Author: Charlotte Gill

Sao Paulo

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

The largest metropolis in the southern hemisphere, the pulsing Sao Paulo is the economic heartbeat of Brazil, and capital in all but name. Its wealth was built upon its international coffee trade and, like the beans themselves, the rich and earthy flavour of the city can be an acquired taste; yet once savoured, it’s strangely exhilarating and addictive.

It also comes in so many different varieties; so long Brazil’s window on the world, this is easily the country’s most diverse city. There are multitudinous cultural influences, ranging from Japanese to Spanish, Italian to Arabic, all superimposed upon a vast patchwork of indigenous ethnicities.

Explore the history of Brazilian country in some unparalleled museums and then wonder at the diversity of its arts and crafts. Enjoy festivals celebrating everything from electronic art to the March for Jesus, or lose yourself in samba beats and the wide range of world music performed in late bars and open air parades.

Where to stay
The spectacular Renaissance Hotel boasts great views both without and within. Emiliano, in the Jardin District, is a stylish retreat that caters well for all conceivable needs.

Where to eat
Dalva e Dito has a refined menu that adds a modern flourish to some old Brazilian classics. If you fancy something more familiar, Speranza has been serving superb pizza for over fifty years. Sky Bar at the Unique Hotel has a great cocktail menu to go with its excellent food.

What to see
Ibirapuera Park is not only beautifully landscaped but also boasts a planetarium, the Sao Paulo Modern Art Museum and the Oca art exhibition hall. The Banespa Tower offers some great views out over the city. The Municipal Theatre is an architectural triumph and a great place to catch some Brazilian performing arts.

Rio de Janeiro

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

It’s hard to know which is the more iconographic image of Rio; that of the 40m statue of Christ the Redeemer, arms outstretched as he gazes out over the cidade maravilhosa, or that of the scantily-clad carnival-goers shaking their stuff with unashamed exuberance through the Samba City. Perhaps you think of the canary-clad creativity of the local football tribes playing keep-up on the beach, or the dangerous, high-octane city portrayed in Fernando Meirelles’ City of God.

Rio is all of these things and more. It’s a city of spectacular scenery, sandwiched between glorious, forest-covered mountains and an azure, tropical ocean. It’s a city that plays host to the hedonistic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches yet has one of the world’s most exciting playgrounds on its doorsteps. It’s a city of vibrant nightlife, open air cafes, an explosive multicultural mix and a vast array of diverse neighbourhoods. It’s a city that attracts more visitors than any other in the southern hemisphere and there are hundreds of reasons why.

Where to stay
The restaurant at Fasano is the highlight, but the rooms are also spacious with comfortable beds. Porto Bay Rio Internacional and the Promenade Palladium are sound options; however, the Copacabana Palace Hotel is perhaps the most prized of them all.

Where to eat
Olympe plays host to some of Brazil’s top chefs, though the menu has a decidedly French influence. For great local flavours, head to Galani and Aprazivel, with great atmospheric settings to get you into the party mood.

What to see
Hike up to Christ the Redeemer for great views of the city – there’s also some spectacular rock-climbing in the surrounding Corcovado Mountains. The famous Rio festival is great if you can catch it; but the glorious Copacabana and Ipenema beaches are great all year round.

Budapest

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

How do you like your capitals? Well done, with a strong hint of the medieval, winding cobbled streets and Gothic domes, smothered in classical character? Or medium-rare and full of life, with modern boulevards and busy plazas, hip boutiques and a hearty social and cultural scene?

A tale of two cities, Buda on the west bank may be older, with more classical good looks and charm, but it is Pest to the east that is the pulse of Hungary’s capital, with a thoroughly cosmopolitan outlook and thriving commercial centre.

Between them both is the star attraction; the beautiful blue Danube that meanders luxuriously across its plain. Small wonder the city has inspired so much romance both past and present. There’s charm in every detail and a stroll along the river can’t fail to life your soul. If it does, the evening lights across the water from Fisherman’s Bastion could melt even the hardest of hearts.

Where to stay
The Corinthia Hotel has real character, being a converted series of town-houses rather than a more modern high-rise, and provides five-star facilities with superbly personal service. Mamaison Residence Izabella is another excellent choice next to the opera theatre and several of Budapests finest restaurants.

Where to eat
Bock Bistro is popular with the local business crowd, serving a top class fusion of French and Hungarian food. Spinoza can be harder to find but is well worth it for its well-realised Hungarian classics with hints of Dutch influence.

What to see
The neo-Gothic Parliament building is spectacular and best viewed from a river cruise, which is a must if you really want to feel the city’s romance. Castle Hill, first completed in 1265, is a spectacularly restored World Heritage Site that can easily take a day to explore in full.

Helsinki

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

The near-Arctic wilderness of Finland is not the first place you’d look for a high-tech capital of industrial design, but Helsinki is just that. Perhaps its something in the clean, Baltic air; more likely its the tap water, which is so pure that its bottled and sold thousands of miles away in Saudi Arabia.

This is a city where fashion is daring to be different, not following the crowd, and entertainment is less about glamour than fun. Art Nouveau columns cling to colourful terraces and conceal retro thirties restaurants with tongue firmly in cheek.

There’s a great deal of both past and present here, as traditional Finnish culture collides with the wider world beyond in a city that has long been a gateway between the two. That is down to the spectacular natural harbour carved out of the spectacularly knotted coast; if you approach the city by ferry then that first stunning glimpse of the waterfront is an image that sits long in the memory.

Where to stay
Hotel Glo is comfortable, clean and quiet, with free wifi in rooms among other facilities and professional, business-like service. Hotel Haven is a cosy and luxurious without being pretentious and has a great location on the historic waterfront.

Where to eat
Chez Dominique is one of the two Michelin-starred restaurants in Finland and widely regarded as the best in the country. Ravintola Nokka is another Mecca for Finnish foodies, famed for its traditional menu featuring home-grown produce and fresh game.

What to see
There are still around 900 inhabitants and a military academy on the World Heritage Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, built on a series of small islands protecting the harbour. The Church in the Rock, carved into the side of a cliff, is another of Helsinki’s most impressive sights.

Montreal

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Though it is consistently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities, Montreal has a strange relationship with those beyond its borders. The inherently Gallic heart accounts for a little over half of the population, but the historical British influences and large multicultural population have always set it slightly apart from the rest of Quebec, which in turn seems as odds with the rest of Canada.

It’s a surprisingly happy arrangement that makes for a unique and largely autonomous city that combines a rich and well-preserved heritage with a diverse and thriving modern scene. Surpassed by Toronto as Canada’s core economic engine in the mid-70s, it remains the nation’s cultural capital, with a rich musical tradition in rock and jazz and a unique arts scene that draws on French and English roots. They know how to smile too; the Just For Laughs comedy festival in July is the largest of its kind in the world.

Where to stay
The Embassy Suites may building may not be the prettiest, but the rooms are spacious and well-furnished and the service excellent down to the last detail. Loews Hotel Vogue manages to be both refined and unpretentious, with some great places to eat and drink on its doorstep.

Where to eat
Aix Cuisine du Terroir in the Place d Armes Hotel is a great French-Canadian bistro with a classical atmosphere. La Montee has a creatively-constructed menu which combines surprisingly diverse flavours to great effect.

What to see
The gorgeous park on Mont-Royal, the green hill that rises some 230m above the city, hosts a series of monuments to historic figures from Jacques Cartier to King George VI. The Montreal Botanical Gardens are a slice of heaven, while the gorgeous Notre-Dame Basilica is Montreal’s oldest church, constructed in 1656.

Trinidad and Tobago

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Lying just a few kilometres from the coast of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago are two islands on the south-eastern edge of the Antilles archipelago. Formerly a Spanish Colony they were British-ruled from 1802 until dependence in 1962. Today they have become one of the most developed Caribbean nations, whilst still retaining strong cultural roots and an embarrassment of tropical charms.

A strong base in petrochemical exports has provided a platform for a stable, growing economy and government initiatives have attracted a great deal of international business to Trinidad in particular, which has become a popular financial centre.

This slightly schizophrenic identity is underlies a fierce national pride born from a shared and sometimes sordid history. Come carnival time, Port of Spain is a rash of colourful costumes and ebullient steel drum rhythms, and the whole city will pack the streets, be they lined with ramshackle suburban shacks, imperious colonial mansions or towering glass skyscrapers.

There are plenty of secluded lagoons and white, tropical beaches to escape to when you’ve had enough, while the Northern Range provides fantastic hiking and mountain biking opportunities. Don a suit and sup wine in the sun with your business compatriots or dress down and head to the beach for some serious chill time; whether its the fast lane or the slow, Trinidad and Tobago have plenty of both.

Getting there

There is an international airport on both Trinidad and Tobago, but the bulk of traffic goes to Trinidad. Many visitors arrive by cruise ship to Port of Spain. A weekly ferry connects to Venezuela.

Getting around

There are twice daily departures by ferry between Trinidad and Tobago. The equivalent flight takes 20 minutes and costs around TT$300. Buses provide the majority of public transport on the islands themselves.

Local information

Language: English

Time: UTC-4

Climate: Tropical monsoon. Hot throughout year, heavy rainfall June to November. Temperature: 20-32°C (January-December). Rainfall: Max 240mm (August), Min 40mm (February).

Currency: Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)

Business etiquette: Dress in a lightweight suit. Greet with a handshake. Business culture is fluid-time; deadlines are not as important as maintaining a relationship or getting a job done properly. It is important that you are seen to be experienced and skilled in your company’s trade if you are representing them.

Tipping: Tipping is not expected.

Duty free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1.5l wine or spirits; A reasonable quantity of perfume; Gifts to the value of US$200

Safety: Hurricane season is between June and November, so keep an eye on weather reports.

Laws: It is an offence to dress in camouflage clothing.

Healthcare: Vaccinations required for hepatitis A, tetanus and yellow fever. Public healthcare service is free but limited; health insurance is recommended for access to better quality facilities.

Socket type: Type D, Type G

Sweden

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Once a race of feared warriors and intrepid seafarers, even after the Viking legacy the Swedes became a major world power in the era that followed the Renaissance, conquering almost half the Holy Roman Empire during the seventeenth century. Today it remains a deceptively large and powerful country, but the cultured neutrality and chic sophistication is a far cry from ancient Viking barbarism.

The capital, Stockholm, draped over fourteen islands surrounded by shimmering blue Baltic seas, is a triumph of architecture and design. While the old town is a complicated maze of medieval passages, the modern city is a mirage of saffron and terracotta that makes it one of the most consistently beautiful major cities in the world.

Yet the real value of this vast country is out in the expansive wilderness; the icy mountains of Lapland or the pocked, glacier-carved Bohuslän Coast. Closer to civilisation, try a culinary tour of the west coast, for understated yet attractive seaside villages and divine seafood dishes. Or spend a night in the Ice Hotel at Jukkasjärvi, carved anew each year, for a truly breathtaking and original experience.

The economy is export-orientated, based on Sweden’s extensive natural and mineral wealth. Hydro-power, telecommunications and auto manufacture are also important sectors. The country is highly liberalised – the World Economic Forum rates it as the fourth most competitive in the world – and business is conducted efficiently and with minimal fuss. There are a great many opportunities for the creative entrepreneur.

Getting there

There are several international airports; the largest are at Stockholm and Göteborg. Frequent ferry connections exist throughout Scandinavia. Bus and train journeys are possible to most European countries but distances are large.

Getting around

Public transport is heavily subsidised and well organised. The Tågplus system makes single tickets valid on buses and trains. Domestic flights are a good alternative, but book well in advance to avoid astronomical fares.

 

Local information

Language: Swedish

Time: UTC+1

Climate: Cold continental. War summers, cold winters, moderate rainfall throughout the year. Temperature: Max 22°C (July), Min -7°C (January). Rainfall: Max 70mm (August), Min 25mm (March)

Currency: Swedish krona (SEK)

Business etiquette: Business suits are the norm. Greet with a firm handshake and eye contact. Business people are reserved and dealings are formal at first. Long-standing relationships are not required. Avoid shows of emotion when negotiating. Decisions tend to be made across teams and not by an individual.

Tipping: Tip only where you have genuinely enjoyed the food and service; about 10 percent.

Duty free: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1l spirits over 22 percent or 2l fortified or sparkling wine, 2l wine and 32l beer; A reasonable quantity of perfume; Gifts up to a value of Kr.1700

Safety: Crime rates are low.

Laws: Heavy penalties for drink driving and a low blood alcohol limit (0.02).

Healthcare: Vaccination for tetanus required. Excellent medical facilities available, European citizens get free healthcare with an EHIC card. Non-EU may be charged and should have health insurance.

Socket type: Type C

St Lucia

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

An independent nation since 1979, St Lucia has a distinctive Anglo-French cultural flavour to mix with its Caribbean roots, due to a long history of colonial disputes between the two empires involving this tiny island. Today it sits like an emerald amid the jewels of the Antilles archipelago, with dramatic volcanic mountains covered in lush greenery, making it a hiker’s paradise that is far more than just a posh beach resort.

Urban life is very much in the Creole mould; calypso-reggae beats permeate the air with the sound of busy car horns and the smell of street vendors selling barbecued treats. There’s a rhythm here, more full of life than many of the sleepier islands in the region, as if the whole nation were high on the effects of volcanic water. Out of town, there are thermal pools at Sulfur Springs and a host of ‘secret waterfalls’ where lovers bath in hot, natural torrents. Windsurfers make the most of the warm, still ocean and a catamaran trip can be the ideal way to see the island in a day.

Tourism is a major industry here, but so are banana production and light manufacturing, while it has become a popular international financial centre. The workforce is highly educated, making it an attractive location for foreign investment and overseas business, while the infrastructure has developed a great deal in the last thirty years.

Fluctuations in banana prices during the 2008 recession place great pressure on the economy, however, and the government is now actively encouraging diversification, both within the agricultural sector and throughout the country as a whole. New incentives are likely to make this an attractive investment environment for years to come.

Getting there

George FL Charles Airport serves the capital Castries, while Hewanorra International near Vieux Fort is in the remote southern tip of the island. There are regular ferry trips to Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique.

Getting around

Privately owned minivans are the staple public transport. They can be waved down away from bus stops and are the only option for getting around other than hiring a car; cheapest car hire rates can be found online.

Local information

Language: English, French

Time: UTC-4

Climate: Tropical. Hot and wet throughout year. Temperature: Max 22-32°C (January-December) Rainfall: Max 265mm (August), Min 80mm (April)

Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)

Business etiquette: Dress in a lightweight suit. Greet with a handshake. Local business folk are laid-back and event- rather than deadline-driven, in the financial sector practices are similar to the UK.

Tipping: 10 percent in restaurants, $1 minimum for maids, bellhops, room service etc.

Duty free: 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco products; 50 cigars; 1l of alcoholic beverage

Safety: Use only licensed taxis.

Laws: Checks are in place for drug trafficking and penalties are severe. It is an offence to dress in camouflage clothing.

Healthcare: Vaccination required for tetanus. Healthcare cost is high and full health insurance is essential.

Socket type: Type G

Toronto

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

It’s a telling statistic that every other citizen of Toronto was born elsewhere. In many ways, this is Canada’s leading city; it’s the richest, most populous and the central hub for many of its leading industries. But it’s also a member of an elite group of alpha world cities that come to transcend national boundaries; in a sense, this isn’t Canada at all.

The eclectic collection of restaurants serve up over fifty types of cuisine from all corners of the globe, while the modern city centre architecture is as reminiscent of Tokyo or Dubai as anywhere. There are a host of international offices and headquarters here, attracting a hugely multicultural workforce that have created one of the most open and tolerant metropolises on the planet.

Yet there are still plenty of Canadian touches; the clean environment, low crime rate and high standard of living all smack of a wide national dedication to a high quality of life. Consistently ranked as one world’s most liveable cities, this is a Canadian shining light in a global age.

Where to stay
Cambridge Suites provide outstanding amenities and excellent service, walking distance from a number of great places to eat and drink. The stylish rooms at Hotel Le Germain have a certain wow factor, with a great library and wine bar among the entertainment options.

Where to eat
Amuse-Bouche has a great outdoor patio to go with the fine food. Cava is a sparkling jewel hidden on an unlikely alleyway, with a wonderful mix of international flavours served in a creative tapas style.

What to see
The views from the top of the CN Tower, Toronto’s most iconographic landmark, are superb. The Royal Ontario Museum is one of the finest in the world, with particularly excellent natural history and far eastern collections.

Melbourne

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The lumbering trams that crawl lazily along Victorian streets may momentarily trick you into believing you’re in 19th century London, but make no mistake; modern Melbourne is a world apart. Lavish in its pursuit of the very best of fashion, food and entertainment, this is the most multicultural city in Australia and one in which there’s very little you cannot do.

With Edinburgh and Iowa this is one of three UNESCO cities of literature, and the Economist Intelligence Unit has consistently ranked it in the top ten in the world for quality of life. The summer is a heaving mass of festivals and celebrations, from film and comedy to horticulture and aviation, and the creatives that flock here as a result have made it an international capital for fashion. If all that’s too much, you can still escape to one of the gorgeous beaches or relax with a beer and watch the cricket; the Boxing Day test in particular is a long-standing institution.

Where to stay
The well-appointed Langham has a great location downtown, while the Alto Hotel on Bourke has a superb Victorian character and is a popular location for conferences. Seasons Botanic Gardens concentrates more on aesthetics, with stunning greenery and fantastic views from many of the rooms.

Where to eat
The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant is a must; fine dining on the move as you explore the largest tram network in the world and see the best of the city. The fresh, local menu at Tjanabi is superbly complimented by the dedicated, personal service.

What to see
If you’ve never watched a cricket match or an Aussie rules football game, Melbourne Cricket Ground is the perfect place to start. The Royal Botanic Gardens are superb and well worth it for the Aboriginal Heritage Walk alone.

Florence

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

For the sheer romance of the Renaissance, it is hard to look beyond this sumptuously stylish city; if this were a beauty pageant, meet the new Miss World.

Florence’ wealth was built on the fortune and stewardship of the Medici dynasty, who commissioned the likes of Michaelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo to sculpt a landscape of russet roofs, majestic spires, ornate churches and basilicas, sweeping bridges and plazas, all packed with so many fine details that your eyes will be soon be burning from overuse. And that’s before you even step inside the world class art galleries and museums; there’s as much to see inside as out.

The people, too, can resemble works of art, in the home town of Gucci and Cavalli where everything must be drenched in splendour. When you’re done gaping at buildings, you can relax with an early evening Chianti on one of Florence’s many fine terraces and watch the beautiful people come out to play.

Where to stay
The Westin Excelsior has an elegant style and five-star facilities, plus a diverse selection of well furnished rooms with great views of the Florence skyline. The newly renovated Golden Tower is supremely comfortable and has a terrific central location.

Where to eat
Osteria I Brincello not only boasts a wonderful chef, but one who loves to leave the kitchen and recommend his best dishes in person. Il Latini offers a unique and exciting local dining experience where you sit with strangers and eat and drink whatever the chef has prepared.

What to see
San Lorenzo is an orgy of art and architecture; Piazza della Signoria provides one of the most iconic images of Florence; Palazzos Vitti and Vecchio are striking beautiful and the art gallery in the Pitti is one of the most important in the world.

Boston

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Historically one of America’s most revolutionary cities, the unofficial capital of New England remains a forward-thinking and liberal leader in contentious political issues. There are hordes of higher education facilities lurking amid twisting streets, creating a highly educated and discerning populace, and a strong, intellectual cultural base is complimented by a twenty-first century explosion in avant garde and the performing arts.

This is also one of the oldest colonial cities on the continent, founded in 1638, and is occasionally referred to as the ‘Athens of America’. There are a good number of heritage trails to follow here, many of which explore the issues at the heart of contemporary America; liberty, race and human rights. The numerous parks and green spaces are beautiful in early spring or late autumn, while the impressive central skyline lights up spectacularly after dark.

Where to stay
The Lenox Hotel is the epitome of excellent customer service, with attention paid to every detail and even the most minor oversight generously compensated. The Boston Harbour Hotel is another with a great reputation, a wide range of facilities and an excellent location by the water.

Where to eat
The Atlantic Fish Company serves excellent seafood and is a great choice for business entertainment or informal meetings. Giacomo’s restaurant is a good alternative for Italian food and Hamersley’s Bistro is another sophisticated alternative with a diverse menu serving food from several continents.

What to see
Walk the freedom trail and take in 16 of the city’s most important monuments and a large slice of American history. Explore Harvard University, the oldest higher education institute in America. The Museum of African-American History is a great place to learn about black society over the last three centuries; the Black Heritage Trail is equally as impressive.