Bino

Olomouc – One of the Czech Republic’s Best-Kept Secrets

July 13, 2014 by Bino 1 Comment

“Where is Olomouc?” For most people, the sheer beauty of its ever so popular capital, Prague has essentially overshadowed any other place in the Czech Republic. Ask any regular Euro-tripper and they’d be hard-pressed to name more than one city in the Czech Republic – much less one in the east – which is a shame as the country has so much to offer.

turtle fountain in horni namesti in olomouc

One of those less-known destinations is the town of Olomouc, in the traditional region of Moravia. This town has mostly been under the radar, even when considering it against other secondary cities in the Czech Republic such as Cesky Krumlov and Karlovy Vary. In its free downloadable guide, Lonely Planet actually lists this town as the most overlooked destination in Europe! Despite this apparent lack of awareness among travelers, I found Olomouc to be a really beautiful city. I stopped here for a day on my trip between Wroclaw and Budapest and found it to be a more manageable town to navigate in, but just as captivating as the other great cities of Europe.

…

A Peek at Shangri-la Singapore’s Presidential Suite

July 2, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

Occupying a spacious 346 square meters, the luxurious Shangri-la Suite (also known as the Presidential Suite) in the Valley Wing of the Shangri-la Singapore Hotel is probably one of the largest hotel rooms one can find in the city state. For over two decades, this has been the preferred 5-star lodging for many heads of state and dignitaries when they visit Singapore and it’s easy to see why. Featuring two bedrooms, its own gym, a personal butler and even its own private entrance, the suite is almost like its own world, away from the conviviality of the three main towers that comprise the Shangri-la Singapore. If you have 10,900 Singapore Dollars (USD 8,720) to spare, this is certainly a luxurious way to spend it!

I had the opportunity to check out the Presidential Suite during my last stay in Shangri-la Singapore. Coming in from the private entrance, I was greeted by a most elegant, marble-floored hallway, the type I would often picture a butler leading me to if I ever get to enter one of those stately palaces of Europe. This made for a nice segue way to the entertainment area, fitted with beautiful walnut timber flooring from the United States and handmade rugs. This huge room contains the living, drawing and formal dining areas, the type I could easily imagine the presidents of the world sitting in while discussing foreign policy with their advisers. The living area is at once very much refined but at the same time fitted to easily suit the needs of business magnates and world leaders. The seating space here could easily fit more than two dozen people.

Also check out the Presidential Suite of St. Regis Singapore where Kim Jong Un is staying during his visit to Singapore

…

Favorite Streets: Keong Saik Road in Singapore’s Chinatown

June 25, 2014 by Bino 1 Comment

keong saik road when i visited in 2013 just after tong ah eatery closed down in its original location

The southern part of Singapore’s lively Chinatown district has come a long way from its dilapidated and red light past. I remember passing by only two years ago and the place was still filled with karaoke bars. What were ones seedy brothels have become hotbeds for a fairly unrelated and somewhat juxtaposing bunch. On one hand, you have all these speakeasies and fine dining restaurants catering to the business and society set, and at the other end you have these fiercely independent establishments- some of which can only be entered with a password – that are more attuned to hipsters and creative types.

…

Wroclaw : The Polish City That Stunned Me

June 18, 2014 by Bino 8 Comments

Poland may be a country that is firmly on the tourist trail but for some reason, most make it only as far as Krakow. Warsaw is another well known destination, but that is likely due to its status as the country’s capital. Few would ever mention Wroclaw, much less know how to pronounce it (apparently it is pronounced as vrochwav). I came into this relatively prosperous Silesian town not knowing what to expect (and not knowing how to pronounce the name) but I left duly smitten by its charms and the refreshing warmth of its people. In a span of a few days, it became my favorite city in Poland, thanks to the majestic old town square, architectural marvels and old-fashioned quirkiness.

…

Hotel Review – Greenleaf Hotel Gensan: Surprising Deluxe Hotel in General Santos City

June 2, 2014 by Bino Leave a Comment

Greenleaf Hotel Gensan is a refreshing welcome to the accommodation scene in General Santos City. Never has this city seen a deluxe hotel of such impeccable standards until this six storey hotel opened its doors almost a year back. Located at the junction of San Miguel and J. Catolico Streets and just across a large mall in the form of SM Gensan, the hotel is well located slightly east of the traditional city center.

a post-modern concrete jungle – blown away by the interiors

…

Lake Sebu in Mindanao – Possibly One of the Philippines’ Most Exotic Destinations

May 24, 2014 by Bino 9 Comments

incredible sunset in lake sebu

The enchanting Lake Sebu, in the Allah Valley in South Cotabato, is a contender for the Philippines’ most exotic destination. The vibe here around one of Mindanao’s iconic lakes is quite unlike mainstream Filipino culture – from the unintelligible cacophony of the local language to the intriguing practice of horse fighting – it certainly is not like the Philippines that I am familiar with. And then there are the T’boli, the local tribes people best known for their colorful costumes who have a real knack for decoration and music and who fought very hard to preserve the traditions of their ancestral homeland. All this makes Lake Sebu a really beguiling destination which I had been longing to visit for years.

…

Hotel Q! Berlin – Avant Garde Boutique Hotel in Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm

May 17, 2014 by Bino 2 Comments

One of the most unique hotels that I’ve had the pleasure of staying in is the Hotel Q! in Berlin. In a city that is known for being cool and edgy, boutique hotels have essentially proliferated across town. Hotel Q! which is located in the Charlottenburg neighborhood, is one of the best known, having been designed by architectural firm GRAFT and a darling among the celebrity set.

lobby of hotel q! berlin

hotel’s fox bar

The unconventionality was apparent from the moment I stepped in the property. From the outside, it’s an unassuming white building on a side street of high-end Kurfurstendamm but the interiors tell another story. The lobby was decked in blood red with bold curves while the furnishings seem to have been inspired by The Jetsons. In the true style of a boutique hotel, staff members were dressed snazzily in full black and an iMac was available for guest use. It also helps that the hotel is just minutes away from the S-bahn – Savignyplatz station to be precise.

…

10 Ancient Monuments in Southeast Asia You Can’t Afford to Miss

May 1, 2014 by Bino 4 Comments

If ancient monuments are your thing, then coming to Southeast Asia is a must. Offering a plethora of (not so) lost cities, and Buddhist and Hindu temples that are almost a thousand years old, there’s no better evidence of the complexity and sophistication of Southeast Asian culture than these architectural marvels. Places such as Angkor Wat have virtually become must-sees, with ensembles like Bagan trailing not very far behind.

There are in fact easily more than a dozen of these sites – some much more spectacular than the rest. Here, I shortlist the ten best, in no particular order. If you liked Angkor, here are some more places to consider!

…

Page 95 of 114

« Previous 1 … 93 94 95 96 97 … 114 Next »