Currently, out of all the European capitals, Berlin is definitely the most popular.  Its young population, its vibrant social and cultural lifestyle, and its sad, but irresistible beauty make it an attractive destination for both tourists and foreigners who go there to live and work.  Staying in Berlin apartments for a few days will allow you to see some important parts of the city and do some very interesting activities.  Before you arrive, you will most likely have an agenda, however the following are 5 of the essential, yet alternative things that one must see and do when visiting Berlin:

Visit the RAW Flea Market

Berlin has many great flea markets and if you fancy something a little different to the one at Mauerpark, which attracts quite a few tourists, visit the RAW Flea Market.  It takes place in a derelict train station’s outside area.  Buy anything from clothes to electronic items to even strange china and antiques.  The RAW Flohmarkt (its name in German) is located in the cool district of Friedrichshain, on 99 Revaler Straße.  U-Bahn (U1) and S-Bahn (S3, S5, S7, S9, S75) Warschauer Straße.

Eat currywurst

So, this one might be a bit more common, but anyone who visits Germany has to try the delicious currywurst.  Both on the streets and in big train stations, you can find fast food stalls that sell this speciality, which is a German sausage cut into pieces and mixed with spicy sauce and curry powder and eaten with a plastic fork.  If you ask for “currywurst hit brötchen“ you will get a bread bun to dip into the delicious sauce.  If you are feeling peckish in the middle of the day, do not hesitate to buy some.

Go clubbing

Even if you are not a big fan of big clubs and electronic music, if you are interested in culture and authentic experiences from each country, then you have to go clubbing in Berlin.  The German capital is known around the world for its excellent clubs and DJs.  Nightlife in Berlin is something different, thus make sure you go to at least one of the following clubs on weekend nights: Berghain/Panorama Bar (S-Bahn Ostbahnhof), Watergate (U-Bahn Schlesisches Tor), Tresor (U-Bahn Heirich-Heine-Straße), or Weekend (Alexanderplatz).

Visit Hohenschönhausen Prison

When Berlin was divided into 2 parts, West and East, the East was ruled by the Communist Party and by the feared secret police known as Stasi.  Hohenschönhausen was the prison where they put all their prisoners and kept them for many days for interrogation and psychological torture.  Today, it is a museum where you can see the cells where the prisoners were kept and learn about their stories.  The 20th century history of Berlin is very interesting, especially the chapters of the Stasi and the GDR.  Some of the stats are truly jaw-dropping, so visiting this prison is an excellent way to understand the city and its society.

Enjoy a sunny day at Wannsee

Lake Wannsee is a perfect place to spend a sunny day in Berlin.  Not only can you go swimming in the lake and sun tan on the beaches, but you can also walk around its beautiful paths and enjoy the surrounding green.  This is an ideal trip if you are travelling to Berlin with children, since they will enjoy the open air and the fun activities.  The landscapes are probably familiar to all art fans, since they are in many of Max Libermann’s paintings — truly gorgeous views that seem impossible so close to such a big city.

These are just 5 of the things that you have to see and do when staying in apartments in Berlin.  However, make up your list of 5 after your trip, since there is nothing more satisfying than showing the hidden beauty of a city to your friends and family.

Greetings from Rosalie Bay Resort in Dominica where we are celebrating our 1 Year Anniversary!  No one can hardly believe it has been a year since our wedding in Buenos Aires, Argentina, especially us.  I cannot wait to share details about our unforgettable trip to this tropical island paradise, but for now I will leave you with a little sneak peak into one of the best experiences my husband and I have had thus far here:

After much contemplation, I have also decided to share our wedding videos.  Unfortunately, we did not get the wedding video of our dreams, as you will see they are poorly edited and shot.  While it caused me a lot of stress and frustration at first, with time I have accepted that we still had the best day of our lives captured and that is really all that matters.

You will most likely not hear from me over the next couple of days.  It is simply because I am disconnecting from the world, so that I can give 100% of myself to my husband. . .

Paris is an amazing destination and one full of sophisticated tourist attractions that will keep you busy for a week, let alone a short weekend break.  However long you plan to stay in Paris cheap hotels, make sure you head to one of the French capital’s amazing patisseries.

You will certainly be glad to rest your feet for a while, as you will find that a lot of Paris’s top attractions can be quite far from one another.  While this means you get to see every corner of the stunning city, it does mean a lot of walking.  One of the best places to take some time out is a patisserie.  Sip on a coffee or hot chocolate while tucking into some of the best pastries and desserts you will come across.  In fact, watching the world go by from a pavement café is something of a national pastime!

Here are some of the best patisseries Paris has to offer:

Pierre Herme

This upmarket patisserie is known for its macaroons and you will find branches of it across the capital.  A handful of its stores include those at 4 rue Cambon, 39 avenue de l’Opera, the Galeries Lafayette, and 185 rue de Vaugirard.  These colourful creations melt in the mouth.  I recommend you treat yourself to a box of different flavors to truly appreciate why Pierre Herme’s macaroons are so popular with locals and visitors alike.

Pain de Sucre

Located at 14 rue Rambuteau, this small patisserie is certainly charming.  If you can drag your eyes away from the window of marshmallows, breads, and tarts, make sure you head inside to sample one of its famous creations for yourself.  The baba au rhum comes with a syringe of rum so you can inject it with more alcohol if you wish to.  This is a baked goods experience not to miss!

Carl Marletti

If you are still reading and have not already dashed to the nearest cake shop, another patisserie worth visiting when staying in Paris hotels is Carl Marletti.  You will find his shop at 51 rue Censier, with some of his classics including millefeuille (a custard slice) in vanilla, chocolate-passion, and praline flavors.  Of course, you also cannot go wrong with an éclair, and in true French style, Marletti’s pistachio, caramel, coffee, and chocolate versions will be the perfect accompaniment to a fresh coffee.

Jean-Paul Hevin

Eating a chocolate creation from Jean-Paul Hevin will surely be a highlight of your culinary journey in Paris.  He is known as the ultimate artisan and if you have the time and money, it will be well worth sampling Hevin’s work for yourself.  There are a few of these patisseries around the city, including at 3 rue Vavin.  Friends and family back home will love to receive a box of chocolates from here.  While deciding what to buy them, try the chocolate tart — a true chocoholic’s heaven!

Sadaharu Aoki

This patisserie combines French and Japanese creations, so think flavors such as green tea and black sesame.  It must work though, as Sadaharu Aoki is regarded as one of the best in Paris.  The pastries look streamlined, as you would expect from Japan, but the flavors do justice to the luxurious tastes Parisians have.  Some of the branches include those at 25 rue Perignon and 56 boulevard du Port-Royal.

I do not know about you, but I am certainly having pastry cravings after that round-up. . .

While there are not really any destinations that offer perfect walking conditions all year-round, there are some places you can visit in almost any season.  It can be difficult to define the best time to visit a broad region — such as South America or South-East Asia — as they cover so many micro-climates, but there are certainly destinations in most parts of the world where hiking is possible at most times of the year.

Here are just a few suggestions of locations where you can strap on your walking boots all year-round:

Nepal

Thanks to the Himalayas running through the country, Nepal has become a mecca for dedicated walkers.  It is generally accepted that the trekking season here runs from March to June and September to November, however as there are so many trails running through the mountains and their foothills, you will usually be able to find routes you can walk no matter when you travel.

In the monsoon season, which runs from June to August, your best bet is to visit the northern regions such as Mustang and Dolpo, which generally escape the worst of the rain.  You can go on a walking tour in Nepal with Explore from £2047 without flights.  During the winter, you will still be able to trek in the foothills, but you will find many of the higher mountain passes are closed.

Tanzania

The majority of hikers head to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro, which is best attempted between December and March or June and October.  The heaviest rains fall from March to May, so some of the routes to the summit may be closed during this time.  However, walking elsewhere during the wet season can present opportunities for wildlife spotting.

For instance, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is a haven for all manner of creatures and a fantastic place to explore on foot.  While it is generally best to plan your trip for the dry season, which lasts from May to October, visiting when it is rainy is really exciting as this is when most of the animals give birth and begin their migration.

Chile

Patagonia, which spans the southern parts of Chile and Argentina, is a beautiful and exciting destination to explore.  While the high season runs from October to April (their spring and summer), it is possible to go walking outside this period.  The Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, for instance, is open all year-round; you will just need to prepare for colder temperatures and more rain if you travel in the autumn or winter.

For slightly milder weather, consider the Patagonian Lake District, which spans the Chilean and Argentinean sides of the Andes in the northern part of the region.  As its name suggests, there are lots of lakes here, as well as snow-capped peaks and vast swathes of forest.

Spain

Spain’s Mediterranean climate makes it an ideal destination for trekking holidays that are a little closer to home.  The Canary and Balearic Islands provide mild and sunny conditions for winter walking, while the mountainous regions in the north of the country, such as Asturias and the Pyrenees that stretch along the border with France, offer cooler weather for summer hiking.

The Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in the Pyrenees is a popular destination for walkers, as the reserve is home to numerous trails that will allow you to take in its 200 lakes, large forests, and towering peaks.

New Zealand

New Zealand is our final top choice for a year-round walking destination, thanks to its temperate climate.  While famous routes such as the Milford Track in the South Island’s Fjordland need to be tackled during the summer due to heavy snowfall in the winter, there are plenty of other trails that are accessible all year.

The Tongariro Northern Circuit on the North Island can be tackled at any time, for example, although the main season runs from October to April.  Be aware that in the winter months (May to September), you might require additional equipment like ice axes and crampons to complete the trek.

Mandarin Oriental, Macau: Macau

First Impression

The best thing about staying in a Mandarin Oriental property for the first time is that you already know you are guaranteed to leave a satisfied customer.  In fact, you will probably leave wanting to extend your stay.  My time at the Mandarin Oriental, Macau was no exception to this — I would have been happy to stay indefinitely.

Location

Located right on the picturesque waterfront, the hotel has a prime location, as it just minutes from the best casinos in the region and the historical center.

The Room

My spacious room was decorated with the classic Mandarin Oriental decor; a luxurious mix of East meets West.  The hotel describes it as, “a dramatic contemporary design with an atmosphere of oriental calm.”

While I was smitten with how the room was decorated, the view of the South China Sea and the Macau Tower was undeniably the best part about it.

The Bathroom

The ensuite bathroom perfectly complimented the glamorous room and had everything I could possibly need and more.

The Extras

While people who stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Macau fall hopelessly in love with their rooms, the hotel does offer an award-winning restaurant and spa on premise that will definitely compete for your attention.  There is also a stunning infinity pool that will beckon you to visit it from the moment you check in.

Why It Is Andi’s Pick

Every day I was left a little present in my room; everything from flowers to chocolate to fruit.  The hotel does this for every single guest and it definitely leaves the impression that they truly care.

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To celebrate its 25^th Anniversary, Holiday Autos is offering 25% off car rental over 25 days, across 25 different destinations.  The Holiday Autos deal is valid for pick-ups until October 31^st 2012, but you will only have 1 day to book with the discount!  Today (10^th May), the offer is focused on Munich – a wonderful city which has so much to see:

“München mag Dich” [the city that likes you] is the capital of Bavaria and the second largest city in Germany.  Nowadays Munich is a modern financial and publishing hub, however it has long been a cultural epicentre; musicians, writers, and artists have always flocked there to soak up its influence, making Munich a treasure trove literally bursting at the seams with the evidence of a European civilization’s greatest and most revered achievements.  Nothing like a bit of history and culture to get a holiday going!

With no fewer than 36 museums and in the city, here are a few favorites:

• The Old Picture Gallery (Alte Pinakothek) is full of old masters from all over Europe including a number of prominent works by leading artists such as Botticelli and Dürer.
• The BMW museum (known affectionately as the salad bowl) is a silver futuristic building packed with fascinating science and technology from the leading global automobile manufacturer that owns Rolls Royce.
• The Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg), i.e. “Nymph’s Castle”, is a Baroque palace and summer residence to the rulers of Bavaria.  Together with its grounds it is one of the most famous sites in Munich.

With so much to do in Munich, we reckon having a car to get you to exactly where you want to go is a fantastic advantage.  Once you have soaked up as much history and culture as you can handle, if it is a clear day, you might be able to spot the final tip on the horizon.

Although it might require a day or two out of the city, a dramatic driving tour through the Alps is the only way to see the best of Bavaria.  Acclaimed as one of the most scenic drives in all of Europe, the Deutsche Alpenstrasse (German Alpine Road) stretches for some 480km (300 miles) through the Bavarian Alps and is easily reachable from Munich via the autobahn.  A trip outside of the city to these mountains would be a truly sublime way to cap off a must-do culture break.

So, for more info and for a full list of destinations included in the Holiday Autos sale, visit http://www.holidayautos.co.uk/sale/.

The biggest festival that takes place in Madrid, Spain throughout the year is San Isidro.  The whole city pours onto the streets and into the parks to celebrate and attend concerts, artistic performances, folkloric events, and to see amazing firework displays.  Every year, San Isidro, the patron of Madrid, turns the city into a huge party in the month of May.  The festival reflects the character of the people of Madrid and it shows the most festive side of the city, with many traditional events taking place between the 11 – 15th.  If you were thinking of renting Madrid apartments during this month, make sure you do it on those dates, because the experience will be unforgettable.

This year it begins on Friday the 11th, with the festival being opened by the first ever Spanish astronaut, Pedro Duque.  He will give way to the parades of gigantes y cabezudos.  The giants are figures of several feet in height that are made of paper maché and that wear folkloric clothes and costumes and that have a man inside who makes it walk.  The cabezudos are paper maché heads of considerable size on top of a human body, with someone inside who sees through the mouth of the head.  Both gigantes and cabezudos parade around the streets of the city with their happy and joyful manner to the delight of the people who stand and see them go past.

On Saturday the 12th, there will be a display of chotis, the typical dance of Madrid, with young and experienced dancers performing this folkloric dance.  This will be taking place at the Vistillas Gardens at 6pm and will be followed by a concert of the jazz band Wall Big Band Orchestra at 10pm.  On the same day you can enjoy Planetamadrid, a music festival that states the importance of sustainable development in the environment.  Events and workshops will be starting at 5pm and the concerts will start at 10pm until late at night at the Puerta del Ángel.

Sunday the 13th brings a day of music, with special musical events taking place in dozens of venues around the city.  Also, during the whole weekend, you can enjoy ‘Callejeando,‘ a series of street performances that range from music, theater, dance, and circus acts.  All of these performances will take place in the squares of the district of Lavapiés.

It would not be a festival without firework displays and the ones that will take place at the park of El Retiro are going to make everyone’s jaw drop.  In this beautiful venue, by the area of the lake, firework and music displays will light up the night on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday.  It is the perfect way to celebrate this festival for all the people of Madrid and the lucky visitors of the city at that time.

During the 5 days of the festival, special theater programs will be set up in all the theaters around the city.  Special exhibition events related to art will take place in the various galleries.  Another important part of the festival, although a controversial one to foreign ears, is the bullfights that will take place during all 5 days at the famous Plaza de Toros de las Ventas.  Bullfighting is seen as an important part of Spanish culture and it is highly acclaimed by the people of Spain and is an integral part of this festival.  If you want to experience authentic Spanish culture then it is definitely something that you should see, but if you are against cruelty to animals then abstain.

For the full program and all the details visit the following website.  Do not miss out on this event when you rent apartments in Madrid this May.  The city will come to life and show its best and brightest side.  It is truly unmissable!

Confession: I had visited Hong Kong twice and had yet to make the short journey over to Macau.  Thus, when I was invited to visit Macau with Macau Tourism just 2 weeks after returning from my 2nd trip to Hong Kong there was not a moment of hesitation before agreeing — I was finally going to step foot onto the island where Western and Eastern worlds infamously collided.  Am I crazy to take such a long trip back to back or am I simply addicted to traveling?  You choose.

My trip began with a pleasant surprise, as I was the first person in the entire world to check into the inaugural Cathay Pacific flight, which was debuting its new “Premium Economy” seating.  Sadly, there were no balloons or music, but I was excited nonetheless and headed straight to the British Airlines lounge to celebrate with some champagne.

Thankfully, jetlag does not effect me until I return from a trip, because as soon as we landed in Hong Kong, we hit the ground running.  From the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) we took a 45 minute ferry-ride over to Macau, which is where we went through customs.  Then we went straight to our first hotel of the trip, the glamorous Mandarin Oriental, Macau.

After a tour of the property, we were led to the hotel’s restaurant for some much needed refueling after traveling for over a day.  I knew the food was going to be sensational just by my surroundings alone.  The Mandarin Oriental chain is known globally for its overwhelming beauty and Vida Rica certainly was a perfect example of why they have this reputation.  Chef Dirk and his team have created a menu to reflect both the Portuguese and Chinese influences in the region and the end result is a fusion menu with a twist.

Over a dim sum lunch I befriended the other journalists that were traveling with me.  Besides the fact that I get to travel to extraordinary places on press trips, like Macau, the best part for me are the other travelers.  I feel so lucky to be able to explore the world with some of the most talented and creative writers and photographers that exist.

After lunch, I had an important date that I had been looking forward to since I had been sent my itinerary: I had a Mandarin Oriental 2 hour signature spa massage.

Spa treatments at the Mandarin Oriental are like no other.  Due to the fact that I am a Chinese Medicine Doctor, the therapies offered in their spas resonate with me deeply, as they are completely based upon the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Before each treatment, your therapist will have you fill out a questionnaire that assesses your current state of well-being.  Depending on your answers, they will then further customize your treatment to ensure that you get the best treatment possible.  And trust me, I got the very best treatment possible.

While I left the spa without a trace of feeling as though I had just flown all the way across the world, I was unable to fully enjoy my relaxed state of being, since I had a special evening ahead of me that required as much energy as possible.  Dinner was at a traditional Portuguese restaurant named O Manuel, followed by drinks at the Lion’s Bar at the MGM Grand.  My first night in Macau, however, simply had to be celebrated in the utmost of style, which meant front row access to the Taio Cruz concert at Club Cubic in the Hard Rock Hotel.
 

 
In the words of Mr. Cruz, my first impression of Macau was dynamite!

The Rongai route is one of the 6 trails you can follow to climb Kilimanjaro and is the only one that approaches the mountain from the north, rather than the south or west.  As a general rule, the Rongai path is not as busy as the other options, making it a good choice if you want to avoid some of the crowds associated with the more popular Kilimanjaro treks.  One of the things that makes Rongai stand out from the other routes is the large area of wilderness it passes through before joining up with the Marangu trail at Kibo Hut.  Here is a brief guide to what you can expect to find while walking along this path:

Farmland and forests

When you set out on your trek from Rongai, you will initially be walking through farmland, predominantly crops of maize and potatoes, which gradually gives way to forest as you climb higher.  This wooded area is home to all manner of creatures, including Colobus monkeys, so make sure you keep your eyes on the trees as you stroll.  You will pass out the other side of the forest into moorland, where you will make your camp for the evening.

Moorlands and mountain views

As you begin your second day of walking, you will notice the stark contrast between the landscape you hiked past yesterday and the one you are now faced with.  Vast moorlands stretch in every direction, while you will get your first clear glimpse of the mountain in the distance, as well as Mawenzi Peak, which lies to the east of Kilimanjaro.  The Mawenzi Tarn campsite, where you will usually spend your fourth night, is in one of the most spectacular settings you will encounter on your trip.  Located beneath Mawenzi Peak and looking out over the plains towards Kilimanjaro, you will have wonderful views of the snow-capped summit that is your ultimate goal.

Lunar landscape

Climbing higher, the landscape becomes more desolate and has a lunar appearance as you cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kilimanjaro, leading you to Kibo Hut where you will spend the night.  There is little vegetation or wildlife on this stretch of the route, but walking along the saddle means you will have amazing vistas at every side, while the peak of Kilimanjaro slowly looms ever larger ahead of you.

The ascent

You will usually reach your camp at Kibo by the afternoon, giving you some time to acclimatise before your attempt at the summit, which you will normally begin shortly after midnight to ensure you are at Gillman’s Point to experience one of the most beautiful sunrises you are ever likely to see!  Climbing this section can be tricky and slow, as the slope is largely comprised of scree, making it hard going at times.  Gillman’s Point is not the end though and you will continue (normally passed snow) onto Uhuru Peak where you will find yourself standing on the Roof of Africa, as the top of Kilimanjaro is also known.

The descent to Marangu Gate

Coming down is a much quicker process than going up and one of the great things about the Rongai route is that you will come down via Marangu on the southern side of the mountain, giving you a chance to experience different scenery to that you saw as you climbed up.  You will pass giant groundsels and beautiful lobelia flowers as you head down, first crossing moorland and then walking through forests as you finally arrive at the bottom of the mountain where you can enjoy a well-earned rest.