Rome – Around Town : Around the Pantheon (part 3) – Cafés, Gelaterie and Bars, Places to Eat

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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

Washington, D.C – Around Town : The White House and Foggy Bottom (part 1)

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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

Back To The Future – The Best Retro Places To Stay And Play (Part 3)

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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

Santa Monica – California’s Surfing Paradise

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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

Enter The Land Of Dragon (Part 1)

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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

Enter The Land Of Dragon (Part 2)

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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

Enter The Land Of Dragon (Part 3)

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13. Sutra River A trip on Chang Jiang River I felt very small when taking a downstream trip on Asia’s longest river and I did be made smaller by lofty defiles and stunning views. A trip on Chang Jiang River may be a slow one for many people. That feeling grows when standing on the … Read more

10 Reasons To Visit Prague (Part 2)

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Ornately adorned, the Municipal House is a great example of Art Nouveau architecture and houses the magnificent Smetana concert hall, which regularly hosts symphony orchestras. It also contains a couple of restaurants catering to the varied appetites of visiting culture vultures. The swanky fine-dining Francouzska Restaurant (www.francouzskarestaurace.cz) features hearty French-inspired fare such as coq au … Read more

10 Reasons To Visit Prague (Part 1)

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Prague is a city of alchemy and magic, of history and intrigues, and, as former resident Marlet Le Roux reveals, it sustains body and soul with hearty fare and free-flowing drink Prague City 1.    Beefing up Flanked by exquisite Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic architecture, the cobbled Old Town Square dates back to the 12th century … Read more

San Francisco – Around Town : Central Neighborhoods (part 1)

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As with every quadrant of San Francisco, diversity is the keynote here. This area encompasses the oldest money and the highest society of the city’s founding families, as well as some of the poorest of citizens. It takes in the staunchest pillars of the politically savvy – though true conservatives are a rarity in this … Read more

Berlin – Around Town : Kreuzberg & Schöneberg (part 1)

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Kreuzberg is possibly Berlin’s most notorious district, and it definitely qualifies as its most colourful area. Here, in historic tenement blocks that are slowly but surely being renovated, Turkish families live next door to drop-outs and alternatives, artists and students. Social tensions, still characteristic of Kreuzberg today, make this a varied and interesting district – … Read more

Berlin – Around Town : Kreuzberg & Schöneberg (part 3) – Pubs, Bars & Discos, Restaurants & Cafés

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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

Our Gin & Tonic Garden

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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

The Latest Scandi Thrillers!

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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