London, Summer 2012: The Student Guide | Maybe it's just me, but there hasn't been much at all about London in the news lately. Of course, that's if you ignore the miles of column inches about the Olympics, the Paralympics and, what else, oh yes, more Olympics. Yes, the Games are coming to London in a matter of days now, maybe they've already arrived by the time you're reading this, and it has all the makings of a fantastic summer for London. However, if your parents aren't best mates with Boris or Seb and you haven't been lucky enough to score tickets to one of the events, there are still a huge number of things on offer to young people in London this summer. Check out some of these top tips for what you could get up to in the capital this summer, apart from watching the competitions and sheltering from the rain, of course!

Source: Google images.

What's On in London This Summer?

If you are a student, make the most of your time and enjoy some of London's famous attractions but at a discount. Most museums and attractions in the city offer discounts to students on presentation of a valid student card. Even if you're not a registered student, many places still offer discounts on entrance costs to those under 25 from within the European Union, or you can see savings on group tickets if you go with a few friends or family members. Check out all the places in your guidebook: the V&A Museum, the Tate Modern, British Museum, the Science Museum, etc.

A touch of music…

If museums aren't your thing, there are a lot of free festivals and events you can get caught up in when you're in London this summer. Notting Hill Carnival is a must-see for anyone who has the chance to go if you're at all interested in music, food, dancing, drinking, or anything else that might go on. Other than that, try the More London Free Festival, offering a range of free theatre, music, comedy and film screenings right across the city. Take a look at the VisitLondon website for more information.

Enjoy the great outdoors…

Looking just for some time to relax and chill out with your friends? Make the most of the odd day of sunshine we have forecast for this summer and head to some of the precious green space in the capital. Head to Hyde Park, Victoria Park or Richmond Park for some of the nicest open spaces. Ice-cream stalls, places to hit the football around or just relax with some music; all of this is covered and can make a great day out whenever the sun makes an appearance. Best of all: completely free!

Make the most of your time…

Want to learn something new this summer? Consider taking advantage of the down time during your summer holidays and learn a new language. Or, if you're an international student, summer is a great time to improve your English! Language schools right across the capital open their doors during the summer months to offer intensive (and semi-intensive) language courses in a variety of languages, from French to Japanese to Russian to Swahili. Whatever language you fancy learning, there's guaranteed to be a course near you. Summertime is a popular time for international students to come over to England, enjoy living in London for a few weeks and improve their English at the same time. Win-win! Sound like this kind of thing could interest you, go to IELTS courses in London if you want to learn English or simply search language schools in London and see what other language courses take your interest. It really is a great way to make the most of the holidays!

A tiny bit of Olympic spirit…

And finally, I know I promised this wouldn't talk about the Olympics, but if the fever does indeed grab hold of you, there are dozens of big screens being erected all over the city in parks and public spaces where you can watch the proceedings for free. If anything, I think it's a better way to experience the Games. Grab a blanket, a few cold beers and lay on the grass with some friends and cheer on your home team. For details of the nearest screens to you, check out the London2012 official webpage and look for 'Live Sites'.

For more information about anything discussed above, go to the official VisitLondon website, the London2012 website or, for more information on the language courses, check out Language Teaching Centres for more details of exactly what's on offer.

Lisbon: A Traveller's Guide | When planning a trip around Europe, backpackers, people going interrailing or just travellers in general, often miss out Portugal from their itinerary, since it's in a bit of an awkward position for those trying to optimize their travels and see as much of the continent as they can. But this is a mistake lots of seasoned travellers live to regret. Portugal is a unique country with a huge amount to offer, particularly in the capital city. If you're planning a trip around Europe (or you're just looking for a weekend in the sun!) don't overlook Lisbon. Here's a rundown of things you don't want to miss out on.

Source: Google images.

What to see in Lisbon.

Lisbon is a great capital city, with everything you'd expect in the way of museums, historical sites, as well as nightlife and fun. There are enough guidebooks and websites out there to give you all the information you need, but if you'll permit me to throw my two scents in, here are five things I would recommend to anyone when in Lisbon:

• Berardo Museum. Housing one of Europe's best modern art collections, the Berardo is a great place to pass a couple of hours, soaking in the artistic talent of Warhol, Picasso, Dali, and many others.
• Santa Justa Elevator. For fantastic views across the whole city, head to the top of this structure in an elevator and marvel at all you survey.
• Monastery of St. Jerome. Built in the 1500s, this is a prime example of European history. Now protected as a World Heritage Site, soak up the history, the beauty and the majesty of this structure.
• St. George's Castle. Parts of this castle are over a thousand years old and afford some of the best views over the city. If you have time to pay a visit, it's well worth it.
• Oceanarium. Open daily from 10am to 7pm, this is a great day out for families or if you just want to appreciate some great marine life. It's surprisingly relaxing.

Where to stay in Lisbon.

There are a few different areas that are best for travellers. Most travellers tend to lay their heads around Rossio Square, the Baixa neighbourhood in general or the Bario Alto, where most of the action is. There is a lot of really good value accommodation in Lisbon. If you're on a traveller's budget, it's very easy to find reasonably priced places to stay. Google 'hostels in Lisboa' before you arrive and you'll find a lot of options. Hostels in Lisbon are generally considered to be of a good standard with respect to the rest of Europe, so it is doable on a budget. If you're looking for something of a more luxurious holiday and have the money to spend, Lisbon has great hotels like any European capital. The most popular tourist areas for hotels are, again, the centre of Lisbon at Rossio Square or the Bario Alto (old neighbourhood). As these places are in the centre of the city, don't worry about having to travel far for food, drink, tourist attractions, or anything really, since it's all very much on your doorstep!

When to go to Lisbon.

Lisbon has a pretty good climate all year round; roasting hot summers perfect for sunbathing in between museum hopping or ice-cream eating, and mild, fairly dry winters that provide comfortable conditions for a little exploration. The summer months are, naturally, most popular with tourists but Lisbon rarely feels overcrowded. To get a nice mix of good weather and peace and quiet, head to Lisbon in the spring and you shouldn't be disappointed.

Lisbon airport has flights to most European cities and connections to all European capital cities. If you're looking for accommodation on the cheap, click on Lisbon hostels for some great deals or else search online for other hotels or apartments.

Best Places to Live on Earth: The Results | After reading an article in the Guardian recently about the top five places on earth to live, I was a left a little confused. In a world with over 7 billion people and over 200 countries, what does a town or city have to do to be crowned winner? This particular article talked of happiness of the locals, economic stability in the country and general quality of life, and whilst very interesting, didn't get it quite right for me. I do agree with a lot of it, but since this is a travel blog, let's simplify the results and talk about the good old weather! Where are the top five places on Earth to live because of their climate and lifestyle?

Source: Google images.

5. Geneva, Switzerland

You mightn't associate Switzerland with a great climate, but really, Geneva is a city that has it all. A fantastic city, constant economic stability for the last however many centuries and deliciously snowy winters all combine to make this a great place to live. The summers can be very warm and the air quality is notably good in the city, so Geneva might just be a great place to travel to, if not live in!

4. Toronto, Canada

If you want to live in a big city but not really feel like you're in a big city, Toronto can offer you exactly that. Yes, there are lots of skyscrapers and urban sprawls, the CN Tower perhaps most prominent, but Toronto is still an easy and enjoyable place to live. The city is a cosmopolitan hub of culture and innovation, whilst retaining a very friendly feel, something that attracts many migrants year on year. The climate is also great. Yes, they have very cold winters with a great deal of snow typical for Canada, but the summers are very pleasant and the air quality is very good.

3. Sydney, Australia

No list of great places to live is complete without a mention of Sydney, and this list shall be no different. Why? It's a hip and happening city with a huge amount of things to do, see and enjoy, but the weather is also second to none. According to a recent survey, Sydney has some of the happiest people in the world calling it home, and you can't argue with a survey!

2. Hawaii, US

If you're a fan of surfing, beaches and cocktails, the islands of Hawaii are a good bet. Made up of eight major islands, Hawaii is a diverse and luxurious holiday destination for many, but could also serve as a wonderful place to live. The quality of life is very high due to the relaxed, laid-back lifestyle but with all the additional benefits of being a U.S. state. Apart from the beaches, the great surf and the friendly people, Hawaii is a world centre of ecological interest, so you could enjoy living in one of the most beautiful parts of the planet!

1. Tenerife, Spain

If I had to give you one ultimate place to live based on the weather, the lifestyle and the landscape, it would have to be Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, without doubt. Because of its position on the equator, Tenerife enjoys year round sunshine and the temperatures very rarely drop below twenty degrees Celsius. If you think you would enjoy an afternoon on the beach in February, Tenerife might be for you.

Aside from the great weather, Tenerife is just a very nice place to live. The beaches are stunning, there is an active volcano to make the landscape even more exciting and the locals aren't too bad either! If you're looking for a holiday, Tenerife nightlife can provide all the entertainment you'll ever need and the restaurants and bars are plentiful and varied too. Accommodation on the island is of a high standard and the Spanish Tourism Board is constantly investing new money and resources into making holiday resorts even more attractive. The capital of the island, Santa Cruz, is a particularly beautiful example of Spanish culture, architecture and lifestyle and couldn't be further from the stereotypical view we tend to have of Tenerife as a place filled with Brits abroad.

Of course the list above is just my opinion and, this being the online world, I'm sure there are hundreds of people queuing up to disagree, argue and throw their ideas into the hat, so let's hear it! Comment below with your favourite places you'd like to live based on the climate and get involved in the discussion.