Author: Charlotte Gill

Denver

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Founded as a coal mining camp in 1859, the city boomed under the weight of inrushing cowboys and gunslingers. Little gold was found, but the prospectors stayed anyway and so the city grew.

There’s still a flavour of the Wild West to be found here, particularly if you explore a little way beyond the city borders. The boundless natural resources of the surrounding Rocky Mountains include several ski resorts and national parks, and with 300 days a year of sunshine the weather could hardly be more amenable to exploration.

Most of all though, Denver is a sophisticated, modern metropolis with a young and liberal atmosphere and a cityscape to rival many of America’s other big cities. It’s geographic position near the heart of the US has attracted energy, telecommunications and distribution industries to add to strong natural resources that support healthy primary and manufacturing sectors, making for a diverse and thriving populace with a great variety of modern entertainments.

Where to stay
The Brown Palace is both modern and elegant, with a full-service business centre, modern health and fitness suite and six restaurants among its many facilities. The Magnolia is an excellent alternative, with a full range of mod cons and a great location.

Where to eat
Sushi Den is a fashionable Japanese restaurant popular for business entertainment, though it is a little out of town. Rioja is more centrally located and compliments an excellent Mediterranean menu with a well-constructed wine list. Vesta Dipping Grill is a fun and friendly place where great food is only half the experience.

What to see
The US Mint is a popular attraction, though a tour of Denver’s microbreweries is just as fascinating. There are some great museums, such as the Denver Art Museum, Museo De Las Americas and the Museum of Natural Science.

Dallas

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The futuristic towers of Dallas’ central district make for an impressive skyline, in this highly image conscious city made for conspicuous consumption. There are all the upmarket hang outs and fine dining opportunities you might expect from a multi-millionaire’s playground, with plenty for the indulgent visitor to enjoy.

Downtown Fort Worth is far more understated – this is Texas to a tee, where the winin’ and dinin’ lacks the pretension of its more glamorous neighbour and the compact entertainment district centred around Sundance Square a great place to let your hair down.

Together they form the two extremes of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolis, a sprawl of over six million people ranging from slick celebrities to old-fashioned cowboys. Harnessing this diversity is one of the main challenges facing many of the boroughs in the 21st century as they seek to revitalise economies traditionally based on the primary sector; indeed, Fort Worth won a 2009 award for its work in promoting black and women business owners and start-ups.

Where to stay
The Magnolia is well-equipped and convenient for downtown Dallas, as is the Warwick Melrose. The options in Fort Worth are mostly more downmarket, though the Omni is spacious, luxurious and modern and as good as anything Dallas has to offer.

Where to eat
Tre Amici is one of Dallas’ top spots for food, atmosphere and service; it’s also great for business lunches. In Fort Worth, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle is one of the best steakhouses in the region.

What to see
Climb to the top of the cliffs outside Dallas for great views of the famous skyline. The Arboretum and Botanical Garden are paradisical natural oases; White Rock Lake Park is popular for a range of outdoor activities. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District combines great heritage with pulsing city life.

Cleveland

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The Cuyahoga River that flows through Cleveland once had an unfortunate reputation of a river of fire, being so polluted that it actually burned. Yet modern Cleveland has cleaned up its act in more ways than one; drawing on both the influx of money brought by the industrial tycoons and its own earthy, working-class roots, it has recreated itself as a green and classy city that moonlights as a rock and roll hotspot for underground subcultures.

Downtown Cleveland comes in several distinct flavours, from the commercial district to the cluster of theatres around Playhouse Square. The Warehouse District in particular has been transformed; once the heart of Cleveland’s industry large scale renovation has created a number of unique office spaces and trendy, alternative restaurants. Creative class members are flocking to suburbs on both sides of the river, contributing to further redevelopment of many of its inner neighbourhoods. Many Clevelanders though are likely to object to the slow gentrification of a city whose soul has always been a little dirty and all the better for it.

Where to stay
The Marriott at Key Centre, situated on the character-filled Public Square, is extremely convenient for downtown Cleveland. The Wyndham on Playhouse Square also has a great location with a renowned reputation for excellence.

Where to eat
There are many great restaurants in the Industrial Valley, such as Momocho – excellent for Mexican – and Blue Point Grille, with an exquisite seafood menu. There’s also a great food scene near the university, where restaurants such as L’Albatros Brasserie and Bar serve fine French cuisine.

What to see
The Great Lakes Science Centre is a fascinating exhibition, as is the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the real star of the show though, attracting visitors from throughout the US.

Christchurch

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Christchurch is the most populous city on New Zealand’s southern island, located along the banks of the Avon estuary amid rolling green plains that stretch as far as the imposing, snow-capped Southern Alps to the north. It’s proximity to the mountain ski slopes make it a popular international stop off, not to mention its history as a base for Antarctic endeavour – the endeavours of Scott and Shackleton are commemorated in the Canterbury museum and both the US and Italy use it as a base for their polar operations.

Explore the city itself and you may be forgiven for believing yourself to be in England; named for an Oxford college, the sights of the trams as they pass through Victorian streets, with a central square overlooked by a grand Anglican cathedral, can seem quintessential home counties. But it’s the parks that really capture the city’s essence; green and numerous, they’re popular sites for cricket, rugby, golf and many open air concerts. The city is renowned for its live music and hosts the World Buskers Festival every January.

Where to stay
Copthorne Hotel Commodore is a quiet and indulgent hotel convenient for the airport. Centrepoint on Colombo is a more upmarket alternative with a broad sweep of amenities available.

Where to eat
Octagon Live combines an ambitious menu with nightly entertainment. Tatsumi serves excellent sushi among a range of other fresh Japanese treats. Sezn, in North Linwood, is a little out of the way but well worth the trip for possibly the best food on the island.

What to see
Punt along Avon River, which supports diverse plant and animal life and is a pleasant way to pass an afternoon. Get involved in New Zealand’s famous extreme sports scene by tackling Adrenaline Forest, a multi-level aerial assault course.

Billings

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With the Yellowstone National Park as its back yard, and Glacier and Grand Teton as alternative playgrounds for the more energetic, Billings boasts an idyllic location at the heart of the northern US. It may have a population of barely 100,000 but it remains an important gateway for the Northern Rockies and Great Plains and its trading area encompasses nearly half a million people with one of the largest geographic catchments in the US.

The laid back atmosphere, easy access to a host of outdoor sports – including fishing, rock climbing and mountaineering – and host of modern facilities makes the city an attractive location. As a result, it’s booming – the population increased 20 percent in the first decade of the twentieth century and that pace shows no sign of abating. Indeed, the city’s nickname is ‘Magic Town’ because of the way it grew from little more than a small rail terminus founded in 1882.

Where to stay
Spring Hill Suites is a top choice for business travellers because of its convenience and excellent facilities. The Hilton Garden Inn is sharp and modern with a good restaurant, though a little out of the way. The Best Western Clock Tower Inn is more modest but has great character and is also a popular alternative.

Where to eat
For lunch, try Stella’s kitchen and bakery, which is a local institution. For dinner, Siam Thai cooks the best Asian food in town, Famous Dave’s does a great American barbecue and Q Cuisine serves fabulous seafood dishes.

What to see
See ancient rock paintings at Pictograph Cave State Park or explore the unique Art Nouveau Moss Mansion. The real highlight of Billings, however, is its proximity to the great outdoors; get out into Yellowstone National Park or one of the others nearby.

Bergen

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The winding terraces of white and ochre can be be viewed from well outside the harbour, like scatterings of autumn leaves amid a green and golden forest, draped across seven hills and seven fjords. Welcome to Bergen; Norway’s most beautiful city.

This was once Norway’s capital and remains an important cultural centre as well as one of the largest ports in Europe. With a long history of urban fires, much of it is relatively modern, and the bright colours and cheerful public spaces reflect the post-war optimism with which the city was rebuilt for the umpteenth time.

Not that it’s all new; the wharf at Bryggen is a World Heritage Site and, as well having been an important commercial centre for centuries, remains an architecturally unique symbol of what it means to be Norwegian.

Where to stay
The Quality Hotel Edvard Grieg lives up to its name in terms of facilities and services. The Clarion Collection Havnekontoret manages to feel both pleasantly dated and comfortable modern. The Augustin Hotel is another great option and the staff go out of their way to make you feel part of the family.

Where to eat
The Potetkjelleren has a reputation as the best restaurant in Bergen, with a typically Norwegian menu and a quiet, atmospheric setting conducive for business entertainment. The Bolgen & Moi is its nearest rival; reservations will be required for both.

What to see
The colourful Hanseatic Wharf, at the heart of Bergen’s beautiful landscape, is a World Heritage Site and one of the world’s best preserved examples of a medieval town. Possibly the best views, however, are available from Mount Floyen which you can reach either by hiking or travelling on the funicular. The Edvard Grieg Museum at Troldhaugen is a hidden gem and a magical experience.

UAE

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The United Arab Emirates is a marvellously contradictory nation, where conspicuous consumption and ostentation hold hands with traditional Muslim conservatism and a Bedouin culture than continues to thrive in the country’s deserts.

Dubai, the city which invented the ‘shopping festival’, dazzles with its ultra-modern skyline and ever-present glamour. Yet the desert sands beyond tell a different story entirely; sprawling dunes, date-palm oases and ancient forts of burnt ochre and dusty gold appear more like something out of Arabian Nights. The capital, Abu Dhabi, remains modern yet peaceful and the cultured Sharjah, with its array of museums, galleries and theatres unlike anything found in the west, displays yet another side to this enchanting and multi-faceted nation.

One of the richest countries in the world, the per capita GDP is over $45,000. Such wealth has been founded on rich oil deposits – not forecast to run dry until 2100AD – while strategic marketing and infrastructure investment have created a construction boom and a healthy injection of cash from tourism and international investment.

Business laws remain moderately protectionist – for example, local business require at least 51 percent ownership by UAE nationals – but this is due to change as the country strives to meet IMF regulations. The culture is very relationship driven, with a great deal invested in entertainment and building trust. Emiratis are shrewd, though, and excellent negotiators; be careful they don’t soften you up too much or they might take commercial advantage.

Getting there

The main international airports are at Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with a few going to Sharjah. Many border crossings are closed to non-residents and you should check before travelling if going overland.

Getting around

Buses are the only form of public transport and coverage is limited. To get around more freely, driving is by far and away the best option.

Local information

Language: Arabic

Time: UTC+4

Climate: Arid. Hot, parched summers and warm winters with a little rain. Temperature: Max 40°C (August), Min 12°C (January). Rainfall: Max 25mm (December), Min 0mm (May-October)

Currency: UAR dirham (AED)

Business etiquette: Suits should be worn. Deadlines are not as rigid as in many western cultures. Emiratis will often negotiate hard and ask questions repeatedly; consistent answers demonstrate that you are telling the truth.

Tipping: 10-15 percent

Duty free: 400 cigarettes; 2kg of tobacco; 4l of spirits or 24 cans of beer; perfume for personal use.

Safety: Very low incidence of crime in UAE.

Laws: Treason may result in the death penalty. Drunkenness and defamation may attract corporal punishment. Drinking or possessing alcohol requires a permit. Preaching non-Islamic religions, harassing women, taking photographs of locals without permission, swearing and making rude gestures are all illegal and may attract fines or imprisonment.

Healthcare: Vaccinations required for hepatitis A and tetanus. Medical facilities are high quality but extremely expensive. Health insurance is essential.

Socket type: Type G

UK

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

The UK is both one nation and four – the English may casually switch allegiance between Britain and England but ask a Scot his nationality and he will always say he is a Scot. Moreover, the UK is teeming with Poles, Indians, Aussies, Jews, Turks, Saffers and hundreds of other races, while restaurants serve everything from Chinese to Argentine to Eritrean.

Beneath this influx, British stereotypes have fallen by the wayside. The bowler-hat-bedecked, cricket playing gentry has been replaced by a fashionable, fast-paced society where class means less and less. The ‘stiff upper lip’ survives as reserved stoicism, but the reputation for bad food is refuted by restaurants such as Hibiscus, St John and renowned Fat Duck which rank among the finest in the world. Most of all, legends like Monty Python and Billy Connolly are tribute to a kingdom now famed as much for its surreal and creative sense of humour as its once glorious empire.

Today, you can catch jaw-dropping views from the London Eye or sup a pint in the historic pubs of Derry; explore the rugged wilderness of the Scottish Highlands or take tea and scones in an English country house; enjoy a festival in the beautiful city of Edinburgh or relax on the sandy beaches of the Gower Peninsula. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the walking cities tours, where tales of war, conquest and Empire mingle with ghosts, murder and intrigue on some of the oldest streets in Europe.

Getting there

There are several international airports; Heathrow and Gatwick are most commonly used. The Channel Tunnel connects London and Paris by train. Eurolines run coaches between London and several European cities. Ferries from several ports link the UK with Scandinavia, mainland Europe and Ireland.

Getting around

You can get almost anywhere in the UK by bus, coach and train; be-warned however that tickets are generally expensive. Coach is cheaper than train, while discounts are available for advance bookings.

Local information

Language: English

Time: UTC

Climate: Temperate: Warm summers, cool winters, rain all year round. Temperature: Max 22°C (July), Min 4°C (January). Rainfall: Max 60mm (November), Min 30mm (April).

Currency: British Pound (GBP)

Business etiquette: Business suits are the norm. A standard greeting is a handshake. Meetings tend to be formal and little emotion is usually displayed.

Tipping: 10 percent service tip is standard in restaurants.

Duty free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1l of spirits or 2l of beers, wines or cider; 50g of perfume; 250ml of eau de toilette; 500g of coffee; 100g of tea; medication for personal use.

Safety: Risk of terrorism is relatively low, and there is some civil unrest in Northern Ireland. Serious crime incidence is low but credit card/ATM fraud are all dangers in urban areas.

Laws: Smoking in public buildings is illegal. Antisocial or drunken behaviour may result in arrest.

Healthcare: Vaccinations required for diphtheria and tetanus. Emergency treatment for all is free; the cost of ongoing treatment depends on whether a patient’s country of residence has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

Socket type: Type G

Peru

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Peru has a fascinating historical legacy; home to some of the oldest known civilisations since 6000BC, it was conquered by the Incas in the 15th century before the Spanish took control in the 16th. Few places on earth is this ancient historical legacy more visible and more accessible; Machu Pichu and the Nazca lines are just two of a number of sites as impressive as the Great Pyramids of Giza.

Even leaving these, Peru is a country blessed by natural beauty. A number of Andes treks are easily accessible from Arequipa, Huaraz in the north is home to some stunning scenery and sunset over the floating islands of Lake Titicaca is one of the most breathtaking sights in the world. Alternatively, try your hand at sandboarding and kitesurfing, or soak up the sun at the seaside resort of Mancora.

Another striking feature of Peru is the way that wealth and poverty, new and old, exist seemingly side by side. The economy has seen rapid growth since the early 90s and the country is considered an emerging market, but the benefits of growth have been very uneven. Tourism operators have been known to exploit the most poverty-stricken and there can be great competition to secure the tourist dollar. Peru is a fascinating country for the traveller – but one that should be enjoyed responsibly.

Getting there

International flights go to Lima from several countries. Overland travel is possible from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador, though services are often unreliable and uncomfortable.

Getting around

Taxis are the best within cities and relatively cheap. Buses are standard for long distance travel; fares are cheap, though buses are of varying quality and rides tend to be bumpy. Semi-regular trains link Lima, Cusco and Puno and there are some internal flights.

Local information

Language(s): Spanish; Quechua and other native languages are also widely spoken.

Time: UTC – 5

Climate: Variable – tropical, temperature, semi-arid. Most rainfall occurs in the mountains; Lima is extremely dry. Temperature (Lima): Max 28°C (February), Min 14°C (August). Rainfall (Lima): Max 5mm (August), Min 0mm (February-April).

Currency: Nuevo Sol (PEN)

Business etiquette: Business meetings often start up to an hour late; visitors should be on time though. Personal contacts and networks are important as business relationships are built on trust, friendship and family.

Tipping: 10 percent of service in restaurants. Hotel porters expect around $1 per bag.

Duty free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 2.5l alcoholic beverage; Gifts up to US$300; 2kg of processed food.

Safety: Demonstrations, protests and national strikes are common and can occur at short notice. Arequipa and Puno are particularly prone to civil unrest.

Laws: Carry your passport at all times. Export of cultural goods is strictly controlled and a licence is needed before carrying them out of the country.

Healthcare: Vaccinations required for hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid. Drink only bottled water. Full health insurance strongly advised, medical services require up front payment.

Socket type: Type A, Type B, Type C

Tokyo

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The dazzling Tokyo skyline is perhaps a statement of intent; the mainstream culture of conspicuous consumption that ensconces the city’s leading lights declares that everything has to be new and wonderful and that last year’s gadgets were little more than a craze.

Perhaps, though, this is just a facade, and if you explore more deeply the hidden pathways of this sprawling metropolis you will discover a little of the old man from which it spawned; ancient pagodas, small Japanese markets and colourful neighbourhood festivals. When Michelin released their first Tokyo guide in 2008 they made it the most delicious city on Earth, dishing out 151 of their coveted stars – twice as many as the much-eulogised Parisian gastronomic scene.

Like any world city, this is a pulsing financial centre and a cultural hub. What really sets Tokyo apart though is the impeccable efficiency and style with which it goes about its business. Whether you want old or new, east or west, work or play, everything here is fabulous.

Where to stay
The Park Hyatt in Shinjuku has a world class reputation for its outstanding design and superlative levels of service. The Peninsula is another award winner, with spacious rooms that feel like luxury apartments and fantastic city views.

Where to eat
The divine Kaiseki cuisine at Takamura is a must if money is on barrier; alternatively, the nouvelle Japanese flourishes of Nobu Tokyo are a gastronomic delight. The avant garde interiors of Shibuya and Shinjuku are as impressive as the food.

What to see
The Asakusa temple was founded in 645 by three fishermen who found a statue of Kannon, the Buddhist god of compassion. Kabuki-za Theatre showcases a traditional art form with medieval roots and often Burlesque overtones.

Venice

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A busy, bustling, booming San Marco Piazza welcomes you off the boat and throws you in the deep end of this liquid land. The stunning Saint Mark’s Basilica looms across Andrea Tirali’s pavement as you stroll across the plaza, before losing yourself in the narrow, steep-sided maze of Venice’s ancient streets and bridges. Gondolas flow past with one-armed strides carrying couples lost in their own private romances, as you grab an espresso and hail a vaporetti water taxi along the Grand Canal.

The resplendent charm of this beautiful city is at the mercy of crowds which can often overwhelm her fragile graces, yet the fast-paced chaos can equally be seen as an invigorating injection of life. This is, after all, an Italian city that still pulses with passion and a lust for life few other culture can match. And if you wait for dusk, as the soft ochre and tangerine light of the setting sun flows like honey over the dated roofs, you’ll realise why this is still the undisputed city of romance.

Where to stay
Hotel Danieli and Londra Palace are a few steps away from the main piazza; the Hilton Molino Stucky and Papadopoli are also centrally located on the Grand Canal and cater well for business travel.

Where to eat
You have to dig a little beyond the numerous tourist-targeting eateries to find truly excellent Italian cuisine. Le Bistrot de Venice is excellent near Piazza San Marco, while Vino Vino is another good choice in the same area. Fiaschetteria Toscana is a fine dining treat in Cannaregio.

What to see
San Marco’s Piazza is the centre of Venice and the Grand Canal is the most famous of her many waterways. Lido is a superb island venue where you can soak up the romance without the crowds.

Rome

Posted on by Charlotte Gill

Few cities are as immortalised in international folklore as the Italian capital; even fewer are able to live up to hype. Yet standing beside the Coliseum in Rome, or gazing up at the roof of the Sistine Chapel, or simply taking in the stunning panorama from one of the seven hills, you might start to feel the hairs on your neck stand on end. Two thousand years ago, this was the centre of the world, and its ancient walls seem drenched in every second of history since.

Time is far from standing still here, as the busy city streets are stages for the animated urbanites to act out daily soap operas where raw emotion is never far from fizzing to the surface. Romans are a passionate people with plenty to be proud of and the inspiration that surrounds them ensures that they keep a lively contemporary cultural scene, from extensive art collections and to exquisite Italian food and lively music scene spanning everything from opera to electro-rock.

Where to stay
Just a few paces from the Spanish Steps sits glamorous Hotel Eden, affording unbeatable views of the city. The cardinal’s house, Teatropace 33, includes a spiral stone staircase and high ceilings. The Rome Radisson is also another high quality hotel with a central location.

Where to eat
Friendly Dar Poeta makes pizza exciting pizzas that are popular with the local. Checchino is a remarkable modern take on more traditional Roman food. Le Pain Quotidien may be a chain but it has a great menu and atmosphere.

What to see
Re-enact a gladiator battle in the heart of the Colosseum, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, explore the rich history beneath the Pantheon’s dome or the catacombs and then visit the holy Vatican City and the remarkable Sistine Chapel.