Best of Bangkok

If you are not afraid of heights. You should try the Sirocco Restaurant in Bangkok. I got a bit sea sick when I felt the building moving, but the view was marvellous! Check out the photos of the restaurant.

I liked the Vertigo Restaurant, Banyan Tree Hotel, even better. It is a top roof restuarant as well but I did not get sea sick and the view and the food was great.

The hotel Mandarin Oriental has been voted the best hotel in the world.
Stay there and enjoy a lovely view of the river. Or at least have lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants just to feel the atmosphere. If you like jazz be sure to visit the Bambo bar for live jazz in a junglelike place.

The most romantic evening was the dinner on the Horizon Cruise. It is a boat which is operated by the Shangri-la hotel. We had lovely Asian food on the Chao Phraya River in the middle of Bangkok. I was stunned by the friendly and service-minded staff at the hotel.

When in Bangkok, you must go to the Grand Palace for a visit. It is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. It served as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand. It was built in 1782. It is a beautiful palace, do not forget your camera.

Bangkok is also a lot about shopping. There are so many shopping malls and markets that I did not know where to begin... But I can recommend the Central World Shopping Complex and The Emporium Bangkok.
But the best bargains is made on the markets on the streets.

If you have time do take trip on the river during daytime. Watch the houses, the floating shops and get a bit closer to the life in Bangkok.
Maybe even visit the floating market?

And yes, We went to a Thai cultural show. It was nice, a bit of a tourist trap, but fun to watch.

Beautiful Brussels

Time to take a minibreak or a weekendtrip? Go to Brussels...I was in Brussels on a business trip a few years ago. And I can really understand why the European Union chose Brussels for their head quarters. It is a lovely city with so many beautiful buildings and landmarks.

Where to stay? I can recommend Hotel Leopold, Rue du Luxembourg 35, which has an excellent location and great food. Close to the EU buildings and the shopping.



Top 10 things to do in Brussels:

1. Beer is a specialty in Belgium. Take the chance and participate in a beer and cheese tasting at A la Bécasse. I do not like beer a lot but it was interesting to taste different types and feel the atmosphere in a la Bécasse.
2. Have a lovely dinner att restaurant Aux Armes de Bruxelles
3. Be a true EUropean and visit the EU head quarters and the parliament at Espace Léopold
4. See the Atomium. It was the icon of the world fair in 1958. And it is still beautiful and stunning.
5. Buy choclate at Neuhaus is a must. The first Neuhaus shop opened in Brussels in 1857. And it is still there. Try their chocolate and you will understand why.Mums as we say in Sweden.
6. Go on sightseeing. Brussels has so many magnificent buildings, much thanks to King Leopold II. Do not forget to bring your camera...
   Some favorites I discovered during my short trip was:
7. The city hall
8. The royal palace
9. The colourful grand palace
10. The charming chinese pavillion

Two nice restaurants I can recommend.
- Fabulous Italian food at the Osteria La Bolognese.
Address: Rue de la Paix 4.
The best Italian starter I ever tasted. http://www.osteriabolognese.be
- Great mediterranean food at the El Turco restaurant.  http://elturco.be
Address: Rue Du Trone, 73, Place De Londres, 6

Marvellous Swedish Opera singer Malena Ernman gave me these recommendations for nice restaurants in Brussels:
Restaurants: Try st Catherine / Vlamse stenweg area. Or sablon. Nice coffee / lunch/ bar is le roi des belges on St Gery.
For drinks:l' archeduc (?) on rue antoine dansaert. Near Bourse . Rumour has it their piano use to belong to J Brel... Ring the doorbell!!
After my trip to Belgium I was told there is a chocolate museum in Brussels. So for all chocolate fans, don´t miss the Belgium Chocolate Museum in the city centre.

Dreaming of Delhi?

New Delhi is a colourful and vibrant city. It is said the you either like India or do not like it. But I do like it a lot. I have been there twice and can not wait to go back.

When I visited New Delhi for the first time I took a weekend-trip to Taj Mahal at Agra and the Pink city of Jaipur. One of the best things I have every done. A memory for life. Do the same if you can while visiting India.



The 10 must-do´s in New Delhi which I would recommend are:

• Bukhara Restaurant has great Indian food traditionally prepared in a clay oven (tandoor). It has been rated amongst the top 50 restaurants in the world and the finest restaurant in Asia by ‘’Restaurant” magazine. The restaurant is decorated in a special way with a lot of wood. And you sit on a small chair of wood.


• Shopping handicraft is nice to do in the government handicraft shop. Lovely handicraft at great prices and you do not need to hassle... I bought some lovely wooden boxes and paintings which I have in my home and reminds me of my trip to India. It is called the Cottage Industries Emporium


• Sightseeing to the Old town is an experience you don´t want to miss. But be prepared it is a extremely crowded place.


• I also visited the beuatiful Red Fort and the red sandstone walls is 2 km length and vary in height from 18 metres to 33 metres.


• Another beautiful place is the Lotus temple. Take off your shoes and enjoy the peaceful feelings in the temple. A great place for meditation.


• Have lunch at the Taj Palace Hotel and enjoy the nice food at one of the most luxurious hotels in New Delhi.


• Visit and admire the India Gate, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting during World War I.


• The Dilli Haat is market which chould be nice to visit for some shopping.

Night club recommendations from my friend Joanna who is an experienced party girl:

• Smoke House Grill is a restaurant which transforms into a night club on Friday evenings. Masjid Moth, G.K. II
  
• Ricks is a pub with live music at the Hotel Taj Mansingh.
  
• F Bar at the Ashoka Hotel is a night club with Techno music. Apparently best on Saturdays.

Sassy Stockholm

Stockholm is my favourite city in Sweden.

Top 10 things to do in Stockholm

1. Millesgården. I was totally stunned when I saw all the beautiful statues. (visit only when the weather is nice)


2. Kaknästornet. The best view over Stockholm. Bring your camera to the 155 meter high tv-tower.


3. The royal castle. Go on sightseeing and buy royal tea in the royal shop.


4. The Absolut Ice Bar. Freezing but nice to have a drink in a glass made of ice (book in advance)


5. NK. The best department store, not to miss!


6. Boat sightseeing with lunch in the archipelago is nice in the summer


7. Liljevalchs, art museum with interesting exhibitions


8. Fika (have a coffe and cake) at Vetekatten. A small cosy bakery decorated as an old Swedish home


9. The old town with tourist shops and beautiful old houses
10. Chokladfabriken (The chocolate factory) is a great place for chocolate lovers. They have three shops in Stockholm. One of them is at Regeringsgatan, close to NK.

Resturants

• Lydmar, the restaurant at the design hotel Lydmar is great. Have a drink outside in the summer and enjoy the view of the royal castle before your dinner. A moijoto for starter and their great for guarantees a great evening. It is located at Blaiseholmen next to the Grand Hotel.


• Ciao Ciao due. Have an Italian pasta and great pizza at this cosy restaurant in Östermalm. Not so cheap but great food. A place to bring the family for a meal.


• Kol o koks is a small italian restuarant in the city centre. A perfect place for a romantic dinner.


• Sonjas Grek has the best greek food I have had outside Grecce! One of my childhood friends who lives in Stockholm recommended me this place and I just love there food.


• Forno Romana at Odengatan, serves tasty pasta and pizza at this pizzeria in Vasastan. Nice prices!


• Östermalmshallen. It opened in 1888. Eat here or buy food to cook your own meal at home. Only open during day time.


• B.A.R. If you like fish and shellfish. This is the place! Book a table in advance. It is located at Blaiseholmen close to grand hotel.


• Sakura is nice for Japanse food. It you are about 10 peope or so, book their karaoke room and sing along.
  
• Fjärderholmarna. Have lunch or dinner in the archipelago and enjoy the view of the ocean and islands in the summer.


• Grand Hotel. Try the Swedish specialty Smörgåsbord, an exclusive buffet with great Swedish food

Stockholm for kids

Check out the mooses at the Skansen openair museum and zoo. Have a fairytale trip through Astrid Lindgren stories at the museum Junibacken. It is easy to have fun at the Gröna Lund fun fair. All these three attractions are within walking distance from eachother.