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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Asia has long lured foreign travellers to explore its wing- tipped temples, devour its spicy dishes and leave with its luscious silks. Seen and done it all, or simply crave an extra kick in the inerary? This vast region offers an equally diverse array of adrenaline pumping adventures without sacrificing the luxuerious comforts for which … Read more

Macau Asia: The Tower and The Glory There are adrenaline rushes galore from the top pf Macau’s centrepice building, The Macau Tower, but find time to lose your shirt in one of the city’s famous casinos The Macau Tower Skywalk Most visitors to Macau get their adrenaline rush at the high- stakes casinos or watching … Read more

Asia Japan: Pilgrim’s Progress Learn the ways of the ancient travellers on a trek following in the footsteps of 9th century Buddhist scholar and high priest Koho Daishi across the cherry blossomed- landscape of Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Japanese believers don a byakue (pilgrim) white coat and conical hat while carrying the traditinal kongotsue walking … Read more

Asia ThaiLand : Live and Let That The southeast Asian jewel is a mix of natural delights and wondrous animals, and the hedonistic bustle of its capital city Phuket Two hours’ drive borth of Phuket is a rainforest thougt to be older the the Amazon. Here, on the edge of Khao Sok National Park, a … Read more

Asia VietNam: Take the Coast Road The sinous coastline of Vietnam provides a natural haven of calm with spas nestled amongst bays, forests and beaches ConSown Island Even those who normally prefer to limit their holiday adventures to sunbathing and spas will want to climb the stone steps at one end of Six Senses Con … 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

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

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

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

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