The only sour note regarding Madeira comes from the political side. Alberto João Jardim (*1943) has dominated the island’s...

In March 2006, I stayed at the elegant InterContinental Warsaw. I remember it vividly because the fabulous 1048 m2 RiverView Wellness Center on the 43rd and 44th floor, which offers with...

The Vienna Secession movement and of course the famous Wiener Werkstätte, co-founded with Josef Hoffmann, are unthinkable without Koloman Moser (1868-1918). He was multitalented man who...

Until September 1, 2013 the Kunstfoyer der Versicherungskammer Bayern in Munich is presenting an important Margaret Bourke-White exhibition entitled Moments in History...

Since May 19, 2014 Jan Hartwig is the new chef at Atelier Garden at Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Steffen Mezger moved on to the famous Residenz Heinz Winkler in Aschau as chef de cuisine [update...

A few days ago, I had a look at the renovated rooms at Warsaw’s Marriott Hotel. They have finally managed to find an interior designer who is not color blind; the previous designer...

In mid-March 2013, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented his new government. The new coalition will continue the old settlement policy. There will be no peace with this Israeli...

Added on March 15, 2013: Today, the political parties Yesh Atid (19 parliamentarians) and Jewish Home (12 parliamentarians) have signed a coalition agreement with Likud-Beytenu (31...

In May 2011, Portugal signed a €78 billion bailout agreement with the Troika (IMF, EU and ECB). Since then, the Iberian country has pushed trough a series of brutal reforms, and more...

Big news today from Israel: Kadima will leave the coalition. Big news? In May 2012, Kadima decided to join the Israeli coalition government. Some 70 days later, the honeymoon is already...

The Israeli government canceled the early elections scheduled for September 4, 2012 because Prime Minister Netanyahu managed to...

Rebirth of a Legend: impressions of the completely renovated Old Cataract Hotel Hotel Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan is one...

A vegetarian dinner at Il Gallo d’Oro [Update: In November 2016, Il Gallo d’Oro has been awarded a second Michelin...

Madeira not only offers famous wine, but also great cocktails. When I stayed at Quinta Jardins do Lago, the Food & Beverage...

Review of a dinner at Apsleys, a Heinz Beck Restaurant run by the Italian Executive Chef Massimiliano Blasone (Tested by R&L on March 13, 2012) Our dinner at Apsleys at The Lanesborough...

Hotel review, history and design The InterContinental London Park Lane was opened by His Grace, The Duke of Wellington on...

Situated on the Elbchaussee 401-401 in Nienstedten along the river Elbe, where you can watch the Queen Mary 2 pass by, Hotel Louis C. Jacob is a jewel in Hamburg’s culinary and hotel...

There are only two true “Four Seasons” in the world, the one in Munich and the one in Hamburg. The historic landmark Vier...

The Lanesborough has changed hands and re-opened on July 15, 2015 as part of the Oetker Collection. It has undergone a complete renovation. The new chef is working under the direction of...

The InterContinental Vienna was the first hotel by an international hotel group to be established in the Austrian capital as well as the largest in the entire country. Built between 1961...