Day Trippers!

Ok I know this is probably not the thing to say but I really do not like Florence!! What a beautiful city it is and the Duomo is so beautiful it literally takes your breath away when you first see it – to say nothing of the almost “life-changing” moment of seeing Leonardo de Vinci’s David. Follow that wonderfully experience with a private tour of the Uffizzi Gallery and what more could you want. But oh dear the crowds and vendors and continuous harassment by people trying to sell anything from locusts made from palm leaves to fake Louis Vuitton make this a disappointing and tiring place to visit.
TT1 Do not stay in Florence! Rather take the hour and fifteen-minute, 5euro bus trip from Lucca for the day and see what have to rate as some of the most beautiful things in the world.
TT2 Do take a private guided tour to see the Duomo, David and the Gallery- it is expensive but there is little queuing and really we found that this made our experience of seeing these things even more special.
TT3 If you don’t take a private tour at least reserve entrance tickets on line-you cannot believe the queues outside the museums!
TT4 Get off the very congested streets around the Duomo for lunch and have a peaceful and excellent meal at Robiglio at 11 via Tosinghi. You can eat outside but we prefer a table in their air-conditioned dinning room.
TT5 A great place for a cocktail is the roof top of Renaisance-a large department store on Piazza de la Republica
TT6 If you do rent an apartment in Florence check before hand the terms of the deposit-our deposit was not returned but the full amount retained as electricity payment when we could have used no more than a fraction of it on electcity(this is the only place in the world this has happened)

 

Aperitif the Italian Way

We always marvel at the amazing snacks or appetizers that the bars and “drogherias” offer at aperitif time-midday and evenings! From slices if delicious spinach pie to tiny mushroom pastries this puts a whole new meaning on cocktail time! We have two favourite spots
TT1 Stella Polare, 21 via Vittorio Veneto, far from the crowds and a perfect place for a midday glass of champagne accompanied by small squares of delicious frittata
TT2 And perhaps our very favorite-run by a divine family and just about the only place in Europe that mixes a true vodka martini, with an array of appetizers that is quite amazing is Bar Pasticceria on via San Croce.
TT3 Buy delicious dinner to take home at one of the food shops near Bar Pasticceria-the one on the same side as this old “drogheria” has wonderful spinach and ricotta ravioli that you serve with their “out-of-this-world” walnut sauce!

 

Paris in The Know

Never tiring of the beauty of Paris we always take long walks through the many beautiful gardens and squares- Jardin Tuilleries being my favaourite we were introduced by a resident of Paris to Café Marly just opposite the triangle of the Louvre. Walk from the Concorde through the Jardin and end with a coup de champagne on the terrace of Café Marly while watching the world go by the Louvre. At the other end of the scale but none the less a wonderful garden eating experience get a shwarma at Chez H’anna in the 4th and. at 54 rue des Rosiers. And head for a bench in the Place des Vosges to have a delicious lunch in this old and very beautiful square.
TT1 If you find the attitude too much at Café Marly then stomp out and head for the Jardins du Palais Royal!!Here we found Villa Lys at 47, galerie de Montpensier, and had good service, cocktails and a lovely evening overlooking these very beautiful and peaceful gardens. ( tel: 01 42 61 85 99)

TT2 Chez H’anna is closed on a Monday- and the chicken curry schwarmas are the best!

 

One Fun Day

Did we have a great day!
While staying at Buhala Game Lodge, near Malelane in Mpumalanga, South Africa we decided to visit Maputo for lunch. Setting off at about nine we arrived at the border near Komatiepoort after a 40-minute drive. We went through the border posts with little delay and were soon on the very good road to Maputo-capital of Mozambique. This was an amazing 90-minute drive- from dry and almost desert landscape to bustling Maputo.
TT1 Buy your compulsory third party insurance at the garage in Malelane- this saves a lot of time and hassle at the border. You must have your car registration papers.
TT2 Have small change on you as you go through 2 tolls in Mozambique and change is given in the local currency meticals- 1USD is about 25,800 meticals
TT3 We drove straight to the Polana Hotel- an elegant and gracious hotel of colonial times that is situated in the heart of Maputo on Avenue Julius Nyerere. If you are not a resident you are not allowed off the patio but this still a good place to have a morning coffee and admire the beautiful view over the Bay of Mapotu.
TT4 Then head down the beach road, past the Polana Casino. You come to a Sasol garage- park here and walk across the local fish market- try and go on a week day as the week-ends are frenetic. Here you can buy fresh seafood and the vendors will cook it for you-if you have more than one day in Maputo this is great but we decided to rather eat on the beach.
TT5 Plan to spread you lunch over 2 restaurants- just to take in more local experiences. We had wonderful appetisers at Mira Mar ( Av Da Marginal. N 4272 tel: -238 21 48 75 73) sitting right on the beach. Try the Camarao Alinho- garlic shrimp prawns and Iula Grelhanda Petisco- grilled calamari snack. And you must order pao-delicious loaves of fresh bread.
TT6 Then keep going until you come to the famous Costa Do Sol(on av. Marinal. Tel: + 258- 21450115)- here the order is definitely prawns and caiparinah cocktails!

 

High Society

Billed as South Africa’s most elegant restaurant Society is wonderful-from the welcoming and friendly staff to the beautiful setting in an old Durban colonial house to the excellent food this is the place to go.. And the prices will be sure to pleasantly surprise you!
TT1 If you are there for dinner to have a post dinner drink in one of the cocktail bars
TT2 I love having a table on the verandah
TT3 They even serve breakfast- I look forward to trying this meal there my next visit to Durban.
TT4 Do book

 

Pinch of Salt

With a beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean and slick décor the restaurant at the Ambassador Hotel, Salt is a great place for a cocktail.
TT1 Order something to nibble on with your drinks from their tapas menu
TT2 You might be luckier than me in getting a table at Salt for a dinner if you book way in advance ( phone: 021 439-6170)
TT3 I have stayed at the hotel itself and it is great for a few nights although unless you have a sea-facing room the views are uninspiring!
TT4 I enjoyed our stay at Bantry Bay Luxury Suites Hotel-the rooms are large and the position perfect if you enjoy walking along the esplanade. An added bonus is the all the rooms have well equipped kitchenettes-try and book a sea facing room
TT5 Over the road from Ambassador Hotel and a short walk from Bantry Bay Suites is Carlucci’s- a small deli and coffee shop. Handy for breakfasts or ‘eat-in’ meals if you are staying in the Seapoint or Bantry Bay areas.

 

Johannesburg, Jo’burg and Jozi

Johannesburg, or Jozi as it is fondly known, is a city that is totally underrated!! You really have to know it to love it!! And I love it!! Why? It is big and bustling, confusing and fast, it is truly a new South African city and throbs with life. It is one of the few cities in the world not on a river or harbour, it is reputed to be the biggest man-made forest in the world, has breathtaking dusty sunsets and massive thunder storms and if you don’t know the history of gold you could truly ask why does Johannesburg exist- but exist it does!!!
TT1 Go to the Westcliff Hotel and have a meal or cocktail in The Conservatory- ask for a table at the window or better still a table at the pool for a beautiful view of the city (if not doing this on the spur of the moment do make a reservation especially over the weekends!)
TT2 The Saxon is an amazing hotel and if you are not staying there then it really is worth going for a meal! Breakfast buffets are extensive and excellent but I have enjoyed all their meals. When going for dinner go a bit early and have a cocktail on the patio; if having a long breakfast ask for your coffee to be served at the pool. Booking is essential, as you will not be allowed through the gates without a reservation!
TT3 Ask your hotel to recommend a reputable guide or driver
TT4 While in Johannesburg go to The Standard Bank Gallery this is an exciting, fine art space in downtown Johannesburg that shows the best in South African art as well as international artists.
TT5 I also like to go to The Museum Africa, a history museum in Newtown Cultural Precinct (121 Bree St. Newtown; phone 011 833-5624).

 

The Other Half

The other half of the excitement of being in New York has to be the wonderful museums! I never miss a chance to go to The Met- the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Even just walking up the beautiful staircase makes me feel that I am in a very special place.
TT1 Choose only a section or two to see in one visit and enjoy that rather than trying to see too much!
TT2 Notice the flower arrangements in the entrance hall-a result of a bequest to the museum and they are always quite beautiful
TT3 From May to late fall the Roof Garden Café is open on the 5th floor. While it is very informal and you often have to stand to have your cocktail the view over Central Park is fantastic and not to be missed

 

Party feel!

It just seems right when you are in New York to go for cocktails before going to dinner! I love the party feel this gives an evening and no better city to do this than New York!
TT1 Thom Bar at the boutique hotel 60 Thompson is perfect for a pre-dinner stop. Its eclectic and luxurious décor sets the tone for cocktails or after dinner drinks!

 

Great Dinner Spot!

I love the food in New York!!!! Last night we had dinner at one of our favourites!!
TT1.The Spotted Pig is one of those places that are worth the wait- no booking but go upstairs and have a drink as close to the bar as the crowd allows-
TT2. Order the salted almonds and “piggys on horse back” while you wait for a table.
TT3. My best meal is the gnudi
TT4. Do not worry about any diets…you must order a plate of shoe string fries!!!