Right Bank of Bordeaux - Wine Tour

Right Bank of Bordeaux - Wine Tour

Traveller
Wine

The Right bank of the Gironde, in France, is home to Saint Emilion. A splendid city that shines not only for its monochromatic limestone architecture, but for its surrounding vineyards. Saint Emilion as a wine region is a source of premium wine and without a doubt, is amongst the finest in the world. The zone appears to be destined to forever take the back seat while it’s more famous neighbours: Pomerol to the north, and the overconfident communes of the left bank take center stage. 

On this tour, though, I’ll show you three wineries that are not as famous, but still show off great winemaking.

Review - Waldhaus Flims - Forever Young in Switzerland

Review - Waldhaus Flims - Forever Young in Switzerland

Traveller
Hotels

Founded in 1877 the Waldhaus Flims since had a long and moving history. Today it’s a modern 5 star luxury hotel in the Swiss Alps and member of the Leading Hotels of the World. I visited this winter hotel on a summer weekend this year.

Parts of the 2010 movie Youth with Michael Caine were filmed at the Waldhaus while the whole cast was living there. Let’s see whether I came back younger after a night in the Waldhaus…

Review - Hotel Eden Bleu - Seychelles

Review - Hotel Eden Bleu - Seychelles

Traveller
Hotels

The second hotel on our Seychelles trip this year was the Hotel Eden Bleu on Eden Island near the capital Victoria. After the fantastic Hilton Labriz, the (cheaper) Eden Bleu could only lose. I didn’t expect much and, unfortunately, I was not positively surprised. “But the photos look great!”, I hear you say. True, the “hard product” really was nice: all new and an open and bright interior design. So, why did we leave the Eden Bleu disappointed?

La Grand’Vigne - Fine Dining in Bordeaux

La Grand’Vigne - Fine Dining in Bordeaux

Traveller
Food

Just south of the city of Bordeaux in Martillac you will find a wonderful hotel amidst the vineyards of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte with a 2-Michelin-Star restaurant: La Grand’Vigne. The inventors of fine dining and the inventors of red wine…this could be good.

Review - Four Seasons at Sultanahmet Istanbul

Review - Four Seasons at Sultanahmet Istanbul

Traveller
Hotels

Istanbul has been the center of the civilised world for centuries and always at the center stage for the cultural clash of East and West. This results in a plethora of historical sites to behold and a rich culture to experience. This world famous tourist destination offers a lot of hotels for accommodation and this time we chose one of the best, I am sure. Why? Read below.

Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer - Fine Dining Berlin

Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer - Fine Dining Berlin

Traveller
Food

If you want to have a proper dinner when in Berlin an obvious choice is the Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer in the history-laden Kempinski Adlon hotel directly next to the Brandenburg Gate. This establishment is lead by the two-Michelin-starred chef Hendrik Otto. Let’s see whether Kings and Emperors would be satisfied still today were they guests of Lorenz Adlon, like they did in his time.

Emirates Business Class A380 - DXB to ZRH

Emirates Business Class A380 - DXB to ZRH

Traveller
Travel

Departing from the Downtown Palace in Dubai the king sent us on our way in a truly royal manner: Emirates Business Class, where the service already starts from your doorstep all the way through via the grand Business lounge (rather terminal) at DXB, the great A380 product and ending at your home with the chauffeur service. I know, it sounds like advertisement, but rest assured that I am not contracted by Emirates and paid for the flight myself. I was just happy with their wholesome service offering. Read below to find out why!

Review - Palace Downtown Dubai

Review - Palace Downtown Dubai

Traveller
Hotels

The prince's Downtown Palace was sumptuous and - while being in the center of everything - it still was a calm oasis. A perfect representation of Dubai today: an old Arabian palace amidst modern skyscrapers.

Directly next to the Burj al Khalifa in downtown Dubai this luxury resort might not be on your point-collector's-list, as it is not part of any international chain ("just" the local Address Hotels and the U by Emaar-program), it is still very well worth your money - especially when you book with a Virtuoso agent: we got an upgrade from the "cheapest" room to a big suite. Let's take a look!

Emirates Business Class B777 - SEZ to DXB

Emirates Business Class B777 - SEZ to DXB

Traveller
Travel

Flying to and from the paradise that are the Seychelles in style is possible via airlines like Air Seychelles (they are reducing their long-haul business though), Qatar Airways or Emirates. We chose the latter since we wanted to stay in Dubai for a few days on the return trip. New for me was the (old) Business Class seat of Emirates in a Boeing.

How does Business Class of Emirates in the Boeing 777 compare to the praised Airbus 380?

Review - Hilton Seychelles Labriz

Review - Hilton Seychelles Labriz

Traveller
Hotels

When Ian Fleming came to the Seychelles in 1958 he got inspired to write James Bond short stories for his book "For Your Eyes Only". This is also true for dreamers wanting to travel to the Seychelles: only those willing to cash out - this place is not cheap - are allowed to lay their eyes onto paradise. You don't need Bond's platinum card courtesy of Her Majesty the Queen (damn, what would I give for a card like that?), but you should be able to hand over 500 USD per night for accommodation only. Of course you don't have to stay at a Hilton Resort, but then again, why live at all? (and, the Hilton Labriz was one of the "cheaper" options, mind you)

Review - Park Hyatt Dubai

Review - Park Hyatt Dubai

Traveller
Hotels

The luxury brand of the Hyatt corporation opened its first Dubai outstation already in 2005. Situated at the quiet Dubai creek with a marina and a golf course this Dubai hotel is different from the downtown options - but is it a viable one? The city is becoming the hotel capital of the world with seemingly more hotels than residential buildings, so the choice is not easy. Let's see how the Park Hyatt fares.

Silver 7132 - Fine Dining in the Swiss Alps

Silver 7132 - Fine Dining in the Swiss Alps

Traveller
Food

People travel to the little mountain village of Vals deep in the Alps of Switzerland for the thermal baths: 7132 Therme & Spa designed by famed Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. But to that you should add another reason to visit: Sven Wassmer and his two Michelin stars and 18 Gault&Millau points that he and his team are showing off in the Silver, the restaurant of the thermal baths hotel 7132.

Jacobs Restaurant - Fine Dining Hamburg

Jacobs Restaurant - Fine Dining Hamburg

Traveller
Food

It's worth to take a 20-minute ride down the Elbchaussee along the Elbe river for a culinary experience you won't easily forget.

Tasteful interior, fantastic staff, delicate fine food presented in a common theme throughout the meal - I agree with the critics from Michelin that the Jacobs Restaurant in Hamburg deserves two stars. Look at the pictures and believe me that the taste buds have been satisfied as the eyes have. Or better yet, go there to taste for yourself.

Review - Madinat Jumeirah Dubai

Review - Madinat Jumeirah Dubai

Traveller
Hotels

Let me take you to an Arabian palace from times long gone. Actually it was more than just one palace, it was a whole city: the Madinat Jumeirah Resort Dubai. A recreation of an old Arabian town complete with bazaar (the souk), wind catchers and water canals.

If you want to know whether it makes any sense to go to Dubai in Summer, you should read the following review of the Jumeirah Mina A'Salam 5-star resort hotel in the Madinat, as this was our oasis in the heat of July.

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