All posts for the month May, 2010

Caravaggio Comes to Florence

Florence

Copyright Rayced

Although Caravaggio spent much of his controversial career in Rome, his dramatic paintings influenced many important Florentine artists and collectors as well.

In honor of the 400th anniversary of his death, the Palatine Gallery at the Pitti Palace and the Uffizi will host “Caravaggio e caravaggeschi a Firenze,” an exhibition of more than 100 paintings by Caravaggio and those he inspired running from now until October 10. This show promises to be a memorable opportunity for fans of Caravaggio’s moody, luminously dark masterpieces.

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 28, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 28, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/caravaggio-comes-to-florence/

ABaC Hotel & Restaurant, Barcelona

ABaC Hotel & Restaurant

Copyright ABaC Hotel & Restaurant

From the Members’ Forum:

“We just returned from two weeks in Spain, including five nights at ABaC Hotel & Restaurant in Barcelona.  Without question, the finest staff, top to bottom, we’ve ever encountered.  The hotel is beautifully and pleasantly modern, with top amenities.  The restaurant, which is designed as an integral part of the hotel, is one of the two best restaurants in which we’ve ever eaten.  The service is superb, as is the food.  The tasting menu is a must.  It’s just astonishingly good.”

From the September 2009 Hideaway Report:

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 27, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 27, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/abac-hotel-restaurant-barcelona/

Notable Events in June

Hong Kong Skyline

The Hong Kong Skyline. Copyright Base64 and CarolSpears

JUNE 12-13: Rather than braving the insanity of Oktoberfest, help Munich celebrate its 852nd birthday by attending the colorful Stadtgründungsfest. In front of major landmarks such as the neo-Gothic City Hall and late-Gothic Church of Our Lady, musicians and folk dancers entertain the spectators who aren’t perusing the numerous food and handicraft stalls. Rumor has it that beer is also available.

JUNE 16: In honor of a third-century B.C. Chinese poet who drowned himself to protest a corrupt government, Hong Kong hosts the annual Dragon Boat Festival. One hundred teams of 20 rowers race ornate dragon boats down the Shing Mun River in Sha Tin, cheered on by crowds of locals munching traditional rice dumplings. Dragon dances and fireworks displays round out the festivities.

JUNE 25-28: One of North America’s most charming big cities, Montréal sparkles with music during its Baroque music festival. Although specifics for this year are not yet available, organizers plan to feature Renaissance masterpieces, focusing especially on the rich harmonies of Claudio Monteverdi. A Baroque music parade through Old Montréal is a traditional highlight of the festival.

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 26, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 26, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/26/notable-events-in-june/

Enchanting Kraków, Poland

Kraków, Poland

Copyright Diether

This remarkable city straddles the banks of the Vistula River in the foothills of the Tatra Mountains, in the southern part of Poland. Kraków was the seat of the Polish kings and the country’s capital until 1596, when the government moved to Warsaw, a blow from which it is still smarting four centuries later. A prosperous city of 750,000, Kraków is dense with royal monuments and palaces, along with dozens of churches ranging from Gothic to baroque.

For an overnight stop in Kraków, we recommend the 53-room Hotel Stary, which occupies an elegant 15th-century townhouse with a neoclassical façade just off of Rynek Glowny. Alert and friendly service, a dramatic indoor pool in the vaulted basement, and rooms that complement the building’s original medieval architecture with sleek, contemporary furniture make this an exceptionally pleasant stay. Perhaps the most telling detail of our last visit: When we went downstairs for a 6 a.m. checkout, they had prepared us unbidden a generous takeaway breakfast of juice, yogurt, bacon-and-egg sandwiches, mineral water and fruit.

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 25, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in HOTELS, TRIP REPORT
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 25, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/enchanting-krakow-poland/

Travel Photo of the Week: Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

Copyright John Paul Endicott

A street scene in Edinburgh, at the base of Edinburgh Castle.

This week’s featured Harper Auction is a three-night stay in a Deluxe Suite at Edinburgh’s Balmoral (a $2,250 retail value) for a starting bid of $1,350.

From the Harper Collection:

“Distinguished Edwardian hotel at the eastern end of Princes Street, the city’s major thoroughfare, convenient to shopping and attractions. The 188 stylish rooms and suites, many with views toward Edinburgh Castle, have high ceilings and combine contemporary elegance and traditional Scottish charm. Baths are finished in marble and ceramic. Public areas include the popular Palm Court and gourmet one-star number one dining room, plus a chic contemporary brasserie and striking new Balmoral Bar. Also full-service health and fitness spa with five treatment rooms, 50-foot indoor pool, sauna, steam room, gym and exercise studio.”

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 24, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 24, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/travel-photo-of-the-week-edinburgh-scotland/

Shopping Discoveries in Hamilton, Bermuda

Hamilton, Bermuda

A classic Bermuda scene. Copyright kansasphoto

If you want to start a lively discussion on Bermuda, just bring up the subject of Triminghams. A beloved store that many on the island described as “our Macy’s,” this was a must on any retail excursion in the capital of Hamilton. Here one could find an array of fine china, crystal, distinctive resort wear and a rainbow of sweaters that Ralph Lauren would have envied. Trimingham’s merged with another respected retailer, Smith’s, and for reasons that are still the source of much speculation, the combined entity went out of business in 2005.

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 21, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 21, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/shopping-in-hamilton-bermuda/

Mystical Southern India Signature Tour

Theyyam, Kerala, India

Theyyam, a ritual dance form popular in northern Kerala. Copyright Bobinson

Southern India, with its lush and tropical beauty, feels like a different country from the northern region. Long known as the “Spice Coast” for its valuable harvest of cloves, cinnamon and pepper, the southwestern coast enjoyed a strong trade with the Middle East and Mediterranean, fostering a unique local culture. Thanks to the demands of its newly wealthy citizens, infrastructure has been significantly improved, and travel in this once-isolated region is easier than ever. Join us as we explore mystical Southern India by private aircraft, and immerse yourself in the wonders of this unspoiled land.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 20, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 20, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/20/mystical-southern-india-signature-tour/

News From Florida: Little Palm Island, WaterColor Inn

WaterColor Inn

Copyright WaterColor Inn

We recently spoke with Little Palm Island, a longtime Harper favorite in the Florida Keys, about how their season was shaping up in the wake of the Gulf oil leak. Fortunately this South Seas-style retreat remains unaffected, as does WaterColor Inn & Resort, Mr. Harper’s recommendation in the Florida Panhandle.

Pictures of the beach and water are posted regularly on the Facebook pages of both Little Palm Island and WaterColor Inn & Resort, where you can also read up-to-the-minute guest comments.

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 19, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 19, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/19/news-from-florida-little-palm-island-and-watercolor-inn/

The Tapas Bars of Andalusia, Spain

Tapas bar, Andalusia, Spain

Copyright Anu & Anant

Tapas bars are one of the great pleasures of traveling in Spain. Not only do these lively, inexpensive places capture the exuberance of Spanish life, they pour decent wines by the glass and serve a variety of inventive, affordable nibbles that are perfect for a light meal.

Spain’s tapas tradition dates to the Middle Ages and is cloaked in folklore. The original tapas were small plates of food that bartenders placed on top of freshly poured drinks, possibly to keep flies away from the sweet wine. Over the centuries, tapas have become a bona fide Spanish gastronomic art form. Every region of the country has its own particular style, and a new generation of daring Spanish chefs has adopted the cuisine as an opportunity to invent clever cameos of culinary talent. Though tapas are found from the Basque Country in northern Spain to Catalonia and Madrid, it is broadly agreed that Andalusia, particularly Seville and Córdoba, have the best in the country.

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 18, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 18, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/18/the-tapas-bars-of-andalusia-spain/

Travel Photo of the Week: Paris, France

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Copright Etienne

An early morning view of Notre Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité, where the medieval city of Paris was founded.

This week’s featured Harper Auction is a three-night stay in the Hotel Le Bristol Paris (a retail value of $3,350) for a starting bid of $2,010. The auction concludes tomorrow, May 18, at 4 p.m. CST. For more details please click here.

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by andrewharpertravelblog on May 17, 2010  •  Permalink
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Posted by andrewharpertravelblog on May 17, 2010

https://andrewharpertravelblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/travel-photo-of-the-week-paris/

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