Author: House & Hotel Magazine

Destination Brazil. Contributed by Joan Leao. Arriving in Brazil sets the stage for pure relaxation. Sun, streets swinging to samba, sizzling beaches and waterfalls as wide as a morning’s walk: this is Brazil, and there really hasn’t been a better time to visit. This is a big country — bigger than Australia, and far too large to try to cover in one visit — so we’ve designed a first-timer’s itinerary that takes in the best of the natural wonders, the wildlife, the nightlife and the…Continue Reading “Brazil, Brazil” →

Berlin, Berlin. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. One of my (world) favourite hotels is the Hotel Adlon Kempinski, a living legend in the heart of Berlin, Germany. Located next to the famous Brandenburg Gate the Adlon has always fascinated guests from everywhere. Its the perfect address in style and sophistication. The hotel was build 1907 by Lorenz Adlon, the Berlin bulider was in close relation with the “The Kaiser” who cleared the way for Adlon’s purchase of the Palais. The Adlon hosted celebrities like Charlie Chaplin,…Continue Reading “Berlin, Berlin – the legendary Adlon Kempinski” →

Destination Majorca. Majorca is the largest island in the Balearic Islands archipelago. The capital is Palma, ful of artist and fun. Majorca is also the capital of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands. I was in 1983 when the Balearic Islands became an autonomous region of Spain. The name derives from Latin insula maior, “larger island” in comparison to Minorca which is “the smaller one”. We went back to the Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and enjoyed sunny days on lovely Majorca -far away from…Continue Reading “Me gusta Majorca” →

Destination Egypt Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. The Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia by a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is a Mediterranean country bordered by the Gaza Strip and Israel to the northeast, the Gulf of Aqaba to the east, the Red Sea to the east and south, Sudan to the south, and Libya to the west. Across from the Sinai Peninsula lies Saudi Arabia. After a day in…Continue Reading “Pillow talk with Agatha Christie in Asswan – Egypt” →

Buddhist pilgrimage is a hot thing in India. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann I joined the “International Buddhist Conclave 2016” with stop overs in New Delhi, Varanasi and Bodhgaya. It was a joyful and colourful experience. Through the remains of palaces and gardens, treating the sites sanctified long ago by the Buddha’s footsteps, in the eternal ques to untravel the complex truths of life, brilliantly enunciated by the Buddha twenty five century ago. Often heard but indeed; Incredible India, the birthplace of Buddhism, has a very…Continue Reading “Walking with the Buddha” →

Rhythm of the South Tour – New Orleans. By Jens Hoffmann. After a few days in Miami we flew to New Orleans. Located on a bend of the Mississippi River, New Orleans has been the capital city of Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico’s busiest northern port since the early 1700s. Founded by the French, ruled for 40 years by the Spanish and bought by the United States in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, New Orleans is known for its distinct Creole culture and vibrant history….Continue Reading “Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans…” →

Destinaton Rome, bella Italia, bella. The St. Regis Grand. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. Ti amo Roma. Truly old Europe, golden mosaics, magnificent frescoes and sculptures. The different neighborhoods with a unique feel, fine architecture and the art, but mostly by the golden mosaics in the apse. Sta. Prassede and San Clemente are also not to be missed for mosaics, frescoes and of course the 3 levels at San Clemente. We visited the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s and enjoyed art history, especially the late medieval at…Continue Reading “Sempre bella Italia – Rome” →

Destination Norway. Rost and Landscapehotel, Norway Contributed by Frances Gobez. I decided to explore Norway, I took a map of Norway and decided that the Lofoten Islands looked stunning and remote enough. A joyful Norwegian holiday far from Oslo (“Ushlo”), full of wild nature and delicious fish meals made with the catch-from-the-day. The experience stated in Oslo. If you thought the main Lofoten islands were lost in the Norwegian Sea, you are right. All this is part of the traditional district of Lofot. It takes…Continue Reading “Destination Norway – Lofoten Islands” →

Trip to India. Contributed by Norman Harris. I tested the “Kettuvalams”, besides the fact that it is a big tourist attraction in backwaters paradise “Venice of East” it is a perfect holiday destination. It has a huge network of backwater canals. The backwaters in Kerala are 1500 kms of canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. The Houseboats are giant country crafts, measuring up to 80 feet in length, retrieved from being…Continue Reading “Kerala – Mystic Spice and a shrine to different cultures” →

Destinationreport Thailand. Summer in the City of Angels Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. Sawasdee, I love Bangkok. Bangkok is gettin more and more modern but far from antiseptic. Its filled with luxuries and great thai cuisine. Also it is under pressure, still affordable. Yet amid the chaos, visitors find charm and, above all, character. Somehow extremes coexist: skyscrapers and moldy tenements; high-end, cloth-napkin dining and tasty street food stalls; five-star hotels. My “normal” city life: Hedonism and Buddhist meditation. To travel across Bangkok is to see…Continue Reading “Sawasdee – Jeans or dinnerjacket?” →

Explore Europe’s Gourmet metropolis and one of the most charming capital in eastern Central Europe. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Arrival at Ferenc Liszt International Airport, 20 km from the city centre. A driver picked me up. I am ready for a christmas stay at the Hungarian capital. Welcome, my new love is the largest and most exciting city in eastern Central Europe. The political, commercial and cultural centre of Hungary offers breathtaking brides, panoramic views, buildings that are architecturallly outstanding and cosy christmas moments. The…Continue Reading “Discover Budapest – lovely days in one of the most charming capitals in Europe” →