Travel Quote of the Day

"Travel is fatal to prejudices, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness."

- Mark Twain

Lucca Stone House, San Ginese, Italy

Have you always wanted to spend your holidays in Tuscany, with it's beautiful scenery and cypresses and with nothing but quiet peace all around you? If so, this could be interesting for you:
Just outside of Lucca, not being a very big town itself, there is the small village of San Ginese, which you will only be able to find with the newest GPS systems (and maybe not even with them). There is not much to see in this village (I can't even say I was very much impressed by Lucca), except for a few little restaurants that happened to be closed all at the same time when I stayed in San Ginese, a post office and, well, that's probably it. So you might think this place has got nothing to offer you. Wrong!
All you need to do to spend one of your most peaceful holidays ever in San Ginese, is to book a room in the "Lucca Stone House". 
"Lucca Stone House" is a lovely little accomodation, run by an Englishman and his Italian wife. You can choose between the rooms or the apartments. If you decide to take a room, you will have to share the bathroom with other guests, whereas the apartments have an their own bathrooms and a kitchen. 
As I have only stayed in one of the apartments so far, I can only tell you about them. If staying in one of the apartments, you need to take care of all your meals yourself, which is no problem because there is a supermarket nearby, where you can buy everything you might need. The apartment size is sufficient and the kitchen is fully equipped. There is no air conditioning, which could be a problem in the summer, especially in August, but you can't miss the chance of staying at the Lucca Stone House because of this. The house itself is really, really pretty and there is a big courtyard with a place to eat sit and some deck chairs. There is also a huge garden with a small swimming pool, which the guests are welcome to use. 

Sitting in the courtyard you might quickly find yourself in company of a one or two cats and the owners' friendly dog. The Lucca Stone House is the perfect location if you just want to relax, enjoy the scenery and the sun, read a book or two or just do nothing at all. Can you really think of anything more peaceful? 
It might also be interesting to visit the Stone House in the winter, which is possible, because the apartments can be rented all throughout the year, while the rooms are only available from April till the beginning of November. 
So please make sure you visit Lucca Stone House during your next tour throughout Italy.


Lucca Stone House
Via dei Centoni
55012 Capannori LU, Italien
338 7429012


@: mpaolapar@yahoo.it
Home: http://www.luccastonehouse.com

Prices:

Rooms: 50 Euro per night

Apartments: 75 Euro per night for 2 persons. 

There are special offers, if you want to stay for a whole week, depending on the time of the year.

Announcement

Dear Readers,


there are many new categories like the "Bloody Hell, Don't!" and "The Bottom 10" one as well as new posts coming to Wonderland, so stay tuned for the latest!!
_

Songs you need to listen to while travelling...

...from Barajas Airport, Madrid to Salamanca:

"Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan

Dublin, Ann's of Howth

 Compared to London, Madrid and all the other European capitals, Dublin seems like a town rather than a big city. However, it’s by far Ireland’s biggest and most exciting city.

Only very few visitors will fear getting lost and some might even miss the noise and the traffic they are exposed to at home.

But instead of recommending the most crowded or central hotels, I would like to advise you to choose a very nice accomodation in an even smaller village outside of Dublin:

A little B&B called „Ann’s“ in Howth.

Howth is a little fishing village, about 15 kilometers from the city centre and it is just extraordinarily beautiful with hiking paths along the coastline, its amazing view over the sea and most of all, the cosy little harbour where you can even see seals waiting for the tourists and locals to throw them some fish.

And there it is, just right next to the coast and the harbour: Ann’s B&B, owned by a very nice couple and their cute and equally friendly dog, Bess.

There are four cosy bedrooms with a view over the harbour and WiFi-connection. The bathrooms are ensuite and you can find a TV in each room (which you will probably not need, because you might rather choose to spend your evenings strolling around the village or visiting Dublin city).

To get to the rooms, you can either use the stairs or, if you are carrying heavy luggage, you can take the tiny elevator, which is also some kind of adventure.

Next to the B&B there is a little kiosk, which is also run by the B&B owners.

I myself have never had breakfast at Ann’s because I’ve always had to be in the city centre very early, but I’m sure it’s fantastic and it’s served from 8.00 – 9:30. There are also special offers for vegetarians, if you inform the owners in advance. Included in the full Irish breakfast you can have eggs, fruits, toasts, juices and more.

It’s not a big deal to take the bus or the DART (train) to the city centre, as it just takes 30 minutes and you will certainly enjoy the exciting ride on the bus. I won’t tell you too much here, as I don’t want to spoil the experience for you. Let’s just say the driver’s tend to drive a little venturously.

To complete your stay in Howth don’t miss the Burgers at Caffè Caira (see seperate blog entry). 

home: http://www.annsofhowth.com

Room rates:

Room rates:

Double/Twin €40-€50 pps

Single €60

Venice, San Clemente Palace and Resort

On the island of San Clemente in the middle of the lagoon lies a pink hotel. Its name?

San Clemente Palace and Resort.

The hotel praises itseld as a luxury resort with spectacular views of Venice, its lagoon and Giudecca Island. But it has so much more to offer.

Well, to start of, the obvious has to be stated first. San Clemente is an exclusive 5 star luxury hotel with a rather unique location in the middle of the lagoon, an ideal position and destination for weekend get-aways or full length holidays. On 65.000 square meters it lies between Giudecca and the Lido of Venice. An intriguing part of the hotel is the old church and graveyard, built in 1131 of which parts that haven't been destroyed during several wars can still be admired and visited.

After an enjoyable drive with one of the motorboats either from Piazza San Marco or Marco Polo Airport you arrive on the yeti on San Clemente Palace and Resort. Several butlers and concierges are at your disposal to help with your lugagge. The first time I arrived on San Clemente was in the late afternoon, the sun was already setting and the lights were on. It gave the hotel a romantic, yet eerie atmosphere. From the yeti there is a long alley lined with trees that leads to the main house. While passing the centuries-old park you notice several banks where you can sit and read and listen to music. It's all very comforting and relaxing. The interior is very luxurious, with a very welcoming foyer and a little reception room on your right. Once given the keys I went up to my room and was pleasantly surprised. It was very bright, capacious and very flash. The view was the best part, though: it overlooked the lagoon. So, it made a very great first impression.

The hotel has two really good restaurants, the Le Maschere and the La Laguna, offering food in a Mediterranean culinary tradition. Breakfast is being served every morning in the feudal venetian atmosphere of the Gli Arazzi dining halls.

The bars are absolutely top class with a wide selcetion of the finest drinks imaginable. Being really low maintenance myself and always sticking to Vodka and Ginger, I didn't have any problmes, but even if you are about the more outlandish drinks you won't be let down.

One of the best things regarding the restaurants is the terrace directly at the lagoon, where you can enjoy your afternoon tea or a snack. The only setback was that I am now scared for life in regards of listening to "Hotel California" as it was played over and over again over the speakers, making me promise to go anywhere BUT Hotel California.

The swimming pool is located in the wide centuries-old park of San Clemente. Opened from mid-May to mid-September, you can bathe from 10am to 6.30pm or have a snack at Le Conchiglie Bar.

As Spa treatments must not lack in a luxury resort, the "La Perla della Laguna", San Clemente's health and Spa center, is the perfect relaxation area. Overseeing the lagoon, you can choose between fitness exercises, massages or ust being pampered. The center is opened from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 7.30 pm.

If you have a meeting or conference on the island as I did when I was there, there are great and capacious meeting rooms with food and drinking possibilities and really good service. It has an elegant Congress Center with 6 meeting rooms able to accomodate up to 300 guests.

But the thing I like to do most on San Clemente is to simpyl wander around. Really, there isn't anything better than to stroll around the old park, sit on the banks of the patio or to climb on the little hill with the most amazing views of the lagoon. I remember reading Hemingway on the hill, appropriate, as I thought, as he was a great lover of Venice and had even written some of his stories there. So I wanted to know what he felt like while writing them. I have so many happy memories there, it's just amazing what the thought of something can trigger in your mind.

As San Clemente is a little off Venice, approximately 5 miles from Piazza San Marco, you can only travel by boat but that should not stop you from exploring La Serenissima. A shuttle service that operates frequently to and fro Piazza San Marco takes you to the city where you find yourself immediately soaked up in the daily routine of the city, with the gondolas, the gondoliere, the Piazza, the Doge's Palace...there are plenty of things to see in Venice and you should see them all. Or you can just stay on San Clemente and enjoy life.

San Clemente Palace Hotel and Resort 
Isola di San Clemente 1, San Marco
30124 Venice, Italy
Tlf: 0039 041 244 50 01
Fax: 0039 041 244 58 00


@: sanclemente@thi.it
Home: www.sanclementepalacevenice.com
Reservations Office: booking-sanclemente@thi.it
Concergerie: concierge-sanclemente@thi.it

Travel Quote of the Day

"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money.  Then take half the clothes and twice the money. "

- Susan Heller

Hotspot of the Day

Harry's Bar, VENICE

Calle Vallaresso, 

S. Marco 1323

30124 Venezia, Italien

Tlf:041 5285777

@: harrysbar@cipriani.com

Home: www.harrysbarvenezia.com

Opening Hours:

Open daily from 10.30 am to 11.00 pm

Proprietor: Arrigo Cipriani

Most notable guests: Ernest Hemingway, Orson Welles, Truman Capote
Most notable invention: The Bellini

_

Barcelona, Top 10

1. Casa Batllo
2. La Sagrada Familia
3. L'Aquarium de Barcelona + IMAX Cinema
4. The Cathedral (La Seu) 
5. Museu Picasso
6. Poble Espanyol de Montjüic
7. Parc Güell 
8. Las Ramblas and Mercat de Boqueria  
9. Barri Gotic 
10. La Pedrera - Casa Milà by Gaudi

Chester, Funky Cow Milkshakes

If you ever get the opportunity to visit the great town of Chester, there is one venue you must not miss (well, apart from that public lav nearby the shopping centre with its irrestible smell, simply delightful!)
Located just opposite Chester Cathedral in 31 St. Werburgh Street, there is a funny little shop that immediately grabs one's attention because of its comic style cow and the purple writing on the sign over the door (and no, I'm neither a girl nor a 9 year-old). It's the "Funky Cow Milk Shake Shop", which offers a large selection of the most unique milk shake variations you've ever seen or tasted. Although you can find similar places in various English cities, I'm sure many of my non-British readers have never seen anything like this shop in their countries before. At least, during my travels, I have never encountered a Milk Shake Shop like this one outside of England (well, apart form America, but..meh..)

The Funky Cow Milk Shake Shop is easily the best milk shake selling venue I've ever been to. The staff is friendly and the shop itself, although rather small, is full of the most delicious, peculiar and also disgusting ingredients. To try every flavour you will have to return to Chester more than 150 times or drink several shakes in one day and explode.

The shakes consist of vanilla ice cream, milk and whatever flavour you like. To be on the safe side, you might want to add a chocolate bar or M&Ms. If you think of yourself as the brave kind of person, you won't back away from the TicTac or even the Marmite flavour (an explosion of your taste buds, I tell you) just as everyone else would (and rightfully so). The staff even counts the people ordering a Marmite Flavour. I think, when I visited the shop, there have been fifty-five brave people so far (or fifteen, I really couldn't make out the handwriting, it had been crossed out so many times..)
So, whenever you're in Chester go and try it out!

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday from 10:00am-5:30pm,
Saturdays from 10:00am-6:00pm
Sundays from 11am - 5pm.

It doesn't have its own website, but you can visit the Funky Cow's Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chester-United-Kingdom/Funky-Cow-Milkshake-Bar/140358837174

Craziest Thing Of The Day

LOONY DOOK


Diving into the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth on New Year's Day in fancy to weird dresses.

http://www.theloonydook.co.uk/

Songs you need to listen to while travelling...

...from Howth to Dublin City Centre:

"Free Falling" by John Mayer

Berlin, Café Fleury

On a rainy February morning I visited Café Fleury for the first time and I was immediately convinced that it had the potential of becoming one of my favourite cafés. Situated in Weinbergsweg 20 in the Prenzlauer Berg District, this little place is simply ideal for Saturday or Sunday morning brunches.

The first thing you see of Café Fleury is the little terrace in front of it with approximately 10 tables and chairs where you can eat outside in the sun, although right now, there is construction work going on at the building next door, so if you don't like your croissant being served next to a rubbish container, I'd strongly advise you to go inside. 

Once inside you find several tables with comfortable chairs, dimmed light and a very pleasant atmosphere. You can either sit near the counter or you can choose one of the cosy tables next to the windows. 

The menu consists of sandwiches, little french snacks such as quiches and croque-monsieurs, fromages and charcuterries, salads as well as cakes, tarts and gateaus and a vast variety of hot and cold drinks. But as my main reason to come here is for breakfast and brunch I'd like to specifically point out the delicious possibilities to start your day.

Breakfast is divided into five different choices:

Français

1 Croissant or 1 Pain au Chocolat, Baguette, butter, jam

€5,50

Fromage

french cheese specialties, fruit, jam, butter, breadbasket

€7,80

Mixte

french cheese specialties, french salami, ham, rilletes de canard, fruit, jam, butter, breadbasket

€7,50

Campagne

Pâté de Campagne, 2 types of ham, french salami, turkey breast, rillete de canard, mayonaisse and mustard of Dijon, Cornichons (little gherkins), butter, breadbasket

€7,50

Grand

french cheese specialties, french salami, ham, rilletes de canard, 1 boiled organic egg, small fruit salad, jam, butter, breadbasket

€11,50

Cereals with milk and fresh fruits €4,00

Yogurt with fresh fruits €4,00

Fruit salad €4,00

2 organic eggs in a glass  with toast and butter €3,50

Hard boiled organic egg €1,00

Nutella €0,50

In addition, you can choose between several freshly made fruit juices (try out the orange juice!) and the best Café au Lait I've had outside of France. Furthermore you can add to your breakfast a Cappuccino, Latte Macchiatos, Espresso au Lait, Hot Chocolate, Ovomaltine, Frappés or simply a normal cup of coffee and several tea flavours. The waiters, mostly female, are really friendly and helpful. 

Once you've decided what you want you simply go to the counter and order your breakfast with one of the waitresses. After having paid you return to your table and wait until the waiter brings you your food. Usually, you don't have to wait long, as they are really quick in preparing your meal, even if the café's full. I was there in the summer time on a sunday morning and it was really cramped, but the food didn't take more that 5-10 minutes to come.

I usually eat the Français with a pain au chocolat, a baguette and strawberry jam and I am completely addicted to the Café au Lait. I like to sit in the far corner next to the shelves with all the different types of tea, it's very cozy and seperate to the rest of the café but you can still watch the other visitors.

At the end of my stay I always go to the counter and take a goody back to go, with little chocolate cookies (3 for €0,50) or marble cake cookies (3 for €2,10).

So, have a look and find out what breakfast is your favourite, but above all, enjoy!

Location

Café Épicerie Fleury

Weinbergsweg 20

10119 Berlin (Mitte)

Tlf: 030 44 03 41 44

Tube: Rosenthaler Platz

Opening Hours:

Mon-Fri: 8-22pm

Sat/Sun: 10-20pm

Hotspot of the Day

Ed's Easy Diner, LONDON

19 Rupert Street
London
W1D 7PA
Tlf: 020 7287 1951
@: trocadero@edseasydiner.co.
Home: www.edseasydiner.com
Menu: www.edseasydiner.com/menu

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: Midday-11pm
Fri/Sat: Midday-Midnight
Sun: Midday-10pm

Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus

Payment Methods:
No cheques, but Visa, Maestro or Master Card are accepted

Travel Quote of the Day

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." 

- St. Augustine

Edinburgh, Hendersons of Edinburgh

"Eat better, live better"

Deep in the New Town of Edinburgh, close to Princes Street, there is a little restaurant called Hendersons of Edinburgh. Located in 94 Hanover Street on the corner to Thistle Street, this vegetarian and vegan restaurant offers a vast variety of delicious food.
What should be highlighted above all is the Henderson's bistro, in contrast to the actual restaurant. This small location only consists of a handful of tables, so please be sure to book a table in advance.
It is a matter of particular concern for me to convince even the most passionate carnivore to give the Hendersons a chance. Not being a vegetarian myself, I can honestly say that the meals offered at the Hendersons have never let me miss anything at all.
The menu varies depending on the time of your visit. There is a lunch menu, a dinner menu and a Sunday's menu. You might like to try the Nut Burger, for instance, the quiche or even the vegetarian version of the famous Haggis.
The staff is very friendly and happily tries to fulfill your every desire.
If your are a soft drink addict, you should either choose another restaurant, or, which might be the better option, go for something else for once, as you will neither find Coke, Pepsi, Sprite or anything like that on the menu. The Hendersons is a restaurant, which aims to supply you with healthy food and drinks. Why not try that for once? You will probably find yourself liking it and it surely won't hurt you.
You don't have to be afraid, though, to have to do without any dessert. The Hendersons offers a reasonable selection of the most delicious desserts you have ever eaten. Especially the chocolate mousse and the frozen cheesecake are absolutely fantastic.
The prices are really reasonable, if you take the high quality into account. The most expensive dish on the dinner menu costs £9,10, the average dish about £7,50. Starters are available from £1,35 to £4,45.
In addition to the bistro, there is Hendersons the Restaurant. Located in the cellar of the building this is some kind of self-service style venue. You go to the counter and order whatever you like from the menu or the boards on the walls. The food is equally fresh and just made and the people working there are really helpful. The seating area looks like from an old castle and it's rather dark and a little cramped, but it largely contributes to the atmosphere.
Another great thing about Hendersons is that they organise several art and music events in their venue or in cooperation with festival-organisations like the Fringe. The exhibitions vary frequently and are really interesting and worth visiting.
Whenever the bistro is full or closed, do try out the restaurant, it's equally great, but I prefer the bistro due to its coziness and style.


Link to the restaurant: http://www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk/
Link to the menu:  http://www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk/images/bistro-dinner-menu.jpg

Introduction and Purpose

Dear Reader!

Having travelled a lot throughout my life and having been to lots of different and interesting places I have seen a great deal of fascinating, beautiful, astonishing, scary, disgusting, boring or simply great things.
London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Edinburgh, New York. As Robert Louis Stevenson said "For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move."

In this blog I want to share my experience and knowledge with you, advise you where to go (and where not to!), helping you to find exciting places and have a great time while travelling.
I hope you enjoy browsing through my tips and suggestions and maybe you find a sight or place you have already been to and of which you can share your experience and tell us whether you agree with my review or not.
Furthermore, I hope that by giving you my advices and tips I have been able to incite you to travel and enjoy your visit to the world's most famous and beautiful cities, as well as to the little hidden gems scattered all around the planet. Just get out and travel because it's absolutely worth it.

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." - Lao Tz