Smag31

The east of the island was the first to take up the population pressures of the nascent colonial capital of Victoria, and until the late 1970s had a low rent reputation. Some of that survives in the haggard pole-dancing clubs and tattoo parlours of Wan Chai, the quarter where Richard Mason wrote The World Of … Read more

Places to Eat Senzone Acclaimed chef Francisco Morales and his wife, Ruth Controneo, a sommelier, run this wonderful restaurant. Expect inventive, seasonal cuisine. Hotel Hospes, Plaza de la Independencia 3 91 432 2911 Paridis Thyssen This Catalan-Mediterranean restaurant above the Thyssen Museum offers great views from its outdoor summer terrace. Paseo del Prado 8 91 … Read more

A Day on the Paseo del Prado Morning Begin at Plaza de Cibeles and take a peek at the palatial central hall of the Town Hall . Plans to redirect traffic away from the Paseo del Prado have been frustrated, but the central boulevard still makes a pleasant walk, with plenty of shade in summer. … Read more

This imposing tree-lined avenue,adorned with fountains and sculptures, is home to no fewer than three worldclass art galleries: the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. In the 18th century the prado was a meadow, crossed by a stream, but the bucolic surroundings were deceptive, as the area was acquiring an unsavoury reputation for muggings … 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

The Qian Men (front gate) at the southern end of Tian’an Men Square was once part of the inner city walls. These divided the imperial quarters of the Manchu emperors from the “Chinese city,” where the massed populace lived apart from their overlords. Walking south from the gate you are immediately plunged into a network … 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

Sport & Wellness Allianz Arena The Allianz Arena in Fröttmaning, in the north of Munich, was built for the city’s two football clubs. Designed by architects Herzog and de Meuron, the transparent façade can be illuminated in white, red, or blue (the colours of the clubs). Holding 66,000 spectators, the stadium includes an enormous food … Read more

Downtown Shopping Spree Mid-morning Stop at Westlake Center and grab an espresso and pastry at the stand in the plaza before window-shopping Westlake’s indoor mall. Inside, Made in Washington offers a large and creative inventory of regionally produced merchandise. Walk across Pine Street to find Nordstrom’s spacious flagship store, stocked with top designer brands and … Read more

What strikes many visitors to downtown Seattle is how easy it is to see the sights, since key attractions lie within walking distance of one another. Bookended by Belltown to the north and Pioneer Square to the south, downtown can be seen on foot or by city bus at no cost – since all of … Read more

For Catalan speakers, the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya (93 306 57 00) is a fine showcase for Catalan drama. Barcelona’s many versió original (original version) cinemas provide plenty of options for non-Catalan-speaking film aficionados. Gran Teatre del Liceu Phoenix-like, the Liceu has risen from the ashes of two devastating fires since its inauguration in 1847. … Read more

The English-language website www.spain.info has a section dedicated to Spanish festivals. Tickets for Festival del Grec & Festival Internacional de Jazz are available from the Caixa de Catalunya ticket line 902 10 12 12. Festes de la Mercè Barcelona’s main festival is a riotous week-long celebration in honour of La Mercè . The night sky … Read more

Restaurants Battery Gardens This restaurant offers a New American menu with Asian accents, and panoramic views of the harbor. Battery Park, opposite 17 State St 212 809 5508 Gigino’s at Wagner Park Gigino’s delivers excellent Italian food from the Amalfi coast and dazzling views from the sophisticated dining room and the waterfront terrace. 20 Battery … Read more

A Day Exploring Lower Manhattan Morning Begin at Battery Park for a view of the waterfront, and look into Castle Clinton , an 1807 fort, to see dioramas of a changing New York. Then visit the Museum of the American Indian at the U.S. Custom House. Cross to Bowling Green, the city’s first park, then … Read more

Old and new New York meet at the tip of the island. The city was born here under Dutch rule and became the nation’s first capital after the Revolutionary War (1775–83). At the intersection of Broad and Wall streets are the Federal Hall National Memorial, marking the site where George Washington was sworn in as … Read more

Vietnam – Anatara Mui Ne Resort & Spa Vietnam – Anatara Mui Ne Resort & Spa The views from the entrance of Anantara are first Vietnam resort embody its Sanskrit name, which means ‘without end’. From the rased exception, guests can peer down at the airy L’Anmien restaurant, with it tables and chairs that spill … Read more

Vivanta By Taj – Bekal, Kerala Life is tough at this new, 71- room spa resort in undiscovered north Kerala. Should I order a Mojito or a Mai- Tai cocktail? Take a spa treatment go for a walk on the beach, or a have a gentle kayak on the serene backwaters? Set on 30 acres … Read more