Konoba Batelina in Pula, Croatia, has been named one of the best places to eat in the world. Newsweek Magazine asked 53 of the world’s leading chefs to share their knowledge of the best restaurants in the world and Konoba Batelina made the cut. Out of 101 restaurants named, Konoba Batelina came in at number 53. I suggest you take a trip before it gets ridiculously busy, increasingly difficult to get a table, and no doubt more expensive!
Konoba Batelina in Pula, Croatia
Elsewhere in Central & Eastern Europe, Hot Spot and Weinbar Rutz in Berlin, and Cafe By Windmill and Chaika in Russia, were also noted as being places worth visiting while on your travels.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring/Summer 2013 catwalk shows will kick off on July 4, and run until July 7, 2012. Check out the schedule for the shows below, with highlights to look out for including Lena Hoschek and Dimitri. Access to all shows is by invitation only. Mercedes-Benz will offer a shuttle service to journalists throughout the week. For more information visit Berlin Fashion Week.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring Summer 2013
The Lena Hoschek Autumn/Winter 2011 show at Berlin Fashion Week was filled with fabulously feminine printed dresses, delicate skirts and vibrant autumnal colours of amber and gold. It certainly had a rural/countryside feel to it. Check out some backstage footage, the show and an interview with Lena Hoschek in the video below…
The theme to the Usedom Baltic Fashion Catwalk held at Berlin Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2011 was from the Bath Tub for the Berliners to the Fashion Island of the Baltic Sea. The show has been a platform for designers from the Baltic region for more than 10 years. The show featured: Marita Huurinainen (Finland) – Wave and Poems; Agnese Narnicka (Latvia) – Coming Soon; Grosser Heinrich (Germany) – Blue – the foxes of August 2nd; Zanete Auzina (Latvia) – The Dream. Show”; and Sandra Straukaite (Lithuania). Check out our favourite top ten looks from the show below…
Romanian Designers at Berlin Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2011 to showcase fashion, interior, graphic and web designers’ talent. Irina Schrotter, Lucian Broscatean, Andreea Musat and Alina Botea all showed their autumn/winter collections on the Berlin catwalk. Check out our top ten looks below…
We at Charlotte’s VVeb are excited by all the goings on in Berlin at the moment. Berlinale is coming up soon but right now Berlin Autumn/Winter 2011 Fashion Week is in full swing. Check out the opening video highlights below…
Berlin Fashion Week is running from 19 to 21 January 2011
This winter Wyndham Hotel Group has opened the 229-room TRYP Berlin. Located in the heart of the Berlin’s trendy Mitte district and within close proximity to key business centers, entertainment venues and popular attractions, the newly built, six-story TRYP Berlin serves as an ideal destination for both business and leisure travellers visiting the city.
TRYP Berlin’s spacious, open lobby and adjoining bar showcase refined designer furniture and bold colors. Guest rooms feature modern, comfortable furnishings and fine wood parquet flooring; flat screen televisions; and artwork from contemporary local artists. TRYP Berlin also offers TRYP by Wyndham’s signature family rooms: guest accommodations appointed with a large bed for parents and bunk beds for children that are well-suited for travelling families.
Guests staying at the four-star, select-service hotel can take advantage of the on-site, fully equipped fitness center which features a Finnish sauna, spa shower and cardio equipment. The hotel also offers in-room dining, underground parking, business services and convenient access to Berlin’s public transportation systems.
Those guests looking to schedule meetings, conduct business or hold events at the property have access to nearly 1,500 square feet, or 138 square meters, of meeting and event space that can accommodate up to 130 people. The hotel plans to expand its meeting space this summer to accommodate up to 250. State-of-the-art audio visual equipment is also available to event
planners and attendees. TRYP Berlin’s on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Each morning, guests can enjoy TRYP by Wyndham’s signature breakfast, a rich buffet that includes a wide variety of items with special emphasis on healthy, fresh ingredients. The restaurant’s lunch and dinner menus offer regional and international dishes.
One of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, Berlin boasts an ideal blend of historical sights, vibrant nightlife and fine dining and shopping. TRYP Berlin’s convenient location in the city’s Mitte district gives guests immediate access to some of Berlin’s top attractions, including Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag parliament building and the tree-
lined Unter den Linden, the main boulevard that runs from east to west through Berlin. The hotel is also within close proximity to the Messe Berlin, the city’s main convention and exhibition center, and the future BND headquarters, Germany’s foreign intelligence agency.
Christmas Markets are a true highlight of the advent period and are sure to get everyone into the festive spirit. Head to one of the many markets in Eastern Europe to enjoy some real festive fare including local wine, beers, sausages and artisan crafts. Here’s our top ten…
Vienna Christmas Market
Vienna, Austria
During Advent Vienna is a city of nostalgia and romance with many concerts, nativity displays and traditional Christmas markets taking place throughout the city. The most renowned markets include the Viennese Christmas Markets on Freyung, at Spittelberg, at Am Hof and in front of the church of St. Charles Borromeo (Karlskirche).
Prague, Czech Republic
Christmas is a special time of year in Prague and the Christmas markets (Vanocni trh) are a key ingredient in the Czech festive magic. The Prague Christmas markets bring visitors and locals together to share the holiday spirit in a true ‘winter wonderland’ setting. The main markets can be found at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square with smaller ones at Namesti Republiky and Havelske Trziste. Open 9am to 7pm daily.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
The Festive Fair, held in the Town Centre (Breg and Cankarjevo nabrežje embankments, Prešernov trg square) is well known for its vibrancy and cheerful atmosphere. Festively decorated green stalls, designed specially for the fair, sell a fine choice of products suitable for giving as gifts including food and drink, clothes and fashion accessories. Open from 10am to 10 pm daily.
Nuremberg, Germany
Each festive season Nuremberg’s Old Town is decorated in its Christmas regalia and the tempting aromas of mulled wine, sweet roasted almonds, sausages and gingerbread create a truly unforgettable atmosphere. The Christkindlesmarkt is situated in the heart of the city which is steeped in more than 400 years of tradition providing an international showcase for all Franconian and German Christmas Markets. While younger visitors can enjoy the Kinderweihnacht (Children’s Christmas Market) where historic steam-powered merry-go-rounds and other activities are waiting for them. Open from 9.30am to 8pm Monday to Thursdays, 9.30am to 10pm Fridays and Saturdays, 10.30am to 8pm on Sunday.
Cologne, Germany
Cologne holds an impressive seven Christmas Markets. The four largest Christmas markets are located at Cologne Cathedral, on the Alter Markt (Home of the Heinzel Christmas Market), on the Neumarkt and on the Rudolfplatz (Fairytale Christmas Market). Every year these four markets attract almost 2 million visitors. Open every day from 11am to 9pm.
Berlin, Germany
With well over 50 Christmas Markets and advent bazaars every year, Berlin features prominently on Germany’s calendar of Yuletide events. A popular market is situated next to Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church amidst the bustle of shoppers on the high street between the Kurfüstendamm and Tauenzien. The Berlin Christmas Market shown on the map on the left is WeihnachtsZauber situated on the Gendarmenmarkt. This is probably one of the most popular markets in Berlin and is well sited in terms of nearby hotel accommodation. Open 9am to 9pm daily.
Budapest, Hungary
One of the most popular Christmas fairs in Europe awaits the lovers of winter programmes this year again in the heart of Budapest, in Vörösmarty Square. There are more than 100 wooden pavilions, which sell unique high quality folklore and applied arts products. Christmas decorations, small presents, candles, gloves, woollen hats, wrought iron and woven products are also sold here, as well as other special articles that cannot be found anywhere else. You can experience the real wonders of winter while enjoying traditional products that have been evaluated by a jury, and satisfying your appetite at typical Hungarian buffets, which offer mulled wine, kürtoskalács (sweet Hungarian pastry), roast chestnuts and other market snacks. Open 10am to 8pm daily.
Sibiu, Romania
Sibiu Christmas Market is one of the most popular events of the year in the city. Being the first traditional Christmas Market opened in Romania, it was first held in 2007, in the Little Square located in the downtown area, with a total number of 38 wooden cabins. In 2008 and 2009, Sibiu Christmas Market took place in the Large Square, one of the best places to be visited in the historical center of the city. Open from 10am to 9pm daily.
Cologne in London, UK
Once again Londoners and visitors to the city can enjoy a taste of Cologne this Christmas at the London Southbank Christmas Market. While wandering about, look for and find unusual Christmas presents such as amber and silver jewellery, hand-crafted toys, fragile glass ornaments for your Christmas tree, hand tatted laces, tin toys, candles in all shapes and sizes, hand-made ceramics and creative metal design. Sip on a glass of glühwein or bottle of Kölsch” and nibble on some gingerbread hearts, roasted almonds and candies or even a delicious crepe. Open 11am to 8pm Mondays to Thursdays, and Sundays, 10am to 10pm Fridays and Saturdays.
Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia’s medieval capital is inherently festive and though temperatures do dip quite drastically this time of year, the city’s celebratory atmosphere does well to dispel the cold. Tallinn’s Christmas Market may be one of the most recently established but it is now among the most well-loved in Europe. December’s darkness is dispelled with colourful lights, music and an abundance of activity. Head to Tallinn’s Town Hall Square, Raekoja Plats, and visit more than 50 merchant stalls featuring products by local artisans. These stalls surround a beautiful Christmas tree. Open daily from 10am to 6pm.
On the 28th of August Berlin will hold its very own Long Night of Museums event, after other cities, including London have heralded the occasion as an overwhelming success. In Berlin, on almost 400 square kilometres, between Glienicke Palace, the Museum at the Waterplant Friedrichshagen and the Museum of Local History Reinickendorf, more than 100 museums and cultural institutions will give access to their exhibitions, collections and art objects throughout the night.
This is sure to be a magical and exciting experience, so if you find yourself in Berlin on the 28th, do make sure you make the most of it!
Oversized beds, a buzzing location and a 24-hour mindset are spectacularly integrated at The Weinmeister Berlin-Mitte, Design Hotels member hotel, which opened on 6 July 2010. Situated in the city’s central district, Mitte, this 88-room hotel is from the owners of Lux 11, Tom Tänzer and Elmo Hagendorf. Aimed at business travellers from the music, fashion and creative scene, as well as leisure travellers, the hotel focuses on what is truly important in life: rest, comfort and simplicity. Tänzer and Hagendorf have created a property which is more than a hotel, it’s a whole concept. With a luxury punk aesthetic, round-the-clock services and spacious rooms, guests are certain to feel part of the true Berlin – a creative, large, and thrilling city which never sleeps.
The Interior
The room décor focuses on a single piece of furniture: the bed. With large mattresses measuring two by two metres and oversized cloth-covered frames, the beds take centre-stage. The effect created is a floor-to-ceiling, room within a room, complemented by muted colours and luxurious materials. Every room features Apple iMacs instead of television sets and there are also iPad laptops for hire. These give guests access to social networks, music and games and reflect the hotel’s synthesis of luxury and technology. To create a cosy environment, rooms also come with a large Asprey London cosmetics box, fluffy bathrobes and tailor-made pyjamas. There are also handmade furnishings and quirky designs which use organic materials, including bathroom shelves made from slabs of natural oak wood and handcrafted lamps which seem alive through their organic design.
The Experience
The phrase ‘whatever guests desire’ is foremost at The Weinmeister Berlin-Mitte, with a range of services which are all 24-hour. Instead of uniforms, staff wear exclusive clothing from the new Ellesse heritage collection, reflecting the hotel’s connection with the fashion industry. On the ground floor the ClubLounge and Schwarz bar provide a buzzing space for guests and locals to mingle. The bar is named after the German film actress Jessica Schwarz and will exclusively serve a herbal liquor made according to her family’s secret recipe. Guests can also dine in the restaurant serving traditional German cuisine with a modern twist. An invitation-only rooftop area with bar adds to the chic and exclusive ambience, with stunning vistas of Berlin and the iconic TV tower. There will also be a whirlpool, sauna and 24-hour room service menu and breakfast.
The Location
The Weinmeister is located at the intersection of Weinmeisterstrasse and Rosenthaler Strasse in Mitte, a Berlin hotspot for art, culture, fashion, shopping and clubbing. Close to the hotel is the shopping street of Friedrichstrasse, the cultural delights on Unter den Linden, the art on Museum Island and the Soviet architecture at Alexanderplatz.
The Weinmeister is offering a special opening rate of EUR 129 until the end of August
This winter Wyndham Hotel Group has opened the 229-room TRYP Berlin. Located in the heart of the Berlin’s trendy Mitte district and within close proximity to key business centers, entertainment venues and popular attractions, the newly built, six-story TRYP Berlin serves as an ideal destination for both business and leisure travellers visiting the city.
