How to survive Dullsville

How can you have a good time when you get sent to the world's most boring cities?

FRANKFURT

Great air, rail and road connections mean that it's easy to get aw ay from Frankfurt, but whatif you have to stay? "It's the one place where I end up sitting in my hotel room watching those socalled erotica channels," admitted one blushing traveller. But things are looking up, literally. Main-tow er (0049 69 3650 4770) is a new city- centre, skyscraper cocktail bar with panoramic views on Neuer Mrenzer Strasse 52-58, or join the crowds at the nearby Studio Bar (0049 69 1337 9225) at Katharinenp Forte 6, a trusty favourite. The kitsch red- leather sofas were apparently good enough to entice Mick Jagger. Gokarting at the Motodrom Indoor Cart (0049 69 82 36 18 83) or Indoor- Kart 2000 (0049 69 42 42 41) is a cool option.

JOHANNESBURG

Walking and driving are out of the question, so take to the skies. Bill Harrop's 120 balloon safaris (0027 11 705 3201) include a champagne breakfast. Bill lifts off near Hartebeespoort Dam every day at reserve restaurant Cornuti The Cradle (0027 83 659 1622) - balcony dining among passing giraffes.

SINGAPORE

"They cleaned it up so much they lost the culture," laments Don Lunn, managing director of busi -ness travel agency Ayscough T ravel. So use it as a springboard across Asia. If you really are stuck, order champagne with your movie at the GV Grand cinema (00 65 735 8484) at Great World City, Orchard Road. Red (0065 227 7189) on Club Street is the current hot eaterie owned by Singaporean fashion designer Allan Chai.

BIRMINGHAM

Your visit will be a w hole lot more bearable if you stay at the brand-new Hotel du Vin (0121 236 0559) with custom-designed cocktail and cigar bar.Join Birmingham's elite (yes, there is one) at The Mailbox complex (www.mailboxlife.com) overlooking the restored canal basin, two minutes from New Street station. Head for Cafe Lazeez (0121 643 7979), modern Indian cuisine,or Santa Fe (0121 632 1250), a south-west American restaurant - chilli with everything - voted best newcomer in this year's Birmingham Nightlife Awards. In the next few months Obsession, a luxury day spa (no membership needed), and Harvey Nichols will be opening in the city.

BELFAST

Donegal Square is the place to head for. Soak up the gentlemen's club atmosphere at The Apartment (02890 509777), where you can dine on modern international cui sine in the contemporary restaurant (no bookings taken), pose at the bar or take it easy in the coffee lounge. The Apartment is soon to be overshadow ed by the more colourful TENsq (02890 241001), w hich opens on Donegal Square south in August. Created by United Designers, the team behind London's Quaglino's and the Metropolitan Hotel, it will have an oriental- style bar called Red, an Asian/European restaurant, Porcelain, and 23 minimalist bedrooms.But locals are most excited about its gourmet deli - lunch will never be the same. Regular Belfast sufferers should consider joining TENsq's private members' bar, 250 a year.

GENEVA

One of the world's dullest destina -tions unless you capitalise on the fresh air and scenery. A tandem paraglide (0041 22 784 3808 or 0041 79 203 89 89) costs around 45. A pilot will meet you at Tronex, 10 minutes' drivefrom the city, and whisk you to your takeoff point on Mont Salve in France. You land back in Geneva. Best eaterie to hang in is L'Amalgam on rue Lman, opposite Geneva's modern art museum MAMCO. There is no phone and only one choice of menu daily,but the locals are loyal to the place and a three-course meal will set you back only SFr20 (7.50).

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