Auf Wiedersehen

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · Berlin · Food · Germany · TravelTags: · · 2 Comments

“Goodbye” to Berlin for now. Till the next time.                       Two notable meals – both Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants. Restaurant Renger-Patzch serves well executed traditional regional German cooking. The other is Restaurant Nussbaumerin – serving traditional Austrian dishes. Both worthy of a try!   For my second visit to Berlin, I stayed at the Sofitel Kurfurstendamm. Location is great, close to both the U and S Bahn stations and a major shopping street. Rooms are generous sized and the amenities and service is good.

Potsdam

Categories: Architecture · Europe · Germany · Potsdam · TravelTags: · · 2 Comments

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Potsdam is the capital of the Berlin-Brandenburg region and is located only 24 kms southwest of Berlin. It’s like time-traveling for a day to architecture inspired by Ancient Greece, Dutch gables, English gardens and the main attraction — the baroque architecture of Park Sanssousi. Schloss Sanssouci is King Frederich II of Prussia’s summer palace. The rococo palace was built in 1747 as an escape for the King from his country’s functions. Neues Palace is a baroque palace embellished with a monumental cupola. Frederick the Great had the New Palace built from 1763 to 1769.

Catalan Modernisme

Categories: Architecture · Barcelona · Spain · TravelTags: · · · ·

Catalan Modernisme was part of the general trend that emerged in Europe at the turn of the 20th century. It is the equivalent of other art movements in Europe in the names of Art Nouveau, Sezession, Arts and Crafts or Gothic Revival. The Modernisme movement was centered in Barcelona and was practiced by Antoni Gaudi and Lluis Domenech i Montaner, among others. The former Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau was built between 1902 and 1930 is a masterpiece in Catalan Modernisme by Domenech i Montaner. It was a fully functioning hospital until 2009 and converted into a cultural site and research centre in 2014 after four…

C’est Bon

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · Art · Food · France · Paris · TravelTags: · · · ·

Just walking through the streets of Paris can be as rewarding because every corner brings delight to the eyes. I also had the chance to do my “obligatory” walk through one of my favourite gardens — Jardin du Luxembourg.       It could be the time of the year – but restaurants in Paris were less crowded this time – there were no lines and it was not a challenge to get a reservation. I am not complaining. I was able to go back to a few of the amazing restaurants I tried during my previous visits (and some new ones) and I was not disappointed….

Fondation Louis Vuitton

Categories: Architecture · Art · Food · France · Paris · TravelTags: · · · · ·

One of the reasons I spent a few days in Paris is to visit the recently opened Fondation Louis Vuitton. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, this private cultural initiative’s mandate is to promote the contemporary arts. For those seeking to find leather products from this fashion house on display – you will be disappointed. Currently on exhibit until the end of August 2016 is a selection of works by famous contemporary Chinese artists from the Fondation’s collection. The restaurant located on the ground floor is called Le Frank and it serves wonderful French-inspired cuisine, with hints of dishes from other countries whose works are currently on exhibit….

Bonjour Paris

Categories: Architecture · Art · France · Paris · Travel

Only an hour and a half away by Thalys high speed train from Brussels – how could I resist swinging by Paris for a few days? It’s been three years since I was last here and there’s a new gallery I have been wanting to see (at the same time, visit again two of my favourites) and of course, the food! One of my favourites is the Musee Picasso. It’s been more than ten years since I was last here. The other Museum I will never forget was the Musee Rodin. I was extremely contented just being able to walk through the gardens and did not…

Art Nouveau & The Abbey

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · Belgium · Brussels · Food · TravelTags: · · · ·

In the late 19th century, Brussels was a centre for avant-garde design and architect Victor Horta created a new style, later labelled Art Nouveau. Featuring sensuous curves elaborated in wrought iron, mosaics, stained glass, murals and woodwork. Today, his former house has been transformed into a museum.     Brussels, and Belgium for that matter, has an impressive array of haute cuisine choices – without the Paris prices, as one commented to me.   I stayed at The Dominican in Brussels. A converted Dominican Abbey has found new life as a hotel that is a member of the Design Hotel group. It…

Dublin Eats (& Sleep)

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · Dublin · Europe · Food · Ireland · TravelTags: · · · · · ·

Dublin is one serious food lover’s destination. Chalk it up to pure ignorance, but I was delightfully surprised at the number of excellent restaurants and eateries in town. My very first stop after I landed and checked into my hotel was to have the hotel concierge book me a late lunch at The Greenhouse located off St. Stephens Green. Chef Mickael Viljanen, who was crowned the Best Chef in Ireland 2015, prepares innovative Irish cuisine that is both sublime and “art” in itself.   Etto on Merrion Row was added to the Michelin Bib Gourmand list that recognize restaurants that offer…

Art and Soul

Categories: Architecture · Art · Dublin · Europe · Ireland · TravelTags: · · · · · ·

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is housed in what was formerly the Kilmainham Hospital. Built in the 1680s as one of Ireland’s Classical-style buildings modelled after Les Invalides in Paris, it is considered the finest 17th century building in the country. The hospital was handed to the Free State in 1922 and served as headquarters for Garda from 1930 to 1950. It was beautifully renovated in 1991 and reopened as IMMA. Christ Church Cathedral as it stands, is a 19th century restoration of what was originally a wooden church. Dublin’s first church was founded here in 1028 by…

Go to Jail

Categories: Architecture · Dublin · Europe · Ireland · TravelTags: · · · · · 2 Comments

Built in 1796, the Kilmainham Gaol (Jail) in Dublin became notorious for the role it played in virtually every painful act of Ireland’s quest for independence. The material used to build the jail was sandstone which wept in bad weather, resulting in damp and grim conditions for its inhabitants. One of the largest unoccupied jails in Europe, Kilmainham Gaol was closed in 1924 and was restored as a museum in the 1960s and provides an informative guide to the country’s history. After a sobering tour of the prison, lighten the mood with what majority of the people associate Ireland with — Guiness. The…