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Paris Hotel de L' Avenir, France
2007-06-14 01:07:00 I?ve been equally impressed with both stays at this hidden gem. It is hard to find a better cheap, central Paris hotel than the Hotel de l?Avenir. The hotel is located in the St. Germain district of Paris right next to the Luxembourg Gardens and the bustling Latin Quarter so you can choose a pleasant, quiet stroll or a bustling retail therapy outing all within a few minutes walk. As well, the Hotel de l?Avenir is very convenient for the metro and RER. The neighborhood around the hotel is peaceful and offers a glut of good restaurants. Since la Rive Gauche (the left bank) is mainly a residential area, you can rub elbows with Parisians in their favorite haunts or hit up any number of touristy favorites. The Montparnasse area is famous for being the stomping grounds of literary giants like Hemingway and Stein, and the brasseries they frequented are still serving Parisians (and tourists) today. The perennial favorite, La Coupole, is about a five-minute walk away from the Hotel de l?Aven... More About: France , Franc
Rome Hotel Capo D Africa: Italy
2007-06-14 01:01:00 The first aspect of the Hotel Capo d?Africa that caught my eye was location. This is a great central Rome hotel located on a quiet street within sight of the Coliseum and between two metro stations (Colosseo and Manzoni are both within 10 minutes walk). It is really a perfect location to check out the Forum, San Clemente, Circus Maximus, Piazza Venezia and, of course, the Coliseum. The décor was the second point that impressed me about the Hotel Capo d?Africa. Inside, the hotel is a clean, contemporary hotel with a rich design palate. You?ll see a lot of creams, cherry-wood and reds here, yet the décor doesn?t overwhelm. The Centrum Bar and roof-top terrace earn special mention for the sights they offer (the Coliseum and the SS Quattro Coronati Church) and the extra attention the designers paid to decorating these spaces. A complimentary breakfast is served on the roof and the terrace is open for seating during nice weather. The bar and terrace serve a light a la carte menu but you... More About: Italy
Spending a Day in Toledo
2007-06-05 22:06:00 You could spend a lifetime in Madrid and still not run out of things to do. However, if you feel the need to get out of the city, even for a day, consider heading to the ancient Visigothic capital of Toledo. Toledo has a celebrated history of religious tolerance between Christians, Jews and Muslims, and this cultural mixing is more evident here than most other destinations on the Iberian Peninsula. If you need further reason to go, consider the fact that the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main sites to see in Toledo are the impressive Alcázar (a fortification built on the highest point in town), the vast cathedral that looms over the city, ?The Burial of the Count of Orgaz? (one of El Greco's most famous works) in the church of Santo Tome, and the El Greco Museum. Beyond the sightseeing checklist, simply strolling through the city's medieval walls (via the old Moorish gate, the Puerta de Bisagra) into the labyrinth of tiny roads and lanes is a worthy advent... More About: Spain , Spending
Gourmet German Food?
2007-06-05 22:01:00 There is a restaurant located on the first floor (that?s the second floor to Americans) of the Palace Berlin Hotel that will change the way you think about Central European cuisine. The aptly named ?First Floor? consistently garners a one star Michelin rating and Gault Millau awards for the inspired kitchen wizardry of its chef, Matthias Buchholz. On the surface, the restaurant unfortunately looks like a typical hotel eatery, but diners soon figure out that it isn?t about the ambience, it?s about the food. As it should be in a fine dining establishment, the service and atmosphere center around the food. Chef Buchholz adds a southwestern French flair to his meals but also serves up tasty portions of fine German cuisine. The veal, guinea fowl, Bresse chicken, Müritz lamb and lobster all win high praise. It is the fusion of central European flavors that makes a meal at ?First Floor? memorable. Wine connoisseurs have their pick from over 800 reds, and therefore the rest of us can surely... More About: Food , Germany , Erma , Gourmet
What?s the Pergamon?
2007-06-05 07:03:00 Despite the fact that Berlin?s Pergamon-Museum is frequently spoken of with the same reverence as with the Louvre, the Smithsonian, the Vatican and the London Museum, it is generally one of the least well-known of the truly world-class museums. Situated over 2000 square meters on Berlin?s ?Mitte Museum Island,? The Pergamon Museum is a breathtaking exhibit of over 6000 years of Near East culture. After a few hours here, you?ll forget that you are in the heart of Germany . The most impressive aspect of the museum?s collection is the scale of the pieces. The centerpiece (literally) of the museum is the 113 meter (371 foot) long Pergamon Altar, which was shipped from modern-day Turkey in two excavations and reconstructed in the museum. Still not impressed? Go and stand under blue glazed tiles of the Ishtar Gate and think about how this used to be considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World (before being replaced by the Lighthouse of Alexandria). If you don?t feel tiny in the presen...
The Surprisingly Affordable Azure Coast
2007-06-05 06:58:00 With the Alps blocking weather from the north and the Mediterranean providing tropical warmth from the south, the Cote d?Azur, more famously known as the French Riviera, is a fantastic off-season get-away. Most of the area boasts around 300 days of sun a year so it is easy to simultaneously avoid throngs of tourists (mainly by avoiding any time around a European holiday) and get all the sun-worshipping you could want in a vacation. The French Riviera spans about one hundred miles from Toulon in the west to Menton near the Italian border, and can be driven, with favorable traffic, in around three hours. Many travelers unfortunately dismiss this fairy-tale coastline as an private playground for the rich and famous. Sure, you can easily find exclusive, sprawling enclaves of the filthy rich nestled in the hills or rub elbows with the elite in places like Cannes, Monte Carlo and St. Tropez, but you can just as easily craft yourself a memorable and affordable trip. If you get a rental car... More About: France , Coast , Azure
Welcome to Hotel Welcome
2007-06-05 06:54:00 Hotel Welcome is located right on the harbor in Villefranche-sur-mer in the heart of this charming town. The rooms were refurbished in 2002, all now including A/C (though the strength of the A/C has not impressed some visitors) and balconies offering views of the bay and Cape Ferrat. The central location on the harbor means a convenient walk to the train station, a myriad of nearby restaurants and, of course, the water, but it also means noise. Travelers have complained of music from the conveniently located nearby restaurants, as well as early morning noise from the harbor. Still, if you want a room in a great location with a balcony to sit on at dusk, Hotel Welcome is a good choice. Hotel Welcome has a wine bar (open to the public) that offers terrace ambiance and Mediterranean flavor if you don?t feel like hanging out on your private balcony. The friendly hotel staff also helps arrange boat, bus, and train tours of Monaco, Monte Carlo, Nice and Cape Ferrat. They will help you boo... More About: France , Hotel
The Not-so-Famous French Riviera
2007-06-05 06:48:00 Just a few miles from Nice, Monaco and Cannes, the tiny town of Villefranche-sur-Mer sits on one of the deepest bays in the Mediterranean. This is the Riviera that you think of when you hear ?French Riviera.? In addition to the hills and the remarkably clear, clean Mediterranean water, the town of Villefranche-sur-Mer offers a chance to see some history, visit a chapel designed by Jean Cocteau (a prolific writer, artist, director and surrealist), and hang around some of the most beautiful people on the French coast (which is saying something). The influence of nearby Italy is strong here, so you can enjoy two of the best wine and food cultures in Europe all in one place. Spend your day at the beach ? don?t worry, there really is room for everyone ? or take a hike up the hills around town to the fort on Mont Alban to see the stunning view of the ocean with the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat stretching out into the blue. Walk around the Promenade des Marinieres, soak in the Medite... More About: Famous , Viera
Manchester England
2007-06-05 06:35:00 Manchester is most famous for three things (in order): Manchester United, a lot of rain, and the dubious honor of being the world?s first industrialized city. I guess there is also the song from the musical ?Hair? but that is a bit of a stretch. If you aren?t into football (AKA, soccer), then the other two claims to fame probably won?t have you buying the next available ticket to Manchester. However, Manchester has enough to offer visitors that it is well worth considering a few day stop-over as you train across England . Mancunians are pleasant, hospitable and, to put it mildly, proud people. The mills and canals of the city center make for a pleasant stroll on a nice day. The area is on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site list for its role in Manchester?s industrialization. The city center is home to loads of bars, clubs and a good music scene. Stop by a bar called Fab to have a pint and check out all of the film memorabilia the bar has collected. You can also wander around ... More About: United Kingdom , Manchester , Este , Chester
The Renaissance Capital in the Off-season
2007-06-05 06:29:00 To truly enjoy the beauty of Florence, it is imperative to go in the off-season (and this is truer of Florence than many of the other major tourist destinations in Europe). With summer bringing intense heat, tourist price increases and huge queues (for some reason, they feel longer than queues in the rest of summertime Europe), planning a trip for spring or (ideally) autumn just plain makes sense. Sure, you might get a few rain showers and/or windy days, but I?d rather stand amidst raindrops in the majestic 111 acres of the Boboli Gardens than hordes of sweaty tourist. On the off-season, a comprehensive tour of the city?s astounding collection of Renaissance art and architecture is actually possible. Queues at the Uffizi were nonexistent the autumn day I went and I had long views, sans tour groups shuffling by, of masterpieces like Botticelli's Venus and Michelangelo?s Doni Tondo. What?s even better? The museum doesn?t have off-season hours, only off-season crowds. Ditto for the... More About: Italy , Season , Renaissance Capital , Capital
Starting a Night off in Santa Ana
2007-06-05 06:24:00 The heart of the historic theatric and literary neighborhood of Madrid is Plaza Sant a Ana. The area is still pretty bohemian and it really comes to life in the evenings as Madrileños and tourists alike begin readying for a night out by enjoying a variation on the pub crawl: the tapeo. A tapeo is when you wander from one tapas bar to the next, eating and drinking along the way. Once you get to the plaza, be prepared to be overwhelmed with eating and drinking choices. Popular choices on the square itself include La Moderna and Cerveceria Santa Ana. Cervecería Alemana is famous for being a favorite haunt of Ernest Hemingway during his days in Madrid. Naturally, it is a popular tourist spot and now lacks the local character that you can still find only a few doors away. Also, look for Naturbier, one of the few bars in Madrid to brew their own beer. A bit away from the plaza, on Plaza de Jesus, is the less-crowded La Dolores if you are having trouble getting a table as the nightlife ligh... More About: Spain , Night , Tart
Europe?s Biggest Music Festival
2007-06-05 06:18:00 The 2006 Roskilde Festival in Denmark was the biggest festival in Europe for the year. Maybe you?ve heard of the tragedy in 2000 when 9 festival-goers watching a Pearl Jam set were crushed by the crowds or maybe you?ve heard of the ?Naked Run.? Either way, you haven?t heard the half of this great festival. The festival tries to cater to all tastes, as evident by past performers which include: Franz Ferdinand, Kanye West, Bob Dylan, Arctic Monkeys, Duran Duran, Metallica, and Fatboy Slim. The festival is run by a nonprofit, with all proceeds going to humanitarian and cultural projects around the world. The humanitarian and environmental emphasis of the organization is evident in how they run the festival. There are prizes for the campsite that collects the most bags of rubbish, recycling is paramount, and eco-friendly cleaning products are available for purchase within the festival. The camping facilities are surprisingly pleasant and it is easy to claim a bit of space away from the... More About: Music , Music Festival
The Vatican Museums
2007-06-01 05:28:00 When visiting Rome, you may be tempted to skip the Vatican Museums , deterred by long lines, worries that it won?t live up to expectations or simply by being drawn to other things. But the Vatican Museums hold some of the most stunning and must-see collections of Classical and Renaissance art. The lines are long (go early in the morning-before the 10am opening- to minimize line waiting time) and there are so many other museums to see in Rome, but no other museum will give you even close to the same overwhelming and dazzling experience. It is huge, so do some research ahead of time to find out what parts you want to see (and which parts might be closed) during your visit; it is impossible to see everything in one go. Plan an itinerary that will leave you able to do more gawking and marveling and less aimless wandering or map consulting once inside. Whether you chose to focus your visit on the Egyptian and Assyrian art or on the Early Christian and medieval art, you must include the ... More About: Italy , The V , The Vatican
The Heart of Munich
2007-06-01 05:25:00 Munich?s Marienplatz has served as the center of the Bavarian capital for hundreds of years. Though the market that was held in the Marienplatz moved to Viktualienmarkt in the 19th century, the Marienplatz still holds a special place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike. With several imposing landmark buildings surrounding the Marienplatz, this is the place to start any exploration of Munich. The Marienplatz is what you imagine Munich will look like. The Marienplatz is most famous for the famous Glockenspiel clock that always creates a crowd at 11, noon and 5 p.m. During these three times of the day, figurines perform the Schläffertanz?the Cooper?s Dance, which was performed in the Marienplatz almost 500 years ago to celebrate the end of the plague?on one level with knights hold a tournament above. The Glockenspiel is connected to the imposing Neues Rathaus, or new town hall, a relatively new addition to the Marienplatz completed in 1903. The Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall, i... More About: Germany , Heart , Munich , The Heart
The Kings of Bavaria
2007-06-01 05:00:00 The grandeous Residenz located in the heart of Munich next to the Hofgarden, served as the home of the Bavaria n Kings for over 400 years. The Residenz has transformed through the ages as an ever-growing complex of royal residences, concert halls, churches and galleries. As the Residenz grew, it incorporated the architectural styles of each passing era leaving visitors today with a chance to wander from Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassic. The museum has several highlights that any visitor should be sure to see. First on the list, is the awe-inspiring Antiquarium, the largest Renaissance hall north of the Alps, which originally housed the royal court?s antiquities. Today it has some truly remarkable frescoes to take in. The Nibelungensale (Hall of the Nibelungs) is a series of five rooms displaying famous wall paintings of the German epic, the Nibelungenlied. Near the Nibelungensale is the Schatzkammer, a priceless treasury of Bavarian riches that includes the incredible Bavarian crown... More About: Germany , Varia
A Lively Baroque Square
2007-06-01 04:55:00 Unless you know a little bit about the history of the c in the heart of the old Baroque area of Rome, the size and shape of the square may surprise you. The Piazza Navona?s history stretches back 1000 years to a time when this area was an arena for horse-racing and competitive games. Seeing the size and shape of the square, it makes sense that it used to be a racetrack. Today, hints of the ancient heart of Piazza Navona can be seen on the north side of the square. Piazza Navona is a lively place for tourists and locals alike year round. Open air cafes surround the Piazza Navona making it a nice place to hang out and people watch. From summer?s throngs to the thematic stalls selling cribs and decorations at Christmas, the Piazza Navona is worth visiting any time of year. Two sights in particular regularly draw visitors to the square. In the middle of the square is Gian Lorenzo Bernini?s Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, the fountain of the four rivers. In the center of the fountain, surroun... More About: Italy , Square
The Trevi Fountain
2007-06-01 03:35:00 The famed Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini was commissioned by Pope Urban VII to build a fountain on this site in 1629. But his fountain was torn down and the site of the present site of the fountain, the terminus point of the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct, was not completed until 100 years later. The Trevi Fountain , appropriately located in the Trevi rione (district) of Rome, has gone on to become Rome?s most famous and most beautiful fountain. Any visitor to Rome, whether or not you are staying in a hotel in central Roman or somewhere on the edges of the city, should make a special point to spend some time around, and then throw a coin in, the Trevi Fountain. The fountain, 85 feet tall and 65 feet wide, is the largest in Rome and it is said that around 3,000 euro are thrown in the fountain every day. The central sculpture of the fountain is that of Neptune, god of the sea. Two tritons flank him, one wrestling with an unruly seahorse and the other holding onto a more passive hor... More About: Italy
Rome?s Oldest Coffee Bar
2007-06-01 03:31:00 Antico Caffè Greco has been serving up coffee and cakes in the heart of central Rome since 1760. The list of famous people who?ve graced Antico Caffè Greco with their presence is both extensive and diverse. From Lord Byron to Buffalo Bill, the Antico Caffè Greco has impressed them all. It isn?t so much for the food or drink (which is decent) that people flock to Antico Caffè Greco, it is more a matter of ambiance. You can stand at the wooden bar in front of the café or head in to one of the many small salons with marble-topped tables tucked away in a maze of rooms and passages. Mirrors, antique furnishings and hues of red and gold damask allow visitors to clearly imagine a time when the cultural world came to Antico Caffè Greco to rub elbows. Today, tired shoppers from the nearby high-end Via Condotti shopping area head here to drop their designer label bags and have a rest. That said there are still a few artists hanging around. They?re the ones without the Dolce and Gabbana bags. ... More About: Coffee , Italy
In the St. James?s Park
2007-06-01 03:24:00 The "Inn the Park " Restaurant in St. James 's Park definitely earns points for design and attention to detail. The roof of the restaurant is grass so it doesn't stand out when one looks over the lovely expanse of the adjacent St. James's Lake with it ducks. Inside, large windows let in plenty of light and the heavy reliance on wood both adds to the natural feel of the restaurant and creates a clean, cozy environment all within view of the St. James's lake. The first time we visited the park was on a beautiful day in April. Since it was such a lovely spring afternoon, we decided to pick something from their comprehensive "Grab and Go" menu and take our food to a sunny bit of lawn. We got a tuna sandwich, a green salad, coffee and a tea all for around £10. While nothing spectacular, the food was entirely decent. Encouraged by our first trip to "Inn the Park" we decided on our second trip to London to try their multi-course weekend lunch me... More About: United Kingdom , Ames , St James
St. James? Park
2007-06-01 03:19:00 Even if you?ve never been to London, chances are you?ll recognize St. James ? Park . Officially London?s oldest royal park, St. James?s Park boasts two of the most famous landmarks in a city full of famous landmarks. Start in Trafalgar Square and walk past the Admiralty Gate. You will be on The Mall, the main artery of British Royal Processions. As you walk along The Mall, you have the St. James?s Park Lake on your left. At Pall Mall, turn right and take in St. James?s Palace. This red brick Tutor style palace is still in use and is not generally open to the public but you can snap your first photo of a royal guard (wearing the famous big black hat and red jacket). Further along The Mall, you walk around the Queen Victoria Memorial and come to St. James?s most famous building, Buckingham Palace. The State Rooms in the palace are open only during August and September but visitors can watch the famous changing of the guards (at 11:30 a.m. unless it is raining) and tour the grounds any t... More About: United Kingdom , Ames , St James
The Center of the West End
2007-06-01 03:14:00 The West End is the center of cultural, artistic and social London and the center of the West End is the expansive Trafalgar Square. Built over 170 years ago, the square is not only one of the places to meet in London before a night of theatre, dining or dancing, it is also a favorite venue for large-scale meetings and rallies. The centerpiece of the square is a memorial to Admiral Lord Nelson, appropriately called ?Nelson?s Column.? The column and two impressive fountains sit on the north side of the square above where several key thoroughfares in London converge. The column, with the National Gallery behind it, makes for a lovely early morning or sunset hour photo. Other than the column and the fountains, which attract enough tourists in their own right, Trafalgar Square does have a handful of other sites to take in. There is the façade of the aforementioned National Gallery on the north side along with the adjacent National Portrait Gallery (for those who simply love their histor... More About: United Kingdom , Center , Enter
Duomo di Milano
2007-06-01 00:29:00 When in Italy , try your best to avoid ?duomo burnout? (known in the rest of Europe as ?cathedral burnout?). I avoid getting glossy-eyed and sleepy when visiting Italian cathedrals by being very selective of which cathedrals I will visit on any given trip. I try my best to not take in more than one cathedral per town per Italian holiday. There are, however, a handful of cathedral that I will make an exception for. All three times that I?ve been to Mila no , I?m made sure to see one of the most impressive cathedrals in the world: the Duomo di Milano. Only St. Peter?s Basilica in Rome and the cathedral in Seville can claim to be bigger. I love walking up to the Duomo from the north, passing through the Piazza del Duomo. The Duomo is one of those places that just keeps getting bigger and more impressive the closer you get. On the outside, the cathedral boasts 135 spires decorated with what seems like an infinite number of statues, gargoyles and intricate carvings. Inside, you can stand i... More About: Lano
Rome?s Divine Spirits
2007-06-01 00:23:00 The Trastevere neighborhood (literally ?Across the Tiber?) is an easy trip from most any hotel location in central Rome . I love this neighborhood and always make it a point to spend at least an afternoon wandering the streets and I always plan to end my afternoon in Trastevere at the Spirit o DiVino Restaurant. Though the Spirito DiVino is a mere infant by Roman restaurant standards, they?ve quickly made an international name for themselves by serving great food with jovial service and one of the most impressive wine lists in all of Italy (that is really saying something). The restaurant is run by a family of three with mom cooking, dad playing host (explaining the menu, checking on guests, etc.) and the son serving wine. The house specializes in pork and makes what is allegedly a favorite ancient dish for the likes of Augustus and Julius Caesar. If figure, if its good enough for an emperor, then it should be good enough for me. The pork, in the style of the famous ?gastronomer? Mati... More About: Spirits , Divine
Shrouded in History
2007-06-01 00:18:00 The beautiful town of Turin (Torino in Italian) may no longer be a Winter Olympics destination (at least not for a while) but this beautiful Baroque town still has plenty to do and see. Turin was Italy ?s first capital and the bulk of its wonderful architectural sights come from that period. When Italy unified in 1861, it was the rulers in Turin (The House of Savoy) that became the royals of Italy. Today, Turin manages to mix the old and new in equal amounts. One of Italy?s most famous soccer teams, Juventus F.C., calls Turin home and anyone planning to visit during the season should try to catch a game. Fiat, easily the most recognized Italian automobile manufacturer, is also based in Turin. Turin also has plenty of wonderful buildings, churches, museums and baroque cafes to take in. The Duomo in Turin is the home of the famous Shroud of Turin. Despite the fact that carbon-dating showed the shroud to be no older than the 12th century a visit to the Duomo to see a replica is still w... More About: History , Hist , Tory
The Uffizi
2007-06-01 00:12:00 No visit to Florence is complete without a trip to the Uffizi . The building was originally built as a set of offices (hence the name uffizi) for the Duke Cosimo I but, due to the use of glass and steel to create an almost uninterrupted wall of glass along the second story thereby providing wonderful light, the space was later recognized as a great place for art. Fortunately, the Medici family had plenty of world class art to fill the space. In fact, the Uffizi is the oldest art gallery in the world. Today, the Uffizi offers a world-class art museum experience with the art of the Renaissance being particularly well represented. The U ffizi consists of 45 different rooms running in a horseshoe shape around the interior walls of the building. With so much to see, it is fortunate that many of the most famous paintings in the collection are in the first 18 rooms. Probably the most famous painting in the Uffizi is ?The Birth of Venus? by Botticelli. This is not to say that the latter rooms... More About: Italy
Medieval Magic: Tuscany
2007-05-31 04:19:00 Siena enjoys an ideal location north of Rome in the heart of the Tuscan region of Italy . Anyone traveling from Rome to points in northern Italy?Venice, Milan, Genoa, Verona, Turin?should make a point to stop for at least a day or two in this wonderfully preserved medieval hill town. Siena?s heyday may have been over 700 years ago but visitors today can still taste the grandeur of the days when Siena rivaled Florence. The Piazza del Campo is the best place to begin exploring this amazing town. The piazza is fan-shaped (or shell shaped, depending on your perspective) and the red brick paving is divided into nine sections. The Palazzo Pubblico, on the southeast side of the piazza has the second highest medieval bell tower (the Torre del Magia) constructed in Italy. There is also a helpful tourist information center on the north side of the piazza. Take your time wandering from the Piazza del Campo southwest towards Siena?s stunning Duomo, a truly magnificent example of gothic architec... More About: Magic , Tuscany , Scan , Medieval
Venetian Bed and Breakfast
2007-04-28 08:44:00 The Ca' San Rocco Bed & Breakfast is a completely renovated (in 2004) bed and breakfast located in the center of fascinating Venice. Perhaps renovated is not quite the correct word as the hotel was entirely rebuilt only 3 years ago. This family-run B&B makes sure that each guest in his or her cozy arrangement of 6 rooms is comfortable and happy. We felt that we really lucked out in finding the Ca? San Rocco. The B&B is located just a few minutes walk from the main station and we easily managed the distance with luggage. This fantastic location puts you close to the lively Campo Santa Margarita neighborhood and close to many of the destinations in the city. We found Campo Santa Margarita a great neighborhood to go out in at night. The Ca? San Rocco is just enough off the main streets to make for quiet evenings. Our room was comfortable, cozy and definitely felt new. We had a nice shower (we didn?t have a bath) and the room opened up onto a lovely balcony that was per... More About: Italy , Fast , Bed and Breakfast , Venetian
A Name Synonymous With Luxury
2007-04-28 08:37:00 The palatial Monaco & Grand Canal Hotel sits on some prime real estate overlooking the Grand Canal with San Giorgio and the Church of Santa Maria della Salute providing a majestic background. The building dates back to 1638 and belonged to the Dandolo family. It was Venice?s first "Ridotto Pubblico"?a place where all walks of life, from nobles to courtesans to travelers could, as the hotel tastefully puts is, ?retire for pleasure and intrigue.? This was the real hunting grounds of the world?s most famous lover, Giacomo Casanova. The hotel has not lost its historic charm while integrating the modern comforts befitting a high-end hotel. Just pop in for a meal in the restaurant or have a seat under the columns and ceiling fresco to see what I mean. The room itself leaned more toward new and comfortable (which is fine by me), showing signs of recent renovation and new amenities. When it comes to a bed and a clean bathroom, I?ll take modern comforts any day. To feel extra p... More About: Luxury , Italy
Italian Residenza Cannaregio
2007-04-28 08:33:00 The building that houses the Residenza Cann aregio Hotel in Venice started its life as an artisan establishment called Squero that built gondolas. Located in Europe?s oldest Jewish Ghetto (near a the ancient foundry area of Venice, ghetto means foundry in Italian ), the Residenza Cannaregio is a wonderful location for soaking in the rich history in a city full of antiquity. Our suite room looked out onto the canal and had a lovely sleeping area on a mezzanine with a seating area (and bath) below. The living area and bathroom was spotless when we arrived and carefully kept that way by the attentive staff throughout our stay. From the Residenza Cannaregio, you have several options for exploring Venice. The hotel is in a residential section of town so the local sights are much more of the everyday Venetian variety (my personal favorite). I love rambling walks around Venice as there is always some little detail or quirk to see on almost every corner. A fast walk to the Rialto will get you... More About: Italy , Anna , Side
Where East Met West
More articles from this author:2007-04-28 08:28:00 Just next to the infamous Checkpoint Charlie and the old Berlin wall, the Angleterre Hotel offers a great location and a great room. I love the area in and around where the old edges of East and West Germany rubbed together as I think it helps me understand exactly how dynamic the reunification is for both this great city and this fascinating country. Here you have some very high-end former West German residential and business streets running into the diverse former East German neighborhood of Kreuzberg (a Turkish meal in Kreuzberg is a must for any visitor). The designer Friedrichstrasse shopping street is nearby too. What?s more, the location of the Angleterre Hotel is conducive to walking to most of the major sights in Berlin. We reached the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the TV Tour and the Tiergarten (with Berlin?s amazing zoo) all on foot. Plus, both the S-Bahn and U-Bahn are nearby and very user friendly. The room was comfortable with a bed that vies for the ?most comfortab... More About: Where 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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