When you're visiting a city for the first time there's nothing better than getting tips from a local on where to eat, where to shop, and for unique suggestions beyond the usual guide book inklings!

We caught up with Glasgow local Lorenzo Mele, Merchant City Festival Executive Producer, for his insider scoop on the city, including a fun day trip.

Glasgow is home to an array of mesmerising sights

Food

Cafe Gandolfi – The cafe was the first and is still the best restaurant in the city’s regenerated merchant area. Next door is the poshest takeaway fish and chips at Gandolfi Fish.

After Dark

Buff Club – Trade night at Buff Club on Mondays is where staff from other bars and clubs have a night out. Nice and Sleazy, a late bar on the famous Sauchiehall Street, has great live music.

Why I love it: “Glasgow is a beautiful, contradictory and inventive city, full of people who are direct, warm and wild.”

Discover history at Balloch on Loch Lomond (Image: Getty)

Play

Riverside Museum – The iconic Zaha Hadid-designed museum on the Clyde is a great place to connect to Glasgow’s rich heritage in making ships, trains, cars, bikes and trams.

Day Trip

Balloch on Loch Lomond – Thirty minutes from Central station and you are in Balloch on Loch Lomond. Catch a boat up to Luss and back and experience the majesty of Scotland where water meets mountain meets sky.

Secret Tip

Pollok Country Park – The park, on the south side of Glasgow, feels like the countryside, complete with Highland cows.

Visit your local Flight Centre store or call 131 600 for more advice and the latest deals on travelling to Glasgow.