| duction: | | | | Nightlife - From conventional old alehouses to stylish |
| Set on the coast of Hampshire, south of Winchester, | | | | bars and nightclubs, Southampton has a flourishing |
| this is a place that abounds with a fascinating heritage. | | | | nightlife with a huge chioce. The Red Lion, 55 High |
| The Romans, who established it as a seaport, founded | | | | Street, or The Duke of Wellington, 36 Bugle Street; are |
| Southampton approximately 2,000 years ago. This | | | | two of the traditional old alehouses having a decent |
| was the port from which the ill-fated Titanic had set | | | | bar menu. |
| sail on her maiden voyage in 1912. Even though the | | | | Special events - There are events like Titanic Memorial |
| place was affected during the Second World War, | | | | (Sep 4), the Southampton Boat Show (Sep 16-25) and |
| Southampton has grown sturdy with huge docks built | | | | Trafalgar Day with trips on the SS Shieldhall on the |
| for the cruise industry. The core of the modern city is | | | | Solent (Oct 21), which are specific to Southampton. In |
| now based around the City Centre. | | | | Euroblade, October, Southampton’s city streets |
| Places of Interest: | | | | are closed off and turned into a track for inline skating. |
| Southampton is famous for ports, art galleries and | | | | The event is not a race and is open to skaters of all |
| museums. The place has a story to tell everywhere | | | | ages and abilities. It assumes dimensions of a festival |
| you visit. | | | | atmosphere with wigs, crash helmets and fancy dress. |
| Museum of Archaeology - This museum | | | | Food and Drink: |
| recount’s Southampton’s history with | | | | Langley’s Bistro and Garden Room |
| displays from prehistoric, Roman, Saxon and medieval | | | | Café -This is a non-smoking restaurant that |
| times. | | | | serves the best of food and wine. The ambience as |
| Medieval Merchants’ House-This is one of the | | | | well as the great customer service is worth writing |
| earliest surviving merchants’ homes in the UK. | | | | and raving about. |
| Tourists can take in a glimpse and see how life was | | | | Kuti’s Brasserie - Situated in the centre of the |
| 700 years ago thanks to the authentically recreated | | | | town, Kuti’s is also a place that has great |
| furniture and overall ambience. | | | | ambience and offers authentic Indian and Bangladeshi |
| Solent Sky – Solent Sky, where the | | | | food. |
| world’s first seaplane was built. It is also the | | | | La Cantina - With dishes like fajitas, tacos and fiery |
| place where the Spitfire fighter plane, used heavily in | | | | chilies, this place makes for a good party environment. |
| the Second World War, was born. | | | | Olive Tree - It offers a selection of the best European |
| Southampton City Art Gallery - Situated in the heart of | | | | dishes. |
| the Cultural Quarter, it contains over 3,500 works of | | | | The Woodlands Lodge Hotel - A 15-minute drive away |
| art spanning six centuries of European culture. The | | | | from the city centre, this place gives you the choicest |
| 20th century British art remains the main attraction | | | | food in the most scenic of surroundings. |
| here. | | | | Hotels and Accommodation: |
| Things to do: | | | | Southampton, being an important sea port, receives |
| Southampton is a great place to shop and dine. Be it | | | | visitors by the ferry-load, which means there is no |
| enjoying the nightlife or being a part of special events, | | | | shortage of places to choose from. The hotels given |
| this city has always had lots to offer. | | | | below are categorized into four different pricing |
| Shopping - The West Quay complex on West Quay | | | | categories and are based on the cost of a double |
| Road offers shoppers a good selection of high street | | | | room per night with breakfast and including all taxes: |
| retailers, designer boutiques and traditional shops. The | | | | **** (over £120) |
| West Quay Retail Park brims with the choicest of | | | | *** (£80 to £120) |
| retailers that are normally found on the outskirts of | | | | ** (£40 to £80) |
| towns. Other good shopping areas include the | | | | * (up to £40) |
| Marlands Mall, Portland Terrace and the Bargate | | | | The services offered by the larger hotels will usually |
| Centre, off the High Street on East Street. | | | | include a gym, pool and extensive business and |
| Restaurants - There are many restaurants offering an | | | | conference facilities. |
| eclectic mix of cuisines. The rates are competitive and | | | | The Star Hotel |
| the price range for a three course meal for one, | | | | Southampton Park Hotel |
| including a half bottle of house wine or equivalent | | | | Dormy House Hotel |
| (where available) is: | | | | Macdonald Botley Park Hotel, Golf & Country Club |
| **** (over £40) | | | | Initial Style Conferences |
| *** (£30 to £40) | | | | GRAND HARBOUR |
| ** (£20 to £30) | | | | Express By Holiday Inn Southampton - M27, JCT7 |
| * (up to £20) | | | | Novotel Southampton |
| Tipping of around 10% for a three-course meal with | | | | Chilworth Manor Classic Hotel |
| wine is given customarily in up market eating places. | | | | Dolphin Hotel |
| During weekends most restaurants require prior | | | | Jurys Inn Southampton |
| booking. | | | | Entertainment: |
| Transport - The airport is situated 7km (4 miles) | | | | The Mayflower Theatre on Commercial Road is the |
| northeast of Southampton on the outskirts of the city. | | | | largest theatre in southern England. Another good |
| A good rail network links Southampton with the main | | | | venue for live comedy is the Jongleurs Comedy Club, |
| rail station in the city. The National Express operates | | | | 2-4a High Street. There is normally a disco after the |
| regular coach services connecting Southampton with | | | | comedy acts. There are two multiplex cinemas UGC |
| various destinations in the UK. The National Express | | | | and Odeon, which play the latest movies. |
| terminal is located in the centre of the city on Western | | | | The strategic maritime importance has played a |
| Esplanade within a stone’s throw from the | | | | noteworthy part in how Southampton developed over |
| Central Railway Station. Taxis can be hailed on the | | | | the years. Today the port is synonymous with the city. |
| street or at ranks at the railway and bus stations. First | | | | Tourists love to flock to this place, which is growing |
| Southampton is a company that operates a | | | | every year with several development projects in the |
| comprehensive network of buses linking all parts of | | | | pipeline, like a £162 million project to create a |
| the city. Bus no. 12 operates between the city centre | | | | huge entertainment arena at West Quay. |
| and International airport. | | | | |