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.

48 Hours at the Byblos Saint-Tropez

Some people describe it as legendary, some as an institution. After my unforgettable stay I agree with both and conclude it as a one-of-a-kind experience - and finally it was the absolute highlight of my summer holidays! A real Leading Hotel of the World as it should be!

Saint Tropez, the capital of jetset has of course many many luxury hotels on relatively small space. I was always seeking to stay at the new Sezz or the Muse, both near Ramatuelle, and far from the old town of Saint Tropez. Due to the fact that I only had two nights to discover Saint Tropez, I knew I had to find an alternative. I wanted to go to the beach by hotel shuttle during the day and visit the town at night. So the only option was to look for a hotel in the centre. Therefore I came across the Byblos and I never regret this decision during my stay.

From the kind first "Bonjour" at the entrance, the experience continued by a very kind and smooth check-in by the so kind Barbara at the front desk. As they know how to manage a world class hotel, they upgraded me to a breath-taking Two Bedroom Seaview Suite and continued with treating me like royalty by serving a bottle of Rosé Byblos and homemade sweets - I was overwhelmed!

The style is typical for this part of the Cote d'Azur and I can assure that the Byblos is 100 per cent Saint Tropez, no minimalistic design nor unprofessional staff members. Of course the main highlight of the day was my Suite with a balcony overloooking whole Saint Tropez, the pool and the Mediterranean Sea of course. Upstairs there was another bedroom with twin beds, en-suite bathroom with shower and a completely new Samsung LED-TV with the function to connect your mobile device. On the main floor of this Deluxe Suite, a large living room with writing desk was connected by a sliding door to a master bedroom with oversized King abed and en-suite bathroom and double basins. The only toilet was situated next to the entrance of the Suite.

The concierge was extraordinary and reserved a table at a fabulous new Retaurant called "Le G" and made it possible to get sunbeds on Club 55, without having lunch there (Normally impossible during the high season)! The shuttle goes to every beach you want to go and whenever you want to go. When we arrived at Club 55 we were given one beach bag each with two towels, provided by the driver of the Byblos.

The breakfast comes with a picturesque terrace, perfect service and pool views. The buffet is well selected with high quality products and the best: it is served until 12 noon! That's amazing, isn't it? And welcomed as well, after a typical Tropezian night in one of the world renowned clubs. Unfortunately the glamorous Le Caves du Roy was not open on weekdays so we could not attend one of the dazzling party nights there. Instead we enjoyed a late-night dinner on the harbor in a very chic restaurant, followed by a drink on the terrace of Byblos' B-Bar. 

Finally, the Byblos is simply a gorgeous place. I love this hotel and will return there again soon.

We would like to thank the Byblos Hotel Saint Tropez and Groupe Floirat for the generous special offer and the amazing suite upgrade.

Restaurant Check - Innsbruck - Part IV

The restaurant „Das Schindler“ is situated next to the main entrance of the shopping center “Kaufhaus Tyrol”. The atmosphere is casual and the service is average. They have a lunch menu at a set price of about 13 euros for two courses. There are also 3- and 4-course menus. The menu is changing every week and I go there very often with friends to have breakfast as well as for lunch. 

Last Friday I went there with a colleague and I ordered thinly sliced Carpaccio followed by risotto with mushrooms. In addition, my colleague had mixed salad and thai chicken with risotto. 

The quality was good and the portions not large but enough as a lunch menu. The best about the set lunch menus is that they are served fast and the price is reasonable.

Restaurant “Das Schindler”

Maria-Theresien-Straße
6020 Innsbruck

Austria

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/

Travel Diary: My Summer holidays Part 6

Travelling in Italy turns out to be the most beautiful activity to do in summer!

After four really interesting nights in Sicily, one of the most varied and beautiful islands in the world, I arrived today back on the European Mainland, in the region of Basilicata (unknown to you? Then check-it out - it is amazing)! I checked in at the Palazzo Gattini, the place to stay in Basilicata! 

I was greeted very friendly by Teresa, and she showed me around the hotel and accompanied me to the room in a peaceful way (not as fast as at the San Domenico Palace in Taormina). 

Everyone is so friendly here and so helpful. I did not expect, that Basilicata is such a friendly region. Of course the people have to warm up before :-)

Back to the hotel - the room is wonderful, I got a room with two double beds and the bathroom is beautifully designed in modern beige sand stone from the region - it comes with nice toiletries by Côté Bastide and amazing Laura Tonatto room diffusors! The perfection to the detail is great everywhere! 

The spa is wonderful as well, they have a beautiful jacuzzi and relaxing room. Forget about the staff, they'are very unprofessional. In my opinion it is just important what they offer. The entrance fee of 15 Euros to use the Jacuzzi is a bit too high in my opinion!

After relaxing an hour in the spa, I went for dinner in a local restaurant next to the main square. The owner is gorgeos and the food more than excellent! I had the best Tagliata during this three-week trip! 

After the dinner I strolled around theagical town of Matera and found an amazing Gelateria! If you are in Matera you have to pass by this Gelateria!

After a great cup of icel, I decided to have a drink at the hotel's own Duomo Café! After arriving at the hotel I saw that they closed the Cafe and I was a bit sad about it, but no problem! When I asked the front desk for a good bar in the near of the hotel, they called the barkeeper and opened up the bar for all three of us! That was an unique experience and I would also say this hotel does not only advertise the slogan "LUXURY HOTEL!" - they really live it and they let you feel!

Treat yourself to a special trip to Matera! I guarantee, you won't be disappointed!