Smag31 Parc d’Atraccions del Tibidabo With its old-fashioned rides, the only surviving funfair in the city is a delight for children of all ages. The attractions include a House of Horrors, bumper cars, a ferris wheel and the Museu dels Autòmates, with animatronics of all shapes and sizes. There’s also a puppet show, picnic areas, playgrounds … Read more
Sunbathing & Swimming Head to the city beaches to cool down and escape the stifling heat. Barcelona boasts a wide range of fabulous beaches, from Barceloneta, lined with bars and restaurants, to the reclaimed beaches of Vila Olímpica, Bogatell and Mar Bella. Sunbathers, Platja de la Barceloneta Watersports A wide variety of activities is on … Read more
The plan to build a copy of Angkor Wat in India caused shock and dismay. Why asks David Robson, when replica buildings are such a familiar phenomenon? Buildings at the Wild West-themed Jackson Hole development Thanks to the Beijing Resplendency Great Exploit Real Estate Company Ltd, second-homes from China’s capital need only drive two hours … Read more
3. From St Tropez to Cassis Where to stay La Suite, Cassis hotel born from the French dream of a German stylist, Herbert Hufnagel The most striking thing about this three-bedroom guest house, which opened in July 2009, is the stunning geometrical mastery of indoor/outdoor space, designed to make the most of its views of … Read more
2. From Cannes to St Tropez Where to stay Les Rosées, Mougins Manager Kilpérick Lhobet has renovated the 400-year-old mas with his mother. Danièlle, a talented upholstery designer. Mougins may be an overly picturesque ProvenÇcal village, but there’s nothing remotely twee about this sumptuous, four-suite guest house, tucked away on a country lane outside town. … Read more
A hub of the super wealthy and fashionable jet set, the south of France also offers quieter; more affordable pleasures. Côte d’ Azur resident Lanie Goodman shares her address book. And while it’s true that the coastal Riviera is still a show-off’s paradise, inland the region is also home to quieter, more authentic pleasures. Henri … Read more
My journey to Kallialay began on a previous trip, when I came to the area to visit the Matrimandir. It’s an all-faith place of worship founded by the women they call Mother, Auroville’s spiritual leader, and it stands right at the center of the community – close to where the Rebouls live. This community was … Read more
Lisa Haydon heads to Puducherry to experience the best surf in India – and the laid-back lifestyle that goes with it. Between catching waves I lie lazily on my surfboard, staring back at the shore. The sand is lined with fishing boats; beyond it lies a jungle of palms. It’s 7am and today the surf … Read more
English barber’s shop Walk around the area and a first impression of fading neon and dirty shop fronts may leave you wondering what the fuss is about. But you only need to scratch the surface to find fun. Behind an unmarked door on Great Eastern street is Lounge Bohemia, a semi-secret cocktail bar run by … Read more
You certainly don’t need to eat anywhere else these days. East London has long been home to the best (and most affordable) global cuisine. You want to best lamb sheesh kebab? Ask the Turkish chefs at Mangal2, an ocakbasi restaurant on Arcola Street in Dalston. The best Indian? Try the kadhai gosht at Needoo in … Read more
The traditional heart of the IK capital may be in the west, but a young generation of artists, chefs, designers and hoteliers – as well as a brand new Olympic park – has taken up residence on the other side of town. Writing exclusively for Condé Nast The Olympic Games may be coming to the … Read more
It is well known to oenologists, but a little surprising to the rest of us, that the region is not only by far Portugal’s prime producer of plonk, but increasingly the source of some genuinely classy and sophisticated wines. The headquarters of the local wine authority, Vinhos do Alentejo, on Praca Aguiar, is a good … Read more
Evora managers to be not only an outstandingly beautiful and well-preserved city, but also functional and user-friendly. Almost everything worth seeing lies within the ring of fortifications, and nothing is further than a half-hour walk from anything else. So it makes sense to leave your car in one of the various car parks outside the … Read more
An elegant and unspoilt walled town in the heart of the Alentejo wine country, Evora is an ideal destination for lovers of culture and cuisine, says Paul Richardson. The motorway powers out of Lisbon, heading east towards the Spanish border, through countryside as unpopulated and as little messed about with as any in Europe. The … Read more
An Art Walk Morning Start at Commerce Court North to admire the stunning lobby. Walk west to Bay St and the TD Centre , noting the Wall and Chairs sculpture in the plaza and Joe Fafard’s life-sized bronze cows lounging on the lawn behind 77 King St W. Just around the corner at 234 Bay … Read more
Villa Borghese Extensive, elegant and full of shady glades and beautiful fountains, this is a great park for a stroll, a picnic or a jog. You can also go boating on the artificial lake, rent a bicycle or in-line skates . Villa Borghese Pincio The traditional time to enjoy the most famous panorama of Rome … Read more
Bars and Clubs Dragon-i The most happening club in Central, where models, movers and shakers, and celebrities from Jackie Chan to Sting, have been spotted. UG/F The Centrium, 60 Wyndham St 3110 1222 Club No. 9 One of the cocktail-drinking set’s favourite venues – grab a sofa on the balcony and enjoy the view. 3/F … Read more
Up-Market Malls and Boutiques The Landmark Centre It’s impossible to miss this smart, modern mall, with its conspicuous consumables from the likes of Chanel, Dior, Zegna, Versace, Prada, Vuitton, Bulgari and Tiffany. Pedder St Harvey Nichols in the Landmark Centre Seibu Four floors of designer clothes, cosmetics, gifts, household items and food. Pacific Place, 88 … Read more
Looking for somewhere to celebrate a family anniversary, a landmark birthday, a reunion of old friends? Travel editor David Wickers offers a grand selection of big houses to rent, at home and abroad Beside the sea Pickleridge View in Dale, Pembrokeshire Sleeping up to 10, with outstanding views across the lagoon to the sea, Pickleridge … Read more
Warm and wild the island of Crete In spring, the island of Crete, which has 2,000 species of trees and plants (some 160 found nowhere else on the planet), is coated with wild flowers. They even have their own dedicated website: www.floersofcrete.info. If you want to stay in style, consider the newly opened Dai os … Read more