Travelgirl around the world

Top 10 things to do in New York

2011-12-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

I just got back from my trip to New York. These are my 10 top things to do in New York, USA. Please enjoy!

Luxury lunch at Hotel Fairmonts food hall. Their lobster salad is fab!
A slow walk in Central Park
Shopping at Macys department store
Shopping in Soho (Dont miss the Converse store)
Visit the view deck at the Empire State Building
An opera evening at the Metropolitan opera house
Ice scating at the Rockefeller center
Visit Chinatown and Little Italy. Lovely home-made pasta at the Italian restaurant Grotta Assura in Little Italy. Ravioli four cheeses olala!
Have a pink cocktail (Knickerbox) at the sky bar next to Hilton Garden
Shop shop shop at the Outlet Century 21 next to World Trade center

4 bonus foodie favorites…

Hamburgers for lunch at the genuine Pj Clarkes
A drink and real pub meal at the pub Hurley's
Dinner at Sparks Steak house. Very Italian. Very huge steaks!
Magnolia Bakery. Yummie!

Top 10 things to do on Rhodes, Greece

2011-07-26T01:05:00.000-07:00

I really love Greece and my visit to Rhodes this year was great. We stayed a week in July and had marvellous weather, sun and 32c.

Here is my top list on what to do on Rhodes;

1. Visit the old town in Rhodes city. Its narrow streets in the medieval castle are really worth a visit. But dont visit during midday in July or August. It is too hot!

2. The harbour (port) in Rhodes city. Stroll around and look at the beautiful boats. Have a cake at the cafees along the harbour. They are famous for their delicious cakes.

3. Go on a glass boat trip. We went in the evening and hardly didnt see any fish, so go during the day

4. Swim in the sea. Take a trip to one of the beautiful beaches. Kallitheas bay, Afantou bay (not so crowded) and Tsambika beach.

5. Visit Lindos. The idyllic small village on the hill with a beathtaking view of the sea.

6. Shop! For teenagers this is the place to shop. Go to Rhodes city and shop for hours. Some of the shops are Zara, Esprit, HM, Tommy Hilfinger etc. There is also a lot of nice shop with mens clothes. (Scarabee for label shopping in several floors)

7. The dinner buffet at the Mtsis Grand Hotel is great. Especially their dessert buffet for those who love desserts.

8. Have a coffee after your dinner at Swedco cafe. Adress: 57 Orfanidou street. This is the Swedish bakery with a delicious cakes and a fab view of the sunset every evening. Bring your camera!

9. If you are in for a late night out. Just look outside Swedco café. This is the party street with night clubs, discos for teenagers etc. The night club Colorado is nice of you are not a teenager.

10. Start the day with a Turkish Hamam or Aqua Divina, the Fish Spa on G. Papanikalaou 15, with small fishes eating on your feet.

Retro Rimini

2011-06-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

Rimini in Italy was very popular destination about 40 years ago, but it is still nice for a long-weekend trip. The beach is extremely long and well organized with sun beds, restaurants, kids play parks and sports.

Where to stay?

Stay at the five star Grand Hotel, four star hotel Ambasciatori (address vle Vespucci 22) or four star hotel Meridien. All nice hotels, close to the beach with good to great service. Both Grand Hotel and Ambasciatori have also outdoor pools.

Top 7 restaurants in Rimini

1 Nettuno restaurant, it is located on the beach. It has a lovely view, fab food. Try their pasta with lobster. Excellent!

The address is Lungomare Murr 2/4
2 Da Ugo wine bar. Great food and service. Address: Via Beccadelli 7.

3 La Dolce Vita beach restaurant by Meridien hotel. For a light lunch, sallad or snack. (address Via Lungomare Murri 6)

4 Gelateria Pellicano on Lungomare Tintori 51, or Gelateria Bar for unbelievable great italian ice cream.

5 Osteria e Cucina for fresh made pasta

6 Grand hotel restaurant, very elegant surroundings, inspired by the Austrian empire?

7 FLB Fratelli La Bufala for genuine (and some very unusual) Italian pizza with great view of the sea. Ask for a table on the roof. (address Piazzale Kennedy 11)

What to do?

Well Rimini is a small town and the best thing to do is chill! Just sunbath, swim, relax and read a lot of magazines on the beach.

A visit to the old town is ok if you get bored. There are some interesting old monuments to see. But it is better to go and visit the small country San Marino 20 km from Rimini. Or to make a trip to the wine yards in the area.

Where to shop?

Well... not here I guess. But there are some nice shops in the centre like Armani, Guess etc. And for some surf beach wear like Quick Silver and Billabong visit the Beach Cultur Shop on Vle Vespucci 75.

Spa hotels in Sweden - Svenska SPA-hotell

2011-02-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

I live in Sweden and I do like to go for a SPA-weekend, once or twice every year. Here are my favourites places for a SPA-weekend in Sweden.

SPA-hotels

Yasuragi Hasseludden, relax and unwind at these Japanese SPA hotel. Fab place! I have never been so relaxed before! But you need to reserve SPA-treatments very long in advance, otherwise you wont get one, and you also have to pay for the stay in advance, so that is a minus. http://www.yasuragi.se/

Tranås Badhotell, it is nicely decorated with a mix of old antique furniture and new. They dont serve any gourmet food at this place, but the prices and treatments are good. And the town is so small and sweet with at lot of design shops.

Varbergs Kurort is situated by the sea. Beautiful view, nice SPA and food.
http://www.varbergskurort.se/

Luxury Boutique Hotels with SPA

Karlaby Kro in Skåne. The food is heavenly, the staff is friendly and you will never want to leave. There are many handicraft shops and art galleries close by, so there are many things to do if you like art and culture.

Bomans in Trosa. The rooms are amazing, all decorated in different styles. The food is great and there are a lot of small design and interior shops in this little town.

Hotels with a SPA

The Dalecarlia hotel is worth a trip, just to see the amazing view. It is so beautiful and peaceful to visit this genuine hotel in Dalarna. The hotel room, SPA and food was also nice. http://www.dalecarlia.se/

Which is your favourite SPA-hotel in Sweden? Please leave a comment here.

Design weekend in London

2011-02-25T00:45:00.000-08:00

Staying at the Sanctum Soho Hotel is a perfect if you are in London for a design weekend. http://www.sanctumsoho.com/ The location is great close to the restaurants and shopping on Regent Street and Soho.
The hotel was awarded the London Lifestyle Award in 2010. And it is easy to understand, when you see the fab interior which is crowned by a cool bar on the roof with a pool.
And their moijitos are great.

We spent one morning in the National Gallery museum. It is really nice to see the original beautiful paintings of Monet, Rembrand, Rubens and Van Gogh. A the view from the museum is lovely. Bring your camera!
A nice place to shop is the National Gallery Shop. Visit it in the museum on 30 Orange Street.

The Lumas photo gallery and shop exhibit stunning photos. I went there to get some nice inspiration before I took off for some shopping at Regent Street. http://www.lumas.com/

We had a lovely lunch a the exclusive Japanese resturant Matsuri on 15 Bury Street. The fire ball dessert is something special. http://www.matsuri-restaurant.com/

I just love shopping a Selfridges on 400, Oxford Street. Here you find design hand bags, watches, clothes and so much more. The shop Liberty is another favorite. It is located on Regent Street and houses loads of beautiful designer clothes, note books, hand bags, scarfs and so much more.

A romantic dinner at Angleas resturant with great food and drinks is a nice way to end the day. Or pop in to the Dehesa Charcturerie and Tapas Bar is also a nice place for some drinks and food. It is close to the hotel at 25 Ganton Street. http://www.dehesa.co.uk/

Snowy Sweden

2010-12-04T01:43:00.000-08:00

I could not resist to publish some pictures from the winter in Sweden. It is -20c and a lot of snow this winter. Happy Holidays!

Ice from the roof

Time for a barbeque?

Ready for take-off!

Where is my car??

Beautiful landscape

Cosy Christmas Markets

2010-12-04T01:23:00.000-08:00

The best Christmas Markets in Europe?

Get into a Christmas Spirit by visiting one of the many Christmas Markets! There are many cheerful and cosy Christmas Markets in Europe. Here are some of my favourites that I have visited. Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Market in the Old Town of Stockholm, Sweden. Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and built on 14 islands. The Old Town of Stockholm was built on one of the islands in the 1300 century. The Christmas Market has a lot to offer in handicraft and food. In 2010 it is open 20 nov - 23 dec.
The Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria, are not one but many Christmas Markets. From mid-November through Christmas, Vienna's public squares are transformed into Christmas markets. One of them is the cultural and Christmas market in the Ehrenhof at Schönbrunn Palace. It is a Christmas Market in an Imperial Palace surrouding which offers handicrafts, hand-made jewelry and Christmas decorations. There is a diverse children's program and a crib exhibition as well.
Estonia's medieval capital Tallin has a Christmas Market in the old town. It was established in the 2000. But the prices are nice, and so is the handicraft that are on sale. It is open on November 27, 2010 – January 9, 2011. There is music entertainment. You can meet Santa Claus and there are a lot of activities for kids.
Christmas Fair on Vörösmarty Square in Budapest, Hungary, on 19th November-29th December 2010. Buy handicraft, gifts and decorations and meet Santa Claus. There are also conserts and entertainment during the whole time.
Tivoli is the amusement park in Copenhagen, Denmark.There is a huge Christmas Market here during the winter. It is open from 12 November - 30 December 2010. Buy decorations, presents, delicacies, food and drinks. You can eat in one of the many restaurants and try the fun fair rides, if you dare.
Prague, the capital of Czech republic has several Christmas Markets. They are open during December until New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) on the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.
Berlin, Germany holds a Christmas Market which is a traditional Spandau Christmas Market at the old market square. Buy art and handicraft here and see the crip with real aninals. There is also a children’s Christmas Market around the St. Nikolai church. Open from 24 November 2010 to 23 December 2010.
Paris, France has a Christmas market on the Champs-Elysées, from 19 November to 28 December 2010.
Lübeck in Germany is very popular during Christmas because of its Christmas Market. It is open from 22 Nov - 30 Dec 2010. Approximately 400 merchants offer toys and Christmas decoration, food and much more. The historic medieval Christmas market at St Mary’s church is also nice.
Brussels in Belgium has a Christmas market, Big Wheel, street activities and a skating rink. Approximately 200 chalets around the Bourse (Stock Exchange), Place Sainte Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons (Fish market). It sells Christmas ornaments, handicraft and food. During 2010 it´s open November 26, 2010- January 2, 2011.

Where is your favourite Christmas Market? Leave a comment here and let me know.

The world's weirdest hotels?

2010-11-29T10:25:00.000-08:00

Knock on wood! Stay in a tree... Hotel Norrqvarn in Sweden has two hotel rooms in a tree
Cool! Stay in a room made of ice. Sleep on a bed made of ice in the Icehotel in Sweden
Choose the Flying bed room and fly into you hotel room in Berlin, Germany
A $500 hotelroom without a toilet? Yes, in an old factory on Gotland island, Sweden Strange but luxury design in this Italian hotel for design lovers , Italy
Check in at a design Convent hotel on Mallorca, Spain
Have you seen this French bizarre 'hamster hotel'. You can run inside a wheel in France.
Totally Pink! Germany’s first Barbie-themed hotel room. Bring your pink suitcase and pink sun glasses.
Sleep in a dog house in Idaho, US.
A Trojan Horse suite in France
The airplane suite, stay in an aircraft in the Netherlands. "From your airplane suite, you will have a fantastic view of the platform and runway at Teuge airport"
Feel like an Indian and check into the Wigwam hotel in Arizona.
Placia del Sal in Bolivia is a hotel made of salt.
Swiss nuclear bunker converted into a eco-luxury hotel. Sounds nice doesn´t it? The Null Stern Hotel in Teufen, Switzerland.
The Dockside Crane Hotel is a dockside crane converted into a luxury hideaway for two in Harlingen Netherlands. The view is fab!
Das Park Hotel in Ottensheim, Austria. A Bed & Breakfast built from giant concrete sewage pipe segments. I hope they cleaned them well before the put in the furniture...

Have I missed any weird hotel that should be added to the list? Please let me know by leaving a comment here.

South African wine yards in pictures

2010-11-26T22:51:00.000-08:00

I really like the South African wine regons and not only because of its wine. The view and scenery is so beautiful. Isn´t it? Here are some pictures from my trip to South Africa in 2010.

Flowers and wine yards in Stellenbosch

Thelema wine yard

Visit Venice

2010-11-22T12:15:00.000-08:00

Venice has been described as "the most beautiful city built by man" and "one of Europe's most romantic cities". And I can only agree, it is one of the most beautiful places I ever visited. I just adored it! These are some of my favourites that I can recommend you to see in Venice, Italy.

Top 10 things to do in Venice

Visit the Piazza San Marco (San Marco square) and the Basilica San Marco (St Mark´s Bascilica)
Visit one of the many glass shops and buy some glass from Murano. Stunning pieces! I found a lovely necklace in glass which I just adore.
Have a coffe at the cafe "Caffe Florian"
Buy masks. I bought some beautiful masks when I visited Venice. Now I need to arrange a costume party soon!
The city is built on city stretches across 117 small islands. Go on a guided walking tour to get the history of the city. Go with a Gondola to explore it from sea and feel the atmosphere of being in Venice.
If you like are there are plenty of art galleries and museum. Why not visit the Peggy Gugenheims museum.
Take a nice walk over the Rialtobridge
Visit the opera house, go there even if you dont like opera, just to see the lovely building
Visit the Palazzo Ducale (the Duke of Venice palace)
Summarize the day in good compay with a drink at the classic Harrys bar followed by a Italian dinner in one of the many fab restaurants.
If you decide that you want your own Gondola after a couple of drinks in Harry´s bar. You can order your own gondola on http://www.tramontingondole.it/

Fabulous hotels in Venice

Some of the hotels in Venice are just too beautiful to be missed. Palaces, luxury and history. Do I need to say more?

Ca' Sagredo Hotel. A renovated 15th-century palace, with pink façade, between Ca’ d’Oro and the Rialto Bridge on the spectacular Grand Canal.
Centurion Palace.
Overlooking St. Mark’s Basin at the mouth of the Grand Canal, Centurion Palace is in the former convent of Palazzo Genovese.
Liassidi Palace set on the San Lorenzo Canal.
Londra Palace Hotel is built in a neo-Gothic palace which is over 150 years old. Located close to the St Mark’s Square.
Palazzo Sant'Angelo sul Canal Grande is a Venetian palace on the world’s most fashionable waterway, just between the Rialto and Accademia Bridges. It has its own boat dock of course...

Top 10 South African Wine Estates

2010-11-21T08:24:00.000-08:00

If you love the sea, nice weather, great food and wine, book a holiday to Cape Town in South Africa and you will get everything in one place.

You can rent a car or take a tourist trip with a tourist company to the wine district close to Cape Town.
My favourites are Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.

There is a short overview on: http://www.wineanorak.com/saregions.htm

My top 10 South African Wine Estates to visit are:

Rust en Vrede was established in 1694 by the then Governor of the Cape and has won many awards for its wines. President Nelson Mandela selected Rust en Vrede to be served at the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize dinner in Oslo, where he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Vergelegen established in 1685. It has won many international awards and is one of the most historic estates in the Western Cape.
Meerlust has a beautiful historic manor house and a nice wine shop. The estate is producing a variety of fine wines such as Rubicon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Red and the Meerlust Chardonnay.

Delaire Graff Estate, endulge in luxury. Wine tastings, spa, restaurant and lodge. The boutique hotel is gorgoeous with private pools and there is a elegant restaurant where you can have lunch.
Alto, another awardwinning wine estate which has won several awards for its wines.
The name Kanonkop is derived from a kopje (hillock), from which a cannon was fired in the 17th Century. The estate has a long history and has also won several international awards for its wine.
La Motte has won interantional awards for its wines. There are several beautiful historical buildings on the estate and a lovely restaurant and museum. Classical conserts are held in the cellar. Check their website, see link above, for dates and times.
Plaisir de Merle is a historical farm from 1693. The estates is famous for its wines and the scenery and nature is lovely.
The Groot Constantia wine estate was founded in 1679 and it is South Africa’s oldest wine estate. It has beautiful buildings and lovely surroundings.
Avontuur Estate has a wine tasing room, mediterranean restaurant and amazing view from the estate.
Thelema wine yard. Very nice staff & wine tastings.
Annandale
Graham Beck
Boschendale
Rupert & Rothschild
Nederberg

Scandinavian Design in 3 days

2010-11-20T01:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome the home of Scandinavian Design!

Here is your guide to a Scandinavian Design tour in three days.

Day 1 - Stockholm, the capital of Sweden

9.00 Breakfast time at at Vetekatten. A small cosy bakery decorated as an old Swedish home.

10.00 Design shopping!

Svenskt Tenn This is the Josef Frank design shop. This is the place to go if you like traditional design with a lot of patterns. The shop is located on Strandvägen 5.
ROOM on Hötorget is famous for its stylish interior design and furniture.
Nordiska Galleriet on Nybrogatan 11 luxury interior design shop with international design classics
Designtorget is the shop which has a mix of things designed by famous and unknown new designers. New things in the shop every week. They have several shops in Stockholm; Arland, Götgatan, Kulturhuset, Kungsgatan, Nybrogatan, Ringen and Västermalmsgallerian.
Bruka design shop has colourful kitchenware in several shops in Stockholm
Norrgavel furniture designed by Nirvan Richter. A lot of wood and materials form the nature. Located on Birger Jarlsgatan 27.
PlanEtt Birger Jarlsgatan 32 modern and elegant home interior design shop
SIA Home - Romantic style interior design shop on Birger Jarlsgatan 27
Svensk Slöjd - Swedish handicraft made the traditional old way
Spiti - Warm colours from Marrocco and oriental interior design on Sveavägen 64
Systerlycklig on Tegnérgatan 12. Home interior design and kitchenware in bright colours. Sweet as a wedding cake!

13.00 Have lunch at Östermalmshallen. It is a food hall which opened in 1888. Today, it houses around twenty different stalls, restaurants, cafes and wine bars in the heart of Östermalm, Stockholm.

15.00 Visit Millesgården. I was totally stunned when I saw all the beautiful statues by Swedish artist Carl Milles in this open air museum. (visit only when the weather is nice). The house were Carl Milles used to live was designed by architect Carl M. Bengtsson and was built in 1908.

17.00 Time for some more shopping at the NK. The best department store, not to miss!

19.00 Have a cool and cold drink in The Absolut Ice Bar. Freezing but nice to have a drink in a glass made of ice (book in advance).

20.00 Check in at 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.

Day 2 - Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark

Take the early morning flight to Copenhagen

09.00 Start the day with a breakfast buffet to get ready for a hectic design weekend. You should stay at one of Copenhagen´s best Design hotels:

Arne Jacobsen design hotel Radisson SAS Royal Hotel. Turned on the ipod and sat in the coolest chairs ever in the lobby. Drinks on the top of the house... at the 20th floor with a fantastic view of Copenhagen at the Radisson hotel.
Hotel Fox. Each room is different. Choose among rooms with comical styles, graphic design, street art, fairytales and Japanese Manga to mention some.
Hotel FRONT with stylish sophisticated design. It is on the Condé Nast Traveller's 2007 Hot List.
Hotel Nimb with the aim to place the hotel in the absolute world-elite of small, luxury city hotels. Placed in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. The design of the exterior of the hotel reminds me of Taj Mahal.
Hotel Skt. Petri is one of Copenhagen's leading design hotels.

10.00 Design viewing and shopping at the design department store Illum is a must.
It is located on Ströget, Copenhagens main shopping street.

12.00 Lunch is called Frukost in Danish. Have some fab sandwhiches (smörrebröd) at famous restaurant Ida Davidsen (only open on weekdays, make reservation).

13.00 Time for shopping on street Vandkunsten and the streets around. I just love the small design shops around here!

15.00 If you like art, like me, don´t miss the art museum Glypoteket. It is an art museum that houses more than 10 000 works.

17.00 Rest your feet, have a drink at the Danish designer Arne Jacobsen´s design hotel Radisson SAS Royal Hotel. Go to the bar at the 20th floor with a fantastic view of Copenhagen.

18.00 Time for dinner! The best restaurant in Copenhagen is Noma, it has been named the world´s best restaurant. Reserve in advance to experience extraordinary Nordic gourmet cuisine at its best.

Day 3 - Olso, the capital of Norway

Take the early morning flight to Oslo

9.00 Breakfast at Halvorsens Conditori. It was established in 1881 and is a old café. The French pastry shop next to the Parliament building is an institution in the Norwegian capital, with quality products built on experience and tradition.

10.30 Visit Grünerløkka, it is the place to look for young, Norwegian designers.

12.00 Lunchtime, combine design and food by having lunch in the beautiful opera house. I love opera but even if you don´t visit the Opera house in Oslo and get astonished by the architecture. After lunch it is time to take a walk up on the roof to see the view and the beautiful building.

13.30 The marvellous Munch museum is worthwhile a visit when visiting Norways capital Oslo. When Munch died in January 1944, he donated all his remaining works to the City of Oslo. Edvard Munch's art is on of Norway´s most important and famous painters. The scream is the most famous painting but there are several more great paintings to view.

15.30 Visit the art galleries in Bygdøy allé. Here you also find a good selection of exclusive, modern interior design shops. A bit further down the road to Skøyen there are several popular furniture and interior design shops as well

19.00 Time for dinner after a busy day. View the ocean, have a coffee or check out the shops at Aker Brygge. The restaurant D/S Louise at Aker Brygge is really fabulous! Try their fresh fish and enjoy the view of the Oslo Fjord (river) with its harbour and Akershus Castle built in 1300.

South African penguins in pictures

2010-11-13T01:47:00.000-08:00

When I recently visited South Africa we went to Cape Town. We took a trip to Simons Town to see the sweet penguins. They were really lovely. How cute!

There are about 2500 penguins in Simons Town. Read more on: http://www.simonstown.com/tourism/penguins/penguins.htm

Dubai in pictures

2010-10-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

Dubai was pretty cool but warm. If you like shopping, sand and sweets. This is the place to go on holiday. Here are some pictures from my trip to Dubai. Enjoy!

Dubai by night

Downhill skiing inside the shopping mall was a bit strange but cool

The lux hotel Burj al arab seen from one of the 44 restaurants at the lux hotel Madinat Jumeirah

The desert was beautiful

And so was the hotel Bab al shams

Dessert by night

Desert by night

The worlds highest building Burj Khalifa is located in Dubai

Construction work was ongoing everywhere in Dubai.

King & Queen for a day

2010-10-24T02:36:00.000-07:00

Stay like a king and queen in the hotels that are built in palaces. I really like the feeling of staying in a historic place. Especially the ones that make me feel like a queen. These are some of my favourites Palaces.

Austria - Stay at the Palace, Palais Coburg Residenz, also known as Palais Saxe-Coburg in Vienna, the capital of Austria. A prince built this impressive palace which today is a beautiful hotel and restaurant.
Sweden - A stay with a guided tour the lovely Bjärka Säby castle by the lake Rengen. It was built in 1700 and the former owner was a noble Count who sold it for 1 krona (0,1 Euros) a couple of years ago. It has been restored and is a truly lovely place. http://www.nyaslottet.se/
Romania - do you dare visiting Dracula´s Bran Castle in Transylvania? It was built in the mid-1300s on a high rock. It looks a bit scary, doesnt it?

Budapest, Hungary

Hungary - The first time I was in Budapest I was amazed by all the beautiful buildings. I was walking in Budapest and stopped by a beautiful building and asked what it was. The answer was the Hungarian post office. Hmm... well the post office where I live is not half so beautiful. One of the most gorgeous buildings are the also the best place to stay. It is the Four Seasons hotel Gresham Palace. It is one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Central Europe. The hotel has a great location by the Danube river with a view of the Chain Bridge and Buda calste.

The Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai

India - India has a special place in my heart. I had an amazing trip to Mumbai in India. I stayed at the luxurious Taj Palace hotel, tried traditional Indian clothes and felt like princess. Maharajas, Princes, Kings, Presidents stayed here and I understand why when I checked in. The view of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India is amazing and so is the service and rooms.
Grand Hotel Florence
Hotel Danielli
Schloss Fuschl Fuschlsee Salzburg
Hotel Imperial and Hotel Gritti Palace
Palacio del Bailío http://bit.ly/ccqk83 is an art-inspired Moorish palace
Palacio de Villapanés in Spain is a stone palace of the 18th century which has been renovated into the 21st century http://bit.ly/aAq0pe in Seville
The Schlosshotel im Grunewald is a palace which has been styled in the past by Karl Lagerfeld. http://bit.ly/aqISFA in Berlin
Residenza Napoleone III http://bit.ly/9NuvLI in Rome

Do you know any more fab hotels and palaces? Please leave a comment here so I can add it to my article.

The Royal Castle in Stockholm, Sweden

The best roof gardens in the world

2010-10-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

A garden with a view in the middle of the city? Yes, there a lots of luxurious roof garden restaurants in the world.

Honestly, this is amazing. The view from this Roof Garden Restaurant in Athens, Grecce is stunning. You can see Acropolis, Syntagma Square and the ancient wonders of Athens while dining at the Hotel Grande Bretagne
It is said that "All road leads to Rome" in Italy. And to get a fantastic view when you get there, visit the Roof Garden at the luxury boutique hotel FortySeven. In 2009 it was awarded the "Tablet Hotels Selection Award.
The Grand hotel de la Minerva, Rome, Italy is build in an old 1600 mansion. Their fabolous roof garden restaurant "La Cesta" offers a dinner while enjoying the sunset over Rome. The restaurant serves Italian and international cuisine.
What an amazing place. If you are having a de lux privat party in London. Do book the Roof Garden.There are three themed gardens in 1.5 acres with oaks, fruit trees and a small lake with fish.
Boundary is a joint venture between Terence and Vicki Conran, in partnership with Peter Prescott. Do I need to say more? OK, it has an open fireplace, a grill restaurant and a garden in London.

Do you know any more fabolous roof gardens? Please let me know, you can write it in a comment below if you wish, so I can add it to my list.

My pictures of the colourful autumn in Sweden

2010-10-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

Heading for warmer countries

The green leaves on the trees are shifting colours

Egypt in pictures

2010-10-03T01:41:00.000-07:00

The sunrise when I arrived by air to Egypt

Beachside in Sharm el Sheik

Cruise on the Nile by the Oberoi is a must in Cairo

The pyramids were impressive and huge. And very tiny & narrow inside.

The Sfinx

Nice view of the Nile from the Hilton hotel

The beach in Sharm el Sheik

Time for breakfast. Room serivce = fab service!

The world´s best Garden Restaurants

2010-09-25T04:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you visit a city it is nice to find these Garden Restaurants. They are the hiddens gems where you can relax and enjoy the feeling of beeing in a secret garden in the middle of a buzzing city.

France, Paris: A lunch in the garden of restaurant Laurent is marvellous. Check out the the beautiful pictures on their website. Oui!
Italy, Rome. Hotel 47 has a trendy internal courtyard. Let your feet and wallet rest, relax here after a day of shopping and sightseeing.
Austria, Vienna: If you prefer a luxury lunch in a garden. Have a lunch in the garden of Steirereck im Stadtpark (in the city park). It is a Relais & Chateaux Restaurant . The “Steirereck” in Vienna is located in the heart of the central "city park", close to the famous Johann Strauss statue
UK, London. The Roof Gardens, restaurant Babylon has a fantastic view. It is located on the top floor of a building on Kensington High Street, in the middle of London. There is actually a garden here with real ducks.
South Africa, Franschhoek. This is one of my favourite areas in South Africa. There are so many super nice hotels and restaurants here. The wineyards of Vrede en Lust, Graham Beck, La Motte and Rupert & Rothschild, do I need to say more? Have a lunch in the garden of the awardwinning Monneaux Restaurant resturant.
Sweden, Stockholm. Millesgården. I was totally stunned when I saw all the beautiful huge statues by Carl Milles. (visit only when the weather is nice).
South Africa, The Irene lodge is located in the middle of Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is really nice and have great jazz lunches in the weekends.
Spain, Costa Brava. It is quite expensive, but outside in a garden, with great food and off the tourist streets is restaurant Toc de Sol in Castell d’Aro very close to Platja d’Aro.
Thailand, Bangkok. The garden restaurant by the Chao Phraya River of the hotel Mandarin Oriental is marvellous. Go here in the evening and enjoy the atomosphere. I just love it! After dinner you should visit the Baboo bar for some jazz music.

Do you know any more cosy or luxury garden restaurants? Please leave a comment here so I can add it to my list.

My best pictures from Mumbai, India

2010-09-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

India has a special place in my heart. I had an amazing trip to Mumbai in India. I stayed at the luxurious Taj Palace hotel, tried traditional Indian clothes and felt like princess. Check out my pictures from the trip below.

Washing clothes

Amazing traffic...

Lux living at Taj Palace Hotel

The view from the Taj Palace hotel in Mumbai

The Gate of India

Sunset in Mumbai

What are your favourites in Mumbai? Please leave a comment here to share it with other Mumbai travellers.

The best roof top bars in the world

2010-09-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Bab-al-shams in the Dubai desert

The best roof top bars in the world... are problably the best place to get a fab view and drink in a new city. Amazing views...

Here is a list of some of my favourites that I have visited and can recommend to you.

The Ramses Hilton by the Nile in Cairo, Egypt. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Nile and the Pyramids from the 36th-floor.
I just love the view of the desert! And if you get thirsty visit the lovely roof top lounge at Bab-al-shams in the Dubai desert.
The bar Heaven 23 at Gothia Towers is famous for its shrimp sandwhiches and the gorgeous view over Gothenburg, Sweden.

Some other fabulous places:

ShanghaiTerrace at The Peninsula Chicago, US. An Asian inspired menu in one of Chicagos best hotels.
M Bar at MO Hong Kong. Wow, what a view!
ToTTs at The Excelsior, Hong Kong. Enjoy a lobster burger & drink on the 34th floor with view of the Harbour and the city skyline.
The Megaron 5th Bar Restaurant GDM
Megaron Luxury Hotel, Heraklion Greece. Crete island is one of my absolute favorite Greek island.
China Moon roof terrace at MO Munich, Germany, with at fab 360 degree panorama of the city.
Ramses Hilton by the Nile in Cairo, Egypt
There is a very cool rooftop bar at Naumi with great views over Singapore.
The Sky Bar in Toronto has stunning panoramic view of the Toronto skyline and harbor. Nice!
St James’s Hotel & Club in London, UK, has a rooftop bar overlooking St James’s and Westminster.
Drai´s in Hollywood. It has a roof top bar with a pool and restaurant. Check out the picture of this place!

Have I missed any amazing top roof bar in the list? Please leave a comment here and let me know so I can add it. Cheers!

Prague in 24 hours

2010-09-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

Do you only have one day to spend in Prague? Don´t worry. This is your guide to an amazing 24 hours in romantic Prague. Enjoy!

08.00 Breakfast at the Four Seasons Prague

09.00 Take a slow walk over the 15th century Charles bridge with its 30 Baroque statues. Bring your camera. The view is so beautiful and romantic.

10.00 Enjoy the atmosphere in the beautiful old town of Prague. The power tower, the astronomical clock and the old town square is defintely worth a visit. And there is lots of nice shops around here.

12.00 Lunch-time... Have something light to eat at the Mandarin Oriental, wow, this hotel has a fantastic view & food!

13.30 Visit the magnificient Prague castle, which is supposed to be the largest ancient castle in the world. Here you also find some original manuscripts of Mozart is on dispaly.

15.00 Visit the Museum of communism and learn about a part of the country´s history.

16.00 Shopping time! Go to the Wenceslas Square for some serious shopping. If you prefer luxury labels such as Dior, Louis Vuitton and Hermes go to the Parizska street. Don´t miss to buy the Czech glass and art glass, it is famous and when you see it you will understand why.

19.00 Beer tasting? Go into the nearest pub and try the local beers. Czech republic is famous for its beers.
FS Prague recommended me the breweries: Kolkovna, Bredovsky Dvur, Olympia, Celnice, U Fleku, Pivovarsky dum, but I haven´t had the time to try them all... yet.

20.00 Enjoy an Italian/Mediterranean dinner at the Allegro, only Michelin-starred restaurant in Czech Republic.

Do you have any suggestions on more fab things to add to the schedule? Please leave a comment here.

Top lux hotels in Prague

The Prague Mandarin Oriental is built on the site of a former 14th century monastery. The hotel has a fantastic location and a fab view of the city.
Kempinski Hybernska Hotel is a luxury hotel which is built in a very impressive building, a baroque Palace „U Věžníků“.
Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa is a lux hotel in another magnificent Baroque landmark, "Dům u Ježíška" dating from the 16th century.
The Hotel Savoy is a charming and modern 5 star boutique hotel in the diplomatic quarter of Prague.
Four Seasons Prague . Lux at it best!

Top restaurants in Prague
A friend of mine who visits Prague a lot also recommended me these nice restaurants: A really very good restaurant is Kampala Park, another good restaurant is in the Rocco Forte hotel and finally Cihelna a slightly more informal but good food restaurant.

PS. 24 hours in Prague is not so much. There are 12 UNESCO sites in Czech Republic, be aware that you will want to go back as soon as you left.

PS2. In winter time. Do not miss the cosy Christmas Market.

Paris in 24 hours

2010-09-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

Only one day in Paris? Don´t get stressed. This is your guide to a fab 24 hours in Paris. Enjoy!

08.00 Breakfast at Coco Chanel´s favorite hotel, the Ritz Paris hotel. Coco lived here for many years and it is one if the most luxurious hotels in Paris.

09.00 Walk on the famous street Champs-Élysées, see the beautiful monument the Arc de Triomphe and take some pictures. It stands on the Place Charles de Gaulle and is the second largest triumphal arch in the world.

10.00 When in Paris, it is a must to see the MonaLisa painting at the Louvre museum.

11.30 Time for some shopping. An hour of intensive shopping at the Lafayette department store.

13.00 Rest your shoes (and wallet) and have a relaxed lunch in the lovely green garden of lux restaurant Laurent

15.00 Take a taxi to Montmarte, and ask the taxi driver to pass the Eifel tower on the way...
Visit Montmarte, this is a lovely part of Paris, which is an old art district.
Buy some art in the street and enjoy the atmosphere. Many famous painters worked here, such as Dalí, Monet, Picasso and van Gogh. You should also visit the beautiful church Basilica of the Sacré Cœur. It is definitely worth the walk up the hill.

17.00 Enough of exercise. Time for a class of wine tasting at the wine museum, Musee du vin.
The Wine Museum is housed in what used to be crude limestone quarries that were mined between the 13th and the 18th centuries to provide the dressed stoneused to build Paris.

19.30 A late dinner & cruise on the Seine River. You can book it through a tour operator.

23.00 Fab drinks and music at the Budda Bar. The bar looks out over the dining area where a gigantic Buddha sits on its throne. Don´t forget to buy the Buddha Bar cd before you leave so you can bring the feeling to your home.

Do you have any suggestions on more fab things to add to the schedule? Please leave a comment here.

The best top roof pools in the world

2010-09-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

Where could be a better place to relax after a day of work, shopping or sighsteeing?
These are my favourites which I consider to be the most amazing pools.

Have I forgotten any cool pool on the list? Please help me to complete the list by leaving a comment here and let me know of more fab pools with extraordinary views.

1. For the tough girls & boys who are not afraid of heights...
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
OMG. I am not sure I would dare this one. Swimming in the roof top poool on the 55th floor. The pool seems to end by the edge of the building...
It is supposed to be the largest outdoor pool in the world at that height.

2. For music-lovers, With underwater music!
Hotel Gansevoort, NYC, USA
A heated rooftop pool with underwater music, a bar and great view of NYC. Life is good! Swim and enjoy a 360 degree panorama of the city.

2. Cool pool
Radisson, DubaiThere are so many excellent places in Dubai. I just love the desert!
Dubai is labelled the "shopping capital of the Middle East".
After the hot desert & hot shopping it is nice to cool down poolside. Why not at the Radisson Blu in Dubai. I stayed here last year and it was so nice.
The view of the city is fab.

3. Look down on the street below through the pool floor
Avalon, Gothenburg, Sweden
Wow what a place! Stay at the hotel Avalon in Gothenbrug. Swim in the pool on the roof and look down on the street, 50 meters down, through the glass floor in the pool. Scary or lovely? It is up to you... We had a nice lunch in the restaurant, the food and service were good.

4. Pool with 5 star chic lux & pop stars
Berkeley, London, United Kingdom
If you want a five star chic luxury alternative choose The Berkely in Knightsbridge. It has a roof top pool and the Blue bar turns into a chich nightspot in the evening. (book a table in advance). The hotel claims on their website that the Blue Bar is Madonnas favourite but I did not see her there when I stayed there.

5. Members only... sorry
Soho House, New York
A place with a heated pool & bar with views over the West Village and the Hudson River. Only for the members, situated in Manhattan's Meatpacking District.

6. A pool cabriolet - with a rectractable roof
Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo, Japan, at Chinzan-so

A spa in a garden setting featuring traditional Japanese cedar baths indoors, and a heated swimming pool, with a retractable roof.

7. A Swedish sign of StockholmClarion, Stockholm, Sweden
Another hotel with a roof pool in Sweden is the Clarion sign in Stockholm.
The hotel has a spa on the 8th floor with a outside pool on the roof. What a view!

8. Nice in Nice!

Radisson Blu hotel, Nice, FranceIsn´t this nice? Ok, sorry, that was a bad joke. But the place looks nice... The colour of the blue sea is truly amazing.

9. Take my breath away, Berlin, Germany
Hyatt, Berlin, Germany
Enjoy the spa, thai chi and yoga before you jump into the the spa & Fitness club heated swimming pool. Relax with breathtaking views over Berlin.

10. Swim in the night during the light show
Thompson Toronto, USA
Guests can swim during night and and watch the light show. The hotel has a heated pool and it serves sushi. yummie!

11. After shopping
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. Swim in the cool pool by the waterfront overlooking Victoria Harbour and the financial district in Hong Kong.

12. W Scottsdales pool area with a large pool and underwater music in the US. Nice!

The World´s Top Roof Restaurants

2010-09-06T00:34:00.000-07:00

Where could be a better place to get to know a new city better than from a nice top class restaurant with a magnificent view?

These are my favourites which I consider to be the best of the world´s top roof restaurants which I have visited.

Thailand. If you are not afraid of heights. You should try the Sirocco Restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand. I got a bit sea sick when I felt the building moving, but the view was marvellous! I liked the Vertigo Restaurant, Banyan Tree Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand 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. Check out the photos of the restaurant.
Italy. The Imágo restaurant is situated by the Spanish steps in Rome, Italy. The restaurant is on the 6th floor of the Hassler hotel. It has a amazing panoramic view of Rome. The restaurant in the Grand hotel de la Minerva, Rome, Italy is build in an old 1600 mansion. Their fabolous roof garden restaurant offers a grand meal while enjoying the sunset over Rome.
Sweden. The restaurant Gondolen is situated 33 m up in the air in the city centre of Stockholm. Fab food. If you want to get even higher up. Go to Kaknästornet. The best view over Stockholm. But the food isnt as good as in Gondolen. Bring your camera to the 155 meter high tv-tower.
United Kingdom. Dine at the Oxo Tower. This is the place to have a romantic dinner with a view over London and the Thames.
Egypt. Have lunch or dinner at restaurant Ramses Hilton by the Nile in Cairo. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Nile and the Pyramids from the 36th-floor. Another option is the Cairo Tower. It has a restaurant on the top and the view is supposed to be great. I didn’t have the time to visit when I was in Cairo but it seems nice. Bring your camera and take pictures of the panorama views.
South Africa. The luxury West Cliff hotel and restaurant, marvellous food and a great view from the hill. Dont miss it when visiting Johannesburg.
Denmark. Enjoy the Arne Jacobsen design hotel Radisson SAS Royal Hotel. Turned on the ipod and sat in the coolest chairs ever in the lobby. Drinks on the top of the house... at Alberto K restaurant at the 20th floor with a fantastic view of Copenhagen at the Radisson hotel.
Estonia. Have some drinks & a light meal in the stunning roof top Lounge 24 in Tallin. It is 90 m high up in the air and I can recommend their moijito...
Austria. A dinner is nice at the fine-dining DO & CO restaurant with a great view of the Stephansdome in Vienna.
And last but not least. France. The perfect ending of a day in Paris is a dinner at the Eifel Tower with a magnificient view over Paris and the Seine river.

Have I forgotten any restaurant on the list? Please help me to complete the list by leaving a comment here and let me know of more fab restaurants with delicious food and amazing views.

I also got tips of these top roof restaurants.... Nice aren´t they?

Grand Hotel Parker’s, Naples, Italy The hotel’s restaurant, George's Mediterranean, has stunning views over Capri from the rooftop terrace.
Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy.
The Michelin-starred restaurant at a beach resort, ‘Piccolo Principe’ is outside on the bright sea veranda.
Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Wow, check out the view!

Gastronomic Gothenburg

2010-08-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

I have been in Gothenburg this weekend. What a lovely weekend! I am not there so often, should actually go there more often. Cause it is such a nice city.
As you maybe know, Gothenburg is Sweden´s second largest city. It is situated on the west coast by the sea with lovely sea view, restaurants, shops, theatre, opera & museums.

The top 10 things to do in Gothenburg is:

1. Linnea Art Restaurant. Book a table in the bistro and enjoy great food surrounded by lovely art glass. You can order the art glass from the waiter.

2. Boutique Tinna. Classic Svenskt Tenn interior decorations and art. They also have nice necklaces, earrings and watches. I bought a fab lilac watch here, which I adore! It is on Kungsgatan 56, close to NK shopping mall.

3. The restaurant Familjen (the Family). Great food at low prices. A great but not usual combination. It seems to be very crowded every night so y0u need to book a table in advance.

4. Go on a trip in the wheel. Go on a 360 degree trip in the sightseeing wheel and enjoy the view of Gothenburg from 60 m.

5. Wow what a place! Stay at the hotel Avalon. Swim in the pool on the roof and look down on the street, 50 meters down, through the glass floor in the pool. Scary or lovely? It is up to you... We had a nice lunch in the restaurant, the food and service were good.

6. Saluhallen. A fab food hall where you can stroll around and see all diferent food on sale.

7. Liseberg, the fun fair. Go there for a ride in the summer if you have kids or go there in the winter for their lovely and huge christmas market. They have performances with good artists on the stage in the summer and there is also a theatre.

8. Fiskekrogen. (the fish restaurant). This is the famous fish restaurant with top chefs and fresh fish and shell fish. A fish-lovers dream.

9. An evening at the opera is nice for those who loves music. The opera house plays both musicals and operas. Quite unusual.

10. Take a boat trip in the archipelago. Go to Brännö island and stay a night to get the feeling of the life in the archipelago. It is so beautiful and peaceful for your mind to see the sun set or sun down over the sea.

Kalmar & Öland travel guide

2010-07-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

Öland is the second largest island in Sweden. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge between Öland and Kalmar.
Öland is listed on the Unesco world heritage list.

The top 10 things to do and see in Kalmar and on the Öland island in Sweden are:

1. Stay at the hotel hotell Borgholm on Öland if you like small botique hotels. A nice hotel with a great restaurant that you shouldn´t miss.
If you are a partygirl Hotell Strand in Borgholm is a better choice with its after beach and club.

2. Start with some sightseeting and visit the royal Solliden castle and Borgholm castle close to Borgholm.
The Borgholm castle is the ruin of the magnificent Baroque palace which Charles X was built here in the mid 1600s.
The Solliden castle is an Italian-styled white palace, built by Queen Victoria of Sweden in 1903. It is still used as a summer residence by the Swedish Royal Family. Visit the exhibitions, the palace giftshop and have lunch at the crêperie, which serves ice-cream, tea, coffee, soft drinks as well as pancakes.

3. Then it is time to go medieval at the Eketorps castle. You can experience the Iron Age and medieval living in this completely reconstructed (rebuilt) fort.

4. If you are in to handicraft a visit to Paradisverkstan in Färjestaden on Öland is like paradise.

5. I also like the ceramics by Lotta & Mary in Färjestaden harbour a lot.

6. There are over 350 Windmills (Väderkvarnar) on Öland.
Visit Sandviks kvarn in Löttorp on Öland. It is the largest windmill in northern Europe. It has a café and restaurant.

7. After exploring Öland, it is time to travel over the 6.072 meter long bridge to Kalmar. The first place to visit is the magnificient Kalmar Castle. It was built in 1592 and is truly beautiful.

8. The Kalmar dome is a church that looks a very different compared to other churches in Sweden. The buildings design was inspired by churches in Rome and it was inagurated in 1682.

9. After sightseeing in Kalmar, it is time for some shopping. Visit Gerdas te and kaffehandel (tea & coffeshop), which has a wide selection of teas, coffees, cheeses and chocolate. Yummie.

10. Where to eat?
A really nice fish and shellfish restaurant is Hamnkrogen in the Kalmar harbour
A nice Italian restaurant is Ernesto in Kalmar
Another nice restaurant is Helen and Jörgen in Kalmar

Great Gotland

2010-07-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

Gotland is an island outside Sweden which definitely is worth a visit.
It is the largest island in the Baltic sea and the region is considered by some historians to be the original homeland of the Goths. Nice isn´t it?

The top ten things to do on Gotland is...

Start your trip with staying at the hotel Djupvik by the sea. A small fabulous lux hotel by the sea. To sit by the pool, overlooking the sea, having a drink and see the sunset is truly amazing.

2. After dreaming away at Djupvik, go to Visby and visit the Dome church. The island is suppose to have nearly 100 medieval churches and I didn´t visit all of them. The Dome is beautiful, it is in Visby which is the largest town on the island.

3. Time for Icecream! Try a the local Guteglass in the ice cram shop by the harbour in Visby.

4. Have lunch at Donners plats in the city centre of Visby. The place to eat is restaurant Donners Brunn. A smaller but nice restaurant in Visby is Packhuskällaren on Strandgatan 16. Cheaper but with ok food is Trossen in the port on adress Skeppsbron 14.

5. Check in at the Clairon Wisby hotel. A supernice hotel in the middle of Visby. The hotel was started in 1850, but don´t worry it has been renovated into a design medieval hotel.

6. Have a coffee at the St Clemens ruin. The church was built in 1200 and today there is only a ruin. You can buy the coffe in the hotel St Clemens.

7. Shopping? Buy a sheep, it is a typical sovenier of Gotland. But do not buy a real one, just a small fake one.

8. Chill at the cool bar by the sea called Kallbadhuset. According to their website it has been nominated to the best beach club in Europe. Do you agree?

9. Go to Stånga to see the Knights tournament during the middle age theme week in August. It is like travelling 600 years back in time. Visit the medieval markets, listen to the music, see theater and Knights clash in tournaments.

10. If you are in to film. You should also include a visit to the Ingmar Bergmar center on Fårö.

More information about Gotland is available on the tourist website of the Island.

OMG in Östergötland

2010-06-05T14:34:00.001-07:00

The region Östergötland, in Sweden is my home. I have gathered my very Top things to do in Östergötland, and these are things you won´t find in the travel books. Enjoy!

1. Peaceful walk in the beautiful nature in the nature reserve Tinnerö, Linköping. This is one of my favourite places to go for a quiet walk and to take some photos of the animals.

2. A guided tour & café at the lovely Bjärka Säby castle by the lake Rengen. It was built in 1700 and the former owner was a noble Count who sold it for 1 krona (0,1 Euros) a couple of years ago. It has been restored and is a truly lovely place.

3. A boat trip on a sunny day in the archipelago is supernice. Take a boat from Arkösund, on the east coast of Sweden. The Östgöta archipelago has thousands of small islands which are nice for an excursion or just for sun bathing. A nice place to stay is the Arkösund hotel. It has a lot of music performances during the summer. A place you also should visit in the archipelago is the Harstena island.

4. Have dinner & fun at the the combined Theatre-Restaurant Mejeriet in Vadstena.

5. Check out the Kinda Kanal (canal locks) in Sturefors and castle park in Sturefors, Linköping. The park is open for visitors in the summer. The locks in Kinda Kanal was built in 1870 and the one Sturefors is beuatiful and not so known by tourists.
Bring some picnic food and have some lunch by the locks with a view of the canal and lake.

6. Visit Knäppingsborg in Norrköping. An old area sparkling with new small shops, nice restaurants and a fab bakery.

7. In the summertime, enjoy live music with local artists and homebaked cookies and cakes at Adelsnäs Kaffe Stuga (café) by the Adelsnäs castle, in Åtvidaberg. The music performances are on Sundays.

8. Art in Åtvidaberg. Fab Raku ceramics things by Susanne Nyhlin-Åstrand. Visit her shop at Verksg.3 Åtvidaberg. When in Åtvidaberg you should also go to the artists & painters in Åtvidabergsgruppen on Bruksgatan and admire their beautiful paintings.

9. In December, have julbord (Christmas Buffet), it is a Christmas version of the Swedish smorgasbord. My favourite is in Skänninge at the local hotel Skänninge Stadshotell. I read somewhere that tennislegend Björn Borg celebrated his 50th birthday here but I dont know if it is true or not.

10. Avoid the big shopping malls and go for shopping in one of the many small shops and boutiques in the countryside.
Interior design...
Elsas Hem in Borenshult, Motala.

Hantverksgården outside Malmslätt in Linköping.
Unnerstad gård close to Ekenäs castle outside Linköping.
Food...
Fresh aspargaus at the shop between Linköping and Berg.
The butchers, Britta och Lennarts, Norsholm
Brunneby Musteri, for fresh juices & jams, Borensberg
Bleckenstad, Mjölby
Hargodlarna, Kisa
Boxholms cheese factory is called Boxholms ost
Clothes&shoes...
Blankas butik in Vadstena
Minsjö säteri, Norrköping
Erika Tubbin, Norrköping
Blankas Port, Vadstena

Art...
Hjortslunds ateljeer, Kisa
Linnefors krukmakeri, Boxholm

And then - sorry - but I couldn´t resist some things from the tourist travel guides:
For shrimp-lovers: Shrimp-cruise from Bergs slussar (it is not a cruise for shrimps, it is a cruise for those who love shrimp buffets and boat trips)
For ice cream - lovers: Visit the ice cream restaurant in Söderköping, Halvars kiosk in Norrköping or Bosses glassbar in Linköping.

Relax in Riga

2010-05-29T13:39:00.000-07:00

I visited Riga, the capital of Latvia, for a weekend in the summer.
It is a historial city with a lot of beautiful buildings and the largest city of the Baltic states.

Some call Riga the world capital of Art Nouveau and its historical city center is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Top ten things to do in Riga

Take a walk in the old town and admire the beautiful buildings.Take a picture of the Maingaivju (Blackheads) house and the house of Three Brothers, some medieval residential houses. Pass by Smilšu Street 2 and see the goddess figure. It is considered to be the most
beautiful Art Nouveau sculpture of a woman in Riga.
Buy amber and traditional russian wooden dolls on the market in the old town
Visit the Latvian Museum Occupations and get some insight to the history
Visit the Riga Cathedral
Take a walk around the Riga Castle built in 1497 and check out the home of the President.
Have pancakes / crépes in the old town
Get a fab view of Riga from the tower in the St. Peters church or from the TV-tower.
See the Victory monument (a Soviet monument)
If you like Wagner visit the Wagner Concert Hall where he used to have concerts when he lived in Riga.
Visit the central market, a large food market to see the local food

If you are in to shopping, visit Stockmann, a department store in central Riga
And if you like opera, there is an opera house - The Latvia National Opera- with great prices and operas.
If you are a spa-lover take go to one of the Spas in Riga, maybe the ESPA Spa. Or take the short trip to Jurmala. A spa retreat by the sea. The hotel Jurmala spa looks nice.

Where to stay?

Clarion Collection Hotel Valdemars
Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel Riga
Reval Hotel Ridzene
Grand Palace Hotel
De Rome Hotel

Where to eat?

Fine dining at the Vincents
Medieval dinner at Rozengrāls
Finest meat at the Restaurant C.U.T.
Fine dining at the Grand Palace Hotel restaurant

Colourful Cape Town

2010-05-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

I went to Cape Town in South Africa for a weekend. My conclusion is that you can see a lot in Cape Town over a weekend. But it will be a busy weekend. Cape Town is such a beautiful place with a lot to see and do.

Extraordinary and unexpected view
I had a really nice breakfast at the SAS Radisson in the Waterfront. Suddenly the waiter came by and said - Look at the waves and pointed at the sea.

I looked and nodded. The view of the sea is nice. But then I thought, why are so many people gathering by the window with their cameras?

Then I realized, I heard wrong, he didnt say waves, he said whales... so I grabbed my camera and joined the crowd to get some pictures of the awesome view... whales in the sea, just outside the hotel.

Visit the Cape of good hope. It is totally stunning to see the two seas meet, and definitely worth the trip. It is about an hour from Cape Town. Take a picture of yourself in front of the famous sign. It is said that it is the most southern-western part you can visit of Africa.Bring your camera but watch out for the baboons on the way there. Their favourite hobby is to steel food from tourists...

I just loved to watch the pretty penguins on the beach. They are so sweet. Go to Simonstown to see the penguins on the way back from the Cape of Good hope.

Back in Cape Town go for some wine tastings in the wine yards. Spier is very close to Cape Town and offers a range of wines.
You can rent a car or take a tourist trip with a tourist company to the wine district. Short overview on: http://www.wineanorak.com/saregions.htm
My favourite is Franschhoek. There are so many super nice hotels and restaurants here!!
Vrede en Lust, Graham Beck, La Motte and Rupert & Rothschild, do I need to say more? Last time we visited Theleme wine yard. Lovely wine and after that we had a luxury lunch at the Delaire Graff Estate. Their suite hotel is gorgoeous with private pools.
Take a boat trip to Robben Island for a tour where Nelson Mandela was a prisoner and get to know more about the South African history. Robben Island was originally part of the mainland, the peak of an ancient mountain. Today it is an island and a World Heritage Site and museum
You should also take a tour to the township to get some more knowledge of the life that too many South Africans live today. Townships were created as living areas for non-whites under the old political system of Apartheid. But you cannot go there on your own. Book a guided tour through your hotel. And do not go there during nighttime.
If you need extra exercise take a hike up the Table Moutain and enjoy the fab view over Cape Town and the ocean. You can also go by the cableway. http://tablemountain.net/
The trip with the cableway takes about five-minutes, but if you take a hike the 3 km could take between 1-3 hours.
The Aquarium could be nice for kids on a rainy day. http://www.aquarium.co.za/
If you need some light exercise go for shopping in the Waterfront area.
The large shopping area by the sea is called Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and it is situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain.

Where to shop...Some of my fav shops are:
Cape Unions Mart Travel and Safari - Outdoor clothing for you safari trip
CNA - papers and stuff
Crabtree & Evelyn - cosmetic
Edgars - clothes
Exclusive books
Woolworths, Truworths, Nine Weest - clothes and bags
Out of Africa - fab souvenirs

Where to eat
Breakfast is nice at Mugg and Bean
Lunch at Ocean Basket, I just love their fresh fish or at Steers or Wang Thai.
Have a nice dinner at Cape Town Fish Market and Sushi Bar. The large selection of sushi is going around in the restaurant on a conveyer belt or you can have some fab fresh fish for your main meal. The best place for grill and wine is the Belthazar. Amazing food! They also have the biggest wine bar in the world according to themselves. But save the dessert and go to the Haagen-Dazs for an icecream, yummy...

Where to stay
Stay in with a great view of the sea in luxury at the Table bay hotel. Or in the cheaper but not cheap SAS Waterfront Cape Town. Or even cheaper at the Commodore hotel. The exclusive Delair Graff Estate is also an amazing for a night on the wine yard estate.

Best of Bratislava

2010-05-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

Bratislava is the capital of the Slovak Republic. It is a small and beautiful town by the Danube river.

Top 10 things to do in Bratislava
1. Stroll through the old town with its small shops, cosy resturants and cafes. Check out the art that local artists exhibit by the St. Michael's Gate.

2. Take a walk to the Bratislava Castle. Don´t miss the small souvenir shop with nice memories from the Slovak Republic.

3. Visit the St Martins cathedral where the Hungarian Emperors were crowned .

4. If you like opera or if you want to find out if you like opera, go for an opera evening in the old and historical opera house. Check out the not to modern furniture in the bar...

5. Take are tour at the National Gallery.

6. There is a lovely Christmas marketl in the Old Town during December. Buy cheap handmade sweet Christmas angels for all your friends. But it is freezing cold, so bring warm clothes.

7. Walk by the Danube river or take a cruise by boat on the Danube river to Vienna.
There are slow cruises or high speed ferry that takes about 1,5 hours to Vienna, the capital of Austria. From Vienna you can continue to Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

8. Take photos of the statues. There are a few statues in Bratislava old town that are quite unexpeced and unusal.

9. Enjoy the atmosphere and have a coffee and cake at the Kaffe Mayer. This café reminds me of the old coffee houses in Vienna.

10. If you are hungry and not afraid of heights go UFO. There is a restaurant with a fabulous view. It is called UFO and is located in the sky...on an observation deck on top of the Novy Most Bridge.

Where to stay
I have stayed at the Radisson SAS Carlton several times. A very fine hotel with a marvellous exterior, in the middle of the city centre. At one time I noticed that there were so many extremely tall men in the elevator and they spoke Swedish. When I reached the reception area I saw the sign: Conference room: Swedish hockey team
Oupps.
It was the Swedish National Hockey team....

Shopping centre
If you would like some serious shopping, go to the Avion shopping centre.

Where to eat?

We had an excellent dinner at the Cuban restaurang Malecon. It is located by the Danube river. Try their great strawberry moijitos.
Another evening we enjoyed mediterranean food at the fab Kogo restaurant.
Or try the slovak food in Slovenska restauracia
More restaurants on (but I havent tried all) http://www.bratislavaguide.info/bratislava-dining.html

Zambia - A Memory For Life

2010-04-24T01:44:00.000-07:00

One of the best moments in my life was when I went on a weekend trip to Zambia. The aim of the trip was to visit the beautiful waterfalls Victoria Falls. Its local name is Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means the Smoke that Thunders.

The Victoria Falls is claimed to be the largest waterfalls in the world. It is located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

We stayed at the exclusive Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel in Zambia. Just staying at the luxury hotel was an amazing exeprience.
The hotel is located in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, with a view of the Victoria Falls.

We had so many extraordinary experiences during the trip.

The animals...
A monkey stole my a sandwhich from my sons hand when we had lunch at the hotel. And there was a lot of zebras strolling around the hotel area.
There was a big sign in the hotel room: If a baboon enter the room, leave the room and call the reception.

We had a sun downer (drink) by the Zambezi river at the hotels sun deck in the sun down when I suddenly say something moving under the water.
But it was not a submarine. It was an elephant family walking under the water in the sun down. They walked under water with their trunks in the air like their were snorkeling. Totally amazing!

Zim
We also took a long hike to Zimbabwe and visited a street market in Zimbabwe. I bought some lovely wood pieces and wished I could have done more to help the people there. A couple of guys offered me a bungy jump from the bridge between Zim and Zambia but I didn´t dare to try.

The falls
and least but not last.
The amazing Victoria Falls. To see it, to hear it, to feel it.
I can´t really explain how amazing it was. You really have to go there to experience it yourself. Just check out this film to get an idea about how it is.

It was one of the best weekend trips I ever did. A true memory for life.

PS: Bring your golf clubs if you like golf. The Gary Player designed golf course Elephant Hill is around the corner from the falls.

Picturesque Paris

2010-04-18T05:12:00.000-07:00

I have been to Paris, the capital of France, several times but never as a tourist. But I managed to find 10 top fab favorites while visiting without a problem. The problem was more to decide which 10 things to blog about when there is so many to choose from.

Champagne + Taxi = not so good

But be careful if you drink champagne in a taxi. I did and spilled champange all over my dress when the taxi driver hit the breaks by a traffic light. I quickly jumped out of the taxi to get some napkins from a restaurant by the street.. and left my handbag and mobile in the taxi.... when I turned around the taxi drove off and I was standing in the middle of Paris. I didnt know were I was, had no money, no mobile and didnt speak French. I was kind of releaved when I saw the taxi stop a little bit further down the street waiting for me. He had just driven a few meters to find a place to park.

Top 10 things to do in Paris

1. See MonaLisa at the Louvre museum, go there early to get first in the long queues. I was there on a marvellous cocktail party, a fab feeling. The Louvre used to be a palace of King Louis XIV but was turned into a museum in 1793. The museum displays Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Victory of Samothrace and another 35,000 (!) works of art displayed in over 60,000 square meters.

2. After the culture go shopping. Paris is like shopping heaven.
If you don´t have a lot of time go to the Lafayette department store to buy some expensive designer label souvenirs. (The word souvenir comes from French word for memory). Another nice department store is Printemps.

3. Montmarte is a lovely part of Paris, it is an old art district. Visit it to buy art in the street, eat at cozy restaurants and enjoy the atmosphere. Many famous painters worked here, such as Dalí, Monet, Picasso and van Gogh.

4. When in Montmartre you should also visit the beautiful church Basilica of the Sacré Cœur. It is definitely worth the walk up the hill.

5. The Laperouse is one of the most romantic resturant in Paris.
It was founded in 1766 in a beautiful private mansion on the banks of the Seine River. The bar was started by the the Master of the King’s Beverages to King Louis XV. The restarurant has been visited by many famous stars such as Émile Zola and Alexandre Dumas.
Book one of the small private chambers for a romantic gourmet dinner.

6. The Budda Bar is one of my favourites for a fab evening out with great Asian food and loud music. The bar looks out over the dining area where a gigantic Buddha sits on its throne. Don´t forget to buy the Buddha Bar cd before you leave so you can bring the feeling to your home.

7. A wine tasting class at the wine museum, Musee du vin, was a lovely exepriecnce and I learned a lot about wine.
We had a marvellous wine tasing followed by a nice meal in the historic surroundings. The Wine Museum is housed in what used to be crude limestone quarries that were mined between the 13th and the 18th centuries to provide the dressed stoneused to build Paris.

8. After walking on the famous street Champs-Élysées go to the beautiful monument the Arc de Triomphe and take some pictures.
It stands on the Place Charles de Gaulle and is the second largest triumphal arch in the world.
The monument is huge, 50 m in height and 45 m wide and I read that Charles Godefroy flew with an airplane through it in 1919.

9. The perfect ending of a day in Paris is a dinner at the Eifel Tower

10. followed by a slow one hour cruise on the Seine River. You can book it through a tour operator.

Where to stay? Well if you trust Coco Chanel´s good taste, the Ritz Paris hotel is the choice for you. She lived here for many years and it is one if the most luxurious hotels in Paris.

I also got a recommendation for these two restaurants but I haven´t tried them yet.

* La Tour d´Argent is apparently the most famous (and expensive?) restaurant in France and a Tsar and a few Kings and Queens have dined here.

* A lunch in the garden of restaurant Laurent looks marvellous and the beautiful pictures on their website makes me want to call them to reserve a table immediately.

PS. Did you bring your kids? Stay an extra day and go to Eurodisney, totally fun for the young ones. But avoid to go there in July-August when it is totally overcrowed.

Vivid Vienna

2010-04-17T02:32:00.000-07:00

- The capital of cafés

Vienna is one of my favorite European capitals. I have been to Vienna about 30 times and still want to go back. There so much to see and do, beautiful palaces, luxury cafés, great shopping, museums, opera & restaurants. It is not so easy to pick the top things to do as there is so much to choose from but here are some of my favourites.

Top 10 things to do in Vienna
Visit Hofburg Royal Palace, the former imperial residence in Vienna. It was the royal residence for over 600 years. It consists of 22 muesums today, 240,000 m², 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms. It is a beautiful palace.

The St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche) is a baroque church from 1701. It was inspired by the St. Peter's Basilica of the Vatican in Rome. It is in the very city centre of Vienna.
When you finsished your visit to the St. Peter's Church you should go to the beautiful cathedral Stephansdom. If you need some exercise, skip the gym and take the 343 steps to the tower of the Stephansdome.

Now it is time to spend a few hours in the main shopping district situated around the Stephansdom.

If you want to have a quick lunch try Sushi. There are nice Sushi restuarants everywhere.

If you prefer a luxury relaxed lunch in a garden. Have a lunch in the garden of Steirereck im Stadtpark (in the city park). It is a Relais & Chateaux Restaurant . The “Steirereck” in Vienna is located in the heart of the central "city park", close to the famous Johann Strauss statue.
If you´re a foodie who loves cheese. Don´t miss the milk bar in the basement with 120 cheeses from 13 countries.

After lunch it is time for some culture. Bank Austria Kunstforum has marvellous exhibitions. I always try to stop by here when in Vienna.

The capital of cafés? I have read that no other city in the world can rival Vienna in terms of the number of historically significant coffee houses.
You should try atleast one of them. I like the Sacher café, Café Landtmann, Café Imperial, Café Mozart and Café Ministerium.

When tired of walking, go with the Tram (public transport) for a sightseeing tour in Vienna. The Vienna Ring-Tram, has a yellow Tram which takes visitors on a tour of the most beautiful parts of the city.

In the summer, you should go for a swim at Schönbrunn, another former royal palace. The beautiful Schönbrunn palace in Vienna is built in Rococo style in a magnificent park. It has a hotel, the world´s oldest zoo and a public pool.

I just love opera so an evening at the opera house is a must for me. It is a gorgeous building so visit it even if you don´t like opera.

A dinner is nice at the fine-dining DO & CO restaurant with a great view of the Stephansdome.

Stay at the Palace, Palais Coburg Residenz, also known as Palais Saxe-Coburg. A prince built this impressive palace which today is a beautiful hotel and restaurant.

Another nice hotel is the SAS Palais, address: Parkring 16. Not so fancy as the palace Coburg, but great location.

Blooming Budapest

2010-04-03T03:43:00.000-07:00

Top 10 things to do in Budapest

The first time I was in Budapest I was amazed by all the beautiful buildings. I was walking in Budapest and stopped by a beautiful building and asked what it was. The answer was the Hungarian post office. Hmm... well the post office where I live is not half so beautiful. The conclusion was the the Hungarian Post Office was better looking than my city´s castle... So if you like beautiful buildings, art, culture, opera, spa, shopping and nice food - Budapest is the place to go.

Stay at the hotel Hilton West End if you like shopping. It is located in the huge shopping complex in the city centre. So there is no excuse not to check it out. Because it is important to know all the fire escape routes in case of a fire ;-)
Buy some cheap and sweet marzipan figures which is sold in the supermarket on the lowest floor in the shopping centre. Another Hungarian specialty to buy is the lovely sweet white wine Tokaji and the Hungarian sausages.
If you want more shopping go to the main shopping street Vaci ut.

The best place to stay is the Four Seasons hotel Gresham Palace. It is one of the finest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Central Europe. The hotel has a great location by the Danube river with a view of the Chain Bridge and Buda calste.

Some other nice luxury hotels in Budapest city centre are:
Corinthia Hotel Budapest with a luxurious spa
Hotel Kempinski
Le Meridien

Sightseeing

A boat sightseeing on Donau is a must. Lovely trip and great for those who like to take a lot of photographs on their holiday, just like me. Book your trip at Legenda, Hotell Marriott, Vigadó tér Pier No. 6-7. Phone no: +36 - 1 266 41 90.
A tour in the Parliament is recommended. The parliament is so beautiful! Go on a tour and see the the Crown, Sword and Globus Cruciger of Hungary. It belonged to the former Hungarian Royal Family.
The Buda castle is another must-visit-place. Take a walk there if you like/need exercise and dont forget to visit the Budapest museum inside the castle. Magyar Nemzeti Galéria is an art museum in the former royal castle hosts a large exhibition of Hungarian art.
Szoborpark Múzeum (Sculpture park museum) displays a large collection of sculptures and statues from the city during the communist era.
Heroes’ Square (Hösök tere) was established for the world expo in Budapest in 1896. It has statues of historical persons of importance to Hungary´s history.
Szent István-bazilika, Stefan basilica, is named after the first Hungarian king and should be on your sightseeing program .
Szépmûvészeti Múzeum is a large art museum in Budapest often with international exihibitions of famous painters as Monet and Van Gogh.
Take a relaxing walk on the Margaret Island in the city centre is a lovely island with huge park and nice restaurants.
There are many famous spa and bathes in Budapest. Maybe a visit to the Spa at Hotell Gellert to relax after the sightseeting and shopping?
I just love the opera house in Budapest. I been there several times and I have heard that even Puccini has visited the opera house. Book tickets by phone or ask you hotel reception to help you. The tickets are really cheap if you compare to some other opera houses like in Austria or Italy.

Where to eat?

The restaurant Robinson Étterem is one of my favourite restaurants,.
Another favourite is restaurant Gundel, establisehd in 1894. It is oldfashion and very famous, so reserve your table in advance. I am not sure but I heard that even the Pope visited the place.
Restaurant Apostolok is 100 hundred years old with a unique interior and handmade furniture.
Restaurant Articsóka is combining food and culture. They serve lovely Medditarian food and atmosphere with performances of Hungarian artists.
A nice cafe for a cup of coffe or a light lunch is Cafe Kör.
If you like sportsbars you should try the sportsbar and restaurant BoxUTCA

The Unesco World heritage sites of Budapest

Hollókő
Budapest
Pannonhalma
Hortobágy
Pécs
Tokaj
Aggtelek
Lake Fertő
Andrássy Avenue
Castle district
Danube embankment

Read more on http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/400 and http://www.budpocketguide.com/sights_sounds/world_heritage.asp

Best of Bangkok

2010-03-21T02:14:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-12T06:49:00.000-08:00

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:

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.
Have a lovely dinner att restaurant Aux Armes de Bruxelles
Be a true EUropean and visit the EU head quarters and the parliament at Espace Léopold
See the Atomium. It was the icon of the world fair in 1958. And it is still beautiful and stunning.
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.
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:
The city hall
The royal palace
The colourful grand palace
The charming chinese pavillion

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?

2010-03-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

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

2010-03-05T10:25:00.000-08:00

Stockholm is my favourite city in Sweden.

Top 10 things to do in Stockholm

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

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

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

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

NK. The best department store, not to miss!

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

Liljevalchs, art museum with interesting exhibitions

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

The old town with tourist shops and beautiful old houses
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.

One day in Oslo

2010-02-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

10 top things to do in Oslo?

I found some top things to do during my weekend in Oslo.I will probably add some more after my next visit.
The marvellous Munch museum is worthwhile a visit when visiting Norways capital Oslo.
The scream is the most famous painting but there are several more great paintings to view.
A copy of one of them is hanging on our wall in our home. We could not resist to buy a copy as a memory of our Olso weeekend. But it is not looking as good as it did in the museum. Isnt that strange?

View the ocean, have a coffee or check out the shops at Aker Brygge. A place you must visit when in Olso. The restaurant D/S Louise at Aker Brygge is really fabulous! Try their fresh fish and enjoy the view of the Oslo Fjord (river) with its harbour and Akershus Castle built in 1300.

I love opera but even if you don´t. Visit the Opera house in Oslo and get astonished by the architecture. Enjoy an opera or have lunch inside the opera house in the restaurant or have a walk on the roof.

Smörrebröd is a typical Dansih sandwhich which is a nice lunch. You can also find in at the Grand Cafe,situated in the Grand hotel in Oslo. On ground floor with windows to the Karl Johan Street. Watch people, eat smörrebröd and enjoy life. The Grand hotel is also a great place to stay.

After lunch, take a stroll in the park outside the royal castle in Olso. This is were the royal family lives, so check it out...

If you need more exercise go on to the Karl Johan street for some serious shopping. But be aware. Oslo is extremely expensive...

After the shopping a dinner at the restaurant Eik is perfect. Great food, wine and interior. (closed Sundays and Mondays)

If you prefer a restaurant with a amazing view over Oslo you should choose the Ekeberg restaurant. See my picture of Oslo by night taken from the Ekeberg restaurant. The Ekeberg restaurant is situated on the mountain in Olso. The restaurant also has a bar/lounge, conference and meeting facilities, banqueting and wedding suites and a beautiful second floor veranda.

A cheaper alternative to the Grand Hotel is the Park Inn hotel. It is also situated in the centre of Oslo, cheaper but ok to stay at. If you ask for a room that has a view of a brickwall. The rooms with a view of the street is incredible noisy.

Lovely London

2010-02-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

10 top things to do in London?

One of my favourite places on earth is London in the United Kingdom.
Ett av mina favoritställen är helt klart London i Storbritannien.
It has everything for a great weekend; fantastic museums, thousands of shops, nice restaurants and a lot to do.

My must-visit-museums are:
The National Gallery. The paintings are so beautiful that I totally forgot about the shops outside. Check out Monet´s beuatiful painting "The Water-Lily Pond"
But ok, I bought a lot of things in the museum shop so it was not a totally shopping free experience. Other great museums are the Tate gallery and Tate modern.

10 top things to see and do:

Visit St Pauls cathedral
Buckingham palace
Take a trip - maybe a champange flight? - on the London eye.
Tower Bridge
Westminster Abbey
Cruise the river Thames
Hyde park
Trafalgar Square
Visit museums, see below
See a musical. I have seen the Mamma Mia Musical twice and it was still great the second time.

and of course: shop till you drop; Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent garden etc etc

5 supernice restaurants to dine at:

This is the place to have a romantic dinner with a view over London. Dine at the Oxo Tower
Listen to the lovely opera performance while dining a mediterrian dinner at the Sarastro opera restaurant.
We had a business dinner at London oldest restaurant. And it was fab! Visit Rules for a memorable evening.
The food was ok and it was interesting to visit Shakespeare´s Globe Theatre. The brasserie also had a magnificent view of the river.
Lunch at Harrods Sea Grill is a must when I am in London. Fantastic fish and a glass of wine. Life is good at the Sea Grill!

Too expensive to stay...
... but visit them for an Afternoon tea or a cocktail just to feel the atmosphere!
I had a coctail at the Lanesborough and wished I was staying there. And I tried to get in for an Afternoon tea at the Ritz hotel but was stopped by the doorman because we had not booked a table. And he said, even if you had booked at table, I would not have let you in... because we wear sneakers. So to summarize: book in advance and wear fab clothes but do not wear sneakers.

I can recommend the Radisson Edwardian hotel Berkshire. It is quite expensive but the location and their moijitos are perfect. Its is next to Oxford street and I have stayed there several times.

Or if you want a five star chic luxury alternative choose The Berkely in Knightsbridge. It has a roof top pool and the Blue bar turns into a chich nightspot in the evening. (book a table in advance) The hotel claims that the Blue Bar is Madonnas favourite but I did not see her there when I stayed there.

Where to shop?

Harrods is a must to visit
I just love Liberty. Take a stroll, check out all the nice things inside the shop.
Check out the bags and get a free make-up at Harvey Nichols
Extremely cheap clothes and stuff at the huge shop Primark. Go there early if your hotel is nearby so you don´t have to carry 10 heavy shoppings bags for a whole day.
Visit all the sport shops; the Adidas shop, Nike store, etc etc. and you will feel sporty for a long time after.

Romantic Rome

2009-09-21T05:23:00.000-07:00

10 top things to do in Rome?

I was in Rome on my birthday. It was nothing like I thought it would be. The old beautiful monuments were in the middle of the city. Wow! I like!

I thought it was going to be the shopping that was amazing. But I was astonished by the beautiful city, and I almost forgot the shops.

We walked and walked and walked. And we saw so many beautiful buildings, monuments and the most beautiful one was the fountain “Fontana de Trevi”. Don’t miss it!

We also visited the Gucci shop, expensive but a must when in Rome. Suddenly the staff in the other shops treated us differently. It is amazing (and scary) what a shopping bag from Gucci can change peoples attitude towards you. The Gucci shop is next to all the other exclusive designer shops on Via Condotti 8.

In the evening, we had an unbelievable romantic and expensive dinner with at lovely view over Rome. Suddenly the Gucci bag felt quite cheap ;-)
But the best food during the trip were at the Giggetto restaurant.

There are so many things to see in Rome, the Vatikan city, Roman Colosseum, Roman Forum, Spanish steps, piazza navona, trastevere. Check out google maps, buy a tourist book or go on a guided tour.
Or just grab a map from the hotel reception, walk alone and enjoy the magic of Rome.

If you like classical music, visit the opera house in Rome. It is one of the best in Europe. But book in advance… But don´t go to Rome during the summer, as the weather is way too hot. Go to Rome during the spring, in March-May.

Italian travel expert http://twitter.com/ItalyTravelista recommended me these luxury resturants in Rome: Hotel de Russie, Hotel Hassler, Hotel de la Minerve & St. Regis.

Fashion magazine Elle recommends these restaurants in their magazine recently:

Salotto 42 for drinks & antipastibuffet. Address: Piazza Di Pietra 42
Dar Poeta, restaurant in Travestera with fab pizza. Address Vicolo del Bologna 45
Ristorante Lagana restaurant with great pasta, fish & meat dishes. Address: Via del´Orso 44.

Pure pyramids in Egypt!

2009-08-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

10 top things to do in Egypt?

A visit to Egypt should include both a visit to Cairo and to the beach in Sharm el Sheik. I liked Cairo best but we went there off season so it wasn’t so warm in the sea. Maybe that’s why I liked Cairo more. I will tell you abou the Cairo hotels, Cairo sightseeing, Cairo shopping etc. that I found to be on the top list!

Ett besök i Egypten måste innehålla både Kairo och kusten vid Sharm el Sheik. Jag tyckte bäst om Kairo men det var inte så varmt i vattnet när vi var där. Kanske var därför jag gillade Kairo mer. Här berättar jag mer om fina lyxhotell och restauranger i Kairo, sightseeing i Kairo, pyramiderna, shopping i Kairo som jag tycker platsar på topplistan!

In Cairo there are plenty of things on the must-to-do-list… I chosen the major three things… sightseeing, dining on or by the Nile and shopping. Surprised?

1. Sightseeing

The Pyramids of course. You can also go inside for a visit if you want. It is very close to the town so just grab a taxi and go there.
When you are there. Also visit the area where the The Sfinx is.
The Eyptian Museum. Don’t take pictures here. I did and it wasn’t popular at all.
The Cairo Tower. It has a restaurant on the top and the view is supposed to be great. I didn’t have the time to visit but it seems nice. Bring your camera and take pictures of the panorama views.

2. The Nile
Have lunch or dinner at restaurant Ramses Hilton by the Nile. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Nile and the Pyramids from the 36th-floor
A dinner cruise on the Nile is a fantastic experience. The one we went on is operated by the luxury Oberoi hotel with great food and a nice dance performance and band.

3. Shopping
Go to the hotel Intercontinental City Stars. Have an early dinner and go next doors. There is a huge shopping mall. It is open very late and there is a lot to see and shop. It felt a bit strange to pass the safety guards and checks to go in to a shopping mall but I guess it is the way it is here.
You have to visit the Khan al-Khalili, it is a medieval souk with bargains for everyone. Make and blend your own perfume here, it is a great gift to take home.

Sunny South Africa

2009-08-03T04:25:00.001-07:00

10 top things to do in South Africa?

South Africa has a really special place in my heart. It has everything sea, wildlife, fishing, mountains, wine district, shopping and great food!

Visiting Johannesburg?
Stay at the Michelangelo hotel in Johannesburg by the Nelson Mandela square. Or at the Sandton towers . Another nice new five star luxury hotel is the Da Vinci.
The Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa has been voted the world´s leading boutique hotel and the Best Day Spa in South Africa. Stay there, or at least have dinner there and you will find out why...
Want something cheaper, but nice? The Irene lodge is really nice and have great jazz lunches in the weekends. The Centurion hotel is ok, has a pool but not so fancy

Shopping in South Africa Johannesburg!Go shopping at the shopping malls Rosebank, Sandton and try the big shopping mall Menlyn shopping mall in Pretoria.

Restaurants Johannesburg and Pretoria South Africa!

Ritrovo in Pretoria, has fabulous Italian food opera-evenings and dinners. The owner also sings beautiful opera if you ask him nicely. Don’t miss it!
Cynthias in Pretoria is a restaurant and art gallery. The food and wine is great and the prices are great too. Not a common combination.
Butchers in Johannesburg is a butcher and restaurant in combination. Great food and huge wine cellar. Ask to have a look before you order your food! http://www.thebutchershop.co.za/
The luxury West Cliff hotel and restaurant, marvellous food and a great view form the hill.
Maximilien is a new restaurant at Sandton Sqaure in Johannesburg. Great food and it has a spectacular cigar bar. http://www.maximillien.co.za/
Restaurant Pappas is also located on Sandton Sqaure in Johannesburg. Great meditarian food, a taste of Greece. Lovely! http://www.pappasrestaurant.co.za/

When tired of the cities go out to the bush on safari
Sun city in South Africa is close to Johannesburg and a strange place built in the middle of nowhere but has everything, hotels, restaurants, pools, casino, safari. It is convenient for families with small children. Play golf at the Gary Player golf course.
Or do the real thing and go to the Kruger national park.
If you don´t have time to go to bush to see the animals you should visit the Lion Park. If you dare you can go into the cage and touch the lion cubbs (they are not so small, wear trousers, they can jump and bite!) or feed the giraffs. It is an outdoor zoo close to Pretoria and Johannesburg.

When in South Africa you also have to visit Cape Town and the wine district.
Stay in with a great view of the sea in luxury at the Table bay hotel. Or in the cheaper but not cheap SAS Waterfront Cape Town.
Rent a car or take a tourist trip with a tourist company to the wine district. Short overview on: http://www.wineanorak.com/saregions.htm
My favourite is Franschhoek. There are so many super nice hotels and restaurants here!!

And don’t forget to bring your golf clubs. There are great golf courses everywhere! Try one way of living in South Africa. Stay by the golf course at the wonderful Wings & Water Guest House at the gated community Silverlake. It is close to the air port, shopping centres, golf course etc in Pretoria. And it has a great chef. The owner has also another lovely guest house for a safari weekend, and a third by the coast.
When in Johannesburg or Pretoria you should arrange a tour guide to take you to the Apartheid Museum and on a Soweto tour. There are plenty of sites to visit in Soweto for example Nelson Mandelas home and the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It is also nice to visit the Parliament in Pretoria.

Get to know some more about the culture of South Africa in the Lesedi Cultural Village, Magaliesberg. Local families live permanently in five traditional homes including Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele. Have lunch in the restaurant and try ostrich or crocodile.

If you dont want to drive a car yourself, it is nice to go with a tour operator. For example JMT Tours http://www.jmttours.co.za/

Desert vacation in Dubai

2009-08-03T03:55:00.000-07:00

10 top things to do in Dubai?

The first new country this year was Dubai. It was exciting to go there and to see the desert but one visit is enough and I won´t go back. This is my report from the city of sand.

Mitt första nya land i år var Dubai. Det var spännande att åka dit men det räcker med ett besök och jag kommer inte att åka tillbaka. Här är min reseberättelse från staden av sand.

Visting the desert
There are many excellent hotels in Dubai. I just love the desert!
Bab-al-shams...
Do I need to say more?

Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa is an excellent retreat in a traditional Arabic setting in the desert outside Dubai. I just wished we had stayed here for the whole week!
I was a tiny bit scared of the falcon that the falconer wanted me to hold. They also offered me a trip on a camel in the desert before we went back to town.
I bought a lovely red camel to take home. If you want one you can order one at http://jumeirahcollection.com/Art/For/Home/79-105-22509/Camel+Caravan+Saandhni.aspx

Shopping capital of the Middle East
Dubai is labelled the "shopping capital of the Middle East". We visited the Dubai mall. Supersize and super empty. Where is everyone??But on the other hand there were no queues in the shops. Shopping in Dubai, takes time, so many shops, so little time. But it is the same stuff in the shops as at home so do spend your time in Dubai on other things.

I bought some lovely art at Gallery One. Check out their arab pop art in the Dubai Shopping Mall or on But I bought pictures of the Arabic desert

In Dubai there is actually something called a shopping festival Dubai… believe it or not. I was there a week before the festival started. Bad luck or not?

The taxi driver told me the business was slow and not so many tourists and customers as before. He thought of moving back to India. Maybe that is why the shopping malls were so empty??
Strange and a bit scary to watch people ice-skating in Dubai for the first time, without helmets….in a huge shopping mall...the Dubai Mall

Another huge shopping mall in Dubai is Mall of the emirates
It was fun to watch people skiing for the first time at the indoor Ski Dubai at the mall of the emirates.

We had dinner at one of the 44 (!!) Restaurants in hotel Madinat Jumeriah in Dubai
Do not miss this place! After dinner take a romantic trip with a boat in the canal in the hotel area or sit down and watch the Burj al arab in the sun down.

We went down to “the walk” in Dubai by the beach and sea and have lunch at restaurant Paul and a walk afterwards on the beach or by the walk watch all the luxury cars. But the best lunch was at the hotel resturant The Adress by the pool with a view of the world´s tallest building in Dubai centre. But do avoid the Atlantis area and restaurants. It was not worth the trip.

To summarize the week: in Dubai I really relaxed by the pool at the beautiful Desert Resort. I wished we had skipped the city and stayed in the desert for the whole week.

Costa Brava in Spain

2009-08-03T03:50:00.000-07:00

10 top things to do in Costa Brava?

This summer we visited the Costa Brava coast in Spain. We flew to Barcelona and rented a car to go to Costa Brava on the coast close by. We drove to the small town Platja d’Aro. On the mountain with a view over the sea is the lovely small bed and breakfast hotel called Cal Fonei. This is a perfect vacation for a family with kids.

Vi spenderade den här sommaren i Costa Brava kusten i Spanien. Vi flög till Barcelona och hyrde sedan en bil. Vi bodde på ett litet jättefint hotell som heter Cal Fonei. Det ligger i bergen med otrolig utsikt över havet och kusten. Det här är en perfekt semester för en barnfamilj.

The hotel Cal Fonei has only a couple of rooms, big swimming pool and a super nice view. The friendly couple who runs the hotel arranged a lovely barbeque for us one night. It feels like staying with friends in their home. A great feeling when you are on vacation.

There so much to do. You can visit Barcelona to see the buildings by Gaudi. It is worthwhile the trip! When tired of sightseeing by bus in Barcelona we visited Spanish Zara mega store for some shopping. Summer sale was on. Shopping in Barcelona is great.

After Barcelona we went back to Costa Brava. We took the car and and drove around to new towns everyday. It is nice to eat out in the evenings in the different villages around the coast.

Restaurants Costa Brava?
We also visited the village Lloret de mar. Totally full of tourists. But I forgot about that while eating at restaurant La Pampa while watching the beautiful church. Address: Santa Lucia

The favourite place is the simple pub like restaurant Ray de Jamon in the harbour of Saint Feliu de Guixols. Address: Ctra de Palamos 2. They don’t speak English but it doesn’t matter because the food is marvellous. Quite expensive, but with great food and off the tourist streets is restaurant Toc de Sol in Castell d’Aro very close to Platja d’Aro.

Small scale shopping in the small shops in Palamos was nice. I couldn’t find any nice restaurants but I am sure the must be some.

Dancing in the street got a new meaning in Tossa de mar when the inhabitants of Tossa dance to the sound of Sardanes in the streets of the city. Happens one day in July every year. Wow!

Shopping in Andorra!
When we were in Spain we took a days trip and drove to the Andorra for some mega shopping. But the stunning views in the mountains beat the shopping by far. It took far longer to drive there than planned. So all the shops closed about one hour after we arrived. Or maybe it was well planned?
I only bought one perfume in Andorra, it was kind of to many shops. Strange feeling. But at least I visited one new country. So I could get a tick in the box on my “must-visit-two-new-countries-a-year-list”

Andorra was full of cyclists and shops. Plan the shopping or nature adventures on http://www.andorra.ad/en-US/What_do_you_need/Shopping/Pages/default.aspx

Shopping in Costa Brava
There are not so many nice shops here but I managed to buy a DKNY bag on sale. One nice thing about a summer holiday in July in Spain is that the sale is on in all shops.... Go to Barcelona and shop at Zara, Mango, DKNY, Cortés Ingles, etc. etc.

Österlen is fantastic

2009-07-15T13:43:00.000-07:00

10 top things to do at Österlen?

I do love Österlen in Skåne in the South of Sweden. These are my favourite places...
Jag älskar verkligen Österlen i Skåne i södra Sverige. Här är några tips på favoritställen, affärer, gallerier, hotell och restauranger för en weekend på Österlen.

Österlen is a region on the eastcoast of Sweden. It is by the sea and I really like the region for its nature, lovely small houses, art galleries, design hotels and great restaurants.

I looked at 25 artists work at KAOS south of Kivik. It is easy to find. I found a lot of things a liked and bought some. This is where I bought my giant tea cup I have at work. It is made by Saga Johnsson. You can also visit her shop and workshop on the way to Stenshuvud.

The must-try-drink when you are at Österlen is the local apple juice and food made of fruit made locally in Kivik. Buy it by the street. I tried a glass in the café and then I bought a lot in the factory shop at Kiviks musteri or the smaller and lovlier Kivikås close to Kivik.
Where to stay at Österlen? I like Östangård bed and breakfast and design shopBut I love Karlaby Kro hotel and spa even more.
Have lunch or dinner at Karlaby Kro and you will be happy for a month.
A friend told me that the hotel and restaurant Vitemölla Badhotell is a must. But I missed to go there last summer. But I will not miss it this summer. It looks supernice!

I don’t really like cookies but I adore the café Kaffestugan Annorlunda with their cookie buffet. It is an old genuine house and it feels cosy like home.
The rooms are not so nice but the food is lovely at hotel and restaurant Brösarps gästgiveri. I had the fish "Helstekt Spätta från Simrishamn med Champinjoner och brynt Smör" when I stayed in Brösarp. Mums as we say in Swedish! But the best restaurant is Maritim Krog, address Hamngatan 31, in Simrishamn. Evelinas Kök is also nice for at meal, address Storgatan 3.

Some more shopping? I found Himla table cloths & things at great prices at Stärkan kvalitetsoutlet in Kivik. Dining at home will be even nicer this autumn with things I bought...

I feel in love with a painting when I visited the gallery on Eliselundsvägen 45 in Kivik. The artist was friendly enough to show us his gallery and studio which had a great view of Kivik.
Check out his marvellous paintings at http://www.hagman.se/main.php?page=konstnarer&subpage=konstnar.php&username=Bengt%20Yman
There is also a nice shop in Kivik at Eliselundsvägen 18, just opposite with handmade design things.

I feel happy when I look at Gunilla Manns paitings. A lot of colours and happiness. She has a studio in Rörum and a shop in Simrishamn. Buy a painting of a postcard as a memory of your trip to Österlen. I like the one of Nyhavn in Copenhagen a lot.
It is perfect to go to Österlen in May-August. But if you like art you should try to visit it during Easter beacuse of the "konstrunda". It is an art exhibition where 150 artists open their homes and studios to the public. I was there in 2009 and loved it, although it snowed heavily during the whole weekend.
Do you dream of a house at Österlen? Look at this real estate homepage. Their presentations of the houses that are for sale totally look like an interior design magazine! http://www.uppvik.nu/

Finally some must do things från my friend Eva who lives in Skåne:

Play golf at one of the beautiful golf courses; for example the golfcourse Lilla Vik outside Simrishamn. You can stay at their hotel and play golf for a weekend. I tried their restaurant and checked their rooms last summer. Looks good!
Visit Kronovalls vinslott (wine castle). Have a wine tasting sesscion, have dinner and stay at their hotel. It is quite expensive and I have not tried it but it seems like a nice place.
Visit Konstrundan

You might guess what her hobbies are by the above tips?

Trosa - A truly beatiful end of the world!

2009-07-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend´s trip was to small town Trosa by the sea on the east coast of Sweden. It is close to Stockholm and also called "the end of the world".

Den här helgens resa gick till den lilla staden Trosa vid havet på svenska ostkusten. Trosa ligger nära Stockholm och kallas också ”världens ände”.

The town is so sweet and lovely by the sea and with a canal in the middle of the town.

Visit it on a sunny summer day! In the winter, many shops and restaurants are closed!
http://www.trosa.com/ or http://cityguide.se/trosa/

We stayed at the hotel Bomans hotell. I have read about this small Swedish design hotel and boutique hotel it in loads of design and travel magazines.

It looks so nice on the internet. All the rooms are in different styles. Check out their suite La Dolce Vita and the other rooms
I am curious as I have high expectations for this place. Can Bomans hotel meet my expectations? Checking in isn’t until 15.00 so we take a stroll around the town. There are so many small shops with clothes, interior design and other stuff. I can´t resist some new candle light holders and a vase at the shop “Nätverket Hjärtans glädje” on the street Österlånggatan where all the small shops are. http://www.lusthuset-heminredning.se/

We also spent some time in the small shops on the square. Albins gården has ceramics from Bruka design. Nice!
At the square we cross the canal in the middle of the town, take a couple of pictures of the boats and the lovely small wooden houses by the canal.

On the other side is the Trosa hotel and restaurant in Trosa Stadshotellet. The food is excellent. The hotel and spa also seem nice. I might stay here if I come back another time.

Now it is check-in time at Bomans hotel. Our rooms are so totally sweet with Laura Ashley design. Sweet! If you want to copy the design visit the closest Laura Asley shop.
Or international http://www.lauraashley.com/

In the evening a four course dinner at Bomans restaurant. Starter and desserts are great. Main course isn’t spectacular but ok. All in all - a great evening.

The last day a stroll in the harbour checking out the boats and more small shops.
An ice-cream by the harbour in the sun is nice. Or a “fika” (coffee and cookies) in the garden at the bakery “Tre små rum” on Österlånggatan.

We pass hotel Vega, the world´s smallest hotel?, which looks nice by the canal. It is a four star hotel with three rooms!
There is also and Bed and Breakfast hotel “Ågården Bed & Breakfast” next to Vega.

We also had to visit “Kutterkonfekt” the chocolate “factory” and shop on Österlånggatan. We buy some handmade chocolate before we leave.

You can also play golf or go on boat trips in the Swedish archipelago

There are three old castles close by. One of them is royal Tullgarns slott which is owned by the Swedish Royal Family.

Cool Copenhagen

2009-07-12T09:41:00.001-07:00

10 top things to do in Copenhagen?
I visited Copenhagen, Denmark last week. Copenhagen is a lovely city with loads of great shops, restaurants and museums.
Where to stay in Copenhagen? Hotel The square has a perfect location in the middle of the centre.
Enjoyed the Arne Jacobsen design hotel Radisson SAS Royal Hotel. Turned on the ipod and sat in the coolest chairs ever in the lobby. Drinks on the top of the house... at the 20th floor with a fantastic view of Copenhagen at the Radisson hotel.
A drink or lunch at Restaurant Puk is a must after a day of shopping. Design viewing & shopping at Illum is nice but do try shopping on street Vandkunsten and the streets around. It is much better! I just love the small shops around here!
On Copenhagen on a Friday? Don´t miss the great Rock conserts at the Fun park Tivoli. Spent the afternoon at fun park TiIvoli. Watch out for the scary airplane and screaming people!!! (maximum speed 100 km/h, 360 degree turn). OK I admit. I didnt dare to try...
Lunch at restaurant Ida Davidsen (only open on weekdays, make reservation) is something special. Super shopping on the street Ströget and a cosy dinner at smoky restaurant Skindbuksen (reservation is needed)
Boatsightseeing followed by lunch on the sqare. Danish classic food (smorrebrod) in restaurant Nytorv. We had a lovely dinner at the Sankt Gertruds kloster (the St Gertruds convent).
If you like art, like me, don´t miss the art museum Glypoteket. The museum Louisiana is also one of my favorites, but it is outside Copenhagen and you need a car to get there. But if you go there, stop by at the Karen Blixen house and museum on the way.

The best restaurant in Copenhagen is Noma, it has been named the world´s best restaurant. Reserve in advance to experience extraordinary Nordic gourmet cuisine at its best. Read the review in the Telegraph UK.

Other cool design hotels in Denmark are:

Hotel Fox. Each room is different. Choose among rooms with comical styles, graphic design, street art, fairytales and Japanese Manga to mention some.
Hotel FRONT with stylish sophisticated design. It is on the Condé Nast Traveller's 2007 Hot List.
Hotel Nimb with the aim to place the hotel in the absolute world-elite of small, luxury city hotels. Placed in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. The design of the exterior of the hotel reminds me of Taj Mahal.
Hotel Skt. Petri is one of Copenhagen's leading design hotels.