48 hours in Glasgow

A whirlwind tour of style and culture.

Glasgow buzzes with its unique blend of modernity and old-world traditions. The city has often been called Scotland's style capital and boasts stylish art deco cafes, vintage shops and a plethora of museums – at last count there were more than 30 art galleries and museums in Glasgow with a year-round programme of performing arts and festivals.

Day 1: Begin your day at the newly renovated Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The museum is vast and houses extensive displays. There are many different sections to browse including natural history exhibits; an authentic Spitfire plane from World War II; a Glasgow Stories Exhibit which tells tales of the city; a display of swinging heads all displaying frightening expressions and a profusion of Scottish history. Other highlights include Salvador Dali's Christ of St John of the Cross and a rich range of quality art from across Europe.

At Argyle St, West End; Phone: (0141) 276 9599. Entry to the museum is free; it remains open from 10am to 5pm and is closed on Fridays and Sundays. The museum also has three shops selling great knick-knacks and souvenirs. Right next to the museum is the gorgeous Kelvingrove Park and close to the park is the University of Scotland, which makes the entire area a visual treat. The park has tennis courts, a skateboarding park and lovely river views thanks to its setting next to the River Kelvin.

Usually weekends are the best time to enjoy Glasgow's thriving nightlife, but head to King Tut's Wah Wah Hut at 272A, St Vincent's Street, the city's leading concert venue where most days of the week an eclectic band or performer plays with ticket prices beginning at just 5 pounds. Visit their website www.kingtuts.co.uk for upcoming shows. Or check out The Arches, a leading art venue that alternates between programmes of live music, club nights, theatre festivals and visual art exhibitions. The Arches is located on Argyle Street underneath Heilanman's Umbrella at the Central Station south entrance or visit their website www.thearches.co.uk for details.

Day 2: Take a cruise down River Clyde on the waterbus. During the tour, the staff will point out the points of interest along the way, including the Glasgow Science Centre, Clyde Auditorium and numerous cathedrals.

After the river tour, indulge in some retail therapy. Glasgow is known as the biggest retail centre in the UK outside London. The most famous shopping mall is Buchanan Gallery (located in heart of Glasgow city centre, where Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street meet) and stocks all the high-street retailers apart from local brand names.

The Merchant City lies at the heart of Glasgow's City Centre, where historically the tobacco lairds and traders came to do business, socialise and build their townhouses, and later their warehouses. The area has an interesting trail (which you should follow during the day) that runs through art galleries, the sheriff's court, city hall, theatre buildings and
beautiful churches.

In the evening, the area is a gourmet's paradise with its interesting restaurants, pubs and espresso and bagel bars that run the entire gamut from Scottish fare, conveyor belt sushi, sea food fusion, pasta and peking duck. Within a short walk of the trail is St Andrew's in the Square – regarded as one of the finest examples of neo-baroque church architecture in Scotland. Between 1998-2000, the interiors were converted into a traditional music venue combined and a restaurant/bar by the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust.