The Crown at whitebrook – Monmouthshire Wales This seasoned performer has been offering food and accommodation in a pretty, 17th-century cottage since 1971. The secret to its longevity seems to be a combination of location – its Wye Valley setting is both idyllic and easily accessible – and wonderful food. Chef James Sommerin’s insprised, Michelin-starred … Read more
South Africa – Queen Victoria Hotel, Cape Town Queen Victoria Hotel: Queen Victoria Hotel is in a prime Cape Town The new, discreet sister property to Cape Town’s Dock House is tucked away being that hotel in a quiet mews away from the bustle of the harbour development. The Queen Victoria is a study in … Read more
St John Hotel – London Fergus Henderson made his name with the nose-to-tail eating concept he pioneered at St John Bar & Restaurant, and the success oh his offal-dominated menus has led to several spin-offs. The latest, the St John Hotel, opened off Leicester Square in spring 2011 and provides a handy West End location … Read more
Mauritius Long Beach Sugar Beach Resort – Mauritius Long Beach is not a typical Mauritian resort. Developed by Sun Resorts (Sugar Beach, La Pirogue, Le Tousserok), the hotel opened in April 2011 on the 60-acre footprint of the former Coco Beach on the east coast. Its aim: to bring ‘a new vision’ of contemporary chic … Read more
Langford Fivehead – Lower Swell Somerset Less a restaurant with rooms than an upmarket B&B which offers a table d’hôte. Langford Fivehead warrants inclusion for its superb food and gorgeous accommodation. Communal dining isn’t for everyone, but those who book into Peter Steggall and Orlando Murrin’s 15th-century manor know that they’re letting themselves in for. … Read more
Restaurants Battery Gardens This restaurant offers a New American menu with Asian accents, and panoramic views of the harbor. Battery Park, opposite 17 State St 212 809 5508 Gigino’s at Wagner Park Gigino’s delivers excellent Italian food from the Amalfi coast and dazzling views from the sophisticated dining room and the waterfront terrace. 20 Battery … Read more
1. Big cathedral Big cathedral This magnificent church has Gothic domed architecture. It is the 3rd largest church in Europe (after St. Peter Cathedral in Rome and Big Cathedral in Seville). In addition, it is the highlight for center square and this city. Big cathedral was built in 500 years and owned 3,500 art statues, … Read more
The Three Chimneys – Colbost Isle of Skye The Three Chimneys is worth the two-hour trip from Inverness – the nearest airport – for the location alone. Ringed by heather – covered mountains and flanked by a glassy loch; it’s the kind of Caledonian idyll Victorian artists used to risk worsening their consumption for. The … Read more
A Day Exploring Lower Manhattan Morning Begin at Battery Park for a view of the waterfront, and look into Castle Clinton , an 1807 fort, to see dioramas of a changing New York. Then visit the Museum of the American Indian at the U.S. Custom House. Cross to Bowling Green, the city’s first park, then … Read more
Best of the Rest Isartor & Valentin-Musäum Dedicated to the city’s favourite son, Karl Valentin (1882–1948), the Valentin-Musäum is situated in the south tower of the Isartor (14th century). A small room in the tower furnished in turn-of-the-19th-century style houses a café. Im Tal 50 11am–5pm Mon–Tue & Fri–Sat, 10am–6pm Sun Adm www.valentin-musaeum.de Isartor & … Read more
After a great meal, there’s nothing better than climbing into a comfortable bed. Dedicated foodie Rufus Purdy goes from the Kentish coast to the Scottish isles in search of Britain’s best places to eat and sleep. Langford Fivehead in Somerset It has taken the British a while to come around to the idea of a … Read more
Old and new New York meet at the tip of the island. The city was born here under Dutch rule and became the nation’s first capital after the Revolutionary War (1775–83). At the intersection of Broad and Wall streets are the Federal Hall National Memorial, marking the site where George Washington was sworn in as … Read more
Munich’s historic Old Town is also the downtown area. This is where you will find many historic buildings as well as Marienplatz, (the historic central square), and the Residenz. In the past, further expansion was hindered by the Englischer Garten to the northeast and the Isar River to the east. Within the boundaries of the … Read more
Restaurants & Bars Mooo Mooo specializes in extraordinary beef and classic accompaniments at expense-account prices. Wine list includes many stellar names. 15 Beacon St 617 670 2515 Bin 26 Enoteca Neighborhood wine bar with an Italian accent offers a range of small dishes for sharing along with 60 wines by the glass. 26 Charles St … Read more
Vietnam – Anatara Mui Ne Resort & Spa Vietnam – Anatara Mui Ne Resort & Spa The views from the entrance of Anantara are first Vietnam resort embody its Sanskrit name, which means ‘without end’. From the rased exception, guests can peer down at the airy L’Anmien restaurant, with it tables and chairs that spill … Read more
Places to Eat Dubliner Pub An Irish pub with free-flowing pints and good solid food. Try the filet of salmon, lamb with mustard crust or the shepherd’s pie. There is Irish music from 9pm and an outdoor patio in summer. 520 N Capitol St, NW 202 737 3773 Dis. access The Market Lunch This lunchtime … Read more
It is with Junaid that I go for a pre-prandial walk in the morning. At that early hour, the Chittoorappan temple exudes a calm spirituality. The wooden lattice for oil lamps that surrounds all Kerala-style temples, visible in daylight is soot-black with countless years of worship. The temple tank has attracted the first batch of … Read more
A Day Around Eastern Market Morning Before a day of shopping, begin with a bit of history at the Library of Congress , a handsome example of the Italian Renaissance style, with unsurpassed interiors. The first tour is at 10:30am. Turn right to East Capitol Street, right again, and continue one block to the Folger … Read more
The regal approach sets the tone for my stay. An hour’s drive from the Nedumbassery airport in an SUV on smooth roads is of course nothing remarkable but the last leg of my journey, by design, is by private boat. Tableaus of semi-rural Kerala greet us as we putter off from the Varapuzha jetty. A … Read more
Bustling with the business of government, Capitol Hill is also a destination for shopping, entertainment, food and drink, or simply strolling its handsome neighborhood streets. Approached from the west, the area begins with the meticulously landscaped US Capitol complex, which, in addition to the Capitol itself and its giant staff office buildings, includes the splendidly … Read more