Barcelona at your fingertips

After a heavenly night at the impressive Arts Hotel, we were ready to discover the beauty of the capital of Catalonia. We organized a private tour through Barcelona Experience before our departure. Our guide Gaston was already waiting at the Column of Christopher Columbus, one of the most hidden tourist attractions in Barcelona. The guide took us up to the top of the column by a very small elevator, from where we had an impressive overview of the gothic quarter, Barceloneta (the beachside), the uphills, Las Ramblas (which is starting at this column), as well as best views of our hotel, the cathedrale and some other nice churches we visited afterwards. 

We immediately took the Las Ramblas in direction to the Placa Catalunya, where our guide told us the history behind this amazing shopping street - riminding of a very nice and more relaxed copy of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. At the very mid of the original Las Ramblas (going from the Column to the Placa Catalunya), we entered the gothic quater with its narrow and shady streets, like a labyrinth. After a few turns we ended up on the most wonderful city oasis I have ever seen - the Placa Reial with lots of cafés, restaurants as well as original flamenco and jazz clubs.

Before we headed back to Las Ramblas to see La Boqueria market, we strolled further in the Gothic quarter and visited the Basilica del Pi - a typical Catalan church with a wonderful and tranquil square in front of it - and a pine tree in the middle of this enormous metropole. In the Boqueria market we found ourselves passing by the freshest fish available - the lobsters and king crabs were still alive! There were plenty of exotic products we never imagined to get in Europe - it is a heaven for foodies of all kind.

Back in the Gothic quarter we visited the old ruins of Barcino - the roman name of the original Barcelona. Following the imaginary roman roads, we ended up in front of the old gate to Barcino - right next to the impressive "Cathedral de Barcelona". Having passed this monumental highlight we followed our excellent private guide Gaston, who was now leading us through the really heart of the gorhic quarter, passing by the oldest and most wonderful buildings of Barcelona - of course also the Placa del Rei - the old King's Court. Our last stop was on the most central square - the Placa Sant Jaume, where the government of Catalan and the city hall of Barcelona are situated. This was the last stop of the tour and the ending. 

Actually we expected a tour with lots of facts and therefore kind of annoying, but Gaston went beyond all expectations and convinced us from the complete opposite. Thanks, it was perfect!

We were really impressed of this 2 hours tour leaded by Gaston and organized by Barcelona Experience, and we can only recommend this experience to every traveler going to Barcelona - you won't regret it! 

Our Private Guided Tour was sponsored by Barcelona Experience. The above written review expresses our own opinion.

Restaurant Check - The Restaurant (Taubenkobel) in Schützen am Gebirge

Sunset in Vienna - Lovely, isn't is?

The last weeks have been very stressful for me and my team but after all these stress you are even more looking forward to some relaxing days. We decided to visit Vienna and the world-class "Taubenkobel" restaurant, voted as Austria's 2nd best restaurant after the famous "Steirereck" in Vienna.

Welcome to "Burgenland" - a very tranquil region!

The town itself is everything else then revived. Maybe one of the most silent towns even I have seen. As mentioned above the main reason for our trip is the restaurant and not the village, so after finding parked Ferarris and other luxury cars, we finally arrived at "The Restaurant formely known as Taubenkobel", as it is called since March 2014.

The gate to food heaven in Austria.

Upon entering the small gate you are transformed into another world. A world that doesn't really fit inside this town. We were greeted in a very friendly way and got a tour through the restaurant via the open-kitchen, the fish corner and the fire place.

Welcome at the Taubenkobel!

As we were placed on our table, refreshing towels arrived together with a plate of freshly sliced salamis and ham. Although the design is very (very) unusual for an Austrian restaurant, we finally began to love all this details about the restaurant. Instead of cutlery you only find a wooden plate and a small pot with a special milk cream - in fact the first course of the long menu.

Excellent Rosé Champagne with refreshing towels.

The most impressive thing on this evening was not the wine glass (which is similar to a whiskey tumbler), no, it was the way how the bread is served. Put in a wooden bowl and broken on your table into different and dissimilar pieces. Is it really impressive or just not adequate?

The first course - Part 1

We from our side, we were impressed of all the courses and all the presentations of the food. We found out that the focus of this restaurant is placed on the food and its origin and not on details, decoration and  light interiors.

The first course - Part 2

Last but not least I can guarantee you, that this restaurant is really worth a trip to probably Austria's most calm region. They also have wonderful rooms and suites and they are belonging to the world-class Relais&Chateaux Hotels and Resorts, so what else do you need as a reason to go there?

Creamy butter, sea salt and lard.

A very unusual bread

The second course (the white cream is made into the plate)

A very unusual wine glass with an outrageous wine inside.

Third course - Part 1 - a cream soup of pea

Third course - Part 2 - Profiteroles with gorgonzola cream

 Fourth course - Jelly of pumpkin seed

Even I had a premiere, too: A georgian wine!

The main course before preparing

The prepared main course - a knuckle of pork

Finally our dessert - Panna Cotta with different herbs

The wonderful courtyard in the middle of the small village.

My trip to Paris - Part 4

A CULINARY TOUR THROUGH PARIS  II

Dinner at Le Chateaubriand, Paris

"The World's 50 Best Restaurants" by San Pellegrino & Acqua Panna:

No. 18

LAST YEAR'S POSITION 15

YEARS ON THE LIST 5

Le Chateaubriand may be a forerunner of the Parisian neo-bistrot movement, but it’s also traditional, buzzy, egalitarian and brilliant. The daily-changing menu features ingredients chef Inaki Aizpitarte and his young passionate kitchen team have managed to get their hands on that day and springs surprises, with techniques ranging from French to Asian and South American. For unconventional, unpretentious fare, it’s hard to beat.

Restaurant Check - Innsbruck - Part III

Today me and my colleague tested one of Innsbrucks finest restaurants high above the city, more exately on the top floor of the town hall, which also accommodates a high-class shopping center. 

In general, the atmosphere is a kind of sophisticated and the interior stylish with great views of the Tyrolean capital. For such a high-price restaurant, the servers are not dressed adequate - they wear sport sneakers and a black shirt.

The first course was a soup of chestnut with a lot of foam and orange zests on top. All in all the soup was quite good at a reasonable price of 4,50 euro. The bread served with the soup was a bit dry and there was no butter on-site.

For main course we choose chicken breast with mushroom risotto and green salad with beef filet. The chicken was very good, spicy with a nice sauce and a risotto which was cooked perfectly. The salad and the beef filets were very good, too.

For 38 euro for two, this is an expensive venue for lunch in Innsbruck, but in my opinion it was worth the money for such atmosphere and quality of food. It really has to be a special occassion if you want to go there for dinner, because the prices can be twice compared to the set lunch menu.

Restaurant Lichtblick
Maria-Theresien-Straße 18, 6020 Innsbruck
T: 0043 (0) 512 566550
http://www.restaurant-lichtblick.at/

Insider's Getaway - Prague Summary

My last seven weeks in one of Europe's most beautiful city were great! As you should always quit when it isbest, I will leave Prague this Friday to go back to Austria.

During my time in Prague I tested some of Prague's best restaurants and places and I also showed them to you on my last two Restaurant-Checks. Today, I will present you my absolute favourite places in Prague - a small Summary so to say!

1. Cotto Crudo (the following three pictures)
First of all my new favourite restaurant is the new CottoCrudo at the Four Seasons Hotel. Of course that may sound strange, but it is not so much more expensive than other mid-range italian restaurants in Prague. I had excellent Vitello Tonnato (also better than in some Restaurants in Italy) and afterwards Saffron Risotto at its finest. I had no space for any dessert, but I got some housemade Cantuccis free of charge. The service? Four Seasons! Do I really have to say more? It could not be better. At nearly 1000 CZK for Dinner-for-one not cheap but well worth.
If you have reserved in advance or you're only lucky, get some tables with castle view!!
http://www.cottocrudo.cz/

 2. The Café Savoy (the next three pictures)
Wow, this was my place to relax in the evenings and to wake-up in the mornings. I had nearly every weekend breakfast at this place. The Savoy breakfast is not only very good by Prague standards it is also cheap - at about 150 CZK per person. The fresh orange juice is seperte at 88 CZK. If you are here, try the famous "Dort Savoy" - the Savoy Cake - you won't be disappointed. It is definitely one of the best cakes, I've ever had. The Café Savoy is also a place to have a late-night drink with friends. Just go there whenever you like and whenever you are in this area. http://cafesavoy.ambi.cz/cz/

3. Cantinetta Fiorentina (picture below)
I always went to this place when I was seeking for holidays. Whenever I was sitting inside or on the glamerous Pariska street, this nice restaurant reminded me of a real Fiorentine Cantinetta, like it can be found in rural Tuscany. This restaurant is not just look-alike-fake. No, it also offers the best bread and olive oil in an italian restaurant in Prague. If we talk about the bill, I have to be honest and I should mention that the Pariska street is simply THE most expensive part in town, so are the prices and of course the guests! http://www.cantinetta.cz/

Last but not least my favourite place to hang around and spend the lazy Sundays:

4. Boscolo Wellness & Spa Prague
When the life of being a single really sucked, I went there to sleep this lazy day away! I was clever enough not to pay these high prices for the average treatments, so I booked a special offer through my Special City Concierge Lime & Tonic, and I immediately got the treatments for at least 30-40% cheaper. The staff is very attentive and very kind. They greet you warmely and you feel welcome from the first moment. The pool is the largest I've seen in a Hotel Spa in Prague and is not cold at 28°. http://prague.boscolohotels.com/spa-and-wellness/

If you want to have more tips or hints of if you want to know anything about Prague, please do not hesitate to contact me: travel.executive@yahoo.de

Insider's Getaway - a Weekend in Florence

Its summer at its best and when else should you make holidays - if not now? 

One of my favourite places to be on this planet is the beautiful Tuscany in Italy. That's the reason why I would like to invite you to a small trip through the capital of this magnificent region.

1. Florence is one of Italy's largest cities and therefore very famous for its food and beverages. The most famous wine is the Chianti, which grows about 10 km south of Florence. The most famous dish in Florence is of course "La Bistecca Fiorentina" - the T-Bone Steak Florentine Style. Although you have to be a large group of people to eat this kind of meat, this is one of my favourite dishes. The best place to try such fabulous Bistecca is the Ristorante Da Delfina in the picturesque town of Artimino, about 20 minutes south-west of Florence.
http://www.dadelfina.it/

2. For all of you who thibk Florence is just well known for its Renaissance buildings, arts and food: One of the worlds most famous and oldest pharmacies is located on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, just between the main station and the Piazza Duomo. The Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is a museum and beauty store in one building, which should not be missed by beauty friends. http://www.smnovella.it/

3. If you are seeking for a masterpiece of Florentine perfume, then head on to Lorenzo Villoresi, Ortigia or Dr. Vranjes. If you cannot effort these high-price waters, you should just walk-in in these flagship-stores of Ortigia and Dr. Vranjes - it is really worth a visit!
http://www.ortigiasicilia.com/ 
http://en.drvranjes.it/
http://www.lorenzovilloresi.it/

4. Wanted ever to visit the world famous "Uffizi" Gallery. Oh yeah, it is really worth waiting. Although there is a fast-speed access via Online booking, you still have to wait in a queue to get your tickets. Skip the line at Uffizi Gallery

5. Stay like a Florentine Nomad at the Lungarno Collection Hotels. If you checked in at one of the four Florence properties and you do not feel 100 percent authentic, then take a shower with real Salvatorre Ferragamo "Tuscan Soul" amenities and you will immediately know where you are. Room rates start at 140.00 euros at the Gallery Art Hotel. 
http://www.lungarnocollection.com/de/