Smag31

Union Square Café Danny Meyer’s first restaurant has been one of New York’s most popular since 1985, loved for delicious fare served by friendly staff in comfortable surroundings. Chef Michael Romano’s new takes on American standards include the freshest ingredients from the neighboring Union Square Greenmarket . Union Square Café Gotham Bar and Grill A … Read more

Central Park Myriad activities for kids include storytelling, carousel rides, bike riding, boating, ice skating, nature workshops, and guided walks. The Central Park Zoo is excellent, not too large in size, and the Tisch Children’s Zoo allows petting and feeding of farm animals. Central Park’s carousel Polar Bear in Central Park Zoo Bronx Zoo America’s … Read more

L’Astrance There is probably no table in Paris that is more coveted than one in this sober 25-seat dining room, with a single set menu for €120 (without wine) or €190 (with matching wines), orchestrated by young culinary genius Pascal Barbot. Lunch is more affordable, starting at €70 per person. 4 rue Beethoven, 75016 01 … Read more

L’Arbuci A well-established favourite, in the heart of St-Germain, attracting a good mix of regular locals and curious tourists. Eat in the pleasant brasserie upstairs, then head to the basement for some old-fashioned Dixie-style jazz. 25 rue de Buci, 75006 L’Arbuci Au Duc des Lombards The Left Bank may be the traditional home of jazz … Read more

Notting Hill Carnival This three-day Caribbean festival is Europe’s largest carnival, with steel bands and DJ’s playing all imaginable kinds of music, street food, brilliant costumes and lively dancers. Children’s parades on Sunday, grown-ups’ on Monday. Notting Hill W11 Last Sat–Mon in Aug Extravagant costume, Notting Hill Carnival Chelsea Flower Show As much a society … Read more

Liberty This handsome, half-timbered building dates from 1925 and its fine wood-floored and panelled interior is part of the shopping experience there. Long associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, it employed artists such as William Morris to design its fabrics. Great for its own Liberty floral fabrics, home furnishings, men’s and women’s fashions and … Read more

Vau The best of international and Austrian cooking is served by Kolja Kleeberg at the stylishly designed Vau. The restaurant has been awarded a well-deserved Michelin star . Jägerstr. 54–55 noon–2:30pm, 7–10:30pm Mon–Sat 030 202 97 30 The popular Vau Vox The exquisite food in this elegant hotel restaurant is a sleek and modern fusion … Read more

Hotel Adlon Berlin Berlin’s top hotel ranks as one of the finest in Europe. A reconstruction of the historic Adlon hotel, it opened in 1997 and has become popular with celebrities and politicians from around the globe. Even if you are not going to stay here, you could have a cup of tea or coffee … Read more

Bolinas Beach This hidden-away Marin beach tends to be windy and is mostly used by dog-walkers, and kayakers. It’s sandy, with a backdrop of rocky cliffs. If you walk north, you’ll find warmer nooks and crannies out of the wind, where some sun-worshipers bask in the nude, although there is a rarely enforced city ordinance … Read more

St. Patrick’s Day Parade With its large Irish population, not to mention the 25 or so Irish pubs scattered around town, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the revelry that follows deep into the night is one of the city’s largest celebrations. The parade journeys from 5th and Market streets to the Embarcadero. Sun before … Read more

Anse la Raye Fish Fry, St Lucia Lobsters at Anse La Raye Fish Fry – Anse La Raye Every Friday night in the west- coast fishing village of Anse la Raye, the waterside main drag, Front Street, transforms into a full- on party from 7pm to 11pm. Hundreds of locals  and visitors  turn out for … Read more

Ivan’s Stress- Free Bar, Jost Van Dyke Ivan’s Stress- Free Bar Imagine a front- porch hootenanny on a slice of sand: that is happy hour at Ivan’s. Run by seventh- generation Jost Van Dyte resident Ivan Chinnery; this beachfront empire consists of an open- air shack, a few cabins and some tents. What it lacks … Read more

Lone star, Barbados A deeply alamorous vibe and clintele defly mask the fact that this St James haunt was once a garage. Now a four- room inn and beachside restaurant, it has crisp blue awnings, white tablecloths and alick crowd of European guests. In a destination known for inspiring indolent days, the Lone Star actually … Read more

Hot pot: Soggy Dollar Bar, Island Jost Vandyke Its was once accessible only by water ( there is now a  rough road, though most visitors still arrive by boat ). Do thirsty sailors would brave the waters of the British Virgin Islands to make it ashore, and pay with wet dollar bills. Many were on … 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

Restaurants Lei Garden This multi award-winning restaurant serves modern Cantonese as it should be – light, delicate and subtle. 3/F IFC Mall 2295 0238 The Mandarin Grill & Bar The interior may have been revamped by Sir Terence Conran, but the menu still features English classics and premium seafood. Mandarin Oriental 5 Connaught Rd 2522 … 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

Along with the first hints pof warmer days to come, spring is one of the most beatuful seasons of the year. Travel editor David Wickers suggests a variety of places where you will find spring at its seasonal prime- both close to home and further afield Summoned by bells Blickling Hall in Norfolk There are … Read more