This can all seem like a long time ago in the days of Schengen, EU expansion and budget airlines, but the legacy of these years is still to found stretching across the continent of Europe ‘from Stettin on the Baltic to Trieste on the Adriatic’.

The city that was affected more than any other during this period was Berlin. In the heart of the divided continent was a divided city, the infamous Berlin Wall separating families and loved ones as well as Germans from other Germans. Perhaps it is a result of the ferocity with which the Cold War struck the city that it has been so eager to move on. Reconciliation and development have changed Berlin almost beyond recognition, although some stirring attempts at remembrance exist within that. Checkpoint Charlie is today a mere parody of itself, but the dotted brick line in the streets winding its way through the city where the wall used to be, and especially the killing zone on the eastern side, are eerie reminders of the horror of the wall.

Elsewhere in Europe the legacy can be more tangible or more esoteric. Travelling by train across borders that were once tightly closed, or circling in planes over the outskirts of former Communist cities, the difference in wealth is immediately obvious. The countries of Eastern Europe have metaphorically rushed westwards in the last twenty years but two decades of boom cannot reverse the effects of four decades of stagnation and the most destructive war the planet has ever seen. In things as mundane as un-swept streets, peeling paint and pavements cracks can the legacy of the Iron Curtain be seen.

Across Eastern Europe, drab Communist era tower blocks advertise the land that architecture forgot but these are usually complemented by castles and cathedrals from before the Cold War period or exciting modern buildings demonstrating that dreariness is a thing of the past.

It would be a mistake to think that the legacy of the Iron Curtain is positive on the West and negative on the East. Communism was a harsh and vicious master but it has left the people mostly free of the consumerism and wastefulness obvious in the west. On a more personal note, I love the railway stations of the east. These usually remain from the days of steam and carry with them an atmosphere of romance and anticipation, even, or perhaps especially, when seen through a curtain of rain. Western railway stations are, generally speaking, soulless, unfeeling places that rob travel of any of its romance and turn it into an endurance rather than a pleasure.

Top 5 Berlin Hotels near Checkpoint Charlie

• Mercure Hotel & Residence – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: €97
• Apartments Checkpoint Charlie Berlin-Mitte – Price: €110
• Adina Apartment Hotel – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: €95
• The Mandala Hotel – Luxury Hotel – Room Price: €185
• Hotel NH Berlin – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: €129

Photo of Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin, Germany, by f-l-e-x

The Warsaw University Library, The Agora Building, and Metropolitan all demonstrate a bold commitment to sustainable design rarely seen even in the most progressive cities. The buildings showcase a remarkable blend of technology, aesthetics and function often with a wonderful integration of plant life as an integral part of the architecture.

1. The Warsaw University Library

Designed by Marek Budzyński & Zbigniew Badowski with the landscape by Irena Bajerska, the Warsaw University Library is located east of the city center, falling between the main university campus and the banks of the meandering Vistula River.

The main facade consists of a long and gentle concave curve dominated by green copper and tinted glass. A huge inscription “Biblioteka Uniwersytecka” dominated the top of this curve while 8 large copper panels visualize excerpts from Polish Renaissance writer Jan Kochanowski, Plato, an old-Russian chronicle, Arabic and Indian classics, and from the Bible. To complete the gesture there is a score by composer Karol Szymanowski and sample mathematical formulas engraved on these tablets.

This main street facade is complimented by flanking facades where plants and gardens have grown to dominate the architectural expression. Copper trellises bring vines climbing up the walls, connecting ground to roof garden. A series of hills, ramps and stairs lead the visitor up the side and onto the roof of the building were they are introduced to one of the most magnificent spaces in Warsaw, a 10,000 square meter garden overflowing with colors, textures and smells of flowers and plants, while offering stunning views of the city’s skyline and the gently flowing river. From within and without the building is overflowing with life, making nature a vital element of the building’s expression and thus clearly demonstrating the architect’s aspirations of making a building that is fully integrated into its surroundings.

2. The Agora Building

The Agora Building is also located a bit outside the city center, this time to the south east. Designed by JEMS Architekci - a local firm – the office block contains a magazine and newspaper group and demonstrates the value of how the architecture of a building can promote an egalitarian work environment.This building has grown into a great example of how to combine ecological awareness with innovative design.

The facade consists of a series of wood louvers that act as a sun screen while the seemingly boxlike building has gardens and terraces carved out to both bring natural light into the interior work areas and to provide natural ventilation deep into the structure. Inside, a cascading garden atrium connects the floors and allows for visual connections as well as easy circulation while once again allowing daylight to stream in. Balconies ring the building between the sun screen and the glass curtain wall, giving the workers access the outdoors. Vines have been planted at strategic locations and have slowly grown up the walls to provide a living element in the aesthetics of the building.

3. The Metropolitan

Metropolitan, designed by the world renowned architect Sir Norman Foster, has the most prestigious location of the three being located on Pilsudski Square just outside the historic old town. This building also took the most technological approach to sustainability. Rather than using plants and wood as the main expression, Foster and Partners have opted for a high tech look with sleek glass and metal curtain wall the curves and flows around the site.

A series of vertical stone fins line the facade providing protection from the sun while also serving an important role in the aesthetics of the building – when viewed straight on the building appears to be open and transparent while from the side it becomes a solid stone mass relates to the surroundings. The building wraps around a central plaza with a fountain and planted trees, giving the city a quiet and shaded place for people to gather. It also keeps the building to a manageable depth allowing decent penetration of natural light and ventilation.

These three buildings have not only changed the face of a city but also charted the course into the future of architecture in Warsaw. Most visitors will visit the historic town square, the stalinist tower and other popular tourist destinations but no trip to Warsaw will be complete without seeing these three pillars of a sustainable architectural future.

Top 5 Hotels in Warsaw:

• Mamaison Hotel Regina – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €86
• Polonia Palace Hotel – 4-star Hotel – Room Price:  €72
• Hotel Rialto – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €70
• The Westin Hotel – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €89
• Sheraton Warsaw Hotel – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €113

Photo of the  Warsaw University Library by Jussi-Paavo

Not only is the travel infrastructure slightly more expensive than elsewhere, especially anywhere to the East, but most activities come with a high price as well. This is a short guide of some things to do that are either free or very cheap.

• A visit to Hofburg

The Hofburg is the magnificent former Imperial Palace in the centre of Vienna. There are various museums contained within but these will be of little interest to the budget traveller since they are quite expensive for mediocre experiences, even the National Library charges admission. However, on the inside many of the buildings have been refurbished so that there is little left of their Imperial splendour meaning visitors get more of a feel for the buildings as a palace by remaining outside. The architecture is impressive and the Volksgarten is a gorgeous place to sit back and relax.

• A visit to Zentralfriedhof

Some of the most famous composers in history lived in and around Vienna, which means many of them are still about, buried in the city’s graveyards. The Zentralfriedhof contains the graves of such luminaries as Beethoven, Schubert and both the older and younger Strauss. There are also many more Austrian celebrities whose lives are an enigma to us visitors but learning about their exploits is mostly interesting. Finally, there are two Jewish parts of the cemetery. The older part was systematically trashed by the Nazis but the other one remains in use by the Jewish community of the city.

• The Vienna Prater

Any visitor to Vienna should see the Orson Wells classic The Third Man. Anyone who has will remember the iconic scene in which the Wells character delivers some of the greatest lines in movie history. ‘In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love – they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.’ These lines were delivered aboard the Riesenrad, a Ferris wheel type ride in the Prater, a park on the eastern side of the city centre. Riding the wheel itself is still possible although for a fee, while wondering in the park is completely free.

• A stroll around the Ringstrasse

A good way to see Vienna is to take a stroll around the Ringstrasse. This route will take you past most of the impressive sights as well as along a part of the Danube canal. Brief sidetracks will take you to the Stadtpark or to cafes or bars for refreshments. If you happen to be unlucky with the weather tram routes cover the complete circle so you can finish the journey without getting too wet.

Top 5 Budget Accommodation in Vienna

• Pension Carantania – 3-Star – Double Room Price: from €41
• Suite Hotel 200m zum Prater – 3-Star -Double Room Price: from €52
• Austria Trend Hotel – 3-Star – Double Room Price: from €50
• Hotel Hadrigan – 3-Star – Double Room Price: from €59
• Pension Dr. Geissler – 3-Star – Double Room Price: from €64

Photo of Euro coins and bank notes by Donaldtownsend

Guides to steer us around the eternal city, Top 5s, and the “Best” lists are as a result plentiful to say the least. But we are often ultimately confronted with the harsh reality of the check: glamorous Roman holidays are potentially by no means cheap. The “best” restaurants are often unaffordable. Or, quite simply, we pay much more than what the food actually deserved. Here are some suggestions for upscale but honest, well-priced and truly enjoyable eats and drinks in Rome and beyond.

1. Tutti Frutti

Via Luca della Robbia, 5,

This unpretentious restaurant in Testaccio is certainly worth the visit. The food is 100% seasonal and fresh- and did I mention delicious? Let the friendly owner talk you through the menu (in English-albeit broken- too!) and indulge in pizzelle as a starter, and certainly eventually in desert- even simply in vin santo with traditional Italian biscotti and chocolate. Price: approx. 20-30€ per person.

2. La Vecchia Locanda

Vicolo Sinibaldi, 2, Tel. 0668802831

Oddly enough this little place is hardly reported on, which is a shame- or perhaps a blessing- because it is truly worthwhile. Tucked away in a little alley behind Largo Argentina, this restaurant serves quality food full of ambiance. The wine list is excellent, and in the summer you can sit outside and enjoy the breeze. The insalata di polpo e patate is a recommended starter, the trofie are a divine first course and the steak cooked in Barolo is also very good if you’re interested in a second course. La Vecchia Locanda is certainly worthwhile in terms of food, quality and service- and won’t break the bank. Price: approx. 25-35€ per person.

3. La Cantina Tirolese

- Via G. Vitelleschi, 23, Tel. 0668135297

If you’re in the mood for a slightly different culinary experience from traditional Italian fare head to La Cantina Tirolese, a restaurant behind Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s Cathedral specialized in Tyrolean cuisine- yes, that means Italo-Bavarian. The restaurant is, apparently, one of Pope Ratzinger’s favorites. Especially tasty are the knodel, bourguignonne, and if you really want to lead your palate to Bavaria the strudel. Price: approx. 25-35€ per person.

4. Lago di Martignano- Enoteca Spirito Di…Vino

Via Garibaldi 43/45, Trevignano Romano. Tel. 069999085

If you’re in the mood for a fun and relaxing Saturday, take the train (Roma-Viterbo line) to Anguillara Sabazia, take the bus (from Lepanto metro stop, for instance), or drive up the Cassia, if you’re perspicacious enough to have rented a car, and head to Martignano Lake, approximately 30 km from Rome. During the summer it is a veritable beach but lucky for us is not as frequented as Ostia or actual seaside, coastal locations. The scenery is beautiful, you can buy a beer in one of the several kiosks and even enjoy a horseback ride from the nearby Il Casale di Martignano farm and bed and breakfast. You can also rent boats to take across the lake.

Once you’ve had your fill of the lake, head to Trevignano Romano, a small lakeside town on the much larger but nearby Bracciano lake and have dinner at the Enoteca Spirito…Di Vino, a delightful little restaurant on the lakeside. The owners are friendly and talkative and believe in the relaxing, slow food experience- be prepared to be there for 3 hours or more. But it is certainly worth it- the starters are excellent of course but the best treat at Spirito Di…Vino is the fiocchetti filled with caramelized pear on a bed of melted taleggio cheese. And not to be missed are the polpette (meatballs) of veal cooked in white wine. The wines are excellent, and the desserts, especially the cialde, deserve to be eaten. Price: approx. 30€ per person.

3 Rome Hotels with a Restaurant

• Hotel Excel Roma Montemario – 4-star Hotel – Room Price €75
• Hotel H10 Roma Città – 4-star Hotel – Room Price €144
• Hotel Holiday Inn Rome Parco De’ Medici – 4-star Hotel – Room Price €130

Photo of pasta by Rev.Santino

Christmas is one of the most eagerly anticipated holidays in London. The Christmas break in London usually extends over four days and features cheerful family get-togethers that are characterized by much feasting and gift- exchanging.

Gift exchanging is an important tradition of the Christmas celebrations though shopping for gifts for friends and family is often considered by some folk to be a highly stressful experience as they have to battle hordes of other shoppers in the high street stores which are always jam packed during the festive season. For this reason London, like many other cities around the world hosts animated Christmas markets which give shoppers the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping in one spot.

The Greenwich Christmas Market

Maritime Greenwich is a World Heritage Site which is situated on the bank of the River Thames in South East London. This area is famous for historic landmarks like the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Meridian Line and its Greenwich Market. The Greenwich Market is a covered market which is made up of nearly 120 stalls whose vendors are market traders, up and coming artists and crafts people who retail their works at the market and make it London’s best source for unique gifts , arts and crafts and antiques. The Greenwich Market hosts a special Christmas market every year that features live entertainment, Christmas lights and various other festivities. This Christmas market will be launched this year on Friday, 27th November. Besides the Greenwich Christmas Market, other popular London markets like Camden Market and Carnaby Street also host Christmas Markets which are extremely popular with shoppers they feature products like exclusive jewelry, bespoke fashion items, toys which are perfect as gifts and stocking stuffers.

London Hotel in Greenwich : Holiday Day Inn Greenwich London

Covent Garden Christmas Market

Traditional British Christmas foods like mince pies, Christmas pudding, Figgy puddings and cider are a big part of the Christmas revelry. London’s Convent Garden market which hosts the popular Real Foods Market all year long also has a special Christmas themed market for the festive season which features several traditional British Christmas delicacies which are sourced from local farmers, artisan producers and vendors. The Convent Garden Christmas market also features much live entertainment and music and is open every Thursday and Friday until December 18th for the Christmas season. Similar Christmas food markets are held at London’s other popular foodie heavens like Borough Market, the Slow Food Market at the South Bank and the Cabbages and Frocks Market at Marylebone High Street.

London Hotel near Covent Garden : Euro Hotel

Festive Fairs

Along with specialty Christmas Markets, London also hosts several annual festive fairs like the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair and The British Red Cross Christmas Fair which offer shoppers an additional avenue to shop for gifts for all the family from a wide range of vendors. Both these fairs are held in mid-November and provide early birds a chance to get all their Christmas shopping done before the traditional rush starts.

Christmas Shopping on London’s High Streets

London’s most famous shopping districts like Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street which are collectively known as the West End are usually all dressed up for Christmas adorned as they are with elaborate illumination displays which are popularly known ‘Christmas Lights’. These Christmas Lights are switched on by celebrities at special ceremonies which are held in early November and these lights usually stay on until early January. All the famous British stores that are located here like Marks and Spencer’s, Fortnum and Mason, Selfridges and Hamley’s have their own Christmas promotions and events for the festive season but one of the best days to shop at these stores is on the Traffic Free Shopping Day London which this year is scheduled for Saturday 5th December. On this day, the entire West End like it has for the past five years is transformed into a huge car free pedestrian shopping zone that features much entertainment and festivities along with its many shopping opportunities.

Hotel in London’s West End : The Summer Hotel

Photo of Christmas store in London, UK,  by JohnBurke

But when dinnertime rolls around, even the charms of Paris may not stop you from longing for turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Luckily, the high number of American expatriates in Paris means that the city is used to accommodating hungry Americans on this special holiday: there are quite a few places that can fully satisfy your cravings for food from home.

1. Thanksgiving

The name of this restaurant can leave no doubt that you’ll be getting the real thing come Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving is actually a Cajun restaurant serves a traditional Thanksgiving meal – turkey, candied yams, the works – on Thanksgiving Thursday, plus the Friday and Saturday nights following (since it’s not a holiday in France, it’s common to play fast and loose with the dates for the dinner). Make your reservations as early as possible because tables fill up quickly. If you don’t get a reservation, consider ordering a catered Thanksgiving dinner from the restaurant, for two people and more. And if that doesn’t work out, then simply buy the ingredients you need to make your own dinner from Thanksgiving’s grocery store. The store sells American products, from Stove Top stuffing, to cornbread mix, to jellied cranberry sauce.

Thanksgiving
20, rue Saint Paul 75004 PARIS
Tel: +33 1 42 77 68 29
Web: www.thanksgivingparis.com

Top Paris Hotel in the 4th Arrondissement: Hotel Beaubourg

2. Joe Allen

Joe Allen is an American bistro that has been around for nearly 40 years, and has become an institution in Paris. This is where you go when you’re craving American specialties like barbecued chicken wings, prime rib, or pecan pie. So, it’s no surprise that on Thanksgiving Day, Joe Allen’s is ready to gratify your turkey cravings with a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner. Again, make reservations early!

Joe Allen
30, rue Pierre Lescot 75001 PARIS
Tel : +33 1 42 36 70 13
Web : www.joeallenparis.com
Email for reservations : joeallen@joeallenparis.com

Top Paris Hotel in the 1st Arrondissement: Hotel Relais Saint-Honoré

3. Bistrot St. Martin

This French bistro typically serves French and North African fare – but come Thanksgiving it turns American and serves turkey. Not just turkey, though: you’ll also get carrot soup, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin or apple pie. They also do take-out order if you aren’t able to get a reservation, or would like to have your dinner catered. The Thanksgiving menu is available on Thanksgiving Thursday, plus the Friday and Saturday following.

Bistrot St. Martin
25, rue Louis Blanc 75010 PARIS
Tel : +33 1 46 07 73 68
Web : www.bistrotsaint-martin.com
Email for reservations: lesaintmartin@yahoo.fr

Top Paris Hotel in the 10th Arrondissement: Hotel Windsor Opera

4. Breakfast in America

On Thanksgiving Day, this restaurant is pushing aside its usual menu of pancakes, bacon, and eggs to make room for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Make your reservations now: the restaurant isn’t overly spacious and there are only two seatings: at 7pm and 9pm. (Also note that while there are two Breakfast in America restaurants, only the one on rue des Ecoles will serve Thanksgiving dinner.)

Breakfast in America
17, rue des Ecoles, 75005, PARIS
Tel.: + 33 1 43 54 50 28.
Web: www.breakfast-in-america.com
Email for reservations: bia@gmail.com (give name, number in party, preferred seating time)

Top Paris Hotel in the 5th Arrondissement: Hotel Henri IV

5. La Cuisine Paris

If you think you’ll not only miss eating traditional Thanksgiving food, but also miss preparing it, check out La Cuisine Paris, a cooking school that is offering a class (in English) on Thanksgiving Day. There, you’ll make all the Thanksgiving favorites, including turkey, honey-baked ham, stuffing, candied yams, green beans, and pumpkin pie. Best of all, once you’re done, you’ll sit down at an elegant table to eat it all…and you don’t have to do the dishes!

La Cuisine Paris
89 boulevard St. Michel, 75005 PARIS
Tel : + 33 1 40 51 78 18
Web :  www.lacuisineparis.com
Email for reservations : contact@lacuisineparis.com

Top Hotel on Boulevard St. Michel: Hotel Des Mines

Photo of Thanksgiving cupcake by Lordog

Its summers benefit from this geography making them long and warm. As a result it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Switzerland. For all these reasons the rich and famous flock there garnering it the nickname the “Monte Carlo of Switzerland.”

1. Lake Lugano

The centerpiece of the city’s life is the fact that it is located on the edge of the romantic Lake Lugano. The lake is around 50 square kilometers in size so there is plenty of fun to be had doing whatever a water baby’s heart desires. There are many water taxis and boat rental possibilities as well as a great deal of hotels and restaurants to simply pull in and dock at for a long and lazy shore side meal.

2. Monte Brè

If you haven’t guessed, Lugano’s strong appeal is that it’s all about nature and outdoor activities. If the lake’s scenic views weren’t enough Lugano is surrounded by plush mountains. These mountains afford the largest network of mountain bike trails in the country as well as incredible scenic views and amazing hiking opportunities. One of these mountains is actually Switzerland’s sunniest spot. Monte Brè is tiny traditional village with only 300 inhabitants and well worth a visit. While here if artistically inclined you can visit Wilhem Schmidt Museum and see many examples of the famous Swiss Painter’s work.

3. The Alprose Chocolate Museum

If you have a sweet tooth then you’ve come to the right place. The Alprose Chocolate Museum follows the historical development of chocolate from its creation to present day. Of course, the highlight is the Swiss tradition of chocolate making and don’t worry there are plenty of chances to sample as you study!

4. Hermann Hesse Museum

After all the sun, music and chocolate you can handle why not have a bit of culture for dessert. The Hermann Hesse Museum is located just south off Lugano in Montagnola. The Noble Prize winning author lived half his life here, how could he not be inspired.

5. Summer Festivals

There are music festivals running all through the summer. The Lugano Festival is mainly dedicated to classical music and runs during April and May. It features over a dozen concerts with world renowned orchestras and soloist performing. The second part of the Festival focuses on the Argentinian pianist “Progetto Martha Argerich” in June. This where young and old guest musicians of the international music scene come together to play. Estival Jazz arrives in July and is the premiere Jazz event of Southern Switzerland. Everyone from Miles Davis to Dizzy Gillespie have played at this wonderful event. And if Jazz or Classical music isn’t your style, no worries, because the Blues-to-Bop Festival rolls into town in late August and early September turning the city into a bustling frenzy as thousands crowd the streets and piazzas for more free open-air concerts.

All in all Lugano is the ideal balance between northern Europe and the Mediterranean. It’s the perfect Swiss city with a dash of Mediterranean flair.

Top 5 Popular Hotels in Lugano

• Lugano Dante Swiss Quality Hotel – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 300
• Hotel Walter au Lac – 3-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 225
• Hotel Delfino – 3-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 225
• Parco Paradiso Suitenhotel – 4-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 280
• Hotel Federale – 3-Star Hotel – Room Price: CHF 230

Panoramic view of Lugano, Switzerland, by Valser

Traditional Thai massage (or Nuad Phaen Boran) is a healing art and a spiritual practice, and has little to do with the services that are offered in many of the cheap massage parlours in Bangkok. Thai massage was traditionally practiced in temples and hospitals, and many Thais use it regularly to treat medical problems and to maintain good health.

Traditional Thai massage is part of the traditional Thai system medicine. The massage uses stretching, similar to yoga stretches, and works on acupressure points and energy lines called “sen” that are believed to run through the body like the meridians in Chinese medicine. Unlike the treatments in many of Bangkok’s cheap “massage parlours”, traditional Thai massage is always done with the receiver fully clothed. When arriving at a traditional Thai massage clinic, you can expect to be handed a pair of loose pants and a long-sleeved shirt or a t-shirt to change into for the massage.

Aside from “massage parlours” that offer prostitution, Bangkok is also filled with beauty shops that offer 20-minute massages for incredibly low prices. But to get a genuine, traditional Thai massage one has to do a little bit of searching.

Wat Po Traditional Massage School

Some of the big hotels and spas in Bangkok can have good Thai massage therapists that offer therapeutic massages. But the most respected and possibly the best place in Bangkok to get a Thai massage has for long been Wat Po, the temple of the Reclining Buddha. Wat Po is the home of Thai massage in Bangkok and there are old marble tablets on the walls of the temple that illustrate the theory behind Thai massage. The Wat Po Thai traditional medical and massage school has been operating in the temple since the 1950’s, and it offers courses in Thai massage and gives massage treatments. Both are very popular with Westerners.

Traditionally a Thai massage treatment used to last three hours; today’s busy people can get one- or two-hour massages in Wat Po. The price for a one-hour massage is around THB400 (US$12.00) and for a two-hour massage THB600 (US$18.00), more expensive than at many beauty and massage parlours but a fraction of the cost of the treatment in the West. The Wat Po massage school is open for massage treatments every day, but is very popular, so be prepared to wait for a while if you haven’t booked a treatment in advance.

Top 3 Bangkok hotels offering Thai massage treatments

• Hotel Lebua at State Tower – 5-star hotel on Silom Road
• Baiyoke Sky Hotel – 4-star hotel near Siam Square
• Siam City Hotel Bangkok -  5-star hotel near Siam Square

Photo of Wat Po massage school, Bangkok, Thailand, by Santheo

Photo Credit base10

New York at Halloween is an absolutely transformed place and you can’t help but wonder at all the things you can try out at this time of the year.

Fun Halloween events

New York gives you great options for some spooky fun. Here is a look at what you should check out:

The Village Halloween Parade features some of the most amazing Halloween costumes. You can dress up and take part in the parade or just watch it from any of the surrounding buildings. The parade starts in the evening at 6th Avenue and Spring Street and goes up 6th Avenue to 21st Street.

Halloween isn’t just a time for trick or treating. It’s also the time to explore the eerie parts of this city and the NYC Gotham City Ghost Tour let you do just this. This tour takes you around all the spooky and haunted places in Greenwich Village such as the Washington Square burial ground, the hanging elm, Edgar Allan Poe’s home and so on.

The New City Theatre comes alive every year during Halloween, by playing host to the Annual Halloween Festival and Costume. It’s the place to come for enjoying events such as costume contests, tarot card reading, dancing and much more.

Kids’ fun

Halloween is when kids usually get unusually creative in trying out the spookiest of things. Here are a few places that are bound to be a scary treat:

Visit St. John the Divine on Halloween morning to enjoy a reading of the Night of the Gargoyles and then move on to various workshop activities like making paper masks, gargoyles and much more. The American Museum of Natural History is just right for people who want to celebrate Halloween with their families. Everyone gets to have a great time participating in time honored Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and much more with many other families. And as the saying goes, the more, the merrier!

Costume couture

If you want to enjoy the best of the macabre fare in New York, you will definitely need a look that befits the occasion. There are many many many places to choose from. One interesting place is New York Costumes. This place has a wide selection of costumes and you can find movie-theme costumes, scary costumes, fun costumes and much more here for your costume ball. I also found the Abracadabra Superstore to be really impressive as it offers not only really flamboyant costumes, but also a wide range of accessories to enhance your preferred look. Those who are looking for a good costume rental store should try out Creative Costume. This store provides some of the best rental costumes and you will find their rates to be really reasonable.

This is just a bare bones guide. After all, we’re talking about New York! So get out there and discover the hair-raising magic of Halloween in NYC!

Photo of Jack ‘o lanterns in New York by Angela Rutherford

Walking Off The Big Apple lists some of the best things to do for Halloween Week in New York. This year’s special events include ‘Halloween Wonder Cabinet’ at the New York Institute for the Humanities, ‘Talk to the Dead with Concetta Bertoldi’ at the Gramercy Theater as well as All Souls’ Day celebrations  and more scary Halloween parades, shows, parties and exhibitions in NYC.

With over 50,000 costumed participants and 2 millions spectators, the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade is one of the craziest events in Manhattan.  Check out BrilliantTips for more info of  this not to be missed Halloween party in New York.

Things to do for Halloween in Rome

Tourism in Italy recommends the best places to visit in Rome on Halloween from the city’s catacombs to Dario Argento’s ‘Profondo Rosso’ shop of horros the the Museum of Zoology which organizes the ZooHalloween party.

Halloween Festivities in Paris

I Prefer Paris shares photos of Halloween graffiti posters taken on the Champs Elysées and recommends the Tim Burton Film Festival  and the Rocky Horror Picture Show to the travelers visiting Paris during the Halloween season.

Día de los Muertos Destinations

Matador Trips lists the best places to celebrate Día de los Muertos including Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area in California as well as Mexico City and more destinations in Latin America.

Photo of Jack ‘o lanterns by Just Us 3

It’s a sure thing that you will be spoilt for choice! Where better to celebrate the outlandish and macabre than in one of the fun-est locales in the world? Here are some options I thought look interesting.

Hallowing Shopping

If you are seriously thinking of looking the part this year, here’s where to head to:

The Piedmont Boutique’s in-house creations will make it so easy for you to create a look that’s both lively and rare. If tramping around to innumerable stores, for Halloween costume, decorations and party essentials is not your thing, the One Stop Party Shop has all of it under one roof. If like me, you are always looking for a great deal at rock bottom prices, Thrift Town has costumes for less than $10. If you’d like to raise the bar a notch, add some professionally done make-up this year. Kryolan in SOMA will give you 20% off on its Fun Faze line. Kryolan is also taking Halloween makeup appointments for Oct 30 and 31st. So happy shopping!

Kids’ fun

If the young ‘uns are bored with tricking and treating and would rather skip it this year, here are some places that promise a great time:

The USS Hornet Museum in Alameda has a Monster Bash, which is sure to be a great hit for the more nautical minded youngster. The Yerba Buena Children’s Gardens has the annual costume walk for kids under 10. Parents are allowed too! Got an intellectual tyke? The Exploratorium’s annual Halloween extravaganza will teach junior about all the creepy creatures that make Halloween so fascinating. There’s also a chance to explore a haunted Victorian!

For the older ‘kids’

Halloween is one of San Francisco’s favorite holidays. So the party hotspots are not hard to find. Here are some I would check out:

The Halloween party with Buzzin’ Fly founder Ben Watt at 103 Harriet will definitely be time well spent. Mighty is celebrating Halloween with HALLONASTY. The event promises some nasty DJing and an open vodka Red Bull bar from 9pm-10pm. Not to be missed is the Ghoulish Gala at the Legion of Honor. Open bars, delicious food and a 2500-year-old Egyptian mummy who loves to party…such fun! Then there’s the SF Halloween Ball at City Hall which is advertised as the ‘largest upscale Halloween Costume Party in San Francisco.’ You would not want to miss that. The Haunted Ball finds Ana Mandara turned into a haunted mansion that has music by DONOVAN and a $1000 cash prize for the best costume. But hurry, because tickets always sell out early!

This is just a very select listing of the fun to be had. So use this as a start to plan your own festivities and Happy Halloween to all!!

Haunted Hotels in San Francisco

• Hotel Queen Anne – 3-star hotel  in Pacific Heights, San Francisco.
• Hotel Union Square – 3-star hotel close to Union Square, San Francisco.

Photo of Halloween pumpkins by KayVee.INC

And I should know. I’m one of those travelers that voraciously reads every book I can get my hands on before I travel to a new place. One of the reasons I chose Turin to stay for several months was the fact that there is so little written about it. It is most often a footnote listed after Milan in books about the Piemonte and Northern Italy. However, the city is quite the treasure trove of interesting history. So here are nine completely random facts you probably won’t find in any guidebook on Turin….

1. Black Magic and Piazza Statuto

Those who are superstitious or wary of so-called “black magic” or satanism would do well to avoid Piazza Statuto, near the train station Porta Susa. Built on top of an ancient Roman necropolis (”a city of the dead”), the square was once a place where prisoners were tried and executed. The piazza is said to be one point of a black magic triangle that includes London and San Francisco (really? I know San Fran is a den of sin and all but…). In case you were wondering, the white triangle consists of Lyon, France, and Prague. Also, it is said that satanic rituals still take place here, near a small obelisk, now conveniently scrawled with “666″s and upside down crosses. Of course, this is ignoring the fact that the obelisk is a relatively recent geographic marker, and marks a line of 45 degree latitude. Even better…look to your right and there are the gates of hell!!! Or, just a manhole cover…you decide.

2. Punto Positivo

This point, in the middle of the gates to Palazzo Reale in the Piazza Castello, is where the “white energy” from Gran Madre meets the “black energy” from Piazza Statuto. The Holy Shroud, once stored in the nearby church (and now hidden in a secret place while the the church’s dome is rebuilt) was on public display on this spot at one point in its history. Supposedly, this is is where thousands of pilgrims came to pray on their way to Rome, and you rub it for good luck. I’m not sure if it has brought me good luck yet, but perhaps it lost some of its power due to the years and years that the piazza was a parking lot for everyone’s FIATs.

3. Gran Madre

Yet another source of “white energy,” this time streaming from the fact that supposedly the Holy Grail has been buried beneath the church for 300 years. The evidence for this is based in the fact that one of the statues straddling the entrance steps is holding a chalice up to the sky, but whose eyes are strangely looking down towards the ground. The inside of the church is remarkably spare and white compared to other churches in Italy, which lends a bit of credibility to its storied hiding place.

4. The Roman Quarter / Quadrilateral Romano / “Party Central”

Ah yes…the “Soho” of Turin if you will… This area of town used to be one of the more dangerous and avoided areas of Turin until the city decided to take a few years to fix it up. Now, it’s chock full of hipster Italians and festive (and expensive) wine bars every 20 feet. It’s within the old Roman boundaries of the city, so has the “dark winding narrow cobblestone streets” that tourists crave in Italy as well. It also lays claim to being yet another source of “black energy” in the city. The evidence for this? One of the crossroads within the Quarter contains four buildings all with crazy, angry animal faces glaring from above each doorway, apparently in effort to keep the evil spirits at bay.

5. The Lovers of Ponte Vittorio Emanuale I

Turin has its own version of the famed Ponte Milvio in Rome. Thanks to a best-selling book by Federico Moccia and a subsequent movie, (and now, by a moderately cheesy website: lucchettipontemilvio.com) the bridge in Rome is covered by padlocks on chains, put there by lovers who then throw the key into the river below, proclaiming the permanence of their love. I’ll be honest, when I saw the padlocks on the bridge over the Po River near Gran Madre, I thought they were a desperate attempt to stop people from stealing the flower boxes that line the railings. Now that I learned the real reason, even if it’s a newly made up tradition, it’s still a little bit of romance on my daily stroll.

6. The Legend of the Mole Antonelliana

Legend has it that it is very bad luck for university students to set foot near this fabulous structure until after they graduate! This seems hard to do considering it offers such great views of Turin, and it’s smack dab in the middle of the school’s campus.

7. Panettone

Part of the way to avoid getting killed while walking around in Turin is to keep a concrete barricade between yourself and the cars as often as possible. Case in point, the Taxi that this very morning was driving down the sidewalk straight at me, just so it could get around a bus… The most common barricade is lovingly called a Panettone, since its dome shape is very similar to the famed Milanese cake usually eaten during Christmas.

8. Luci d’Artista

Perhaps kept away during winter by Turin’s reputation as “the Detroit of Italy,” or its horrific weather (think grey and wet like Seattle, but much colder), most tourists never see the Luci d’Artista. Turin, as always straddling both the old and the new, puts on amazing light show starting around the middle of November. Contemporary artists from around the world install amazing light displays, from angelic blue halos surrounding Monte dei Cappuccini, to representations of the constellations stretching down a main thoroughfare. It’s a sight to behold.

9. Torinese Yellow (Giallo)

Get to know a true resident of Turin well enough, and invariably the 2006 Winter Olympics will come up. First, the Olympics had a massive effect on not only the city, but also the psyche of its residents. It’s also one of the reasons there are so few tourists here in this hidden gem, even though it is the fourth largest city in Italy. As recent as 10 years ago, Turin was a “closed” city. Everything took place behind closed doors in the courtyards behind the porticoed facades of the buildings. Wealth and fashion was understated, and the rich chocolate history of the city was virtually a secret society. In preparation for the Olympics, the city made a conscious decision to update the city’s master plan (a plan in which even Napoleon had a part!). Parking was created underground creating beautiful piazzas for socializing (including the largest in all of Europe, Piazza Vittorio), cars were limited within the city center creating pedestrian thoroughfares, buildings were cleaned of decades of industrial soot and repainted, and the people of Turin woke up! Nowadays, you cannot find a seat outside during lunch, the piazzas are full of people walking arm in arm, and many new delicious restaurants, hotels, chocolate shops, and discos were born. Part of this reinvention was the abandonment of “Torinese Yellow.” It is an unfortunate maize color (made worse by cloudy skies) that was in fashion for centuries. Even Palazzo Reale was a dingy yellow before being painted it’s current French-influenced white and blue-gray. Now it’s in fashion to use a lighter palate of white, pink, and gray….brightening up the streets and the hearts of those who visit.

Top 5 Hotels in Turin

• Hotel NH Santo Stefano, a superb hotel close to the trendy Roman Quarter
• Hotel Le Meridien Lingotto, a beautiful hotel housed in the former Fiat car factory
• Boston Art Hotel, a sexy design hotel in Turin city center
• Best Western Hotel Genova, an elegant hotel near Turin central station
• Hotel Golden Palace, a luxury hotel in the heart of Turin

Photo of Luci d’Artista light show in Piazza Palazzo di Città, Turin, Italy, by Pietroizzo

It’s not every day that I get to see people eat bugs, rats and even animals which we consider as pets. But if you’re a tourist visiting Hanoi in Vietnam, prepare yourself to be gastronomically astonished for some of the dishes served in Hanoi do not belong to the normal food fare; at least for us who are used to eating the less eccentric stuff. If you’re feeling adventurous, read on, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

1. Fat and Juicy Nhộng

The protein-rich Nhộng or silkworm pupa is considered a delicacy in Hanoi. Rapidly stir-fried in cooking oil, other strong-tasting ingredients such as green onions and fish sauce are then added to enhance the taste of the plump silkworm carcasses. Nhộng is moist inside and can spurt out guts and fluids as you bite them so chew slowly and be careful not to get any bug juice on your shirt.

2. Crunchy Crickets

I wonder how Jiminy the Cricket would feel if he knew that his kind are sought after and eaten in Hanoi. Specialty restaurants deep fry these six-legged chirping delights for five to ten minutes to be made as toppings for salads and noodle dishes because of their unique nutty taste. Others want their crickets battered, deep-fried, and mixed with some sliced hot chili peppers and a squeeze of lemon as a perfect accompaniment for an ice-cold beer. Want fries with that!?

3. Cheaper than Chicken

Farther up north along the countryside parts of Hanoi, peasants and farmers use dogs to hunt farm rats which are to be cooked or sold in the market. Farm rats are edible because they only eat crops and water snails, unlike their city cousins. Farm rats are skinned, chopped in the middle, and cleaned and can either be char-broiled, deep fried, or even boiled in water mixed with different spices to add flavor to the rat’s succulent and sometimes fatty meat. Unfortunately, I don’t have the slightest idea how they taste like but I’m curious and would love to know someday.

4. Manly Meal: Snakes on a Plate

The Le Mat or “Snake Village” is one of the most popular places to eat in Hanoi. And yes, you guessed that right, it’s a village where they only serve snake. First, you get to choose which snake you want to eat. Then, its still-beating heart, bile, gallbladder, and blood (said to be an aphrodisiac) will be placed in shot glasses will be mixed with very strong home-made rice liquor in which you, the guest of honor, must gulp down. The rest of the snake including its skin, bones, and innards will be cooked in many different dishes which will be served as a multi-course meal. I can already feel my chest hairs growing just by reading this.

5. It’s a Man-Eat-Dog World

The northern region of Hanoi is a cold place and dog meat is believed to provide warmth to those who eat it. So if you ever see an animal without a curly tail being roasted in an open pit flame in Hanoi, chances are, it’s not a pig. Not everyone in Hanoi agrees that eating “man’s best friend” is a good thing but it will keep on selling since there’s a huge market of dog meat eaters in Hanoi and generally, the whole of Vietnam.

Photo of dog meat in Hanoi, Vietnam, by Morak Faxe

With dramatic scenery, a thriving cultural scene, numerous shopping opportunities and a host of excellent bars and restaurants – all delivered with a healthy dose of friendly celtic hospitality – Scotland’s beautiful and historic capital city is the ideal location for a romantic city break.

1. Take in some culture

Whether it’s art and literature, music and theatre, or simply a taste of traditional Scottish heritage that you’re looking for, Edinburgh has something to suit all tastes. The imposing Edinburgh Castle, which has overlooked the city from its rocky outcrop above the streets for nearly three thousand years, is an excellent place to start.

Or try a leisurely stroll round one of Scotland’s three most important art galleries, all of which are within walking distance of each other. The National Gallery of Scotland, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, house some of the best in Scottish and International art, and are an excellent way to while away an afternoon.

If all that walking seems like a bit too much effort, why not sample some of Scotland’s best known export at the Scottish Whisky Experience, a great little museum next to the castle, where you can taste the amber nectar for yourself!

2. Shop till you drop

Edinburgh is a paradise for shoppers with a wealth of bargains and luxury goods to be found. From independent boutiques and jewellers along Rose Street (ideal for that most special of romantic purchases), to the traditional Scottish goods found on the Royal Mile, such as shortbread and lambs wool sweaters, there is something for everyone.

Check out Harvey Nicholls’ huge store at St Andrew’s Square for designer goods, and don’t miss a visit to Jenners, one of Scotland’s oldest and most loved department stores.

3. Bring back cocktail hour

Edinburgh has a vibrant and cosmopolitan café and bar scene, which makes it an excellent place to relax with a pre-dinner drink. Whether it’s an old classic that tickles your fancy, or a new local creation, there are plenty of bustling venues to choose from.

George Street alone has several good examples, including Tiger Lilly, The Living Room and The Opal Lounge, where rumour has it Prince William was a regular customer during his time at St Andrew’s University.

4. Enjoy a candlelit dinner

No romantic weekend is complete without a cosy candlelit dinner, and The Witchery is one of the most intimate and atmospheric dining destinations imaginable. Nestled in a dramatic 16th Century building at the gates of Edinburgh Castle, this beautifully decorated restaurant offers fine dining in the most luxurious of settings.

Surrounded by antique gilded candlesticks and opulent red leather upholstery, The Witchery has a truly magical atmosphere. One of the dining rooms, the intriguingly titled Secret Garden, is even reached by a hidden stone staircase and enjoys views over a secluded courtyard.

5. Catch a rickshaw home

After all that fine food and wine, the trip back to you hotel over Edinburgh’s famously cobbled streets can be something of a challenge. Instead of grabbing a taxi, why not take the weight off your feet by hiring one of the numerous rickshaws that trundle round the city centre?

These novelty cycle transports, which are usually peddled by students and backpackers, may be considerably more expensive than jumping in a cab, but what more romantic way to end your trip than snuggling under a blanket with your loved one and watching the city lights flit past on your way home?*

6. Romantic Hotels in Edinburgh

• Hotel Ben Doran – 4-Star Hotel – Double Room: £ 75
• Dunstane House Hotel – 4-Star Hotel – Double Room: £  75
• Apex City Hotel – 4-Star Hotel – Double Room: £ 85
• The Rutland Hotel – 4-Star Hotel – Double Room: £1 50
• Dunstane City Hotel – 4-Star Hotel – Double Room: £ 89

Photo of Edinburgh, Scotland, by Nestor M

Although jazz was born in the United States (arguably in New Orleans in the late 19th century), the form quickly spread to Europe, as many African-American “jazzmen” found that their brand of music was both taken more seriously and considered more acceptable across the ocean than back at home. Paris, in particular, opened its arms to these innovative musicians, many of whom settled in Paris after fighting in Europe during World War I. Many jazz historians feel that were it not for Paris’s whole-hearted welcome of jazz and African-American jazz musicians, the music might never have fully developed and found its place in the world.

From 1914 through the 1930’s, the hot spot for jazz in Paris was old Montmartre, a section of the city in which many African-American jazz musicians lived, and the site of many legendary jazz clubs, including Le Grand Duc and Bricktop’s. Decades later, the now ritzy streets just off of the Champs-Elysees were the place to go. Today, jazz can be found all over the city, from huge public venues, to small cozy settings, to a single musician blowing jazz standards on his sax on (or under) a bridge.

If you’re looking for a good venue to enjoy jazz on your trip to Paris, here are a few options.

1. Le Duc des Lombards.

This well-known jazz club has been around for nearly 25 years, and holds a reputation for being warm, intimate and open. Top-notch musicians from around the globe play here, including Steve Swallow, Michele Hendricks, Paolo Fresu. Known especially for its free jazz, you’ll be transported back to the ‘50’s and ‘60s from the first note.

42 rue des Lombards, 1st arrondissement, Paris. Tel. 01.42.33.22.88.

Admission: € 19-25, depending on the performers.

2. New Morning.

One of the most popular jazz clubs in Paris, New Morning holds about 300 people when at capacity, but still manages to have a personal vibe. In terms of décor, don’t expect anything fancy: there are only wooden folding chairs and small tables on which to place your drinks – but you’ll forget about that once the music starts. Buy your ticket in advance, if possible. The lines for tickets the night of a particular concert can get pretty long.

7-9 Rue des Petites Ecuries, 10th arrondissement, Paris. Tel: 01 45 23 56 39.

Admission: € 10, approx.

3. Café Laurent.

This low-key hotel jazz bar has yet to become a big name in Paris, but as far as I’m concerned – that’s great. This is my favorite place to kick back on a comfortable sofa, order a (really well-made) cocktail, and listen to some first-rate jazz. The Christian Brenner trio plays every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, and often invites guest musicians and vocalists from around the world to join them.

33 rue Dauphine, 6th arrondissement, Paris. Tel. 01 43 29 03 33.

Admission: No cover, just one €10 drink minimum after 9pm.

4. Parc Floral Jazz Festival.

If you are a jazz-lover and happen to be in Paris in June and July, you’ll definitely have to check out the annual Jazz Festival at the beautiful Parc Floral de Paris. There are about 1500 seats available, but why not just take a blanket, a bottle of wine and a picnic basket and listen to blissful jazz on the grass, under blue skies? Concerts take place every Saturday and Sunday in June and July, starting from 3pm.

Parc Floral de Paris, boulevard de Ménilmontant, 20th arrondissement, Paris.

Admission: €5.

5. Autour de Midi…et Minuit.

Those who want to listen to jazz on the stomping grounds of the original jazzmen of the 1920’s and 1930’s, will enjoy this cozy club in Montmartre. Although it has not been around long – it opened in 2001 – it has made quite an impression on jazz aficionados. And with its lovely “double voutée” (double vaulted) stone ceilings, even people very into jazz must agree that the place wins top marks for atmosphere.

11, rue Lepic, 18th arrondissement, Paris. Tel.: 01.55.79.16.48

Top 5 Popular Hotels in Montmartre, Paris

• Hotel Le Relais Montmartre – 3-Star Hotel – Room Price: €155
• Le Char Noir Design Hotel – 2-Star Hotel – Room Price: €166
• Hotel de Flore – 2-Star Hotel – Room Price: €85
• Hotel Régyn’s Montmartre – 2-Star Hotel – Room Price: €91
• Timhotel Montmartre – 2-Star Hotel – Room Price: €79

Photo of Jazzmen playing on Arcole Bridge, Paris, by Mohsan

This article is for those you who, like me, share a passion in life’s little collectibles.

1. Yendor Stripwinkel

If there was a comic book heaven out there, this would be it! Tucked away amidst the modern and trendy shops along Korte Hoogstraat, this charming comic book store is to die for. The showcase is decorated with cartoon goodies, an enticing promise of the treasures inside – Asterix serving bowl, Stargate Atlantis figurines (I needed a wraith for my window ledge), Tintin comic books and so much more!! You enter into a cozy section stocked with comic books. Tons and tons of comic books (in Dutch but the ones in the back had books in English). Tintin, Leonard, Asterix, Suske and Wiske, Bleach, Naruto, Superman, Wolverine … the list is endless. There is also an interesting collection of board games, from the more common ones like Scrabble to the hilariously silly ones like the Munchkin series. Upstairs (as well as a little section of the entrance floor) showcase an impressive collection of figurines. Collectors will have a field day here. A vast selection of Star Wars figures decorated the top floor. Look out for the Imperial Soldier helmet! There were also cute Simpson figures , macabre creatures from Tim Burton movies, creepy figures from classic Hollywood movies. As for non-American goodies, did I mention Smurfs, Barbapapa and Bleach collectibles? The bottom floor, with its vast selection of jigsaw puzzles, is what I like to call birthday gifts for my little cousins – from quaint world maps to ones inspired by artistic paintings, this floor is also worth checking out.

2. The Collector’s Company

This was just an absolute delight to explore. Whether you are a fan of animated lore or looking for something cute for the little ones, this store is a fun sightseeing choice. Located in Weena Zuid, this shop will be hard to miss – there is a life size statue of Mickey Mouse greeting you with open arms right outside the shop. I loved the various paraphernalia in the shop. Disney classics like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck were available in the form of tea cups, bags and of course a quaint tea pot. There was also the pretty-in-pink Hello Kitty goodies, from gift size bath sets to adorable bags. Other than the interesting Tintin figurines (perhaps Tintin’s popularity can be attributed to the creator being Belgian?), I also noticed a fascinating collection of figurines – macabre little bits and pieces straight out of works of art from legends like Salvador Dali. The Collector’s Company also has their own website. Other than a useful online catalog, I liked the little bit about upcoming events in their shop.

3. Bully’s Fifties

A tiny shop, hidden away next to the hardware store in Havenstraat, Historische Delfshaven, I came across this shop by chance. It will be an absolute delight for fans of 1950s collectibles. I found a rustic coffee grinder, some beautiful tin boxes, fascinating collection of advertising signs ( one of a cheeky gnome caught my eye), a tiny orange tabletop television and various little knickknacks. One more thing about Bully’s – they are also interested in purchasing quaint 50s goodies that anyone is keen to sell.

Top 3 Hotels in Rotterdam

• Hotel Van Walsum – 3-star hotel – €85
• Golden Tulip Rotterdam Center – 4-star hotel – €90
• Hotel NH Atlanta – 4-star hotel – €113

Photo of toys in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, by moqub

There are numerous wineries in the region and many of them are open for tours and wine tasting, as well as some excellent choices for lodging. Whether it’s the wineries that the region is so renowned for or the historic castles, this is one of the most beautiful regions in all of Italy.

Sightseeing tours of Chianti abound and are very affordable whether. Whether it’s a tour for a couple seeking a romantic getaway or for large families or groups, there is something for everyone to take part in. The following is a list of suggested places to be sure and visit if you are planning a vacation to Chianti.

Galleria dell’ Academia Renaissance Art Tour

This tour will definitely enlighten you to the fact that Florence, Italy was truly the birthplace of the Renaissance. The various collections of art and sculpture found here in the Galleria will hold your interest for hours as you see first hand examples of the many creations of some of the masters of this historical period of world history.

Piazza Matteotti of Greve in Chianti

A weekly market in the main piazza of Greve in Chianti takes place every Saturday morning and is well worth exploring. It’s a shopping extravaganza to say the least with a wide array of merchandise at reasonable prices for the visitor to take advantage of.

Antiques and Collectors Fair

This fair takes place only twice a year on Easter Sunday and the second Sunday of October. You could easily spend the day exploring all that this event has to offer as well as bringing home some memorable reminders of a wonderful holiday in Chianti.

Plants and Flowers Market Exhibition

This colorful event happens only once annually on the first Sunday in May and is a testament to the beautiful colors that typify the Tuscany countryside. This is another must-see destination if you are prone to traveling before the summer crowds are out and about.

Grape Harvest

Usually takes place in late September or early October, but the date oftentimes varies from one year to the next. If you ever want to experience a celebration of the grape, then the Grape Harvest is well worth taking in when you are vacationing in the region.

Chianti Wine Festival

Occurring on the 2nd weekend of September, this festival spells out what the region is so renowned for. Chianti wine travels to all parts of the globe from this region, and this festival will entertain you to no end.

Photo of Chianti by Sara Carnati

Mr & Mrs Smith have chosen the luxury Life Gallery Hotel in Athens, Greece, as ‘Hotel of the Week‘. Their last week’s pick was the Jupiter Hotel, a trendy boutique hotel in Portland, Oregon.

More Great Boutique Hotels

Hoosta Magazine shows pictures of the newly renovated Hotel Elysees Mermoz, a boutique hotel in Paris redesigned by Valérie Manoil, and Monte Carlo Beach Hotel, a luxury hotel on the French Riviera redesigned by India Mahdav.

New Delta Air Lines Routes

Delta Air Lines presents its new international flight offer for summer 2010. The new routes  operated by the American airline company will include a nonstop service from Detroit to Seoul and Hong Kong, a seasonal service between New York JFK and Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden, as well as more routes between the US and many destinations in Africa.

Frida Kahlo Museum

The Perceptive Travel Blog recommends a visit to Coyoacán, Mexico City’s historic counterculture district, and Casa Azul, a  museum dedicated to Frida Kahlo which was home to the Mexican artist.

If you happen to visit France, I very much recommend dropping by its southwestern part which is the near-coastal region of Bordeaux. Easily reachable via road, train or plane, you might know or heard of Bordeaux as a beautiful place where they take their wine seriously. And they should because wine-making in Bordeaux is a tradition which started 2000 years ago. At present, the thriving wine-making business is a billion dollar industry. But surely, there’s more to Bordeaux besides its top-notch wines. Here’s a few remarkable stuff worth mentioning about the wine center of France, Bordeaux.

1. Travel through Time

Like a grandiose 17th century setting out of a fairytale book, Bordeaux has at least 5,000 uniquely-styled gothic-baroque inspired buildings which portray the region’s rich historical background.

Fun fact: Bordeaux features some of France’s oldest museums that houses important specimens and artifacts, ranging from zoological samples to historic documents and displays from the French resistance in the Second World War.

2. Culture and Art on Wheels

People from Bordeaux are passionate about art just like they are passionate with wine. To help facilitate art and culture awareness in Bordeaux, the Modern Art Bus was established to travel all around Bordeaux in search of different art exhibits.

Fun Fact: The Modern Art Bus is a great way to see the works of famous visual artists such as Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.

3. Shop till You Drop

Known as the longest shopping strip in Europe, the Rue Saint Catherine is a 1.2 kilometer-long stretch of high-end shops, brasseries, cafés and shopping centers. This includes the famous department store “Galeries Lafayette” which has its interiors designed to resemble a royal palace.

Fun fact: Bring your walking shoes and be careful when walking around Rue Saint Catherine when it’s raining because the polished pavement can be pretty slippery!

4. Authentic French Cuisine

It’s not difficult for restaurants around Bordeaux to get the freshest ingredients to whip up the best dishes. Try a delicate-tasting foie gras (fattened duck’s liver) or choose from the many different cheeses of the region. How about some fresh Atlantic oysters?

Fun fact: A scrumptious meal is best accompanied by a great-tasting wine so try to find that perfect vintage to complement meals at the many wine bars scattered around Bordeaux.

5. Dynamic Bordeaux Nightlife

There’s a wide variety of things to do in Bordeaux after sun down. Chill at the local pubs, cafes and bars around Place de la Victoire for some live music paired with a relaxing atmosphere for a stress free evening. Or check out the night scene at Quai de Paludate if you’re into loud music and wild dancing.

Fun Fact: along the Rue Saint Catherine is the 250-year old Bordeaux Grand Theater. Wouldn’t it be nice to catch an opera, concert or ballet on stage after dark?

Top 5 Hotels in Bordeaux City Center

• Hotel Burdigala – 4-Star Hotel – Double Room €210
• Quality Hotel Sainte-Catherine – 3-Star Hotel – Double Room €87
• Hotel Le Chantry – 2-Star Hotel – Double Room €57
• Best Wester Grand Hôtel Français – 3-Star Hotel – Double Room €139
• Hotel Gambetta – 2-Star Hotel – Double Room €96

Photo of the Fontaine des Trois Grâces in Bordeaux, France, by Arnaud Bertrande