Perched high above the historic city of Granada in southern Spain the stunning Alhambra Palace dominates the skyline leaving a lasting memory to all who witness the vista. Originally the residence of the Muslim Kings of Granada it is now a museum dedicated to Islamic culture and architecture. This striking example of 14th Century Moorish and Renaissance architecture covers a staggering 13 hectares and incorporates a multitude of arabesque features. It exudes a distinctly tranquil and romantic aura, making it a great place to take a loved one on a romantic break.

Alhambra is Arabic for ‘Red Castle’ and the name relates to the colours of the fortified Palace’s walls. Once whitewashed, that has long faded exposing the red brick construction of the Palace, derived from the region’s clay giving it a reddish hue. When the Palace is lit at night it is an awe-inspiring site and easy to see why it has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historians estimate that the first buildings on the site emerged around the end of the ninth century but, the Alhambra Palace as it appears now owes much of its appearance to two ruling Moor Kings; Yusuf I and Mohammed V. Both monarchs ruled during the early part of the 14th Century and were responsible for adding the following features: the Patio of the Lions, the Justice Gate, the Hall of the Boat, the Baths and the Comares Room. All of these impressive features still exist today, some after being comprehensively renovated following extensive damage caused during occupation by the French in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. A significant addition to the original buildings was the Renaissance Palace inserted into the existing buildings by catholic monarch Charles V. Part of the original structure was demolished to incorporate his palace that includes the Emperor’s Chambers and the Queen’s Dressing Room, both visitor attractions today.

When it came to the building of the Palace the architects wanted to ensure that every part of the walls and ceilings were elaborately decorated, even to the extent where false arches were inserted merely to create visual impact! The plasterwork is exquisite and richly decorated ceramics have also been pasted to the walls. A visitor could literally take days to view all the decoration, and if they did they would be sure to see that the columns used in the construction of the Alhambra Palace are unique; nowhere else in the world will you find these highly-stylised features.

If you are planning a visit to the Alhambra Palace ensure you get to grips with the types of tickets available. It’s not as simple as buying just one ticket. Due to the sheer number of visitors, tickets are divided into daytime and evening slots, with the daytime tickets split further into morning and afternoon sessions. A walk around the extensive gardens requires an additional ticket.

The Palace is undeniably the biggest draw for Granada, but it is by no means the only attraction in this beautiful part of Spain. The area has a long history and many natural features that make Granada one of the most visited parts of Spain.

The capital as well as the largest city in Thailand, Bangkok is a mesmerizing destination, situated in the central region of the nation, on the low flat plains of the Chao Phraya River, near the northern tip of the Gulf of Thailand. Known as Krungthep in Thai, literally meaning the ‘City of Angels,’ Bangkok is the cultural, economic, educational, and political center of the nation. Bangkok is credited to be the only metropolis in the country.

Further, it serves as Thailand’s main port. The history of Bangkok as a modern city dates back to 1782 when it was declared capital of Thailand by King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty. Since then, Bangkok has grown steadily to become one of the world’s prominent cities, consisting of 50 districts stretching up to an area of 1568 sq mt. Above all, Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in South east Asia. Perhaps for these reasons, Bangkok is sometimes acknowledged as the ‘Venice of the East.’

Bangkok offers a feast of attractions to the visitors to the city, ranging from ancient temples and magnificent palaces to modern as well as classy malls and multiplexes. Of the attractions of the city, perhaps the most popular is its more than 400 dazzling Buddhist wats or temples of incredible beauty and fascination.

Few among the prominent Buddhist shrines in the area are the Temple of Dawn, decorated with numerous Chinese porcelains; Wat Benchamabophit, which is much favored for its main chapel erected in white Carara Italian marble; Wat Phra Chetuphon, with a huge Reclining Buddha of 46 m long and 15 m high; and Wat Traimit, whose focal point is a -metre tall, 5.5 tonne solid gold Buddha image, erected more than 700 years ago during the Sukhothai period. Apart from these, a good number of Hindu shrines such as Erawan Shrine can also be seen here, apart from fantastic churches and mosques.

The city also abounds in splendid palaces. Among which, most noteworthy as well as spectacular is Grand Palace – an architectural splendor which served as the royal residence as well as the administrative seat of the government for more than 150 years.

One of the specialties of the palace is Wat Phra Kaew, (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), whose highlight is an Emerald Buddha dating back to the 14th century. Also, included in the highlights of the palace are seven elegant royal buildings and a stunning chapel. Vimanmek Mansion, King Taksin’s Palace, The Front Palace, Tha Phra Palace, Bahn Moh Palace, and Sra Pathum Palace are the other significant palaces in the area.

Bangkok’s attractions also include Snake Farm, also known as the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, which is one of the leading producers of anti-venom Serum in Asia; Crocodile Farm -the largest of its kind in the world, where you can see more than 60,000 fresh as well as sea water crocodiles; and Rose Garden, a well-manicured area where cultural shows are conducted.

Further, don’t miss any of the fantastic museums in the area, while your stay at Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok are categorized into palace museums, special museums, and Kings’ museum. Prominent being Suan Pakkad Palace Museum, the Bank of Thailand Museum, Thai Labor Museum, the Museum of Buddhist Art, and King Rama VI Museum. Let it be any type of museum, each of the museums in Bangkok is considered a rich tapestry of Thai history and ethnicity. In addition, Bangkok is home to the world’s largest outdoor museum, Ancient City, exhibiting gigantic-sized replicas of renowned monuments and temples found across the nation.

Bangkok also renders superb options to enjoy a variety of leisurely activities. For instance, for golf freaks, the city comes with some of the top-rated golf courses in the world, including Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Bangkok Sports Club, and Royal Thai Army Sports Center. If you love to be pampered, then head to any of the city’s superb spa facilities, offering rejuvenating massages and relaxing natural treatments. For those looking for something different, one of the best options would be to spectacle Thai boxing, which is conducted on the two main stadiums of Bangkok, such as, Ratchadamnoen Stadium and Lumpini Stadium.

Further, the city is a venue for a variety of interesting festivals, including Songkran Festival, the International Festival of Dance and Music, Vegetarian Festival, and Loy Krathong – also known as the Festival of Lights.

Gastronomically, the culinary delights of the area are simply amazing, with thousands of world-class restaurants and eateries. Bangkok is also a shopper’s paradise, boasting of some of the best shopping facilities in Asia. Above all, Bangkok is renowned around the world for its lively as well as exciting nightlife.

The capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing is a municipality directly under the control of the central government of China. Situated on the eastern coast of the country on the Pacific Ocean, with the Taihang Mountain to the north and the Yanshan Mountain to the west, Beijing is one of the largest metropolitan areas of trade and finance, and is the center of politics and international exchanges.

The city’s history as the capital of the country dates back to more than 800 years, during the reign of Yuan Dynasty. Beijing is endowed with a variety of historical as well as awesome attractions, which are further mentioned in this article.

The greatest of all the attractions in Beijing is the Forbidden City, which is the most magnificent as well as splendid architectural palace complex in the country. Constructed between 1406 and 1420, the Forbidden City is also known as the Palace Museum, and is one among the top five palaces in the world.

Another remarkable attraction in the city is the Summer Palace, an amazing imperial palace that once served as the summer resort of the Qing Dynasty. The highlight of the palace is a royal garden, which stands as a stupendous example of imperial garden in classic Chinese style.

Beijing is also home to the Great Wall, the only man-made structure that is visible from the moon. Equally worth mentioning is such historical sites as the Temple of Haven, where according to legends, the Ming and Qing emperors carried out solemn rituals for plentiful harvests. Built in 1420, the temple is the largest of its kind in the country.

Top attractions in Beijing also include Beihai Park, an exquisite destination spread across more than 65 hectares of land, of which half of the area is occupied by water. One of the oldest Chinese gardens, the park once served as the imperial gardens of dynasties including Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing. The highlights of the park are categorized into four sections: Qionghua Islet, Circular City, the northern bank area, and the eastern bank area.

Occupying an area of about 40 sq mt is a group of mausoleums of 13 Ming emperors as well as their empresses, which are collectively referred to as the Ming Tombs. Of the Ming Tombs that are open to the public are Changling and Dingling, which in turn is an incredible underground palace. Beijing also has to its credit the world’s largest city square – Tian’anmen Square, located in the center of city, covering an area of 400,000 sq km. The focal point of the square is a towering monument, which commemorates the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the welfare of the country.

Other top attractions in the region are the Sacred Way – the main road leading to the Ming Tombs; Lama Temple – the largest lamasery in the city; and Hutongs, which are a kind of lane lined by courtyards consisting of compound houses on either side.

No visit to Beijing would be complete with out taking a trip to such landmarks of the city as Ancient Cliff House, also known as Guyaju; Baiwangshan Forest Park, surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers; Beijing Aquarium within the Beijing Zoo; Beijing Botanical Garden, containing a rare species of plants and flowers; Memorial of Jiaozhuanghu Tunnel Warfare Site; Jiufeng National Forest Park; Shihua Cave, acknowledged as the ‘Underground Pearl of Beijing;’ and Zhangfang Ancient Battle Tunnel, which was erected during the reign of Emperor Song Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty.

A good number of museums can also be found in the city, such as, Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum, China Printing Museum, Museum of Dabaotai Han Tomb, China Bee Museum, Xu Beihong Museum, and Museum of West Zhou Yandu Relics.

Beijing is a venue for a plethora of exciting festivals, including Lantern Festival, Beijing Spring Festival, and Longqing Gorge Lantern Festival. The city also hosts a range of international events like the International Entomological Conference and the Asian Games.

With these umpteen attractions, Beijing is visited by people year-round. Hence, Beijing comes with a variety of accommodation choices to cater to every taste and pocket. Many of the resorts and hotels are within easy reach of almost all attractions and facilities of the city. Some hotels even provide packages inclusive of accommodation, dining, and facilities for sightseeing.

If you are planning to tour Europe, you should consider the Latium region of central western Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Latium, also known as Laszio, is the region that includes Italy’s capital Rome, the Eternal City. Given the number of articles describing the multiple pleasures of Rome, we are going to write about the lesser-known attractions of Latium. This article focuses on Latium west of Rome. A companion article describes Latium east of Rome.

We’ll start our tour at Cerveteri about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Rome. We’ll head along the sea northwest past Rome’s port, Civitvecchia, and stop at Tarquinia. Then we’ll travel inland (northeast) to Tuscania, Viterbo, Bagnaia, and then southeast to the village of Caprarola. We then head almost directly north to finish our tour at Bomarzo not far from the Umbrian border. (It might be a bit shorter to go from Bagnaia to Bomarzo and then to Caprarola but as you will see, we have our reasons for following the first itinerary.) Before we start this tour we will introduce a onetime major player, the Etruscans.

The Etruscans were a people who dominated large parts of Italy including Latium from an unknown prehistoric period up until the Roman Empire. We don’t know much about their origins, language, culture, or their way of life. Much of our knowledge about this formerly powerful people can be seen on our tours of Latium. By the way, one of the most famous books about the Etruscans, Sketches of Etruscan Places and other Italian Essays (1932), was written by the British Author D. H. Lawrence, better known for another work, Lady Chatterly’s Lover.

Cerveteri, population about thirty thousand, was once the Etruscan city of Caere. UNESCO has classified Cerveteri as a World Heritage Site because of its Etruscan tombs. It is the largest ancient necropolis in the Mediterranean area. These tombs, and there are over a thousand of them, date from the Ninth Century B.C. to the Third Century B. C. Other local sights worth seeing include the Rocca castle, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Sixteenth Century Palazzo Ruspoli, not to be confused with a Palace of the same name in Florence. The nearby burg of Ceri is at the top of a fortified plateau. Its main attraction is the Romanesque Church of the Madonna of Ceri, built on a site originally dedicated to the worship of the goddess Vesta. In 1980 during renovations, Twelfth Century frescos of Biblical scenes were uncovered.

Tarquinia whose population numbers about sixteen thousand is the site of about six thousand Etruscan tombs, some of which are decorated by wall paintings. The National Museum housed in the Fifteenth Century Palazzo Vitelleschi is known for its archeological contents. Tarquinia is home to a cathedral, several churches including two from the Twelfth Century (San Martino and St. John the Baptist), the Palazzo dei Priori, and several medieval towers.

Tuscania, population somewhat under eight thousand, was founded almost three thousand years ago but the area itself has been populated for perhaps eight or ten thousand years. Unfortunately Tuscania’s medieval city walls were mostly destroyed in a 1971 earthquake but they have been repaired and the interior is nicely landscaped. Like its neighbors, Tuscania is the site of many Etruscan tombs including the “Tomb of the Queen”, a series of labryinths containing about thirty tunnels. If you are like me, you prefer seeing other sights. Tuscania will not disappoint you. For example, you can tour several churches of great architectural interest and many, many palaces. And you can visit the National Archeological Museum, but many of the displays are tomb-related.

Viterbo was once the favorite residence of the popes. Its historic old center is among the best preserved towns of central Italy. Be sure to see the Palazzo dei Papi (Papal Palace) and the Romanesque Cathedral of San Lorenzo, built by the Lombards over the ruins of an Etruscan Temple dedicated to Hercules. This building also served as a Papal residence. Pope John XXI died here in 1277 when the ceiling collapsed as he was sleeping. The Plaza di San Lorenzo contains several other buildings of interest. The medieval district of San Pellegrino is quite well preserved and definitely worth visiting. Viterbo boasts a spa with a huge limestone pool of very hot water. Its volcanic mud is highly recommended for those who like that sort of thing. I am told that the Enoteca La Torre has an extensive wine list. The Tre Re restaurant has been a fixture of Viterbo’s old town since 1622.

The nearby village of Bagnaia was the personal fiefdom of the bishops of Viterbo for centuries. It is best known for its magnificent Sixteenth Century water gardens, Villa Lante. There are two sets of buildings, built for two bishops, one of whom was known for living simply. Highlights include a Moorish fountain, a boxtree maze, and two casinos.

Neighboring Caprarola is the site of the Sixteenth Century Farnese Palace. This Palace was built for Cardinal Alessandro II Farnese, nephew of Pope Paul III, within ten years of the Villa Lante. The two sites were built by the same architect, but in a very different style. Here you go to see the palace, although its park is nothing to sneer at. In fact, in many parts of the world, the Farnese Palace park would merit a visit on its own. Our suggestion, see the Villa Lante and the Farnese Palace and compare. One thing is certain, the Sixteenth Century Italian upper class sure knew how to live.

You probably haven’t seen anything like Bomarzo. The village’s main attraction is yet another Sixteenth Century garden, alternately known as Bosco Sacro (Sacred Grove) and Bosco di Mostri (Monster’s Grove). It was built by a hunchbacked patron of the arts to honor his deceased wife. Some say that she died of heart failure after seeing the park. For centuries this park was neglected but now has been restored. The dozens of monster statues including Hanging House, the Dragon, the Ogre, and the Etruscan Bench with its inscription “You who travel the world, in search of great and beautiful wonders, come here, where there are horrible faces, elephants, lions, bear and dragons” seem strewn about aimlessly. This is probably as good a place as any to end your tour of western Latium.

What about food? Latium cuisine is one of abundance, perhaps in part because of the volcanic soil. The best cuts of meat were reserved for the rich and the poor had to be satisfied with the rest, for example: feet, heart, kidneys, tongue, and tripe. Let’s not forget the pasta, said to be among the best in Italy. Fettuccine Alfredo comes from this region. Let’s suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Carciofi alla Guidea (Deep fried Artichokes). Then try Porchetta (Roast Suckling Pig). For dessert indulge yourself with Ciambella (Pastry with Sweetened Grapes and Carmelized Chestnuts). Be sure to augment your dining pleasure by choosing local wines to accompany your meal.

We’ll finish this article with a peek at Latium wine. More than four out of five bottles produced here are white. There are twenty five DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine, twenty of them white. However, only about 6% of Latium wine is so classified. Frankly, the region is not known for its wine. It once was; in the distant past Falernum, a Latium red was the hit of Ancient Rome. Who knows, perhaps one day the region will regain its former glory when it comes to wine. In the meantime, there is lots to see and lots to eat. You don’t have to look very far to find plenty of fine Italian wines. North of Latium is Umbria, and north of Umbria is Tuscany. Cantina Colacicchi’s Torre Ercolana is a Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend from Latium that comes highly recommended but I have yet to taste it.

Le Meurice Hotel

Polyphenols and a Palace Hotel make for a remarkable therapeutic cocktail in Paris, France
Copyright © 2007 May Georgina DeLory A place to inspire the soul, rest awhile, and emerge anew; Le Meurice, since 1835, is just such a place — a palace hotel in the finest tradition on the rue de Rivoli and Tuileries Gardens. Recently, Le Meurice announced the winner of its first Contemporary Art Prize. Zoulikha Bouabdellah, born in Paris and who is represented by gallery LA B.A.N.K., was announced as the finalist in the 2008/2009 non-profit competition to allow for an up-and-coming French artist to continue creating art. The 2009/2010 winner is Renaud Auguste-Dormeuil, represented by gallery In Situ.  Winners jointly receive the Meurice Prize for Contemporary Art: € 10,000 for the artist and € 10,000 for his or her gallery. Le Meurice is between the Place de la Concorde and the Grand Louvre, fronting the famous Jardin des Tuileries. From Le Meurice, it is a short stroll to the Opera Garnier and the shopping areas of rue de la Paix and rue Saint-Honore where Hermes, Dior, Versace, Guy Laroche, Lanvin and Yves Saint-Laurent are displayed. The 1930s saw Coco Chanel give countless receptions at Le Meurice.  Charles Jouffre inspired private guest rooms Queen Victoria made Le Meurice her digs as did the Dukes and Duchesses of Windsor, Kent, York, and Marlborough. US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stayed at Le Meurice; Russian composer Tchaikovsky was a guest after giving a concert. The King of Spain, Alphonse XIII, booked rooms at Le Meurice immediately after the completed 1905 – 1907 renovation that cost 8 million francs and offered individual private baths. The King brought with him his own furniture.  Le Meurice saw guests such as writers Rudyard Kipling and Walter Lippmann; and more recently renowned singer and actress Liza Minnelli and opera star Placido Domingo. As well, Orson Welles, writer, director and star of the 1941 feature film Citizen Kane, and Hollywood stars Ginger Rogers, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Eddie Fisher were devotees of the hotel. Surrealist painter Salvador Dali asked hotel staff to collect flies for him across from the hotel in the Tuileries Gardens at a cost of five francs per fly. Today, Le Meurice enjoys a vast cross-section of guests to reflect an international persona, from rock stars and industry kingpins to film actors and actresses. Le Meurice Foyer Le Meurice Restaurant Le Meurice is designated “palace” accommodation due to its architectural, cultural, and historical heritage. 1771 beginnings as a coach inn were modest, serving exhausted upper class British travelers in Calais on their way to Paris after crossing the Straits of Dover. A forward thinking postmaster, Charles-Augustin Meurice, used his coach inn for guests and arranged rides to Paris aboard his unique 36-hour coach service. He built a second inn in Paris in 1817 shortly before his death in 1820. In 1835 Le Meurice began anew in its present location overlooking the historic Tuileries Gardens.   By the 19th century British upper crust knew the hotel by the nickname “City of London” because the vast majority of Le Meurice staff spoke English and understood keenly the English love of brown beer, cognac and fellow countrymen nearby willing to listen to a story or two. Soon the hotel on rue de Rivoli overlooking acres of lovely formal gardens ideal for a leisurely morning or late afternoon stroll became known as the hotel of kings and queens due to the large number of royalty staying at the hotel. The hotel’s clientel has not changed much to this day, hosting the crème de la crème on all fronts of society.  Dogs get the Royal treatment too! A walk in the Tuileries Garden The first time I saw Paris I knew I was home. Why, I haven’t the foggiest idea. I suppose, in the beginning, it is the same for most visitors to the city of eternal light: magnificent buildings, museums, an exhilarating night-life that makes one want to kick up heels and never leave the city; and of course the many fresh flower stalls scattered throughout the city add to Paris’s colour, romance, glamour and earthiness. Use the Le Meurice bikeI had already seen the Eiffel Tower from its base having sailed the River Seine at full moon with my daughter. It's late September and our lazy afternoon stroll about the Tuileries Gardens, which amounted to a mere fraction of the more than 280,000 square metres (25 hectares), is well worth our time. The Tuileries run from the Louvre to Place de la concorde and were designed in 1564 for French royalty. Today, the gardens are public. The Eiffel Tower is seen in the distance, is less imposing, more friendly this way, as if to welcome the idea that its rising structure may be climbed at will by anyone truly in love with her. In warm months here at the Tuileries there are toy boats to rent and sail across a large garden pond to the excitement of children. Le Meurice caters to children The Tuileries Garden is designed to run parallel to the River Seine. Catherine de Medicis — after the death in 1559 of her father, Henry 11 of France, had the Tuileries Palace erected in 1564 after several tile factories on the site were demolished to make way for the palace. The palace had been under attack many times. In 1871 the Tuileries Palace was set on fire for the last time burning to the ground all but its exterior stone walls. Over the years various statues have been removed or destroyed but today statues by Coustou, Coysevox, Carpeaux, and Rodin as well as modern sculptors like Max Ernst, and Giacometti may be enjoyed in the gardens. After visiting the Tuileries Gardens we crossed the wide street to Le Meurice for my spa appointment with Caudalie Spa which would be followed by English Afternoon Tea within the hotel. Caudalie is a spa and fitness centre on the hotel mezzanine level that uses exclusively Caudalie treatments, products created by Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, and trained masseuses from Les Sources de Caudalie in France. Caudalie is the world’s first “vinotherapie” spa, a spa that uses grape-seed extract serum with powerful antioxidant properties of oligomeric proanthocyanidins. I was looking forward to my treatment as I had a great deal of pain in one knee due to an accident. Paris may be a city of Light; but it is also a city that begs to be walked, and walked, and walked. And we did just this. Walk. So, off to the spa in hopes to make things right. Crushed grape-seed extract has antioxidants and polyphenols that block cell degenerating free radicals. Warm spring water taken from a depth of 540 meters is rich in minerals and is used in the treatments. The grape seeds have no scent and are as soft as the finest silk. Honey is mixed along with the seeds and this warm paste is spread gently over the nude body with relaxing massage strokes. A heated blanket is then wrapped around the client from chin to toe for twenty or so minutes. I found this an odd sensation: all bundled up like one giant white sausage. I almost refused this part of the treatment citing a near anxiety attack. There’s a lot to be said for just pushing onward through one’s fears. Left alone and in the dark in the treatment room and wondering how all this French pampering was going to play out in these old bones, I closed my eyes and thought of the meal I would not get to eat this time ‘round in Paris on the second level of the Eiffel Tower: No reservation had been secured three months’ in advance of our visit to Paris. I pacified myself with the knowledge that I myself along with my daughter would soon be upstairs of Le Meurice savouring fancy sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, exquisite jams, exotic teas with antioxidant qualities high in vitamin C we’d been informed, and a multitude of French pastry in a palace restaurant garden setting. In place of tea one could have champagne.  As were were not staying overnight in the hotel we would not enjoy breakfast. Yannick Alleno, and Ladurée, world renowned Parisian cafe and pastry shop, put their heads together to come up with the ultimate Parisian all-chocolate breakfast: the Choc’Alleno. Le Meurice adores children When my therapist returned to the treatment room to see how I was doing I let out a low murmur to signify that I was absolutely perfect. On the therapist’s second round it was time for me to use the private shower in the treatment room to wash off the honey and grape seeds. Next a glorious massage is performed. Finally I was instructed to get up from the treatment table. I recall the ease with which I moved didn’t register immediately— not until I began to get dressed and found that I didn’t need to calculate each and every movement executed to ward off pain. My movements now were carefree. The spa is both elegant and restful designed in marble, wood, stone and glass, serving both men and women with separate change rooms with sauna, steam, showers and toilets. The spa is intimate, serving up to six clients. Lots of sample-size Caudalie products in the ladies bathroom to enjoy pre/post spa treatments. Dense with luxurious detail are the spa robes and individual spa slippers. Hint: come early for your treatment and enjoy the sauna and Jacuzzi to your heart’s content. There’s an Anti-ageing facial treatment using an exclusive Claudalie polyphenol serum that combines ultrasound, electro stimulation, and galvanic current. There’s a weight loss treatment, too; but I myself did not have time for more than the one massage. Quite new I learned is a molecule from vine stalks called Viniferine for anti-dark spot and skin correcting action. There is an entire skin and bodyline. Claudalie’s main spa is in Bordeaux. There are a few other locations — Spain and New York City. Pastry Chef, Camille Lesecq Le Dali Restaurant Le Meurice in 2000 was restored to its original status as a classic French Palace with the completion of an extensive two-year renovation. It’s main dining room, le Meurice, presided over by Chef Yannick Alleno whose restaurant was in 2007 presented the Michelin Guide’s highest honour for a third star, is a place to fully unwind and enjoy French gastronomy at its finest in a splendid Louis XVI environment. There are only a handful of Paris restaurants with Three Michelin Stars.  Second to the Michelin guide is the French gastronomic guide Gault and Millau created in 1969 by Henri Gault and Christian Millau. In contrast to the Michelin guide, Gault and Millau award Hats with one-to-five and five being tops. In 2009 Le Meurice restaurant received five hats from Gault and Millau, and the trendy Le Dali restaurant was awarded three hats. Ara Starck painted the 145 square meters ceiling on Le Dali. Camille Lesecq, head pastry chef, recently created a Detox Macaron as part of Afternoon Tea served in Le Dali March through summer from 3:30 to 6:30 – a green tea and candied pink grapefruit cream delight. Oscetra Royal Caviar is served with condiments. The main dining room, Le Meurice, is to the right behind magnificent closed doors once immediately inside the hotel’s front entrance. We arrived too early for dinner; but this didn’t keep us from admiring the Louis XVI period chandeliers that I took to be Baccarat crystal. Tall and narrow windows from inside the opulent dining room overlook the Tuileries Gardens. Window treatments are formal, heavy drapery in floral patterns of the softest shades of gold, salmon, yellow, and green. Landscape paintings on the walls and a ceiling painted with blue sky and delicate angels add to the room’s quiet elegance. Antique bevelled mirrors, ornate gilding, and marble fireplace accent the intimate space holding perhaps ten round dining tables and chairs with oval backs and straight legs looking very much like miniature columns of ancient Rome. At first I thought the mosaic pattern on the floor was of fine wool carpet. Once I stepped into the room my soft-soled shoes told me the floor was tile. Carpet had hidden the tile’s initial true beauty until recently.  The patterns on the floor precisely mimic those of the china commissioned by Limoges for the Meurice. I couldn’t help but think of Greta Garbo playing mistress to Charles Boyer’s Napoleon Bonaparte in the 1937 Hollywood film “Conquest”.  In late 2008 Le Meurice General Manager Franka Holtmann asked Charles Jouffre, a man responsible for creating drapes and sumptuous hangings in the Grand Foyer at the Opera Garnier, to imagine the hotel’s guest rooms a touch warmer in tone and feel –home à la française. To date, Le Meurice has won many awards, including the 2009 Conde Nast Traveller US - Gold List/World’s Best Places to Stay (2nd. place in Europe); and placed in Travel + Leisure - Top 50 Hotels in the World.  Fortune Magazine placed Le Meurice  sixth in the world  and the only hotel in France for the 2008 The Ten Best Business Hotels. Belle Etoile Royal Suite, Le Meurice Hotel Rushed for time, we still want to see Paris from the hotel’s rooftop terrace. On our way up in the hotel elevator I thought the city view would be fascinating; I wasn’t prepared for my senses to become momentarily startled by the historical significance of what lay before us. As soon as we reach Le Meurice’s rooftop Belle Etoile Royal Suite terrace the city is presented in a breathtaking 360-degree advantage to reaffirm Paris’s standing as a city of international acclaim. And in the near distance is the city’s moniker: Eiffel Tower. Note: My visit to Le Meurice was in 2007; it was a private holiday and my first visit to France. Le Meurice restaurants restyled in January 2008 by Philippe Starck, and in 2009 Charles Jouffre designed eighteenth-century home heritage feel to the guest rooms. Le Meurice as of 1 January 2008 is graced with Valmont Spa for Le Meurice. Valmont is of Swiss origin with 33 spas spanning the world. Valmont has over twenty years’ experience in thalassotherapie treatments. The Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa moved after many years from Le Meurice in Paris to the newly renovated The Plaza Hotel in New York City, a Fairmont managed hotel. Reservations, please telephone 1-888-850-0909.  Or visit: http://www.theplaza.com/  The Caudalie Vinothérapie® Spa at The Plaza:  1 W. 58th Street, fourth floor, at Fifth Avenue. Grand Cru Chateau Smith Haut is served by the glass at Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at The Plaza. Spa appointments please telephone at 212-265-3182  FYI: We left our cruise on the River Seine by Les Bateaux http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/  until the evening before we left Paris. We always seemed to be on the other side of Paris when the idea struck us that we should not leave the cruise until our last day in Paris. If you have seen the Hollywood feature film An American in Paris directed by Vincent Minnelli (husband to Judy Garland) with dance numbers by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron you’ll know why no one should miss a cruise on the River Seine. Or an ice cream cone from a Paris street vendor. Le Meurice reservations available through The Leading Hotels of the World© Telephone (800) 223-6800 http://www.lemeurice.com/ J’ai publié 5 photos sur Facebook, dans l’album Discover our 2009 Christmas & New Year’s Eve Program! http://bit.ly/qyhaR http://www.meuricehotel.fr/shopping  http://www.dorchestercollection.com/ www.airtransat.com http://www.airfrance.com/ http://www.raileurope.ca/index.html www.bateauxparisiens.com  Dinner Cruise on River Seine www.chateauversailles.fr   The Hall Of Mirrors At Versailles serves as interior design inspiration www.museums-of-paris.com The Paris Swer Museum is one of the 50 most-visited sites in Paris ( Musee Des Egouts De Paris) www.operadeparis.fr  Palais Garnier & Opera Bastille Private and affordable city walking tours by Muguet Becharat (she speaks fluent English, French and several other languages). We learned so many secrets of the city from Muguet. http://www.parissweetparis.com/ Le Meurice’s emblem… a pair of Greyhounds due to a rescued Greyhound found during hotel renovations completed in 1907. Complementary dog walking in Tuileries Garden for Le Meurice guests. Six specially designed guest rooms for wheelchair access.

Photo credits: Le Meurice; Peter Hebeisen

Nod…

PALACE NEED YOU.

And those in charge of the club are now doing more than ever to make a trip to Selhurst more enticing.

Palace are offering new concession rates to youngsters, more family-orientated tickets and some extra incentives.

If you’ve not been to a Palace match in a while, now really is the time to go.

Details are available on the official website.

Forget Simon Jordan’s blindside attack on stay-away fans.

Forget the the turgid display against Scunthorpe all those months ago.

Forget even that you might have something more important to do on a Saturday.

Palace NEED you.

The club’s financial crisis has been boiling below the surface for quite some time – it is only this week however that the difficulties facing the club have become more apparent.

The players have been told that they won’t be paid for ten days – an indication that things are clearly a lot worse than initially suggested.

The knock-on effect of this difficulty could be the departure of some of the most promising youngsters to graduate from the club’s academy in years. Victor Moses, Sean Scannell and Nathaniel Clyne are all the more likely to leave should the financial woes continue. Any offer could now be considered.

It is therefor imperative that you, as a Palace fan, try to make that difference. Your attendance at a game could be the difference between the players being sold and not being sold.

Neil Warnock has worked wonders getting the players to play as well as they did against Watford on Saturday – especially in the aftermath of the Scunthorpe defeat. Give him the chance to have a crack in the second half of the season with the same players who performed so impressively at the weekend. Give him that chance by going to the game and cheering the team on to another convincing win.

And if you do decide to attend, why not bring a friend along too? Or perhaps two? The more, the merrier.

Palace fans are being encouraged by Tony Matthews (the Palace fan behind the Be Loud, Be Proud campaign) to try and sell out the next three home fixtures. Imagine Selhurst Park rocking with 26,000 fans baying for a win. Be part of that.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAGLES!!!

Do you know Hanok?

Hanok is the korean-style house.

There are many special merits in Hanok.

First, Hanok is intimate with nature.

Look at these pictures!

There are many trees around the house.

The house looks so fresh and peaceful!

Second, Hanok is so unique.

There are so unique construction and modeling in Hanok.

Had you ever seen the roof in Korea?

There are unique eaves on roof.

You can’t find the eaves anywhere, except the Hanok!

And, there is symbol of status in stairs of Hanok.

Nobility had higher stairs than than commoner in Joseon Dynasty.

If you visit the here, you have to find the special merits such as these.

Then, Your traveling will be more wonderful!!

If you want to see the modern Hanok, you have to visit the Bukchon Hanok Village.

There are many Hanok cafes, Hanok galleries in Bukchon Hanok Village.

Here is the map of there.

The biggest as well as the capital city of the Republic of Korea (South Korea,) Seoul is an intriguing destination, situated in the mid western region of the Korean Peninsula, on the Han River, near the North Korean border, otherwise known as the de-militarised zone (DMZ), which in turn is a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea. Spread over an area of 605 sq km, Seoul has been designated with the status of a Special City, and is directly under the administration of the national government.

Seoul’s history dates back to as early as 18 BC when Paekche Kingdom made Wiryeseong, which is today’s southeastern Seoul, as its capital. Later, Seoul became the capital of the Goryeo era during the 11th century. Seoul was then known as Southern Capital, which was later renamed Hanyang in 1394 when the Joseon dynasty made Seoul its capital.

In 1948, Seoul became the capital city of South Korea. Additionally, Seoul witnessed several wars and destruction during various phases of its history. But, Seoul has been now transformed into an international destination, with a sound commerce and sports scene. Despite its modern soaring buildings and sophisticated expressways, Seoul still retains its old world charm.

For those who want to enjoy the traditional culture of Korea, a visit to Seoul’s Insa-dong would be a great experience. Situated in the middle of the city, Insa-dong is an exciting as well as colorful place with alleys on either site.

All of the alleys seen here are packed with traditional restaurants and teahouses, cafes, and shops, where both traditional and precious items are put for sale. It is also home to a number of interesting art galleries such as Gana Art Gallery, Gana Art Center, and Hakgojae Gallery, which is the center of folk art. One of the best ways to tour these galleries is via the Art Center Bus, which takes you to more than 10 much famed art galleries in the region.

Of the marvelous attractions in Seoul that deserve a special mention is the Gyeongbok Palace, also known as Northern Palace. Built in 1395 by Taejo Seonggye Lee of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbok is perhaps the most beautiful of all palaces in the area.

Sprawling over an area of 495,000 the palace’s highlights cover Geunjeongjeon – the main hall, Gyeonghoeru – the banquet pavilion, and Hyangwonjeong, which is island developed within a pond. Also, within the palace is the National Folk Museum, with some rare artifacts.

Another fabulous palace in Seoul is Deoksugung, which has to its credit an amazing mix of temples and gardens. Also, a great palace in the area is Changdeokgung Palace, which still serves as the residence of Royals. However, a guided tour is the required to take a visit to Changdeokgung Palace, the oldest palace in the city. Seoul’s incredible attractions also include a variety of ancient shrines and pagodas, such as Chongmyo Shrine and Chogyesa Temple. A specialty is that many of the shrines in Seoul are graced with beautiful Buddhist art.

Your visit to Seoul would not be complete without taking a tour to Dongdaemun Market, which is dubbed as the ‘Mecca of Fashion.’ With a large collection of shopping malls, Dongdaemun Market is a place to shop a full range of clothing items and that too at cheap prices. Both retail and wholesale shops can be seen here, and few among them are Freya Town, Doosan Tower, Migliore, Designer’s Club, Nuzzon, Migliore Valley, and Gwanghee Fashion Mall. Also, found in the vicinity is Dongdaemun Stadium, which is a great place to shop sporting materials.

Another popular market place in the area is Namdaemun Market, where everything from men and women’s apparels, children’s wear, and shoes to kitchenware, indigenous items, and imported goods can be shopped. Since this market area has such a great number of shopping malls, it is recommended to plan in advance prior to shopping.

A must-see attraction in Seoul is Mt. Namsan, a 252 m mountain located in the heart of the city. Mt Namsan and its surrounding areas have been maintained as a public park. Among the highlights of this symbolic mountain are the Palgakjeong Pavilion, Seoul Tower, Namsan Library, and a marine aquarium, and a botanical garden. You can reach the summit either via the hiking trail or through a cable car ride. Namsangol Traditional Korean Village is close to the mountain.

Other not to miss attraction in the area are War Memorial, National Theater, Korea House, Myong-dong Catholic Cathedral, Sejong Cultural Center, and Sejong Cultural Center.

A friend of mine lent me his Nikon D3 for the weekend so I took it for a little spin. Below are a few shots I snapped last night strolling from Buam-dong all the way down to Gyeongbokgung Palace. I was downtown at Gyeonghuigung Palace earlier in the day shooting for a CNNGo piece I have going in next week. I’ll throw up the link as soon as I get it. Also in the set are some food pics of a great little Euro-style bakery/restaurant in Sinsa-dong, just down the street from Dosan Park. I popped in there for a beef ciabatta sandwich (7,500 won) and an ice tea (3,500 won). Good, good eats. If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive place to grab a bite before a movie (Cine City) of some evening shopping (Apgujeong’s Rodeo Street), Le Alaska is worth checking out.

]]> http://westshine28.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/the-last-palace-unhyungung/ Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:49:58 +0000 westshine28 http://westshine28.wordpress.com/2009/11/27/the-last-palace-unhyungung/

In late 19th century, the period that the European had tried to invade Asia, Korea faced the choice whether trade or not.

King Gojong was the king of that period, but had not political power because he was too young.

Therefore, ‘Heungseon Daewongun’, his father (but was not the king of Joseon) was the actual influence.

King Gojing

Unhyungung was the place where ‘Heungseon Daewongun’ had lived in, and King Gojong had married his wife, MyeongseongHwangHoo.

(the position of this palace was strongly related to ‘Heungseon Daewongun’.)

 So, it has been considered as a ‘palace’ recently than other palaces.

It had been wide, but after ‘Heungseon Daewongun’’s death, it was hard to maintain the whole area,

so his descendents sold some of the area, and eventually hand over to the Seoul administration.

 Now, it is considered as a kind of museum of Korean traditional houses.

Map of Unhyungung

‘Noandang’-cozy life as old-

Noandang

 

 It is the main place of Unhyungung, in which ‘Heungseon Daewongun’ slept.

Noandang

 You can easily notice that it was the most important part of Unhyungung by its high stylobate and three-step stairs.

Noandang

Looking inside the palace, you can find some figures dressed in ‘Han Bok’, Korean traditional clothing.

  ‘Irodang’-the living place of the two olds-

Irodang

 ‘Irodang’ was a place for ‘Heungseon Daewongun’’s wife.

inside Irodang;hard to be seen from outside

This place is encapsulated, so it cannot be seen to a person outside.

This structure was affected from Confucianism, which separate women from outside to protect or regulate them.

behind Irodang

looking behind Irodang, you will see the garden. Most palaces in Korea have similar garden with this.

 ‘Norakdang’ -enjoying it as old- 

Norakdang

 ‘Norakdang’ is the most famous part of Unhyungung because King Gojong married his wife at this place and also the biggest building in Unhyungung.

King Gojong’s wife was educated to become a queen before she married King Gojong at this place.

Norakdang

 Front yard

The marriage ceremony

These days, many couples get married in this front yard. So usually on Saturdays, visitors could see the traditional marriage process of Korea.

PALACE OF KANS

When the guide showed us a mound of earth, describing it as the Palace of Kans, Krishna’s uncle at Mathura, we all laughed. That was in 1967.

When I read Alexander Cunningham’s tour notes, I realized that it was no joke. He has said the same thing about the mound at Mathura. He is considered the father of Archeology in India. It was at his instance, that we started digging the” earthen hills” at Nalanda in 1914, and lo!; what a discovery! About the famous university, he had read. Following the foot steps of Huen Tsang, he reached the village, which was just a waste land. Cunningham realized that it must be the location of the famous Nalanda University.

 When I stood there and looked at the workers still digging there, I thanked the Englishman!

There is too much talk of Ram Janmabhoomi and building a temple there. Why not dig the palace of Kans? After all, it is Krishna Janmabhoomi.

Samak Sundaravej passed away and the obituaries are dissecting his past and noting that he was a complex political figure. PPT doesn’t plan to add too much to those discussions. Samak was one of Thailand’s old guard who was able to stay on the scene and politically relevant because many basic features of Thai politics remained unchanged. In other words, because the political environment changed relatively slowly, the political dinosaurs have been able to adapt and even thrive.

Samak was an anti-communist rightist who spared little time for human rights. That’s pretty much true. His period as Minister of the Interior under the palace’s prime minister Tanin Kraivixien (still a member of the king’s Privy Council) in 1976-77 was one of the most repressive in the modern era. Samak had hundreds of alleged leftists arrested and his tactics led to many fleeing Thailand or joining the CPT in the jungle.

Earlier, he had a critical role in the events that resulted in the massacre of students at Thammasat University on 6 October 1976. Samak is seen to have encouraged ousted dictator Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn to return to Thailand, setting off demonstrations that led to the Thammasat massacre. At the time, Samak was a close associate of Queen Sirikit and Samak claimed that the king wanted Thanom to return. When the royal family showed up to welcome Thanom on his return, Samak’s claims were vindicated.

More than this, Samak organized anti-government rightists to bring down the government and contributed to the extremist actions that led to horrendous events. Samak continued to deny the Thammasat massacre until the end.

Another rogue of this period, Chamlong Srimuang, whose role in the 1976 events is far murkier, has commented on Samak’s passing. In the Nation (25 November 2009: “Samak never knew I voted for him : Chamlong”), Chamlong says that things that show another side of Samak.

Chamlong says he used to vote for Samak when he was a “young-blood politician…”. In other words, when Samak was a hard-core rightist anti-communist. They became enemies as time went on. Chamlong explains that Samak “didn’t like the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect that much and I happened to be one of its members.” They also clashed over abortion rights when Chamlong was secretary-general to then Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda. Samak want a “liberalisation of abortion” whereas the fundamentalist Chamlong mobilized to kill the bill. And, Chamlong explains that Samak was not prepared to be at Prem’s beck and call. So not all bad.

That animosity between Prem and Samak was reinvigorated when Thaksin Shinawatra nominated Samak to lead the People’s Power Party following the 2006 military-palace coup and the dissolution of the Thai Rak Thai Party and banning of its leading members. That bitter rivalry eventually saw Samak ousted on very minor charges essentially trumped up by courts that sort every means to defeat the “Thaksin regime.”

Like so many of the dinosaurs that continue to stride the political stage, Samak’s longevity had much to do with the conservatism fostered by the weight of authoritarian and undemocratic institutions like the monarchy, bureaucracy and military. Until that hold is broken, human rights in Thailand are doomed to more dark days.

Update: Ji Ungpakorn has a comment here and here.

URL : http://www.flashgame-girl.com/Puzzle-board/Moshi-Monsters-Puzzle-Palace.html

Game description :

Solve as many puzzles as you can within 60 seconds. Starts easy and gets slightly harder.

Game controls :

Use mouse to interact.

In mid of the night…I just got up…Assuming telepathic waves still functional…I won’t disturb you much when you must be dreaming about a sojourn to some palace or fort…with thick stone walls… and few names engraved over them…shouting of the stories starting and ending with few footsteps…clinking the music…At one end of the long passage…under the minaret…flame of a clay lamp is flickering…you are crossing it over to yet another corner of this palace… now you paced up your footsteps…your anklets shouting…and soon their sound subdued over by a music of water beating the boulders…this person is sitting there with his feet playing with water…without speaking a word you holds his hand and pulls him with you…You are running holding tightly his hand…he is trying to say something…but you are not ready to listen…you want to show him something…stairs have turned green with algae covering them…iron of grill rusted…ready to turn into powder in your hand…Leaving all sounds behind white marble of the roof is shimmering milky in the presence of moon…you ran behind the parapet and reappeared with a brush and canvas…handing it to me you sat on a floor without speaking even a single word…Placing things in my hand at the same level…I came near you…sitting next to you…I brought my hand around your neck…you closed your eyes…and opened them the next second when you felt a strand of hair trying to cover them taking a path over your smooth cheek…and leaving my unwilling fingers…You looked at me with a feeling of anger in your eyes…I just smiled…held your hand mischievously…and touched it lightly with my lips…I turned to do the assign task of impressing you upon the canvas…when you pulled me…this time with aggression…can of a paint fell and tainted the white marble…your lips….

Chal leave that…

I would consider myself out of my senses while writing this…after all sometimes it is good to fly in heaven…so do forgive me for this intrusion…will try to bind my telepathic powers…disturbing you again and again on the chilling night like this…making you wake up…and open your window…staring at the blank sky…then cursing the moment when you gave me this power…entry to your brain…By the way I too don’t know the way to close the open passage…and this wind entering and leaving…entering and leaving…entering and leaving is eroding the walls around…

Eternal Jewel City
A lot of words come to mind when one mentions Bangkok, the South-east Asian capital of one of the most jewelled countries in the world, Thailand. The one thing that does surprise people who visit the region is not only its ornate historical path that unravels a labyrinth of secrecy and mysticism but also a timeless channel revealing a phronetic combination of Thai religion and spiritualism. Indeed, even the ceremonial name of the city itself spells out its culture pure and rich in depth. Translated in full, gives us the following verse-like poem:

“The city of angels, the city great and eternal jewel city. The impregnable city of the God Indra. Grand capital of the world endowed with nine heavenly gems. The happy city, abounding with an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where the god reincarnate reigns. The City given by Indra and built by Vishnukam.”

If you are looking for a mini-tour of Bangkok, aimed at painting a brief insight into visiting the city, look no further. From the moment you arrive at the new state-of-the-art Suvarnabhumi international airport, you will notice Thailand is definitely the “land of smiles”, the broad smiles you’ll receive from the Thais of all walks of life really are genuine! After checking-in to your centrally located hotel, you’ll be able to connect to almost anywhere within the city. During your stay in Bangkok you must visit the Grand Palace complex and surrounding Sunamluang Park Gardens. The complex contains the famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha which reveres the holiest of relics; a 45 centimetre Buddha carved in green emerald. The complex itself is the official home to the King of Siam and you can also see the Royal Funeral Hall and Royal Coronation Hall within these walls. Outside the complex and surrounding the Sunamluang Park are markets and boutiques allowing you to pick up those uniquely Thai gifts such as handicrafts, Thai antiques and Thai sweets.

Gentle Sunset and Sunrise Cruise

Returning to your hotel in the late afternoon gives you time for a room-break before going out for your Bangkok Dinner Cruise on the Chao Praya River. This cruise takes you for a gentle slow ride up the Chao Praya River from sunset and onwards, passing the Temple of Dawn followed by a magnificent twilight view of the Grand Palace Complex. An idyllic way to unwind. You are then guaranteed a perfect night’s sleep in the comforts of your air-conditioned suite room. The following morning will mean an early rise if you are going to catch sunrise at the famous floating market; Thai style canoes laden with colourful fruits and vegetables, meats and sweets and freshly cut flowers are on sale as the boutique-boats gently glide up the canals for all who wish to buy and see. After another room-break at the hotel, the afternoon agenda offers the beautiful Rose Garden Tour which includes not only the splendours of the gardens, but also a chance to see different styles of Thai housing, Thai handicrafts and how they are made. More boutiques allow the visitors to buy those special souvenirs, memories of a trip you won’t want to forget. Then back to your hotel for a Thai or a Japanese style gourmet cuisine dinner.

Hotels

Ideal for convenient access to the whole of Bangkok, the Tai-Pan hotel just off the Asoke and Sukhumvit roads is perfectly located. This Green Leaf certified hotel-to mention just a few of its accreditations and set off “away from it all”, features 146 spacious rooms and suites of high class standard. Catering to all the needs of travelers or business people alike, no luxuries are spared for guests and rooms. Other facilities include an all purpose gym and a pool for those who either want to complete a workout fix or just relax by the poolside.

Le soir du lundi 23 novembre se déroulera la 15^ème édition des Trophées de la Nuit au théâtre “le Palace” à Paris. Cet événement créé en 1995 récompense tous les acteurs du milieu de la nuit les plus engagés. L’année dernière, cette soirée s’était déroulée au Lido sur les champs élysées.

Programme de la soirée :

• Cérémonie officielle de remise des trophées
• Dîner de Gala (réparti dans 4 restaurants de la capitale)
• Soirée officielle haute en couleurs, musiques et festivités (lieu encore tenu secret – mais on me parle d’une des plus grosses, si ce n’est pas la plus grosse des institutions des nuits Parisiennes)

9 trophées  + 2 trophées d’honneurs seront remis lundi soir pour les différentes catégories listées ci-dessous :

• Trophée de la création
• Trophée de la prévention
• Trophée du restaurant à ambiance musicale
• Trophée de l’entrepreneur
• Trophée de l’institution de la nuit
• Trophée de l’after work
• Trophée de la convivialité
• Trophée de l’événement
• Trophée de la terrasse
• Trophées d’honneur pour deux des personnalités de la nuit

Pour info, le mythique restaurant/club bordelais “La dame de Shanghai”, situé aux bassins à flots, fait parti des nominés dans la catégorie “Trophées de la convivialité”. 
Tout naturellement mon vote leur est attribué pour cette catégorie.

Plus d’infos :

• http://www.lestropheesdelanuit.com
• http://www.theatrelepalace.fr

This venue has recently been added on Expopedia, the tradefair service finder. Visit our website for more information.

Hotel Fira Palace
Av. Rius i Taulet N
08004 Barcelona (Spain)
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