Antipasto, Primo, Secondo

Categories: Accommodations · Food · Italy · Rome · VeniceTags: · · · ·

Dining in Italy can be a drawn out affair, especially during dinners. Staring with the Antipasto (appetizer), followed by Primo (first course), Secondo (main course), and a Dolce (dessert). Be it in a Ristorante, a Trattoria, an Osteria, a Tavola Calda or a Pizza Rustica (selling pizza by the slice), there are tons of eating choices. Rome is famous for its thin-crust pizzas and Emma is both an excellent pizzeria and restaurant that serves classic dishes like carbonara, amatriciana and cacio e pepe. When I was in Rome three years ago, a friend from back home recommended Roscioli Salumeria con…

Venice

Categories: Europe · Italy · Travel · VeniceTags: · · ·

Ciao Venice! I can’t believe that my last time to this enchanting city was in 2003 – fifteen years ago! I must admit that part of my hesitation to return to Venice is the several news accounts of daunting crowds of tourists outnumbering locals by two to one. I keep reminding myself that one is never more than a bridge or alley away to a more quiet campi (square) or neighbourhood. Venice continues to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Biennale: Vatican Chapels

Categories: Architecture · Italy · Travel · VeniceTags: · · · ·

Undoubtedly, the Holy See Pavillion stole the show at the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale. The Vatican Chapels, located in the woodland of San Giorgio Maggiore Island, felt more intimate away from the main Giardini and Arsenale grounds. The project consists on ten pavilions by ten different practices from around the globe. The roster of names rangers from heavyweights such as Norman Foster and Eduardo Souto de Moura to Smiljan Radic.

La Biennale Di Venezia

Categories: Architecture · Art · Europe · Italy · VeniceTags: · · · · 1 Comment

So this is the main event for this trip to Italy – to visit the Biennale Archittettura 2018. One of the preeminent cultural events in the world, since its inception in 1895, the Venice Biennale has been of the most important and influential events in international contemporary art. Alternating each year between Art and Architecture, the 16th Venice Biennale of Architecture provides an opportunity for architects and designers to showcase new projects.There are 63 national pavilions this year curated by Grafton Architects with the theme of Free Space.

Torna a Roma

Categories: Europe · Italy · Rome · TravelTags: · · · 1 Comment

“Back to Rome” after three years – I have returned to the former seat of power of the Roman Empire. This city is overflowing with iconic sights and architectural treasures that earn its name of the Eternal City. I am stopping by for a few days on my way to my main destination in Italy. It is never a chore to be in this living theatre.

AMS Eats

Categories: Accommodations · Amsterdam · Europe · Food · Netherlands · The JordaanTags: · ·

On my third trip to this beautiful city, I went back to a few of the memorable eats I had five years ago and at the same time, tried out a couple of new ones. My first stop was the The Cafe at the Rijksmuseum. A few notable items on the menu are by Chef Joris Bijdendijk of the RIJKS restaurant. I recall a few of my favourites during my one-month stay in this city five years ago. Pancakes Amsterdam has several locations (I go to the one on Negen Straatjes) and is my favourite go-to spot for traditional Dutch…

AMS is Art

Categories: Amsterdam · Architecture · Art · Netherlands · TravelTags: · · ·

One will never run out of impressive art to appreciate in Amsterdam. From Rijksmuseum (where Rembrandt’s Night Watch resides), the Van Gogh Museum, the Hermitage Amsterdam (outpost of the famous Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg), to the Stedelijk Museum. Currently on exhibit at the Hermitage is Portraitt Gallery of the Golden Age, featuring thirty colossal 17th century group paintings from Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Museum. The Stedelijk has a permanent installation of iconic works by the likes of Piet Mondrian, Gerrit Rietveld, Nola Hatterman, Barnett Newman, Yves Klein, Roy Lichtenstein, and Yayoi Kusama.

Welkom terug in Amsterdam

Categories: Amsterdam · Europe · Netherlands · TravelTags: · · 1 Comment

It’s been five years when I last stayed in Amsterdam for a month. I fell for this city the first time I visited fifteen years ago and felt it was time that I return once again to one of my favourites for an extended long weekend. Amsterdam somehow manages to have it all – the buzz of a metropolis, great museums, beautiful architecture, yet small enough to walk (or cycle) almost anywhere you want. And, no unbearable summer heat this time of the year! Many news outlets are now reporting that this city is becoming the new Venice, a city stolen…

Ikel u lukandi f’Malta

Categories: Accommodations · Europe · Food · MaltaTags: · ·

Maltese for “Food and Hotel in Malta” Malta became independent in 1964 from British rule and thankfully shaken off the British culinary legacy as it has varied restaurants. Maltese cuisine is a sizzling array of flavours, with an exotic mix of Italian, French, British and Arabic influences and fresh seafood plucked from the sea. Maltese food typical includes rabbit: rabbit liver, rabbit ragu, confit of rabbit, rabbit stew, braised rabbit….   Save the best for last: the best meal I had was at Guze, located in one of Valetta’s oldest houses, serving delicious mediterranean food. La Falconeria Hotel in Valetta…