Velvet Moments: travel photo – a moment in Avignon is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

A big smile and a glass of vino to start!

“Crisis? In Mercado de San Miguel, the crisis is far, far away”. I smiled. I knew exactly what she meant. I stood there, at the seafood tapas bar with my new friends, two Madrileñas. We clutched glasses of vino in our hands and we’d emptied two plates of spicy mussels. I looked around and she was absolutely right. The market was bustling with couples, families, groups of friends, business people and tourists. They stood at the tapas bars or at the larger tables, crowded around glasses of wine or cocktails and plates of delicious tapas. Everyone was having a fabulous time chatting and laughing. Spain’s dire economic and financial problems seemed like worlds away. As for me, I started sporting a big smile on my face the minute I walked in. This place, in the heart of Madrid, is one big, happy Mercado!

Exploring Mercado de San Miguel

Mercado de San Miguel, located a stone’s throw from the Plaza Mayor in Madrid, is not a market in the strict sense of the word. It is, in fact, more like a big deli with numerous tapas and dessert bars, and wine sellers. A large collection of tapas bars and stalls sell all sorts of meats, cheeses, seafood, cakes, desserts, wines, coffees and teas.

Mercado de San Miguel

Locals and tourists mingle

It can be quite overwhelming when you enter the Mercado as it quite literally sends your senses into overdrive. I got myself a glass of wine and sat on one of the bar stools and watched the many happy faces around me. After a few minutes, I went on a stroll, glass of wine in hand, to check out the many stalls. I started with a small cone of Jamón Iberico (Iberico ham). After that first bite of the flavourful ham, I knew it – I was going to have a terrific afternoon! I met my new friends at the seafood bar and we spent the rest of the afternoon going from one bar to the other, tasting spicy mussels, tender pulpo (octopus), bite-sized hot-dogs, more ham and little desserts. Everything tasted absolutely divine.

Seafood tapas at Mercado de San Miguel

Crisps, sausages and hams served in cones.

Cheese platter

Mini hotdogs

Cocktails!

Cakes, desserts and more smiles!

It was an unforgettable afternoon. I went back two more times, and each time, I met another local and was introduced to yet another type of ham, specially-prepared seafood or a different wine. There are many things to do and see in Madrid but the Mercado de San Miguel is a must-visit – at least in my book! It’s a fantastic foodie experience and a great place to mingle with the locals. I’m quite sure you’ll leave feeling pretty happy, like I did!

One big happy Mercado is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

A sea of red tulips

A blaze of colour!

A path through the tulip fields.

 See other Velvet Moments.

Velvet Moments: travel photo – a sea of tulips is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Széchenyi Bath

A trip to Budapest will not be complete without a visit to at least one of its historic thermal baths. It’s said that the Romans settled in the area because of the abundance of thermal springs – I would too! The first Roman baths were constructed around the 2nd century AD but it wasn’t till the Turks occupied the city in the 16th century that the city’s most beautiful baths were built and the thermal bath culture blossomed. The baths quickly became a place to relax and socialise but were also used for wellness purposes: the spring water contains medicinal qualities and locals also visited the baths for massage treatments.

Medicinal qualities

I was going through a rather stressful period when I visited Budapest for the first time in the 1990′s. My busy banking job was taking its toll on me and I developed stomach ulcers which were excruciating at times. I’d read somewhere that the thermal springs in Budapest are known to alleviate all sorts of ailments so I visited several baths. I drank big gulps of water at the Lukács and Rudas baths and lo and behold, my ulcers miraculously disappeared after a few days. I’m not a doctor and I have no idea what medicinal qualities the water contains but it certainly helped me.

I visited other baths on subsequent trips to Budapest such as the Gellért, Széchenyi and Király baths. Each has its own history, style, customs and architecture. Some baths are for mixed bathing (men, women and children) whilst some, like the Rudas bath has specific opening times for men, women and families. Here are my three favourite thermal baths in Budapest:

Rudas Bath

Built by the Turks in the 16th century, Rudas is one of the oldest baths in Budapest. I personally find it one of the most atmospheric. Sitting in the central bathing area is like taking a step back in time. A large dome with rays of light streaming through little holes is supported by eight columns and beautiful arches. The stunning dome covers the main pool which is octagonal in shape. In each corner of the hall are pools with different temperatures. There’s also a series of steam rooms which get hotter as you go further. The bath also offers a variety of spa and massage treatments.

Rudas bath (image courtesy of Romuald le Peru)

Széchenyi Bath

The Széchenyi Bath is arguably one of the most beautiful and elaborate thermal bathing complexes in Budapest. Built in 1913, the complex resembles a palace and there are both indoor and outdoor pools. This is the bath that’s often featured in many photos and brochures – the famous scenes of elderly men playing chess in the water – and rightfully so. It certainly is an impressive sight. Both locals and tourists mingle in the many pools, each with a different temperature. There are separate areas for spa and medicinal treatments.

The Szechenyi Bath – the outdoor pools

Gellért Bath

If you love Art Nouveau architecture, you’ll love the Gellért Baths. The bath/hotel complex was built in 1918 and expanded in the 1920′s and 1930′s. Like its counterpart Széchenyi, the Gellért is an elaborate complex with indoor and outdoor pools (there’s even a wave pool!). The interior, with its gorgeous mosaics, marble columns and stained glass windows, is absolutely breathtaking.

The Gellért Bath – main indoor pool.

There are often queues to enter the popular baths like Széchenyi and Gellért so if you wish to skip the queues, I recommend purchasing advance tickets. These are a bit more expensive than the tickets at the door but they’re worth every penny, especially on a busy day. You can purchase these tickets at your hotel.

Search for hotels in Budapest.

Read about the ‘most beautiful café in the world‘ in Budapest and a bar you shouldn’t miss!

The historic baths of Budapest is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The crumpled London tube map that resides in my jacket pocket!

The Beefeater, Big Ben and the dome of St Paul’s are all icons of London recognised by everyone. But there’s another icon of the city that every Londoner knows, though perhaps they don’t think of it that way – the Underground map.

Look at one of the early tube maps and what you’ll see is an unstructured mess of lines like a plate of coloured spaghetti or a piece of crochet destroyed by a pet cat. It wasn’t until graphical designer Harry Beck took it in charge that we got the rational, sleek layout of the modern tube map, where every line runs vertically, horizontally or at a 45 degree diagonal, a bit like an electrical circuit diagram. It’s instantly recognisable; you can even get t-shirts with the tube map printed on them.

The British Waterways Board has done a ‘tube map’ style chart of London’s rivers and canals, the buses have pinched the idea and Amsterdam’s GVB even gives credit to London Transport as the inspiration behind its own map [note from Keith: yep, they sure do! It's in all the Amsterdam metro's].

It really is part of the culture and Londoners love their tube map. In 2009, the River Thames was removed from the map – an immediate outcry ensured. Later that year, the Thames was back!

Quirky versions of the London Tube Map

There are so many versions. Simon Patterson’s The Great Bear in Tate Modern affectionately parodies the tube map but instead of stations, the lines connect the names of famous people. The Royal Shakespeare Company once produced a Shakespeare tube map and Dr Max Roberts of the University of Essex has worked on a number of reinterpretations from curvy to Arts & Crafts style. There’s even a new tube map that tries to reconcile geographical accuracy with Beck-like simplicity by Mark Noad.

London curvy Tube Map (image courtesy of Annie Mole)

But of course the tube isn’t the only thing you’ll want to navigate. And London has been mapped for centuries well before the tube was even conceived.

Historic maps of London

John Speed’s map of 1611 shows only the City of London – there were still patches of green fields between the City and Westminster (which has its own separate map) – and the whole of the south bank, or pretty nearly, is occupied by fields and orchards, with just a straggly fringe of houses along the river and along Borough High Street, the main road to Canterbury. Just as interesting as the map is the little view of St Paul’s from the river, with London Bridge, the Tower of London, and right in the foreground, the drum-like shapes of two theatres – one is the original Globe. It’s a colourful vision and full of interest.

John Speed’s map of London (image courtesy of Occidental College).

John Rocque’s map of London is quite different; its fine black and white engraving reflects the values of the Augustan age – the age of Reason. It was published in 1747 after ten years of work and is an incredibly detailed masterpiece. You can see the trees of Gray’s Inn gardens marching in their regular lines, the three-masted ships at anchor by London Bridge and every tiny alleyway of the City and the Inns of Court. The stippling of the blocks and the finely-etched capital letters suggest that London has at last been reduced to a rational plan; but the street names show a different, older and rougher London – Antelope Alley, Blowbladder Street, Chitterling Alley, Do Little Alley, Labour in Vain Yard and my favourite, Dirty Lane.

Rocque’s map of London (image from Wikipedia)

The Crumpled City Junior map of London by Palomar couldn’t be more different from Rocque’s. Vivid colour replaces his chaste black and white and there are jolly cartoon images to amuse children, rather than the serious-minded exactitude of Rocque’s surveying. It’s a map intended to arouse interest and excitement, rather than to depict accurate geography (there’s also one important benefit that John Rocque couldn’t offer; the Crumpled City map is waterproof).

Still another view is that of the artist’s map. Stephen Walter’s The Island is a deeply personal view of London by a Londoner, gently mocking the London-centric view of the universe by making the capital an island in an English ‘sea’. It’s full of personal observations, as well as visual puns like a swaybacked Elephant at Elephant and Castle and historical references; Walter celebrates the Tottenham Outrage of 1909 and the anti-fascist campaigners of Cable Street, but also notes in Hoxton, “Nathan Barley documentary shot here”. Other annotations include “eye-sore,” “striptease zone”, “Little Turkey” (Stoke Newington), “Nonconformists, lesbians, prams” (also Stoke Newington), and “Surplus store still here!”

And just so you know, Hoxton and Shoreditch, cool home of artists and media people, is ornamented with the annotation “Beware of being a twat.”

Themed maps of London

Some aspects of London are worthy of a map in themselves. One is London’s orchards; there are very few in the City and West End (this map misses out the mulberry trees in Draper’s Gardens, near the Bank of England, though they’re not properly speaking an orchard I suppose), but there’s a surprising cluster on the South Bank, including the Archbishop’s Park orchard in Lambeth, planted just two years ago.

London orchards map (from the London Orchards Project)

But take a look at the historic orchards map on the same site and you can see what has been lost – the whole of south London was once covered with orchards, so that the Google maps markers look like clusters of grapes hanging from the Thames like a vine.

London is not only its maps, of course. But every map is a different way of seeing the capital – a different experience of it or a different way of trying to make sense of it. Whether it’s as scientific and exact as Roque’s or as personal and opinionated as Walter’s, it’s huge fun to look at London through its maps.

This was a guest post written by Andrea Kirkby, who likes to stay in the London luxury suites of the Milestone Hotel when she is exploring London.

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with London Hotels Insight.

A view of London through its maps is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

A snowy Amsterdam

Read Velvet Escape posts about Amsterdam.

Velvet Moments: travel photo – snowy canal in Amsterdam is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

A typical English bookshop (image courtesy of Mooganic)

A trip to a good bookstore is about more than just picking up a new novel: you’ll understand if you’ve ever stepped foot in one. These are the places where the shelves are packed from floor to ceiling with interesting titles, the booksellers themselves are knowledgeable, friendly and likely to know better than you what it is that you’re looking for, plus there is an atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable enough to browse for hours. And a good bookstore, of course, offers well-placed comfortable chairs, which you can sink into, new book in hand, surrounded by the smell of fresh coffee.

The sad truth is that with the prevalence of internet bookstores places like this are in danger of dying out – in fact approximately half of UK bookstores have closed in the last decade. So if you believe in the pleasure of browsing free from Amazon’s ‘suggested titles’, with the chance that you might just discover something new, then read on.

In this post from Jill at Latitude 50 we’ll introduce you to six of the best bookshops in the UK, where you can reclaim the simple pleasure of a trip to a good book shop…

St Ives Bookseller, Fore Street, St Ives, Cornwall

Tucked away in a narrow street in the pretty seaside town of St Ives, is the St Ives Bookseller. This is a true independent bookshop, filled with solid oak bookcases, which are in turn crammed with and a wide range of fiction, children’s, local interest titles and more. The staff are ever-friendly and the shop also hosts a programme of regular book signings and events to keep their customers rolling in though the doors. It certainly seems to be working, as the St Ives Bookseller was the proud winner of the 2012 South West regional prize for Independent Bookseller of the Year. What’s best about this shop is it’s just seconds from the beach, so, after you’ve enjoyed its inner delights, you can amble down to the sea and enjoy a few hours relaxing to the sound of seagulls and waves, with your new title safely in hand.

St. Ives (image courtesy of Karen Roe)

Blackwell’s Bookshop, Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire

A true institution in the city of Oxford, Blackwell’s Bookshop offers room upon room of beautiful books that will keep any booklover entranced for hours. The shop also has a particularly good selection of rare, collectable and antiquarian titles, which attracts customers from all over the world. It’s not unlikely that you may bump into a famous literary face here either, as author Ian McEwan is a regular visitor to the store and Phillip Pullman, the creator of Northern Lights lives just minutes away. The shop is surrounded by some of Oxfords most famous colleges, as well as being a stone’s throw from the magnificent Bodleian Library, which all make for excellent sight-seeing afterwards.

Broad Street, Oxford – Blackwell’s is on the right (image courtesy of Dick Penn)

Booka Bookshop, Church Street, Oswestry, Shropshire

Booka Bookshop (image courtesy of Shropshire & Telford)

This wonderful Shropshire bookshop was voted on of the Top 50 bookshops in the country by The Independent – and it’s no surprise why. Along with a great selection of books, Booka Bookshop has a fabulous café, serving fairtrade coffee, tea and delicious homemade cakes – their sticky lemon drizzle takes a bit of beating! With events happening as often as weekly, it’s a bustling, busy, bookshop that is very much a part of the community, plus love the idea of their ‘Book and a Beer Book Club’, which anyone is welcome to join!

The Society Club, Soho, London

Bookshop, performance venue and gallery, The Society Club in Soho offers more than just the chance to pick up a great read. In fact, it also serves classic cocktails and welcomes dogs! It’s very eccentric and great fun. The owners also offer a ‘Book Hunting Service’ where they will search out hard-to-find titles for their customers and are always on hand to give suggestions. This is a quirky place to while away an afternoon – though you’ll probably spend more time enjoying the people watching, than you will reading.

Sam Read Bookseller, Grasmere, Lake District

This very old bookshop has been trading in the picturesque village of Grasmere in the Lake District since 1887. Sam Read Bookseller is almost always open, warm and inviting and it seems ready for a customer at any time. In an area with connections to Wordsworth, Coleridge and the Romantics, John Ruskin, Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ransome it’s no surprise really that it’s survived but it would be unfair to attribute it’s success solely to it’s location. Read’s stocks everything from the latest releases, to modern classics, as well as having an impressive selection of modern poetry. As the store is a stone’s throw from Dove Cottage and the birthplace of modern Romanticism it would be a shame not to make a visit there too.

Grasmere

Browsers, The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, Suffolk

This newly decorated bookstore in Suffolk is the clearly the project of true booklovers. Browsers is small in size but full of fantastic reads, with the ideal atmosphere for some seriously relaxed browsing. It has helpful, unobtrusive staff, who know their stock and are proud of it but also don’t mind if you just want to come in and take a look around. Don’t leave without visiting the café, which serves a range of scrumptious homemade cakes – all made with recipes taken from their own selection of cookery books! They also have a Children’s bookshop just over the road, so you can set the kids free in there before settling down to a good browse yourself. Bliss.

If you have been inspired to make a visit to one of these fabulous UK bookstores, why not team up a visit with some great accommodation and a weekend exploring a new corner of the country. Sometimes it’s the simple pleasures that can be most refreshing – we assure you you’ll come home feeling reconnected and inspired, with some great new titles to add to your own library.

Note: this post is brought to you in partnership with Latitude 50.

A bookstore tour of England is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Civitella del Tronto

The last fortress

The 500 meter long fortress, the second largest of its kind in Europe after the fortress in Salzburg, is certainly an impressive sight and can be seen from miles away. Strategically located between the Kingdom of Naples and the Papal States, the town played a key role in the political affairs of the Italian peninsula in the 13th – 16th centuries. In the 19th century, the fortress was the scene of the last stand of the Kingdom of Naples against the armies of Garibaldi and Piedmont. The fall of the fortress in 1861 cleared the way for the unification and creation of the Kingdom of Italy.

The imposing walls of the fortress

These days, Civitella del Tronto (map) is a sleepy town with beautiful houses and quaint cobbled streets. The mighty fortress stands proudly above the town and is now a museum. The views of the verdant hills and the awe-inspiring Gran Sasso mountains from the fortress are absolutely stunning! Scroll down for a photo tour of Civitella del Tronto.

Inside the fortress. Join a guided tour to hear about the tempestuous history of Civitella and its fortress

The rooftops of Civitella del Tronto seen from the fortress

The main street in Civitella del Tronto

Civitella also claims to have the narrowest lane in Italy. I had to walk sideways in some parts!

Around Civitella del Tronto

Civitella is the perfect base for those wishing to explore the region – with its impressive mountains, expansive forests and picturesque medieval towns, not to mention its gorgeous food and wines (think Montepulciano d’Abruzzo!), there’s lots to see and do in the province of Teramo. In addition, the Adriatic coast is less than an hour away. I visited two gorgeous towns near Civitella which I can recommend: Campli, close to Civitella and famous for its Holy Staircase (one of two in Italy; the other is its famous twin in Rome) and porchetta (roast pork); and Ascoli Piceno, a medieval town with a beautiful square and ditto churches.

The Holy Staircase in Campli

The Santa Maria Curch in Campli

The stunning ceiling in the Santa Maria Church

The beautiful travertine-paved Piazza del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno

Inside the breathtaking Cathedral of Ascoli Piceno

You can also drive one of the many scenic routes around the Gran Sasso mountains or hike in the Gran Sasso & Monti della Laga National Park. The mountain views are simply astounding!

The mighty Gran Sasso peaks in Abruzzo

Italy wouldn’t be Italy if there was no wine involved! There are various wine routes in the vicinity of Civitella. One of my favourite wineries is the Illuminati Estate. Located in the northeastern corner of Abruzzo, this winery is one of the biggest in the area and the surrounding scenery is simply gorgeous.

Vineyards in Abruzzo

Wine station at the Illuminati estate – bring your own barrel/bottles, fill them up with the wine of your choice and have a party!

Where to stay in Civitella del Tronto

There are several accommodation options in and around Civitella del Tronto but the one I highly recommend is Hotel Zunica 1880. The rooms are very spacious and the ones in the front boast jaw-dropping views of the green valley below and the Gran Sasso mountains. It was a joy to wake up every morning to that stunning panorama!

Hotel Zunica 1880

The view of the verdant hills and snow-capped Gran Sasso mountains from my room window at Hotel Zunica 1880

The hotel also has arguably one of the best fine-dining restaurants in the region, showcasing local Abruzzo specialties and wines. It sure was grand to return to the hotel after a full-day of exploring the area and enjoy a terrific meal.

The classy restaurant at Hotel Zunica 1880

Abruzzo simply blew me away with its unspoilt natural beauty and countless cultural and historical attractions. Add to that its sumptuous cuisine and delicious wines, and the fact that Abruzzo is still relatively off-the-beaten-track, and you have a fine destination just waiting to be discovered! If you do choose to visit Abruzzo, don’t miss the lovely fortress town of Civitella del Tronto.

The fortress town of Civitella del Tronto is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Royal Palace seen from Plaza de Oriente

Madrid, the capital of Spain and the country’s largest city, is one of my favourite European capitals. With its grand architecture, majestic palaces, stunning museums and broad tree-lined avenues, it ranks right up amongst Europe’s great capitals like Paris and Vienna, at least in my book. What distinguishes Madrid from the other European capitals is its unique flair. You’ll see and feel it the minute you start exploring its streets. There’s nothing quite like it anywhere in the world. I fell in love with Madrid the first time I visited the city in 1992. Recently, I had the opportunity to rediscover the reasons why I love this city. Without further ado, here are ten things to do in Madrid.

1. WALK – Despite being Spain’s largest city, Madrid is perfect for visitors, like me, who love to explore a place on foot. The city centre is very compact, with the major sights such as the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor and Prado Museum all within walking distance (10-20 minutes) of each other. Madrid’s compact composition is due to King Philip IV who built a fence around the city in 1625. The fence forced the city to grow inwards instead of outwards and it wasn’t torn down until 1868. This fence, even though it doesn’t exist anymore, defines Madrid’s current city centre.

Plaza Mayor

There really is no better way to explore this fascinating city and its colourful neighbourhoods. To get a great overview of the city, head for City Hall. Housed in an impressive cathedral-like palace (Cibeles Palace), this building alone is worth a visit. Buy a ticket for the ‘mirador’ for amazing views of the city. After you’ve taken in the view, choose any of the neighbourhoods to explore: classy Retiro and Salamanca, bustling Centro, atmospheric La Latina or trendy Chueca. As you walk around, take note of the gorgeous mix of architectural styles, from neo-Classical to Renaissance and neo-Gothic. I especially love the wrought-iron balconies that can be found throughout the city.

A forest of shadows in a Madrid street

2. Get your arty fix – Madrid is home to some of the most well-known museums in the world including El Prado (with its priceless collections of Velásquez and Goya), Thyssen (historic masterpieces by Italian, Dutch, German and Russian artists) and Reina Sofia (home of Guernica, arguably Picasso’s most famous painting). Madrid’s ‘Big Three’ are conveniently located within a stone’s throw of each other in an area called the Golden Triangle. If these three haven’t satisfied your arty appetite, head out to some of Madrid’s lesser-known museums like the Caixa Forum and La Casa Encendida.

Prado Museum

3. EAT & drink like a Madrileño – Most visitors will quickly become acquainted with the city’s tapas tradition because you simply can’t miss the plethora of tapas bars serving all sorts of hams, cheeses, tortillas and seafood. Special mentions go to Mercado de San Miguel (see point 7 below) and the Museo del Jamón (which features a staggering variety of hams).

Seafood tapas at Mercado de San Miguel

Aside from tapas, try the cochinillo (suckling pig), cocido (a rich stew), lamb (cordero) and steaks at historic restaurants such as El Sobrino de Botín (a 300-year-old restaurant that’s listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest in the world), La Bola Taberna or Casa Paco. For something sweet and savoury, head for Chocolateria San Gines for hot chocolate and churros (deep fried dough sticks) and porras (similar to churros but thicker).

Churros and porras with hot chocolate at Chocolateria San Ginés

For the wine lovers, you have to visit Lavinia in the Salamanca district (literally a department store of wines!) if only to feast your eyes on the epic collection of wines. Oh, and you have to try a shot of vermouth (vermut de grifo – vermouth from the tap) in one of Madrid’s historic taverns along Cava Baja street in the La Latina district such as Bodega Ricla or La Perejila.

4. Sign up for a Tapas tour in La Latina – If you’re only going to do one tour in Madrid, sign up for this tapas tour in Old Madrid! You can choose between evening tours on (most) weekdays or the Sunday afternoon tour. Andrés is a very knowledgeable guide who’ll not only show you many of Madrid’s hidden historic and architectural gems as he leads you through the cobbled streets of La Latina, but more importantly, he’ll take you to some of Madrid’s best-loved tapas joints only locals know about and combine each tapas dish with the perfect wine pairing (from his own wine collection). He’ll introduce you to vermouth on tap, the fluffiest tortilla patatas and a variety of local cheeses and hams. I had a big smile on my face all evening!

Jamón Iberico, manchego (sheep cheese) and old sherry on the tapas tour

5. Go square-hopping – Madrid teems with squares, from the grandeur of Plaza Mayor and the hustle and bustle of Puerta del Sol (a focal point for street entertainment) to cosy neighbourhood squares. Grab a chair at any of the thousands of alfresco cafés, order a cerveza or vino and watch the world go by! Drinks are a tad more expensive when ordered out on a terrace (as opposed to at the bar) but the people-watching opportunities are more than worth the extra expense!

Square in Madrid

6. Be awed inside Madrid’s palaces and monasteries – If it’s your first time in Madrid, I highly recommend a visit to the splendorous Royal Palace (Palacio Real). Designed in a late-baroque style by Italian architects, the 18th-century Royal Palace, with its impressive halls and ornate Throne Room, is a must-see. Then cross the square to the cavernous La Almudena Cathedral for another jaw-dropping moment. If you’re in Madrid on the first Wednesday of the month, stick around for the changing of the Royal Guard at noon (featuring hundreds of guards and more than a hundred horses).

Palacio Real

La Almudena Cathedral (left)

In the vicinity of the Royal Palace, you’ll find the Monasterio de La Encarnación, most famous for its religious relics and a strange phenomenon which occurs every July 27th. A short walk away, another grand monastery awaits: the Monasterio Descalzas Reales. In its heyday, the monastery was one of Europe’s wealthiest. It literally means the ‘Monastery of Barefoot Royals’ and houses a stunning collection of tapestries and bejeweled religious ornaments.

7. Indulge yourself in Madrid’s markets – Madrid’s markets offer something for everyone, from the El Rastro flea market to the posh Mercado de la Paz (in the fashionable Salamanca district – top-notch charcuterie and wines). My favourite is the Mercado de San Miguel. Not really a market in the strict sense of the word, it’s more like one big deli and tapas fantasy! The vibe here is infectious and both locals and visitors are drawn by the delicious tapas and ditto wines. You could easily spend hours in Mercado de San Miguel hopping from one tapas counter to the next, glass of vino in hand.

Mercado de San Miguel

Another market worth a visit is Mercado de San Antón in the Chueca district. Located in a modern, rather unassuming building, the Mercado de San Antón also has a great variety of tapas. After you’ve had your tapas fix, grab a cocktail (or two) and mingle with the locals at the rooftop bar.

8. Go wild with the locals! – There are hundreds, if not thousands of local bars and cafés scattered throughout Madrid and most of them have large television screens that show the news or sports programmes. Seek out an old tavern, bodega or cerveceria on a match day (football – or soccer – that is) especially when the local teams (Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid) play. If you’re looking to completely immerse yourself in Spain’s passion for food, drink and football, you can’t miss this experience. Two places Andrés (see point 4 above) recommends for an authentic atmosphere are Fatigas del Querer and El Ñeru.

A traditional tavern in Madrid

You can also choose to go to one of the football matches (Real Madrid’s massive El Bernabéu stadium is an attraction in itself) and feel the ground tremble beneath you but if you’re not too interested in the sport, dropping by for a drink on match day is the next best thing.

9. Take a breather in Retiro Park & Botanical Gardens – If you’re looking for a respite from the busy streets, head for the Jardín de Botánico and the adjacent Retiro Park. Hectares upon hectares of lush greenery in tranquil settings await you. Retiro Park used to belong to the Spanish royal family before it became a public park in the late-19th century. With its monumental buildings and palaces (including the gorgeous Crystal Palace), serene lakes, impressive galleries and statues, Retiro is a favourite spot for both locals and visitors. Don’t miss seeing the Statue of the Fallen Angel (Estatua del Angel Caído), reputedly the only public statue representing the Devil anywhere in the world.

10. Stay local – To be honest, I’m a hotel person; i.e. when I’m in a foreign city, I prefer the comforts, services and facilities of a hotel. Lately, I’ve had to revise my preference after discovering the joys of vacation rentals. Somehow, staying in a local’s apartment makes me feel much more at home in a strange city. Most often, these apartments come equipped with a kitchen, allowing me to browse around the markets for fresh produce and cooking it in my own kitchen. Having a vacation rental also facilitates easy contact with locals; you start by meeting the landlord! Quite a few of the points listed above were recommendations to me by the apartment owner in Madrid – and after experiencing them, I’ve now passed them on to you! Furthermore, if you’re travelling in a group, it makes more sense (and it’s cheaper per head) to consider an apartment.

HouseTrip has a fabulous collection of vacation rentals in Madrid, ranging from small studios to large palatial apartments, in some of the city’s best locations. I stayed in a lovely, clean studio near the Opera/Royal Palace (a fantastic location) and visited two other HouseTrip apartments. Click on the images below for booking details.

My studio apartment in Madrid; cosy, equipped with a kitchen and laundry and situated within walking distance of the city’s main attractions.

Loved this apartment near the Plaza Mayor. Clean, colourful and sleeps up to 4 people. Its location, near the Plaza Mayor is excellent. The owner, Luz, is a fabulous host who keeps her guests feeling at home with food, fresh flowers and other thoughtful details.

They were all pretty amazing, especially the huge apartment in a historic palace a stone’s throw from the Opera. The owners told me about the many Opera singers and musicians who had stayed in the apartment and we had a good laugh about some of the quirkier moments.

The gorgeous apartment in a historic Madrid palace. The owner Manuel and his partner love to talk about some of the famous artists who’ve stayed here before. This apartment sleeps up to 9 people!

If you’re visiting Madrid, I highly recommend opting for a vacation rental. It sure is a great way to kick-start your immersion in the local scene!

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with HouseTrip. As always, all opinions expressed above are mine, and mine only.

Ten things to do in Madrid is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

A cycling holiday in Cyprus

Every year, millions of people pack their suitcases and head off to the nearest airport for their annual holiday. We all have our own specific reasons for wanting to get away from it all, but for most of us it’s simply because we want an opportunity to rest and relax under a warm sun and not have to worry about the pressures of work and family commitments for a while. To cater to more active visitors, many destinations are keen to offer opportunities for wind-surfing, abseiling, tennis, golf and dozens of other experiences.

One of the most popular activities of all is cycling, and some European resorts welcome thousands of keen cyclists on an annual basis. In many ways, it represents the perfect vacation activity, because each participant can do as little or as much as they want; in most places, there is no specific finishing point to worry about. For family groups, cycling can provide a welcome distraction from a constant schedule of visiting the beach, and can allow the younger members of the party to let off a little steam. Needless to say, there are also organised groups of dedicated cyclists who will sign up to a more intense programme of long and arduous daily rides.

A cycling holiday in Cyprus

In recent years, the eastern Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus has developed a wide range of activities including cycling holidays. Check out Mountain Bike Cyprus who offers great cycle holiday packages. There are few destinations for cyclists which can match the beautiful island of Cyprus. The undulating terrain throughout the coastal regions – the region around Paphos is especially popular – is perfect for all riders, from the occasional participant who simply wants to get away from the crowd to the serious individual who’s looking for something a little more punishing.

Cyprus’ beautiful coastline

Quaint villages dot the Cyprus hinterland

One of the reasons so many cyclists choose Cyprus is the wonderful climate. In the summer, the days are invariably warm and sunny, but even on the hottest afternoon there is often a cooling breeze coming in from the Mediterranean. And in winter there’s still a pleasantly temperate feel in the air.

Getting to this wonderful island is easy from the UK and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, either. There are affordable holidays to Cyprus to be found on the web, thanks to Jet2holidays, so if you’ve ever dreamt of taking to two wheels in one of Europe’s most picturesque destinations now is the time to do it.

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with Jet2Holidays.

Discovering Cyprus on two wheels is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The cold front has since moved on (YAY!) but I thought I’d share some photos with you of a memorable week in a Dutch winter wonderland!

It all started with a blizzard!

I went for a walk in the snow every chance I could. After that blizzard, the weather cleared up dramatically and we were treated to bright blue skies and dollops of sunshine. The virgin white carpet of snow and the crunching sound it makes under my shoes, the blinding winter light and air so cold it stings – I began to remember why I love and loathe winters!

When the blizzard subsided, we were treated to gorgeous winter scenes like this snowy path along the Amstel River.

It’s quite a different winter compared to last year when it froze for a prolonged period of time and there was little snow. For several days, the canals of Amsterdam were one big ice-skating rink! This time around, the canals remained relatively ice-free and there was lots of snow.

A snowy Amsterdam

Walls of ice in Marken

One afternoon, my partner and I went for a drive to Marken, a historic town north of Amsterdam. Marken is situated on a small island in the Markermeer (a huge lake in the centre of the country). We’d read in the news that the lake was frozen and that the wind was pushing the sheets of ice onto the dikes, creating walls of ice several meters high. We knew we had to see this! When we arrived on the island, we headed straight for the dikes that circle the island. The frozen scenery that greeted us from atop the dike was simply mind-blowing!

The frozen Markermeer

The lakeshore was covered with all sorts of ice formations.

We walked along the dike to the lighthouse to see the huge mounds of ice.

A close-up look at the mounds of ice at the Marken lighthouse.

I spotted these two ducks and a chair along the icy shore. Too cute!

And a few geese!

As we made our way back, the sky and the frozen lake looked simply spectacular!

I captured this shot of people strolling along the dike against the background of the setting sun.

It was an amazing winter – it’s not over yet I know but I’m glad we’re out of the deep freeze, at least for now.

Read more about Amsterdam on Velvet Escape.

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A Dutch winter wonderland is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The Onyar River winds its way through Girona

Girona is a small medieval city about a 1.5-hour drive north of Barcelona. Located halfway between the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees and the rugged Costa Brava coast, the town sits on the confluence of four rivers and has a rich history that goes back to the Roman ages. Girona is quite often overlooked by tourists who pass the town on their way from Barcelona to Figueres, the home of the world-famous Dalí Theatre Museum. That’s a pity because the city’s varied attractions warrant a stay of at least a few days. In addition to being a gorgeous town for a leisurely stroll – along cobble-stoned streets and colourful buildings – Girona boasts many museums, shops, cafés and lovely hotels. Moreover, El Celler de Can Roca, one of the world’s best restaurants is located here!

Passeig de la Muralla

I love exploring the maze of old streets in the city, especially around the Jewish Quarter, one of Europe’s best preserved. On my recent trip to Girona, I decided to spend a morning walking along the city’s medieval walls, the Passeig de la Muralla. Parts of the 14th century walls and towers were destroyed during the late-19th century to allow the city to expand. The missing parts have since been reconstructed and these days, it’s possible to walk along the walls and enjoy the views of the city and the surrounding countryside. Armed with my iPhone (used to capture the images in this post), I started my walk at the Plaça Catalunya, on the banks of the River Onyar.

Reflections in the Onyar River near Plaça Catalunya.

From the river, signs led me up a series of staircases to the wall. It’s a bit of a climb in certain places but the views from the wall and the towers certainly made the effort more than worthwhile. I could see almost the entire city, including the city’s iconic Cathedral, whilst the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees were clearly visible in the far distance.

Views of Girona from the walls

Girona spread out below me

The view from the 14th century Sant Doménec Tower

The Cathedral of Girona

The path ends behind Girona’s imposing Cathedral. Construction of the Cathedral started in the 11th century on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple and continued for many centuries.

The wall walk ends behind the Cathedral

The Cathedral’s original design was Romanesque but in the 13th century, the city’s architects implemented a Gothic design. These days, the Cathedral has the second widest Gothic nave in the world (behind St. Peter’s Basilica) and is home to a stunning collection of religious artifacts.

The Cathedral’s impressive interior

The huge nave

The cloister

This beautiful walk is a great way to get acquainted with Girona before you explore the rest of the city. One thing’s for sure, a visit to Girona would not be complete without a stroll around the walls and a visit to the Cathedral!

Search for hotels in Girona. Read other Velvet Escape posts on Costa Brava.

Walking the city walls of Girona is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Read the accompanying post: “Being Salvador Dalí“.

See more Velvet Moments.

Velvet Moments: travel photo – the tree is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Amsterdam canals in the fall

I often kick off the new year with a post about my top destination picks for the year. This year, I’ve chosen just one destination: Amsterdam! It’s going to be a great year for Amsterdam with tonnes of events and celebrations commemorating various historic milestones as well as the birthdays of some of Amsterdam’s most treasured icons. There are many reasons to visit Amsterdam – aside from the fact that it’s (arguably) one of the most beautiful cities in the world and it’s my home! -  such as its canals, museums, theatres, nightlife and liberal attitudes, but this year promises to be special. Here are five reasons why:

1. 400th anniversary of the Amsterdam canals – the world-famous ring of canals was built exactly 400 years ago! Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the canals are the city’s most popular attraction and in my book, the best way to see the city. In addition to the annual events such as Queen’s Day (on 30th April) and the Gay Pride Canal Parade (first Saturday of August), there will be all sorts of festivals and concerts centered around and on the canals.

Gay Pride Canal Parade

If the canals freeze up this winter (like they did last winter), you can be sure that festivals and parties will be planned on the ice!

Amsterdam winter scenes: bicycles, canal mansions, and people out on the ice!

2. Re-opening of the Rijksmuseum – the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s most famous museum and home to a priceless collection of paintings by the Dutch masters, has been closed for a decade for major renovations. After countless setbacks, the museum is set to re-open in April. YAY! There will be 80 exhibition spaces and more than 8,000 pieces, including the museum’s most treasured painting: Rembrandt’s Night Watch. I can’t wait to see the new interior!

Rijksmuseum Amsterdam (image courtesy of Jill S)

3. 125th anniversary of the Concertgebouw – Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw is one of the most famous concert halls in the world – many experts say it has the best acoustics anywhere around. To celebrate its 125th anniversary, the Concertgebouw and its resident Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will host a wide range of special concerts and events.

Amsterdam Concertgebouw

Van Gogh – self portrait

4. Van Gogh Museum celebrates its 40th birthday – another Amsterdam icon celebrates a milestone this year: the Van Gogh Museum. Housing the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings, the museum is one of the most visited in the world. It is closed for renovations from September 2012 (during this time, the entire Van Gogh collection will be moved to the Hermitage Museum in Amsterdam), but will open its doors again in May 2013, in time for its birthday bash.

5. Artis Zoo turns 175! – the Artis Royal Zoo is one of Amsterdam’s most beloved attractions. Through its 175 years, the zoo has woven itself into the city’s social and cultural fabric in many ways. Locals and visitors alike come here to enjoy the green oasis in the city centre as well as view and learn about flora and fauna from around the world. To celebrate its 175th birthday, the zoo is planning a string of events and activities, amongst which, the Park in Bloom exhibition which will run from March till December.

For more information, please visit Amsterdam 2013.

UPDATE: February 2013

On 28th January 2013, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced that she will abdicate and pass the throne over to her oldest son, William-Alexander. The coronation of the new King will take place in Amsterdam on 30th April 2013. You can be sure that Amsterdam will throw the royal family a grand party – a sixth reason to visit Amsterdam this year!

Read more about Amsterdam on Velvet Escape.

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Reasons to visit Amsterdam in 2013 is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Christmas in London (image courtesy of Manel)

Twinkling lights, magical parks and enchanting shows: there’s no place on earth like London at Christmas-time. After all, it’s where the original star of Dickens’ Christmas Carol learnt what the merriest time of the year is all about. While you might not have three seasonal spooks up your sleeve to help your Scrooges get into the Christmas spirit, there’s plenty going on in London that’ll have them feeling more festive than a figgy pudding in five minutes flat. Below is just a small selection of the finest seasonal treats in store this December!

After a day of festive fun, curl up in absolute comfort at one of London’s luxury hotels near the centre of the Christmassy action: Grange has hotels in Covent Garden, Tower Bridge and several other locations for ultimate convenience, where you can dream of wonderful Christmases present and future.

Speaking of Scrooge

Two stage legends are bringing Dickens’ classic Christmas Carol to London theatres over December and early January. For a tuneful re-imagining of the novella, catch legendary Cockney crooner (and inveterate hoofer) Tom Steele starring in Scrooge – the Musical throughout the festive season.

Alternately, see Simon Callow revive his acclaimed one-man Christmas Carol show at the Arts Theatre. As Dickens, he’ll take you on a journey through gloomy Victorian streets, ghostly visitations and ultimate redemption in an enthrallingly comic new take on one of the most famous works of Christmas fiction.

Enjoy Christmas Carols with the Choir of King’s College

The world-famous choir from King’s College, Cambridge are bringing their beautiful sound to London for a festive night of Christmas favourites: they’ll be singing seasonal classics, including the Hallelujah Chorus and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, in the majestic arena of the Royal Albert Hall.

Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park (image courtesy of Herry Lawford)

Visit a Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park

A magical kingdom in the centre of London that’ll enchant children and adults alike, it’s no wonder that Hyde Park’s yearly transformation into an icy dream-world is one of the capital’s best-loved Christmas attractions. Slip, slide or glide across the UK’s biggest skating rink and marvel your way through 200 tons of ice sculpture to get to the lair of the glittering ice dragon. Of course if that all sounds a bit exciting, you could take in the all sights with a mellowing mulled wine in hand at the Wonderland’s Christmas market, or view them from a serene distance from the top of the magnificently lit up observation wheel. Read more about the Winter Wonderland.

Want to take in a Panto?

Oh yes you do! At the Shaw Theatre, Eggheads know-it-all. C J de Mooi is the boo-worthy baddy in Beauty and the Beast, scattergun punner Tim Vine is Wishee Washee in Richmond Theatre’s Aladdin and veteran dame Paul O’Grady will be hamming it up as Widow Twankey in A Wish Came True at the O2.

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with Grange Hotels.

A very London Christmas is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Castell d’Empordà

As a child, Albert Diks spent many summers camping with his family in Catalonia. Each time they went on a drive around the Catalan countryside, Albert would stare out the window, his eyes glued to every castle they passed. “At night, in my little tent on the camping, I dreamed of having my own castle.” In the winter of 1999, he stumbled upon the 14th century Castell d’Empordà, in the town of La Bisbal in the heart of the Empordà region in Costa Brava.

In its heyday, the castle was one of the mightier bastions in the region. In the 1970′s, Salvador Dalí made an attempt to purchase the castle for his wife Gala. Alas, the then owner refused to accept Dalí’s art as a barter for the castle, preferring cash instead. On a side note, I wonder if he’s still kicking himself for not accepting Dalí’s offer! Dalí then bought a castle in nearby Púbol, which is currently a museum.

By the time Albert discovered Castell d’Empordà, it was in a deplorable state. But, in his own words, “It was love at first sight despite the dreadful condition of the building, that poetically merged into the beautiful Catalonian scenery.” He and his partner Margo successfully purchased the castle and spent the following years painstakingly restoring it to its old splendor. In the spring of 2001, Castell d’Empordà opened its doors as a hotel. Albert’s dream had become a reality!

Experiencing Castell d’Empordà

I had the privilege of staying at Castell d’Empordà for several nights and like Albert, I was smitten the first time I saw it. Surrounded by olive groves and well-kept gardens, the castle enjoys a commanding position atop a hill overlooking the broad plains and rolling hills of the Empordà.

The entrance of Castell d’Empordà

The castle tower and gardens

The view of the Emporda at sunset

The interior, with its beautiful stone arches, is elegantly decorated with contemporary design furniture and chandeliers. I couldn’t wait to see my room and I wasn’t disappointed. There are various room types: the Garden Rooms (in a separate wing), the Castle Rooms (in the main building) and the Tower Rooms (for those who’ve always dreamed of staying in a castle tower). I was given a Castle Room. As soon as I opened the heavy wooden door, I was stunned by the bright sunshine streaming through the large windows, and the gorgeous view. The room was very spacious, with an equally spacious bathroom (that featured a bath-tub with a grand view!). I especially loved the bare stone walls and tiled floor.

My Castle Room

Dining at Drac

That evening, I sat down for dinner at Drac, the castle’s well-known restaurant. Paired with a series of superb wines from the Empordà region, the food was indeed top-notch; from the tantalising Atlantic bass ceviche to the sublime crema catalana. The chef, Maurice de Jaeger, provides a classy contemporary twist to traditional Catalan dishes through his expert blends of flavours and imaginative presentations. I was seriously impressed!

The entrance to Drac

The Drac terrace

Drac restaurant

Toy soldiers and tower views

I soon found my favourite spot in the hotel: on the lounge beds at the pool terrace, boasting lovely views of the Empordà below. I spent a great deal of my stay there simply taking in the view, with a glass of ice-cold cerveza! One morning, as I ventured around the castle, I discovered another of Albert’s passions: toy soldiers! I’m talking toy soldiers on a massive scale! There, before me, in a huge glass box was the infamous Battle of Waterloo, and in another box, the siege of Castell d’Emporda in medieval times!

The Battle of Waterloo

The siege of Castell d’Emporda in medieval times

I continued my exploration of the castle and found a stairway to the top of the castle tower. The views from the top were absolutely stunning!

The view from the tower

View of the Emporda fields

Needless to say, I truly enjoyed my stay at Castell d’Empordà. In addition to being the perfect spot for a relaxing holiday, the castle is an excellent base from which to explore the Empordà region – there are many nearby attractions such as the towns of La Bisbal (famous for its porticoes, Jewish quarter and ceramics), Peratallada and Pals (gorgeous medieval villages), and the Gala Castle in Púbol.

Albert bought the castle of his dreams and turned it into a labour of love. I’m glad he got to realise his dream because now, we can all enjoy the fruits of that dream together with him!

Read more about medieval towns in Costa Brava or visit the Velvet Escape Costa Brava page.

The castle of dreams is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Zermatt, Switzerland

Glacier Express – Zermatt (image courtesy of Martha de Jong-Lantink)

Dominated by the shadow of the beautiful and imposing Matterhorn, Zermatt has always been, and remains, one of the best places in the world to have a truly exceptional skiing holiday. Accessible only by train unless you have a residents’ permit and own a chalet – Zermatt is car-free – it is also very clean, quiet and refined. Boutiques and excellent après-ski go shoulder to shoulder with wonderful pistes and great off-piste action too, plus some of the best restaurants of any resort in the world. Hop on the train for an unforgettable ride to the highest altitude railway station in the world. The panoramic views of the Swiss, Italian and French alpine peaks will quite literally take your breath away (if that doesn’t, the high altitude will!).

Lech, Austria

Lech (image courtesy of NiceB)

Forget the bustling party-hungry St Anton; Lech is the place to go for a laid-back atmosphere, very high-end chalets and pensions, and some lovely skiing. This is a resort that attracts Europe’s royals – the Dutch royal family spend their ski holidays here every year.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Teon village – Jackson Hole (image courtesy of Latham Jenkins)

Again, it is not about Aspen or Vail, though these do remain some of the US’s best ski resorts. Jackson Hole in Wyoming is an excellent place for some steep and ambitious skiing and some decadent lodging experiences – Amangani is the place to look out for here. Certainly a place to see and be seen and perfect for the ultimate indulgence after a day out on the slopes.

Megève, France

Megève (image courtesy of Jerome Bon)

Brilliant for families and skiers of mixed abilities, this little sister in the Alps is a real delight and an excellent place to go for a fulfilling one or two week break. The skiing in Megève is great and the scenery even better – plus if a few members of the family don’t want to ski one day, there are lots of options for lovely walks, or some spa-and-shopping time to enjoy instead.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

White Turf St Moritz parade (image courtesy of bonneville)

There is a reason Switzerland is included twice in this list. St. Moritz is perhaps the most exclusive of all exclusive resorts. If what you are after is the uppermost in glamour and spending, then the glitz of Moritz is for you. It also has an excellent snowfall, meaning you can go close to the end or beginning of season, and thanks to its amazing and very tempting selection of bars and restaurants, it is also often relatively quiet on the pistes. One more reason to visit St. Moritz is the White Turf horse races where the rich and famous gather for a day of exciting races, fine cuisine and art on the frozen lake amidst stunning mountain scenery.

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with NetJets Europe.

Luxury on the slopes is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Winter in Paris (image courtesy of BerrY)

The Best Winter Events in Paris

Trips to Paris aren’t just for the summer! In fact, no matter what time of year you visit there’s always an interesting event to enjoy, and the cold winter months are no exception. Here’s our guide to the best winter events in Paris for you to experience.

Salon Nautique International de Paris

Chilly December may seem an unlikely time to hold an international boat show, but hey, the Parisians do as they please. All kinds of boat enthusiasts are welcome at the Salon Nautique, where the latest and most luxurious models of boats will be unveiled, in addition to educating attendees on environmentally-conscious boating and introducing them to the most intriguing new destinations. Even young boaters are welcomed at the show, and workshops will take place to introduce them to the exciting world of watersports.

Salon Nautique (image courtesy of Bertrand Duperrin)

New Years’ Day Parade

Blow away the cobwebs of your new years’ eve hangover by heading up to Montmartre for the new years’ day parade, a colourfully riotous affair featuring a procession of jugglers, clowns and plenty of music! Once the event is over, head back into the city to continue the celebrations – because why not?

New Year’s on the Champs Elysee (image courtesy of StevenErat)

Winter Sales (January/February)

Credit cards at the ready, because Paris’ winter sales are looming – and they’re always worth the trip. From the designer boutiques to the enormous department stores, there are bargains to be found all over the city, but if you want to pick up the very best deals wait until the final week of the sales when the final reductions will be made.

Sales in Paris (image courtesy of Bev Sykes)

Fashion Week

Paris doesn’t let its fashionable reputation slide during the winter. The January Paris fashion week is where you can see the hottest trends for the summer on show, get plenty of inspiration, and maybe even pick up a few samples if you’re feeling flush. It’ll also make the perfect accompaniment to a Parisian shopping trip, and don’t be afraid to schmooze your way into as many after-parties as possible.

Paris Fashion Week – behind the scenes (image courtesy of Tres Bien)

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with Jet2.com.

Winter events in Paris is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The Tower of London

The City is London’s financial and historic district. Packed with stately buildings that house all sorts of financial services and law firms, the City was often considered staid. During my banking days, I was a frequent visitor to the City. So, yes, there’s some truth in that. Aside from London’s two iconic landmarks, the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London (home of the Crown Jewels), there wasn’t much else that would interest the casual visitor. The streets were abuzz in the daytime, with smartly-dressed people rushing to get somewhere. When the banking crowd went home in the evenings, the area became eerily quiet.

In the past years, the City underwent a gradual makeover. Many new restaurants, bars and pubs opened their doors. The Spitalfields Market, near Liverpool Street Station, was renovated and now houses a variety of trendy boutiques and stalls. Historic pubs were refurbished – thankfully, without losing their unique character – to cater to a more discerning crowd. I witnessed this transformation first-hand on my frequent visits to the City and my appreciation for this historic corner of London grew. Whereas in the past I would often choose to stay in locations such as Soho, Bloomsbury or Kensington, on my most recent trip, I chose to stay at a boutique hotel in the heart of the City: Hotel Indigo Tower Hill. It turned out to be the perfect choice.

Hotel Indigo Tower Hill

Hotel Indigo Tower Hill

The hotel is part of the Hotel Indigo boutique hotel chain owned by the Intercontinental Hotel Group. The exterior of Hotel Indigo Tower Hill is pretty unassuming but as I walked through the doors, I was welcomed by big smiles in an intimate red-granite Lobby. Adjacent to the Lobby is the hotel’s stylish Square Mile Kitchen & Lounge.

A clever mix of classical elements and funky design

Checking in was a breeze and before long, I was standing at the doorway of my room. The bright colours and illustrations of popular London landmarks in the hallway should’ve given me a clue of what to expect. Nevertheless, I gasped as soon as I opened the door. The spacious room was a clever mix of classical elements, such as the four-poster bed, and funky design. A large mural of St. Paul’s Cathedral and the beautiful mirror above the writing desk grabbed my attention. The natural materials used in the interior such as the wooden flooring and the brick wall gave the room a warm, elegant ambiance. The earthy colours were beautifully punctuated by the striking mural and photography on the walls, and the cheery colours of the pillows and blanket.

The beautiful mural and mirror in my room

The four-poster bed framed by the red brick wall

The bathroom was another delight. Aside from the cool amenities, there was a fantastic rain shower which turned out to be the perfect antidote to a busy day.

The bathroom

The Hotel Indigo Tower Hill neighbourhood

I recommend an evening stroll along the Thames

Hotel Indigo Tower Hill is centrally located in the City near the Thames River. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are a short 5-10 minute walk away. The Tower Gateway DLR station – with direct connections to London City Airport and the ExCel exhibition centre – is a few minutes away. There are also two Tube stations nearby: Tower Hill and Aldgate.

Aside from the two main attractions, Tower of London and Tower Bridge, the hotel is close to one of my favourite spots in London, St. Katherine’s Docks, a lovely marina with historic lock bridges; and the historic Butler’s Wharf, just across the Tower Bridge. There’s also a good variety of restaurants – excellent Thai and Indian food can be found just across the road – and sandwich bars (I love EAT!), as well as a good mix of traditional and trendy pubs such as The Minories, Cheshire Cheese, Crutched Friar and Mary Janes in the direct vicinity of the hotel.

The Minories pub

I’ll most certainly return to Hotel Indigo Tower Hill. Its location is fantastic and I was certainly impressed by the friendly service at the hotel. Above all, I loved the rooms! Oh, did I mention that the hotel also offers FREE WIFI? Its boutique set-up makes it the perfect home away from home for both casual and business travellers. In my view, the City has done a good job in dusting off its staid image. Hotel Indigo Tower Hill is a great example of this hip new breeze blowing through the City.

Read about Velvet Escape’s recommended things to see and do in London.

Note: A big thank you goes to Hotel Indigo for your wonderful hospitality. Opinions expressed in this post are, as always, mine.

A funky boutique hotel in the City is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

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Velvet moments: travel photo – sunset in London is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

What

Where: Oosterdokskade 5, Amsterdam

Notes: I still don’t quite get the name but Amsterdam’s latest fine-dining establishment, just a stone’s throw away from the Central Station and the Mövenpick Hotel, is already making waves in the city’s gastronomic scene. Headed by Chef Moshik, it’s clear that Samhoud Places has great aspirations. He effortlessly combines mouth-watering flavours with eye-catching flamboyance, making a meal here an experience that tantalises the senses.

The restaurant comprises two floors: a bar/lounge on the street level and a restaurant upstairs. The lounge – I love the interior -  is a great place to unwind with a cocktail. A stunning staircase leads guests to the restaurant. Once upstairs, you’ll be awed by the gorgeous view of Amsterdam, framed by large windows. I chose to sit at the bar counter which offers front row seats for the culinary performances in the kitchen. I loved how the chefs kept signalling to me that they were preparing my next course and showed me how it’s done.

The lounge

The bar

The stunning staircase!

The chefs pose for the camera

The restaurant, with the bar counter that faces the kitchen

I was served six absolutely mesmerising courses, most of which had a seafood theme. The flavours were delicate and beautifully balanced whilst the intriguing presentation of each course completed the experience. My favourite course was the carpaccio of langoustine. Subtle but oh so delightful! It was quite a pity though that the unusually-shaped cutlery felt strange in my hands.

A fascinating view into the kitchen

A delicate amuse

The gorgeous carpaccio

One course on top of the other!

Eating here is not cheap but if you’re looking for some culinary indulgence in Amsterdam, Samhoud Places is more than worth a try.

Update: November 2012 – Congratulations to Samhoud Places for receiving two Michelin stars!

Note: a big thank you goes to Mövenpick Hotels for arranging my visit to Samhoud Places.

Culinary Journey: Samhoud Places in Amsterdam is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam

The Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam was built as part of a new harbourside development that includes office, residential and cultural components. It’s a part of the city I, for some odd reason, rarely visit. As a consequence, I was quite surprised to see a host of new shops, swanky restaurants and cafés along the route from the Central Station to the hotel. The only thing that looked familiar was the floating Chinese restaurant. Pretty much everything else was brand new, including the cutting-edge public library (Openbare Bibliotheek). At the harbourside, there were new docking areas for the massive river cruise boats (some of which ply the route between Amsterdam and Budapest) and the futuristic Muziek Theater aan het Ij/Bimhuis (Music Theatre). The hotel is part of this huge complex which comprises the Music Theatre and the (Cruise) Passenger Terminal.

The grand view!

I entered the hotel’s gleaming lobby and was professionally greeted as I stepped up to the reception desk: a ‘good afternoon sir’, a big smile and a friendly nod. After checking in, I proceeded to my room on the 19th floor. I opened the door and gasped! The view of Amsterdam and the harbour was absolutely breathtaking. I could see the tops of most of the city’s major monuments like the Palace on Dam Square and the Westerkerk (church) right across to the financial district in the city’s southern fringe (I could even see my old office) and Schiphol Airport’s control tower! Below me, the harbour was buzzing with ships, barges, ferries, yachts, canal cruise boats and smaller leisure vessels.

The view of the harbour from my room

The view towards the city centre and beyond

I’m not sure how long I stood there admiring the view but I soon tore myself away from the window and checked out the room. The room was a tad small but that’s pretty much the norm in Amsterdam. I liked the clean lines and soft earthy tones, punctuated by the blue couch and the red chair. Very easy on the eyes. The bathroom was of a decent size and included a bath tub. What I really liked was the cool espresso machine next to the desk!

My room

A room with a view

I decided to explore more of the hotel. As I closed my room door, I looked out the side window and noticed a large cruise ship docked right next to the hotel!

A cruise ship right next door

The delights of Mövenpick Amsterdam

I took the elevator to the restaurant floor and found a large, beautiful space divided into several sections, for groups and individual guests. The Silk Road restaurant, with its gorgeous views of the harbour, looked particularly inviting.

Dining area

I stepped out onto the terrace and picked a sunny spot with a great view of the cruise ship. I ordered some sushi from the cheery waitress and watched the goings-on below as the ship’s crew prepared for departure. Needless to say, I stayed put for a while to enjoy the fascinating view and the delicious sushi!

Out on the terrace

Yummy sushi at the Mövenpick Hotel

After lunch, I headed down to the hotel’s spa for some well-deserved R&R. I was met by a lovely masseuse who showed me around the well-equipped gym and spa. We discussed the various treatments and I settled for a Shiatsu massage. Her strong yet nimble fingers worked wonders on my neck and back! Feeling refreshed, I hopped down to the hotel lobby to treat myself to another Mövenpick delight: ice-cream! Take my word for it….. they make seriously good ice-cream.

The gym and spa

Seriously good ice-cream from Mövenpick at the hotel lobby!

I continued my exploration of the hotel by visiting the Executive Lounge for a Happy Hour drink and a small bite. The lounge was busy and I soon realised why. There was a good selection of drinks but the delicious ‘nibbles’ were the main attraction!

Delicious Happy Hour food!

That evening, I decided to explore the hotel’s surroundings. There’s a bike rental company located in the basement of the hotel as well as a tour company that offers tuk-tuk tours of the city in environmentally-friendly electric tuk-tuks. There’s also a tram-stop just outside the hotel – the frequent service whisks people to the city centre in minutes. In the direct vicinity of the hotel were a few cafe´s and restaurants, including the delightfully laid-back Hanneke’s Boom, the classy Samhoud Places (fabulous interior and gorgeous haute cuisine) and the casual Vapiano.

The Music Theatre/Bimhuis and the Mövenpick Hotel by night

I returned to the hotel for one last treat: dessert. I figured it would be the perfect ending for a wonderful day… and it was! The lime sorbet, perfectly matched with fresh mango juice, was smooth and full of flavour. As I licked off the spoon, I couldn’t help but think that the Mövenpick Hotel is far from being just a standard city hotel. The views, service and food were simply outstanding. Its location, at the edge of the city centre, is perfect as it’s just a short walk or tram-ride to the main attractions yet sufficiently removed from the city’s hustle-and-bustle. I nodded in agreement with myself. Nope, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill city hotel.

Note: thank you to Mövenpick Hotels for your terrific hospitality. As always, views expressed above are mine, and mine only.

Mövenpick Amsterdam – a delightful city hotel is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The famous green wooden houses of Marken

There are many quaint, historic towns around Amsterdam. Many of them can trace their roots back to the 16th century whilst some of them have a history that goes back even further. During the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, when Dutch merchant ships could be found in every sea in the world, these towns fluorished on the heels of Amsterdam. Fishing, shipbuilding and trade were the backbone of their economies, and with the greater wealth, beautiful homes and buildings were built. Towns and villages like Marken, Volendam, Edam and Monnickendam, situated north of Amsterdam, rose to importance, the remnants of which can still be seen today.

An easy scenic drive

These towns and villages are within a half hour’s drive from Amsterdam, making them perfect for a short scenic drive whenever I have guests visiting. I often drive the loop which takes me from North Amsterdam past the picturesque village of Durgerdam, along the coast of the Markermeer (a huge lake that’s popular amongst surfing and windsailing enthusiasts) to the island of Marken, then further to the towns of Monnickendam and Edam (that’s world famous for its cheese) before heading back to Amsterdam on the N247 road.

Cycling on a dyke

Explore the villages of the Markermeer on a bicycle

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Another option is to hire a bicycle in Amsterdam and cycle on the dykes along the same route. The advantage of doing this route on a bike is because the bike paths are laid on top of the dykes whilst the roads are behind the dyke. This gives cyclists a much better view of the Markermeer on one side and the gorgeous villages and grassy meadows on the other.

It’s very easy to hire a bicycle in Amsterdam as there are a variety of rental companies scattered around the city. If you’re staying at the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam, there’s a bicycle rental company located in the basement of the hotel. Once you get your bike, make your way to the rear of the Amsterdam Central Station and cross the Ij Harbour to Amsterdam North (the ferries run frequently and are free). Once in Amsterdam North, make your way to the village of Durgerdam.

Durgerdam

You’ll soon notice the beautiful houses that line the main street, all with views of the Markermeer. The village is also a good point to stop for a coffee and a snack before continuing your bike ride. From Durgerdam, the path traces the shore of the Markermeer along a dyke. You’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of the lake and many sailing boats on your right, and verdant fields with cows and sheep, farmhouses and windmills on your left. You’ll also pass various smaller lakes on the land-side, with a variety of bird-life – keep your binoculars ready to spot herons and the odd owl.

Cycling on the dyke near Holysloot

Lakes on both sides of the dyke

Marken

The path continues for about 12kms (7 miles) to the Monnickendam-Marken intersection. Turn right towards Marken. The path then follows the road on a causeway that links the island of Marken to the mainland. Marken is a historic fishing village that’s most famous for its wooden houses, many of which were built on stilts. It’s a popular village amongst tourists, who come here to stroll around the picturesque village centre and marina, visit the cheese and wooden shoe factory and have a look inside one of the historic homes. While you’re here, stop at the ‘viskraam’ (fish stall) and try some ‘haring’ (raw herring served with chopped onions) or kibbeling (fried fish nuggets) with remoulade sauce.

The Marken harbour

Kibbeling with remoulade sauce

On to Volendam

From Marken’s harbour, you can take the ferry across the Markermeer to Volendam, another tourist favourite. The ferry ride takes about 20 minutes.

Leaving the Marken harbour for Volendam

Clouds above the Markermeer

Volendam is a historic fishing village that is especially popular amongst tourists. The lovely harbour is home to beautiful sailboats and is surrounded by quaint homes and shops. Tourists visit Volendam to stroll around the colourful town, see the locals, some of whom still wear their traditional costumes, and taste Dutch specialties such as pancakes, ‘poffertjes’ (mini-pancakes), herring and smoked eel.

The Volendam harbour

Try a waffle or ‘poffertjes’ (pronounced poffer-chers), little pancakes with castor sugar

Volendam – main street

If you have time, you can continue from Volendam to Edam, a short distance away, or head back to Marken on the ferry and continue back to Amsterdam via Monnickendam. This is a loop that would take a full day by bicycle but the mix of gorgeous scenery and historic villages makes the trip absolutely unforgettable.

View Bike route Amsterdam – Marken in a larger map

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with Mövenpick Hotels.

Exploring the historic towns north of Amsterdam is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Westminter Abbey (image courtesy of slurm)

London is a city that most first-time visitors will undoubtedly find overwhelming. It truly is one of the world’s greatest cities, with a financial and cultural influence that emanates around the globe.

London is home to some of the world’s most recognisable icons like the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s and the red double-decker bus. There are too many to mention so my advice is to be selective. Once you’ve done some of the must-see sights, why not explore the city on your own? Pick a theme or a Tube line and discover the gems of each neighbourhood. As Rajul, a Londoner and good friend of mine, once wrote:

While I’m not denying that many sights are priceless, I’d urge any visitor to be selective. Try to also discover a “secret London” you can call your own. Why not see your London trip as an organic journey of exploration, each step leading naturally to the next, rather than a hectic blur of somebody else’s “must-sees”?

London has so many dimensions I genuinely think this the best way to appreciate the city. Think of it as peeling layers off an onion. A friend of mine who visited London a few years back had the right idea. He randomly sat on buses starting from Trafalgar Square and got off wherever the urge took him. He then traced his way back by a circuitous route, lingering anywhere that took his fancy, steered only by his senses and a well-thumbed guidebook. Not only did he discover some amazing off-the-beaten-track places but he also truly interacted with the city. For a start, he was forced to ask people where he was! This took guts since he was willing to return home without seeing the things he was “supposed” to see. The only expectations he had to fulfil were his own.

Another friend came on a 5-day “salsa trip”. Armed with a Time Out and travelcard, he went to a different Latin party in a different corner of London every night! He gained great insight into the city by following his passion rather than other tourists.

Choosing a theme truly is a different approach to exploring the city but I bet it’s a lot more rewarding. Here are ten ideas to get you going:

Brick lane (image courtesy of Steve Cadman)

1. Go globetrotting in London – there are more than 200 different nationalities living in London. That means almost every country in the world is represented. From Indians to Brazilians, Malaysians to Swedes, Japanese to South Africans… each has established a colourful presence in London, be it cafés and restaurants, ethnic art and design stores, spas, grocery stores or cultural centres.

2. Visit the temples of London – another ethnic-related theme that’s worth exploring. When one talks about places of worship in London, icons like Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral automatically spring to mind. There are also many, many temples. These are, more often than not, off the beaten path but are more than worth a visit. Examples include the elaborate Sri Swaminaryan Mandir temple in Neasden, the splendid Masonic Temple in Great Queen Street and the Temple Church, a medieval church built by the Knights Templar.

Masonic Temple (image courtesy of Neil Alderney)

3. Did you know that there are windmills in London? You might associate windmills with Holland (and rightfully so, I might add ) but London has its fair share of historic windmills. Some of the most beautiful windmills include the 19th century Abraham’s Mill in Upminster and Ashby’s Mill in Brixton.

Mini Cooper tour of London

4. Go on a themed tour. There are a multitude of themed tours to choose from such as literary, architecture and historic tours. For something more unusual, there are Harry Potter, Jack the Ripper or Beatles walking tours. One of my personal favourites is the “Italian Job” tour in classic Mini Coopers. Visitors are zoomed around the city in blue boiler suits and tweed caps, and help to re-enact scenes from the movie.

5. Explore the culinary scene - from swanky Michelin star restaurants to pizza slices and fish & chips, London’s culinary scene offers something for everyone. This huge diversity can often be daunting – some would say spoilt for choice – but you can pick a variety of themes. Go ethnic, discover the city’s most unusual restaurants or make reservations at one or more celebrity chef restaurants (think Jamie Oliver or Gordan Ramsay).

6. Sit down for high tea – this is a London experience you shouldn’t miss. Learn about the history of this very British tradition and the various ways it’s served today, from classic afternoon tea at some of the city’s top hotels to the funky Berkeley London designer afternoon tea (afternoon tea with a fashionista twist aptly called Prêt-á-Portea). For the ultimate indulgence, head for the Ritz or the Savoy for a champagne laced high tea! Expect crisp linens, gleaming silver and exquisite scones.

7. Immerse yourself in the movies – from the classic Ealing comedies and Hitchcock thrillers to James Bond and Notting Hill, London boasts a rich cinematic heritage that continues till this day. Leicester Square is the home of famous cinemas such as the Odeon and Empire but look further and you’ll find other gems such as the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, the UK’s oldest functioning cinema. For a unique and quirky cinema experience, check out the Secret Cinema.

8. Sports – if you love sports and history, you may want to make this your theme. Venues not to be missed include Wimbledon, Wembley and the World Rugby Museum in Twickenham. Cricket fans won’t want to miss the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum in Lord’s, one of the world’s most iconic cricket grounds. Oh, and there’s the Olympic Park too!

Royal Opera House (image courtesy of Andrea Puggioni)

9. Explore London’s Theatreland - another London experience that cannot be missed is a visit to any of its theatres for a musical or artistic performance. Learn about the colourful past of each theatre by joining a walking tour. The guides are guaranteed to keep you entertained with captivating stories and anecdotes. The Covent Garden theatre scene is especially intriguing!

10. What to do for free – I’m guessing this is a popular theme. London is an expensive city but there are many things you can see and do for free. Some simple research will reveal lots of great ideas so go ahead, make it your theme and discover ways to see London for free.

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Ten alternative ways to explore London is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The Thames (image courtesy of Abigail King)

Tea is the quintessential British meal, so much so that other languages don’t even have a word for it. And there can be few better places to enjoy a proper high tea than London, although you could perhaps make a case for Yorkshire or Cornwall. It can be as much a part of the experience when visiting the capital city as riding on a red double-decker bus, touring Westminster Abbey and watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

Enjoyed as an alternative to afternoon tea, and usually a little later in the day, high tea is a more substantial meal. As well as the sandwiches or scones, or both, which characterise teatime, there may be a plate of bread and butter, hardboiled eggs, cold meat, even a hot savoury dish. Cakes are still an essential component, however, and are always the stars of the show, with dainty meringues, crisp pastries, moist sponges and creamy eclairs all vying for your affections.

Traditional high tea (image courtesy of Adam Burt)

High tea is an excellent meal to enjoy before the theatre, at the end of an exhausting afternoon’s shopping, or if you have young children in your party who will be in bed before dinner time. It’s also a great opportunity to sit and watch the world go by, whether you choose a tea shop, the cafe in a large department store, or one of London’s many traditional hotels.

Out of all these options, it is probably the hotels that put on the best teatime spreads. Both long-established and modern hotels offer high tea to guests and visitors alike, although you may have to book in advance for more popular hotels at busy times of year.

Park Lane, Piccadilly, the Strand and London Bridge hotels all have a long history of supplying teas to travellers. You’re guaranteed smartly dressed staff, gleaming cutlery and table linen, pleasant surroundings, and, of course, a delicious meal.

A classic high tea selection (image courtesy of Alex)

Feel free to take your time, lingering over your cuppa and a lengthy chinwag, seeing and being seen. Your teacup will usually be refilled free of charge, and in some hotels the cakes and the finger sandwiches, cucumber or otherwise, will keep on coming until you couldn’t possibly manage another.

Although it may seem like an old-fashioned meal, tea has moved with the times, and you’re likely to find cupcakes or a rainbow of delicately coloured and flavoured macarons nestling on the cake-stand alongside classic favourites like jam tarts, Victoria sponge and Chelsea buns. Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free goodies are often available too. As for the tea itself, you will probably be offered a selection ranging from Earl Grey to green tea and rooibos. You might even be allowed to have coffee instead!

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with Mercure Hotels.

The High Teas of London is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The grand Hofburg

“Where am I staying?”, I asked again, with a hint of disbelief. I just wanted to make sure I heard it right the first time.

“The 25Hours Hotel“, she replied. “It’s a brand new design hotel in Vienna, with a circus theme”. That’s it! That’s the phrase that made me doubt my ears the first time. I mean, what’s a circus theme… in a hotel? I started to imagine clowns and fire performers prancing around the lobby, a trapeze slung high above in the atrium and midgets as waiters.

Staying at the 25Hours Hotel Vienna

The reality was quite different. We arrived to find a hotel still under construction, albeit, the lower floors. The top four floors were completed. We took the glass elevator to The Loft or Dachboden on the top floor and stepped into a bright, sun-drenched bar/lounge with a small reception in one corner. The vivid colours of the furniture were cleverly accentuated by the earthy tones of the floor and walls.

The Loft or Dachboden

Puffy sofas in the Dachboden

The ambiance was noticeably relaxed with theatrical hints in the decor. Guests, predominantly twenty and thirtysomethings, lounged on the large puffy sofas. Some tapped away silently on their laptops on the long wooden table. I stepped out onto the terrace to find more guests slumped in comfy chairs. Large design parasols provided a welcome shade. The next thing I noticed was the view. Church spires and grand domes dotted the Vienna skyline for as far as I could see. Beautiful!

The terrace

The view from the terrace

There were no midgets and clowns. Neither was there a trapeze. Instead, the circus theme came to life in the artwork and accessories scattered throughout the hotel. As I walked to my room, I passed stunning illustrations of circus acts on the walls: elephants, tigers, circus masters, bearded ladies and jugglers. Colourful, fun and simply brilliant!

My room at 25Hours Hotel Wien

My room was in exactly the same style. The same earthy tones formed the perfect background for the stunning circus illustrations. Moustached ladies and a clown posed acrobatically on top of a horse above my bed.

My circus-themed room

The television stood atop a pile of antique suitcases. I looked around and found circus styled toys like juggling balls and a hoop. There was even a yoga mat, neatly rolled up, and a variety of books. The spacious room also came fitted with a kitchenette – there was a coffee-maker, cooking utensils and a mini bar. There was also an iPod dock with speakers and free wifi. Oh, and the view of Vienna from my window was absolutely gorgeous. Sound-proofed windows sufficiently blocked the traffic and construction work below. There wasn’t much more I could’ve asked for. I could’ve stayed in my room all day!

A room with a view

I didn’t get to stay in my room all day as there are so many things to see and do in Vienna. Located in the trendy 7th District, steps away from a metro station and just a stone’s throw away from the Museum Quarter and Vienna’s historic centre, the hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Vienna.

Cooling off in the pools in the Museum Quarter

The Loft or Dachboden turned out to be one of Vienna’s latest hotspots. Queues started to form in the early evenings and by ten o’clock, the place was buzzing with Vienna’s yuppies. This was the hotel’s main drawback. As hotel guests and patrons of the bar had to use the same elevator to get to The Loft or their rooms, there was often a line in the evenings. Hotel staff guarded the door and screened anyone entering – hotel guests had to show their room card to enter. I found that mildly annoying. Another drawback was the fact that The Loft closes at midnight. According to the hotel, to minimise disturbance to hotel guests. The reasoning is solid. In practice, it was weird to be told to leave just before midnight. It didn’t quite live up to its name, i.e. 25 Hours! The hotel management assured me, after I kicked up a fuss, that this is a temporary solution. Once the hotel is fully completed, there will be separate entrances for hotel guests and other visitors.

The 25Hours Hotel Vienna is scheduled to be completed in late-2012. There will be a total of 187 rooms, a gym and wellness centre as well as a restaurant. Aside from the small hiccups, the 25Hours Hotel is a fabulous place to stay in Vienna. It’s colourful, quirky, vibrant and fun, and the views of Vienna from the rooms are unbeatable.

Note: a big thank you goes to the Vienna Tourism Board for your wonderful hospitality. All views expressed above are mine.

A circus act in Vienna is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Located in the middle of the Netherlands, the Markermeer is the southern half of the Ijsselmeer, a large lake that used to be called the Zuiderzee or Southern Sea. In the 16th-17th centuries, the villages and towns around the Zuiderzee prospered from fishing and trade with the East Indies. In the early part of the 20th century, the Afsluitdijk, a causeway, was built at the mouth of the Zuiderzee as part of a broader plan to effectively protect low-lying areas of the country from the sea. As a consequence, the Zuiderzee was transformed into a lake and was renamed the Ijsselmeer. The Ijsselmeer was later split into two with the completion of yet another causeway. The southern half of the lake was given the name Markermeer. The massive lake is very popular amongst sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts, especially in the summer.

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Velvet Moments: travel photo – sailing on the Markermeer is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The Thames (image courtesy of Abigail King)

A guest post by Andrea Kirkby.

Jules Verne challenged his character Phileas Fogg to get round the world in 80 days. I can do better than that – I like to visit the world without leaving London. Here are my top 10 favourite attractions for a globetrotter stranded in London…

First stop Venice, Italy via the Wallace Collection. One entire room is full of views of Venice by Canaletto and Guardi. Two great Canaletto views face each other across the room; the Grand Canal shimmers, lawyers and merchants converse, little dogs bark at nothing much. It’s a busy, wealthy world, packed with riches and detail. In Guardi’s paintings, gondolas flash across the water and you see the texture of flaking plaster and torn sails – a Venice fallen on harder times.

Brick Lane (image courtesy of Steve Cadman)

Next stop: Bangladesh and Pakistan via Brick Lane and – perhaps more authentically – Whitechapel. Not only can you get a good meal at Tayyab’s (the huge queues speak for themselves) or the Lahore Kebab House, or buy subcontinental sweeties in Brick Lane; you can also buy fabrics or invest in a salwar kameez if it takes your fancy.

You can navigate in time as well as space; next we’ll visit Ancient Egypt via the British Museum, going back five and a half millennia to the earliest mummy with his bright ginger hair. From massive statues of pharaohs in glistening porphyry to 4,000 year old children’s toys, by way of a painted tomb chapel and mummified cats and ibises, you’ll be captivated by the life of the Pharaohs’ Egypt.

Africa is the star at the Horniman Museum, which has an extensive collection including bronze plaques from Benin, beautifully carved wooden cups and headrests, and colourful textiles. Even better, the Horniman has artefacts intended for visitors to hold and feel – a real hands-on museum.

Chinatown is an obvious destination on our round the world whizz – you could stop at a Chinese restaurant but I’d recommend one of the smaller cafes or cake shops where you can get cold Horlicks and a bun, or bubble tea – followed by a trip to one of the supermarkets to get such vital comestibles as Jimmy’s satay sauce (no other satay sauce will do once you’ve tried this one!).

Sri Swaminaryan Mandir temple in Neasden (image courtesy of Nick Garrod)

The Hari Krishna temple in Soho could be your first stop on the road to India, or you could instead head out to Neasden and the Sri Swaminarayan Mandir. While the intimate Krishna temple has been shoe-horned into a central London townhouse, the Mandir is an amazing confection of shining white marble, with soaring spires and delicately carved screens. It’s spectacular and a bit surreal to find it in a quiet London suburb. And if you want a true taste of the Punjab then head to Southall on the way to Heathrow.

Next on the list is Japan via the Kyoto garden in Holland Park, with its waterfall, stone lanterns, and maple trees. You can devote yourself to Zen meditation, pen a haiku or just walk round and soak up the atmosphere. Like all Japanese gardens, it’s meant to reflect the particular feel of each season – at its best in spring and in autumn when the leaves are turning colour.

South Kensington hides a sort of Little France, with the Institut Français, French Lycee, patisserie Le Pain Quotidien (which, correctly for French breakfast, serves its coffee in bowls rather than cups). Perhaps it’s the elegant tall stucco houses and tree-lined streets that attracted emigrés from the civilised boulevards of Paris. But Petty France next to St James’s Park has nothing to do with the French any more, despite its name; French merchants came here in the 15th century, when it really was petit France.

Texas Legation (image courtesy of HM Cotterill)

Head to New Malden for a taste of Korea strangely transposed to London commuterland. Half-timbered ‘Tudorbethan’ semi-detached mix with Korean neon signs and cafés you might expect to serve coffee and Chelsea buns actually dish up kimchee, bulgogi and noodles. A slightly oddball but rather delicious stop on our world tour.

And finally, a trip to the Texas Legation in St James’s – in a tiny courtyard reached through a narrow passage by the side of Berry Bros and Rudd wine merchants. It’s an atmospheric place, dating from the time of the Lone Star Republic, though it has little American flavour these days. Not to be confused with the Texas Embassy cantina in Cockspur Street, off Trafalgar Square, where you can satisfy your Tex-Mex craving.

After all that globetrotting, you may want to retire for the night somewhere that reminds you you’re still in England and so I’d suggest The Montague on the Gardens – a boutique London hotel next to the British Museum.

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with London Hotels Insight.

Globetrotting in London is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The market at Szimpla

The Szimpla Bar in Budapest is an experience no one visiting Budapest should miss. Housed in the ruins of a historic building in the heart of Pest, the bar consists of various sections, including a shisha lounge and a large courtyard where concerts are regularly held. What makes Szimpla so special is the wondrous interior and unique atmosphere. I don’t know any other bar quite like it anywhere in the world (aside, perhaps, from its sister bars in Berlin and Balaton). When I visited the bar for the first time, I was immediately seduced by the atmosphere and I was drawn to explore more of the bar. Colourful Arabic lamps, quirky furniture (like sofas made from bath-tubs!), walls adorned with ornaments you would normally find at flea markets and a cave-like setting combine to create an eccentric and intriguing ambiance. Wherever I looked, there was always something that caught my eye. Everyone was having a good time chatting and laughing. I couldn’t help but smile. When I found out that a Farmers Market is held every Sunday from 9am – 2pm (in the summer months), I knew I had to return to experience the bar by day… and what an experience it was!

A Farmers Market like no other

The Farmers Market is an initiative by Szimpla Bar to showcase local products and attract families (who probably grew up spending most of their time at the bar).

The entrance of Szimpla Bar

The Farmers Market in the courtyard

There were stalls selling jams, organic vegetables and fruits, juices, meats and flowers. The atmosphere was very relaxing: young families and tourists strolled around the stalls, tasting products or buying their groceries, or crowded around the tall tables for a quick bite or a drink. In a corner of the courtyard, a band played a jazzy repertoire.

A car becomes a lounge!

A band plays jazzy songs

Stalls with all sorts of fresh produce

The quirky furniture – in this photo, a bath-tub and one half of a car!

A selection of rickety chairs and another bath-tub

I tasted some jams, bread, fruits and wine, then settled into a comfortable antique dentist’s chair (!!) and enjoyed a freshly grilled kebab. Here’s a video of my stroll through the bar:

Budapest can boast of having the ‘most beautiful café in the world‘. I’m certain the city can also boast of having one of the coolest bars! If you’re visiting Budapest, I highly recommend dropping by the Szimpla Bar in the early evenings for a drink. If you’re there in the summer months, you have to visit the Farmers Market on Sunday mornings. It simply is too cool to miss!

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The Szimpla Farmers Market in Budapest is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Terra Remota

Terra Remota is a lovely winery located in the Emporda region of Costa Brava, about a two-hour drive northeast of Barcelona. The winery consists of a modern, bunker-like main building that’s surrounded by rows of vines, olive groves and fruits orchards. You can go for some wine-tasting and a tour of the winery when you register at the main building. I highly recommend trying the rich and smooth Camino (a blend of Syrah, Black Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo) and the fresh and fruity Caminante (a blend of White Grenache, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay). For some indulgence, try the Clos Adrien, a velvety, award-winning blend of Black Grenache and Syrah.

A picnic at Terra Remota

What makes Terra Remota worth more than just a mention, aside from its elegant wines, are its efforts to promote wine tourism in Costa Brava. One initiative that the winery recently introduced combines its wines and fresh, local produce in a picnic box. Visitors are offered the option of enjoying a picnic on comfortable lounges under the canopy of trees for a very reasonable price. The picnic boxes are packed with Jabugo ham, Catalan sausages, cheeses, paté, olives, tomatoes, mineral water, coffee/tea and of course a bottle of wine. The grounds are simply gorgeous, making a picnic here a wonderful way to relax, enjoy the tranquil surroundings and have your very own Velvet Moment!

Picnic lounges at Terra Remota

The picnic box

I had the great pleasure of having a picnic at Terra Remota with my friends Janice (@solotraveler), Melvin (@traveldudes), Angie (@angieaway), Simon (@1step2theleft), Diego (@viajarcondiego) and the Costa Brava Tourism Board crew. Lounging under the shady trees, we learned about the wines and Catalan produce, and we had a fun time scrubbing tomatoes onto the fresh bread and adding a sprinkle of organic olive oil.

Janice and Angie

This is how you eat Jabugo ham!

Terra Remota is a great spot for a relaxing picnic with your partner or with a group of friends/family. The wines and food provided in the boxes are top-notch local produce. After lunch, lay back for a snooze on the comfortable lounges.

Read other Costa Brava posts on Velvet Escape or view the Velvet Escape Costa Brava guide on Pinterest.

Note: a big thank you goes to the Costa Brava Tourism Board and Terra Remota for your wonderful hospitality. All views expressed above are, as always, mine.

Picnic at Terra Remota is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog