Hotel Martinez

Hotel Martinez.

Overview

The Hotel Martinez is known for stylish living, where comfort and technology have aesthetic overtones. From its eminent position on the sea front, on the famous boulevard de La Croisette in Cannes, the Hotel Martinez has established itself over the decades as the flagship hotel on the Riviera. From the outside, its architectural beauty makes it timeless and establishes its elegance and eternal youth.

As spacious as it is extravagant, the hotel has an extraordinary infrastructure, both in terms of guest accommodation and in the services the hotel has to offer. On the 7th floor, the 10,000-square-foot Penthouse Suite is a haven of luxury.

Dining In

La Palme d'Or, with two Michelin stars, is a gourmet restaurant with a terrace overlooking the Bay of Cannes. Its decor is dedicated to the 7th Art – that of filmmaking. In this magical atmosphere, you will enjoy the creative flavors of executive chef Christian Sinicropi.
Le Relais Martinez, a friendly place with a terrace extending to the edge of the swimming pool, serves a varied bistro-style cuisine featuring fresh seafood and local produce.

Zplage Beach Restaurant is a delightful open-air restaurant serving light and healthy dishes and freshly squeezed juices.

For a snack or an evening drink, the piano bar L'Amiral and its amiable team is an institution.

Recreation and Health

Zplage Beach Club offers 400 sun mattresses spread out over the sand and the large pontoon. and for the sports-minded guests: water skiing, huge water rings, parascending, boat trips. On the top floor of the hotel, the 9,700-square-foot Spa Martinez is entirely dedicated to beauty and well-being with eight treatments cabins, a fitness center, saunas, and hairdresser. There is alos a year-round heated outdoor swimming pool with solarium, and a children's program available in July and August.

Features

Banquet and conference facilities for up to 1,000 persons for cocktail receptions. Private parking. In rooms: satellite television, voice mail, free Wi-Fi access, 24-hour room service. Fully air-conditioned.

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The PuLi Hotel and Spa

The PuLi Hotel and Spa.

Overview

The PuLi Hotel and Spa is centrally located in the very heart of Shanghai in JingAn District, between famous NanJingWest Road and YanAn Middle Road, The PuLi has a prime location close to some of Shanghai's best business, shopping, sightseeing and entertainment areas directly accessible via road and subway lines 2 and 7.

The PuLi with 26 floors, 209 rooms and 20 suites will offer 24-hour in-room dining as well as 24-hour concierge, laundry and valet services. All rooms are equipped with flat screen LCD television set, Bose wave systems and MP3 docking port, GSM portable phones with city-wide coverage, DVD players, Nespresso machines, personal safes, complementary wired and wireless broadband internet access, custom-designed mattresses and oversized feather down pillows & duvets. Guestrooms feature separate rainforest shower cubicles. The bathtubs boast stunning views of JingAn Park and the skyline of Shanghai and those in the suites are equipped with 15 inch LCD television sets. A range of personal care products based on traditions of Chinese herbal practice will be available in each guestroom.

Club floors from levels 20 to 26 are comprised of 61 rooms and suites, all of which will have personalized Butler service. Guests on club floors will also have access to the hotel's exclusive lounge, The Club, which will offer a space for breakfast, complimentary refreshments throughout the day, a private meeting room for use and an outdoor patio with spectacular views of the city.

Dining In

Restaurant Jing'An: In keeping with the restaurant's tagline, "resolutely epicurean", Jing’An’s allows diners to customize their own meal for lunch and dinner from a selection of individual ingredients on the menu and presented in a simple, honest and unpretentious manner. Using only the very best and freshest produce, the restaurant’s menu takes a quintessentially Western stance with an influx of Asian favorites.

Long Bar: The 32-metre Long Bar will offer one of Shanghai’s “longest” wine and champagne selections by the glass with sophisticated pre and post dinner cocktails. The bar will eschew a chameleon-like atmosphere as the space transforms in character and mood through the day.

Private Dining: Two private dining or meeting rooms with natural light are available for exclusive and intimate personal gatherings up to 16 people. Tailor-made menus and fine wine are available upon request.

Recreation and Health

Health Club: The Health Club consists of a superbly equipped state-of-the-art gymnasium as well as separate male and female sauna, steam rooms, experiential showers and jacuzzi.

Swimming Pool: A generous 25m lap infinity indoor pool with picturesque views across the park, completes the comprehensive spa and wellness offerings of the hotel.

Anantara Spa: This is the first Anantara Spa in Shanghai operated by the award-winning spa group. True to the hotel’s desire to maintain a “sense of place” in its product, the spa offers a wide range of treatments, reflecting a unique sense of culture and character to the destination. Five treatment suites fully equipped with steam, shower rooms and toilets are available for individuals or couple.

Features

The Business Centre: Fully equipped 24-hour business centre to meet the requirements for secretarial and administrative support with working stations.

The Library: Nestling in an intimate corner of the hotel lobby, the Library with a 3-metre long open fireplace provides the guests with a comfortable space for wireless Internet surfing, reading, to simply have a drink or relax.

City Hotels
Fitness Center
Spa Facilities
Shopping Available
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On-Site Pool

Okura Garden Shanghai Towers

Okura Garden Shanghai Towers.

Overview

City of sin and decadent exoticism in the 1920s and 30s, theatre of vicious conflict during wartime and Japanese invasions, cradle of Chinese Communism but neglected during the Cultural Revolution, flag bearer of modern China's market reforms, inspiration for lurid novels, films and cocktails - Shanghai is probably the most evocative city for an outsider in the whole of China. Beijing may be more mysterious but Shanghai offers a headier brew of half-digested, semi-mythical images and preconceptions.

For the second city of the world's oldest surviving ancient civilisation, Shanghai is surprisingly new. Literally ‘Above the Sea', Shanghai is a port city on the Huangpu River, where the Yangtze River empties into the East China Sea.

The Yu Gardens in Shanghai's Old Town is all that remains of the city's pre-colonial past. Colonialism is visible in the period architecture of the former French Concession, as well as the grand old buildings along the riverfront Bund and dotted around People's Square.

Across the river from the original settlement of Puxi is Shanghai's future, the Pudong New Area, with its emblematic Orient Pearl Tower, soaring modern art-deco JinMao Tower and, topping the lot, the 101-floor World Financial Centre, featuring a new Park Hyatt hotel.

In 2004, Shanghai hosted the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix and later that year Time magazine called it the ‘world's most happening city.' In October 2007 it hosted the first Special Olympic Games held in Asia and centre-stage status will follow, in 2010, when Shanghai hosts World Expo.

Easily China's richest city, Shanghai is now a blueprint for the country, one that developing cities across the country seek enviously to emulate - replete with hundreds of futuristic skyscrapers, glitzy restaurants, bars, hotels and levels of urban affluence, brand awareness and shopping savvy that compete with rival Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok.

Shanghai experiences climatic extremes, with bitter winters and hot and humid summers. The best time for visitors to plan a trip to the city would be during the autumn or spring months.

Tourist Information

Walking Tours
There are no official organised walking tours available in Shanghai. However, the former French Concession, Bund and Yu Gardens and Bazaar are perhaps the best areas for tourists to explore on foot, seeing as they are compact and possess great character. Walking aimlessly through the tree-lined former French Concession streets is one of Shanghai's great delights. Many of Shanghai's residents stroll along the Bund at weekends, while the many parks are pleasant refuges.

Self-guided tours of beautiful Fuxing Xi Lu in the former French Concession are a relaxing way to discover this area, formerly known as Avenue De Boissezon. In the 1920s and 30s it was an elegant place for Shanghai's fashionable elite. Today its plane trees and European architecture complement the beautiful gift shops, galleries, cafes and bars that have made a home here. Pamphlets documenting the avenue's highlights can be picked up at Skylight Shop (28 Fuxing Xi Lu), the first stop on the tour.

Bus Tours
Grayline Shanghai (tel: (21) 6150 8061; www.graylineshanghai.com) and City Discovery (www.city-discovery.com) conduct full- and half-day tours around Shanghai's main sights; specialized Chinese massage and Chinese acrobatic tours; as well as trips further afield to Suzhou, and Zhouzhuang, and Tongli water villages, Zhu Jia Jiao and Hangzou. Bespoke tours where visitors choose their own itinerary are another option.

The Shanghai Transportation Bureau excursion buses, some with commentary (in Chinese only), travel from the east side, Xu Jia Hui (parking lot 4) of Shanghai Stadium, out of metropolitan Shanghai and pass through some major sightseeing destinations. The routes taken vary. For instance, the Bus Line 3 departs every 30 minutes 0700-1730 to Pudong, while the Bus Line 10 goes every 15 minutes 0630-1930 to Huaihai Dong Lu and Nanjing Dong Lu. Trip costs vary.

Huangpu River Trips
Several licensed operators are clustered along the quay at the south end of the Bund, all offering 1-hour pleasure boat trips along the Huangpu river (prices vary, be prepared to barter if travelling with a group). Day and night, these make for an enjoyable and picturesque ride past the Bund and Pudong riverfronts offering plenty of good photo opportunities. Some operators also offer longer trips (around 3 hours return) to the mouth of the Yangtze river.

Marina Mandarin Singapore

Marina Mandarin Singapore.

Overview

Singapore is an unlikely success story. Once a simple fishing village, it was founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles, an official of the British East India Company, who decided it was the perfect location for a trading station. Since then it has become one of the world's most prosperous cities.

Singapore, known as the Lion City, is by far the largest and most significant island alongside the others that make up Singapore state. Here, especially at the mouth of the Singapore River, Asian tradition meets modern technology - gleaming skyscrapers tower over traditional architecture, while squat Chinese and Hindu temples stud the city.

A curious blend of ancient and modern, the city is home to an ethnic mix of Chinese, Malays and Indians, as well as expats from all over the world, in a predominantly English-speaking society. These different races live harmoniously thanks to religious tolerance, increased prosperity and stringent no-nonsense laws.

Since the island became an independent Republic in 1965, it has enjoyed a vigorous and successful free trade policy, as introduced by its then Prime Minister (now Minister Mentor) Lee Kuan Yew. This has led to an unprecedented rise in the standard of living (most city dwellers own their own homes) and exponential economic growth, due mainly to the export industry.

The economy and tourist industry have enjoyed recent good health after some earlier pitfalls: Singapore's healthy economy was dented between 2001 and 2003 during the global recession, it suffered a heavy loss in tourist numbers after September 11 and the SARS outbreak in 2003.

A hearty recovery since 2004 (the year that Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Kuan Yew's eldest son, was elected prime minister) has seen the unemployment figures falling from 3.4% to just 2.8% by mid-2006. This has gone hand-in-hand with a buoyant 2006 for tourist figures - the all-time high of 9.7 million visitors far exceeded the Singapore Tourist Board's estimates. Lee was re-elected in 2006.

Its world-beating Changi Airport represents Singapore's impressive efficiency, cleanliness and technology at its best, although hiding behind that façade is the more sinister means of achieving these qualities. Those breaking the law face canings, corrective work orders and harsh financial penalties, and there are infamous on-the-spot fines for jay-walking or dropping a cigarette, while more serious crimes, such as drug trafficking, are punished by the death penalty.

Yet the financial and business districts are home to a steady stream of well-heeled expats who enjoy a good quality of life. In Singapore, oiling the wheels of success and becoming the best (an economic miracle to show the rest of the world the way) seems paramount. It is frequently voted Asia's top business destination, and is regarded as one of the finest venues for international conferences, conventions and exhibitions, with a fast-growing market for incentive travel.

All of this business thrives amid a constant flow of festivals and events in the ethnic quarters of Chinatown, Little India and Geylang Serai (traditionally the home of Singapore's Malay, Arab and Indonesian communities), which mark the many religious and cultural occasions throughout the calendar. These areas have managed to retain some of their cultural identity despite the high-rise growth, modernising and development around them.

Although Raffles Hotel and a rank of good museums furnish insights into the past, modern consumer culture is the most prolific. The Great Singapore Sale dominates the early summer in the city centre, and most visitors to Singapore will indulge in its competitive prices and great selection, especially in electronics equipment. And everybody comes to eat, with food outlets at every step, from traditional hawker centres to modern food courts, Asian specialities to international haute cuisine - reflecting the diversity of ethnic communities that Singapore has long been home to.

Tourist Information

The Singapore Tourism Board in Tourism Court (website: www.visitsingapore.com) can provide information on an enormous number of city tours with private companies, whether walking, on buses, cruises, or by night. Hotels can also book most of these. Their leaflet Your Essential Singapore Guide has a chapter on assorted tours. They also have a selection of recommended themed self-guided tours.

Walking Tours
The Original Singapore Walks (tel: 6325 1631; website: www.singaporewalks.com) organises eight guided walking tours with different themes including a Chinatown night walk, the Colonial district, Little India, Kampong Glam and Changi battlefields. No pre-booking necessary, but call or check the website to find out the meeting point and start time.

Bus Tours
There are many bus tours run by different private operators - Singapore Tourism Board can provide details or they can be booked via hotels. One of the most popular is the Singapore Trolley (tel: 6339 6833; website: www.singaporeexplorer.com.sg), a replica of the red trams of the 1920s. The 1-hour tour takes in 17 spots between Orchard Road, the colonial district and Clarke Quay, with running commentary. The fare includes a free riverboat tour. There are six tours a day, departing from the Novotel at Clarke Quay.

Boat Tours
Boat tours are run by Singapore River Cruises & Leisure (tel: 6336 6111; website: www.rivercruise.com.sg) along the Singapore River. Cruises on bumboats begin at Raffles Landing Site and take in grand colonial buildings, century-old godowns, shophouses, grand bridges of diverse designs, and the chic quayside life along the way. Choose from the 30-minute Singapore River Experience or the 45-minute New River Experience. Boats operate 0900-2200 and leave regularly.

Taxi Tours
Visitors can now take a more personal tour with a taxi driver who is also a qualified tour guide. Several 3-hour tours take in interesting sights and areas, with extra time paid for on an hourly basis. They can all be booked through the taxi company's hotline: CityCab (tel: 6542 5831; website: www.citycab.com.sg), Comfort Taxi (tel: 9181 7011; website: www.comfort-transportation.com.sg) and SMRT Taxi (tel: 6555 8888; website: www.smrt.com.sg), or through your hotel, with an option of four- and six-seater vehicles.

Grand Hotel Europe

Grand Hotel Europe.

Overview

Grand Hotel Europe is situated in the heart of St. Petersburg and is within walking distance of the Winter Palace Square and Hermitage Museum. It is also conveniently located next to the Russian Museum, the Philharmonic Society and the Mikhailovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre. The Hotel offers spacious, tastefully decorated accommodations with antique furniture and period touches, but also incorporating all the comforts a modern traveler needs. The Grand Hotel Europe offers its guests gracious elegance and luxurious comfort, something that St. Petersburg had not seen since the era of the Tsars.

The Hotel has 279 rooms and suites of truly exceptional quality, replete with handsome period furnishings, tasteful decor and a generous sense of space and comfort. Guests may choose from among several different classes of rooms and suites including 88 Classic Standard rooms, 91 Classic Superior Rooms, 18 Classic Deluxe Rooms, 13 Classic Historic Rooms, thirteen Belle Chambers, 8 Historic Belle Chambers, 17 Terrace Rooms, 15 Classic Suites, 9 Historic Classic Suites, 2 Executive Suites and 2 Historic Executive Suites, as well as 3 Presidential Suites. Our entire second and third floors are non-smoking areas. All rooms are equipped with Mini-bar, Personal safe, Satellite TV and radio, International phone with modem connections, Writing desk, Armchairs, Hairdryer, Wireless Internet Access on request. The voltage is 220V in the rooms and 110V in the bathrooms.

The second floor is a designated non-smoking area. The hotel’s first storey, which runs along the length of Mikhailovskaya Ulitsa from Nevsky Prospekt to Arts Square, is known as a historic floor. This floor houses the hotel’s most luxurious rooms and suites, which first amazed the world more than 130 years ago.

Awards

The Hotel is the current owner of a number of coveted awards, the most recent being Conde Nast Traveler Gold List 2007, annual list of 700 World’s Best Hotels, Resorts and Cruise Lines

Dining In

Grand Hotel Europe has a wide range of dining options.

The Europe Restaurant dates from the opening of the Grand Hotel Europe, and is still the leading fine dining restaurant in St Petersburg, offering an unforgettable evening of elegance surrounded by beautiful turn-of-the-century decor. The menu offers the very best in French and European cuisine.

Caviar Bar has a beautiful array of Russian dishes and a superb selection of vodkas and caviar. Vodka Smellier will give you a professional recommendation to choose from as many as 50 different kinds of Russian vodka including home infusions.

Chopsticks serves genuine Cantonese and Szechuan dishes in a delightfully peaceful environment.

Mezzanine Cafe is the ideal place for fresh breakfast pastries or traditional Afternoon Tea in a leafy conservatory atmosphere.

Rossi's is the place for fresh fish and lobster, Italian and Mediterranean specialties in a relaxed but elegant atmosphere.

Lobby Bar, with its turn-of-the-century grandeur is the perfect place to enjoy a drink and appetizers or light snacks, with nightly live jazz.

Noble Assembly is situated in the historical building of Philharmonia. Immerse yourself into the aristocratic ambience of the XIXth century St. Petersburg. Business lunch is offered on week days.

Grand Hotel Europe has its own Chocolate Factory with a new chocolate brand "Dominique's".

Recreation and Health

* Health Club and Spa, including swimming pool, fitness centre, hairdresser, beautician and masseuse.

* Business Centre

* Laundry Service

* Shopping at our in-hotel Gift Shop, Flower Shop and Patisserie

* Event Planning

Features

St Petersburg's Grand Hotel Europe has a number of event spaces and our Event Services department is on hand to help you organize anything from an intimate soiree to a grand conference and banquet. The Grand Hotel’s beautiful banquet and conference facilities host many of St Petersburg’s most notable social and cultural events, for up to 250 people. Each room is unique, with classic interiors, beautiful views and the most modern facilities.

CONFERENCE ROOMS

Kryscha Ballroom and Kryscha Terrace

Tchaikovsky Room

Gorky Room

Pushkin Room

Billiard Room

Lidval Room

Dostoevsky Room

CATERINGS

Treat yourself like a Tsar and enjoy an unforgettable evening in the elegant ambience of the Grand Hotel Europe. Our Grand Europe Catering also arranges the most magnificent outside catering, for very special occasions, in the spectacular palaces of St Petersburg.

Conference Hotel
City Hotels
Fitness Center
Health Clubs
Spa Facilities
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Business Meetings
On-Site Pool

Rocco Forte Hotel Astoria

Rocco Forte Hotel Astoria.

Overview

Hotel Astoria, which first opened in 1912, is situated at the very heart of St. Petersburg overlooking the landmark St. Isaac’s Cathedral, within walking distance of the renowned Hermitage Museum. Guest rooms and suites are designed in traditional style with modern elements, complemented by the requisite technological amenities, including two-line telephones with voice mail, broadband internet access, interactive satellite television, mini-bar, and safe. The hotel is part of the Rocco Forte Hotels.

Dining In

Davidov Restaurant, overlooking St Isaac's Cathedral, offers contemporary cuisine combined with Russian classics by the executive chef Colin Flood. In the evenings guests are entertained by Russian string duet. The Kandinsky Bar and Rotonda Lounge - for light dining and beverages round the clock. 24-hour room service.

Recreation and Health

The SPA by Clarins. Fitness center with state-of-the-art exercise equipment - 24 hours.

Features

Winter Garden and Ballroom for events for up to 450 people. Three meeting rooms for up to 22 people. Fully equipped business center. Wi-Fi in public areas. Full range of concierge services. Airport transfers. Same-day laundry and dry-cleaning. Visa support upon request.

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The Taleon Imperial Hotel (former Eliseev Palace Hotel)

The Taleon Imperial Hotel (former Eliseev Palace Hotel).

Overview

The former capital of Russia has seen some dramatic changes in its 305-year history. Founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, St Petersburg has been described as the Venice of the North for its winding canals and grand Italianate architecture, yet the city narrowly escaped destruction during WWII.

Extensive restoration and beautification for the tri-centenary celebrations in 2003 have restored St Petersburg to its original glory. The renovation project was no doubt aided by the fact that former Russian president Vladimir Putin hails from St Petersburg.

Situated on a series of islands where the River Neva meets the Gulf of Finland, St Petersburg was a planned city. Peter the Great took up residence in a tiny log cabin by the Neva and personally supervised the construction of his grand European capital, a project continued by his niece Anna and daughter Elizabeth.

The city was more than just a vanity project - at the time, western Russia was threatened by Sweden, and a vast naval port was created to allow the Russian Navy to assert its dominance over the Baltic Sea. Nevertheless, the grandiose palaces immediately marked St Petersburg out as one of the great cities of Europe.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Tsars of St Petersburg lived a life of extravagant luxury in the magnificent palaces constructed by Domenico Trezzini and Bartomoleo Rastrelli. This opulent lifestyle depended on the abject poverty of serfs and peasants, sowing the seeds of discontent that eventually led to the Russian Revolution.

During the three-year Nazi blockade of St Petersburg from 1941 to 1944, more than 1 million residents starved or froze to death, and the city's artists and intelligentsia were decimated in Stalin's purges. The city persisted in a state of suspended animation for the rest of the Soviet era.

Following the collapse of Communism in 1985, St Petersburg was starved of state funding and many of its most glorious palaces and cathedrals fell into disrepair. Since then, the city has fought its way back to greatness, aided by foreign investors and the new Russian oligarchs.

The biggest concerns for modern-day visitors to St Petersburg are the prices (the city is almost as costly as Moscow) and the weather. St Petersburg is best visited during the warm days and white nights of midsummer, but it is bitterly cold in the depths of the Russian winter.

Tourist Information

Walking Tours
The City Tourism Information Centre (tel: (812) 310 2822; website: www.visit-petersburg.com) can put visitors in touch with private companies who offer themed tours around the city. Angloturismo (tel: (921) 989 4722) offers daily English-language walking tours, leaving from Cafe Rico (Nevsky prospekt 77/1) at 1000. However, you can see most of the famous sites by strolling along the 5km (3 miles) of Nevsky prospekt, from the Admiralty to Anichkov Bridge, and making small detours along the way. Along the way, you'll pass the some of the most outstanding neoclassical buildings in St Petersburg and a series of stately churches and cathedrals.

River Tours
Numerous small operators run tours along the river and canals, visiting famous sights like the Church on Spilled Blood and the bridge linking the Hermitage and Hermitage theatre, but only Angloturismo (tel: (921) 989 4722) runs tours in English. The best tours start from the Griboedova canal and boats leave as soon as there are enough passengers. You can also find jetties for boat tours on the Moyka River, the Fontanka River and Konverskiy proliv, the channel that runs around Zayachy island.

Helicopter Tours
Baltic Airlines (tel: (812) 117 0084; www.balticairlines.ru) operates short helicopter flights around St Petersburg as well as transfers to Peterhof, departing from the Peter and Paul Fortress every weekend.

Grand Hôtel Stockholm

Grand Hôtel Stockholm.

Overview

Rich in history and tradition, the more than 130 year old Grand Hôtel Stockholm occupies prime position on the city's waterfront, a timeless classic that has played a pivotal role in shaping Stockholm as the cosmopolitan city that it is today. One of Scandinavia's leading luxury hotels, Grand Hôtel Stockholm has borne witness to some of the world's greatest achievements, and to this day, continues to makes its presence felt far beyond its shores. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize laureates and their families have all been guests of the Grand Hôtel Stockholm and the list of royalty, heads of state and artists who have stayed is impressive. In the words of a famous past guest, "The Grand is where it happens".

Grand Hôtel offers no less than 326 rooms and 42 suites. The Princess Lilian Suite, with its 330 sqm and a panoramic view over Stockholm, is the most spectacular of them all. The Flag Suite and the Nobel Suite too are renowned, both with an astounding view from the 7th floor. All individually designed, each room has its own distinctive character and colorful history.

Dining In

The Veranda Restaurant serves Swedish traditional food in a contemporary fashion and is celebrated not just for its views but also for being one of the only Swedish restaurants to serve traditional Smorgasbord.

Named after the hotel's founder, the Cadier Bar with its award winning drinks, bartenders, location and buzzing atmosphere, has an extensive cocktail menu, serving drinks from all over the world. The bar has newly been enlarged and offers à la carte breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, weekend brunch, evening cocktails and more informal dinners.

Renowned Swedish Chef, Mathias Dahlgren has recently opened his eponymous fine dining restaurant, Mathias Dahlgren at Grand Hôtel Stockholm. The restaurant offers two different dining experiences which complement each other through the dual concept of Matsalen (The Dining Room) and Matbaren (The Food Bar).

Recreation and Health

Recreation and exercise facilities are available at the health club Sturebadet Grand Hôtel Stockholm. An exclusive and fully equipped gym with a relaxation lounge and several different treatments. Golf, tennis, and other sports are available nearby. In Spring 2009 a SPA will be opened in the hotel.

Features

24 state-of-the-art banquet and conference rooms for private functions and meetings from 2 to 2,000 guests. Some of the rooms with such great historical significance that they have been designated as a “Swedish National Treasure”, notably the Spegelsalen (Hall of Mirrors), Vinterträdgården (the Winter Garden).

Complimentary high-speed WiFi in all public areas and hotel rooms. 35 different TV-channels, including news, music, sports, movies and radio, free of charge. Complimentary entrance to the Health Club. Other services as Concierge, Room Service, Gift shop and business center is also available.

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City Hotels
Fitness Center
Banquets
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Culture

Culture.

Overview

Spread across 24,000 islets and laced with numerous waterways on the southeastern coast of Sweden, Stockholm enjoys one of the most stunning locales of any capital city in the world. Over 30 percent of the city area is made up of waterways and another 30 percent is made up of parks and green spaces, giving Stockholm perhaps the freshest air and widest lungs of any European capital.

This natural oasis is complemented by the stunning Old Town, which has been very well preserved over the centuries. This Old Town (or Gamla Stan) is the epicenter of the city, with countless hotels, bars, restaurants and shops all prospering - as people in these historical streets have done for centuries.

Away from the charms of the Old Town, the modern city showcases the neat and innovative design standards for which Sweden has become globally renowned. Much of Stockholm's present-day wealth comes from the new light industries, such as information technology and computing, with world leading companies often occupying prime real estate in the city centre or filling up the new business parks on the city fringes.

All this is a far cry from the city's humble beginnings, which stretch back to the 13th century and Birger Jarl - generally accepted as the founder of the city, although various settlements previously existed on the site. The city grew up around the Old Town, as Stockholm emerged as a key trading center with influence all over the Baltic Sea region and further afield.

Today, Stockholm is a thriving modern European city that exudes confidence in its strengths and abilities at all levels, be they financial, cultural, social or gastronomic.

During the seemingly endless days and bright sunshine of the summer months, the city's chic boutiques and stylish pavement cafes overflow with affluent, fashion-conscious people who enjoy the culture and lifestyle that has earned the Swedish capital rave reviews from Europe's style magazines.

Stockholm's ethnic make-up is, perhaps surprisingly, very eclectic, with over 15 percent first-generation immigrants and over 100 languages spoken in the city. This increasing diversity has infused the city with a renewed vigor and energy, as the various incoming cultures interact with the indigenous one.

A quintessential Stockholm summer night is spent bathed in warm sunshine, sitting at a restaurant by the water's edge, savoring fresh seafood plucked straight from the waters around Stockholm, before taking advantage of the midnight light and heading out for a night around the Stureplan, in some of Europe's trendiest bars.

When the long winter does come, it is not all Nordic gloom - the locals head for the sanctuary of the cozy pubs that line the city. Stockholm has almost as many restaurants per capita as Paris does, as well as 150 or so museums and galleries, so there is always plenty to do when the winter chill sets in. Then there are the severe winters when many of the waterways around the city freeze up, making ice skating around one of the world's most stunning capital cities a unique experience.

Tourist Information

Stockholm is an easy city for tourists to navigate, as its centre is largely flat and strolling around is a pleasure. For journeys further afield, there is an excellent public transport system with trams, underground trains, buses and ferries servicing all areas of the city and the surrounding towns and villages.

The focus of Stockholm sightseeing is around the Gamla Stan (or Old Town), which boasts many historical buildings, tourist shops and cafes, as well as the impressive Royal Palace - the largest royal palace still in use in the world. North of the Old Town is the main part of the more modern city, whose districts are home to numerous attractions, such as the impressive City Hall, the Museum of National Antiquities and the Strindberg Museum.

Across the water, via ferry, is Djurgården - a playground with a funfair park, Stockholm Zoo and Sweden's most visited museum, the Vasa Museum, which is home to a 17th-century galleon that has been impressively raised from the chill waters of Stockholm's harbor.

Many museums are closed on Mondays. The city has recently gained a reputation for stylish shops, bars and restaurants, making it the Scandinavian capital of cool. Beyond the centre of the city, some 24,000 islands and rocky islets in the Stockholm Archipelago wait to be explored.
Tourist Information
Stockholm Tourist Centre
Sverigehuset (Sweden House), Hamngatan 27
Tel: (08) 5082 8508.
Website: http://www.stockholmtown.com/
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 1000-1700 and Sun 1000-1600. Closed 24-25 Dec and 1 Jan.

There is also a tourist office at Stockholm's central station.
Passes
The Stockholm Card (Stockholmskortet) gives free public transport within Stockholm, free sightseeing by boat and free admission to 75 museums and attractions (including the Royal Palace, the Museum of National Antiquities and the National Museum) as well as free parking at municipal parking meters and other special offers and benefits. You can buy the pass at tourist centres, at the City Hall and at hotels, youth hostels and kiosks throughout the city. The Stockholm Card is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL) (tel: (08) 600 1000; website: http://www.sl.se/) offers 24-hour, 72-hour and seven-day travelcards for Greater Stockholm. These cards are available from SL Centres at several metro stations, in the lower hall at the Central Station and in the ticket halls of T-centralen station at Sergels Torg.

BLUE Sydney – A Taj Hotel

BLUE Sydney – A Taj Hotel.

Overview

Vast, vibrant Sydney is the epitome of the Australian surf, sand and sun cliché. Carved out of sandstone headlands with golden beaches and world-class surf, this sun-soaked city offers the ultimate in outdoor living.

At the heart of the city is the harbour, arguably one of the most beautiful waterways in the world, where the curves of the Sydney Opera House shimmer in the sunlight and dozens of white sails float beneath the Harbour Bridge.

The state capital of New South Wales, Sydney is Australia's oldest and largest city and is regarded by many (particularly Sydneysiders) as the country's capital in all but name. It's a thriving centre for both business and the arts with a buzzing cafe culture, a vibrant nightlife, and a restaurant scene fit to rival the most gastronomic destinations.

The Sydney experience is essentially a physical one. Semitropical summers and mild winters mean that days spent indoors are rare. Take a dip in the ocean at Bondi Beach or stretch your legs along the coastal walk to Coogee. Learn to surf at Manly, swim laps at Icebergs pool, kayak around the harbour, catch some rays along the northern beaches or go bush in one of the national parks.

But despite what its neighbours might tell you, there is more to Sydney than it's good-looking exterior. The museums, galleries, theatres and concert venues should satisfy those seeking more cerebral pursuits. History buffs will enjoy The Rocks, where Sydney's sordid beginnings as a British penal colony remain, and further downtown grand Victorian structures sit side by side modern monoliths in glass and steel.

Sydney's Aboriginal heritage has, for the most part, been eclipsed by Australia's white history. Although Sydney has the highest Aboriginal population of any Australia city, a stroll around the city streets offers little evidence of their existence and they remain very much an invisible minority.

The city's busy social calendar means that at almost any time of year, a festival is underway. The summer months host numerous sporting events as well as film, art and theatre festivals but pick any month of the year and you're almost guaranteed to witness some sort of celebration.

Locals have long argued that Sydney is the city that has it all but it was only following the triumphant hosting of the 2000 Olympic Games that the rest of the world sat up and took notice. Now Sydney is a ‘must see' on many a traveller's itinerary and once you've visited, you'll understand exactly why.

Tourist Information

Walking Tours
The Rocks Self-guided Tour leaflet is available from the Sydney Visitor Centre (see Sightseeing) and covers approximately 30 historic buildings and points of interest in The Rocks district. The heritage walk takes one to three hours, beginning at the visitor centre (a former sailor's home) and ending at Cadman's Cottage. The Rocks Walking Tours (tel: (02) 9247 6678; website: www.rockswalkingtours.com.au) operates 90-minute guided tours, taking in all the historic sites. Tours depart three times per day (twice per day on the weekend and in January) from 23 Playfair Street.

Sydney Aboriginal Discoveries (tel: (02) 9680 3098; website: www.sydneyaustour.com.au/Abordiscover.html) runs a number of tours around the city with a focus on Aboriginal history and culture. Visitors explore sacred sites, taste Aboriginal foods, experience Dreamtime music and stories, and discover Aboriginal names and their meanings.

Sydney Architecture Walks (tel: (02) 8239 2211; www.sydneyarchitecture.org) offers four themed walking tours - Sydney Opera House, Public Art, Harbour Features & Buildings and Urban Patterns of Sydney - and are led by enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides.

Bus Tours
City Sightseeing Sydney (tel: (02) 9567 8400; website: www.city-sightseeing.com) covers 22 points of interest in the city, Kings Cross, Woolloomooloo and Darling Harbour, with a hop-on, hop-off service. Departures are every 15 to 30 minutes daily. The red Sydney Explorer (tel: 131 500, in Australia only; website: www.sydneypassinfo/sydneyexplorer/) bus visits an extra five attractions en route (that's 27 in total) accompanied by an on-board commentary. This service starts at Circular Quay but can be picked up at any stop along the route at 20-minute intervals.

Boat Tours
There is a plethora of harbour cruises available from a number of operators; many of them based at Circular Quay. Captain Cook Cruises (tel: (02) 9206 1111; website: www.captaincook.com.au) offers the luxury ‘Sydney 2000 Dinner Cruise', departing every evening from No 6 Jetty Circular Quay. The fee includes an à la carte three-course meal with coffee (wine is extra). The ‘Sydney Harbour Explorer' and ‘Harbour Highlights Cruise' are fully narrated cruises, leaving from No 6 Jetty Circular Quay or Pier 26 in Darling Harbour, with a fixed number of stopping points. The ‘Sydney Harbour Explorer' tour takes two hours and departures are every two hours daily. The ‘Harbour Highlights Cruise' takes approximately 75 minutes with regular departures daily. Matilda Cruises (tel: (02) 9264 7377; www.matilda.com.au) has a range of cruising options including catamarans, yachts and ferries.

Other Tours
For aerial views of Sydney, Australia By Air (tel: (02) 9982 9666; website: www.australiabyair.com.au) offers a one-hour ‘Sydney Scenic Flight' in a twin-engine aircraft. Flights depart Sunday, Wednesday and Friday and include a complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off. The 90-minute ‘Sydney and Mountains Scenic Flight' includes all of the above plus flight over the Blue Mountains.

Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

Imperial Hotel, Tokyo.

Overview

The legendary grande dame of Tokyo's hotels, the Imperial is within walking distance of everything important in the city. The park-side Imperial features impeccable attention to detail; lavish, award-winning cuisine; and airy suites traditionally favored by statesmen, royalty, and celebrities. Personalized services make it Tokyo's address of choice for discerning executives.

Dining In

Thirteen glamorous restaurants for French, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese specialties, including the world-renowned Les Saisons. Sanapplause (11:30-14:30 & 17:00-22:30). Old Imperial bar with Frank Lloyd Wright relics. Kitcho, for local cuisine. Teppanyaki Restaurant Kamon and buffet-style restaurant, the Imperial Viking, on the 17th floor.

Recreation and Health

Fitness Center located on the 20th floor of The Imperial Tower. Heated rooftop pool, sauna baths, massage. Complimentary jogging wear and shoes.

Features

Largest hotel executive service center in Japan, with complimentary meeting space and automated work stations. Amenity lounge for early arrival, late departure. Music practice room. Japanese tea house. 24-hour room service.

Conference Hotel City Hotels Fitness Center Health Clubs Swimming Pool(s) Wedding Chapel Banquets Business Meetings Shopping Available High-Speed Internet Access On-Site Pool

Hotel Okura Tokyo The Main

Hotel Okura Tokyo The Main.

Overview

Effortlessly blending the old and the new, Tokyo is a city that defies definition. Cutting edge technology glitters beside ancient temples, flashing neon lights bathe kimono-clad women, and shining skyscrapers tower above stunning Shinto shrines.

At first glance a city clogged by polluting cars and harassed commuters, Tokyo has spots of tranquility and beautiful detail that amaze and astonish. Home to over 12 million people, this is a city with a history and a heart that captivates every visitor.

This sprawling megalopolis on the Pacific coast of Honshu is on the largest of the 6,800 Japanese islands.

In 1590, the city was founded as Edo, the capital of the shoguns, the succession of hereditary absolute rulers of Japan and commander of the Japanese army. Edo boasted its own vibrant culture, the celebrated ‘floating world’ of pleasure quarters, theatres and cherry blossoms, immortalized in the Japanese woodblock prints of the time.

Following the fall of the shoguns in 1867 (and the restoration of the power of the Emperor), the city was renamed Tokyo, the Eastern Capital, heralding its rebirth as a dynamic modern city and the showpiece of a rapidly modernizing country.

Despite the catastrophic 1923 earthquake, which killed 140,000 and left a further 1.9 million people homeless, and near obliteration during WWII, Tokyo rose from the ashes.

Now a bewildering amalgamation of districts and neighbourhoods, Tokyo still thrive as a coherent whole, due to the extraordinarily efficient network of rail and underground lines that crisscross and encircle the city. These are Tokyo’s arteries, transporting legions of businesspeople, office workers and students from the suburbs and depositing them in vast stations. Two million people a day pass through Shinjuku Station alone.

The towering business districts swarm with soberly dressed corporate warriors and the demure young secretaries known as ‘office flowers’. The architectural anarchy and sheer crush of humanity assaults the senses. Amid the frenzy of consumerism, brash electronics outlets are crammed next to refined upscale boutiques and hordes of giggling schoolgirls swoon over pop idols and the latest fashions in glitzy emporiums.

Downtown, old neighbourhoods cluster around antiquated shopping arcades and the clatter of the temple bell echoes across the rooftops. Here, the rhythms of the seasons are still observed. Tokyoites flock to ring in the New Year at the venerable Shinto shrines and springtime brings a flurry of flower-viewing parties and picnics under the cherry blossoms.

Rowdy, traditional festivals punctuate the humid summers and the spirit of the old Edo also survives in the neon-bathed entertainment districts: modern-day ‘floating worlds’ of karaoke and cinemas, shot bars and bathhouses. Traditional kabuki theatre thrives alongside opera, ballet and symphonic performances, and Tokyoites are passionate about sumo, baseball and now, thanks partly to the 2002 World Cup, football.

With the latest figures estimating an incredible 60,000 eateries in Tokyo and home to the world’s largest fish market, food is an obsession even closer to Japanese hearts. From bowls of steaming ramen noodles to delicate slices of sashimi, chefs compete to offer the freshest produce, and presentation is elevated to an art form.

Japan was once an economic powerhouse inviting the envy of the world, but continuing recession, bank collapses and financial scandals have swept away the financial certainties of the past.

With the arrival of the more ‘yen conscious’ economy, however, Tokyo has become a much more affordable destination. To the surprise of many, travelling and entertaining in this bustling city no longer requires a second mortgage. And with grooming and shopping followed with almost religious fervor, very little economic trepidation is evident to spoil a visitor’s fun.

Visiting the city is a pleasure at any time, except perhaps the sweltering heat of summer (July and August). While winter in the city is cold and crisp, spring (March to May) is the highlight of the year for many, with the arrival of delicate cherry blossoms inspiring sake-soaked picnics in the city’s parks and avenues. Autumn (September to November) sees the oppressive summer heat give way to balmy days and golden leaves.

But avoid Golden Week (late Apr-May) and New Year (late Dec-early Jan), the two most important festivals in the Shinto calendar, because the city closes down. But with festivals celebrated almost every week, whenever you visit there is always something of the old Japan to experience.

Thanks to the determination of the Japanese government to attract foreign visitors, Tokyo is becoming ever easier to navigate. A recent redesign of the subway map makes travelling on the city’s excellent public transport extremely easy. English signage is good and getting better, while learning a few basics in Japanese will go a long way to help navigate the sprawling city’s streets.

With recent statistics heralding an unprecedented rise in tourist numbers, Tokyo is inspiring more western visitors than ever before. Hurtling towards the future while respecting its past, this unique city and the people that live there offer visitors an experience they will never forget.

Tourist Information

WalkingTours
The TokyoTouristInformationOffice (tel: (03) 3201 3331; website: http://www.jnto.go.jp/) provides a leaflet, ‘Walking Tour Courses in Tokyo’, outlining walking routes in several main areas of the city. MrOka’sWalkingToursofTokyo (tel: 0422 51 7673; website: www.homestead.com/mroka/) offers free walking tours of the city. The historian runs a number of tours all over the city, and as they are free they are very popular.

BusTours
HatoBus (tel: (03) 3435 6081; website: http://www.hatobus.co.jp/), JTBSunriseTours (tel: (03) 5796 5454; website: www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/) and JapanGrayLine (tel: (03) 3595 5948; website: www.jgl.co.jp/inbound/index.htm) all offer a wide variety of half-day, full-day and evening bus tours, with English-speaking guides. For example, Hato Bus offers a half-day (0900-1230) ‘Tokyo Morning Tour’ that departs daily from the Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. The tour takes in a number of sights, such as the Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace Plaza, as well as driving through a number of the city’s lively shopping districts. Free hotel pick-up is available.

BoatTours
The TokyoCruiseShipCompany (tel: (03) 5733 4812; website: http://www.suijobus.co.jp/) runs a regular waterbus service along the Sumida River, between Asakusa, the Hama Rikyu Gardens, and Hinode Pier. The trip takes 40 minutes (one way). The company also operates a variety of other waterbus services around Tokyo Bay, lasting between 5 and 55 minutes. Vingt-et-UnCruises (tel: (03) 3436 2121; website: http://www.vantean.co.jp/) and SymphonyCruises (tel: (03) 3798 8101; website: www.symphony-cruise.co.jp/english/) offers daytime and evening boat cruises between 1 and 2 hours around Tokyo Bay. The latter depart from the Hinode Pier.

Other Tours
See Tokyo from a rickshaw and discover areas seldom seen by other tourists. Asakusa’s Rickshaw Tour Guides (tel: (03) 5806 8881; website: http://www.ebisuya.com/) operate daily from 0900 to dusk from near the Asakusa pier on the Sumidagawa River and surrounding areas

Tourist Information WalkingTours The TokyoTouristInformationOffice (tel: (03) 3201 3331; website: http://www.jnto.go.jp/) provides a leaflet, ‘Walking

Overview

Effortlessly blending the old and the new, Tokyo is a city that defies definition. Cutting edge technology glitters beside ancient temples, flashing neon lights bathe kimono-clad women, and shining skyscrapers tower above stunning Shinto shrines.

At first glance a city clogged by polluting cars and harassed commuters, Tokyo has spots of tranquility and beautiful detail that amaze and astonish. Home to over 12 million people, this is a city with a history and a heart that captivates every visitor.

This sprawling megalopolis on the Pacific coast of Honshu is on the largest of the 6,800 Japanese islands.

In 1590, the city was founded as Edo, the capital of the shoguns, the succession of hereditary absolute rulers of Japan and commander of the Japanese army. Edo boasted its own vibrant culture, the celebrated ‘floating world’ of pleasure quarters, theatres and cherry blossoms, immortalized in the Japanese woodblock prints of the time.

Following the fall of the shoguns in 1867 (and the restoration of the power of the Emperor), the city was renamed Tokyo, the Eastern Capital, heralding its rebirth as a dynamic modern city and the showpiece of a rapidly modernizing country.

Despite the catastrophic 1923 earthquake, which killed 140,000 and left a further 1.9 million people homeless, and near obliteration during WWII, Tokyo rose from the ashes.

Now a bewildering amalgamation of districts and neighbourhoods, Tokyo still thrive as a coherent whole, due to the extraordinarily efficient network of rail and underground lines that crisscross and encircle the city. These are Tokyo’s arteries, transporting legions of businesspeople, office workers and students from the suburbs and depositing them in vast stations. Two million people a day pass through Shinjuku Station alone.

The towering business districts swarm with soberly dressed corporate warriors and the demure young secretaries known as ‘office flowers’. The architectural anarchy and sheer crush of humanity assaults the senses. Amid the frenzy of consumerism, brash electronics outlets are crammed next to refined upscale boutiques and hordes of giggling schoolgirls swoon over pop idols and the latest fashions in glitzy emporiums.

Downtown, old neighbourhoods cluster around antiquated shopping arcades and the clatter of the temple bell echoes across the rooftops. Here, the rhythms of the seasons are still observed. Tokyoites flock to ring in the New Year at the venerable Shinto shrines and springtime brings a flurry of flower-viewing parties and picnics under the cherry blossoms.

Rowdy, traditional festivals punctuate the humid summers and the spirit of the old Edo also survives in the neon-bathed entertainment districts: modern-day ‘floating worlds’ of karaoke and cinemas, shot bars and bathhouses. Traditional kabuki theatre thrives alongside opera, ballet and symphonic performances, and Tokyoites are passionate about sumo, baseball and now, thanks partly to the 2002 World Cup, football.

With the latest figures estimating an incredible 60,000 eateries in Tokyo and home to the world’s largest fish market, food is an obsession even closer to Japanese hearts. From bowls of steaming ramen noodles to delicate slices of sashimi, chefs compete to offer the freshest produce, and presentation is elevated to an art form.

Japan was once an economic powerhouse inviting the envy of the world, but continuing recession, bank collapses and financial scandals have swept away the financial certainties of the past.

With the arrival of the more ‘yen conscious’ economy, however, Tokyo has become a much more affordable destination. To the surprise of many, travelling and entertaining in this bustling city no longer requires a second mortgage. And with grooming and shopping followed with almost religious fervor, very little economic trepidation is evident to spoil a visitor’s fun.

Visiting the city is a pleasure at any time, except perhaps the sweltering heat of summer (July and August). While winter in the city is cold and crisp, spring (March to May) is the highlight of the year for many, with the arrival of delicate cherry blossoms inspiring sake-soaked picnics in the city’s parks and avenues. Autumn (September to November) sees the oppressive summer heat give way to balmy days and golden leaves.

But avoid Golden Week (late Apr-May) and New Year (late Dec-early Jan), the two most important festivals in the Shinto calendar, because the city closes down. But with festivals celebrated almost every week, whenever you visit there is always something of the old Japan to experience.

Thanks to the determination of the Japanese government to attract foreign visitors, Tokyo is becoming ever easier to navigate. A recent redesign of the subway map makes travelling on the city’s excellent public transport extremely easy. English signage is good and getting better, while learning a few basics in Japanese will go a long way to help navigate the sprawling city’s streets.

With recent statistics heralding an unprecedented rise in tourist numbers, Tokyo is inspiring more western visitors than ever before. Hurtling towards the future while respecting its past, this unique city and the people that live there offer visitors an experience they will never forget.

Tourist Information

WalkingTours
The TokyoTouristInformationOffice (tel: (03) 3201 3331; website: http://www.jnto.go.jp/) provides a leaflet, ‘Walking Tour Courses in Tokyo’, outlining walking routes in several main areas of the city. MrOka’sWalkingToursofTokyo (tel: 0422 51 7673; website: www.homestead.com/mroka/) offers free walking tours of the city. The historian runs a number of tours all over the city, and as they are free they are very popular.

BusTours
HatoBus (tel: (03) 3435 6081; website: http://www.hatobus.co.jp/), JTBSunriseTours (tel: (03) 5796 5454; website: www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/) and JapanGrayLine (tel: (03) 3595 5948; website: www.jgl.co.jp/inbound/index.htm) all offer a wide variety of half-day, full-day and evening bus tours, with English-speaking guides. For example, Hato Bus offers a half-day (0900-1230) ‘Tokyo Morning Tour’ that departs daily from the Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. The tour takes in a number of sights, such as the Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace Plaza, as well as driving through a number of the city’s lively shopping districts. Free hotel pick-up is available.

BoatTours
The TokyoCruiseShipCompany (tel: (03) 5733 4812; website: http://www.suijobus.co.jp/) runs a regular waterbus service along the Sumida River, between Asakusa, the Hama Rikyu Gardens, and Hinode Pier. The trip takes 40 minutes (one way). The company also operates a variety of other waterbus services around Tokyo Bay, lasting between 5 and 55 minutes. Vingt-et-UnCruises (tel: (03) 3436 2121; website: http://www.vantean.co.jp/) and SymphonyCruises (tel: (03) 3798 8101; website: www.symphony-cruise.co.jp/english/) offers daytime and evening boat cruises between 1 and 2 hours around Tokyo Bay. The latter depart from the Hinode Pier.

Other Tours
See Tokyo from a rickshaw and discover areas seldom seen by other tourists. Asakusa’s Rickshaw Tour Guides (tel: (03) 5806 8881; website: http://www.ebisuya.com/) operate daily from 0900 to dusk from near the Asakusa pier on the Sumidagawa River and surrounding areas

The Prince Park Tower Tokyo

The Prince Park Tower Tokyo.

Overview

Effortlessly blending the old and the new, Tokyo is a city that defies definition. Cutting edge technology glitters beside ancient temples, flashing neon lights bathe kimono-clad women, and shining skyscrapers tower above stunning Shinto shrines.

At first glance a city clogged by polluting cars and harassed commuters, Tokyo has spots of tranquility and beautiful detail that amaze and astonish. Home to over 12 million people, this is a city with a history and a heart that captivates every visitor.

This sprawling megalopolis on the Pacific coast of Honshu is on the largest of the 6,800 Japanese islands.

In 1590, the city was founded as Edo, the capital of the shoguns, the succession of hereditary absolute rulers of Japan and commander of the Japanese army. Edo boasted its own vibrant culture, the celebrated ‘floating world’ of pleasure quarters, theatres and cherry blossoms, immortalized in the Japanese woodblock prints of the time.

Following the fall of the shoguns in 1867 (and the restoration of the power of the Emperor), the city was renamed Tokyo, the Eastern Capital, heralding its rebirth as a dynamic modern city and the showpiece of a rapidly modernizing country.

Despite the catastrophic 1923 earthquake, which killed 140,000 and left a further 1.9 million people homeless, and near obliteration during WWII, Tokyo rose from the ashes.

Now a bewildering amalgamation of districts and neighbourhoods, Tokyo still thrive as a coherent whole, due to the extraordinarily efficient network of rail and underground lines that crisscross and encircle the city. These are Tokyo’s arteries, transporting legions of businesspeople, office workers and students from the suburbs and depositing them in vast stations. Two million people a day pass through Shinjuku Station alone.

The towering business districts swarm with soberly dressed corporate warriors and the demure young secretaries known as ‘office flowers’. The architectural anarchy and sheer crush of humanity assaults the senses. Amid the frenzy of consumerism, brash electronics outlets are crammed next to refined upscale boutiques and hordes of giggling schoolgirls swoon over pop idols and the latest fashions in glitzy emporiums.

Downtown, old neighbourhoods cluster around antiquated shopping arcades and the clatter of the temple bell echoes across the rooftops. Here, the rhythms of the seasons are still observed. Tokyoites flock to ring in the New Year at the venerable Shinto shrines and springtime brings a flurry of flower-viewing parties and picnics under the cherry blossoms.

Rowdy, traditional festivals punctuate the humid summers and the spirit of the old Edo also survives in the neon-bathed entertainment districts: modern-day ‘floating worlds’ of karaoke and cinemas, shot bars and bathhouses. Traditional kabuki theatre thrives alongside opera, ballet and symphonic performances, and Tokyoites are passionate about sumo, baseball and now, thanks partly to the 2002 World Cup, football.

With the latest figures estimating an incredible 60,000 eateries in Tokyo and home to the world’s largest fish market, food is an obsession even closer to Japanese hearts. From bowls of steaming ramen noodles to delicate slices of sashimi, chefs compete to offer the freshest produce, and presentation is elevated to an art form.

Japan was once an economic powerhouse inviting the envy of the world, but continuing recession, bank collapses and financial scandals have swept away the financial certainties of the past.

With the arrival of the more ‘yen conscious’ economy, however, Tokyo has become a much more affordable destination. To the surprise of many, travelling and entertaining in this bustling city no longer requires a second mortgage. And with grooming and shopping followed with almost religious fervor, very little economic trepidation is evident to spoil a visitor’s fun.

Visiting the city is a pleasure at any time, except perhaps the sweltering heat of summer (July and August). While winter in the city is cold and crisp, spring (March to May) is the highlight of the year for many, with the arrival of delicate cherry blossoms inspiring sake-soaked picnics in the city’s parks and avenues. Autumn (September to November) sees the oppressive summer heat give way to balmy days and golden leaves.

But avoid Golden Week (late Apr-May) and New Year (late Dec-early Jan), the two most important festivals in the Shinto calendar, because the city closes down. But with festivals celebrated almost every week, whenever you visit there is always something of the old Japan to experience.

Thanks to the determination of the Japanese government to attract foreign visitors, Tokyo is becoming ever easier to navigate. A recent redesign of the subway map makes travelling on the city’s excellent public transport extremely easy. English signage is good and getting better, while learning a few basics in Japanese will go a long way to help navigate the sprawling city’s streets.

With recent statistics heralding an unprecedented rise in tourist numbers, Tokyo is inspiring more western visitors than ever before. Hurtling towards the future while respecting its past, this unique city and the people that live there offer visitors an experience they will never forget.

Tourist Information

WalkingTours
The TokyoTouristInformationOffice (tel: (03) 3201 3331; website: http://www.jnto.go.jp/) provides a leaflet, ‘Walking Tour Courses in Tokyo’, outlining walking routes in several main areas of the city. MrOka’sWalkingToursofTokyo (tel: 0422 51 7673; website: www.homestead.com/mroka/) offers free walking tours of the city. The historian runs a number of tours all over the city, and as they are free they are very popular.

BusTours
HatoBus (tel: (03) 3435 6081; website: http://www.hatobus.co.jp/), JTBSunriseTours (tel: (03) 5796 5454; website: www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/) and JapanGrayLine (tel: (03) 3595 5948; website: www.jgl.co.jp/inbound/index.htm) all offer a wide variety of half-day, full-day and evening bus tours, with English-speaking guides. For example, Hato Bus offers a half-day (0900-1230) ‘Tokyo Morning Tour’ that departs daily from the Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. The tour takes in a number of sights, such as the Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace Plaza, as well as driving through a number of the city’s lively shopping districts. Free hotel pick-up is available.

BoatTours
The TokyoCruiseShipCompany (tel: (03) 5733 4812; website: http://www.suijobus.co.jp/) runs a regular waterbus service along the Sumida River, between Asakusa, the Hama Rikyu Gardens, and Hinode Pier. The trip takes 40 minutes (one way). The company also operates a variety of other waterbus services around Tokyo Bay, lasting between 5 and 55 minutes. Vingt-et-UnCruises (tel: (03) 3436 2121; website: http://www.vantean.co.jp/) and SymphonyCruises (tel: (03) 3798 8101; website: www.symphony-cruise.co.jp/english/) offers daytime and evening boat cruises between 1 and 2 hours around Tokyo Bay. The latter depart from the Hinode Pier.

Other Tours
See Tokyo from a rickshaw and discover areas seldom seen by other tourists. Asakusa’s Rickshaw Tour Guides (tel: (03) 5806 8881; website: http://www.ebisuya.com/) operate daily from 0900 to dusk from near the Asakusa pier on the Sumidagawa River and surrounding areas.

Hotel Seiyo Ginza, A Rosewood Hotel

Hotel Seiyo Ginza, A Rosewood Hotel.

Overview

Effortlessly blending the old and the new, Tokyo is a city that defies definition. Cutting edge technology glitters beside ancient temples, flashing neon lights bathe kimono-clad women, and shining skyscrapers tower above stunning Shinto shrines.

At first glance a city clogged by polluting cars and harassed commuters, Tokyo has spots of tranquility and beautiful detail that amaze and astonish. Home to over 12 million people, this is a city with a history and a heart that captivates every visitor.

This sprawling megalopolis on the Pacific coast of Honshu is on the largest of the 6,800 Japanese islands.

In 1590, the city was founded as Edo, the capital of the shoguns, the succession of hereditary absolute rulers of Japan and commander of the Japanese army. Edo boasted its own vibrant culture, the celebrated ‘floating world’ of pleasure quarters, theatres and cherry blossoms, immortalized in the Japanese woodblock prints of the time.

Following the fall of the shoguns in 1867 (and the restoration of the power of the Emperor), the city was renamed Tokyo, the Eastern Capital, heralding its rebirth as a dynamic modern city and the showpiece of a rapidly modernizing country.

Despite the catastrophic 1923 earthquake, which killed 140,000 and left a further 1.9 million people homeless, and near obliteration during WWII, Tokyo rose from the ashes.

Now a bewildering amalgamation of districts and neighbourhoods, Tokyo still thrive as a coherent whole, due to the extraordinarily efficient network of rail and underground lines that crisscross and encircle the city. These are Tokyo’s arteries, transporting legions of businesspeople, office workers and students from the suburbs and depositing them in vast stations. Two million people a day pass through Shinjuku Station alone.

The towering business districts swarm with soberly dressed corporate warriors and the demure young secretaries known as ‘office flowers’. The architectural anarchy and sheer crush of humanity assaults the senses. Amid the frenzy of consumerism, brash electronics outlets are crammed next to refined upscale boutiques and hordes of giggling schoolgirls swoon over pop idols and the latest fashions in glitzy emporiums.

Downtown, old neighbourhoods cluster around antiquated shopping arcades and the clatter of the temple bell echoes across the rooftops. Here, the rhythms of the seasons are still observed. Tokyoites flock to ring in the New Year at the venerable Shinto shrines and springtime brings a flurry of flower-viewing parties and picnics under the cherry blossoms.

Rowdy, traditional festivals punctuate the humid summers and the spirit of the old Edo also survives in the neon-bathed entertainment districts: modern-day ‘floating worlds’ of karaoke and cinemas, shot bars and bathhouses. Traditional kabuki theatre thrives alongside opera, ballet and symphonic performances, and Tokyoites are passionate about sumo, baseball and now, thanks partly to the 2002 World Cup, football.

With the latest figures estimating an incredible 60,000 eateries in Tokyo and home to the world’s largest fish market, food is an obsession even closer to Japanese hearts. From bowls of steaming ramen noodles to delicate slices of sashimi, chefs compete to offer the freshest produce, and presentation is elevated to an art form.

Japan was once an economic powerhouse inviting the envy of the world, but continuing recession, bank collapses and financial scandals have swept away the financial certainties of the past.

With the arrival of the more ‘yen conscious’ economy, however, Tokyo has become a much more affordable destination. To the surprise of many, travelling and entertaining in this bustling city no longer requires a second mortgage. And with grooming and shopping followed with almost religious fervor, very little economic trepidation is evident to spoil a visitor’s fun.

Visiting the city is a pleasure at any time, except perhaps the sweltering heat of summer (July and August). While winter in the city is cold and crisp, spring (March to May) is the highlight of the year for many, with the arrival of delicate cherry blossoms inspiring sake-soaked picnics in the city’s parks and avenues. Autumn (September to November) sees the oppressive summer heat give way to balmy days and golden leaves.

But avoid Golden Week (late Apr-May) and New Year (late Dec-early Jan), the two most important festivals in the Shinto calendar, because the city closes down. But with festivals celebrated almost every week, whenever you visit there is always something of the old Japan to experience.

Thanks to the determination of the Japanese government to attract foreign visitors, Tokyo is becoming ever easier to navigate. A recent redesign of the subway map makes travelling on the city’s excellent public transport extremely easy. English signage is good and getting better, while learning a few basics in Japanese will go a long way to help navigate the sprawling city’s streets.

With recent statistics heralding an unprecedented rise in tourist numbers, Tokyo is inspiring more western visitors than ever before. Hurtling towards the future while respecting its past, this unique city and the people that live there offer visitors an experience they will never forget.

Tourist Information

WalkingTours
The TokyoTouristInformationOffice (tel: (03) 3201 3331; website: http://www.jnto.go.jp/) provides a leaflet, ‘Walking Tour Courses in Tokyo’, outlining walking routes in several main areas of the city. MrOka’sWalkingToursofTokyo (tel: 0422 51 7673; website: www.homestead.com/mroka/) offers free walking tours of the city. The historian runs a number of tours all over the city, and as they are free they are very popular.

BusTours
HatoBus (tel: (03) 3435 6081; website: http://www.hatobus.co.jp/), JTBSunriseTours (tel: (03) 5796 5454; website: www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/) and JapanGrayLine (tel: (03) 3595 5948; website: www.jgl.co.jp/inbound/index.htm) all offer a wide variety of half-day, full-day and evening bus tours, with English-speaking guides. For example, Hato Bus offers a half-day (0900-1230) ‘Tokyo Morning Tour’ that departs daily from the Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal. The tour takes in a number of sights, such as the Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace Plaza, as well as driving through a number of the city’s lively shopping districts. Free hotel pick-up is available.

BoatTours
The TokyoCruiseShipCompany (tel: (03) 5733 4812; website: http://www.suijobus.co.jp/) runs a regular waterbus service along the Sumida River, between Asakusa, the Hama Rikyu Gardens, and Hinode Pier. The trip takes 40 minutes (one way). The company also operates a variety of other waterbus services around Tokyo Bay, lasting between 5 and 55 minutes. Vingt-et-UnCruises (tel: (03) 3436 2121; website: http://www.vantean.co.jp/) and SymphonyCruises (tel: (03) 3798 8101; website: www.symphony-cruise.co.jp/english/) offers daytime and evening boat cruises between 1 and 2 hours around Tokyo Bay. The latter depart from the Hinode Pier.

Other Tours
See Tokyo from a rickshaw and discover areas seldom seen by other tourists. Asakusa’s Rickshaw Tour Guides (tel: (03) 5806 8881; website: http://www.ebisuya.com/) operate daily from 0900 to dusk from near the Asakusa pier on the Sumidagawa River and surrounding areas.