Best Luxury Travel Blog

2009-10-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

Best Western Lord Manaus was chosen by Sheena, our travel agent. She chose this hotel because, she said it was ‘very convenient and comfortable’. Both and Sue and I found her assessment to be correct. Located close to the city center it had a nice, spacious double room for us with radio, TV, air conditioning, and the works. The room also included an excellent buffet breakfast, after which we couldn't complain!

The best thing about the hotel, apart from its regular amenities, was its proximity to the Opera House. The magnificent edifice that reflects culture. We saw here French chandeliers and candelabras, Italian statues and busts, English staircases of wrought iron, etc. All of it, a picture of splendor and magnificence. The Opera House has had its share of ups and downs, though. Launched amidst much fanfare in 1896, it was mainly supported by the money that the rubber industry in Manaus was spinning.

But by the early 1900s, as Asian competition began sweeping it aside, the fortunes of this grand house of culture plummeted. I was happy to see, though, that there has been some revival of the arts, particularly theatre here. On the evening of our visit we were treated to an opera based on Cinderella's story in Portuguese!

The next day being a Sunday we had a ball shopping at the fair organized inside the town's city hall. Here we got some real bargains on Brazilian artifacts and jewelry. We also saw plenty of hammocks, all richly-colored, on display but we bought none. During our two-day trip to Manaus we kept strictly to the town area which, we'd been told, was safe. We didn't venture into any of the slums, also called favalas, where crime runs high. People live close together in hutments with poor lighting and sanitation. In every other way, our Manaus trip was perfect.

Kampala: Haunting specters, charming smiles

2009-10-28T02:14:00.000-07:00

The specter of Idi Amin’s dictatorial regime kept looming as Sue and I alighted at the Entebbe Airport, the site of a dramatic hostage rescue operation by Israeli forces so many years ago. I half-shuddered as I made my way to the taxi stand to get to Kampala from Entebbe. Sue, who was silent up to this point, must have been mulling over the same things. By and by, however, we began to lose our edginess as the warmth of the place; the people reached out and clinched us with calming reassurance. We were propositioned by several motorcycle taxi drivers. These motorcycle taxis are called boda bodas and look extremely dangerous. So we simply shook our heads in polite refusal.

We finally booked a taxi to take us to the hotel Sheena had booked for us, the Kampala Sheraton Hotel. As the towers of the hotel loomed up in the horizon both Sue and I felt immediately reassured. Set in a sultry, seductive tropical background it is an oasis – mainly owing to its magnificent gardens – inside a bustling city. The hotel has cafes, bars, a beauty salon, in fact the works.

We had a late lunch and being a tad too tired, went off to sleep. In the evening Sue and I went across to the Rock Garden, a rather cool night club in the midst of the city. We weren’t charged anything to be admitted and had some great Tusker beer while listening to some rollicking numbers mostly from Uganda and India. We were also treated to a lot of ABBA hits, a thing that bombards your senses wherever you, we realized. The country appears to be quite ABBA-struck.

The next morning we woke up early and stepped out of the hotel and could help marveling at the landscape that Kampala offers. Set out on seven hills, it is the site of the verdant and resplendent views I have seen during my travels. We took a stroll up to the Naksero Market with a zesty medley of shops and restaurants. Such brilliant colors and such bright smiles! I felt sorry when it was time to leave.

Lago de Atitlan: Guatemalan beauty spot

2009-10-23T03:04:00.000-07:00

A perfect place to chill out in,” is how Sheena had described Lago de Atitlan. And I cannot agree more. Sue and I stayed at this hotel called Lomas de Tzununa during the entire duration of our stay. From the hotel’s private dock we had to clamber up some three hundred-odd steps and it was beautiful all the way. The food too, was great. We had fish that appeared to have just caught from the lake and cooked, it tasted so fresh!

The next day we drove down with some friends, also guests of the hotel, to a village called Santa Cruz parts of which, we discovered, did not have any electricity. This picturesque village is located at an altitude and we had a pretty steep climb uphill. The seaside and the beach at Santa Cruz is pretty nice. We saw quite a few boats departing from the sea shores for the main village Panajachel.

The saddest feature about this lovely Guatemalan town is the poverty; there are vast Mayan populaces existing within the community with little to survive on, it’s heart-rending. The next day Sue and I decided to go shopping at this place called Panajachel. We loved the colorful markets laid out in the main street. We bought some fabrics with traditional Guatemalan motifs.

I also liked the hand-carved flutes and hand-woven scarves and rugs prepared by the Mayans with their symbols and motifs beautifully embossed. Really quite charming. Feeling hungry we looked around for a nice café or restaurant. We saw our friends – the same ones from the hotel – sampling some marinated seafood, raw I believe, called ceviche. They appeared to love it although I didn’t much feel like tasting raw stuff. So we had tacos, spaghetti and some local beer at a wayside stall. Rather nice.

Moeciu de Sus: Pastorally yours

2009-10-22T02:38:00.000-07:00

Miles upon miles of pastoral landscape is what Sue and I came across while aking our way towards Moeciu de Sus, a lovely Romanian hamlet- so friends had mentioned to us. Taking the Transfagarsan was hardly the best idea, the way being too long , but neither Sue nor I had issues with driving stretches of beautiful road under a bright mauve sky. Once in a while an odd horse cart would draw up close and the farmer seated atop would cheerily wave at us. We were met by several hitch-hikers on the way. We decided not to stop for anyone initially.

But then we saw two women all by themselves and I pulled over at Sue’s request. Mother and daughter, their names were Gina and Sophia. They didn’t speak a word of English and we knew no Romanian but we still managed to communicate courtesy of miming. We saw an assortment of cattle on the roads, especially cows. At one point I had to stop and let a gaggle of geese cross over. Surrounded by such bucolic wonder, who could complain?

It was Sue who took the wheel by the time we pulled up at the guest house our travel agent Sheena had fixed for us, the Casa Dragoslovean. “Sounds dragon-ish, doesn’t it?” Sue had exclaimed before setting off. Hardly, was our collective verdict on beholding it. The interiors are even prettier; very comfortable and inviting. What I really liked about the place was the food prepared entirely from local produce. Much of it is grown in the kitchen garden and simply delicious for that reason.

There is a strange calm energy about this Romanian village that makes its visitors feel rejuvenated and relaxed akin to the feeling of having just woken from a deep sleep. Stepping out of the guest house Sue and I were content to simply walking around, soaking in the pastoral landscape with its story-book scenery. We also watched the hay stacking and dairying activities. Among the places I absolutely recommend is a village called Bran which is pretty much next door to Moeciu de Sus and, like the latter, breathtakingly beautiful with little hills and waterfalls. A memorable vacation spot, certainly.

Bucharest: Some kind of mix

2009-10-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

Sue found it charming while I was slightly uneasy around the uncompromising grey buildings, old remnants of communism… that’s right, the place I am referring is the Romanian capital, Bucharest. A mix of trendy, traditional, and drab is what we got here on our last visit. Sheena, our travel agent, had us booked in at the Ramada Majestic Bucharest Hotel. With its 111 guest rooms, beauty salon, large conference center., fitness center, and swimming pool, it is truly majestic with a great trendy façade. Some tourists staying here mentioned that the Ramada had the cleanest swimming pool in Bucharest.

One of our friends traveling with us on business dropped us off at the Revolution Square on the afternoon of our arrival. He dropped us right opposite the Administrative Complex, also referred to as the Senate. Constructed in 1940, it used to be the headquarters of the Communist Party and the site of the Romanian Revolution of 1989. From where we stood we were able to see the spot from where the infamous dictator Ceausescu relayed his last speech before departing in his helicopter only to be captured and shot a few hours later. Quite chilling.

We also saw the Parliament Palace,a mammoth building and second only to the Pentagon in size. It was the last building to be built under Communist dictatorship. Started sometime in the 1980s, the colossus was finished only in 1997, well after the death of its corrupt owner. Over 330,000 square this giant has 12 floors with rooms that are 84 meters high.

The interiors are characterized by luxury that is vulgar to behold. Both sue and I exited the place with double quickness. From the Parliament Palace we walked down to the Unirii Avenue towards the Antim Monastery, a lovely tribute to the ruler of that name. Such a relief after those concrete communist buildings we had just passed. Well, that’s essentially Bucharest, a mix that can get uncomfortable at times.

Monterey: A place to fall for

2009-10-13T04:28:00.000-07:00

Sue wanted to visit California this time round. “A nice Spanish coastal city should be just fine,” she had said with a toss her curls. So we chose Monterey. This was our second visit to San Francisco and we were both having a gala time but she wanted something smaller, “more intimate, if you know what I mean.” So we drove down some 115 miles south to this town that Steinbeck made so popular in his novels. Sue, who happens to be the well-read one, informed me that the city was founded by Spanish soldiers and missionaries and was the capital Alta California belonging to Mexican territory.

The US seized the area in 1846 and developed it into a fishing port. Today, Monterey has a large population of Italian as well as Chinese immigrants. Thanks to its year-round temperate climate it attracts tourists by the droves. So much for somewhere smaller and “more intimate”! We saw this motel called Ramada Limited Monterey next to the highway and drove up. Luckily they had a couple of rooms vacant. For $73 per night we checked into rather large and comfortable guest room with a king-sized bed, bath with clean and crisp linen.

There was cable TV in the room, and an ironing board, etc and the bathroom had a hairdryer. Pretty neat. We also liked the heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi. It was getting late so we slept in early after a long and tiring drive. The next morning we awoke at the crack of dawn and drove down a little further south to view the Mc Way Waterfalls about which we had heard so much. ‘Spectacular’ is the word that comes to mind. This area is called the Big Sur and is famous for its mountainous frothy falls that simply drop into the ocean.

The area is also home to lovely parks like the Los Padres National Forest and Pfeiffer State Park. We didn’t stop at any but were simply content to drive around the highway next to the Saint Lucia Mountains. The next day we went to see the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the largest in the world. Interesting, but nothing to beat the waterfalls.

Jericoacoara: A must visit village town

2009-10-08T03:40:00.000-07:00

While visiting Jericoacoara in Brazil we stayed at this place called Pousada Ponta Mar Jeri, a family-owned establishment. A bed and breakfast joint, actually, its rooms are quite nice- spacious and clean with air-conditioning. That is, our room had air-conditioning while quite a few others had fans. There is also a swimming pool that Sue took advantage of during much of our stay. The lady running the place, Dona Rosa, baked us a lovely banana cake on the day of our arrival. Her husband, Daniel, offers buggy rides to several destinations of tourist interest.

We took a walk in the village resembling an extended beach. It only has five streets, it appears. But it is well-stacked with some rather swanky eateries and bars. Not bad for a rural set up, we reckoned. We’d started out early and saw some fishermen making their way towards the sea with their nets, chatting away merrily. Around noon it became rather hot so we went looking for a café.

At Rua Principal we came across this rather chic eatery called Espaco Aberto which, incidentally, I had heard a great deal about. The staff is friendly and the service is well-oiled and efficient. Both Sue and I tried out a number of shrimps and fishes doused in the most exotic Brazilian sauces. The restaurant’s Hawaiian-styled fish is a dish worth trying. Peixe Ao Molho Verde is what its called, I believe.

For souvenir shopping Daniel told us that the shops next to the beach were our best bet. We stopped by at this shop called Jeri Arte which is not far from Rua Principal. What amazing ceramics! We bought cups, saucers, salvers and lamps; all beautifully crafted and designed.

The next morning Daniel took us buggy-riding towards the icon of this village-town, the Pedra Furada or Arched Rock. This a rock, ten meters in height, and naturally sculpted by sea waves. A must visit!

Flatt: Ideal vacation village

2009-09-29T22:13:00.001-07:00

Visiting Flatt was Sue’s idea. She so desperately wanted to vacation in Bermuda that I had no choice but to agree. There are no hotels in the Flatt village so we got Sheena to book a reservation for us at one of the best beach resorts, Ramada Plaza Nags Head Beach situated on the Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina.

The next morning we went to visit the Bermuda Aquarium Museum set up by the Bermuda Government. We saw and were thoroughly charmed by the chow, a seabird that would have become extinct but for the efforts of the museum authorities. We also other species like the Whistling Frog, the Beautiful Eastern Blue Bird, and the Bermuda Cedar.

The Aquarium houses over 200 types of fishes, seals, and marine turtles. The aquarium, like the zoo, is a recent addition.

At the zoo we saw Galapagos tortoises, the largest living samples of their species with longevity of 100 to 150 years. Of the original twelve species there are only ten left in the world today. Sue had seen these giant tortoises at Charles Darwin Foundation in Ecuador. For me, this was the first time. And I was quite daunted by their gigantesque appearance.
Wandering around the village we saw these quaint little pink buses which also serve as school buses. Drivers of these buses also don the roles of mentors, we discovered. They tend to discipline these youngsters and if anyone is found loitering around, he or she is yanked back into the bus firmly but kindly. You also need to be properly dressed before getting: bikinis and shorts are a definite no-no. The drivers also make sure that everybody is seated before taking off.

One night during our stay we ordered a typical Bermudian pizza for $14 with hamburgers, cheese, and onions from a Four Star Pizza store on North Shore Road of the village. Pretty good and also rather fresh.
For a relaxed, laid-back holiday Flatt is ideal.

Unforgettable Positano

2009-09-29T02:49:00.000-07:00

Looking at the Il San Pietro di Positano one of the world’s best luxury hotels, from afar Sue let out a gasp. The hotel is positioned over a cliff and molded according to its contours. “Did you know,” Sue exclaimed, “it is counted as amongst the top ten hotels in the world?” I could well believe her, who’s usually well up on facts and trivia.

The porter wheeled our luggage into the elevator at the base of hotel opposite which is an unpretentious-looking church. The elevator let us out into the main lobby. Once there, we held our breath once again. It is one the largest and the most beautiful lobbies I have ever seen. Adorned by paintings and sculptures it runs into a terrace with the most exotic foliage. The first impression was certainly a charming one.

Since our plane had been delayed we had a quiet dinner inside our hotel room and turned in early. The next day Sue wanted to visit the famous Isle of Capri which, thanks to our travel agent Sheena, had been booked beforehand. No last-minute bookings here, we were told. Later I was to thank her profusely over the telephone.

The turquoise waters around this bejeweled piece of land are crystal clear; we were able to see the rich sea-bed beneath as though watching through a glass. We couldn’t miss seeing the Blue Grotto, could we? Passing through the cave we were struck by the rich blue tints of the waters, the silvery sheen of the light. The experience was sheer heaven and a little difficult to put into words. It was 4 pm when we returned to Positano. Both Sue and I were too overwhelmed by what we’d seen to be able to speak.

On our last morning we traversed the city on foot which, we discovered, is so easy thanks to little stairs and steps leading up and down the city. That too, was an experience in itself- quite unforgettable.

Sintra: Quaint and pretty

2009-09-22T02:40:00.000-07:00

“Pretty unique,” Sue said as we strolled up and down the Palacio National. She was pointing towards the chimneys which, I agree, appear pretty unique to the urban cape of the Portuguese city of Sintra. We were standing close to the kitchen area of the palace which was basically an enclosed corridor with rows of fireplaces- ancient cooking ranges. Very quaint. We also saw these gigantic racks with large utensils that were once utilized for preparing royal dishes.

Going through the 14th century palace I was particularly enamored with the Royal Court of Arms with its blue and white tiled walls. Sue, on the other hand, liked the long Swans’ Hall containing ceiling panels painted with – you guessed right – swans.

It was lunchtime by the time we repaired to our hotel in the more ancient part of the city. The Lawrence S Hotel that Sheena had booked for us is one of the prettiest and oldest hotels and is also one of the world’s best luxury hotels in the Iberian Peninsula. An ancient manor house of the 18th century it has been beautifully restored to keep up with contemporary times. The reception, bar, and lounge areas are well-designed and spacious.

Sue wanted to go out souvenir shopping in the evening. The concierge as well as hotel guests had mentioned that taking a walk in the old part of the city would prove to be very fruitful, and it did! Sintra is choc-a-bloc with quaint shops and outlets with the greatest local artwork and craft. Little alleys, nooks and corners had some amazing pieces of crockery, ceramics, tiles, even fabrics. Sue bought some lovely embroidered stuff and pieces of pottery.

Not wanting to eat at the hotel particularly we drove out to this place called Galamares not too far from the main town. I would recommend its services, ambience and food any day. Do try their duck rice, its fantastic!

Kazakhstan: A place of scenic charm and culture

2009-09-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

Some friends who’d traveled to Kazakhstan a year ago had recommended Almaty to us. Sue, the culture buff and ever so erudite, had immediately looked up the encyclopedia and the net to inform me, in that special knowledgeable way she has, that Almaty was not only the cultural centre of central Asia – a big plus as far as she is concerned – but also a major financial hub, a former capital of Kazakhstan and continues to be its largest city. I also learnt that it figures amongst the top 50 most expensive cities in the world. Certainly not the most comforting of thoughts, I joked to her!

Flying from London we changed planes at Abu Dhabi and landed at Almaty courtesy of Etihad Airways.

A taxi took us to one of the best luxury hotels, Ambassador Hotel at $25. We later realized, to our dismay, that the hotel could have arranged a free pick-up for us had we requested it. The Ambassador is very comfortable with a great location. It is also quite business-like with a large conference hall, lobby bar, and business center.

The next morning we went to meet Sofia and her husband Kamal, a couple we’d met in Boston, who lived at the end of a rather charming street called Dostyk Avenue. At their insistence we went to explore the Panfilov Park practically next door to where they live. “You must visit the Glory Monument,” Sofia had said over coffee and muffins to us.
She was right; we loved it. The sculptures of the soldiers who gave up their lives in defense of Moscow during the Great Patriotic War of the 1940s are terrifically executed and very dramatic. I found the Glory Memorial surrounding the Eternal Flame and the sculpture of the soldier leading the horses of his slain friends very touching.

Feeling somber we drove up to the Auezov Drama Theatre where nothing was on, yet. Kamal wanted to go to a place called Dastarkhan for “some amazing Kazakh food.” But I, who was getting mesmerized by the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains, simply pulled up a chair at this simple meal kiosk drinking in the view. Lovely!

Bhutan: Royally hospitable

2009-09-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

The best way to get to Bhutan, we had been told, was through India. This Shangri-La of the East is a tight-lipped land-locked Himalayan Lilliput, home to extraordinary sights and peaceful serenity. The original name of this petite country is ‘Druk Yul’ which translates to the ‘Land of the Peaceful Thunder Dragon’. It was Marco Polo who named it ‘Bootan’ during his famed peregrinations. It was only in the early 70s that the cloistered country threw open its doors to foreigners and visitors. And a good thing too, as Sue and I discovered.

Traveling to Bhutan was an impulsive decision on Sue’s part who wanted to see part of the Himalayas and the lovely Buddhist monasteries, the vaunted boast of this near-hidden land. We were still in Delhi where we contacted a tour agent who arranged our visas for us (Indian nationals do not require them, we learnt) which were stamped in Thimpu, the capital of the country. For $ 474 (per head) the tour operators booked us seats with Druk Air and we landed at the Paro International Airport. The drive up to the hotel was scenic and beautiful and it got quite dark by the time our friendly cab driver drove us to this place called the Kichu Resort, which is one of the world’s best resorts. We were both charmed by the hospitality and warmth of the hotel staff that immediately welcomed us with hot tea and snacks.

The next morning we set off for Thimpu. Another scenic drive that drove our senses wild. The Yeezdin Guest House booked by our agent is centrally located and very large. While the city is certainly picturesque with some really beautiful spots we could see large-scale construction taking place almost everywhere. For a capital city it is really small but efficiently run.

Like the Indians the Bhutanese too love their food hot and spicy as we discovered when we stopped by at a place called Bhutan Kitchen. I liked the cheese-baked dishes, though. I also liked their local beer called Arrakh. Tastes mild but what a bite!

Anchorage: a unique Alaskan adventure

2009-09-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

The last time Sue and I had been to Alaska we had simply rushed through Anchorage in our bid to explore the Great Land and its bounties. This time, visiting this city – laughingly referred to as Los Anchorage by many – was my idea, not Sue’s. Upon the advice of friends I had even gone ahead and booked the Econo Lodge Hotel, one of the world’s best hotels.The hotel has a free shuttle and we landed safe and sound at this rather old little inn with this rather old-world, comfy atmosphere.

The next day we put on our snow shoes and went off to this nice little ski resort called Alpenglow in the Chugach Mountains. Alpenglow being a volunteer-run resort, it doesn’t rent out gear and equipment. Just as well we had our own gear with us. After some heady skiing near-accidents we headed down a trail called Flattop. Somebody had told us back at the Lodge that it was the most popular trail in Anchorage and no wonder. Walking along it we saw some great views of Cook Inlet and the surrounding hills.

That night we decided to pass the diner at the Lodge in favor of this homely, cozy little place called Gwennies. I loved the soup, bread and sausage. They were also serving reindeer sausage which, frankly, I did not care to try.

The next morning Sue wanted to shop around for some gifts and souvenirs. Being a touristy sort of place Anchorage is choc-a-bloc with outlets catering to the needs of tourists. We settled for a rather quaint little place called Oomingmak: The Qiviut Shop. And am I glad we did. Run by Max Ox Producers Cooperative this store is a treasure trove of handmade scarves, caps, stoles, etc. The texture has to be seen – sorry, felt – to be believed. The items are knitted out of the Arctic Musk Ox wool, which is much finer than sheep’s wool and pretty steep price-wise.

This Alaskan adventure has been a truly unique one.

Abu Simbel: A temple village

2009-09-09T22:31:00.000-07:00

Sue was still yawning inside the hotel room. Sheena, my travel agent, had booked for us the Nobaleh Ramsis, one of the world best hotels, which is pretty close to all the museums and historical sites.

We had to catch the plane from Cairo at 5.30 am. This meant no one had slept throughout the night. Add to that the revelry and the racket Sue’s cousins were making in the next room. Our first day in Abu Simbel, for the most part, was spent sleeping. We had considered driving in from Aswan but were told about the impossibility of getting in that way. “Security reasons,” a policeman in Cairo had said. We did see quite a few tourists getting off a bus, though.

Well meaning friends had advised us about acquiring enough information about the ancient exotic city – actually a village – situated in the north of the Sudanese border in Egypt as ‘you won’t even find the time to see it all.’ Sue, being the more erudite of us two, had done most of the reading. It was she who told me that the city had been rescued from the rising fury of Lake Nasser by the United Nations. But I was mainly interested in the temples dedicated to Rameses II, the Great.

The next morning we set off accompanied by a guide to explore the village hillside next to the Nile. Our guide directed us towards the magnificent temple of Rameses II, the Great. The temple, he told us in his halting English, had been reconstructed brick by brick when the flood waters had entered it, and relocated atop the hill. The four statues of the great Pharaoh are marvelous pieces of art, absolutely awesome. They face a man-made mountain that resembles a giant rock.

Abu Simbel, we noticed, was bereft of cosmopolitan life; there seems to be no place to eat out. So we ate at the Nobaleh Ramsis Hotel. A nice way to end a rather eventful day, say what?

Ulaanbaatar: Where drab becomes pretty

2009-09-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

The first impression of the capital city of Mongolia is hardly the best. Sue summed it up with one word, ‘drab’. We had caught the train from Beijing which is so richly beautiful and thriving and this was a let down. Let down? Well, not really. For the city began to grow on us pretty soon, despite the biting cold and the miserable ambience. Sue had bought a map at the Mongolian Government Map shop located near the State Department Store. Not knowing the local language, Sue said, the map was going to fill in some ‘vital knowledge gaps’.

We took up accommodation at this rather cute place called Gana’s Guesthouse which is not too far from the railway station. It was better than staying at a ‘ger’ or a traditional tent or a dorm. We had a spacious double room to ourselves with toilet and shower. Very clean and comfortable. It was at night that we felt the bite of chill, ooooh! But the warmth of the staff more than made up for the chill. They were even kind enough to help us organize our tours for us. Ulaanbaatar being a small town we were able to undertake most of our excursions on foot. Our first visit was to the post office, a beautiful building with a lofty tower touching the clouds in one corner of the famous Sukhbaatar Square. We wanted to send off some postcards to friends and family and we found such a wide range of stamps and postcards that it boggled our minds!

We also took a tour of the National History Museum near the square which was quite informative. I particularly liked the huge skeleton of a dinosaur.

To try authentic Chinese food we went up to the Ulaanbaatar Hotel not too far from the Drama Theater. Both Sue and I loved the pineapple chicken with steamed noodles and rice. A ‘must try’ surely.

Gettysburg: Where the old meets the new

2009-08-31T00:22:00.000-07:00

Honestly speaking, I can see what makes Pennsylvanians so proud of this tiny little town-let. For here is an exotic confluence of history and scenic beauty. Tucked away rather serenely in the Hills of Adams County it is somewhat difficult to imagine it was once the site of one of the bloodiest battles in history. Driving along a long stretch of pictorial farmland along the Old Lincoln Highway on a lovely spring morning was a treat in itself. We saw monuments and statues arrayed all across the highway in a tribute to the soldiers and generals who fought in the battle of 1863.
Driving up to Gettysburg-Day Inn we saw the denizens darting in and out of their quaint abodes in the costumes of the 1860s. A little too good to be true, we thought. In earlier times the place was known as Marsh Creek. The term Gettysburg came about thanks to an early American settler who launched a tavern in the late 1700s.
Among the things that Sue and I liked in this quaint, curious little town was the 44th and 12th NY Infantry Monument in a locality called Little Round Top. The view on top is absolutely marvelous.
We also visited the famous site at the National Cemetery where the late President Lincoln delivered his renowned Gettysburg Address in November 1863. The grass under our feet was as soft as felt. It felt good taking a stroll around the cemetery.
We next visited the Battle Theatre showcasing a mini battlefield. The multi-media show presenting the battle is most interesting to behold. Don’t miss it if you can.
We drove down to the downtown area for a bite and on a whim chose the most expensive restaurant- Dobbin House. I loved it because the food was ‘home-made’. The sandwiches and the vegetable entrees tasted heavenly to our ravenous tongues. The restaurant décor has some great retro touches harking back to the 1700s. The menu and the music is especially designed to take you back in time.
A great place for a weekend. Check it out if you can.

Blois: tres charmante

2009-08-29T00:43:00.000-07:00

“Look!” Sue pointed from the window of the aircraft circling over the little French town. I craned my neck to look at the white houses with crimson chimneys. I could also see a cathedral atop a hill. Blois had made a charming first impression.

We were driven to the Cote Loire – Auberge Ligerienne, a rather sprawling mansion with a lot of character. It does not look like a hotel per se but reeks of atmosphere. I quite liked it actually.

That evening we took a stroll around the Loire River which was in state of semi-spate. From its banks we could see its landmark bridge constructed in mid 18th century by the renowned French architect Jacques Gabriel. Quite impressive, both Sue and I felt.
The next morning we went to see the Chateau de Blois in the Loire Valley. An exotic residence to ancient French royalty, it was also visited by Joan of Arc in 1429 who was blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before she left for Orleans with her army to battle the English. I loved the castle’s spiral staircase, the Louis XII wing along with its impressive façade, and the Chambre du Roi.

Feeling peckish after our excursions we stopped by at this French restaurant called Le Triboulet next to the Château de Blois. The décor is traditionally French and very cheerful. Sue couldn’t stop raving about the duck sausages or andouilletes de canard (didn’t try them myself) while both of us loved the fresh seasonal river fish preparation and the dessert, cooked prunes doused in red wine. Sue also ordered their plateau de fromages.

We also visited the Musée de l’Objet with its unique architecture housing some great sculptures and artworks. Wandering around the streets flanking the edifice felt great too as we got to see such marvelous facades and houses constructed partly out of timber.
We had to catch a flight in the evening. The holiday was over too soon for me.

Gafsa: Underrated Paradise

2009-08-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

Gafsa has to be one of the best kept secrets of the African continent. Most people tend to simply pass it over in favor of other ‘exotic’ destinations like Tozeur or Douz. True it is cities that appears to be crumbling and needs to be promoted more aggressively but it have some really endearing spots.

Wandering around the Kasbah area and going past its butterscotch walls we could see the devastation it had witnessed thanks to World War II. Like a sturdy sentinel, though, it stands tall and proud guarding the town. Situated on an oasis the Kasbah looks picture perfect. On the brink of an oasis is a little café where we had sipped hot coffee and snacked on muffins.

The Medina in Gafsa was every bit as interesting as the one in Marrakesh although smaller. Both Sue and I got lost a couple of times there!. A nice old man pointed the way out. We saw some really beautiful mosques on the way; I was especially impressed with the architecture of the Great Mosque which, I understand, enjoys pride of place in the Medina.

Another sight that impressed me – and Sue – greatly was the Roman pools housed in a rather ornate square. They reminded me of the Mughaloid hammams in Delhi and Fatehpur Sikri in India. Sue, who can never resist a chance to swim, dived right in. “It is so warm and pleasant!” she urged me to join her, an offer I smilingly declined.
For lunch we made our way back to the Kasbah towards the edge of the oasis. We noticed that most restaurants in Gafsa are for ‘men only’. Rather quaint in this day and age.
On our way back we passed by Place 7 Novembre, a historic square in one of the town’s main streets.

We also did some shopping for some delicacies at Gafsa’s main market reeking with exotics aromas and scents. We bought these yummy local cakes and later gorged on them. This tiny paradisiacal oasis is clearly underrated.

Kericho: green charm

2009-08-26T00:20:00.000-07:00

Whatever one may say about Kenya, both Sue and I loved Kericho, the tea heartland of the country. The hotel we were staying in was seedy, rundown and a real disappointment. But we couldn’t say the same about the town per se. Situated in the wet highlands of the Rift Valley, it is a green-laden paradise. That green has a rather unique appeal to the eyes, a translucent kind of emerald, if you know what I mean.

Sue, my mobile chatterbox encyclopedic friend and alter ego, had mentioned that the tea town was christened after a brave Masai chief who was slain by the Gusii tribe during the 18th century. She had also let on that next to India and Sri Lanka, Kenya happens to be the largest tea grower. And we were here, right inside the tea heartland of Africa surrounded by a vast mossy green carpet as far as the eye could see.

We started out early the next morning to go to the Ruma National Park. Our hotel had arranged for a jalopy and a driver to take us there and had even packed some sandwiches and tea in a flask for us (earning some redemption in our eyes). We went through a couple of fishing villages going past some beautiful coastlines. The park is picturesque and beautiful like most parks but what I admired most was the numerous species of antelopes, particularly the Oribi (among the smallest in the antelope family) we got to see. We also saw some rare birds like the Blue Swallow, Fish Eagle, and White Egret.

The next day being a Saturday we went to a disco at the one of the world’s best hotels, Mid-West Hotel. We first went to the bar at a place called Urwa Inn where there are some nice pool tables and relatively inexpensive beers. Both Sue and I let our hair down and danced all practically night. The discotheque at the Mid-West Hotel is pretty safe compared to quite a few others.
The emerald greenery of the town certainly held us spellbound over that one weekend.

Lanzarote: Windy and picturesque

2009-08-24T01:51:00.000-07:00

It was windy when we landed in Lanzarote, the furthest of the Canary Islands. We pulled our jackets about close as we waited for the bus to take us to the center of capital Arrecife. We got off in the town square and made our way wheeling our luggage behind us. We had expected a small establishment but to our surprise the Lancelot Hotel is pretty large and overwhelming and is also one of the luxury beach hotels commanding a gorgeous seaside view.

I loved the spacious room they provided us with along with TV, mini-bar, telephone and an in-room safe. We had lunch at the large restaurant there after freshening up. Being tired we decided to rest a little. It was slightly late by the time our tiredness wore off. I was all game for winding up the evening at the hotel bar which appeared pretty decent to me. But Sue insisted on going out. She had made friends with Percy – another hotel guest – and his girlfriend Lisa who wanted to hang out at this place called Bar Hook at Costa Teguise. They had rented a car so off we went for a swig of cocktails at Bar Hook. The ambience was quite nice despite the sharp prices. The size of cocktails was pretty generous which were poured out in front of our eyes.

The next morning we drove through the wind along the picturesque coastline till we hit upon the Los Pocillos beach which in Spanish translates to ‘the puddle’. This is a curious quirk of nature as the puddle manages to run off into the ocean. We saw some kids shrieking with delight as they splashed about in it.

There is one site in Lanzarote you must absolutely not miss. This is the island of Mirador del Rio. Standing at one corner of Lanzarote we couldn’t take our eyes off the heavenly ground-piece, beautified further by the artist Cesar Manrique. Two domes roofed in and a restaurant contained within an artificially created mountain cavity make it look ravishing.
Other places we liked were the cactus gardens and the Timanfaya National Park.
A great place to visit, surely.

Odense: Fairy tale land

2009-08-20T05:05:00.000-07:00

Traveling to Odense was my idea. Ever since I learnt that this third largest city in Demark – next to Copenhagen and Arhus – was the hometown of Hans Christian Andersen. A tiny local carrier called AirBorne brought me in, along with my best friend and alter ego, from the Italian city of Parma. Ever since the construction of the Great Belt Bridge airline carriers have practically stopped halting at Odense.

A friendly cab driver drove us to our one of the best luxury hotels, Radisson SAS Andersen which is part of the chain operated by SAS, the Scandinavian Airlines. Bang in the midst of the old town, it is very close to the town hall where we saw a statue of Hans Christian Andersen. Sue was mighty tickled as there is casino downstairs.

I was longing to visit the home of the Grimm’s fairy tales. The hotel concierge had mentioned that the Hans Christian Andersen Museum on Bangs Boder opens at 9 am sharp. It was all I expected it to be- and more. The museum is housed inside a modern building. Stepping inside the museum we were treated to the life of this remarkable writer for children. Lovely frescoes by the artist Niels Larsen Stevns, cutouts, letters and other artifacts narrate the life story of the writer. We also visited his little cottage at the back of the museum. “I expect the place transform any moment,” exclaimed Sue, “and see jellies hanging from the roof.” She was echoing my sentiments word for word.

On our way back we saw this rather gorgeous church dedicated – as we learnt from people there – to King Knud who met his end at the hands of rebels in the 11th century.
Although taxis abound in Odense we decided to walk back to the hotel. On the way we stopped at this café called Baresso Coffee on top of a bookstore. The place has a mind-boggling range of coffees, including hot, cold and iced. We settled for two cappuccinos and cheese sandwiches. Pretty good.

Varadero: Touristy and rustic

2009-08-19T02:36:00.000-07:00

“This is just… so heavenly,” Sue yawned and stretched herself on the beach. This was our second morning in the Cuban resort haven, Varadero. The beach was next to the Sol Elite Palmeras, one of the four star luxury beach hotels, actually a sprawling bungalow with nice restaurants, bars and a pool. I personally thought that the Cuban resort town was a little too ‘touristy’, if you know what I mean.

Sue wanted to visit the Santa Elvira Church in the afternoon so that’s where we went. While I had seen other cathedrals and churches that are truly beautiful but I still loved the rural, rustic appeal of the thick, stone-walled edifice resting on chunky beams with double windows and doors.

Sue clicked a lot of photographs while I contented myself with taking a stroll, talking to the locals in broken Spanish and taking in the quiet surroundings. It got late by the time we got back to the hotel. Sue wandered off by herself as she wanted to take a swim in the pool. Crazy girl! I went to the bar and poured out a drink for myself. Later we had dinner together in the room.

The next morning we set off early to view the archaeological site around Ambrosio’s cave where runaway slaves were known to seek refuge during the colonial era. With an entrance fee of three pesos we got an insight into ancient Indian rituals and customs. I particularly loved the large collection of pictographs of the time.

On our last day we decided to go shopping for gifts and souvenirs. One of the hotel guests had recommended visiting the downtown area as opposed to shopping around in the hotel complex. We made a beeline for the local craft market which kept us fascinated for hours as we picked out wood carvings, exotic necklaces, T-shirts, etc.

On our last evening we had a buffet dinner at the hotel where we sampled various pastas, breads, and pastries.

Our stay in Varadero was short but sweet. Definitely worth re-visiting.

St. Maarten: sun-soaked paradise

2009-08-17T02:15:00.000-07:00

Getting into St. Maarten in the Caribbean takes about four hours from New York by flight. We had heard of the great beeches of the place, 37 at last count. Sue, who loves beeches, had jumped up in excitement at Sheena’s, our travel agent’s, office.
We landed at the Princess Juliana airport which has a duty-free shop, a restaurant, a bank, even car rentals.

The airport taxi delivered us to one of the world’s best hotels booked by Sheena on Orient Beach called La Plantation. Arriving there I felt I was stepping into Grimm’s fairyland- one with palm trees and a swimming pool. Beautiful furniture with great downy beds and pillows and mosquito nets reminiscent of the sets of Cleopatra made our two-day stay very comfortable. Plus, we had this long balcony overlooking the ocean; all very exotic and glamorous.

We went for a walk down Orient Beach in the evening after tea. This beach is clearly demarcated for aquatic sports. We saw some lovely diving and snorkeling spots. Charming huts – called ‘tiki’ huts – line this particular beach.

The next morning we went to explore Marigot, the capital of the French side of the country. This tiny little place with only four streets to boast of nestles rather smugly next to the Marigot Bay. This infinitesimal megapolis packs in quite a bit in terms of bustling crowds, a handicrafts’ bazaar, designer outlets housing the trendiest wares from the world over (all tax-free, by the way). Great bistros and coffee houses make it look very French.

We couldn’t resist visiting that evening the Dutch-side capital of this interesting and diverse little country. So we drove down to Philipsburg where most people speak English. The place is more well-developed than its French counterpart and happens to be a real shopper’s paradise. Since we were not in the mood for any shopping we were content to sit out at the harbor at a wayside café and watch the ships dock.
It was evening by the time we got back, tired, hungry but immensely happy.

Queenstown: A picture of adventure

2009-07-31T00:55:00.000-07:00

For a remote town in lovely, pristine New Zealand Queenstown is sure a busy little place. It was here – billed by tourism booklets as the ‘adventure capital of the world’ – that I tried my hand at bungee jumping. To tell the truth, as the cords were being tied to my feet I couldn’t help feeling my heart stop near my throat. Sue went off into peals of laughter watching my semi-blanched face. Did I make it finally? I am happy to report that I did. Of course, Sue managed to jump more gracefully than I did off the Kawarau Bridge, the world’s first commercial bungee-jumping site.

Just walking about in the town was proving to be an eye-soothener. There were blue lakes, snow-capped mountains and green trees whichever way we turned. The air smelt delicious as we moved with our backpacks towards the Winnie Bagoes Gourmet Pizza Bar in the Mall. We were pleasantly surprised by the interiors- a massive bar, billiards tables, a cheerful fireplace and comfy chairs. Not like a pizza place at all, in a sense. The pizzas are thinly-crusted with a variety of toppings. I liked my mini Italian pizza while Sue raved about her smoked-chicken served with Brie and cranberry sauce.

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting Bob’s Peak on the cableway Skyline Gondola. Suspended atop the breathtaking beauty Lake Wakatipu we thought nothing could be better and then we beheld the Remarkable’ peaks. The blue-green mountains with their vanilla toppings were too riveting to the eye to be dismissed lightly.

Although we were tired out we still managed to make our way to one of the world’s best luxury hotels, hotel Novotel Gardens – on foot enjoying the scenery on the way. Close to some beautiful local gardens and well-manicured lawns, it is one of the most picturesque hotels in town. We were lucky enough to get a room on the ground floor with a walking trail right outside the door. The next morning we took a walk on the trail. That itself was an adventure in itself.

The place has my strongest recommendation

Christmas Island: Close to heaven

2009-07-27T01:22:00.000-07:00

Christmas Island is one place where nature colludes with the elements to create magic. Neither Sue nor I had beheld before such a variety of birds in all the colors imaginable under the sun. We saw a mind-boggling range of imperial pigeons, silver bosuns, emerald doves and thrushes that we found ourselves breathless and agape at the same time.

Flying in from Perth we stayed at this lovely place called the Captain’s Last Resort which is one of the best lake spa resort. Staring down from the balcony we saw schools of exotic fish in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean.

Sue’s alarm clock woke me up early the next morning. She was still asleep when I went out into the balcony to soak in the refreshing morning air. Not a soul was in sight, but the birds were up and about chirping overhead in the trees. I saw a seagull flying out into the ocean and disappearing. I resolved to visit one of the many beaches on this island with Sue. In the little kitchenette I prepared a hot cup of lemon tea for myself. Sue had woken up in the meantime and was making enquiries about renting a four-wheeled drive at the Christmas Island Tourism Association.

An hour later we drove down to the remotest part of the island- Dolly Beach. Its sandy softness and thick rainforest were a sheer visual extravagance. Swaying coconut palms and live marine turtles made our day. The area also has a fresh water spring, which makes it a favorite with picnickers. On our way back we came across a tour group from Sydney enthusiastically diving into the azure ocean waters.

Christmas Island is not a shopper’s haven; reason enough for its limpid beauty. Opposite the Christmas Island Visitor Centre we came across this small grocery shop where we bought bread and tea leaves. We also espied a supermarket opposite but we didn’t go in.
That evening we had coffee as we listened to the waves of the Indian Ocean lapping at the shores of the Flying Fish Cove. It was the closest to heaven as we could get.

Mussoorie: Of greenery and sunset

2009-07-23T01:21:00.001-07:00

“You know, I don’t feel very self-conscious here,” Sue was saying as we made our way towards Kulri in Mussoorie. I could appreciate that. In India she had been at the receiving end of (often unsought-for) male attention. My olive skin and dark eyes, on the other hand, had kept me ‘safe’. In Mussoorie she no longer felt like an ‘alien’, there being so many foreigners. We were dragging our luggage up to a bed and breakfast joint called All Seasons recommended and booked by a friend from India.

The main town was a disappointment; especially after the drive up from Dehradun, the valley-town of the new-born north Indian state of Uttarakhand. Too much traffic, dirt, smells of cow dung and tourists from the Indian capital Delhi. And yet it was all quaintly unique, so rustic although Mussoorie was developed by the British into a hill station.

All Seasons is an unpretentious guest house cheek-by-jowl to a couple of swanky five star hotels. Yet it manages to hold its own thanks to its cozy, homely interiors and warm staff. Run by ‘Winkie’, a turbaned Sikh gentleman, it is the acme of hospitality. He gave Sue and me the best room with a huge king-sized bed, bath, walk-in closet, TV, fridge, and Wi-Fi access. My favorite feature, however, was the balcony overlooking the hills?

The guest house doesn’t provide lunch so we decided to eat Thai and Chinese food at The Tavern which was close by. The egg noodles that Sue ordered were pretty nice but I loved my Thai chicken curry and iced tea.

That afternoon we booked a taxi to take us to Kempty Falls, so named by the Brits thanks to their love for tea. ‘the word Kempty’ happens to be a corruption of ‘Camp Tea’, a 19th century colonial tradition. Kempty, frankly, was a disappointment with the water having thinned and the trash. The drive back to All Seasons was far more entrancing. But nothing to beat the sun spreading its orange resplendence while slipping behind the mountains- a sight that caused us to down our teacups in the evening.

Samarkand: Sandy splendor

2009-07-21T01:42:00.000-07:00

Walking about in Samarkand in our hats and after having downed several glasses of water the summer heat was, frankly, beginning to get to us. This Uzbek city is beautiful, no doubt, but because of its locale in the desert it gets unimaginably hot here. Thankfully, the city is literally littered with tea-houses. Escaping into one to obtain relief from the merciless sun was not at all difficult, thankfully.

Both Sue and I voted Registan (in Urdu the word means desert) as among the most impressive squares we had come across during our travels. This 15th century structure is also home to three madrasas or educational institutions hailed for their lovely architecture. We later visited the Rukhobod Mausoleum which is rumored to house a hair of Prophet Mohammad.

We also went to see Samarkand University and, once again, fell in love with the architecture. Surrounded by green lawns, the leafy glades and benches offer respite from the fierce sun. There exists a park in the south west end of the university dedicated to musician, poet, and painter of Timur’s time. There are also quite a few good restaurants close by. What deterred us from going in were the high prices.

We made our way back to the one of the best luxury hotels, Hotel Zarina which Sheena, our travel agent, had so kindly booked for us. On the way, we passed Registan once again and couldn’t help marveling at its beauty yet again. Both Sue and I quickly whipped out our cameras.

Making our way towards Zarina we stopped short opposite this rather gorgeous place called ‘Lyabi Gor’. With pleasant interiors the restaurant is pretty clean. We sat at a table and ordered the famous Uzbek green tea to be followed by chicken shaslik and stuffed peppers. The service was prompt and the staff quite courteous and pleasant. I would recommend the place any day.

Aswan: Truly Egyptian

2009-07-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

Before flying to Aswan the only thing I had known about the city was its famous dam, I now ashamed to admit. Once there I felt as though I was part of one of Rider Haggard’s novels. Turning to Sue on Elephantine Island I said, “I feel like Ayesha (of ‘She’),” and walked with an exaggerated swagger. The winding streets and alleyway, the chocolate-faced urchins scurrying about, the gigantesque boulders resembling elephants next to the Nile, and ruins of the Khnum temple left us quite out of breath.

Staring out towards the turquoise Nile River I was reminded of yet another classic, Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Nile’. Would Sue and I meet with an exotic adventure on a boat, I wondered. As long as we didn’t get murdered, I thought wryly. “A penny for your thoughts!” Sue ribbed me with her elbow, “Hey! How about getting on to that felucca?” Feluccas are sailboats where the sails are made of canvas.

”Why are you staring at me so hard?” she asked, regarding my expression. Had she read my mind, I couldn’t help wondering. The two young boys who were manning the boat managed to steer it well. The breeze from the Nile fanned our faces and hair and we stared out contentedly at the sun setting fire to the Nile waters before disappearing behind the desert. A sight of breathtaking beauty!

We docked in at the Essa Island in the center of the Nile. Going by our watches it was 7.30 pm. Not yet dinner time but our tummies were rumbling. Moreover, we had heard about a great Nubian restaurant. We ordered Egyptian bread with chicken curry amidst loud music which we attacked with relish. Sue later ordered grilled fish cooked in conjunction with a local herb called ‘zaatar’. Feeling rather full I sampled a little. Quite nice.

We got back to our one of the world’s best hotels rather late accompanied by other tourists staying there. We felt sorry to leave Aswan the next day.

Oslo: Great in Every Way

2009-07-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

“Wow!” exclaimed Sue. We were staring at the summit of one of the best luxury hotels, Radisson SAS Oslo Plaza practically in the midst of the city. I knew that it had a nice bar all the way up to the top but desisted from going up. Firstly, it was too early in the day for a drink and secondly, it was too expensive. Thirdly, there were other places I wanted to visit. Places like Vigeland Park containing the works of one of the country’s greatest sculptors Gustav Vigeland.

Santo Domingo: The oldest in the new world

2009-07-09T23:42:00.000-07:00

Even before plans regarding a trip to the capital of Dominican Republic got underway there was advice galore. Most friends and well-wishers told us that this was where we would be able to locate the ‘most ancient in a contemporary world’, including the oldest street, the oldest building – well, not exactly – the oldest chapel, and the oldest cathedral in the world. By the time we landed in Santo Domingo we were well-informed about the erratic traffic, fake jewel purveyors, etc.

God bless Sheena, our travel agent, who’d booked us at the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel, one of the best spa hotels and Casino with its jaw-dropping backdrop. Shaded by tall swaying palm trees it overlooks a lovely beach. The bilingual staff of the hotel is also most helpful and friendly.

Our first visit was to the Columbus Lighthouse or the Faro a Colon. The place is enormous and walking about tired us out quite a bit. One American tourist informed us that the view from the top of the light house is absolutely gorgeous. We could only take him for his word because we didn’t get to climb to the summit. We also learnt that Christopher Columbus lies buried here.

And how could we miss seeing the oldest cathedral in the Americas? The founding stone of this holy shrine was laid by Columbus’ son, Diego Columbus. Stepping inside the enormous vault one got a sense of a redoubtable colonial past. I was also reminded of the pirates who stormed the place in the 1500s to plunder all the precious artifacts and artworks and couldn’t help shivering. Some of the artworks they left behind cannot fail to impress, however.

All this made us hungry. Our watches said four pm local time, a little too early for tea and too late for lunch. Yet our stomachs were growling. So we got into our rented car and made our way to El Conusco, a favorite eating joint with tourists. I enjoyed the chicken salad and yams. Sue found the spaghetti really delicious. A must visit and highly recommended.

Melk: A day well spent

2009-06-29T05:12:00.000-07:00

Looking down from the top floor of one of the best luxury hotels, Hotel Stadt in Melk we could see splayed out below a whirligig of red tiled roofs and whitewashed houses and buildings. Melk is a quiet town and ideal for vacations.

Sue and I had arrived in the morning from Vienna. After a meal and a rest at the hotel we made our way to the renowned Stift Melk, also called the Melk Abbey. Sue told me that this was one of the most famous monasteries of the world. I loved the drive up to the rocky outcrop close to the Wachau Valley in lower Austria. From the monastery one can see the rive Danube flowing by. The Cupola, the frescoed ceiling, the long corridor, and beautiful pieces d’art like ‘The Triumph of the Monk’ were nothing short of a visual treat.

While visiting the museum of Stift Melk we came upon the library, Grosse Bibliotek, with the most extraordinary collection of books. There are, for instance, close to 2000 manuscripts and some 1,700 books dating back to the sixteenth century. The ceiling here too, is beautifully frescoed.

Sue and I came out, quite overwhelmed, into the mellow Austrian sunshine. We had coffee and snacks inside the garden pavilion which again, happens to be a work of art. It is very baroque and just as beautiful. Never have I sipped coffee surrounded by so many artistic pieces.

Just as we were about to drive out of Stift Melk we spotted a bench and stand to the right of the foot of the stairs, practically hidden by the foliage. Behind the stand was this man, a farmer, selling candles and soaps along with cakes, wines and brandies. We bought some cakes and wine which we sampled at the hotel. Both were great. The next morning we had to drive back to Vienna and felt sad about leaving Melk.

Belek: A sunny paradise

2009-06-24T00:22:00.000-07:00

“This is surely Nature’s lavishness at its best!” Sue had exclaimed on arriving in Belek which is in the Antalya region in Turkey. We had just got in from Paris by air- the journey had taken about three hours. Being driven into our one of the world’s best luxury hotels we noticed the sprawling golf courses with grass so green as to defy description. The soft mauve Mediterranean surrounding the town developed expressly for tourism purposes boasts a chain of well-maintained hotels that do not intrude upon the landscape. What is more, quite a few hotels have their own beach strips. We stayed at this place called Cornelia De Luxe with its plush accommodation and great seaside view.

In the evening we went down to the Troy Aqua Park, one of the largest water parks I have ever seen. Both Sue and I tried the rather dangerous kamikaze slide in which you have to hold your legs very tightly together otherwise your injuries will take a long time to heal.

We saw a number of tourists leaving for the Dolphinarium which is a part of the aqua park. We too lined up to buy tickets that cost us 25 euros each. We saw children under three years of age being admitted free of cost. The show lasted for about an hour. We saw walruses and dolphins; some even swam with them, for a payment of course.

That evening we were taken to the Adnana Kadriye restaurant by some well-meaning friends we had found at the aqua park. It was less expensive than what we’d expected and the food was great. I especially loved the grilled fish and tomato soup. Later we had Efes beer which too was great. As if this weren’t enough, the restaurant staff was friendly and warm and the view from there was simply superb.

One tip: Belek is a great place to shop for leather jackets, purses and things. The quality is great even if the price is somewhat steep.

Gibraltar: Stable as a rock

2009-06-17T22:28:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness Sue has cousins living in Gibraltar who were willing to put up with us for a day. Well, here we were, in this last outpost of Europe and facing the huge rock Gibraltar is known for. The rocks are over two million years old, we were told. To our disappointment, we couldn’t manage to get a good view of it as the weather was slightly misty. We did see a lot of monkeys – barbery apes they are called, I believe – scampering about, though. Because Sue’s cousins, Mary and Edwina, had warned us against carrying bags because of the apes, we didn’t even take our cameras along. Instead, we stuffed our wallets in our jackets.

We had entered from the Spanish side on a double decker bus, thank goodness for that. Because those who got in with their cars were asked to fill out endless forms. The car queues are horrendously long and waiting can take a toll of your nerves and patience. Please be warned: a lot of conmen will try and sell you (fake) tickets at the border when all you need is a passport.

After the rock Sue suggested that we explore the St. Michaels Caves. “Caves!” I exclaimed in sheer disbelief, “You’ve got to be kidding.” But when I reached the caves, especially the Siege Tunnels, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The British blasted their way through natural tunnels and carefully crafted them to save Gibraltar’s denizens from continual Spanish attacks. The caves contain a storehouse for ammunition in a dynamite-blasted tunnel called St. Georges’ Hall. A great instance of engineering is all I can say.
We ended the day roaming around the main town square taking in its sights and sounds. We were lucky to be in time for an afternoon concert being performed by a uniformed band whose jaunty Spanish numbers we swung to while sipping coffee at an open restaurant.

That evening we took the bus out of Gibraltar with Mary and Edwina waving their goodbyes.

San Juan: A great place to be stranded in

2009-06-15T02:34:00.000-07:00

Sue and I hit upon San Juan purely by accident. The thing is this: we were stranded at the Luis Marin Airport while on our way to so the authorities were kind enough to put us up at one of the best luxury resort spa, the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino. We had a thoroughly good time in the heart of the Caribbean in the midst of a large, picturesque beach. Sue wanted to jump into the swimming pool right away but then we hand no luggage save for our handbags. We had beer in the bar while a live band played some great Spanish numbers. Stepping out into the glorious sunshine we saw a city choc-a-bloc with fabulous Spanish architecture, malls, cafes, etc. This is also where European civilization anchored its beginnings, almost, after Santa Domingo.

Sue wanted to rent a car but was warned by the kindly hotel receptionist about the chaotic traffic and parking difficulties so we decided to hotfoot it to the old city contained within timeworn thick walls. We walked up to the La Plaza de las Palomas meaning ‘Plaza of the Doves’ and saw at least a million pigeons on the archway, the concrete with small kids screaming with delight while breaking off bread and feeding them. The old city is dotted with some breathtaking architecture, La Fortazela being one of them. Currently the Governor’s mansion it was a prison during colonial times. Walking around we were simply charmed by the old houses, old-style lamp posts and the streets. I, for one, did not wish to leave.

A quick lunch at a wayside café later we made our way towards Paseo de la Princesa, the world famous promenade close to the bay. We saw cruise ships docking in and pouring out their legions. The unruffled blue stretch of the ocean left us with a lot of inner peace.
Sue wanted to visit other San Juan landmarks like El Morro and the San Cristobal Fort but there was no time. We made our way back to the hotel tired and happy.

Asuncion: Beauty and the bustle

2009-06-11T00:13:00.000-07:00

“Poof!” The interjection was a new one for Sue. But I was able to empathize being conjointly stewed in the clammy Paraguayan heat. We were roaming the streets of Asuncion in the height of summer wearing these ridiculously big hats that almost hid our faces but which also did a good job of shielding us from the fierce sun. “I wish it would rain,” said Sue. I reminded her that if it did we could get stuck as rainwater was known to fill up the potholes and sewages of the city, very often up to the level of 50 meters. And yet, despite the heat and discomfort we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves, taking in the shopping centers, buildings, and museums. That is the beauty of Asuncion, it manages to allure despite minor discomforts.

“Donde esta el correo?” asked Sue, who is an expert on languages. I knew she was asking for directions to the post office. In Paraguay you need to know at least rudimentary Spanish in order to get by. I hadn’t come across anybody who could speak English during our short stay in Asuncion.

The central post office, we noticed to our pleasure, is a sheer visual delight. An ancient building with pristine columns it commands a panoramic view of the city. What I loved most was watching the Paraguay River softly gushing by in a deliberate contrast to the bustling city.

Sue and I later frequented the busy Colon Street known for its touristy appeal. Here we saw Paraguayan women selling herbs by the bundles, especially to eager tourists. One of them even approached me and I, not being conversant with Spanish, beat a hasty retreat.
The next day we were in the Villa Morra district where Sue had to pick up a parcel for her godmother, a hearty Paraguayan lady, from her niece. Here we stopped by for some crayfish and other seafood dishes cooked in the typical Paraguayan style at a place called Fina Estampa. It went down great for two ravenous tourists.
I am already dreaming of a re-visit.

Warsaw: Unforgettable

2009-06-08T22:40:00.000-07:00

It was cold at the Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport the morning Sue and I landed at Wlochy, which happens to be 10 kilometers away from the city center. We were required to pass through a passport control station before entering security which took a longer time than anticipated, there being very few screening points.

Being driven to our one of the best spa hotels we saw rows of ghetto-like structures, all very functional and unpretty a relic of the city’s Soviet past, no doubt. We also saw some derelict milk bars, all harking back to the communist era.

After checking in at the hotel the first place we stopped by was at the Warsaw Monument to the Uprising. What we felt is truly indescribable. The statues dedicated to the war heroes trying to rescue their city from the clutches of the Nazis and the communists drove both Sue and me to tears.

One of the monuments was dedicated to a child soldier wearing boots and helmets a couple of sizes too big for him. Some 200,000 people were mowed down to death even as the Soviet army watched on. I felt a shudder creep up my spine.

We wandered around the Old Town in silence and pretty soon our spirits began to revive beholding the restored monuments. Some of the old turreted houses with rust-colored rooftops looked so cheerful as the sun rays set them alight that we couldn’t help feeling heartened. The entire ambience spoke volumes of the dauntless spirit of the city- I salute it with all my heart.

We walked around the Old Town Market Square taking in our fill of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance building and churches. Through all my travels I rarely remember being this moved.

We also stopped by in front of the charming Zamoyski Palace built in a delightful French Renaissance style. The lovely faced and beautiful lawns made us – temporarily – forget the horrors of the war.
Warsaw is one place I will never forget.

Vitoria: Picturesque Basque bastion

2009-05-30T05:27:00.000-07:00

Walking around Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, a stolid 17th century square Sue and I were taken by the lovely glazed balconies adorning some very old structures. People here speak avidly in a mix of Basque and Spanish. We had a Spaniard sitting next to us on the plane who told us, rather proudly, that it was this Basque capital that eventually threw Napoleon out of Spain in 1813. Sue and I stopped opposite the monument dedicated t the event.

The quality of life in Vitoria is unhurried and graceful. You will not get motor cars honking at you or driving you up the wall. If I am not mistaken, Vitoria was one of the first cities in the country to have gone pedestrian in a major way.

Sue, who is the reader between the two of us, had mentioned that this quiet Basque city was built on a hilly hamlet known as Gasteiz by the king of Navarre in 1181.
“You must visit the Archaeological Museum,” our Spanish companion had gushed. So off we went to explore it. It had a range of artifacts from prehistoric time right up to the Middle Ages.

Sue really loved the playing cards museum housed within the premises of a restored palace known as the Palacio de Bendana. The cards, contained in some 20,000 card decks, come from all eras and countries. We learnt about the culture, even eroticism of other countries.

Another favorite was the Plaza de Espana which houses the Parque de la Florida. Beautiful floral gardens with attractive layouts included copses and streams. I particularly enjoyed taking a stroll by myself on this tree-lined promenade next to the Basilica de Armentia. The surrounding mansions and parks make for a truly picturesque setting. I was met on the way by smiling couples, nannies wheeling their tiny wards on prams and so on.

There was so much more to explore but we had to catch the flight to Madrid the next morning. I plan to return soon someday.

Brisbane: Deceptively languid

2009-05-28T23:16:00.000-07:00

The mild Queensland weather was sending us to sleep at the airport itself. Driving towards the Rydges Hotel one of the best spa hotels at Southbank Sue and I couldn’t help noting the gently curving slope of the Brisbane River. Everything about the town is laidback, from the people to the traffic. There is such an unhurried pace here that one feels relaxed automatically.

A quiet second cousin t the more bustling cities of Melbourne and Sydney Brisbane began to blossom during the 1982 Commonwealth Games.

From the windows of the Rydges we couldn’t help exclaiming at the beauty spread out before us. The landscape of Southbank, especially the riverside region, is extremely fetching to the eyes. It is difficult to believe that it once counted among the city’s ‘sleaze spots’ with run-down establishments, ugly warehouses, dubious pubs et al. Today it is the pride of Brisbane, one of its undeniable pearls.

The beach area too is fascinating (although artificial), with some great eating places. Sue’s favorite was this place called Beastie Burgers on Southbank’s Little Stanley Street whereas I loved the Turkish fare with its varied breads and sauces served at Ahmet’s Licensed Turkish Restaurant on Grey Street.

Southbank isn’t the only picturesque spot in Brisbane, Sue and I discovered. Sue had to meet one of her professors at the Queensland University of Technology which is right next to the Botanical Gardens. Leafy and green with some beautiful shaded spots, I was particularly entranced by the ducks, duck ponds, and the mangroves.

Another of my personal favorites was the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where we saw these frightfully lazy koalas that seemed to be falling off their hubs atop eucalyptus trees. They also appeared somewhat resigned about submitting to hugs by excited tourists. I, on my part, preferred to leave the poor creatures alone.

Brisbane has a robust nightlife – so much for its laidback, small-town reputation – with a plethora of pubs and bars. Sue and I went to this rather cool place at the Queen Street Mall known as the Treasury Casino. We didn’t play, of course, but had our fill of martini and vodka.

Don’t be fooled by its outward demeanor; Brisbane has a lot of excitement to offer.

De Haan: Stepping back in time

2009-05-19T00:55:00.000-07:00

Going around the De-Haan Centre I couldn’t help feeling I was back in the Hansel and Gretel epoch. At any given moment I expected witches and wizards to pop out of the stately Belle Époque villas and whiz past me precariously perched atop a broom or cloud. Sue, who was walking beside me said, “Where are the princes charming on their white steeds?” I knew she was thinking along the same lines as me.

We had arrived the evening before and here we were in this seaside town soaking up its picturesque beauty and elegance. Our hotel concierge had told us we were lucky to have such fine weather. “Last night had been horrible, rains and more rains!” she had rolled her eyes dramatically.

“Oh look!” Sue was pointing in the direction of a spotless white residential building with a russet turreted top. A passerby told us that it was actually a residential building belonging to an Englishman which had been converted to a hotel. “Tourists, mainly from the UK, feel at home here,” she gushed.

Walking intone of the worlds best hotels Beaufort for a late breakfast we were, once again, charmed by the sight that greeted us. Resembling a wedding cake from a distance it has a lovely terrace from which one can view the city. Sue and I had these steaming pancakes fresh from the pan with tea and scones. Sue later had beer which I refrained from taking, it being too early in the day.
The concierge had told us about this old tram station practically next to the Beaufort restaurant. It was such a dear little place replete with Art Nouveau style deco and very British. I felt I had stepped back an era; a more charming one than what I was living in.

If I loved the buildings of De Haan Sue the seaside. The town has one of the most fabulous beaches I have seen with white stretches of sandy white.

Taking the plane out to Brussels that evening we couldn’t help feeling we had left an age, an era behind.

Athens: The acme of civilization

2009-05-08T02:07:00.000-07:00

Alighting at Athens’ airport I fell silent for a while. “Penny for your thoughts!” Sue nudged me gently. I was in Athens, the home of Socrates, Sophocles, and Plato. This is where democracy, as we know it today, had taken root. This is where… I decided that if I continued to itemize each accomplishment and realization of this great city I would never get done for the next 24 hours, so I let it go.

A light drizzle cooled the skies as we reached our lodgings in the main city. Deciding against having our breakfast at one of the world's best hotels we checked into this dear little inn which served us the most delicious grilled lamb chops with bread. Sue, who loves learning new words, found out the chops were called paidakia.

Then, like all good tourists we rushed to see the Acropolis.
This celebrated point of significance never seems to lose its sheen. Not only is it an architectural masterpiece but also an acme of artistic expression. Among the most cherished memories of this great monument is the sunlight from behind pink floating clouds falling on the marble. I never regretted having left my camera behind as much as at that point. The Acropolis, like the city it inhabits, continues to re-invent itself. And in some truly amazing ways at that. I would give anything to view the Parthenon and the Temple of Nike once again.

Later in the day, we visited the 19th-century Hellenic Parliament and the famous Athens Trilogy comprising the Athens University, National Library of Greece, and the Academy of Athens.

The third day, our last, ended with a visit to the National Archaeological Museum, the repository of the world’s greatest Greek antiques. Sue also wanted to visit the Planetarium of Athens but there was no time.

And how can I forget my last meal at Athens? Fresh fried fish with rice in an open outdoor restaurant. Like everything in Athens this too was simply great.

A city unhurried

2009-04-30T01:52:00.000-07:00

Stockholm… the very name conjures up images of opera, art, modern dance and of course, Nobel laureates. Looking out my hotel window I can see the point at which Baltic Sea meets the enormous Lake Malaren. I open the window to let in the sea breeze. It is so cool for summer. My friends back in Melbourne had mentioned that Stockholm is considered to be the Venice of the North. Looking out towards the bridges and waterways I can see that the epithet is justified.

Stepping out of my one of the luxury hotels room in the lovely June morning I hold my breath for a while taking in the scenic loveliness of the place. Despite the commerce and activity all around me I love the unhurried pace of it all. I am certain no one gets heart attack or high blood pressure at Stockholm.

Taking a ferry I cross over to Gamla Stan, the city’s old town situated over an islet. Getting off I find myself enraptured by the sheer loveliness of its cobble-stoned pathways, ochre-colored buildings, and the surrounding shops and bars. I thank the sun for shining brightly as the ochre buildings with their cheery blue roof-tops cast long sliding shadows over the cobble-stoned streets giving amateur shutter-bugs umpteen photography opportunities.

I look at the watch Sue had gifted me, it’s not yet noon. “You simply HAVE TO see the Royal Palace,” she had insisted. Very well then, but I hope to be in time to witness the change of guards. I am in luck. Through the huge crowd I witness the change of guard ceremony with the military band playing in the outer courtyard of the palace. The king, I am told, resides in a place called Drottningholm.

Later that evening I visit the Grona Lund amusement park which brought out the kid in me, especially in the Haunted House where I managed to scare some kids and later made friends with them.

Stockholm is dotted with museums and I don’t get to see them all. The one I do get to view rather extensively is the Museum of Medieval Stockholm detailing the evolution of the city and its origins. I so long to visit other museums and places of interest but there’s no time. Before leaving Stockholm I dip my glass into the river and hold it up against the sky. So clean!

Turin: The little French Italian city

2009-04-23T01:45:00.001-07:00

Walking around the streets and bylanes of Turin, referred to as Torino by the Italians, I was struck by the strut of arcaded pedestrian boutiques and cafes, avowedly Baroque in design and structure. The more extensively I traveled the more I loved this mountainous little Italian city.

Before traveling to Turin all I had known was that it had hosted the 2006 Olympics and was home to the Fiat. I was discovering a new world altogether, in this Piedmont region modestly tucked away in north-west Italy. Driving in from the French border it had taken me a little over an hour to get into my one of the best luxury hotels. The drive, I might add, was picturesque and pleasant in the extreme.

Taking a tour of the city I couldn’t help noticing the strong resemblance to French cities, particularly Paris. Pearly white structures and broad boulevards as opposed to the narrow streets and red and yellow buildings of Florence and Venice make it look very French.
Getting tired of walking I decided to buy an all-day city ticket. I took the tram up to the well-known exhibition complex, Torino Esposizioni designed by the famous Luigi Nervi. It doubled up as an ice rink during the 2006 Winter Olympics; now it has gone back to being a trade show and an art exhibition center.

Later that evening I strolled beside the Po River admiring the Italian Alps from a distance.

The next day I caught the bus up to Mole Antonelliana, one of the greatest landmark pieces of the city which also houses in its premises the National Cinema Museum. There are five sections and my favorite was The Great Temple where I ensconced myself in a reclining armchair and viewed some of the best De Sica films on gigantesque screens overhead.

And how can I possibly leave out the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist? This is the chapel that houses the rather contentious ‘Shroud of Turin’. Of course, I did not get to see it but walking around in the chapel was a pretty awesome feeling.
Two days in Turin couldn’t cover it all, of course, but I’d had my fill of it. I left the city with a nice, buoyant feeling.

2009-04-21T02:27:00.000-07:00

The seat of one of Julius Caesar’s oldest colonies Florence represents the glory of the cultural revolution wrought by the Humanist as well as Renaissance movements. Walking through its myriad lanes, though, it is difficult to guess at the number of political upheavals and battles the city has witnessed.

This time we, that is Sue and I, wanted to drive around the Tuscany countryside instead of simply remaining immured within the city which is fascinating, to put it mildly. So we hired a Volkswagen and drove southwards to the vineyard in Chianti. We stopped at Greve and later at a village called Lamole. At Chianti we tried the region’s famous Classico wine and felt quite tipsy afterwards!

The next day we drove off early towards the walled town called Lucca. The scenic beauty of the Tuscany landscape left us spellbound and speechless. I wanted to visit one of the museums but Sue wanted to walk atop the walls of the town. Neither of us was sorry as it was so picturesque and lovely.

Our third day in Florence was spent exploring the various splendid sights of the ancient city. After a hearty breakfast at one,Toscano we set off towards the Duomo overawed by its ceilings, walls, dome, and murals. Somebody told us that the Duomo looks heavenly on a moonlit night. I’ll have to come back for that one!

That evening I took the wheel while driving to the Boboli Gardens housed on the grounds of the Palazzo Pitti. These stately Italian gardens have so many groves and fountains that the head spins in the most pleasurable manner imaginable. The Palazzo Pitti is one of the most majestic palaces I have ever beheld despite its severe façade with only two crowned lion heads as decorative pieces. I missed the Baroque elements of Venice’s palazzos. We walked into the Modern Art Gallery to view some of the masterpieces by painters like Rubens, Lippi, and others.

It was quite late by the time Sue and I headed back to our hotel.

The glorious city of Pompeii

2009-04-19T23:26:00.000-07:00

When Sue and I drove down from Rome last spring we were struck by the beauty of the Bay of Naples. The sea appeared a translucent blue, the likes of which I had not seen elsewhere in Italy. The word ‘Naples’ is derived from the Greek ‘Neapolis’, which directly translates to mean ‘new city’. Driving through its winding narrow lanes we got stuck in innumerable traffic snarls and we were happy to abandon our vehicle near the Garibaldi station vowing to catch public transport instead. We walked across to one of the luxury hotels in city, Una Hotel where we’d made reservations over the net. I believe that’s the best way to go since one can avail of good discounts and promotional packages. Although located in the hub of the city, in the midst of a big and bustling piazza the rooms are sound-proofed and very tidy.

Both Sue and I wanted to explore the city of Pompeii so the hotel arranged a Pompeii night tour which was absolutely mind-blowing thanks to moving multi-media images rendering the show live, interactive and fun. It was great to watch history come alive amidst sound, light and shadows.

The next day saw us at Piazza Municipio beside a medieval fortress locally known as Maschio Angioino or the Angevin Keep. I loved the Santa Barbara Chapel, better known as the Palatine Chapel representative of the Gothic art of the period.

Making our way into the city center we walked into Santa Chiara with both Baroque and Gothic elements. Sue was bowled over by the rustic benches and garden. I, on my part, loved the emblematic columns.

The next day Sue and I booked a boat to the island of Megarides to view the Castel dell’Ovo better known as the ‘Egg Castle’. It was first colonized and settled by ancient Greeks from a place called Cumae. On the islet stands tall and proud the oldest castle of Naples. The word ‘ovo’ in Italian means ‘egg’ and it is widely believed that the poet Virgil hid an egg there which, if broken, can destroy both the castle and the city.

Our last night in Naples was spent at the pizzeria Leon d’Oro which served us some great pasta. We were sorry that our Naples trip was over so soon.

Sydney: A metropolitan gem

2009-04-18T02:55:00.000-07:00

It is six am and I am staring out the window of my luxury five star hotel- the Clarion Suites Southern Cross Darling Harbor. Sipping a cup of coffee I am wondering if the monorail that will take me to Chinatown is running yet. Sue, who’d traveled with me up to Melbourne, had mentioned the exotic Asian food and condiments that this bustling spot in Sydney is home to.

I stare up at the rather sumptuous clock mounted on the wall of my one of the best luxury hotels. It reads seven o’clock. Too early for breakfast but not too early for a brisk morning walk. I head out towards the Darling Harbor and walked around Cockle Bay, the most recent addition to the harbor and renowned for its contemporary nautical design. I understand it plays host to some of the best classical music concerts in winter. My watch says 8. I head back to the luxury hotel for breakfast, a hasty affair comprising bacon and eggs.

The next thing I know is that I am sitting on this monorail and staring out at the busy streets, the harbor, and the CBD spread out below my feet.

Chinatown exists in the southern part of the city’s CBD in a place called Haymarket. It is like entering a different world altogether with street signs in both Mandarin and English. After spending a good half an hour at the flea market where I buy a bargain Levis jacket, I head back towards Cockle Bay, reading a book at a café where I sip cold coffee and generally watch the world go by. I realize how much I am enjoying the sheer luxury of idleness. But only for a while. I put away my book as Sue’s words come back to me: “Don’t forget to visit the Sydney Aquarium. I am astounded by the sheer variety of aquatic life.

The next morning I have to head out to Bondi beach in another state. But that’s a different story altogether.

Bendigo: A nugget of the Gold Rush

2009-04-08T01:02:00.000-07:00

It is 25 degrees in the shade as the station wagon draws up outside the Comfort Inn Bendigo Central Debra. Isn’t it a little too hot for March, asks Anne fanning herself. Sue who’d wanted to meet this psychic in Bendigo had dragged us along. The soothing environs of the Comfort Inn, however, puts all misgivings at rest. I am willing to forgive Sue for embarking on such a foolhardy enterprise. “Tomfoolery”, Anne who worked with us in the same office had scoffed. Poor Sue, always the butt of jokes and ridicule. But she seems to take it rather well.

A nice cool shower later we walk across the street to the Pizza Hut Restaurant. We order a large family-sized pizza I forget which, and colas. I pick on my lunch listlessly, it being too hot to eat. I am too tired to drive so Anne takes over at the wheel after lunch. She wants to view the Sacred Heart Cathedral, she says, despite our protests. But getting off I am quite delighted with I see. To be sure, it isn’t like the churches I have seen in France but its façade is impressive nonetheless. The soaring stained glass from Birmingham and the seven-meter cross cast in bronze are pretty fetching.

Next, we drive past the Alexander Fountain over the main Bendigo Boulevard into Emu Point. To tell the truth, I like the Chinese Joss House more than the cathedral; it has such a lively ambience

Later we drive back to the Alexander Fountain- our first encounter with a gold rush relic. We learn that it came up in 1881 and is one of the famous landmarks of Bendigo along with, of course, the Shamrock Hotel.

We drop Sue off at her ‘psychic’s’, after much good-natured ribbing of course. Anne and I spend the rest of the day shopping at Myer at Pall Mall. The Myer story, we are told all began here. Although smaller than the Melbourne store, the varieties are pretty interesting.

It gets quite late as we repair to the Beechworth Bakery on High Street waiting for Sue to return from her psychic. One tip: don’t miss the cakes here, they are heavenly!

The stuff of fairy tales

2009-04-06T22:22:00.000-07:00

The luxury hotel called the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel was picked by my travel agent who thought I would absolutely dig its Danish design and he was not far wrong. A tad too expensive, I was completely bowled over by the friendly and eager staff of this magnificent five star hotel. Having arrived in the afternoon I had a quick light lunch and stepped out into the Tivoli Gardens practically next to the luxury hotel.

This original Disneyland spread out over 80,000 square kilometers has some lovely rides, exciting watering holes and some really crazy thrills. I particularly enjoyed the live band that started around late evening.

The next day I headed out towards the waterfront at Christianhavn and took a stroll around the Townhall before stopping by at a bar to sip some beer and gelato. I was particularly enraptured by the quaint little houses dotting the canal at Nyhavn.

While in Copenhagen it was difficult to stay away from the Hans Christian-inspired ‘Little Mermaid’ perched elegantly over a rock in Langelinie which is not too far from the city center. I, personally, wasn’t too taken up with the little lady.

I was far more impressed with the parks and the harborside views. I also loved the Amalienborg Palace although public access to the gorgeous Australian Princess Mary is sadly denied. I was in time, though, to witness the official changing of guards- a pretty impressive sight.

Copenhagen, I was pleased to notice, has a near-flawless transport system and an infrastructure in ship-shape condition. It is also quite a safe city to be in as I discovered while checking into The Dubliner, a jolly Irish pub rocking with cheerful music. Not being a sporty person I found myself, nevertheless, captivated by a football game between France and England.

I was sorry when the ‘fairy-tale’ vacation ended.

Hotel Plaza Athenee: Gracious Luxury

2009-03-26T01:03:00.000-07:00

Sandwiched between the tres elegante Avenue Montaigne and the Eiffel Tower, Hotel Plaza Athenee happens to be a jewel amongst luxury hotels. The brochure states that I am in the best shopping area in the world. I have also been told by well-meaning friends and acquaintances that this king of five star hotels houses as many as five elegant restaurants. Walking past its swiveling doors, I catch the aroma of amber and beautiful, state-of-the-art lighting. The graciousness of the staff already makes me feel at home.

I walk into the Superior Suite Room refusing to hand my luggage over to the porter. It is a symphony in flame! The lovely corded curtains draping themselves elegantly over the large French window, the pillow covers, bed spread and the classical furnishings spill over with a warmth that I can only describe as evocative. One of the windows looks out into a tranquil courtyard. The noise of traffic or of TV from other rooms does not infiltrate here. It also makes me relaxed and meditative. There is a separate living room. I have some friends in Paris. I now want to invite them over, yeah… why not?

Wait! Didn’t they also inform me, while I was headed here at the epitome five star hotels, that it contains a luxury spa of the highest order? I glance at my watch, it’s only 8 am. Time enough for a shower and breakfast and then, a little later I’ll check out the spa.

Downing coffee and a cheese sandwich at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée and basking in its magic and poetry I head out to the Dior Spa into its treatment room. The treatment is called ‘Just in time’, so the beautician informs me while going to work on my face. Later, I relax in the lounge room rather dreamily. Heaven sent, is what I call this king of luxury hotels.

Eco Friendly Luxury Hotels

2009-03-24T03:38:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, luxury hotels put a lot of strain on our already deteriorating environment. The heat or air is left on continuously, even when the room is unoccupied. Filling pools, hot tubs, laundering sheets daily, you get the idea? The water and energy usage from one establishment can be incredible. Luckily , some luxury hotels have recognized the problem and are taking steps to become more Eco friendly.

The Hotel Metro in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is taking steps to conserve energy without compromising the level of comfort that they offer. Recently the hotel had the Telkonet SmartEnergy management system installed. Upon arrival to their suite guests will see a red arrow on the thermostat that indicates that the heating system can be set to the preference of the guest.

The blue arrow is for cooling. The system will remember the specific settings and detect when the room is unoccupied and allow the setting s to drift within a specific range. Once the guests return to their suite the heating or cooling will return to the setting that had been selected previously within 10 minutes. This helps to decrease energy usage and most guests don't even realize the difference.

Hyatt Regency is another luxury hotel chain that is striving to be more environmentally friendly. Energy efficient light bulbs have replaced ordinary bulbs through out the hotel. Paper recycling bins have been placed in strategic locations with emphasis being placed on the meeting areas. Water preservation is also important to Hyatt Regency. Water conserving shower heads and low flow toilets have decreased the amount of water the establishment is using.

Several other hotels in the industry are also taking steps to conserve our resources, such as encouraging guests to reuse towels, and giving them the option of not having the sheets changed daily. All of these things are helping to ensure that we impacting the environment as little as possible.

The Peninsula- 2

2009-03-19T01:01:00.000-07:00

This is one luxury hotel that sweeps you off your feet, literally, from the moment you take in its glittering exterior on the confluence of the 55th Street and Fifth Avenue, next to the throbbing New York business district. The Peninsula New York saw light of day way back in 1905 and represents one of the hoary landmarks of the city. This New York luxury hotel is sprinkled with graceful retro elements, all reminiscent of the Beaux Arts architectural form.

Here you will see the old blend with the new in a seamless artistic fluid movement with absolutely no jarring jerks anywhere. Soaring above the teeming cityscape in all its 23-story glory, it houses as many as 185 guest rooms and 54 luxury-steeped suites, all of them voluminous and beautifully appointed.

After having checked in, do yourself a favor and check out the luxury spa at the Peninsula. Even by the highest standards it is absolutely huge at 35,000 square feet and has as many twelve treatment rooms luxuriously spread out over three floors. The thermal suites come attached with steam rooms steeped in aromatherapy, ice fountains, saunas and the works.

After a lush sauna bath if you wish to relax with an afternoon cup of tea, you may like to try the Gotham Lounge. If you want something even more stimulating you might like to relax, cocktail in hand, at the or The Pen Top Bar and Terrace while taking in breathtaking views of this extraordinary, bustling city.

And if you choose to relax inside your room, rest assured you will not be bored, not with the cable TV, high speed internet and the news daily. Mini bars are available in your well-appointed room. There is also a Silver Spoon service that includes backstage entry to Broadway shows.

The Peninsula certainly deserves a hi-five!

Sherry Netherland

2009-03-16T02:18:00.000-07:00

Imminent in view across the exquisite Manhattan skyline is the luxury hotel non pareil hailed all over New York for its great personal services. Sherry-Netherland’s landmark appeal – its Gothic minaret looming up heavenwards adding drama in the skies – cannot be missed even by the most casual observer.

Check into any of the 20 luxury suites of this dreamlike five star hotel and you’ll be entranced by its vast sweeping spaces, its luxuriant vivacity and airiness in all of its 13500 square feet. The term ‘timeless classic’ describes it best perhaps with its soaring ceilings and sumptuous horizontal spaces. Each suite comes attached with a separate dining space, kitchen, and even a pantry in some cases.

The sophisticated elegance of this luxury hotel may be traced to its ‘jazz age’ genealogy, in the gleaming and handsome chandeliers constructed out of expensive crystal ware, decorative wooden fixtures, and other details.

Cheerful colors and fabrics serve to lighten up the mood and soothe the eye. A welcoming box of chocolates makes you feel… well, wanted and at home. Out-of-this-world artwork – some of them signed by original artists – high-speed internet, an exotic line-up of toiletries, and digital cable television set to premium channels are some of the other attractions of your luxury suite.

Throw open the gigantesque windows and you get treated to most spectacular views of Manhattan city. Hardly a stone’s throw away is the well-known Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. And if you are looking to indulge in some chic shopping fantasies there’s the Fifth Avenue shopping centre for some real cool, upscale shopping specked with redoubtable names like Saks, Gucci, and Barneys. The truly well-heeled can check out a.testoni for high-class Italian footwear.

In the evening do sample the exotic dishes at any of the restaurants, be it Harry Cipriani, Aureole or Daniel. The experience, like the rest of your hotel stay, is nothing short of exquisite.

Hotel Plaza Athenee: Gracious Luxury

2009-03-01T21:26:00.000-08:00

Sandwiched between the tres elegante Avenue Montaigne and the Eiffel Tower, Hotel Plaza Athenee happens to be a jewel amongst luxury hotels. The brochure states that I am in the best shopping area in the world. I have also been told by well-meaning friends and acquaintances that this king of five star hotels houses as many as five elegant restaurants. Walking past its swiveling doors, I catch the aroma of amber and beautiful, state-of-the-art lighting. The graciousness of the staff already makes me feel at home.

I walk into the Superior Suite Room refusing to hand my luggage over to the porter. It is a symphony in flame! The lovely corded curtains draping themselves elegantly over the large French window, the pillow covers, bed spread and the classical furnishings spill over with a warmth that I can only describe as evocative. One of the windows looks out into a tranquil courtyard. The noise of traffic or of TV from other rooms does not infiltrate here. It also makes me relaxed and meditative. There is a separate living room. I have some friends in Paris. I now want to invite them over, yeah… why not?

Wait! Didn’t they also inform me, while I was headed here at the epitome five star hotels, that it contains a luxury spa of the highest order? I glance at my watch, it’s only 8 am. Time enough for a shower and breakfast and then, a little later I’ll check out the spa.

Downing coffee and a cheese sandwich at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée and basking in its magic and poetry I head out to the Dior Spa into its treatment room. The treatment is called ‘Just in time’, so the beautician informs me while going to work on my face. Later, I relax in the lounge room rather dreamily. Heaven sent, is what I call this king of luxury hotels.

Hospes Lancaster

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This is one Paris luxury hotel built for coziness, intimacy and the ultimate in luxury. Barely a hop and a skip away from the graceful Champs Elysees, is positioned the Hospes Lancaster distinguished for its impressive guest list including royalty and celebrities, especially from the art world and show business. Right from its gleaming façade to its glitzy courtyard, style and glamour captivate the visitor all the way.

For those with a feel for history and who like a touch of atmosphere the intimacy of this erstwhile mansion cannot but fail to charm.The regality of this luxury hotel is imbued with an old-world grace that has enticed celebrities like Marlene Dietrich, Grace Kelly, and Noel Coward.

The Hospes Lancaster is steeped in history going back as it does all the way back to the late 19^th century when it was built to match the accommodation standards of the Spanish nobility. It was later bought by the famous Parisian hotelier Emile Wolf who refurbished it and threw it open to the public as a modish hotel in 1930. To this day the hotel has maintained most of Wolfe’s antiques, not to mention his intriguing clock collection.

The visitor will be knocked over – actually – by Boris Pastoukff’s 1930 paintings. He’d paid his way through his paintings during his stay. After you’ve finished drinking in the glittering view proffered by knock-over façade you can only be even more impressed with its zen-like jardin.

An interesting post script to the hotel’s history is its final refurbishment in 1996 by ace designer and architect Grace Leo Andrieu.

The moment you step in, expect to be pampered. The staff at this luxury hotel is extremely courteous and amiable and strives to remember each face and idiosyncrasy.

For an enriched dining experience do try the famed La Table du Lancaster.

Taj Palace hotel Dubai

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Just 10 minutes away from Dubai International Airport is the rather curiously L-shaped Taj Palace Hotel in Deira. This five star luxury hotel sets out to define style and comfort that can only be termed as truly grand. The grandeur of Taj spills over into all of its 249 guest rooms, spa, and restaurants. This is one luxury hotel that marries up leisure with high-life, designing opulence, with comfort, gastronomical splendor and lifestyle.

While it doesn’t remotely resemble the Taj Mahal in India, its high-ceilinged splendor, suspended lights and chandeliers and restrained mauve interiors heighten the magic and mystique of the world’s greatest man-made wonders. Stepping into its lobby is an awe-inspiring experience with its wide spaces, plush furnishings, and marble columns so deeply reminiscent of the Mughal era. Add to it a discreet and discerning staff and nothing can mar the picture.

Each of Taj’s executive rooms is beautifully decorated with design chic evident in every corner. Throw in sumptuous rugs, parquet flooring, and traditionally-styled furniture and the magic remains for even a longer time than intended.

Earnest gourmands will be able indulge their favorite gastronomic fantasies thanks to the dizzying spread available in the five star hotel’s five top-class restaurants. For typical Indian gourmet you should sample the fare available in Handi with its signature biryani and tandoor dishes.

But if you are in the mood for something truly Middle Eastern you should check out the Topkapi and for great Italian fare the Verdi.

Plus, there is so much you can do even without stepping out of the hotel. The 24-hour fitness center is designed to keep you in shape despite the delectables. And the spa makes your stay even more pleasurable with Far Eastern, Ayurvedic, and European treatments available along with a deeply knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Whether it is swimming, shopping, or dining the Taj is geared to fulfill all your desires- practically.

Sherry-Netherland, A timeless classic

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In the evening do sample the exotic dishes at any of the restaurants, be it Harry Cipriani, Aureole or Daniel. The experience, like the rest of your hotel stay, is nothing short of exquisite.

Hotel Crowne Plaza

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There are some spots in the world that invariably leave you gasping for more; places that you would want to visit again and again. The Hotel Crowne Plaza Paris Champs Elysées, the crème de la crème of luxury hotels, is one such.

This tres elegante five star hotel is the epitome of style and grace in terms of reconciling modernity with sophisticated antiquity. This charming luxury hotel is spread over three edifices, each an architectural delight and distinctly different.

The façade is distinctly Haussmanian and, therefore, functional, while the ambience of the reception region is a symphony in concrete and wood with somewhat austere outlines. Going past the doorway you cannot possibly miss the rather imposing Murano chandelier constructed purely from crystals, nor the ersatz Michel Angelo sketches.

The rooms in Hotel Crowne Plaza, simply put, are an ode to luxury. The plush sleekness quite takes your breath away as you sink into its well-appointed bed or sofa. The six classic rooms come replete with air-conditioning, direct line telephone, LCD television sets, safe, minibar etc. But if you are looking for something that offers an optimal combination of old-world Parisian charm with contemporary modern-day efficiency, then the Suite Terrace is your best bet.

Don’t forget to check out that king-sized bed, or the jocose bathroom with its outsized and old-style bathtub and separate shower. The impressive array of Hermés products will make your bathing experience all the more memorable.

After a quick shower (or a luxury-filled bath) you may prefer to have breakfast in your room or go down to the rendezvous area where you can dine in a relaxed and languid atmosphere.

Each floor is equipped with a restaurant compatible to every gastronomical yearning in the world. The restaurant staff is courteous and attentive treating each guest as special. Clearly, luxury brims over at Hotel Crowne Plaza!

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Whenever there is a discussion about the New York Luxury Hotels, we begin to image the beautiful environment they might have. Such is the persona that the luxury hotels in New York carry.

Nevertheless, the first time visitor to the city must have appropriate information regarding the status of these luxury hotels so that they match up satisfactorily to your requirements. Now-a-days, luxury hotels in New York also offer economical packages to their prospective customers so the price issue doesn’t remain a bone of contention at all. You can choose from a variety of options available.

Luxury hotels in New York also provide the services of online booking so that reservation can be made from any part of the world. They endow their customers with maximum ease by means of quality services plus warm greeting.

New York is also known for its towering buildings that serve as an amazing tourist attraction. New York luxury hotels are available in 3 to 5 star categories with minimum of difference in their services. Every type of munchies and yummy foodstuff is available there.

Some of the reputed New York luxury hotels are Biltmore Hotel, Palace Hotel, Loews hotel, Gramercy Park Hotel, New Rochelle, and Grand Union Hotel. Besides these if you wish to choose a 4-star hotel then Hotel Blue Moon and NY Hotel empire are the best bet. The best five star luxury hotels in New York are Mark NY, 4 seasons, Grand Hyatt are familiar sights among regular tourists.

Inside the lavish luxury hotels, you’ll get various kinds of facilities such as new range of plasma television, AC, good quality internet connection in your room, electrical gate, Movie on demand, telephonic services and a lot more than you can imagine. Even the guests can avail of different recreational facilities available in the New York Luxury hotels.

Treat yourselves to a romantic, luxury escape in New York

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Valentine’s day it’s just around the corner, have you thought that this could be just the occasion for a luxury escape to the fascinating and romantic city of New York? The Big Apple offers luxury secluded hotels, romantic five star restaurants, where you can treat your partner to delicious and refined cuisine, be it French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, you name it, in New York you can find every kind of delicacy you may wish for.

Why not spend a romantic night at the Hotel Elysée, acclaimed as one of New York’s best luxury hotels, with the romantic ambiance and gracious service of a private country inn, treating you to unforgettable luxury. You may also choose the Plaza Hotel a five star hotel, an icon of the old world luxury and elegance, as your refuge and catch one of the “hansom cabs” parked just outside the doors to indulge in a romantic ride through Central Park cuddled together under a warm blanket.

Declare to your loved one that you would go to the top of the world with her and lead her up to the 80^th floor of the Empire State Building, the most famous building in the world, where on Valentine’s Day 14 couples get married each year. If you are not quite ready for that yet just pretend and simply admire the fantastic view over the city, your head up in the clouds with happiness.

Stroll hand in had through the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens; admire the Lincoln Center Fountain or even show off your graceful or more likely, clumsy skating at the Rockefeller Center skating rink. Finally end your afternoon with a luxury spa for two followed by a romantic dinner in the luxury French ambience of ‘the Daniel’ or the five star service of the Italian ‘Babbo.’

What could be more stimulating than to immerse yourself in the Yucatan Peninsula’s tropical abundance?

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The New Year has just started and you cannot stand the winter any longer? The cold is getting into your bones and spring seems ages away? Who wants the snow! If it is the sun you are in quest of, ever think that it is not far off? A luxury holiday resort is waiting just round the corner from you, offering you a luxury vacation at great prices.

So hop on the plane and take route toward the luscious and luxurious Yucatan Peninsula, land in Cancun and head towards the destination of your choice, be it Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Akumal, Playa Maroma, Tulum or Cozumel or even the Luxury resort of Cancun itself. The Yucatan Peninsula has a diversity of settings to offer the traveler, from the relaxed atmosphere of the luxury hotels on the beach to the luxury Nature Resorts immersed in the luscious Mexican jungle, on to those with the backdrop of the Mayan or Aztec ruins.

If you are a nature lover Mexico offers a perfect opportunity to witness a unique and enchanting spectacle. Offer yourself a luxury encounter with the world’s largest existing fish, the whale; here is a rare occasion to swim in the company of this gentle giant suspended in the turquoise, warm waters of the Mexican Gulf.

You are more into history and culture, then head out from your luxury hotel right into the past amongst the Mayan ruins of Tulum. This magnificent ancient city hangs over the cliffs that plunge into the azure Mexican waters, dominating in its ancient splendor, a unique example of Mayan dominion. Treat yourself to the luxury of the natural Mexican pools and cool down after exploring the ruins and plunge into a ‘cenote’, a deep blue freshwater natural pool, that obtains its source water from the world’s largest underground cavern system.

The luxury hotels and resorts are just waiting to pamper you with their Mexican hospitality in first class luxury amenities.