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.
Welcome to Marie´s travel diary and blog. I love to travel and to write about smultronställen (Swedish for hidden gems). It´s nice and cool places, fab shops, interesting museums, luxury hotels and the best restaurants. I haven´t been everywhere yet, but it is on my list. This blog is my hobby, and is not written by a company.
24 April 2010
18 April 2010
Picturesque Paris
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 the MonaLisa painting 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.
More shopping?
The best markets in Paris are Marché Pual Bert and Marché Serpette, The market in Saint-Quen Paris 18e.
Didier Ludot, 33 rue Valois Paris 1 for vintage clothes, close to Palais Royal.
I also got a recommendation for these 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.
* The restaurant at Hotel le Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, also try their spa
* Caffé Burlot, 9 Rue de Coliseé Paris 8e and Italian restaurant with beautiful interior design. Nice food and beautiful place.
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.
Three must-visit-parts of Paris according to Ving is:
* Marais with restaurants, art gallery, a hectic nightlife and the most romantic square in Paris: Place de Vosges.
* Saint-Germain-Des-Prés, the area between Seine the the Luxembourg garden is an exclusive area for designer shopping and cafés.
* Montmarte, the area for art and culture.
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 the MonaLisa painting 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.
More shopping?
The best markets in Paris are Marché Pual Bert and Marché Serpette, The market in Saint-Quen Paris 18e.
Didier Ludot, 33 rue Valois Paris 1 for vintage clothes, close to Palais Royal.
I also got a recommendation for these 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.
* The restaurant at Hotel le Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, also try their spa
* Caffé Burlot, 9 Rue de Coliseé Paris 8e and Italian restaurant with beautiful interior design. Nice food and beautiful place.
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.
Three must-visit-parts of Paris according to Ving is:
* Marais with restaurants, art gallery, a hectic nightlife and the most romantic square in Paris: Place de Vosges.
* Saint-Germain-Des-Prés, the area between Seine the the Luxembourg garden is an exclusive area for designer shopping and cafés.
* Montmarte, the area for art and culture.
17 April 2010
Vivid Vienna
- 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.
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.
03 April 2010
Blooming Budapest
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
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