Category: All posts

Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Arrival in Helsinki. The baggage is there very quick, lets go straight away to the city. We will stay in the Hotel K. – a beautiful design hotel. You are welcome just as you are. The hotels name – Klaus K- refers to the main character who appears in the story called “The death of Elina” in Kalevala. It’s located at the Rake corner, consisting of two buildings that were built in 1882 as a German girls’ school. After many changes…Continue Reading “Hotels we love: Klaus K Hotel in the heart of Helsinki” →

Canada has much to offer: We started in Toronto. And ended up in a great city: Ottawa Ottawa rocks with exhibits, galleries and a thriving food scene. Canada’s capital has no shortage of historical charms — from Gothic Parliament buildings to a Unesco World Heritage canal — but it has long been dogged by a reputation as a workaday government center. A weekend in the city, however, proves otherwise. With a thriving food scene, a multicultural and multilingual sensibility owing to its location on the…Continue Reading “Cities we love: Ottawa – Hotel Château Laurier” →

Contributed by Jens Hoffmann We took the nightrain from Bangkok to Laos and checked in “The 3 Nagas”. Wow, wow, wow. A charming boutique hotel in Luang Prabang, Laos. It is so nice to be in Laos and in the region. I used to live and work for three years in Bangkok and was several times in Luang Prabang. At the arrival an old Citroen welcomed us in front of the hotel. The hotel 3 Nagas is beautiful and you feel like in a bygone…Continue Reading “Places we love: Hotel The 3 Nagas in Laos (Luang Prabang)” →

By Jens Hoffmann A dinner in the Michelin restaurant “Varoulko” is always a highlight, it is a very special treat to sit nearby the seaside, accompanied by the boats, glittering lights on the shore and the soft ripple of the waves. The Chef de Cuisine, Lefteris Lazarou is a fantastic cook. He was born to a father who worked as a ship-chef and Lefteris never thought of following a different path. When he was 15 years old he started working with his father in the…Continue Reading “Fine dining in Piraeus – a Michelin star Greek culinary experience by Chef de Cuisine Lefteris Lazarou” →

Explore one of the most charming capital cties in Europe. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Arrival at Ferenc Liszt International Airport, 20 km from the city center. A driver picked me up. I am ready for a nice educational stay in the Hungarian capital. It was a gourmet famtrip. The commercial and cultural centre of Hungary offers breathtaking brides, panoramic views, buildings that are architecturallly outstanding and cosy moments. A place to be. An ambience that could simply not be nicer, Budapest with its style, historic…Continue Reading “Christmastime in Budapest” →

Budapest has an inexplicable charm Contributed by feature editor Jens Hoffmann Lindsey Stirling, a world-renowned violinist, will perform on October 11 in Budapest, at the MVM Dome. During the performance, he will present his latest project Duality, which revolves around the themes of inner strength, identity and transformation. The special guest of the concert will be NYA. World-famous violinist Lindsey Stirling gave a concert at the MVM Dome in Budapest. She presented her latest project, Duality. Duality is an amazing musical journey that exposes the…Continue Reading “Cities we love: Budapest” →

Check in: Waldorf Astoria The Roosevelt Hotel Contributed by our correspondent and influencer Jens Hoffmann First of all, it was joy to be in New Orleans. I am in love with music this city. Nearly two decades after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans remains smaller in population, but richer than ever in cultural treasures. Forced to justify its very existence, the city doubled down on venerating its charming customs and neighborhood gems. Today, there are new ways to engage with the city’s history,…Continue Reading “Cities we love: New Orleans” →

Sawasdee, Bangkok is always joy. Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann I am in love with this city I used to live here for three years. Silom and the State Tower is for me always a very special experience. I met the nice CEO Deepak Ohri several times in Bangkok and Frankfurt. He started a unique approach to the guest sector which ended in a deeper level of exchange with guests by creating emotional joy and connections especially at Lebua in the State Tower in…Continue Reading “Places we love: The Dome at Lebua in Bangkok” →

Contributed by Jens Hoffmann HK is not only one of Asia’s funkiest cities for a break – it can be also one of the most affordable if you know the city. And full of luxury and joy. Particular when you know some people you bring you to caraoke and free outdoor entertainment adds an extra sheen for guests keen to enjoy a brilliant (foodie) breal without breaking the bank. We went through the airport and then straight escorted into our taxi, there’s not a better…Continue Reading “48 Hours in Hong Kong: Things to Do and See” →

Eating in Japan Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Of course you will find Sushi on every corner in Japan and the japanese its often different tings and not sushi. But we like it. A couple of good restaurants you will find in the Hiroo embassy district in Tokyo. The basis of an excellent sushi is not the fish, but the rice, the “shari”. This wise words are from the master Chef de Cuisine Takahiro Okada’s “Sushi Zai”. Its his restaurant and believe me it is great….Continue Reading “Places we love: Japan” →

Rio de Janeiro, the place to enjoy. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann A stay in this surprising Brazilian city might include oktoberfest, carneval,caipirinhas on the beach, music, food and history everywhere. Best to checkin is the Copacabana Palace (Belmond Hotel, 5star) like Lady Diana, Mick Jagger, Ave Gardner, Nelson Mandela and others. To come to this sprawling, dynamic Brazilian city without preconceptions, whether they’re about bikinis or politcs, is just about impossible. But Rio constantly finds ways to surprise — whether it’s a friendly resident walking…Continue Reading “Places we love: Copacabana Palace and Rio de Janeiro” →

Bom dia. First Lisbon, than Porto. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Photos: Annamaria Veszeli The whole world seems to have fallen in love lately with the nearby beaches, old churches, seafood cuisine and historical UNESCO-listed streets of Portugal’s second-largest city. Yes, we are fans and love to travel. The Douro wine and atmosphere along the Douro riverfront is magic. And the home of port wine is keeping pace with a slew of new offerings. Recent years have seen the opening, upgrading or expansion of museums, art…Continue Reading “Cities we love: Porto in Portugal” →