Insider news, views & reviews
I do like traveling alone and I've never let a lack of a traveling companion stop me from grabbing my suitcase and heading for the airport. But sometimes, I have to admit, it do feel a little less than enthusiastic about being that girl alone at the table.
Read MoreA destination for the international jet setter crowd, Miami Beach is struggling to deliver value for money these days. Find out why and where to enjoy good value.
Read Morethe Bal Harbour Shops is near Miami Beach. This is a chic, 450,000 square feet shopping paradise where the black card rules!
Read MoreThis jewel of an Italian restaurant served up one of the best meals we've had in Miami. Even though it's been pegged as one of the Top Five most expensive Italian restaurants in Miami this is a destination restaurant that is worth the expense.
Read MoreThose of us who are foodies can appreciate the difficulty acclimating to a friend's kitchen. Well, imagine the complex challenges of taking over an entire restaurant for the day and serving a multi-course meal to a group of critical food and travel writers, as well as paying guests. That's exactly what we witnessed last week as the management, chefs and front-of-house staff of Whistler's celebrated Bearfoot Bistro descended from the alpine heights to relatively balmy downtown Vancouver to take over MARKET by Jean-Georges
Read MoreSavvy Angel Zehra Fattah checks-out of Dubai and checks into nearby Doha. She outlines why the vibrant city is suitable for expatriates in the region looking for a quick get-away.
Read MoreWe are a bit late in writing about this gem of a place in the trendy Kolonaki district of Athens, as we discovered it at the height of summer enroute from the World Cup in South Africa. Briki comes from the Greek name of a certain coffe pot - during the day a great place for a coffee and baguettes, and at night for a drink. Probably one of the smallest bars in Athens, it is strategically located on Mavili Square, near the US Embassy and a 10-minute walk from the Hilton. Come here for a drink to start your night or just to calm yourself after walking Athen's streets. As a popular "steki" (meeting place), it attracts a hip crowd; don't mistake it with some of the smaller neighbouring places. Free Wifi in the square.
ADDRESS: Dorilaiou 6 (corner Dimitriou Soutsou), off of Leoforos Vasilissis Sofies
Tel: 210/645-2380
By Zehra Fattah
The Sharq Village & Spa (operated by Ritz-Carlton) had a great kick off for the Turkish food festival at its famous Al Livan restaurant .
Some of the delights at the opening the Turkish festival at the Sharq Village. Photo: Zehra Fattah
The Turkish Ambassador to Qatar, Hon. Ahmet Demirok and his family were guests of honour on this great occasion.
Politics, the relationship between the Arab countries and Turkey, and the increase in tourism in Turkey were among the many subjects that brought together a great group of attendees at this lovely gathering.
Renowned chefs, Erol Sen and Mehmet Akif Aksoy, are exclusively flown in to prepare special dishes - including ciğ köfte (lean minced meat kneaded with grinded wheat (ince bulgur), onion, tomato or red pepper paste and spices like cumin, paprika, pepper, mint, coriander, cinnamon), grilled lamb chops, lahmacun (a round, thin piece of dough topped with minced meat and minced vegetables and herbs including onions, tomatoes and parsley, then baked) and Turkish pizza.
The Sharq Village & Spa describes Turkish cuisine this way:
"Heavily influenced by classical Ottoman cooking, modern Turkish cuisine can be described as a fusion and refinement of Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan flavors and techniques. It has, in turn, influenced those and other neighboring cuisines, including that of Western Europe.
Turkish cooking varies hugely from region to region: for instance, chefs along the Black Sea coastline use fish extensively, while the Southeast of the country is famous for its kebabs and dough-based desserts such as Baklava. In the West, where olive trees are abundant, the use of olive oil predominates, while the Marmara and Mediterranean regions are rich in vegetables, herbs and fish."
Says Savvy Angel, Zehra Fattah, who is being hosted by the Sharq Village & Spa: "The last time I had Turkish food this delicious it was prepared by my mother!"
A night filled with inspiring conversions, authentic Turkish cuisine in a setting which couldn't have been better for such an event.
The Turkish Food Festival runs until Nov. 1. See our review of Al Liwan by clicking here.
A desert item at the festival opening. Credit: Sharq Village & Spa
A nuisance weather system that has coated parts of northwestern Washington, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia with fog has once again caused several flight cancellations and delays.
Late Monday thick fog descended over the region , cancelling flights in and out of Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Bellingham and smaller airports. It's the same lingering system that brought flight havoc last Friday. Seaplane operations in the area will likely be shutdown Tuesday morning.
A Boeing 757 similar to the one that was diverted Monday evening to southeastern Washington. Credit: Delta
Separately a Delta Airlines Boeing 757 from Atlanta was diverted shortly before its descent into its final destination, Seattle, Monday evening - instead landing in the Tri-Cities Airport in southeastern Washington. A Delta official blamed the diversion of DL2329 on unspecified mechanical problems, adding that passengers were to be bused to Seattle - a distance of about 200 miles.
The problematic flight was due to touch down in Seattle at 10:25pm Monday. but landed instead in the Tri-Cities at 10pm, according to Delta.
Of the many wine tasting regions in Northern California, we strayed this weekend towards the more rustic and mature Santa Clara. Winding roads, horse stables, quaint towns characterize the area - and of course dotted with fabulous wineries. Among our favourites is Jason Stephens - named after the two co-owners, Jason Goelz and Stephen Gorcich, as well as Ridge Vinyards Monte Bello.
Read MoreMidway through my first trip to the Dominican Republic, Waldo took us to Ron Barcelo. There, I learned about the art of rum-making and for you Savvy Travellers - I’ve put together a quick guide to Rum Tasting.
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Tradition and innovation go hand in hand at Du Pain et des Idées, where visitors can choose old-fashioned specialties or new spins on classic favourites. Photo: Four Seasons
It’s not hard to find a great bakery in Paris. Every one of the 20 arrondissements has an endless assortment of boulangeries and pâtisseries where you can score perfectly chewy baguettes, flaky, butter-laden croissants, and window-perched eclairs, gateaux and tarts so intricate and beautiful they’ll stop you in your tracks and pull you inside. But not all bakeries are worth the voyage. Here’s a look at four of the best.
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Photo: Olivia Michaels
Well- known chefs like Julia Child and Disney Pixar star Ratatouille got their culinary training in Paris at some of the best restaurants and schools. But you don’t have to head to the most well known establishments in the city of lights to get the crème de la crème. Here are some ideas to taste your way through one of the most renowned culinary cities in the world, that will satisfy taste buds, help you blend in with the locals, and take you down the road less traveled.
Read MoreA unique idea generated in South Africa by Digital Media Specialist Marianna Boguslavsky, brought together a group of professionals from different business sectors, sharing not only an evening in a highly classy atmosphere but also many creative ideas to network and support each others business ventures.
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