La Suite Rio: Rio de Janeiro

First Impression

My husband and I had both been Rio de Janeiro quite a few times, thus it was not necessary for us to stay in the heart of the city and since we were going to have to say an unthinkable goodbye to each other on the last day of our honeymoon due to immigration issues, seclusiveness was what we were seeking.  La Suite Rio was the perfect choice, as it is perched on top of the Joatinga cliffs, offering complete isolation from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Location

The boutique hotel with a sweeping view is located in the most glamorous part of Rio de Janeiro.  Some consider it to be the “Beverly Hills” of Brasil.  While it is not on the beach, it is only a short taxi ride away.

The Room

There are 7 suites, each assigned a different color and with the most fabulous room key I have ever seen in all of my travels.

While we were not given the pink room, which probably would have been my first choice, we were given the blue room and it could not have been more suited for us.  It had deep, dark masculine walls that appealed to my husband, however there was a gorgeous Andy Warhol print of Marilyn Monroe adjacent to a fuchsia orchid that pulled at my heartstrings.

Another special touch included in the King sized bedroom was an iPod that had thousands of songs already downloaded onto it.

The blue room also happened to have the largest private patio of all of the suites.

The Bathroom

The spacious en suite bathroom was as luxurious as they come, as it was draped in marble that matched the wall color of the bedroom and it contained L’occitane products.

The Extras

Brasilians take their sun worshipping seriously, thus there are 2 pools on the premises.  My favorite was the 66 foot infinity pool with a sheer drop into the Atlantic Ocean.  The surrounding grounds were expertly landscaped with tropical flora.

Breakfast, which is included in the room rate, is served on on the main terrace.  Honestly, I am not sure if the meal or the view was better; they were both unforgettable.

Why It Is Andi’s Pick

I could have spent days admiring every single detail found throughout the hotel.  The owners have collected items from their travels around the world, as well as local flee-markets, to create the perfectly balanced ambience.

The detail that most took my breath away though was the Philippe Starck, my favorite designer/architect, Baccarat mirror and chandelier in the lobby of the hotel.  When I saw it, I instantly knew that I was in the right place.

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Italy has had many important cultural figures in its glorious history, but none were bigger in the 20th Century than Pier Paolo Pasolini, the film director, writer, philosopher, actor, painter, and politician who was brutally murdered for his beliefs.

Italian culture is so extraordinary, that no one around the world can resist it.  From its excellent cuisine, which is spread around the globe, to its history and cultural legacy — Italy is one of the world’s leading trend-setting countries.  It is difficult not to fall in love with Italy and this is why so many choose to stay in Rome apartments during their holidays, because the city embodies the best of what the country has to offer.

Pier Paolo Pasolini was born in the university city of Bologna in 1922.  Since it is a university city, it is one of the most progressive parts of Italy and thus Pasolini had these beliefs deeply rooted.  As an anecdote, Pasolini’s father was once in the army and saved Mussolini’s life.  At a young age, Pasolini was very interested in literature and began writing poems as early as the age of 7.  He fought for the Italian communists during the Second World War and was captured by the Germans, although he later escaped.  It is during these years that he came to terms with his homosexuality.

Pasolini was a fervent supporter of the Italian Communist Party and openly showed that.  In 1955, he released his first novel, The Ragazzi, which is the story of a 12-year old growing up.  The book was a success, but was heavily criticised by the government for being obscene and it was censored, even sparking a lawsuit against Pasolini and his editor.  This was something that would happen regularly during Pasolini’s life.  His first film as a director was Accatone (1961), which was about Rome’s marginal areas and lowlife people.  The film also caused great controversy due to its explicitness and, once again, Pasolini was tried for offence to the Italian state.

However, his biggest controversy came with the film Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom.  This film contained highly explicit scenes of controversial nature, all of which Pasolini defended as metaphors, and was censored or banned in various countries, even the most liberal ones.  Famous film directors such as Martin Scorsese and Michael Haneke defended it and labeled it “a masterpiece.”

Pasolini was murdered by being run over by a car several times in November 1975 at the age of 53.  A young boy was later arrested and confessed to the murder, but years later claimed that he was made to confess by people who were threatening to sue his family.  It is believed that there was a political motive behind it and that his sexuality also had a part to play.  Other evidence suggest he was murdered by an extortionist, though it is all still unclear.

Today, Pasolini has become one of the most acclaimed filmmakers in contemporary history with his then controversial scenes and views now being accepted due to the modernization of the times.  Pasolini’s view of Italy is a darker shade of its culture as opposed to the brighter and more comical side portrayed by Fellini.

There is no better way of getting to know Italian culture than by watching and reading Pier Paolo Pasolini.  This will make your stay in apartments in Rome much more enjoyable, as you will have a better knowledge of your surroundings, metaphorically anyway.

North Wales makes for a great holiday destination.  From adventures at Llandegla to lazy days in Llandudno, it really does have something for everyone.  With so much to do a holiday cottage in North Wales could be the perfect place for your next break.  Here are my top 4 things to do in North Wales:

Go Mountain Biking

The stunning Welsh countryside makes a beautiful backdrop for mountain biking.  Seeing North Wales on 2 wheels is a great choice whether you are looking for thrills and jumps or a more relaxed gentle cycle ride.  Llandegla in North Wales is a forest with 4 main cycling routes ranging from the ‘green route’ suitable for all the family to the much more technical ‘black route’ where you can test your skills to the max.  Since opening in 2005, Llandegla now welcomes over 100,000 visitors every year.  At the end of a hard cycle ride, relax in the visitor center’s cafe for a homemade cake or a famous ’one planet burger.’

Walk in Snowdonia

If you enjoy seeing the world on your own feet, a trip to the Snowdonia National Park is a must on your itinerary for a trip to North Wales.  Although there are hundreds of different walks to choose from, reaching the peak of Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain is high on many people’s list.  If such a big walk is not your thing, but you still want to take in the amazing panoramic views from the summit, then a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis to the peak could be just the thing.  Trains run every 30 minutes and are an excellent way to see the top of the mountain without having the big walk!

Visit Llangollen

Llangollen is an attractive town with a river running through it.  In the summer this is a lovely place so sit out and watch the world go by.  For something more adventurous, white water rafting is both exhilarating and fun.  Afterwards, enjoy a delicious meal in the the Corn Mill, an old water mill that has been converted into a lovely pub.  If a trip to North Wales sounds like your thing, www.webcottages.co.uk have a lovely selection of holiday cottages in Wales.

Traditional seaside charm at Llandudno

People have been flocking to Llandudno for well over a hundred years and Llandudno’s long established attraction really is no surprise.  From the lovely promenade to the stunning pier and delightful seafront buildings, a day out at Llandudno really is a joy.  Enjoy delicious fish and chips along the seafront or a lovely afternoon tea in a classic British tea shop.

To see the accompanying posts click here and here.

One of the most stressful periods in your life may be the times that you have to move from one home to another.  Moving has a lot of different details that will need to be tended to if you are going to make a move without much hassle or too many problems.  If you are moving it may be best to have a plan as to what you are going to do and how you plan to get all of your things from point “A” to point “B”.  One of the best things that most people can do for themselves is to enlist the help of a moving service like Robinsons 1StopShip.  Having a moving company to handle the aspects of moving that you may find to be unsavoury is a great advantage when it comes to reducing your personal stress level related to moving.

Since having to pack, load a truck, and then unpack is not something that most people like to do there is a big market for excess baggage companies to help people with their move.  If you are moving into a new house in the same town or you are moving across the country or even to the other side of the world then Robinsons can help you with your move.  The professionals at Robinsons are some of the most highly trained workers in their fields and you are sure to be satisfied with the services that are provided to you by them.  Prices will obviously vary depending on where you are shipping from and to, as well as what you are shipping.  Calling to get a quote on Robinsons 1StopShip service is recommended, but there is also a web site that you can visit to get a quote on your personal moving needs.

When it comes to buying a used car there are several holes and traps that the average buyer falls into on a regular basis.  There are hundreds of websites out there with facts about used car sales, but how do you know which to choose from?  Who has the best information available?  Who should you trust and who should you not even bother looking at?  The 3 websites I recommend checking out when it comes to used cars are kbb.com, edmunds.com, and carfacts.com.  These are the most trustworthy websites that are readily available to the public when it comes to buying used vehicles and wanting to find out information about them.

Now what information should you try and find out about these cars?  We first want to start with looking at imports and imports only.  Your Toyotas and Hondas are 2 great manufacturers that build cheap long lasting cars that give back to the buyer ten fold over the other car companies.  You want to look for the cars with the best reliability ranking possible.  This means that you have the absolute lowest chance of having a car break down or parts going bad versus other vehicles out on the market.

Now you might ask yourself where should I go to buy this car, Buffalo, New York perhaps?  A good rule of thumb is that if you have more than $5000 you should start checking dealerships.  With dealerships you know that there are mechanics that are going to check and recheck the used vehicles as well as fix any issues that they have rather than just over looking some of these tiny knit picky things.  If you have under $5000 you are going to have to look at private buyers.  With private buyers you must be weary of each car you are going to look at, because they have not be inspected by a dealerships mechanic.

When you do find a good car there are a few things that even someone with little or no car experience can do to check to make sure that they are not buying some broken down piece of junk.  If it has a lot of miles you just have to check and see if it was well maintained; that oil changes were done regularly, belts were replaced when they should have been and not just easily fixed.  Never buy a car with worn down tires, since on the drive home they could blow out and your car could be ruined.  If you follow these simple and easy tips buying your next used car will be a breeze.

Germany is famous for its tasty sausages and rich beers, so if you have booked a gastronomy getaway in Bavaria you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out!  Knowing exactly where to go for the perfect meal, however, can be difficult.  If you read on, you will discover my top picks for authentic German fare.

For a really relaxing break, I would recommend booking car hire at Munich Airport when your flight has touched down.  Renting a vehicle makes it so much easier to get around and see the sights, as well as giving you greater scope when it comes to visiting a range of restaurants.

The south-east state of Bavaria is known for its many fascinating attractions, so you can combine your gastronomy break with a sightseeing tour.  Some of the best landmarks can be seen in the Old Town, so begin there and you can take in the sight of amazing old buildings.

Booking a guided tour is worthwhile to see landmarks like the new town hall, a Gothic Revival building famous for its glockenspiel, which comes to life at 11AM with a show of characters and themes from Munich’s past.

The old town is also where you will find a fantastic place to eat: the Hofbrauhaus. T his is one of the city’s oldest breweries and also houses a restaurant.  Expect to tuck into traditional cheeses, veal sausages, and suckling pig — washed down with freshly-brewed beer and accompanied by a musical performance from the in-house band.

If you are hoping to visit award-winning eateries during your getaway it is worth enjoying a bite to eat at restaurants that have won accolades in the Bavarian Cuisine competition.  Among them is Gasthof Zum Wildpark, a family-owned Inn that serves up fresh, authentic German dishes.  Winners of the competition are credited for making good use of regional produce, as well as fostering Bavarian traditions.  Expect to choose between dishes like calf’s head with mushroom sauce and potato puree and pig’s head terrine.

Calling all gourmet fans!  You will not want to miss paying a visit to Tantris, so direct your hire car to Munich.  Opened in 1971, Tantris is regarded as one of the best restaurants to be found in Germany, thus you can expect some really sumptuous meals to be served up by head chef Hans Haas.

The eatery has achieved 2 Michelin stars for its wonderful fare, which includes dishes like medallion of veal saddle with artichokes, spinach blini and Perigord truffle jus, lobster with chicory, and roasted codfish with spinach.

If you are unsure of the dishes when you visit some Bavarian restaurants, there are some traditional meals you are likely to find at most eateries throughout the region.  Pretzels and sweet mustard are a common and tasty snack if you are eating on the go, but other food items might not be as easy to decipher.  Make a mental note of the following, which are sure to crop up during your stay:

• Semmelknodel: Beige spheres the size of a tennis ball made from breadcrumbs, onions, milk, and eggs.
• Obazada: Light-colored spreadable cheese, flavored with paprika; can be either mild or spicy.
• Munchner Weisswurst: White sausage made from pork and veal, flavored with parsley and onions.
• Bavarian Leberkase: Liver meatloaf comprised of beef and fatty pork, lard, and salt.

My husband and I had big, big plans for Fernando de Noronha — dare I say grandiose — since it was after all our ultimate dream destination.  However, before you get too excited about seeing pictures of us from different spots on the archipelago or about reading insider suggestions on things to do and see, let me confess: we did nothing on our agenda.  Not.one.thing.

We found it almost impossible to leave our sanctuary Pousada Maravilha.  What we did enjoy thoroughly though was the hotel’s infinity pool and quite possibly too many caipirinhas.

Would you have been able to leave these breathtaking surroundings?  I have no doubt that the rest of Fernando de Noronha would have dazzled us, maybe even changed our lives, but we were cast under our hotel’s magical spell.

My conclusion: sometimes you want to expand your horizons, while other times the most beautiful adventures are best experienced right where you are.  Oh, and here is a secret that I discovered, if you do not do everything you had set out to do in the first place, well, then you have a great reason to return.

To see the accompanying posts click here and here.

When going on a holiday from the UK, there are a number of popular tourist destinations, but one of the all-time favorites is Majorca.  It is located in the Mediterranean, just south of Spain.  Although it is quite popular year round, many Britons particularly enjoy spending time there in the winter when there does not seem to be any reprieve from the cold and snow.  Of course Majorca is lovely any time of year as it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

While the beaches are the main attraction in Majorca, there is also plenty to keep tourists of all ages busy from morning until night.  Some days you may want to spend on the beaches, whilst other days you might like to explore ancient Roman ruins or take a bike ride to the mountains.  Many holidaymakers prefer the north coast of Majorca simply because it is less populated than the south where the capital city of Palma lies.

Since the mid-part of the last century, the economy of Majorca has been dominated by the tourist industry, which is why there is such an emphasis on providing quality service.  When staying in Puerto Pollensa on the northeast coast there is on hotel that stands out from all others; always voted within the top 3, the Hotel Sis Pins is a favorite amongst tourists from the UK, as well as around the world.

There are a number of shops within walking distance and a marina on the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean.  When looking for a peaceful place to break away from the hustle and bustle of large cities, Puerto Pollensa is the ideal getaway and the Hotel Sis Pins caters to visitors with service fit for royalty.

When planning a wedding in Lancashire, there are a number of decisions which will need to be made.  Most newly engaged couples choose the place where the ceremony will be held, who will be in the wedding party, invitations to be decided upon, and where the reception will be held after the ceremony.  Oddly enough, many couples do not consider the fact that there are wonderful banquet facilities at the Barton Grange Hotel and there will be no worries whether everything for the celebratory dinner is thought of, as there will be staff to guide you every step along the way.

From the very moment the date is set you can begin planning the kind of celebration you would like to have and whether not it will be a carvery buffet or a full service dinner complete with traditional Barton Grange silver.  Each and every celebration is tailored specifically to the couple’s desires as this is their special day and it should be ‘picture perfect’ right down to the cake and banquet decorations.  Wedding venues Preston are a specialty of the Barton Grange Hotel because each and every celebration is planned with genuine warmth and best wishes for the bride and groom.

Because this day is so special, the bride and groom are welcomed with a Red Carpet Arrival.  The Master of Ceremonies will see to it that everything runs smoothly and guests will absolutely marvel at the cake on a special cake stand.   For daytime celebrations the tables are set with candelabras, but for evening affairs they are adorned with lighted tea lights.  With a choice of colored linens, the room can be set to match the colors of the wedding party, which further add to this enchanted day.  This is a truly magical moment at the very beginning of your lives together and it should be celebrated in grand fashion.