Summer or winter, in Plymouth, you´ll never be lost for something to do or see. The regional capital of Devon and Cornwall, Plymouth is a special blend of trendy modern city and laid back sea side port.

Plymouth is steeped in history, for example how would you like to On Plymouth Hoe, stand where Sir Francis Drake played bowls as the Spanish Armada approached, Visit bronze age sites and climb a Tor? Or for more adventurous visitors try a Dartmoor Safari, a tour of Dartmoor National Park taking in England's last wilderness, wildlife, birds and scenery - Dartmoor is renowned to be so rugged that special forces such as Royal marines and the SAS are rumoured to exercise there!

If you are driving to Plymouth simply Head South West on the M5 from Bristol to Exeter, then A38 to Plymouth. Drive time from London is around 3.5 hrs and strangely the train journey time is the same, about 3.5 hours from Paddington. Unless you live locally however, by far the quickest and easiest method is by air using Plymouth City Airport, just four miles from the City Centre itself.

There is a huge range of accommodation in and around Plymouth, including Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Farm houses, Hostels, Self Catering apartments and cottages, Student Campus Accommodation, Holiday Villages and Guest houses. the prices vary tremendously from "cheap as chips" bargain student accommodation, right up to luxury executive suites in the city centre.

For many visitors, the sheer friendliness of the city comes as a surprise, Plymouth is one of those places where it is big enough to have all the facilities and mod-cons everyone wants, but small enough to keep its charm. it is a city of only around 245,00 people. Some years ago the city centre, particularly around the infamous Union Street, gained a bit of a wild reputation. However, Plymouth council have tackled this problem successfully.

Plymouth is also ideally situated as a base from which to explore Cornwall, a short drive or bus ride across the famous Tamar bridge and you are there. Your first port of call for visitor information should really be the Tourist information centre in the fabulous Barbican building. They can assist you with accommodation reservations, tickets for travel ( coach, train and flights), theatres and concerts ( both in Plymouth town centre and surrounding areas), coach tickets and excursions. You can find them at Plymouth Mayflower, 3-5 The Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2LR 01752 306330.