Sicily may have produced the real Shakespeare. Michelangelo Florio Crollalanza was born in Messina in 1564, and is known as a writer of plays. During a religious crackdown by the enforcers of papal authority, the young Calvinist fled to England, aged 24, and settled with his mother’s cousin in Stratford-upon-Avon. Crolla derives from the verb … Read more

Switzerland’s Italian-speaking canton is a sensuous land of lakeside beaches, unspoilt valleys, literary greats and mountain peaks. Lee Marshall salutes the Swiss Riviera The Restaurant Seven in Ascona One day, while exploring one of the many valleys of Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, I stopped to give a lift to a hiker. He turned … Read more

The latter is famous for its dam, featured in the opening, 220-metre bungee-jumping stunt of the 1995 Lames Bond film GoldenEye, which anyone can now repeat (apart from the hit at the end where Pierce Brosnan shoots a piton into the rock to stop himself springing back up) thanks to the commercial bungee-jumping operation set … Read more

This is a part of Switzerland that has long attracted writers, artists and mystics. On the hillside above Ascona, Monte Verita (“Hill of Truth”) was a commune before such things were fashionable. Founded in 1900 as a “co-operative vegetarian colony” by the son of a Belgian businessman, it quickly became a mecca for well-heeled anarchists … Read more

Berlin’s green south, which includes the districts of Grunewald and Dahlem, is dotted with numerous lakes, rivers, small castles, private estates and residential villas, leafy roads and cafés for daytrippers. Grunewald and Dahlem have managed to preserve their rural character, although affluent and famous Berliners have always built their houses here. There are many attractions … Read more

A Day in the South Morning Start your morning walk through Berlin’s southern districts by taking the S-Bahn (line S1) to Mexikoplatz. Here you can admire the beautiful villas and the lovely green square before dropping in to Café Krone in Argentinische Allee for a late breakfast. After refreshments, continue on foot or by bus … Read more

Here there is a rich mix of things to do. Sights range from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament to the Tate’s stunning art institutions, the Southbank Centre and Shakespeare’s Globe. In between there’s the spectacular London Eye and other entertainments around County Hall, former headquarters of the Greater London Council. Two new footbridges … Read more

A Day By the River Morning Start at Waterloo with breakfast and a self-guided tour of the Marriott Hotel, based in the splendid former headquarters of the Greater London Council. Cross Westminster Bridge to visit Westminster Abbey and nearby St Margaret’s Church. Continue along Abingdon Street to Lambeth Bridge and re-cross the river. Have a … Read more

Beer Bars Le Sous-Bock A good place for moules (mussels), with 400 types of beer to wash them down with. There are also 200 whiskies. 49 rue St-Honoré, 75001 Le Sous-Bock Quigley’s Point Right in front of Eglise St-Eustache, this friendly Irish pub serves beer from Holland, Germany, Ireland and Britain. 5 rue du Jour, … Read more

Historical Events in Les Halles Roman Era A marketplace was first established on the Right Bank of the Seine in a place then called Les Champeaux. 10th Century A larger market for meat, fruit and vegetables is known to have existed in the part of Paris which is now Les Halles. 1183 The market is … Read more

Places to Eat Dans le Noir For brave souls only, this pitch-black restaurant provides a unique dining experience. 51 rue Quincampoix, 75004 01 42 77 98 04 No lunch weekdays No disabled access Au Pied de Cochon Long-time Les Halles favourite. If your taste is not for offal, there are options such as oysters and … Read more

These two ethnic enclaves are among the most colorful parts of the city. Each was settled by early immigrants, who preserved their own language, customs, and food in the midst of the new and foreign land. Little Italy has dwindled to a few blocks, but it is still an atmospheric center of authentic Italian food … Read more

A Stroll Around Chinatown and Little Italy Morning Take the No. 6 train to Spring Street, walk past Lafayette, and turn down Mulberry Street for a stroll through Little Italy. Don’t miss the old-fashioned food shops on Grand Street, such as cheese specialist Alleva Dairy (188 Mulberry Street at Grand) and Piemonte Co. (190 Grand … Read more

Restaurants Great N.Y. Noodletown The decor is simple and so is the menu, with wonderful soups, noodles, meat dishes, and creatively prepared seafood. 28½ Bowery St at Bayard St 212 349 0923 No credit cards Great N.Y. Noodletown Joe’s Shanghai The Chinatown branch of the Flushing (Queens) restaurant famous for its soup dumplings (look for … Read more

Shops to Drain your Bank Account Louis, Boston Louis offers the city’s most rarified shopping experience. The main attractions here are classically handsome Brioni suits, sharp Jil Sander leather pumps, and Apothecary cosmetics. 234 Berkeley St Closed Sun Shreve, Crump & Low The country’s oldest retail jeweller has seen its diamonds grace the fingers of … Read more

Nightclubs & Bars Top of the Hub Lounge Talk about a view: 52 stories above Back Bay, this bar dazzles with sweeping views, live jazz, and a wicked gin martini. Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston St Closes 1am Sun–Wed Top of the Hub Lounge Daisy Buchanan’s Professional athletes, models, and local professionals are drawn to Daisy’s … Read more

The eastern part of Toronto is a region of contrasts. Some of the city’s grandest old mansions remain along the stately streets of Jarvis and Sherbourne, though many of these homes were abandoned for years and have only in the past few decades undergone renovation and gentrification. The same is true of Cabbagetown, originally a … Read more

A Cabbagetown Stroll Morning Begin your day with an espresso at Jet Fuel, 519 Parliament St. After your caffeine jolt, turn right and walk north to Wellesley St, then turn right again and walking east to take in the charming Victorian architecture. Note the strange animal and face carvings on No. 314. Explore the lanes … Read more

Harriet Stigner – Braves saddle sores on a six-day horse ride in India Day 1 Touching down in Delhi Airport, I then embark on an eight-hour coach journey to the Dundlod Fort Hotel. On the way, I get to know the 28 women I’ll be travelling with: there’s a real mix of ages and abilities, … Read more

A worthy cause After enjoying the luxury of a proper shower at our hotel in Delhi, we set off across the Yamuna River to visit a mule-powered brick kiln. It’s amazing what The Brooke has done here in two years. The families proudly show us the horse clippers, first-aid kits and water pumps that The … Read more