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The “Hotel Rigas” on the Kassandra peninsula Contributed by travel wirter and influencer Jens Hoffmann The Hotel Rigas offers exactly what the guests looking for: a beautiful first-class boutique hotel with a lot of charm. I am picked up at the airport and taken by a vip taxi to the Hotel Rigas in Afitos, 90 km away. My temporary domicile is right by the sea. It is located on the Kassandra peninsula, in the Chalkidiki region of eastern Greece, one of my favorite destinations in…Continue Reading “The Shaman of travel in Kassandra (Greece)” →

Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann Located in the heart of Siem Reap, in the Old French Quarter only a few kilometers from the extraordinary Angkor Wat temple complex, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is the ideal place to explore the spiritual and archaeological masterwork. Relax and revitalise beside a magnificent pool inspired by Angkorian architecture and take a stroll along the riverside to discover the vibrant local markets. One of the great hotels of my “Grand Tour of Indochina” Embraced by 15 acres of beautifully…Continue Reading “Hotels we love – Grand Hotel Raffles in Siem Reap” →

Series: Lovely boutique hotels in Greece Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann Thessaloniki ist one of Europe’s most joyful cities for a break. The average gives the world its substance, the special things its value. Even a short visit to Thessaloniki feels like stepping into a different world. Let’s go in the footsteps of Alexander the Great in Thessaloniki Thessaloniki is the name of my favorite city in northern Greece, named after Alexander the Great’s sister. The birth town of Aristotle is a dream for…Continue Reading “The charms of Thessaloniki – Boutique Hotel Bahar” →

Destination Portugal (Estoril & Lisboa) Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann The “Palácio” is a living legend, it is more a museum than a normal hotel and the experience starts when you enter the hotel. Immediatly you feel like James Bond, not like Connery or Roger Moore, no the one time Bond George Lazenby. In the Palácio Estoril Hotel you travel back in time, but on a journey that also continues in the present and into the future. Built in 1930, today’s Palácio Hotel retains…Continue Reading “Hotel Palácio in Estoril – Portugal” →

Where natural beauty meets culture and timeless tradition Contributed by influencer & feature reporter Jens Hoffmann My hideaway was the Afitis Boutique Hotel (5stars). Graciously stretched in a private oasis is the hotel a retreat in a sublime setting. The joy starts in the lobby. Nestling in front of the sea in a serene hidden location with green washed gardens, sugar fine sand and crystal clear azure waters this resort synthesises an exotic blend of blue and green. The 50 unique luxury boutiquestyle rooms are…Continue Reading “Marvelous Kassandra – joyful days in Afytos (Halkidiki)” →

The Michelin star is the highest honour within the international culinary industry. Chefs all across the world dedicate their lives to earning just one coveted star in recognition of their excellence. But there are those select few who have managed to collect an number of stars in their constellation of fine dining restaurants. Chefs with Michelin Stars Alain Ducasse – 19 Michelin Stars Pierre Gagnaire – 14 Michelin Stars Martin Berasategui – 12 Michelin Stars Yannick Alleno – 10 Michelin Stars Anne-Sophie Pic – 8…Continue Reading ““The Oscars of the culinary world” – A group of Michelin Star Chefs” →

Namaste – The “International Buddhist Conclave ” Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. I travelled to Buddhist sites in Delhi Varanasi, Dhammek Stupa, Mulaagandha Kutey Vihara, Dashashwamedh Ghat and Ganga Aarti. The ministry of tourism had introduced a concept and twelve cities like eg. Varanasi, Amritsar, Ajmer, Dwaraka, Gaya, Puri, Amaravati, Kanchipuram, Vellankanni, Kedarnath are so called “spiritual development destinations”. For sure great to projecting the Buddhist heritage and pilgrim sites of India. In my opinion the “International Buddhist…Continue Reading “Walking with Buddha in India” →

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. 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 way to arrive in Hong Kong….Continue Reading “Cities we love: Hong Kong” →

Luxury Magazine ‘House &Hotel’at Lebua in Bangkok: We met Deepak Ohri (CEO Lebua Hotels & Resorts) in Bangkok What is a day for you? A new day is for me every day. The only typical thing is that the sun rises every day. Tell us about some of the challenges you faced: The biggest challenge is to make people believe that we are going to achieve it, and the day we can make people believe in you then every feat is a small feat. Why…Continue Reading “Created for extraordinary moments – The Lebua Hotel in Bangkok” →

Destination Indonesia Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Walking around Bandung it’s not hard to imagine what this West Javanese city would have looked like when it had been made Indonesia’s Capital 100 years ago. Although the dutch colonialist plan to move the seat of the from Batavia (today Jakarta) to Bandung was interruped by the Second World War, the offical buildings, transport connections and well and nicely designed university campus they constructed still remain. Bandung is a lovely and bustling Southeast Asian city that’s known as…Continue Reading “The only person dictating your time is you – COMO Shambhala Bali, Indonesia” →

Amsterdam, my sweet love Contributed by Jens Hoffmann The 93-room Waldorf Astoria offers perfect luxury, it is located on Herengracht, which is the so called Gentlemen’s Canal. The hotel has a historical exterior comprising six monumental 17th and 18th century double-front canal palaces and featuring a unique grand staircase built by the architect of Louis XIV, Daniel Marot. The Waldorf Astoria offers sophisticated comfort and unparalleled service in a setting characterized by a long, rich history. The suites overlooking the city’s canal or the courtyard…Continue Reading “Cities we love: Amsterdam – The Waldorf Astoria” →

Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann Thailand’s first luxury hotel, the Mandarin Oriental got a new look. Somerset Maugham used his hotel room as a hospital when he came down with malaria. John Le Carré wrote much of The Honourable Schoolboy in one of the suites. And Noël Coward would spend hours gazing down at the Chao Phraya, delighting in the river’s varied comings and goings, in particular those of one agile old lady who did a little skip as she punted her craft against…Continue Reading “Cities we love – Bangkok – The Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok” →