Smag31

Smithsonian Folklife Festival Fascinating and entertaining cooking, storytelling, craft-making, dancing, music, and art fill the National Mall for two weeks around Independence Day (July 4). One of the largest and best cultural events in the world. National Cherry Blossom Festival The Tidal Basin is surrounded by beautiful Japanese cherry trees, which originated with 3,000 specimens … Read more

Citronelle Condé Nast Traveler magazine named this one of the 50 most exciting restaurants in the world . Citronelle Kinkead’s A power-dining venue, known for its fine seafood dishes. 2000 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Kinkead’s Nora Refined New American cuisine made from organically grown ingredients. 2132 Florida Ave, NW Nora Acadiana This elegant restaurant offers modern … Read more

Man …you ought to swear by Dubai when it comes to innovation! Speaking more precisely, innovation in construction and relestate. This time it is by the Deep Ocean Technology…named Water Discus Hotel. This means the hotel would allow its guests to sleep under water. Amazing? Weird?… Unique for sure? Water Discus Hotel What is it … Read more

Villa Borghese Scipione Borghese’s private Renaissance park and the adjacent 19th-century Pincio gardens, with statues and fountains, are a joy to explore, especially on two wheels. There are bike rental stands scattered throughout the park. You can also rent paddle boats for the little lake or take the kids to the park’s small funfair. Villa … 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

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

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

Unless otherwise stated, all restaurants accept credit cards and serve vegetarian meals Santceloni This sleek Madrid outpost of renowned Catalan chef Santi Santamaría is one of the city’s finest restaurants. The menu features superbly prepared, imaginative dishes. Booking is essential. Hotel Hesperia, Paseo de la Castellana 57 91 210 8840 Closed Sat L, Sun, public … Read more

Tapas Bars Mixed green olives Tasca La Farmacia Like all genuine Madrid tascas, this pub on the edge of Salamanca serves its customers a tasty appetizer with each drink, to give them an idea of what’s on offer. Croquetas de Bacalao béchamel paste deep fried with nuggets of cod are the house speciality. Casa Ciriaco … Read more

Restaurants Wangfujing Night Market A line up of 40 or 50 stalls entice and repulse in equal measure with meat kabobs but also flame-grilled snake and scorpions. Dong’an Men Dajie Open from 5:30pm daily Wangfujing Night Market Oriental Plaza Food Court The basement of this upscale shopping mall has a Southeast Asian-style food court offering … Read more

A Day Around Tian’an Men Square and Wangfujing Dajie Morning Arrive early to beat the crowds at Mao’s Mausoleum and shuffle through for the permitted few minutes in the presence of the Great Helmsman. The Forbidden City can be saved for another day, but climb the Tian’an Men for the views from the gallery. From … Read more

Restaurants and Teahouses Duyichu Centuries-old corner snack shop serving baozi (steamed buns). 36 Qian Men Dajie 6702 1555 Lao Beijing Zhajiang Mian Da Wang Bustling institution serving traditional Beijing snacks. Kitsch but cheap and very tasty fare. 29 Chongwen Men Wai Dajie 6705 6705 Fengzeyuan Specializes in Shandong cuisine, which is heavy on soups and … Read more

A Day South of Tian’an Men Square Morning Start on Tian’an Men Square, at the southeast corner beside the stripey brick Old Qian Men Railway Station, built by the British in 1901, partly to bring military forces straight to the assistance of foreigners in the event of a repeat of the siege of the Boxers. … Read more

A Day in The Loop Morning Start early with breakfast at the charming Atwood Café in the lobby of the historic Hotel Burnham , with its beautifully reconstructed interior. Then stroll a block west to Daley Plaza to see the giant unnamed Picasso sculpture, stopping off at the Hot Tix booth at 78 W Randolph … Read more

Named after the ring of elevated train tracks that encircle it, this is downtown Chicago’s core, and the city’s financial and governmental hub. Abuzz with laptop-toting business folk during the week, the Loop is transformed on weekends when a veritable shopping frenzy erupts along its famous State Street. Those thirsty for culture also come flocking … Read more

On Shrove Tuesday, ski carnival is celebrated in the Alps. The best known is held at Firstalm – there’s a prize for the best costume. Curling and a trial of strength called Fingerhakeln (finger wrestling) are traditional Bavarian sports. Schäfflertanz Every seven years, the Dance of the Coopers is performed to commemorate the end of … Read more