Team Nomad

Any football fans out there will be more than aware that the Premier League kicked off last week, with a few shock results, including Manchester United’s defeat to Swansea and Burnley’s initial one up over Chelsea. We’re still in the early stages though and for all you football fans out there, there are more than 300 games to enjoy – it’s just a case of where to enjoy them. If you’re a keen traveller and follower of football, here are a few Premier League cities that you can’t afford to miss.

Liverpool

After their opening victory against Southampton, Liverpool fans will have seen their odds improve even more for their upcoming game against Aston Villa on 13th September. One contributing factor to this is the fact that the game will be played at home – and what a beautiful home it is. Once you’re done with the football, take a trip to the Albert Dock, the Walker Art Gallery or the famed Cavern Club, where it all began for the Beatles. Named as a European capital of culture in 2008, Liverpool has seen a huge renovation of its culture and leisure scene in recent years, making it the perfect city for a prolonged visit.

Manchester

Nearby Manchester caters for two sets of Premier League team fans – just make sure you don’t visit when they’re playing each other! The two have games coming up towards the end of August, so if you want to make a real trip of it, consider booking a hotel and exploring the city. Food fanatics will love the famed ‘curry mile’ on Wilmslow Road in Rusholme, while the city also has a huge cultural offering. Museums are in abundance, from the Imperial War Museum to the National Football Museum, so wherever you are, you can always get your football fix!

Newcastle

Over in the north-east, former mining town Newcastle will be taking on Crystal Palace later this month, but there’s plenty on offer once the football’s over. No trip to Newcastle would be complete without a visit to the Angel of the North, while nature lovers will appreciate the beauty of Jesmond Dene. If you’re a shopaholic, don’t miss the Metro Centre, and if you’re more into your history, there are the Discovery and Great North Museums to name but a few.

Chelsea

Way down south, you don’t have to travel far around London to see any one of its famous Premier League teams. The London borough of Chelsea and Kensington has become infamous for the eponymous Made in Chelsea show and it’s easy to see why – the area is one of the most trendy areas of London and offers shopping and entertainment opportunities galore. With Buckingham Palace, Harrods and Mayfair all a stone’s throw away, you can guarantee a classy trip in Chelsea. And if you don’t support the team, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur’s grounds are just a tube ride away!

Being the Best Man can be hard work. After all, it’s your responsibility to organise a top-notch stag do that the groom, and his guests, will remember for years to come. What you plan will depend on the budget, but if you have ideas of a weekend away, Dublin could be the perfect answer. Book the stag party into the Dublin Travelodge, where group rates are extremely reasonable, and take a look at these five fab ideas for a stag do based in the Irish capital.
Guinness Brewery Tour

Would a trip to Dublin be complete without a nosey around the Guinness Storehouse, where this smooth pint originated? After the tour, head to the panoramic Gravity Bar for a beer overlooking the city!

 
Treasure Hunt
These aren’t just for kids, you know! Embark on a treasure hunt with a difference, with games including code breaking, spy catching and the essential pub challenge.

 
Gaelic Games
Learn some new skills and try your hand at some Irish favourites, including Gaelic Football, handball and hurling. There’s nothing like a bit of healthy competition to break the ice!

 
White Water Rafting

Perfect if the weather holds out, white water rafting on the River Liffey is exhilarating, exciting and most of all, fun! Put your trust into a qualified guide, who will take you through the river rapids unscathed.

Horse Racing
Have a flutter on the gee-gees at one of Dublin’s two racecourses. Try to keep drinking to a minimum though – you don’t want to gamble all your spending money before you’ve even gotten started! Keep an eye on the various racing events throughout the year, and plan the weekend to coincide.

 
Grab yourselves a pint of the black stuff, and have a cracking time with the lads for your best mates’ stag do!

When you’re heading off for a day out with kids in Minneapolis, the only problem is which destination to choose. The Twin Cities have an amazing choice of great places to visit, with something to delight everyone from tots to teens, plus moms and dads too!

Whatever the weather outside, you’ll find plenty to do at the Mall of America, all under cover. This massive mall contains more than 500 stores, some great places to eat, and all kinds of fun activities for the kids. The biggest indoor theme park in the US, Nickelodeon Universe, is based here, as well as the Sea Life aquarium, a giant Lego store packed with displays, the new American Girl store and much more.

Sea Life Aquarium MOA

One of the mall’s top attractions is the Sea Life aquarium, which is among the world’s largest. Here, the kids can have exciting encounters with everything from a giant turtle to a stingray or an octopus! There are over 10,000 sea creatures here, including sharks, which the kids can see swimming above and around them from the breathtaking 300-foot ocean tunnel. Feeding times and educational talks add to the fun, and you can even stroke a starfish or crab at one of the touchpools. The aquarium is bound to be a hit with all kids, including the tiniest.

Amazing Mirror Maze

Another fun place for kids at the Mall of America is the Amazing Mirror Maze, where they can get lost amid a dazzling range of glass formations. Finding your way through the multi-colored reflections is quite a challenge, and your kids may want to go back for more!

A.C.E.S Flight Simulator

For high-flying youngsters, the mall’s A.C.E.S. Flight Simulator gives a taste of what it’s like to be a fighter pilot. Your kids can virtually fly a helicopter, a Boeing 737 or even a World War Two plane. This attraction is especially aimed at tweens and teens, from 10 upwards, though some younger budding pilots enjoy it too!

Science Museum of Minnesota

You’ll need a full day to take in the Science Museum of Minnesota, another top attraction for families in the Twin Cities. The amazing interactive exhibits mean kids can discover life-size dinosaurs, taste the power of a tornado and experience the magic of the Mighty Mississippi. There are many special exhibitions and events here, plus an Imax theater for added fun!

Minnesota Zoo (Apple Valley)

If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, just a 10-minute drive from the Mall of America will take you to Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. This is the state’s biggest zoo, spreading over 500 acres, with exciting themed trails and animals ranging from Russian grizzly bears to Amur tigers and African fruit bats. The zoo also stages outdoor concerts and has a food court offering a choice of places to eat with the kids.

Lake Harriet

Another fantastic choice for fun-packed outdoor adventures is Lake Harriet. Kids can swim at the north and southeast beaches, where there are lifeguards in summer…or just build sandcastles. They can also enjoy boating, paddle boarding and kayaking and discover the paths laid out for walking and biking. An unusual extra attraction here is the Elf House at the base of a tree, where younger kids love to leave notes for the elf in residence! There’s also a great playground nearby.

Minnehaha Park

If you’re looking for somewhere to take the family for a picnic, Minnehaha Park could be the answer. This is one of the most popular parks in Minneapolis, with a spectacular 53-foot waterfall and beautiful views of the Mississippi. There are four picnic shelters in the Waburn area, but it might be hard to tear the kids away from the park’s nearby wading pool long enough to eat dinner! Bike rentals, including quad bikes, offer a fun way for all the family to explore the park.

Sometimes, when the open road calls your name, it can be at a time that cash flow may indeed be a slight problem. While I’d never advocate getting into serious debt for travel, I am certainly guilty of taking out a little loan to fund short trips…

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