Restaurants and Teahouses Duyichu Centuries-old corner snack shop serving baozi (steamed buns). 36 Qian Men Dajie 6702 1555 Lao Beijing Zhajiang Mian Da Wang Bustling institution serving traditional Beijing snacks. Kitsch but cheap and very tasty fare. 29 Chongwen Men Wai Dajie 6705 6705 Fengzeyuan Specializes in Shandong cuisine, which is heavy on soups and … Read more
Lambeth Palace The Archbishop of Canterbury’s official London residence is a famous riverside landmark. It dates from the 13th century, but it is the red-brick Tudor Gatehouse, dating from 1490, that gives the palace a distinctive appearance. Lambeth Palace Road SE1 Closed to the public Tudor gatehouse, Lambeth Palace Houses of Parliament Savoy Hotel London’s … Read more
A Day South of Tian’an Men Square Morning Start on Tian’an Men Square, at the southeast corner beside the stripey brick Old Qian Men Railway Station, built by the British in 1901, partly to bring military forces straight to the assistance of foreigners in the event of a repeat of the siege of the Boxers. … Read more
Science Museum Natural History Museum Madame Tussaud’s One of London’s most popular attractions, this is where you can see everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Queen. A Spirit of London ride takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the city’s history. The famous Chamber of Horrors puts you face-to-face with London’s most infamous criminals and … Read more
The Qian Men (front gate) at the southern end of Tian’an Men Square was once part of the inner city walls. These divided the imperial quarters of the Manchu emperors from the “Chinese city,” where the massed populace lived apart from their overlords. Walking south from the gate you are immediately plunged into a network … Read more
This year’s Hot List vovers 29 countries from Argentina to Vietnam. The 60 hotels in our final selection were chosen from hundreds of suggestions from our correspondents worldwide. Despite the economic climate there were many strong contenders; and the best vary from futuristic towers to ocean- edge villas and revamped grandees dames. Plus, in this … Read more
A Day in Charlottenburg Morning Begin your tour of Charlottenburg at Breitscheidplatz and stroll down Kurfürstendamm in a westerly direction. Turn left into Fasanenstraße to visit the Käthe-Kollwitz-Museum and to see the Literaturhaus. You could stop for a mid-morning breakfast at Café Wintergarten in the Literaturhaus, before going back up Fasanenstraße in a northerly direction. … Read more
A Day in The Loop Morning Start early with breakfast at the charming Atwood Café in the lobby of the historic Hotel Burnham , with its beautifully reconstructed interior. Then stroll a block west to Daley Plaza to see the giant unnamed Picasso sculpture, stopping off at the Hot Tix booth at 78 W Randolph … Read more
Malaga: Carmen Thyssen Museum Carmen Thyssen Museum, Malaga Baroness Carmen Thyssen- bornemisza already had one museum to her name, the Museo Thyssen- Bornemisza in Madrid, but that was full up with her late husband’s collection and she needed somewhere to show her own. For Malaga, the prospect of Dona Carmen’s artworks residing in the city, … Read more
Sophisticated Charlottenburg is a haute bourgeoisie enclave and was the only district of Berlin that did not rub shoulders with the Wall. The historical streets off Ku’damm feature small cafés, restaurants, art galleries and boutiques, based in stout residential houses from the beginning of the 20th century. These streets and Charlottenburg’s proud town hall remind … Read more
Named after the ring of elevated train tracks that encircle it, this is downtown Chicago’s core, and the city’s financial and governmental hub. Abuzz with laptop-toting business folk during the week, the Loop is transformed on weekends when a veritable shopping frenzy erupts along its famous State Street. Those thirsty for culture also come flocking … Read more
Culture is more boom than bust in Spain with a flurry of exciting new and revamped museums opening nationwide. For lovers of museums, Spain is surely one of the world’s happiest hunting- grounds. The range is enormous: the Ministry of Culture can only estimate that there are ‘more than a thousand’ museums nationwide. Even the … Read more
Whatever you’re looking for in a tropical island family holiday, you’ll find it at Club Med Phuket. 1. Sun and water Club Mcd Phuket lies right on the kilometer-long stretch that is the beautiful Kata Bay in the Andaman Sea. The balmy water of the bay is perfect — we floated on the gentle swells … Read more
On Shrove Tuesday, ski carnival is celebrated in the Alps. The best known is held at Firstalm – there’s a prize for the best costume. Curling and a trial of strength called Fingerhakeln (finger wrestling) are traditional Bavarian sports. Schäfflertanz Every seven years, the Dance of the Coopers is performed to commemorate the end of … Read more
Compass House, St Ives Not many places combine coast and culture with the aplomb of St Ives. The best thing about staying here is that, after ticking off sights such as the Tate, you have time to enjoy the town’s other charms- eating freshly caught crab, exploring artists’ studios among the cobbled streets- when the … Read more
Wine Country Taking at least a day to drive up into the Napa-Sonoma hill country should be on everyone’s list. Not only is the countryside beautiful, but you can also sample some of the best wines in the world, and dip into the restorative volcanic hot springs that feed the area . California wine Muir … Read more
Sport & Wellness Allianz Arena The Allianz Arena in Fröttmaning, in the north of Munich, was built for the city’s two football clubs. Designed by architects Herzog and de Meuron, the transparent façade can be illuminated in white, red, or blue (the colours of the clubs). Holding 66,000 spectators, the stadium includes an enormous food … Read more
The Village, Watergate Bay The Village, Watergate Bay Watergate Bay is justly renowned for its beachside hotel and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant, both of which are packed for much of the year. Until recently, there has been a lack of decent seft- catering accommodation in the immediate vicinity, but a couple of smart new developments … Read more
Annapolis, Maryland This enticing city on the Chesapeake Bay is one of the great sailing centers on the East Coast as well as being home to the US Naval Academy. It has a bustling business district and numerous historic houses, such as the home of William Paca, the governor who signed the Declaration of Independence. … Read more
Downtown Shopping Spree Mid-morning Stop at Westlake Center and grab an espresso and pastry at the stand in the plaza before window-shopping Westlake’s indoor mall. Inside, Made in Washington offers a large and creative inventory of regionally produced merchandise. Walk across Pine Street to find Nordstrom’s spacious flagship store, stocked with top designer brands and … Read more