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
Information How to get there Spiti valley is only approached via road from Shimla (Kinnaur) or Manali (Kullu road). It takes nearly 2 days driving from Shimla to Tabo or Kaza. We did take a taxi from Shimla (try services from Bandbox Height & Valleys; for $23.5-$25.5 per day including fee of petrol and driver). … Read more
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
A river flows across it Above the left bank of Spiti River, in the shadow of Himalaya’s rain, lies a beautiful and peaceful land. Covered with snow within 6 months, with temperature falling under -25 degrees Celsius, this highland becomes alive in such a short summer. The winter’s white blanket has melt to reveal a … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
Where to stay… Twenty six This original Anderby chalet on the coast dates from the 1950s and has been given a smart modernist makeover. Just the place for a romantic seaside retreat, it sleeps up to five but works just as well for two. Twenty six near Skegness, Lincohnshire. Enq anderbycreek.eu. From $682.5 per week. … Read more
As the fashion world is swept up by nostalgia, we check out the best Retro places to stay and play When the Turner Contemporary gallery opened in Margate last year, it didn’t just entice a run of art-loving hipsters to Tracey Emin’s childhood stomping ground. It also encouraged a clutch of specialist vintage stores to … Read more
A Day Exploring 17th Street NW Morning Begin your day with a tour of Decatur House , a gorgeous Neo-Classical mansion. After the tour, turn left and walk to the end of the block; turn left onto 17th St, NW, and continue one block to Pennsylvania Ave. The Renwick Gallery is on the corner. Don’t … Read more
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
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
A Morning Stroll around the Pantheon Start with a cappuccino at Caffè Sant’ Eustachio . Follow Salita de’ Crescenzi into Piazza della Rotonda and the stunning beauty of the Pantheon . Head down to Piazza di Minerva, with Bernini’s Elephant Obelisk and the façade of Santa Maria sopra Minerva , hiding masterpieces by Filippino Lippi … Read more
A Morning at Alki Beach Experience scenic Alki Avenue via an easy bike ride along a waterfront bike trail (about 3.5 flat miles each way). Begin at Danny’s Leather & Bikes (3422 Harbor Ave SW) where you can rent beach bikes. Facing Danny’s, head left. Near the 1100 block of Harbor Avenue, you’ll notice Don … Read more
The Surf Lodge The hotel’s casual restaurant, right beside the water, looks good – painted wood floors, oversized nautical lights, director’s chairs in vibrant colors – and serves chef Chris Rendell’s creative takes on seafood. Try the mussels in Thai coconut broth or blackened cod with delicate ‘chilli water’. Ditch Witch This food truck, which … Read more
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
A stretch of Elliott Bay separates central Seattle from the peninsula of West Seattle, the city’s oldest and largest district. Connected by a high freeway bridge and a lower span, West Seattle’s proximity to both downtown and the Industrial District has always made it a popular residential area. More than 53,000 people reside here, for … Read more
An expedition to the flats is predicated on teamwork, and success is often dependent on your guide. He poles you gondola-fashion, and also acts as your bird-dog: Yoandry had exceptional eyesight, and put us onto plenty of fish. It’s a constant process of hide and seek, and you need to be an opportunist par excellence. … Read more