Grand Mosque, Mecca

Advantages: Simply beautiful
Disadvantages: Beggars with crying children

...When i went to India last year, i visited the Haji Ali Mosque as i was sightseeing in Bombay. It i slocated in the Arabian sea so therefore can only be visited when the tide is low. It is quite a long walk upto the actual mosque as everyone is briefly searched before entering. There are many stalls on the path which sell flower wreaths that can be placed on the tomb, jewellery and souvenirs. These can all be bought along with refreshments for very cheap prices. When i first entered the mosque i put a scarf over my head as a sign of respect. There is a separate part for girls and boys and men can make their prayers. This is thought to be a sign of huge respect and is considered very holy. I also made a short prayer in my head as it is said that whatever you wish for whilst inside the mosque will come true. The atmosphere is unusual... Read review

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Advantages: Winning lots of money and cheap food and drink!
Disadvantages: Coming home with empty pockets, and it can be very addictive

...Being a poor suffering recent graduate, I'll go to anything where there's a chance of winning lots of money to pay off my student loan! I'm not much of a gambler myself, so I was a bit cautious going into my mum’s local Mecca in Rosehill. My mum's in her 60's and ever since I left home to go to uni, she's down her local Mecca club most nights. I'm one of those 'it's just a con, I'll never win' types. How wrong could I be! Mum’s won over £2000 in total! Whereas I’ve only won about £50! ***Joining*** Membership is free and easy. To be a member you have to be 18 years of age and wait 24 hours from the time you joined before you play due to requirements of the Gaming Act. The card can be used all over the country. If you forget your card, you can still sign in using a duplicate card at the entrance desk, or you can be signed... Read review

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Advantages: Fantastic scenery, plenty to eat and drink - and its free to roam!
Disadvantages: The hoardes of tourists (me included!)

...the Grand Place, in the very heart of Brussells, is a sight to behold. Flanked on all four sides by a series of buildings erected over the course of the last 600 years, it is a tourist mecca which appears on every postcard. In the small back streets that rise off from the square, there is a maze of bars, cafes and restaurants. Many are pricy, but on a summers day it is THE place to sit with a grande bier, watching the world go by. You can even get a stomach-busting cauldron full of moules avec frittes for something in the region of 450 BF (£7.50) - and it is worth cruising for a while to find the little extras some venues chuck in (beer, wine, salad, pud). When I visited on a Sunday, the square was home to the open air bird market. If you can get over the cruelty of seeing some of the most incredibly beautiful birds in the world... Read review

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