“I bet it even has its own Eiffel Tower”, I joked.

To my surprise, Kate, our South Africa Tourism host, turned around and said, “yes, as a matter of fact, it does!”. We had a good laugh about it while my mind churned out all sorts of less-than-flattering adjectives. It was a long drive and thanks to our wifi-equipped van, we started tweeting about our visit. Kate sent a tweet asking for suggestions of things to do and see in Parys. Within moments, a guy named Bertrand responded and offered to show us his town.

@kate_els5454 How does local microbrewery beers, lunch, missioning through town, meeting some of the friendly locals sound? Who will join?

— Bertrand v.d. Berg (@bertrandvdb) May 5, 2013

And that was the start of a simply unforgettable day in Parys!

The Stonehenge

We arrived in Parys and headed straight for our accommodation, Stonehenge in Africa Lodge. “What? There’s a Stonehenge in Parys?” My initial thoughts of a quirky town were firmed up in an instant. As we drove up to the lodge, we passed the massive menhirs standing erect like their counterparts in England. A gorgeous springbok and a few meerkats sprang across the road, a simple but effective reminder that we were indeed in Africa. We entered the lodge to find an impressive atrium with a beautiful fireplace in the middle. I walked outside and was greeted by a gorgeous lawn, a smattering of palm trees and a swimming pool. In the distance, I could hear and see the rapids of the Vaal River. The surroundings were absolutely lovely.

Inside the impressive Stonehenge in Africa Lodge.

The pool at the Stonehenge Lodge.

The Stonehenge in Africa Lodge.

The Vaal River

Bertrand came to pick us up at the lodge. He approached us with a big smile and welcomed us to his town. I soon found out that he’s been a reader of my blog for more than a year, and that he’d taken the afternoon off from work to show us around. That just blew me away. I mean, how cool is that?

Inspiration and fun at Kiki’s

My fellow blogger, Simon, and I hopped into Bertrand’s car and he drove us past meadows, beautiful homes with well-kept gardens, broad tree-lined avenues and the picturesque Vaal River to the centre of Parys. The town is best known for its many antique shops, restaurants, adventure activities (such as whitewater rafting, rock-climbing and abseiling) and golfing (Parys is home to two highly-rated golf courses located on islands in the Vaal River!). Bertrand smiled as he parked the car in front of a row of shops. “Here we are!” and he pointed to the photo studio in front of us. I looked at him quizzically. He noticed my expression and explained, “You’re so used to taking pictures everywhere you go. I thought it would be cool to flip things around and have pictures taken of you instead!” I took a deep breath and smiled back.

I had a good look at the board hanging above the entrance of the studio and read the words “KIKI’S VINTAGE PHOTO STUDIO” out loud. Bertrand laughed and assured us it was going to be fun. I quietly reminded myself to relax, keep an open mind and go with the flow.

Kiki’s Vintage Photo Studio

Inside the studio, Belinda, the owner, welcomed us with a glass of wine and proceeded to show us around her studio. It was a wondrous place, filled with antique furniture, clothing, cameras, bags and jewellery. The walls were covered with beautiful portraits of people dressed in a variety of styles.

Antique furniture, cameras and clothing at Kiki’s.

Vintage photos on the walls at Kiki’s.

The photo studio.

That’s the best part about this studio; it’s always filled with laughter

I asked Belinda what gave her the idea to open a vintage photo studio. She told us about her passions: collecting antique clothes and photography. One day, she was having coffee with a friend and they talked about starting a new business in Parys. It didn’t take long before the the idea of a vintage photo studio sprang to mind. Since the opening, she has photographed couples, families and friends. “People come here to have their photos taken for a special occasion like a wedding or an anniversary but there are also others who simply want to have a fun afternoon dressing up and posing for the camera. That’s the best part about this studio; it’s always filled with laughter”. It wasn’t difficult to feel drawn to the story – Belinda told it with great passion and enthusiasm. It was an inspiring story of how we can bring joy into the lives of others by simply doing things we enjoy most.

Simon chatting with Belinda in the studio.

Soon, it was time to dress up and have our photos taken. Simon and I voted for the Gatsby style! Belinda helped us choose our outfits and we started laughing hysterically when we emerged from the changing room. Check out the photos below and you’ll see why! The fun continued as we struck a variety of poses; Simon played a madame and I took on the role of her bellboy and photographer.

It was a totally unexpected experience, one that I will not easily forget. We left Kiki’s Vintage Photo Studio feeling very inspired by Belinda’s story and with huge grins on our faces, all thanks to Bertrand! Belinda later gave me a CD containing the photos she took. This was my favourite. What do you think?

We walked down the street, past a variety of antique and home decor shops. Bertrand explained that the antique business in Parys started when the farming community in the area started to sell their old furniture. The number of antique shops grew as word spread across the country, attracting hoards of antique collectors.

Stores along Bree Street in Parys.

The Pickled Pig

We soon found ourselves outside a curious-looking pub: the Pickled Pig. Bertrand told us about the nearby micro-brewery, De Garve, and that we could have a beer-tasting at this pub. Simon and I didn’t have to think twice!

The Pickled Pig on Bree Street, Parys.

We walked in and were greeted by the gregarious owner, Nico. He presented us with a menu describing the six beers. I’ve been to various beer-tastings at micro-breweries but the tasting experience at the Pickled Pig is certainly unique. Perhaps it was the warm welcome we received from the locals that made the difference. They made us feel right at home and chatted excitedly with us about travel and their country. Their enthusiasm and curiosity were undeniably infectious.

Posing at the Pickled Pig with (left to right) Bertrand, Simon, Nico and me.

The beers were delicious – my favourite was the Jolly Nun (an intriguing yet easy-to-drink Belgian-style ale with a distinctive bitter lemon finish).

My favourite – the Jolly Nun!

The magic of South Africa is in its people

It was an unforgettable afternoon that was made very special by the fabulous hospitality of the locals. This was my fourth time in South Africa, a country that I fell in love with on my very first visit. I always wondered what it was that made this country so special. I certainly love its spectacular landscapes and nature, as well as its amazing array of food and wines but there was something else about it, something magical that keeps drawing me back. That afternoon with the locals in Parys gave me the final clue. The magic of South Africa is in its people and I’m thankful for people like Bertrand and Belinda for taking the time to share some of that magic with me.

That afternoon was also a great reminder of the pleasures of the unexpected when we travel with an open mind. Ditching my preconceptions about Parys and simply going with the flow resulted in memories I will cherish for a long, long time.

Oh… and in case you’re wondering… yes, we did get to see the Eiffel Tower in Parys!

The quirky Eiffel Tower in Parys.

Note: my trip to South Africa was part of the #MeetSouthAfrica project, a collaboration between the South Africa Tourism Board and iambassador. All views expressed above are mine, and mine only.

Discovering the magic of South Africa in Parys is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Me and Melvin at the viewing deck of the Christ Statue, Corcovado.

I LOVE RIO! Who wouldn’t? It surely is one of the most spectacular cities in the world. Hemmed in between a huge bay, the Atlantic Ocean and a mountainous interior, Rio de Janeiro boasts some of the most famous attractions anywhere, such as the Christ the Redeemer statue atop the Corcovado mountain, the Sugar Loaf mountain and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. I visited Rio for the first time in 2000 and fell in love with the city in an instant. I promised myself that I would one day return, and last week, I did just that!

Me and Melvin (from Traveldudes) were booked to speak at the WTM Latin America trade fair in São Paulo so I suggested stopping in Rio for a few days before heading to the trade fair. Melvin said, “sure, why not?” and before we knew it, we were basking in the glorious Rio sun!

Chilling in Rio!

We stayed at Casa Cool Beans, a lovely guesthouse in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, high up in the hills above downtown Rio. Most visitors tend to stay in or near the beach communities of Copacabana or Ipanema – I did that myself on a previous visit – so I decided to stay at a different neighbourhood this time and I didn’t regret it for a second! To start, Santa Teresa is an absolutely charming neighbourhood. Known as the Bohemian Quarter of Rio, Santa Teresa is full of art galleries, atmospheric restaurants and cafés, and magnificent historic mansions. Steep cobblestone roads wind through the neighbourhood, and through gaps between houses or the lush forest, stunning panoramas of Rio await. Casa Cool Beans was absolutely perfect for our chill time in Rio. Set amidst leafy gardens, the guesthouse has ten spacious rooms, a small pool and terrace. Colourful works by local artists adorn the walls, creating a cheery ambiance. Lance and his team took great care of us by telling us all about the neighbourhood, giving us lots of sightseeing tips and suggesting/arranging tours and restaurants.

Casa Cool Beans

Spacious room at Casa Cool Beans.

A stroll around Santa Teresa

We spent a day strolling around Santa Teresa to soak up the wonderful atmosphere and admire the beautiful mansions, some of which have been turned into hotels or restaurants and some are still in ruins. Our highlight was seeing the amazing tiled Escadaria Selarón or Selarón staircase. One could spend hours going through the thousands of colourful tiles from all over the world!

Colourful street art in Santa Teresa

Another colourful street in Santa Teresa – this restaurant, Bar do Mineiro, is a must!

Gorgeous graffiti in Santa Teresa.

Loved these two houses in Santa Teresa!

Some of the many mansions in Santa Teresa.

The stunning Selarón staircase.

Close-up of some of the many tiles along the staircase.

THE VIEW!

The following day, we visited the Christ Statue atop the Corcovado mountain. It was a bit of a wait to get up there – it’s a very popular attraction – but it was absolutely worth the wait. The views from the top were simply mind-blowing! No words can quite describe how awesome that view is.

The Christ Statue against the bright blue sky.

The panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro from Corcovado.

Melvin decided to spend the afternoon on a favela tour while I headed for the beach, first Copacabana, then Ipanema. The sun was shining bright and the temperature, at 24-26 degrees Celsius, was perfect! I laid on the beach and watched the beautiful people of Rio pass by. Oh what a sight!

The gorgeous white sands of Copacabana beach.

I chose to lie on the sands of Ipanema instead.

And the sunset at Ipanema was absolutely magical!

We didn’t leave Rio without having a few caiprinhas of course!

A trio of caipirinhas – passion fruit, lime (regular) and strawberry – at Barzin in Ipanema.

Our stay was way too short and we were sad to leave, but hey, I’m sure we’ll be back again one day soon!

The aerial views of Rio as the plane took off from Santos Dumont airport were phenomenal!

Rio, I’ll miss you! But I’ll be back soon… and that’s a promise!

Chilling in Rio 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

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

My private limo in Berlin!

UBER. I’d never heard of it until my recent trip to Berlin. I was handed several discount vouchers and decided to give them a try one evening. After a long day out on the town, the idea of my very own private limousine to take me back to my accommodation sounded very appealing. I downloaded the UBER app on my iPhone and set up my profile in minutes. A map showed me exactly where I was and how long it would take for the nearest driver to reach me. Six minutes! I hit ‘Request Black Car’ in an instant. I received a text message within seconds announcing that the car was on its way. This included the car’s license plate and the name of the driver. Several minutes later, I received another message saying that my driver would be arriving shortly. Moments after I received that message, the limo pulled up and the driver stepped out to open the door for me. That was simply the coolest way to order a taxi!

That first ride got me hooked – the limo was a very spacious and supremely comfortable black Mercedes S3 with a driver smartly suited up. Very classy! Inside, I found plush leather seats, tinted windows and complimentary bottles of water. The driver dropped me off at my doorstep and that was it. There was no need to fumble around for cash. It’s billed directly to my credit card. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I received another message to tell me how much the ride had cost – I’d already asked the driver but it was cool to get a confirmation. I later received a receipt via email, showing a detailed breakdown of the cost, a map outlining the route, how many kilometers it was and how long it took! I knew it there and then… I’ll be using UBER again for sure!

Your on-demand private driver

The UBER app

UBER is an on-demand private driver service. To get started, simply download the app – available for both iPhone and Android phones – and set up your profile, including your credit card details. Verify your account and you’re good to go. It’s dead easy.

To request an UBER driver, launch the app. A pin on a map immediately shows you your location. You can move the pin to a specific spot or enter an address as your pick-up point. The app will also tell you how long it’ll take for the nearest UBER driver to reach you. It also allows you to punch in your destination and receive an estimate of the fare. Once you request a driver, you’ll be notified of the car’s license plate and the driver’s name. You can easily look up all your previous trips on your profile page – this includes maps of your trips and the costs.

I absolutely loved the convenience of ordering a driver via the app. The notification services are a great touch – you know exactly when the driver will arrive. I ended up using the UBER service almost every day when I was in Berlin. The Mercedes and Audi sedans were very comfortable. Despite the exclusive feel of the service and the luxurious cars, the service doesn’t cost a lot more than a normal taxi. I was expecting double the rates of a taxi but it was closer to a third more. That’s not a bad surcharge for the extra comforts and convenience.

The UBER service is available in numerous cities in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Milan, London, Paris, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney – there’s a list of the cities on the site/app. If you’re interested in testing the UBER service, sign up with my ubervelvetescape promo code and get a EUR/USD/GBP 10 discount on your first ride.

Note: UBER provided me with several discount vouchers during my stay in Berlin. I used them all as I absolutely love this cool service. My enthusiasm expressed above is a true reflection of how I felt about this service.

UBER cool and oh so classy! is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

A snowy Amsterdam

It’s spring now yet snow continues to fall from thick grey clouds and the mercury is barely above the freezing point. Please wrap up the snow clouds, blow some warmth into the air, bring out the sun, and let the birds sing and the flowers bloom. Please.

Tulip fields in North Holland

Keukenhof garden, Holland

Birds busy in spring

I, and millions of people, will be so grateful for some warmth, sunny skies and a splash of colour. We’re more than ready for it.

THANK YOU! – I hope my simple request is answered very soon.

Dear Weather Gods… 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

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

Where a million paths cross

Grand Central Terminus (image courtesy of Alex Proimos)

Stand for the first time in the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal on Manhattan’s 42nd Street and you’ll be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the space around you. Tall enough to house a 12 storey apartment block and with a similar area to a full-size American football pitch, Grand Central Terminus is used by over half a million commuters each day as they pass through its vast complex of grand halls and marble corridors. Yet this iconic Belle Epoque building may quite easily not have been standing today, if its post-war owners had had their way.

The history of Grand Central Terminal

The story of Grand Central Terminal reflects in many ways the story of New York itself. While the railroads of the 1800s brought mass transportation to Manhattan, they also brought noise, smoke and frequent accidents. As immigrants poured in and the city expanded northwards from Lower Manhattan, the wealthy moved uptown to escape the overcrowding and chaos in the poorer districts to the south of the city.

Shoe-shining in Grand Central

Grand Central Terminus was built by the tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt on the back of the advent of electricity, and promised a cleaner transport hub in a part of the city that was at the time far from the glamorous area it is today. The grand sweeping staircases are made of finest Italian marble while celebrated French artist Paul Helleu was commissioned to create the Sky Ceiling, one of the largest murals in the world. Everything about the building was designed to communicate the Vanderbilt’s status among New York’s money men. As with so many of New York’s finest buildings, it was ego that provided the ultimate motive to create such a work of art.

There is little doubt that Grand Central Terminal was the making of the east side of midtown Manhattan. With the advent of the railroad and the masses that now came to this part of town, the area boomed and hotels, offices and prestigious apartment buildings sprung up in the surrounding blocks. No fewer than 21 buildings are linked to Grand Central by inter-connecting walkways. Even the Waldorf Astoria, perhaps New York’s most famous hotel, would probably not have moved uptown from its original site on 34th Street (it made way for the Empire State Building) to its present location a few blocks north of the station had it not been for Grand Central.

Main concourse – Grand Central

But while the station may have made the East Side what it is today, its success also nearly led to its destruction. As air travel took off in the post-war years the railways declined and the building became used for trade fairs and office space, with many of its Belle Epoque features falling into ruin. Such a prime piece of real estate was attractive to developers who wanted to pull down the station and replace it with a 60 storey office building.

Thankfully the building was saved, even though it took the judgement of the US Supreme Court to deny the developers their destructive dream. A massive restoration project returned the station to its original state, allowing millions to once again admire the magnificent interior as they made their way to the platforms.

MAS (Municipal Arts Society) run tours of the station that explain how and why the terminus was created and the restoration work that was required to save this remarkable building. Our guide Joey led us through the building to the Whispering Gallery, the Kissing Gallery and even showed us the private apartments once owned by New York’s pre-war elite. The 90 minute tours run every Wednesday at 12:30 and are free (a $10 donation to MAS is suggested).

Grand Central Terminal is much more than merely a place to catch a train – with its own dedicated NYPD precinct it really can claim to be its own city within a city.

About the guest writer
Written by Andy Jarosz for Travel Insurance Cover, who provide travel insurance for Australians (including annual multi trip policies for regular travellers). Information on policies available can be found on the Travel Insurance Cover website. Andy writes on his travel blog 501 Places, and is also on Google+.

Note: this post was brought to you in partnership with Travel Insurance Cover.

Where a million paths cross is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Colourful Bo Kaap

The Bo Kaap neighbourhood in Cape Town is a historic enclave that graces the slopes of Signal Hill. The first thing anyone will notice about this neighbourhood are the gorgeous, brightly-coloured houses lining steep cobbled streets. The second thing: the faint scent of spices such as cardamom and cloves in the air.

Bo Kaap is the home of the Cape Malays, a predominantly Muslim community, who were brought to the Cape in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Dutch from parts of Eastern Africa and as far as present-day Malaysia and Indonesia. They brought with them their religion, culture and cuisine. These days, there are still traces of the Malay language in the local dialect, like “trim-makasi”. Meaning ‘thank you’, Malaysians and Indonesians pronounce it as “terima kasih”.

A tour of Bo Kaap

A great way to experience the Bo Kaap neighbourhood is to join a walking and cooking tour by Andulela, a local tour operator that specialises in authentic South African experiences. We met our guide at the footsteps of the Bo Kaap Museum. This small museum provides a wonderful overview of Bo Kaap’s colourful history.

Waal Str. in the heart of Bo Kaap

Colourful Bo Kaap, with Table Mountain in the background

From there, we criss-crossed the neighbourhood, passing several mosques including the Auwal Mosque – built in the 18th century, it is South Africa’s oldest mosque – and Shafee Mosque. We stopped by beautiful murals depicting Cape Malay life and customs in the 19th century, little vegetable gardens and cafés serving typical Cape Malay dishes. It was a gorgeous sunny day and the vivid colours of the neighbourhood looked incredibly cheery!

A Cape Malay gentleman on his terrace

The Shafee mosque in Bo Kaap

Murals depicting Cape Malay life

The cloud & the legend of Van Hunk

As we made our way around the neighbourhood, we were treated to beautiful views of Table Mountain and the adjacent Devil’s Peak. I stopped to look at a strange cloud formation above Devil’s Peak. Our guide noticed my gaze and almost whispered, “They’re smoking.”

The Devil’s Peak topped by a lone cloud

I asked him about it and he told us about the legend of Van Hunk, a Dutch pirate who used to live at the foot of the mountain. Van Hunk would seek the same spot on the mountain every day to smoke his pipe. Legend has it that a stranger approached him one day and they soon discovered that they both loved to smoke. Van Hunk challenged his friend to see who could smoke the longest. Van Hunk won the contest and his new friend was livid. In his state of anger, he removed his disguise – he turned out to be the Devil himself – and sent a bolt of thunder crashing onto the mountain. Both men disappeared. These days, when the cloud appears above Devil’s Peak, locals say that the Devil and Van Hunk are at it again!

A Cape Malay cooking course with Faldila

The walking tour ended at the Atlas Trading Company, a specialty shop that sells all sorts of spices and herbs. It reminded me of the shops in my neighbourhood in Kuala Lumpur when I was a kid. The spicy scents triggered a slew of wonderful childhood memories! Our guide explained in which dishes the various spices were typically used – everything smelled so amazing – and made us memorise the Cape Malay names of the spices!

Spices at Atlas Trading

From there, we walked up the hill to a small house where we were met by the lovely Faldila. Faldila took us by the hand and led us into her home. After a refreshing drink, we were given instructions and before we knew it, we were in the midst of a delightful Cape Malay cooking course! We kneaded and smacked the dough for the roti (pancake-like bread), mixed spices for the curries, and folded samosas and stuffed them with a spicy filling. Faldila kept us on our toes, quizzing us on our knowledge of the spices and their Cape Malays names.

We were introduced to some of the spices often used in Cape Malay cuisine

The lovely Faldila in action

Then it was my turn!

We learned how to neatly fold samosas!

The finished product was simply delicious!

And my roti didn’t turn out too bad!

It was a fantastic experience. I had a bit of a chuckle when it dawned on me that I’d eaten rotis and samosas all my life (they’re just as commonplace in Malaysia) but here I was, in a little kitchen in Cape Town learning how to make them for the very first time!

Steeped in history and home to a unique heritage, Bo Kaap is one corner of Cape Town that shouldn’t be missed. I highly recommend joining this walking tour and cooking class for great insights into the Cape Malay community, and simply because it’s great fun!

Search for hotels in Cape Town. Read more about Cape Town on Velvet Escape.

Note: a big thank you goes to Cape Town Tourism for your fabulous hospitality. As always, all views expressed above are mine.

Exploring Bo Kaap in Cape Town 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 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

The Victoria Falls park entrance

Locals call it Mosi-oa-Tunya – the ‘smoke that thunders’. No other name describes the Victoria Falls better. Straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls are one of the most impressive falls in the world, spanning more than a mile. I saw a photo of the falls in a geographic encyclopedia as a child and I knew then, that’s where I’ll go… one day! Thirty-odd years later, that dream came true.

We flew into Livingstone in Zambia from Johannesburg and as the plane approached the airport, the falls came into view. The aerial views of the Victoria Falls were simply breathtaking! Several days later, I found myself standing at the entrance of the Victoria Falls park on the Zimbabwean side of the falls. I could barely contain my excitement. From the entrance, I followed the path that leads visitors through the forest to the falls. As I approached the falls, I noticed the thicker vegetation. Whilst the flora at the entrance was shrubbier, closer to the falls, the scrawny bushes made way for trees whose thick branches were covered with all sorts of epiphytes such as lianas. Sustained by the incessant spray from the falls, the rainforest formed an extraordinary contrast to the woodland savannah in the surrounding region. The thunderous roar of the falls was clearly audible and I quickened my pace. I made my way to a clearing and there they were: the Victoria Falls!

My first glimpse of the falls

I stopped for several minutes to take in the splendid view, then continued along the path through the forest. The path branched off to various lookouts, each of which offered amazing views of the falls on the other side of the gorge. It was a hot day and I was only too happy to linger at the lookouts, getting absolutely drenched by the enormous clouds of spray!

A view of the falls from one of the lookouts

Another fabulous view of the falls

The path stopped abruptly at the end of the gorge. Signs warned visitors not to get too close to the edge – there were no fences, at least not that I can recall. The view of the falls, the gorge and the rainbows below were absolutely stunning!

Panorama of the falls

At the edge of the gorge – Victoria Falls

Rainbows at the Victoria Falls

See my short video of the falls:

Fun for thrill-seekers

Aside from walks through the forest to view the falls, the park also has several activities for those seeking an adrenaline-charged experience. The activities ranged from fox-flying (zip-lining in a horizontal position) across the gorge (least scary) to gorge swinging (simply terrifying!). I chose to stay put and enjoy the view! Haha!

Views of the Second (left) and Third (right) Gorge, with the Victoria Falls bridge in the background (left).

I stood in the shade and watched these thrill-seekers – i.e. crazy people – zip-line across the gorge, and bungee-jump or swing into the gorge. Their screams echoed across the gorge, assuring me that I’d made the right decision!

Zip-lining at the Victoria Falls

My friends Nellie and Alberto from Wild Junket filmed the gorge-swing experience:

Seeing the Victoria Falls truly was a dream come true and I’m glad I got to see it. It’s a pity that I didn’t get to experience the falls from the Zambian side – one of the biggest attractions there is the Devil’s Pool, where visitors can sit in a natural pool at the very edge of the falls.

The Devil’s Pool (image courtesy of Charles Haynes)

That only means I’ll have to return… one day!

Note: My trip to Zimbabwe was made possible by Rani Resorts and Nicky Arthur PR, Views expressed above are, as always, mine.

The smoke that thunders 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.

Search for hotels in Amsterdam.

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

12 countries I would recommend in a flash

City of Arts & Sciences, Valencia

I’m often asked which countries I would recommend for a holiday. It’s always a tough question to answer but if I had the option to list 12 (like I do now), these would be the countries I’d recommend (in no particular order):

1. Spain – amazing food, medieval towns, vibrant cities, beaches, festivals and more. Who can resist Spain?
2. Italy - if there’s one place that makes me smile every time I arrive, it’s Italy!
3. Netherlands – there’s much more to the Netherlands than tulips, windmills and Amsterdam.
4. USA – from the buzz of New York to swinging New Orleans, and the glistening peaks of the Rockies to the pristine beaches of the Keys there’s something for everyone in the US of A!
5. Canada – I’m always amazed by the breadth and depth of attractions in this vast country.
6. 

   The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town in the early morning

   South Africa – breathtaking scenery, wildlife, fabulous cuisine and wines go hand in hand in my favourite African country.

7. Chile – the Atacama desert left me breathless (quite literally!), as did the Lake District and the desolate wonders of Patagonia.
8. Brazil – I haven’t seen a lot of Brazil but Rio, Salvador and the Iguassu Falls just blew me away!
9. Australia – I had some of my earliest travel adventures here, like hitch-hiking at age 14. Australia rocks!
10. Thailand – a terrific combination of culture, food, beaches and some of the most hospitable people in Asia.
11. Malaysia – home to one of the most varied cuisines in the world, buzzing cities, paradise islands and unique flora and fauna.
12. Turkey – I love Istanbul but Turkey has a lot more to offer, from stunning beaches to monuments from Biblical times.

12 cities I could see myself living in

My beloved Amsterdam

I’m perfectly happy where I am but whenever I travel, I always ask myself this question: can I see myself living here? Here are 12 cities where the answer was a resounding YES!

1. Amsterdam – the answer was YES the second I first arrived in 1990. And I’m still here!
2. Sydney – it’s the beach lifestyle!
3. Vancouver – ocean, mountains and fresh seafood!
4. Buenos Aires – that unique buzz is infectious.
5. Melbourne – the laidback attitude does it for me!
6. Berlin – it’s all happening in Berlin these days!
7. Toronto – big city feel with a unique flair.
8. San Francisco – another ocean-side North American city I love!
9. Kuala Lumpur – shhhhh, don’t tell my Mum!
10. Hong Kong – vibrant, cutting-edge yet unmistakably Asian.
11. Cape Town – the scenery always blows me away!
12. London – I’ll never get enough of London.

12 countries I’d love to visit

The amazing Avenue of Baobabs in Madagascar (image courtesy of Wild Junket)

My bucket list keeps growing but these 12 are right up there!

1. Antarctica (ok, not a country but you get the picture!) – so I can say I’ve been to all the world’s continents.
2. Madagascar – beaches and baobabs. Who can resist?
3. Mozambique – historic colonial towns and beaches. Yes, please!
4. Peru – Macchu Piccu, the Nazca lines and the upper reaches of the Amazon. Sounds like a great adventure.
5. Ecuador – from the Galapagos islands to the Cotopaxi volcano, I’d love to see it all.
6. Surinam – I’ve heard so many great things about this off-the-beaten-path destination. It’s time I went!
7. Fiji – more beaches and coral reefs. Yay!
8. Uzbekistan – has been on my bucket list since I was a child. The Islamic architecture in cities like Samarkand must be pretty phenomenal.
9. Maldives – there’s a certain resort there I’m dying to visit!
10. Bhutan – verdant valleys dotted with rustic villages to massive snow-capped mountains, and a country that adheres to Gross National Happiness as a measure of growth!
11. Croatia – the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik and the Plitvice Lakes are just some of the attractions I’d love to visit.
12. North Korea – probably the most intriguing destination in the world. I’m very intrigued!

12 unforgettable travel experiences

Floating in the Dead Sea, with my mud mask on

Travel is all about the experiences. Here are 12 experiences I won’t easily forget:

1. floating in the Dead Sea at sunset
2. driving through the Cape Floral Kingdom
3. witnessing a marriage proposal in Petra
4. seeing the midnight sun from the air
5. floating in a frozen lake in Lapland
6. seeing the northern lights
7. visiting Bora Bora
8. cruise through the Inside Passage, Alaska
9. meal at El Celler de Can Roca
10. having hippos as my ‘alarm clock’ on the Zambezi River
11. sunsets in Bali
12. lighting a wish lantern in Thailand

12 foods I’ll never say no too!

The heavenly cannelloni with black truffels at Cal Sastre

I love trying local food wherever I go. There are some things I’ll never try again but I’ll always say YES to these 12:

1. carpaccio – beef, tuna, salmon, shrimp or crocodile. Love ‘em all!
2. jamon Iberico
3. any pasta with truffels or porcini mushrooms
4. curry laksa – a Malaysian classic
5. fried kuey teow – another Malaysian classic!
6. sashimi – tuna or salmon, both will do!
7. yakiniku – Japanese BBQ to die for, especially if it includes some Kobe beef!
8. jambalaya – oh New Orleans, how I miss you!
9. cerviche – more raw fish, this time with a Peruvian twist!
10. fried kai lan with oyster sauce, garlic and Chinese black musrooms – my favourite veggie dish!
11. seared scallops – love the texture and flavour of fresh scallops
12. a simple rocket/rucola/aragula salad with tomatoes, olive oil, herbs, pine nuts and peppers

Hungry?

Have a fantastic 12-12-12!

Travel in 12′s is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

Lunenburg

The town of Lunenburg is a gorgeous fishing town on Nova Scotia’s eastern seaboard, southwest of Halifax. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Lunenburg is one of the best surviving examples of planned British colonial settlements in North America, with immigrants from Germany, Switzerland and France making the settlement their home in the 18th century. The town is most famous for its beautifully preserved houses, many of which are painted in vivid colours. That’s the first thing that struck me when I visited Lunenburg: the lovely palette of colourful houses. As I went for a stroll around the town, I couldn’t help but feel cheery despite the grey skies and incessant drizzle.

A stroll around Lunenburg

I started my stroll above the Old Town at the Lunenburg Academy, a striking 19th century building that enjoys a commanding position overlooking the Old Town. The Academy was opened in 1895 and was modelled after the Gothic Revival style from the Victorian era.

The Lunenburg Academy

From here, I criss-crossed the town in the direction of the harbour. I was greeted by a chorus of gorgeous houses and buildings everywhere I turned. The variety of architectural styles was fascinating; within the space of a few blocks, I came across a mix of Cape Cod, Victorian and Gothic influences.

Beautiful Lunenburg architecture

More beautiful houses!

A green building? You bet!

Lunenburg street

All sorts of sea creatures adorn the streets, reflecting the town’s rich maritime tradition

Love that red building!

I found more examples of red at the waterfront!

Another building that will grab your attention is the St. Johns Anglican Church. Built in the Gothic style, it is Canada’s second oldest Protestant church and features a series of pinnacles and striking black lines against a white façade. The church was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 2001 but was lovingly rebuilt and opened just four years later!

St. John’s Anglican Church

The hauntingly beautiful interior of St. John’s Church

I continued my stroll down to the harbour and found the Bluenose II. The Bluenose is a legendary fishing schooner and racing ship, built and launched in Lunenburg in 1921. She earned the nickname ‘Queen of the North Atlantic’, beating every American and Canadian vessel in races each year for 17 years! An image of the Bluenose has adorned the Canadian dime since 1937. The Bluenose sank off the coast of Haiti in the 1940′s and a replica is currently being built in Lunenburg. The schooner will serve as a leisure vessel, sailing around Lunenburg from 2013.

The Bluenose II

The Bluenose on a Canadian dime

Lunenburg has a long and rich maritime history and the best place to get acquainted is the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Located along the Lunenburg waterfront, the Museum is home to an amazing collection of exhibits that tell fascinating stories of the town’s shipping and fishing past. Without doubt, a visit to Lunenburg would not be complete without a visit to the Fisheries Museum.

Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic

Visiting the Fisheries Museum is a must!

Another historic site that provides a unique insight into Lunenburg’s past is the Knaut-Rhuland House on Pelham Street. The museum does a great job in illustrating the town’s history through a wonderful collection of costumes, documents and other artifacts. When you’re there, find out how the plots of land were divided among the settlers.

My guides at the Knaut-Rhuland House

I ended my stroll at the Ironworks Distillery for a taste of ‘proudly-distilled-in-Lunenburg’ brandy. A great way to end a stroll on a cold day, don’t you think?

Ironworks Distillery

Ironworks produces a variety of spirits

Visit Lunenburg Tourism for more information about the town and upcoming events.

Search for hotels in Lunenburg. Read other Velvet Escape posts on Canada.

The colours of Lunenburg is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The Iguassu Falls

Bloggers captivate their audiences through their photos, words, and video – and sometimes, bloggers get you to laugh. A lot. In June of this year, an international group of bloggers was flown down to Foz Do Iguaçu, Brazil for the very first EIBTUR Conference. Towards the end of the week, the majority of the Brazilian blogger contingent and the international bloggers had returned home – leaving Keith, Melvin and myself to go explore.

A candid moment

One of my core focuses on my blog The Minute Tour is showcasing experience through short videos from around the world. Usually these videos are edited and put together so they tell a story. I knew I was going to film something in Brazil, but without having a set storyboard, I essentially filmed the whole time I was there. While I filmed a lot of Beautiful Brazil, there was one candid moment that was too good to not share on its own.

Keith, Melvin, and I made our way to the Argentina side of the Iguazu Falls on our final day. It was one of the colder days, and after a week of a very active Brazilian experience, we were all a little slaphappy. Rarely… 1) do all of us manage to get in one video; 2) do our readers get to see us in pure goof form; and 3) do we see the Iguazu Falls with such ferocity, so here’s a treat just for you. Enjoy!

Note from Keith:

We were definitely in a goofy mood that day. Haha! How goofy? Check out our photos below:

I think I was simply blown away by the force of the Falls!

What is Melvin doing at the Devil’s Throat? You’ve got one guess!

Just so you know where we were!

About the guest writer
Aside from being a huge goof, Alex Lop is a travel video blogger, filmmaker, and professional photographer with one goal in mind: to inspire travel, one minute at a time by sharing his experiences.

Check out his blog at The Minute Tour.

A big thank you goes to Loumar Turismo, the premier tour operator to the Iguassu Falls, and Hotel Bella Italia for hosting us in Foz do Iguaçu.

Goofing around at the Iguazu Falls 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

Flatiron Building

What is luxury travel? To me, more importantly than travelling like I’d just won the national lottery, luxury travel is all about the moments of beauty and indulgence. With this in mind, I set out on my latest mission with three other bloggers to discover Toronto’s luxury side. What we found was a city in the midst of a modern day renaissance, with amazing architecture and a lively culinary, fashion and arts scene. It was soon clear to us that Toronto has a lot to offer to discerning travellers. In just three days, we explored the streets of downtown Toronto, shopped at some of the city’s swanky neighbourhoods like Yorkville, visited a string of museums and art galleries, and in between, we wined and dined at some of the best restaurants and allowed ourselves to be spoiled silly by our wonderful hosts at Shangri-La Hotel Toronto! So, did I find my moments of luxury in Toronto? I sure did! I was delighted to discover that Toronto has many sweet Velvet Escapes tucked up its sleeves. Follow me on a little tour of my Velvet Moments in Toronto.

Moments of beauty

CN Tower
The night was crystal clear. We could not have chosen a better moment for cocktails and dinner at the 360 Restaurant atop CN Tower, Toronto’s most iconic landmark. Below us, the city stretched endlessly into the horizon, sparkling bright against the dark sky. The revolving restaurant offered us fabulous views all around – we could see as far as Rochester (USA) on the other side of Lake Ontario – right from our table.

Dinner with a grand view from Restaurant 360 atop CN Tower

A quiet moment in the park
It was a stunning autumn day in Toronto and I went for a stroll through the park behind the Art Gallery of Ontario. I sat on a bench and smelled the gorgeous scents of autumn, catching hints of burnt leaves, cinnamon and apples. Around me, little bushy-tailed squirrels pranced excitedly, stopping only momentarily to inspect bits of bark and twigs. A soothing moment amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto.

Fall colours in Toronto

Art Gallery of Ontario
I stood up, turned around and looked up. The striking blue façade of Frank Gehry’s Art Gallery of Ontario merged naturally with the clear sky. It was a wondrous sight that stopped me in my tracks.

Frank Gehry’s Art Gallery of Ontario

A dazzling show
Downtown Toronto is a jumble of impressive skyscrapers and stately historic buildings. Everywhere I walked, I saw the city mirrored on the vast glassy surfaces. On this bright day, the sun and glass towers coalesced to create a dazzling show of light and illusion. As I strolled along King Street West, I noticed the shiny exterior of the TIFF Lightbox reflecting off the historic buildings across the road. Passing traffic added motion to this spectacle, making the reflections move in a wave-like manner. The old buildings seemed to sway to the beat of the city – a mesmerising sight!

The historic buildings seemed to sway to the beat of the city

Moments of indulgence

Nota Bene
When it comes to indulgence, nothing speaks more to me than the presence of food that tastes as good as it looks. The tuna sashimi at Nota Bene is a perfect example: tender tuna with the freshest flavours on a bed of crispy seaweed salad and a sprinkling of coriander. Sublime!

The tuna sashimi was sublime!

Luma
I’m a big fan of seafood so this seafood platter at Luma got my mouth watering the second it arrived. Chef Jason Bangerter made us feel truly welcome by creating this special platter for us. It looked almost too good to eat! After feasting my eyes on the delightful presentation, I gingerly lifted a slice of tuna into my mouth, followed by a scallop. The subtle flavours and mix of textures were simply gorgeous.

The gorgeous seafood platter at Luma

BOSK
More scallops? Yes, more scallops! The seared scallops at BOSK are the stuff of foodie dreams. These mollusks, seared to perfection, were beautifully paired with hon-shimiji mushrooms, avocado, crispy rice and a light ginger-sesame dressing.

Divine scallops, seared to perfection at BOSK, Shangri-La Hotel Toronto

SOMA
I experienced yet another moment of delightful indulgence at the SOMA chocolate factory. The rich scent of chocolate envelops you the second you step inside. Grab a bag or a slab of some of Toronto’s finest chocolates but don’t leave without feasting your senses on the sinfully good Mayan hot chocolate – rich and spicy, exactly the way I like it!

Chocolate heaven at SOMA

Miraj Hammam Spa
After all that exploring, it was time for a relaxing session at the Miraj Hammam Spa. The supremely professional staff at this Moroccan-inspired spa made me feel more than welcome. After the hammam treatment, I felt rejuvenated and ready to roll.

Relax at the Miraj Caudalie Hammam & Spa

Luxury travel – Velvet Escape style – is about the sheer joy we derive from moments of beauty and indulgence. My mission was to find such moments in Toronto and as you can see… I found them!

Note: My trip to Toronto was a collaboration between iambassador, the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Toronto and Shangri-La Hotel Toronto. As always, opinions expressed above are my own.

Moments of luxury in Toronto is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

The last time I visited Toronto was more than sixteen years ago. Yup, in 1996! I was a student with a backpack and I stayed at a hostel. This Wednesday, I’ll be returning with a few blogger friends to experience the good life, albeit for a few days, in Canada’s largest city. As we explore the city, we hope to find the answers to one question:

“What’s Luxury in Toronto?”

Our trip kicks off with a limousine pick-up at the airport. We’ll be driven to our luxurious accommodation at the brand new Shangri-La Hotel Toronto. A cocktail reception awaits us, after which we’ll be treated to dinner atop the iconic CN Tower – I’m sure the night views of Toronto are phenomenal. In the following days, we’ll scout around the city’s leisure, arts, shopping and culinary scenes to uncover the best that Toronto offers to the discerning traveller. I have the great pleasure of being accompanied by my good friends Abigail King (@insidetravellab), Isabelle Kenis (@isabellestravel) and Sarah Lee (@livesharetravel), all experts in luxury travel.

Follow #LuxuryToronto

Follow us on our trip from 14th – 17th November 2012 on Twitter via the hashtag #LuxuryToronto to learn about everything luxury in this great Canadian city. Should you have any tips on the finer things to do, see and eat in Toronto, don’t hesitate to join in the fun by tweeting about it – don’t forget to include the #LuxuryToronto hashtag – or leave a comment below or on my facebook page.

Note: This campaign is brought to you by iambassador and is sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Toronto and Shangri-La Hotel Toronto. As always opinions are my own.

Finding luxury in Toronto is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

See more Velvet Moments.

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

Edinburgh Castle on a foggy day (image courtesy of Jojo)

Guest post by Andrea Kirkby

Edinburgh is a place of spirits.

One sort of “spirit” can be found in the Bow Bar traditional pub, tucked away on a curving street below the ridge that the Royal Mile traverses from Holyrood Palace to the Castle. Some fine beers are served here – slightly sweet, sometimes butterscotchy Scottish-style ales – along with over a hundred single malt whiskies. Just reading the names is an experience; Caol Ila, Knockando, Pittyvaich, Talisker, Tomintoul, and the unpronounceable (to a Sassenach) Bunnahabhain.

But there are also spirits of a darker kind to be found in Mary King’s Close – a strange, tight-knit network of alleyways buried under the Royal Exchange. The Enlightenment gentry of Scotland didn’t even bother demolishing the old tenements in their attempt to make Edinburgh the Athens of the North; they just built on top of them. It’s a peculiar world down there, dark and claustrophobic; no wonder children were told there were ghosts in the Close and legends grew up of Plague victims being walled in.

Greyfriars Kirkyard also has a restless spirit – ‘Bloody Mackenzie’, the Lord Advocate who imprisoned many Scottish Covenanters here in the graveyard and executed a good few of them too. He’s buried here in a fine domed mausoleum – another symbol of Edinburgh’s Enlightenment – but it’s said he does not rest in peace; his malevolent ghost has been known to attack visitors.

Edinburgh urchins used to yell ‘Bluidy Mackingie, come oot if ye dar! Lift the sneck and draw the bar!’ – I’m not sure I would dare. There’s something about the blackened stone and the chill atmosphere that discourages levity.

While many tourists visit the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the little dog who stood guard over his master’s tomb till his own death, the kirkyard has a much more macabre side. Skulls, skeletons, hourglasses, pickaxes and spades for digging graves all figure on the gravestones and if you’re there on a winter evening, as darkness falls and the windows of the little houses that back on to the graveyard shed their yellow light on the tombs, your imagination might run riot.

Carlton Hill (image courtesy of Jonnee)

Another fine cemetery lies on the slopes of Calton Hill, below the fine (though never finished) imitation of the Parthenon that was intended to commemorate Scots who died fighting in the Napoleonic wars. Here the 18th century philosopher David Hume is buried in a gracious and impressive classical monument; as he requested, only his name and the dates of his birth and death are given – “leaving it to Posterity to add the Rest”. Nearby stands the gravestone of Thomas Gray and Elizabeth Wilkes, with skulls and bones tumbling down the margins of the inscription and a ship under full sail above (Thomas’s son John, who paid for the tomb, was a ship’s captain). Again, however much Hume and his contemporaries tried to make Edinburgh a pleasant, civilised town full of harmonious classical architecture, there’s a layer of macabre, dour threat underneath.

Edinburgh is both Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – and of course that story was written by an Edinburgh native.

Edinburgh was also the home of Burke and Hare the body-snatchers. Unable to get enough bodies for the dissection table by simply digging up the dead, they started making their own corpses. They were found out in the end; Burke was hanged but Hare secured immunity by testifying against his former colleague (Burke, like so many of his victims, ended up on the dissection table; his skeleton and death mask can still be seen in the University’s Anatomical Museum and perhaps most macabre of all, there is a pocketbook said to have been made out of his skin).

It can be quite fun to scare yourself a little in Edinburgh – read a ghost story, take a ghost tour, look through the little windows in the stern barred doors of the mausoleums. But when the sun starts to get low and the day darkens, I find I’ve had enough of graveyards and ghosts – and it’s time for a dose of that other type of Scottish spirit in the nearest pub!

If you need a cheap Edinburgh hotel to feel safe in after your tour of the city’s dark side, I’d recommend Tune Edinburgh located opposite Haymarket station.

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

Edinburgh – a city of spooky tales 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.

Search for hotels in London.

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

Chobe NP

The Chobe National Park is situated in northern Botswana and is home to large herds of elephants, giraffes, hippo’s, many species of antelope and a great variety of birds. The Chobe and Zambezi Rivers form the northern boundary of the park, as well as the boundaries between Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. The park, in the heart of southern Africa, is a popular safari destination as it offers a variety of options to view the abundant wildlife. Visitors get to see the animals up close on any of the land and water-based safaris whilst plane tours offer spectacular aerial views of the park. The best time to visit the Chobe National Park is during the winter months but in principle, there’s plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities throughout the year.

I visited in the winter and was blown away by the beauty of the region. It was cold, especially in the mornings and evenings, but the spectacular wildlife sightings – and the warm blankets – more than compensated for the chill factor. I stayed on the Zambezi Queen, a safari cruise boat and made various excursions to the park by boat and jeep. After my first day at the park, I knew it for sure… I was spellbound by the stunning natural beauty and tranquility of the park.

Chobe National Park in photos

As a tribute to the park, here’s a photo essay of the amazing sights I had the pleasure of witnessing during both my boat and jeep safaris.

Our jeep

Our first animal sighting!

A pair of giraffes

A kudu and giraffe

A gorgeous impala

On the jeep safari

Warthogs

Kudu – doesn’t he look majestic?

On the river safari, we got up close to elephants and hippo’s

I didn’t know elephants could swim!

Elephants

River safari at sunset

Giraffes near the riverbank at sunset

A glorious sunset at Chobe

There are two main gateways into Chobe, both in the northern section of the park: Kasane, in Botswana, and Livingstone in Zambia, both of which have international airports. The northern section of the park is especially popular due to its proximity to other attractions such as the Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe, the Caprivi Strip in Nambia and the Okavango delta in Botswana.

Search for hotels in Chobe.

Note: a big thank you goes to the staff of the Zambezi Queen for your wonderful hospitality. All views expressed above are, as always, mine.

Spellbound in Chobe 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

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

Outside the Golden Triangle – Madrid’s Lesser Known Museums

Prado (image courtesy of H Hesterr)

The Golden Triangle. The central art hub of Madrid. The Prado, the Reina Sofia, the Thyssen. These three museums contain a considerable amount of Madrid’s culture and, displaying works by the likes of Picasso, Goya, Miro, and Van Gogh, is it any wonder? But, like any other destination, these aren’t the only places to get your arty fix. They may be the most well known, but they certainly do not monopolise the museum industry in Madrid. In fact, there are a number of hidden away little treasures that are just as likely to get your creative juices flowing.

I often find that smaller, lesser known museums offer a more intimate, emotional experience which allows you to enter the creative depths of its subject – not least because they’re usually a little emptier than mainstream museums! Sometimes it might be the old house of a famous painter (Rembrandt’s House anyone?) complete with sticky oil paints glooping across a now unused palette, and littered with unfinished sketches that the artist ran out of time to conclude. It is in these places that you instantly feel a close bond with the subject which serves to encourage an overwhelming urge to learn more about them. It is in these places, perhaps, that the true culture of a city is embalmed; something which the white, fertile landscape of a top art museum simply cannot convey.

So, whilst Madrid’s Golden Triangle museum’s exhibit a breathtaking range of world-renowned artwork, remember not to overlook the lesser known places as you never know what you might discover.

Caixa Forum

Whilst this is not quite on the same level as an artist’s former residence, the Caixa Forum displays some intricate and interesting examples of post-modern art. In fact, you might even find yourself truly mesmerised before having even entered the building; the exterior itself is a work of art in its own right, featuring a lush green panel of shrubbery working its way up one of the walls. The interior is also something to behold. Its futuristically modern design complete with angular staircases and bold lighting greatly complements the exhibits, whilst the regular installations and cultural events fine tune the ultra-modern vibe. What’s more, entry is free, which provides the perfect antidote to a day at the Golden Triangle.

The Caixa Forum

Inside Caixa Forum

You can find the Caixa Forum on the Paseo del Prado. The nearest metro station is Atocha.

La Casa Encendida

Unlike the Caixa Forum which is still slightly commercial, La Casa Encendida proves to be a lot more local. It’s main aim is to support local, unknown artists, offering a great insight into the culture of Madrid as well as current, relevant themes. You’ll find the contemporary exhibitions on the ground floor but you can also catch cultural events, artistic film screenings, debates, and local radio shows which take place in throughout the building. In some ways, this is the perfect example of an interactive museum! And, as a bonus, there is a library decked out with good WiFi as well as an abundance of interesting classes available to everyone (workshops on solidarity anyone?) Again, like the Caixa Forum, entry is free, so it’s ideal if your budget is running low, which tends to happen in Madrid – trust me!

You can find La Casa Encendida on Ronda Valencia. The nearest metro stations are Atocha and Lavapiés.

Museo del Romanticismo

Visiting the Museo del Romanticismo, which can be found in the Marquis of Marallana’s former palace, is certainly a grand experience. Inside, you can wander amongst elaborate paintings from the nineteenth century, ornate furniture, and decorative art, all of which portray a sense of the political and cultural atmosphere during the reign of Isabella II. My particular highlight of this museum was gleaning a little peak into how the regal and rich used to live which, for 3 Euros, really is a good deal! If, however, your budget is a little tight, head over on a Saturday after 2pm when entry is free.

You can find the Museo del Romanticismo on San Mateo. The nearest metro station is Tribunal.

Museo Sorolla

Now this is a place where you can immerse yourself in Madrid’s past. Even if you haven’t heard of Joaquin Sorolla, the twentieth century Spanish Impressionist it encompasses, the quaint, picturesque building is enough to peak your interest. From the outside, the museum looks like any other Spanish house (albeit slightly grander), complete with water fountain and abundance of lush greenery. As you enter through the front door, you are greeted with the unfinished canvasses, sketches and, of course, the compulsory sticky oil paints glooping across a now unused palette! The rest of the house has been preserved since Sorolla died in 1923, offering a fantastic look into Madrid life in the 20’s. The art is pretty good too! Sorolla was once called the ‘master of light’, an aspect of his work that will almost certainly enchant you. Like the Museo del Romanticismo, entry here is 3 Euros. Visit on Sunday for free entry.

Museo Sorolla

You can find the Museo Sorolla on General Martínez Campos. The nearest metro stations are Iglesia and Rubén Dario.

Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando

The Real Academia was once Madrid’s Academy of Art where many of the city’s famous artists learnt some of the skills they are so well-known for. Previous students include Picasso, Dali, and Goya, who was once the director. Today, the academy has been transformed into a museum which exhibits the work of hundreds of Spanish artists spanning the last couple of centuries. Although there are many of the artists on display here that are also in the Golden Triangle museums, the Bellas Artes offers a more personal approach as you can explore the building in which some of these masters were educated – and maybe even get educated yourself along the way! Again, entrance is 3 Euros unless you have a Madrid card, in which case it is free.

You can find the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando on Alcalá. The nearest metro stations are Sol and Sevilla.

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About the guest writer
Since a young age, Beth Davidson has been interested in travel and, after being bitten by the travel bug, has been to numerous countries spanning three continents. When she is travelling, Beth likes to immerse herself in local culture and explore the arts and crafts that are unique to each location.

Read Beth’s blog World Art and Travel, and follow her on Twitter.

Lesser known museums in Madrid is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog

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Plane views: Assisi is a post from: Velvet Escape travel blog