At the beginning of April we spent three days in Rome using the Rome City Pass — and despite a few quirks, it helped shape a magical trip. From iconic sights like the Colosseum, Pantheon and Vatican Museums to hidden gems such as the Case Romane and Vicus Caprarius, the pass offered excellent value, skip-the-line convenience, and a brilliant mix of ancient history, art and quieter corners of the Eternal City.

It’s 1890s Paris and Le Chat Noir is reborn. This five‑star immersive dinner‑theatre delivers sensational cabaret, live musicians, exquisite detail and joyful French anarchy. Come dressed to impress, eat well, drink absinthe and leave exhilarated.

Madrid is made for art lovers on a short break. Three world‑class galleries sit within walking distance, from Goya’s unflinching truth‑telling and El Greco’s otherworldly intensity at the Prado, to Picasso’s devastating Guernica and the calm brilliance of the Thyssen. Highlights there include jaw‑dropping Canalettos, a powerful Holbein portrait of Henry VIII, and a Georgia O’Keeffe I’m still thinking about.

Last Sunday night at the Dominion felt more like a glitter‑splashed anniversary party than a standard theatre trip. I loved briefly meeting original cast members and the enthusiastic, funny fan‑club Q&A, with a shy appearance from Peter Hinwood, the original Rocky, who later left acting for an art‑gallery life. The shadow cast was fun and inclusive at first, Little Nell was a joy, but the constant film heckling wore thin. ⭐️⭐️⭐️½