Now, it’s “Back in Paris“! It’s been twelve months since I was last in this inspiring city. I continue to be in trance every time I am here. No matter how often I visit – this elegant and enthralling city still has something new to show. I am planning to see new sights, visit new restaurants and try out new patisseries.
“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.
Schloss Charlottenburg is Berlin‘s petite Versailles – a gift to his wife, Sophie Charlotte, in 1699 from King Frederick I of Prussia. The opulent baroque summer palace has a facade that was partly modelled on Versailles and adorned with Attica-style sculptures. The palace was in near complete destruction in World War II.
After four years, “Back to Berlin“! This trend-setting German capital knows how to show visitors a good time and that is the reason I have returned. Whether one comes here for the art, the Wall (or what’s left of it), the food or the nightlife, Berlin will excite and entertain! The Alte Nationalgalerie is one of the galleries I was not able to visit the last time I was in this city. With a collection of 18th to early 20th century masters in a backdrop as magnificent as the works on display. …
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.
Meaning “Good Day” or “Good” morning in Greek. Good food is aplenty in Greece. From seafood, to feta and saganaki, and a number of delectable wines. In the village of Fira in the island of Santorini, the hotel concierge sent me to Idol. A remarkable recommendation for local food with a view of the caldera. In the village of Oia, Skala serves solid and delicious traditional Greek food. Add to that, is the amazing view. Red Bicycle is located in a 19th century mansion on the cliff edge and also affords an excellent view. The food is modern and…
The Cyclades are among the most stunning Greek islands and no island in this group of islands epitomizes the Greek vacation experience than Santorini. Crescent in shape, Santorini owes its formation to a massive volcano eruption in 1450 BC. The resulting under water crater has been associated with the legend of the lost city of Atlantis. Santorini remains at the centre of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. Named by the Venetians in the 13th century, this stunning island of dazzling white villages, black sand beaches, thermal springs and luxuriant vineyards is a quintessential Greek island.
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens is the country’s largest archeological museum with a massive collection of Greek artifacts, ranging from the Prehistoric Neolithic era to the late Roman period. The museum also has an overwhelming collection of more than 2,500 Greek vases.
The cradle of Western civilization, Athens is both ancient and modern. Homeland to gods, goddesses and some of history’s greatest philosophers and athletes, Athens boast glorious ancient temples. It is my first time in Greece and this bustling city is a mix of history and edginess. Even in the face of current financial issues, this city is open-air museum and at the same time, conspicuously cosmopolitan. The magnificent Acropolis rises above the sprawling metropolis – merging past and present.
Needless to say, I always look forward to the good food in New York. I half-jokingly said “How do I gain weight? Let me count the ways.” I went back to a few familiar favourite places and tried out some new ones as well. So let’s start the (calorie) counting… Just opened a few weeks ago is the Nordic-accented Great Northern Food Hall in the majestic Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal. Opened by Claus Meyer, a partner in Noma, the food hall offers pastries, smorrebord open rye sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and more. As I mentioned previously, it seems inevitable…
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