Manueline architectural style combines Moorish, Renaissance and Gothic elements. The style developed during the reign of Manuel I of Portugal. This coincided with the Age of Discovery and the peak of Portuguese maritime power. The Moisteiro dos Jerónimos and the Torre de Belém in Lisbon, and the Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra are three exceptional examples of this style. The Manueline style was considered the most authentic Portuguese architectural style.
One of Europe’s most visually striking capitals, Lisbon‘s appeal is more than the friendliness of the locals and her laid back pace. In its golden age, Lisbon was one of the greatest maritime centres in history – with hoards of treasures from around the world. Today, continental Europe’s westernmost capital is a cosmopolitan city that continues to grow and evolve.
Sintra was famously referred to as a “glorious Eden” by Lord Byron. One of the oldest hillside town in Portugal, Sintra is a forty-five minute train ride and 29 kilometres northwest from Lisbon. With its mountains, forests, exotic gardens and palaces, Sintra is like a fairy tale land. Sintra-Vila, with its pastel-hued manors in hills that roll to the Atlantic, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
My first time to this side of the Iberian Peninsula – and first stop is Portugal’s second city, Porto. Porto is an energetic city that has managed to keep its timeless charm, with its steep hills and cobbled streets. The city has taken off as a centre of the arts, fashion and nightlife — after all, Port wine is named after this city. And the locals are known across the country as “tripeiros”, or “tripe eaters”, a nickname from the city’s signature dish tripas à moda do Porto.
Danish for “Eat and Sleep“. Copenhagen has a food scene that is among the world’s most distinct and innovative. And true to its reputation – the city has several Michelin-starred restaurants and be forewarned, even those that are considered “good value” gets a little expensive. Many of Copenhagen’s restaurants go for an organic menu. One that I tried out is BOB – Biomio Organic Bistro. Situated in Vesterbro (Meatpacking District), the food is delicious. For dinner, I tried out one of the 10 restaurants in the city that were awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2017. Marv &…
“Bye Bye” to good looking Copenhagen – linked to the famed Danish design, the cobbled bicycle-friendly streets, the sherbet-hued town houses, cappuccino and organic juice stands, baby carriages, and where pedestrians set the pace, and not vehicular traffic. It was a brief stay – both relaxing and satisfying.
It was March 2008 when I last visited Copenhagen. It was a city I felt very comfortable and relaxed in. Now that I am in much need of a brief escape to “chill” (it is considered the coolest kid in the Nordic block after all!) and at the same time, where the heat is not as oppressive this time of the year — I find myself back in this Danish capital. Consistently rated as one of the happiest countries in the world, it also comes with a price — Copenhagen is ranked as one of the most expensive cities in Europe….
Let’s eat! Here are some food places I tried (and the hotels I stayed at) that were good and worth a visit (except maybe for one)! Arriving in Granada after a trans-Atlantic and a connecting flight, I was famished. Queried the hotel concierge for a restaurant and I was directed towards Pinot Noir. With the name alone, I should have known that this will not be a traditional Spanish restaurant that I would have preferred. Serving pastas and pseudo Japanese fusion food. After being dropped off from touring the Alhambra, I came across Casa Colon, which served really wonderful tapas….
It was fifteen years ago when I first (and last) came to this monumental city – mainly to visit some dear friends. Now I am back to the grandeur of Madrid – built when Spain was at the peak of its power and the city became the seat of the great empire stretching around the world.
The last time I was in Andalusia in Spain more than fifteen years ago, I missed visiting Granada and specifically, the Alhambra. Now, I made it the main reason for my return to this part of the country. Granada, the moorish Anadlusian city, conjures of the breathtaking Alhambra, snowcapped Sierra Nevada and the gypsy flamenco.
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