Overshadowed by megacities such as Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokio Taipei can easily be considered one of Asia’s most underrated cities. With only 7 Million habitants it is relatively small according to Asian standards. It is also one of Asia’s best kept secrets. For how much longer is everybody’s best guess given its unexplored diversity.
My image of Taipei was that of a gigantic electronics warehouse and I was therefore positively surprised by this flourishing city which offers a number of cultural sights, mystical temples and a variety of shopping malls and markets all easily reachable through one of the most modern and efficient metro systems in the world.
With a number of bustling night markets full of food and shopping temptations it is also every insomniacs dream. To top it all off Taipei is surrounded by green and lush mountains, home to hot springs and endless hiking trails.
What to see:
2-28 Peace Memorial Park
Built in 1908 the park was originally called Taihoku Park and later was renamed Taipei New Park under the KMT regime. It’s current name has been chosen in memory of a massacre called the 2-28 incident during which thousands of demonstrators were killed. Today the park is one of Taipei’s integral landmarks representing its versatile history. Exit Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall Station
101 Taipei
Built in 2006 as the world’s tallest building Taipei’1 101 Tower was overtaken by the Burj Khalifa in 2010. Nevertheless, it still boast the world’s fastest elevator which will take you up to the 89th floor in a few seconds. As Taipei’s skyline isn’t very impressive the view is somewhat underwhelming however it is the experience that counts. Exit Taipei City Hall Station
Palace Museum – the museum hosts an impressive selection of Chinese art including the famous jadeite cabbage and the meat shaped stone. Not to be missed! Exit Shilin Station and take a taxi to the museum
Laoshan Temple: Built in 1738 this temple is one of Taipei’s prime religious sites. It has been rebuilt various times due to earthquakes and typhoons. Get there at 5 pm to experience the temple’s most mystical time of the day when it is filled with worshippers chanting and lighting joss sticks. Exit Laoshan Temple Station
Where to eat
The original – Ding Tai Fun:
This dumpling restaurant has gained international faim for its xiaolongbao, dumplings filled with soup. The restaurant was founded in Taipei and has branched out to other cities such as Shanghai and New York. Their Honk Kong branch was awarded a Michelin star. You can’t reserve and it is therefore recommendable to go there for an afternoon snack when the waiting time is shorter than in the evenings. Nevertheless, count with a minimum 30 minute waiting time. Once you are there make sure to order their truffle dim sums which are godly and end your feast with sweet sesame or taro buns. Xinyi Road, Taipei (Exit Dongmen Station)
Indulge with a view – YEN Restaurant at W Hotel
W hotel’s Chinese restaurant YEN is situated on the 31st floor and offers a breathtaking view and a great selection of dim sums. You can chose amongst steamed and fried dim sums filled with everything from shrimps to truffles. Try their signature cocktail with Oolong tea or their W beer which is only available at the W hotel in Taipei. Refreshing!
Tea Time
Taiwan is a tea country. To get a taste of local produce treat yourself to a tea ceremony at Tea & Tea Arts and indulge in local highland teas expertly prepared and served with a choice of Taiwanese sweets – delicious!
Tea & Tea Arts, Yangchang Road No 88, (close by Yongkan Street/Dongmen Train Station
Shopping:
Yongkan Street a variety of small, local clothing boutiques and tea shops.
To get their exit Metro Station Dongmen
Eslite is a book store turned department store which offers everything from clothing to decor and yes..they have books too.
Ximen offers a variety of affordable clothing stores. It is popular with Taipei’s youth. This is a good place if you’d like to explore the local fashion scene.
Night Market
Rahoe’s night market offers an endless street filled with snack booths and shops. Snack your way through the bustling market. You will find everything from oyster crepes to fried octopus. For the very brave (or those who have just lost a bet) try stinky tofu. And yes, its called stinky tofu for a reason.
Where to stay
The W hotel is Taipei’s most trendy hotel. The futuristic building hosts beautiful, modern rooms with a spectacular view. Try scoring a room on the 29th floor where the view is simply stunning. The service is impeccable. In the evening the hotel fills with a crowd of Taipei’s fun loving elite. Join the crowd for a glass of champagne at the bar and indulge in the amazing view of Taipei’s 101 tower.
We spent Valentine’s day in the beautiful mountain scenery of Flims. While Flims might not be as famous as Gstaad and St. Moritz there is a lot it has to offer.The charming mountain village in Grisons hosts a fantastic selection of slopes, good restaurants and a relaxed, down to earth vibe.
We also tried out a few places restaurants in Flims. These are our favourites:
Calapari offers an über-cozy ambiance with an open kitchen and a fireplace. The kitchen features grison specialities and the portions are generous.
If you feel like a steak and a good glass of red wine then your next stop should be La Vacca. The tent features an open fireplace where you can warm your helmet while you are waiting for a tender entrecote accompanied by a glass of Malbec- Perfection! 7032 Laax, Switzerland. Tel: +41 81 927 99 62
Cavigilli in the old town of Flims is a gourmet restaurant set in a house with more than 500 years of history. It features two dining rooms and 3 set menus. (http://www.cavigilli.ch/)
La Caverna, located at Hotel Bellevue is a romantic cellar restaurant. It is the special ambiance in a more than 400 year old cellar that makes dining here a special experience ( http://www.bellevueflims.ch/#!Restaurant/Caverna-11.html)
Crisp blue skies, fresh mountain air and dozens of balloons floating above Gstaad – this is the annual hot air balloon festival.
Parmigiani is famous for their beautiful and elegant timepieces manufactured at their Fleurier headquarter. Founded by Michel Parmigiani, the watchmaker constructs their watches entirely at their headquarters at Fleurier. Their sophisticated timepieces are beautiful with thought-through details and pair well with the elegance of floating hot air balloons.
Since 2005 the Swiss watchmaker who will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary next year , has been sponsoring the annual hot balloon festival which takes place in Chateau D’oex. Their own balloon in Parmigiani’s signature colour orange can be spotted floating amongst dozens of other balloons . Parmigiani takes this opportunity to invite customers, friends and journalists to this special, fun event. This year La Bonne Vivante was lucky to be part of this unforgettable weekend.
The event started at Gstaad’s famous Wasserngrat which is only accessible via a 15 minute journey on a chairlift. The snow-covered path to the chalet was lit with torches. Inside an intimate ambiance, a champagne apero and a lovely dinner awaited. One of the most discussed topics of the evening was whether the weather would be good enough for us to take off with our balloon on the next day. The evening ended in the wee hours at Gstaad Palace’s Greengo Club.
In the morning we met at Parmigiani’s VIP tent in Chateau D’oex and were equipped with warm jackets and foot wear for the ride. The group was brought to the balloon and slowly took off. Those afraid of heights turned a little nervous however on 2000 meters the view was absolutely breathtaking and we indulged in the fantastic views of majestic mountains set against a blue sky overlooking Gstaad, Saanen and Zweisimmen. We experienced an amazing flight and amidst this splendid scenery we lost track of time. After one and a half hours our experienced Belgian pilot landed the balloon safely in Zweisimmen from where we returned to Chateau d’Oex and enjoyed a delicious lunch in good company.
Thank you, Parmigiani, for this unforgettable event!
Ok, before we start let’s just clarify – Are you a Vegetarian? If the answer is yes and you have no immediate plans to change this, don’t bother continuing to read. Au-Gust is no place for vegetarians however the menu might have a Vegetarian turn away from faith – but more about that later. For now just this much : With the opening of this restaurant Carnoviors might just have found their new regular hang out in Zurich.
Ambiance: Au-Gust which opened recently at Widder hotel looks and feel like a high-end butcher. The restaurant features a counter where chefs prepare sausages and other delicacies in front of the seated guests. The nut wood tables and black and white checked marble walls create a casual yet stylish ambiance. Tables cannot be reserved for groups smaller than 6 and it is recommended to get their early and go for an aperitif at Widder bar while you wait for your table. We waited approximately 20 which was just about right to indulge in a glass of Champagne and are welcomed cordially by an energetic chef de service.
The food: Let’s turn to the essential the meat…ehm sorry food. We start with a smoked salmon which is served with a delightfully spicy mustard. The Au-Gust salad which is made of lamb salad is ok but at 15 CHF we think it is a bit overpriced. Our Beef Gulasch which we order with Sauerkraut is creamy however lacks condiment. The meatloaf with an egg up the sunny side is excellent and the homemade spätzle which we order as a side dish are good too. At the end we make space for an apple strudel served with vanilla sauce which is mouth watering delicious. At 7 CHF it is very fairly priced.
Conclusion: Au-Gust is a great addition to Zurich’s gastro scene. We’d definetly come back for leisurly Saturday post shopping lunch.
Tip: Au-Gust also serves breakfast.
What better place to celebrate a fabulous 2014 and a fantastic new year to come than in Gstaad! The charming village turns into complete frenzy at new year’s eve and you’ll find the international jet set flocking here. Restaurants, bars and clubs are fully booked and you’ll better reserve well in advance if you want to score a table with a view.
Where to dine:
La Bagatelle is a charming restaurant with a beautiful view. Come here and indulge in the restaurant’s fine cuisine and authentic alphorn music. A nice restaurant for a romantic post new-year eve dinner with your loved one.
Restaurant 16 used to be a bell foundry. Today it is an über-charming restaurant in Saanen which resembles my own image of what snow white’s hut might have looked like. Admittedly, the food was a bit of a let down at our last visit (luke warm bisque and raw lobster – you get the idea….) but we hope that the kitchen will regain its old culinary strength shortly.
Swiss Stübli at Alpina Gstaad serves Raclette, Fondue and other Swiss specialities. We had a lovely dinner here and the bar offers plenty of options for a digestif or two.
Rialto in the center of Gstaad serves good old Italian cuisine at moderate prices (for Gstaad). This place won’t impress and it won’t disappoint either. A safe choice if you’d like to satisfy that penne arrabiata craving.
Feel like taking a break from all that fine dining head to Crêpery in Gstaad. As the name suggests you’ll find plenty of crêpe options and a cosy atmosphere.
Where to party:
The Gstaad Palace has attracted the rich, the famous and hordes of those who consider themselves in either category for decades now. This is the place to see and be seen. Depending on your energy level and time of the day this is a good place for a drink at the bar or go clubbing at the hotel’s club, the Greengo.
“Pura Vida” or Pure Life , a term used by locals in Costa Rica, is an epitome for Costa Rica ‘s natural beauty. Costa Rica is a land of milk and honey for bird watchers, surfers, divers and bikini aficionados alike. If you aren’t into white pristine, sandy beaches, serene natural parks, fantastic sceneries and a rich wildlife don’t bother co
ming.
To explore this stunning country rent a four wheel car. Costa Rica’s traffic isn’t as overwhelming as in many other Latin American countries however while it might seem like a relatively small country on a map, plan in sufficient time to get from one place to the next. The streets aren’t always in great conditions and while Costa Rica has highways the maximum speed allowed is 80 km. Yep, you guessed it – this is a perfect place to decelerate. We start our tour with a stop-over in San José. Unlike the rest of this fabulous country San José does not really have much on offer and looks run down and surprisingly unattractive. We recommend to keep your stay as brief as possible however don’t miss out on a dinner at La Esquina de Buenos Aires ( Calle 11, San José, Costa Rica +506 2223 1909) The restaurant makes some of Costa Rica’s best steaks and has a real Argentinian flair to it. If you are up for authentic Asian cuisine head to Tin Jo (www.tinjo.com).
Our next stop is Jacó which is a 2.5 hour drive from Costa Rica. Jacó is one of Costa Rica’s unpresumptuous party towns and while the beach might not be as beautiful as in other places this is an ideal place to let your hair down, enjoy the cocktails and party with the local Tico’s who you will find here in plenty.
Where to stay : Jacó offers a variety of low budget bed and breakfast places. Where to eat: Headed by Richard Lemon, Lemon Zest has become an institution in Jacó and offers some solid, international comfort food and a nice terrace.
Next is Montezuma which is located close to the most southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula and is reachable by ferry from Puntarenas or by boat from Jacó (if you aren’t travelling by car). Montezuma is an adorable, laid back village which has attracted hippies, surfers and artists for decades now. Montezuma also offers some of the countries’ most beautiful beaches and a very romantic scenery. This is a great place to unwind and soak up the sun. Rent a mountain bike or squads and take a day trip to the south of the Peninsula and visit the beautiful beach towns of Mal Pais, Santa Teresa and Manzanillo. While in Montezuma make sure to go zip lining above the Montezuma waterfalls – an unforgettable experience. While in Santa Teresa make sure you don’t miss out on a lunch at Nectar located at the Florblanca resort which offers delicious, fresh cuisine.
Where to stay: The Ylang Ylang Resort (www.ylangylangbeachresort.com) consists of tents and beach villas right on the beach in a beautiful, romantic setting. The hotel also offers Yoga Classes as well as a fresh, healthy menu including Sushi and Vegan Cuisine.
From here we head to Playa de Coco. This is another favorite amongst locals and offers a variety of bars and restaurants. It also is one of the best places to dive if you aren’t up for a 10 liveaboat trip to Isla de Cocos. At Isla Catalina you’ll have decent chance to spot giant mantas between December and April. Sharks and manta rays can be spotted pretty much all year long. Isla Catalina is located roughly 50 minutes from Playa de Coco. Be prepared for a very rough boat ride and don’t forget to pack those motion sickness drugs. Deep Blue Diving (www.deep-blue-diving.com) offers daily trips to Isla Catalina.
Where to stay: Hotel Puerta del Sol is a low key option with pleasant, spacious rooms kept in a marina blue and white theme and very friendly service.
Where to eat: Papagayo is one of Playa de Cocos liveliest restaurants with a good variety of seafood and cocktails. If you are looking for something more refined, head to Citron which offers a nice ambiance and solid yet a little uninspiring Mediterranean