In a city that boasts over 230,00 residents, 50+ cafes, bars and pubs and well over 20 clubs and live music venues Southampton has evolved into the centre of Southern England.

Two Universities help contribute to create one of the biggest populations of 20 - 24 year olds in the South with over 27,000 and growing. Built upon hundreds of years of heritage dating back as early as 1150 when Southampton Castle, aka The Bargate was erected or in 1938 when the spitfire called the Solent her home Southampton is a bustling metropolis creating a future while respecting its past.

Chances are, if you are among the 20 - 24 year olds living in Southampton you are a student, but whether you are a poor 20 something or a more experienced 40 something the City has something for everyone.

The best way to start the day is to recharge the batteries and rekindle home cooking with a classic Sunday Roast. Surrounded by friends, with all the trimmings a roast can summon memories of when life never used to be this complicated.

Yates Wine Lodge, aka Yates to you and I offers just the treat at an affordable price. Sitting in the centre of Southampton, on Above Bar Street the urbanised pub continues the trend of walk-in meals, no booking, no fuss. On the menu, from Noon until 9pm is Chicken or Lamb with all the trimmings, a vegetarian option also is very popular. Priced at £6.45, with a free desert from the sultry desert menu you are following your mum's wishes, having one good meal a week.

Like something from a Jane Austin Novel, weather permitting Southampton's Park network presents a refreshing avenue through the city. Consisting of three main parks, Houndwell, Palmerston, and Andrews they offer a respite from the bustle. If you're lucky, this time of year the gentle breeze flows through the trees as glimpses of sunlight are stolen by the clouds and the branches. The parks, full of history can educate, if not amaze as you reach the Queens Peace fountain at the end of the avenue. The summer brings both people and flowers out to add colour to an already wondrous feat of nature. The rose gardens in summer are a must.

The next piece in the puzzle fits elegantly as it is a stone's throw away from the park. Southampton City Art Gallery is a perfect way to immures yourself in culture and observe, if only for awhile some truly beautiful artworks. The open plan gallery boasts free admission and helpful staff. With art works changing every three months there is always something new. You don't have to be an art student to appreciate the ever constant Persious Exhibit in the Baring room or the religious art work in Room 5. New exhibits promise Chinese Artistry (18th April - 22 June) and landscapes from pastoral masters, Samuel Palmer to the Ruralists (18th April - 22 June).

From a morning of ease comes something more eventful. To welcome in the coming week a pub, club medley ensures Monday comes that little bit later.

Getting into the spirit The Royal Oak on Houndwell place is just the venue. Receiving Best Bar None Silver award in 2007 is well deserved for a pub that has entertaining punters for years. Every other Sunday of the month welcomes a DJ set by residents Chris and Rich or Karaoke on the other Sundays brings everyone together. A Loyalty card for £1 gives exclusive offers on a Sunday, 10% of Magners Cider or £13 for a bucket of beer. Pool, Darts and Wide Screen TV's makes this the relaxing local with a twist.

Finally to add some alcohol induced Funky House, Electro or R&B into your fast elusive Sunday head over to Junk on London Road. Sponsored by Sputnik Vodka which entails copious amounts of vodka at low prices Sunday night becomes Vodka City. The night brings two rooms playing the best mix of R&B, Party classics, Nu-Rave and much more lasting right through to the early morning. Junk, one of the sexiest clubs in Southampton offers comfortable sofas and two large dance floors with the mood lighting showing of its interior design. £1.50 Sputnik Vodka Mixers and £2.00 on other selected drinks means whether you're on budget or splashing out everyone can have fun. Craig David, Kano and Callum Best have all showed a face. Will your night be a night to remember?

About the Author  -  Paul Serellis - CityLocal Southampton Southampton Southampton Business Directory Southampton News Southampton Events 

The rise of the internet seems to have brought many benefits, one of which has undoubtedly been the increasing flexibility that we now have at our disposal when booking holidays.

This is particularly true in the case of flights. Online flight price comparison websites ensure that we can shop around to seek out the best deal from a variety of agents and airlines.

People flying to and from the United Kingdom have possibly benefited more than most. There seem to be numerous budget airlines based in the UK, allowing easy access to Europe at cheap prices. The new budget airlines have also brought benefits for regional airports - the likes of Exeter, Bournemouth, Doncaster, Southampton and Norwich have been growing a great deal.

Let's look at one of these specifically Southampton Airport. This airport on the outskirts of the Southern coastal city was relatively small until recently, specialising in flights to the Channel Islands. The arrival of Flybe has meant that much has changed. There are now flights in and out of Southampton from beautiful cities like Geneva, Paris and Amsterdam. Not to mention the cheap flights available to popular holiday resorts.

Despite this growth, Southampton often seems to be overlooked as an arrival airport for travellers looking to get to the UK on a budget. This is particularly strange given the close proximity of Southampton Airport to London (it is, after all, barely an hour by train from the airport's dedicated mainline railway station to London Waterloo, in the heart of the capital city).

This short journey time means that Southampton is barely further away from Central London than Stansted. You'll also find that processing of your baggage at the airport tends to be much faster than that found at more major airports, since there are less incoming flights. Taking this into the equation, you may well find that your journey time could even be reduced.

So next time you're looking to visit London (or maybe looking for a cheap flight out of the UK) don't forget to look at the offers available at Southampton Airport. You may find that the prices will come as a pleasant surprise, while the journey into Central London is so straightforward that you'll not lose any time on your holiday.

This article was written by Keith Barrett, who writes for the online publication Whatever The Weather on a range of travel topics.