According to the BBC, some 22,000 people visited the newly opened Chambers Street part of the National Museum of Scotland on Friday, its opening day. I was one.

Daybreak, the ITV breakfast programme that few of us watch has decided the holiday season is here. From Monday it is having a slot for a while called “Daybreak does Benidorm.” When Kaye wrote about Benidorm for CD-Traveller a few months ago, it quickly become one of our most read articles that month.

Thanks to a slew of trendy new bars and fine restaurants, Beijing has been stealing the spotlight from its southern sibling, Shanghai. So don’t hit the road as soon as you’ve had your fill of the Forbidden City, for the fun continues even after dark

When the USA joined the ever-increasing list of countries that charge for visas, CD-Traveller warned readers to be careful about visa service companies who masqueraded as the governments concerned and then charged you a fee.

On the day that the National Museum of Scotland reopens in Chambers Street, Edinburgh, there has been news lately that two other visitor attractions have received grants so that they can improve facilities for visitors.
Bannockburn will receive £10 million

In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has become an increasingly popular and widely accepted form of alternative medicine. Kaye Holland reports on the rise of this ancient system of medicine

Yesterday there was more coverage about the Olympic Games being just one year away than there was about the global financial problems, the African famine, the Norwegian shootings or even Cheryl Cole. But how are we ordinary mortals considering the games? If we are at all?

A couple of days ago, Ryanair announced their profit for the first three months of the year. The bit of their announcement that I thought was interesting was the fact that they thought that their fares would rise by 12%. Am I being perverse in sensing that this may be good news?

In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine has become an increasingly popular and widely accepted form of alternative medicine. CD Traveller reports on the rise of this ancient system of medicine

It is becoming a little difficult to work out whether we are travelling more or not. And if we are, what it means. You might have heard yesterday that the royal wedding caused a dip in our economic growth in the second quarter of the year. As did the tsunami, the Indian summer, the sale of Olympic tickets and probably the fact that I wore blue socks on the day. I would have thought the royal wedding was good for the economy because it encouraged visitors to come into the country and us to travel about over that four day holiday. But what do I know?

Criticism from visitors recently has been about the availability and opening hours of tourist information centres commonly known as TIC’s. To some it seems that there are fewer around than there used to be. Local councils complain that they cost a lot to run as they require humans to run them. So more than a few councils have considered whether to reduce their hours, do away with them or hand them over to the volunteer or private sector.

It seems that Irish golfers – and in particular Northern Irish golfers – have given the province the amount of publicity that tourism officials dream about. Having three players who have won majors has made commentators wonder what is in the water. Which vitamins are they on? Are Northern Irish courses the best breeding grounds for new champions?
Whatever it is Tourism Ireland has launched a £1.8 million campaign to persuade us to visit Ireland, not just the north, and to sample their courses.

Brunch is something of an institution in Abu Dhabi. Just about every outlet in the UAE capital has an unbeatable offer from the Rolls Royce version to simpler, hearty fare. CD Traveller gives you the lowdown on ten top brunch experiences

After some years where we have stayed away from the United States and Florida in particular, the position has changed this year. Visitor figures from us to them has gone up by 29% compared to last year. And that is a bit unexpected.
We have been told that air passenger duty (APD) would deter people from travelling. Air fares are high during the summer much higher than they have been for some time and America also charges a visa fee. In spite of all of this we seem not to care.

CD Traveller reader, Olivia Keith, takes us on a tour of four of her favourite destinations

Reims, as well as an historical city, is the capital of the area of Champagne. Champagne gave Reims its main source of wealth for more than two centuries. In many ways it is still true nowadays, but there are many other activities that make this city a young and lively place. But here are [...]

It is well known that in the early days of TripAdvisor, some of the hotel reviews were deceptive. They were written by the hotels concerned or some of their friends. Trip Advisor has always said that it tries to weed out reviews that do not ring true.

[ July 24, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Set in the striking Cheshire countryside, the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park offers a truly unique day out for all garden lovers.Tatton ParkKnutsfordCheshireWA16 6QNTel:0844 581 0818Email:tatton@cheshire.gov.ukCheshireCheshire

[ August 11, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Free, drop-in Design and make a badge to show your allegiance to King Charles during the Civil War siege of Chester.Grosvenor Museum27 Grosvenor StreetChesterCheshireCH1 2DDTel:01244 402033CheshireCheshire

[ July 24, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Two fascinating talks about Roman Middlewich.The Wych CentreCivic WayMiddlewichCheshireCW10 9BXEmail:heritage@middlewich.org.ukCheshireCheshire

[ October 22, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] **Part of the Bollington Walking Festival 2011**Wildflower walk, into the Harrop Valley and into atmospheric Harrop Wood, a magical place, untouched since WW2. Follow Harrop Brook, returning along the opposite hillside.Bridgend Centre104 Palmerston RoadBollingtonCheshireSK10 5PWTel:01625 576311Email:info@bridgendcentre.org.ukCheshireCheshire

[ October 22, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] ** Part of Bollington Walking Festival 2011** Through the ancient lane of Hedgerow and walk the inviting ridge from Pym Chair along to Shining Tor, the highest point in Cheshire. Back via Lamaload Reservoir and Rainow.East Cheshire RamblersPool Bank Car ParkPalmerston StreetBollingtonCheshireCheshireCheshire

[ October 19, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] An insight into the spectacular colouring and planting of the Japanese Garden atTatton Park – types of plants, care and maintenance of the garden, plus a guided tour by Garden Manager, Sam Youd.Tatton ParkKnutsfordCheshireWA16 6QNTel:01625 374400 / 01625 374428Email:tatton@cheshireeast.gov.ukCheshireCheshire

[ October 30, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] A wide ranging literature festival offering something for everyone.Chester Festivals Ltd1st Floor, West Wing OfficesChester Railway Station, Station RdChesterCheshireCH1 3NTTel:01244 405605Email:info@chesterfestivals.co.ukCheshireCheshire

[ October 28, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] **Part of the Bollington Walking Festival 2011**Circumnavigate Bollington, across rolling hills and through delightful woods, imcluding the newly restored Tinkers Clough in Bollington and magic Harrop Wood in the Peak Park.Bridgend Centre104 Palmerston RoadBollingtonCheshireSK10 5PWTel:01625 576311Email:info@bridgendcentre.org.ukCheshireCheshire

[ July 12, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] An unforgettable concert experience.THREE VENUESDATE: 12 JULY 11Tel:0845 241 7868Email:info@chesterfestivals.co.ukCheshireCheshire

[ February 12, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Sandbach Town Council is pleased to announce the introduction of a Farmers Market to be held on the cobbled Market Square in the centre of the Town.Market SquareSandbachCheshireCheshireCheshire

[ August 10, 2011; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] Free, drop-in Discover the ancient Anglo-Saxon and Viking writing of Runes and make your own personalised clay pendant.Grosvenor Museum27 Grosvenor StreetChesterCheshireCH1 2DDTel:01244 402033CheshireCheshire