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    • Marseille – A cosmopolitan adventure

    August 24th, 2010

    Chateau-d-IfEdmont Dantès was on the verge of committing suicide. Fourteen years of innocent imprisonment in total isolation had destroyed his will to live. When his fellow inmate died, he saw his chance to escape. He slipped into the body bag that was about to be thrown over the massive walls of Chateau d’If into the sea. Dantès swam into freedom, fiercely determined to take revenge on the schemers who had destroyed his life.

    Everyone knows the story of The Count of Monte Cristo. Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel has hit the cinema screens quite a few times, portraying the whole range of human feelings and vices: love and hate, greed, pride and revenge. The setting of the drama, the gloomy fortress Chateau d’If is just a half hour boat ride away from Marseille’s old port. From the castle’s tower you can enjoy wonderful views over the deep blue sea and southern France’s main port on the Mediterranean.

    Marseille is a very special place. The narrow minded despise the city as poor and dirty. No question, Marseille is light-years away from posh Marseilleseaside neighbors like Monaco or Nice. It’s halfway to Africa, it’s nervous and bustling, probably the most multicultural city in Europe. Wandering the narrow alleys next to La Canebière, its main downtown alley, you feel closer to being in the Kasbah of Algiers than in France.

    People in Marseille take great pride of their cosmopolitan heritage. Few sports clubs can count on the devoted loyalty of their supporters like the local Olympique team does. Marseille has always felt independent. It even opposed construction of the Chateau d’If as a symbol of centralist domination.

    In 2013 the city will be crowned as European Capital of Culture, a title well deserved. It’s packed with museums and cultural institutions. The opera house is world famous and Marseille boasts with the vanguard of the country’s pop and hip hop scene. There’s something for every taste. And then there’s the Mediterranean cuisine. The port area is packed with great restaurants where nobody would dare not to try la Bouillabaisse, the tasty local fish and shellfish soup.

    Marseille is a travel destination of another kind, it’s a place for the liberal and open minded. A great place to enjoy city life, food and a wild blend of cultures. We’d recommend two first class hotels as the central hub for your multicultural explorations:

    The New of Marseille

    Perfectly located near the old port this recently constructed modern hotel disposes of all amenities to recover from your exciting trips through the bustling city. When you relax by the beautiful outdoor pool, you can still enjoy the view on the fortress that defends the entrance to the port.

    New1 New-2

    Radisson SAS Marseille Vieux Port

    One of the first addresses in town, the Radisson offers every service you could expect from a luxury hotel. Its spacious rooms and suites overlook the port and the old part of town, dominated by the massive church Notre Dame de la Garde.

    Radison-SAS Radison-SAS-1

    P-Marseille

    Via: blog.dluxehotels.com

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    Five outstanding things you can do only in Stockholm

    August 10th, 2010

    Stockholm_1_Henrik_TryggDogsleds, lakes, polar lights and elk. That’s what most people associate with Scandinavia. It might be liberalism, tolerance or social justice as well. But culture, fun and urban lifestyle live somewhere else. Wrong! Stockholm is a bustling modern city, green and clean, loaded with museums and art galleries and just a great surprise.

    Stockholm’s cityscape is laid out over fourteen islands, thus a third of its surface is water. Another third consists of parks and green spaces. No wonder Stockholm has been elected European Green Capital in 2010. And between all the natural areas spreads a city that offers everything you could expect from a modern metropolis: historic charm, classical and modern architecture, culture and subcultures, top restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment. Moreover there are a couple of really unusual things you can only do in Stockholm:

    Stockholm-City-Museum1. Rooftop Tour

    Completely equipped with all safety gear like helmet and ropes, a guided walking tour leads you over the city’s roofs. Starting on top of the Swedish Parliament you will catch the greatest and most unusual views of Stockholm’s old town. The tour isn’t physically challenging and suitable even for people suffering from vertigo. An outstanding experience!

    2. Follow the footsteps of …

    Sweden counts with at least three contributions to the highest levels of global pop culture. Self guided tours available at the Stockholm Tourist Information will lead you to the places where pop-super group Abba recorded its chart busters or to where their record’s cover photos were taken. Or follow the path of Alfred Nobel, starting where he constructed the world’s first nitroclycerin-factory and end up in the hall of fame of world’s scientists, the Nobel Price Museum. If you’re a literature buff, you might want to explore the scenery of Stieg Larson’s intriguing Millennium Trilogy.

    3. Water Adventures

    Not too many cities in the world can be explored from their waterways. Stockholm is just like a northern Venice, but less crowded. You can hop on a steamboat, cruise on a hundred years old schooner or paddle through the city in a kayak. If reaching the outskirts you even have a chance for spotting wild moose, dears or wild boars.

    4. Museum of Photography

    Not even three months ago the Fotografiska, one of the world’s greatest museums on photographic arts has opened its doors. Its first exhibition features Annie Leibovitz, probably the most famous photographer of pop stars ever. Her portraits of John Lennon, the Blues Brothers or Bruce Springsteen have been published in magazines all over the globe and can be viewed until September 12th, 2010.

    5. See a real Viking village

    On a beautiful day trip you can travel 1.200 years back in history and visit the remnants of “Birka”, a real Viking village. Now affectionately called “Sweden’s first city”, the archaeological site belongs to the UNESCO’s world heritage. You can see the traces of where the Vikings lived and worked, and you can imagine how they drank, fought and cursed.

    There’s a lot more you can do and enjoy in Stockholm. All you need is a perfect base camp like:

    Radisson SAS Strand

    Overlooking Stockholm’s waterfront the Radisson SAS might be called Sweden’s first address. It definitely offers one of the most beautiful views over the city’s water- and landscapes. Built for the 1912 Olympic Games, it maintains its pedigree with a blend of historic ambience and modern amenities.

    radisson_sas_strand_1 radisson_sas_strand_2

    Hellsten

    Just around the corner from Stockholm’s busiest boulevard, the Hellsten is a beautifully restored townhouse, over a hundred years old. Its furniture has been collected on nearly all the continents and – located in Scandinavia – no doubt you can enjoy a sauna, too.

    Hellsten_1 Hellsten_2

    More hotels in Stockholm

    Jens Wiegand
    Images: Henrik Trygg, Frederic Reglain, www.imagebank.sweden.se

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    Budapest : Europe’s Spa Capital

    July 28th, 2010

    Gellert1Due to our increasingly stressful lifestyle health consciousness has grown as well. Therefore Spa Culture has extended a lot in recent years. Thermal baths are opening their doors just anywhere, more and more quality hotels offer massages and relax treatments. Health has become a flourishing business.

    But Spa Culture is more than just a couple of pools filled with hot water. For maximum joy and complete relax there must be stimulation for all our senses. The place where your eyes get caressed by beautiful decoration and soft light are the palace-like Spas in Budapest. You may feel like a Turkish Sultan or like Queen Sissy when you slip into the natural healing waters of the Géllert or the Szécheni.

    Spa Culture in Budapest counts with 2000 years of tradition. The old Romans already enjoyed the amount of natural hot springs in the area. Waters rich in minerals reach the surface at temperatures between 21 and 78 degrees Celsius. A total of 118 hot springs and wells havSzéchenyi-Thermal-Bathe been counted in Budapest, spilling out over 70 Million Litres of water a day. When the Turkish Empire occupied Budapest during the 16th century the Turks were just happy to find those natural hot springs. They loved warm water and its healthy effects.

    During the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Spa Culture reached a new heyday in Budapest. Classical Spas like the Ruda or the Géllert were constructed with great sense of style and stunning architecture.

    Today, you can choose between 15 Spas spread all over town. And there are for all tastes and interests. The Lukács is preferred by actors and artists, the Palatinus is youths’ favourite, and at the Széchenyi you can watch geniuses play chess in the warm waters. And for family fun, there is the Ramada Resort, one of Europe’s greatest indoor water theme parks. The Rudas-Thermal-Bath2Rudas was built by the Turks in the 16th century. Its octagonal pool covered by a beautiful dome sustained by eight pillars is probably the most astonishing place of all of them. On the weekend nights it regularly holds parties with film projections. At the Géllert you can get the most unusual treatments, ranging from a lava stone massage to the Cleopatra bath in milk and honey or a chocolate bath.

    All these Spas mentioned are more than just a collection of swimming pools; they are top level tourist attractions themselves. Instead of just visiting a historical palace, you visit them floating around. And all that in a fascinating historical and lively city, full of attractions and entertainment.

    For you complete wellness in Hungary’s astonishing capital, we’d recommend two hotels of the top category:

    Le Méridien

    Just a short walk away from the shores of Europe’s largest river the Danube, you can enjoy the hospitality of one of Hungary’s top hotels. It was the first in Budapest to receive the Five Star Diamond award. It awaits you with the classical style of the great empire.

    Le-Méridien1 Le-Méridien2

    Palazzo Zichy

    Located right in Budapest’s palace district, the Zichy will surprise you. The original facades of the 19th century palace may arouse expectations of a classic interior. But far away from that. Inside it’s completely modern and stylish and equipped with all up-to-date technology you might demand.

    Palazzo-Zichy1 Palazzo-Zichy2

    More hotels in Budapest.
    Jens Wiegand
    Images: BTH Budapesti Turisztikai Nonprofit KFT
    Budapest

    Budapest

    Jens Wiegand
    Images: BTH Budapesti Turisztikai Nonprofit KFT

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    Posted in Destinations, Hungary, Hungary, SPAs & SPA hotels | No Comments »

    Great design hotel in Barcelona : Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona

    July 20th, 2010

    Built in 2004, the design hotel Pulitzer Barcelona is located next to Plaza Catalunya, right in the heart of Eixample, where the city’s two most cosmopolitan avenues begin: Paseo de Gracia and Las Ramblas.

    A few steps away from the best boutiques, shopping areas and restaurants, you will be within a ten-minute walk to the Gothic Quarter, the Cathedral, the most important art nouveau buildings, the University of Barcelona, the art nouveau concert hall Palau de la Música and MACBA (The Contemporary Art Museum of Barcelona).

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    The main luxury is the space and luminosity that invades the hotel thanks to its many windows, the interior garden, which connects the lobby to the restaurant, and the large skylight, which provides light to all the floors.

    The dominating chromatic tones are black and white with a few earthen and golden touches. The counter points are the intense reds in the works of art and the immense Chinese cupboard which houses the cocktail bar, which adds an injection of the oriental and blends nicely with the European air of the hotel.

    Amongst the raw materials used, the leather of the sofas, the wooden floors and furniture, the mirrors and other decorative elements stand out most.

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    i43 [dluxehotels] i46 [dluxehotels]

    Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona offers 86 Standard rooms, 5 spacious superior rooms and 1 suite conceived as an apartment. Further facilities include the VISIT restaurant, a bar, salons and Internet connexion.

    The hotel offers to the clients who ask for entrances to the gymnasium Holmes Place.

    Pulitzer Hotel Roma

    More design hotels in Barcelona

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    Posted in Spain | 1 Comment »

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