Asia, Europe, Middle East, Travel
360 Istanbul, Beyoglu, Istanbul, New City, Park Hyatt, Shangri-La, Turkey
WhyGoNow?
After touring the historic Old City, get ready to party all night and shop all day in modern day Istanbul. Whether you’re on a romantic getaway or a singles’ vacation, take the city by storm in your chicest travel outfits. Peruse the many nightclubs and bars as well as chic, cutting edge restaurants. Influences from the East and the West are present wherever you’ll go.
What2Do
Cruise up the Bosphorus from the Golden Horn to the Black Sea with Europe on your left, Asia on your right. Explore Beyoglu, nightlife central. Climb the steep hills of Cihangir (San Franciscans should have no problem) and immerse yourself in the community of artists and writers. Wear you fur beret to blend in. For more art, try the Istanbul Modern museum. Take a romantic vacation within a vacation and go to Fransiz Sokagi (aka French Street) and feel like you’re walking the streets of Paris amidst the pink buildings.
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern (perfect for singles (S)) or quiet & elegant (perfect for married (M))? Sometimes you want to “marry” the two (MS).
Where2Stay
The House Hotel – In Nisantasi or Ortakoy, the epitome of modern design. Recommended by Vogue, small, very cool, you feel as though you’re at a private party. (S)
Park Hyatt – Nestled amidst the best shopping. Modern, leather accented rooms, Turkish hamam (call for your own personal bathmaster) and end the day perched at their rooftop pool sipping cocktails for the perfect romantic getaway. (M)
Shangri-La – Newly opened and by the Bosphorus. Great restaurant paired with amazing view. There is nothing more romantic than a room by the sea. Perfect for an all inclusive honeymoon. How about fur ankle shoes to show him how sexy you can be? (MS)
Where2Play
Waterside nightclubs like Angelique stay open until dawn, perfect for the single’s vacation. 360 doubles as both a restaurant and a hot club. All things Middle Eastern, from food to harem design, Al Jamal not only offers a gorgeous view of the Bosphorus, but enticing belly dancers (maybe get some ideas for later that night). Billionaire Nightclub located in the new EDITION Hotel is adorned with crystal, gold and a very chic crowd just like your purse – great for a single girl’s night out.
Where2Dine
Head to Zuma for Japanese (other locations in London, Hong Kong, Dubai and Miami), or 360 Istanbul for fusion (order the Sultan’s Aphrodisiac, who knows what will happen next?) Award-winning Changa is neither on the water or on a rooftop, but in an art nouveau building. It combines classic & modern food w/ an open interactive kitchen. For more authentic cuisine head to Alem.
Where2Shop
Nisantasi is the trendiest shopping area – a posh residential district infused with cafes, restaurants and historical buildings. Don’t miss Abdi Ipekci Avenue for all the luxury brands and local designers. Atil Kutogna is a boutique that mixes bold Turkish & Ottoman patterns with modern European influences. Men & Women! Vakko is Turkey’s answer to Barneys’ New York. Five floors of their own designs, scarves that rival Hermes, & unique custom handbags all at unbeatable prices. Indulge in their own line of chocolates & champagne while shopping. Cocktails always enhance shopping.
Stay clean, warm, and comfy…but keep your mind dirty! Click on Items to Purchase
Co-authored by: Tiffany Do , Google Images
Australia, Travel
Australia, Great Ocean Road, King Salmon, Koala's Beaches, Melbourne, MoVida, Park Hyatt, St. Kilda
Why Go Now?
The many faces of Melbourne – If you like Chicago you will love Australia’s second city. Stroll down broad boulevards of high end shops with ancient trams running down the center. Graffiti mural lined alleyways filled with discovery worthy bistros, coffee houses, bars & boutiques. Take a boat ride on the Yarra River, venture down the Great Ocean Road for “Big Sur.” like vistas, stop & marvel at the koala’s. From sun drenched beaches to the Crown Casino complex (think mini Vegas), to tennis, cricket & beer – Melbourne offers a great experience city down under.
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Location, cost, size & child friendly all play a part. Do you want your hotel, hip & modern with sexy dark lounges, a DJ spinning “singles” on the roof? Or do you prefer a quiet, elegant & romantic hotel? Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two which is the hardest to find. You will see an M (married), S (Single), or an MS (married/single) next to each hotel
Where2Stay
Park Hyatt Melbourne – The largest luxury rooms in Melbourne w/ huge marble bathrooms. The perfect location overlooking St. Patrick Cathedral, Fitzroy Gardens & surrounded by great dining & the best shopping. Literally an eat, pray, shop experience! Excellent staff. Have martinis in their garden. (MS)
Adelphi – Cool boutique hotel right near Federation Square. With 34 rooms, modern hip vibe & a rooftop pool rooftop. No restaurant but with places like Meatballs & Wine and the always packed Chin Chin down the street you won’t starve! (S)
The Langham Melbourne – Elegant, discreet, a bit old fashion sums up this expensive but worth every penny hotel. Know for the service, lux rooms, world class spa & its central location near the Yarra River. (M)
Where2Dine
So many restaurants – MoVida for Spanish tapas, Chin Chin for Fusion & Donovans in St. Kilda (sample Ora Brand Salmon, thanks Shane & Anna). For Italian, Becco, Cutler & Co. for modern Australian, Taxi for Japanese & for Thai try Longrain. Head to Crown Casino Complex for be seen dining at Nobu (yes that Nobu), famous Rockpool for streak and Spice Bar for Asian.
Where2Shop
Collins St – The usual suspects -Boss, Gucci, Lauren, Channel… The unusual. Search out Australian designers Collette Dinnigan, Alannah Hill & Jan Logan for jewelry. Shop at Cose Ipanema & Et Al. Visit Block Arcade. Head to Brunswick St for Dizingof. Venture out to Swanton St, Burke St. Mall (home to David Jones the Bloomingdale’s of Melbourne) Queen Victoria Market & Flinders Lane for the unexpected. Cab or tram it to Chapel St for unique Aussie designers
What2Do
Day to night Melbourne will keep you hopping. Stroll the banks of the Yarra River & the esplanade in beach side St. Kilda, Wander to discover art institutions. Visit the Royal Botanical Gardens & Federation Square. More importantly leave room for day trips. Drive the Great Ocean Road for stunning scenery & famous 12 apostles. Stay overnight, it’s a long way. The Penguin Parade has thousands of penguins making a nightly visit crossing beaches to feed their young. Reserve their exclusive platform. Arrange to get up close & personal with the Koalas & head to the Yarra Valley for world class Australian wines.
Reminder
Seasons are reversed. The beginning of fall & winter is May, June & July. A respite from the heat of summer Melbourne is a “cool” alternative.
Art and Fashion- the perfect fit!
Europe, Travel
Alps, Europe, Food Festival, Park Hyatt, skiing, Switzerland. Bankers, Zurich, Zurich Film Festival, Zurich Street Parade
Why Go Now?
Because Zurich is a perfect blend of old and new. The combination of an avant-garde city mixes w/ the quaint cobblestone streets of Alstadt (old town) A picture perfect city combining medieval churches, modern architecture, a red light district (Kreis 4) & a contemporary industrial art district (Kreis 5). A state of the art transportation system of trains, buses, riverboats & streetcars, (remember things really do run on time) takes you anywhere on one ticket. Balanced by the picturesque Limmat River running through the city and situated against a backdrop of jaw dropping snow covered alps, Zurich is not just efficient, clean & safe but vibrant, trendy & enchanting.
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Location, cost, size & child friendly all play a part. Do you want your hotel, hip & modern with sexy dark lounges, a DJ spinning “singles” on the roof? Or do you prefer a quiet, elegant & romantic hotel? Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two which is the hardest to find. You will see an M (married), S (Single), or an MS (married/single) next to each hotel.
Where2Stay
Baur Au Lac – The grand dame of Zurich, run by the 6th generation of the family’s founders. Representing a timeless elegance of a bygone era the hotel mixes art deco w/ a French modern decor. Indulgent and expensive so be prepared. But can you put a price on excellence? (MS)
Park Hyatt Zurich– If modern, contemporary & location is your desire the Park Hyatt is perfect. With the largest guest rooms in Zurich ” this boutique hotel on a grand scale” provides luxury with all the creature comforts that all Park Hyatt’s provide. Situated steps away from the fashionable Bahnhofstrasse shopping street, (not sure if that’s good or bad.) From its enticing lobby, fashionable Onyx Bar & restaurants (see pics below) you can’t go wrong. (Book now for their 2013 Masters of Food & Wine Event June 20th & 23rd.) Ideal for both (MS)
Dolder Grand -Old world elegance (think castle fantasies) w/ an impressive art collection, a 4000 sq. ft spa situated between the edge of the city and the green zone. Elegant, refined and fabulous. (M)
25 Hours Zurich West – contemporary hip hotels & Zurich may be something of an oxymoron but this German owned, whimsical & cutting edge hotel is setting a new standard. Located 10 minutes outside city center this industrial area is surrounded by art galleries, bars & restaurants. Rooms named silver, gold & platinum show its humorous side. An affordable ( relatively) value hotel. (S)
B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa – in one word – wow!. Opened in 2012 this former brewery kept the historic outside and gutted the inside into a state of the art boutique hotel. Cool rooms, mosaic glass bathroom floors, the piece de resistance is the bar library w/floor to ceiling lined bookshelves & the rooftop bath. Not pool but actual baths w/ views of the city. (S)
Where2Dine
Aura -THE hip restaurant for fusion food, Nine for Mediterranean food, Kronenhalle – a beer hall turned local institution w/original Chagall, Picasso’s & Miro’s on the wall, book ahead. Terrasse– Zurichs latest hot spot w/ views of the river, Canitetta Antinori – great Italian. Acqua for its unique location jutting out onto a lake. Don’t miss Sprungli Confiserie – best pasteries & chocolate, need I say more? Lets not forget fondue at Chaesalp, La Salle in trendy Zurich West, you dine in an enclosed glass box, Bodega Espanola an underground lunch place & Globus – noodle bar for lunch. And what is a visit to Zurich without experiencing a beer hall? Try Zeughauskeller w/ its communal tables, sausages & huge beer steins.
Where2Shop
Stroll Bahnhofstrasse street for luxury brands, Old Town – local boutiques & Zurich West – furniture & textiles. Try JAP & Claudia Zuber for unique designers, Entre Deux for consignment, Och Sport – ski attire the Swiss way, Monies – one of a kind jewelry, TA-Bou for swimwear, Cold? Shop Grieder/Bongenie for furs. Don’t miss Jelmoli, Zurich’s largest premium department store along with a visit to Globus, Switzerland’s premier store.
What2Do
Day-Kunsthaus Museum or Landesmuseum, the Frauenkirche Church, Burkliplatz Farmers Market, Uetliberg for a view of the city & don’t miss Seebad Enge an open air lakeside bath, in evening turns into a trendy bar
Nighttime – Aura -2nd floor private club. Note the camel video & colored lights. Kaufleuten, the most famous clib in Zurich & Limmatstr & Adajio for salsa dancing. For local color stroll the Kreis 4, the red light district.
Special events not to miss
Spring Festival– April 15th, Festival Tropical Caliente, largest Carnivale outside of Rio July 5-7, Zurich Street Parade – 2nd Saturday in August is the largest street party in all of Europe. Food Festival– June 27th to June 30. Zurich Film Festival September 26th -October 6th.
Warming up for Zurich