Madeleine Morrow
Art Museums – Gems of Lisbon
An art lover’s view of the city museums For a medium-sized capital city, Lisbon has a proliferation of public art ...
The Relais Henley Hotel
The Relais Henley was the perfect base for enjoying the Henley Literature Festival. Located in a 16th-century Grade-II-listed building, the four-star hotel incorporates modern comforts into a historical property. History buffs will be interested to learn that the building housed the craftsmen who built the local St Mary’s Church in the 1530s. In 1632, it hosted King Charles I and later the first Duke of Wellington. Georgian times brought the addition of the brick façade, which exists today.
Swiss Mountains and Lakes
For a week in August, with a Swiss Travel Pass downloaded on my mobile phone, I set off from Geneva for an eco-friendly train trip to explore some of Switzerland’s magnificent mountains and lakes.
Hotel Dame des Arts, Paris
n the heart of the Latin Quarter in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, Hôtel Dame des Arts is a chic, centrally located hotel, à deux pas from public transport, and within walking distance of almost every major sight and museum you may wish to visit. Its position on the Left Bank, in a triangle formed by the intersection of Boulevards Saint-Michel and Saint-Germain, makes it a short stroll to the Seine for walks along the Quais and also gives easy access to Notre-Dame Cathedral, which still draws crowds since its reopening in December 2024.
Margaux, Paris – A Classic Brasserie
I am often asked by friends where to eat in Paris, and it is a question I find difficult to answer - ҫa dépend. It depends not only on your budget, but on where you are staying, what your mood is, and whether you prefer small, trendy eateries in the 11th or the big hitters that have been around for decades. My preference is for some of the terrific ethnic restaurants and the generation of young chefs who are doing exciting things in less touristy parts of the city. However, there are times when I crave a good brasserie like Margaux, serving traditional French dishes, where you know your favourites will be on the menu, where the welcome is warm, the atmosphere convivial, and the food reliable.
Hotel Noucha, Paris
Located in the Auteuil quarter in the heart of Paris' 16th Arrondissement, Hotel Noucha is a four-star, boutique hotel on a quiet street that has an important architectural history. Its 27 elegant rooms sport gorgeous fabrics and vintage furniture, and the hotel has an inviting rooftop terrace in addition to private balconies on the upper floors. Much quieter than the tourist-filled areas in central Paris, yet easily accessible on public transport, Hotel Noucha is a home-from-home in a well-heeled residential neighbourhood, ideally located for the plethora of museums and key sights in the 16th arrondissemen
Eating Tokyo – Part One
Tokyo boasts more Michelin stars than any city on the planet – a total of 263 were awarded in 2023. For foodies seeking the best eating experience while visiting the city, this can lead to stress overload. Trying to select three exquisite meals a day, multiplied by the number of travel days, leaves many difficult decisions about which restaurants to book. Many of us would struggle to keep up such a schedule of fine dining, and in any case, Tokyo has many sights to see aside from what is on a plate. In Tokyo, you can avoid a state of FOMO breakdown and wallet collapse as the city has excellent food at all price points. Often, bargains are to be found underground, where you will discover a lively eating scene with some delicious dishes.
What to see and eat in Palermo
Palermo boasts natural beauty, situated between the sea and the mountains, with magnificent Baroque architecture, mosaics unlike any I’ve seen in Sicily, a plethora of museums, vibrant street life, and, of course, excellent food. With only two days in the city, you will need to pack in a fair amount. Here are my top five picks for churches and museums to visit, along with some great places to eat.
La Bella Palermo
La Bella Palermo is an enigmatic place, occupying the piano nobile (main floor) of Palazzo Pantelleria, in the centre of Palermo’s old city. It is known as a home museum, which sounds like a bit of a riddle. It resembles a museum, filled with intriguing collections and antique furnishings, yet it is a private house, not open to the viewing public.
ADLER Spa Resort Sicilia
Like many of the best destinations, reaching the ADLER Spa Resort Sicilia requires a little effort. Part of its charm and exquisite beauty lies in its remote location, high up on a hill above the Torre Salsa nature reserve, overlooking the sea and a beach that extends for miles.
