Toronto – Streetsmart – Shopping Tips, Accommodation & Dining Tips

Shopping Tips The Colonnade, Bloor Street West Store Hours Most shops are open 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday (often later on Thursday). Department stores and shops in malls and commercial districts may keep longer hours, from 10am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday, and from noon to 5pm on Sunday. Widely observed retail holidays are … Read more

Washington, D.C – Streetsmart : Moderately Priced Hotels, Budget Hotels

Moderately Priced Hotels Note: Unless otherwise stated, all hotels accept credit cards, and have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning The Latham Hotel Best known locally as the home of the top-rated Citronelle restaurant, this is a fine hotel in an excellent Georgetown location. Distinctive two-story carriage suites provide a gracious home base. The poolside patio … Read more

Washington, D.C – Streetsmart : Historic Hotels, Luxury Hotels

Historic Hotels Note: Unless otherwise stated, all hotels accept credit cards, and have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning Willard Inter-Continental This is certainly among the most historic of hotels. Epochal events, including the birth of the League of Nations, were discussed here by principal figures. Royalty from all over the world have been guests. 1401 … Read more

Madrid – Around Town : Chueca and Malasaña (part 1)

Two of Madrid’s most lively barrios lie just off the Gran Vía. Chueca was originally home to the city’s blacksmiths and tile makers. Run down for many years, it has enjoyed a renaissance after being adopted by Madrid’s gay community – the area puts on its glad rags every summer for the Gay Pride celebrations. … Read more

Chinese Cities (Part 2)

In Kunshan, Yangcheng Lake, we went to the hotel that is built and owned by government in the large lake area. State hotel always has best location. We came there nearly in the end of the hairy crab season, a specialty in the lake, which is appreciated highly that no boats except for primitive boats … Read more

Rome – Around Town : Ancient Rome (part 1)

This area has always been a contrasting mix of the highest and the lowest, from the most extravagant luxury to the toughest work-a-day world. In ancient times, the emperor’s lavish palaces were built on the Palatine, but they weren’t far from the docks, where roustabouts heaved the tons of goods that were imported to the … Read more

Chinese Cities (Part 1)

From flowed energy of modern Shanghai to the pleasingattraction of ancient Suzhou, China is a timeless journey. Damn it! I mean the dam or rather the levee along the Huangpu is the place for tourists to visit in Shanghai. Fortunately for me, I was in Bund when they came at sunrise, enjoyed the hospitality of the imposing Lady. Cathay … Read more

Location Shoot, Bavaria (Part 4)

I arrive back in Munich in the early evening and it’s still snowing, although to a lesser degree. The next step is to navigate my way through the commuters and onto the local train to my hotel. Once there, I meet Claudia Mitchell from the Bayern tourism office and we head out for something to … Read more

Far From The Madding Crowd

Sunlight glistened on the crisp, white snow and fluffy clouds raced across the blue sky. What a superb final day for my three-day cross-country skiing trip, I thought, as I looked out of the hotel window that morning. But Mother Nature had other plans. As we – myself and two Italian women – set off … Read more

Location Shoot, Bavaria (Part 3)

A couple of hours later and I’m pulling into Klais, which is right down near the Germany/Austria border having travelled through some increasingly mountainous terrain along the way. The snow has also increased considerably too and by now it has covered everything with a generous layer of the white stuff. Amazingly, everything continues to function … Read more

Location Shoot, Bavaria (Part 2)

Later that day, I travel onwards via train to the small town of Inzell, which is another pleasant surprise, located as it is roughly mid-way between Munich and Salzburg. I arrive there after switching to the bus after a twenty minutes or so transfer from Traunstein, where I left the train. It’s snowing heavily when … Read more

Chicago – Streetsmart – Luxury Hotels, Historic Hotels

Luxury Hotels Unless otherwise stated, all hotels accept credit cards, have private bathrooms, air con, non-smoking rooms, and rooms with DA Ritz-Carlton The Ritz has it all – superior service, an award-winning dining room, spa, and state-of-the-art-business facilities. Impressive views complement the classic furnishings and fine art in its spacious guest rooms, but it’s the … Read more

Mad About India

Whether it’s exotic adventures, spiritual nourishment or stunning scenery and wildlife, the Indian subcontinent has an experience to thrill everyone. India is on the boil. There is no other country that offers the diversity, the complexity, the weirdness and human drama as India. Not least among its virtues is the balm of spirituality, not always … Read more

Rome – Around Town : The Esquiline and Lateran (part 1)

In ancient times the largest of Rome’s seven hills was almost entirely residential, consisting mostly of upper-class villas. The western slope of the quarter, just behind the Imperial Fora was considered rather unhealthy as it was densely populated – the massive wall at the back of the Fora was intended to keep the squalid slum … Read more