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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Mount Rainier This silent, snowcapped sentinel, the centerpiece of Mount Rainier National Park, is an awe-inspiring active volcano rising 14,410-ft (4,392-m) above sea level. Since the cataclysmic explosion of Mount St. Helens in 1980, the Grand Dame of the Cascades commands new respect for its potentially devastating force. View of Mount Rainier Hikers at Paradise, … Read more
For suggestions about child-friendly city tours and adventure walks, visit www.muenchen.kinder-stadt.de More and more restaurants are offering family-oriented service with children’s menus, booster seats, and even babysitting. Olympiapark From beach volleyball and basketball or skiing and boat rides to climbing tours on the world-famous tent roof at the largest sport, fun and fitness complex in … Read more
For more tours and maps visit www.muenchen.de
Garfield Park Conservatory Beneath glass-domed roofs, flora from around the world thrives in spacious greenhouses. Information panels give the lowdown as you stroll through the conservatory’s six indoor areas that include a Children’s Garden and the Sweet House (containing plants such as cacao, sugar cane, etc). 300 N. Central Park Ave. 312 746 5100 El … Read more
The geographical, spiritual, and historical heart of Beijing, Tian’an Men Square and the Forbidden City together represent a yin and yang arrangement; one is a mind-bogglingly vast, empty, rectangular public space, the other is an even more massive, rectangular walled private enclosure. One represents modern China, complete with its Socialist monuments, refrigerated Great Leader and … 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 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
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
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
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