Exploring the Port Morning Begin your port passeig (stroll) with a visit to the Museu Marítim , where you can see Barcelona’s status as one of the most active ports in the Mediterranean. From here, head towards the Monument a Colom, and stroll the Moll de la Fusta to admire the Pailebot Santa Eulàlia, which … Read more
We are wading back to the anchored skiff after and slowish morning on the sand-flats, when our guide stops, crouches, and points urgently into the shallow sea. Out goes James’s fly-line, the little shrimp pattern pitches down, a silvery fin wags briefly above the surface. his rod bucks and the reel begins to whizz like … Read more
The heady allure of the Mediterranean permeates Barcelona, and a dip into its azure waters is only a few metro stops (or a brisk walk) away. Barcelona’s beaches were once hidden behind an industrial wasteland, but things changed radically in preparation for the 1992 Olympics. The rallying cry was to create a new Barcelona oberta … Read more
Madeira… Yep, we couldn’t believe it either. But forget your preconceptions as these destinations shake off their package-holiday reputations and reinvent themselves as cool and luxurious places to visit Trendy, Exotic Downtime In Funchal, Madeira The funchal Municipal Gardens are a cool oasis in the summer heat The pool at the Choupana My grandma used … Read more
A Day at the Beach Morning Begin at Sunset Grill, 2006 Queen St E, for breakfast. (The waffles are a local favorite.) Fortified, cross the street and meander toward the lake through Kew Gardens, noting the unusual circular path and rounded windows of Kew Williams Cottage, built in 1902, at the park’s south end. If … Read more
Pubs and Cafés Patisserie Valerie A classic Soho café with a wide range of delicious cakes and pastries: the fresh croissants make it a good place for breakfast. Its Frenchness extends to the Toulouse-Lautrec style cartoons byTerroni. 44 Old Compton Street W1 Maison Bertaux This little corner of Paris in the heart of Soho attracts … Read more
The area surrounding the city proper has expanded rapidly in the last few decades, with suburban bedroom communities popping up around the urban fringe, engulfing fertile farmland. While highway development ensures convenient access to the many sites outside the city, roads can be extremely crowded at rush hour, and it is a good idea to … Read more
A Walk Around the West End Morning Start the day in Trafalgar Square at 10am when the fountains are switched on. You could spend a day at the National Gallery , but limit yourself to an hour, perhaps just visiting the Sainsbury Wing. For coffee, head next door to the Portrait Restaurant at the National … Read more
A Shopping Spree Morning The “T” will deposit you at Downtown Crossings, where you can peruse the fashions and accessories at Macy’s. Then check out H&M (350 Washington St) for the latest Euro styles and DSW Shoe Warehouse (385 Washington St) for fashion shoes at discount prices. The route to Quincy Market down Franklin Street … Read more
London’s West End is where everyone heads for a night out. Clubbers from outside London catch the last trains into the capital and head for its bars and music venues, knowing they won’t leave till dawn. Here are the great theatres of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road, the star-struck cinemas of Leicester Square and, … Read more
The heart of Boston is sandwiched between Boston Common and the harbor. Unlike many US cities, Boston has held tenaciously to its past and there are reminders of nearly four centuries of history embedded in the center of this modern metropolis. The 18th-century grace of historic buildings like the Old State House still shines within … Read more
Three of the best water sports destinations Hotel Eden Roc Ascona, Switzerland Influenced by its close proximity to Italy, Ascona is the charming Swiss town graced with a unique micro-Mediterranean climate that appears to escape the rest of Switzerland. Though the snow-peaked landscape provides a striking backdrop, its other claim to fame is Lake Maggiore, … Read more
On our way back to the hotel, the GPS directs us over the top of a massive hill that overlooks all of Tipperary. It’s nearly dusk, so we decide to ditch the car on the side of the road and enjoy the sunset. There isn’t another soul for miles, just a flock of sheep. This … Read more
13. Get A Beach Body In Mexico Beach view at Tulum This boho hotel at Tulum is where the supermodels come to get picture perfect. You’ll do five hours exercise a day – power-walking, beach workouts, dance, yoga and snorkeling. Meals are low on fat and crabs, but you won’t starve on the healthy menu … Read more
With magnificent architecture, interesting ethnic enclaves, and stand-out museums, Chicago’s Far South encompasses districts such as Hyde Park and Kenwood that merit a journey off the beaten tourist track – despite being bordered to the south by some less-than-welcoming neighborhoods. Hyde Park and Kenwood began life as suburbs for the wealthy escaping the dirty city; … Read more
A trip across IRELAND reveals surprises beyond medieval ghosts and family ties I’m standing in a muddy field in Country Antrim, just outside Belfast, Northern Ireland, surrounded by hundreds of enraged sheep. They’re bleating violently, puncturing the peace of the picturesque emerald countryside as if to say “You don’t belong here”. They’re right. My boyfriend, … Read more
7. Team Games In Devon How do circuits and team games in 52 acres of meadows and orchards, followed by chill-out time in your own luxe cottage in Devon grab you? Expect every day to be different here as military PT instructors take you on a ‘high-energy journey’, including boxing, pool sessions, beach workouts, rock … Read more
Cafés & Bars Stragula A mixed crowd frequents this down-to-earth pub, a popular night-time destination for a beer. Bavarian-Italian food is served at reasonable prices, and there are a few patio tables in summer. Bergmannstr. 66 Café Westend Part café, part bar with food menu. Bowling lanes and pool tables are in the basement. Ganghoferstr. … Read more
A Stroll Around SoHo and TriBeCa Morning The Bleecker Street subway stop is a good starting point to explore Soho’s shops and galleries. Galleries worth a visit are Peter Blum at 99 Wooster St
Who says you have to rough it on a bootcamp? These breaks promise serious results in luxe surroundings 1. Ibiza’s A-List Hideaway Island idyll: the peaceful side of Ibiza ‘Last time I tried a residential bootcamp, it was hardly glamorous – I spent it in a wet West Country field, covered in mud and sheep … Read more