London’s SoHo does not have the notoriety of the New York neighborhood bearing the same name.  But you wouldn’t know that if you paid a visit to this exciting part of London’s West End.  SoHo has the highest number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the entire London area.  It also abuts London’s Chinatown and boasts the largest gay scene in England.  All these factors make London’s SoHo as exciting as the popular New York neighborhood.  If not more so.

Old Compton Street is literally lined with bars, cafes and clubs.  That said, the entire district is filled with hidden-away streets with cool shops, popular bars and nightclubs with a decidedly local flavor.

Another nightlife favorite in SoHo: The ultra-hip Sanderson Hotel, which features cool boutique styling and the famous Long Bar that stretches for more than 80 feet.  Despite seeming like a place for too-cool upwardly mobile young professionals, the drink list is rather standard, in a classic/classy way.  You won’t find any funky, neon colored variations on the martini here.

And what about sleeping? In such a happening neighborhood, how can there be anywhere to find a reasonably priced place to bed-down for the night?  Piccadilly Backpackers is a hostel-style guesthouse with beds for as little as £12 per night.  The rooms have “Pod” style beds, similar to those found in Japanese capsule hotels.  This affords visitors a bit of privacy, even in a shared room.  Private rooms with shared bathroom are also available.

SoHo is also a center for London’s media.  Virgin Radio and Sony London are both based in Golden Square in the center of SoHo.  Numerous advertising firms are scattered throughout the district.

There are numerous good Indian eateries in London.  SoHo is no exception.  These corner shops are good places to find good, cheap food and time of day or night.

An ambitious projecct might stop Venice from being lost under water.  As the old buildings continue to fall into a state of decay and water levels rise, many residents are choosing to leave Venice in search of more stable place to call home.

A new project – well, it’s more of an experiment than a project – called the Moses Project (Moses is an acronym for Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) is seeking to regulate the tides in and around Venice’s lagoon.  This will, in theory, prevent the city from flooding and the buildings from becoming even more decayed than they already are.  Though no one is overly optimistic about the prospects of the Moses project, other seaside cities are taking note and will surely be watching to see if they can use some of the elements of the project to protect their own streets from flooding.

The project has taken nearly three decades.  It will be finished in 2011.  Currently, there are large metal breakers, huge air-filled buoys and gigantic slabs of rock being dropped into the sea around the inlets to the lagoon that surrounds Venice.  The project is said to have a $7 billion price tag.

Some places in Venice are flooded three months out of the year.   The Piazza San Marco spends nearly 100 days under a foot of water.  This has not seemed to dampen the tourist industry in Venice much.  But people in the not-often-visited back alleys and industrial areas of the city are actually not in favor of the Moses Project for the most part.  Many would rather see nature take its course and feel that, without the tourist industry, Italy would see no need to try and turn back the sea.  Nonetheless, the project continues.  A big question is how the large cruise ships that supply Venice with her tourists will be able to get through once the project is completed.

While eco-tourism trekking and hostelling through Europe are still popular travel trends, unique vacations via the river cruise are also on the rise.  River cruises allow you to set sail through a city and take in a fresh perspective of the skyline.  Not only is a river cruise an attractive choice for a romantic getaway, but can also fit in easily with your budget-friendly travel plans.  Riverboats offer a comfortable, even luxurious trip for both locals and visitors, and can give you a chance to take in the local scenery and discover new sights and attractions.  Many riverboat operators are now offering discount tickets and packages as more people look for alternative and unique vacation ideas for their itinerary.  Some popular choices include:

Eco-friendly River Cruises

When you want to explore the Amazon River or head off to an exotic locale to take in the environment, an eco-friendly river cruise down somewhat unchartered territory may be the best match for you.  These river cruises will take you through stunning landscapes and historical sites across some of the world’s most noteworthy attractions.  From the Nile River to the waterways in China, you’ll find several eco-friendly cruises that offer a fresh perspective.

River Cruises Down the Mississippi

If you’re looking for a Mark Twain-inspired trip, select a river cruise that weaves its way down the Mississippi River.  These cruises can take you through several historical sites and riverside towns, many of which are mentioned in the famous author’s books.  Some cruises make pit stops at several riverside towns and locations along the route, so you can explore and discover new territory during the trip.

Escape to Europe’s Waterways

If you’re tired of the usual bus and train sightseeing tours, making your way through Europe on a riverboat is one way to break out of the monotony of European travels.  Riverboats can make their way through canals, barges and city waterways for some amazing views of the local area.  Expect to stop at several historic sites and take in the skyline in each city from a fresh perspective.