METRO WORLD NEWS
travel we live where you’re going
01
Monday, 10 January 2011 www.metrotravel.com
TRAVEL Travel seats for
babies
who lunch
MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 2011
+
we live where you’re going
TASTY TRAVEL — THAI CUISINE, WHAT’S ON THE MENU? {page 04}
www.metrotravel.com
plus
{page 06} What’s inside
Gourmet guide to Thai cuisine {page xx}
Say ‘I do’ in the snow
Five to try in Miami {page 05}
Travel seats for babies {page 06}
{page 03}
MALCOLM CARMICHAEL/PEAKPHOTOGRAPHY.CA
A fashionista’s guide to London {page 02} + Five fun reasons to visit Miami {page 05}
Say ‘I do’ in the Snow {page 03}
MALCOLM CARMICHAEL/PEAKPHOTOGRAPHY.CA
travel
02
www.metrotravel.com MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 2011
GET INTO MY CITY: LONDON Londoner Sarah Owen co-founded vintage store Lucy in Disguise with her half-sister, pop princess Lily Allen. The boutique in the heart of Covent Garden rents and sells carefully cherrypicked vintage pieces, and also offers a beauty salon and blow dry bar for glamorous girls. A former stall holder in London’s famous Portobello Road Market, she knows London inside-out SARAH OWEN METRO WORLD NEWS and is the ideal person to guide you round...
Laid-back in London
I
t's a cliché, but London really is the most diverse city I know. I grew up in Bloomsbury, in the very heart of the city, and from the get-go I was acutely aware that I was sharing it with a thousand different cultures. In London you can find whatever food, drink,
First time? The river is a good place to start; many of our best sights lie on its banks. If it's a clear day, then go on the London Eye - it's the best way to take in the city as a whole. Or if not, try The Duck Tour you start out on a bus that turns into a boat halfway through, and you finish the tour on the Thames itself, it's hilarious. Then you must take in a museum or gallery - my favourites are the Tate Modern, (www.tate.org.uk/modern), the V & A, (www.vam.ac.uk) and finally, I can’t forget the British Museum, (www.britishmuseum.or g). I grew up on the same street and I spent many a rainy day wandering the ancient rooms in complete awe as a kid.
For more information check out www.visitlondon.com
Been there before? If it's nice weather, I highly recommend hiring a canal boat for the day. You can hire boats from various points around London and you have the freedom to jump on and off, when and where you want. My friends and I often do it, you get to see bits of London that you forget are there. I can't think of a better way to spend a day than on the top of a barge, with friends, a few drinks, some comfy cushions and a good playlist on the iPod.
The London Eye gives amazing views over the city
VISIT BRITAIN BRITAIN ON VIEW
Shopping!
INGRID RASMUSSEN/BRITAINONVIEW
The Tate Modern Little Venice
pressed when I last went there. www.malmaison.com
The markets in London are brilliant — Portobello is the most special to me as it's where my love for vintage clothes began. You can still find great stuff there even if the prices are quite high these days, but it’s definitely still worth a trip. For better value, head East, to Spitalfields for clothes and crafts, Brick Lane for everything but the kitchen sink and Colombia Road flower market deserves a look in, just to soak up the atmosphere if nothing else.
Eat Enjoy a proper English breakfast at The Worker's Cafe in Islington, then Dim Sum for lunch at The Royal China in Bayswater and afternoon Tea at the Wolseley (www.the wolseley.com) on Piccadilly. Go for a curry dinner at Tayyabs in Whitechapel (www.tayyabs.co.uk) or a late night, post-pint kebab at Maroush (www.maroush.com).
VISIT BRITAIN
Go out The Malmaison
Stay in The Malmaison near Fabric in Smithfields is pretty good value. I was very im-
GETTY IMAGES
fashion, art or music takes your fancy. My problem in London has never been what to do, but how to find the time to do it all. Here’s a start.
Start at a good old English boozer like The Star of Bethnal Green (http://starofbethnalgreen .com), it feels like a traditional pub with the bonus of cool music. A great new dance venue is CAMP (City Arts and Music Project) on City Road, it always has a good DJ lineup (thecamplondon.com).
Portobello
Columbia Road Flower Market The Wolseley
03
www.metrotravel.com
travel
MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 2011
TRAVEL WITH A TWIST: WINTER WHITE WEDDINGS MALCOLM CARMICHAEL/PEAKPHOTOGRAPHY.CA
3
OTHERS SPOTS TO SAY ‘I DO’
SLOVENIA www.tuitravel.com
Wrap up and your marriage can go downhill as soon as you’ve said your ‘I do’
Tie the knot
on the run
With a snowy landscape backdrop, a winter wedding is super romantic Choose your destination wisely and you can hit the slopes straight after your vows
HUW J. WILLIAMS METRO WORLD NEWS TRAVEL@METRO.LU
“They’ll be happy to marry you in ski gear so you can slide down the mountain to your wedding reception”
MALCOLM CARMICHAEL/PEAKPHOTOGRAPHY.CA
Of course you want a special venue for your wedding, somewhere imaginative and exotic. But not on a beach— that’s been done. To stand out from the crowd, turn your back on the cramm,ed summer wedding season when nuptials come along each weekend like they are on a conveyor belt. A white winter wedding is your answer. You can say your vows in one of the most spectacular natural settings in the world. Banff, in the Canadian Rockies, offers weddings in any one of its three nearby ski resorts, high in one of nature’s own cathedral, Banff National Park. You and your wedding party are taken up to special scenic locations on the slopes of the resort by chairlift or even a helicopter. There are special flat areas specially reserved for weddings, tucked away from everyday skiers, each with a breathtaking backdrop where a marriage commissioner will conduct a civil ceremony. They can even provide a bouquet, although
Sealing it with a kiss on Lake Louise, Canada
there is the possibility that if you throw it too enthusiastically to your bridesmaids after the ceremony it may well sail over a cliff. You can dress formally in bridal gown and suit or if you really can’t wait to hit the pistes, they’ll be happy to marry you in ski gear so
you can slide down the mountain to your wedding reception. If you don’t want to gamble on the weather, several hotels offer more traditional surroundings. Two, the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise are exquisite and ex-
clusive, but there are other delightful cheaper options too. If you want to do it all DIY there are several local wedding planners that can tailor your perfect day and take away the pressure of organizing it too. Banff is a quaint and vibrant town so there is really no reason to fly off to a honeymoon, just stay on and enjoy one of the best snow resorts in the world. There are three mountains to choose from, Norquay the nearest to town, Sunshine which boasts superb powder snow and the huge expanse of Lake Louise. If all that still leaves you wanting more, British Colombia has superb heli-skiing. If any of the wedding party doesn’t ski, there’s lots to keep them active too. Banff high street offer great shopping, dining and nightlife but there are husky dog sled rides, health spas and snowmobiling tours. Package from €1415 to €2361. For more information check out www.tuitravel.com
Get married in a medieval Slovenian castle perched on a cliff above the shores of Lake Bled, near the slopes of two resorts, Kobla and Vogel. After the ceremony you’ll be taken across the lake to an old church on an island after to partake in the local custom where newlyweds ring the church bells for good luck. From €1770
AUSTRIA www.weddingaustria.com Exchange rings in the sophisticated ski town of Zell am See. A horse and carriage will take you to the 16th century Castle Rosenberg, possibly the most magical registry office in the world. Have your photos taken on the shores of the picturesque frozen lake. From €800 per couple
USA www.greenmountaininn.com Set in the beautiful countryside of New England, Stowe is a charming town that offers old world sophistication and modern American service. Get married in the historic Green Mountain Inn and spend your honeymoon on the slopes of the nearby resort. Package from €550
04
www.metrotravel.com
travel
MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 2011
GOURMET TRAVELLER: THAILAND
A taste of real Thai Nathalie Fraser offers a guide to what to eat and where in Thailand Delicious delicacies can be found everywhere Dishes are shared, at any time of the day Ask for a guided market tour
Quick tips
TOURISM THAILAND
NATHALIE FRASER
TOURISM THAILAND
METRO WORLD NEWS TRAVEL@METRO.LU
“Dishes are fragrant, exciting, spicy and delicious” Who hasn’t tried Thai food in a neighbourhood restaurant, or bought a take-away Thai meal from the supermarket. But there’s a vast gulf between what we know as Thai food and sampling the real thing in situ. From Chiang Mai to Koh Samui, dishes are fragrant, exciting, spicy, sweet, and always delicious. Visiting Thailand brings another huge advantage for the food-lover: it’s always OK to eat in Thailand, whatever the time of day. From fresh fruit vendors on the beaches, and street stands peddling Tom Yam soup (a punchy clear broth) or Pad Thai (stir-fried noodles), to packed family diners or elegant regional restaurants, there is always something new to try. Thai cuisine is based around the union of tastes: salty, sweet, sour and spicy. Salt flavour comes courtesy of the national essential, Nam Pla or fish sauce. Others are sourced from Thailand’s rich natural heritage: chillies, coconut milk and flesh, ginger, galangal, coriander, Thai basil, kaffir lime …
5
DISHES TO TRY... WHEN YOUR’E IN THAILAND
EAT
Street food is an essential part of Thai food culture. Don’t be put off by a humble establishment: in Bangkok, the Lek seafood stand underneath Chong Nonsi station serves some of the best fish-based dishes in the city. Chong Nonsi BTS station
SHOP
Spend an afternoon learning the ropes of Thai cuisine TOURISM THAILAND
In Southern Thailand and the islands, coconut milk and fresh turmeric root are the key ingredients for soupier, deliciously fragrant (and hot!) curries including the Massaman or Indianstyle version. The North takes its cue from Laos to produce drier dishes and refreshing salads including the classic spicy beef and green papaya versions. Meals are always centred around rice, and include a variety of dishes to share between diners. Luckily, many Thai chefs have realised the potential of their culinary heritage and offer cookery courses
for visitors. Do not miss this chance to discover the hidden secrets of a cuisine that is surprisingly easy to master. If you have the opportunity, ask the chef if you can tag along on his daily visit to the market. Thai markets are fascinating places, but having an expert to decrypt the mysterious herbs and vegetables is the key to finding all the right ingredients when you return home. For more information check out tourismthailand.com
STAY The Old Bangkok Inn offers traditional charm close to the main historical sights. As well as adorable rooms and a green energy policy, the hotel serves delicious fresh fruit for breakfast. www.oldbangkokinn.com
TRAVELLING
Stir-fried noodles in a tangy, tamarind-based sauce. Served with egg, tofu or chicken and topped with peanuts, this is pretty much the national dish, and a good introduction for those afraid of chilli.
SOM TAM/GREEN PAPAYA SALAD Unlike its name suggests, this is a savoury salad. The unripe papaya is pounded with fish sauce, lime juice, chilli and dried shrimp for a fresh yet spicy salad, served with rice.
Asking for chopsticks shows you are a Thai food novice. Thais eat with a fork and spoon, ideal for catching the last delicious drops of sauce and rice.
Exotic delicacies are found in every market
THINKSTOCK.COM
PAD THAI
If you’ve had your fill of bustling markets, the Gourmet Market on the ground floor of the Siam Paragon mall has all the essential ingredients in a chic, airconditioned environment. Siam Square BTS station
THINKSTOCK.COM
TOM KHA KAI A fragrant, scented soup with coconut milk for a silky edge. Deceptively hot! It is usually served with chicken and perfumed with lemongrass and galangal, a member of the ginger family.
GREEN OR RED CURRY Another classic, each made from a fiery paste of chilli, herbs and spices pounded together. Meat, fish or tofu is added, along with coconut milk. Green curry is often hotter than red.
FRESH FRUIT The selection of fresh fruit in Thailand is exceptional throughout the year. Even the humble apple or banana tastes completely different than its European equivalent.
05
www.metrotravel.com
travel
MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 2011
TOP 5: TO TRY IN MIAMI
It’s always hot in South Beach There’s more to Miami than tanning on the beach; plan your trip around one of these activities There are always exciting events on or new fancy hotels to check out Above all it’s a great place for a relaxing, fun holiday
EMMA E. FORREST
WWW.GMCVB.COM
GANSEVOORT MIAMI BEACH
GETTY IMAGES
MONDRIAN HOTEL MIAMI
COURTESY MCH SWISS EXHIBITION (BASEL) LTD.L
METRO WORLD NEWS EMMA.FORREST@METRO.LU
“There are parties in clubs, in hotels and around pools throughout Miami” On the edge of the Caribbean Ocean, Miami is the hub for many of the flights over to the islands – but it’s a destination worth stopping off at in itself. The weather is always great and there are always exciting events going on when you’re done with peoplewatching on South Beach.
For more information check out miamiandbeaches.com
1
ADMIRE THE ARCHITECTURE You can take in the splendid art deco architecture at a relaxed pace with a stroll down Ocean Drive and Washington Avenue, stopping off for a cocktail on a terrace of one of the stunning 1920s and 1930s hotels as you go. For a more serious insight into the history of this colourful architecture, join one of the daily tours organised by the Art Deco District Welcome Center (www.mdpl.org).
2
3
POSE BY A POOL
GO SHOPPING
You’ve seen it in the hip hop videos, and you can do it yourself – slip on your gold bikini and sip cocktails by the pool during the day, or get dressed up and party into the small hours with Miami’s most gorgeous at the palm-fringed rooftop pool bar, Plunge, at the Gansevoort Miami Beach hotel on Collins Avenue. (www.gansevoorthotelgrou p.com)
There are plenty of shopping opportunities for fashionistas here. You’ll find designer boutiques one block from the beach along Collins Avenue including Armani, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger and Intermix, which cherry-picks the best of designer brands. There’s more fashion on Washington Avenue, and at the Lincoln Road Mall at 16th street, for mainstream brands including Gap and American Apparel and quirky home and vintage stores as well as restaurants and galleries. For a one-stop-shop try Macy’s department store at 1675 Meridian Ave.
4
5
GO FOR A SUNDOWNER
PARTY AT A FESTIVAL
There are plenty of fabulous bars for sundowner cocktails on South Beach from the new W Hotel through to classics like the Delano. But for a great sunset you’ll need to be on the west side of the strip - hit the Mondrian where you can watch the sun set over mainland Miami from its glamorous ‘indooroutdoor’ Sunset Lounge, designed by world-famous designer Marcel Wanders. (www.delano-hotel.com, www.mondrianmiami.com)
There always seems to be a an exciting event going on in Miami, whatever time of year - from the annual Art Basel Miami Beach in December to the Miami Winter Music Conference in the spring, which showcases the coolest new DJs and dance acts. Where there are art galleries to be opened and new albums to be launched, there are parties in clubs, in hotels and around pools throughout Miami. Even if you’re not an official delegate you can join in the festivities that take place around official schedule.
06
www.metrotravel.com
travel
MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 2011
GADGETS: TRAVEL HIGH CHAIRS
3
TRAVEL SEATING FOR BABIES WHO DINE OUT
1 SACK AND SEAT
This is a cheap and cheerful option fabric seat that folds into an easy-to-carry bag, the Sack and Seat is ultra-easy to use. Just hook it over the top of the chair and strap it round the back, and strap your baby in. Really straightforward to use and easy to clean – just throw it in the washing machine. €20, www.kiskise.com
2 PHIL AND TED METOO This very cool and compact travel seat for a confident sitting baby, hooks onto the side of a table, bringing baby up to the table so it can eat with you. With its comfortable, padded, easy-to-clean seat and secure straps it’s the perfect place for baby to join in the family dinner in a restaurant or at friends’. €35, www.philandteds.com
3 TOTSEAT This one is designed to transform any sort of chair into a high chair for a baby. The seat can be fixed to a round or square, tall or lowbacked low-backed chair, and ones with and without arms. The size changes thanks to a series of buttons in the seat and adaptable long straps. €26, www.totseat.com METRO WORLD NEWS
1
2
3