1231). £8.

Acoustic folk with pop hints from Scottish singer-songwriter Emma Gillespie. Bush Hall, Uxbridge Rd,

tntmagazine.com

frontman performs pop-rock with his new band. Millfield Arts Centre,

St, NW1 7JE (0870 432 5527). £17.50.

Emma’s Imagination

St, NW1 7JE (0870 432 5527). £17.50.

members of Kyuss reunite to play stoner rock. HMV Forum, Highgate

Olivia Block, Lee Gamble

Jaunty electro-pop and rock from the Swedish three-piece.

pop from the theatrical singer-songwriter and multiinstrumentalist. Koko, Camden High

six-piece plays psychedelic folk.

The Borderline, Orange Yard, Manette St, W1D (0870 060 3777). £17.

based songstress performs her accented indie-pop tales. Bush Hall, Uxbridge Rd,

THURSDAY 31

Square Bar And Kitchen, Hoxton Sq, N1 6NU (020 7613 0709). £10.

Patrick Wolf Experimental

High St, NW1 0NE (020 7482 1932). £15.

Comus, Diagonal The veteran

from the North West-based singersongwriter. Koko, Camden High

quirky singer-songwriter. Hoxton

The Barfly, Camden, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AN (0844 847 2424). £7.

The band plays doom and black metal. The Underworld, Camden

Paul Heaton Country and indie

Peter Bjorn And John

Caponata Restaurant, Delancey St, NW1 7NL (020 7383 7808). £10, concs £8, adv £9, concs £7.

Joe Brown, Pete Brown, Phil Capaldi, Roland Jones And Mike Nichols

British Steel Festival V: Pagan Altar, Grim Reaper, Elixir, Saracen, Agincourt

Orange Yard, Manette St, W1D 4JB (0870 060 3777/ cc 0871 231 0842). £10.

Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8TT (0905 020 3999/ cc 0844 477 2000). £25.

the London-based singersongwriter. The Forge Venue And

Note Cafe, Parkway, NW1 7AN (020 7485 9899). £10.

Mick Jones’s rock-reggae

plays pop-rock. The Borderline,

Station Approach Rd, SE1 7XB (0844 871 7628). £35.

Johnson Jay Pop-rock from

SATURDAY 2

FRIDAY 1

Square Bar And Kitchen, Hoxton Sq, N1 6NU (020 7613 0709). £8, adv £6.

Manchester-based collective plays Mercury Prize-winning indie-rock. O2 Arena, Peninsula

O2 Academy Brixton, Stockwell Rd, SW9 9SL (0844 477 2000). £21.50.

Rd, SE1 8XX (0871 663 2500/ cc 0844 875 0073). £17.50 & £20.

No Age, Upset The Rhythm St Restaurant And Bar, Dover St, W1S 4LQ (020 7629 9813). £12, free before 10pm.

Submit your free listing at least three weeks prior to the publication by emailing gigs@pressassociation.com.

TNT online For full listings info go to tntmagazine. com/whats_on

Leftfield alt and noise pop from the Los Angeles-based duo. ICA, Carlton House Terrace, The Mall, SW1Y 5AH (020 7930 3647). £12.50.

John Renbourn & Robin Williamson Folk and blues from the veteran virtuoso guitarist. Half Moon, Putney, Lower Richmond Rd, SW15 1EU (020 8780 9383). £14.

BRING ME THE HORIZON THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM DOWN BLACK STONE CHERRY THE PRETTY RECKLESS THIN LIZZY BOWLING FOR SOUP HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD PUDDLE OF MUDD ALL THAT REMAINS BUCKCHERRY BLACK VEIL BRIDES ESCAPE THE FATE MADINA LAKE TIMES OF GRACE THE DAMNED THINGS CLUTCH CHEAP TRICK TURISAS MR BIG GWAR PLAIN WHITE T'S KVELERTAK THE KING BLUES DUFF MCKAGAN’S LOADED TRASH TALK MASTERS OF REALITY FM HYRO DA HERO SUICIDE SILENCE EVILE THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA ASKING ALEXANDRIA RISE TO REMAIN GHOST FRAMING HANLEY YOUR DEMISE VERSAEMERGE SACRED MOTHER TONGUE STRAIGHT LINE STITCH JAMESON RAID PLUS LOADS MORE BANDS TO FOLLOW - FOR TICKETS, FESTIVAL UPDATES AND TRAVEL INFO GO TO:

WWW.DOWNLOADFESTIVAL.CO.UK NOW ON SALE: WEEKEND TICKETS, CAMPING TICKETS & CAR PARKING (£15 ADVANCE WHEN BOOKING TICKET, £20 ON GATE) RIP PACKAGES (VIP CAMPING) & RIP HOTEL PACKAGES ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE FESTIVAL WEBSITE OR CALL 0207 009 3484 (SUBJECT TO LICENCE)

(BILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

CLUB LISTINGS TNT’S TOP BOOKING

MUSIC & CLUBS

MONDAY 28 Bite DJs Lydia, Ian, Marcus and Wade spin electro, leftfield indie, disco, dubstep and pop.

KINKY MALINKI Pacha, Terminus Place, SW1V 1JR Victoria (pachalondon.com) Sat, Apr 16. £15 Some of Australia’s finest electro house hits London this month as the Stafford Brothers bring a bit of Queensland sunshine to the Pacha dancefloor. They’re joined by Kid Massive.

The Den & Centro, West Central St, WC1A 1JJ (020 7240 1083). 10pm3am. £3 & £5, free before 11pm.

Guanabara Social Club Presents DJ Juninho plays Latin, plus Banda Djavu perform live. Guanabara, Parker St, WC2B 5PW (020 7242 8600). 7pm-late. £40.

Kut DJs and bands play indie. Proud Camden, The Horse

32

Hospital, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AH (020 7482 3867). 7.30pm-1.30am. £5, £3 before 11pm, free before 9pm, guestlist free before 11pm.

Fedde Le Grand The Dutch DJ and producer spins house, tech-house and electro, with Arno Cost, Flight Facilities, Dom Chung and Sean Brosnan. The Ministry Of Sound, Gaunt St, SE1 6DP (0870 060 0010). 11pm-7am. £20, NUS/mems £10, £10 after 4am.

Gorgeous Party Resident DJs Phat Kontrolaz, Mr Deezel and Mr Drew play R‘n’B, hip-hop, funky house, bashment, garage and drum ‘n’ bass across three rooms.

Abacus, Cornhill, EC3V 3ND (020 7337 6767). 10pm-4am. £10 before midnight, £5 before 11pm.

I Love My DJ DJ Jaynee spins electro and house.

Gigalum, Cavendish Parade, Clapham Common South Side, SW4 9DW (020 8772 0303).

7pm-midnight. Free.

“His head swells to this size when he’s on stage” Portobello Hoochie Coochie Nights Alistair Isaacs-Sodeye spin roots, funk, rock ‘n’ roll and ska, with live music from Smoke Feathers, Zophia and Victoria Aitken.

Notting Hill Arts Club, Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JQ (020 7460 4459).

7.30pm-1am. £7, £5 before 9.30pm.

Rehab DJs Haley, Dan and The Demonettes play indie, pop and electro. The Roxy, Rathbone Place, W1T 1HJ (020 7255 1098). 10pm-3am. £5, NUS/w/flyer £3, £1 before 10.30pm.

Dance Nights Princess Karina

10pm-3am. £7, £6 before midnight, £5 before 11pm, adv £5.

and DJ Gary Baldi spin dance hits. EC3 Live, Crosswall, EC3N 2JY

No Time For Heroes Black

(020 7488 1766). 11.30pm-3am. £10.

Diffrent Strokes DJs Phat Cat, Zay London, Lonyo and MOBO Award winner and Kiss FM DJ Manny Norte play neo soul, funk and R‘n’B. Cherryjam, Porchester Rd, W2 6ET (020 7727 9950).

9pm-2am. £10, £5 before 11pm.

(0870 060 0010). 10.30pm-6am. £20.

Just Beats 3rd Birthday Discs plays an indie, rock and pop DJ set, plus live music from LeeLou and Smatka Proud Camden, The Horse Hospital, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AH (020 7482 3867).

7.30pm-2.30am. £8, adv £5.

Deep house and techhouse from Petchy, Apex, Rob Bishop and Jason Sol, plus live performances from Shaun Escofery and Brian Chambers. Pacha, Terminus Place, SW1V 1JR (0845 371 4489).

11pm-6am. £15, adv £10.

Roller Disco Funk and

Key Of Life Joey Negro, Chakko, Sons Of Audio, Chloe Fontaine, Tony Castle, Mets, Hobo, Arkoss and Delgado play house, disco electro and techno. Egg, York Way, N7 9AX (020 7871 7111). 10pm-10am. £15, adv £13, NUS £8 before 11.30pm.

Plush Dafunk John Paul, Paul B, Sam Dowling, Twisted K, George Turner and 2Funky spin uplifting house, plus Steve Lewis on electric drums and Ricky Pritchard on guitar. Pacha, Terminus Place,

disco for a wheeled audience.

Nightjar Audio Horse Meat

Renaissance Rooms, Arches, Miles St, SW8 1RZ (0844 736 5375).

8pm-midnight. £10, NUS £6.

Disco, Tim Goldsworthy and Ali Tillett spin house and disco, plus live music from Rhosyn. Plastic People, Curtain Rd, EC2A 3QE (020 7739 6471).

9pm-3am. £10, adv £5-£8.

Rio 40 Degrees Latin inspired

Fact Kaos Kid and DJ NG spin

Spanish Party Vol 2 DJ Ilmi plays classic and current Spanish hits, plus live Latin music from Rumbaba Deluxe. Miss Q’s, Earls

Subtract Subb-an, Natalie

deep house, electro, minimal tech and funky house. Club Life,

Court Rd, SW5 9QG (020 7370 5358).

5pm-2am. £10, £3 before midnight.

Coleman, Michael Wells and Ernest supply house and techno.

The Coronet, New Kent Rd, SE1 6TJ (020 7701 1500). 11pm-6am. £15.

TUESDAY 29

Goding St, SE11 5AW (020 7793 9262).

8pm-8am. £5, free before 2am.

Your Mum’s House

Gramaphone, Commercial St, E1 6LT (020 7377 9337).

10pm-4am. £10, adv £5 & £7.

Forca Brasil DJ Fred

The Latin Quarter DJ EC spins

spins salsa, samba and Latin

Latin party tunes, plus salsa classes before 9.30pm. Fiesta Havana,

Verve Couture DJ Sonathaq plays blues, funk and swing, plus live cabaret with Zak Black. The Shadow Lounge, Brewer St, W1F 0RF (020 7287 7988).

10pm-3am. £5, mems free.

tunes, plus live bands. Salsa!, Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0JG (020 7379 3277). 6pm-2am, last entry 1am. £4, free before 9pm.

Everything Taboo DJ Andrew Elmore plays retro electro-pop and acid disco. The Shadow Lounge, Brewer St, W1F 0RF (020 7287 7988).

10pm-3am. £5, free before midnight.

Fulham Rd, SW6 5NH (020 7381 5005).

6.30pm-2am. £7, mems £5.

N*A*S*I*N SoniX, Brahim Latino Sound DJ Kirisis and CLI play R‘n’B, hip-hop and dance.

Sound, Leicester Sq, WC2H 7NA (0333 240 1010). 9pm-late. £5-£10.

Naked Tuesday DJs and

and Punk Gareth play punk, rock, metal and ska. The Borderline, Orange Yard, Manette St, W1D 4JB (0870 060 3777/ cc 0871 231 0842). 11pm-3am. £5, w/flyer £4, NUS £3, mems £2.

bands play indie and punk.

Corsica Studios, Elephant Rd, SE17 1LB (020 7703 4760). 10pm-3am. £5, w/flyer/NUS £3, free before 11pm.

OMFG! DJs Lady Lloyd, Joshyou Are and Niyi Maximus Crown play pop, disco and electro.

St, W1F 0SE (020 7734 3040).

10pm-3am. £6, w/flyer £3, free in drag before midnight.

THURSDAY 31

Panic! Max, Gaz and That

C’est La Vie DJ Colin

Perfect Fumble play indie, electro and post-punk. The Roxy, Rathbone

Francis plays house and commercial dance classics at this weekly residency. Embassy,

Raw Power Stu from Gallows and The Rev spin metal, rock and punk, plus My Preserver and Lost Alone perform live.

Notting Hill Arts Club, Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JQ (020 7460 4459).

7pm-2am. £7, £5 before 11pm.

WEDNESDAY 30

Old Burlington St, W1S 3AP (020 7851 0956). 10pm-3am. £20, ladies free before 11.30pm.

Zigfrid, Hoxton Sq, N1 6NU (0871 984 2824). 7.30pm-1am. £6.

Cheapskates Old school hip-hop, electro and disco courtesy of DJ Downfall.

Moonlighting, Greek St, W1D 4DR (020 7437 5782/cc 020 7287 3727).

9pm-3am. £6, NUS £5, w/flyer £4.

tntmagazine.com

FRIDAY 1

Brewer St, W1F 0RF (020 7287 7988).

10pm-3am. £10, free before 11pm.

Tony English The DJ and

Blow House, electro, techno,

Use Your Loaf Rebekah,

dub and nu disco from DJ Freaky, Lost Boiz, Gareth Wood, Felipe Kastegliano, Holly Daze and So Laid Back Sam. Egg, York Way, N7

Schadenfreude, Yiannis Balkizas, Alfredo Ramos, James Monday, Alex Jann and Jamie Mann spin deep house, techhouse and techno. Nomad,

producer plays deep house.

and soul. Salvador And Amanda,

Old St, EC1V 9AJ (020 7253 4443).

10pm-5am. £10, £8 before 2am, adv £5, free before 11pm.

Great Newport St, WC2H 7JA (020 7240 1551). 9pm-3am. £10, guestlist £5, free before 9pm.

SATURDAY 2

Calentito Pop, R‘n’B,

Doctors And Nurses Theme Night DJ BassOne

Buttoned Down Disco

spins pop, dance and chart, plus Karaoke. Exhibit Bar &

Indie, electro and pop from Christian Laing and Pete Wheeler. Koko, Camden High

Restaurant, Balham Station Rd, SW12 9SG (020 8772 6556). 8pm-2am. £15.

St, NW1 7JE (0870 432 5527). 9pm3.30am. £10, free before 10pm.

Eruption Gary C and AK Steppa

Carpet Burn Johnny Kalifornia plays pop, dance, house from the 1980s to 1990s, plus Jaki Graham performs live. Eagle, Kennington Ln,

play old school dance, indie and house. Gigalum, Cavendish Parade, Clapham Common South Side, SW4 9DW (020 8772 0303). 7pm-late. Free.

Eclecticabaret The Dollyrockers play a pop, electro and dance DJ set, with live music from Aquila.

Plus male burlesque by The Cubs and musical comedy from Jay Foreman.

The Gallery Above & Beyond, Anjunadeep, Subbass, Dene Sonnessa, Jay Freeland, Martin Dunn, Glen Passingham, Stefan Brodin, Electro Saints, Filthy DJs, DJ Presian and Dave Schmitz supply trance, progressive house, deep house and electro. The Ministry Of Sound, Gaunt St, SE1 6DP

SE11 5QY (020 7793 0903).

9pm-4am. £7, £5 before 11pm.

Cohesion Psyspring Progressive psy trance from DJs Sati, Prozak, Thallom, Mr Mush, Neill Moore and Andy Force. Club 414, Coldharbour Ln, SW9 8LF (020 7924 9322).

11pm-7am. £12, £8 before midnight.

Full Moon DJ Sole, Majestic MC, Rattus Rattus, DJ Phat and Ryan Selsdon play house, electro and dance. The Den & Centro, West Central St, WC1A 1JJ (020 7240 1083).

Shake Disco and pop from DJ John Osbourne and Paul C in the main room, while DJ Milo plays party anthems in room two. Electric Ballroom, Camden High St, NW1 8QP (020 7485 9006). 10pm-3.15am. £10, NUS/mems £8 before 11.30pm.

9AX (020 7871 7111). 10pm-7am. £10.

O, Tasty Tim and Lady Lloyd spin commercial dance and pop. Madame Jojo’s, Brewer

house beats from DJ Flavio Lima, DouGuim and Leandro Kloppel.

Therapy Electro-pop and dance from DJs Miswhite, Minx, Paul Heron and Sonathaq. The Shadow Lounge,

(020 7734 4004). 9pm-3am. £7, £5 before midnight, £3 before 11pm.

Trannyshack Miss Dusty

The Shadow Lounge, Brewer St, W1F 0RF (020 7287 7988).

10pm-3am. £5, free before 11pm.

Place, W1T 1HJ (020 7255 1098).

10pm-3am. £5, NUS/w/flyer £3.

Scally Dandan and Jamie D Winter spin electro and fidget house. Punk, Soho St, W1D 3DN

SW1V 1JR (0845 371 4489).

11pm-late. £20, adv £15.

Submit your free listing at least three weeks prior to the publication by emailing clubs@pressassociation.com.

The Hoxton Pony, Curtain Rd, EC2A 3AH (020 7613 2844).

8pm-2am. £10, free before 9pm, guestlist £7 before 11pm.

SUNDAY 3 Creche Lee Foss, Alexis Raphael and Cozzy D play house and disco-house. The Queen Of Hoxton, Curtain Rd, EC2A 3JX (020 7422 0958). 2pm-midnight. £8, £5 before 5pm, free before 3pm.

Orange The Oli, Paul Martin and The Sharp Boys spin house in room one, while Gonzola Rivas, David Jiminez and Hi Fi Sean provide minimal techno and tech-house in room two.

Fire, South Lambeth Rd, SW8 1UQ (020 7582 9890). 11pm-9am. £12, £10 before midnight, w/flyer £6 before midnight.

SLAGS/Chill-Out Dance anthems and commercial house from Simon Le Vans, Andy Almighty and Sean Sirrs.

Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Kennington Ln, SE11 5HY (020 7820 1222).

2pm-midnight. £8, £5 after 7.30pm.

Strawberry Sundays Ali Wilson and The Real Tony Montana supply house music. Gigalum, Cavendish Parade, Clapham Common South Side, SW4 9DW (020 8772 0303). 3pm-11pm. Free.

CLUBBING

CLUB GUIDE

Expect an epic performance from Eric Prydz

MUSIC & CLUBS

Natasha Vuckovic PICKS OUT THIS WEEK’S BEST CLUB NIGHTS

CLUB OF THE WEEK EPIC Promoters are always trying to bring that little something extra to the dancefloor, whether it’s confetti bombs, dancing girls, pyrotechnics or acrobatics, clubland is no stranger to a bit of visual stimulation. This week Eric Prydz is debuting his new EPIC show to the world at Brixton Academy and he’s gone all out with the visuals.

Promising holograms, 3D animations and a 30-metre structure that extends from the stage into the crowd, your senses will have to plenty to feast on.

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» Brixton Academy, 211 Stockwell Rd, SW9 9SL Brixton (020 7771 3000, o2academybrixton.co.uk) Sat, Apr 2, 10pm-4am. £28 adv

TOGETHER Feisty UK hip-hop star Ms Dynamite headlines quirky Together’s first party of the year. The Light’s On MC is joined by Mums of Death – a collaboration between artists Mumdance and Drums of Death, who recently joined forces for some tracks. Expect an eclectic night of tunes.

» Cable, Bermondsey St Tunnel, SE1 3JW London Bridge (020 7403 7730, cablelondon.com ). Sat, Apr 2, 10pm-6am. £10 adv, £13

FEDDE LE GRAND LONDON TAKEOVER Got to love a bit of Fedde. The Dutch DJ is back in London for his Ministry residency, and, as always, you can expect this one to be crammed.

Listen out for his latest track Autosave with Patric La Funk, a banging, fists-in-the-air club tune. It’s always a pleasure Mr le Grand.

» Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt St, SE1 6DP Elephant & Castle (0870 060 0010). Sat, Apr 2, 11pm-7am. £15 adv

Getty Images

WIN

We have two pairs of VIP tickets to Fedde le Grand at and a pair of tickets to Together to give away to two lucky readers. For a chance to win, email grabs@tntmagazine.com with ‘Fedde’ or ‘Together’ in the subject line by Wed, Mar 30.

CLUB NEWS After 15 years, six albums and countless classic tunes Faithless have called it a day. One of dance music’s most influential bands, famous for tracks such as Insomnia and God Is A DJ, will split after their current tour ends. “If I devoted the rest of my life to the task, I could never thank you enough,” lead singer Maxi Jazz told fans. “I have memories that will still be with me in my next life.”

The band has confirmed all forthcoming shows will go ahead.

As if Deadmau5 wasn’t reason enough to get excited about the LED festival coming to

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WORLD VIEW strange tales from around the globe New Zealand

‘MOON MAN’ FURORE Ken Ring, a Kiwi fishing expert who claims he is able to predict earthquakes, has sparked a national debate in New Zealand after successfully forecasting a major aftershock from the Christchurch disaster.

Ring believes quakes are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon on tectonic plates. Seismologists have dismissed the theory, which has developed a following as word has spread that Ring, nicknamed “Moon Man”, appeared to have predicted a quake in September and last month’s disaster.

Dr Mark Quigley, a lecturer in active tectonics and geomorphology from the University of Canterbury, said: “Vague quotes about dates of ‘increased’ activity plus or minus several days, without magnitudes, locations and exact times do not constitute prediction.”

Ken Ring divides opinion

TWEETS OF THE WEEK follow @tntmagazine @Number10cat (Larry the cat) Clegg: “I’ve slept with 40 women.”

Osborne: “That’s nothing, I’m about to screw the entire country.” #budget. @CharlieSheeny (Charlie Sheen) “Rebecca Black, we don’t hate you because you’re famous. You’re famous because we hate you.” @BettyFcknWhite “It’s Harry Houdini’s 137th birthday today. We dated briefly in highschool.

I was the one that introduced him to handcuffs.”

United States

PENGUIN ON A PLANE

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he was given special permission by the cabin crew to stretch his legs.

His antics have become a hit on YouTube, where videos show him waddling around the plane while fascinated passengers look on.

Kazakhstan

of the role: “What can you do? You can’t turn down Quentin Tarantino ... or the Russian mafia.”

And Talgat Murat, assistant to the film’s director, said: “Other actors are not brutal enough.

“When someone sees him (Vinnie) in cinema, they understand instantly that this is a killer, undoubtedly.

“The film is very violent. That’s why we asked him to come, because he has an image of someone who solves problems in Vinnie Jones: an Oscar can’t be far off a violent way.”

VINNIE JONES DEBUTS Former footballer-turned-actionmovie-hardman Vinnie Jones has once again stretched himself with a challenging dramatic role. Jones will make his Kazakh cinema debut next month when he appears as a silent hitman in The Liquidator.

Jones has previously joked

Getty Images, 3news.co.nz

Pete the penguin, one of the stars of SeaWorld in the United States, became the centre of attention on a domestic flight when he ambled down the aisle and mingled happily with passengers.

The South American Magellan penguin had been at a science convention in San Francisco and was returning home to San Diego, when

A big week in Washington: The annual Pachyderm Parade – yes, that is apparently a real event – descended on Capitol Hill last week and the talent was on hand to mark the 200th birthday of circus pioneer PT Barnum

WEEK IN NUMBERS

Australia

PENIS MAP FUELS DISAPPOINTMENT

240

Number of love dolls owned by ‘wacky couple’ Bob and Lizzie Gibbins. He insists he does not use them for sex

8

Weeks it took Drew Beaumier, 25, to build his own Transformers costume.

He insists women find them sexy

Poor China and India

Head chef Alberto Della Pelle said: “We are very proud to have created a new world record with such delicious food.”

Italy is earning a reputation for smashing culinary world records – in 2008, the town of Mottola, Puglia, produced the world’s largest flat-bread focaccia pizza, covering 297 square metres.

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P10 Graffiti under threat P44 Champions league preview

YETI INSTITUTE PLANS

Speaking of long sausages

Italy

NEW SAUSAGE RECORD

everyoneweb.com, Getty Images, Thinkstock

Ten cooks from the small Italian town of Penne worked for three hours to create the longest ever sausage, which measured 597.8 metres and used up more than a ton of meat.

It was declared to have easily beaten the previous Romanian record-holder, whose piddling effort was only 392 metres.

The giant sausage was chopped up into 7,000 ordinary-sized bangers, stuffed in sandwiches and sold to the spectators to raise money for local charity Caritas.

The coal-mining region of Kemerovo in western Siberia has been earmarked for a new facility dedicated to researching yetis.

Plans will only be finalised once the region hosts a conference about the legendary ‘abominable snowman’ later this year.

“The town of Tashtagol will host an international conference with leading experts into hominids,” the regional government’s education and science department said.

“Based on its results, we will take a decision on opening a scientific research institute to study the yeti.”

Russia has long been speculated to be home to yetis. According to Kemerovo officials, researcher Igor Burtsev claimed about 30 scientists are studying the creatures and could work together at the planned institute.

“The yeti is a separate branch of human evolution. It lives in harmony with nature,” Burtsev said.

And finally... LUCKY BIRD POO A Kiwi who bought a lottery ticket after getting hit by a bird dropping won NZ$100,000 (£46,000).

The unnamed winner, from Christchurch, bought a scratch-and-win

card after his friends told him the bird poo was a sign of good luck.

Maybe it’s worth hanging out near Nelson’s Column before your next big job interview?

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Depth, in metres, of Britain’s largest fish tank, owned by Jack Heathcote of Notingham. He has to dive in to clean it

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Weight, in kilos, of three-year-old Chinese boy Lu Hao. He eats three bowls of rice for dinner

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Russia

Best seat in the house

NEWS & SPORT

Data that maps the world according to average penis-size has left Australian men feeling mildly disappointed and groping for excuses after they came in a lowly 94th on the list, with an average length of 5.2ins.

Unsurprisingly, there was a discrepancy between countries where data was collected by professionals and those where men were simply surveyed.

Number one on the list is the Congo, with an average “selfreported” penis size of 7.1ins.

Rounding out the top five were Ecuador at 6.9ins (measured), Ghana at 6.8ins (selfreported) and Colombia and Venezuela at 6.7ins (measured). The UK and New Zealand both recorded 5.5ins (measured).

At least Aussies can take comfort in knowing they’re better endowed than men in Cambodia, Thailand, India and Burma, who ranked smallest. Small mercies, indeed.

Years Brit David Truscott will spend in jail after a farmer found him pleasuring himself while covered in cow manure

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

I am a very “committed wife.

And I should be too – for being married so many times

”

Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor, who died last week aged 79, was as famous for her torrid lovelife as for her acting

GONE

VIRAL The speed and ubiquity with which viral clips spread is creating a ripple effect that promises to reshape the media landscape WORDS TOM STURROCK

T

tntmagazine.com

Philip Trippenbach, editor-in-chief of Citizenside, the world’s largest citizen journalism website, says the phenomenon of the viral video is best understood via what he calls “the journalistic impulse”.

“Everyone has that,” Trippenbach says.

“They want to spread news. If you hear about something crazy, you want to call someone. Everyone has that and videos go viral because of it.”

Casey Heyne aka Little Zangief

IT’S ABOUT BEING POPULAR Once upon a time, people in offices, on train platforms, at dinner tables, discussed books they had read or movies they had seen. Lately, a new dimension has opened, adding online video to that conversation.

Have you seen Evolution Of Dance?

Or Sneezing Panda? Or Star Wars Kid? Or Barking Dog Man? No? Then where have you been for the past five years?

Remember also, the glow of satisfaction

when you show someone a hilarious clip you’ve discovered and they find it equally hilarious. That sense of validation is, according to Trippenbach, another driver of the viral video craze.

“Viral videos spread the way they do because they make good social currency,” he says. “People share a video not just because the video is cool, but because the video makes them look cool.

“That’s why comedy works so well,

YouTube, Thinkstock

he flagship magazine programme on Australia’s Channel Nine, A Current Affair, normally airs on weeknights.

But two weekends ago, a special one-off Sunday night broadcast featured an exclusive interview with 16-year-old Casey Heyne, whose family received a reported $40,000 (£25,000) for his involvement.

Heyne is better known online as Little Zangief – nicknamed after a video game character whose signature move is a piledriver – the star of a YouTube video that begins with him being bullied by a schoolmate. In retaliation, Heyne picks up his tormentor and hurls him to the ground.

The clip went viral and was viewed by millions around the world. Channel Nine evidently could not wait until Monday to give Heyne the full tabloid treatment and line his family’s pockets.

It might seem incongruous for grainy footage of two kids in a schoolyard to impress a commercial broadcaster, but

From left: Star Wars Kid; Little Zangief; Leave Britney Alone; Barking Dog Man; Afro Ninja; Evolution of Dance

NEWS & SPORT

It’s like the “ brown sugar of

the news world

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”

YouTube

because everyone wants to be funny, to be seen to be funny. If they share a video of police brutality at a protest, it’s because it makes them look like they’re tuned in.

All videos are built into that social context.

“We want to be popular and well-liked – one of the things we discovered to achieve that is to find videos and be the first to share them.”

KEEPING IT REAL Sadly for those pinning their hopes of becoming wildly popular by unearthing funny clips online, there’s no formula for what commends a viral clip – or, at least, not one that is easily reproduced.

“What makes a best-selling book or a great movie?” Trippenbach asks when pressed to explain why some clips get shared more than others.

“If you’re talking about ones that find a big audience, then I think you go to interesting places if it’s language-free; clips that are still funny even if you don’t speak English.”

There is, though, another element of viral video that is fundamental to the emergence of video-sharing sites as a viable, alternative platform. “The other

User-generated tsunami footage

thing crucial in viral video is authenticity – it’s invaluable. That is the hallmark of viral videos and their sense of being amateur,” Trippenbach says.

“On TV, you have maybe 20 people producing something that is broadcast to 20 million people all at once. With a viral video, you have one person sharing it one person at a time all the way to 20 million people. The method of distribution is different and because of that intimacy, you get the huge premium on authenticity.”

BLURRING THE LINES It is this authenticity that allows viral video to cross over into the realm of news media, where, supposedly, accuracy and reliability are non-negotiable.

“It’s the brown sugar of the news world, rather than the processed, refined product at the end,” Trippenbach says, referring to citizen journalism, which produced some of the most arresting images of the Japanese tsunami. But Trippenbach’s analogy applies to any amateur footage, anything ‘user-generated’.

Trippendach also points to the role his website played in the recent fall from grace of Dior designer John Galliano, sacked because of an anti-Semitic rant in a French restaurant. When the story broke, a contributor to Citizenside provided footage of Galliano’s diatribe, effectively sealing the designer’s fate.

Trippendach is adamant this is another symptom of the blurring line between amateur and professional, official and unofficial, mainstream and alternative.

After all, it’s the authenticity that counts.

“If something newsworthy happens, what are the chances of a professional camera crew being the first on the scene?”

“Instead, everyone has mobile phones which shoot video and everyone can upload that video,” he says.

And who knows? If they’re lucky, maybe a tabloid news programme will give them a fat cheque in return for piggybacking on their 15 minutes of fame.

THE YOUTUBE REVOLUTION Can anyone even remember the world without YouTube? One without a forum for people to broadcast footage of cats climbing into boxes?

Well, the YouTube explosion only came about fairly recently, almost a decade after the internet redefined the exchange of information.

Indeed, the first clip posted on the video-sharing website was uploaded on April 23, 2005. It was called Me At The Zoo, and documented the site’s co-founder, Jawed Karim, visiting San Diego zoo.

The site was officially launched later that year and, in those early days, the company’s headquarters was located above a California pizzeria.

But, by mid-2006, more than 65,000 videos were being uploaded every day. The site was promptly bought

by Google for US$1.65bn (£880m).

Last year, it was reported that YouTube was serving more than two billion videos every day, which it described as “nearly double the prime-time audience of all three major US networks combined”.

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OZ VIEW Stalemate looms over mining tax ■ FAILURE TO RALLY SUPPORT LEAVES GOVERNMENT IN NO MAN’S LAND Kevin Rudd’s plan to levy a 40 per cent superprofits tax on the mining sector cost him his prime ministership, but Julia Gillard’s attempt to resolve the stand-off by imposing a less onerous tax is proving just as divisive.

Treasurer Wayne Swan last week urged other parties to support the government’s proposed minerals resource rent tax (MRRT), but was flatly rebuffed by both the Coalition and the Greens, leaving them outnumbered and impotent in parliament.

“We have reached agreement with the industry. If the Liberals were to vote against this, this would just show how reckless and

irresponsible they have become and they wouldn’t have a shred of economic credibility knocking back $7.4bn (£4.6bn) that the industry itself has agreed to pay,” Swan said.

However, the Coalition moved quickly to restate its opposition to the tax.

“The MRRT is a disastrous policy,” the opposition Treasury spokesman Joe Hockey said. “The government’s latest revisions do not change that.”

The Greens also rejected the deal, on the grounds that it let the mining industry off too lightly, meaning Labor has little prospect of passing the new tax into law.

Greens leader Bob Brown said his party favoured the original Rudd tax proposal, which would have raised $12bn (£7.5bn) in its first two years.

“It is another dip into the ordinary Australian taxpayer’s pocket to featherbed further the big mining corporations who export a great deal of that profit overseas,” Senator Brown said.

“Compared with Treasury’s original advice, taxpayers are going to miss out on more than $100bn (£63bn) worth of education, health services and infrastructure spending. We will campaign against this in the public and the parliamentary interest.”

IN BRIEF NEWSPAPERS A DYING BREED, SAYS STOKES Seven Network chairman Kerry Stokes has described newspapers as a “sunset industry” that may exist in their present form for only 15 years. Stokes said he believed news services would need to merge with social media and other technologies to survive beyond that.

“That’s going to be the challenge, and neither technology nor youth are going to wait for us to find out what works,” Stokes, who is also chairman of West Australian Newspapers, told shareholders.

“Part of that will be producing news both visually and written online, instantly ... somehow marrying our news services with social networks, which deliver news as they (consumers) want and when they want.”

Aussie editor denied bail Ross Dunkley, the Australian editor and co-founder of Burma’s Myanmar Times, was denied bail for a fifth time when he appeared in a Rangoon court. Dunkley faces charges of breaching his visa and sexual assault and has been held in the notorious Insein prison since his arrest in February.

His supporters insist the charges stem from a fight over control of the paper’s parent company.

And finally... DRAGONFLY FOUND

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damselfly, which is the only living example of a 250-million-year-old species, measures just 2.4cm long and was described by experts as “a living fossil”.

A living fossil

Laundry hands and cooks employed on offshore construction projects can potentially earn more than $420,000 (£194,000) a year, according to mainland employers.

The most recent wage agreement registered for offshore construction workers contains maximum annual pay packages for a four-week-on, two-week-off rostered employee of $423,000 (£268,000) for a laundry hand; $445,000 (£282,000) for a cook; $450,000 (285,000) for a tradesperson; and $498,000 (£315,000) for a barge welder.

Steve Knott, head of the Australian Mines and Metals Association, said the pay rates set a “worrying precedent”, especially for states in the grip of skills shortages.

Getty Images; Thinkstock Images

The discovery in Victorian wetlands of a tiny dragonfly has lifted hopes the insect is moving away from the brink of extinction.

The Ancient Greenling

MENIAL WORK EARNS BIG BUCKS OFFSHORE

NZ VIEW EMBASSY HOARDS IODINE TABLETS New Zealand officials are overseeing the stockpiling of iodine tablets at the nation’s embassy in Tokyo in the wake of the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and ongoing nuclear crisis.

With radioactive iodine detected in Tokyo’s water supply, Japanese authorities have warned that infants in Tokyo and surrounding areas should not drink tap water. The Fukushima reactors have released the short-lived iodine 131, which generates a severe risk of triggering thyroid cancer.

“As a precautionary measure, additional stocks are being sourced for potential future distribution by the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo,” an embassy spokesman said.

Tablets guard against contaminated water

He’s a good bloke: Dave Grohl gives a shout-out during the Foo Fighters’ intimate live show for 2000 fans at Auckland Town Hall. The concert was part of the fundraising effort for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal

Foreshore act repealed

Getty Images

■ NATIVE TITLE CLAIMS SET TO BE EXPANDED Maoris have been awarded the right to seek customary title to parts of the coastline, thanks to the passing of legislation repealing the Foreshore and Seabed Act. The marine and coastal area (Takutai Moana) bill has divided parliament and the Maori Party – Hone Harawira’s opposition to it was the main reason he quit to become an independent.

National, the Maori Party and United Future backed the bill while Labour, the Greens, ACT, the Progressive Party and Harawira opposed it.

Only about 30 Maori supporters were in the public galleries as the bill was passed.

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson, the minister in charge of the bill, said the third reading marked the end of more than two years’ consultation and policy development on an issue that had vexed the nation for almost a decade.

“We have had a very long conversation, and one thing that has become very clear is that noise does not always equal principled opposition,” he said.

The Maori Party staked its future on the bill, and said it had delivered on its promises to repeal the 2004 Act and restore Maori access to the courts.

SIGN LANGUAGE GUY HAS CULT FOLLOWING Sign language interpreters don’t generally attract too much attention but, in the wake of the Christchurch earthquake, Jeremy Borland has been more visible than usual.

Borland, 30, has become a vital link to the deaf community and has inadvertently built a large online following.

More than 25,000 people have become fans of ‘Jeremy the sign language guy’ on Facebook.

“Quite often the deaf community receive information days later through friends or family and they will usually select information and not leave it up to them to sift through the information themselves,” Borland said. “I’m a pretty private guy and don’t like being in the limelight, so being noticed like some sort of star is strange.”

Borland has been interpreting for about nine years, usually in courts, police stations, hospitals and staff meetings.

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NEWS & SPORT

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OUR VIEW TNT puts the world to rights

Katy Perry and her husband Russell Brand

Carol Driver carol.driver@tntmagazine.com

Getty

W

omen have a lower sex drive than men, right?

That’s the cliché.

You only have to pick up a copy of the Daily Mail to read how wives find it “a chore” to sleep with their husbands because they’re simply too tired after doing the laundry.

Even Cosmopolitan’s website ran a story this week under the heading: “How to have sex when you’re not in the mood.”

And poor Russell Brand. There he was a few years ago, having it away up to 20 times a week.

Since his marriage to Katy Perry, however, it’s a different story.

This week, he revealed he now spends more time tending to his garden than he does to his wife.

“I can’t believe I used to have sex 20 times a week, especially now I’m married,” he told Piers Morgan’s Life Stories. “But now I’m a bloody good gardener.”

Well done, Russ. You’re now well and truly holding up the cliché.

Why not tell us about the excuses she gives as well – “Not tonight, I have a headache” or “I’m not in the mood”.

The reality, in fact, is much different. Having discussed this with a group of 25 to 33-year-old females, the majority says when in a long-term relationship, it’s the

men holding out. Only one woman, who’s engaged, admitted to having a low libido. Another said she didn’t have sex with her bloke for a year, while a nearly 30-year-old claimed she cheated on her partner more than once because he wasn’t interested.

A woman is said to hit her sexual peak in her forties, whereas it’s 18 for men. Maybe Russ will find himself outrun by his missus in 10 years’ time.

And it would be interesting to hear Perry’s view on their sexual antics, now that Russ has told the world he’s not getting it as much.

No doubt her reply would be: “We don’t have sex as often as we used to – Russell’s always in the bloody garden.”

HELP US OUT MUMS-TO-BE Priority seating is given to pregnant women on the Tube – and rightly so. It should

wear “yourPlease Baby On Board badge ” be an automatic reflex for travellers to let the elderly, disabled, mums-to-be or parents with kids sit down.

However, research has revealed some commuters are too embarrassed to give up their seats in case women aren’t with-child, but fat. This

very point was demonstrated in front of me last week, when a polite man offered his seat to a woman who looked pregnant.

She was mortified and alighted at the next stop, leaving the commuter vowing never to look up from his book on the Tube again.

As a helpful tip to all expectant women – there are ‘Baby On Board’ badges you can get from London Transport – please wear them else you might find you’re forced to stand.

æ

P24 Film releases P66 Travel Fiji

æ

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NEWS & SPORT

It’s men’s sex drive heading in reverse

41

SPORT VIEW bite-sized action and analysis Rugby union

MCCAW BACKS NORTH New Zealand captain Richie McCaw believes northern-hemisphere sides will prove formidable at the World Cup, despite a Six Nations tournament low on quality.

The All Blacks skipper said southernhemisphere teams would underestimate the European challenge at their peril, citing the strong record of northern sides in recent World Cups.

McCaw was part of the New Zealand team stunned by France in the quarter-finals of the 2007 tournament, where England also confounded expectations by reaching the final after beating Australia in the last eight.

“If you look at what happened before the last World Cup and then what happened at the wash-up, then, yes, I expect the northernhemisphere teams will be challenging,” McCaw said.

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P34 Rise of viral video P62 Quirky hostels

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Australian rules

NIXON STRIPPED The career of disgraced AFL player agent Ricky Nixon is in ruins following the suspension of his right to act on behalf of footballers and manage their affairs.

Nixon’s accreditation was suspended for two years over his “inappropriate personal relationship” with a 17-year-old girl who had made a series of allegations against players he represented.

The girl filmed Nixon in a hotel room dressed only in his underpants and claimed the pair were in an ongoing sexual relationship and had taken drugs together. “(Nixon) is not surprised but is greatly

BIG WEEK FOR .......

■ Gary Ablett is fighting to be

disappointed by the decision as he believes the board’s process and investigation of this matter has been completely flawed,” Nixon’s legal team said in a statement.

Rugby league

DOGS WOOING IDRIS The NRL’s Canterbury Bulldogs will sweeten their contract offer to Jamal Idris by inserting a clause that guarantees him a percentage of any future increases in the salary cap.

Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg is yet to table an offer to Idris but it is understood the club will cater for an expected lift in the cap in 2013, when the game is tipped to receive more TV money.

It means Idris could go from earning $400,000 (£250,000) a year – the expected amount of the Bulldogs’ offer – to as much as $600,000 (£375,000).

Idris, 20, is also being pursued by the Gold Coast Titans and the Newcastle Knights.

Athletics

PISTORIUS ON TRACK Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius –

often called Blade Runner or The Fastest Man On No Legs – has boosted his hopes of competing at the 2012 Olympics after clocking a personal best over 400 metres.

The time is inside the “B” qualifying standard for the 2012 Games and this year’s world championships.

Pistorius said he was “delighted” after setting the time at South Africa’s Provincial Championships in Pretoria, adding it had taken him “a step closer” to the Olympics.

The 24-year-old Pistorius said of the 2012 Olympics: “I need to put my head down and push for it.”

Oscar Pistorius

Getty Images

fit for his first match of the new AFL season, when he will lead the Gold Coast Suns on to the field for the first time. The Suns are the first expansion side since Port Adelaide joined in 1997 and, after having a bye in Round One, they’ll be itching to open their account against Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night.

All eyes will be on the league’s new boys. Hopefully they avoid a belting.

Footy returns to the MCG: Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt bursts past a Carlton defender during last week’s season opener. Riewoldt booted six goals for the Tigers, but the Blues stormed home in the final term to win by 20 points

Novak Djokovic has been on fire

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

clubs I would not go to, especially the big rivals of Liverpool

”

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists there are some jobs he wouldn’t take, out of respect for his old club

I’ve been there, but ‘sympathy’ is not the word.

Look it up in the dictionary, it’s between shit and syphilis

“

Preview … Djokovic smashing cosy duopoly MIAMI MASTERS Every day 4pm or 8pm TV: Sky Sports 3 and Sky Sports 4 Since the start of 2004, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have won 24 of the 29 Grand Slam tournaments. It’s been an extraordinary period of dominance by two great players, but it’s the result of the most recent major – this year’s Australian Open, won by Novak Djokovic – that may herald the breaking of that two-handed era.

Djokovic has usurped Federer as the world number two and is the form player on the men’s tour, having already chalked up three titles, including the first Masters tournament of the year in Indian Wells. If his hot streak continues in Miami, then Nadal’s chat about Djokovic being well-placed to steal the number one ranking will come to resemble

something more than gracious praise for a worthy challenger.

At 23, Djokovic is coming into his absolute prime – in another era, one without two of the all-time greats to contend with, he would likely have taken out more than the two major titles he’s managed to date, both of which he won in Melbourne.

He’s super-quick, has an all-round, all-court game and a keen sense of how to construct a point. He’s got a big serve and plenty of power on both wings. And, if his performance this year is anything to go by, he’s added a greater composure to his game, a big-match steel replacing a jitteriness that has cost him at crucial times in the past.

It looms as a fascinating year in men’s tennis, with two legends being forced into the shade for the first time in several years.

”

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy feels for other managers copping a hard time but won’t be sending them flowers

horses are “theThe problem, I don’t understand what people don’t get about this

”

Brendan Fevola (below), former AFL star and gambling addict, insists there’s no problem with playing slot machines

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The Chat … RETURN OF THE SPECIAL ONE? What’s happening?

Jose Mourinho, who managed Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League titles before steering Internazionale to Champions League glory, has confirmed his next job will be in England. Mourinho has three years to run on his deal at Real Madrid, setting up an extended period of speculation regarding his final destination.

And where might that be?

It’s a choice between returning to Chelsea, replacing Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and being lured by the big money and unique challenge on offer at Manchester City. All are plausible – it just depends on timing.

Could he really end up in charge of United?

Absolutely. It’s going to take someone with a massive ego to replace Ferguson, who turns 70 in December.

TV HIGHLIGHTS CRICKET World Cup final Saturday 9am Sky Sports 1 Who will be crowned world champion?

RUGBY UNION Sharks v Stormers Saturday 4pm Sky Sports 4 Saffa heavyweights lock horns FOOTBALL AC Milan v Internazionale Saturday 7.45pm ESPN Bumper clash could decide Serie A title

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NEWS & SPORT

a professional “butI’mobviously some

43

OUR VIEW TNT puts the world to rights

The Australian 50-over side should move forward under a new captain

Tom Sturrock tom.sturrock@tntmagazine.com

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R

icky Ponting scored a towering century in Australia’s loss to India at the World Cup. It was written up as a two-fingered salute to his critics, but the truth is that it would be a fitting way for one of the great limited-overs batsmen to end his 50-over career.

Before his imperious knock against India, it had been more than 12 months since Ponting’s last limited-overs century. But beyond the empirical measure of runs scored, Ponting should retire from the format, and relinquish the captaincy, because 50-over cricket is all about the World Cup, all about the four-year cycle.

Ponting won’t be there for the next tournament, so regeneration of the side should commence, under a new skipper, when the Aussies tour Bangladesh in April.

Veteran paceman Brett Lee will likely follow Ponting out the door shortly, while a call will need to be made on Mike Hussey, and possibly even Brad Haddin, some time in the next 12 months.

But Ponting, as the elder statesman and first-drop batsman, should be the first domino to fall, paving the way for the side to be reshaped under Michael Clarke’s captaincy and ensuring greater

opportunities for younger batsmen.

In Test cricket, Ponting may have some more left in him. In the longer format, his cause is helped by the fact Clarke does not yet appear ready to captain his country in the most demanding form of the game. Also, where there are a cluster of younger batsmen pushing to secure spots in the 50-over side, the cupboard is considerably barer over five days.

Ponting should be allowed to lead the Test side to Sri Lanka in August and likely through southern-hemisphere summer series against South Africa, New Zealand and India. Form will dictate whether he survives beyond that but, in the 50-over game, Ponting’s glorious innings is at an end.

BAD BOYS DON’T ‘DAMAGE BRAND’ Whenever a footballer does something stupid, some marketing boffin or bean-

Ask if the “damage is real or hypothetical

”

counter inevitably claims the indiscretion has ‘damaged the brand’, either of the player’s club or of the code itself.

It’s an inane catch-all that spuriously suggests any bad media coverage, no matter how piffling, could cause the sport’s market-share to dip.

Surely, if someone is asserting the ‘brand has been damaged’, it is incumbent to demonstrate that damage, to outline slumping TV audiences or junior participation numbers. Otherwise, what damage are they talking about? The hypothetical kind?

If you have a car crash, do you get a mechanic to repair ‘hypothetical damage’? No – you can identify the damage.

You are able to point to it.

If only those who bleat airily about ‘damage to the brand’ could do the same.

æ

P14 Hollaback girls P62 Quirky hostels

æ

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NEWS & SPORT

Time for Ponting to shelve coloured kit

45

NEWS & SPORT

Diego Milito starred for Internazionale last year

46

The UEFA Champions League reaches a new level of intensity, with the first legs of the quarter-finals to be played next week WORDS TOM STURROCK

T

REAL MADRID V TOTTENHAM Overview: Real Madrid romped through the group stage undefeated, and may view the Champions League as an opportunity to claw back some of the lustre surrendered by failing to prevent Barcelona closing on a third straight La Liga title.

Tottenham are playing in the Champions League for the first time and have already impressed by serving it up to reigning champs Internazionale in the group stage and beating AC Milan to advance to the last eight.

Key men: Ronaldo remains the man most likely to score for Real Madrid – this season, he has been almost as prolific as

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Barca’s Lionel Messi is the world’s best footballer

he players are already feted for their excellence in domestic leagues, where they invariably represent the top clubs. But even the most decorated player can add an extra dimension to his reputation by delivering at the business end of the UEFA Champions League.

So who will it be this year? Will Lionel Messi continue to trip the light fantastic and lead Barcelona to a second title in three seasons? Or maybe Wayne Rooney can find his best form at just the right time to inspire Manchester United? Or perhaps Cristiano Ronaldo will shed his trademark insouciance to fire Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid to glory?

CHELSEA V MANCHESTER UNITED Overview: Between them, they’ve won the last six Premier League titles and the last time they met in the Champions League was in the 2007-08 final, when Chelsea skipper John Terry fluffed a crucial penalty and cried salty tears.

A glance at the two sides’ Premier League places suggest Manchester United start favourites, but Chelsea arguably have more to play for, given they’re out of the FA Cup and the league title is beyond their reach. Also, Chelsea will be buoyed by their 2-1 win over United in the league earlier this month.

Key men: Striker Fernando Torres has struggled for touch since joining from Liverpool so Chelsea will be hoping Didier Drogba produces one of his bigmatch star turns.

For United, it’s still about Rooney, who is finally rediscovering some decent form.

BARCELONA V SHAKHTAR DONETSK Overview: Barcelona are the benchmark of world football and will be expected to steamroll the Ukrainian champions en route to a more challenging semi-final.

Shakhtar Donetsk, who produced a surprise when they managed to qualify top of their group, have made semiregular appearances in the Champions League but this is the first time they’ve progressed to the knock-out stage.

If Barcelona catch fire, which is fairly likely, it could get ugly.

Key men: Barcelona boast the world’s best player in Messi, but it’s ridiculous to suggest they are dependent upon him when they have the likes of Andres Iniesta, David Villa, Dani Alves and Xavi.

Shakhar Donetsk, somewhat less star-

Cristiano Ronaldo has been on fire for Real Madrid

NEWS & SPORT

during his peak at Manchester United.

And for Spurs, it’s all about Gareth Bale, for whom the Champions League has already served as a platform for some break-out performances.

47

Barcelona are “ the benchmark of world football

”

studded, will be hoping Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano can step up.

INTERNAZIONALE V SCHALKE 04 Overview: Reigning champions Inter Milan haven’t been able to replace the golden touch of Mourinho. The quality of their roster has ensured they remain a threat, both domestically and in Europe, but Rafael Benitez struggled so acutely to fill the shoes of the Special One that he was sacked in December, after little more than six months in the top job.

Inter have improved dramatically since,

but it’s hard to see how they can go all the way in this competition in the midst of those ructions.

That said, they should be able to deal with Schalke, who have also sacked their manager after a shocking run in the Bundesliga that deflated high hopes built on finishing runners-up last season.

Key men: Inter will still rely on the quality of Samuel Eto’o, Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder – plenty of firepower and class between that trio.

Schalke, meanwhile will be hoping Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Spanish veteran Raul can spring a few surprises.

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DON’T FORGET THE EUROPA LEAGUE Bubbling away on the next tier is the Europa League. Despite the best efforts to brand it as a credible ‘alternative’, it’s pretty Mickey Mouse. The interest is diluted further by the fact no English sides remain in the hunt.

Instead, FC Porto host Spartak Moscow, Benefica host PSV Eindhoven, Villarreal host FC Twente and Dynamo Kyiv host Braga.

To be fair, Porto and Villarreal are quite handy. Porto’s manager, Andre Villas Boas (pictured) is only 33 and has already drawn comparisons to countryman Mourinho.

Villarreal, on the other hand, are ensconced in Spain’s top four, and are arguably the pick of the bunch after Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Pressure mounts on Chelsea recruit Fernando Torres

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tntjobs.co.uk BEST OF THE WEB XPERIENCE THIS T: 0844 800 4772 www.xperiencethis.com XT is a rapidly growing face 2 face marketing company, specialising in experience day packages.

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JOB OF THE WEEK: Live-In Carers Location: London & Nationwide Salary: £504 per week Live-in carer in clients own home, free food and accommodation whilst working. Young adult clients many working, need assistance with day to day tasks to live independently. Great job satisfaction.

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WELBECK GROUP T: 0207 776 2082 www.welbeckgroup.co.uk Welbeck Group is one of the UK’s fastest growing wealth management companies.

JOB OF THE WEEK: Prospector Location: Near Bank Underground - London Salary: TBC Interested in earning £2,000 Pounds or more per month?

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NEW ZEALAND EMBASSY, THE HAGUE T: +31 70 346 9324

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We are seeking two highly motivated and enthusiastic colleagues to join our Embassy. Our preferred candidates will be flexible and able to perform a range of tasks to support the Embassy’s work.

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LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT JOB? NEW JOBS ONLINE EVERY DAY To advertise your job of the week contact the TNT sales team| 020 7341 6767 | sales@tntmagazine.com

CAREERS CAREERS & MONEY

ON THE JOB

49

JONNY MARSH Career Chief operating officer, travelmatch.co.uk Age 35 Lives Putney From Cardiff How did you get into your line of work?

I was planning on a career in management consultancy but ended up at lastminute.com in the early days of the dot-com boom. Since then, I’ve worked at Yahoo! and now I am combining travel and search.

What do you do day-to-day?

I spend a lot of time analysing our performance to find issues and potential opportunities.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Having the ability to influence the future of the company. It’s too easy these days to be in a position where you feel unable to impact the performance of the company regardless of how good you are at your job.

Thinkstock

What’s the most challenging?

Getting enough website users.

It’s difficult to convince people there is a better way of finding a holiday when you are up against bigger budgets.

Health and safety plans could put workers at risk, unions warn

Safety plan ‘danger’ R

elaxing health and safety regulations will put workers and the economy in danger, according to unions.

The government has said the current level of regulations only serves to “tie-up” British businesses and has ordered a review, which is to be published in autumn.

Company bosses have welcomed the reforms, which will see a refocusing of

priorities on to employers and consultants with a track record of flouting rules and locations that are known to be high risk, such as major energy sites.

Fewer health and safety inspections will be carried out under the changes, meaning that, in theory, responsible employers will no longer be restrained by red tape and occupied by “box-ticking”.

But Unite general secretary

Len McCluskey said: “Cutting bureaucracy is dangerous rhetoric if it translates into fewer inspections and a subsequent rise in deaths and injuries in factories, on construction sites, on farms and in workplaces in the UK.”

NO FAVOURS FOR STAFF

NETWORK LOCALLY

BOSSES OUT OF FAVOUR

The government has unveiled plans to scrap the Local Authority Two Tier Code, meaning employers would no longer have to offer work to new recruits on terms and conditions “no less favourable” than those of transferred staff.

UK-wide social networking website, streetlife.com has just been launched. Its developers described it as a network for people, businesses and groups in a local community to share practical information, advice, skills and resources.

More than one in four employees don’t respect their boss, according to a survey of 2000 Brits conducted by People 1st Training Company and ICM. It also revealed that one in three thought their bosses failed to give clear instructions.

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Need to send money between UK and home? r Cheapee than th banks*

*Source: 1st Contact survey of UK high street bank charges, April 2008.

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CAREERS & MONEY

MONEY

WHERE DOES YOUR DOSH GO?

50

Jacinta Peill The VAT rise is deterring shoppers

Shoppers feel VAT pinch hoppers have curbed their spending since the VAT rise in January, with two out of five cutting back on buying goods.

Government policies and the previous Labour rule were to blame, according to a survey of more than 2000 adults by eBay. Half of those

S

MAKES YOUR MONEY GO FURTHER

cent. However, they plunged in the new year, after the rise, by 12 per cent.

Clare Gilmartin, spokesman for eBay, said: “The recent VAT rise only had a short-term negative impact on consumer spending, but we know consumers are still feeling the pain.”

HAPPY PRICEY EASTER

RECYCLING NUMBERS

The cost of Easter eggs has increased a staggering 21 per cent on average in a year, grocery site mySupermarket found. Thanks to inflation, perennial family favourites, Cadbury’s Twirl and Dairy Milk have risen by 65 per cent, while the Galaxy Minstrel egg soared from £2.50 to £6.

More than half (54 per cent) of mobile phone users who exchange or recycle handsets fail to delete personal information like bank details and pin numbers. They also leave phone numbers and log-ins to social networking sites, a study for life assistance company CPP found.

It’s hard, but I find if you pay all your essentials, such as bills, rent and food, first, then you can live and travel on the rest.

Any money-saving tips for when you first arrive?

Shop at Primark and take advantage of all the buyone-get-one-free deals at the major supermarkets.

Last big blowout?

I am in Prague at the moment, but my recent trip to the US was pretty expensive by the end – but worth every pound.

What non-essential items do you spend money on?

Travel and more travel.

I love seeing new countries and learning about cultures and languages.

STYLE OR SIMPLY STUPID? Fashion label Hervé Léger recommends you don’t get its £650 swimsuit wet. Ironic? Couture can be a ridiculous beast. Take these examples ... » US label Rodarte unveiled the highest in mainstream a £300 pair of unsightly multicoloured socks last year, hewn from silky mohair and soft alpaca wool, which would ruin if washed. » In 2008 Christian Louboutin tempted fashion victims with vertiginous eight-inch heels – A lawsuit waiting to happen

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How do you budget in London?

fashion – which apparently had catwalk models crying backstage out of fear for having to wear them. » Style 23 crafted a pair of diamond and 18-carat gold sunglasses with ivory buffalo horn arms for $40,000 (£25k).

Getty images

Overspending at the supermarket is easily done – especially if you’re shopping on an empty stomach. But some careful planning before you do the grocery run could help you save cash.

Make up a menu planner each week, check what’s in your cupboards and fridge before you hit the shops, and base the meals around what you already have.

Take a shopping list and use cash, which will help you resist the urge to buy more food than you need.

Go to supermarkets shortly before they close as many items will be reduced.

Also, add up the price of individual items against multipacks as they could work out cheaper.

questioned said the VAT increase had had a “noticeable” impact on their cost of living.

Figures from eBay showed that in December, before the 2.5 per cent hike, sales of white goods such as fridges and freezers surged by 37 per cent, compared to the usual 9 per

Job Receptionist From Port Douglas Lives Ealing Common Age 28

Combine travel & work with

CAREERS & MONEY

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TRAVEL GLOBAL VISION Hindu devotees play with coloured powders during Holi celebrations at the Bankey Bihari Temple on

spring festival of colours, is an explosion of colour to mark the end of the winter.

Photo by Majid Saeedi/ Getty Images

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Are you brave enough to take the plunge?

J P UM

START

Put your guts to the test by coasteering along the Welsh coastline in Pembrokeshire WORDS NELLIE HUANG

Pembrokeshire WALES

A

t the ledge of a 4.6-metre cliff, my senses have gone into overdrive.

My heart pounds as loudly as the crashing waves, my head spins in a hypnotic trance and my nerves are at the brink of bursting.

I’m about to jump off a rock-strewn cliff – an ideal place for an amateur to get splattered and smashed. No thanks.

But my legs seem to have a life of their own. Before I know it, I am free-falling towards the ferocious waters. An overwhelming wave of adrenalin shoots through my body like an electric current.

Letting out a triumphant cheer, my head is giddy with exhilaration. This must be what they call a natural high.

ADVENTURE CAPITAL I am in the scenic countryside of Pembrokeshire, Wales, to try my hand at coasteering. The trendiest sport in town is a series of adventurous coastal exploration: navigating sea caves, clambering up natural rock arches, swimming with Atlantic grey seals (I did see one!) and the ultimate challenge – cliff-jumping.

tntmagazine.com

TRAVEL

NEED TO KNOW

Activities such as cycling and windsurfing are also on offer

56

Armed with a helmet, wetsuit and buoyancy jacket, my friends and I are taking part in a coasteering course with adventure outfitter, Preseli Venture.

Based in the town of Haverfordwest, we aren’t far from the stunning Pembrokeshire National Park.

This area offers a plethora of activities ranging from windsurfing and seakayaking to whale-watching and flying lessons, yet it’s not far from the bustling town centre, museums and cultural sites.

TAKING THE PLUNGE We weave through the rolling green meadows and wooded estuaries of the Welsh countryside to get to the rugged Pembrokeshire coastline.

Studded with plundering cliffs and craggy rock formations, the scenic coast is as stunning as it is intimidating.

Before starting our navigation, our lead instructor Jon Kellie, gives us a crash course. “Coasteering is not as dangerous

•First Great Western trains depart regularly from London Paddington station to Swansea, Wales. From there, Arriva trains leave for Haverfordwest.

Train fares from London starts from £26 each way and the total journey time is 4.5 hours. Preseli Venture arranges free transfers on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

•If you’re driving, Pembrokeshire is 4.5 hours from London and two hours from Cardiff.

Hire a car at easycar. com/tntmagazine.

ENGLAND •For information about lesiure activities and attractions, see WALES Pembrokeshire activitypembrokeshire.

Swansea com

as it looks. As long as you follow our instructions and not veer off-course, we won’t be facing any risk,” he reassures.

In fact, the company has an impeccable safety record: 22 years and no casualties or major injuries.

Anyone can take part in coasteering, regardless of fitness level or experience.

SPIN ME ROUND Our first challenge is navigating a massive sea cave. The sub-zero water is so turbulent, it twirls us round like the insides of a washing machine, which results in roars of nervous laughter.

Led by instructor Libby Chivers, we start to clamber up the barnacle-studded rocks. From sea level, we leap off the rock surface to test our comfort level – easy peasy.

We hurl our drenched bodies further up the cliff. Thanks to the striated layers of these million-years-old rock formations, it

CARDIFF

is easier than I’d imagined. By the time we make it to our first jumping spot, the height is dizzying.

Making the first leap is petrifying but once I’m off the ground, I’m hooked.

The feeling is one of accomplishment and sheer thrill. By the time we scramble back to shore, we are red-faced and buzzing. Staring up at the plundering rock face towering over us, I realise I’ve also managed to conquer my fear of heights.

Whatever the reason, it was most definitely worth jumping off a cliff.

» Nellie Huang travelled with Preseli Venture (preseliventure.co.uk; 01348 837709) who offer a one-day coasteering course for £105pp. Preseli Venture also offers Adrenalin Cocktail Adventure Weekends with prices from £209pp.

EAT, DRINK, SLEEP WHERE TO DRINK: ■ EDDIES (eddies-bar.co.uk), in the

Climb the rocks to reach dizzing heights

WHERE TO EAT: ■ BLACK SHEEP (blacksheeprestaurant. co.uk) serves affordable modern European cuisine using produce from its farm. Lunch from £6.

■ THE GEORGE’S RESTAURANT (thegeorges.uk.com) dishes up healthy foods with organic ingredients and the

WHERE TO SLEEP: ■ PRESELI VENTURE ECOLODGE is (preseli venture.co.uk) built with sustainability in mind, with a private bar and outdoor bonfire. From £39pp including breakfast.

■ HAMILTON LODGE hostel in Fishguard (hamiltonbackpackers.co.uk) is modern, and well-equipped. From £16pp.

■ FISH TRELLYN WOODLAND CAMP (trellyn.co.uk) offers ‘glamping’ in luxurious yurts with wooden floors. Prices start from £475 per week for 4-6 people.

Preseli Venture, Pembrokeshire County Council Tourism

centre of Haverfordwest, has a dancefloor and snooker hall.

■ THE BRISTOL TRADER (bristoltrader.net) offers the widest range of ales and spirits in town and is located by the quay.

■ THE QUAY & THE VENUE (01437 765411) is a fixture in the local bar scene, featuring live music on weekends.

establishment features a therapy centre.

Prices for lunch mains start from £7.95.

■ THE SWAN INN in Little Haven (theswanlittlehaven.co.uk) is a cosy beachfront pub serving unpretentious good food. Lunch from £9.95.

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A nine-day Paparazzi Parade tour of Europe is £496 (was £625) with Topdeck Travel (0845 257 5212; topdeck.travel). Visit Barcelona, Florence, Rome and more. Departs Apr 16.

Return flights to Hong Kong are £455 with Flight Centre (0844 800 8628; flightcentre. co.uk). Quote: HKGLONLX1.

Valid for travel until Jun 25.

Offer ends Apr 15.

A six-day Vodka Shot tour of Russia is £407 with On The Go Tours (020 7371 1113; onthe gotours.com), including B&B. Visit St Petersburg and Moscow.

Departs Apr 5 and May 3.

A nine-day King Tutankhamen tour of Egypt is £339 (save £60) with On The Go Tours ((020 7371 1113; onthegotours.com), including Cairo, Giza, Aswan, Edfu, Luxor and more. Departs Apr 2.

A 17-day Indian Himalaya tour is £1396 (save £444) with Explore (0844 499 0901; explore. co.uk), including flights, B&B accommodation and 12 other meals. Departs Apr 29.

Seven nights in Miami is £579 with lowcostholidays.com (0800 1116271), including flights and accommodation. Departs Apr 5.

A 12-day tour of Eastern Europe is £839 (save £210) with Contiki (0845 075 0990; contiki. com/lates). Visit Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Krakow and more.

Departs Apr 30.

Seven nights in Pattaya Beach, Thailand, is £569 with Flight Centre (0844 800 8628; flightcentre.co.uk), including flights and B&B accommodation. Quote: PYXLONPAC2.

Valid for travel from Apr 1-Jun 30. Offer ends Mar 31.

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Five-day opening ceremony trip to Pamplona is £118 with Travel Talk (020 8099 8852; traveltalktours. com). Departs July 4.

Book by Mar 31. Excl flights.

Three nights in Pisa is £195 with lowcostholidays.com

TRAVEL 59

TNT Weekender Champagne FRANCE

The district that gave its name to the bubbly wine that’s adored by millions is great to explore. Only an hour from Paris, Champagne has fantastic wine trails that weave through picturesque countryside and villages, and best of all, dozens of brands to try — from the palatial home of Moet & Chandon to friendly family operations that operate out of a shed.

HEADLINE ATTRACTION Most people come here for the fizz. Roam the cellars and vineyards, mostly found in Reims, Epernay and Châlonsen-Champagne. The Champagne Tourist Trail stretches about 600km with 80 stop-off points, most of which have Champagne cellars. To sample bubbly in a magical setting, visit the new Treetop Champagne bar (arboxygene. eu) in the Arboxygene leisure park, near the forest of Verzy, 17km from Reims.

stately homes. Many centuriesold chateaux boast cellars used to make champagne. Chateau de Bligny and Chateau de Pierry have wine museums and fizz tasting sessions.

ART ATTACK Discover the landscapes that inspired Renoir’s work by visiting Essoyes, where the artist and his wife Aline Charigot spent every summer.

Essoyes has been transformed into an artists’ village as part of a recent £1.7million cultural project. A visitor centre reveals the influence of Renoir’s family on his work. There are four themed walkways explaining the landscapes that Renoir loved. A new impressionist garden features flowers from his paintings, and Renoir’s revamped studio features an

NEED TO KNOW

FESTIVAL FUN

WHEN TO GO Any time is good, but spring and autumn are best.

GETTING THERE From Paris, take a train (45 minutes) or drive (one hour) to Reims.

VISAS South Africans need a Schengen visa.

CURRENCY Euro.

1 GBP = 1.18 EUR. LANGUAGE French.

GETTING AROUND A hire car is best. See easycar.com/ tntmagazine.

SEE champagne-ardennetourism.co.uk ACCOMMODATION There are few hostels. Your best bet is B&Bs, rooms start at about €60 (£52). For more information see gites-defrance.com.

Vino Passion – a new wine festival – will take place in Epernay from June 11-13. The three-day event will showcase all the wine regions of France.

See salon-vinopassion.fr.

Swing by the World Puppet Festival in Charlesville Mezieres from September 1625 for a unique event. The programme includes avantgarde performance art and street entertainment in a carnival atmosphere, attracting more than 150,000 visitors.

OUT OF TOWN Perched atop vine-covered slopes, Hautvillers is a pretty village known as the birthplace of champagne for its connection with Dom Pérignon, the 17th-century monk whose discoveries shaped the methods of production still used today.

NEXT WEEK QUEEN’S DAY

TNT online

BEST OF THE REST Champagne-Ardenne is home to more than 150 historic chateaux, manor houses and

interactive centre of photo and personal memorabilia.

Puppet Festival is a huge draw

PARIS Champagne

FRANCE

For a full travel guide on France go to tntmagazine. com/travel

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HOTSHOTS Hayley Madden TALKS TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

WINNER TIGERS FIGHT Alit Apriyana, Indonesia

Fabulous timing from Alit, with this dramatic moment frozen as the water splashes and the tigers leap. The cats are well framed and we can clearly see their faces. The water creates a wonderful diagonal movement across the frame and the background is dark and indistinct to really make the splashes stand out. An

excellent example of how photography can freeze time to show us moments we could never see with the naked eye.

HOT TIP: The faster a subject moves, the faster your shutter speed needs to be to freeze its movement. Choose sports mode on your compact for fast-moving subjects or TV (time value) mode on your

DSLR and choose a high number for the shutter. » Alit wins a three-day tour of Scotland for two worth £218 from Haggis Adventures (haggisadventures.com). Trip must be taken within three months of receiving prize letter.

RUNNER-UP

contrast of the casualness of the children and the imposing authority of the walls behind.

Even the lamppost looks like a disapproving figure of the establishment.

HOT TIP: A slower shutter speed is needed to blur moving objects or the background. Choose TV on your DSLR and choose a low number for the shutter. » Travers wins a photography course voucher worth £60 from Nigel Wilson Photography (photographycourses.org.uk).

KIDS RACING AT THE LOUVRE Travers Smyth, New Zealand Travers has captured a lovely moment of childhood as these two kids zoom past the museum. The horizontal lines of the steps accentuate the direction of travel and the panning technique has emphasized the fleeting nature of the moment. The leading boy is well framed against the blank part of the wall. There is a very nice

tntmagazine.com

HOTSHOTS

HOLIDAY SNAPS

HOW TO MAKE YOUR PHOTOS STAND OUT

THEME: SUNSET Beach Sunset, India by Tim Gosling, New Zealand

TRAVEL

The use of the foreground is one technique that sets apart the well-seasoned photographer from the beginner. By using framing, leading lines, contrast and wide angles, you will give your landscapes that extra edge. Tim has used a number of foreground techniques to make his image more interesting.

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WHY THIS WORKS: 1 Fronds of the palm tree frame the image at the top.

Without them, the eye would sail out into the sky, which is fine for images that need space but here it adds to the cosy nature of the subject.

2 The white line on the table provides an excellent leading line right to the couple in the background having a romantic evening.

3 The two bottles of coke are a good counter balance to the two figures both compositionally (as focal points) and in meaning (they

add to the story of the image).

4 The wide-angle lens accentuates the lines and patterns on the table in the foreground as they lead into the image giving the scene depth.

5 The table in the foreground is well lit and lifts what would have been an average silhouette into a picture with a narrative.

HOT TIPS: 1 A wide angle is great for creating depth in an image by using leading lines from the

foreground to the background, like Tim’s white line on the table.

2 A wide angle is also good for creating depth by getting a texture running from the foreground to the background. Grass or stones are effective and the pattern on Tim’s table works well.

3 Large items in the foreground should not take over. They are there to support the main subject. Tim’s coke bottles support the theme of holiday romance. We know his shot is more about the couple than the drinks.

4 Using the foreground is an excellent way to frame your shot. Flowers, grass, stones, walls or as Tim’s shot shows, the leaves of overhanging trees are all good to frame a scene without taking over.

5 Getting really close to the foreground so it is out of focus is another good way of including it but make sure it knows its place and does not take over.

TNT online For details of how to enter go to tntmagazine.com/gallery

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QUIRKY HOSTELS From royal castles to former prisons, pimp up your holiday with a stay in unique accommodation.

Here’s our six of the best WORDS JANINE KELSO

THE TREEHOUSE Kadir’s Yörük Top Tree House, Olympos, Turkey Indulge your childhood fantasies with a stay in this tree-top hostel, gloriously located on a hill above a sandy beach.

Built on stilts and made of wood, the fivebed venue fits comfortably into the wilderness-like landscape. If you’re scared of heights, you can opt to stay in a bungalow. The surrounding area offers endless hiking and climbing opportunities, as well as a raft of ruins to explore. It is also a 1km hike to the Olympos beach, known as one of the world’s only breeding grounds for the loggerhead turtles.

How much? From 10 euros (£8.59) per night per bed. See kadirstreehouses.com

1

TRAVEL

Sleep onboard a jumbo

THE PRISON Langholmen, Stockholm, Sweden Set in a former jail in central Stockholm on its own island, this hostel offers guest the chance to sleep in its recently spruced-up two- to four-bed cells where inmates used to sleep (the beds have, thankfully, been replaced). Built in the 1840s, Crown Prison served as a lock-up until 1975 when the last convict left the island. Inside the hostel is a museum, outlining the clink’s 250 years of history.

How much? 240 SEK (£23.23) per night, per bed. See langholmen.com

2

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Upgrade to the cockpit

even has its own ghost. Nearby attractions include distilleries, nature walks and mountain biking routes. How much? £20.50 per night, per bed. See syha.org.uk

THE LIGHTHOUSE Point Montara THE JUMBO Lighthouse, Montara, JET California, US Jumbo Stay Sited 25 miles south of San Hostel, Stockholm, Francisco on the rugged Sweden Californian coast, this historic Is it a bird? Is it 1875 fog signal station and a plane? Er, yes, but lighthouse has been restored and Live like royalty it’s also a hostel. Quite transformed into a hostel. Sleep in possibly one of the the former Coast Guard quarters world’s coolest crashpads, this worn-out – or the fog signal building itself in either and grounded - jumbo jet has been shared or private rooms. Even today, the recycled into a stylish hostel. Stay in quad lighthouse is an operating aid-todorms or upgrade to the luxury suite, navigation maintained by the US Coast situated in the converted cockpit with a Guard. In the summer, surf, swim, kayak, view of Arlanda Airport. It’s the perfect horse ride, windsurf or cycle along the place to stay if you have an early flight the shore. From Nov until April, watch the next day. annual gray whale migration.

How much? From 400 SEK (£38.72) per How much? $25 (£15.32) per night, per night per bed. See jumbostay.com bed. See norcalhostels.org

5

3

THE CASTLE Carbisdale Castle SYHA Hostel, Sutherland, Scotland Make like a king or queen and spend a right royal night in an enchanting castle.

Built for the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland in 1906, this building has seen many rich and esteemed folk step through their doors. Set in woodlands an hour’s drive north of Inverness, this castle hostel is great for groups, families and weddings. Walls are adorned with art and Italian marble statues stand on display in the main gallery. Easily spooked types should note that the castle

6

» All these hostels can be booked through Hostelling International – hihostels.com

COME FO R A DAY!

STAY FO R A WEEK!

BUNK UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS IN ONE OF OUR FAMED OLYMPOS TREEHOUSES

4

Hostelling International

THE BOAT Boatel Fortuna, Budapest, Hungary Fall asleep on the waves of the Danube by staying in this converted boat. Set in front of the stunning Margit Island at the Pest side next to Margit bridge, the city’s major attractions are within spitting distance.

The boat’s restaurant serves up Hungarian specialities. During the summer months, expect a BBQ and cocktails on the terrace.

It’s impossible not to get into the maritime spirit, especially as every room is named after a famous pirate. Aye aye Captain!

How much? 26 EUR (£22.33) per night, per bed. See fortunahajo.hu

¤15 Dorm ¤17 Treehouse ¤28 Bungalow per person per night with breakfast & dinner

We provide kilims, mattresses, pillows and sheets.

For a touch more comfort and style, try one of our private bungalows with attached bath and optional air-conditioning.

Accommodation in Olympos at Bayrams includes breakfast and a vegetarian-friendly buffet dinner. Our cozy orange grove is the ideal place to relax in a hammock, play backgammon or enjoy a Turkish water pipe. We also offer a restaurant and bar on site, laundry service, internet, a travel agency and more.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

Bayrams Tree Houses Tel: +9 0242 892 1243 www.bayrams.com Address: 07350, Olympos, Turkey Zest Travel: www.zesttravel.com

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TIPS Chateau Chambord in the Loire Valley

READERS’ TIPS SWEET LIFE

TRAVEL

When wandering TIP OF around the THE WEEK labyrinth of tiny streets in the old market town of Fez, Morocco, carry some biscuits and sweets for the kids. It’s a great way to meet the locals, and the smiles and laughs of the children not only make fantastic photos but create some authentic and amazing memories. The kids are super friendly.

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Jane, via email

SKI TRACKER

YOU ASKED FOR IT Laura Lindsay FROM LONELY PLANET Some friends and I are planning a twoto three-day car trip in the Loire Valley.

We want to see some amazing châteaux and eat cheese. Which of the chateaux should be at the top of our list? And can you recommend a pretty town to base ourselves in for a couple of nights?

Megan, via email

Q

A

tntmagazine.com

A

Vienna is a great city for a long weekend as most of its top tourist spots are all within walking distance. Walking is a great way to save money and get a feel for the city. Your first stop should be Stephansdom, the Gothic cathedral which is one of Vienna’s most famous landmarks and the national emblem of Austria.

As well as taking a tour of the inside of the cathedral, you can go down into the catacombs.

The Hofburg is a must-see for Austrian history.

This imperial palace was home to the Hapsburg dynasty for more than six centuries. It is an opulent pile that is definitely worth a look.

The Danube itself is also home to an array of attractions from swimming pools to nightclubs.

To save some money, you could look into the Wien Karte which offers 72 hours of unlimited travel on underground, bus and tram and selected discounts for 18.50 euros (£16).

To explore the surrounding region, I would recommend hopping on a river cruise of the Danube, you can even pop to Bratislava, the capital of neighbouring Slovakia and back in an evening.

Sarah, via email Email your words of wisdom to traveltips@tntmagazine.com. Tip of the Week wins a Lonely Planet guide and other published tips win a fiver.

WIN

Lonely Planet’s Laura Lindsay will give you the benefit of her infinite wisdom if you email a question to traveltips@ tntmagazine. com. If she answers your question, you’ll win a Lonely Planet guide of your choice.

This is a reader forum — TNT and Lonely Planet accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone using the information provided.

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Well you’ve come to right place for “châteaux and cheese”. The Loire has so many châteaux to choose from you’re spoilt for choice! In fact the whole region is an Unesco World Heritage Site. The three Cs are the most popular grand houses, Chambord, Chenonceau and Cheverny. Chambord is noted for its grand architecture, Chenonceau for elegance and Cheverny for perfectly proportioned design.

However, if you want to avoid the crowds, try Azay-le-Rideau. With its surrounding moat, this château will live up to your fairytale imaginations of the classic French castle. The nearby town of Tours is well placed for château exploring. It is the capital of Touraine, a region which should satisfy your cheese requests.

I suggest you try the Sainte-Maure du Touraine, a goats’ cheese which is specific to this region.

Have a wander around one of the farmers’ markets to take in some of the great smells and tastes of the region. There’s also some wine tasting opportunities in the Loire to complete the experience.

My partner and I are planning a visit to Austria for a long weekend in May, flying into and out of Vienna. What do you suggest are the highlights of Vienna and its surrounding region for someone on a budget?

Jane, via email

Q

If you’ve been or are going skiing at one of the big European resorts this winter, you may be able to track your ski runs online.

At Zermatt, for example, you can log onto the ‘skiline’ through Zermatt’s homepage and enter your ski pass number to find out how many vertical metres you’ve skied each day, with a graph showing which lifts you took! Brilliant fun.

TRAVEL NEWS WIN JORDAN TRIP

Stop in Burma on your world trip

PUNCTUAL AIRLINE Bmi has been named the UK’s most punctual airline.

Data from flightontime.info placed bmi first out of 35 scheduled airlines, with 89.7 per cent of its flights departing on time and an average delay of only 7.1 minutes. Eastern Airways was the second most on-time airline, while City Jet came in third place.

British Airways came 20th in the table, with an average delay time of 15.1 minutes and 74 per cent of flights arriving and departing within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.

Amazon village ban Indigenous people living in the Colombian Amazon village of Nazareth are so fed up of being stared at by backpackers and adventurers that they have banned them.

Guards armed with sticks will ensure that unwelcome guests don’t enter the village.

TRAVEL

Amateur and professional photographers are being invited to enter their pictures of Jordan into a competition, in which the top prize is a seven-day trip to the country. The second prize is an iPad and the third is a digital camera, in the Jordan Tourism Board competition. Entries will be accepted until June 15 2011 and there is no limit to how many photographs you can submit. Photos can be in colour or in black and white. To enter, visit capturejordan.com.

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BURMA ON RTW ROUTE Round The World Experts has launched the only flight itinerary to include Burma, one of the least explored countries in the world.

The operator introduced the route following the release of political campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, who has now revoked her previous request that tourists stay away from the country.

In a recent interview with Lonely Planet, she said: “Foreign tourists could benefit Burma if they go about [their travels] in the right way, by using facilities that help ordinary people and avoiding facilities that have close links to the government.

“If [tourists make the effort] to meet people working for democracy, then it might help.”

The city of Yangon, which is where the

itinerary will take you, is flush with historic streets lined with British colonial-era architecture. Its star attraction is Buddhist sacred site Shwedagon Paya.

Paul Bondsfield, spokesman for Round The World Experts, said: “Creating this unique flight itinerary to include Burma is not a move we have taken lightly.

“It is without doubt a spectacular country with a rich history, but in light of these comments by Aung San Suu Kyi we do still advise people to visit with their eyes open and to be respectful to the sensitivities that remain.”

Back To Burma flights stop at Delhi, Yangon, Singapore, Tokyo and Los Angeles and cost from £1577 including taxes.

Trips to the moon for 2020?

Thinkstock, Getty Images

Holidaymakers expect to be able to take trips to the moon by 2020, according to a survey.

One in 10 of those quizzed about future holidays by sunshine.co.uk said lunar landings will be feasible in nine years’ time, with 22 per cent saying space station resorts will be viable by 2020.

More than half of the 1,926 surveyed said lengthy submarine cruises would be possible by 2020, but only 13 per cent said they would go on one. Forty-six per cent said they would feel “too claustrophobic” and 29 per

Take me to the moon and back

TNTMAGAZINE.COM MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS 1 Spain 2 England 3 France 4 Croatia 5 Italy

HOTTEST KEYWORDS ON TNTMAGAZINE.COM/TOURSEARCH

cent said they would be “too afraid”. A staggering 16 per cent thought that a rail network, similar to the Eurostar, could be installed between the UK and the US. Four per cent thought that time machine travel was possible in the future.

1 Croatia 2 Turkey 3 Europe 4 Egypt 5 Italy powered by

FREE ONLINE GUIDES Go to tntmagazine.com/ travel for travel guides on more than 170 destinations.

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ON THE ROAD

WORDS FRANKIE MULLIN

BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL

TRAVEL

Edinburgh, Scotland April 30 Reviving a Celtic festival to welcome in the warm months, drumming, fire, costume and a ritualised procession draw huge crowds. Expect pagan devils, sprites, goddesses and the odd naked person.

66

» edinburgh.org

WHAT: Amsterdam knows

how to enjoy itself, but on Queen’s Day the madness and mayhem is condensed into one glorious, raucous party. Dressed in orange, the city takes to the streets to drink, smoke, dance and be merry. The canals will be chocca with boats and there’s a market throughout the city at which people can sell anything. Fun, friendly and chaotic. The ‘Dam at its best.

WHY: Celebrating Queen Beatrix’s birthday. Orange is worn because it’s the national colour and also because the monarch’s lineage goes back to William of Orange.

DO IT BECAUSE: Do you really need an excuse for this one?

» iamsterdam.com

TNT online For more upcoming events, see our destination guides at tntmagazine.com/travel

WITH FRANKIE MULLIN

LOCK IT IN WITCHES NIGHT Harz Mountains, Germany April 30 thisisharz.com

LAND DIVING

QUEEN’S DAY AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND APRIL 30

ON THE ROAD

Pentecost Island, Vauata April – June vanuatu.travel

FESTIVAL OF SNAKES COACHELLA Coachella Valley, US April 15-17 Set in the Empire Polo Fields of California’s desert, headiners include The Strokes, Arcade Fire and Kings of Leon. Not the most debauched festival, so you might actually hear some bands. Camp or stay nearby.

» coachella.com

Where in the world?

Cocullo, Italy May 5 abruzzoturismo.it

CINCO DE MAYO Puebla, Mexico May 5 visitmexico.com

HORSE FAIR Jerez, Spain May 8-15 andalucia.com

THE TRAVELLER …

The Greek islands. We went island-hopping by day and the evenings were pretty crazy.

Anything scary happened while you were travelling?

Esther Hjelmstrom from Titirangi, West Auckland, New Zealand, in Bruge, Belgium.

WIN

Been somewhere good lately? Send us a horizontal photo of yourself with a copy of TNT from anywhere around the world and, if we print it, you’ll win a day trip for two to Bath and Stonehenge with Anderson Tours, valued at £104. » Email your pictures to ontheroad@tntmagazine.com along with your name, where you’re from and where the photo was taken, or see tntmagazine.com/world. Files must be at least 500Kb.

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After a pub crawl in Paris I got in what I thought was a taxi but it was just someone’s car. They robbed my phone and money. I had to walk home.

Best party you’ve been to?

Amsterdam for New Year. It was ridiculous!

Getty Images, TNT images

Ryan Davies, 25, Newcastle, Australia Your most memorable travel experience?

TOP FIVE

FIVE MOUNTAINS TO CLIMB JANINE KELSO GIVES A HIGH FIVE TO REACHING THE PEAK

Looking for a tour?

HALF DOME, US WHAT: Reaching the peak of this 2700-metre Yosemite icon is no walk in the park. The round trip is 14 to 16 miles, takes 10 to 12 hours and is not recommended for the unfit, but the knockout views from the top make it worth the effort. You’ll need to pick up a permit to do the hike and it’s advisable to leave at sunrise to make it home before sunset.

SEE: nps.gov/yose

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TRAVEL 67

MOUNT OLYMPUS, GREECE WHAT: Home to the Gods of Greek mythology, Mount Olympus is Greece’s highest mountain at 2917 metres.

It takes trekkers two days to climb to its highest peak, Mytikas. Sign the visitors’ register at the top.

SEE: visitgreece.gr

BEN NEVIS, SCOTLAND WHAT: It should only take about three-anda-half to five hours to reach the top of Britain’s highest mountain. Avoid the hike between November and May, or in bad weather which can leave walkers stranded.

SEE: visitscotland.com

2

3

We’ve done the leg work so you don’t need to and put thousands of tours in one place.

MT FUJI, JAPAN WHAT: The highest mountain in Japan is 3776 metres tall and can be seen from Tokyo. July and August is climbing season, but visit on the shoulder months to avoid the crowds.

Just a two-and-a-half-hour bus ride from Tokyo, the climb takes four and a half hours.

SEE: jnto.go.jp

4

TABLE MOUNTAIN, SOUTH AFRICA WHAT: Cape Town’s famous flat-topped mountain offers more than 300 hiking routes.

To reach the summit without breaking out in a sweat, take the Jeep Track via the Back Table. Feeling lazy? Take the cable car to the top.

SEE: southafrica.net

00s 10 of tours in one

place

TOURSEARCH powered by

5

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Check out our new TourSearch at tntmagazine.com/ toursearch.

Ëtntmagazine.com/ toursearch

THE INSIDER STAFFORD CARRINGTON, FOUNDER AND CEO, ESCAPE 2 HOLIDAYS The best part of my job is working with a huge range of specialist resorts and locations to secure the best deals for our customers.

My most challenging travel experience was travelling around South America independently for three

months.

My favourite place in the world is Koh Yao Noi, Thailand. It's a tiny secluded island close to Phi Phi and the perfect place to take a break from work and experience a different culture.

The next trip on my travel wishlist is island hopping around the Caribbean.

My guilty travel pleasure is making a party out of nothing.

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M ISLES OF SMILES

Deep-sea diving and desert islands, set sail to discover how the lesser-travelled North Fiji offers some hidden gems WORDS CAROL DRIVER

Xxxxxxx

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Drinking kava is an important Fijian custom

TRAVEL 69

NEED TO KNOW

Vanua Levu FIJI

Chris McLennan

T

he intrusive drilling sound of our speedboat as we slice through the ocean cuts through the tranquillity as we zoom along to our secret destination. Some of Fiji’s 333 islands can be seen in the distance – they’re lush and green and with the sun beaming down, it’s like a scene straight out of Lost.

Our guide Tim nods at the driver who quickly shuts off the engine – the silence is like a jolt to the senses as we silently drift along looking for the right spot.

“Here,” Tim says authoritatively.

We’re already kitted up in our diving gear, so we roll backwards off the tiny boat and descend into the warm, crystalclear water.

The underground world comes to life before our eyes – coral of every pastel colour is highlighted by the sunrays piercing the surface.

It’s teeming with life as schools of vibrant fish dart about, not in the least bit inquisitive about their huge intruders.

Tim and Simon fin along in front of me as I get distracted exploring the magical

wonderland. As they turn to check I’m OK, I can see their eyes bulging behind their masks. They point behind me, motioning for me to turn around.

I feel my heart pounding – I’m a keen diver, but I’ve never seen anything bigger or scarier than a trigger fish before, and I’m fearing the worst.

Everything seems to happen in slow motion as I turn to face a gigantic manta ray, spanning about five metres, gliding effortlessly through the water towards us.

Sensing it’s got company, it veers off, moving too quickly for us to follow.

ALL ABOARD Back onboard the Tui Tai, we boast to anyone who will listen – the crew, all Fijians wearing loud shirts and salu-salus (flower necklaces) – have probably heard a similar story a thousand times before, but they’re polite enough to act as though it’s the first.

I boarded the vessel at Natewa Bay on Fiji’s north island Vanua Levu. Having been reluctant to do a cruise, I was

WHEN TO GO Nov-Mar is humid and the wet season. April/May and Oct are the best for warm weather.

GETTING THERE Fly from Heathrow to Nadi, Fiji, with Cathay Pacific.

VISAS Not required.

CURRENCY Fijian dollars.

1 GBP = 3FJD. LANGUAGE Fijian. Although the majority speak English.

ACCOMMODATION Carol Driver travelled on board the Tui Tai. A five-night expedition cruise, which includes accommodation, food, drinks and activities (except scuba) costs from £1547 (per person, based on a couple sharing a room).

SEE tuitai.com or fijime.com.

VANUA LEVU

FIJI

SUVA

VITI LEVU

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Guests are treated to colourful dance displays

EXPLORE THE SOUTH

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STUNNING TRADITIONS My group takes the bikes over to the volcanic Rabi Island. It’s inhabited by just 5000 Micronesian people, most of whom relocated from Kiribati after World War II. Hordes of smiley children run beside us as we pedal along the small, dusty tracks, weaving in between tiny huts. Everyone on the island is friendly. Before long, we are the VIP guests of the village.

We’re given front-row seats (after we’ve changed into respectable sulus) to a flamboyant dance as men and women don grass skirts and face paints and the beat of the drums kicks in.

It’s a stunning display of custom and expression – the attention to detail put into making the costumes reflects the level

of importance in which the villagers hold the tradition.

My group applauds, but our hosts refuse to let us leave – apparently there’s one more part of our initiation into Fijian life. We’re told to sit cross-legged as the village chief is handed a small bowl brimming with a murky grey-brown liquid. He claps once, shouts “bula” – as an expression of gratitude – and downs the drink in one.

The bilo is refilled and my grinning host passes it to me, gesturing for me to follow suit, which I do. There’s uproar from the crowd of Fijians, who laugh

They laugh “ wildly and pat

me on the back

”

wildly and pat me on the back.

It’s not the most unpleasant taste – a slight medicinal twang with a tonguenumbing side effect.

I hand back the bowl and wait for a wave of relaxation to wash over – the reason kava, which is made from the piper methstyicum plant, is so popular.

Chris McLennan

Known as the Isles of Smiles, Fiji is an archipelago made up of more than 333 islands – of which 110 are permanentaly inhabited.

Viti Levu (‘the mainland’) in the south and Vanua Levu (Big Island) in the north are the two biggest, accounting for 87 per cent of the population.

Most travellers will land in Viti Levu, at Nadi airport, which offers a good base from which to explore.

Head to Robinson Crusoe Island, Nadi Rural, which is lively and filled with backpackers looking for a good time.

Beachcomber Island, Mamanucas, is one of the most popular – best known for its all-night parties.

For some basic and cheap to stay, head to the Yasawa Islands where you’ll be able to enjoy Fiji on a tight budget – although some of the resorts’ hygiene standards might not be the

assured this is the best way to explore some of the more remote islands and some of the best diving in the world, anchoring overnight in the South Pacific Ocean.

But it’s not the type of cruise where you watch the world go by. Days start at 6am with yoga on the deck as the sun comes up. After that, guests – of which there are only 22 – can then choose to paddleboard, kayak, snorkel, surf, dive or go hiking and biking on an island.

Overnight, the boat is back on the move around the archipelago, so you wake in a new destination every morning.

BIG TRIP The islands offer some of the world’s best diving

TRAVEL 71 FEAST OF KINGS Our guide has been preparing dinner on Tavewa island for hours. We make the short speedboat journey to the shore where the sand is golden and feels like cake mix between my toes.

Tavewa is popular with backpackers, it’s fairly undeveloped – and it isn’t connected to the centralised power grid, generating its own electricity through diesel generators. But we don’t need any tonight.

The food is being cooked in a lovo earth oven. Fish, meats and vegetables are placed in a pit, covered with soil and left to cook. Our guide informs us, before we start eating, that this was also how cannibalism was performed – a practice which is, thankfully, now extinct.

After a feast fit for kings, we head back to the Tui Tai where cocktails are being

Thinkstock, Chris McLennan

Fiji has its fair share of pristine beaches

Each of Fiji’s 333 islands looks like paradise

served. The boat is pretty empty – there’s only four of us stargazing.

One of the crew beckons for me to follow him and takes me down some steep steps where I find the rest of his shipmates sitting cross-legged in a circle.

There’s a huge bowl of murky-looking water in the middle, and a bilo being passed around.

I sit down; the whole room is filled with smiles and chatter and I’m made to feel incredibly welcome.

Soon the small bowl is handed to me.

It may not taste as good as the Cosmopolitans above deck, but I know where I’d rather be. Bula!

VANUA LEVU: THE BEST OF THE REST BEST FOR ... ROMANCE Nukubati is a little-known, 108-acre private island situated inside the Great Sea Reef. There are just four bungalows and three bures – meaning a maximum of 14 guests at one time (no under 12s).

There are no phones in the rooms and dining is about the most demanding activity you have to do.

You can go diving or snorkelling or enjoy romantic picnics at the lookout peak (which offers stunning views of the South Pacific Ocean).

Top tip: Book during June to August and it’s likely you’ll have the whole island to yourself.

Price: From £74 per couple all-inclusive.

See: nukubati.com BEST FOR ... LEARNING Swap your tan for something more permanent by learning a new skill at the Daku Resort, Savusavu.

Just a 50-minute flight from Nadi, Daku Resort runs week-long courses throughout the year – from writing and singing to yoga and painting.

Nestled in a tropical garden, it’s minutes away from the ocean and guests can go snorkelling equipment, kayaks or a boat.

Top tip: Five-star award-winning JeanMichel Cousteau resort is just a fiveminute taxi ride away.

Price: From £80 per bure per night (sleeps four to six people).

See: dakuresort.com

NEXT WEEK: N&S KOREA

Giant phalluses and glorious scenery

D

s n o i t a n i t s De New TOP 20 HOTLIST

INSIDE:Y YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF THE MIDDLE EAST PLUS:: 2011’S MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS - FROM THE EXPERTS PLUS

ALL-NEW TOP 20 Flights, tours, treks and activites – plan your next adventure around the latest travel launches WORDS CAROL DRIVER

Explore San Diego thanks to new flights

1

With 70 miles of spectacular beaches and a year-round Mediterranean climate, San Diego is home to a unique blend of surfsidechic. From June 1, BA launches a daily direct flight from London, opening up California’s second largest city. You can scuba, sail and whale-watch by day and explore downtown by night.

Flights from £600. ba.com. See visitcalifornia.co.uk

Hit the surf in Cornwall

2

Specialist Morocco has opened the first luxurious, eco-tented safari camp in the Sahara Desert.

Located in the southern Draa Valley and M’hamid, it boasts Caidal

3

Walk through fruit orchards and mountain villages in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada on this new Along The GR7 trip. Trek the famous trail which winds along the flanks of Europe’s second highest mountain range. Prices from £655pp (two sharing), including seven nights’ B&B. walkswordwide.com

tntmagazine.com/destinations

Thinkstock, Getty Images

2

sleeping tents. Prices from £60pppn (two sharing) including meals. saharasafaricamp.com. Get to Morocco on one of BMI’s new flights from Heathrow – three times a week to Marrakech and four times a week to Casablanca. Prices from £149 and £199 respectively. flybmi.com

4

A World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, the Danube Delta’s varied habitat is home to many species of birds, fish, fauna and flora.

Explore the channels and crystal-clear lakes by boat on this new tour, where you’ll spot the largest colonies of white pelicans in Europe. Nature In The Danube Delta departs May to Oct. Prices from £1295pp (two sharing), including flights and five nights’ fullboard. wildlifeworldwide.com

5

Topdeck’s new Explorer trips are designed to get you off the beaten track and into the heart of a country – visit Turkey, Iceland, Eastern Europe or the Mediterranean.

The Best Of The Med takes in Spain, Italy and Greece with 21 days of sunshine. Prices from £2295pp (sharing doubles), including multishare ferries. www.topdeck.travel

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This new eight-day rail journey takes in some of the finest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The route takes you to Cologne, then along the River Rhine to the Würzburg which features Marienberg fortress and the World Heritage Court Gardens. You’ll end up in Aachen, Germany’s most westerly city. Prices from £839pp (two sharing), including all rail travel and seven nights’ B&B. dertour.co.uk

TNT Images

7

Enjoy a blend of wildlife and culture while exploring the great game parks of East Africa in this 14-day Road To Zanzibar tour. As well as meeting the locals, you’ll spend two nights sleeping in the Serengeti. You’ll explore the stunning Usambara Mountains before heading to the beaches of the Indian Ocean, ending the trip on the idyllic and exotic island of Zanzibar. Prices from £740pp, including accommodation and transportation. dragoman.com

tntmagazine.com/destinations

8

ACTION IN NEW ZEALAND

If you’re heading to NZ, fans of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit can tour Middle Earth, which has been brought to life thanks to the filming of the upcoming movie of the same name. A day tour out of Wellington allows travellers to re-live their favourite Lord Of The Rings scenes. Prices from £158pp. austravel.com

3

Go volcano hiking in Iceland

Relax on sun-filled Caribbean beaches

Mark Machu Picchu’s discovery

9

Situated just North of Venzuela, the twin islands have two wildly different personalities. Trinidad, rich in culture and history, is known for its upbeat festive vibe, while Tobago, the smaller of the two, abounds with natural beauty and eco-adventures. Virgin has increased flights from London Gatwick to Trinidad’s Port of Spain. Prices from £829. virgin-atlantic.com

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4

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See Scotland upside down with the ground rushing towards you as the UK’s first static bungee jump launches in the spring. Nae Limits has partnered with Highland Fling Bungee to bring adventure enthusiasts this adrenaline-pumping experience which involves jumping off a bridge and plunging down a 36.5-metre canyon.

Based at Killiecrankie in Perthshire.

Prices from £60pp.naelimits.co.uk.

13

14

Vintage is back in fashion as Cornwall relaunches the Alaia surfboard. Made from Paulownia wood and with no fin, these are the first boards used in Hawaii.

Book a lesson at The Hotel & Extreme Academy Watergate Bay to discover the best techniques. Prices from £130 per room. watergatebay.co.uk.

Serious cyclists can then attempt the three new road routes added to the Cornish Cycle Tours range – covering up to 125.5km a day over tough terrain. Tours start from £510 for six days. cornishcycletours.co.uk

tntmagazine.com/destinations

Thinkstock, Getty Images

The Full Traverse of the Great Himalaya Trail’s Nepal section, “trekking’s holy grail”, opens this year. Covering 1,700km, it is the most lengthy segment of the trail, which once complete will be the world’s longest and highest alpine walking track, connecting five Asian countries: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. The Trail can be broken down to seven smaller sections. Prices from £2,150pp (two sharing), including accommodation and most meals. worldexpeditions.co.uk.

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Experience the highlights of Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Cordoba, Sevilla, Lagos, Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto and Salamanca with Travel Talk’s Spain & Portugal Encompassed tour.

The 11-day adventure will take in the Unesco World Heritage Site of Cordoba and Sevilla’s Cathedral of St Mary. There’ll also be time to splash around in the sea in Lagos. Prices from £599 including accommodation, 10 breakfasts and tour guide.

Traveltalktours.com.

This summer marks the 100th anniversary of explorer Hiram Bingham’s discovery of majestic Machu Picchu. Walk in the same footsteps of the American explorer and discover the stunning, prehistoric village at sunrise with a Gap Package Inca Discovery tour.

Prices from £649pp, including hotel and camping accommodation and meals. gapadventures.co.uk

tntmagazine.com/destinations

5

NEW! VISA FREE travels to St Petersburg

Scanbalt offer fun and inexpensive tours for adventurous travellers who want to experience unique

culture and stunning nature in Scandinavia and the Baltics including Lapland in winter.

www.scanbaltexperience.com

Festivals & Events\ In 2011 Contiki takes you there NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW

ANZAC Day Pamplona Pamplona & Bilbao Live Paris at Christmas Amsterdam at Christmas Hogmanay

Easter in Amsterdam Oktoberfest Paris New Year Amsterdam New Year Edinburgh Festival & Tattoo

Full details now online: contiki.com/festivals 6

tntmagazine.com/destinations

15

KAYAK CALIFORNIA/NEVADA

At 35km long and 19km wide, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. It’s perfect for hiking, biking, kayaking and paddle-boarding. From May til July, and Sept, The Tahoe Adventure Company is offering a lodge-to-lodge kayak adventure. Prices from £340pp per night (two sharing), including meals. tahoeadventurecompany.com.

16

Iceland Express is launching new flights every Friday from London Gatwick to Chicago in June. Take a trip to the home of the blues and jazz and the idea of the skyscraper. Head to the Magnificent Mile for shopping, parks and beaches then feast on some of the world’s best cuisines along the Route 66 trail. Prices from £221 one-way. icelandexpress.com.

TNT Images

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Always fancied getting up close and personal with a volcano? Now you can take a trip to the recently erupted Eyjafjallajokull, Iceland, with a new KE Adventure Travel tour. The four-day hike includes a mixture of extreme off road driving in a 4x4 and trekking. The highlight will be hiking above Thorsmork from which there are the best viewpoints for

tntmagazine.com/destinations

the Eyjafjallajokull craters. From £1095pp including return flights, accommodation and meals. June Sept. keadventure.com

18

Avoid the tried and tested routes to Australia with this alternative track home. Round The World Experts’ All Across Asia takes you from Asia’s European fringe to Brisbane via Istanbul, Muscat, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Mumbai, Singapore for a trip to remember.

Alternatively you can create your own bespoke route and dream adventure.

Flights from £1259pp. roundtheworldexperts.co.uk

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Quaff champagne and learn how to make it with a new budget tour of Epernay with Grape Escapes. You’ll enjoy a half-day

guided tour in the vineyards followed by a visit to a small, family run Champagne house. Tastings are accompanied by a three-course meal in a top restaurant in Epernay where each dish is matched to a glass of single varietal fizz. Prices from £221pp (two sharing) including Dover to Calais ferry crossing and two nights’ B&B. grapeescapes.net

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Go monster spotting along the new 30-mile offroad trail along the less travelled south side of Loch Ness from Fort Augustus to Inverness. You’ll be able to hike, cycle or horseride the scenic route. It takes in Suidhe Viewpoint at 366 metres. You’ll also visit quiet villages – including Foyers, best known for the Falls of Foyers, romanticised by Rabbie Burns back in 1787. Free. visitlochness.com

7

INTRODUCING TOPDECK’S

NEW EUROPE TRIPS SUMMER 2011

Arromanches Bayeux Camembert 1 Mont St Michel start/finish 3 Paris Loire Valley 1 Cognac

Venice

SPAIN Barcelona

Chambord

E FRANCLyon

Bordeaux 2 St Emilion

1

Madrid

Valencia

Avignon

2

1

2

1

overnight ferry

Mallorca

overnight ferry

Pont du Gard

Carcassonne 1

2

2

2 Annecy

Verona Genoa Pisa

2

2

Florence

ITALY

2

Rome

E GREEC

1

overnight ferry

2

Athens

3

Mykonos

Monaco

French Riviera

Discover France

Best of the Med

EXPLORER

EXPLORER

14 DAYS

21 DAYS

Twin share hotel accommodation as well as a night in a Chateau!

Visit the best of the Mediterranean, Spain, Italy and Greece, staying in twin share hotel accommodation.

Have you ever tasted wine in Bordeaux?

Sampled cheese in Camembert? Shopped down the Champs Élysées? Woken up in the French Alps or a chateau? France has so much to offer as a country so we have designed a trip to show you all of these highlights! Whatever floats your boat; cosmopolitan cities, coastlines, chateaux’s, historical sights or mountain scenery... Discover France has an itinerary that is sure to delight all of your senses!

Sun, cities and the sea, this is the perfect itinerary that combines the beautiful southern European coastline, memorable islands and historic cities. This trip offers plenty of free time and a variety of activities to suit everyone’s tastes. You could find yourself diving off the coast of Mallorca or exploring Roman ruins over 2000 years old in Rome. Maybe shopping in the backstreets of Venice or simply sunbathing by day and dancing by night on the lively island of Mykonos is what you are looking for. Either way, Best of the Med is the summer adventure you will never forget.

CALL US 0845 257 5211 trips for 18 to 30 somethings

www.topdeck.travel/destinations

NEW!

Topdeck has released new trips for 2011 that will have you reaching for your passport quicker than you can say Bon Voyage! With Europe on your doorstep, take a look at some of our new destinations and start taking advantage of what this continent has to offer!

ND ENGLA

Amsterdam LANDS ETHER London 2 N 2 Berlin

S Amsterdam RLAND NETHE London 2 2 Berlin

ND ENGLA

Dresden

2 E FRANC

CZECH LIC Prague 2 REPUB KIA SLOVA Mauthausen ANY GERM Bratislava D N Vienna LA 2 ER ARY IA SWITZ 2 HUNG AUSTR

Dresden

Paris

Swiss Alps 2 Budapest Venice Verona Avignon 2 CROATIA Pont du Plitvice 2 1 MONACO Gard Lakes 1 Zadar Pisa 2 Florence 2 Dubrovnik French SPAIN IA 2 Riviera ALBAN Rome 2 Barcelona 1 Tirana

ITALY

1

overnight ferry

3

Paris 2

ANY GERM

Prague Munich 1

E FRANC

D ERLAN SWITZ Swiss Alps 2

ZECH LIC 2 C REPUB

IA AUSTR

Innsbruck

2 Venice ITALY

1

E GREEC

Pisa 1

Florence

2 Rome

Sailing

European Adventure European Pathway EUROCAMPING

EUROCLUB

34 DAYS

17 DAYS

Stay in some of Europe’s best campsites in easy to erect, two person dome tents with air mattresses.

Visit eight countries whilst staying in great hostels, hotels & bungalows.

If fun and adventure is what you are looking for and you are working to a tighter budget our EuroCamping options are perfect! Visiting 15 different Countries including a 3 night Greek flotilla sailing experience, you really will have plenty of stories to tell your friends. You get loads of meals included as you will have a Topdeck ‘On Road Chef’ dedicated to your trip and with free time in each location you can do things at your own pace. The European Adventure, it says it all in the name!

Visiting all the major locations in Europe in a few weeks, from cosmopolitan cities to jaw dropping landscape, a fun filled adventure awaits you. This trip offers a perfect mixture of viewing all the major sights, tasting local food and enjoying beer in a German beer hall. With a selection of optional activities available for you to book through your Trip Leader, you can make the European Pathway exactly what you want it to be... skydiving over the Swiss Alps anyone?

For details about these and many other trips on offer, check out Topdeck’s Europe 2011 brochure, or visit us at www.topdeck.travel

TOPDECK FESTIVALS:

La Tomatina Make your way to Buñol, Spain for four days of fun this August!

European festivals really know how to get everyone involved and La Tomatina is no different.

When you first heard stories of a Spanish festival where people throw truckloads of tomatoes at each other, did you think someone was pulling your leg?

Well, known for being able to party, the Spanish have been hosting the world’s biggest food fight since the 1940s, now with 40 tonnes of tomatoes being thrown around. Being a fantastic break for the August Bank Holiday, don your goggles and get throwing!!

For more info on La Tomatina and other Topdeck festivals visit: www.topdeck.travel/festivals

T O H

LIST

Check out our top picks for the Middle East for 2011 WORDS JANINE KELSO, ALISON GRINTER, CATHY WINSTON

Amy Adams,TNT Images

The Si-o-Seh Pol Bridge in Esfahan, Iran

Roman ruins, Jerash in Amman, Jordan

IRAN Why go now? After years of stringent visa restrictions for tourists, the government has now relaxed the rules, so Australian and New Zealand citizens can get two-week tourist visas at the airport – although South Africans and British citizens still need to apply in advance. And with Iran hoping to increase the number of visitors to 20 million by 2015, it’s getting easier to discover this fascinating country.

Top attractions? The ancient desert city of Persepolis, dating back to 500BC, as well as Shiraz, once the capital of Iran and renowned for its culture and elegance – although the vineyards which gave their name to the stillfamous grape are long gone. And don’t miss Esfahan, a Unesco World Heritage site, where you can still see some of the marvels of the Persian Empire. But there’s also hiking and skiing in the Alborz mountains, beach holidays along the Persian gulf and the friendly, if cautious, welcome of the locals.

Spices in Damascus’s old town, Syria

SYRIA Why go now? The country is being tipped by the experts as one of 2011’s hottest destinations thanks to its welcoming locals, great food and sightseeing. And as

Syria tries to throw off its outdated reputation as a risky destination, you get to enjoy its treasures without swarms of other tourists around.

Top attractions?

Head to the capital, Damascus, which lays

claim to the title of world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, and its northern counterpart Aleppo – both are on Unesco’s World Heritage list for their endless labyrinthine medieval souks and beautiful mosques, including the 10thcentury Umayyad in Damascus. Visit the desert with the Bedouin for camping under the stars, while history-lovers should visit the Roman ruins of Palmyra and some wonderful crusader castles, including Krak des Chevaliers.

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Camel trekking in Morocco

MOROCCO

12

tntmagazine.com/destinations

TNT Images, R.DROUYER/MAXPPP

Why go now? bmi launches two new routes to the much-loved city of Marrakech and the lesser-known Casablanca on April 1.

Top attractions? Morocco’s cities are not to be missed: shop until you drop in Marrakech’s inimitable jumble of colourful Djemaa el Fna Square, Marrakech souks which sell everything from lamps and jewellery, to spices and perfumes. Get lost in Fes’s labyrinthine alleyways or feast your eyes on Casablanca’s art-deco architecture.

Or leave the cities behind altogether and experience some of Morocco’s more natural attractions, such as the dramatic Saharan sand dunes at Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, where you can bed down at one of the auberges with Berber hosts or watch the sun rise from the back of a camel. Head for the hills and explore the Middle Atlas mountain range with its cedar forests near Azrou.

Morocco also has its share of stunning beaches. The town of Agadir is the gateway to Morocco’s gorgeous Atlantic coast and scores of surf resorts. Further North is Essaouira, a coastal town discovered by hippies in the late 60s and early 70s, which still retains a certain arty expat feel today.

By the sea, Tel Aviv

Neve Midbar Beach, Israel

ISRAEL Why go now? With new budget flights from easyJet to Tel Aviv, it’s suddenly much cheaper and easier to head out to Israel, with a sixtimes weekly service from Luton competing with the existing bmi, El Al and British Airways routes.

Top attractions? There’s plenty packed into the small country, with Jerusalem’s mix of history and holy sites for three of the world’s major religions crammed into the city, plus more Biblical sites than you can shake an Old Testament at. In contrast, there’s also the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, with its clubs, bars and beaches, or you could head out to the Negev desert to the mountain fortress of Masada.

An Israeli feast

Ultra orthodox Jews in Jerusalem’s old city

Getty Images,TNT Images

JORDAN Why go now? EasyJet has introduced a budget flight to the country’s capital, Amman, making it easier and cheaper than ever to discover Jordan’s top sights.

Top attractions? The unmistakable jewel in Jordan’s crown is the ancient rose-red city of Petra, settled by the Nabataean tribe 2000 years ago. Further South is Wadi Rum, one of the world’s most stunning desertscapes and definitely best experienced from the back of a camel, Lawrence of Arabia-style.

Jordan also has its share of Biblical sites including Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan, an archaeological area made up of wells, caves and pools, where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, and Mount Nebo where Moses spied the Promised Land across the Jordan River. Also worth a look is the Muslim-Christian market town of Madaba, home to Byzantine-era mosaics. Divers meanwhile can get their fix at the Red Sea resort town of Aqaba and it just wouldn’t be a visit to Jordan without a dip in the Dead Sea to test your buoyancy.

tntmagazine.com/destinations

See Wadi Rum from the back of a camel

The Treasury, Petra

13

Sunni Lebanese Muslims pray outside Mohammed al-Amin mosque in Beirut

MIDDLE EAST: TRAVEL SITUATION UPDATE

EGYPT: The Foreign and Commonweath Office (FCO) declared Egypt safe to visit a few weeks ago after weeks of protests, which led to the overthrow of Mubarak. There are currently no travel restrictions The Sphinx in place for the country. In fact, tour operators say that now is a great time to visit. Tucan Travel’s regional operations manager Rowena Byrne said: “With no travel restrictions in place, now is a fantastic opportunity for travellers to not only witness history in the making as the sun rises on a new and hopefully more democratic Egypt, but to take advantage of smaller crowds.” Rowena added that adventure travellers are first in line to return to the rapidly changing country.

LIBYA: The FCO advises against all travel to Libya due to armed clashes in many parts of the country and gunfire in the capital, Tripoli.

TUNISIA: Tourists shunned Tunisia following violent protests at the end of February in capital Tunis, which led to the resignation of Mohammed Ghannouchi. Since the dust has settled, there are currently no travel restrictions in place for the country, but the FCO warns that travellers should keep abreast of the news before visiting as more rallies and protests are predicted.

Downtown Beirut

LEBANON

14

TNT Images, Getty Images

Why go now? The eastern areas of the country are now open Lebanese revellers to tourists and you can watch Beirut transforming, with the scars of Lebanon’s civil war still visible in the midst of the city’s frenzied rebuilding, as a string of new hotels, restaurants and bars open.

Top attractions? Party like there’s no tomorrow in Beirut in the Gemmayze, Achrafiyeh and new Downtown districts – every night of the week, restaurants, bars and clubs are packed. Head toward the eastern border with Syria for the stunning ruins at Baalbek, with a stop at a vineyard along the way to try some Lebanese wine. Or hit the coast at the port of Byblos, a celebrity favourite in the 60s, chill out on Lazy B beach just south of Beirut or head into the mountains for some skiing.

tntmagazine.com/destinations

ASK THE EXPERTS

You’ll be dazzled by Greece’s stunning aqua waters

Those in the know reveal 2011’s most popular destinations WORDS REBECCA KENT

f you’re going to take recommendations from anyone about where to travel this year, it’s the experts. But we’ve saved you the trouble and asked them for you. Egypt is the popular suggestion among our intrepid insiders, but the world’s a very large place and the revolutionary Arab nation is far from the only prevision. Get one up on your mates in the Balkans, experience the early signs of World Cup fever in Brazil. Thailand’s full moon parties are hard to overlook, too. Wherever you go, remember, you heard it here first.

I

FRANK SCERRI, FALAFEL BUS Palestine, the cradle of civilisation, where Judaism, Christianity, and Islam took form, is the place to be this year. Some of its famed cities include Jerusalem, Bethlehem and 10,000-year-old Jericho, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. It is also famous for its Taybeh Beer and legendary hospitality.

See falafelbus.com

16

CRAIG IRIVING, RADICAL TRAVEL There is a massive demand for travel to Eastern Europe. The region still has a mystical, undiscovered appeal about it.

The Mainland is not quite so rare anymore.

But go to Eastern Europe and you can get one over on your mates. We’ve started tours to the Balkans, taking in Greece, Albania, Montenegro and Croatia. It’s cheap – less than £1 for a pitcher of beer, and the lamb and pork is to die for. Our nine-day classic Balkan trip is a chance to see it all, from the aqua waters and riches of Split, to the bustle of Istanbul. See radicaltravel.com

REBECCA SCRASE, DRAGOMAN

A market-holder in Palestine

With the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics two years later, Brazil is growing in popularity, and so we’ve launched a totally unique trip called Brazilian Heartland. It goes into two national parks – Chapada Dos Veadeiros and Chapada de Diamantina, which, until now, have been largely inaccessible. They both boast the most breathtaking mountains, rivers and waterfalls – and you’ll feel as though you have them all to yourself. See dragoman.com

tntmagazine.com/destinations

There’s bang for your buck in Turkey

CASEY REID, TRAVEL TALK Egypt is always a hot destination, but after the political situation that unfolded there, people have been holding back. There’s no need to though. The Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids in Cairo have opened up again, and, yes, there are more military on the streets, but that’s because they’re running the country now, not because it’s dangerous. On our tours, we take in Tahrir Square in Cairo, the very place where the revolution happened. That’s history right there and even more reason to go.

Plus, you can’t overlook sleeping under the stars on a felucca – it’s an experience everyone must have. See traveltalktours.com

Thailand: a traveller’s hub

PRU GOUDIE, ON THE GO TOURS For exciting, exotic destinations, Morocco and Turkey are the places to go. They’re easy to get to and you get a whole lot of bang for your buck. We’re also confident tourism in Egypt will pick up. Hardy travellers will continue to go there, especially to Cairo and Luxor, which our Road To Jordan trip takes in. Now’s the time to go as airfares are really low – but not for long. See onthegotours.com

NICOLA WARD, TOPDECK

Getty Images,Thinkstock, Jahn Vannisselroy / TNT Images

Croatia is a classic, guaranteed hotspot.

Sailing Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik on our eightday tour involves sunbathing, swimming, sunset cocktails in the turret of a 15th-century tower in Korcula, watersports, chill-out time in Hvar and exploring the salt lakes in the national park of Mljet. Did I mention swimming and sunbathing? See topdeck.travel

KIRSTY STUART, ROUND THE WORLD EXPERTS

You can’t beat a felucca sojourn

tntmagazine.com/destinations

South-East Asia is going to be the place to be for everyone. Thailand is a timehonoured traveller’s hub because it’s exciting, cheap, accessible and they have full moon parties. It’s everything the young and adventurous want. Indo-China is becoming increasingly tourist-friendly, too, particularly Lao. See roundtheworldexperts.co.uk

Rock out at a full moon party

TRAVEL 91 TOURS tntmagazine.com

TRAVEL 93 TOURS tntmagazine.com

we

europe

Hop-on Hop-off Europe

> 33 DESTINATIONS, 9 COUNTRIES 1 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL PASS & MANY NEW TRAVEL-FRIENDS > 14 GREAT TRAVEL OPTIONS FOR EVERY BUDGET ONE WAY AND LOOP TRIPS OR MAKE IT UP AS YOU GO ON THE FLEXITRIP > FULLY FLEXIBLE YOU’RE FREE TO GO WHERE YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT. START AND FINISH ANYWHERE

FULLY FLEXIBLE FREEDOM

> BUDGET BACKPACKING GET BACK TO BASICS – THE CHANGE IS IN YOUR POCKET! YOU CHOOSE WHERE TO EAT, SLEEP, DRINK, AND PARTY

HOW IT WORKS The options are endless, so choose your own style > Start and finish anywhere

New for 2011

> Party with your bus-mates or do your

*

> Travel from hostel door to hostel door

Trip Mates – connect with your fellow passengers before your travels. Get chatting, days, weeks or months prior to your trip. Ideal for solo travellers!

Busabout TV – follow our vlogger Terri around Europe and get a feel for your own trip

*

own thing > Be entertained by expert guides on all

*

Free Lonely Planet with all Hop-on Hop-off passes and on our Italy, Spain and Eastern Europe treks

FIND OUT MORE - NEWS & VIEWS ON FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BUSABOUTEUROPE

WITH ALL VALID ISIC / ISE / ITE CARDS

08450 267 514

www.busabout.com

the buses > No time constraints, so go with the flow

BOOK NOW - PAY LATER BOOK NOW and start planning your dream trip.

Pay £100 deposit now and the rest 45 days before departure

GROUPS OF 4 SAVE 5% GROUPS OF 10 SAVE 10%

info@busabout.com

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Eastern Europe Treks formerly

Bohemian Trek

TRAVEL

CZECH REPUBLIC, POLAND, SLOVAKIA, HUNGARY & CROATIA

CROATIA, SLOVENIA, AUSTRIA & CZECH REPUBLIC

95

9 DAYS FROM £519 - £559

7 DAYS FROM £409 - £449

Nightclubbing in Krakow, thermal baths in Budapest, Plitvice and the Croatian coast. Incl. accommodation & loads more.

Beach parties in Pag, the Emerald River, Salzburg Schnapps’ farm and Prague. Incl. accommodation & loads more.

Classic Balkan Trek

Ottoman Trek

TURKEY, GREECE, ALBANIA, MONTENEGRO & CROATIA

New!

CROATIA, BOSNIA, SERBIA, BULGARIA & TURKEY

TOURS

Classic Rhapsody Trek

+

LONELY PLANET GUIDE

New!

9 DAYS FROM £519 - £559

7 DAYS FROM £439 - £479

Istanbul to Split via Athens. Do the whole thing or hop off in Greece to go island hopping...

Incl. accommodation & loads more.

Going further east than ever before from the Croatian coast to the edge of Asia. Incl. accommodation & loads more.

FOR ALL OUR TREKS THAT START OR FINISH IN SPLIT CHECK OUT OUR CROATIA SAILING TRIPS

All trips have our Busabout Guides

Take a traditional Croatian cruiser with its local crew, the warm, crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, a bunch of travellers seeking fun and adventure and add a Busabout Guide. The result? Only one of the best weeks of your life…..

Hopper d n la s I a ti a o r C OM £377

WATCH THE CLIP

8 DAYS FR tober) Departs Split (May – Oc

www.busabout.com/croatia

e-Way Sail a y Croatia OOMn£3 97 n e-Wrs! O 8 DAYS FR er) tob Oc – e ay ik (M Departs Split or Dubrovn Pio n e S: entation walks / ts / 7 lunches / Island ori fas ak bre 7 / on ati od mm ut Guide / 7 nights acco English speaking Busabo of Split and Dubrovnik / supplement Expert local guides / fuel

INCLUSION

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Festivals & Adventures

4 ISLAND FLEXI HOPPER 9 DAYS TO 5 MONTHS FROM £229

The only guide led flexible Greek island hopping experience. From partying in one of the hundreds of clubs to chilling out along the miles of beaches or discovering ancient ruins and natural wonders.

Unique and legendary! INCLUDES: All ferries, orientations walks of each island & Busabout Guide EASTER IN PARIS 4 DAYS 22 APRIL £279

Make the most of your long weekend and head over to the stunning French capital and party in style.

INCLUDES: Coach & ferry from London, all hostel dorm accommodation, breakfasts, 2 dinners, trip to Palace of Versailles with picnic lunch, bike tour, river cruise & Paris night tour QUEEN’S DAY 4 DAYS AMSTERDAM, 28 APRIL £289

Everyone knows the Dutch love to party but still not many realise to what extent the city of Amsterdam comes alive with the celebration of Queen’s Day. INCLUDES: Coach & ferry from London, all hostel dorm accommodation, breakfasts, 1 dinner, Orange Party Pack, city orientation tour & bike tour 8 DAYS FROM £479 JULY-SEPTEMBER THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO GO 1. RETOX THEN DETOX (Ibiza-Mallorca-Menorca) 2. DETOX THEN RETOX (Menorca-Mallorca-Ibiza)

This trip is seriously good stuff. You get to experience each island but have two ‘one-way options to choose’ from. Go crazy in Ibiza and laze away the days on the beaches of Mallorca and Menorca.

INCLUDES: Accommodation, breakfast, ferry tickets & Busabout Guide

MORE ADVENTURES ONLINE Italian Adventure, Spain & Portugal, Greek Island Hopper, Egypt & Morocco

PLUS MORE OF EUROPE’S TOP FESTIVALS Pamplona, Tomatina & Oktoberfest

WITH ALL VALID ISIC / ISE / ITE CARDS

08450 267 514

www.busabout.com

GROUPS OF 4 SAVE 5% GROUPS OF 10 SAVE 10%

info@busabout.com

Save 10% when you buy two or more qualifying trips

Scotland, Cornwall, Wales & Ireland HIGHLAND FLING 5 DAYS ÂŁ179 (STUDENTS ÂŁ164)

LOCH NESS, ISLE OF SKYE & NORTH WEST HIGHLANDS

SKYE HIGH 3 DAYS

DEPARTS LONDON

ÂŁ109 (STUDENTS ÂŁ99)

ND

APRIL

ISLE OF SKYE, LOCH NESS & GLENCOE

COMPASS BUSTER 10 DAYS ÂŁ399 (STUDENTS ÂŁ379)

* Guided return coach from London to Edinburgh * A fully guided ‘Wild & Sexy’ tour to the Scottish Highlands * Two nights hostel accommodation & breakfast in Edinburgh * Two night’s hostel accommodation & breakfasts in the Highlands

Orkney, Western Isles, Isle of Skye & Loch Ness

ISLAND EXPLORER 7 DAYS ÂŁ279 (STUDENTS ÂŁ259) The Western Isles, Isle of Skye & Loch Ness

EASTER DEPARTURE APRIL

23

CORNWALL CRUSADER 5 DAYS ÂŁ189 (STUDENTS ÂŁ179)

3 DAYS ÂŁ159 DEPARTS EDINBURGH

22

ND

&

23

RD

APRIL

INVERNESS & ISLE OF SKYE INCLUDING: * A fully guided ‘Wild & Sexy’ tour to the Scottish Highlands * Two night’s hostel accommodation & breakfasts in the Highlands

Stonehenge, Newquay, Bath & Land’s End

FREE SURFING LESSON ON NEWQUAY BEACH (WORTH ÂŁ30)

WELSH EXPLORER 5 DAYS ÂŁ189 (STUDENTS ÂŁ179) Cardiff, Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons & Conwy Castle

FREE ENTRY TO THE BIG PIT COAL MINE & ENTRY INTO CONWY CASTLE

ON

EASTER DEPARTURE APRIL

25

5, 7 & 10 DAY TRIPS

EASTER IN WALES 3 DAYS ÂŁ159 DEPARTS LONDON

23

RD

APRIL

CARDIFF & BRECON BEACONS INCLUDING: * A fantastic fully guided tour of stunning Wales * Two night’s hostel accommodation & breakfasts in Wales

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK

ddd SNPRO\\X P\Z 5.44V@.QcR[ab_R` Award Winning 3,5,7 & 10 Day Adventures Â? Mini-Group Discounts Â? 4bN_N[aRRQ 1R]N_ab_R` Â? =_RSR__RQ Of @A. A_NcRY 3YVTUa 0R[a_R A_NcRY 0BA@

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IRISH ADVENTURES

ALL IRELAND ROCKER 7 DAYS ÂŁ299 (STUDENTS ÂŁ279)

GIANT’S ROCKER 5 DAYS £199 (STUDENTS £184)

CELTIC ROCKER 5 DAYS ÂŁ199 (STUDENTS ÂŁ184)

FREE STUFF: Blarney Castle / Cliffs of

FREE STUFF: Carrick-a-Rede Rope

Moher / Giant’s Causeway / Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

Bridge / Giant’s Causeway / Clonmacnoise early Christian monastic site

FREE STUFF: Blarney Castle / Cliffs of Moher

GALWAY, INIS MOR & BELFAST

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NORTHERN ROCKER 3 DAYS ÂŁ119 (STUDENTS ÂŁ109)

WESTERN ROCKER 3 DAYS ÂŁ119 (STUDENTS ÂŁ109)

SOUTHERN ROCKER 3 DAYS ÂŁ119 (STUDENTS ÂŁ109)

FREE STUFF: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge /

FREE STUFF: Clonmacnoise early

FREE STUFF: Blarney Castle

Giant’s Causeway / Battle of the Boyne site

Christian monastic site

/ Cliffs of Moher

BELFAST & DERRY

FREE LONELY PLANET GUIDE

GALWAY & INIS MOR

GROUPS OF 4 SAVE 5% GROUPS OF 10 SAVE 10%

97 TOURS

plus ENGLAND & WALES

22

EDINBURGH, INVERNESS & ISLE OF SKYE INCLUDING:

TRAVEL

guides s nate local e * passtioland, england & wal * scover ever cancel * ne% recommendation ide * 99 ee lonely planet gu * fr

HIGHLAND EASTER 5 DAYS ÂŁ259

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Save 10% when you buy two or more qualifyingtntmagazine.com trips

www.topdeck.travel/tnt

iling www.topdeck.travel/croatia-sa

EARLY SEASON DISCOUNTS

8 DAYS

8 DAYS

STANDARD - VRGADA

STANDARD - SENIA

SPLIT TO SPLIT

EGYPT 2011 /12

Dep. 10 APR 2011

WAS

BROCHURE

£615

NOW

£520

~

AVAILABLE NOW

TO ORDER YOUR COPY OR BOOK, VISIT OUR WEBSITE

£350 £395 INCLUDES €20 LOCAL PAYMENT

8 DAYS

8 DAYS

£472

SPLIT TO SPLIT

ENSUITE - NOVI DAN

WAS

£572

£425 £515

WAS NOW

EGYPT EXPLORED

INCLUDES €20 LOCAL PAYMENT

INCLUDES €20 LOCAL PAYMENT

Dep. 10 APR 2011

£565

NOW

£437

INCLUDES €20 LOCAL PAYMENT

ENSUITE - STONCICA

14 DAYS £665

WAS

DUBROVNIK TO DUBROVNIK

INCLUDES US$270 LOCAL PAYMENT

WAS

£387

NOW

SPIRIT OF EGYPT

WAS

NOW

NEW!

NOW

10 DAYS

DUBROVNIK TO SPLIT

~

MAY & JUNE D ALL E E T SEL ACRTURES DEP

INCLUDES US$270 LOCAL PAYMENT

trips for 18 to 30 somethings

www.topdeck.travel

~ Flights not included. Subject to availability. Prices & discounts available for specific departures only. Egypt prices include local payment based on US$1 = £0.614.

L8291 / Y2992

Croatia Sailing price includes local payment based on €1 = £0.87. Local Payments must be made locally in the specified currency. Exchange rate correct at time of printing, and subject to currency fluctuations, depending when payment is made. Discounts cannot be combined with any other offer.

www.topdeck.travel/tnt

EXPLORER: Small groups that get off the beaten track

EUROHOTEL: Outstanding locations with bags of character

EUROCLUB: Hostels to hotels, bungalows, castles & yachts

15 DAYS

13 DAYS

28 DAYS

37 DAYS

Dep. 19 Apr 2011

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Dep. 12 Apr 2011

Dep. 15 & 29 May 2011

NOW

£899

INCLUDES £190 FOOD FUND

VISITS 15 COUNTRIES! Includes Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Vienna, Budapest, plus more!

VISITS 10 COUNTRIES! Includes Berlin, Oslo, Stockholm, Moscow, Tallinn, plus more!

WAS

WAS

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£1195

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TOURS

VISITS 5 COUNTRIES! Includes Paris, Swiss Alps, Monaco Barcelona, Venice, plus more!

EASTERN ESCAPE

NOW

CLASSIC EUROPE

TRAVEL

EUROCLUB: Hostels to hotels, bungalows, castles & yachts

TRAVEL

ANZAC DAY

WESTERN FRONT

PAMPLONA TOURS

100

SPAIN’S CRAZY RUNNING OF THE BULLS!

PAMPLONA – CAMPING: The closest, biggest & best party campsite in Pamplona!!

■ 4 Days £159 ■ 5 Days £174 ■ 6 Days £189 ✔ Full shuttle service ✔ Less than 10 mins into town ✔ Live band, DJs, swimming pool, bar, kiosk, restaurant ✔ Opening Ceremony, Middle W/E & Closing Ceremony

SAN SEBASTIAN – CAMPING & HOSTEL: The ideal mix of sun, sand, sea, sangria... & bulls!!!

■ Camping – 4 Days £159, 5 Days £174, 6 Days £189 ■ Hostel - 4 Days £249 ✔ Magical beaches ✔ Private transfers into Pamplona

PAMPLONA – HOTEL: 5-8 JUL £329

✔ Luxury hotel accommodation ✔ Do it in style!

COMBO TOURS: ■ Barca Bulls Fiesta ■ San Seb + Pamps ■ Pamps + Ibiza

2-8 JUL £329 3-8 or 5-10 JUL £239 5-11 JUL £349

COACH TOURS: 6, 7 & 8 Day Tours ex-London fr £269 TRANSFERS also available to/from Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Rock Werchter & Lagos!

BOARDMASTERS UK’S BIGGEST MUSIC, BEACH & SURF FESTIVAL! ■ Newquay, Cornwall

12-14 AUG £179

✔ Huge line up featuring Fat Boy Slim! ✔ ASP world surfing tour event ✔ Watergate Bay Music Festival ticket ✔ Return coach from London

WWI French & Belgian battlefields + Anzac Day services ✔ The Somme ✔ Villers-Bretonneaux ✔ Ypres ✔ Fromelles 23-25 APR £299 ■ TWO NIGHT EUROSTAR TOUR ✔ Dep London Easter Saturday, Return Easter Monday ■ MAKE YOUR OWN WAY 23-25 APR £249 ■ ONE-WAY INBOUND EUROSTAR 23-25 APR £269

GALLIPOLI TOURS ✔ Experienced Fanatics Anzac Day Rep on every coach ✔ Professional Turkish Tour Guide on every coach ✔ Fanatics hoodie + t-shirt (choose gold or black) ■ 3 DAY TOUR ■ 4 DAY TOUR ■ 5 DAY TOUR ■ 9 DAY TOUR ■ 16 DAY TOUR

24-26 APR £199 23-26 APR £239 22-26 APR £279 18-26 APR / 23 APR-1 MAY 11-26 APR / 23 APR-8 MAY

£399 £599

LA TOMATINA The world ’s biggest food fight!

■ La Tom-Ibiza Combo Tours ■ Barca + La Tom Double ■ Barca, Ibiza, La Tom Treble ■ Beach Camping Package ■ City Centre Hostels/Hotels

31 AUG £329 £259 £429 £139 £189

GREEK ISLANDS

PALIO SIENA 15-18 AUG 15-24 AUG 15 AUG-1 SEP

JOIN OUR HIGHLY ACCLAIMED ANZAC TOURS

GREEK ISLAND PARTY HOPPER ■ 9 DAYS £399 ■ 11 DAYS £489

ITALY’S CRAZY 350 YEAR OLD FESTIVAL ■ Hostel Package ■ Palio to Rome All-Italia ■ Palio-Tomatina Odyssey

Perfect for !! teachers

£149 £549 £979

✔ Florence ✔ Venice ✔ Milan ✔ Pisa ✔ Rome ✔ Siena ✔ Barcelona ✔ Ibiza ✔ La Tomatina ✔ Palio Festival

OKTOBERFEST MUNICH ’S INCREDIBLE BEER FESTIVAL! 17 SEP - 3 OCT ■ Prague & Buda Fest 8 Day Tour £329 ■ London 6 Day Coach Tours £249 ■ 3 nights Camp, Hostel or Hotel £99-£349

Tours start in Athens every Saturday JUN-SEP ✔ Mykonos ✔ Ios ✔ Santorini ✔ Athens ✔ Accom ✔ Ferries ✔ Breakfast ✔ Start/End Athens

FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE THE PASSION OF THE EPL!

EPL RETURN COACH DAY TOUR ■ Man Utd v Fulham @ Old Trafford SAT 9 APR

£99

✔ Return Coach ✔ Match Ticket ✔ Fulham FC Scarf

FULHAM FC HOME MATCHES ■ Fulham FC v Bolton 3pm SAT 16 APR

£34

BOOK ONLINE NOW! www.thefanatics.com or call 0207 240 3223 COVENT GARDEN OFFICE 1st

tntmagazine.com

Floor, 15 New Row, Covent Garden, WC2N 4LD Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm

TRAVEL

SPEND 7 AMAZING NIGHTS SAILING IN CROATIA ON FANATICS AWESOME CHARTER BOATS ■

7 Nights

JUN-SEP

101

fr£389 TOURS

We sail Croatia’s best islands & route! ✔ Split ✔ Markaska ✔ Mljet ✔ Dubrovnik ✔ Trstenik ✔ Korcula ✔ Hvar ✔ Bol ✔ Brac GET MORE FOR YOUR MONEY WITH FANATICS ✔ Superior quality Cat-A boats @ Cat-B prices! ✔ Select your room when you book, no nasty

surprises on arrival ✔ Experienced Fanatics rep on board every tour,

every day, all summer long

Crystal waters!

Amazing beaches!

✔ Price includes all fuel surcharges & port taxes ✔ Breakfast & lunch daily - big on quality & size! ✔ Friendly captain, crew, deck hands & chef

•Split ▼

▼ ▼

Historical ci ties!

•Markaska

•

Hvar

▼

▼

W

re! ild adventu

•Bol

•

Korcula

•

Croatia

▼

Sipan/ Trstenik

▼

•

Mljet

•

Dubrovnik

OUR BOATS s!

Sun soaked day

Perfect party nights!

Know before you go..... ✔ No additional fuel surcharge

or port taxes! ✔ Experienced Fanatics group

leader on every tour! ✔ Group discounts available! ✔ Travelling solo? No problem!

We match you up with fellow travellers

■ MS CICERO: Cat A+ Ship

£469 (Jul / Aug / Sep) ■ MS PRIMORAC: Cat A Ship

£389 (Jun) / £439 (Jul / Aug) Top quality charter boats with: ✔ Roomy cabins, all with en-suite shower & WC ✔ Comfy beds & quality fittings throughout ✔ Spacious sun decks ✔ Funky bar & dining area

MS Cicero

MS Primorac

BOOK ONLINE NOW! www.thefanatics.com or call 0207 240 3223 COVENT GARDEN OFFICE 1st Floor, 15 New Row, Covent Garden, WC2N 4LD Mon - Fri 9am - 6pm

tntmagazine.com

Contiki Europe The summer of your life\ throw a coin in the trevi fountain\ flamenco in barcelona\ swim in the arctic circle\ wonder at the colosseum\ climb the eiffel tower\ sing in a german beer hall\ picnic in the french countryside\ island hop the greek islands\ cycle amsterdam\ trek the swiss alps\ check out the pyramids\ stroll the champs elysees\ & many more

Festivals & Events In 2011 Contiki takes you there Pamplona & Bilbao Live Music Festival

NEW!

ANZAC

NEW!

Final Seats Remaining

Run with the Bulls & catch some of the world’s best bands inc. Jack Johnson

Includes:

4 trips to choose from between 4 and 8 days-with or without the music festival Coach from London or meet us there Welcome Party and Contiki T-shirt Shuttles from Campsite to Bullrun Daily Breakfast Legendary Contiki onsite reps

Australian + NZ Dawn Ceremonies Fully guided tour of Gallipoli battle sites Guided tour of old Istanbul 2 nights 3 star accommodation Contiki commemorative ANZAC hoodie Airport transfers to hotel *

Tours from £189

23 April £199 £174

contiki.com/festivals

contiki.com/anzac

contiki.com | 0845 026 8900

*Available on 23 April only, please request when booking

TRAVEL 103 TOURS

Thanks to all who visited us at the TNT travel show! C ongrats to thos e whose wish came true and won a priz e, if not your wish can still be grante d with our amazing deals below.

With love, The Contiki Fairy

Save up to 25% off the Easter Break Easter in Amsterdam\

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TRAVEL TOURS

104

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ON THE GO ASSURANCE

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EGYPT IN THE FOOTSTEPS

PHARAOHS

TOURS

OF THE

105

Egypt’s Top Spots & The Red Sea PHARAOHS ADVENTURE - 6 days KING TUTANKHAMEN - 9 days EGYPT UNPLUGGED - 10 days DIVE DAHAB - 10 days KING RAMSES - 13 days 5-STAR JEWEL OF THE NILE - 10 days

£299 £349 £399 £429 £449 £779

Egypt Off The Beaten Track SIWA TO ALEXANDRIA - 7 days SANDBLASTER - 13 days DUNES & TOMBS - 17 days NILE VALLEY TO SIWA OASIS - 15 days

PLUS Bolt-on one of these beauties! £599 £549 £649 £779

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TRAVEL

HOP ON BOARD ONE OF OUR EGG-CELLENT . . .

EASTER BREAKS Friday 22nd - Monday 25th April ISLE OF WIGHT

NETHERLANDS, GERMANY & BELGIUM

£229

Entrance to Osborne House & visit to the Needles.

TOURS

106

EDINBURGH BY RAIL

£289

Return rail travel, hotel accommodation, guided sightseeing tour with a local Scottish guide!

PARIS BY EUROSTAR

£299

Return travel & transfers, hotel accommodation & guided city sightseeing tour.

HOLLAND & BELGIUM

£269

Amsterdam, Brugge, Breakfasts, 3 course Dinners & FREE BAR!

SPECIAL EVENT TOURS CARTIER INTERNATIONAL POLO

£55

£269 Staying in Valkenburg (Netherlands) with visits to Keukenhof Gardens (entrance included) Cologne (Germany) Amsterdam & Brugge (Belgium).

GERMANY RHINELAND

PARIS & CHAMPAGNE REGION

DAY TRIPS & SHORT BREAKS WEEKEND BREAKS

ROYAL ASCOT FINALE DAY

EDINBURGH BY RAIL £165

£69pp Included in the price: return luxury coach

AMSTERDAM & BRUGGE BUDGET Departs: 1st April

HOLLAND & BELGIUM

GRAND NATIONAL AINTREE

PARIS BY EUROSTAR

£55

TAKE THAT AMSTERDAM

£279

17-19 July 2011 pp Includes concert tickets, return travel from London & half board accommodation!

ALSO HORSE RIDING IN WALES £149 (Overnight) & BRIGHTON BY COACH £40

MAY BANK HOLIDAYS 29TH APRIL - 1ST MAY • PARIS & CHAMPAGNE REGION • GERMANY RHINELAND

£189

Departs: 8th April

travel, light refreshments including bubbly & entry.

9th April Includes return luxury coach travel, light refreshments (incl. Wine), & entrance to Steeplechase enclosure.

£235

(Departs Easter Saturday). Visit the world famous Champagne Houses of Taittinger and Pommery with an included glass of Champagne at each one.

Sun 24 July from pp Includes: Return luxury coach, picnic lunch including wine & general admission to the Guards Polo Club for the polo event.

(Silver Ring Enclosure) Sat 18th June

£265

Included Rhine River boat cruise, visit to a typical German Weinhaus for wine tasting, excursion through the Moselle Valley & visit to the Belgian town of Ghent.

Departs: 20th May Departs: 28th May

£199

£259

OVERNIGHT TOURS (Oxford, Bath & Stonehenge) Departs: 9th April

£109

Horse Riding in Wales Overnight Departs: 16th April £149 Hilton Overnight Northern England (Bakewell, Peak District & York) Departs: 16th April £129

DAY TRIPS ¸ Sat 2nd April: Isle of Wight £49 ¸ Sun 3rd April: Windsor & Hampton Court £40 ¸ Sat 9th April: A day in Wales £49 ¸ Sun 10th April: Stratford & Warwick Castle £45 ¸ Sat 16th April: Cambridge £40

PLUS Stonehenge & Bath EVERYDAY from £44 with entrances to Stonehenge & the Roman Bath’s included!

Windsor, Eton & Oxford EVERY Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday Only £45

30TH APRIL 1ST MAY • PARIS BY EUROSTAR • HOLLAND & BELGIUM • BELGIUM • LIVERPOOL & THE LAKE DISTRICT

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Anderson Tours is fully bonded

by Client Trust Account

ON THE GO ASSURANCE BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE - ABTA, ATOL AND AITO BONDED - INVALUABLE!

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ANZAC 2011SPECIALISTS WITH THE

Why ON THE GO for ANZAC Day? t We’re Aussies and Kiwi’s – we care about ANZAC! With offices in London, you can drop in to see our friendly staff who have been to ANZAC day themselves. t We are ABTA, ATOL & AITO bonded, meaning our quality is guaranteed and your money is 100% protected.

Short & Sweet PURE ANZAC - 4 days ANZAC DIGGER - 5 days

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ANZAC UNCOVERED - 6 days ANZAC COO-EE - 8 days ANZAC BONZER - 11 days ANZAC COBBER - 14 days

£249 £299

t We use quality 4 star western standard hotels.

£399 £449 £599 £699

t We offer an excellent choice of tours from 4-14 days to suit all budgets. PLUS you can combine Egypt with ANZAC and see it all in one hit – great value!

Combine ANZAC with Egypt

GALLIPOLI & GIZA - 12 days £599 ANZAC & ANCIENT EGYPT - 16 days £749

t We have the best guides – handpicked by us and contracted a year in advance. t Many of our tours include our exclusive, waterside ANZAC BBQ – offering you a good feed and chilled beer to take you into the night prior to the ANZAC day service.

t With a variety of tour start dates you don’t need to pay top dollar for your flights. Our well-timed tours make the most of weekends and public holidays. t Complimentary airport arrival transfers from any Istanbul airport on each and every tour. t No mandatory single supplements or local payments on any of our ANZAC tours. t We offer unbeatable ON THE GO quality throughout – we always deliver what we promise!

Secure your booking today with a £100 deposit As a testament to our quality of tours check out onthegotours.com, find us on facebook.com/onthegotours or follow us on twitter.com/On_The_Go_Tours and read what our previous ANZAC travellers have to say. Here’s one for starters...

In recognition of the effort the Commonwealth War Graves Commission undertakes at Gallipoli and other memorial sites ON THE GO are proud to make a donation to this organisation on your behalf for every ANZAC package booked – see www.cwgc.org

“YoBIG THANKS TO ALL ON THE GO

STAFF! u guys rock, I have never experienced su organised and fun tour as the Gallipoli ch a well tour I am just back from. I ha ve but you guys are by been on quite a few tours far the most organ ised I have ever experienced. Ke ep recommending you up the good work. I will be to all my mates. Ch eers!”

Be n Symons, May 20

10

CALL OR GO ONLINE FOR OUR BROCHURE ONTHEGOTOURS.COM ABTA, AITO AND ATOL PROTECTED

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ON THE GO ADVISORS AVAILABLE 9AM - 9PM

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TOURS

ON THE GO have over 12 years experience of operating ANZAC day tours. We know how important this day is to you and each year our teams from the UK and Australia attend this event ensuring our tours run smoothly.

107

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Many companies don’t show compulsory local payments they collect on top of entrance fees and tipping. Be sure to add this in when comparing prices.

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RUSSIA

& TRANS-SIBERIAN

109 TOURS

RUSSIA

GO BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN AND DISCOVER PUKKA RUSSIA SIMPLY ST. PETE’S - 4 days £249 MOOD FOR MOSCOW - 4 days £299 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM - 4 days £329 VODKA SHOT - 6 days £429 BACK IN THE USSR - 7 days £629 RUSSIAN REVOLUTION - 9 days £699 GOODBYE USSR - 9 days £799 ROUTE OF THE ROMANOVS - 10 days £1149

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£799 £999 £1349 £1799

E

She went way abov LLENT GUIDE! e very knowledgeabl what was expected, e as well as telling us all about Russia n everyday life. I am history, culture and very pleased with th whole experience . Thanks on the go e !”

Taryn D, Jun 2010

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110

REGISTER NOW! TEXT EPIC + NAME + EMAIL TO 60777* Visit us at www.myepicyear.com to find out more information In association with Epic World Travel, 1 Putney Bridge Approach, London, SW6 3JD +44 (0) 871 288 3348 * All text messages will cost ÂŁ1.50 plus one standard network text message. Network charges may vary.

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111 TOURS

AFRICA

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JORDAN

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Why ON THE GO are number #1 for Group Tours • • • • • • • •

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I TRULY EN AS GREAT AND MINUTE OFJOYED EVERY I T ...

The tour has

been feel like I have very well organised and I se being rushed en a core of Jordan with . I very much o u t enjo the 3rd day, w hen I had the yed Petra on explore the si opportunity to te and have the from many different ang les time to absorb it!”

Tom May

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TRAVEL 112

ANZAC DAY 2011

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We leave from West London every Friday evening at 6:30pm.

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TOURS

114

Email: info@bushwakkers.co.uk website: www.bushwakkers.co.uk Perfect for private parties for any reason.

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Snow White: We saw you at Walkabout She Bu on Sunday, March 13. You’d been to The Church and were an angelic and gorgeous Snow White carrying your poisonous apple. My friends and I spoke to you a few times and we’ve all fallen in love.

Can we be your dwarfs and forever bask in your beauty and those amazing eyes?

We’ll be back, same place on Sunday, April 10. Wishing and hoping to see you. X

post your message at tntmagazine.com/seeking or email seeking@tntmagazine.com

that night. You’re right. We were too busy getting busy with Bieber. Sorry.

My Sis Vanessa/Dinny:

Dean from the Elk Bar:

Congratulations on your wedding day. Can’t wait to see you both in London ...

Have a safe trip! All the best Lve! Your Bro ... Albert.

Van Tour: Hey, we are a couple from NZ male (24) and female (21) who have just arrived in London. We’re living in Shepherd’s Bush, and we’re into partying and travelling.

We’re looking for some people who are kean to chip in on a Van Tour, or a van with some spare seats. If you have either, email: kierangadd@ hotmail.com or see tntmagazine.com/seeking.

Cheers, Gadd.

Happy birthday JoJo: Hope you had a fantastic weekend in Dublin. Bet the lads made you feel special, Island Style!!

Got to catch up once I’m back from Brisvegas. Miss you! Dx T-bag: Please don’t go. You’re filthy but somehow I love you.

No one can call me a c*** and get away with it like you can.

Jaeger just won’t taste the same, and I can’t look at bananas the same again. Best of luck and see you Down Under, Mitch xox PS. I’m sorry we deserted you in Chamonix

What happened to you? I was waiting for you at the Blue Lagoon but you never turned up, left me waiting like a fool with dinner-for-one. Not a very cool way to spend an evening. Anyways, if I’m dumped, then so may be it – but the weird thing is that it goes straight to voicemail when I call you so wondering if something happened?? You don’t seem to be the mean kind of guy. But I could be wrong, of course ... ??? Jen. Wadeo and Rochelle: You met on VT10 and are now moving Down Under, Poodoe – your drunken slurring, bottom burps, ritual poo-ing and fire trucking will not go unnoticed.

Gorgeous Rochelle – your priceless ‘blonde’ moments will be sorely missed.

Good luck guys, join the mile high club and for the love of God, please don’t have children! Love the crew at STD’s xx Reply to ‘be my friend?!’: Hey everyone, just came across this thread today. Moved to

London from Melbourne just recently and don’t know anyone. Working in London as a supply teacher, travelling around Europe when I can etc.

I would love to catch up with you guys for a drink. My email is: woodhouse_24@hotmail. com. Cheers, Clare.

So long, farewell: We are off on the next leg of our adventures and I have had the time of my life. Fletch, without you life would be so boring, I sure am a lucky girl, I love you! Big shout out to all the Edinburgh Belushi’s crew, thanks for the awesome times and great laughs, don’t miss us too much! Meet you in Canada? Kimbo XX Anyone else writing their dissertation/doing uni projects at the British Library?: Hi! I’m

a girl from Norway who moved to London recently to live with my boyfriend and write my master’s thesis.

I’m still a student at my university in Norway, and have no relations with any universities here. Because of that, I sit and work with my thesis at the British Library, so I thought it might be worth asking if there’s anyone else

Desperately Seeking is a reader forum, and all messages should be within the spirit of the page; TNT cannot take responsibility for offence caused. No phone numbers can be printed. Messages may be edited for publication. See tntmagazine.com/seeking

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out there doing the same?

If so, let me know and maybe we can have lunch or coffee sometime!

I really miss having someone to just take some breaks with every now and then while I’m working on my thesis, so I hope to hear from someone who’s in a similar situation!

This would make my days at the British Library a lot more enjoyable! Hoping to hear from you! Cheers, Marie. See tntmagazine.com/seeking.

Get involved in social sports:

For all those new to London and looking to meet some new friends and get involved with a AFL or social netball club in South West London (all levels welcome), please email: putneyblackbirds@live.co.uk.

Reply to ‘Friends, drinking/ sports buddies, Wandsworth to Wimbledon area’: Hi guys,

I know it’s a while since you originally posted, but I’m a 29year-old teacher also from Perth and also here for my two years before I go back to the real world and my mortgage :-( I arrived about eight weeks ago and would love to meet some new people. If you like, you can drop me an email.

Look forward to hearing from you soon! Renita. See tntmagazine.com/seeking.

Missing Metallic Pink Panasonic Lumix Camera: I

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