"Taking a Spin at Glasgow’s Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome This state-of-the-art professional cycling track and stadium, unveiled in 2012, will be one of the key venues when Glasgow hosts the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Between July 23 and August 3, thousands of fans will fill the venue to watch as the world’s fastest cyclists zip around the 250-meter track (made of Siberian pine by Ralph Schuerman, who is to racing tracks what Arnold Palmer is to golf courses). But visiting the velodrome doesn’t have to just be a spectator sport. Year-round, a team of trainers is available here to teach all comers the basics of high-speed track cycling. For more information about the places and people who make Glasgow special, visit peoplemakeglasgow.us Sponsored by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau"

"Glasgow: The Dear Green Place The Gaelic translation of Glasgow , Glaschu, literally means “dear green place”—an appropriate name for a city which boasts over 90 parks and gardens within its city boundaries. A fantastic example of this is the sprawling Botanic Gardens, which encompasses more than 40 acres of meticulously maintained lawns, flowerbeds, herb gardens, and exotic trees. Walking paths that wind among them make for some of the city’s prettiest spring- and summertime strolling; but even in winter, you can browse among the thousands of blossoming plants collected in the property’s twelve glass houses—including tropical palms, ferns, water lilies, and myriad species of orchids. The largest and most unusual of the glass houses is the Kibble Palace, an 1873-built wrought-iron wonder covering more than 20,000 square feet. For more information about the places and people who make Glasgow special, visit peoplemakeglasgow.us Sponsored by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau"

"Power Down The River Bisecting Glasgow before meandering down to its spectacular estuary, the River Clyde is one of the city's key elements. There are few better (or exciting) ways of experiencing the waterway than motoring along on one of the expertly piloted powerboats operated by Seaforce."

"Art and the Park Two of Glasgow's top cultural draws -- Pollok House and The Burrell Collection -- are located in this huge expanse of greenery, a 10-minute train ride from the city's Central Station. On a hot summer day it is the park itself that is the main attraction."

"Sample Glasgow's Football Fanaticism Glasgow is a city that lives and breathes football. The two biggest clubs -- Celtic and Rangers -- are by far and away Scotland's most supported footballing institutions and have dominated the country's domestic league for decades. Financial tribulations have seen Rangers fall from grace in recent years, but the club looks to be headed back to the top tier to resume its rivalry with Celtic. For a more sedate experience, catch a game involving Partick Thistle -- Glasgow's third biggest club -- who also play in Scotland's top league."

"A Day At The Dogs While nearly all around it has been razed to the ground in the name of regeneration, Shawfield greyhound racing stadium remains as an anachronistic but much loved Glasgow sporting institution. Races take place on Friday and Saturday evenings and with four bars, a restaurant and numerous betting booths it has all the ingredients for a fun night."

"Feel The Need For Speed For a rip-roaring evening of high-octane entertainment, few places in Glasgow beat a night at the speedway. Glasgow Tigers is the local favourite and race meetings are held in their recently upgraded stadium."

"From the port in the Firth of Clyde, you are less than an hour from the rugged beginnings of Scotland's famed Western Highlands. A key landmark of the region is Loch Lomond, the largest body of freshwater in Great Britain. Recently opened at its southern shore near the village of Balloch is the Sea Life Aquarium. Further up the loch, near Tarbet, sightseeing ships ply the deep blue waters below the peak of Ben Lomond (974 meters)."