Prague in 24 hours

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

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.

Gastronomic Gothenburg

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.

Sassy Stockholm

Stockholm is my favourite city in Sweden.

Top 10 things to do in Stockholm

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


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


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


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


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


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


7. Liljevalchs, art museum with interesting exhibitions


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


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

Resturants

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

Stockholm for kids

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

Romantic Rome

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.

Top 3 piazzas (squares) in Rome by Ving travelagency:

• Piazza de Popolo, from 1800 with Rome´s largest obelisk . The famous street Via del Corso starts here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_del_Popolo 
• Piazza Navona, one of the most beautiful squares in Rome. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_Navona
• Campo dei fiori,  A market with fruit and vegetables during the day, and a large party in the evenings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_de'_Fiori

Pure pyramids in Egypt!

• 
  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.

Desert vacation in Dubai

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 not enough and I will go back. This is my report from the city of 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 emiratesIt 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 DubaiDo 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 stayed in the desert for a week.