Posts, pics, video and motivation on Travel Lifestyle, countries around the world! Addicted to adventure travel and photography, I'm on a mission to inspire your next journey with entertaining stories, beautiful images, fun travel videos, and useful tips.
Selfie with friends. In November, 2015, I traveled with friends Mary and Phil. We stayed in an apartment near Place Victoire and spent a lot of time at the Palais Royal. Here we are!
The author recalls dawn starts, oven-hot air and the chorus of cicadas that accompanied his walk through the hills north of Rome
Poggio Mirteto, Cantalupo, Casperia, Vacone, Configni, Stroncone. Hilltop towns in the ancient land of Sabina, calling to each other across parched patchworks of vineyard and cornfield. Woods, orchards, olive groves. You could drive to these places, of course. But my experience is, when you arrive on foot they are different. They are better. And best of all in summer.
You’ll need water with you at all times for this adventure. A light backpack with just one change of clothes. Trekking shoes on your feet, poles in your hands, sweat-wicking shirts and shorts and underwear. Plus a broad-brimmed hat, shades and a big tube of sun cream. Then just surrender yourself to the heat and the cicadas.
When Garibaldi passed this spring in 1849 it was dry, and his men, mules and horses went crazy with thirst
Often called The Eternal City, Romeoffers the enduring lureof historical monuments such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheonand the Colosseum, as well as the romance of low-rise homes and charming alleys. Numerous Hollywood movies, from Roman Holiday to The Talented Mr Ripley, have cast the city in a starring role, but Rome has also given birth to something else just as valuable: talented Italian filmmakers who drew inspiration from the streets of the Italian capital to produce some of the most revered European films in cinematic history. Their styles and storylines capture the different facets of Rome, as well as reflect the many cultural and social changes, both challenging and uplifting, that its residents have lived through.
Roma città aperta is one of the most famous Italian Neorealism films
1. Roma, città aperta (1945) by Roberto Rossellini
The Italian neorealism film movement emerged from the rubble of World War II. A lack of funds meant rather than featuring elaborate stage sets and glamorous narratives, using on-location shooting and non-professional actors to tell gritty, true-to-life stories came to the forefront. From the famous Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the Spanish Steps (in the opening scene) to the sprawling Prenestino neighbourhood, witness Rome from a bygone era. Considered a pioneer of this golden era in filmmaking, Rossellini’s film portrays the hardships of wartime survival through the eyes of a resilient resistance leader. Even today, the film acts as a memorial to Italians who suffered under Nazi occupation.
Marcello Mastroianni, who plays the lead, is considered one of Italy’s biggest stars
2. 8½ (1963) by Federico Fellini
As the Italian economy gradually recovered from the effects of war, Italian neorealism took a backseat, and movies became more comedic and surreal. In this one, charming protagonist Guido Anselmi (played by one of Italy’s biggest film stars Marcello Mastroianni) journeys around the city while attempting to get his film made. As the numerous setbacks begin to mount, the narrative of Anselmi’s movie begins to mirror his own personal life. Fellini’s emphasis on imagery not only shows viewers a city renewed with time, but also echoes a section of Roman society obsessed with a new sense of aestheticism. From Tivoli to Filacciano, Fellini takes us beyond the city centre to show that there’s more to Rome than meets the eye.
Dario Argento is often known as a “Master of Horror”
3. Tenebrae (1982) by Dario Argento
An American murder-mystery writer visits Rome to promote his book, only to find himself on the hunt for a criminal who appears to be inspired by his work. While Argento was already well-known for his supernatural films such as Suspiria, Tenebrae was his formal return to pure giallo, a term ascribed to a dramatic, stylised subgenre of Italian crime fiction. Wanting a more futuristic-looking Rome, Argento eschewed the typical city locations and instead headed to the EUR, also known as the Esposizione Universale Roma, a district south of Central Rome filled with fascist-era architecture. The area was first established during Mussolini’s administration, but was only completed in the ’60s. Even if you’re not an Argento fan, the area is well worth a visit as there are many museums and sights to better understand Roman history.
La grande bellezza showcases Roman landmarks in all its glory. Photo credit: Janus Films
4. La grande bellezza (2013) by Paolo Sorrentino
While Sorrentino was born in Naples, this art film, which won Best Foreign Language Film at the 2014 Oscars, really is a love letter to Rome. Within well-loved locations such as Santa Maria del Priorato church, Palazzo Braschi and the Aqueduct Park, our protagonist, aging and disillusioned journalist Jep Gambardella (Toni Servillo), goes in search of “the great beauty” – an English translation of the film’s title. In a way, Sorrentino pays homage to Rossellini and Fellini, preserving a portrait of Berlusconi-era Rome and its people, who experienced growing nostalgia at a time of economic uncertainty.
Alice Rohrwacher won Best Screenplay at Cannes with this film
5. Lazzaro felice (2018) by Alice Rohrwacher
While her cinematic forebears invented and then adhered to the rules of their respective movements, Roman-native Rohrwacher opts for a mixed approach with her tale about Italian inequity, told through impoverished tobacco farmers. While not exclusively shot in the heart of Rome, but instead set in rural Central Italy, Lazzaro felice reflects an inherently Roman state of mind: a city in conflict – where modern buildings exist alongside ancient structures (a motorcycle dealer situated opposite the Amphitheatrum Castrense in Gerusalemme, for example), and where eons of religious history go up against present-day pursuits. As a new-generation filmmaker, her third feature film essentially compounds close to a century of Roman cinema and shows you just what might be next.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights to Rome, visit singaporeair.com. For more information and travel advisories, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
Rosewood Bangkok’s exterior is a feat of modern architecture
1. A sense of place
Towering high above Bangkok’s ritzy Phloenchit district, the hotel’s gleaming exterior is shaped like a wai, the traditional Thai greeting where the palms are pressed together. Further nods to Thai culture mingle with marble, chrome and luxurious leather interiors: silk wall coverings feature intricate Thai motifs, chandeliers shaped like traditional hand fans hang from the lobby ceiling and mirrors etched with temple-roof shaped gold leaf can be found in the hallways.
All rooms and suites are impeccably furnished with opulent touches
2. Welcome home
From the entry-level studios to the multi-bedroom suites, all the cream-coloured rooms resemble an art collector’s elegant penthouse. Embellished with art books, brass trinkets and lacquered candy jars, the rooms feel more home than hotel, while marble-clad bathrooms and butlers-on-call remind guests they’re still at one of Bangkok’s most luxurious addresses. Ultimate high-flyers should book themselves into one of the four “houses”. Occupying the hotel’s top floors, these palatial dwellings – the “smallest” spans 189m2 – come with private outdoor terraces, marble plunge pools and private dining rooms surrounded by silk and teakwood.
The lush interior of the restaurant Nan Bei
3. North meets south
On the 19th floor, signature restaurant Nan Bei brings out the best of China’s southern (nan) and northern (bei) cuisines. Designed by New York-based AvroKo, the gorgeous interior, in shades of mustard and deep purple, is inspired by the romance of the ancient Chinese folktale The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, with gleaming chrome chandeliers, exquisite marble inlay floors and sultry velvet upholstery. Just as remarkable is the top-notch Peking duck – carved tableside. Nan Bei’s take on xiao long bao (soup-filled dumplings), with blue swimmer crab and black truffle, is another indulgent treat.
A dip in the hotel’s pool cannot be missed
4. Making a splash
Tumbling down 10 floors into an indoor-outdoor swimming pool replete with an infinity whirlpool overlooking the cityscape, a dazzling waterfall at the heart of the building references the peace and harmony that water symbolises in Thai culture. At its source, a seven-metre-high light installation made up of hundreds of illuminated metal birds draws the eye, while also marking Nan Bei’s entrance. Resembling a night sky full of stars or a fireworks display, it’s hard to pass by without snapping a picture.
Public spaces are adorned with beautiful artworks
5. An extraordinary art collection
Dozens of contemporary works – some covering entire walls or ceilings – by established and emerging Thai artists dot the property and peg it firmly to the local creative scene. Highlights include a metal rendering of ancient Thai lettering by local interdisciplinary artists Jiradej and Pornpilai Meemalai, as well as an abstract temple drawing by former National Artist of the Year Preecha Thaothong. Exhibitions in the mini-gallery on the lower-level lobby change with the seasons and showcase up-and-coming homegrown talent, with works around relevant contemporary themes such as “East meets West” and “City Pollution”.
To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights to Bangkok, visit singaporeair.com. For more information and travel advisories, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
This article was originally published in the April 2020 issue of SilverKris magazine
Luxury is about so much more than the stuff that we can buy. It is about our health, quality of life, and being around for our loved ones. Taking care of our health is paramount to enjoying life itself and particularly, as we age, finding ways to
There’s something quite magical about a well executed cocktail. It can transport you to a new place all together with different flavours of terroir seeping through the various spirits. The story of its creation – when, where, by whom and why – helps you feel connected to a new world and people you have never met. And of course, when the liquid touches your lips and you close your eyes, it can take you on a sensory adventure to the very place you most wish to be.
Behind every cocktail is a marvellous story of people and places. Whether you wish to be back in a buzzing city filled with life racing by, or on a secluded beach with the sun shining on your face, here are a handful of cocktails that will transport you to wherever it is you long to be from the comfort of your own home.
Manhattan – for those longing for the buzzing streets of New York City
Wish to be back in the city where dreams are made? Do you miss the hustle and bustle of city life? Why not try one of New York’s most famous cocktails, the Manhattan. By popular opinion, this drink was created in the 1860’s by a bartender named Black at a bar on Broadway near Houston St.
This cocktail is rich with flavours balancing the sweetness of the vermouth and the spice of rye whiskey. Mix it up and instantly feel like Don Draper himself in the heart of the city at your favourite hotel bar.
To make:
2 oz rye whiskey (favour towards something high proof such as Rittenhouse Rye)
1 oz sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica is a great option)
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass (any ole glass tumbler will do), fill to the top with ice and stir with a mixing spoon for about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass (or over fresh ice in a rocks glass, if you wish) and garnish with a cherry or orange twist (or both!).
Italian Negroni – for those wanting an inspiring happy hour in Italy
Often referred to as one of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice is known for its glorious canals, gondola rides, narrow lanes and a myriad of colours that flow through this beautiful Italian island city. Topping almost every traveller’s bucket list, Venice is not just one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but also one of the most desired. If you were to ask the Venetians- colour, culture and celebration embrace their vibrant spirit.
The Venice Carnival is also one of the largest in the world and renowned for its magical vibes, extravagant display of Venetian art and culture and its deep rooted spirit celebrating the history of Venetian society. It is an annual celebration particularly known for people dressing up in elaborate masks and costumes and gathering at the Piazza San Marco in front of the San Marco Cathedral in Venice, Italy.
It’s no secret that many of us travel to eat. From tearing into freshly baked, impossibly flaky croissants on the banks of the Seine in Paris and chowing down on sticky barbecue ribs in the heart of Texas to supping on dim sum after a night out in Hong Kong and tucking into a steaming bowl of pho on a chilly day in Hanoi, culinary experiences often form an integral part of our trips. While much of the world may be grounded for now, these Netflix shows provide the perfect fodder for planning your future foodie escapades when we all get moving again.
David Chang in a scene in season 2 of Ugly Delicious. Photo credit: Netflix
1. Ugly Delicious
When he’s not helming his expansive restaurant empire, Momofuku founder David Chang is crisscrossing the globe in search of culinary delights. The show sees Chang and a rotating slate of special guests – including comedians Aziz Ansari and Ali Wong – delve deep into the social, cultural and culinary history surrounding a specific dish or cuisine (fried chicken, tacos and pizza all feature). The “Fried Rice” episode, where Chang meets up with Chinese food expert Fuschia Dunlop in Beijing to sample traditional delicacies such as sea cucumber and deer tendon, is particularly worth a watch.
Chef, TV host and food writer Samin Nosrat. Photo credit: Netflix
2. Salt Fat Acid Heat
Chef Samin Nosrat brings her James Beard Award-winning cookbook of the same name to life in this charming travelogue, where she investigates the four fundamental building blocks of flavour: salt, fat, acid and heat. Each episode focuses on a different element, with Nosrat drawing on her rich cultural and culinary experiences to bring the associated ingredients to life. Follow her as she travels to the rolling hills of Italy to examine how fats such as olive oil and salami are used in Italian cuisine and to the seaside towns of Japan to get the inside scoop on harvesting salt from kelp.
A scene from Cooked. Photo credit: Netflix
3. Cooked
Based on the eponymous book by acclaimed writer Michael Pollan, this beautifully shot series sees Pollan travel to different corners of the globe to explore the art of cooking. Each episode is themed around one of the four natural elements that work to transform raw ingredients: fire, water, air and earth. Offering insightful social and scientific commentary, Pollan introduces viewers to cooks from all different walks of life: from barbeque pit masters in the American South and a cheese-making nun in Connecticut to the home cooks of Mumbai.
Chef Sean Brock in Chef’s Table. Photo: Netflix
4. Chef’s Table
Now in its sixth season, this award-winning documentary profiles some of the top chefs around the globe, offering viewers a compelling look at what makes them tick. From the lush landscapes of the Amazon to the bustling streets of Barcelona, each episode offers an insight not merely into the mind of the chef, but also how various locales have inspired their creativity. For example, in season three, ramen maven Ivan Orkin reveals how his decades-long infatuation with Japan led him to open his New Yorkoperation. Other standout episodes highlight Bangkok’s Bo Songvisava; Vladimir Mukhin of White Rabbit in Moscow; and Jeong Kwan from South Korea.
Jay Fai, known for her wok-fired dishes in Bangkok, in a scene from Street Food Asia. Photo credit: Netflix
5. Street Food: Asia
Forget tweezers and microplanes – this show gives viewers an unvarnished look at street-food culture in some of Asia’s top foodie cities (think Bangkok, Singapore and Osaka) as well as a few lesser-known ones (Cebu and Yogyakarta). Each episode hones in on one particular food vendor, but also dips into different establishments to paint a vibrant and holistic portrait of what everyday eating looks like in these destinations. Fun fact: following the first episode, which spotlights her to-die-for crab omelettes in Bangkok, chef Jay Fai had to create a reservation system to cater to the spike in demand.
David Chang and Chrissy Teigen dine with local chef Tarik Amar and his wife Hajar Demlak to experience authentic Marrakesh cooking. Photo credit: Netflix
6. Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
As a follow-up to Ugly Delicious, David Chang teams up with four different celebrities – Seth Rogen, Chrissy Teigen, Lena Waithe and Kate McKinnon – for a series of culinary adventures in four cities across the globe. While the show is very much centred on food, the streetscapes and landscapes of the respective places are also given plenty of time to shine on camera – from the colourful and cacophonous souks of Marrakesh to the lush, forested greenery of Cambodia. The first episode, where Rogen takes Chang for a food-filled gander around his hometown of Vancouver, is great for laughs.
A restaurateur, chef and designer help struggling restaurants in this new series. Photo credit: Netflix
7. Restaurants on the Edge
Think of this as Extreme Makeover or Queer Eye for the Straight Guy for restaurants. In this heart-warming reality show, three culinary professionals – restaurateur Nick Liberato, chef Dennis Prescott and designer Karin Bohn – travel to some of the world’s most picturesque destinations to help struggling restaurants flip the switch before they have to shutter for good. The array of kooky establishments featured include a Jamaican-themed bar in Canada; a whimsical café in a Hong Kong fishing village; a soccer star’s seafood eatery in Malta; and a restaurant high up in the Austrian Alps.
After a few days hiking, kayaking, exploring caves and being wowed by the geothermal landscape, an afternoon soaking in the hot springs at the Polynesian Spa in Rotorua was exactly what we wanted and needed.
I’m a long term fan of hot springs and spa treatments. We travel in Japan regularly and I’m always trying to wrangle an extra onsen soak onto the itinerary when we’re there. Hakone and Nikko both offer excellent hot spring options if you are headed that way.
New Zealand is also a geothermal country and that means there are quite a few hot spring areas scattered around in both the north and south islands but you’ll find the most intense geographic concentration of these located between Rotorua and Taupo.
Steam rising from Waimangu Cauldron south of Rotorua
In March we were in New Zealand and decided to hire a car for a few days and take a road trip down through the middle of the north island with a couple of days in Rotorua.
Our timing wasn’t ideal with the looming international health crisis and a cyclone offshore cancelling our kayaking trip on Lake Rotoiti. The kayak trip on the lake was one of the key reasons for the road trip but the positive turned out to be that we got to spend some time soaking in the gorgeous and soothing, waters of the Polynesian Spa.
A history of healing hot pools in Rotorua
Thermal bathing for health dates back 1000’s of years in various cultures but has gone in and out of popularity and medical acceptance.
In the 18th and early 19th century in Europe hot pools were at their peak of popularity for both social use and their health benefits. It was during this period that the reputation of Rotorua’s hot springs gained attention across the world. In 1878, a Roman Catholic priest, Father Mahoney travelled around 60 km from Tauranga to Rotorua hoping to manage his disabling arthritis.
The story has it that not only did soaking in the small hand-dug pool help him manage the pain and loss of movement caused by the condition but that he walked all the way back to Tauranga! To be honest it might have been a better idea to just get a transfer to a local parish.
The pool he soaked in was located roughly where the Polynesian Spa stands today right on the edge of the lake and was fed by a hot spring the local Maori knew as Te Pupūnitanga. It later also became known as the ‘Priest Spring‘ after Father Mahoney.
The Tudor architecture of the Rotorua museum was originally a Victorian bathhouse
From 1908 water was piped from the Priest Spring to the Tudor styled therapeutic bathhouse located in what is now the Rotorua Museum building. The bathhouse had 2 wings which were segregated one for men and one for women and at its peak as many as 80,000 remedial bath treatments were taken a year. Quite an astronomical number when many of those patients were travelling from Europe by ship.
Our Polynesian Spa Experience
We lived in New Zealand until about 12 years ago so we are no strangers to Rotorua and the Polynesian Spa, we’ve been here a few times but it had been a long time between dips. We weren’t sure what to expect this time but there was no way we could stay just down the road and not head across for a soak.
The cafe is open for a coffee, juice of something to eat after using the pools
The complex has been significantly extended and modernised since we were last there with a good range of options for different experiences and price points. As a couple, our focus was on the adult-focused relaxing and healing pools but if you are travelling as a family there are options to suit you too.
We started out with a 30 minutes soak in a private pool. There are several of these available but it pays to book in advance especially if you want the experience of one of the four lake-view deluxe pools that look out onto the shores of Lake Rotorua.
From the reception, you head to the right-hand side and walk through the Pavillion pools area. This is the older part of the complex and includes pools fed from both the acidic and alkaline springs at various temperatures. These pools are open to the lake and the area is adult only. You can use these pools for as long as you’d like after your private pool experience, this is included in the ticket price.
The Pavillion Pool area
There is a second reception area for the private pools. You are given towels when you arrive and there is a small bench area to change just inside the door or each pool room. There is also a shower to rinse off before getting dressed.
These pools are kept at 38.5° C which is a comfortable temperature for relaxing in, it doesn’t feel scorching on the skin or difficult to enter the pool but you’ll probably find your skin is slightly reddened with increased blood flow by the time you get out.
At the end of your session a warning light comes on above the changing area so you don’t need to keep an eye on the time and you then have a reasonable time to rinse off in the shower and get dried and dressed.
In our case, we were planning to spend the rest of the afternoon around the spa so we just towelled off to make sure we weren’t dripping everywhere and continued on to find our next pool.
Deluxe Lake Spa Pools
You can stay on in the Pavillion Pool area if you want to and there are public changing rooms and places to leave your gear here but we had booked tickets for the deluxe lake spa area.
You have a wrist band as your ticket for this area and you have to exit and re-enter through the left-hand side of the reception desk. There is a lounge area through here where you could wait if you were having treatments done or just to relax indoors before or after your time in the pools.
The changing rooms in this part were very good. There are plenty of free lockers of various sizes so you will find one to fit your gear, just lock it and slip the key on a waterproof band around your wrist. You can also grab a clean towel from the shelves and drop it back in the baskets here.
There are different changing facilities depending on which area access ticket you have. These are in the Deluxe Spa facility.
When you are done there are showers with soap and shampoo, some are communal but others have a door for privacy. There are also hairdryers, large mirrors for applying any makeup or skincare you want to and body lotion to rehydrate your skin.
Out in the pool area there are 4 large hot pools. The 3 fed by the Rachel spring are rock pools of varying depths, 2 have lake frontage and the third has a manmade cave over part of the pool. The Priest spring-fed pool is a large rectangular pool with seating around the sides, it’s slightly milky in colour compared to the others, presumably due to the different minerals in the water.
There are both acid and alkaline pools in this area kept around 38-39°C. The pools are shallow, suited for adults to sit and relax up to their shoulders in the water or on the edge. There are also recliners overlooking the lake available for relaxing out of the water.
Aix Massage
Our trip was so tightly scheduled that it didn’t include an Aix massage this time. We have both had the treatment at the Polynesian Spa before and highly recommend it. I have to admit feeling a little disappointed as we drove out of Rotorua without having managed to fit it in.
Aix massage was a treatment originally offered in Rotorua at the bathhouse in the early 1900s. While today’s version borrows from those basics it’s a far more luxe and relaxing experience.
The treatment lasts an hour and like the rest of the complex, it is very professional. The Italian Vichy massage bed is a bit different to what you might be used to at other spas with water jets positioned from above.
You start with a dry exfoliation scrub treatment then the therapist will begin the massage treatment with the Vichy shower jets. It’s very relaxing and while they don’t do deep tissue work you can request how firm you like your massage.
Family fun options
The pools we book are more suited to solitude or couples experiences, they are quiet and relaxing spaces where you can move between acidity and alkalinity, or various temperatures to find what is soothing and comfortable for your personal taste.
If you are after an option for the young family to enjoy together you’ll find that at the Polynesian Spa too. The family pools area has discounted pricing for children and 3 hot pools. Two of the pools are alkaline fed from the Rachel Spring and the third is freshwater. This is the space for swimming, splashing and laughing. There’s a small slide here too for the younger children.
Families are able to purchase tickets to the other pool areas including the deluxe pools but all tickets are at adult pricing. These other areas are quiet zones and children must be directly supervised at all times.
Acidic and Alkaline Pools
The Polynesian Spa is quite special in that it is fed by two quite separate springs, one provides alkaline and the other acidic waters and you can select your treatment by which pools you use.
The Priest Spring pool in the Duluxe spa area. Unlike the others that are rock pools this large retangular pool has seating around the edge.
Soaking in hot water generally helps blood circulate and the ability of cells to carry oxygen which can be supportive of the body’s digestive and detoxification processes.
As mentioned above the Priest Spring is slightly acidic and that is useful in the treatment of aches, pains and tired muscles. The Rachel Spring is alkaline, its sodium silicate cleanses and nourishes the skin.
So do I believe in the healing power of hot springs?
If you’d asked me a few decades ago when we first visited, I would have raved about the blissed-out relaxation but I’d have had less context on the difference between the individual pools or the mineral composition of different springs.
Before I do discuss my personal experience I would say that immersion in hot water can be dangerous for some people with particular medical conditions. If that is you, please check with your medical advisor for advice on your personal circumstances.
My personal observation with moderate auto-immune arthritis is that while in the water I am substantially pain-free, that is helped by both the heat and support that being in water gives the joints.
An hour after leaving the pool the inflammation and visible swelling around joints are significantly reduced. The reduction in pain can last up to 48 hours, I also sleep like I haven’t in years. For my situation, I find hot springs to be very effective at short to medium term pain management with no negative side effects.
Beyond aches and pain, the hot water also has a fairly undisputed effect on stress levels and improved sleep. While it’s a treatment not a cure I can say for absolute certain I’d be buying the annual pass if I lived nearby.
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We were hosted by the Polynesian Spa on our most recent visit. As with all content on the site, it reflects our personal experience & opinions.
Lonely Planet is excited to launch a new premium video streaming platform that features a stunning archive of shows from our archives. The site will take travellers around the world, exploring destinations and experiences in over 350 episodes of award-winning travel shows from their very own couch.
The shows include 18 seasons of the classic travel TV series Globe Trekker, which brings viewers on a nostalgic tour of the world, crossing unique and off-the-beaten path destinations as diverse as China and as iconic as the Western USA.
Join celebrity hosts as they show you a world of inspiring cultures, amazing landscapes and mouth-watering cuisines. Take in a classic American road trip along Route 66 or sample wines in Chianti before exploring the Indian Himalayas.
Foodies will love Planet Food, which takes a bite out of every corner of Earth. Discover the surprising origins of Nashville hot chicken, or delve into the mix of influences that make Mexican food unique. Follow along and try your hand at making the dishes at home!
In a recent survey by global travel experts INK, over 100 travel professionals – ranging from hoteliers and photographers to TV presenters – were asked about where they were dreaming of travelling next. Out of all their answers, one of the most common trends that arose was a desire to travel for food.
Whether that was to sample a Jambon sandwich on the boulevards of Paris, enjoy some dim sum in Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong, slurp on some coconut ice cream in Sanur, Bali or to dine on proper pesto and drink lots of icy cold Vermentino by the sea in Genoa, it was clear that for many, food was travel and travel was food.
That’s perhaps not surprising. A 2020 report by the World Food Travel Association stated that 80% of travellers research food and drink before visiting a destination, and over 70% of people choose a destination based on its food and drink.
Here at Silverkris, we’ve long understood the allure of culinary tourism for our readers, which is why we decided to round up this visual feast of delicious dishes taken from some of our favourite food-focused stories. From seriously good street eats in Singapore to the best brunches in Los Angeles, along with Indigenous ingredients in Australia and fine dining in Siem Reap, we’ve got plenty here to whet your appetite.
A new wave of chefs is championing Indigenous Australian ingredients
Secret no more: Emirati cuisine is having its day in the sun
Four female chefs in Bangkok are reviving Thai culinary wisdom
International chefs changing the face of Parisian cuisine
Singapore hawkers you must try before they're gone
Siem Reap chefs take Cambodian flavours to new heights
Brunch enjoys a renaissance in Los Angeles
Istanbul’s female-led restaurant revolution
How Hoi An is positioning itself as a foodie hotspot
Chefs in Kuala Lumpur are using local produce in unique and inventive ways
Today really thinking about how much I love the Palais Royal and spending time in the gardens. I'll share a few more photographs this week of past trips. Sadly, this last trip we didn't get a visit here de to rain and having to leave Paris early.
PS. I"m having keyboard glitches and unable to type a few letters so forgive me!
To learn more about Singapore Airlines flights, visit singaporeair.com. For more information and travel advisories, please visit Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.
