Gypsy Jetsetter

‘Kiss me…I’m Irish’ – A Relaxing Weekend Getaway at Ashford Castle

gypsyjetsetter — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:17:27 +0000

Looking for a romantic, relaxing weekend getaway in Europe? Check out Ashford Castle in Cong, Ireland, part of The Leading Hotels of the World group. Their website depicts great views of the idyllic countryside surroundings which are even more breathtaking in person.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Service is excellent – TJ especially goes above and beyond. You can choose to do many activities or nothing at all, depending on your preference. If you land at Dublin, the drive is approximately two and a half hours, but it’s worth it. Built in 1228, the castle still retains its charm to this day, and has intrigued many world leaders and celebrities who have stayed here. Take a walk and see the beautiful grounds.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Activities include horseback riding, golf, falconry, and clay target shooting among other things. Spa treatments are also available.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

I highly recommend their Virgin Mary cocktail, and both the red and white Puna Snipe wines, and the George V restaurant offers delicious cuisine!

As always, have a great trip:).

“La Ville-Lumière”…or City of Lights, PARIS

gypsyjetsetter — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:45:22 +0000

Getting its name originally from being the center of ideas and education in the Age of Enlightenment, Paris emanates all that is romance, exquisiteness, and glamour – basically anything that holds an indefinable allure. Here are a few ideas to keep you entertained on your trip, touristy and otherwise…

SHOP:

The Champs-Élysées has all the high street brands, including the much coveted Sephora that for some odd reason has not opened in the UK yet. Massimo Dutti is a classy premium brand worth taking a look at too. Try coming here before noon as it otherwise gets swamped with tourists shopping and taking photos of the Arc de Triomphe. There are also quite a few museums you can check out here.

Photo credit: journeymart.com

If you’re looking for luxury, take a walk down Avenue Montaigne. Louis Vuitton (also on the Champs), Prada, Harry Winston, Chanel, etc. are all here. You can stop in the famed Plaza Athénée for tea.

Go to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps which is even nicer, for a wider variety of brands in a high-end department store setting. Make sure you get there early if you’re going on a weekend as the crowds can be overwhelming!

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

EAT:

L’Avenue restaurant on Avenue Montaigne is the perfect way to treat yourself after walking all around Paris. Everything on the menu is excellent. And when the weather is nice you can sit on the terrace and people-watch in an intimate setting.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

La Société is a super trendy spot that is great for group dinners. ‘Le tigre qui pleure’ is a delicious steak dish that melts in your mouth. You’ll be sure to bump into a celebrity or two here.

Make sure you soak in all the sights and sounds of this magical city before you go on to your next destination.

As always, have a great trip!

Looking to escape the London rat race?

gypsyjetsetter — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:07:25 +0000

For a quiet haven away from your daily routine, pamper yourself with a massage and facial from Nalika’s Beauty – Nalika even tailors the facials to suit your skin’s needs. One and a half hours of this treatment leaves you feeling refreshed and re-energized, and Nalika herself is extremely professional and always smiling.

Stop into Evolve Wellness for yoga, meditation, and holistic therapy sessions. Located in a quiet mews in South Kensington by the tube station, this sanctuary has a yoga timetable to suit your needs, experienced instructors and a dedicated reception staff.

Photo credit: http://evolvewellnesscentre.com/

Marrakech

gypsyjetsetter — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:33:08 +0000

This exotic North African city is unique, chaotic and just an all-around very interesting place (although it can be tiring!) I wouldn’t recommend visiting the souks and main square more than once. There is much history though can be seen and I highly recommend taking a drive outside the city to get some fresh air and take in the nature that Morocco has to offer.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Here’s a clip from the beautiful Kate Winslet movie ‘Hideous Kinky’, which takes place in Marrakech – a great movie that gives you a feel for the city:

Places to eat:
Le Tanjia – delicious tagines

Restaurant Le Foundouk – high-end, more tagines, but also European cuisine

Dar Essalam – authentic architecture and you guessed it, more tagines

Stay: Riad Kaiss – great service, view from the rooftop, traditional.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Get chauffeured:
Rida.Moktafi@gmail.com / +212 670 609 876 – Our driver while we were there. He was very respectful and explained a lot about Marrakech, the people and the culture.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

As always, have a great trip!

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Prague – A Romantic Weekend in Eastern Europe

gypsyjetsetter — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:54:50 +0000

Prague is filled with beautiful architecture, and is all-around charming and very affordable. There are a few other places to see in this city aside from the tourist sites of Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square, and the National Gallery though.

Stay at Mamaison Riverside Hotel -

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Just across the bridge from the city center and without wifi, this simple hotel allows you to get a taste of tranquillity, while providing excellent service. I’d recommend a room on the 6thfloor with views of Prague.

Eat at Olympia –

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

A ten minute walk from the hotel, this local restaurant serves delicious typical Czech food. Try the American steak or the platter of various meats. They even have a section of the menu entitled something along the lines of – ‘Food that goes with Beer’.

For a bit more upscale experience, dine at Bellevue. Try the tasting menu. As a plus, the views really are beautiful, as the name of the restaurant suggests.

Shop at Manufaktura -

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

This store is filled with natural bath products, made of beer, wine, and dead sea minerals among other ingredients. You can find traditional wooden Christmas decorations here as well.

As always, have a great trip!

24 Hours in Oslo

gypsyjetsetter — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:25:10 +0000

Here’s a little tribute to my Scandinavian readers…and to those who are thinking of visiting the Nordics. Oslo is a great city, with a great quality of life, and people here are extraordinarily friendly.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Have a lunch smorgasbord at Theatercafeen at Hotel Continental (a member of The Leading Hotels of the World) – although not a typical smorgasbord with a wide variety of options in a buffet-setting, it is nevertheless delicious. The shrimp on toast is excellent – I recommend pairing this with the fish soup, which you can split between two people.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

If you’re looking for a unique souvenir, you can’t go wrong with bringing home a bit of reindeer from Norway.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

A Weekend in Berlin

gypsyjetsetter — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:46:55 +0000

Berlin is the cool, cultural epicentre of Germany, filled with art, music, architecture, and a great deal of history. It’s been quite a few years since the wall fell, and apparently a lot had changed between then and now so it’s definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been since – or at all for that matter!

Hotel Adlon Kempinski is the place to stay – a luxurious, legendary 5 star hotel where diplomats and celebrities alike have been, including Charlie Chaplin, Herbert Hoover and Marlene Dietrich. This hotel is located in Unter den Linden, which is ideal for sightseeing as the Brandenburg Gate and government buildings are all nearby.

Please note: If you’d like to visit the government buildings such as the Reichstag, you need to book a spot online at least several days in advance.

Even if you’re not that keen on sight-seeing, the one must-see stop on your visit would have to be the Checkpoint Charlie Museum which highlights the extent of hardship and what people went through to cross the border during the time of the Berlin Wall.

If you want to take a break from touring the city, stop in the Fassbender & Rausch Chocolatiers am Gendarmenmarkt for some hot chocolate, and pick up a pack of chocolate covered coffee beans for a little caffeine kick to munch on as needed.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

For a casual meal, I recommend Turkish cuisine, which is excellent in Germany thanks to the Turkish immigrant population. Kebaphaus Ilayda uses fresh ingredients, and the service is friendly. Order less than you think you can eat as they have generous portions of meat here.

For a special night out, check out Fischers Fritz a two Michelin star restaurant just up the road from Hotel Adlon. Some of the dishes are excellent – such as the palate cleansers between courses, but the cod is less impressive.

As always, have a great trip!

DUBAI & ABU DHABI: Land of camels and Ferraris

gypsyjetsetter — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 09:35:03 +0000

If you’re looking for the true meaning of opulence, ostentatiousness and just basically anything over the top, you’ll find it in Dubai. The largest mall in the world with over 1,000 stores, Dubai Mall (you might need a few days to get through this one!), and the largest building in the world, Burj Khalifa are both here. The seven star Burj Al-Arab hotel complete with helipad and gold columns in the lobby is also here.Birkin bags and Ferraris abound. This may not be your cup of tea though, and since the glitz isn’t for everyone, here are a few tips for those who are just looking for a memorable few days in the U.A.E.

DINE AT TAGINE, ONE & ONLY ROYAL MIRAGE

This is probably the most classy and luxurious hotel in Dubai. Tagine is a charming Moroccan restaurant, tastefully decorated, with good service and delicious food. Drink mint tea and smoke sheesha in the outdoor courtyard and take a romantic walk around the hotel grounds to end your evening.

Photo credit: hotels4u.com

DUNE BASHING

Go for dune bashing with a private driver, which you can organize through your hotel. Watch the sun set in the desert.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

GOLD SOUK

Stop by the gold souk for a slightly more authentic Arabian experience and all the sparkly jewelry you forgot you needed. They have a higher carat gold than in the West and 7 carat diamonds in window displays – in short, something for everyone. Shopping is tax free, so some men even get engagement rings for their girlfriends here.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

STAY: At The Address Dubai Marina

Relax and get some sun at the infinity pool with views over the city.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Have a burger or mango and prawn salad from Shade, the poolside cafe. The staff here is very helpful, particularly David and Tarek from the concierge: they can put together a great last minute program for even the most unorganized travelers. The hotel is located right next to Dubai Marina Mall. This low-key mall has most of the essential shops from Karen Millen to Kurt Geiger and is much less crowded than others. Take a walk on the Marina and smoke another sheesha by the water, while taking in the view.

ABU DHABI – Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

This impressive architectural structure is the eighth largest mosque in the world, and holds over 40,000 worshippers. Women can borrow an abaya at the entrance to wear in the mosque.

Photo credit: Jamie Carpi

I’d recommend a maximum of four days here, as the conspicuous consumption can get a bit overwhelming otherwise. It’s the perfect destination for a little sun, sand and a taste of the Middle East for the days you are here though. As always, have a great trip!

THE SOUND OF SAN FRANCISCO

gypsyjetsetter — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:34:27 +0000

If you’re looking for a truly unique San Francisco experience, try a few of these options –

FLY LIKE A BIRD

The perfect place to take your first pilot lesson and great motivation to get your pilot’s license, try Diamond Aviation at San Carlos airport. An exhilarating experience for those who don’t get queasy high off the ground in a little Cessna.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

SHOOT FOR SPORT:

If you’re up for trying your first shooting lesson, check out Bulls-Eye gun range. Just be prepared to dive on the floor the first time you hear a shot being fired!

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Shiatsu by Yukie:

My friend and I found her on yelp – and the massage really is by Yukie herself.

A lovely lady with very strong hands, she does Shiatsu in her own home. I highly recommend her and must say that this is one of the best massages I’ve had in my life.

On the list of must do’s…

Muir Woods:

Visit this national monument if you’re in the mood for a little nature walk amongst extremely tall redwood trees.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

WANDER:

Through Crissy Fields to get a scenic view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

RED OR WHITE?

Get out of the center of the city for scenic views of the ocean and of the landscape in general.

Visit Napa and Sonoma Valley: Very charming wine country just outside of San Francisco, this is a must see.

Photo credit: winesleuth.wordpress.com

Marin County is a beautiful affluent suburb in the North San Francisco Bay area and pleasant to drive through.

SHOP:

All the essentials from Victoria’s Secret to designer attire are located in and around Union Square. Heels are not recommended for this trek as San Fran is full of hills.

RELAX:

Catch some sun and a bit of R&R at Ocean Beach. Don’t forget to dig your toes in the sand.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

The basics…

EAT:

There are over 4,500 restaurants in this small city.

A favourite is Pacific Catch – a simple place with fusion cuisine – go for the Hawaiian Poke Japanese Wasabi rice bowl – so fresh and so healthy!

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

This city thrives on healthy, natural food, products, and lifestyle (exemplified below):

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Share a pizza and dip into a salad at A16, delicate Italian food that hits the spot at the perfect date locale.

Photo credit: restaurantdiningcritiques.com

For dessert, sample some mouth-watering Smitten ice cream – created instantly with liquid nitrogen and made of all natural ingredients. Food snobs around the world will be blown away.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

Stay:

Bask in luxury at the Fairmont – a centrally located, beautiful hotel oozing with charm. Construction on this Nob Hill hotel first began in 1902 and it remains an icon to this day.

Photo credit: Tai Yuni

As always, have a great trip!

Ultimate Styling in Paris

gypsyjetsetter — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:09:42 +0000

On your next trip to Paris, booking an appointment with journeemode.com for an exclusive tour of the city’s iconic fashion hotspots is an absolute must. After a careful analysis of your needs and desires, a tailored shopping itinerary will be created for you in which you will be assisted by your personal stylist for the day. Your Paris-based, bilingual stylist will expertly guide you through the labyrinth of boutiques in the city of light and coordinate with salespeople so that you can relax and enjoy being looked after and know with confidence that you’re being treated to only the very best. Founder Cléa Christen and associate Jessica Benayoun will ensure a bespoke experience that you’ll never forget.