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The Great Lawn, Central Park, New York
When arriving in a new place, I often check if there are any good parks in the area. So far my favourite is New York’s Central Park, followed by the lakeside parks in Zurich, and Holland Park in London… just to name a few. Head over to New York’s parks and gardens in winter at Roaming Tales to get some tips on New York parks and gardens worth a visit.
Also, don’t miss The World’s Best and Worst Parks including Mexico City’s Plaza Hidalgo, Paris’ Luxembourg Gardens, and Brooklyn’s Prospect Park among the top picks.
June 16-20, 2008, Portland hosts an international conference to promote urban cycling and other alternatives to build carfree cities of the future.
The Towards Carfree Cities conference presented by The World Carfree Network in collaboration with SHIFT attracts community leaders, advocates and professionals who support sustainable transportation systems and hope to transform cities into environments rich in community life and public space.
“This conference is a chance to bring North America to the forefront of the international carfree movement and to empower ordinary people to change their lives, governments, and urban landscapes for the better,” said Conference Coordinator Elly Blue.
With the theme “Rethinking Mobility, Rediscovering Proximity”, the 2008 conference includes lectures, workshops, a film festival, walking and bicycle tours, and one public day.
“Portland is becoming an international leader in issues of sustainable transportation and urban livability,” said Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams. “This conference will help us bring local and international perspectives to a challenge we all share: dependence on the private car.”
For more information, visit http://www.carfreeportland.org
Today, June 2, at 5p.m. thousands of people will gather at Times Square to join Taste of Times Square, one of New York City’s most visited food festivals. Visitors can taste delicious dishes from more than 50 restaurants including Chilean Pomaire, Italian family style Carmine’s and Cuban Havana Central.
“Nowhere else can you find such a diversity of chefs and cuisine from all around the world as you can in Times Square,” says Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins, “and it is this that makes dining out in Times Square such an adventure.”
Besides food tastings from Times Square’s best restaurants, participators can watch the moves of skilled street performers and enjoy local entertainment on three stages.
Didn’t have the chance to make it to this year’s food festival? No problem. Just keep an eye out for Taste of Times Square 2009 at The Official Website of Times Square.
Celebrating its three-year theme “Our Agenda: Love. Equality. PRIDE”, The Los Angeles LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender) Pride Festival takes place along Santa Monica Boulevard and throughout West Hollywood Park in West Hollywood June 6-8. The message of the 38th annual parade and festival is about taking pride in who you are, your family, your community, and the world around you. Locals and visitors can enjoy the parade, vendor booths, food, exhibits, and live entertainment.
As one of the leading Pride Celebrations in the United States, the annual three-day event brings more pride to West Hollywood - home to Southern California’s largest gay and lesbian population.
The 2008 parade takes place on Sunday, June 8, starting at 11a.m., and will run west along Santa Monica Boulevard from Crescent Heights Boulevard to Robertson Boulevard. On the WaMu® Mainstage, musicians Joss Stone, Olivia Newton-John and Kimberly Locke will headline the event on Saturday and Sunday night.
As a way to honour those who are no longer with us - brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, friends, partners and other loved ones - LA Pride announces its first “Silent Celebration”. The moment of silence shared by nearly 400, 000 parade goers occurs at noon on Sunday June 8.
About 2008 Los Angeles LGBT Pride:
2008 Los Angeles LGBT Pride festival is sponsored by The West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau, along with its partner Qantas Airways.
For more information on LGBT Pride, complete entertainment lineups, and the City of West Hollywood’s gay community, visit http://www.lapride.org/ or http://www.gogaywesthollywood.com/.
Between May 31 and June 1, 2008, L.A. Mart® Design Center will open its doors to the public and offer up to 70% below wholesale as part of their year-long 50th Anniversary celebration. Since this special furniture sample sale coincides with the Avenues of Art & Design in West Hollywood, it’s a perfect time for design aficionados to visit L.A.
Visitors arriving on Saturday morning have the opportunity to get insider shopping tips from designer Christopher Gaona of Christopher Gaona, Inc, a Santa Monica based design firm. Gaona will be available in the redesigned Main Lobby to offer shoppers advice on how to navigate the sale like a professional designer.
“Be open to the unexpected,” says Gaona, regarding the design process. ”As long as color and scale work, don’t be afraid to mix very different elements that can create a synergy that neither element would possess on its own. Who says you can’t have a Louis XV commode paired with a modern glass dining table and simple white slip-covered chairs in a dining room? As long as the scale and colors work, don’t be afraid.”
Savvy shoppers can find excellent savings on a wide variety of high-quality furniture, lighting, and art and home accessories. “We are excited to open up the L.A. Mart Design Center to consumers throughout the region for this home shopping event. We offer exceptional deals from the biggest names in high-style furniture and home furnishings,” said Michael Kessler, L.A. Mart Design Center vice president and general manager. “The combination of shopping our showrooms plus the exhibitors on our new 2nd Floor Exhibit Hall will make this a shop-till-you-drop event!”
Brands available at the sale include Barclay Butera Home, Century Furniture, Lane Venture and Tommy Bahama.
For more information about L.A. Mart Design Center’s shopping event, visit, www.lamartdesign.com
ABOUT L.A. MART® & L.A. MART® DESIGN CENTERTM
L.A. Mart/L.A. Mart Design Center is home to more than 250 residential, decorative accessory and gift showrooms serving the interior design and retail industries. Located in the heart of the Furniture & Decorative Arts District at 1933 S. Broadway, at the corner of Broadway and Washington Boulevard, L.A. Mart Design Center features the finest names in furniture, home décor, fabric, floor and wall coverings, fine art, antiques, lighting and lifestyle merchandise.
If I had been in New York this weekend I would definitely have paid a visit to the city’s 3rd annual Coffee & Tea Festival April 12-13, 2008. Taking place at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, the event attracts thousands of people who celebrate everything related to coffee and tea.
Whether you are a true fashionista, an art lover, a design aficionado, or simply don’t want to miss out on the latest trends in design, fashion, art and beauty, visit the Avenues of Art & Design in West Hollywood. On Saturday, May 31, 2008, thousands of people will meet on the 11th annual Art & Design Walk, a mile-long open house with more than 300 high-end art galleries, fashion boutiques, interior design stores, specialty shops and restaurants. Staged along Melrose Avenue, and Beverly and Robertson Boulevards, the event highlights exclusive receptions, personal appearances, shopping discounts, and entertainment hosted by individual showrooms.
Admirers of minimalist and colour abstract art will want to stop by Hamilton-Selway Fine Art’s newest display “Contemporary Contemporaries”, featuring work by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, David Hockney and other twentieth century artists.
Other gallery exhibitions include George Stern Fine Art’s ‘Robert Frame’ showcase and Glass Garage Fine Arts Gallery’s ‘Lucent Dossier Vaudeville Cirque’.
The fashion conscious in search of the latest fad can enjoy haute designers like Stella McCartney and James Perse. The fashion boutiques along the Avenues have something for everyone. And home aficionados will like Ligne Roset by Linea, the fine collection of Peking glass by Robert Kuo, White Orchid Living at north Robertson Blvd and the special surprises from Phyllias Morris/Circa.
Once again, the downtown Los Angeles non-profit arts education center Inner-City Arts will benefit by the Avenues of Art & Design thanks to a silent auction taking place on the day of the event. Inner-City Arts “…uses arts education to positively affect the lives of at-risk children by unlocking their creative potential for a more hopeful and productive future.”
Admission to the Saturday’s Avenues Art & Design Walk 4p.m. to 8p.m. is absolutely free. Fiji Water will provide free bottled water to guests at their stations all through the Avenues and Urth Caffé offers free coffee drinks and tea. For more information visit, http://avenuesartdesign.com
About The Avenues of Art & Design
“Established through a West Hollywood City Ordinance as a Business Improvement District (BID) in 1996, the streets of Melrose Avenue, Robertson and Beverly Boulevards are where fine, decorative and culinary arts are conceived, created, and consigned to aesthetically-minded, design-savvy connoisseurs worldwide.”
Noah’s Ark Waterpark, Wisconsin
I know one thing for sure, water parks are not only for kids. When we visited Sweden’s biggest water park Skara Summerland many years ago, I saw just as many adults as children enjoying the different rides. And the same goes for the approximately 1,600 other water parks around the world. Whether you’re a thrill seeker with a thing for the highest and fastest water coasters or rather spend the day bettering your tan on a long, slow ride, do plan a trip to a water park. You won’t regret it.
For terrific tips on where to go and what to ride, head over to 29 Of The Best Water Parks In The World at ProTraveller, a great blog with informative posts on everything from Technology and Security to News, Hotels, and Fun Activities.
Their picks on different water parks worth a visit, no matter your age, include Sunway Lagoon in Malaysia, Canada’s World Water Park, Tropical Islands in Germany, Wet’n Wild in Florida, and UK’s Sandcastle Waterpark where you can ride the longest indoor water coaster in the world.
If you can make it this summer, great. If not, don’t despair. Many of the best water parks in the world are located indoors, allowing you to enjoy almost everything an outdoor water park has to offer.
Even though a song by a homeless man in a street corner might linger in your mind a long time, it probably doesn’t beat the spectacular celebrations of the spring’s arrival in Nashville. The city officially named April “Awesome April in Music City” and for the sixth year in row, visitors can expect festivals, award shows, concerts and exhibitions.
“It’s going to be another awesome month for this city,” said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Six years ago we began to collectively market all of the unique events happening in April. We have seen strong growth in attendance at each event and visitor spending has increased dramatically.”
The festivities kick of March 30 with a country music concert at the Sommet Center featuring performers like Marshal Reign, Trailer Choir, Stephen Cochran, Bucky Covington and Lee Brice.
At the beginning of April, Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival presents more than 250 songwriters and 75 shows set in small venues all over Nashville. You can buy a limited pass at Tin Pan South.
The GMA Dove Awards, the biggest night for Christian and gospel music, takes place at the Grand Ole Opry House on Wednesday April 23 as a finale of GMA Music Week. The event brings together signed and independent artists, church leaders, agents, managers, promoters, record company executives, songwriters, and other people from the gospel music industry.
Other events include Etta James at the Wildhorse Saloon (April 8), Il Trovatore at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (April 10 & 12), CMT Music Awards (April 14), Nashville Film Festival (April 17-24), The Moody Blues at Ryman Auditorium (April 18), Elvis Costello at Ryman Auditorium (April 23), Bon Jovi at the Sommet Center (April 24), and Romeo & Juliet by Nashville Ballet at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (April 25-27).
For an up-to-date listing, see the events calendar on Awesome April in Music City.
Downtown Nashville
“The Promise of Nashville, where the music is inspired, created, recorded and performed, is to provide the ultimate musical entertainment experience, celebrated throughout our diverse cultural and entertainment offerings, and presented in an authentic, unique, friendly and unpretentious atmosphere”.
- Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Happy Easter! Or Semana Santa as they say in Latin America. If you’re curious about how people celebrate the Easter holiday on other continents, check out Easter Around the World.
If you ever travel to the Swedish capital Stockholm, don’t miss visiting Djurgården. Djurgården is a huge recreation park area attracting millions of visitors per year. I love going there to take long walks, jog a while, cycle or visit Skansen Zoo. The view from the zoo over the city is a must during clear days.
Linköping Jazz & Blues Festival is a must for all jazz and blues lovers. The festival takes place in Linköping Konsert & Kongress (Consert & Congress) Saturday 5th April 2008. From four o’clock in the afternoon to an hour after midnight, 300 artists, including the Swedish jazz singer Victoria Tolstoy, will perform on 12 different stages.
Until June 30, you can visit 14 French national museums and historic sites without needing to pay anything. Normally most national museums offer one free open-house day a month, but this six-month try out guarantees free entrance to some of the best museums in the country.
In Paris, the museums include the Musée Cluny, the Musée Guimet, Arts et Métiers, the renaissance museum at Ecouen, the national archeology museum of St. Germain-en-Laye, and the Bourget museum of Air and Space. Also, the Pompidou Center offers free entrance for 18-25-year-olds to its contemporary art shows Wednesday evenings, the Orsay is free on Thursday evenings, and the Louvre doesn’t charge on Friday evenings.
Pamper yourselves with an exclusive Valentine’s stay at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, the finest address in London. Arrive to a flower adorned room and indulge in a glass of Dom Perignon with your loved one before having afternoon tea in the elegant Park Room. The skilled Chef offers various delicious treats such as heart-shaped cup-cakes, mille-feiulles or rich, dark chocolate cake.
A romantic promenade in Hyde Park might be just what you need before taking a seat in the sumptuous Red Bar where you can sip cocktails and enjoy each other’s company, a perfect Valentine’s delight.
Later you can order an appetising course from room service and spend the evening in privacy in the comfort of your own hotel room.
The Valentine’s package costs £1,200 (excluding VAT) and can be booked through reservations on +44(0)20 7399 8008. Full payment in advance is required and rooms are subject to availability.
After serving as a private home for the Grosvenor family, Grosvenor House opened to the public in May 1929 and quickly became the hotel for a high-profile circle. Its current four year multi-million pound renovation finishes this year when Grosvenor House will acquire the status as the European flagship for the JW Marriott brand.
For more information about the hotel, visit Grosvenor House.
Yesterday I was contacted with not so good news. It turned out that the Martinique contest, Vote and Win a Hotel Stay on Martinique, I was asked to join in December only allow entries from bloggers who are U.S. residents. I wish I was informed about that before telling my friends to vote. No problem though. And thanks to everyone who voted for my story! I appreciate it and hope one of you wins the stay at Sofitel Bakoua. Perhaps I will get the opportunity to travel to the West Indies another time.
I copied my entry below if you’re interested in reading about a fun day at the best amusement park in the U.S. For more info on Cedar Point, check out Favourite Amusement Parks: Liseberg + Cedar Point.
Millenium Force © Peter Hamza
A Thrilling Mini-holiday at Cedar Point
We fasten our seat belts, take a few deep breaths and stare up towards the red and blue tracks leading to an eighty degree descent. Millennium Force was ranked number one roller coaster in the world during eight years, now it’s our turn to experience the 300 feet vertical drop, the 122-degree overbanked turns and pass through the dark tunnels in this “giga-coaster”. We sit quietly, waiting for the train to pull out of the station. Strangely enough I’m not nervous, only filled with an intense anticipation.
Our mini-holiday began at The Fowler Center where we worked as Camp Counselors during the summer. After a few hours drive through a rainy Michigan, we crossed the state border into Ohio. Sleeping in tents outside as we had planned was out of the question in that horrible weather. Fortunately we caught side of a Holiday Inn outside Toledo, shared a double room and split the cost in three. A few hours rest and a tasty breakfast buffet later, we were ready to leave. Since it was my birthday my friends surprised me with a delicious chocolate cake and the waitressing staff came to our table singing Happy Birthday. I doubt I could have gotten a better start to the day.
We reached Cedar Point before noon. The amusement park which is often referred to as the most amazing park on earth is located on a peninsula in Lake Erie, between Cleveland and Toledo, in Sandusky. At the parking lot, we listened to all the screams coming from inside the park. Passing through the entrance, we could smell French fries and funnel cakes and hear the roar of Raptor as it flew by above us. Raptor has a perfect location next to the entrance and we couldn’t resist joining the line to this inverted roller coaster. Sitting in ski-lift style seats with lap belts and shoulder harnesses, our legs dangled free during the ride and we went upside down six times. When Raptor stopped, we ran straight to the line for a second ride.
I’m a real thrill-seeker and a day at Cedar Point can’t be anything else than fun. If you ask the millions of coaster enthusiasts who come here each year, I bet they will agree. It’s understandable because Cedar Point with its 17 roller coasters and various thrill-rides brings out the kid in us all, creating a carefree, and so-happy-you-want-to-jump feeling. We rushed from one attraction to another - Raptor, Mean Streak, Blue Streak, Magnum, Gemini, Wicked Twister, Power Tower - and absorbed the sounds, smells, and the cheerful atmosphere. While we waited in line to one carousel, a boy dropped his shoe from the top of the ride. It landed one inch from where I stood - almost as startling as the 10-story building tall freefall from Demon Drop.
When I feel the train pulling out of the station, my mind returns to the present. I get a big silly smile on my face as we move upward. At the top of the ride’s first hill, I look out over Lake Erie and the beach far below. The moment lasts a few seconds; I wish we could stay here an hour, just to admire the incredible view.
I turn backwards and see all first timers - they grasp firmly to their lap bars, avoid looking down. The roller coaster veterans already have their arms in the air. We pretend that we belong to them and when the train plunges toward the ground, we raise our arms.
I would gladly pay $41.95 for another day at America’s roller coast, Cedar Point.
Live band at Chambre Neuf
The nightlife in the French ski resort Chamonix will satisfy most budgets and personalities.
1. South Bar - For the music.
2. Chambre Neuf - The most popular afterski place in Chamonix
3. MBC - The first Micro Brewery & Restaurant in the Mont Blanc region.
4. Soul Food - Bar offering terrific drinks in a relaxed atmosphere, the music is a cool mix of soul, funk, reggae and hip hop.
5. Tigre Tigre - Cocktail bar/restaurant serving Indian food.
6. The Jekyll - Irish Pub
For more info about Chamonix, read Inside track to Chamonix in the Guardian.
No risk to get lost in the Old Town of Bern. If you walk too far, you’ll reach the river.
It’s only a couple of weeks left to Bern Fasnacht, a three day party to celebrate that the winter is over. I remember when we were in Bern about two years ago. The streets were packed with people - friendly inhabitants and curious visitors like ourselves. In the old town, we heard live music from everywhere, and children dressed in funny, eye-catching and impressive costumes danced on the street. Most of the festivities were located at Zeughausgasse, Rathausgasse, Kramgasse, Münstergasse and Herrengasse.
If you want a break from the crowds for a while, sit down in one the cafés lining the streets and order the special Fasnachts bun.
The next yearly Bern Fasnacht is in February 2008. The carnival begins in the evening the Thursday after Ash Wednesday, on Friday it’s the Children’s Parade in the Züghusgass, and the biggest parade is on Saturday.
For more information, visit Bern Fasnacht.
A new year, new possibilities.
If you’re as me and like festivals, do yourself a favour and check out these events. I chose the ones I’d like to visit at least once in my life.
January 5 - 26 Sydney Festival, Australia
January 17 - 27 Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah
Janurary 25 - February 4 Gothenburg Film Festival, Sweden
February 2 - 5 Carnival in Rio, Brazil
March Turin Chocolate Festival, Italy
March New York Underground Film Festival, New York
March 29 - April 13 National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington
April 25 - May 4 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
April 25 - 28 Art Chicago
May 14 - 25 Cannes Film Festival, France
May 19 - 25 Sydney Writer’s Festival, Australia
June 5- 8 Chicago Blues Festival
July Stockholm Jazz Festival, Sweden
Oct 30 - Nov 3 Le Festival du Vent, Calvi, Corsica
November Paris Photo, France
For more festivals and events, visit What’s On When.
6 Dec - Marché de Noël in Arras, France Christmas market with different specialties.
1-23 December - Christmas Market on the square Campo San Stefano in Venice.
25 November-30 December - North France’s biggest Christmas Market in Amiens.
1-30 December - Christmas Market in Riga, Latvia on the Dom Square in the Old Town.
31 December - New Year at Times Square, New York
31 December - New York Midnight Run
31 December - Alternative New Year’ Eve at Jivamukti Yoga School, New York. Meditation and chai tea instead of fireworks and champagne.
31 December - New Year Celebrations along the river Limmat and Lake Zürich in Zurich, Switzerland
31 December - The New Year’s Party at Copacabana in Brazil attracts millions of people.
31 December - New Year’s Eve in Sydney
31 December - New Year’s Eve Party in Melbourne
In 1986, the Slow Food movement was founded in Italy as a response to the opening of a McDonald’s restaurant at the bottom of the Spanish steps in Rome. Since then, the organisation has attracted more than 100,000 members.
“Our defence should start at the table with Slow Food. Let us discover the savours and flavours of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of fast food.” From the 1989 Slow Food manifesto
Compared to the fast food lifestyle, Slow Food encourages a slower way of life and to enjoy good quality food with family and friends.
If you live in the UK, I can recommend the Slow Food Market in Bristol which draws a regular crowd to Corn Street the first Sunday of every month.
Stockholm Tango Festival from the 27th to 31st December 2007 welcomes both beginners and experienced tango dancers. A highly recommended event, but for the most authentic tango experience you should travel to Argentina.
Tango show in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tango on the street in La Boca, Argentina
Bangkok Jazz Festival from the 8 - 9 December will attract both Thais and foreigners. Since 2003, Terminal Xtra Entertainment has been organizing the festival at Sanam Sua Pa with local performers and world class jazz artists from various countries.
Indian Sunset with boys running © Dan Brady
For a great guide over beaches, beach resorts and exlusive tour packages in India, check out India Beach Holidays. You can search for beaches by region or themes as romantic beaches, family beaches, water sports and exotic beaches.
These travel related events are definitely worth a visit:
Adventure Travel & Backpackers Expo 9 - 11 November 2007 at the Exhibition & Convention Centre, Darling Harbour in Sydney.
World Travel Market 12 - 15 November 2007 at ExCel in London has over 5500 exhibitors from about 200 countries.
Adventures in Travel Expo 12 -13 January 2008 at Pier 94, 755 12th Avenue in New York City is the first of four in the series of active and adventure travel events in USA. The following Adventure in Travel Expo will be held in Chicago, Long Beach and Washington.
The Daily Telegraph Adventure Travel Show 25 - 27 January 2008 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.
Grosvenor Square, Mayfair
St James’s Park, St James
Hyde Park
Shot in August 2007
From the 15th to 25th November, Stockholm International Film Festival will show more than 170 films from over 40 countries. The festival has been arranged since 1990 and attracts visitors from both Sweden and abroad. A membership to the festival for 200 SEK gives access to the festival and includes offers such as pre-shows of upcoming movies.
If you like the idea of bumping into a famous actor or director, stay at Scandic Anglais by Stureplan.
Pier in Coney Island
Saturday afternoon. We stand by Stillwell Avenue, Coney Island’s main station. Most people living on Coney Island, located in southernmost Brooklyn with its famous beach on the Atlantic Ocean, are Hispanic or African-American. Previously the area was a major resort and home of amusements parks as the Steeplechase Park, the heart of Coney between 1897 and 1964. Its founder George Tilyou once said: “If Paris is France, Coney Island, between June and September, is the world.”
Above the beach is the Riegelmann boardwalk, named from Borough President Riegelmann and reputed to be the world’s longest. On the crowded boardwalk we see a teenage girl in the middle of a crowd. She sings with a clear, powerful voice resembling of Beyonce and receives lots of whistles after her performance. On Coney Island, it’s the mixture of people that contribute to the special atmosphere.
Before you leave New York City, visit Coney Island at least once. The D-line from Bronx in north passes through Manhattan and over the East River on Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn. The ride with the subway from Midtown Manhattan takes about an hour.
Beach, Corsica © Christophe Libert
Bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, France offers plenty of beach destinations for everyone from families and pensioners to pro surfers and fussy celebrities.
THE ATLANTIC COAST
While the north and west coasts have long isolated beaches, family resorts, and splendid surfing, the water is not as warm or as clear as on the Mediterranean coast or Corsica.
Arcachon
This small resort on Cote d’Argent near Bordeaux is encircled by France’s largest pine wood and offers small and delectable beaches. A couple of kilometres south is the Dune du Pyla, the largest sand dune in Europe.
Saint-Jean de Luz
A cozy seaside resort a few minutes from the Spanish side in the heart of the Basque Country. Saint-Jean de Luz has stunning beaches, good surfing, and lots of shops, cafes and markets.
Biarritz
During the Surf Festival each July, surfers from France, Hawaii, Australia and California come here to celebrate the birth of surfing in Biarritz. Aside from great waves, this posh town offers popular beaches, superb cooking, golf courses, several sporting facilities and a nearly constant breeze.
THE FRENCH RIVIERA
In Cote d’Azur’s beach destinations you tend to face more crowds and higher prices, but don’t let this put you off. The French Riviera has a fantastic climate, terrific shopping, first-class dining and nice, but packed, beaches.
St Tropez
The most attractive spot on Cote dAzur is the place for beautiful people, million dollar yachts, expensive Ferraris, and chic designer shops lining the cobbled streets. The town has a balance of modern luxury and charming fishing village look. Sit at a sidewalk cafe, sip a coffee and watch the jet-setters saunter by. Don’t forget to spend a day at Bouillabaisee Beach near the town.
Cannes
In May, Cannes turns to the hottest location in the world - at least within the film business - when actors, directors, producers, journalists, wannabes, gonnabes and fascinated tourists gather in town. The traffic and parking is a nightmare. Wait a few weeks if you prefer a less busy atmosphere.
Opt for the beaches Graniers or Port Grimaud, and the free public beach in front of the Palais des Festivals. Don’t miss the fireworks show on the main beach during the summer, a stroll along the famous walk La Croisette, gambling at Casino Croisette or a taste of Cannes’ exquisite cuisine.
CORSICA
Corsica is accessible by ferry from Marseille, Toulon, or Nice, or a 40-minute flight from Nice. Aside from some of France’s best beaches, Corsica has diverse scenery with a mild climate - perfect for outdoor sports. Travel here between May and June when the weather is sunnier and the tourists are fewer. The most well-liked beach destination is Calvi in north-west Corsica. Its shallow and warm water makes it a terrific vacation site for families.
Bordeaux - shopping street © Christian Bauer
Rue Sainte-Catherine, the longest pedestrian street in Europe
Where
Located in the southwest of France near the Atlantic coast, Bordeaux is the sixth largest city in France and attracts more than 2,5 million visitors each year. The city has a busy and creative atmosphere with festivals, events and other culture happenings. Because of its important seaport, twenty cruise ships tie up opposite Place de la Bourse in the centre of Bordeaux every year.
Bordeaux certainly lives up to its name as the “City of Art and Culture”. Lovers of art prefer the museums with outstanding collections of artists such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Verones, or the major modern art festival Novart Bordeaux each November. On the first Sunday of every month, Le bus de l’art contemporain (The modern art bus) tours all over the city to promote contemporary art. At each stop, passengers can listen to commentary by an art expert, and artists and gallery owners display their works.
Bordeaux has a lot to offer, but it’s for the wine the city is most recognized. In June, thousands of people come here to attend the Fete le Vin (Wine Festival) and Fete le Fleuve (River Festival). Lovers of film should postpone their visit to the autumn when the “Festival International du Film au Feminin” honours women in cinema and acts as a major event for national and international directors and screenwriters to present their creations.
Although the high-tech tram and the cruises departing from Quai Louis XVIII offer enjoyable sightseeing, the best way to explore Bordeaux is on foot. Stroll along the redeveloped waterfront by the river Garonne and stop for lunch at one of the excellent restaurants lining the river walk. Shoppers will like the pedestrian Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street starting at Place de la Victoire.
The city’s neighbourhoods all have their own personality. Visit the vibrant Saturday market in Saint-Michel, saunter along the narrow streets in Saint-Pierre (old Bordeaux), admire the chic boutiques and townhouses in Grands Hommes (the triangle), or enjoy the dynamic ambiance at the Colbert Sunday market by the quays in the Chartrons district. The afternoon is best spent in the gorgeous Jardin Botanique, Parc Bordelais in the residential district Bordeaux-Caudran, Bois de Bordeaux next to the Bordeaux Lac, or the neighbouring Floral Park.
At night, several of the Bordeaux’s remarkable historic monuments are floodlit to show off their beauty. Many of them are highlights along the pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela and listed as World Heritage Sites.
What to Eat
Don’t miss the delicious green asparagus from the Landes or Mauve asparagus from the Blaye region. Ceps (wild boletus mushrooms) cooked with garlic and parsley, or the garlic soup “Tourin” with egg yolk are also worth a try. For dessert, don’t miss the “canel”, a cake that is soft on the inside, but crisp on the outside.
Where to Live
With its 154 hotels in all categories, nine bed and breakfasts with 20 rooms and one youth hostel with 108 beds, Bordeaux cater for all needs and budgets.
How to Get There
Flights depart to Bordeaux from French cities and international destinations several times a day. Shuttle buses from the airport to the city centre (Place de la Comedie) and the SNCF Saint-Jean train station leaves every 45 minutes, seven days a week.
Bordeaux is located less than 3 hours from Paris by TGV high speed train, 45 minutes from the ocean and 2 hours from Spain.
Spinrock at Liseberg Amusement Park
Liseberg Amusement Park in Gothenburg, Sweden, is the biggest amusement park in Scandinavia. Since they year I was 2 I have probably been there about 14 times, or even more. We always begin at the Liseberg Tower offering an amazing view over Gothenburg and end with the House of Mirrors, a maze full of different mirrors which make you taller, shorter, thinner, fatter… I can guarantee you will laugh!
One of my favorite rides is Balder; they call it the biggest wooden coaster in the world, not for people afraid of heights because the first drop is 70 degrees. Another funny ride is Spinrock, the carousel opposite Balder, where you almost ride upside down. Don’t miss the roller coaster Lisebergbanan or the water rides Flumeride and Kållerado. My favourite carousel has always been The Jukebox where you ride in gaudy coloured cars moving and down and round whilst listening to music from the 50s. The new attraction for 2007 is Uppswinget (The Screamin’ Swing). I haven’t tried it yet, but apparently it is the scariest ride in the park.
To make the most out of Liseberg, stay until they close - often at 11pm. Evenings are better because most people have gone home and the queues are shorter. We always buy the 1-day ride pass for 280 SEK or a 1-day ride pass for 315 SEK including a ticket to the Gasten Ghost Hotel. You can also buy a large ticket book for 225 SEK including 18 ride coupons and 3 wheel-of-fortune tickets, but you will probably gain on buying a 1-day pass with unlimited rides.
The best amusement park outside Europe is, in my opinion, Cedar Point in Ohio. Cedar Point is located on a peninsula in Lake Erie, between Cleveland and Toledo, in Sandusky. We travelled by car from Michigan, arrived around 11am and went to the roller coaster Raptor, near the entrance, at once. After 45-minutes waiting we sat in a ski-lift style seat with lap belts and shoulder harnesses, our legs dangled free during the ride and we went upside down six times.
The best ride at Cedar Point is Millennium Force, one of the fastest and tallest roller coasters in the world, with an 80 degrees descent. We saved this ride till the end because of the extremely long queue during the day. If they weren’t about to close the park we would definitely have gone a second time.
Don’t forget to see the beach before you leave Cedar Point. The two beach entrances are located by Hotel Breakers south of Soak City (the water park).
We paid $41.95 per person for a Cedar Point Funday. Children aged two and under can enter Cedar Point and Soak City free.
Central Park © Thomas Debray
Although everyone might not agree, Central Park is in my opinion the best park in the world. It’s definitely one of the most famous ones, a park for everyone offering plenty of fun things to do. You can jog, walk, play boll, rollerblade, go to the zoo, rent a boat, swim, sunbath, play baseball, play tennis at the tennis courts on 96th Street West near the Reservoir, have a picnic on the lawn, visit John Lennon’s memorial place, check out the street artists, listen to saxophone players and other musicians, stroll over the Great Lawn and admire the mid Manhattan skyscrapers, rent a bike by Loeb’s Boat House, or sit down on a bench and just look at people and enjoy the original atmosphere.
Throughout the winter (from November to March), you can ice skate at Wollman Rink at East 63rd Street or Lasker Rink at East 107th Street. During the summer I recommend the Shakespeare’s Garden, Belvedere Castle, the Strawberry Fields and the performances at Delecorte Theatre by Belvedere Lake. And don’t forget the area toward Harlem, like Harlem Woods and Harlem Meer, in the northern part of Central Park.
Central Park is located between 59th and 110th Streets and 5th to 8th Avenues.
Central Park © Paola Sansão
Montreux Jazz Festival © Joanna Griekspoor
The coast between Vevey, Montreux and Villeneuve is called the Swiss Riviera, when we walked along the waterside it just hit me how stunning Montreux is. A long pedestrian walk starts at Villeneuve - not far from the French border - and continues past Montreux all the way to Vevey. An hour’s stroll along the lakeside is more than enough because it’s not for the sake of walking you visit Montreux. It’s for the atmosphere, the incredible view across Lake Geneva and the mountains, the overall beauty of the place and - of course - the annual Montreux Jazz Festival.
Our stopover was in 2005, one day before the jazz festival, but I still remember it as if it was yesterday. Even though I enjoyed Montreux I was a bit disappointed we couldn’t stay and listen to Norah Jones and the other artists at the festival the following day. But we had to return to our au-pair jobs in Zurich after the weekend. However, I really recommend Montreux Jazz Festival. People we spoke with, including an old couple who was in Montreux for the third time in a row, had only good things to say about the event.
Lalaria Beach
My favourite beach so far is Lalaria Beach on Skiathos in the Greek Sporades Island. Lalaria consists of white pebbles and limestone and is only approachable by boat because of the high cliffs on both sides of the beach. A rock to the west of the bay forms a natural bridge between the sea and the beach.
Another peaceful beach is Agios Elenis located on the southern part of the island. Paraskevi and Kolios are shallow and suitable for children. The busiest beaches are Vromolimnos beach, 8 km from Skiathos town, and Koukounaries,