Smag31 6. Guilin Alive hills When coming to Guilin at night, limestone hills stand out of dubious shadows looking like clumsy titans. Though, in the daylight, they are revealed to be naturally remarkable structures. Guilin and nearby areas have breath-taking views; you will see more limestone hills when floating on Li river, where traditional fishermen use … Read more
The red carpet has been rolled out. Our man in China, V.Mahesh gives you 15 reasons for visiting the land instantly. 1. Shaolin Monks The pagoda renews itself A very long double-kick, in fact, is from India to China. One of China’s most famous artistries – Shaolin Kung Fu – originated in Indian monks in … Read more
Visiting California’s surfing paradise, we fell in love with a town of yoga studios, taco trucks and vintage markets. By Tilly Macalister-Smith Where to stay Shutters on the beach Shutters is an exceptional retreat. Bedrooms feature in-room libraries, Pacific-facing balconies and whirlpool bathtubs. “And the beds are so big you have to climb up on … Read more
Where to eat & drink… Popies Spitalfields’ fish and chip shop Popies takes its vintage heritage (formica-topped tables and waitresses wearing 1940s headbands) and gives it a fresh spin (all the fish is sustainably sourced and options include mackerel and lemon sole as well as usual suspacts). Poppies, London E1. Enq poppiesfishandchips.co.uk Poppies Fish and … Read more
Where to stay… Twenty six This original Anderby chalet on the coast dates from the 1950s and has been given a smart modernist makeover. Just the place for a romantic seaside retreat, it sleeps up to five but works just as well for two. Twenty six near Skegness, Lincohnshire. Enq anderbycreek.eu. From $682.5 per week. … Read more
As the fashion world is swept up by nostalgia, we check out the best Retro places to stay and play When the Turner Contemporary gallery opened in Margate last year, it didn’t just entice a run of art-loving hipsters to Tracey Emin’s childhood stomping ground. It also encouraged a clutch of specialist vintage stores to … Read more
A Day Exploring 17th Street NW Morning Begin your day with a tour of Decatur House , a gorgeous Neo-Classical mansion. After the tour, turn left and walk to the end of the block; turn left onto 17th St, NW, and continue one block to Pennsylvania Ave. The Renwick Gallery is on the corner. Don’t … Read more
The Majestic White House clearly defines this area of the city – everyday business in Washington frequently takes place around the house because the major east-west routes, Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, are close by. Many government buildings stand in the vicinity, including the old and new Executive Office Buildings, the Federal Reserve Building, and the … Read more
Cafés, Gelaterie and Bars Giolitti This 19th-century landmark café is widely regarded as serving Rome’s best ice cream . Via degli Uffici del Vicario 40 Caffé Sant’Eustachio Another best – this time the best cappuccino. Not surprisingly, the recipe is a closely guarded secret . Piazza Sant’Eustachio 82 Caffé Sant’Eustachio Trinity College Ever-popular pub off … Read more
A Morning Stroll around the Pantheon Start with a cappuccino at Caffè Sant’ Eustachio . Follow Salita de’ Crescenzi into Piazza della Rotonda and the stunning beauty of the Pantheon . Head down to Piazza di Minerva, with Bernini’s Elephant Obelisk and the façade of Santa Maria sopra Minerva , hiding masterpieces by Filippino Lippi … Read more
During the Roman Empire the Tiber Bend area was a public training ground for soldiers called the Campo Marzio. With Rome’s fall, the city turned its back on this riverside neighbourhood and, aside from a few foreign settlements, it wasn’t until the 15th century that anything other than a few churches was built here. The … Read more
Down the Peninsula Early Morning Take the MTR to Prince Edward to start at the top of the Kowloon Peninsula, near the old Chinese border at Boundary Street. Take Exit B2 and head to the Bird Garden via the flower shops and stalls on Flower Market Road . Testament to the Chinese love of exotic … Read more
Gritty, proletarian and utterly engrossing, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok provide a heady mix of karaoke bars, dodgy doorways and street markets before terminating in the more upscale apartments of Prince Edward. If Hong Kong has an emotional heartland, then it is these hectic streets, every paving slab the scene of some delicious hustle. … Read more
Information How to get there Spiti valley is only approached via road from Shimla (Kinnaur) or Manali (Kullu road). It takes nearly 2 days driving from Shimla to Tabo or Kaza. We did take a taxi from Shimla (try services from Bandbox Height & Valleys; for $23.5-$25.5 per day including fee of petrol and driver). … Read more
A river flows across it Above the left bank of Spiti River, in the shadow of Himalaya’s rain, lies a beautiful and peaceful land. Covered with snow within 6 months, with temperature falling under -25 degrees Celsius, this highland becomes alive in such a short summer. The winter’s white blanket has melt to reveal a … Read more
Who says you have to rough it on a bootcamp? These breaks promise serious results in luxe surroundings 1. Ibiza’s A-List Hideaway Island idyll: the peaceful side of Ibiza ‘Last time I tried a residential bootcamp, it was hardly glamorous – I spent it in a wet West Country field, covered in mud and sheep … Read more
Each month Alice Holland will entertain us with her daily struggles to manage her new life in New York City. The Adventures Of Alice In New York A Brief Introduction… I moved to New York City almost one year ago, escaping the humdrum but secure life as a biological science researcher at Vanderbilt University in … Read more
With the huge success of The Killing, Borgen and The Bridge, Scandinavia has kept us all riveted to our TVs. But it also offers a very tempting smorgasbord of outdoor pleasures, says travel editor David Wickers. Norwegian Wood With its wonderful mountains coastline, Norway has much to offer visitors A third of Norway is forested, … Read more
Where the Taw and Torridge rivers meet on the North Devon coast is the old boat-building village of Appledore, with its narrow streets of fishermen’s cottages jostling down to the quay. Most of the gardens are pocket handkerchiefs, and many of the houses have no outside space at all – so Val and Gavin Robbins’ … Read more
Pubs, Bars & Discos Ankerklause An unrefined but hugely popular late-night place for students and artists. Kottbusser Damm 104 030 69 35 649 Riverside at Ankerklause Yorckschlösschen A pub-restaurant with a great Old Berlin feel. Live jazz concerts at the weekend. Yorckstr. 15 030 215 80 70 Mister Hu Thanks to its magnificent cocktails this … Read more