Dubai - May 2016

This is the Financial Centre metro station pointing in the direction of the Dubai Mall, and on to the UAE Exchange. As with most pubic places in this part of the world, there are various rules of behaviour on the Dubai Metro - things like: "no smoking", and "wear respectful clothing", and "no public displays of affection". But there's also an odd one which seems to have crept in - "carrying fish is prohibited". What the...

Hamburg - March 2016

First time in Hamburg. While I'm staying in the wonderful development of HafenCity, the town itself has been a bit of a disappointment.

Valletta - February 2016

This is my last day in Malta [staying a few kilometres from Valletta in St Julian's].

Yesterday afternoon, for the two hours before sunset - which at this time of year is a bit before 18:00 - I enjoyed a leisurely walk up and down the streets of Valletta. With very few exceptions, the buildings are old and in a state of disrepair. They look utterly charming en masse - especially as the stone is honeyed and weathered - but in truth, it presents an impoverished reality of the down-at-heel state of this fortress island.

After my walk, and before a rather prompt return the the hotel via my driver, Lawrence, I ate at the splendidly tranquil Adesso on South Street. Veal carpaccio followed by pork cheeks cooked 'sous vide'. Yum!

Krakow - January 2016

Kuala Lumpur - January 2016

Stockholm - November 2015

This is probably my last overseas trip this year - three days in Stockholm. Just spent the first evening at Stockholm Fisk in Vasagatan, right in the centre of town. Lemon sole with parmesan gratin, prawns and a white wine sauce. Chablis. Yum...

Warsaw - November 2015

Paris - October 2015

Athens - October 2015

Moscow - March 2015

It's easy to forget just how grey everything is in Moscow. The sky is grey. The buildings are grey. The food is grey. Even the people are mostly grey. So one of the best places to be in Moscow on a dull February afternoon is the BA lounge at Domodedovo airport.

Madrid - February 2015

A few days working in Madrid, but starting out with a trip to the wonderful Mercado de San Miguel.

Istanbul - February 2015

Oslo - December 2014

A few days away between Christmas and the New Year. Hadn't been to Oslo for several years, and quite forgot just how lovely it is.

These are a few photographs from the extraordinary Vigeland Park in Frogner - home to some 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland.

Madrid - November 2014

No visit to Madrid is complete without a visit to Giangrossi at Calle Cava Baja. The reason - just the best Mojito in the City.

Johannesburgh

Krakow... again

Portugal

Arrived here - Carcavelos, some 40 kilometres from Lisbon - a couple of hours ago. It's lovely and sunny, but windy and chilly too. Just a simple paddle in the sea to make me feel that I'm somewhere different.

USA - 2014

This is my daughter Phoebe [next to my son, Harry] eating a quick lunch at a newly-opened noodle bar opposite her office on Seventh Avenue, New York

USA - 2013

Another Catch-up

So, after Krakow, Poland and Doha, Qatar, my next overseas destinations in 2013 were:
May - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
June - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
September - Jakarta, Indonesia
September - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

These were for business only, but I also spent a few days - a very few days - in France in August. A quick trip to Barneville Carteret, and the Hôtel Restaurant Des Isles