 Hamburg – sin, sailors, fun and fish
Mention of Hamburg immediately suggests the famous Reeperbahn, sometimes known as the “mile of sin.” Only a few reminders of the seedy past remain thanks to a concerted drive to take the area upmarket. Today the Reeperbahn is home to some of Germany’s best nightclubs and still boasts some excellent underground music venues, long after The Beatles perfected their craft here as young rock ‘n’ rollers. Go to the Tivoli or Schmitt’s for a decadent cabaret or the Star Club to find out which musicians will be the next big thing. The name Reeperbahn literally means ‘Rope Street’, a reference to the fact that this used to be the area providing supplies to ships docked in the port. It didn’t take long for the locals to realise there was money to be made from providing ‘services’ to the sailors on shore leave, too. Locals refer to the area as the ‘Kiez’ and it’s traditional to head towards the Fish Market at dawn after a hard night’s partying. airBaltic flies to Hamburg from Riga, Liepaja and Vilnius 4 times a week – on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Vilnius – laid-back in Lithuania  Tallinn and Riga have both had periods as the destinations for hedonists looking for a cheap thrill, and now it is Vilnius’ turn. But Vilnius has cleverly avoided most of the problems associated with stag parties by promoting a laid-back continental vibe that appears to a slightly more sophisticated set. Maybe it’s the city’s broad boulevards and relatively small size that makes it feel that way, or its strong connection with jazz.
As well as a selection of dedicated jazz bars and intimate venues, this is where you can find a statue of Frank Zappa in a public square. Clubs such as Ibish Lounge, Briusly and Tipo Zorro are typical of the relaxed atmosphere and for a pre-club warm-up session, catch a gig at Tamsta or visit the Avilys microbrewery to drink a few leisurely beers accompanied by a wide range of traditional snacks to take the edge off their effects. If you prefer drinks of the nongassy variety, Iki Ausros will create your chosen cocktail amid smart and classy surroundings. airBaltic flies to Vilnius from 19 European cities. Rome – a history of good times  A mere two thousand years ago, Rome was the undisputed party capital of the world. Maybe the famously extravagant emperors could claim to be the world’s first ‘superstar DJs’, guaranteed to show their guests a good time on a grand scale. Rome is rising through the ranks of the world’s fun capitals once again, and Testaccio is currently the hottest part of town, offering a wide selection of clubs to suit all tastes.
In summer, you can go dancing in the moonlight by heading to the resort of Ostia, just 20 kilometres from Rome, where promoters set up clubs on the beach and the music plays all night. But if you want to have fun the oldfashioned way, you can still take part in a Roman toga party. Particularly popular guests turn up in togas and let it all hang out – literally, if they are not fastened properly! airBaltic flies between Rome and Riga on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and between Rome and Vilnius on Wednesdays and Sundays. Dublin – have a crack at the craic Not only does Dublin know how to have a good time, it even has a special word for it: ‘the craic’. Ask a Dubliner to explain the craic and they’ll either tell you that it’s impossible to explain or they will give you a live demonstration by taking you to a few bars, listening to some music, enjoying good conversation and doing whatever feels right at any given moment – the craic involves all this and more. O’Connell Street was long regarded as the heart of Dublin’s nightlife, but that’s no longer the case. These days Dubliners have more on offer than just pubs with a fiddle player in the corner. The Gaiety Theatre near St Stephen’s Green seems an unlikely nightclub, but on Friday and Saturday nights it hosts a variety of different musical styles from reggae to gypsy klezmer. The name may not suggest it, but Lillie’s Bordello is regarded as the most exclusive club in town. If you have a few thousand Euros to spend, you might even consider buying VIP membership. airBaltic flies between Dublin and Riga and Dublin and Vilnius on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Moscow – ‘exclusive’ in more ways than one If you want to see how Moscow’s 120,000 millionaires and 50 billionaires live, prepare to be amazed. The city has quickly developed a string of ‘super clubs’ which dazzle with their extravagance, hedonism and wallet-crushing prices. Some become fashionable for a few months then fizzle out, but among the long-lasters are Club Fabrique, Gaudi Arena and 16 Tons. There’s a strong link between fashion and clubbing in Moscow, nowhere more so than at the Denis Simachev Bar. The famous Russian designer’s boutique hosts this bar, which turns into a club after 10pm. But beware – even if you are rolling in cash, there’s no guarantee you’ll be allowed through the door. The use of ‘face control’ (only admitting those who are judged pretty or interesting enough) is widespread, and doormen have become powerful people as a result. For example, Pasha, the doorman at the ultra-hip Diaghilev Project even had a Time Magazine article dedicated to him recently! airBaltic flies to Moscow from Riga daily. | 
