Australia

Melbourne

Hotels

The Adelphi   | 187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000 | +61-3-9650-7555 T
When you arrive at the front entrance of the hotel. Before you go in - look up. You'll see the glass bottom of the swimming pool, above you. Downtown, close to the Yarra, pretty cool.
Le Meridien at Rialto Melbourne   | 495 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Build from an old prison, but now with a lovely atrium, in the heart of the city.

To do..

Melbourne Cup | Melbourne's racecourse. | Early November.
The horse race of the year, down under. The new world's Ladies day at Ascot.

Perth

To do..

Scarborough beach | North of Perth, WA
Miles and miles of white sand and the emerald green Indian ocean - watch out for the sun.  Australian west coast beach life.

Shark Bay | North of Perth, WA
If you are flying north, out of Perth during the day, ask for a window seat on the RHS of the plane. As you fly north look down on the coast and see the surreal colours of Shark Bay on the Western Australian coast and Indian Ocean. Amazing.

Sydney

To do..

The Arms | Newport, Manly NSW
Have a drink on the deck over looking the bay on a summer evening. Wonderful way to start to an evening in Sydney. Then take the ferry from Manly back to Sydney - fantastic way to see the harbour.
Paddington | Sydney NSW | Party and pub town - in NSW.

Austria

Vienna

To do..

The world's best chocolate cake | Hotel Sacher, opposite the Opera house |
A purely subjective claim, but walk into the hotel's cafe, order a piece of 'Sacher torte' with a cup of hot chocolate and make your own mind up. :-)

Brazil

San Paulo

Information to follow, shortly...

Chile

Santiago

Information to follow, shortly...

China

Beijing

To do..

The Forbidden City |

The Great Wall |
Information to follow, shortly...

Hong Kong

Hotels

Conrad   | 88 Queensway, Central, Hong Kong Island | (852) 2521 3838 T |
Elliptical shaped elegant hotel on top of the Pacific Place center on Hong Kong island. Views of the harbour or the Peak.


To do..

Star Ferry | Hong Kong island to Kowloon | The way to see the harbour, day or night.
Afternoon tea/drink | The Regent | 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
The glass wall allows you to sit an enjoy a drink with Hong Kong island and the harbour as your wallpaper.

Cuba

Havana

Information to follow, shortly...

Czech Republic

Prague

Hotels

Palace Hotel   | Panska 12, 11121, Prague | 420-224-093111 T | An very centrally located old hotel, modernised.

To do..

Walk around, cross the Altava river and enjoy the beautiful buildings and lively city. Visit the Opera if you can - even if you don't like opera.

France

Cannes


Eze

Hotel/Restaurant

Chateau Eza | 06360 Eze Village - Cote d'Azur | +33 4 93 41 12 24 T
The tiny village of Eze is mid way between Nice and Monaco, mid way between the A8 and the sea. Perched high up on the cliff, this lovely hotel and restaurant is about as typical as its possible to find for the blue coast. A truly wonderful view of Cap Ferrat, from old stone buildings, lovely people and super food - charmant.

Mougins

Hotel/Restaurant

Les Muscadins | 19,bd Courteline - 06250 Mougins-village | +33 4 93 90 00 43 T
A charming small hotel and restaurant on the edge of the old stone village of Mougins.

Restaurant

L'Auberge de Mougins | 12, Place du village- 06250 Mougins-village | +33 4 93 75 54 25 T
One of many lovely places to eat in the center of the village. The people were friendly and food was good.
L'Estaminet des Remparts | 24, Rue Honore Henri - 06250 Mougins-village | +33 4 93 90 05 36 T
A delightful lady who cooks and serves the most wonderful food her kitchen. You sit on bench tables in her kitchen amongst villagers and very lucky visitors who might have stumbled on her kitchen, by sheer luck.
Le Bistro de Mougins | Place du village- 06250 Mougins-village | +33 4 93 75 78 34 T
Opposite the fountain in the centre of the village, this lovely Provencal and Nicoise restaurant is charming.

Nice

Restaurants

Grand Café de Turin - Chez Jo l'Ecailler | 5 Place Garibaldi, 06000 Nice | +33 4 93 62 29 52 T
Between Vieux Nice and the port, is (one of, if not) the most wonderful place for seafood on the Cote d'Azur. Loved by the Niçois, you will probably have to wait for a table - please do - it will be worth it.

To do..

Take the high road from Nice to Monaco, go find it for yourself. You don't have to be James Bond or Cary Grant to enjoy the route.

Paris

Restaurants

La Fontaine de Mars | 129, rue, Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris | 47 05 46 44 T
A delight.

Germany

Munich

Information to follow, shortly...

Cuba

Havana

Information to follow, shortly...

Indonesia

Bali

Hotels

Amankila   | Manggis, Bali, Indonesia | (62 363) 41333 T | E-mail: amankila@amanresorts.com
Beautiful hill side cottages on the east coast of Bali, the tiered swimming pool looks out towards Lombok. The beach pool is built amongst a palm grove. Simply wonderful.
Four Season Resort at Sayan   | Sayan, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia 80571 | 62 (361) 977577 T
A truly amazing hotel, beautifully designed by John Heah, with wonderful attention to detail. The hotel is built on one side of the Ayung river valley which over looks terraced rice fields and dense palm trees. The relaxing sound of the river can be heard throughout the valley. The villas are elegant and very stylish, with their own private pools. The main hotel building is reached by crossing a bridge and descending down through a huge lotus pond on the roof. Go see it :-)
The Legian   | Jalan Laksmana, Seminyak Beach, Bali 80361, Indonesia , Bali, Indonesia | (62 361) 730 622 T
15mins ride north of the shopping and nightlife of Kuta Beach on the South west coast of Bali, is the Legian. Visit the pool bar about 30mins before sun-set, settle down and chill.
Alila Manggis (formally The Serai)   | Manggis, Bali, Indonesia
200m north of the Amankila hotel, the Serai was designed by Kerry Hill who also built the Datai in Langkawi. The hotel's pool is built amongst 100 year old palm trees.

Jakarta

Hotels

Jakarta Hilton International   | Jl.Gatot Subroto, P.O.Box 3315, Jakarta 10002. Indonesia. | +62-21-570-3600 T
International style hotel, but with Indonesian statues standing amongst the large lovely gardens, its worth staying there just to go for a stroll.

To do

Jakarta Airport | Jakata, Indonesia
Jakarta's international airport is a great mix of the usual airport functionality and Indonesian architecture. The walkways from your plane take you through lovely miniture gardens, which makes a refreshing and peaceful change.

Ireland

Conamara

Hotels

The Quay House | Clifden, Connemara, Co. Galway. | 095-21369 T |
On the harbour, 5 minutes walk from town, this lovely converted country house and restaurant used to be the harbourmasters house. Lovely place, people and peace.

Dublin

 Information to follow, shortly...

Italy

Florence


Milan


Hotels

Spadari al Duomo   | Spadari al Duomo, Via Spadari 11, 20123 Milan | +39-2-72002371 T |
Opposite the gothic duomo, the hotel is a small modern contemporary hotel in the design capital of the world.

L'Albereta | via Vittorio Emanuele 11, Franciacorta, 25030 Erbusco - Brescia | A4 Milano-Venezia, uscita Rovato. (60km from Milan) | +39-3077 60550 T |
An hour from Milan on the autostrada to Venice, this renovated and modernised country house is set in a vineyard with a great restaurant and own helicopter landing pad.

Cafe/bistro

Sans Egal  | Vicolo Flori, 2 (ang. Fiori Chiari), Brera - Milan | +39-2-8693096 T |
Cafe/bistro in the Brera area. Great non-pretentious place for a drink or full/light meal.

Pizzeria

La Taverna  | Via F.Anzani 3 (ang. C. so XXII Marzo)) - 20135 Milan | +39-2-59900793 T |
Allegedly the best Neapolitan pizza's in Milan. Superb!

Restaurants

Silvano  | Via Londronio, 22 (Parallel to Corso Sempione) - Milan | +39-2-3451618 T |
Friendly (well-known amongst Milanese) restaurant, super food.

Portofino



Rome



Sienna


Hotels

Relais la Suvera   | Relais la Suvera, Pievescola, 53030 Siena | +39-577-960-300 T |
An hour from Florence, thirty minutes from Siena, La Suvera was a medieval fort owned by a Pope, which became a Renaissance villa, then the country estate. Now its a wonderful, country hotel. The suites inside the main tower are filled with the most amazing decor. The grounds demonstrate hundreds of years of care and attention.  Exquisite elegance.

Venice


Hotels

Ca'Pisani Hotel   | Dorsoduro 979/a, 30123 Venezia | +39-0412-401411 T |
150m from the Academia bridge across the Grand Canal. Externally, converted from a typical Venician house, internally - modern design with genuine Art Deco furnishings. Friendly and helpful staff. Once you get your bearings you are 10mins walk from Piazza San Marco. A really great and stylish hotel.

Jordan

Petra

To do..

Visit the "rose-red city" | East of Wai Araba, 100km north of the Gulf of Aqaba.
Take a bus from Amman, early in the morning for a 3h ride before the heat of the day. The ancient city was carved out of the the hills and is approached by walking through a narrow canyon in the red stone hills. You will round a corner and there in a 20m high 'gap' in the canyon, you will see a beautiful building carved from the rose coloured stone. Truly amazing. Walk around the rest of the city and wonder. The city was 'rediscovered' by a Swiss explorer in 1812.

Malaysia

Langkawi

Hotels

The Andaman   | Datai bay, Langkawi | 04-959-2500 T
The Datai   | Datai bay, Langkawi | 04-959-1099 T
Built of volcanic rock and wood, the Datai has won several architectural awards for magnificent way it blends with its surroundings. The rainforest reaches into the site to the extent that you can not see it from the beach. If you don't stay, have dinner in the Thai Pavilion restaurant, built on stilts amongst the trees and enjoy the butterflies as they fly in and out of the building. Simply wonderful.

Kuala Lumpur

Restaurants

Angelucci 16, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, 59100 KL | 03-284-6721 T
Italian restaurant and Pizza. Modern trendy area - good pizza.

Maldives

Baa Atoll

Hotels

Reethi Beach Resort | about 35 minutes north of Male, by seaplane.
Choose an atoll - they all appear to be wonderful. Chill out in the heat and experience peace - on earth. There are many reasons to do something about global warming - the Maldives is one of the most beautiful.

To do..

Relax...

Micronesia

Palau

Yap

Information to follow, shortly...

Monaco

Monte Carlo

Bar

Stars 'N' Bars | 6, Quai Antoine 1er, MC98000, Monaco | +377 97 97 95 95
American styled 'Sports' bar, serving beer and burgers, although you can order pretty much anything you want, situated on the quay overlooking the harbour. The one with private yachts which are the 'size of car ferries' as my son once put it. The clientele is typically Monegasque, film stars, rock stars, racing drivers and perfectly normal people too. Upstairs there is a club, which has one of the most unique and evocative views in the world.

Restaurants

Restaurant La Rascasse 1, Quai Antoine Ier, 98000 Monaco | +37 79 32 55 69 0 T
North west corner of the harbour, or the last hair-pin corner before the pit-lane is the Rascasse restaurant. Great view, food as you would expect 'pas mal'.

To do..

Put it all on 7 Black.

Morocco

Casablanca

Restaurants

Al-Mounia 95, rue du Prince Moulay-Abdellah, Casablanca | 22 26 69 T
A lovely restaurant, set in a walled garden under a huge tree for shade in the day. In the evening, the atmosphere and the food are super too.

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Information to follow, shortly...

Philippines

Manila

Hotels

InterContinental Manila   | No.1 Ayala Avenue, 1226 Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines | +632 815 9711 T | Peaceful business type hotel amidst all the bussel of Metro Manila.

Portugal

Lisbon

Hotels

Le Meridien Park Atlantic Lisbon   | Rua Castilho 149, Lisbon, 1099-034, Portugal | Business hotel, great views out over Lisbon.

Restaurant/Cafe

Blues Cafe | R. de Cintura do Porto, Edif 226, 1300 Lisboa | 395 70 85 T
Large cafe/restaurant down by the port, frequently with music.

Singapore

Singapore

Hotels

Raffles Hotels   | 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673 | (65)6337-1886 T
Has Asia's answer to "Tea at the Ritz". A delight to even just wander through its arcades and public areas.
Swissôtel The Stamford (formally the Westin Stamford)   2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882 | (65)6338 8585 T
Huge towering hotel, overlooking The Padang and towards the city's skyscrapers, The Durian (the new exhibition & cultural center) and Raffels hotel next door.

Restaurants

Prive | No 2 Keppel Bay Vista, Marina at Keppel Bay, Singapore. | +65 6776 0777
Very good food in a relaxed but elegent interior. Worth the trek out to Keppel island.

To do..

Raffles Hotels   | 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673 | (65)6337-1886 T
The Long Bar - The home of the "Singapore Sling" or my favorate a glass of freshly queezed lime juice, sit back and soak it up.

Spain

Hotels

AC Hotels   | Modern chain throughout Spain from motels to 5 Star.
NH Hotels   | Modern, well kept business hotels all over Spain.
Paradores   | National network of hotels which are often ancient architecturally important buildings (ie there are quite a few castles and monasteries, which have been restored and maintained to modern standards.)  Check for reservations well in advance.

Barcelona

Deli

E & A Gispert | Sombrerers, 23 - Barri de la ribera, 08003 Barcelona | 93-319-7535 T
Wonderful place for provisions - they have been roasting coffee in the back of the shop since 1851.

Hotels

NH Calderon   | Rambla Catalunya, 26, Barcelona
Great location. 70's exterior, 90's interior.
Hotel Barcelona Universal   | Avinguda Parallel 76-78, 08001 Barcelona
Dodgy (not pretty) location, nice modern hotel, nice staff.
Hotel Banys Orientals   | Argenteria 37, 08003 Barcelona | 93-268-8460 T
Great location - forget the car. Minimalist interiors.

Restaurants

7 Portes   Paseo de Isabel II, 14. 08003 Barcelona | 93-319-3033
Old port, fantastic Paella or seafood.
Agua | Pg. Maritim de la Barceloneta, 30 - 08003 Barcelona | 93-225-1271 T
Cool waterfront bar, tapas, restaurant close to Hotel d'Artes
Bestial | Ramon Trias Fargas 2-4, 08005 Barcelona | 93-224-0407 T
Very nice/cool, restaurant close to Hotel d'Artes/beach/Gehry's fish
El Gran Cafe | Avinyo 9, 08002 Barcelona | 93-318-7986T
Beautiful antique restaurant, super food in the Gothic quarter.
Restaurante Los Caracoles | c/ Escudellers, 14 - 08002 Barcelona | 93-302-3185 T
It's really worth the trek through the Gothic quarter to find this place, for great honest simple food. Don't be put off by having to walk through the kitchen either.
Tenorio Braseria | Passeig de Gracia 37, 08007 Barcelona | 93-272-0592 T
Trendy interior, nice food.

Tapas

Tramoia | Rambla de Catalunya, 15 08007 Barcelona | 93-412-3634 T
Fun, noisy tapas bar.

To do..

Cacao Sampaka   | C/ Consell de Cent, 292 08007 Barcelona (between Rambla Catalunya & Balmes) | 90-218-1940 T
Beautiful shop & cafe, dedicated to chocolate. Save some space for their amazing chocolate ice cream.

Bilbao

Restaurants

Aspaldiko | Zabaloetxe Etorbidea, 14 LOIU (LUJUA) - Bizkaia | 944 53 14 21
An old wooden farmhouse converted into a wonderful restaurant. Basque people take their food and seafood seriously and this is a superb place to taste both. Book in advance. (It's located 5minutes from the airport and 8km from Bilbao.)

Galicia - Ferrol

Tapas

Meson el Coral | c/Cristo, 34 El Puerto, Ferrol | 981 359 616
Some of the best tapas - ever. Seafood (especially pulpo) comes to this real bar (not trendy) right out of the sea, the 100m from the port. Wonderful.

Girona / Costa Brava

Hotels

Castell d'Emporadà   | 17115 Castell d'Emporadà, La Bisbal d'Emporadà, Girona | +34-972-646-254 T
700 year old castle. Elegantly updated, climb the tower for wonderful views of the castle and surrounding countryside. Super.

To do..

Quiet drink at sunset   | Hotel La Torre, Passeig de la Torre 26-28, 17210 Calell de Palafrugell
One of the most beautiful bays on the Costa Brava. This little hotel has area overlooking the bay. Grab a seat, amongst the locals and tourists, order a drink and watch the sun go down.

Ibiza

Restaurants

La Masia | Ctra. Sant Miquel, kilometro 1 | 971-31 02 28
Built in a converted country house, this restaurant serves wonderful Spanish and Ibizan food. Book in advance and ask for a table outside in the courtyard/garden. It's beautiful.
Restautante Can Salinas | Carretera de Salinas, km 3.7 Izquierda | 971-39 65 63
A simple open air place, on other side of the Salt bays, close to the airport. They prepare amazing Paella's or Ibiza's version Fideua. Ring in advance to order, otherwise it will take 30mins.

Madrid

Cafes

Cafe Ruiz | c/Ruiz 11. 28010 Madrid. | 91-446-1232 T
Old fashioned cafe, great coffee and desserts.
Cafe Pabellon del Espejo | Paseo de Recoletos, 33 (Metro : Colón) Madrid
Beautiful wooden pavilion cafe situated on Castillana, 100m south of Colon.
Casa Pueblo | Leon 3, Madrid 28014 | 91 429 0515 T
Very old fashioned cafe, dark with great coffee and music.

Hotels

NH Lagasca | Lagasca, 64, Madrid | Modern hotel in the heart of barrio Salamanca and shopping.
NH Alcala | Alcalá, 66, Madrid | Modern hotel, great for barrio Salamanca and the Retiro.
Puerta Del Sol  | Sevilla 4, 28014 Madrid | 91532-9049 T | Art deco building & lobby. Very modern rooms. Very central.
Santo Mauro   | c/ Zurbano, 36 - 28010 Madrid. | 91-319-6900 T | 5 star Elegantly modern luxury, lovely bar for a drink in the evening.
The Ritz   | Plaza de la Lealtad, 5 - 28014 Madrid. | 91-701-6767 T | Next door to the Prado, with a garden for afternnon tea. Very elegent.

Restaurants

Cafe Oliver | c/ Almirante 12, 28004 Madrid. | 91-521-7379
Good food in a relaxed friendly cafe-style interior. Wonderful 'Chocolate Bombe' dessert. [07]
El Dragon | c/ de Gil de Santibañez 6 - Madrid | 91-435-6669 T
Chinese food, trendy interior.
Kikuyu | c/ Barbara de Braganza, 4 - 28004 Madrid. | 91-319-6611 T
Wonderful modern Spanish food, intimate interior [07]
La Gloria de Montera | Caballero de Gracia 10, 28013 Madrid. Metro:Sevilla | 91-523-4407 T
Spanish food, relaxed airey Key West interior. [07]
N O D O | Velazquez 150, 28002 Madrid. | 91-564-4044 T
Spanish fusion, Wallpaper interior. [08]
Pandeluujo | Jorge Juan 20, 28001 Madrid. | 91 436 1100 T
Very modern Spanish, The rear glass wall of the place opens up like a 50m garage door on to a patio covered with a reflecting pool. Lovely way to dine on a spring/summer/autumn evening. The food's pretty good too! [08]
Santceloni | Hotel Hesperia, Paseo de la Castellana 57, 28046 Madrid. | 91-210-8840 T
Madrid's only 2 star restaurant. Spanish fusion at its best. Elegant spacious interior. [08]
Taj Indian Restaurant | c/ Marques de Cubas, 6 - 28014 Madrid | 91-531-5059 T
Great India food without flocked wallpaper.
Thai Gardens | They've moved to near the Bernabeu staduim in Madrid.
Great Thai food. [05]
Trobador   | | Paseo de Recoletos 14, 28001 Madrid. (150m south of Colon) | T 91-576-3429
Very good Spanish food, in modern friendly surroundings. [0812]
Wok Cafe | c/ Infantas 44, 28004 Madrid | 91-522-9069 T
Oriental food in a trendy zen setting. [07]
Zen Central | c/ Puigcerda, 6 (off c/Jorge Juan) - 28001 Madrid | 91-431-1233 T
Good oriental food, 'Wallpaper' interior. [07]

Tapas

La Musa Latina | Constanilla de San Andres 12 (Plaza de la Paja) 28005 Madrid | 91-354-0255 T
Busy place for tapas or a snack. The brick cellar bar downstairs is fun.  Ladies you'll get sand in your sandals - but don't let that stop you.
La Paninoteca d'E | Velazquez 32, Madrid | 91-426-3816 T
Cool interior, very black, but well lit. Beautiful wine racks. Nice place to have a coffee or drink, when out in barrio Salamanca.
Taberna de Cien Vinos | c/ Nuncio, 17 28005 Madrid. | 91-365-4704 T
Wonderful tapas, with lots of great Spanish wines.
Taberna Bilbao | Plaza de la Paja (Constanilla de San Andres, 8) 28005 Madrid | 91-365-6125 T
Great Basque tapas.

To do..

Cacao Sampaka   | Orellana 4, 28004 Madrid | 91-319-5840 T
Madrid branch of Barcelona's beautiful shop & cafe, dedicated to chocolate. Save some space for their amazing chocolate ice cream.

Segovia

Segovia is about 1 hours drive from Madrid.

Restaurants

Candido   | Plaza del Azoguejo 5. (Beside the Roman aqueduct) 40001 Segovia - España | 921 42 59 11 - 42 81 02 T
Arguably one of the best places to eat roast lamb or pork in Spain. Reservations required.

Sevilla

Hotel

Cortijo El Esparragal | Carretera de Mérida, Km 795, Gerena, Seville 41860 | 34-95-5782702 T
Beautiful cortijo (Andulcian country house) south west of Sevilla.

Valencia

Restaurants

La Dehesa  | Playa del Saler. Módulo Sur, Valencia - España | 96 183 00 00 T
Overlooking the Mediterranean. Wonderful Arroz de Marisco (apparently all their rice dishes are good too). Reservations a good idea.

Sweden

Stockholm

Information to follow, shortly...

Switzerland

Geneva

To do..

Artou travel bookshop | 8, Rue de Rive, 1204 Geneva | +41 22 818 0204 T
The people at Artou love traveling the world. You can browse through wonderful books about amazing places. If you need to sit down, you will probably be sitting on an antique chair from China, or see african wall hangings decorating the walls. A super place to learn about and dream of far-away places.

Lugano

Zurich

Information to follow, shortly...

Thailand

Bangkok

Hotels

Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa   | 257/1-3 Charoen Nakorn Road, Bukkalo, Thonburi, Bangkok 10600 | (66) 2476-0022 T |
A true resort overlooking the river amidst all the traffic in BKK. Great location on the west bank of the river opposite the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station in the Silom line. You can that the hotel's shuttle boat service!

To do..

Jim Thompson's house | Soi Kasem San 2, Th Phra Ram 1, Saim Sq. | 02-215-0122 T | The quiet American who virtually single-handedly revived the Thai silk industry, brought six old teak houses to BKK and assembled them beside a Khlong (Canal). Beautiful house, amazing Asian art and lovely gardens. Learn about and form your own theory about what happened to Thompson.

Koh Samui

Hotels

Muang Kulaypan Hotel | 100 Mu 2, Chaweng Beach, Suratthani 84320, Koh Samui | (66) 7742-2305 T
Cool interior design stylishly built around a black swimming pool and 100 year old palms. Terrific value for money, lovely staff. Northern end of Chaweng beach, on the east coast of the island.

Restaurants

Budsaba Restaurant | at the Muang Kulaypan Hotel Koh Samui | (66) 7742-2305 T | Lovely Thai food, ask for a 'Sala' (a roofed wooden open air dining room on stilts) which are all by the beach.
Poppies Restaurant | Koh Samui | (66) 7742-2419 T | Wonderful Thai food, go on a night when the moon's out. The hotel is supposed to be one of the best on the island.
The Mangrove | Big Buddha, Koh Samui | (66) 7742-7584 T | Built over a salt water mangrove trees. Simple menu, really well produced. Desserts are lovely too.
Zico's | Chaweng Beach Road, Koh Samui | (66) 7723-0500 T | Brazilian style restaurant - your meal will be walk past you on a skewer. Stop the Passador's to sample anything. Great live music and the occasional Carnival dancer. Go hungry.

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Information to follow, shortly...

United Kingdom

London

Hotels

Kensington Rooms Hotel | 131-137 Cromwell Road, Kensington, London SW7 4DU (Nearest Underground station: Gloucester road) | T
Chic and stylishly interior design, built into a row of old houses. Terrific value for money in a good West London location.

Restaurants

Blue Print Cafe | 28 Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD | 02-7378-7031 T
Visit the Design Museum then stop for something to eat. South bank 400m from Tower Bridge. Outside terrace over the Thames.
Bluebird | 350 Kings Road, London Sw3 5UU | 020-7559-1000 T
King's Road in Chelsea... Understated, modern genteel. Great Deli downstairs.
Le Pont de la Tour | 36d Shad Thames, London SE1 2YE | 020-7403-8403 T
Ask for a window table with a view of Tower bridge, one of the best views in London.
Mezzo | 100 Wardour St. Soho. London W1V 3LE | 0207-314-4000 T
A huge restaurant on three floors, but a great place to eat and people watch.
Oxo Tower Restaurant | Barge House Street, London, SE1 9PH, nearest tube : Blackfriars | 020-7803-3888 T
Fantastic view of the Thames, the Brassiere next door if you want a lighter meal, but usually very busy.
Quaglino's | 16 Bury Street, London SW1Y 6AL | 020-70930-6767 T
Great atmosphere, nice buzz. 90's meets the 20's, tastefully done.
Canyon | Riverside (near Richmond Bridge) Richmond Surrey TW10 6UJ | 020-8948 2944 T
Beside the Thames at Richmond, great view, nice place.

Stuff

Grovers Ltd | 7-9 Exhibition Road, South Kensington London SW7 2HE | 020-7584-5090 T
The most delightful flower shop imaginable.

United States

Miami

Hotels

Tides   | Ocean Drive, South Beach, Miami
Very, very smooth hotel. Art deco district, but muted colours (white, beige & chrome) inside, with blue, blue sea and sand views outside. Very (elegantly) Miami.


New York

Deli

Dean & Delucca | Soho, New York, New York
The amazing Soho deli is great place to sample and taste the world's foods. A visual and nasal treat.

Hotels

Hudson Hotel   | 356 West 58th Street, New York, New York 10019 | (1) 212-554-6000 T
Very cool hip hotel. Interiors by Philip Stark. South West corner of Central Park. Rooms are very small, but ooze trendy features and the bar and common areas along with NYC is what you came to see.
The Mercer   | 147 Mercer Street, New York, New York 10012 | (1) 212-966-6060 T
Extremely cool and elegant hotel. Interiors by Christian Liagire. Downtown in SOHO. This is not only a great place to stay, but also to drop in to the Lobby bar or the restaurant (called The Kitchen) downstairs.


Pacific Coast Highway 1

To do

LA to San Francisco   | The slow route
You can take a plane, a train, a fast highway, probably even a boat from LA to SF, but if you can take a day or two and drive up the old coast highway. Through small towns like San lus Obispo, Moonstone beach, Big Sur and Carmel. Go top down if you can.


San Francisco

Restaurants

Daily Grill San Francisco | 347 Geary Street off Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94102 | 415-616-5000 T
Classic American grill restaurant, right in the heart of Union Sq. [07]
Sears Fine Food | 439 Powell St. off Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94102 | 415-986-1160 T
For any type of American breakfast, this place would be hard to beat. French toast or waffles - just wonderful! [07]


Seattle

Restaurants

Etta's | 2020 Western Ave (A block north of Pike Place Market), Seattle, WA 98121 | 206-443-6000 T
Really charming relaxed fish restaurant. Terrific brunch. [08]
Lola | 2000 4th Ave (At the corner of 4th and Virginia), Seattle, WA | 206-441-1430 T
Fantastic place for breakfast. Bread and pastries come from the Dahlia bakery. Just wonderful. [08]
Purple Cafe & Wine Bar | 1225 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 | 206-829-2281 T
Great modern American fusion food, cool downtown setting - amazing wine rack. [08]


Washington DC

Deli

Dean & Delucca | Georgetown
The Georgetown 'branch' of the lovely Soho deli is in a converted firehouse. Wonderful range of provisions - great place for a morning coffee and breakfast muffin.

Vietnam

Hanoi

Information to follow, shortly...

Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls

Information to follow, shortly...

Please note these are simply some personal recommendations from places we've been to and would recommend. No revenue is derived from this page. Just hope you might like some of them too. | 050301