Where would you go? Id go to London. Its one of my favourite cities in the world and Im not really a sitting in the sun sort of guy. Ive been there a fair few times over the last couple of years and I keep finding the most extraordinary things. How would you get there? Last time I got a great deal with Aer Lingus so it was Heathrow and then the Piccadilly line all the way into Knightsbridge. You can get the Express train but its a bit soulless and quite expensive. I love the tube. What makes it so special? For me I suppose its the museums and galleries. Theres always something extraordinary on and almost all of it is free. Places like the Tate Modern, British Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Science Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum can occupy you almost indefinitely, if like me, you like that kind of thing. Whats the best thing about it? How close it is, I suppose. The flight is short. And how vast it is. Ive been there many times and still have a long to-do list. What activities are available? Everything youll find in any major city eating, drinking, culture, sport, the lot! Is it a tourist trap? Like every major city it depends on where you go and what you do. There are restaurants and shops that have jacked up prices in major tourist areas but head even slightly off the beaten track and you should be fine. The exchange rate is good at the moment too. Is it possible to escape the hordes? Its always simple enough and usually not too far. Last time I wandered through Green Park near Buckingham Palace and a gorgeous little market just off Piccadilly. Ive long threatened to go out to Greenwich, its not too far. Maybe next time. What made your visit particularly memorable? Last time it was three special evening excursions. On the first one I went to the National Film Theatre, the home of the British Film Institute, to see Jacques Demys Les Demoiselles De Rochefort; a French musical from the 1960s and the follow up to one of my favourite films ever, The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg. Next evening it was a brilliant evening out at Shakespeares Globe Theatre for Troilus and Cressida in the open air, and the last night was by far the best I went to the church of St Martin In The Fields for a recital of Mozart and Handel; genuinely the most special night Ive ever had in London. How long can you stay on a budget of 1,000? Me? I have simple tastes. Most of it would go on the hotel but I can amuse myself relatively simply after that. Two weeks? Tune into Rick OShea every Monday to Friday from 2.30pm to 5pm on RT 2fm 1k get away for RT 2fms Rick OShea explains why he would take a short hop across the water to London if he had a grand to spare TravelGetaway Tuesday, September 29, 2009 metrolifeextra 19 This week: London big hotel salesleep around france fr 28 pricescorrectattimeofgoingtoprint &aresubjecttoavailability spain fr 26 italy fr 41 usa fr 27 WHERE ROMANCE BLOOMS AND BLOSSOMS FOR GREAT LEISURE AND SPA PACKAGES VISIT includes Superb 5 Course Banquet, Wine, Chaircovers, Flowers, Bridal Suite, Leisure Club membership and much more. Unbelievable Wedding Packages from 29.95 Wedding FairWedding Fair SUNDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2009, 1PM - 5PM TEL: 044 93 40894 EMAIL: WEDDINGS@BLOOMFIELDHOUSE.COM WeddingFair OutofOffice Toadvertise call(01)6375979 index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html