posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 26
The Romantik Hotel Villa Pagoda is located in Nervi, Italy just outside of Genoa. The hotel is in a renovated 200 year old villa. I lived in Nervi as a child and was eager to stay there on one of my trips to Italy. There are not many hotels located in Nervi so I was excited when I found the Hotel Villa Pagoda.
I recently stayed there with two other friends. We rented a small suite with 2 single beds and a small sitting area that had a day bed. We also had a large bathroom that was clean and well-stocked with toiletries. The shower was comfortable but not as large as you would find in hotels in the US.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 26
Not just a place to get jostled by insane tourists with no sense of personal space anymore!
A good friend dragged me up the Eiffel for the first time last week. After years of avoiding, I must say - I loved the elevator ride. Totally cool.
But enough about me. Wanted to make sure people know about what’s happening further down, at the Jules Verne restaurant site. It’s been reported, but not widely, that Alain Ducasse is unveiling an “audacious” menu in January at the popular view eatery, formerly not known so much for its food.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 18
The Gran Hotel Spa Blancafort is a luxurious resort where you can get away from it all for a few days and forget all about what is happening in the world. This magnificent centre is located in the beautiful area of La Garriga, just about half an hour from Barcelona. This Spa, which is modern and has been associated with music, art and literature since the 19th century, has 156 rooms ready to be enjoyed by all those who want to spend a few days taking pleasure in the therapeutic and relaxing effects of jacuzzis and thermal waters.The feeling of being pampered and looked after while your mind and body relaxes at the same time is only possible if you stay at a spa.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 14
Compiled by Hotel Teatro Concierge Carolyn Bartel
Shops
Cry Baby Ranch
Roxanne Thurman opened her doors in 1990 but moved to the north side ofLarimer Streeta few years ago in order to expand her ???homestead.??? Turning the term ???western wear??? on its ear, this boutique offers cowgirl boots, irreverent tees, outerwear and fabulous accessories. From panorama rawhide lampshades to custom jewelry; designer scarves (created by the family of the ???dickie??? inventor!) to vintage cowgirl home furnishings and bath products, this eclectic shop is a treat for the inner-cowgirl in all of us. Catering toDenver???s more upscale visitors, Cry Baby Ranch also does a bang-up business on line and is a favorite for mail orders from Hotel Teatro???s more high profile guests.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 11
In the best cuisine, the star of many dishes is the vegetable produce that comes from the vegetable gardens of Zaragoza: peppers and tomatoes, ?cardo? (a stalk vegetable typical of the region), courgettes, onions, green beans or borage are all essential for the preparation of dishes such as ?Pollo al Chilindr?n? (a chicken stew with tomatoes and peppers) or ?Bacalao Ajoarriero? (dried cod with eggs and garlic), without which it is impossible to understand the gastronomy of this region. However, meat such as lamb, pork, beef or game is also very present in this cuisine, but without a doubt, when we talk about meat in Arag?n, we always highlight lamb as it is an ingredient that forms part of the heart of Aragonese gastronomy. The Specific Denomination Lamb of Arag?n (a food category that is recognised internationally) corresponds to the meat of lambs less than 90 days old belonging to some of the autochthonous breeds of sheep: Rasa Aragonesa, Ojinegra o Roya Bilbiblitana, which are all bred in excellent natural conditions. In the slaughterhouse, meat of the highest quality is selected, rosy pink, tender, juicy, with a mild texture and soft fat, strong and firm in order to offer consumers a culinary pleasure.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 11
The Real Club de Tenis Barcelona 1899. is where the Conde de God? Trophy is held annually since 1953. It can be said that Barcelona is the cradle of Spanish tennis. The title of ?Royal? was granted by King Alphonse XIII in 1913. In the last two decades the club has become recognized as one of the top clubs in the world. Its facilities include 17 tennis courts (16 dry courts and one grass), a paddle court, a social club, a games room, a gymnasium, fitness facilities, physiotherapy, a hairdresser’s, a sauna, massage, a restaurant, a snack bar, a swimming pool, a Jacuzzi pool, a tennis School and a children?s playground.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 10
The Romantik Hotel Villa Pagoda is located in Nervi, Italy just outside of Genoa. The hotel is in a renovated 200 year old villa. I lived in Nervi as a child and was eager to stay there on one of my trips to Italy. There are not many hotels located in Nervi so I was excited when I found the Hotel Villa Pagoda.
I recently stayed there with two other friends. We rented a small suite with 2 single beds and a small sitting area that had a day bed. We also had a large bathroom that was clean and well-stocked with toiletries. The shower was comfortable but not as large as you would find in hotels in the US.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 10
Shops
Beauchamp Place
This exclusive area is characterised by its high-class fashion shops and a village street ambience. Nestled in the heart of City ofWestminster, home to fine jewellers, boutique and leather goods shops, this historic vicinity is a great place to shop yet a more exclusive experience.
Beauchamp PlaceSW3
Underground: Knightsbridge
Jermyn Streetand St James???s
Jermyn Streethas the reputation to be one of the world???s most famous centres for gentlemen???s fashion, especially for tailored suits and bespoke shirts. Traditionally only a men???s haven, now a few shops are also tailoring for women. Great shirt makers, shoemakers, milliners, perfumiers and wineries.
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 8
Travel to Hawaii is ramping up after recent rains have slowed bookings. The weather has cleared and sunshine has returned to the Islands!
Recently John Monahan, President and CEO of the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) stated “We’re enjoying blue skies and the warm sunny climate that everyone expects when coming to Hawai’i.”[1]
Repeat travelers to Hawaii are on the rise, with more than 62% of visitors enjoying the sun and sand more than once. Today’s travelers are also more likely to be independent, and rely less on group and package tours. In 2000 just over 49% of travelers were independent explorers, while in 2005 that number rose to nearly 54%.[2]
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posted by Charles H. Russo on Oct 4
Spanish beer is served up in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, but nothing beats the good old fashioned tubo pictured above… Though the tapas in the picture usually provoke a collective groan from my friends and I - there’s just something too pink about this particular brand of embutido (I’ll even take bog-standard olives over this stuff!)
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